Patent Publication Number: US-2018042313-A1

Title: Multi-purpose apron

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/372,519 entitled “MULTI-PURPOSE APRON” filed on Aug. 9, 2016. 
    
    
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a multi-purpose apron. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for a multi-purpose apron that improves upon multitasking during various activities. 
     The multi-purpose apron of the present invention may be used, for example, during activities such as cleaning, performing house or automotive repairs, providing various medical services, caring for a child, caring for an elderly or disabled person, or working with hazardous materials. 
     Currently a person is unable to effectively and/or efficiently perform multiple tasks and maintain clean and dry apparel when both hands are occupied or where different fabrics or materials are necessary for completion of the tasks being performed. 
     On prior art solution is the use of a hands-free apron or towel designed to cover the user&#39;s apparel from the armpits to the knees or from the waist to the knees. These aprons are generally formed from a single material that keep the user&#39;s apparel or clothing clean. 
     One prior art solution that attempts to address the need for multiple materials while performing a given activity (e.g., cooking or automotive work) is attaching a towel to the user&#39;s belt or apron. Attachment is accomplished by tucking the towel into the belt or apron strings. 
     Accordingly, what is needed then are improvements to the utility and design of aprons. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention provide a multi-purpose apron including a main apron portion for protecting a user&#39;s clothes, the user, and/or any surfaces that the user is working on. For example, the main apron portion may be a soft cloth for protecting furniture and cars being serviced by the user as well as protecting the user&#39;s clothes. The main apron portion extends from the waist of the user to the user&#39;s knees. The apron further includes an extension having a material different from the main apron portion and a pocket for the user to place their hand in to use on the surface being worked on. For example, the extension may have a material selected for dusting furniture, or a material selected to wipe surfaces dry and clean. 
     In one aspect, an apron includes a main apron portion and an extension. The main apron portion is configured to wrap around a user and substantially cover the user from a waist of the user to a knee of the user. The main apron portion includes a first material. The extension is connected to the main apron portion. The extension includes a second material different from the first material of the main apron portion. 
     In one aspect, an apron includes a main apron portion and an extension. The main apron portion is configured to wrap around a user and substantially cover the user from a waist of the user to a knee of the user. The extension is connected to the main apron portion. The extension includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is attached to the main apron portion. The second layer is attached to the first layer at, at least a portion of an exterior edge of the first layer of the extension. The second layer is not attached to the first layer along an interior edge of the second layer such that the first and second layers cooperate to form a pocket along the extension. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a second face of an apron according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first face of the apron of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a user wearing the apron of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second face of an apron according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a user wearing the apron of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second face of an apron having various fasteners according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second face of an apron according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second face of an apron according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a second face of an apron having one or more pockets according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a plurality of apron extensions according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a plurality of apron extensions according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an inner face of an apron according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an outer face of an apron according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Reference will now be made in detail to optional embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawing and in the description referring to the same or like parts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. 
     To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, a number of terms are defined below. The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the claims. 
     As described herein, an upright position is considered to be the position of apparatus components while in proper operation or in a natural resting position as described herein. Vertical, horizontal, above, below, side, top, bottom and other orientation terms are described with respect to this upright position during operation unless otherwise specified. The term “when” is used to specify orientation for relative positions of components, not as a temporal limitation of the claims or apparatus described and claimed herein unless otherwise specified. The terms “above”, “below”, “over”, and “under” mean “having an elevation or vertical height greater or lesser than” and are not intended to imply that one object or component is directly over or under another object or component. 
     The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     In one embodiment, a multi-purpose apron  100  includes a main apron portion  102  that wraps around and covers the circumference of a portion of a user&#39;s body (e.g., from the waist to the knees). The main apron portion  102  serves to protect the user&#39;s apparel and/or the user when the apron  100  is to be worn in environments having substances dangerous to humans present (e.g., acids, bases, bleaches, poisons, etc.). The wraparound main apron portion  102  may be formed of nylon, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, or any various other known fabrics or materials. The main apron portion  102  may be formed of one or more fabrics. For example, the main apron portion  102  may be a sandwich of cotton, PVC, and cotton to provide an outer surface useful in house cleaning while providing a waterproof fabric that protects the user&#39;s clothes. The main apron portion  102  may comprise a plurality of portions comprising one or more fabrics or materials, such as first main apron portion  146  and second main apron portion  148  as shown in  FIG. 4 , The first main apron portion  146  and second main apron portion  148  may each comprise one or more fabrics. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the first main apron portion  146  has a top edge  150 , a bottom edge  152 , a first end  154 , and a second end  156 . The second main apron portion  148  has a top edge  158 , a bottom edge  160 , a first end  162 , and a second end  164 . The second end  156  of first main apron portion  146  and the first end  162  of second main apron portion may abut each other. The main apron portion  102  is sized to fit snugly and securely about a user&#39;s body, such as by fitting around the waist. The wraparound main apron portion  102  may further comprise a material useful for cleaning a user&#39;s hands, various objects, or various surfaces; an absorbent material; a durable material; a flexible material; an oil-resistant material; and/or a waterproof material. The wraparound main apron portion  102  may therefore, also comprise cotton, leather, wool, microfiber fabrics, polyurethane laminate, fleece, hemp, bamboo, modal, terry cloth, velour, oilcloth, or many other known fabrics. It is understand that references herein to fabrics also refer to the materials discussed herein. 
     The wraparound main apron portion  102  may further comprise a material useful for working with dangerous and hazardous chemicals, such as rubber. The wraparound main apron portion  102  may further comprise a material useful for preventing the transmission of radiation, such as lead. 
     The wraparound main apron portion  102  of the apron  100  may also comprise a fastener, such as a hook-and-loop type fastener, release buckles, cam buckles, magnetic buckles, strap adjustors, a mechanical connector, buttons, a bungee cord with a stop designed to serve as a drawstring, or other known fasteners. The fastener (i.e., first portion  114  and second portion  116  of the fastener) of the wraparound main apron portion  102  may be designed or utilized in a manner such that a length of the wraparound main apron portion  102  is adjustable. 
     The wraparound main apron portion  102  may have an outer face  700  and an inner face  702  which may be comprised of different pieces of fabrics. The fabric(s) comprising the outer face  700  and the inner face  702  may be the same type of fabric or different types of fabric and may be sewn to each other or form one unitary piece. A wrap around main apron fastener  600  (e.g. a hook and loop type fastener strip, snap button fasteners, or any other kind of fastener) may be attached to the outer face  700  of the wraparound main apron portion  102  near a first end  704 . One or more wraparound main apron portion fastener receiving pieces  606  (e.g. loops, corresponding snap button pieces, etc.) may be attached or formed in the fabric comprising the inner face  702  near a second end  706  of the wrap around main apron portion  102  to receive the wraparound main apron portion fastener  600 . Two or more fastener receiving openings  608  may be formed in only the fabric comprising the inner face  702  or both the fabric comprising the inner face  702  and the fabric comprising the outer face  700  of the wrap around main apron  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the wraparound main apron portion fastener  600  may be a hook and loop type fastener strip configured to have a hook type fastener portion  602  and a loop type fastener portion  604 . The hook type fastener portion  602  or the loop type fastener portion  604  may be attached to the outer face  700 . The corresponding hook and/or loop type fastener portion may be configured to be received in wraparound main apron portion fastener receiving loop  606  or in wraparound main apron portion fastener receiving openings  608 , such that the fastener may be folded back towards the corresponding hook and/or loop type fastener portion attached to the outer face  700  of wrap around main apron  102 , allowing a user to snugly wear wraparound main apron portion  102 . 
     The apron extension portion  104  may have an outer face  900  and an inner face  902  which may be comprised of different pieces of fabrics. The fabric(s) comprising the outer face  900  and the inner face  902  may be the same type of fabric or different types of fabric and may be sewn to each other or form one unitary piece. An apron extension portion fastener  800  (e.g. a hook and loop type fastener strip, snap button fasteners, or any other kind of fastener) may be attached to the outer face  700  of the wrap around main apron at a predetermined distance nearer the second end  706  of the outer face  700  of the wrap around main apron. One or more apron extension fastener receiving pieces  806  may be attached to the fabric comprising the inner face  902  of the apron extension  104  to receive the apron extension portion fastener  800 . Two or more fastener receiving openings  808  may be formed in only the fabric comprising the inner face  902  or both the fabric comprising the inner face  902  and the fabric comprising the outer face  900  of the apron extension portion  104 . 
     In one embodiment, the apron extension fastener  800  may be a hook and loop type fastener strip configured to have a hook type fastener portion  802  and a loop type fastener portion  804 . The hook type fastener portion  802  or the loop type fastener portion  804  may be attached to the outer face  700  of the wrap around main apron portion  102 . The corresponding hook and/or loop type fastener portion may be configured to be received in apron extension fastener receiving loop  806  or in apron extension fastener receiving openings  808 , such that the fastener may be folded back towards the corresponding hook and/or loop type fastener portion attached to the outer face  700  of wrap around main apron portion  102 , allowing the user to wrap the apron extension  104  around their waist. 
     In one embodiment, the apron  100  has one or more extensions  104  connected to or formed integrally with wraparound main apron portion  102 . It is understood, therefore, that discussion of the apron extension  104  includes one or more apron extensions  104 . The extensions may be attached to the same or different sections of a second end  112  of the main apron portion  102  such that the extensions  104  are overlapping and/or beside one another along the second end  112  of the main apron portion  102 . The apron extension  104  may include the same fabric or material as the wraparound main apron portion  102  or may include another material. The apron extension  104  may include one or more fabrics or materials that are useful for drying and/or cleaning a user&#39;s hands and/or various objects or surfaces. The apron extension  104  may include one or more fabrics or materials useful for holding or gripping various objects or surfaces. For example, the apron extension  104  may comprise various polymers, such as natural polymeric materials like wool, silk, cellulose, or natural rubber; synthetic polymers such as synthetic rubber, neoprene, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl butryal, silicone; or other materials such as sandpaper. The apron extension  104  may comprise a plurality of portions comprising one or more fabrics or materials, such as first apron extension portion  166  and second apron extension portion  168  as shown in  FIG. 4 , The first apron extension portion  166  and second apron extension portion  168  may each comprise one or more fabrics. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the first apron extension portion  166  has a top edge  170 , a bottom edge  172 , a first end  174 , and a second end  176 . The second apron extension portion  168  may have an inner edge  178  that abuts the second end  176  of the first apron extension portion  166 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the apron extension  104  may have an outer rounded edge  180  at one end. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the second apron extension portion  168  may have an outer rounded edge  180 . 
     The apron extension  104  may include a fastener at one or both ends (i.e., first end  140  and/or second end  142 ) that is designed to fasten the extension  104  to the wraparound main apron portion  102  of the apron  100 . The apron extension  104  may be fastened to the wraparound main apron portion  102  at multiple locations on the wraparound main apron portion  102 , such as at a location where the apron extension  104 , when so fastened, covers all or part of a front side of a user; or at a location where the apron extension  104 , when so fastened, covers all or part of a back side of a user. 
     In one embodiment, one or more apron extensions  104  may connect to one location on the wraparound main apron portion  102  and one or more other apron extensions  104  may connect to a different location. The apron extension  104  may be connected at one end such that the apron extension  104  is not removable or the apron extension  104  may be releasably or removeably connected to one or more locations on the wraparound main extension. The apron extension may be configured, therefore, to hang loosely when not fastened at one end (e.g., the second end  142 ). The apron extension  104  may also be configured to only have a fastener on one end (e.g., the first end  140  attached to the main apron portion  102  at the second end  112  of the main apron portion  102 ). Use of a fastener on only one end of the apron extension  104  may be desirable where a fastener would interfere with use of the apron extension  104  to clean, grip items, etc. 
     In one embodiment, the apron extension  104  may include a hand pocket  136  for improved hand grasp assist. The hand pocket  136  may be located at one end of the apron extension  104  (e.g., second end  142 ) to allow for grasping the apron extension  104  to use it for various tasks, such as holding a hot, hazardous, or unclean item, cleaning a surface, etc. 
     In one embodiment, the apron extension  104  may be tapered on any one side. The apron extension  104  be also be otherwise sized and shaped for specific tasks. 
     In one embodiment, the apron  100  may have an attached pocket  118  to assist in holding objects useful for performing various tasks or for holding objects that are easily misplaced. For example, the pocket  118  may allow the user to carry additional tools for use in hard-to-reach places, such as when a user is lying on their back and performing a repair or cleaning. Additionally, other items such as small towels, wallets, keys, cell phones, etc. can be carried in the pocket  118 . Pockets  118  can be of various number, sizes, and designed to be extendable and/or expandable. Pockets  118  may also be designed to hold an item in place (e.g., include a flap that is buttoned or hook and loop fastened). One or more pockets  118  may be located at various locations on the wraparound main apron portion  102 . 
     In one embodiment, one or more loops  120  or other hanging means may serve as an item holder and may be provided on an outside face of the apron  100  to allow for hanging storage and/or the ability to carry small tools required to complete a task (i.e. a screwdriver, small paint brush, pens/pencils, etc.). The loops  120  may be located at various locations on the wraparound main apron portion  102  or on the one or more apron extensions  104 . The loops  120  may be designed to be selectively sizeable, to allow various items to be held by the loops. The loops  120  also may be designed so that various items can hang from and/or be connected to them. The loops  120  or other hanging means provide a hanging storage option and may be formed of an elastic material that allows sufficient resiliency to hold basic cleaning tools or objects essential to job that the apron  100  is designed for while minimizing the gravitational pull of the object being held while the user is wearing the invention. The loops  120  may be formed of nylon, vinyl, polypropylene, polyester, various elastomers, and various other known fabrics or materials. In one embodiment, the multi-purpose apron  100  may comprise various other item holders  120 . The item holders  120  may be designed to be detachable so as to facilitate cleaning of the multi-purpose apron  100 . 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of item holders  120  may be located on the main apron portion  102 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The plurality of item holders may comprise one or more types of fasteners, such as one more hook fasteners  502 , elastic loop fasteners  504 , snap fasteners  506 , or loop and button fasteners  508 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , hook type fastener  502  may be configured to hold an item (e.g. tongs). As shown in  FIG. 6 , elastic loop fastener  504  may have a holding piece  505  which can configured to hold an item by inserting holding piece  505  into the end of the item (e.g., such as a spoon having a hole in the handle). 
     In another embodiment, one or more main apron hook or loop type fastener strips  510  may be attached or fastened to main apron portion  102  to allow items having either hook or loop type fastener strips to be fastened to main apron portion  102 . For example, item hook or loop type fastener strip  514  may be sewn or attached to item  512  (e.g., a towel, potholder, etc.) so that item  512  may be be fastened to one or more main hook or loop type fasteners  510  attached or sewn to main apron portion  102 . Similarly, one or more main apron magnetic strips  516  may be attached or sewn into main apron portion  102  to allow items having magnetic strips to be fastened to main apron portion  102 . For example, an item magnetic strip  520  may be attached to item  518  (e.g., a phone, eyeglasses, eyeglass case, etc.) so that item  518  may be fastened to main apron portion  102 . Item  518  may also be an item that is naturally attracted to a magnet, such as a metal utensil or metal measuring cup. 
     The apron  100  may be adapted for a number of different uses depending on the materials of the apron. For instance, features of the multi-purpose apron can be adapted for uses included, but not limited to, use by homemakers and do-it yourselfers for many household tasks or use by various other commercial workers (such as blacksmiths, carpenters, servers, mechanics, bartenders, car washers, and medical professionals) to protect themselves or their apparel from damage. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , an apron  100  includes a main apron portion  102  and an extension  104 . The main apron portion  102  is configured to wrap around a user and substantially cover the user from the user&#39;s waist to the user&#39;s knees (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The main apron portion  102  includes a first material (e.g., terry cloth cotton). The main apron portion  102  has a top edge  106 , a bottom edge  108 , a first end  110 , and a second end  112 . In one embodiment, the main apron portion  102  further includes a first portion  114  of a fastener at the top edge  106  and first end  110  of the main apron portion  102 . The main apron portion  102  has a corresponding second portion  116  of the fastener at the top edge  106  and second end  112  of the main apron portion  102  of the apron  100 . The fastener may be a button and button hole, hook and loop fastener, snap, or other fastener. In one embodiment, the first portion  114  of the fastener is a button, and the second portion or the fastener  116  is a plurality of corresponding fastening elements (e.g., button holes) along the top edge  106  of the main apron portion  102  of the apron  100 . The plurality of button holes allows the apron  100  to adjust to the waist size of the user for a proper fit. In another embodiment, The first portion  114  of the fastener is a plurality of button holes (or other fastener portion), and the second portion  116  of the fastener is a button (or other corresponding fastener portion). In one embodiment, the second material of the extension  104  extends past the second end  112  of the main apron portion  102  toward the first end  110  of the main apron portion  102 . In one embodiment, a first face  130  of the extension  104  is the first material, and a second face  132  of the extension  104  opposite the first face  130  of the extension  104  is the second material. In another embodiment, both the first face  130  and the second face  132  of the extension  104  are the second material. 
     In one embodiment, the main apron portion  102  further includes a pocket  118 . The pocket  118  may have a top opening  182  in an edge of the pocket  118  closest to the top edge  106  of the main apron portion  102 . That is, the pocket  118  may be generally upright when the user is wearing the apron  100  such that the pocket  118  can hold a telephone or other items. The pocket  118  may have a plurality of openings. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pocket  118  may have a top opening  182  and a bottom opening  184  such that the pocket  118  is operable to hold various items that are larger on one end, such as a spoon. The pocket  118  may have one or more side openings  186 . Any opening of pocket  118  may be configured to vary in width. For example, the pocket  118  may have a bottom opening that has a width less than the width of the top opening to facilitate holding of variously shaped items. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the width of openings of pocket  118  may be be configured to vary in size by use of one or more fasteners positioned at openings  182 ,  184 , or  186 , such as one or more buttons  188  with corresponding button holes  190 , one or more zip fasteners  192 , one or more hook and loop type fasteners  194 , or other fasteners. The fasteners positioned at top opening  182  may be separated by a top opening fastener gap  196  having a predetermined width  198  configured to hold a particular item. The fasteners positioned at bottom opening  184  may be separated by a bottom opening fastener gap  200  having a predetermined width  202  configured to hold a particular item. The predetermined width  198  of top opening fastener gap  196  may be greater than the predetermined width  202  of bottom opening fastener gap  200 . The predetermined width  198  of top opening fastener gap  196  may be less than the predetermined width  202  of bottom opening fastener gap  200 . The predetermined width  198  of top opening fastener gap  196  may be substantially the same width as the predetermined width  202  of bottom opening fastener gap  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the main apron portion  102  further includes a loop  120  or ring at the top edge  106  and second end  112  of the main apron portion  102  of the apron  100 . The loop  120  or ring may, for example, be attached to the back of the button  116 . The loop or ring  120  can be used to hang cleaning products, keys, or other items used while performing the functions associated with the type of the apron  100 . As discussed above, the apron  100  may be made of different materials for use in different functions. 
     The extension  104  is connected to the main apron portion  102 . The extension  104  includes a second material (e.g., knit cotton) different from the first material of the main apron portion  102  of the apron  100 . In one embodiment, the extension  104  includes a first layer making up the first face  130  of the extension  104  and a second layer making up the second face  132  of the extension  104 . In one embodiment, the first layer is attached to the main apron portion  102 , and the second layer is attached to the first layer at, at least a portion of an exterior edge of the first layer of the extension  104 . The second layer is not attached to the first layer along an edge  134  of the second layer such that the first and second layers cooperate to form an opening or hand pocket  136  along the extension. The pocket  136  allows the user to insert their hand and use the extension to wipe surfaces clean or dry. One or more hand pockets  136  may be located at various locations on the one or more apron extensions  104 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 , a first hand pocket  336  may be located on a first apron extension  304  and a second hand pocket  436  may be located on second apron extension  404 . Hand pockets  336  and  436  may be comprised of various fabrics. For example, hand pockets  336  and  436  may be comprised of silicone or a thick fabric to facilitate use of both hand pockets  336  and  436  to grab an item, such as a pot or pan. Hand pocket  336  and  436  may also be comprised of different fabrics and configured to facilitate cleaning or polishing of various items where two separate fabrics may be required, such as a fabric used to apply a wax and another fabric used to remove the wax or where a wet and dry fabric is needed. The apron extension  104  may include materials other than cotton, as discussed above, such as sandpaper such that the extension can be used for sanding such as used in automotive painting or furniture finishing. 
     In one embodiment, the extension  104  has a first end  140 , a second end  142 , and a bottom edge  144 . The first end  140  of the extension  104  is connected to the main apron portion  102  at the second end  112  of the main apron portion from the top edge  106  to the bottom edge  108  of the main apron portion. In one embodiment, the extension  104  tapers from the top edge  106  at the second end  112  of the main apron portion toward the second end  142  and bottom edge  144  of the extension  104 . In one embodiment, the bottom edge  108  of the main apron portion  102  is coextensive with the bottom edge  144  of the extension  104 . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims 
     It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
     All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and/or executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful MULTI-PURPOSE APRON it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.