Sun protective garments

Abstract

A sun protective garment that includes a garment front that is an ultraviolet protective (UVP) fabric having a channel and a cord that extends through the channel is described. The cord secures the garment around a user's neck such that the garment front drapes over a user's chest. By arranging the garment front of the sun protective garment on the user, it protects against ultraviolet (UV) damage to the user's chest area when the user is exposed to sunlight.

1 . A sun protective garment, comprising:
 a garment front of an ultraviolet protective (UVP) fabric, the garment front including:
 a first portion having a first edge, a first surface, a first width, and a channel defined by the first edge being secured to the first portion on the first surface; 
 a second portion, the second portion having a second width that is greater than the first width; and 
 a third portion that is separated from the first portion by the second portion, the third portion having a third width; and 
   a cord that extends through the channel in the first portion.   
     
     
         2 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the third width is substantially the same as the second width. 
     
     
         3 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the third width is less than the second width. 
     
     
         4 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the cord has a cord width and the channel has a channel width that is greater than the cord width. 
     
     
         5 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the cord has a cord length that is longer than the first width. 
     
     
         6 . The sun protective garment of  claim 5 , wherein the cord length ranges from about 16 inches to about 20 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the cord includes silicone. 
     
     
         8 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the cord has a first end and a second end, and the first end is attached to the second end by a knot or a clasp. 
     
     
         9 . The sun protective garment of  claim 8 , wherein the clasp includes an insert closure clasp. 
     
     
         10 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the UVP fabric includes a microsuede. 
     
     
         11 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the UVP fabric includes a blend of polyester and spandex. 
     
     
         12 . The sun protective garment of  claim 11 , wherein the blend of polyester and spandex includes at least 85% of polyester. 
     
     
         13 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the UVP fabric has an ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of at least 25. 
     
     
         14 . The sun protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein the UVP fabric has an UPF of at least 50. 
     
     
         15 . A sun protective garment, comprising:
 a garment front that is an ultraviolet protective (UVP) fabric, the garment front including:
 a first surface; 
 a first edge that is secured to the first surface, the first edge having a first length; 
 a hem that includes the first edge; 
 a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge having a second length; and 
 a midpoint between the first and the second edges, wherein the midpoint has a third length that is longer than the first length; and 
   a cord arranged in the hem.   
     
     
         16 . The sun protective garment of  claim 15 , wherein the first length is about 11 inches, the second length is about 18 inches, and the third length is about 18 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The sun protective garment of  claim 15 , wherein a distance between the first and second edges is about 14 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The sun protective garment of  claim 15 , wherein the UVP fabric has an ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of at least 50. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a sun protective garment, the method comprising:
 shaping a fabric that is ultraviolet protective (UVP) into a shape having:
 opposite first and second sides; 
 a midpoint between the first and second sides; 
 a first width at the first side; 
 a second width at the second side; and 
 a third width at the midpoint, the third width being longer than the first width; 
   forming a channel at the first side by folding an edge of the first side toward an area of the fabric and coupling the edge to the area; and   arranging a cord in the channel.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the forming the channel includes sewing the edge to the area.