Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a non-permanent liquid resistant protector. More particularly the invention relates to single/multiple use non-permanent liquid resistant protector. The invention also relates to a bib protector and liner. The invention further encompasses a liquid resistant protector liner that can be temporarily attached and detached to another material via at least one securing or fastening means. Also disclosed is a bib liner that is either washable and reusable or disposable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The instant patent application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/062,450, filed on Jan. 26, 2008, titled “HappyBaby bib is a removable liquid resistant attachment for cloth baby bibs . . . ,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a non-permanent liquid resistant protector. More particularly the invention relates to single/multiple use non-permanent liquid resistant protector. The invention also relates to a bib protector and liner. The invention further encompasses a liquid resistant protector liner that can be temporarily attached and detached to another material via at least one securing or fastening means. Also disclosed is a bib liner that is either washable and reusable or disposable. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     A bib is commonly referred to as a small piece of material that is positioned to hang from a person&#39;s neck, under a person&#39;s chin, and onto the wearer&#39;s chest area. Bibs help protect clothing, especially, while eating or drinking. Bibs are typically used while feeding infants, toddlers and small children. However, the use of bibs among adults is also present, especially, when they might be in a position to spill or splatter food onto their clothing. This could occur for a variety of reasons, such as, being disabled, due to age, during recovery from trauma, to name a few. 
     Conventional bibs typically have two strings which tie around the neck to hold the bib in place. Other bibs use snaps, ties, strings, hook and loop fasteners, or the like to attach around the neck. More recently, some bibs have eliminated the strings and ties altogether and have instead used adhesive strips or Velcro. These strips are located near the shoulder area on the backside of the bib and are used to securely adhere the bib to the wearer. 
     As is commonly known, bibs are usually worn during the feeding of infants and toddlers, however, bibs are also sometimes worn during the feeding of adults, especially, in a nursing home setting or for a variety of other reasons. With some infants and toddlers, it is not unusual to have to change their bibs up to say, 10 to 15 times a day, not only because of the food which drips upon the bib, but because they are teething or just tend to drool a lot of the time. As will be appreciated, such regular changing of bibs is necessary in order to keep the infant&#39;s or toddler&#39;s underclothes dry and to keep the infant or toddler from becoming unduly wet. This is particularly important in cold weather locations. Because infants and toddlers tend to teethe for many months, beyond one-year of age, the situation becomes quite frustrating for a mother to continue to have to wash the infant&#39;s or toddler&#39;s clothes and body over-and-over again because of the limited protection that conventional bibs offer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,099 (Robert J. Mack), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a disposable limited reusable bib comprising a sheet of non-woven hydrophobic material having a weight of from 20 grams to 100 grams per square yard and having a plurality of projecting nubbins for simulating a terrycloth appearance for facilitating wiping and food catching. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,271 (Andrew Barber McLandrich), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a disposable protective bib comprising a generally rectangular sheet of flexible, liquid-impervious material. The bib has a top portion comprising a yoke to accommodate the user&#39;s neck and a bottom portion comprising at least one fastening element for securing the bib to a table. The bib forms a pocket between the wearer and the table to catch food and beverages that may be spilled. The yoke comprises at least one perforated tear section to release the bib from the wearer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,269,858 (Deborah V. Rothschild), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a reversible, multi-purpose bib exhibiting a polyester layer on one side for use in absorbing drool, a vinyl layer on an opposing side for use when feeding solid food, and a removable overlying cotton or cotton polyester blend layer atop the vinyl layer for use when formula feeding. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,257 (Frank Friedland, et al.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a bib for protecting clothing and includes a sheet having front and back surfaces, an adhesive strip located on the back surface of the sheet and configured and dimensioned for adhering the sheet to the wearer, and a sealed package attached to the sheet. The sealed package includes at least one towelette configured and dimensioned for cleansing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,424,749 (Edward McCloskey, et al.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a disposable dribble bib for babies comprising a shaped panel of non-woven cotton material. The bib has an outer face and an inner face each of which has a hairy surface formed by cotton fibers which when the bib is placed on a garment will attach and hold the bib on the garment. The bib is simple and cheap to manufacture and is double sided, that is it can be used either way round with either the outer face or inner face engaging the garment. A neck-receiving recess is provided at an upper end of the bib. 
     U.S. Patent Publication No. 2001/0047532 (A. Leslie Marrero), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a disposable bib, comprising a liquid-permeable top layer ( 18 ), an absorbent inner-core ( 20 ), a waterproof, air-permeable back layer ( 22 ). Each layer is configured to provide an apron ( 10 ), while the top and back layers continue to flow in continuous format to provide a C shaped collar ( 12 ). An adhesive bond ( 24 ) is provided throughout the bib to adhere each layer, one to another, and configured within the apron ( 10 ) to provide a cross-stitch pattern equivalent to quilting, to aid in controlling the expansion of the absorbent inner-core. The bib is preferably constructed from biodegradable materials. 
     Even with these improvements, a need exists for an improved bib and a bib liner. 
     Additionally, a need also exists for an improved bib liner or a bib protector. 
     A need also exists for a bib liner that is disposable. 
     Furthermore, a need also exists for a bib liner that can be attached and detached to any bib and is reusable. 
     This invention overcomes the problems of the prior art. The invention provides a bib liner that protects a user from getting wet from fluid spills and the like. 
     PURPOSES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a novel bib liner and a method of making the same. 
     Therefore, one purpose of this invention is to provide a bib liner that is disposable. 
     Another purpose of this invention is to provide a bib liner that can be attached and detached from any bib and is reusable. 
     Yet another purpose of this invention is to have a bib liner that can be securely adhered to any cloth bib. 
     Still, yet another purpose of this invention is to have a bib liner that has at least two wings that can loop around a conventional bib and securely adhere the bib liner to any bib. 
     Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide an improved and efficient method of making a bib liner. 
     Therefore, in one aspect this invention comprises a bib liner, comprising: 
     (a) at least one layer of a liquid resistant protector sheet; 
     (b) at least one securing means secured to said at least one layer of said liquid resistant protector sheet, and thereby forming said bib liner. 
     In another aspect this invention comprises a bib liner, comprising: 
     (a) at least one layer of a liquid resistant protector sheet; 
     (b) at least one layer of at least one adhesive material for securing said liquid resistant protector sheet to a bib material; and 
     (c) at least one layer of a backing sheet, wherein said backing sheet protects at least a portion of said liquid resistant protector sheet and at least a portion of said at least one adhesive material. 
     In yet another aspect this invention comprises a bib liner, comprising: 
     (a) at least one layer of a liquid resistant protector sheet, wherein said liquid resistant protector sheet has a first liner extension and a second liner extension, said first liner extension has a first upper extension and a first lower extension, and said second liner extension has a second upper extension and a second lower extension and thereby forming said bib liner; and
 
(b) at least one securing means for securing said liquid resistant protector sheet to a bib material.
 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the invention that are novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. Furthermore, like numbers represent like features in the drawings. The invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary bib and liquid resistant protector which is used to illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is an exemplary bib and liquid resistant protector which is used to illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is an exemplary liquid resistant protector of  FIG. 2A , with a backing sheet which is used to further illustrate the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary liquid resistant protector which is used to illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary liquid resistant protector which is used to illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary liquid resistant protector which is used to illustrate a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary bib  10 , and liquid resistant protector or bib liner  20 , which is used to illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention  23 . The bib  10 , is a conventional type bib  10 , having a bib body section or portion  15 , a first bib extension or arm  12 , a second bib extension or arm  14 , and forming a bib neck opening  17 . The first bib extension  12 , and the second bib extension  14 , meet and are secured each to the other using at least one first securing means  19 . The bib liner  20 , preferably follows the contours of the conventional type bib  10 , such as, by having a bib liner body section or portion  25 , a first bib liner extension or arm  22 , a second bib liner extension or arm  24 , and forming a bib liner neck opening  27 . The first bib liner extension  22 , and the second bib liner extension  24 , meet and are secured each to the other using at least one second securing means  29 . The first securing means  19 , could also be the same as the second securing means  29 , that could be used to secure the first bib liner extension  22 , to the second bib liner extension  24 , or they could be a different second securing means  29 . However, it should be appreciated that the bib liner  20 , is secured to the bib  10 , via at least one securing means, such as, first securing means  19 , and/or second securing means  29 , so that both the bib liner  20 , and the bib  10 , are always coupled each to the other during the use of either the bib  10 , or the bib liner  20 . It should be understood that one face of the bib liner  20 , faces the user or his/her clothes while the other face of the bib liner  20 , is in contact with the backside of the bib  10 , thus the bib liner  20 , is always in between the user or wearer (not shown) and the bib  10 . The bib liner  20 , can be of the same size as the bib  10 , or it could be smaller in size than the bib  10 , or it could be larger in size than the bib  10 . However, it is preferred that at least a portion of the bib liner body section  25 , overlaps with at least a portion of the bib body section  15 . The bib liner  20 , could be of the same or similar size and shape as the bib  10 , or it could be bigger in shape or size than the bib  10 , or it could be smaller in shape or size than the bib  10 . 
       FIG. 2A  is an exemplary bib  30 , and a liquid resistant protector or bib liner  40 , which is used to illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention  33 . The bib  30 , is a conventional type bib  30 , having a bib body section or portion  35 , a first bib extension or arm  32 , a second bib extension or arm  34 , and forming a bib neck opening  37 . The first bib extension  32 , and the second bib extension  34 , meet and are secured each to the other using at least one securing means  39 . The bib liner  40 , is preferably a little bit smaller in area than the conventional type bib  30 . The bib liner  40 , has a bib liner body section or portion  45 , and is secured to the bib  30 , via at least one securing means  49 . It is preferred that at least a portion of the body portion  45 , of the bib liner  40 , overlaps with at least a portion of the bib  30 . 
       FIG. 2B  is an exemplary liquid resistant protector or bib liner  40 , of  FIG. 2A , with at least one backing sheet  41 , which is used to further illustrate the present invention  43 . The backing sheet  41 , is peeled off prior to the securing of the bib liner  40 , to the bib  30 , via the at least one securing means  49 . The backing sheet  41 , also protects the securing means  49 , as well as at least a portion of the bib liner  40 . 
       FIG. 3  is an exemplary liquid resistant protector or bib liner  50 , which is used to illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention  53 . The bib liner  50 , has bib liner neck area  57 , a bib liner body section or portion  55 , and at least one securing means  59 . The securing means  59 , securing the bib liner  50 , to a bib, such as, the bib  10 , or the bib  30 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary liquid resistant protector or bib liner  60 , which is used to illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention  63 . The bib liner  60 , has a bib liner body section or portion  65 , and at least one securing means  69 . The securing means  69 , securing the bib liner  60 , to a bib, such as, the bib  10 , or the bib  30 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exemplary liquid resistant protector or bib liner  70 , which is used to illustrate a fifth embodiment of the present invention  73 . The bib liner  70 , has bib liner neck area  77 , a bib liner body section or portion  75 , and at least one securing means  78 ,  79 . The bib liner  70 , has a first bib liner arm or extension  72 , and a second bib liner arm or extension  74 . The first bib liner arm or extension  72 , has a first upper extension  61 , having at least one securing means  79 , and a first lower extension  63 , having at least one securing means  78 . The second bib liner arm or extension  74 , has a second upper extension  62 , having at least one securing means  79 , and a second lower extension  64 , having at least one securing means  78 . In order to securely attach the bib liner  70 , to a bib, such as, bib  10 , or bib  30 , the first bib liner extension  72 , is positioned above a first bib extension, such as, the first bib extension  12 , in the bib  10 , or the first bib extension  32 , in the bib  30 , and then the first bib liner extension  72 , is looped around and securing means  78 , are securing to secured means  79 . Similarly, the second bib liner extension  74 , is positioned above a second bib extension, such as, the second bib extension  14 , in the bib  10 , or the second bib extension  34 , in the bib  30 , and then the second bib liner extension  74 , is looped around and securing means  78 , are secured to secured means  79 . Once the bib liner  70 , is securely adhered to the bib  10 , or the bib  30 , the bib liner acts as a protector between the bib  10 , or bib  30 , and the user (not shown) or the user&#39;s clothing (not shown). 
     The backing sheet  41 , or similar such protective sheet  41 , is preferably used when the securing means, such as, securing means  29 ,  49 ,  59 ,  69 ,  78 ,  79 , needs protection from the elements prior to its use, such as, for example, the securing means  29 ,  49 ,  59 ,  69 ,  78 ,  79 , is for example, a strip of an adhesive tape  29 ,  49 ,  59 ,  69 ,  78 ,  79 , and any exposure to the elements prior to use may reduce its adhesion properties, and so in such cases a backing sheet  41 , would be appropriate to protect it from the environment. However, if the securing means  29 ,  49 ,  59 ,  69 ,  78 ,  79 , is a patch of Velcro  29 ,  49 ,  59 ,  69 ,  78 ,  79 , then a backing type sheet  41 , would not be needed. 
     It should be appreciated that the bib liner  20 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 , is a removable and a non-permanent liquid resistant attachment for cloth baby bibs  10 ,  30 , and can be available in several formats, such as, (a) disposable or single use only, (b) reusable attachment, suitable for use with any cloth bib, (c) a custom cloth bib with a detachable reusable water resistant attachment, to name a few. 
     As stated earlier the disposable liquid resistant attachment or bib liner with an adhesive can be attached to the back of any existing cloth bib. One could also have a detachable but reusable liquid resistant attachment or bib liner, which can be attached to any cloth bib with an attachment at the back of the neck area. One could also have a detachable/reusable liquid resistant attachment or bib liner which attaches to a custom bib. 
     One advantage of this inventive bib and bib liner is to provide additional protection for a baby&#39;s clothing at a very low cost. The attachment provides protection for a baby&#39;s clothing against liquid and/or food spills. As stated earlier the liquid resistant attachment or bib liner goes behind a cloth bib, which absorbs liquids, and acts as a water resistant barrier to keep the user&#39;s clothes dry, such as, an infant&#39;s or toddler&#39;s clothes or an incapacitated individual&#39;s clothes. In some cases the water resistant part of the bib can be detached and wiped clean with a damp cloth while the cloth section can be laundered. This keeps the water resistant section from deteriorating and losing its effectiveness and looking tawdry. Existing bibs that have a permanently attached protective layer do not wash well and also tend to be stiff. 
     The inventive bib liner when attached to a normal cloth bib provides an affective water resistant barrier that allows a baby or a toddler or an incapacitated individual to remain dry even when their bib is thoroughly soaked with liquid. Any of the embodiments can be cleaned and reused. Similarly, any of the embodiments illustrated can be a disposable version and only be good for a single use. 
     This invention also allows the user to continue using their old soft cloth bibs that are easy to use and safe for babies to chew on and adds the protection of a water resistant layer underneath when required. This also allows the user the flexibility of using the protective layer when needed so instead of perhaps having 10 cloth bibs and 10 bibs with the permanent attachment, one can have 10 cloth bibs and at least 1 reusable protective layer or the inventive bib liner. This further allows one to have the benefit of two different types of bibs without spending a lot of money. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , which could also be a disposable bib liner  40 , the securing means  49 , could be a narrow strip of an adhesive  49 , which could cover a small narrow area, as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , or the adhesive  49 , could cover the entire non-woven area of the bib liner  40 . 
     During the application of the bib liner  40 , to the bib  30 , one would place the bib liner  40 , flat with the fabric side facing down. One would then peel off the backing sheet or material  41 , and attach the adhesive side  49 , of the bib liner  40 , to the back of the cloth bib  30 , just below the neck line  37 . After the securing of the bib liner  40 , the bib  30 , now providing liquid resistance protection can be normally used. Once it is noticed that the bib  30 , has become wet or soggy one would first remove the bib  30 , from around the person&#39;s neck and grab the edge of the bib liner  40 , and peel it off from the soiled bib  30 . However, if the used bib liner  40 , is the disposable version then it can now be tossed into a trash can. For some versions the single use bib liner can be a flushable bib liner and can be flushed down a toilet. 
     The securing means  29 ,  49 ,  59 ,  69 ,  78 ,  79 , could be selected from a group comprising an adhesive, a glue, an adhesive type tape, an adhesive type strip, Velcro, zip, button, thread, fastening, hooks, snaps, ties, strings, hook and loop fasteners, or the like, to name a few. One could also use solvent based tissue adhesive, which could gently and securely attach a disposable bib liner to any bib. 
     The securing means  19  and  39 , could be selected from a group comprising an adhesive, a glue, an adhesive type tape, an adhesive type strip, Velcro, zip, button, thread, fastening, hooks, snaps, ties, strings, hook and loop fasteners, or the like, to name a few. 
     The single use liquid resistant protector or bib liner can be made from a material selected from a group comprising, woven material, non-woven material, natural material, artificial fibrous material, to name a few. 
     It is preferred that the inventive bib liner or liquid resistant protector of this invention be used with a non-disposable type material or bib. As one can appreciate, the bib and the bib liner are two separate pieces, and these two pieces are temporarily secured each to the other only when there is a risk of the bib being exposed to significant volumes of a liquid. 
     The inventive bib and bib liner are currently being marketed as “Wow Baby” and are further described at the website: www.awowbaby.com. 
     It should be understood that the inventive liquid resistant protector or bib liners can be used with any kind of bib, burp cloths, garments (that require protection from liquids), bed linens, aprons, clothing, to name a few. The liquid resistant liner or the bib liner could be made from soft spun lace non-woven fabric. 
     While the present invention has been particularly described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.