Patent Abstract:
Various embodiments are provided for changeable bibs. In one embodiment, among others, a bib includes a backing layer and a replaceable layer that is detachably connected to a bottom portion of the backing layer. The backing layer includes first and second tabs defining a neck opening and is configured to be secured around a neck of a user.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled “CHANGEABLE BIB” having Ser. No. 61/412,851, filed Nov. 12, 2010, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Children often drool or spill food and drink while eating, soaking clothing and causing discomfort. Older adults such as patients in nursing homes may also find themselves in the same position. While a bib can be used to protect the person&#39;s clothing, spilled liquids may also soak through the bib and into the clothing. Quick replacement of the bib can minimize, or even prevent, the liquid from soaking into the clothing. However, quick replacement is often hindered by the need to replace the entire bib. Moreover, keeping extra bibs available for replacement may be cumbersome. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a bib according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a backing layer of the bib of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a replaceable layer of the bib of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating an example of a backing layer of the bib of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating an example of a replaceable layer of the bib of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Disclosed herein are various embodiments related to a bib for children and/or adults. Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicate like parts throughout the several views. 
         [0010]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , shown is an example of a bib  100  for children and/or adults. The bib  100  includes a backing layer  103  and a detachably connected a replaceable layer  106 . The backing layer  103  includes first and second tabs  109  that extend at a proximal end from a bottom portion  113  to define a neck opening  116 . A distal end of the tabs  109  may be overlapped and detachably connected together to secure the bib  100  around the neck of a child. The tabs  109  may be detachably connected by a fastener  119  such as, but not limited to, a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®), a fastening snap, a fastening hook, a button and button hole, etc. In some embodiments, the tabs  109  may include elastic to seal (or close) around the individual&#39;s neck when the fasteners  119  are secured. The bottom portion  113  extends down the front of the individual to cover his or her chest and/or stomach. 
         [0011]    The backing layer  103  is waterproof to repel drool and other liquids to allow the individual to stay dry. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the backing layer  103  includes a flexible waterproof liner  203  made of vinyl, plastic, or other appropriate waterproof material. A fabric cover  206  covers the waterproof liner  203 . The fabric cover  206  is on a front side (or on both the front side and a back side) of the waterproof liner  203  and may be affixed to the waterproof layer  203  by stitching, adhesive, and/or other appropriate securing means. The fabric cover  206  may be made of a utility fabric in a solid color or in a patterned design. The utility fabric may be a wrinkle free cotton, cotton blend fabric, terry cloth, etc. The color may include, but is not limited to, red, blue, green, black, white, orange, brown, navy blue, and pink. In some implementations, the waterproof liner  203  is a flexible waterproof coating applied to an inner side of the fabric cover  206 . For example, the backing layer  103  may be polyurethane laminate (PUL) fabric. 
         [0012]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , detachably connected to the bottom portion  113  of the backing layer  103  is the replaceable layer  106 . The replaceable layer  106  may be detachably connected to the backing layer  103  by one or more fasteners  123  such as, but not limited to, a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®), a fastening snap, a fastening hook, a button and button hole, and a zipper. The fastener  123  may be affixed to the front of the backing layer  103  and the back of the replaceable layer  106 . In some embodiments, the fastener  123  may extend across the entire width of the backing layer  103 . 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the replaceable layer  106  includes a fabric backing  303  covered by an absorbent cover  306 . The absorbent cover  306  and the fabric backing  303  may be made of a utility fabric such as, but not limited to, a wrinkle free cotton or cotton blend fabric. The absorbent cover  306  may include patterns and/or designs such as, but not limited to, personal monograms, holiday designs, and college team mascots, logos, and/or colors. Extra material may be included between the absorbent cover  306  and the fabric backing  303  to provide added absorbency. In some embodiments, the replaceable layer  106  is reversible. A reversible replacement layer  106  includes first and second absorbent covers on opposite sides of the replacement layer. Designs may be on both absorbent covers. Appropriate fasteners  123  may be located on both the absorbent covers to secure the replaceable layer  106  to the backing layer  103 . 
         [0014]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , shown is another example a backing layer  103  without a replaceable layer  106  attached. In some embodiments, the fastener  123  may extend across the entire width of the backing layer  103  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In addition, the backing layer  103  may include one or more fixing point(s)  126  such an opening or attachment loop to attach items such as, e.g., a pacifier, a name tag, a wiping cloth, etc. to the backing layer  103 . For example, the fixing point  126  may be a button hole that is sized for the attachment of a pacifier with a strap or elastic band. The fixing point  126  may be on a tab  109  or at another location on the backing layer  103  as can be appreciated. The backing layer  103  may also include one or more storage pocket(s)  129  affixed at various locations on the backing layer  103  for storing items. Storage pocket(s)  129  may be on a front side and/or a back side of the backing layer  103 . By placing the storage pocket  129  on the back side, the backing layer can provide protection for the items located in the storage pocket  129 . In some embodiments, a pocket  129  may be included to store a pacifier. 
         [0015]    Referring next to  FIG. 5 , shown is another example a replaceable layer  106 . As with the backing layer  103 , the replaceable layer  106  may include one or more fixing point(s)  126  such an opening or attachment loop to attach items such as, e.g., a pacifier to the replaceable layer  106 . In addition, one or more storage pocket(s)  129  may be provided at various locations on the replaceable layer  106 . For example, a storage pocket  129  may be provided on the backside of the replaceable layer  106 . The replaceable layer  106  may also include a crumb catcher  133  extending across the bottom edge of the replaceable layer  106 . The crumb catcher  133  is affixed to the replaceable layer  106  along the bottom and sides by stitching, adhesive, and/or other appropriate securing means. The crumb catcher  133  remains open across the top to catch crumbs or other debris that moves down the front surface of the replaceable layer  106 . 
         [0016]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations 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) 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 protected by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0