Protective Garment with a Flexible Collar

Abstract

A protective garment comprising a gown and an improved collar mechanism and method of use for securing protective gowns, typically used in health care settings, around the neck of a user without the need to secure with ties, tabs, snaps or other securing devices. The collar mechanism is made of a stiff material that is pliable enough to be deformed without fracture when force is applied but with a sufficient memory that allows the collar to return to its original position once the force is removed.

1 . A protective garment, comprising:
 a. a gown having
 i. a closed front portion to cover a front of a torso; 
 ii. a back portion configurable into an open state and a closed state to cover a back of the torso; 
 iii. a pair of sleeves opposite each other, each sleeve configured to receive an arm, each sleeve comprising an elastic cuff; 
 iv. a waist closure member to secure the back portion in the closed state; and 
 v. a collar portion to wrap around a neck to secure the gown to the torso, the collar portion comprising a hem; and 
   b. a collar member, generally circular or oval in cross-section and insertable into the hem of the collar portion, wherein the collar member comprises a main portion having a cross-sectional diameter, the main portion having an arcuate shape and terminating at a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends each comprise a cross-sectional diameter, wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the main portion is different from the cross-sectional diameters of the first and second ends, wherein the collar member is deformable when a force is applied and capable of naturally returning to its original shape after being deformed once the force is removed.   
     
     
         2 . A protective garment, comprising:
 a. a gown having
 i. a closed front portion to cover a front of a torso; 
 ii. an open back portion to cover a back of the torso; 
 iii. a pair of sleeves opposite each other, each sleeve configured to receive an arm; and 
 iv. a collar portion to wrap around a neck, the collar portion comprising a hem; and 
   b. a collar member, generally cylindrical in shape and insertable into the hemmed collar portion, wherein the collar member comprises a main portion having a cross-sectional diameter, the main portion having an arcuate shape and terminating at a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends each comprise a cross-sectional diameter, wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the main portion is different from the cross-sectional diameters of the first and second ends, and wherein the collar member is capable of naturally returning to its original shape after being deformed.   
     
     
         3 . The protective garment of  claim 2 , wherein the collar member is made from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, plastic, and metal. 
     
     
         4 . The protective garment of  claim 2 , wherein the collar member is affixed to the hemmed collar portion. 
     
     
         5 . The protective garment of  claim 2 , wherein the collar member protrudes out from the hemmed collar portion. 
     
     
         6 . The protective garment of  claim 5 , wherein the collar member comprises a fastener at the first and second ends to fasten the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         7 . The protective garment of  claim 2 , wherein the gown further comprises a waist closure member. 
     
     
         8 . The protective garment of  claim 7 , wherein the waist closure member is selected from the group consisting of a tie, an elastic rod, an adhesive, a magnet, and a hook. 
     
     
         9 . The protective garment of  claim 7 , wherein the gown further comprises a hemmed waist portion through which the waist closure member is inserted to wrap around the torso to secure the back portion closed. 
     
     
         10 . The protective garment of  claim 2 , wherein each arm sleeve comprises a cuff, wherein each cuff comprises a means for imparting tightness around the wrists. 
     
     
         11 . A protective garment, comprising:
 a. a gown having
 i. a closed front portion to cover a front of a torso; 
 ii. a pair of back flaps extending from opposite ends of the front portion defining a back portion to cover a back of the torso; 
 iii. a pair of sleeves opposite each other, each sleeve configured to receive an arm; and 
 iv. a collar portion to wrap around a neck; and 
   b. a collar member secured to the collar portion, wherein the collar member comprises an elastic main portion, the main portion having a curvature and terminating at a first end and a second end.   
     
     
         12 . The protective garment of  claim 11 , wherein the collar member is made from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, plastic, and metal. 
     
     
         13 . The protective garment of  claim 11 , wherein the collar portion comprises a hem, thereby defining a hemmed collar portion, wherein the collar member is insertable into the hemmed collar portion. 
     
     
         14 . The protective garment of  claim 13 , wherein the collar member protrudes out from the hemmed collar portion. 
     
     
         15 . The protective garment of  claim 14 , wherein the collar member comprises a fastener at the first and second ends to fasten the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         16 . The protective garment of  claim 11 , wherein the collar member comprises a fastener to fasten the first end with the second end. 
     
     
         17 . The protective garment of  claim 11 , wherein the gown further comprises a waist closure member. 
     
     
         18 . The protective garment of  claim 17 , wherein the waist closure member is selected from the group consisting of a tie, an elastic rod, an adhesive, a magnet, and a hook. 
     
     
         19 . The protective garment of  claim 17 , wherein the waist closure member is an elastic rod and, wherein the gown further comprises a hemmed waist portion through which the elastic rod is inserted to wrap around the torso to secure the back portion closed. 
     
     
         20 . The protective garment of  claim 11 , wherein each sleeve comprises an elastic cuff.