Disposable bib

A disposable bib having a flexible bib body to cover at least a portion of the user's torso, wherein the bib body has a torso side and an outward side; at least one fastener attached to the bib to attach the bib to the user; an absorbent wipe fixably attached to the outward side of the bib body where the wipe is spread approximately flat and is ready to use; and a releasable cover sealingly attached to the body of the bib on the border that fully covers the wipe; wherein the cover fully encloses and seals the wipe; wherein the cover can be partially or fully removed from the bib body by pulling down, thereby exposing the wipe, and wherein the wipe can be manipulated while attached to the bib body to clean the user.

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/523,777 filed Aug. 15, 2011, entitled “Disposable Bib”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is disposable bibs. This field includes baby bibs and adult bibs, for personal use or in the field of dental or medical care. It includes bibs suitable for use in nursing homes and care for the elderly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of disposable bibs is well known, however the use of disposable bibs with disposable wet wipes to clean the hands and face of the bib user typically involves the opening the wipe package, unfolding the wipe and using the wipe to clean up. The present invention provides a disposable bib that includes a wet wipe that is spread flat and sealingly covered with a releasable cover. When the cover is removed by pulling down, the wipe is ready to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a disposable bib having a flexible bib body of optionally approximately rounded shape to cover at least a portion of the user's torso, wherein the bib body has a torso side and an outward side; at least one fastener attached to the bib to attach the bib to the user; an absorbent wipe fixably attached to the outward side of the bib body where the wipe is spread approximately flat and is ready to use; wherein the edges of the wipe are within the edges of the bib body so that there is a border of the bib body around the wipe, providing a surface for attachment; and a releasable cover sealingly attached to the body of the bib on the border that fully covers the wipe; wherein the cover fully encloses and seals the wipe; wherein the cover can be partially or fully removed from the bib body by pulling down, thereby exposing the wipe, and wherein the wipe can be manipulated while attached to the bib body to clean the user. Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is disclosed inFIG. 1. The disposable bib1is shown having an approximately flat bib body10of approximate rounded shape with a torso side and an outward side. Other shapes are considered in the present invention, including oval, square and rectangular. The bib body10is made of flexible material that is disposable and is preferably water-impermeable, such as polyethylene or other plastic, reinforced paper or fabric. It is desirable to have the material to be water-impermeable because the bib body10shields the user from liquids spilled on the outward side of the bib body and because it works with the releasable cover40to enclose the wipe30and keep the wipe30wetted. The bib body10has an edge35. The edge35of the bib body extends beyond the edge25of the wipe30, forming a border45. The wipe30is a flexible absorbent material that is sufficiently thick to retain and be wetted by liquids such as water, alcohol or detergents. Like the bib body, it is made of a disposable material. It is desirable that the wipe30remain wetted and not dry out before using. The wipe is spread approximately flat and is ready to use. It is attached fixably to the bib body10by adhesives such as hot melt or pressure sensitive adhesive.

The wipe30is entirely covered by releasable cover40which extends beyond the edges25of wipe30and is releasably sealed to the bib body10along the border45. The releasable cover40has a wipe side and an outward side. Optionally, the wipe side is made of water-impermeable material that prevents the wipe from drying out. Optionally, the outward side of the cover40may also be made of water-impermeable material. In another embodiment, the outward side of the releasable cover40is made of absorbent material that absorbs liquids that are spilled onto the bib1. The releasable cover40is attached to the bib body10on the border45with releasable adhesive, such as pressure sensitive adhesive, so that the wipe30is entirely enclosed and is sealed entirely by water-impermeable material.

After the bib1has been used and the outward side of the bib cover40has been soiled, the cover40can be completely or partially removed, exposing the wipe30, attached to the bib body10. The bib body10can be manipulated to use the wipe to clean the use's hands or face as needed. The entire soiled bib1, with the wipe and the cover40, can then be all disposed of.

Optionally, a second absorbent cover41can be placed over removable cover40by adhesive or by laminating. This second absorbent cover is contemplated when the removable cover40does not have an absorbent outward side. The second cover is removable with the cover40to expose the wipe30.

The bib1has at least one fastener20. Typically, the fastener20is two straps that encircle the neck and fasten by tying, adhesive, snaps, hooks, buttons or VELCRO® loop and hook fasteners (not shown). Alternatively, the fastener is an unbroken circle that loops over the head of the user. The circle is either large enough to pass over the head, or is made of elastic material. The fastener can also be one long strap that encircles the neck and fastens to the bib body10. Another contemplated fastener is simply pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the torso side of the bib body10that is pressed against the clothing of the user. The pressure sensitive adhesive may optionally have a peel-off cover.

The bib body10optionally has a neck portion15that approximately touches or encircles the neck. The neck portion15can be straight, arcuate or other shapes. It can have slits or notches that allow the neck portion15to fit a variety of sizes of necks and users.

Optionally, the bib cover40or second absorbent cover41can have on the outward side at least one attachment point42, such as a VELCRO® loop and hook fastener, snap or button to attach objects such as toys or pacifiers. The cover40or second cover41can have pockets43to store or carry objects. Further optionally, the cover40or second cover can have a large pocket55positioned approximately at the bottom of the bib to catch crumbs or liquid spills as the bib is used. The large pocket55can serve dual purposes, such as to carry toys, which are removed, and then the large pocket55is used to catch crumbs when food is consumed.

It is contemplated that in the use of this invention that the bib1can be packaged individually44or in containers having multiple bibs. It is further contemplated that the bibs can be manufactured in one long sheet of bibs48that has tear-off perforations46. The long sheet can be distributed as a roll47with tear-off sheets48.

The bib1is used by attaching fastening means20to the neck and placing the torso side of the bib1against the torso of the user. When the bib1is soiled, the soiled cover40and or second cover41is removed by pulling down, thereby exposing the wetted wipe30. The bib body10with the wetted wipe30is manipulated to clean the hands and face of the user. The soiled bib1can be removed from the user and rolled up with the torso side of the bib body10outward to prevent spills or leaks. The bib1is then disposed of.

In a second embodiment, the wetted wipe30is folded and attached to the bib body10. Optionally, the folded wet wipe is enclosed in a water-tight packet. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to persons who are skilled in the art. As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.