[0001] The present invention is directed to a surgical gown and tie assembly.
[0002] Surgical and other related covergowns are rapidly being used in greater numbers of
areas and for longer durations in the health care field. One reason for these increases
in types of use and duration of use is the risk and related fear of contamination
of either the patient or hospital employees/staff member due to contact with certain
bacteria and viruses commonly transmitted through liquid media. At one time surgical
gowns and covers were primarily only worn in the operating room during a surgical
procedure. Now, it is not uncommon for virtually all hospital staff to wear such gowns
at least during some part of their workday. With this increased usage, the surgical
gowns are being used in different ways as compared to the past. As an example, in
intensive care units it is often the practice that a surgical gown must be worn during
the insertion and removal of certain types of equipment into the patient. Given the
hectic pace in such a unit, the nurse will often quickly don the gown for the procedure
and once the procedure has been completed, the gown will be quickly removed and discarded.
As a result, the degree of care in donning and removing such a garment is not the
same as with procedures customarily used for surgical room applications. One problem
that has arisen is with the tie assemblies on such gowns which, heretofore, have been
typically attached simply by securing one end of the gown tie to the surgical gown
such that when the tie is held perpendicularly from the face of the covergown the
tie forms a "L"-shaped with the shorter length of the "L" being the point of attachment
to the gown. It has been found that if care is not taken, this "L"-shaped configuration
will often tear at the juncture between the short and long lengths of the "L". Once
a tear has begun, it is not uncommon for that tear to quickly propagate resulting
in the possible detachment of the tie from the surgical gown and the compromising
the sterile nature and barrier properties of the gown itself.
[0003] While quick and often rough procedures in donning and removing surgical gowns is
one example of a situation in which increased tie separation is possible, tie separation
also becomes a problem due to the time that a gown is worn. Here again the length
of time that a gown is worn is rapidly increasing due to the constant need for protection
while performing functions within the hospital. As a result, the tie assemblies are
placed under stress or experience stress cycles which are much greater in frequency
than in the past. As a result, a new opportunity arises for tearing and possible detachment
of the tie from the surgical gown.
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tie assembly which
is more permanently affixed to the surface of a surgical or covergown for hospital
room use.
[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide stronger securement of
such a tie assembly to a gown through the combination of the design of the tie assembly
itself and the means by which it is attached to the gown material.
[0006] These objects are solved by the surgical gown and tie assembly of any one of independent
claims 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9. Further advantageous features, aspects and details of the
gown and tie assembly are evident from the dependent claims, the description and the
drawings. The claims are intended to be understood as a first non-limiting approach
of defining the invention in general terms.
[0007] The invention according to a specific aspect provides a surgical gown and tie assembly
with ultrasonically bonded T-bar ties.
[0008] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a surgical gown with a tie
assembly which has a reduced propensity for tearing away from the main body of the
surgical gown when placed under stress.
[0009] These and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent upon a
further review of the following specification, claims and drawings.
[0010] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a surgical gown and tie
assembly which has improved strength over conventional surgical gown tie assemblies
due to the nature of the attachment of the tie assembly to the gown. Conventional
surgical gowns have ties with one end which is affixed to the gown in some form or
fashion as by sewing, stitching, gluing or bonding. When the unattached portion of
the tie is extended away from the gown, the tie has a general "L" shape with the short
end of the "L" being the portion of the tie which is attached to the gown. With sufficient
force or prolonged use, such ties will tend to fail at the juncture between the short
and long lengths of the "L" and the area of the gown to which this juncture is attached.
The present invention overcomes this problem through the use of a generally "T"-shaped
tie assembly in which the top or short portion of the "T" is attached across its entire
width to the surgical gown so as to more evenly distribute the pulling forces from
the longer portion of the "T" design.
[0011] The surgical gown and tie assembly of the present invention is achieved via at least
five embodiments. In the first embodiment the tie assembly has a first tie member
and a second tie member with the first tie member having a first length and the second
tie member having a second length with the first length being greater than the second
length. Each of the tie members also has a first end and a second end. The second
end of the second member is joined to the first member intermediate the first and
second ends of the first member to form a generally "T"-shaped tie assembly with the
first ends of the first and second members forming the shorter portion of the T-shaped
design and at least the second end of the first tie member and a portion of the first
tie member adjacent the second end of the first time member forming the longer portion
of the "T"-shaped tie. The shorter portion including the first ends of the first and
second members are attached to the gown such that the longer portion of the "T"-shaped
tie can be extended away from the gown from a point intermediate the first ends of
the first and second members thereby enabling the user to grasp and tie the longer
portion to another tie with reduced risk of separation of the tie from the surgical
gown.
[0012] A second embodiment of the invention also employs a first tie member and a second
tie member with the first tie member again having a length which is greater than the
length of the second tie member and with both the first and second tie members each
having respective first ends and second ends. In this configuration the first ends
of the first and second tie members are joined to one another to form a generally
"T"-shaped tie with at least the second tie member forming a shorter portion of the
"T"-shaped tie and at least the second end of the first tie member along with the
portion of the first tie member adjacent the second end of the first tie member forming
a longer portion of the "T"-shaped tie. The shorter portion including the second tie
member is bonded to the gown such that the longer portion of the "T"-shaped tie can
be extended away from the gown at a point intermediate the first and second ends of
the second tie member to permit tieing of the tie and securement of the gown.
[0013] A third embodiment of a surgical gown and tie assembly according to the present invention
uses not two but three separate tie members all of which have a first end and a second
end with the first tie member having a length greater than either of the second and
third tie members. In this configuration the first end of the first tie member is
joined to the second ends of the second and third tie members to form a generally
"T"-shaped tie with at least the first ends of the second and third tie members forming
a shorter portion of the "T"-shaped tie and at least the second end of the first tie
member and a portion of the first tie member adjacent the second end of the first
tie member forming a longer portion of the T-shaped tie. The shorter portion of the
tie including the first ends of the second and third tie members are bonded to the
gown such that the longer portion of the T-shaped tie can be extended away from the
gown from a point intermediate the first ends of the second and third tie members
for subsequent use in tieing the gown.
[0014] The fourth embodiment of the surgical gown and tie assembly according to the present
invention employs just one tie member to form the generally "T"-shaped tie assembly.
In this configuration, the first tie member has a first end and a second end with
a first fold and a second fold between the first and second ends with the first fold
and second fold defining a first portion therebetween and a second portion being defined
between the second fold and the first end of the first tie member. The first and second
folds are made much closer to the first end than the second end of the first tie member
and the second portion overlaps the first portion with the second portion having a
greater length than the first portion, generally about twice the length of the first
portion. The first portion is joined to the second portion at least at the point of
contact of the first and second portions adjacent the first fold. A stronger tie can
be made by completing joining the first and second portions to one another along the
entire length of the first portion from the first fold to the second fold. The second
portion along with the overlapping first portion form the shorter portion of a generally
"T"-shaped tie while the second end of the first tie member along with a portion of
the first tie member adjacent the second end of the first tie member form the longer
portion of the "T"-shaped tie. To attach this tie to the gown, the shorter portion
of the tie is attached to the gown such that the longer portion of the "T"-shaped
tie can be extended away from the gown from a point intermediate the first end and
the second fold of the first tie member thereby permitting tieing of the gown.
[0015] The fifth embodiment of the surgical gown and tie assembly according to the present
invention again employs just one tie member to form the generally "T"-shaped tie assembly.
In this configuration, the first tie member has a first end and a second end and a
total of four folds inbetween the first and second ends including a first, second,
third and fourth fold. The portion of the first tie member between the first and second
folds defines the first portion, the portion of the first tie member between the second
and third folds defines the second portion, the portion of the first tie member between
the third and fourth folds defines the third portion and the portion of the first
tie member between the fourth fold and the first end defines the fourth portion. The
second portion of the first tie member is longer than either of the first or third
portions with the second portion overlapping the first and third portions. The first
portion is joined to the second portion at least adjacent the first fold and third
portion is joined to the second portion at least adjacent the fourth fold to form
a generally "T"-shaped tie. The shorter portion of the "T"-shaped tie is formed by
the second portion of the first tie member and at least the second end of the first
tie member and a portion of the first tie member adjacent the second end of the first
tie member forms the longer portion of the "T"-shaped tie. The shorter portion including
the second portion of the first tie member is attached to the gown such that the longer
portion of the "T"-shaped tie can be extended away from the gown from a point intermediate
the second and third folds so as to permit tieing of the gown, generally in conjunction
with another tie assembly.
[0016] The object of each of the five embodiments is to form a tie which has two tabs joined
to the gown and extending in opposite directions from the longer portion of the "T"-shaped
design such that the pulling forces are distributed over a wider area of the gown
and in opposite directions when the pulling force is generally perpendicular to the
plane of the gown at the point of attachment.
[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surgical gown and several tie assemblies according
to the present invention.
[0018] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a surgical gown and tie assembly according
to the present invention.
[0019] Figure 3 is a partial side view of the surgical gown and tie assembly shown in Figure
2 of the drawings.
[0020] Figure 4 is a partial side view of a second embodiment of a surgical gown and tie
assembly according to the present invention.
[0021] Figure 5 is a partial side view of a third embodiment of a surgical gown and tie
assembly according to the present invention.
[0022] Figure 6 is a partial side view of a fourth embodiment of a surgical gown and tie
assembly according to the present invention.
[0023] Figure 7 is a partial side view of a fifth embodiment of a surgical gown and tie
assembly according to the present invention.
[0024] Disclosed herein is a surgical gown and tie assembly wherein each of the ties has
a general "T"-shape with the shorter portion of the "T" secured to a surface of the
gown and the longer portion of the "T" used to engage the longer portion of a second
tie so as to secure the gown about the wearer. Due to the general "T"-shape of the
tie assembly, the ties do not tear away from the gown as readily as conventional "L"-shaped
ties.
[0025] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of a surgical gown and tie
assembly according to the present invention. The gown 10 is a normal surgical gown
which typically includes a front portion 12, a pair of side portions 14 and 16, a
neck opening 18 and a pair of sleeves 20 and 22. It should be noted that this is just
one typical configuration of a surgical gown and it is, therefore, not meant to limit
the scope of gown configurations which can be used in conjunction with the present
invention. As can be seen from Figure 1, tie assemblies 30 can be used at a number
of locations on the surgical gown for securement purposes. For example, the tie assemblies
30 can be used on the side portions 14 and 16 to close the back of the gown or such
tie assemblies 30 can be used on the front of the gown where they can wrap around
and behind the wearer to secure the gown 10 in a closed position. Here again, the
location of the tie assemblies 30 is illustrative only and is not meant to limit the
scope of the present invention.
[0026] Referring to Figures 2 through 7, there are shown at least five embodiments of the
gown and tie assembly according to the present invention. In Figures 2 and 3 there
is shown in partial perspective and side views respectively one embodiment of a surgical
gown and tie assembly according to the present invention. In Figures 4 through 7 there
are shown four other embodiments of a gown and tie assembly according to the present
invention once again in partial side view.
[0027] Turning to Figure 2, which shows a portion of a gown 10 with a tie assembly 30 attached
thereto. In this embodiment the tie assembly 30 includes a first tie member 32 and
a second tie member 34. As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the first tie member
32 has a first length and the second tie member has a second length with the first
length being greater than second length. Each of the first and second tie members
32 and 34 has a first end 36 and 38 respectively and a second end 40 and 42 respectively.
The second end 42 of the second member 34 is joined to the first member 32 intermediate
the first and second ends 36 and 40 of first tie member 32 to form a generally "T"-shaped
tie 30 with the first ends 36 and 38 respectively of the first and second members
32 and 34 forming a shorter portion 44 of the "T"-shape tie 30 and at least the second
end 40 of first member 32 and the portion of the first tie member 32 adjacent its
second end 40 forming a longer portion 46 of the "T"-shaped tie 30.
[0028] The shorter portion 44 including the first ends 36 and 38 of the first and second
members 32 and 34 are attached to the gown 10 such that the longer portion 46 of the
"T"-shape tie 30 can be extended away from the gown 10 from a point intermediate the
first ends 36 and 38 of the first and second members 32 and 34. As a result, when
pulling forces are exerted on the longer portion 46 of the tie assembly 30, the force
is distributed in two directions due to the attachment of the tie by the shorter portion
44 of the tie 30. This in turn reduces the tendency of the tie to tear when pulled
upon.
[0029] Surgical gowns and their ties can be made from any number of materials including
woven fabrics, fibrous nonwoven webs and films as well as combinations of the foregoing.
Reusable surgical gowns tend to be made from cotton cloth so that they are durable
enough to withstand multiple washings. When attaching the shorter portion of a cloth
tie to a cloth gown, generally the most advantageous means of attaching the tie 30
to the gown 10 will be by stitching though it is also possible to use adhesives. With
disposable garments, such as those made from nonwoven materials and films, attachment
of the ties 30 to the gown 10 can be by stitching, adhesives, thermal bonding, and
ultrasonic bonding. Most of the disposable surgical gowns made by the assignee of
record, Kimberly-Clark Corporation of Neenah, Wisconsin, employ polyolefin-based materials
and, in particular, polypropylene-based nonwoven materials for both the gown and the
ties. When such materials are being used, it has been found most advantageous to use
ultrasonic bonding equipment to bond the tie assemblies 30 to the surgical gown 10.
Such ultrasonic bonding equipment is well known and readily available for use.
[0030] Turning to Figure 4, there is shown a second embodiment of a surgical gown and tie
assembly according to the present invention in partial side view. In this embodiment
there is again a first tie member 432 and a second tie member 434 with the first tie
member 432 having a first length and the second tie member 434 having a second length
with the first length being greater than the second length. The first tie member 432
and the second tie member 434 each have respective first ends 436 and 438 and second
end 440 and 442. As can be seen from the cross-sectional view in Figure 4, the first
ends 436 and 438 of first tie member 432 and second tie member 434 respectively are
overlapped with one another and joined together to form a generally "T"-shaped tie
assembly 430 with at least the second tie member 434 forming a shorter portion 444
of the "T"-shaped tie 30 and at least the second end 440 of the first tie member 432
and a portion of the first tie member 432 adjacent the second end 440 of the first
tie member 432 forming a longer portion 446 of the "T"-shaped tie 30.
[0031] The shorter portion 444 including the second tie member 434 is bonded to the gown
410 such that the longer portion 446 of the tie 30 can be extended away from the gown
410 from a point which is intermediate the first end 438 and the second end 442 of
the second tie member 434.
[0032] A third embodiment of a surgical gown and tie assembly according to the present invention
is shown in partial side view in Figure 5. In this configuration, three separate members
are used to create a "T"-shaped tie 530. Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a portion
of a gown 510, a first tie member 532, a second tie member 534 and a third tie member
535. As with the other embodiments, the first tie member 532 has a first length, the
second tie member 534 has a second length and the third tie member 535 has a third
length with the first length being greater than either of the second and third lengths.
The first tie member 532, second tie member 534 and third tie member 535 each have
respectively a first ends 536, 538 and 539 and respective second ends 540, 542 and
543.
[0033] The first end 536 of the first tie member 532 is joined to the second end 542 of
the second tie member 534 and the second end 543 of the third tie member 535 to form
a generally "T"-shaped tie 530 with at least the first end 538 of the second tie member
534 and the first end 539 of the third tie member 535 forming a shorter portion 544
of the "T"-shaped tie 530. As shown in Figure 5, the first end 536 of first tie member
532 is positioned between the respective second ends 542 and 543 of the second and
third tie members 534 and 535 respectively. It is also possible, however, to place
the first end 536 of first tie member 532 outside of and adjacent to either the second
end 538 of the second tie member 534 or the second end 543 of the third tie member
535.
[0034] At least the second end 540 of the first tie member 532 and a portion of the first
tie member 532 adjacent the second end 540 of the first tie member 532 form the larger
portion of 546 of the "T"-shaped tie 530. The shorter portion 544 including the first
ends 538 and 539 of the second and third tie members 534 and 535 are attached to the
gown 510 such that the longer portion 546 of the "T"-shaped tie 530 can be extended
away from the gown 510 from a point intermediate the first ends 538 and 539 of the
second and third tie members 534 and 535.
[0035] The fourth embodiment of a surgical gown and tie assembly according to the present
invention is shown in partial side view in Figure 6 of the drawings. Attached to the
gown 610 is a tie assembly 630 including a first member 632 folded so as to achieve
a "T"-shape. The first tie member 632 has a first end 636 and a second end 640. The
first tie member 632 has a first fold 660 and a second fold 662 which define a first
portion 664 therebetween and a second portion 666 between said second fold 662 and
said first end 636. As can be seen in Figure 6, the second portion 666 is longer than
the first portion 664 with the second portion 666 overlapping the juxtaposed first
portion 664. The first portion 664 is joined to the second portion 666 at least adjacent
to the first fold 660 and, for a more secure configuration, the entire first portion
664 can be joined to the second portion 666 so as to form a shorter portion 644 of
the generally "T"-shaped tie 630. At least the second end 640 of the first tie member
632 and a portion of first tie member 632 adjacent the second end 640 of the first
tie member 632 form a longer portion 646 of the generally "T"-shaped tie. The shorter
portion 644 including the second portion 666 is bonded or attached to the gown 610
such that the longer portion 646 of the "T"-shaped tie 630 can be extended away from
the gown 610 from a point intermediate the first end 636 and the second fold 662 of
the first tie member 632. This embodiment of the surgical gown and tie assembly of
the present invention has the added advantage that the tie 630 can be formed from
a single strip of tie material as opposed to two or three pieces of material as shown
in Figures 4 and 5.
[0036] The fifth embodiment of a surgical gown and tie assembly according to the present
invention is shown in partial side view Figure 7 of the drawings. Attached to the
gown 710 is a tie assembly 730 including a first tie member 732 folded so as to achieve
a "T"-shape. The first tie member 732 has a first end 736 and a second end 740. The
first tie member 732 has a first fold 760, a second fold 762, a third fold 763, and
a forth fold 765. The first fold 760 is basically at right angles to the gown 710
as shown in Figure 7, however, due to the flexible nature of the material used for
the tie assembly 730, this fold can pivot through 180 degrees. The portion of the
first tie member 732 between the first fold and the second fold defines a first portion
764 and the portion of the first tie member 732 between the second fold 762 and the
third fold 763 defines a second portion 766. The second fold 762, between the first
764 and second 762 portions, folds the tie material completely back on itself in an
overlapping fashion such that the first and second portions 764 and 766 are in overlapping
juxtaposition with respect to one another. A third portion 767 is defined between
the third fold 763 and the forth fold 765. Here again, the nature of the third fold
763 causes the second portion 766 and the third portion 767 to be in overlapping juxtaposition
with one another. The portion of the first tie member 732 between the forth fold and
the first end 736 of the first tie member 732 defines a forth portion 768. Here again,
the angle of the forth fold 765 is basically at right angles to the second portion
766 when the tie is extended away from the gown 710, however, the tie may be pivoted
through an angle of 180 degrees.
[0037] The first portion 764 is joined to the second portion 766 at least adjacent to the
first fold 760 and preferably along the entire interface of the first and second portions
764 and 766 between the first fold 760 and the second fold 762. In like fashion, the
third portion 767 is joined to the second portion 766 at least adjacent to the forth
fold 765 and more desirably, along the entire interface between the second portion
766 and the third portion 767 between the third fold 763 and the forth 765. Once the
above-described portions of the tie member 732 have been joined to one another, there
is formed a generally "T"-shaped tie 730 with at least the second portion 766 forming
a shorter portion 744 of the "T"-shaped tie 730 and at least the second end 740 of
the first tie member 732 and a portion of the first tie member 732 adjacent to the
second end 740 of the first tie member forming a longer portion 746 of the "T"-shaped
tie. As with the embodiment in Figure 6, the second portion 766 is longer than either
of the first or third portions 764 and 767 respectively.
[0038] Attachment of the tie assembly 732 to the gown 710 is via the shorter portion 744,
which includes the second portion 766. This shorter portion 744 can be joined to the
surface of the surgical gown 710 in any number of ways including stitching, bonding
and gluing, with ultrasonic bonding being a more desirable method of attachment when
polyolefin-based materials are being used. Once the tie assembly 730 has been joined
to the gown 710, the longer portion 746 can be extended away from the gown 710 from
a point intermediate the second fold 762 and the third fold 763 to provide a means
for securing the gown 710 about the wearer.
1. A surgical gown (10) and tie assembly (30) comprising:
a gown (10),
a first tie member (32) and a second tie member (34), said first tie member (32) having
a first length and said second tie member (34) having a second length, said first
length being greater than said second length, each of said tie members having a first
end (36,38) and a second end (40,42),
said second end (42) of said second member (34) being joined to said first member
(32) at a location intermediate said first (36) and second (40) ends of said first
member (32) to form a generally "T"-shaped tie with said first ends (36,38) of said
first (32) and second (34) members forming a shorter portion (44) of said "T"-shaped
tie and at least said second end (40) of said first member (32) and a portion of said
first member (32) adjacent said second end (40) of said first members (32) forming
a longer portion (46) of said "T"-shaped tie,
said shorter portion (44) including said first ends (36,38) of said first (32) and
second (34) members being attached to said gown (10) such that said longer portion
(46) of said "T"-shaped tie can be extended away from said gown (10) from a point
intermediate said first ends (36,38) of said first (32) and second (34) members.
2. The surgical gown and tie assembly of claim 1 wherein said shorter portion (44) of
said "T"-shaped tie is ultrasonically attached to said gown (10).
3. A surgical gown (410) and tie assembly (430) comprising:
a gown (410),
a first tie member (432) and a second tie member (434), said first tie member (432)
having a first length and said second tie member (434) having a second length, said
first length being greater than said second length, each of said tie members (432,434)
having a first end (436,438) and a second end (440,442),
said first ends (436,438) of said first (432)and second (434) tie members being joined
to one another to form a generally "T"-shaped tie with at least said second tie member
(434) forming a shorter portion (444) of said "T"-shaped tie and at least said second
end (440) of said first tie member (432) and a portion of said first tie member (432)
adjacent said second end (440) of said first tie member (432) forming a longer portion
(446) of said "T"-shaped tie,
said shorter portion (444) including said second tie member (434) being attached to
said gown (410) such that said longer portion (446) of said "T"-shaped tie can be
extended away from said gown (410) from a point intermediate said first (438) and
second (440) ends of said second tie member (434).
4. The surgical gown and tie assembly of claim 3 wherein said shorter portion (444) of
said "T"-shaped tie is ultrasonically attached to said gown.
5. A surgical gown (510) and tie assembly (530) comprising:
a gown (510),
a first tie member (532), a second tie member (534) and a third tie member (535),
said first tie member (532) having a first length, said second tie member (534) having
a second length and said third tie member (535) having a third length, said first
length being greater than either of said second and third lengths, each of said tie
members (532,534,535) having a first end (536,538,539)and a second end (540,542,543),
said first end (536) of said first tie member (532) being joined to said second ends
(542,543) of said second (534) and third (535) tie members to form a generally "T"-shaped
tie with at least said first ends (538,539) of said second (534) and third (535) tie
members forming a shorter portion (544) of said "T"-shaped tie and at least said second
end (540) of said first tie member (532) and a portion of said first tie member adjacent
said second end (540) of said first tie member (532) forming a longer portion (546)
of said "T"-shaped tie,
said shorter portion (544) including said first ends (538,539) of said second (534)
and third (535) tie members being attached to said gown (510) such that said longer
portion (546) of said "T"-shaped tie can be extended away from said gown (510) from
a point intermediate said first ends (538,539) of said second (534) and third (535)
tie members.
6. The surgical gown and tie assembly of claim 5 wherein said shorter portion (544) of
said "T"-shaped tie is ultrasonically attached to said gown (510).
7. A surgical gown (610) and tie assembly (630) comprising:
a gown (610) and a first tie member (632), said first tie member having a first end
(636) and a second end (640),
said first tie member (632) having a first fold (660) and a second fold (662) with
the portion of said first tie member (632) between said first and second folds (660,662)
defining a first portion (664) and the portion of said first tie member (632) between
said second fold (662) and said first end (636) defining a second portion (666), said
second portion (666) being longer than said first portion (664) and said second portion
(666) overlapping said first portion (664) with said first portion being joined to
said second portion at least adjacent to said first fold (660) to form a generally
"T"-shaped tie with said second portion (666) forming a shorter portion (644) of said
"T"-shaped tie and at least said second end (640) of said first tie member (632) and
a portion of said first tie member adjacent said second end (640) of said first tie
member (632) forming a longer portion (646) of said "T"-shaped tie,
said shorter portion (644) including said second portion (666) being attached to said
gown (610) such that said longer portion (646) of said "T"shaped tie can be extended
away from said gown (610) from a point intermediate said first end (636) and said
second fold (662).
8. The surgical gown and tie assembly of claim 7 wherein said shorter portion (644) of
said "T"-shaped tie is ultrasonically attached to said gown (610).
9. A surgical gown (710) and tie assembly (730) comprising a gown (710) and a first tie
member (732), said first tie member (732) having a first end (736) and a second end
(740), said first tie member (732) having a first fold (760), a second fold (762),
a third fold (763) and a fourth fold (765) with the portion of said first tie member
between said first (760) and second (768) folds defining a first portion (764), the
portion of said first tie member between said second (762) and third (763) folds defining
a second portion (766), the portion of said first tie member between said third (763)
and fourth (765) folds defining a third portion (767) and the portion of said first
tie member between said fourth fold (765) and said first end (736) defining a forth
portion (768), said second portion (766) being longer than either of said first (764)
and third (767) portions with said second portion (766) overlapping said first (764)
and third (767) portions, said first portion (764) being joined to said second portion
(766) at least adjacent to said first fold (760) and said third portion (767) being
joined to said second portion (766) at least adjacent to said fourth fold (765) to
form a generally "T"-shaped tie with at least said second portion (766) forming a
shorter portion (744) of said "T"-shaped tie and at least said second end (740) of
said first tie member (732) and a portion of said first tie member adjacent said second
end (740) of said first tie member (732) forming a longer portion (746) of said "T"-shaped
tie, said shorter portion (744) including said second portion (766) being attached
to said gown (710) such that said longer portion (746) of said "T"-shaped tie can
be extended away from said gown (710) from a point intermediate said second fold (762)
and said third fold (763).
10. The surgical gown and tie assembly of claim 9 wherein said shorter portion (744) of
said "T"-shaped tie is ultrasonically attached to said gown (710).