BIB HAVING POCKET OPENABLE AT THE POINT OF USE

Abstract: A bib (20) having an openable pocket (100). The bib (20) has a body panel (70), a pocket panel (105) and a third panel (600). The third panel (600) is disposable in a pocket (100) located between the body panel (70) and the pocket panel (105). The third panel (600) is inserted into the pocket (100) at the point of use. The third panel (600) helps to maintain the pocket (100) in an open configuration. This arrangement allows flexibility for the bib to be shipped and stored in a flat configuration, yet provides for openability of the pocket for ease of use in capturing spilled food materials.

Description: BIB HAVING POCKET OPENABLE AT THE POINT OF USE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to bibs, and more particularly, to bibs having an improved pocket structure for receiving spilled liquid and solid materials. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bibs are well known in the art. Such bibs can be provided for use on babies during feeding. Disposable bibs can have a laminate construction comprising multiple layers. For instance, disposable bibs can include an absorbent paper topsheet for receiving spilled food material and a plastic film backsheet for preventing penetration of spilled liquids through the bib and onto the baby's clothing. Other multiple layer bib constructions are also known. The prior art also discloses bibs having a pocket structure for receiving solids or liquids which would otherwise soil the wearer's clothing. An example of a bib having such a pocket is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Patent 4,445,231 issued May 1, 1984 to Noel, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Particularly, Noel discloses a bib having a gravitationally openable pocket. Noel provides an improvement in pocket structures for use with bibs. However, Noel depends on gravitational forces acting on an apron panel to maintain a bib pocket in an open configuration. The effectiveness of such a design can be affected by the vertical orientation of the wearer and/or the bib. Another attempt in the art to catch spilled food materials is illustrated in U.S. Patent 5,218,721 issued June 15, 1993 to Matthews et al. Matthews et al. teaches an inflatable bib having a catcher member with an inflatable air chamber. The air chamber is inflated and extends the catcher member to a position where it allegedly can catch food. However, it will be apparent that this embodiment provides great inconvenience for the user or caretaker who must inflate and deflate the air chamber. There is clearly a need in the art for a bib having a pocket which receives spilled liquid and solid food materials. There is further a need for such a bib which is convenient for the user. There is finally a need for such a bib having a pocket openable at the point of use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention comprises a bib having a longitudinal centerline, a lateral width and longitudinally extending side edges. The bib comprises a body panel and a pocket panel joined to the body panel. The pocket panel and body panel define a pocket therebetween. The pocket has a pocket open edge. A third panel is joined to the pocket panel. The third panel may be joined to the pocket panel a proximal edge which is juxtaposed with the pocket panel open edge. The third panel is disposable in the pocket panel and capable of being crumpled, thereby spacing the pocket panel outwardly from the body panel. The present invention also comprises a method of using a bib to protect a wearer. The method comprises the steps of providing a bib. The bib has two neck straps defining a neck opening therebetween and a body panel depending from the neck strip. The bib further comprises a pocket panel juxtaposed with the body panel. The pocket panel has a pocket panel open edge. The pocket panel and the body panel define a pocket therebetween. The bib further has a third panel extending away from the pocket panel open edge. The third panel is external to the pocket. The bib is disposed on a wearer. The third panel is inserted into the pocket, thereby spacing the pocket panel open edge outwardly from the body panel. The third panel may be inserted into the pocket before or after the bib is disposed onto the wearer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bib according to the present invention as presented to the user. Figure 2 is a side elevational view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1. Figures 3 A and 3B are instantaneous vertical side elevational views of the bib after the third panel has been inserted into the pocket. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bib of Fig. 3 A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1-2 illustrate a bib 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention. While the bib 20 is described in terms of a construction which is usable for disposable bibs 20, reusable bibs 20 are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Disposable bibs 20 are meant to be used once, and then discarded. Reusable bibs 20 are cleaned and laundered as necessary between uses. The bib 20 comprises a bib body 22 having longitudinally extending sides 32 and 34, a longitudinal length L, a longitudinal centerline 21, a laterally extending bottom edge 36, and a lateral width. The term "longitudinal" refers to an axis or direction measured along the length of the bib body 22, which direction or axis is generally parallel to a line extending from the wearer's head to the wearer's waist, as the bib 20 is worn. The terms "lateral" and "transverse" refer to a direction or axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline 21, and which is generally parallel to a line extending across the wearer's chest as the bib 20 is worn. The bib 20 includes a pocket 100, for catching and receiving food particles. The bib body 22 comprises a first body panel 70, a pocket panel 105, and a third panel 600. The body panel 70 is disposed adjacent the wearer's body when the bib 20 is secured to the wearer. The pocket panel 105 can have a generally rectangular shape, and together with the body panel 70 forms a pocket 100 comprising a pocket space intermediate the body panel 70 and the pocket panel 105. The pocket panel 105 extends longitudinally from a pocket 100 bottom edge which can also be coincident the bib bottom edge 36, to a pocket open edge 110. The longitudinal length of the pocket space is measured along the longitudinal centerline 21 from the bottom edge to the pocket open edge 110. The bottom edge and the open edge 110 can both be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline 21 and substantially parallel to an imaginary lateral axis. The pocket panel 105 extends laterally intermediate the bib side edges 32 and 34. The pocket panel 105 is joined to the underlying body panel 70 along the edges 32 and 34. An attachment means, such as adhesive, can be used to join the side edges of the pocket panel 105 to the body panel 70 in the attachment zones. The attachment means are preferably disposed internal to the pocket 100 for ease of manufacture, and more preferably juxtaposed with the longitudinal side edges 32, 34 so that the attachment means define a spaced apart lateral width. The pocket 100 has a lateral width. The lateral width of the pocket space corresponds to the minimum lateral spacing between the attachment zones. The third panel 600 has a proximal edge which may be juxtaposed with or coincident the pocket open edge 110. The third panel 600 may be cantilevered from the pocket panel open edge 110 along a fold line. The third panel 600 further has a distal end disposed longitudinally remote from the proximal end of the third panel 600. Furthermore, the fold line coincident the pocket panel open edge 110 from which the third panel 600 is cantilevered, may be cut, scored, perforated or otherwise weakened by a variety of means as is known in the art. This allows for convenient and easy removal of the third panel 600 from the balance of the bib 20. The third panel 600 may then be used for wiping or cleaning various surfaces, such as the user, the table, etc. The third panel 600 can have the shape of a quadrilateral, and more particularly, a generally rectangular shape. The third panel 600 can have a first end proximal joined to the pocket panel 105 at the open edge 110. The third panel 600 can have a laterally extending bottom edge 630 which is spaced longitudinally from the first end. The third panel 600 can also have longitudinally extending side edges 620 which extend from the first end to the bottom or distal edge of the third panel 600. The distal edge and side edges 620 are free edges, being unattached to other portions of the bib 20. In one embodiment, the body panel 70, pocket panel 105, and third panel 600 can be formed from a continuous sheet of material. The sheet of material may comprise one or more laminae. The pocket panel 105 can be joined to the body panel 70 at a laterally extending fold in the sheet material corresponding to the bib bottom edge 36. The third panel 600 can be joined to the pocket panel 105 by a laterally extending fold in the sheet material which corresponds to the pocket open edge 110. Referring to Figs. 3 A and 3B - 4, the third panel 600 is joined to a portion of the bib 20 and may be disposed by the user or caretaker, at the point of use, at least partially into the pocket 100 intermediate the body panel 70 and the pocket panel 105. The third panel 600 spaces at least a portion of the pocket panel 105 from an underlying portion of the body panel 70 to provide opening in the pocket 100. Preferably such opening occurs along the longitudinal centerline 21. In particular, at least a portion of the third panel 600 extending into the pocket 100 can be deformed from a planar configuration, such as by folding or wrinkling, to provide spacing of a portion of the pocket panel 105 from the body panel 70. As illustrated by Figs. 1-2, when the bib 20 is presented to the user, the third panel 600 is disposed external to the pocket 100. This provides convenience for shipping, storing, etc. However, at the point of use the user or caretaker inverts the third panel 600 of the bib 20 and inserts it internal to the pocket 100. This disposition provides a reentrant panel 600 which extends into the pocket 100, as illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B. When the user or caretaker inserts or otherwise disposes the third panel 600 into the pocket panel 100, the volume of the third panel 600 spaces at least a portion of the pocket panel 600 from the underlying portion of the body panel 70 to provide an opening of the pocket space. Preferably such opening lies along the longitudinal centerline 21 and extends laterally outwardly therefrom in both directions. More preferably, such spacing spaces the pocket panel 105 outwardly from the body panel 70 at least 2.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 3.5 centimeters, and still more preferably at least 4.5 centimeters. Such spacing may occur anywhere along the pocket panel open edge 110, but preferably occurs at least coincident the longitudinal centerline 21. This arrangement allows the pocket 100 to readily capture food or other materials spilled by the user. In the preferred embodiment of Fig. 3 A, the third panel 600 is tucked into the pocket 100, so that the third panel 600 fits or generally conforms to the body panel 70. The distal end 630 of the third panel 600 is disposed upwardly while the bib 20 is in use. In this configuration the pocket 100 open space is maintained to capture spilled food materials. Referring back to Figs. 1-2, the third panel 600 has a longitudinal length. Preferably, the longitudinal length of the third panel 600 is greater than, or at least equal to, the longitudinal length of the pocket space. This arrangement may provide for wadding and/or crumpling of the third panel 600 when it is disposed into the pocket 100, as illustrated in Fig. 3B. This wadding and/or crumpling provides excess volume which naturally predisposes the pocket 100 into an open position where it will receive spilled food materials. Preferably, the third panel 600 has a longitudinal length 20 to 80% greater than and more preferably 25 to 50% greater than the longitudinal length of the pocket panel 105. It will be recognized that in lesser preferred embodiments, the longitudinal length of the third panel 600 may be less than or equal to the longitudinal length of the pocket panel 105. By "crumpling" it is meant the third panel 600 is squeezed, as for example, by wadding or rolling into one's hand, from its generally planar configuration into an arbitrary and non-planar configuration. The third panel 600, when crumpled, may resemble a ball, a random web of fold lines and creases or any other non-planar configuration which spaces the pocket panel 100 from the body panel 70. Similarly, the third panel 600 has a lateral width. This lateral width is sized relative to the lateral width of the pocket panel 105 and the balance of the bib 20. Preferably the third panel 600 has a lateral width equivalent to the lateral width of the pocket panel 105 and balance of the bib 20. Equivalent lateral widths allow ease of manufacturing. If the bib 20 has internal attachment means joining the pocket panel 105 to the body panel 70, preferably the third panel 600 has a lateral width greater than the lateral spacing between such attachment zones. If desired, the lateral width of the third panel 600 may be greater than the lateral width of the pocket panel 105. This arrangement allows the third panel 600 to have a greater volume than that of the pocket 100, and hence, will naturally predispose the pocket 100 to an open position. Of course, one of ordinary skill will recognize that in a less preferred embodiment the third panel 600 may have a lateral width less than that of the pocket panel 105, or even less than the lateral spacing between the attachment zones. The present invention has the flexibility to contemplate different times, at the point of use, when the third panel 600 may be inserted to the pocket 100. For example, the user or caretaker may insert the third third panel 600 into the pocket 100 after the bib 20 is first disposed on the wearer. Alternatively, the third panel 600 may be disposed into the pocket 100 when the user begins to eat, at any point during the meal, or even when eating is completed. For example, after eating, the user or caretaker may wish to dispose the third panel 600 into the pocket 100 for discarding the bib 20. However, it is preferred that the third panel 600 be disposed internal to the pocket 100 during or prior to eating. Particularly, one may insert or crumple the third panel 600 into the pocket 100 prior to disposing the bib 20 on the wearer. The present invention also has the flexibility to allow for removal of the third panel 600 from the pocket 100 at a convenient point. For example, the third panel 600 may be removed from the pocket 100 when eating is concluded, after the bib 20 is removed from the wearer, or immediately prior to removal of the bib 20 form the wearer. Removal of the third panel 600 from the pocket 100 may also allow for convenient discarding of the bib 20. Referring back to Figure 1, the bib 20 also comprises a pair of shoulder extensions 24 having proximal ends 24 A and distal ends 24B. The shoulder extensions 24 extend from the bib body 22 from proximal ends 24A to distal ends 24B to provide a generally planar neck opening 200 when the bib 20 is supported on a flat, horizontal surface. The bib 20 also preferably comprises a fastening assembly for joining together the shoulder extensions 24 in an overlapping fashion, to thereby secure the bib 20 to the wearer. The fastening assembly can comprise a mechanical fastener having elements disposed on at least one of the shoulder extensions, which elements penetrate and physically engage a landing surface on the other shoulder extension. In one embodiment, the fastener can comprise an array of projections extending from a substrate joined to the shoulder extension 24. The projections are engagable with a landing surface, the landing surface being disposed on at least a portion of the shoulder extension 24. Suitable fastening assemblies for the bib 20 are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Patents 4,495,658 issued Jan. 29, 1985 to Moret et al. and 5,715,542 issued Feb. 10, 1998 to Reinhart, Jr. Et al., the disclosures of which patents are incorporated herein by reference. Referring to the components of the bib 20 in more detail, the bib 20 according to the present invention can comprise a composite construction having multiple laminae. Referring to Figures 1-2, the bib 20 can comprise a laminate of an absorbent outer topsheet layer 40 and a garment facing backsheet layer 80 which is liquid impermeable relative to the topsheet 40. The topsheet 40 has a first outer surface 42 for receiving spilled food material, and a second inner surface. The backsheet 80 has a first garment facing surface 82 and a second surface. The garment facing surface 82 of the backsheet 80 and the outer surface 42 of the topsheet 40 are oppositely facing surfaces, and can be joined together, such as with an adhesive, to form a laminate. In one embodiment, the shoulder extensions 24, the bib body panel 70, the pocket panel 105, and the third panel 600 are formed from a single, continuous sheet of the laminate of the topsheet 40 and the backsheet 80. The topsheet 40 can comprise a paper web having a basis weight of from about 10 to about 50 pounds per three thousand square feet. The following commonly assigned U.S. Patents are incorporated by reference for the purpose of disclosing how to make tissue paper suitable for use in making a topsheet 40: U.S. Patents 4,191,609, 4,440,597; 4,529,480; 4,637,859; 5,223,096; and 5,240,562. A suitable topsheet 40 can be formed from a single ply or multiple ply paper towel, such as a bounty Paper Towel manufactured by The Procter and Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. The backsheet 80 can comprise a liquid impervious polymeric film, such as a polyolefinic film. In one embodiment the backsheet 80 can comprise a polyethylene film having a thickness of between about 0.5 mil (0.0005 inch) and about 3.0 mils (0.003 inch). In one embodiment the backsheet can comprise a FS-II embossed polyethylene film having a thickness of about 2 mils and manufactured under the designation CPC-2 (P- 10392) by Tredegar Film Products of Cincinnati, Ohio. The topsheet 40 can be joined to the backsheet 80 in any suitable manner, including but not limited to methods such as adhesive bonding, mechanical bonding, and ultrasonic bonding. A suitable adhesive for joining the topsheet 40 and the backsheet 80 is a hot melt adhesive such as a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive. Adhesives suitable for joining the topsheet 40 to the backsheet 80 are HL-1258 and HL-1262 adhesives, manufactured by H. B. Fuller Co. of St. Paul, MN. Other suitable adhesives include Findley Adhesives H2031 and H2120 available from Findley Adhesives of Elmgrove, Wisconsin. If desired, the bib 20 may have fastening adhesive 650 placed on the garment facing surface 82 of the body panel 70. The fastening adhesive 650 secures the bib 20 to the clothing of the wearer, particularly to the clothing covering the chest of the wearer. Suitable adhesive includes high tack/low tack adhesive. The high tack side is joined to the garment facing surface 82 of the body panel 70. The low tack side faces the user and is joined to the clothing of the user at the point of use. The low tack side of the adhesive is preferably protected by a release strip as is commonly known in the art. The fastening adhesive 650 may be provided as one or more rectangular patches generally centered on the garment facing surface 82 of the body panel 70 or it may have various shapes, corresponding to the expected shape of the bib 20 to the size of the user. Another feasible geometry is two longitudinally oriented lines which are spaced apart in the lateral direction. Suitable fastening adhesives and patterns are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,917,697 and WO 92/04000 incorporated herein by reference.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED: 1. A method of using a bib to protect a wearer, said method comprising the steps of: providing a bib, said bib having two neck straps defining a neck opening therebetween and a body panel depending from said neck straps, said bib further comprising a pocket panel juxtaposed with said body panel, said pocket panel having a pocket panel open edge, said pocket panel and said body panel defining a pocket therebetween, said bib further having a third panel extending away from said pocket panel open edge, said third panel being external to said pocket; disposing said bib on a wearer; and inserting said third panel into said pocket, thereby spacing said pocket panel open edge outwardly from said body panel. 2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein step of inserting said third panel into said pocket occurs before said step of disposing said bib on said wearer. 3. A method according to Claim 2 wherein said bib has a longitudinal centerline and said step of spacing said pocket panel outwardly from said body panel spaces said pocket panel from said body panel at said longitudinal centerline of said bib. 4. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said pocket panel has a line of weakness joining said pocket panel to said third panel, said line of weakness being juxtaposed with said pocket panel open edge, said method further comprising the step of removing said third panel from said pocket panel. 5. A method according to Claim 3 wherein said pocket panel open edge is spaced outwardly from said body panel at least about 2.5 centimeters at said longitudinal centerline. 6. A method according to Claim 5 wherein said third panel is crumpled upon being inserted into said pocket. 7. A method according to Claim 5 wherein said third panel is tucked to conform to said body panel upon being inserted into said pocket. 8. A bib having a longitudinal centerline, a lateral width and longitudinally extending side edges, said bib comprising: a body panel, a pocket panel joined to the body panel and defining a pocket therebetween, a pocket open edge, and; a third panel joined to said pocket panel at a proximal edge juxtaposed with said pocket panel open edge, said third panel being disposable in said pocket and crumpled, thereby spacing said pocket panel outwardly from said body panel; 10 9. A bib according to Claim 8 wherein said pocket panel has a longitudinal length and said third panel has a longitudinal length, said longitudinal length of said third panel being greater than said longitudinal length of said pocket panel. 10. A bib according to claim 8 wherein said pocket panel is joined to said body panel by laterally spaced apart internal attachment means, and said third panel has a lateral width, said lateral width of said third panel being greater than said lateral spacing of said internal attachment means.

Inventors: GUPTA AMIT, LAMPSON PATRICIA LEE, REINHART RICHARD NICHOLAS JR, GUPTA, AMIT, LAMPSON, PATRICIA, LEE, REINHART, RICHARD, NICHOLAS, JR.
Applicants: PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A41B13
IPC codes: A41B13