Abstract:
An oral bib includes a thin sheet protective shield portion having resistance to the passage of a sexually transmitted disease microbe therethrough. The shield portion is configured to overlie a chin and mouth region of a wearer and has opposing sides. A strap is adapted to secure said shield portion to a wearer head.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority of U.S. provisional application 60/602,101 filed Aug. 17, 2004, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention in general relates to a barrier against sexually transmitted diseases and in particular to a face-mounted barrier.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     While condoms have gained general acceptance for their effectiveness in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during intercourse, the dental dam has generally met with limited acceptance. The dental dam, originally developed as an adjunct to dental procedures, has been adapted as a barrier against the spread of STDs during oral sex. The dental dam has a thin sheet of latex which serves as a barrier between partners when placed intermediate therebetween. However, oral dams tend to become displaced from the recipient partner&#39;s anal or vaginal area during usage. Thus, there exists a need for an oral protective device against sexually transmitted diseases that is not readily displaced from between sexual partners.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     An oral bib includes a thin sheet protective shield portion having resistance to the passage of a sexually transmitted disease microbe therethrough. The shield portion is configured to overlie a chin and mouth region of a wearer and has opposing sides. A strap is adapted to secure said shield portion to a wearer head. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     The present invention is further illustrated with respect to the following exemplary and non-limiting embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an inventive hygienic oral bib;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of the inventive bib depicted in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0008]      FIGS. 3A-3F  represent alternate textural embodiments of blade portions of an inventive bib;  
         [0009]      FIGS. 4A-4F  are perspective views of inventive embodiments having alternate strap configurations; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an inventive embodiment having ear loops. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention has utility as a device for the prevention of STDs that otherwise are transmitted by oral sex. A thin elastomeric sheeting material that is resistant to transmission therethrough of microbes is fashioned to secure around the chin and mouth of a user and retained in this position with a securement encompassing the ears or head of the user.  
         [0012]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an inventive bib is shown generally at  10 . The bib  10  has a shield portion  12  encompassing the chin and mouth region of a user. Preferably, the shield portion  12  includes a tongue sheath portion  14  positioned upon placement over a wearer&#39;s face so as to overlie a user mouth. The shield portion  12  is constructed of an elastomeric sheet material resistant to the passage of STD causing organisms therethrough. As such, the shield material is preferably pore free or, if pores are present, such pores are less than about 0.2 microns. Shield portion materials illustratively include latex rubber, silicone rubber, polyalkylenes, and other materials conventional for the production of synthetic polymer condoms.  
         [0013]     A tongue portion  14  is appreciated to be formed from a continuous sheet of material making up the shield portion or alternatively to be formed from a separate piece of material with the proviso that a hermetic seal is formed at the interface between tongue portion and shield portion. The tongue portion  14  is readily formed of the same materials as the shield portion  12 , yet dissimilar materials for the tongue portion  14  and shield portion  12  are recognized to be operative herein. Methods of forming a hermetic seal between the shield and tongue portions illustratively include thermal welding, sonic welding, and contact adhesives. Optionally, the tongue portion  14  has contours  15 . An illustrative group of such contours is depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3F  and include longitudinal waves, pilli, transverse waves, dimples, a step, and a textured region overlying a sealed chamber.  
         [0014]     Optionally, a terminal area of the tongue portion  14  includes a sealed chamber  16 . The sealed chamber containing air, a liquid, or as depicted in  FIG. 3F , a self-contained miniature battery-powered flashlight or vibrator circuit.  
         [0015]     The shield portion  12  is attached to a strap  18 . The strap  18  is suited to encompass the back of a wearer head and tension the inventive bib  10  against a user face while the shield portion  12  surrounding a user chin prevents inadvertent bib dislocation during usage. It is appreciated that an inventive bib  10  including the strap  18  is readily formed from a unitary material. Alternatively, a strap  18  is formed of a different material or greater thickness of material relative to the shield portion. Conventional joinders for adhering a strap to a thin shield portion illustratively include contact adhesives, thermal welding, sonic welding, and stitches.  
         [0016]     Optionally, a hole  20  or cutout  22  is placed in the shield portion so as to overlie a wearer cheek and afford greater comfort without sacrificing the protective aspects of an inventive bib.  
         [0017]     It is appreciated that an inventive bib is suitable for modification with conventional additives illustratively including pigments or dyes, antimicrobial compounds, fragrances, plasticizers and the like. Additionally, an inventive bib is amenable to dusting with conventional anti-stick powders such as talc, cornstarch and the like.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 4A-4F  illustrate alternate strap configurations operative with an inventive bib. The strap configuration depicted in  FIG. 5  is adapted to encompass the ears of a wearer such that contact with a user chin and the two ear straps forms a three-point retention system.  
         [0019]     The present invention is amenable to various modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. These modifications nonetheless retain the spirit of the present invention. These modifications and equivalents thereof are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the appended claims.