Protective garment with elastomeric elbow patches

Abstract

A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes areas subjected to tensile stretching forces when worn by a wearer. Such areas may correspond to elbow regions of the garment. Elastomeric patches are provided in at least one of the identified areas subjected to the tensile stretching forces, the elastomeric patches being generally surrounded by the remaining garment material.

1 . A protective garment comprising: 
 a body having a closed front,    an open back,    sleeve openings defined by the front and back portions,    sleeves attached at a first end to the sleeve openings and terminating in cuffs at a second end, each sleeve having a front surface and a back surface corresponding generally to an anterior and posterior portion of a wearer's arm, each sleeve further comprising a non-elastomeric material, and    a patch of elastomeric material formed into each of the sleeves at the back surface, each patch, respectively being attached to the non-elastomeric material comprising each respective sleeve.    
   
   
       2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch has a dimension between about 2 inches and about 10 inches.  
   
   
       3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch extends from a point above the wearer's elbow and terminates on the sleeve proximal to the cuff.  
   
   
       4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch comprises between about one quarter to about three quarter's the entire sleeve length.  
   
   
       5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch comprises a circumferential band around the sleeve.  
   
   
       6 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch is generally circular and covers an elbow portion of the sleeve.  
   
   
       7 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch is generally an elongated trapezoidal profile with a straight edge that has a length generally paralleling the length of the sleeve.  
   
   
       8 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch is greater in a longitudinal dimension than in a lateral dimension.  
   
   
       9 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch is greater in a lateral dimension than in a longitudinal dimension.  
   
   
       10 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch is stretchable in a longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       11 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch is formed of a necked-bonded laminate.  
   
   
       12 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each patch forms a part of the cuff.  
   
   
       13 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the patches are affixed to the sleeve by at least one of ultrasonic bonding, taping, mechanical adhesion, chemical adhesion, thermal adhesion, tape, and stitching.  
   
   
       14 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is a surgical gown.