Abstract:
Systems and method for supporting one or more infant care appliances with a bib via one or more convenient bights (strands of a woven material, e.g.).

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Infant care imposes so many long-felt needs upon a caregiver that many go overlooked by innovators. Infant care remains difficult notwithstanding innovation, but for those in the trenches conveniences add up. Baby bibs are a ubiquitous solution for protecting clothing but could be more effective than they are for other aspects of infant care. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]      FIG. 1  depicts an infant care system configured to grip an infant care appliance in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
           [0003]      FIG. 2  depicts an infant care system gripping an infant care appliance in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
           [0004]      FIG. 3  depicts an in-progress bib assembly, exemplifying a first state of progress in constructing an infant-care system. 
           [0005]      FIG. 4  depicts a bib assembly exemplifying a second state of progress more advanced than that of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 5  depicts an infant care system assembly flow in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
           [0007]      FIG. 6  depicts an infant care system configured to grip an infant care appliance in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
           [0008]      FIG. 7  depicts the infant care system of  FIG. 8  in a different position, showing additional features. 
           [0009]      FIG. 8  depicts an infant care system having a (nominally) trapezoidal shape. 
           [0010]      FIG. 9  depicts an infant care system having a (nominally) semicircular shape. 
           [0011]      FIG. 10  depicts a single-piece, machine-washable infant care system in use on an infant. 
           [0012]      FIG. 11  depicts a manner in which the infant can use the single-piece, machine washable infant care system of  FIG. 10  with little or no assistance from a caregiver. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    As used herein, the phrases “in one embodiment, “in one or more embodiments,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” and the like may be used repeatedly. Such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” are synonymous open descriptors except where the context dictates otherwise. The detailed description that follows primarily comprises concisely described, select examples intended to facilitate rapid understanding of content herein that is not widely known. 
         [0014]    “Adjacent”, “between”, “cloth”, “complementary”, “configured”, “containing”, “effective,” “extending”, “first”, “gripped”, “hanging”, “having”, “inward”, “larger”, “longest”, “lowest”, “machine-washable”, “outward”, “releasably”, “required”, “second”, “sewn”, “significant”, “single”, “smaller”, “stitched”, “substantial”, “suitable”, “through”, “wherein,” “woven”, or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal yes-or-no sense, not as terms of degree, unless context dictates otherwise. In light of the present disclosure those skilled in the art will understand from context what is meant by “effective” and by other such context-specific descriptors used herein. 
         [0015]    Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While embodiments are described in connection with the drawings and related descriptions, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described, including all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, whether or not explicitly illustrated and/or described, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In various alternate embodiments, additional devices, or combinations of illustrated devices, may be added to, or combined, without limiting the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an infant care system  100  in which one or more inventive technologies may be present as described below. Infant care system  100  includes (at least) a bib body  120  having several corners  141 ,  142 ,  143  and edges  151 ,  152 ,  153  as shown. Extending from a first corner  141  is a part of one or more strands  105  configured to grip an infant care appliance.  FIG. 1  also depicts a stud face of a “first” snap side  131  and (a smooth backside of each of) a selection of “second” snap sides  132 A-B by which the bib size (effective circumference) can be adjusted. To implement a smaller effective circumference  125 , for example, a user presses the stud face of snap side  131  with a socket face of snap side  132 B (see  FIG. 2 ) rather than of snap side  132 A. Alternatively, the adjustable bib size can be accomplished by other fasteners (buttons or Velcro hook-and-loop structures, e.g.). 
         [0017]    When engaged, the smaller effective circumference  125  is between 10 and 14 inches as shown. The effective length  121  of the body  120  (measured from the effective circumference  125  to an endmost point of corner  141 , e.g.) is between 6 and 8 inches as shown. The effective length  108  of the part of the one or more strands  105  extending beyond body  120  is between 1 and 4 inches as shown. It is contemplated, however, that any of these parameters may vary outside these ranges. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an infant care system  200  in which one or more inventive technologies may be present, optionally including an instance of infant care system  100  of  FIG. 1  (flipped over and) further including (a pacifier as) an infant care appliance  210  affixed thereto. In some variants, a closed handle or other suitable portion  207  of the appliance  210  may (optionally, in some variants) be gripped by a knot  206 . The knot  206  may be a cow hitch (as shown), for example, formed by feeding a bight of strand  105  through the closed handle of the appliance  210  and then passing the appliance through the bight.  FIG. 2  also depicts a socket face of a “second” snap side  132 B and a smooth backside of the “first” snap sides  231  by which the bib size can be adjusted to implement its larger effective circumference  225 . The configuration of snap side  231  with any “second” snap side  232  optionally implements a safety snap assembly (having a release force of 5-20 lbs., e.g.). 
         [0019]    When engaged, the larger effective circumference  225  is between 12 and 18 inches as shown, being more than 10% larger than and less than 30% larger than the smaller effective circumference  125  of infant care system  200 . The effective length  221  of the body  120  (measured from the effective circumference  225  to a lowest point of corner  141 , e.g.) is substantially the same as (within 5%) the effective length  121  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  also depicts a curved recess  293  (depicted with hashing and positioned along the longest edge  153  of body  120 ) at least 0.3 inches wide and tapering to a point at each end (adjacent respective corners  142 ,  143 ). Such a recess allows the body  120  to assume a saddle shape without substantial tension along its other primary edges  151 ,  152  thus reducing a tendency for the bib to crease in use. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a partial bib assembly  300  in which one or more inventive technologies may (optionally, in some variants) be present as described below, illustrating a first state of progress in constructing the above-described infant care systems  100 ,  200 . Bib assembly  300  includes a first 3-sided piece  311  (unshaded) laid over (at least) a second 3-sided piece  312  (shaded) of flat material (a cotton, microfiber, or other elastic or semi-elastic cloth, e.g.). Each of these pieces  311 ,  312  includes a first corner  341  associated with a first corner  141  of infant care system  100 , a second corner  342  associated with a second corner  142  of infant care system  100 , and a third corner  343  associated with a third corner  143  of infant care system  100 . Each of these pieces  311 ,  312  likewise includes a first edge  351  generally aligned along a first edge  151  of infant care system  100 , a second edge  352  somewhat generally along a second edge  152  of infant care system  100 , and a third edge  353  generally aligned along a third edge  153  of infant care system  100  as shown. Between the pieces  311 ,  312  of material is one or more strands  305  (each having one or more inward-extending bights  301  and outward-extending ends  302 , e.g.) that can become like the infant care system  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a bib assembly  400  in a second state of progress, more advanced than that of  FIG. 3 . Stitching  460  has been applied so as to define three primary sides  461 ,  462 ,  463  of which a longest side  463  has a concave curvature along at least half of its length. Also one of its sides has a gap  465  in stitching  460  that is longer than 1 inch, further described below. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates an operational flow  500  suitable for use in assembling one or more inventive infant care systems described herein. As will be recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art, not all events of infant care system configuration are illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Rather, for clarity, only those steps reasonably relevant to describing the atypical assembly are shown and described. Those having ordinary skill in the art will also recognize the present embodiment is merely one exemplary embodiment and that variations on that embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the broader invention described herein. 
         [0024]    Operation  515  depicts aligning a first triangular piece of material over another with one or more bights between them at a corner so that the strand has outward-extending ends (positioning a strand  305  with outward-extending ends  302  and one or more inward-extending bights  301  as shown between the pieces  311 ,  312 , e.g.). 
         [0025]    Operation  525  depicts stitching along two edges of the material adjacent the first corner and also along a longer third edge so that most of the stitched third side makes a concave curve and the stitching is continuous except at a stitching gap formed along the first edge (stitching along edges  351 ,  352  adjacent corner  341  and also along edge  353  so that most of the stitched third side  463  makes a concave curve, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in which the strand is a woven material and in which the stitching  460  is continuous except at a stitching gap  465  formed along the first edge  461 , e.g.). 
         [0026]    Operation  535  depicts turning the assembly inside out so that the bight(s) at the first corner is outward-extending and secured by the stitching (inverting assembly  400  by passing the stitched-in strand and the pieces  311 ,  312  through gap  465  so that bight  305  becomes an outwardly-extending bight  105 , e.g.). This can occur, for example, after any extra peripheral material (more than ⅜ inch from stitching  460 , e.g.) is trimmed off. 
         [0027]    Operation  535  depicts completing the assembly, such as by placing additional stitching to close the gap, by adding complementary engagement components (snap sides  131 ,  132  or Velcro® hook-and-loop strips, e.g.), and by adding one or more infant care appliances (engaging a spoon, bottle, or toy, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in which the infant care system would otherwise require protruding metal parts not well suited for running through a tumble dryer. 
         [0028]    Operation  599  concludes flow  500 . Infant care systems made according to flow  500  are exceedingly inexpensive for what they do, so effective for appliance retention that they may even be used as a unitary disposable product. This can occur, for example, even in a context in which any other appliance-retention bib design would be commercially unfeasible as a unitary disposable product. 
         [0029]    Although various flow operations are presented in sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an infant care system  600  in which one or more inventive technologies may be present as described below. Infant care system  600  includes (at least) a four-sided bib body  620  having several corners  641 ,  642 ,  643  and edges as shown. Extending from a first corner  641  is a part of one or more strands  605  configured to grip an infant care appliance. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown another view of the infant care system  600  of  FIG. 6 , in which one or more inventive technologies may be present. With the top half of body  620  folded down and behind the bottom half, three primary edges  751 ,  752 ,  753  are evident, the longest edge  753  of which is folded and (nominally) straight. As shown, body  620  may be made of single-ply cloth to which one or more strands  605  (each having one or more downward-extending bights  701  and upward-extending ends  702 , e.g.) are stitched, adhesed, or otherwise affixed (at a corner  641  opposite the longest edge  753 , e.g.). The effective length of the body  620  (measured from the effective circumference to an endmost point of corner  641 , e.g.) is between 6 and 12 inches as shown. The part of the one or more strands  605  extending beyond body  620  is between 1 and 4 inches in length  708  as shown. It is contemplated, however, that any of these parameters may vary outside these ranges. The effective circumference is determined by how the clip, knot, or other affixation mechanism (not shown) that couples opposite corners  642 ,  643  is configured in use. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an infant care system  800  in which one or more inventive technologies may be present. Infant care system  800  includes a (nominally) trapezoidal or other quadrilateral bib body  820  having several corners  841 ,  842 ,  843 ,  844  and edges  851 ,  852 ,  853 ,  854  as shown. Extending from a first corner  841  is a part of one or more strands  805 A configured to grip a first infant care appliance. Likewise extending from another corner  844  is a part of one or more other strands  805 B configured to grip a second infant care appliance.  FIG. 8  also depicts a “first” fastener side  831  and range of positions of a “second” fastener side  832  to which the first side  831  can be affixed (with an adhesive or hook-and-loop mechanism such as Velcro®, e.g.) by which the bib size (effective circumference  825 ) can be adjusted. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an infant care system  900  in which one or more inventive technologies may be present. Infant care system  900  includes a (nominally) semicircular other curved bib body  920  having at least a primary convex edge  951 , a primary concave edge  952 , and a plurality of corners  941 ,  942  as shown. Extending from the primary convex edge  951  is a part of one or more strands  905  configured to grip a first infant care appliance. Various knots, clips, pins, buttons, or other fastening assemblies (not shown) may be used for fastening opposite corners  941 ,  942  in use. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a single-piece, machine-washable infant care system  100  in use, optionally one that exemplifies infant care systems as described above. Infant care system  100  comprises a bib having first and second ends (like corners  142 ,  143  of  FIG. 1 , e.g.) and a hanging portion, wherein the first end has a first attachment feature (like snap side  131 , e.g.), wherein the second end has a second attachment feature (like snap side  132 , e.g.) configured to releasably engage the first attachment feature, and wherein the hanging portion (like corner  141  and additional components to which it is coupled, e.g.) includes a first bight (like bight  301 , e.g.) configured to grip part of a pacifier  1010  or other infant care appliance. 
         [0035]    In some variants, a primary edge of the bib extends between the first and second ends/corners and defines a curved recess (like recess  293 , e.g.) that tapers to a point adjacent each of the first and second ends. This allows the bib to assume a saddle shape without substantial stretching along its sides (causing less than 5% elongation at edges  151 ,  152  thereof, e.g.), allowing the bib to lay smoothly against the abdomen of an infant in normal use. (The “saddle shape” refers here to the bib bending back at its ends and forward at its top and bottom when worn by a seated infant as shown.) With the recess having a generally arcuate shape with an average radius of curvature on the order of 80 inches (along at least half the length of edge  153 , e.g.), the bib&#39;s top edge appears to be straight while allowing extra material along the descending edges (as described above) to accommodate outward protrusion at the wearer&#39;s abdomen more smoothly than a straight bib top would. 
         [0036]    Alternatively or additionally, the hanging portion may (optionally, in some variants) include a body  120  having a lowest corner (like corner  141 , e.g.) configured so that the first bight extends a length  108 ,  708  of more than 2 inches or less than 3 inches beyond the body. 
         [0037]    Alternatively or additionally, an instance of the bib may include a woven cord (a braided, acrylic-containing instance of strand  105 , e.g.) having two ends sewn adjacent one another and between first and second cloth layers, and wherein stitching along an edge of the first and second cloth layers secures the first bight. 
         [0038]    Alternatively or additionally, the bib may include exactly two snap assembly configurations of significantly different effective sizes by virtue of having a single snap side (like snap side  131 , e.g.) at the first end (less than 3 inches from an endmost point thereof, e.g.) and a pair of second snap sides at the second end (like a first snap side  132 A being 3-5 inches from an endmost point thereof and a second snap side  132 B being closer to said endmost point than to the first snap side of the second end, e.g.), either of which may be coupled to the first snap side in a selectable manner (to accommodate a larger or smaller wearer, e.g.). 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  illustrates a manner in which the infant can, with some variants of infant care systems described herein, obtain and self-administer an appliance manually with little or no assistance from a caregiver. This may provide a significant advantage for infants in the care of a busy person, especially in a context in which an infant would otherwise be unable see, identify, grasp, and use the appliance without assistance. Alternatively or additionally, an advantage may be felt in a context in which the caregiver is so busy that the infant care system would otherwise be used in an incomplete state of assembly (as an ordinary bib, while separated to facilitate washing one part or another, e.g.). 
         [0040]    In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for adapting wearable articles or devices as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 9,162,813 (“Pacifier holder and protector”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,460,053 (“Toy attachment systems and methods”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,118,268 (“Hands free baby bottle holder and feeder”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,121 (“Non-removable snap fastener used to attach a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other article to any garment of children&#39;s clothing”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,640,598 (“Infant caregiver padded pillow garment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,248 (“Multipurpose baby and toddler bib”); U.S. Pub. No. 20150150312 (“Clothing clip apparatus and method for using same”); U.S. Pub. No. 20110258748 (“Pacifier-bearing-bib”); and U.S. Pub. No. 20070061939 (“Reconfigurable mealtime accessory tote for organizing and transporting mealtime accessories to remote meal locations, and protecting the clothing of young children during mealtime when using the same”).