WO2026011051A1

WO2026011051A1 - Reusable, rear-opening protective garment with comfort features

Info

Publication number: WO2026011051A1
Application number: PCT/US2025/036248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jessica Lauren Lape Clagett; Richard HOLBERT JR.; Rajib MONDAL; Sara Arvidson Broadaway; Warren William Gerhardt; Amy M. Luttrell; Veronica L. EASTMAN
Original assignee: Standard Textile Co Inc
Current assignee: Standard Textile Co Inc
Priority date: 2024-07-03
Filing date: 2025-07-02
Publication date: 2026-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-03
Also published as: US20260007191A1

Abstract

A reusable, rear-opening protective gown (10) having comfort features is provided. The gown (10) includes a central gown body (12) including a front panel (14) and a back panel (16). The gown (10) opens at the back panel (16). A plurality of fastening elements (46) is positioned on or proximate to the back panel (16), with each fastening element (46) including first and second fasteners (48, 50) configured to engage with one another to define a selectively releasable connection. The gown (10) further includes a ventilation cape (26) formed by a ventilation opening (28) in the central gown body (12), wherein the ventilation opening (28) facilitates heat management and increases comfort for a wearer within the gown (10) while still providing splash protection at the location of heat venting. Additional features of the gown (10) further help dissipate heat from the user while adding comfort in additional manners (including lowering visual strain) for users in medical settings such as operating rooms.

Description

REUSABLE, REAR-OPENING PROTECTIVE GARMENT WITH COMFORT FEATURES

Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 18/763,712 filed July 3, 2024, and this application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/718,980 filed Nov. 11 , 2024, the contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to personal protective equipment (PPE) apparel, and more specifically, PPE healthcare apparel in the form of a rear-opening protective gown that may be used by various workers in the healthcare industry, including during surgery.

Background

[0003] Protective gowns (also referred to as an isolation gown, a surgical gown, or a barrier gown herein) are identified as the second-most used piece of PPE, following gloves, in the healthcare setting. The protective gown is intended to protect healthcare patients and workers (e.g., doctors and nurses) from the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms, body fluids, and/or particulate materials. The gown generally covers the torso and clothing of a wearer and acts as a physical barrier against the transfer of such microorganisms and other materials. The same properties that make a gown an effective barrier can also make the gown uncomfortable to wear. Particularly, an interior of a gown can become uncomfortably warm, especially during a prolonged surgical procedure, for example. Additionally, the nature of surgical work, stress, surgical lights, and the temperature of the surgical theater (such as those being used for burn victims and/or pediatrics/neonates), for example, can further contribute to the interior of a gown becoming uncomfortably warm.

[0004] It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved PPE rear opening protective gown, such as for use in the healthcare industry, that is reusable and comfortable for the wearer — particularly, with respect to heat management. Summary

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention provide rear-opening protective gowns and methods of use that address these and other drawbacks in the known PPE art. Certain exemplary aspects of the invention are set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0006] In a first aspect of the invention, a rear-opening protective gown defining a personal protective equipment garment configured for removal by pullforward doffing action is disclosed. The protective gown includes a central gown body sized to wrap around at least a torso area of a wearer. The central gown body includes a front panel and a back panel, with the back panel being separated into a right portion and a left portion such that the protective gown opens at the back panel. One of the right portion and left portion includes an overlapping section and the other of the right portion and left portion includes a corresponding overlapped section. The overlapping section and overlapped section are configured to lay over one another when the protective gown is donned by the wearer and closed. The protective gown further includes a ventilation cape formed by a ventilation opening in the central gown body, wherein the ventilation cape is secured to the overlapping section via a bar tack that partially secures the ventilation opening closed and that forms a joint between the ventilation cape and the overlapping section. The protective gown further includes a pair of opposing left and right sleeves that cooperate with and extend away from the central gown body for receiving arms of the wearer. The protective gown also includes a neck opening defined by the central gown body adjacent a shoulder region of the central gown body located proximate a junction of the left and right sleeves with the central gown body. In addition, the protective gown includes a plurality of fastening elements positioned on or proximate to the back panel and configured to permit doffing of the gown. This configuration of the ventilation cape and ventilation opening provide an additional place for hot air and moisture to exit an interior of the gown and thus facilitate heat management and increasing comfort for a wearer within the gown. The protective gown therefore improves the existing field of protective gowns by combining comfort features and the pull forward doffing capability with the reuseable aspects of the prior, limited gowns.

[0007] In one embodiment, the ventilation cape is located on the right portion of the back panel. Also, the bar tack may be located at a middle of the ventilation cape. Further, in embodiments, the central gown body may include a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, with the neck opening being positioned proximate to the top end, and the ventilation opening may be oriented to face downwards towards the bottom end. Moreover, in embodiments, the ventilation opening may be closer to the top end than the bottom end. Furthermore, in embodiments at least some portions of the central body and/or at least some portions the opposing left and/or right sleeves may comprise electrostatic dissipative or anti-static yarns. Also, in embodiments, the neck opening may define a V-shaped collar.

[0008] In another embodiment, the gown further includes a mesh lining that is a more porous and breathable material than the central gown body and the pair of opposing left and right sleeves. In such embodiments, the ventilation cape may cover at least some of the mesh lining, and in even further embodiments, the mesh lining may be provided on other portions of the back panel beyond the ventilation opening. In embodiments, the ventilation opening is closer to the top end of the central gown body than the bottom end of the central gown body, with the ventilation opening being oriented to face downwards towards the bottom end, and the bar tack is positioned at a middle of the ventilation cape. In embodiments, a width of the ventilation cape at the ventilation opening is wider than the mesh lining arranged at the ventilation opening, thereby blousing the ventilation cape to allow the ventilation cape to hang loose and open for increased ventilation flow. The material or materials defining the mesh lining is configured to meet snagging resistance performance metrics defined under ASTM D 3939-13 and under ASTM D 5362-13. [0009] In yet another embodiment, the central gown body includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, with the neck opening being positioned proximate to the top end, and the central gown body further includes angled hems at a bottom end. In embodiments, the angled hems are formed in front panel and the back panel. In embodiments, the angled hems may be formed at opposite sides of the central gown body.

[0010] In another embodiment, rear-opening protective gown further includes a pair of pull loops connected to the central gown body along opposite sides of a waist region of the wearer and along connections of the front panel to the back panel. The pull loops may be sized and positioned to be configured to receive or be configured to be grasped by one or more fingers of hands to thereby provide convenient gripping locations to apply the doffing force to open and remove the protective gown. The convenient gripping locations may also being positioned away from portions of the protective gown along the front panel most likely to be soiled during use by the wearer. In such embodiments, each of the pull loops may be formed from a material having a highly contrasting color from a material defining the central gown body to guide a person to the location where doffing forces should be applied to remove the protective gown. Further, in such embodiments, at least a portion of each of the pull loops may be orange or red in color, and at least a portion of the central gown body may be green in color.

[0011] In another aspect of the invention, a rear-opening protective gown defining a personal protective equipment garment is disclosed. The protective gown includes a central gown body sized to wrap around at least a torso area of a wearer. The central gown body includes a front panel and a back panel, with the back panel being separated into a right portion and a left portion such that the protective gown opens at the back panel. The protective gown further includes a pair of opposing left and right sleeves that cooperate with and extend away from the central gown body for receiving arms of the wearer. The protective gown also includes a neck opening defined by the central gown body adjacent a shoulder region of the central gown body located proximate a junction of the left and right sleeves with the central gown body. Also, the protective gown includes a plurality of fastening elements positioned on or proximate to the back panel and configured to permit doffing of the gown. Further, the protective gown includes a ventilation cape and a mesh lining. The ventilation cape is formed by a ventilation opening in the central gown body, and the mesh lining is of a more porous and breathable material than the central gown body. The ventilation opening is formed in the overlapping section of the back panel and the overlapping section includes at least some of the mesh lining arranged underneath the ventilation cape, such that the mesh lining allows for air to pass between an interior and an exterior of the gown while the ventilation cape provides a barrier covering for the mesh lining to provide splash protection in an area of the ventilation opening. [0012] In yet another aspect of the invention, a rear-opening protective gown defining a personal protective equipment garment is disclosed. The protective gown includes a central gown body sized to wrap around at least a torso area of a wearer. The central gown body includes a top end and a bottom end, as well as a front panel and a back panel, with the back panel being separated into a right portion and a left portion such that the protective gown opens at the back panel. The protective gown further includes a pair of opposing left and right sleeves that cooperate with and extend away from the central gown body for receiving arms of the wearer. The protective gown also includes a neck opening defined by the central gown body adjacent a shoulder region of the central gown body located proximate a junction of the left and right sleeves with the central gown body. The neck opening is positioned proximate to the top end. Also, the protective gown includes a plurality of fastening elements positioned on or proximate to the back panel and configured to permit doffing of the gown. Further, the protective gown includes a ventilation cape formed by a ventilation opening in the central gown body. The ventilation opening is formed in the overlapping section of the back panel, the ventilation opening is closer to the top end than the bottom end, and the ventilation opening is oriented to face downwards towards the bottom end. In addition, protective gown includes a bar tack that secures the ventilation cape to the right portion of the back panel. The bar tack at least partially secures the ventilation opening closed and forms a joint between the ventilation cape and the back panel. Moreover, the protective gown includes a mesh lining. The mesh lining is a more porous and breathable material than the central gown body. The overlapping section includes at least some of the mesh lining arranged underneath the ventilation cape, such that the mesh lining allows for air to pass between an interior and an exterior of the gown while the ventilation cape provides a barrier covering for the mesh lining to provide splash protection in an area of the ventilation opening. A width of the ventilation cape at the ventilation opening is wider than the mesh lining arranged at the ventilation opening, thereby blousing the ventilation cape to allow the ventilation cape to hang loose and open for increased ventilation flow. The mesh lining is also provided on at least some portion of the overlapped section.

[0013] It will be understood that the various embodiments and aspects described above can be combined in any combination or sub-combination without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the detailed description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. Features and attributes associated with any of the embodiments shown or described may be applied to other embodiments shown, described, or appreciated based on this disclosure.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a protective gown according to an embodiment of the invention, with the protective gown laid substantially flat.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a front view of a protective gown similar to the gown shown in Fig. 1 .

[0017] Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the protective gown shown in Fig. 1 in a closed and secured position, again laid substantially flat.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a rear view of a protective gown similar to the gown shown in Fig. 3.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a further rear view of the protective gown of Fig. 4.

[0020] Fig. 6 is an alternative rear elevational view of the protective gown shown in Fig. 1 , with a portion of a back panel of the protective gown rotated to an open position to thereby reveal another portion of the back panel in this partially open configuration for the protective gown.

[0021] Fig. 7 is a rear view of a protective gown similar to the gown shown in Fig. 6.

[0022] Fig. 8 is a further rear view of a protective gown similar to the gown shown in Fig. 6.

[0023] Fig. 9A is a detail plan view of a portion of an exemplary fastening element mounted on a folded tab connected to the back panel of a protective gown. [0024] Fig. 9B is a detail perspective view of the portion of the fastening element shown in Fig. 9A.

[0025] Fig. 10A is a side schematic view of first and second fasteners of the fastening element engaged with each other to secure the overlapping and overlapped sections of the back panel of the protective gown shown in Fig. 1 . [0026] Fig. 10B is a further side schematic view of the first and second fasteners of Fig. 10A, showing a transfer of shearing force into a peeling force.

[0027] Fig. 10C is a further side schematic view of the first and second fasteners of Fig. 10A, showing the peeling of the first fastener from the second fastener.

[0028] Fig. 10D is a further side schematic view of the first and second fasteners of Fig. 10A, showing separation between the first and second fasteners. [0029] Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of a waist closure of the of the protective gown shown in Fig. 1.

[0030] Figs. 12A and 12B illustrate a doffing method for the protective gown using a pair of pull loops connected to the central gown body, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figs. 13A and 13B illustrate a doffing method for the protective gown by gripping a front panel of the central gown body, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 14 is a rear view of a protective gown, showing a ventilation cape.

[0033] Fig. 15 is a detail view of the ventilation cape of Fig. 14, showing a ventilation opening.

[0034] Figs. 16A-16C are a series of detail views of a bottom portion of a protective gown, showing an angled hem at the bottom of the gown.

[0035] Fig. 17 is a detail view of a portion of a protective gown similar to the portion of the protective gown shown in Fig. 16A.

Detailed Description

[0036] The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. Other exemplary embodiments are possible, and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the description below is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] In general, the description relates to a reusable rear-opening protective gown 10 (also referred to as an isolation gown, a surgical gown, or a barrier gown herein) and a method of wearing the reusable rear-opening protective gown 10. As described above, there are drawbacks or shortcomings of existing isolation or surgical gowns — and specifically, reusable surgical gowns. Advantageously, aspects of the rear-opening surgical gown 10 of the present invention, described in greater detail below, address the drawbacks and shortcomings of existing protective gowns. Particularly, the gown 10 includes comfort features (described in greater detail below) that make the gown 10 more comfortable to wear (especially for a prolonged period of time — e.g., during a surgical procedure) in comparison to existing protective gowns. Other advantages and technical effects of the embodiments of this invention will become evident to one skilled in the art from the following description. [0038] Referring now to the Figures, Figs. 1 -17 show embodiments of the surgical gown 10 (or portions thereof). The surgical gown 10 can take on a variety of forms, as described in greater detail below. For example, the gown 10 can be provided in any number of desired lengths and sizes. Further, the gown 10 may be provided in any color, as desired. Particularly, the gown 10 may be provided in a green color (as shown in Fig. 2, for example). Advantageously, the green color can help to ease eye strain (e.g., by a surgeon wearing the gown 10) when transitioning her vision from a predominantly red field of view (e.g., blood/internal body cavity) because green is opposite of red on the spectrum of visual light. This visual contrast in such embodiments would be readily appreciated by comparing the light green color of the gown 10 to the orange/red color of the pull loops 40. To this end, specifically in FIGS. 5, 8, 14, and 17, the lighter tone shaded areas on the gown 10 denotes a green color, whereas the bolder stippling on the pull tabs 40 denotes that the pull tabs 40 may be an orange or reddish color. For example, the gown 10 being a light green color can help to improve a surgeon’s visual acuity and make the surgeon more sensitive to different shades of red. Specifically, the green color of the gown 10 can help a surgeon to pay greater attention to the nuances of the internal body cavity that she is operating within which helps to reduce the likelihood that she will make a mistake during an operation. Further, the green of the gown 10 can also help with heat management (to make the gown 10 more comfortable to wear) by reflecting light (e.g., from surgical lights) instead of absorbing the light (in the case of a darker color gown).

[0039] The gown 10 also may optionally include pockets (not shown) or other surface features. In one example, a verifiable tracking system (not shown), such as a bar code or radio frequency chip, may be included on or in the gown 10, such as to track the number of laundering cycles of the gown 10, for example. It should be understood that the surgical gown 10 can take on further alternative forms beyond those described herein and depicted in the figures. The particular form of the surgical gown 10 should not be understood to be limited to only the depicted embodiments. Further, use of the descriptive terms such as left, right, top, bottom, front, back, vertical and/or horizontal hereinbelow, for example, as it pertains to/describes the gown 10, is from the viewpoint of a wearer of the gown 10 (when properly donned), unless otherwise noted.

[0040] Referring now to Figs. 1 -5, the Figures show one embodiment of a reusable surgical gown 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. Specifically, the gown 10 is a rear-opening surgical gown and defines a personal protective equipment (PPE) garment that is configured for removal by a pull-forward doffing action. The gown 10 generally includes a central gown body 12 sized to wrap around at least a torso area of a wearer. The central gown body 12 includes at least a front panel 14 and a back panel 16. As will be described in greater detail below with respect to Figs. 6-8, the back panel 16 of this embodiment is separated into at least a right portion 18 and a left portion 20 such that the gown 10 opens at the back panel 16 by the separable right and left portions 18, 20.

[0041 ] The right and left portions 18, 20 of the back panel 16 are arranged such that one of the right portion 18 or the left portion 20 includes an overlapping section 22 and the other of the right portion 18 or the left portion 20 includes a corresponding overlapped section 24. The overlapping section 22 and the overlapped section 24 are configured to lay over one another (e.g., with the overlapping section 22 atop the overlapped section 24) when the surgical gown 10 is donned by the wearer and closed. The amount of overlap of the overlapping section 22 may vary as desired. Further, as described in greater detail below, the central gown body 12 of this embodiment includes a ventilation cape 26 formed by a ventilation opening 28 along one of the right portion 18 or the left portion 20 of the back panel 16. In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 3-5, for example, the ventilation opening 28 is located on the right portion 18 of the back panel 16.

[0042] With continued reference to Figs. 1 -5, the central gown body 12 further includes a pair of opposing sleeves — left sleeve 30 and right sleeve 32. The central gown body 12 and sleeves 30, 32 of the gown 10 can be constructed of various materials such as conventional materials that are typically used in the construction of isolation gowns. Fabric construction of the gown 10 or portions thereof can be woven, non-woven, or knitted, for example. In one example, the fabric construction is a woven plain weave. In another example, the sleeves 30, 32 may be a double needle sleeve construction. The fabric material can include natural and/or synthetic fibers and may be lint free, as desired. In one example, the fabric includes polyester and/or cotton. In another example, the central gown body 12 and/or sleeves 30, 32 are substantially polyester, substantially cotton, or a polyester/cotton blend (e.g., a 50/50 blend). The smooth, sleek fabric material of the gown 10 is generally pleasing to the skin making the gown 10 more comfortable to wear — especially relative to nonwoven disposables, which can be stiff, rigid, high friction, or plastic films that stick to a wearer’s skin when damp). The central body 12 and/or portions thereof and/or the sleeves 30, 32 and/or portions thereof also may incorporate electrostatic dissipative (ESD) or anti-static yarns 33 therein. For example, the back panel 16 could include ESD yarns 33. It should be understood that other portions of the gown 10 may additionally or alternatively include ESD yarns 33. The ESD yarns 33 help to reduce or eliminate static discharge which may be uncomfortable for a wearer of the gown 10. The ESD yarns 33 can include graphene, nylon, or carbon fibers, and the like, for example. In one example, between 1wt% and 2wt% of the gown 10 may be ESD yarn 33, but the ESD yarns 33 may be provided in a greater or lesser amount as desired. More specifically, between 1 wt% and 1 .5wt% of the gown 10 may be ESD yarns 33. More specifically, approximately 1 .3wt% of the gown 10 may be ESD yarns 33. Further, in one example, the gown 10 may have between 40wt% and 50wt% ESD yarn 33 containing fabric. More specifically, the gown 10 may have between 44wt% and 48wt% ESD yarn 33 containing fabric. More specifically, the gown 10 may have approximately 46wt% ESD yarn 33 containing fabric. In one example, in the ESD yarn 33 containing fabric the ESD yarns 33 may be between 2.00wt% and 3.00wt% of the yarns in the fabric. More specifically, in the ESD yarn 33 containing fabric the ESD yarns 33 may be between 2.50wt% and 3.00wt% of the yarns in the fabric. More specifically, in the ESD yarn 33 containing fabric the ESD yarns 33 may be approximately 2.78wt% of the yarns in the fabric. In one example, in the ESD yarn 33 containing fabric graphene may be between 0.01 wt% and 1 .00wt% in the fabric. More specifically, in the ESD yarn 33 containing fabric graphene may be between 0.02wt% and 0.06wt% in the fabric. More specifically, in the ESD yarn 33 containing fabric graphene may be approximately 0.04wt% in the fabric. In one example, between 0.010wt% and 0.030wt% of the gown 10 may be graphene. More specifically, between 0.015wt% and 0.020wt% of the gown 10 may be graphene. More specifically, approximately 0.018wt% of the gown 10 may be graphene.

[0043] Generally, the gown 10 includes lighter weight fabric and a lightweight coating (e.g., for barrier properties) — resulting in an overall lighter weight gown 10, as shown in Tables 1 and 2 below:

*ComPel ® XTR Surgical Gown commercially available from Standard Textile Co., Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio.

[0044] The sleeves 30, 32 cooperate with and extend away from the central gown body 12 and are configured for receiving the arms of the wearer. As shown here, the sleeves 30, 32 are of a raglan style, but may be of a set-in style. Other sleeve styles may be utilized as well. Advantageously, shaping of the raglan sleeve 30, 32 provides an acceptable range of motion without using an excess amount of fabric. The sleeves 30, 32 each have an optional terminal cuff 34. The terminal cuffs 34 can be constructed of the same or different materials than those used for the central gown body 12 or sleeves 30, 32. In one example, the terminal cuff 34 is a knitted cuff, which can be of a different material than the sleeves 30, 32. In one example, the knitted cuff is substantially polyester, substantially cotton, or a cotton/polyester blend (e.g., a 50/50 blend). In another example, the terminal cuff 34 may be elastic and/or stretchy and composed of an elastic material, such as spandex, rubber, latex, nitrile, vinyl, and the like. The material or materials (e.g., if two-ply) defining the central gown body 12 (specifically, the front panel 14 of the central gown body 12) and/or the left and right sleeves 30, 32 may be configured to meet barrier and strength performance metrics defined under ANSI/AAMI PB70:2022 and under the ASTM F2407-20 standard specification for surgical gowns intended for use in healthcare facilities, thereby avoiding transmission of microorganisms, bodily fluids, or other contaminants through the surgical gown 10.

[0045] With continued reference to Figs. 1 -5, the sleeves 30, 32 may be joined to the central gown body 12 and the cuffs 34 may be joined to their respective sleeves 30, 32 by techniques known in the art, such as by sewing, adhesive bonding, or ultrasonic welding, for example. One or more of the terminal cuffs 34, in other embodiments, may be absent altogether, with the sleeves 30, 32 simply defining an opening that is hemmed at a distal end of each sleeve 30, 32. In other embodiments, the terminal cuff 34 may be replaced with sleeves 30, 32 having thumb loops, for example. Moreover, although the central gown body 12 and the sleeves 30, 32 are shown as separate pieces joined by means known in the art in Figs. 1-5, for example, it should be appreciated that the central gown body 12 and sleeves 30, 32 could be formed of a single, unitary piece (e.g., of fabric). The gown 10 further includes a neck opening 36 defined by the central gown body 12 adjacent a shoulder region 38 of the central gown body 12 and located proximate a junction of the left and right sleeves 30, 32 with the central gown body 12. In the depicted embodiment, the neck opening 36 includes a V-shaped collar which, advantageously, helps to avoid unintentional choking of a wearer when the wearer is tied in, for example, and contributes to the improved comfort of the gown 10.

Additionally, the V-shaped neckline can help to prevent gapping when a wearer of the gown 10 leans forward, for example, which may be a safely issue if fluid or debris contacts the wearer. The shoulder region 38 is generally defined by a top portion of the central gown body 12 and the tops of the sleeves 30, 32 (the shoulder region 38 is present in this area regardless of where the ends of the sleeves 30, 32 and the beginning of the central gown body 12 are collectively defined). [0046] The gown 10 further includes a pair of pull loops 40 (also referred to as pull tabs) connected to the central gown body 12 along opposite sides (e.g., left and right) of a waist region 42 of the gown 10 (and thus of the wearer). Specifically, in the depicted embodiment, the pull loops 40 are connected to the central gown body 12 along the connection (or connections) of the front panel 14 of the gown 10 to the back panel 16 of the gown 10. In other words, the pull loops 40 may be secured to the central gown body 12 by the same stitching, for example, which connects the front panel 14 and the back panel 16. The pull loops 40 are sized and positioned to receive or be grasped by one or more fingers of the hands of the wearer to provide convenient gripping locations for the wearer (or another) to apply a doffing force to open and remove the surgical gown 10 from the body of the wearer. In other words, the pull loop 40 may function as a “loop” if a wearer (or another) inserts a finger, for example, through the pull loop 40 or the pull loop 40 may function as a “tab” if a wearer (or another) grasps the pull loop 40, but does not insert a finger through the pull loop 40. Furthermore, while the pull loop 40 shown in the Figures is a loopshaped piece of material, the pull loop 40 may be defined by a planar tab-like piece of material that is not constructed as a loop in other embodiments within the scope of this invention (and this is why such element is sometimes referred to as a pull tab 40). The convenient gripping locations of the pull loops 40 are also positioned away from portions of the surgical gown 10 along the front panel 14 that most likely to be soiled during use by the wearer. In one embodiment, each of the pull loops 40 may be formed from a twill tape loop that is stitched into connection with the central gown body 12. Further, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, for example, each of the pull loops 40 may be formed from a material having a highly contrasting color from the material defining the central gown body 12 (and/or the sleeves 30, 32) to guide the wearer (or another) to the location where doffing forces may be applied to remove the surgical gown 10. For example, the pull loops 40 may be orange in color while the gown body 12 and sleeves 30, 32 may be green in color. Note that, in FIGS. 5, 8, 14, and 17, the lighter tone shaded areas on the gown body 12 and sleeves 30, 32 denotes a green color, whereas the bolder stippling on the pull tabs 40 denotes that the pull tabs 40 may be an orange or reddish color.

[0047] Referring now to Figs. 6-8, the Figures show rear views of the gown 10. In all of Figs. 6-8, the right portion 18 of the back panel 16 is in an open position — to some degree. In the depicted embodiment, the right portion 18 of the back panel 16 includes the overlapping section 22 — which overlaps the overlapped section 24. For clarity, the left portion 20 of the back panel 16 in this embodiment includes the overlapped section 24. It is to be understood that, in alternative embodiments, the right portion 18 and left portion 20 could be switched. That is, the left portion 20 could include the overlapping section 22 and the right portion 18 could include the overlapped section 24 (such that the left portion 20 would overlay the right portion 18). In all of Figs. 6-8, at least a portion of an interior 44 of the gown 10 can be seen.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 6-8, the gown 10 includes fastening elements 46 positioned on or proximate to the back panel 16. The fastening elements 46 function to close the protective gown 10. It should be appreciated that more or fewer fastening elements 46 may be provided with the gown 10, the locations thereof may be re-located altogether or adjusted up or down and/or left or right, as needed. The fastening elements 46 are provided on the gown 10 to provide a secure, full body fit for a wearer and to facilitate ease of adjustment and donning and removing the gown 10 without substantial risk of the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms. The fastening elements 46 provide a safe and secure hold when fastened but permit the gown 10 to be removed easily, quickly, and more safely than other reusable options. Removal, which is discussed in more detail below, can be achieved, for example, by pulling forward on the gown 10 in a manner that is consistent with how current users of disposable surgical gowns are accustomed, without substantial risk of damaging (e.g., tearing) the gown 10, while also facilitating ease of adjustment and donning of the gown 10.

[0049] To that end, the fastening elements 46 include a desired average peel strength and/or desired average shear strength that allows the fastening elements 46 to come undone when the gown 10 is pulled forward with enough force to accomplish the aforementioned doffing process. The fastening elements 46 are generally configured to have a shear strength significantly greater than a peel strength thereof. Further, the fastening elements 46 are made of material that is able to repeatedly withstand commercial laundering conditions, such as high temperature and/or acidic and/or basic pH conditions, typically encountered by reuseable gowns. The fastening elements 46 may be constructed of Block Tapey ® (commercially available from Morito Co., Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, for example) or other releasable fasteners known in the art. Advantageously, the use of Block Tapey ® for the fastening elements 46 instead of hook and loop, for example, helps to reduce or eliminate unwanted irritation from the fastening element 46. For example, hook and loop, if used, may scratch a wearer of the gown 10.

[0050] With continued reference to Figs. 6-8, each fastening element 46 includes at least a first fastener 48 and a second fastener 50. First and second fasteners 48, 50 may be secured by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, to the back panel 16, for example, of the central gown body 12. The first and second fasteners 48, 50 are configured to engage with one another to define a connection. The fastening elements 46 may be employed to releasably secure the gown 10 closed, for example. Each of the fastening elements 46 is configured to enable the first fastener 48 to releasably engage with the second fastener 50 in various relative positions and orientations such that the connection defined at each fastening element 46 is repositionable and adjustable, while still enabling the transfer from shearing force to peeling force at the fastening elements. It is contemplated that the first fasteners 48 and/or second fasteners 50 may be made up of a plurality of subparts placed closely together to generally define a first fastener 48 and/or a second fastener 50. For example, a number of first fasteners 48 could be placed in series to effectively form a larger first fastener 48. In the depicted embodiment, at least some of the fastening elements 46 are positioned at the shoulder region 38, and at least some others of the fastening elements 46 are positioned at a waist region 42 of the central gown body 12 and are configured to secure the gown 10 closed around a waist of the wearer. Advantageously, this positioning of the fastening elements 46 keeps these located away from places like the center back of the neck opening 36, which helps avoid any undesirable snaring or snagging of a user’s hair when securing the fastening elements 46 together during donning of the gown 10. Likewise, any pulling on the gown 10 during donning and securing is focused at the shoulder and not along the front of the neck opening 36 which reduces any “choking” style application of forces that may occur when putting on conventional surgical gowns.

[0051] For at least some of the fastening elements 46, at least one of the first and second fasteners 48, 50 is mounted on a folded tab 52 connected to a corresponding portion of the back panel 16. As will be described in greater detail below (with respect to Figs. 10A-10D, for example), the folded tab 52 is pivotable relative to the corresponding portion of the back panel 16 such that when a doffing force is applied by the wearer (or by another) to the surgical gown 10, the folded tab 52 rotates to transfer a shearing force, which is generated by transmission of the doffing force through the central gown body 12, into a peeling force that effectively peels the first fastener 48 apart from the second fastener 50 (or vice versa). Further, for at least some of the fastening elements 46, one of the first and second fasteners 48, 50 that is not mounted on a folded tab 52 may be formed with an elongated width that is greater than a width of the other of the first and second fasteners 48, 50. This enables adjustable tightness of closing of the surgical gown 10 by engaging the first and second fasteners 48, 50 at different positions and orientations along the elongated width of the one of the first and second fasteners 48, 50 that is not mounted on a folded tab 52. When using fasteners 48, 50 made from a material like Block Tapey ® mentioned above, the first and second fasteners 48, 50 can be reoriented relative to one another for successful connection even when these fasteners 48, 50 are not identical or similarly sized. To this end, Block Tapey ® fasteners also allow for finer “resolution” of the adjustable fit at the shoulder and waist regions to better match the body shape contours and profiles of the user, as the connection between fasteners 48, 50 can be adjusted by as small a distance as the gaps between posts of the Block Tapey ®.

[0052] Referring now specifically to Fig. 6, a plurality of fastening elements 46 are positioned on or proximate to the back panel 16. Each fastening element 46 includes a first fastener 48 mounted on the overlapping section 22 of the back panel 16 and a second fastener 50 mounted on the overlapped section 24 of the back panel 16 of the central gown body 12. In the depicted embodiment, at least one of the fastening elements 46 is located at the shoulder region 38 of the central gown body 12. Particularly, for the fastening element 46 that is located at the shoulder region 38, at least one of the first or second fasteners 48, 50 is mounted on a folded tab 52. The other of the first or second fasteners 48, 50 is connected to the back panel 16 at a left side of the shoulder region 38. In the depicted embodiment, at least one of the first or second fasteners 48, 50 is further connected to a shoulder extension 54 which in turn is connected to a corresponding portion of the back panel 16 at the shoulder region 38. More specifically, Fig. 6 illustrates, in this example, four of the first fasteners 48 each mounted on folded tabs 52 and in side-by-side arrangement on the shoulder extension 54. Different configurations and spacings of fasteners are possible in further embodiments. When properly worn, the first fastener 48 (e.g., on the shoulder extension 54 on the right side of the back panel 16) interfaces with the second fastener 50 (e.g., on the left side of the back panel 16) to secure at least a portion of the gown 10 closed along the shoulder region 38 of the gown 10. Advantageously, fastening the gown 10 closed at the shoulder region 38 helps to reduce or eliminate the snaring of a gown 10 wearer’s hair at the nape of the neck (as is known to occur with existing gowns). Additionally, fastening the gown 10 closed at the shoulder region 38 also helps to avoid unintentional choking of a wearer (e.g., when a wearer of the gown 10 is being tied in or just wearing the gown 10) as the gown 10 does not pull at the center front neck.

[0053] The folded tab 52 is pivotable relative to the back panel 16 such that when a doffing force is applied by the wearer (or by another) to the surgical gown 10, the folded tab 52 rotates to transfer a shearing force that would otherwise be applied to the first and second fasteners 48, 50 into a peeling force, as described in greater detail below with respect to Figs. 10A-10D. This facilitates doffing of the surgical gown 10 by application of the doffing force to the front panel 14 without causing damage to the surgical gown 10, thereby allowing for the gown 10 to be reused. Specifically, rotation of the folded tab 52 of the fastening element 46 located at the shoulder region 38 enables a successful peeling disconnection of the first and second fasteners 48, 50 at similar forces to doffing forces applied to tear open a disposable surgical gown. For example, such doffing forces may be 5 Ibf or less. [0054] With continued reference to Fig. 6, the depicted surgical gown 10 further includes an internal waist closure 56 which holds the surgical gown 10 closed along a waist region 42 of the gown 10. The internal waist closure 56 includes a first internal closure element 58 connected to a free edge 60 of the overlapped section 24 of the back panel 16 and a second internal closure element 62 mounted inside the interior 44 of the central gown body 12 proximate a junction 64 of the front panel 14 and the back panel 16. In the depicted embodiment, the first internal closure element 58 carries at least one of the first fasteners 48 and the second internal closure element 62 carries at least one of the second fasteners 50 to collectively define a fastening element 46. As noted above, when the first internal closure element 58 and the second internal closure element 62 are connected (e.g., by the fastening element 46) the internal waist closure 56 holds the surgical gown 10 closed along a waist region 42 of the gown 10. Further, at least one of the first and second internal closure elements 58, 62 may be mounted on a folded tab 52 to enable transfer of shearing forces to peeling forces to open the fastening element 46 at the internal waist closure 56. It will be understood that the internal waist closure 56 may use tie elements or other fasteners than what is shown in the Figures in other embodiments. [0055] Referring now to Figs. 9A and 9B, the Figures show an exemplary folded tab 52 on an overlapping section 22 of a back panel 16, for example. The prior illustrations of fasteners in the Figures are zoomed out and thus shown schematically in those views, e.g., without the mounting tab detail shown clearly, but as described throughout this application, that mounting arrangement helps enable the desirable functionality of the gown 10. Figs. 9A and 9B show one example of how the tab mounting can be provided, but it will be understood that other alternatives are possible within the scope of the embodiments of this invention. The depicted overlapping section 22 of the back panel 16 includes a terminal edge 66 with a hem 68. To form the hem 68, a material defining the back panel 16 is folded over itself and stitched into position. Each folded tab 52 (onto which a first or second fastener 48, 50 is advantageously mounted), extends from a first tab end 70, which is secured to a first longitudinal edge 72 of the hem 68 by stitching 73, for example, to a second tab end 74, which is secured to an opposite second longitudinal edge 76 of the hem 68 by stitching 75, for example. The first or second fastener 48, 50 extends from a portion of the folded tab 52 between the first and second tab ends 70, 74 such that the folded tab 52 folds down in a generally planar configuration relative to the hem 68 when the first or second fastener 48, 50 engages with a corresponding second or first fastener 50, 48 to collectively form a fastening element 46 and hold the surgical gown 10 in a closed position (e.g., at the shoulder region 38 or waist region 42 of the gown 10).

[0056] Referring now to Figs. 10A-10D, the Figures illustrate the process of separating a first fastener 48 from a second fastener 50 that collectively form a fastening element 46 and specifically how the tab mounting enables transmission of the doffing force applied. Fig. 10A shows the first fastener 48 engaged with the second fastener 50 to collectively form a fastening element 46. Generally, each of the first and second fasteners 48, 50 in this embodiment is defined by an array of rigid plastic posts 78 extruded (or otherwise protruding) through a textile backing layer 80. The rigid plastic posts 78 are sized so as to frictionally insert between one another to form an interlocking posts engagement when the first and second fasteners 48, 50 are engaged with one another. The array of rigid plastic posts 78 defining the first and second fasteners 48, 50 are repositionable and capable of being frictionally engaged in different positions of the first fastener 48 relative to the second fastener 50. Such fastening element 46 may be constructed of Block Tapey ® (commercially available from Morito Co., Ltd. Of Osaka, Japan, for example) or other releasable fasteners known in the art, for example. Advantageously, the use of Block Tapey ® allows for an adjustable fit of the gown 10 (e.g., at a shoulder region 38 or waist 42) with finer resolution in comparison to using snap fit fasteners, for example. Further, adjustability provides the advantage of increased comfort.

[0057] Figs. 10B and 10C show the first fastener 48 being removed from the second fastener 50. In the depicted embodiment, the first fastener 48 is mounted to a folded tab 52. The folded tab 52 is pivotable such that the folded tab 52 translates a laterally applied force to a (substantially) perpendicularly applied force. For example, when a doffing force is applied by the wearer (or by another) to the surgical gown 10 (e.g., via pull loops 40 on a front panel 14 of the gown 10), the folded tab 52 rotates to transfer a shearing force (transmitted through the central gown body 12), applied to the first and second fasteners 48, 50, into a peeling force that peels the first fastener 48 apart from the second fastener 50. As indicated by Fig. 10D, this facilitates removal of the surgical gown 10 by application of the doffing force to the front panel 14 (e.g., by the pull loops 40) without causing damage to the surgical gown 10, thereby allowing for the gown 10 to be reused.

[0058] With continued reference to Figs. 10A-10D, the shear strength of the connection formed by the interlocking posts 78 engagement of the first and second fasteners 48, 50 is at least three times greater than the peel strength thereof. Specifically, the shear strength of the connection formed by the interlocking posts 78 engagement of a pair of fasteners 48, 50 (e.g., one first fastener and one second fastener) may be greater than or equal to 4.5 Ibf and the peel strength of the connection formed by the interlocking posts 78 engagement of the pair of fasteners 48, 50 may be less than or equal to 1 .5 Ibf. Alternatively, the shear strength of the connection formed by the interlocking posts engagement of the pair of fasteners may be at least five times greater than the peel strength thereof. Specifically, the shear strength of the connection formed by the interlocking posts engagement of the pair of fasteners (e.g., one first fastener and one second fastener) may be greater than or equal to 10 Ibf, and the peel strength of the connection formed by the interlocking posts engagement of the pair of fasteners may be less than or equal to 2 Ibf. In some embodiments, the shear strength of the connection formed by the interlocking posts engagement of the pair of fasteners (e.g., one first fastener and one second fastener) may be greater than or equal to 7 Ibf, and the peel strength of the connection formed by the interlocking posts engagement of the pair of fasteners may be less than or equal to 1 .1 Ibf. It should be understood that multiple pairs of fasteners 48, 50 may be connected to increase the securement strength and reliability beyond the shear/peel strength described above for a single pair of fasteners 48, 50. Even when utilizing multiple pairs of fasteners 48, 50, the protective gown 10 allows for a quick and clean doffing process.

[0059] Advantageously, the fastening element 46 does not include abrasive materials or sharp edges (unlike hook and loop fastener, for example) that can potentially scratch a wearer and/or abrade a material of the central gown body 12 during donning and doffing and/or commercial laundering. Such fastener construction therefore contributes to the reusability of the gown 10 of the present invention. Further, the array of rigid plastic posts 78 of the first and second fasteners 48, 50 is configured to engage and disengage without collection of debris or lint (unlike hook and loop fastener, for example) during use and without risk of connecting to and without agglomerating multiple gowns 10 together during laundering thereof. Such a configuration further contributes to the reusability of the gown 10 of the present invention.

[0060] Referring now to Fig. 11 , the Figure shows a detail view of an external waist closure 82. The external waist closure 82 may be included on the gown 10 in addition to or in lieu of the internal waist closure 56. The external waist closure 82 includes a first external closure element 84 (shown in Fig. 6 for example) connected to and extending outwardly away from an edge 86 (Fig. 6) of the overlapping section 22 of the back panel 16. The external waist closure 82 further includes a second external closure element 88 mounted adjacent to the overlapped section 24 of the back panel 16 and proximate a junction 64 of the front panel 14 and the back panel 16. The first external closure element 84 (shown in Fig. 6, for example) includes at least one of the first fasteners 48 and the second external closure element 88 includes at least one of the second fasteners 50 to collectively define a fastening element 46.

[0061] When the first fastener 48 of the first external closure element 84 and the second fastener 50 of the second external closure element 88 are connected, the external waist closure 82 holds the surgical gown 10 closed along a waist region 42 of the gown 10. The first and second fasteners 48, 50 at the external waist closure 82 are positioned at a location easily accessible to a hand of the wearer. For example, in the depicted embodiment the first and second fasteners 48, 50 (when engaged together) are positioned near to a pull loop 40 at a junction 64 of the front and back panels 14, 16 at roughly a waist region 42 of the gown 10. Such positioning provides that the first and second fasteners 48, 50 can be disconnected by either pulling apart with the wearer’s hand, or by applying a doffing force to the front panel 14 (in this circumstance, tab mounting of fasteners may be used as described above), which is then transmitted through the gown 10 to help open both the internal and external waist closures 56, 82 (if applicable) as well as the fastening element(s) 46 at the shoulder region 38 (if applicable).

[0062] With continued reference to Fig. 11 , the first external closure element 84 (Fig. 6) may optionally include a first elongated tie member 90 extending downwardly from the first external closure element 84. Similarly, the second external closure element 88 may optionally include a second elongated tie member 92 extending downwardly from the second external closure element 88. Each tie member 90, 92 may be formed of twill tape. Further, the first elongated tie member 90 and the second elongated tie member 92 may be secured by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, to the central gown body 12. To this end, the first and second elongated tie members 88, 90 are shown connected to the closure elements 84, 88, but they may be instead secured at some other location to the central gown body 12 while remaining proximate to the other waist closure elements. The first and second elongated tie members 90, 92 are configured to be tied or otherwise secured together at or near the waist region 42 of the wearer to further assist in holding the surgical gown 10 closed along the waist region 42 as an alternative (or in addition to) to engaging the first and second fasteners 48, 50 of the external waist closure 82. Regardless, these elements are all located at a position convenient for quick untying or disconnection before doffing force is applied.

[0063] In the depicted embodiment, the first elongated tie member 90 (Fig. 6) includes two of the first fasteners 48 (to allow for greater adjustability and to accommodate gown 10 wearers of different sizes). The first of the first fasteners 48 may be located approximately 4 inches from the edge 86 of the overlapping section 22 of the back panel 16. The second of the first fasteners 48 may be located approximately 6 inches from the edge 86. The second elongated tie member 92 includes one of the second fasteners 50. The second fastener 50 may be located proximate or adjacent to a junction 64 of the front panel 14 and the back panel 16. It should be understood that the tie members 90, 92 may include fewer or more fasteners 48, 50 than is expressly shown. For example, the first tie member 90 (Fig. 6) could include three or more first fasteners 248. Fig. 6 shows that the first fasteners 48 on the first elongated tie member 90 are located on a face of the first elongated tie member 90 that faces towards the gown body 12. Fig. 11 shows that the second fastener 50 on the second elongated tie member 92 is located on a face of the second elongated tie member 92 that faces towards the gown body 12. It should be understood that the fasteners 48, 50 could be alternatively arranged or spaced. For example, one or more of the fasteners 48, 50 could be arranged on an opposing face of the respective tie member 90, 92 (e.g., facing away from the gown body 12). The various fastener and tie configurations from one embodiment described herein can be combined with fasteners and ties from other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0064] Referring now to Figs. 12A-13B, the Figures show two distinct ways to remove the surgical gown 10 from a body of the wearer in a single, ergonomic doffing motion performed by the wearer. In Figs. 12A and 12B, the wearer doffs the surgical gown 10 by pulling on pull loops 40 located proximate the waist region 42 of central gown body 12. A wearer may insert his or her thumb (or finger) through the pull loops 40 or a wearer may simply grip an exterior of the pull loops 40. In Figs. 13A and 13B, the wearer doffs the surgical gown 10 by pulling the front panel 14 (or, alternatively, a waist region 42) of the central gown body 12. Such self-doffing helps to avoid contamination, particularly back contamination. Further alternative methods of doffing the gown 10 are contemplated. For example, a wearer may grip a back panel 16 of the gown 10 and pull the back panel 16 of the gown 10 forward and achieve the same doffing effect. Regardless of how the wearer chooses to doff the surgical gown 10 (e.g., by using the pull loops 40 or by pulling some portion of the gown 10), the doffing process generally works in a similar fashion. Further, it should be understood that the doffing action could be performed by someone other than the wearer. For example, a nurse could perform the doffing action on a protective gown 10 worn by a surgeon. However, time and labor efficiencies are achieved through self-doffing by the wearer of the protective gown 10 (e.g., by allowing surgical staff to prepare for the next procedure or attend to an emergency instead of helping a surgeon doff his or her protective gown 10).

[0065] Specifically, the gown 10 can be removed via a "pull forward" method that is consistent with how current users of disposable tearaway surgical gowns are accustomed to removing such gowns. The wearer (or another) applies a doffing force (e.g., by using the pull loops 40 or by pulling some portion of the front panel 14) by pulling forcefully forward or away from the central gown body 12. The doffing force transmits through the central gown body 12 to each of the plurality of fastening elements 46 still connected together on the gown 10 (e.g., at the shoulder region 38 and/or at the waist region 42). With sufficient force applied, the corresponding parts of the first fastener 48 and the second fastener 50 of the fastening elements 46 pull apart/become undone, as described in detail above. The force disconnects the first and second fasteners 48, 50 of the fastening elements 46 through use of the folded tab 52. Particularly, the doffing force is applied by the wearer (or by another) as a shearing force through the central gown body 12. Through its rotation, the folded tab 52 translates the applied shearing force (i.e. , the force of the “doff”) into a peeling force that peels the first fastener 48 apart from the second fastener 50 to allow opening of the plurality of fastening elements 46. Such allows for opening of the central gown body 12 and removal of the surgical gown 10 from a body of the wearer in one single doffing motion. Further, translation of the applied shearing force to a peeling force via the folded tab 52 allows for doffing without causing damage to the surgical gown 10, thereby allowing for reuse of the surgical gown 10.

[0066] With continued reference to Figs. 12A-13B, other variations and modifications to the pull forward (doffing) method can be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Such doffing is performed without substantial risk of damaging (e.g., tearing) the gown 10 and without substantial risk of the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms, body fluids, and/or particulate material, to the neck or hair on the head or neck of a wearer. To that end, the doffing method eliminates the need to actively undo/untie a set of backside fasteners (besides the first and second elongated tie members 90, 92, if used), and eliminates an opportunity for the wearer to inadvertently touch their hair or neck during the doffing process with potentially contaminated gloves, thereby providing for safer removal of the gown 10 after use. Thereafter, the reusable gown 10 can be subjected to commercial laundering to clean and sanitize the gown 10 for reuse. [0067] Referring now to Figs. 14 and 15, the Figures show the ventilation cape 26 including a ventilation opening 28 along the right portion 18 of the back panel 16. The ventilation opening 28 is located roughly at the height of a gown 10 wearer’s rib cage and thus may be located closer to a top end of the gown 10 (or central gown body 12) than a bottom end of the gown 10 (or central gown body 12). It should be understood that the ventilation cape 26 and ventilation opening 28 could be alternatively located on the gown 10. For example, the ventilation cape 26 and the ventilation opening 28 could be located higher or lower on the back panel 16 than is depicted in the Figures. The ventilation opening 28 provides an additional place for hot air and moisture, for example, to exit an interior 44 of the gown 10 and thus facilitates heat management and increasing comfort for a wearer within the gown 10. The ventilation cape 26 is secured (via a bar tack 94, for example) to the back panel 16 of the gown 10. It should be understood that the ventilation cape 26 could be secured to the back panel 16 of the gown 10 by other means. For example, by sewing, adhesive bonding, or ultrasonic welding. In the depicted embodiment, the bar tack 94 is located approximately in the middle of the ventilation cape 26, along or near to the ventilation opening 28. It should be understood that the bar tack 94 could be alternatively located. Further, it should be understood that more than one bar tack 94 (or no bar tack 94) could be utilized.

[0068] The bar tack 94 serves several purposes. The bar tack 94 serves to partially secure the ventilation opening 28 closed. This partial closure provides some degree of splash protection for a wearer of the gown 10 (e.g., in comparison to known open back gowns). Additionally, the bar tack 94 forms a joint between the ventilation cape 26 and the back panel 16 that encourages, as a wearer of the gown 10 moves, opening and closing of the ventilation opening 28 to promote more cooling air flow therethrough. Such contributes to heat management within the gown 10 and makes the gown 10 more comfortable to wear. Additionally, the bar tack 94 also contributes to the gown’s 10 durability.

[0069] Referring specifically to Fig. 15, the Figure shows the mesh lining 96 that is covered by the ventilation cape 26 when the gown 10 is worn. The mesh lining 96 is a significantly more breathable, porous/open fabric than the barrier fabric of the gown 10. The mesh lining 96 allows for air to pass between an interior 44 and an exterior of the gown 10. The ventilation cape 26 provides a barrier fabric covering for the highly breathable mesh lining 96 and thus helps to provide splash protection in the area of the ventilation opening 28. Further, orienting the ventilation opening 28 as depicted in the Figures (pointing downwards towards a bottom of the gown 10) advantageously further aides in providing splash protection. The layered approach of providing both a mesh lining 96 and a barrier fabric ventilation cape 26 strikes a desirable balance between comfort (e.g., heat management) and splash protection. Additionally, inclusion of the mesh lining 96 (as opposed to not including a mesh lining 96 or other fabric) is advantageous for a number of reasons including launderability, durability, and ease of constructing the gown 10, for example. The mesh lining 96 may be provided on other portions of the back panel 16 in addition to beneath the ventilation cape 26, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, for example. In short, the gown 10, by having a back panel 16 that closes via overlapping portions 22, 24 and a ventilation cape 26 that covers the mesh-lined 96 ventilation opening 28, may provide incidental splash or debris protection that is not offered by known, truly open back gowns or known gowns with high breathability or air or liquid permeability while also being more comfortable to wear. Though a mesh lining 96 is shown in the depicted embodiment and described above, it should be understood that an alternative fabric could be used instead of a mesh lining 96. For example, a perforated woven fabric or the like could be used in place of the mesh lining 96 without departing from the inventive aspects of this disclosure.

[0070] In embodiments, the portion of the mesh lining 96 that is arranged beneath (and covered by) the ventilation cape 26 has a width dimension that is less than a width dimension of the fabric material forming the ventilation cape 26. Stated differently, the width dimension of the ventilation cape 26 measured along an edge of the ventilation cape 26 at the ventilation opening 28 may be slightly wider than at least some of the mesh material 96 arranged at the ventilation opening 28. This extra width of the ventilation cape 26, as compared to the width of the portion of the mesh lining 96 associated therewith, produces an “ease” that allows for a slight blousing of the ventilation cape 26, such that the ventilation cape 26 may hang loose and slightly open, away from the wearer, especially when the wearer moves. Thus, providing the ventilation cape 26 with a slightly larger width than the mesh lining 96 underneath it allows the ventilation cape 26 to remain at least slightly open for ventilation flow instead of laying flush with the back of the wearer, thereby more readily allowing heat to escape through the porous mesh lining 96 underneath the ventilation cape 26. Accordingly, in embodiments, a width of the ventilation cape 26 at the ventilation opening 28 is wider than the mesh lining 96 arranged at the ventilation opening 28, thereby blousing the ventilation cape 26 to allow the ventilation cape 26 to hang loose and open for increased ventilation flow. Furthermore, the use of the bar tack 94 to secure the ventilation cape 26 along with the extra width of cape material enables this portion of the gown 10 to flow with movements of the wearer to keep the ventilation cape 26 open and encourage additional heat discharge air flow through the opening 28.

[0071] The mesh lining 96 was tested to meet snagging resistance (mace) by ASTM D 3939-13 and (bean bag) by ASTM D 5362-13. Further, the gown 10 (including portions having mesh lining 96) was tested for air permeability and evaporative resistance compared to known gowns available in the commercial market. As shown in Table 3 below, the gown 10 has lower values for evaporative resistance (indicating greater comfort for a wearer) and higher values for air permeability (indicating higher comfort):

**Two-ply mesh, as from the back of the gown 10 when closed, through the ventilation cape 26 area.

***Not measured or provided. [0072] Referring now to Figs. 16A-17, the Figures show an angled hem 98 at the bottom portion of the gown 10. The angled hem 98 allows for heat to more easily escape from the bottom of the gown 10 at least because there is less distance for the heat to travel to escape the gown 10 (in comparison to a gown without angled hems 98, for example), while also providing the kind of barrier protection expected from a long surgical gown 10. Additionally, the angled hem 98 allows for a wearer of the gown 10 to sit more comfortably in the gown 10 by providing additional room for a wearer of the gown 10 to maneuver her legs at the bottom of the gown 10 while sitting. In the depicted embodiment, the angled hems 98 are shown at the bottom of the front panel 14 of the gown 10 (Fig. 16C), the bottom of the back panel of the gown 10 (Fig. 16A), as well as at the bottom on the sides of the gown 10 (Figs. 16B and 17). It should be understood that bottom portions of the gown 10 may be alternatively shaped or angled to achieve the same benefits as described above. Further, the angled hems 98 provide the advantage of requiring less material thus lowering manufacturing cost and lowering repeated laundering cost (due to a lower weight per unit). Additionally, with angled hems 98, the bottom of the gown 10 is less of a trip hazard for a wearer of the gown 10. Moreover, providing angled hems 98 at the bottom of the gown 10 is advantageous over simply shortening the gown 10 because of the additional protection that the longer front and back panels 14, 16 provide a wearer. In other words, the angled hems 98 provide some of the advantages of a shorter gown, while still providing lower leg protection to a wearer of the gown 10.

[0073] In an alternative embodiment of the surgical gown 10, a first fastener 48 located at a shoulder region 38 of the gown 10 may not be mounted on a shoulder extension 54. Instead, the first fastener 48 may be secured on a folded tab 52 on the overlapping section 22 of the back panel 16 of the central gown body 12. Such may simplify construction of the surgical gown 10 and reduce the amount of material necessary for the surgical gown 10. Further, the absence of the shoulder extension 54 may alter the amount of force needed to doff the gown 10. However, the positioning of the fasteners 48, 50 in such alternative embodiments remains located away from the center back of the neck opening 36, which continues to avoid having a user’s hair snare or snag at the position of the fasteners 48, 50, and the fasteners 48, 50 continue to provide finer adjustability of the connection positioning and fit to better match the user. To account for the lack of a shoulder extension 54, the second fastener 50 on back panel 16 may be relocated. For example, the second fastener 50 may be relocated inwards to or towards the overlapped section 24 of the back panel 16 such that when the central gown body 12 is closed, the first fastener 48 on the overlapping section 22 engages with the second fastener 50 on the overlapped section 24 to collectively form a fastening element 46. In yet another alternative embodiment, it should be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the gown 10 may be reconfigured in a generally reversed fashion so as to be donned and securely fastened on the right side rather than the left, such as to better accommodate left-handed wearers. That is, the left portion 20 alternatively can include overlapping section 22 and the right portion 18 can include the corresponding overlapped section 24 with the fastening elements 46, the internal waist closure 56, and the external waist closure 82, for example, repositioned accordingly.

[0074] Thus, the rear-opening protective gown 10 as described in the embodiments above and in the drawings achieves significant increases in wearer/user comfort as compared to the known gown designs. To this end, the combination of some or all of the ventilation cape 26, the mesh lining material 96, the angled hems 98, the electrostatic dissipative yarns 33, the green color, and the positioning and functioning of the closure fasteners on the gown 10 collectively improve heat management during use (in surgery or the like), reduce weight added to the wearer, reduce eye strain and negative effects such as electrostatic discharges, and increase freedom-of-movement and wearer satisfaction with the “fit and feel” of the gown 10 as a whole. Each of these improvements in comfort for the wearer do not detract from the barrier or isolation functionality and performance of the gown 10, thereby keeping the wearer protected from the working environment. Accordingly, especially in settings where medical professionals work in warm environments, the gown 10 will allow for improved comfort and heat management/discharge in the same sustainable and reusable type of product while remaining protected from unexpected splashes and any contaminants in the environment. The gown 10 therefore provides several technical benefits and advantages over designs available in the PPE apparel field before this disclosure. [0075] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of various embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Thus, the various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A rear-opening protective gown defining a personal protective equipment garment, the protective gown comprising: a central gown body sized to wrap around at least a torso area of a wearer, the central gown body including a front panel and a back panel, with the back panel being separated into a right portion and a left portion such that the protective gown opens at the back panel, wherein one of the right portion and left portion includes an overlapping section and the other of the right portion and left portion includes a corresponding overlapped section, the overlapping section and overlapped section being configured to lay over one another when the protective gown is donned by the wearer and closed; a ventilation cape formed by a ventilation opening in the central gown body, wherein the ventilation cape is secured to the overlapping section via a bar tack that partially secures the ventilation opening closed and that forms a joint between the ventilation cape and the overlapping section; a pair of opposing left and right sleeves that cooperate with and extend away from the central gown body for receiving arms of the wearer; a neck opening defined by the central gown body adjacent a shoulder region of the central gown body located proximate a junction of the left and right sleeves with the central gown body; and a plurality of fastening elements positioned on or proximate to the back panel and configured to permit doffing of the gown.

2. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 1 , wherein the ventilation cape is located on the right portion of the back panel.

3. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 1 , wherein the bar tack is positioned at a middle of the ventilation cape.

4. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 1 , wherein the central gown body includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, with the neck opening being positioned proximate to the top end, and wherein the ventilation opening is oriented to face downwards towards the bottom end.

5. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 1 , wherein the central gown body includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, with the neck opening being positioned proximate to the top end, and wherein the ventilation opening is closer to the top end than the bottom end.

6. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 1 , further comprising a mesh lining, the mesh lining being of a more porous and breathable material than the central gown body and the pair of opposing left and right sleeves.

7. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 6, wherein the ventilation cape covers at least some of the mesh lining.

8. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 7, wherein the mesh lining is provided on other portions of the back panel beyond the ventilation opening.

9. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 7, wherein a width of the ventilation cape at the ventilation opening is wider than the mesh lining arranged at the ventilation opening, thereby blousing the ventilation cape to allow the ventilation cape to hang loose and open for increased ventilation flow.

10. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 6, wherein a material or materials defining the mesh lining is configured to meet snagging resistance performance metrics defined under ASTM D 3939-13 and under ASTM D 5362-13.

11 . The rear-opening protective gown of claim 1 , wherein the central gown body includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, with the neck opening being positioned proximate to the top end, wherein the central gown body further comprises angled hems at the bottom end.

12. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 11 , wherein the angled hems are formed in front panel and the back panel.

13. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 11 , wherein the angled hems are formed at opposite sides of the central gown body.

14. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 1 , wherein at least some portions of the central body and/or at least some portions of the pair of opposing left and right sleeves comprises electrostatic dissipative or anti-static yarns.

15. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 1 , wherein the neck opening defines a V-shaped collar.

16. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 1 , further comprising: a pair of pull loops connected to the central gown body along opposite sides of a waist region of the wearer and along connections of the front panel to the back panel, wherein the pull loops are sized and positioned to be configured to receive or be configured to be grasped by one or more fingers of hands to thereby provide convenient gripping locations to apply a doffing force to open and remove the protective gown, the convenient gripping locations also being positioned away from portions of the protective gown along the front panel most likely to be soiled during use by the wearer.

17. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 16, wherein each of the pull loops is formed from a material having a highly contrasting color from a material defining the central gown body to guide a person to the location where doffing forces should be applied to remove the protective gown.

18. The rear-opening protective gown of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of each of the pull loops is orange or red in color, and at least a portion of the central gown body is green in color.

19. A rear-opening protective gown defining a personal protective equipment garment, the protective gown comprising: a central gown body sized to wrap around at least a torso area of a wearer, the central gown body including a front panel and a back panel, with the back panel being separated into a right portion and a left portion such that the protective gown opens at the back panel, wherein one of the right portion and left portion includes an overlapping section and the other of the right portion and left portion includes a corresponding overlapped section, the overlapping section and overlapped section being configured to lay over one another when the protective gown is donned by the wearer and closed; a ventilation cape formed by a ventilation opening in the central gown body; a mesh lining being of a more porous and breathable material than the central gown body, wherein the ventilation opening is formed in the overlapping section of the back panel and the overlapping section includes at least some of the mesh lining arranged underneath the ventilation cape, such that the mesh lining allows for air to pass between an interior and an exterior of the gown while the ventilation cape provides a barrier covering for the mesh lining to provide splash protection in an area of the ventilation opening; a pair of opposing left and right sleeves that cooperate with and extend away from the central gown body for receiving arms of the wearer; a neck opening defined by the central gown body adjacent a shoulder region of the central gown body located proximate a junction of the left and right sleeves with the central gown body; and a plurality of fastening elements positioned on or proximate to the back panel and configured to permit doffing of the gown.

20. A rear-opening protective gown defining a personal protective equipment garment, the protective gown comprising: a central gown body having a top end and a bottom end and being sized to wrap around at least a torso area of a wearer, the central gown body including a front panel and a back panel, with the back panel being separated into a right portion and a left portion such that the protective gown opens at the back panel, wherein one of the right portion and left portion includes an overlapping section and the other of the right portion and left portion includes a corresponding overlapped section, the overlapping section and overlapped section being configured to lay over one another when the protective gown is donned by the wearer and closed; a ventilation cape formed by a ventilation opening in the central gown body, wherein the ventilation opening is formed in the overlapping section of the back panel, wherein the ventilation opening is closer to the top end than the bottom end, and wherein the ventilation opening is oriented to face downwards towards the bottom end; a bar tack that secures the ventilation cape to the right portion of the back panel, wherein the bar tack at least partially secures the ventilation opening closed and forms a joint between the ventilation cape and the back panel; a mesh lining being of a more porous and breathable material than the central gown body, wherein the overlapping section includes at least some of the mesh lining arranged underneath the ventilation cape, such that the mesh lining allows for air to pass between an interior and an exterior of the gown while the ventilation cape provides a barrier covering for the mesh lining to provide splash protection in an area of the ventilation opening, and wherein the mesh lining is also provided on at least some portion of the overlapped section; wherein a width of the ventilation cape at the ventilation opening is wider than the mesh lining arranged at the ventilation opening, thereby blousing the ventilation cape to allow the ventilation cape to hang loose and open for increased ventilation flow; a pair of opposing left and right sleeves that cooperate with and extend away from the central gown body for receiving arms of the wearer; a neck opening defined by the central gown body adjacent a shoulder region of the central gown body located proximate a junction of the left and right sleeves with the central gown body, wherein the neck opening is positioned proximate to the top end; and a plurality of fastening elements positioned on or proximate to the back panel and configured to permit doffing of the gown.