Patent Publication Number: US-2021177171-A1

Title: Adhesive napkin apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The embodiments relate to napkins, and more specifically to disposable napkins and bibs. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Historically, napkins have been made from cloth, but more recently, they have shifted to being manufactured out of paper. Over the years paper napkins have seen changes in size, ply, or even with additions of cleaning substances on or absorbed in their contents, such as with wet wipes and baby wipes. Paper napkins are disposable and cheaper to mass produce than cloth napkins. It is for this reason that more expensive and dine-in restaurants will provide cloth napkins for their customers, which may be laundered and reused, as opposed to dine-out eateries and restaurants for whom giving away cloth napkins, unlikely to be returned to subsequent use, would be cost prohibitive. Similarly, bibs in the industry are, in most cases, made of plastic. Plastic and cloth napkins/bibs combined leave substantially larger ecological footprints than paper products in terms of production, litter, and the overall cost and water usage to repeatedly clean cloth products. 
     Disposable napkins and bibs come in many forms. Existing bibs are typically affixed to the user by tying attached strings or integrated extension arms around the user&#39;s neck. Other bibs utilize clips to attach to the user&#39;s clothing. Of the few known self-adhesive bibs and napkins, the provided adhesive means utilize an excessive and inconvenient adhesive attachment, limiting their usefulness and increasing their cost of production. For these reasons, such goods are primarily used only in medical-type settings, and it is uncommon and relatively unknown for takeout and drive-through restaurants to offer self-adhesive bibs or napkins. 
     As well as for catching fallen food crumbs, napkins are also put into practice by users to wipe their mouths/faces from food and sauce remnants. However, in meals that require more sauce or dressing the user may find him or herself running out of unused space on the napkin to wipe themselves with as the used space is visibly dirty. The absorbent portion of existing napkin products is typically of a singular construction, not intended to be divided or separated, and thus the device remains intact once soiled. In such situations, users may tear off corners or portions of their napkins to avoid sitting with the mess on their lap and/or accidentally contacting the soiled area and spreading the very mess that the device was intended to avoid. Consumers would benefit from the ability to more easily separate and dispose of the soiled portions of a napkin as they continue to dine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The present embodiments disclose an adhesive napkin apparatus. The adhesive napkin apparatus includes a sheet of absorbent material having an inner face and an outer face. At least one adhesive strip is positioned on the inner face of the sheet. Each adhesive strip is configured to semi-permanently adhere to the fabric of the user&#39;s clothing. A removable cover strip is coupled to each adhesive strip to prevent incidental adhesion before use. 
     The apparatus provides a disposable napkin which can be distributed by the restaurant or other food provider at the time the food is purchased. The apparatus can then be adhered to the user while eating to protect the user&#39;s garments. Once finished, the apparatus can be easily removed and disposed without damage to the garment. 
     In one aspect, the sheet is rectangular and includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge. 
     In one aspect, the sheet has a medial vertical perforation and a plurality of horizontal perforations, the horizontal and vertical perforations defining a plurality of separable portions of the sheet. 
     In one aspect, the adhesive strips comprise a pair of adhesive strips positioned on a topmost pair of the separable portions. 
     In one aspect, a length of each of the left edge and the right edge is at least twice a width of the top edge and the bottom edge. 
     In one aspect, each adhesive strip is an elongated, horizontal rectangle. 
     In one aspect, a height of each adhesive strip is equal to 25% of a width of each adhesive strip. Each adhesive strip may have a width of 2″ and a height of ½″. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of an adhesive napkin apparatus, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear perspective view of an adhesive napkin apparatus, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of an adhesive napkin apparatus, according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an environmental view an adhesive napkin apparatus, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to a system and method of use. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstrative purposes only and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom. 
     Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the system and method. Accordingly, the system components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second”, “top” and bottom”, and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of an adhesive napkin apparatus  100  comprising a sheet of absorbent material  110  having an inner face  205  (see  FIG. 2 ) and an outer face  120 . The sheet  110  may be rectangular and include a top edge  125 , a bottom edge  130 , a left edge  135 , and a right edge  140 . A length of each of the left edge  135  and the right edge  140  may be at least twice a width of the top edge  125  and the bottom edge  130 . The length of each of the left edge  135  and the right edge  140  and the width of the top edge  125  and the bottom edge  130  are dimensioned to cover a substantial portion of the user&#39;s shirt to prevent stains and may be dimensioned  32 ″ and  15 ″, respectively, to create a total coverage area of 480 square inches. 
     In some embodiments, the sheet  110  has a medial vertical perforation  145  and a plurality of horizontal perforations  150 . The horizontal  150  and vertical perforations  145  define a plurality of separable portions  155  of the sheet. There may be  14  separable portions  150 . As each portion  155  is soiled it may be easily torn off and disposed of to prevent transferring the mess to the user&#39;s hands and clothing upon further use. Portions  155  may also be torn off while clean to be used as traditional napkins. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  is comprised of a plurality of plies to increase strength and absorbency. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may be provided in a folded configuration to increase storage capacity and shipping efficiency following the manufacture of the apparatus  100 . Following use, the apparatus  100  may be folded to trap and contain any spilled foodstuff until disposal. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates at least one adhesive strip  200  positioned on the inner face  205  of the sheet. Each adhesive strip  200  is configured to semi-permanently adhere to the fabric of the user&#39;s clothing. The adhesive used on each adhesive strip  200  must be configured to behave appropriately with the material selected for the sheet  110 . The adhesive strips  200  may be comprised of, but are not limited to, an elastomer consisting of natural and/or synthetic rubbers and an adhesive such as rosins, resins, or other pressure-sensitive tackifiers. The adhesive strips  200  must be configured to adequately adhere to the user&#39;s clothing so as to be not come off inadvertently during use, such as when the user moves or wipes her hands, yet when the apparatus  100  is being removed from the clothing, the adhesive strips  200  must come off without tearing the surrounding sheet  110 . The number of adhesive strips  200  used and the dimensions of each affects both of these behaviors. A singular, long adhesive strip has been shown to suffer from significant tearing. For this reason, among others, the adhesive strips  200  may comprise a pair of adhesive strips  200  positioned on a topmost pair  160  of the separable portions. The pair of adhesive strips  200  can offer a reduced total contact area with the sheet  110 , as opposed to using a singular, long strip, while increasing the total perimeter of adhesive from the adhesive strips  200  contacting the sheet  110 . Additional adhesive strips  200  may be positioned on the sheet  110  at other desired locations depending on the anticipated use and needs of the user. 
     In some embodiments, the adhesive strip is constructed of an adhesive element which is strong enough to remain in position during use, while being easily removable as to not damage or leave a residue on the garments worn by the user. 
     In some embodiments, each adhesive strip  200  is an elongated, horizontal rectangle having a height equal to 25% of its width. Using adhesive strips  200  with a width of 2″ and a height of ½″ has been shown to work most effectively. Each strip  200  may be positioned 2″ from the top edge  125  and 2″ from the respective left edge  135  or right edge  140 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 3 , a removable cover strip  300  is coupled to each adhesive strip  200  opposite the side affixed to the inner face  205  of the sheet  110 . The cover strips  300  prevent accidental adhesion before use and allow the apparatus  100  to be packaged and stored in stacks without separators or individual packaging. The cover strips  300  are applied in a manner to create a peel adhesion which allows the user to easily remove each cover strip  300  from the respective adhesive strip  200  without removing the adhesive strip  200  from the sheet  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the sheet  110  comprises at least a two-ply material to prevent tearing when wet or soiled, as well as to improve absorption. 
     In some embodiments, the sheet  110  comprises a disposable, recycled material for environmental sustainability and convenience. The sheet  110  may further be comprised of various paper materials known in the arts. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus  100  may be utilized by users while seated, driving, or otherwise when requiring hands-free assistance with preventing messes from reaching their clothing. It is contemplated that the apparatus  100  would be affixed to an upper portion of the user&#39;s shirt via adhesive strips  200  such that the lower portion of the sheet  110  would be draped down over the user&#39;s clothes. From this position, the user may prevent messes, such as foodstuffs, from contacting the user&#39;s clothing underneath, while permitting the user to detach any desired separable portions  155  as they become soiled or as needed for use as a traditional napkin. Consequently, the apparatus  100  is suited for many uses and applications, but it is particularly intended for use by consumers of takeaway and drive-through restaurants. Users consuming food while driving are prone to spillage on their clothing, and yet, restaurants rarely, if ever, provide any type of disposable bib for the customer to protect their clothing. 
     According to the preferred embodiments, the provided apparatus  100  is designed with manufacturing costs in mind to minimize the cost to wholesale purchasers, such as restaurant chains. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  is dimensioned to at least partially cover various garments which are worn by the user, including a long-sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, dress, blouse, pants, and shorts to suitably protect the user from spillage of foodstuff. The apparatus  100  may be particularly useful when consuming foodstuff in a vehicle, or in a similar space wherein spillage is likely. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  has one or more advertisement portions which are adapted to display imagery such as an advertisement, signage, or likewise image. 
     Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination. 
     An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.