Expandable material for use in a garment

• US 20060064797A1
• Filed: 09/30/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Ambrose, Julia A., Pyeatt Rowe, Patricia L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,234,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/244
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/12 Surgeons' or patients' gowns or dresses operating gloves A61B42/10
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 15/00 Convertible garments
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 15/002 in their length

Abstract

A protective garment having an expandable material incorporated therein is provided. The expandable material may be formed of a nonwoven fabric having a first fabric surface and a second fabric surface which is opposite the first fabric surface. A section of the fabric defines at least one region gathered into a plurality of successive pleats. Each pleat is made of an overlap in the fabric such that a portion of the first fabric surface is disposed adjacent to another portion of the first fabric surface. A secondary panel for straddling a pleat may be provided. The secondary panel may be attached to the fabric by attachment points that are adapted to retain the pleat in a folded state until application of a tensile force directed along the fabric length causes the secondary panel to separate which would enable the pleat to unfold.

Claims

1. An expandable garment comprising:

a garment body having two sleeves attached thereto, the garment body and sleeves formed of a nonwoven fabric having a first fabric surface and a second fabric surface opposite the first fabric surface, a section of the fabric defining at least one region gathered into a plurality of successive pleats, each pleat comprising an overlap in the fabric such that a portion of the first fabric surface is disposed adjacent to another portion of the first fabric surface,

a secondary panel attached via attachment points to the fabric, the secondary panel straddling a pleat and adapted to separate at a predetermined region upon application of a tensile force to the region causing the pleat to at least partially unfold.

2. The garment of claim 1 comprising a plurality of regions disposed upon sections of the garment, each region adapted to be independently lengthened to accommodate different size individuals.

3. The garment of claim 1 wherein the region is adapted to affect overall garment length.

4. The garment of claim 1 wherein the region is adapted to affect overall sleeve length.

5. The garment of claim 1 wherein the region is adapted to affect overall sleeve width.

6. The garment of claim 1 wherein the region is adapted to affect garmen t width.

7. The garment of claim 1 wherein the attachment points comprise an adhesive.

8. The garment of claim 1 wherein the secondary panel is perforated and separation of the secondary panel occurs at the perforation.

9. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment is selected from a group consisting of medical apparel, surgical gowns, shirts, and coveralls.

10. An extensible material for use in a garment comprising:

a fabric having a length, a first surface, and an opposing second surface;

the fabric containing at least one pleat transverse to the length made by overlapping the fabric such that a first portion of the first surface is disposed adjacent to a second portion of the first surface;

a secondary panel comprising a separable material straddling the pleat in the fabric, the secondary panel attached to the fabric by attachment points and adapted to retain the pleat in a folded state until application of a tensile force directed along the fabric length causes the secondary panel to separate enabling the pleat to unfold.

11. The material of claim 10 comprising an adhesive disposed upon the secondary material, the adhesive forming the attachment points between the fabric and the secondary panel.

12. The material of claim 10 wherein the secondary material is perforated and separation of the secondary panel occurs at the perforation.

13. The material of claim 10 wherein the secondary material comprises pulp fibers.

14. The material of claim 10 wherein the tensile force is applied by a wearer -pulling on the material.

15. The material of claim 10 wherein application of the tensile force results in the release of each pleat incrementally.

16. A surgical gown comprising the material of claim 10.

17. The surgical gown of claim 16 wherein the secondary panel is disposed on an inner surface of the fabric.