Apparel – Garment protectors – Aprons
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-11
2001-10-30
Vanatta, Amy B. (Department: 3765)
Apparel
Garment protectors
Aprons
C002S049100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308333
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a bib and more particularly to a disposable bib for protecting a user and the user's garments from liquids and/or food which may fall onto the user while engaging in activities such as eating and drinking. Cleanliness is an ongoing concern because of the health consequences associated therewith. Cleanliness is of particular concern when infants, young children and even adults in some instances eat or drink or engage in activities wherein unwanted liquids and/or food stuffs can get onto their clothes. One of the more common solutions to minimize these kinds of unsanitary conditions is a bib designed to be placed around a user's neck to protect designated areas of the user's body and clothing.
BACKGROUND ART
Infants, young children and even adults in certain circumstances often have a need to wear bibs. The bib provides protection for their clothing which may result from spills that may occur from activities such as eating and/or drinking.
There are a number of different bib arrangements in existence today. Some of the bib arrangements are nondisposable thereby requiring that they be washed after use. Having to wash a bib after use is undesirable because this can be a time consuming chore. This provides for additional work. There are also disposable bibs. The disposable bibs are desirable because they are simply disposed of after use and no additional work is required. Although the disposable bibs don't have to be washed after use, because of the disposable nature of the materials from which they are made of, there is always a concern as to whether they will provide adequate absorption and protection for the user.
One bib arrangement for protecting a user's clothing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,411. In this arrangement an outer absorbent paper layer and an inner water proof plastic layer is provided. Each layer is configured to provide an apron and a yoke and are bonded together in overlapping relationship with adhesive and connected along their outer boundaries with stitching. Because this arrangement only has two layers, adequate absorption may not be facilitated, thus adequate protection for the user may not be achievable.
Another arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,428. In this patent a bib is fabricated of a thermally bonded laminate of vinyl film and polyester fabric materials. This bib is washable and disposable. Because of the materials used, the absorption qualities of the bib may be enhanced. However the materials used in this bib arrangement would appear to make it costly and would not make it the most desirable candidate as a disposable unit. What is desirable is a disposable bib which provides maximum absorption qualities and protection for the user while still being cost effective.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A disposable bib is provided for protecting a user from moisture and other undesirable debris. The disposable bib of this invention includes an upper planar shaped member having a plurality of spaced aligned openings formed therein. A first absorbent planar shaped member is aligned with and coupled to the upper member. The disposable bib also includes a second absorbent planar shaped member which is aligned with and coupled to the first absorbent member. A water resistant planar shaped member is aligned with and coupled to the second absorbent member. A first elongated bib support member is coupled to one upper outermost portion of the upper member, first and second absorbent members and water resistant member. A second elongated bib support member which is spaced from the first elongated bib support member is coupled to another upper outermost portion of the upper member, first and second absorbent members and the water resistant member. This permits an opening to exist between the bib support members so that the bib can be supported around a user's neck.
REFERENCES:
patent: H1738 (1998-07-01), Reinhart, Jr.
patent: 797434 (1905-08-01), Homeyer
patent: 2571888 (1951-10-01), Jesse
patent: 2838758 (1958-06-01), Townley
patent: 3286279 (1966-11-01), Brown
patent: 4186443 (1980-02-01), Britzman
patent: 4884299 (1989-12-01), Rose
patent: 5490289 (1996-02-01), Lehrer
patent: 5802610 (1998-09-01), Burr
patent: 6070268 (2000-06-01), Holland
Baugh Kenneth D.
Vanatta Amy B.
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