AU2016100713A4 - Disposable apron - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable apron (5) comprises a plurality of detachably secured layers (4) of water impermeable material. A neck ring 1 passes over the head of a user and back ties (3) are designed to be secured around the user and tied at the back to hold the apron in place. The layers preferably comprise a plurality of sheets laminated together in a roll wherein each layer has areas of weakness (2) such that individual aprons can be pulled off by the wearer for use. The front layer of the apron need not have a neck ring and back ties and these may be secured to the backmost layer of the apron. Figure 1

Description

DISPOSABLE APRON

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a disposable aprons.

[0002] With increasing awareness of transmissible infections, current practice is increasingly to put on and remove a plastic apron after each in-patent /professional contact. This causes delay, and a means of reducing this delay while maintaining sanitary conditions would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable apron.

[0004] The present invention has a disposable apron comprising a plurality of detachably secured layers of water impermeable material, the layers comprise tabs for the user to grasp when removing the layers, the tabs are at the back of the apron.

[0005] In another preferred embodiment, said apron comprises a neck ring and back ties [0006] In another preferred embodiment, the layers comprise indicia to indicate how many layers remain on the apron or have been used.

[0007] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig.l is a schematic front view to an apron according to a first embodiment of the invention; [0009] Fig.2 is a schematic side view to the apron of Figure 1; [0010] Fig.3 is a schematic front view to an apron according to a second embodiment of the invention; [0011] Fig.4 is a schematic side view to an apron according to a third embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In Figures 1 and 2 the apron 5 comprises several layers 4 that are detachable secured together. A neck ring 1 is designed to pass over the head of a user and back ties 3 are designed to be secured around the user and tied at the back to hold the apron 5 in place when used. A designed area of weakness 2 is provided so that successive layers 4 can be easily removed. The front layers of the apron need not have a neck ring 1 and back ties 2 and these may be secured to the backmost layer of the apron.

[0013] FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the apron. Here, the multiple layers 4 of the apron can be visualized. Each layer can be thrown away after use. Each layer is torn at the designed area weakness 2, which in these diagrams is shown as a straight line at the top of the apron, however positions) may vary. The neck ring 1 in particular may need to be reinforced during manufacture to prevent ripping when the layers of the apron are torn off. Each layer may bear indicia indicating how many layers remain on the apron or have been used [e.g. by different color, numbering, or lettering]. The area of weakness for successive layer may be in different positions.

[0014] Tabs may be provided to ease removal of the layers 4. For example, in Figure 3 the front layer 4 of the apron has a tab 6 formed in it at the line of weakness so that the tab 6 may be grasped by the user and pulled, applying force directly at the line of weakness. Subsequent layers 4 may have their tabs at different positions, exposed when the layer above is removed.

[0015] In Figure 4, the layers 4 wrap round the backmost layer 7 and are secured to the backmost layer by a weak adhesive. Tabs 8 for successive layers are disposed in a descending fashion so that to remove the top sheet of the apron the topmost tab is grasped and pulled by the user freeing the top sheet from the adhesive and applying force at the area of weakness. It will be evident that a single type of material may be used for the layers 4, neck ring 1 and back ties 3. For example sheets having the general profile shown in Figure 1 may be laminated together, providing a strong bond between the sheets where the neck rings and back ties are to be, and no bond or a weak bond as appropriate to ensure that the layers 4 are releasable secured. Although water resistance is important for the layers 4, there may be advantage if the surface of the layers 4 has a degree of water absorbency to reduced splashing or run-off of liquid. The aprons may form part of a roll or concertina where each individual apron can be pulled off by the wearer for use [e.g. in a manner similar to separating plastic bags in a supermarket. The aprons may form a web with zones of weakness being provided to allow an apron to be separated from its neighbor.

[0016] Such an apron would permit the user to tear off the top layer of the apron each time one would ordinarily discard a non-multilayered apron and don another. For example, in a hospital ward, a doctor or nurse would tear off the top layer of the apron each time new patent contact was made. On a busy ward this would reduce time and needless apron changes. Ultimately, when the final layer of the apron is reached, this can also be disposed of. The final layer may simply be a support layer for the remaining layers.

Claims (3)

1. A disposable apron comprising a plurality of detachably secured layers of water impermeable material, the layers comprise tabs for the user to grasp when removing the layers, the tabs are at the back of the apron.

2. A disposable apron according to claim 1, wherein said apron comprises a neck ring and back ties.

3. A disposable apron according to claim 1, wherein the layers comprise indicia to indicate how many layers remain on the apron or have been used.