Patent Publication Number: US-2016227850-A1

Title: Garment guard and methods thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a garment guard. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a garment guard that may comprise a torso shield and an attachment member adapted for use in a vehicle and methods thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Hundreds of millions of people use vehicles for transportation every day across the world. Many of these people are under constant time pressure due to obligations placed upon them by their jobs, hobbies, friends, or family. When placed under strict time constraints, many people lack time required to sit down at a table for every meal. Many individuals are only able to find time to eat and drink while traveling in a vehicle. This is true also for those who take long trips in vehicles and choose to forego stops for meals and/or drinks. Many people enjoy eating and drinking in vehicles as a way to save the time that would be required to stop and eat and/or drink. A downside to eating and drinking in vehicles is that it causes the potential of spilling food and/or drink. Accordingly, food and/or drink is often spilled on those that choose to eat in vehicles, or on parts of the vehicle or its contents. Spills of this type can cause damage to garments worn by the user and/or may even cause injury to the user, such as burns from hot liquids. Thus, there is a need for a garment guard for protecting the garment and/or skin of a person seated in a vehicle and parts of the vehicle or its contents. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a garment guard. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a garment guard that may comprise a torso shield and an attachment member adapted for use in a vehicle and methods thereof. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment guard is provided that may comprise a torso shield adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield to a vehicle seat. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment guard is provided that may comprise a torso shield comprising absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb spilled material; a lap shield disposed on a bottom edge of the torso shield, the lap shield comprising a substantially absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the lap of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield to a vehicle seat. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method using a garment guard is provided that may comprise providing a garment guard comprising a torso shield comprising absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; a lap shield disposed on a bottom edge of the torso shield, the lap shield comprising absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the lap of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield to a vehicle seat; overlaying the torso shield substantially over the torso of the user; overlaying the lap shield substantially over the lap of the user; and attaching the top attachment member to the vehicle seat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the present disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of embodiments encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure, and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a garment guard with two attachment members in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a front view of a garment guard with two attachment members in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a front view of a garment guard with four attachment members in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart of a method of using a garment guard in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the words “may” and “can” are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a garment guard. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a garment guard that may comprise a torso shield and an attachment member adapted for use in a vehicle and methods thereof. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a garment guard  100  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In exemplary embodiments, garment guard  100  may generally comprise a torso shield  102  and a top attachment member  104 . A torso shield  102  may be adapted to cover the torso of a user  114  and absorb a spilled material so that the spilled material is substantially prevented from reaching a garment  110  and/or the skin of the user  114 . For example, the spilled material may be a beverage an/or food, and the torso shield  102  may be adapted to absorb the beverage and/or food so that it does not reach the garment  110  of the user  114 , thereby preventing the garment  110  from getting soiled and/or stained. The top attachment member  104  may comprise a single piece adapted to attach directly to a vehicle seat  112 , or may comprise multiple pieces. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the garment guard  100  may have an image (not shown) printed on the surface facing away from the user  314 . The image may include a duplication of a typical garment worn by a user  314  in order to disguise the use of the garment guard  100  to those outside the vehicle. For example, the image may include a shirt and tie, a t-shirt, a blouse, a dress top, and/or the like and may be disposed on the top surface of the torso shield  102 . By using an image of a typical garment, the user may be able to discretely use the garment guard  100 . A portion of the garment guard  100  may comprise absorbent material adapted to at least partially absorb spilled material. For example, the torso shield  102  may comprise paper, microfiber, fabric, wood pulp fluff, creped cellulose wadding, meltblown polymer, cellulosic fiber, tissue, absorbent foam, absorbent sponge, superabsorbent polymer, absorbent gelling material and/or the like. The garment guard  100  may comprise any shape consistent with the present disclosure. Although the garment guard  100  is depicted as generally rectangular in  FIGS. 1-3 , it may comprise alternative shapes. For example, the garment guard  100  may comprise a circle, triangle, octagon, parallelogram, and/or a freeform shape, such as a tree, a flower, a symbol, a logo, and/or the like. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the torso shield  102  may be adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user  114  seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material. For example, the torso shield  102  may comprise absorbent material and absorb coffee spilled by a user  114  on the torso shield  102 . The torso shield  102  may comprise different sizes adapted to different-sized torsos of different users. In some embodiments, the torso shield  102  may comprise different layers. For example, torso shield may comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet, at least a portion of the backsheet being liquid impervious, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. In this configuration, liquid may pass through the topsheet, become substantially absorbed by the absorbent core, and be retained within the torso shield  102  by the backsheet. The torso shield  102  may also comprise disposable material for ease of disposal and/or recycling. For example, the torso shield  102  may comprise recyclable paper, plastic, and/or the like. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the top attachment members  104  may be adapted to releasably attach a top portion of the torso shield  102  to a vehicle seat  112 . For example, the top attachment members  104  may be adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield  102  to the vehicle seat  112 . The top attachment member  104  may comprise a single piece and be adapted to attach directly to a vehicle seat  112 . For example, the top attachment member may comprise a plurality of hook fasteners and/or an adhesive adapted to couple with a fabric seat. In some embodiments, the top attachment members  104  may comprise multiple components. For example, the top attachment members  104  may comprise a top guard attachment  105  and a top seat attachment  106 . The top guard attachment  105  may extend from a top portion, such as a top edge, of the torso shield  102  and may be adapted to couple with the top seat attachment  106 . The top seat attachment  106  may be adapted to attach to the vehicle seat  112  and also couple with the top guard attachment  105 . For example, top guard attachment  105  and the top seat attachment  106  may comprise a hook and loop fastening set. The top seat attachment  106  may comprise a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side being attached to the vehicle seat  112  and the top side adapted to couple with the top guard attachment  105 . The top seat attachment  106  may be adapted to attach to the vehicle seat  112  with an adhesive, a stitching, a magnet, a stapling, and/or the like. The top guard attachment  105  may comprise an elastic material and/or an adjustable strap for adjustability and/or may comprise the same material as the torso shield  102 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the top guard attachment  105  and top seat attachment  106  may comprise straps and a set of male and female buckle members. For example, the top seat attachment  106  may comprise a female side release buckle member coupled with a strap attached to the seat  112 , and the top guard attachment  105  may comprise a male side release buckle member coupled with a strap attached to the torso shield  102 . The seat attachment  106  may comprise a strap attached to the vehicle seat  112  on a first end with an adhesive, a stitching, a magnet, stapling, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the top guard attachment  105  may comprise a weighted portion and/or the top seat attachment  106  may comprise a housing attached to the vehicle seat  112 . The top seat attachment  106  may be adapted to receive at least the weighted portion of the top guard attachment  105  thereby securing the top edge of the torso shield  102  to the vehicle seat  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front view of a garment guard  100  with two top attachment members  104  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. All elements of the garment guard  100  are the same as described above with respect to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  depicts the garment guard disposed over the seatbelt  108  of the user, thereby protecting the seatbelt  108  from getting soiled and/or stained. The garment guard  100  may be utilized under the seatbelt  108 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 , or over the seatbelt  108 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Although two attachment members  104  are depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , any number of attachment members  104  consistent with the present disclosure is contemplated. For example, one, for, six, eight, or ten attachment members  104  may be disposed in various locations about the garment guard  100 . Alternatively, the entire outside edge of the garment guard  100  may comprise an attachment member  104 , such as a strip of hook and/or loop fasteners or a releasable adhesive. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front view of a garment guard  300  with attachment members  304 ,  316  and a lap shield  320  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. The garment guard  300 , torso shield  302 , top attachment member  304 , top guard attachment  305 , top seat attachment  306 , seatbelt  308 , garment  310 , seat  312 , and user  314  are the same as the similarly numbered elements described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In addition, the garment guard  300  may comprise side attachment members  306  and/or a lap shield  320  adapted to protect a lap garment  322 . In exemplary embodiments, the side attachment members  316  are the same as the top attachment members  304  described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the exception that they are positioned on a side portion of the torso shield  302 , such as a side edge, for restricting the lateral movement of the torso shield  302 . In some embodiments, the side attachment members  316  may comprise a side guard attachment  317  and a side seat attachment  318 , similar to the top guard attachment  105  and top seat attachment  106  described above in the description of  FIGS. 1-2 , respectively. The side attachment member  306  may be adapted to releasably attach a side edge of the torso shield  302  to the vehicle seat  112 . In some embodiments, the attachment members  304 ,  316  may comprise the same attachment elements or different attachment elements. For example, the attachment members  304 ,  316  may both comprise hook and loop fastener sets, or the top attachment members  304  may comprise hook and loop fastener sets and the side attachment members  316  may comprise side release buckle sets. Each individual attachment member  304 ,  316  may comprise any fastening means consistent with the present disclosure. By way of example, any fastening member may comprise a hook and loop fastener, a buckle, a zipper, a button, a snap, a clip, a pin, a releasable adhesive, and/or the like. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the garment guard  300  may comprise a lap shield  320  comprising substantially absorbent material adapted to substantially cover at least a portion of the lap of a user  314  seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb spilled material. While the torso shield  302  may absorb spilled material when directed at the torso area of the user  314 , the lap shield  320  may substantially cover the lap of a user  314  and cover a lap garment  322  worn by the user  314  and/or the seat  312 . For example, the lap shield  320  may cover the pants, shorts, or dress bottom of the user  314 . The lap shield  320  may comprise the same material as the torso shield  302 . For example, the lap shield may comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet, at least a portion of the backsheeet being liquid impervious, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. In alternative embodiments, the lap shield  320  and the torso shield  302  may comprise different material. The lap shield  320  may form a single piece with the torso shield  302  or may comprise a separate piece. For example, the lap shield  320  may comprise a separate piece adapted to releasably attach to a bottom portion of torso shield  302 , such as the bottom edge. The lap shield  320  may be used in conjunction with the torso shield  302  or may be used alone and attached to the seat  312  without a torso shield  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a flowchart of a method  400  of using a garment guard in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a garment guard, such as the examples disclosed herein with respect to  FIGS. 1-3  is provided, where the method may begin at step  410 . In embodiments, such a garment guard may generally comprise a torso shield adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top portion of the torso shield to a vehicle seat. For convenience, the method  400  of  FIG. 4  is described with reference to the garment guard  300  described hereinabove with respect to  FIG. 3 . The method  400  may be carried out using other embodiments as well. 
     At step  420 , a torso shield  302  of the garment guard  300  may be overlaid over the torso of a user  314 . The torso shield  302  may be positioned such that the maximum amount of the torso of the user  314  is covered by the torso shield  302 . The torso shield  302  may be placed over or under the seatbelt  308 , if a shoulder strap seatbelt is used. If a lap shield  320  is included, the lap shield  320  may be overlaid over the lap of a user  314 . The lap shield  320  may be positioned such that the maximum amount of the lap of the user  314  is covered by the lap shield  320 . If the lap shield  320  is releasably attachable to the torso shield  302 , the lap shield  320  may be attached contemporaneously with the torso shield  302  or before or after the placement of the torso shield  302 . The top attachment member  304 , side attachment member  316 , and/or any other attachment members may then be attached to the vehicle seat  312 , thereby securing the garment guard  300  in place. When being used, the user  314  may or may not spill anything on the garment guard  300 . When the user  314  no longer requires the garment guard  300  because the user  314  has finished eating and/or drinking or the user&#39;s  314  vehicle trip has ended, the garment guard  300  may be detached at step  430 . 
     At step  430  any attachment members  304 ,  316  that are attached to the seat  312  may be detached and the garment guard  300  may be removed for disposal or storage. If anything is spilled on the garment guard  300 , the garment guard  300  may be disposed and a second garment guard  300  may be used. If nothing is spilled on the garment guard  300  while in use, the garment guard  300  may be stored and reused. After the garment guard  300  is removed or stored, the method ends at step  440 . 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims. 
     Now that exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     It will be understood that one or more of the steps described can be rearranged, separated, and/or combined without deviating from the scope of embodiments of the disclosure. For ease, steps are, at times, presented sequentially. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation. 
     Further, it will be understood that one or more of the elements and/or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure described can be rearranged, separated, and/or combined without deviated from the scope of the disclosure. For ease, various elements are described, at times, separately. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation. 
     While the various steps, elements, and/or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various steps, elements, and/or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure is to be construed broadly and not limited by the foregoing specification. 
     No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the disclosure unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. 
     Further, the terms “any of” followed by a listing of a plurality of items and/or a plurality of categories of items, as used herein, are intended to include “any of,” “any combination of,” “any multiple of,” and/or “any combination of multiples of” the items and/or the categories of items, individually or in conjunction with other items and/or other categories of items. In addition, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include any number of items, including zero. Further, as used herein, the term “number” is intended to include any number, including zero.