Abstract:
A reversible infant caregiver&#39;s bib having a reversible burp cloth affixed to a shoulder pad. The shoulder pad is designed with a moisture barrier to prevent regurgitated food from leaking through the pad and thus avoiding soiling or staining events to the wearer&#39;s clothing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/873813, filed Sep. 4, 2013. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to burp cloths, and more specifically to multiple layer burp cloths for use by infants/babies. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Spittle and reflux, i.e. spit-up, are the bane of any well-dressed new parent&#39;s existence. Air is often trapped within an infant&#39;s digestive system during feeding. Burping the infant, i.e. encouraging the entrained air to be expelled orally by applying gentle pressure to the infant&#39;s abdomen or gently patting their back, during feeding can expel air from an infant&#39;s digestive system. This is often accomplished by pressing the infant&#39;s abdomen to the caregiver&#39;s chest and gently patting the infant&#39;s back with the caregiver&#39;s hand. It is common for infants to expel partially digested food, i.e. spit-up or reflux, when burped. Reflux can also be the result of an upset developing digestive system or overfeeding. Since some reflux is commonly foul smelling and can stain clothing, a parent or caretaker will often have a burp cloth available to catch the expelled material, often 1 to 2 tablespoons of material. 
         [0005]    The burp cloths are typically comprised of an absorbent material such as cotton, cotton blends, or terry cloth. The tactility and thickness of the material are important for infant comfort. Once the baby has regurgitated some spittle or milk, the parent or caretaker may need to replace the burp cloth with another clean, sanitary burp cloth and therefore must have several burp cloths available. Furthermore, most burp cloths are usually comprised of a single layer of material or a thin, absorbent layer over a bottom layer that may or may not be resistant to the penetration of liquid so as to prevent seepage and to protect underlying clothing or prevent contact with the skin of the caregiver. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a burp cloth or bib which can be used more than once in a single feeding, is sanitary, and is easy to change while being cost efficient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWNGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the shoulder bib as worn. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of the attachable/detachable absorbent bib and shoulder bib. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  depicts a cross sectional view of the shoulder bib. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the underside of the shoulder bib. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a removably attached breastfeeding cover in association with the shoulder bib. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
       [0011]    Where the definition of terms departs from the commonly used meaning of the term, applicant intends to utilize the definitions provided below, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. 
         [0012]    For purposes of this application, the term “shoulder bib” refers to the entire device. 
         [0013]    For the purposes of this application, the phrase “attachment means” refers to removably means of attachment which can be found in the prior art, including, but not limited to snaps, magnets, hoop and loop fabric, ribbons, string, and buttons. 
         [0014]    For purposes of this application, the term “shoulder pad” refers to the entire shoulder bib excluding the extensions of the shoulder bib which form the neck attachment. 
         [0015]    For purposes of this application, the term “bib arms” refers to extensions of the shoulder bib which form a neck orifice when conjoined so as to encircle the neck of the wearer. 
         [0016]    For purposes of this application, the term “back” or “underside” both refer to the side of the shoulder bib which faces the wearer. 
         [0017]    For purposes of this application, the term “front” or “topside” both refer to the side of the shoulder bib which faces away from the wearer. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  2   a    3 , and  4 , embodiments of the present device generally provide an improved shoulder bib  50  having shoulder pad  70  area and first and second shoulder bib arms  52 ,  55  with a sanitary, removably attached burp cloth  1  or other absorbent bib  1  affixed to a first shoulder bib face  54  or a second shoulder bib face  56  of the shoulder pad  70  of the shoulder bib  50 . The shoulder bib  50  is primarily configured to be worn over the left or right shoulder of the wearer. Alternatively, the shoulder bib  50  is reversible so as to be worn over either shoulder to accommodate both left and right handed parents. 
         [0019]    According to embodiments of the device as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the shoulder bib  50  is intended to be anchored around the neck of the wearer by the conjoining of a first bib arm  52  and a second bib arm  55 . Preferably, the first bib arm  52  and the second bib arm  55  are joined around the wearer&#39;s neck, preferably at the rear of the neck or at the opposing side from the shoulder pad area  70  having an affixed burp cloth  1  so as to keep the point of attachment  53  between the first bib arm  52  and the second bib arm  55  away from the infant. The terminal end  62  of the first bib arm  52  is joined to the terminal end  65  of the second bib arm  55  by a bib arms attachment means  51 , e.g. male and female snaps, hook and loop fabric, a button and buttonhole, or similar attachment means known to those skilled in the art. Ideally, the terminal ends  62 ,  65  are detachably joined by common attachment means  51  so as to permit one handed attachment and detachment by the wearer. 
         [0020]    The shoulder pad  70  of the shoulder bib  50  preferably extends from at or about the shoulder blade of the wearer&#39;s shoulder on which the infant will be burped to a point across the shoulder and down across the breast. The material from which the shoulder pad  50  and bib arms  52 ,  55  are constructed is preferably absorbent and may incorporate decorative aspects. 
         [0021]    The first bib face  54  of the shoulder bib  50  possesses a means for removably attaching an absorbent bib  1 . Alternatively, the second face  56  may also possess absorbent bib attachment means  10  for removably attaching an absorbent bib  1 , i.e. burp cloth or burp pad. The absorbent bib attachment means  10  can be any of a multitude of commercially available means such as snaps, buttons, and hoop and loop fabric with a preference towards absorbent bib attachment means  10  that are safe for use with infants. The absorbent bib attachment means  10  are preferably affixed to the absorbent bib&#39;s  1  shoulder side  2  and are mated with corresponding attachment means  10  on the second and/or first faces  62 ,  65  of the shoulder pad  50 . Preferably, the absorbent bib  1  can be simply detached when soiled and replaced with a clean absorbent bib  1  or alternatively removed and reversed to expose a fresh, clean side of the absorbent bib  1 . 
         [0022]    The absorbent bib  1  is preferably aesthetically matched with the fabric cover  59  of the shoulder bib  50 . In an alternative embodiment, the fabric of the absorbent bib  1  and shoulder bib  50  are flame resistant. In a further alternative embodiment, the fabric cover  59  is treated to be anti-microbial and/or anti-viral. In a still further alternative embodiment, the fabric cover  59  is treated to combat odor from spittle, sputum, and/or food. 
         [0023]    Ideally, the shoulder pad  70  is absorbent on at least its first face  54 , but is also constructed to inhibit fluids from soaking through the shoulder bib  50  and staining clothing upon which the opposing second face  56  of the shoulder bib  50  may come into contact. The shoulder bib  50  may be constructed in a quilt-type assembly with a decorative outer fabric cover  59  and a soft fill  75  between the first face  54  and second face  56  of the shoulder bib  50 . Preferably, at least one layer of the bib  50  acts a fluid barrier  78  so that spit-up that soaks through the burp cloth  1  will not soak through the bib  50 . In a still further embodiment, an internal fluid barrier  78  within the shoulder bib  50  prevents fluids from soaking through the bib  50 . 
         [0024]    In a preferred alternative embodiment, the shoulder bib  50  and/or the absorbent bib  1  are adorned with items which can draw and maintain the infant&#39;s attention using toy attachment means  15 . The adorned items  90 , e.g. toys, may be things which stimulate the visual, auditory, olfactory, and/or tactile senses. In the event that the device is used with toddlers, users may attach adorned items  90  which enhance problem solving skills. The adorned items are preferably removably attached using infant safe, commercially available adornment item attachment means  15  as previously defined. Alternatively, laces, loops of fabric, or ribbons can serve as adornment item attachment means  15 . 
         [0025]    Ideally, the absorbent bib  1  is at least partially constructed of a soft material pleasing to the touch and non-irritating to the infant&#39;s skin. In an alternate embodiment, the absorbent bib  1  is constructed with a soft, durable outer absorbent bib cover  11  with an absorbent, preferably non-toxic, absorbent bib fill material  13  contained therein. 
         [0026]    Depicted in  FIG. 4 , a breastfeeding attachment accessory  80 , i.e. breastfeeding privacy shield or breastfeeding cover, can be attached to a second  56  and/or first face  54  of the bib  50  for privacy of breastfeeding sessions. This breastfeeding accessory  80  is removably attached using previously defined attachment means as breastfeeding accessory attachment means  85 .  FIG. 4  demonstrates the use of four snap-fit means  85  on one face  54  or  56  of the bib  50  depicted in  FIG. 1  which are mated with four snap-fit means  85  on a face of the breastfeeding privacy shield  80 , i.e. cover, depicted in  FIG. 4 . The breastfeeding cover  80  is removably attached with first and second breast feeding accessory arms  87 ,  89 , depicted in  FIG. 4 , wrapped around the neck of the wearer. In a further embodiment, first and second breast feeding accessory arms  87 ,  89  are wrapped around the back of the wearer and are joined by attachment means  85  around the wearer&#39;s back to secure the breastfeeding cover  80  during the breastfeeding session so as to enhance privacy and security. 
         [0027]    While the present invention may have been disclosed herein with reference to certain embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined herein. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that any and all examples in the present disclosure, while illustrating embodiments of the invention, are provided as non-limiting examples and are not to be read as limiting the various aspects so illustrated. The present invention is intended to have its full scope consistent with the drawings and description herein, and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative and not as restrictive.