Abstract:
A pacifier-bearing bib comprising a bib and a pacifier fixedly attached thereto in a manner that biases the pacifier towards a user&#39;s mouth, such that the user can by themself, reach the pacifier and insert the pacifier in their mouth, with a mere small movement of the head, without the use of their hands or the help of another individual. The pacifier is fixedly attached at a location on the bib that when the pacifier-bearing bib is fixed around the neck of a user, the pacifier is adjacent to the user&#39;s mouth.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Application No. 61/323,127 filed Apr. 12, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to an apparatus and method for use primarily by parents in connection with the protection and comfort of their infants and small children. More particularly, the present invention relates to pacifier-bearing-bibs for infants and small children who use pacifiers, which pacifier-bearing-bibs: a) retain the pacifier in close proximity to, and allow for its easy insertion into, the infants&#39; or small children&#39;s mouths, if the pacifier should fall out, without fuss or effort on the part of the child; and b) prevent the pacifier from falling to the floor or getting lost altogether. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    Most babies have a strong sucking reflex. Some babies even suck their thumbs or fingers before they are born. Beyond nutrition, sucking often has a soothing, calming effect. That is why many parents rank pacifiers as must haves, right up there with diaper wipes and baby swings. 
         [0006]    A pacifier (known as a dummy in English speaking countries outside North America and Ireland—where it is known as both a dummy and also a soother) is a rubber plastic or silicone nipple given to an infant or a small child to suck upon. In its standard appearance it has a nipple-simulating element or teat for the baby&#39;s mouth, a mouth shield and a handle or a holding ring. The mouth shield and or the handle is large enough to avoid the danger of the child choking on it or swallowing it. 
         [0007]    Pacifiers, particularly when they are used by infants up to six months of age, are frequently dropped out of the baby&#39;s mouth and must be retrieved and put back into the baby&#39;s mouth by an adult. If the pacifiers fall on the floor, they can get lost or terribly soiled and contaminated with germs. If the pacifiers get lost and the parents have no other pacifier to replace the lost one, or if the pacifiers get soiled and the parents have no way of cleaning them, the infant or child will be deprived of his or her pacifier and become inconsolable. Many a parent will state that if the infant becomes inconsolable, then the parent will become inconsolable as well, with the whole experience becoming a source of a lot of stress and unhappiness for both the parent and the child. 
         [0008]    In the past, in an effort to prevent the stress and unhappiness caused by the loss of a pacifier pushed out of a baby&#39;s mouth, parents would use a cord, string or tape to attach the pacifier to the baby&#39;s neck. The problem however was that by doing that, the parents subjected the infant to the risk of strangulation. As a consequence, many companies marketing pacifiers, began printing a warning on their packaging to the effect that tying a pacifier around a child&#39;s neck with a cord may present a strangulation danger. 
         [0009]    In view of such risk and in a continued effort to prevent the stress and unhappiness caused by the loss of a pacifier pushed out of a baby&#39;s mouth, many devices have been developed to prevent pacifiers from falling on the floor and getting lost or dirty, and to allow easy access to said pacifiers by the parents, much to their relief and to the comfort of their infants. 
         [0010]    Many of these devices are directed to bibs provided with means for the distal attachment of pacifiers, such that when an infant pushes the pacifier out of his or her mouth, the pacifier remains within close proximity of the child and easy access to the parent, without getting dirty. 
         [0011]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,759 B1 issued to Straham, Jr. et. al. discloses a bib which provides a mechanism for securing accessories such as teethers, rattles, pacifiers, toys etc. to the front of the multi-purpose bib. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,248 B1 issued to Gutilla discloses various embodiments of a multipurpose baby bib for holding a baby beverage container, and securing thereto a pacifier and/or a teething device. The bib has a main body panel having an upper end of one or more straps releasably attached to the main body panel and a lower end formable into a releasable loop for engaging a pacifier and/or teething device. A lower end of the main body panel is formed into a bottle holding configuration. Alternatively, a bottle holding structure is provided for releasable attachment to the front surface of the bib. 
         [0013]    Likewise U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,834 issued to Bronson discloses a vest and harness combination garment wherein a child can be securely fastened to a chair when the garment is worn. The vest/harness also includes an insulated bottle holder wherein a child&#39;s bottle is placed so that the bottle is available for the child when he/she is hungry or thirsty. A pacifier is attached by a strap to the front of the vest/harness so that the pacifier is readily available to the child as desired. A musical device which plays music when the device is squeezed is attached to the front of the vest for entertaining the child. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,650 issued to Milloy discloses a pacifier bib which is formed from a flat panel of fabric having a wishbone shape. The bib includes a U-shaped collar adapted to have distal ends thereof attached together for encirclement around the neck of a child. An integral flap extends downwardly from the collar and is adapted to have its distal end folded over into a closed loop for attaching the handle of a pacifier to the bib. 
         [0015]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,408 issued to Winger discloses a pacifier holder substantially in the shape of a “Y”. The upper arms of the Y-shape have VELCRO™ hook and pile sections or other suitable fasteners at their distal ends to permit them to be attached to each other behind the infant&#39;s neck to position the holder around the infant&#39;s neck with the base leg of the Y-shape hanging in front of the infant, on his or her chest. The base leg is provided with VELCRO hook and pile sections or other suitable fasteners near its distal end so that a loop may be formed to engage the ring which typically is provided as part of a pacifier. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,758 issued to Grasberger et. al. discloses an article for engaging the ring of a pacifier and for holding the pacifier about the neck of an infant. A first flat panel or collar has a substantially rectangular shape and has a notch for engaging the infant&#39;s neck. The notch forms an arcuate portion in the first panel. The arcuate portion conforms to the infant&#39;s neck and forms right and left tabs for engaging the infant&#39;s neck. Interlocking means are attached to at least one of the tabs for engaging the other tab thereby permitting the notch to be closed about the infant&#39;s neck. A second flat panel is provided having upper and lower ends. The upper end has an arcuate edge and engages the arcuate portion of the first flat panel. The lower end of the second flat panel has a means for engaging the pacifier ring. The engagement between the arcuate edge and the arcuate portion causes the underside of the second flat panel to be positioned adjacent to the overside of the first flat panel. 
         [0017]    Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,375 issued to Nornes discloses a child&#39;s bib for use concurrently with a pacifier so as to inhibit the pacifier from falling out of the child&#39;s mouth or to retain the pacifier adjacent the child&#39;s head. The bib can include a case of flexible material, such as cloth, and an inelastically deformable material encased within the case such that the bib may be deformed to form a stop structure to retain the pacifier or to catch the pacifier should it fall out. The bib can also include a bib element including an inelastically deformable material that is attachable to a surface of a conventional bib, such as via hook-and-loop tape. The bib can also be deformed to form a catch structure to catch material, such as food, that may exit the child&#39;s mouth. 
         [0018]    However, none of the bibs set forth herein above have the inherent ability to prevent the falling, soiling, and/or loss of the pacifier on the floor, while simultaneously supporting and holding the pacifier in place, proximately to the infant&#39;s or small child&#39;s mouth, such that the infant or child by itself can reach the pacifier and insert the pacifier in its mouth, by merely a small movement of the head without the help of an adult. 
         [0019]    Accordingly, since babies under six months of age have limited tongue control and limited eye-hand coordination for retrieving a pacifier themselves, there is a need for a dependable device, for retaining a pacifier near a baby&#39;s mouth within reach of the baby, while at the same time preventing loss of the pacifier once it is pushed out of the baby&#39;s mouth. This way if the baby pushes the pacifier out of her or his mouth, the baby can again reach the pacifier merely by a small movement of the head. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bib including a means for engaging a pacifier in a manner that the pacifier remains proximate to the mouth of the infant or young child. 
         [0021]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bib whereby a pacifier may be retained on the infant or young child. 
         [0022]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bib for retaining a pacifier near the mouth of the baby so that less attention is required from an adult with respect to retrieving the pacifier and cleaning it after dropping to the floor. 
         [0023]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bib with the inherent ability to prevent the falling, soiling, and/or loss of the pacifier on the floor, while simultaneously supporting and holding the pacifier in place, proximately to the infant&#39;s or small child&#39;s mouth, such that the infant or child by itself can reach the pacifier and place the pacifier in its mouth, by merely a small movement of the head without the help of an adult and without using his or her hands. 
         [0024]    These and other objects, advantages, features, and characteristics of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, considered along with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the numerals represent identical elements and wherein: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the front of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a front plan view of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib with the neck encircling notch of said pacifier-bearing-bib wide open; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib of  FIG. 2  with the neck encircling notch of said pacifier-bearing-bib being closed; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a back plan view of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib of  FIG. 2  with the neck encircling notch of said pacifier-bearing bib being wide open; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a back plan view of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib of  FIG. 2  with the neck encircling notch of said pacifier-bearing bib being closed; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is the front plan view of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib of  FIG. 3  showing the pacifier on a flap overlapping the front surface of said pacifier-bearing-bib and the neck encircling notch closed; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is the front plan view of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib of  FIG. 3  showing the pacifier on a flap overlapping the front surface of said pacifier-bearing-bib and the neck encircling notch wide open; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a back plan view of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 10-11  are three-dimensional perspectives of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib of  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib of  FIG. 6  as worn by a young child. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   LIST OF ELEMENTS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE 
                 
                 
                   IDENTIFYING NUMERALS 
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   NO 
                   ELEMENT 
                 
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   10 
                   The inventive pacifier-bearing-bib 
                 
                 
                   20 
                   Bib 
                 
                 
                   22 
                   Bib Body 
                 
                 
                   24 
                   Absorbent front surface 
                 
                 
                   26 
                   Absorbent back surface 
                 
                 
                   28 
                   Moisture proof layer 
                 
                 
                   30 
                   Notch 
                 
                 
                   32 
                   Arcuate or curved portion of the bib body 
                 
                 
                     
                   22 
                 
                 
                   34, 36 
                   Neck encircling members 
                 
                 
                   40 
                   Pacifier 
                 
                 
                   42 
                   Nipple simulating element or teat 
                 
                 
                   44 
                   Mouth shield 
                 
                 
                   50 
                   Pacifier bearing flap 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0037]    Referring more specifically to  FIG. 1 , it generally depicts the pacifier-bearing-bib in accordance with the present invention at  10 . 
         [0038]    It comprises a bib  20  and a pacifier  40  attached to said bib  20 , such that the pacifier  40  is retained on the infant or young child, proximately to the mouth of the infant or young child thereby requiring less attention from an adult with respect to retrieving and cleaning the pacifier, after it being dropped to the floor. Furthermore, the pacifier  40  is held in place at a location that is adjacent to the infant&#39;s or small child&#39;s mouth in a manner that biases the pacifier towards the infant&#39;s or small child&#39;s mouth, such that if the infant or small child wants the pacifier it can by itself, reach the pacifier and insert the pacifier in its mouth, with a mere small movement of the head, as for example by bending its head slightly towards its chin, without the help of an adult. 
         [0039]    The bib  20  comprises a bib body  22  having an absorbent front surface  24 , and an absorbent back surface  26 . The bib body can be round, oval, square, rectangular, etc. The absorbent front surface  24  faces away from the torso of the infant or small child. The absorbent back surface  26  faces towards and lies on the torso of the infant or small child, when the pacifier-bearing-bib  10  is actually placed on the infant or small child. Optionally, the absorbent back surface  26  may be separated from the absorbent front surface  24  by a moisture proof layer  28 . Said absorbent back surface  26 , said absorbent front surface  24  and said moisture proof layer  28  being secured together by sewing together their circumferential edges, or by welding, or fusing, or otherwise. 
         [0040]    The bib  20  further comprises a notch  30  for engaging the infant or young child&#39;s neck. The notch  30  is formed by an arcuate or curved portion  32  in the bib body  22 . The arcuate portion  32  is curved to conform to the infant or young child&#39;s neckline. The notch  30  provides a pair of connectable neck encircling members  34  and  36 . They can be neck straps or neck ribbons having free end portions and sufficient length such that said neck straps or neck ribbons are capable of encircling and securing the pacifier-bearing-bib  10  at the infant or small child&#39;s neck. The free ends of said neck encircling members  34  and  36  may be provided with means of connection or attachment such that when they encircle the infant or small child&#39;s neck they can be secured to each other thereby closing the notch  30 . Such means for connection or attachment can be snaps, hooks, or mating hook and loop connection means, such as those popularly known as VELCRO®, which allow for the quick and easy attachment and detachment of the pacifier-bearing-bib  10  from the baby&#39;s neck. Alternatively, they can be provided with no means of connection or attachment at all, and simply be tied behind the infant or small child&#39;s neck. 
         [0041]    The pacifier  40  has a nipple-simulating element or teat  42  for the baby&#39;s mouth, and a mouth shield  44 . Optionally it can also have a handle or a holding ring. 
         [0042]    The pacifier  40  is mounted on the bib  20  by being attached on the absorbent back surface  26 , at a position immediately adjacent to the arcuate or curved portion  32 , which forms the notch  30  in the bib body  22 . Once attached on said absorbent back surface  22 , the mouth shield  44  of the pacifier  40  partially abuts against the absorbent back surface  26  and partially extends beyond the edge of the arcuate or curved portion  32  of the bib body  22 . 
         [0043]    The pacifier  40  can be fixedly attached to the absorbent back surface  26 , as for example by sewing it or glueing it thereon; or removably but securely attached to the absorbent back surface  26  as for example by using snaps or VELCRO®. 
         [0044]    As a result of such attachment when the pacifier-bearing-bib  10  is placed on the infant without any further manipulation of said bib  10 , the pacifier nipple  42  faces inwardly, towards the infant or young child&#39;s torso, while part of the outer surface of the mouth shield  44 , opposite the nipple  42 , faces outwardly, away from the torso. On the other hand, the combination of: a) the location of the pacifier  40  on the arcuate or curved portion  32  of the bib body  22 ; b) the manner by which the pacifier  40  is mounted there on, i.e. the mouth shield  44  is partially attached on the absorbent back surface  26  of the bib body  22  and partially extending beyond the arcuate or curved portion  32 ; and c) the weight of the pacifier  40 , all together permit: (i) the bending and folding over of the arcuate or curved portion  32  at the notch  30  of the bib body  22 , away from the torso of the infant or young child to form a pacifier-bearing flap  50 , which allows the nipple  42  of the pacifier  40  to face forward and away from the infant or young child&#39;s torso; and (ii) simultaneous biasing of the pacifier  40  towards the infant or young child&#39;s mouth, when the pacifier-bearing-bib  10  is actually placed on the infant or young child and the neck encircling members  34  and  36  are secured around the infant or young child&#39;s neck. 
         [0045]    The process of using the pacifier-bearing-bib comprises at least the following steps: holding the pacifier-bearing-bib  10  from its neck encircling members  34  and  36 ; grasping and using the mouth shield  44  to move the pacifier  40  up, over and around the edge of the arcuate portion  32  of the bib body  22  of the bib  10 , and form a flap  50 , on which the pacifier  40  is mounted in such a way that the nipple  42  is facing outwardly and laying on top of the absorbent front surface  24  of the bib body  22 ; using the neck encircling members  34  and  36  to encircle the infant or young child&#39;s neck; and fastening the neck encircling members  34  and  36  behind the infant&#39;s or young child&#39;s neck, thereby creating sufficient tension on the pacifier-bearing-bib  10  to bias the pacifier nipple  42  towards the mouth of the infant or child, for easy insertion of the pacifier  40  into the mouth of the infant or child, by the child itself, as needed and without the help of the adult. 
         [0046]    There is no question that the inventive pacifier-bearing-bib  10  described herein above, accomplishes all of its objectives and achieves the goal of providing a bib with a pacifier which allows: 1) the pacifier to remain proximate to the mouth of the infant or young child; 2) the pacifier to be retained on the infant or young child without continuously requiring an adult to retrieve and clean the pacifier or replace a lost pacifier with a new one; and 3) the infant or child by itself to reach the pacifier and place the pacifier in its mouth, by merely a small movement of the head, as for example a downwardly bending movement of the head towards the chin, without the help of an adult. The child is now self consolable or self comforted without an adult&#39;s intervention, on those moments that an adult is not available, much to the grateful relief of both adults and children. 
         [0047]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, they are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Since certain changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a literal sense. Practitioners of the art will realize that the sequence of steps and the embodiments depicted in the figures can be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention and that the illustrations contained herein are singular examples of a multitude of possible depictions of the present invention.