Patent Application
20230337760
The present invention relates generally to the field of clothing protection devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel protective bib for smoking users. The bib is used for protecting clothing of the user and nearby objects from hot ash and cold ash dropped from smoking cannabis, cigars, cigarettes, and more. The bib is fire-retardant and collects the ash (i.e., fallen or knocked off), thereby protecting the clothing from getting stained and/or burned. The bib is machine washable and can also be cleaned by wiping using a cloth or a sponge. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, individuals who smoke cigars, cigarettes, cannabis, etc. may have difficulty disposing of the ashes. Hot or cold ashes are dropped on clothing or personal property while smoking and can cause stains and may even permanently ruin the garment. The finer the powder of the ash, the more easily and quickly the ash gets deep into the fibers of garments rather than staying on the surface. Smear caused due to ash is visible from a long distance and can cause embarrassment to a person. Hot ashes can burn holes through clothes, personal property, and furniture. This not only causes monetary damage to property, but may also cause ash burn and cause significant injury to a person. Hot ash may leave a scar and often affects the top layer of skin that can penetrate deeper as well and likely leave a permanent mark.
Generally, individuals use techniques such as shaking the clothing, running the ash stains directly under a water faucet, treating the ash stain with dish soap, and/or washing the clothing in a washing machine for removing ash stains. Garments with holes caused from cigarette and cigar ash are ultimately not used by users forcing users to buy new clothing. As a result, individuals desire a device that can be used for covering a garment while smoking cigars, cigarettes, cannabis, etc.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that allows users to safely smoke in a home, vehicle, or any other location. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a device that eliminates worry of hot or cold ashes being dropped on clothing or furniture while smoking cigars, cigarettes, cannabis etc. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel device that can be used as a protective bib for a front chest area of a smoking user. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that can be draped over the front of a user for maintaining protection of clothing against ashes while smoking. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents ash burns and stains on clothing due to cigarette and cigar ash. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents hot or cold ashes from staining or damaging clothing, furniture, and other nearby objects.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a flame-retardant protective bib for safeguarding clothing of a smoking user from hot ash and cold ash dropped, or intentionally knocked off, from a smoking cigar, cigarette, cannabis and more. The bib is generally rectangular or square flame-retardant having a front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface having a pocket for storing cigarette, cigar, and more and has a pressure sensitive textile adhesive for removably attaching the bib to a clothing article of the user. The adhesive is preferably made of Nomex and is sewn to the top edge of the rear surface. The front surface having a personalized logo preferably in the form of initials of the smoking user and a brand name sewn therein for customization and personalization.
In this manner, the flame-retardant protective bib of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a protective bib covering for use while smoking cigars, cigarettes, cannabis, etc. The bib can be draped over the torso by a smoking user and protects the user and nearby objects from hot ash and cold ash. The bib can be customized allowing users to customize the look of the bib with different colors, embroidery, and more.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a flame-retardant protective bib for safeguarding clothing of a smoking user from hot ash and cold ash dropped from a smoking cigar, cigarette, cannabis and more. The bib comprising a generally rectangular or square flame-retardant flexible material having a front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface having a pocket for storing cigarettes, cigars, and more and has a pressure sensitive textile adhesive for removably attaching the bib to clothing article of the user. The front surface having a personalized logo and a brand name sewn therein for customization and personalization.
In yet another embodiment, the protective bib extends to cover a chest area of the smoking user and a portion of abdomen.
In yet another embodiment, protective bib is made of Nomex material and can be wiped clean using a cloth.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a protective bib for safeguarding clothing of a smoking user from hot ash and cold ash dropping from the cigar, cigarette, cannabis, and more. The bib comprising a covering being generally square or rectangular in shape for covering a torso area of the user, the bib having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, two straps extending vertically upwards from opposite ends of the top edge, each strap having a textile friendly hook and loop fastener for removably attaching the bib to a clothing article of the user, wherein the bib is made of flame-retardant material which is easy to be wiped clean using a cloth, sponge, and the like.
In yet another embodiment, the bib having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface touches the clothing article of the user when the bib is donned by the user and the front surface projects away from the user.
In another aspect of the present invention, the bib has a personalized logo indicating initials of the user’s name.
In yet another embodiment, a method for protecting clothing of a smoking user from ash dropping from smoking cigar, cigarette, cannabis, and more is described. The method comprising the steps of providing a flame-retardant bib, the bib having a rear surface having a hook and loop fastener and front surface having customized indicia; positioning the bib adjacent to the chest (i.e., clothing article) of the user such that the rear surface faces the clothing article; removably attaching the hook and loop fastener to the clothing by applying little pressure thereon; accommodating the ash dropped thereon; removing the bib from the clothing; and cleaning the bib by wiping using a cloth, sponge, and the like.
In yet another embodiment, the fire-retardant protective bib of the present invention is easily and efficiently manufactured, marketed and available to consumers in cost-effective manner and is easily used by users for maintaining protection against ashes while smoking.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that allows users to safely smoke in a home, vehicle, or any other location. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a device that eliminates worry of hot or cold ashes being dropped on clothing or furniture while smoking cigars, cigarettes, cannabis, etc. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel device that can be used as a protective bib for a front chest area of a smoking user. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that can be draped over the front of a user for maintaining protection against ashes while smoking. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents ash burns and stains on clothing due to cigarette and cigar ash. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents hot or cold ashes from staining or damaging clothing, furniture, and other nearby objects.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method for protecting clothing of a smoking user from ash dropping while smoking a cigar, a cigarette, a cannabis cigarette, and more. The method comprising the steps of providing a flame-retardant bib, the bib having a rear surface having a hook and loop fastener along the lateral top edge thereof and a front surface having customized indicia. The method further includes positioning the bib proximal to a chest area and a portion of an abdomen area of the user such that the rear surface faces the clothing; removably attaching the hook and loop fastener to the clothing by applying pressure thereon; accommodating the ash dropped thereon; removing the bib from the clothing; and cleaning the bib by wiping using a cloth, sponge and the like.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The front surface 102 can include a personalized logo 106 which can be in the form of an insignia, a badge, an emblem, a decoration, an alphanumeric symbol, or an artistic rendition that adheres, either permanently or removably, to the front surface 102. In the preferred embodiment, the logo 106 is in the form of initials of a user owning the bib 100. The rear surface 104 has a textile adhesive hook and loop fastener 108 around the top edge 110 thereof allowing the protective bib 100 to be removably attached to a clothing article worn by the smoking user to cover the torso.
The bib 100 has a width of from about 10 inches to about 20 inches and a length from about 12 inches to about 24 inches to meet requirements of different smoking users. The rear surface 104 also includes a rear pocket 112 disposed therein for removably storing cigarettes, cigars, lighter, cigar cutter, and more. The pocket 112 has a hook and loop fastener 114 for securing the items stored therein. The bib 100 is made of a fire-retardant and flexible material. The bib 100 is inherently flame resistant ensuring a high level of protection against holes and burns that can result from hot ashes dropping thereon. The bib 100 is color fast and machine washable and is preferably made of Nomex material. The bib 100 in the present embodiment is not wrapped around a neck of the wearer and is easy and convenient to deploy and use. The brand name 122 used for branding and marketing purposes is preferably disposed on the front surface 102 of the bib 100.
Once in position and worn, the bib 100 extends partially over the chest/torso of the user covering the chest and optionally a portion of the abdomen of the user. The user is free to smoke, drink, and even eat as necessary, without having to worry about ruining his or her clothing. The bib 100 is non-slippery and can be shaken easily to remove any ash retrieved thereon and/or captured in the front pocket 111.
The bib 300 safeguards clothing from spills, stains, or burns, while eating, drinking, or smoking in a home, vehicle, or any other location. After use, the bib 300 can be easily removed from the clothing article 202 and can be stored in a pocket, bag, or the like. The bib 300 can be easily wiped clean with a sponge, towel, napkin, and the like. Other specifications of the front surface 316 and the rear surface (opposite to the front surface 316) can be similar to the other embodiments of the present invention.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “fire-retardant protective bib”, “flame-retardant protective bib”, “protective bib”, and “bib” are interchangeable and refer to the flame-retardant protective bib 100, 300 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the flame-retardant protective bib 100, 300 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the flame-retardant protective bib 100, 300 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the flame-retardant protective bib 100, 300 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the flame-retardant protective bib 100, 300 are important design parameters for user convenience, the flame-retardant protective bib 100, 300 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user’s needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/335,070, which was filed on Apr. 26, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63335070 | Apr 2022 | US |
