Abstract:
An adult bib having a liquid impermeable full front panel, and a partial back panel including a pair of shoulder support panels is disclosed. The adult bib may include two arm openings, an adjustable closeable rear neck opening, and a closable storage pocket to collect, secure and contain any spillage after use. The partial back and arm openings resist displacement during use. The full front panel in combination with the partial back panel make the wearer appear to be wearing a standard shirt/blouse when seated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/173,711 filed Jun. 10, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to adult bibs. And more particularly relates to adult bibs having a liquid impermeable lined front panel, two permanent arm openings, an adjustable closeable rear neck opening. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Adults who are required to wear bibs may feel resentment or embarrassment about their appearance while wearing conventional bibs. Furthermore, conventional bibs may become displaced during use. Protective shirts or vests have been proposed for use as replacements for conventional bibs. However, protective shirts or vests with a full closed back are hard to put on because they require the protective shirt or vest to be slipped on over the wearer&#39;s head and arms. Protective shirts or vests with a full back that opens are hard to put on because the wearer must lean forward from the back of the chair or bed in which they are sitting/lying. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides an adult bib having a liquid impermeable full front panel, and a partial back panel including a pair of shoulder support panels. The adult bib may include two arm openings, an adjustable closeable rear neck opening, and a closable storage pocket to collect, secure and contain any spillage after use. The partial back and arm openings resist displacement during use. The full front panel in combination with the partial back panel make the wearer appear to be wearing a standard shirt/blouse when seated. 
         [0005]    An aspect of the present invention is to provide an adult bib comprising a full front panel comprising first and second upper shoulder portions, an upper edge defining a front portion of a neck opening, first and second side edges, a lower edge, a first arm opening edge extending from the first upper shoulder portion to the first side edge defining a front portion of a first arm opening, and a second arm opening edge extending from the second upper shoulder portion to the second side edge defining a front portion of a second arm opening, and a partial back panel comprising first and second back shoulder support panels, the first back shoulder support panel comprising a first upper shoulder support portion attached to the first upper shoulder portion of the full front panel, a first outer side edge attached to the first side edge of the full front panel, a first upper edge defining a first rear portion of the neck opening, a first arm opening edge extending from the first upper shoulder support portion to the first outer side edge defining a rear portion of the first arm opening, a first inner side edge releasingly engageable with the second back shoulder support panel, and a first lower edge located at a height above a height of the lower edge of the full front panel, and the second back shoulder support panel comprising a second upper support portion attached to the second upper shoulder portion of the full front panel, a second upper edge defining a second rear portion of the neck opening, a second outer side edge attached to the second side edge of the full front panel, a second arm opening edge extending from the second upper shoulder support portion to the second outer side edge defining a rear portion of the second arm opening, a second inner side edge releasingly engageable with the first inner side edge of the first back shoulder support panel, and a second lower edge located at a height above the height of the lower edge of the full front panel. 
         [0006]    This and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  a front view of the adult bib in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as worn by an individual. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the adult bib of  FIG. 1 , as worn by an individual. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the adult bib of  FIG. 1 , as worn by an individual. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  front view of the adult bib in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention depicting the back shoulder support panels in a closed position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the adult bib of  FIG. 4  depicting the back shoulder support panels in a closed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the adult bib of  FIG. 4  depicting the back shoulder support panels in an open position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the adult bib of  FIG. 4  depicting the back shoulder support panels in an open position and the self-contained storage pocket. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates the adult bib folded into its self-contained storage pocket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The present invention provides an adult bib which is easy to put on and functions to comfortably and conveniently protect the wearer&#39;s clothing while not appearing to be functioning as a bib to the casual observer. The full front panel, along with the partial back panel including shoulder support panels, allow for the adult bib to appear as a regular article of clothing while still having the utility to protect against spills and stains of all varieties. The full front panel may be any natural or synthetic fabric with a liquid impermeable liner, which provides the appearance of a normal article of clothing while protecting against spills. As used herein, the term “adult bib” means a bib that can be worn by people ranging from children to adults to elderly individuals. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an adult bib  5  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as worn by an individual. The adult bib  5  includes a full front panel  10  having a lower edge  12 , first and second side edges  13 ,  14 , first and second arm opening edges  15 ,  16 , upper edge  17 , and first and second upper shoulder portions  18 ,  19 . The full front panel  10  may rest against the front of the wearer&#39;s torso. The width and height of the full front panel  10  may be varied depending on the size of the wearer of the adult bib  5 . For example, the width of the full front panel  10  may be from 1.5 feet to 4 feet or more. The height of the full front panel  10  may typically range from 1 to 6 feet or more, e.g., from 2 to 4 feet. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 , the adult bib  5  includes a partial back panel  20  that may be attached to the full front panel  10 . The partial back panel  20  includes first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31 . The first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  include first and second lower edges  22 ,  32 , first and second inner sides edges  23 ,  33 , first and second arm opening edges  24 ,  34 , first and second outer side edges  25 ,  35 , first and second upper shoulder support portions  26 ,  36 , and first and second upper edges  27 ,  37 . 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 , the first and second upper shoulder portions  18 ,  19  of the full front panel  10  may be secured to the first and second upper shoulder support portions  26 ,  36  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  at first and second upper shoulder attachment locations  45 ,  46 . The first and second side edges  13 ,  14  of the full front panel  10  may be secured to the first and second outer side edges  25 ,  35  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  at first and second lower shoulder attachment locations  47 ,  48 . The first and second outer side edges  25 ,  35  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may have heights to allow the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  to be secured to full front panel  10 , e.g., from 0.25 to 3 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches. 
         [0019]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may be permanently secured to the full front panel  10  at first and second upper shoulder attachment locations  45 ,  46  using a variety of methods including stitching, mechanical fasteners, adhesives or any other suitable method. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may be stitched to the full front panel  10  at the first and second upper shoulder attachment locations  45 ,  46 . In another embodiment, the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  of the partial back panel  20  may be integrally formed with the full front panel  10  at the first and second upper shoulder attachment locations  45 ,  46 . Alternatively, in certain embodiments, one or more of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may be releasingly secured to the full front panel  10  at the first and second upper shoulder attachment locations  45 ,  46  using any suitable type of releasable fastener, e.g., hook and loop fasteners, snaps, magnets, buttons and the like. 
         [0020]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may be permanently secured to the full front panel  10  at first and second lower shoulder attachment locations  47 ,  48  using a variety of methods including stitching, mechanical fasteners, adhesives or any other suitable method. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may be stitched to the full front panel  10  at the first and second upper shoulder attachment locations  47 ,  48 . In another embodiment, the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  of the partial back panel  20  may be integrally formed with the full front panel  10  at the first and second lower shoulder attachment locations  47 ,  48 . Alternatively, as shown in phantom  FIG. 3 , one or more of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may be releasingly secured to the full front panel  10  at first and second lower shoulder attachment locations  47 ,  48  using any suitable type of releasable fastener  70 , e.g., hook and loop fasteners, snaps, magnets, buttons and the like. For example, the first and second lower shoulder attachment locations  47 ,  48  may be formed using a releasable snap fastener  70 . 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 , the first and second arm opening edges  15 ,  16  of the full front panel  10  may extend from the first and second upper shoulder attachments  45 ,  46  to the first and second lower shoulder attachments  47 ,  48 . The first and second arm opening edges  24 ,  34  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may extend from the first and second upper shoulder attachments  45 ,  46  to the first and second lower shoulder attachments  47 ,  48 . 
         [0022]    The first and second arm opening edges  15 ,  16  of the full front panel  10  may form a first and second front portion of the first and second arm openings  40 ,  41 . The first and second arm opening edges  24 ,  34  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may form a first and second rear portion of the first and second arm openings  40 ,  41 . 
         [0023]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the first and second arm openings  40 ,  41  may be sized to allow the insertion of the wearer&#39;s arms through the first and second arm openings  40 ,  41 . In the embodiment shown, no material extends outward from the first and second arm opening edges  15 ,  16  of the full front panel  10  or first and second arm opening edges  24 ,  34  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31 . In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second arm openings  40 ,  41  may include sleeves extending from the first and second arm opening edges  15 ,  16  of the full front panel  10  and first and second arm opening edges  24 ,  34  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31 . The sleeves (not shown) may be included to allow for the adult bib  5  to appear as a standard shirt/blouse having sleeves. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 , the upper edge  17  of the full front panel  10  is between the first and second upper shoulder portions  18 ,  19 . The first and second upper edges  27 ,  37  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  extend from the first and second upper shoulder attachments  45 ,  46  to the first and second inner sides edges  23 ,  33 . The upper edge  17  of the full front panel  10  forms a first front portion of the adjustable neck opening  42 . The first and second upper edges  27 ,  37  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  form a first and second rear portion of the adjustable neck opening  42 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the adjustable neck opening  42  may be opened or closed by a releasingly engageable relationship between the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31 . The first and second inner side edges  23 ,  33  of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  may be secured together at the adjustable neck attachment location  49 . The first and second inner side edges  23 ,  33  may be secured together using an adjustable fastener system that contains a first fastener  51  near the first inner side edge  23  of the first back shoulder panel  21  and a second fastener  52  near the second inner side edge  33  of the second back shoulder panel  31  providing an adjustably fitting neck opening  42 . When the fasteners are secured, the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31  rest against the wearer&#39;s back to keep the full front panel  10  in place. In the embodiment shown, the fasteners are hook and loop fasteners sold under the brand name VELCRO®. However, any suitable means for securing the first back shoulder panel  21  to the second back shoulder panel  31 , including snaps, magnets or buttons are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the adjustable neck opening  42  allows the adult bib  5  to be worn by wearers having range of sizes. In certain embodiments, when the adult bib  5  is worn by a wearer with a smaller upper body, a greater portion of first and second shoulder panels  21 ,  31  will overlap causing distance between first and second inner edges  23 ,  33  when the adjustable neck attachment location  49  is formed to be longer. For example, in a particular embodiment, when the adjustable neck attachment location  49  is formed, the overlap of the first and second shoulder panels  21 ,  31  measured in the horizontal direction in  FIGS. 2 and 5  may range from 1 to 12 inches, or from 1.5 to 10 inches, or from 2 to 8 inches. In another embodiment, when the adult bib  5  is worn by a wearer with a larger upper body, a smaller portion of the first and second shoulder panels  21 ,  31  will overlap causing the distance between the first and second inner side edges  23 ,  33  when the adjustable neck attachment location  49  is formed to be shorter. For example, in a particular embodiment, when the adjustable neck attachment location  49  is formed, the overlap of the first and second shoulder panels  21 ,  31  measured in the horizontal direction in  FIGS. 2 and 5  may range from 0.1 to 3 inches, or from 0.25 to 2.5 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the full front panel  10  of the adult bib  5  has a height H F , and the partial back panel  20  has a height H B . The partial back panel  20  height H B  is less than the full front panel height  10  H F , e.g., at least 25 percent to less than 100 percent the full front panel height  10  H F , or from 50 percent to 90 percent. For example, the ratio of H F :H B  may be from  1 .2:1 to 2.5:1, for example, from 1.5:1 to 2.2:1 For example, the full front panel  10  height H F  may range from 1 to 6 feet, or from 1.2 to 4.5 feet, or from 2 to 4 feet. For example, the partial back panel  10  height H B  may range from 4 to 24 inches, or from 6 to 20 inches, or from 8 to 16 inches. In a particular embodiment, the full front panel height H F  may be 26 inches and the partial back panel height H B  may be 12 inches. The full front panel  10  of the adult bib  5  has a width W F . The full front panel  10  width W F  may be less than the full front panel  10  height H F . For example, the full front panel  10  width W F  may range from 0.5 to 5 feet, or from 1 to 3.5 feet, or from 1.5 to 3 feet. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the adjustable neck opening  42  has an adjustable neck opening width W N  and the first and second upper shoulder portions  18 ,  19  have a width W S . The adjustable neck opening  42  width W N  may be greater than the upper shoulder portions  18 ,  19  width W S . For example, the ratio of W N :H S  may be from 1.5:1 to 3.5:1, for example, from 2:1 to 3:1. For example, the adjustable neck opening  42  width W N  may range from 6 to 50 inches, or from 7.5 to 30 inches, or from 8 to 24 inches. The upper shoulder portions  18 ,  19  width W S  may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 2 to 8 inches, or from 3 to 6 inches. 
         [0029]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the partial back panel  20  covers only a partial portion of the wearer&#39;s back. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, while the bib is worn by an individual the majority of the wearer&#39;s back remains exposed. The design and location of the first and second back shoulder support panels  21 ,  31 , fasteners  51 ,  52  and closeable neck opening  42  enable the adult bib  5  to be put on an individual while in a seated position in a backed chair without requiring the individual to move their lower back away from the support of the chair. Additionally, the adult bib  5  enables an individual to be conveniently placed into the adult bib  5  when an individual is at a 45-90 degree semi-upright seated position in a hospital bed. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the full front panel  10  may include a storage pocket  60  for storing the entire adult bib  5 . The storage pocket  60  may be formed by securing material having a bottom edge  61 , first and second side edges  62 ,  63 , and a top edge  64  to the full front panel  10 . The bottom edge  61  of the storage pocket  60  may be secured along a portion or the entire length of the bottom edge  12  of the full front panel  10 . The first and second side edges  62 ,  63  of the storage pocket  60  may be secured near the first and second side edges  13 ,  14  of the full front panel  10 . The top edge  64  of the storage pocket  60  should not be secured to the full front panel  10 . This results in a storage pocket opening providing the ability for the adult bib  5  to be rolled into the storage pocket  60 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the top edge  64  of the storage pocket  60  and the storage pocket opening may be provided at a height from the bottom edge  12  of the full front panel  10 . In accordance with certain embodiments, the material of the storage pocket  60  is the same material as the material used for the full front panel  10 . However, any suitable material may be used to create the storage pocket  60 , including cotton, nylon, polyester and the like. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the entire adult bib  5  may be rolled into the storage pocket  60  when not in use by an individual. The adult bib  5  of the present invention rolls into the storage pocket  60  to collect any spillage on the full front panel  10 . The storage pocket  60  may contain a first fastener  66  and the front panel  10  may contain a second fastener  67 . The first fastener  66  of storage pocket  60  may then be secured to the second fastener  67  of the full front panel  10  to contain any spillage after use. This function allows for a quick and convenient cleanup, which contains any spillage providing a clean transportation until the adult bib  5  of the present invention can be adequately washed. The storage pocket  60  allows the adult bib  5  to be transportable after use and not get anything else it comes into contact with dirty. In addition, the storage pocket  60  may be integral with the adult bib  5  and cannot be lost. In the embodiment shown, the fasteners  66 ,  67  are hook and loop fasteners sold under the brand name VELCRO®. However, any suitable means for securing the storage pocket  60  to the full front panel  10 , including straps, snaps, magnets or buttons are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0032]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the front panel  10  may comprise at least one layer of material. In another embodiment, the front panel  10  may comprises two or more layers of material. For example, the full front panel  10  may include an exterior fabric layer and an interior liquid impermeable layer. The exterior fabric layer and the interior liquid impermeable layer of the full front panel  10  may be may be stitched together to form the full front panel  10  of the adult bib  5 . However, the two or more layers may be secured together using a variety of methods including mechanical fasteners, adhesives, heat bonding, or any other suitable method to create the full front panel  10  of the adult bib  5 . 
         [0033]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the exterior fabric layer of the full front panel  10  may be made of a material that provides both decorative and functional characteristics. For example, the fabric layer of the full front panel  10  may be made from a nylon fabric that is easy to clean-up, dries quickly when washed and has limited resistance to spills. However, it is to be understood that any other suitable natural or synthetic material, such as cotton, silk, polyester and the like, may be used to provide the exterior fabric layer of the full front panel  10 . 
         [0034]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the interior liquid impermeable layer of the full front panel  10  may be made of any suitable material, such as a natural/synthetic material coated with a liquid impermeable film. The fabric may comprise any suitable natural or synthetic material, such as cotton, nylon, polyester and the like. The liquid impermeable film may be polyethylene, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane and the like. In another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid impermeable interior liner may be made of a single layer of a liquid impermeable sheet of material, such as polyethylene, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane and the like. 
         [0035]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the partial back panel  20  may be made of a material that provides both decorative and functional characteristics. For example, the partial back panel  20  may be made from a nylon fabric that is easy to clean-up, dries quickly when washed and has limited resistance to spills. However, it is to be understood that any other suitable natural or synthetic material, such as cotton, silk, polyester and the like, may be used to provide the exterior fabric layer of the partial back panel  20 . 
         [0036]    In the embodiment shown, the full front panel  10  of the adult bib  5  may have a decorative collar near the upper edge  17 . As shown, the full front panel  10  of the adult bib  5  may be decorated with lace. However, the adult bib  5  may be decorated with any other suitable material, including buttons, beads, rhinestones, thread or the like. In another embodiment, the decorative collar may include any suitable type of collar. For example, the upper edge  17  may include any suitable type of collar such as button down, classic, golf, spread, eyelet and the like. 
         [0037]    Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.