Patent Publication Number: US-11641887-B2

Title: Bib bowl

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Phase of International Application No. PCT/US2017/031822, filed May 09, 2017, which designated the U.S. and that International Application was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English. This application also includes a claim of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/334,246, filed May 10, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to the field of tray and bib systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     While bibs and eating trays for infants and elderly are both available, there remains a need for an effective system that combines the use of both a bib and a tray in such a way that allows greater convenience for the user&#39;s caregiver, such as a mother, or guardian, while still maintaining safety for the user, such as an infant, than what is otherwise commercially available. For example, while bibs may shield an infant from mess during eating, the same bib may not be effective for use while in a moving car or in a baby carriage, either because it doesn&#39;t effectively shield the infant from mess or because it requires an additional tray component for mobile use. Or, for example, a tray and bib combination may be unsuitable and unsafe for use by an infant or elderly, due to components with sharp or metal edges, for example, especially if used in a mobile setting. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for novel and effective bib and tray combination systems for infants and elderly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Various embodiments include a bowl and bib combination for use during feeding of a user, comprising a bowl and a bib operably and physically linked together as a single, flexible and collapsible piece. In another embodiment, the bowl and the bib are positioned in a perpendicular fashion to each other. In another embodiment, the single, flexible and collapsible piece is made of silicone. In another embodiment, the bib is adapted for use by an elderly user. In another embodiment, the bib is adapted for use by an infant user. In another embodiment, the bowl is adapted for use by an elderly user. In another embodiment, the bowl is adapted for use by an infant user. In another embodiment, the single, flexible and collapsible piece is dishwasher safe. In another embodiment, the single, flexible and collapsible piece is BPA free. In another embodiment, the single, flexible and collapsible piece is lightweight. In another embodiment, the bowl contains two compartments. In another embodiment, the bowl contains three or more compartments. In another embodiment, the compartments are adapted for carrying food for an infant or child. In another embodiment, the bowl further comprises an air tight lid. In another embodiment, the bib further comprises a slit for carrying utensils and/or accessories. In another embodiment, the bib contains a silicone adjustable button for sizing and security by the user. In another embodiment, the bowl and bib combination is described as  FIGS.  1 - 6    herein. 
     Other embodiments include a bowl and bib combination for mobile feeding by an infant user, comprising a bowl and a bib operably linked as a single, flexible and collapsible piece, wherein the bib is angled in a downward fashion to stabilize the bowl on a table for the infant user. In another embodiment, the bowl and bib combination is adapted for use in a car seat. In another embodiment, the bowl and bib combination is adapted for use in a stroller. 
     Other embodiments include a method of mobile feeding for an individual, comprising providing a bowl and bib combination, comprising a bowl and a bib operably linked as a single, flexible and collapsible piece, and feeding the individual. In another embodiment, the individual is an infant. In another embodiment, the individual is an adult. In another embodiment, the individual is elderly. 
     Various embodiments include a portable device, comprising a bowl to carry food by the user, a bib comprising a sufficient amount of surface area to fully protect a user from dropped food, and a lid for sealing the contents of the bowl, wherein the portable device is in its entirety a single, flexible and collapsible piece. In another embodiment, the material is a dishwasher safe material. In another embodiment, the user is an infant. In another embodiment, the bowl contains one or more dividers. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, various embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates, in accordance with embodiments herein, an example of a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination, where the bib  100  is in a closed position, and the bib is non-adjustably connected to the bowl. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates, in accordance with embodiments herein, an example of a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination, where the bib  100  is in a unclosed position. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates, in accordance with embodiments herein, an example of a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination, further includes a slit  106  to hold utensils, such as a fork and spoon.  FIG.  3 A  illustrates the open slit;  FIG.  3 B  illustrates the closed slit  106 , with both fork and spoon fitting in unison into a single slit of the bib  100 . 
         FIG.  4    illustrates, in accordance with embodiments herein, an example of a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination, further including a lid  105  for the bowl  101 . In accordance with embodiments herein, when closed, the lid  105  may create an air-tight seal. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates, in accordance with embodiments herein, an example of a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination, showing the lid  105  in an open position. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates, in accordance with embodiments herein, an example of a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination as used by an infant. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates, in accordance with embodiments herein, an example of a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination shown from the side with the bowl  101  rolled up into the bib  100 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     All references, publications, and patents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as though they are fully set forth. Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. One skilled in the art will recognize many methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein, which could be used in the practice of the present invention. Indeed, the present invention is in no way limited to the methods and materials described. 
     As used herein, the term “infant” also includes newborns, toddlers and young children. 
     As disclosed herein, the inventor designed various bib  100  and bowl  101  combinations, such as a silicone bib  100  that is also a bowl  101  all-in-one for babies and toddlers, or in a larger size, for elders that may have difficulty eating while sitting up.  FIGS.  1 - 6    herein provide illustrative examples of the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination. The bib  100  and bowl  101  combination was created from the inventor&#39;s own need as a new mother and inability to find anything suitable on the market for her baby. Like other mothers, the inventor wanted something practical and suited for an often times “on the go” and hectic schedule. In accordance with embodiments herein, the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination is made as a single piece/ molding, is simple to use, easy to handle, light weight, and can be made relatively inexpensively. In accordance with embodiments herein, the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination catches spills effectively while also including a bowl  101 , all in one single piece. In accordance with embodiments herein, the combination also includes 2 simple dividers  102  within the bowl for the convenience of having 3 food groups all at once for a more nutritious meal and without them getting mixed together. As a result, the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination allows a parent to save time and energy by feeding their child full meals on the go while they sit in their car seat, or stroller, or even walking. After they are finished, the parent can throw any food remains in any type of trash can where ever you are and easily just grab a wet wipe and wipe it clean and dispose of at the on-the-go location. Then the parent could just roll up and throw back into their diaper bag the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination and wash later or even wash at their convince in a bathroom nearby during the next diaper change. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a bowl and bib combination comprising a bowl  101  and bib  100  operably linked as a single, flexible and collapsible piece. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a bib  100  that is a bowl  101  all-in-one for babies and toddlers. In another embodiment, the bib  100  is a large size adapted for use of elders in hospital beds, and/or individuals who have difficulty eating sitting completely up. In another embodiment, the bowl  101  and bib  100  combination is made of silicone. In another embodiment, the bowl  101  and bib  100  combination is dishwasher safe and/or BPA Free. In another embodiment, the bowl  101  and bib  100  combination provides a single and light weight piece that is particularly suited for mobile use. In another embodiment, the bib  100  contains an adjustable button  103 . In another embodiment, the adjustable button  103  goes to a squared point. In another embodiment, mobile use includes feeding an infant meals on the go while they sit in their car seat, stroller, and/or walking. In another embodiment, the bowl  101  of the bowl  101  and bib  100  combination includes one or more dividers  102 . In another embodiment, the bowl  101  includes two or more dividers  102 . In another embodiment, the bowl  101  includes two dividers  102  for the convenience of having three different food groups all at once for a more nutritious meal and without mixing the food groups. In another embodiment, the bowl  101  and bib  100  combination is adapted for easy cleaning. For example, after use by an infant, the parent may throw any food remains in the trash, use a wet wipe to clean and dispose of any subsequent mess at the location, and then roll up the bowl  101  and bib  100  combination and place it into a diaper bag for washing later, such as in a bathroom nearby during the next diaper change. In another embodiment, the space  104  between eating and bowl  101  of the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination is only 4 to 5 inches, which is covered by silicone material. In another embodiment, the bowl  101  further includes a lid  105 . In another embodiment, the closed lid  105  provides an air tight seal with the bowl  101 . In another embodiment, the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination contains a decorative design and/or print. In another embodiment, the bib  100  of the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination further contains a slit  106  for carrying additional utensils or accessories  107 . In another embodiment, the slit  106  contains a fork and/or spoon that fits in unison into the slit. 
     Further, in accordance with embodiments herein, the neck section of the bib  100  could be angled and then used as a leveling device, so that a child or infant user may eat from the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination while facing the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination, such as one would conventionally eat from a stable bowl for any table. 
     As an example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination with a neck space, of 8¼ inches in length, and/or 10½ to 12 inches in diameter. In another embodiment, the space is 5 to 8 inches in length. In another embodiment, the space is 8 to 12 inches in length. In another embodiment, the space is 12 to 18 inches in length. In another embodiment, the space is 15 to 20 inches in length. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination with a total vertical length of 12 inches. In another embodiment, the total vertical length is 5 to 10 inches. In another embodiment, the total vertical length is 10 to 20 inches. In another embodiment, the total vertical length is 20 to 30 inches. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination includes one or more adjustable buttons  103  that go to a squared point. In another embodiment, the one or more adjustable buttons  103  are ¾ inches in length. In another embodiment, the one or more adjustable buttons  103  are ½ inch to 1 inch in length. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination that includes an additional gap for the adjustable button  103  to be inserted for security purposes. In another embodiment, the additional gap is a ½ inch gap. In another embodiment, there are 3 size options. In another embodiment, there are 1 to 5 size options. In another embodiment, the adjustable button  103  is silicone. In another embodiment, there is 3¾ inches between the bottom of the neck space  104  and the bowl  101 . In another embodiment, there is between 2 and 8 inches between the bottom of the neck space  104  and the bowl  101 . In another embodiment, the present invention provides a bib  100  and bowl  101  combination with a plurality of dividers  102 , wherein the dividers  102  are separated by 3 inches. In another embodiment, the plurality of dividers  102  are separated by between 1 and 4 inches. In another embodiment, the bib  100  and bowl  101  combination includes three dividers  102 , wherein the middle divider  102  has a width of 3½ inches between inner and outer bowl  101 , and each of the two outside dividers  102  has a width of 2½ inches between inner and outer bowl  101 . In another embodiment, the divider  102  is silicone. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are further described in the following examples. The examples are merely illustrative and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention as claimed. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 
     Some Advantages 
     The bib and bowl combination is a silicone bib that is also a bowl all-in-one for babies and toddlers. Or, for larger sizes, for the help of elders in hospital beds or any other need for them since they have trouble eating sitting completely up. The bib and bowl combination is dishwasher safe as well as BPA Free. The bib and bowl combination was initially designed from the inventor&#39;s own idea as a new mother and wanting something on the market like this for her baby since she&#39;s always on the go and always have a very hectic schedule so, like herself, caters to busy parents on the go. Since it is made as one single piece/molding, it is simple to use, easy to handle, light weight, and very inexpensive as well since it isn&#39;t made from any type of expensive material. 
     Instead of using a bib for just “catching spills” and “protecting kids clothes”, the bib and bowl combination is not only 100% more effective in these cases from any bib on the market today but it also provides the actual bowl all-in-one. It includes 2 simple dividers within the bowl for the convenience of having 3 food groups all at once for a more nutritious meal and without them getting mixed together. 
     With the bib and bowl combination, one can save a ton of time and energy by feeding your child full meals on the go while they sit in their car seat, or stroller, or even walking. After they are finished, any food remains can be thrown way in any type of trash can wherever they are and easily just grab a wet wipe and wipe it clean and dispose of at their on-the-go location. Then one could just roll up and throw back into their diaper bag and wash later or even wash at their convince in a bathroom nearby during the next diaper change, for example. 
     The bib and bowl combination is much more efficient in catching spills than any other bib on the market because it eliminates any space between any plate, or bowl, or table, or counter, or even a stroller bar which is always used to place snacks for kids when on the go. Spills still happen. They always still happen because that space is large. With the bib and bowl combination, the space is completely eliminated to just about 4-5″ which is completely covered by the silicone material and even if spills happen in that space, gravity pulls it right down to be caught in the bowl of the bib itself. 
     From a practical standpoint, parents are exhausted. Parents may not have time to watch a child eat for an hour at a table, or being on a car trip and having to pull over to feed their child. Then having dirty Tupperware, if the parent packed healthy meals for their child, which is bulky, wasting valuable time just sitting there waiting for your kid to finish eating which most of the time they end up playing with their food, or even being so busy that while on the go, their child gets hungry but need to grab something quick and less nutritious because it&#39;s less messy but can end up giving their child a stomachache or long-term effect of just being a less healthy kid over all. As a busy, tired parent the bib and bowl combination makes life so much easier and less messy and most importantly the option to eat messy and more balanced meals because it&#39;s 2 things in one with much more security when it comes to spills. 
     The various methods and techniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out the invention. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all objectives or advantages described may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods can be performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectives or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. A variety of advantageous and disadvantageous alternatives are mentioned herein. It is to be understood that some preferred embodiments specifically include one, another, or several advantageous features, while others specifically exclude one, another, or several disadvantageous features, while still others specifically mitigate a present disadvantageous feature by inclusion of one, another, or several advantageous features. 
     Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the applicability of various features from different embodiments. Similarly, the various elements, features and steps discussed above, as well as other known equivalents for each such element, feature or step, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to perform methods in accordance with principles described herein. Among the various elements, features, and steps some will be specifically included and others specifically excluded in diverse embodiments. 
     Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and modifications and equivalents thereof. 
     Many variations and alternative elements have been disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. Still further variations and alternate elements will be apparent to one of skill in the art. Various embodiments of the invention can specifically include or exclude any of these variations or elements. 
     In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. 
     In some embodiments, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar references used in the context of describing a particular embodiment of the invention (especially in the context of certain of the following claims) can be construed to cover both the singular and the plural. The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations on those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. It is contemplated that skilled artisans can employ such variations as appropriate, and the invention can be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, many embodiments of this invention include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     Furthermore, numerous references have been made to patents and printed publications throughout this specification. Each of the above cited references and printed publications are herein individually incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that can be employed can be within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention can be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to that precisely as shown and described.