Abstract:
A multi-purpose dental bib, to be worn by a patient during a dental procedure, may incorporate gauze pads into windows and/or pockets integral to the bib. The multi-purpose dental bib may be employed to protect the patient&#39;s clothing from liquid and/or solid debris generated during a dental procedure, and to wipe the patient&#39;s face and mouth during or at the completion of a dental procedure. The multi-purpose dental bib may additionally be employed to clean dental tools, such as a dental mirror, during a dental procedure by means of the gauze pads incorporated into the windows and/or pockets strategically located on the multi-purpose dental bib.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of dental equipment and supplies, particularly dental bibs. More specifically, the present invention provides a useful and novel dental bib [hereinafter “multi-purpose dental bib”] for cleaning dental instruments as well as for protecting dental patients from debris during dental procedures. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application, and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
         [0003]    The material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner grants a limited license to any member of the public to reproduce the patent document as it appears in official governmental records. All other copyright rights are reserved. 
         [0004]    A dental bib may have multiple uses in dental practice. Primarily, a dental bib is employed to protect a patient&#39;s garments from liquid and/or solid debris generated during a dental procedure. Further, a dental bib may be used to wipe a patient&#39;s face and mouth during or at the completion of surgery. Finally, a dental bib may be used by a dentist to clean the liquid and/or solid debris from dental instruments. 
         [0005]    Dental bibs may be designed employing a variety of materials, constructions, and features. A prevalent dental bib design comprises an apron in combination with a means of securing the apron in position over the patient&#39;s chest. 
         [0006]    Typically, dental bibs are disposable, and constructed of one or more absorbent paper plies in combination with a waterproof plastic ply backing. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,836, Morris discloses a dental bib suggesting a bib material comprising a layer of paper toweling for absorbency with a plastic film backing for moisture protection. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,518, Bloom et al. disclose a dental bib wherein the main body portion comprises an absorbent side and a waterproof side. 
         [0007]    Dental bibs may be held in place, generally covering the chest of a patient, by any of a number of means. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,773, Stemmer discloses a dental bib comprising a multi-layer paper section backed by a plastic sheet to form a rectangular panel. A pressure-sensitive adhesive, which provides an attachment to the patient&#39;s clothing, is disposed on three corners of the plastic back and permits the towel to be disposed over the chest to form a shield. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,365, Surprise et al. disclose a disposable bib with an integral, elasticized neckband. U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,849 to Lansing et al. discloses a dental bib holder comprising spring clips mounted at either end of a flexible strap, the flexible strap being positioned about the back of a patient&#39;s neck, and the clips being attached to a dental bib. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,540,036, Paulsen discloses a disposable bib that is secured around the neck of the patient via magnets. 
         [0008]    One disadvantage inherent to conventional dental bib designs is their limited usefulness for cleaning dental instruments. The paper layer(s) of a conventional dental bib lacks the bulk and softness of texture necessary to clean and/or polish a dental instrument. Due to this disadvantage, a dentist may typically be required to interrupt the dental procedure in order to grasp a piece of gauze, clean and/or polish the dental tool with the piece of gauze, dispose of the piece of gauze, and then resume the dental procedure. 
         [0009]    Another disadvantage inherent to conventional dental bib designs is their limited usefulness for capturing solid debris generated during a dental procedure. The paper layer(s) of a conventional dental bid lacks the bulk and/or physical features necessary to capture solid debris. Here, again, a dentist may typically be required to interrupt the dental procedure in order to grasp a piece of gauze, capture the solid debris with the piece of gauze, dispose of the piece of gauze, and then resume the dental procedure. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a new dental bib design that combines the capacity of gauze to capture solid debris and to clean and polish dental instruments with the capability of conventional dental bib to protect a patient&#39;s garments from liquid debris during a dental procedure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In view of the foregoing limitations and disadvantages inherent to the conventional apparatus in the related art, the present invention provides a useful and novel multi-purpose dental bib for protecting a patient&#39;s garments, capturing solid debris, and cleaning and/or polishing dental instruments in the course of a dental procedure. 
         [0012]    A principal object of the present invention is to provide a dental bib that is capable of protecting a patient&#39;s garments from liquid and/or solid debris during a dental procedure. 
         [0013]    In one aspect, the present invention may comprise an apron further comprising an absorbent outer/front side layer constructed of one or more plies of an absorbent material, and an inner/back side impermeable layer constructed of one or more plies of an impermeable material. The outer/back side of the impermeable layer may be affixed to the inner/back side of the absorbent layer. The absorbent layer may capture liquid and/or solid debris while the impermeable layer prevents liquid and/or solid debris from penetrating through the apron and onto the garments of the patient. 
         [0014]    Further objectives of the present invention are to capture solid debris generated during a dental procedure and to clean and/or polish dental instruments in the course of a dental procedure. 
         [0015]    In another aspect, the present invention may comprise one or more windows of various shapes and sizes disposed about the front side of an apron, the windows comprising a gauze pad, captured between the absorbent and impermeable layers of the apron, and exposed by an aperture through the absorbent layer. The present invention may further comprise one or more pockets of various shapes and sizes disposed about the front side of an apron, the pockets comprising a gauze pocket captured between the absorbent layer and the impermeable layer of the apron, and exposed by an aperture through the absorbent layer. The pocket may be designed and configured such that, as the gauze pocket is captured beneath the aperture, an opening is formed into which a dental instrument may be inserted. 
         [0016]    Other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those with skill in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. As will be appreciated by those with skill in the related art, the invention may be implemented in a plurality of equivalent embodiments. Such alternative embodiments, and their attendant objects, aspects and advantages, are within the scope of the present invention and, therefore, the examples set forth herein shall not be limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The nature of this invention, as well as all its objects, aspects and advantages, will become readily apparent and understood upon reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof, and wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  presents a perspective view of a multi-purpose dental bib  10  in use, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  presents a front view of the multi-purpose dental bib  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  presents a perspective detail view illustrating the construction of a window  26  of the multi-purpose dental bib  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  presents a perspective detail view illustrating the construction and use of a pocket  28  of the multi-purpose dental bid  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to one alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  presents a front detail view illustrating an alternative construction of a pocket  28  of the multi-purpose dental bib  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The following description is provided to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the invention, and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the invention. The present invention shall not be limited to the examples disclosed. Rather, the scope of the invention shall be as broad as the claims will allow. 
         [0024]    Various inventive features are described below that may each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the disadvantages or objects discussed above, or might address only one of the disadvantages or objects discussed above. Further, one or more of the disadvantages or objects discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below. 
         [0025]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  presents a perspective view of a multi-purpose dental bib  10  in use by a patient  1 , according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the multi-purpose dental bib  10  may comprise a generally rectangular apron  20 , the apron  20  having a plurality of windows  26  and pockets  28 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the multi-purpose dental bib  10  may be held in place over the chest of a patient  1  by means of a bib clip  12 . The bib clip  12  may be selected from the plurality of currently available designs, or a future design. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  presents a front view of the multi-purpose dental bib  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The apron  20  may comprise an absorbent layer  22  on the front side of the apron  20 , and an impermeable layer  24  on the back side of the apron  20 . 
         [0027]    The absorbent layer  22  may be designed to capture liquid and/or solid debris generated during a dental procedure. The absorbent layer  22  may comprise one or more sheets of an absorbent material. The one or more sheets of absorbent material may be constructed of any material that is appropriate to the intended function, such as a wood-pulp paper, cotton padding, or another natural or synthetic absorbent material, and may be similar in construction to a household paper towel or of a woven or quilted construction. 
         [0028]    An impermeable layer  24  may be disposed over the back side of the absorbent layer  22 . The impermeable layer  24  may be designed to protect the garments of a user  1  by preventing liquids from penetrating through the apron  20 . The impermeable layer  24  may be made of any material that is appropriate to the intended function, such as a flexible plastic sheet or ply. The impermeable layer  24  may be affixed to the back side of the absorbent layer  22  by any practical means, such as heat bonding, an adhesive, or stitching. 
         [0029]    A multi-purpose dental bib  10  may comprise one or more windows  26  and/or pockets  28 , of various shapes and sizes, that may be integrated into the apron  20 . The exemplary embodiment presented in  FIG. 2  incorporates three pockets  28  on the left edge of the apron  20 , three pockets  28  on the right side of the apron  20 , and four windows  26  near the bottom edge of the apron  20 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  presents a perspective detail view illustrating the construction of a window  26  of the multi-purpose dental bib  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. An aperture  30  may be cut or otherwise formed through the absorbent layer  22  in a position on the apron  20  where a window  26  is desired. A gauze pad  32  may be positioned between the absorbent layer  22  and the impermeable layer  24  such that the gauze pad  32  may be essentially centered beneath the aperture  30 . The impermeable layer  24  may then be attached to the back side of the absorbent layer  22 , thereby capturing the gauze  32  beneath the aperture  30 . 
         [0031]    Typically, in medical and dental applications, gauze is a woven cotton material. However, the gauze pad  32  may be made of any material that is appropriate to the intended function, such as a wood-pulp paper, cotton padding, or another natural or synthetic absorbent material, and may be similar in construction to a household paper towel or of a quilted construction. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4A  presents a perspective detail view illustrating the construction and use of a pocket  28  of the multi-purpose dental bid  10  of  FIG. 1 . An aperture  36  may be cut or otherwise formed through the absorbent layer  22  in a position on the apron  20  where a pocket  28  is desired. A gauze pocket  34  may be positioned between the absorbent layer  22  and the impermeable layer  24  such that the gauze pocket  34  may be essentially centered beneath the aperture  36 . The impermeable layer  24  may then be attached to the back side of the absorbent layer  22 , thereby capturing the gauze pocket  34  beneath the aperture  36 . 
         [0033]    The gauze pocket  34  may be constructed in a variety of alternative manners. In one exemplary embodiment, the gauze pocket  34  may be constructed of two gauze pads placed face-to-face against one another. In another alternative embodiment, the gauze pocket  34  may be made of a single gauze pad folded over upon itself. 
         [0034]    The pocket  28  may be designed and configured such that, as the gauze pocket  34  is captured beneath the aperture  36 , an opening  38  is formed into which a dental instrument may be inserted. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4A  illustrates the pocket  28  being used to clean a dental instrument, in this example a dental mirror  50 . 
         [0036]    As will be apparent to one with skill in the related art, a pocket  28  may be constructed in a variety of manners, each of which is within the contemplated scope of the claims of this patent disclosure.  FIG. 4B  presents a front detail view illustrating one alternative construction of a pocket  28  of the multi-purpose dental bib  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this alternative embodiment, the pocket  28  may be constructed in the same manner as described and illustrated in  FIG. 4A , except that the front-most gauze pad may be configured such that the outermost edge of the front-most gauze pad may be recessed from the edge of the apron  20 . This construction facilitates the easy insertion of a dental tool, in this view a dental mirror  50 , into the gauze pocket  40 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate pockets  28  located proximal to an edge of an apron  20 , according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In alternative embodiments, a pocket  28  may be located at any useful location on an apron  20 . In an additional alternative embodiment, a pocket  28  may be configured without an aperture  36 . 
         [0038]    In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the windows  26  and pockets  28  may be configured, in size, shape, construction, and location on the apron  20 , to accommodate a variety of tasks, including cleaning the face and/or mouth of a patient, capturing various types of debris, and cleaning dentistry tools of various shapes and sizes. 
         [0039]    Alternative embodiments of the present invention may incorporate a means for holding the multi-purpose dental bid  10  in place, generally over a patient&#39;s chest, during dental procedures. These means may include adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, neck bands, clips, springs, or other practical means either currently known or to be defined in the future. 
         [0040]    It is within the contemplated scope of the claims of this patent disclosure that the multi-purpose dental bib  10  may be useful in applications beyond dentistry, including medical applications, baby bibs, and adult bibs, among others. 
         [0041]    As will be appreciated by those with skill in the related arts, the elements of the present invention may be modified, interchanged, separated or combined, or additional elements added without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention may be practiced in alternative embodiments other than those illustrated in the Figures. Such modifications, combinations, additions and alternatives are within the contemplation of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by their legal equivalents, and shall be as broad as the claims will allow.