Expandable material for use in a garment

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.

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.