GB2426690A

GB2426690A - Disposable multi-layered apron

Info

Publication number: GB2426690A
Application number: GB0516980A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kuldeep Kaur Bhangal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-01
Filing date: 2005-08-18
Publication date: 2006-12-06
Also published as: GB0511148D0; GB0516980D0

Abstract

A disposable apron 5 comprises a plurality of releasably 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.

Description

DISPOSABLE, MULTI-LAYERED APRON This invention relates to disposable

aprons. Such aprons may be used in healthcare, food manufacture and cleaning environments, but the invention is particularly, although not exclusively, designed primarily for use in the healthcare sector where aprons and gloves have to be changed regularly after patient contact. 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.

Japanese patent specification JP 10008302 discloses what is referred to in the Esp@cenet abstract as a multiple layered apron [in reality a "bib"]. The apron is intended to hang from the neck and comprises multiple sheets of high water absorbency to absorb spilled food, drink, or drool from an infant or handicapped person. The sheets are suspended from neck strings but not secured at the sides.

The inventor has realised that provision of an apron comprising multiple sheets of water resistant [i.e. water impermeable] materials solves some of the problems in the healthcare sector.

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.

Preferably these disposable, multi-layered aprons would be made of a cheap, water- resistant, thin, light-weight and easily handled material polyethylene being an

example.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apron as set out in the appended claims.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the following description with reference to the drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic front view to an apron according to a first embodiment of the invention Figure 2 is a schematic side view to the apron of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a schematic front view to an apron according to a second embodiment of the invention Figure 4 is a schematic side view to an apron according to a third embodiment of the invention 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 I and back ties 2 and these may be secured to the backmost layer of the apron.

FIGURE 1 shows a front view of one apron. This view does not demonstrate the multi-layered feature of the apron although one can appreciate the designed area of weakness 2 where each layer can be torn off. Although a straight line is shown, the invention is not limited to such. It is possible for the specific areas of weakness - which may be perforated - to be numerous and placed elsewhere on the apron.

FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the apron. Here, the multiple layers 4 of the apron can be visualised. 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 position(s) 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 colouring, numbering, or lettering].

The area of weakness for successive layer may be in different positions.

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.

Tn Figure 4, the layers 4 wrap round the backmost layer 7 and are secured to the hackmost 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.

Although adhesive securing has been mentioned above it will be evident that other methods of securing [e.g. ultrasonic welding] may be appropriate also.

Once all the layers of the apron have been used, the remaining base-apron is intended to he thrown away.

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 neighbour.

Claims

I. A disposable apron comprising a plurality of releasably secured layers of water impermeable material.
2. A disposable apron, as claimed in Claim 1, in which the apron comprises a neck ring and back ties
3. A disposable apron, as claimed in Claim 2, in which the neck ring and hack- ties are part of or secured to a base apron.
4. A disposable apron, as claimed in Claim 3, in which the releasably secured layers do not include neck ring or back-ties.
5. A disposable apron, as claimed in any one of Claims Ito 4, in which the layers comprise areas of weakness to ease removal of each layer of apron.
6. A disposable apron, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the layers wrap around the apron and are secured at the back of the apron.
7. A disposable apron, as claimed in any one of Claims ito 6, in which the layers comprise tabs for the user to grasp when removing the layers.
8. A disposable apron, as claimed in Claim 7, in which the tabs are at the back of the apron.
9. A disposable apron, as claimed in any one of Claims I to 8, in which the layers comprise indicia to indicate how many layers remain on the apron or have been used.
10. A disposable apron, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the front face of the layers has a degree of water absorbency to reduced splashing or run-off of liquid.
11. A disposable apron, as claimed in any one of Claims ito 2 and 5 to 10, comprising a plurality of sheets laminated together with a strong bond in regions defining neck rings and back ties to the apron, and no bond or a weak bond as appropriate to provide the releasable secured layers of the apron.
12. A disposable, multi-layered apron substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A plurality of disposable aprons as claimed in any one of Claims I to 11 forming part of a roll or concertina where each individual apron can be pulled off by the wearer for use.

13. A plurality of disposable aprons, as claimed in Claim 12, in which the aprons form a web with zones of weakness being provided to allow an apron to be separated from its neighbour.