Abstract:
An example pet bib for use on a collar of a pet includes: an inward layer; an outward layer; a reinforced section coupled to one or more of the inward layer and the outward layer; a plurality of straps each having a first end and a second end, wherein each first end of the plurality of straps is coupled to one of the inward layer, the outward layer, and the reinforced section; and a connection mechanism coupled to the second end of each of the plurality of straps.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Many pet owners take great care in grooming their pet&#39;s fur or having it professionally groomed. Maintaining the appearance and cleanliness of the pet&#39;s fur after grooming can be a challenge. This is especially true for pets that are shown competitively. Because of the way in which pets eat, drink, and salivate, it is difficult to prevent debris and liquid that may fall from a pet&#39;s mouth from landing on the pet&#39;s fur. Such debris and liquid can result in the pet&#39;s fur becoming dirty or having a less desirable appearance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    In one aspect, a pet bib for use on a collar of a pet includes: an inward layer; an outward layer; a reinforced section coupled to one or more of the inward layer and the outward layer; a plurality of straps each having a first end and a second end, wherein each first end of the plurality of straps is coupled to one of the inward layer, the outward layer, and the reinforced section; and a connection mechanism coupled to the second end of each of the plurality of straps. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  shows an example pet bib. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  shows an example strap of varying length of the pet bib of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  shows the pet bib of  FIG. 1  mounted to a collar of a dog. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]    Examples described herein relate to a bib that can be used on a pet. The bib provides a barrier that can be located under a pet&#39;s neck to limit debris and liquid from reaching the pet&#39;s fur such that the groomed appearance of the pet&#39;s fur can be maintained for longer periods of time. In other examples, the bib can be printed with aesthetically-pleased images and/or text to enhance an appearance of the pet. 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates the pet bib  10  while not in use. The pet bib  10  has an outward layer  101  and an inward layer  102  disposed against one another and which together form a perimeter  103 . The outward layer  101  is made of a substantially fabric material, such as cotton, that can redirect solid debris and fluid that may fall from the pet&#39;s mouth and that may otherwise land on the pet&#39;s fur. The inward layer  102  is also made up of a substantially fabric material, such as flannel. 
         [0008]    As illustrated, the outward layer  101  and inward layer  102  are formed in a substantially oblong shape that also includes a curved section  104  of the perimeter  103 . The curved section  104  is oriented to substantially follow the curvature of a pet&#39;s neck  301 . This is only one example configuration, and other shapes and/or sizes can be used. 
         [0009]    In the illustrated example, a stiffening member  105  is located between the outward and inward layers  101 ,  102  and is oriented along the curved section  104  of the perimeter  103 . The stiffening member  105  is made of a substantially rigid material, such as interfacing or plastic. The outward layer  101 , the stiffening member  105 , and the inward layer  102  are connected together using various techniques, such as by stitching or by an adhesive material. 
         [0010]    As indicated in  FIG. 1 , the stiffening member  105  is smaller than the outward and inward layers  101 ,  102 , and is oriented in the area along and adjacent to the curved section  104 . The location of the stiffening member  105  is designed to increase the rigidity of specific portions of the pet bib  10 . When the pet bib  10  is located under a pet&#39;s neck  301 , the pet bib  10  can tend to gather under the pet&#39;s neck  301  (see  FIG. 3 ). The increased rigidity provided by the stiffening member  105  opposes the tendency of the pet bib  10  to gather while being worn by the pet  303 , thereby maintaining the pet bib  10  in the desired shape. 
         [0011]    The portion of the pet bib  10  that includes the outward layer  101 , the inward layer  102 , and the stiffening member  105  forms a reinforced section  106  of the pet bib  10 . Alternatively, the stiffening member  105  can be larger and may be the same size and shape as the outward and inward layers  101 ,  102 , making the reinforced section  106  the same size as the outward and inward layers  101 ,  102 . In another alternative embodiment, the inward layer is eliminated and the reinforced section is made up of only the outward layer and the stiffening member disposed upon one another. In yet another alternative embodiment, both the inward and outward layers are eliminated and the reinforced section  106  is made up of only the stiffening member  105 . Finally, the shape and position of the stiffening member  105  can be varied as needed. 
         [0012]    Two straps  107  are attached to the reinforced section  106  by various techniques, including stitching or by an adhesive material. The straps are made of a substantially flexible material such as plastic or polyester.  FIG. 1  shows the straps  107  attached to the outward layer  101  of the reinforced section  106 . Alternatively, the straps  107  can be attached to the inward layer  102  of the reinforced section or attached between the outward and inward layers  101 ,  102  of the reinforced section  106 . The straps  107  are oriented on the reinforced section  106  such that the straps  107  lie substantially perpendicular to the curved section  104 . In alternative designs, more straps can be used. 
         [0013]    A fringe  108  is disposed substantially along the perimeter  103  of the outward and inward layers  101 ,  102 . The fringe  108  is made of a ribbon type material such as bias tape. The fringe  108  is attached by using various techniques, such as by stitching or by an adhesive material. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a detail of one of the straps  107  in varying sizes. Each strap  107  includes a connection mechanism  201 . The connection mechanism  201  indicated in  FIG. 1  is Velcro. Alternative connection mechanisms may also be implemented such as snaps, buttons, ties, magnets, or other fasteners. The connection mechanism  201  is oriented such that when the strap  107  is looped around a pet&#39;s collar  302  and the connection mechanism  201  is fastened, the strap  107  of the pet bib  10  is substantially secured to the pet&#39;s collar  302 . As shown, the connection mechanism  201  has a first part  202  and a second part  203 . 
         [0015]    The figure shows the first and second parts  202 ,  203  of the connection mechanism  201  located on the strap. Alternatively, the first part  202  of the connection mechanism  201  can be located on the strap and the second part  203  of the connection mechanism  201  can be located on the reinforced section  106 . As indicated in  FIG. 2 , the strap  107  may be manufactured in varying sizes. Different sized versions of the pet bib  10  can be manufactured with varying strap  107  sizes depending on the size of the pet  303  and the thickness of the pet&#39;s collar  302  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0016]    In another example, the pet bib  10  can include extensions that allow the straps  107  to be increased in length as needed. For example, strap extensions that include the same connection mechanism  201  used in the strap  107  connect to the straps and allow the straps to be looped around a collar that is thicker than what the strap  107  alone can accommodate. In addition, the strap extensions may be implemented to allow the straps to be placed around the pet&#39;s neck rather than the pet&#39;s collar. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows the pet bib  10  in use on a pet  303 . Examples of the pet  303  include a dog, a cat, and other types of domesticated animals. 
         [0018]    The straps  107  are looped around the pet&#39;s collar  302 , and the connection mechanism  201  is fastened such that a loop  305  is formed around the pet&#39;s collar  302  and the curved section  104  is held substantially adjacent to the pet&#39;s collar  302 . While the pet bib  10  is on the pet  303 , the reinforced section  106  keeps the straps  107  substantially in place on the pet&#39;s collar  302  and minimizes a tendency for the pet bib  10  to buckle in the area  304  between the straps  107 . 
         [0019]    While the pet bib  10  has been described with references to a particular embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiment without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that all combinations of elements and steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result are within the scope of this invention.