Hospital gown

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved garment for use by patients receiving treatment in a hospital. The disclosed gown provides the patient with greater comfort and reduced incidence of embarrassment by covering the patient's body still while allowing easy access thereto, to facilitate the administration of medical treatment. This device is particularly beneficial to modest patients who feel uncomfortable during hospital stays because of hospital gowns that do not adequately close and thereby expose various portions of the patient's body. In the preferred embodiment, the hospital gown of the present invention has an open front, a partially open back, and a plurality of hook and loop-type fastening strips to ensure adequate closure of the garment.

In the claims  
     
         1 . A garment comprising: 
 a hospital gown having a front side, a back side, a bottom hemline, and a top neck opening;    a vertical slit extending from the bottom hemline of the front side of the hospital gown, through the top neck opening, and terminating at a point above the bottom hemline of the back side of the hospital gown thereby dividing the hospital gown into a first half and a second half;    a seam portion joining the first half of the hospital gown and the second half of the hospital gown defined by the area of the hospital gown between the terminus of the vertical slit and the bottom hemline; and    a plurality of fastening devices for detachably attaching the first side of the hospital gown and the second side of the hospital gown.    
     
     
         2 . The garment of    claim 1    further comprising a waist region, the waist region being tapered to conform to the waist of a female patient.  
     
     
         3 . The garment of    claim 1    further comprising a hip region, the hip region being flared to conform to the hips of a female patient.  
     
     
         4 . The garment of    claim 1    wherein the hospital gown comprises a textile fabric.  
     
     
         5 . The garment of    claim 1    wherein the hospital gown comprises paper.  
     
     
         6 . The garment of    claim 1    wherein the fastening devices comprise hook and loop strips.  
     
     
         7 . The garment of    claim 1    wherein the fastening devices comprise buttons.  
     
     
         8 . The garment of    claim 1    wherein the fastening devices comprise snaps.  
     
     
         9 . A garment comprising: 
 a hospital gown having a front side, a back side, a bottom hemline, and a top neck opening;    a vertical slit extending from the bottom hemline of the front side of the hospital gown, through the top neck opening, and terminating at a point above the bottom hemline of the back side of the hospital gown thereby dividing the hospital gown into a first half and a second half;    a seam portion joining the first half of the hospital gown and the second half of the hospital gown defined by the area of the hospital gown between the terminus of the vertical slit and the bottom hemline; and    a plurality of hook and loop fasteners for detachably attaching the first side of the hospital gown and the second side of the hospital gown.