Abstract:
A wearable burping shield has a torso portion and an over-shoulder portion. The over-shoulder portion comprises a layered construction having an outer moisture absorbent layer, and a second waterproof layer. Together the torso portion and over-shoulder portion define an armhole for receiving an arm therethrough so that the shield may be readily worn while holding an infant. n

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a shield for use by an adult whilst burping a baby. 
         [0002]    Burping is useful in helping a baby release excessive air from its stomach after feeding. A common technique for burping a baby is to hold the baby so that it rests with its head supported on the carer&#39;s shoulder. The carer can then rub or gently pat the baby&#39;s back in order to encourage the baby to burp. 
         [0003]    A problem that arises when burping a baby in the fashion described above is that the carer&#39;s clothes are likely to become soiled. This occurs because babies are prone to dribble and also because a baby may vomit liquid during the burping procedure. One approach to addressing this problem is to place a towel over the shoulder before burping the baby. However, towels and the like have a propensity to shift from the shoulder as the baby moves and also to become damp and soak through to the carer&#39;s underlying clothing. 
         [0004]    The discussion of any prior art documents, techniques, methods or apparatus is not to be taken to constitute any admission or evidence that such prior art forms, or ever formed, part of the common general knowledge. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the above described problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a wearable burping shield adapted to complement a user&#39;s shoulder and including an armhole for receiving an arm therethrough. 
         [0007]    Preferably said shield includes an over shoulder portion. Preferably the over-shoulder portion comprises a material that prevents the transmission of moisture therethrough. 
         [0008]    The over-shoulder portion may include a waterproof material. 
         [0009]    In a preferred embodiment the waterproof material comprises polyurethane film (TPU film). 
         [0010]    The over-shoulder portion may be comprised of a three layer construction wherein the medial layer comprises the waterproof material. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment the opposing outer layers of the three layer construction are made of a moisture absorbent material. 
         [0012]    The moisture absorbent material may comprise a cotton or bamboo fabric material for example. Preferably the absorbent layer comprises a bamboo/cotton blend which may comprise about 70% bamboo and about 30% cotton. 
         [0013]    Preferably the opposing outer layers of the three layer construction are made of readily visible different colors, although the outer layers may also be of the same or similar color. 
         [0014]    Preferably the shield includes a torso portion with sides that attach to opposing ends of the over-shoulder portion to thereby define the armhole. 
         [0015]    The torso portion may include a cut out which cooperates with the over-shoulder portion to define the armhole. 
         [0016]    According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for making a burping shield comprising the steps of: 
         [0017]    a) forming an over-shoulder portion including material that prevents the transmission of moisture therethrough; 
         [0018]    b) forming one or more parts of a torso portion; 
         [0019]    c) joining sides of the one or more parts of the torso portion to ends of the over-shoulder portion to define an armhole therebetween. 
         [0020]    The step a) may include forming an over-shoulder portion comprised of a number of layers of material including outer moisture absorbent layers and an intermediate waterproof layer. 
         [0021]    The step b) preferably includes forming two lateral parts of the torso portion each having a side for joining to the ends of the over-shoulder portion. 
         [0022]    Where the torso portion comprises two or more parts then a further step will preferably be included in the method of joining said two or more parts together to comprise the torso portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1 . Illustrates a burping shield according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2 . Illustrates the burping shield of  FIG. 1  being worn. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3 . Illustrates a diagram illustrating steps in a preferred method for the manufacture of the burping cloth of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4 . illustrates patterns for cutting portions of the burping cloth out of material for manufacture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a burp shield  1  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an over-shoulder portion  3  having opposing ends  5  and  7  which are stitched to sides  9  and  11  of first and second torso portion panels  13  and  15 . The torso portion panels  13  and  15  are in turn stitched (or otherwise fastened) together medially along stitch line  17  to form a torso portion  19 . 
         [0029]    It will be observed that an edge  16  of the over-shoulder portion  3 , in conjunction with arcuate cutouts  21  and  23  of torso portion panels  13  and  15  define an armhole  25 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the burping shield  1  being worn by on the shoulder of a carer  27 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates the steps in a preferred method for making the burping shield. In step  1  a three layer over-shoulder portion  3  is formed comprising outer layer moisture absorbent materials. For example micro fibre woven fabric of cotton or bamboo fibre might be used. In the non-limiting embodiment the outer layers  30 , 31  are of contrasting colors, for example green and white as shown in step  1  of  FIG. 3 . This is because the burping shield can be reversible and by having contrasting colors on the opposing sides of the shoulder portion a user can keep track of which side has been most recently used and reverse the garment if necessary. 
         [0032]    The intermediate layer  32  of the over-shoulder portion is made of a material that is waterproof and prevents the transmission of water from one side to the other. For example the intermediate layer  32  may be comprised of polyurethane (TPU) film. 
         [0033]    Accordingly, it will be realised that step  1  illustrates the formation of an over-shoulder portion including material, namely the intermediate layer of TPU film, that prevents the transmission of moisture therethrough. 
         [0034]    Step  2  shows the provision of two panels  13  and  15  being parts of the torso portion  19  ( FIG. 1 ). Other numbers of panels might be used or alternatively the torso portion could be formed from a single portion in which case joins  17 A and  17 B would not be present. 
         [0035]    Step  3  shows how the over-shoulder panel  3  and first and second panels  13  and  15  are arranged ready for joining along edges  9 ,  5  and  11 ,  7  respectively. 
         [0036]    Step  4  indicates how sides  17 A and  17 B of first and second torso panels  13  and  15  are to be brought together and joined to assemble the torso portion. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  shows patterns for maximising the number of over-shoulder portions and torso panels that may be cut out from sheets of material. 
         [0038]    It will be realised that by providing a burping shield that is adapted to complement a user&#39;s shoulder and which includes an armhole for receiving an arm therethrough, the problem of the burping shield sliding about on the user is addressed. Furthermore, since in a preferred embodiment at least the shoulder portion is made of a material which does not allow for the transmission of water therethrough, the problem of the carer&#39;s clothes becoming soiled may also be alleviated. 
         [0039]    In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. 
         [0040]    The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. 
         [0041]    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.