Expandable material for use in a garment

• US 20060107434A1
• Filed: 09/30/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Rowe, Patricia L. Pyeatt, Ambrose, Julia A.
• Application Number:
  US10/955,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20060107434A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/69
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/12 Surgeons' or patients' gowns or dresses operating gloves A61B42/10
• 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. These two adjacent surfaces are affixed to one another. The entire region is selectively extensible by application of a tensile force to the region which causes the two surfaces to at least partially detach thus enabling the pleat to at least partially 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, the two adjacent surfaces affixed to one another, the region being selectively extensible by application of a tensile force to the region causing the two surfaces to at least partially detach enabling 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 garment width.

7. The garment of claim 1 comprising a releasable adhesive disposed upon at least one portion of the first fabric surface for affixing the surfaces together.

8. The garment of claim 1 comprising a releasable adhesive disposed upon at least one portion of the second fabric surface for affixing adjacent pleats to one another.

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 and the first and second portions are removably affixed to one another until freed by application of a tensile force directed along the fabric length.

11. The material of claim 10 comprising a releasable adhesive disposed upon at least one portion of the first surface for removably affixing the portions of the surfaces together.

12. The material of claim 10 wherein adjacent pleats are removably affixed to one another until freed by application of the tensile force directed along the fabric length.

13. The material of claim 10 comprising a releasable adhesive disposed upon at least one portion of the second surface for removably affixing portions of the second surfaces together.

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 an incremental release of the affixed portions.

16. The material of claim 10 wherein application of the tensile force results in a smooth release of the affixed portions.

17. The material of claim 10 wherein the pleat comprises an additional fold.

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