Protective garment and methods of use

Abstract

A protective garment including one or more removable layers attached to an underlying garment. The removable layers may be removed by a user if the protective garment is soiled or exposed to a contaminant. In this way, a removable layer may be removed and discarded by the user without needing to remove the entire protective garment.

1 . A protective garment comprising:
 a wearable underlying garment;   at least one removable layer attached to the underlying garment;   wherein the at least one removable layer may be removed by a user without removing the underlying garment.   
   
   
       2 . The protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the underlying garment is made of at least one of cotton, cotton polyester blend, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, spun-bonded polypropylene, flash-spun high-density polyethylene, polyethylene coated polypropylene, microporous polypropylene, vinyl, plastic and nylon. 
   
   
       3 . The protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one removable layer is configured to substantially cover the wearable underlying garment. 
   
   
       4 . The protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one removable layer is made of at least one of cotton, cotton polyester blend, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, spun-bonded polypropylene, flash-spun high-density polyethylene, polyethylene coated polypropylene, microporous polypropylene, vinyl, plastic and nylon. 
   
   
       5 . The protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the wearable underlying garment comprises an attachment means for attaching the at least one removable layer. 
   
   
       6 . The protective garment of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment means comprises at least one of a hook and loop fastener, hook and eye fasteners, snaps, buttons, zippers and adhesive. 
   
   
       7 . The protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one removable layer comprises at least one removable panel. 
   
   
       8 . The protective garment of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one removable panel comprises at least one of a front panel, a shoulder panel, a back panel, a collar panel, a lapel panel, and a sleeve panel. 
   
   
       9 . The protective garment of  claim 7 , where the at least one removable panel is attached using an attachment means comprising at least one of a mechanical means and an adhesive. 
   
   
       10 . The protective garment of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one removable panel is made of at least one of cotton, cotton polyester blend, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, spun-bonded polypropylene, flash-spun high-density polyethylene, polyethylene coated polypropylene, microporous polypropylene, vinyl, plastic and nylon. 
   
   
       11 . The protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein wearable underlying garment is at least one of a coat, pants, chaps, coveralls, a lab coat, an apron and a surgical gown. 
   
   
       12 . A protective garment comprising:
 a wearable support frame;   at least one removable layer attached to the frame;   wherein the at least one removable layer is configured to be removed by a user without removing the wearable support frame.   
   
   
       13 . The protective garment of  claim 12 , wherein the wearable support frame comprises at least one of a shoulder portion, a collar, a lapel, and a front opening. 
   
   
       14 . The protective garment of  claim 12 , wherein the wearable support frame is constructed of at least one of a fabric, nylon and plastic. 
   
   
       15 . The protective garment of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one removable layer is made of at least one of cotton, cotton polyester blend, polyester, polypropylene,
 polyethylene, spun-bonded polypropylene, flash-spun high-density polyethylene, polyethylene coated polypropylene, microporous polypropylene, vinyl, plastic and nylon.   
   
   
       16 . The protective garment of  claim 12 , wherein the wearable support frame comprises an attachment means for attaching the at least one removable, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one of a hook and loop fastener, a hook and eye fastener, a snap, a button, a zipper and an adhesive. 
   
   
       17 . The protective garment of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one removable layer comprises at least one removable panel. 
   
   
       18 . The protective garment of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one removable panel includes at least one of a front panel, a back panel, a shoulder panel, a collar panel, a lapel panel and a sleeve panel. 
   
   
       19 . The protective garment of  claim 17 , where the at least one removable panel is attached using an attachment means comprising at least one of a mechanical means and an adhesive. 
   
   
       20 . A method of changing a soiled or contaminated surface of a garment, the method comprising:
 obtaining a protective garment comprising an underlying garment and at least one removable layer, and;   removing the topmost removable layer and exposing the underlying removable layer or the underlying garment.