Dribble bib

A dribble bib (1) having a chin section (2) that is located beneath the wearer's chin, a raised section (3) and a wiping section (4) that may be used to wipe the wearer's mouth. The raised section (3) contains a predetermined amount of filling (12) so extend the raised section (3) away from the dribble bib (1) so as to catch food, liquid and/or drool from the wearer's mouth. The back side (9) of the dribble bib (1) is preferably made of vinyl so as to prevent leakage of liquids and/or drool onto the wearer. In addition, the dribble bib (1) also preferably includes at least one adjustable means for fastening (6) so as to fit a wide range of neck sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bibs, more particularly, a dribble bib having a raised section that catches food, liquid and/or drool from a wearer's mouth.

Currently there are a plethora of bibs having various shapes and styles that are used for babies and/or other intended wearers. Although all are intended to prevent food, liquid and/or drool from falling on the wearer's clothing or skin, they have one common flaw: the bibs themselves are substantially planar in shape so as to permit the food, liquid and/or drool to slide down the bib and onto the wearer.

Although there have been attempts to correct this significant flaw, such as the inclusion of a pocket located at the base of the bib, the fact remains that the food, liquid and/or drool still slides down the bib, thereby soiling a large area of the bib. In addition, depending on the amount of liquid and/or drool that falls onto the bib, the liquid and/or drool may absorb through the bib, thereby soiling the wearer's shirt or skin. Finally, although the inclusion of a pocket may assist in catching solid items, such as food particles, the pocket is not useful in collecting the liquid and/or drool unless a massive amount of liquid or drool falls on the bib wherein the bib portion is not able absorb the liquid and/or drool.

Thus, a need exists for a dribble bib having a raised section that catches food, liquid and/or drool from a wearer's mouth.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a dribble bib that catches food, liquid and/or drool from a wearer's mouth.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dribble bib that is comfortable to wear.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a dribble bib that is easy to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dribble bib that is attractive in appearance.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a dribble bib having a chin section that is located beneath the wearer's chin, a raised section and a wiping section that may be used to wipe the wearer's mouth. The raised section is filled with a predetermined amount of a predetermined filling so as to extend away from the dribble bib and cup a chin area of the wearer from cheek to cheek. In this manner, the raised section is used to catch food, liquid and/or drool from the wearer's mouth. The back side of the bib is preferably made of vinyl so as to prevent leakage of liquids and/or drool onto the wearer. However, the back side of the bib may be of various other materials, such as cotton, as well. In addition, the bib also preferably includes at least one adjustable means for fastening so as to fit a wide range of neck sizes.

To use the present invention, the bib is secured around a wearer's neck via the at least one adjustable means for fastening. When worn, the chin section of the bib is located under the chin. The raised section extends away from the wearer so as to catch food, liquid and/or drool while cupping the chin are from cheek to cheek of the wearer. Then, if it is desired to wipe the food, liquid and/or drool off the face of the wearer, a person may use the wiping section to do so.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

With reference toFIG. 1, is a front plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The dribble bib1includes a first strap11and a second strap18attached to a predeterminedly-sized body17, a neck opening13and a chin section2, raised section3and wiping section4located on the body17. A means for fastening6, which may be a button7located on the second strap18and at least one button hole8located on the first strap11, permit for adjustable sizing of the dribble bib1about a wearer's neck. A means for securing a front side10of the dribble bib1to a back side9of the dribble bib1is preferably by utilizing a perimeter16which is formed by sewing the front side10to the back side9. The raised section3is crescent-shaped and created using a predetermined amount of filling12, which is preferably cotton, to fill a predetermined area of the raised section3so as to maintain an elevated profile in comparison to the dribble bib1. When worn, the crescent-shape of the raised section3is located beneath the chin and extends from cheek to cheek of the wearer so as to provide maximum protection from spills and drool.

InFIG. 2, a cross-sectional view along line2-2ofFIG. 1is shown. The filling12is preferably made of an absorbent and soft material to permit the raised section3to extend away from the dribble bib1. The front side10of the dribble bib1is made of a predetermined material, preferably a soft, absorbent material, such as terry cloth, while the back side9of the dribble bib1is also made of a predetermined material, preferably a liquid-resistant material, such as vinyl.

Next,FIG. 3shows a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use. When the dribble bib1of the present invention is worn, the raised section3is located below the chin and mouth area of a wearer and extends away from the wearer. Thus, when food, liquid and/or drool exits the wearer's mouth, the raised section3catches the food, liquid and/or drool. If food, liquid and/or drool remains on the wearer's mouth, chin or face, the wiping section4of the dribble bib1may be used to wipe/dry the wearer as the wiping section4should be dry and clean. In addition, because the back side9of the dribble bib1is preferably made of a liquid-resistant material, even if the entire front side10of the dribble bib1became wet, the liquid and/or drool will not entirely penetrate the dribble bib1as the liquid-resistant material will serve as a barrier between the liquid and/or drool and the wearer or the wearer's clothing.

With reference toFIG. 4, a side view of a raised embodiment of the present invention is shown. Rather than having one large raised section3, the second embodiment of the present invention includes two raised sections3. To create the dual raised sections3, a stitch5may be used to separate the filling12so as to create two raised sections3.

Finally,FIG. 5shows a front view of an alternate means for fastening the present invention around a wearer's neck. The means for fastening6could include at least one hook fastening material14located on the second strap18and at least one mating loop fastening material15located on the first strap11. In addition, alternate means for fastening6could include snaps, clasps, hooks and any other means for fastening the straps18and11to one another.

Although not shown, the dribble bib1of the present invention need not include a chin section2. It is most preferably to use a chin section2, however, because the chin section2is located above the raised section3, thereby adding a predetermined distance between the raised section3and the wearer's mouth. Therefore, the raised section3will not interfere with jaw movements of the wearer when eating or drinking when the dribble bib1includes the chin section2.

The use of the present invention will assist in preventing food, liquid and/or drool from spilling down the entire length of the dribble bib1, thereby maintaining a relatively clean area of the dribble bib1to be used for wiping purposes.