Abstract:
Protective garments that can keep the front of the wearer&#39;s clothes clean and dry are provided. The bibs include a substantially overlapping slit formed in the center of a lower section of a front panel. The bibs with the slit are easy to put on and provide substantial coverage of -frontal position of a wearer. The bibs can be used during eating, drinking, sitting, playing, crawling, etc. In some examples, the open back can enable the bib to be easily slipped on an already seated person without the need to stand. One or more bibs provide the ability to fasten the apron around each leg separately resulting in mobility and coverage, as well as the ability to use in seating where there is a vertical obstruction between the legs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/852,624, filed Oct. 19, 2006 and entitled “OPEN-BACK, SLEEVED BIB/SMOCK WITH BISECTIONAL APRON,” the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     This invention relates to the field of protective garments. Specifically, this invention relates to a bib with a slit that can protect the wearers and/or their clothes.  
         [0006]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0007]     Bibs, smocks and aprons are typically used as protective garments to be worn generally over other clothing. Bibs, aprons and smocks provide protection to the wearer&#39;s chest and torso. Bibs are frequently used by children but also by some adults. Bibs can be made of cloth, plastic or any other suitable material. Bibs may be disposable or washable, and generally cover the chest. However, bibs, aprons and smocks generally may not protect the wearer&#39;s arms, legs or lap.  
         [0008]     The following are some of the patents that disclosed protective garments such as bibs, aprons, and other similar garments.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,321 disclosed a disposable protective bib with a pocket member to catch spilled and dropped food.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,544 disclosed an apron assembly which can attach to the edge of a tray and form a pocket.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,073 disclosed a combination bib and toy with a storage pocket.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,697 disclosed a paper napkin with adhesive surfaces and intended to protect clothing from spillage.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,289 disclosed a baby bib consisting of two panels, one of which is of elongated construction and closes about the neck of the wearer, and the other panel is made of absorbent material and may be mounted on the first panel.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,844 disclosed a plurality of disposable bib panels attached to form a pad of panels that can be dispensed by peeling the top panel from the one below it.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,715 disclosed a protective garment which can be moved between a folded up position and a folded down position.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,771 disclosed a garment consisting of two pieces which protects a child&#39;s clothing from food and drink spills. A back flap protects the upper back and shoulders of the child and a lower piece covers the arms, body and most of the legs of the child.  
         [0017]     U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,170 disclosed a lap bib consisting of a lap portion and an abdomen portion which protects the user while eating.  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,897 disclosed a protective garment which protects the wearer&#39;s lap and chest and is worn using a strap from the neck.  
         [0019]     Although the patents described above provide many advantages, many of these still require the bib to be worn before the individual who is wearing them is seated. Also, many of these do not provide optimal coverage and protection to the wearer&#39;s arms, shoulders, torso and lap while enabling an individual who is seated to wear this garment with ease.  
         [0020]     It is therefore desirable to have bibs that optimally cover and protect the substantial areas of one or more of wearer&#39;s arms, shoulders, torso and lap while at the same time enabling the bibs to be worn easily even when the individual wearing the bib is already seated.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of tie invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.  
         [0022]     A bib comprising a panel with a neck section, middle section and lower section having a slit, according to an embodiment of the present invention, provides a garment capable of protecting substantial portions of one or more of the arms, chest, legs and lap portions of a wearer and/or a wearer&#39;s garments while providing for easy wearing of the garment. In some embodiments of the invention, the neck section covers the wearer&#39;s chest and the area around the wearer&#39;s neck. The middle section of the garment substantially protects the length of the wearer&#39;s torso approximately beginning at the wearer&#39;s chest and extending to his waist. The lower section of the garment substantially protects the wearer&#39;s lap extending from his waist to the wearer&#39;s thighs. In other embodiments of the present invention, the bibs can be worn by a seated individual or worn by an individual who is already seated. The bib covers a seated person, whether an infant or adult, or one moving around.  
         [0023]     In one aspect of the present invention, a bib is described that includes a slit perpendicular to the bottom of the lower section of the panel of the bib extending between ⅓ and ⅔ of the length of the panel toward the middle section, forming a lower right section and a lower left section each having an outer end and an inner end to accommodate a seat with a vertical obstruction between the legs e.g., high chair. The lower right section and the lower left section can be fastened separately around each leg for optimal leg and lap protection. This embodiment also allows the wearer to be protected even when in movement without the possibility of the bib sliding from side to side.  
         [0024]     In another embodiment, the bib can form a single closed apron by fastening the outer end of the lower right section to the outer end of the lower left section and fastening the inner end of the lower right section to the inner end of the lower left section.  
         [0025]     The bib can be made with long, medium, short or no sleeves. Various attachment methods may be used to attach the bib around the wearer&#39;s neck, legs, and lap, as well as the sleeves to make them more tight fitting to protect the garments underneath from getting soiled or wet.  
         [0026]     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention can be employed and the subject invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]     There are five drawings included:  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B . All numbers in the drawings that are italicized are on the under side of the closure.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a pattern piece, showing one possible embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2A  is a frontal perspective of a closed garment, according to one possible embodiment of the invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective of a closed garment, according to one possible embodiment of the invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3A  is a frontal perspective of an open garment, according to one possible embodiment of the invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3B  is a rear perspective of an open garment, according, to one possible embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]     The following is a detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention(s) contained within the disclosed subject matter. Such invention(s) may be referred to, individually and/or collectively, herein by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. In the detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, but not of limitation, some specific embodiments of the invention, including a preferred embodiment. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand and implement the inventive subject matter. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter.  
         [0034]     The present invention relates to bibs that can protect substantial portions of one or more of the arms, chest, torso, legs and lap of the wearer. Further, one or more embodiments of the present invention enable a wearer or a helper to place the bibs while the wearer is in seated position. One or more embodiments of the present invention disclose a bib with a slit perpendicular to the bottom of the panel and extending toward the middle section such that it would accommodate a seat with a vertical obstruction between the legs, e.g., high chair.  
         [0035]     For purposes of this patent application the term “bib” is intended to include smock, apron, coverall, and other similar or equivalent garments used to keep the wearer&#39;s clothes clean and dry.  
         [0036]     In one aspect of the invention, a bib with a slit perpendicular to the bottom of the panel is described that can protect a wearer&#39;s legs and lap. The bibs of the present invention can be made by machine or by hand. The bib described here can be made with different types of fabrics such as water-resistant, absorbent, disposable, animal, plant, mineral, synthetic, rayon, polyester, wool, linen, nylon, cotton, acrylic, acetate, aramid, olefin, ingeo or a combination thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, the bibs of the present invention are hand or machine made and can be wiped clean, machine washed, disposed, etc. when it is soiled or whenever it needs cleaning.  
         [0037]     In an embodiment of this aspect of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the bib  10  comprises a panel that includes a neck section  8 , middle section  9  and lower section  11 . It is to be appreciated that the panel sections are only intended for helping the description. The lower section  11  of panel  2  is generally wider than the neck section  8  and the middle section  9  such that the lower section can wrap around the legs and lap of the wearer. The shape of the panel  2  can be triangular, bell, or other shapes so as to provide the wearer optimal protection from spills and being soiled and also to accommodate the wearer&#39;s legs.  
         [0038]     In one embodiment of this invention, the neck section  8  substantially covers the area around the wearer&#39;s neck and extends to the wearer&#39;s chest. At the top of the neck section  8  is a collar  7  and a pair of openings for sleeves  13   a  &amp;  13   b.  Extending substantially laterally from the pair of openings for sleeves  13   a  &amp;  13   b  in the neck section  8  in an embodiment of the invention is a pair of sleeves  1   a  &amp;  1   b.  The middle section  9  substantially protects the wearer&#39;s torso beginning at the wearer&#39;s chest and extends to the wearer&#39;s waist. The lower section  11  covers the wearer&#39;s waist and extends to protect the wearer&#39;s thighs. The lower section  11  shows a substantially overlapping slit  3  extending from bottom  12  of the lower section  11  toward the middle section  9  of the panel  2 . This embodiment of the invention shows fastening elements  4   a  &amp;  4   b  attached to the collar  7  for fastening the collar around the wearer&#39;s neck, fastening elements  5   a  &amp;  5   b  located at the outer ends of the lower right section and the lower left section to fasten these ends; and fastening elements  6   a  &amp;  6   b  located at the inner ends of the lower right section and lower left section to fasten these ends and form a single closed bib. When the bib  10  forms a single closed bib, the overlapping slit  3  protects the wearer&#39;s clothes from spilled food and drink. In this embodiment of the present invention, the slit  3  is substantially overlapping and can accommodate a seat with a vertical obstruction between the legs, e.g., a high chair, by fastening the outer and inner ends of the lower right section around the wearer&#39;s right leg and the outer and inner ends of the lower left section around the wearer&#39;s left leg to form an open bib.  
         [0039]     In some other embodiments of the invention the sleeves  1   a  &amp;  1   b  of the bib  10  can be made with long, medium or short sleeves. Long sleeves would cover whole arm to the wrist. Medium sleeves would cover 50-75% of the arm. Short sleeves would cover less than 50% of the arm. The bib  10  also can be made without sleeves. In some embodiments, the sleeves  1   a  &amp;  1   b  can be made tight fitting to prevent soiling or wetting the wearer&#39;s garments or may remain open. The end of the sleeves  1   a  &amp;  1   b  can be tightly enclosed through the use of elastic bands, buttons, snaps, ties, hooks, loops, magnets, adhesives or other tightening methods.  
         [0040]     In some embodiments of the invention, the panel  2  can be made in various lengths such as full length (to the wearer&#39;s ankle or covering feet), medium length (to the wearer&#39;s shin) or short length (to the wearer&#39;s knee). The panel  2  and sleeves  1   a  &amp;  1   b  can be made of either the same material or can be made of different materials. The panel  2  and the sleeves  1   a  &amp;  1   b  can be made from a single piece of material or can be made from different pieces of materials. In some embodiments the panel  2  can be made from a combination of materials with an identical design or different designs.  
         [0041]     In further embodiments of the invention, the bib  10  can utilize a single or multiple collar  7  fastening elements  4   a  &amp;  4   b  to accommodate the growing size of the wearer or multiple wearers. The collar  7  fastening elements  4   a  &amp;  4   b  can take the form of buttons, snaps, ties, hooks, loops, magnets, adhesives or other closure methods. The collar  7  formed at the neck section  8  of the panel  2  can be made in various shapes such as a round, square, oval etc. and functions to protect tie wearer&#39;s underlying garments. In some embodiments of the invention, the collar  7  can be continuous resulting in an opening through which a wearer can place their head.  
         [0042]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the bib  10  is made to cover the wearer&#39;s lap, torso, chest, legs and arms, and can be secured in two different ways.  FIG. 2A  shows a front view of the bib  10  as a single closed bib, one embodiment of the invention. The bib  10  can be closed as a single closed bib by fastening the fastening elements  5   a  &amp;  5   b  located at the outer ends of the lower right section and the lower left section and fastening the fastening elements  6   a  &amp;  6   b  located at the inner ends of the lower right section and lower left section.  
         [0043]      FIG. 2B  shows a back view of the bib  10  when closed as a single bib as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , according to one embodiment of the invention. The back of the bib when closed as a single bib by fastening the fastening elements  5   a  &amp;  5   b  located at the outer ends of the lower right section and the lower left section behind the legs of the wearer. In some examples, the back of the bib can be left open by keeping area  5   a  &amp;  5   b  unfastened.  
         [0044]      FIG. 3A  shows a front view of an open bib  10  according to another embodiment of the invention achieved as a result of another way of securing the bib  10 . The slit  3  can be used to form an open bib by fastening the outer and inner ends of the lower right section around the wearer&#39;s right leg with fastening elements  5   b  &amp;  6   b  and the outer and inner ends of the lower left section around the wearer&#39;s left leg with fastening elements  5   a  &amp;  5   b  to form an open bib.  
         [0045]      FIG. 3B  shows a back view of the bib  10  with panel  2  in an open bib position as illustrated in  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3B  shows the outer and inner ends of the lower right section fastened around the wearer&#39;s right leg with fastening elements  5   b  &amp;  6   b  and the outer and inner ends of the lower left section fastened around the wearer&#39;s left leg with fastening elements  5   a  &amp;  5   b  to form the back view of an open bib.  
         [0046]     The open bib  10  and the slit  3  shown in  FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B  can accommodate a seat with a vertical obstruction between the legs of the wearer, e.g., high chair. The open bib  10  and the slit  3  as shown in  FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B  can enable the wearer to put the bib on while seated in a chair, high chair, wheelchair, etc. rather than requiring the wearer to stand to put on the bib.  
         [0047]     It is to be appreciated that a person skilled in the art would be able to alter the position of the fasteners and the nature of fasteners without deviating from the scope of the present invention and therefore, any and all of these changes are intended to be within the scope the present invention. The bib  10  can be made with various leg, slit  3  and collar  7  fasteners ( 5   a  &amp;  5   b,    6   a  &amp;  6   b,    4   a  &amp;  4   b ) such as buttons, snaps, ties, hooks, loops, magnets, adhesives or other fastening methods. The bib can utilize a single or multiple leg, slit  3  and collar  7  fastening elements ( 4   a  &amp;  4   b,    5   a  &amp;  5   b,    6   a  &amp;  6   b ) to accommodate the growing size of the wearer or multiple wearers.  
         [0048]     The bibs of the present invention can be made as single units or multiple units based on the need. In cases where the bibs are manufactured as multiple units, each bib is separated from the others by using any known means including perforation that can be torn apart. Even though the above description is focused on bibs, the present invention can be easily adapted to manufacture other types of protective garments such as smocks, aprons, coveralls and the like.  
         [0049]     It is emphasized that the Abstract is provided to comply with laws and regulations requiring an Abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.  
         [0050]     In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.  
         [0051]     It will be readily understood to those skilled in the alt that various other changes in the details, material, and arrangements of the parts and method stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention, may be made without departing from the principles and scope of the invention as expressed in the subjoined claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.