BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bib and apron and more specifically to a multi-functional bib and apron apparatus having a bib and an apron that attach to cover nearly the full body of the user.
2. Description of the Related Art
Bibs are used to prevent staining of the user's clothing. Bibs collect articles such as food, drool, liquids and other things that escape users' mouths. Also, some users use bibs as napkins and wipe their hands thereon. Traditional bibs are uncomfortable and are often too small in relation to users. Their small sizes only allow the bibs to collect only small amounts of articles and the portion of users' clothing not covered by the bibs are often left permanently stained.
Background prior art patents disclose bibs with pockets and bibs and full length or detachable apron combinations with pockets which take on many different designs and structures are disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,441,212 4,495,658, 4,649,572, 5,960,471, 6,266,820, 6,644,317, 7,788,734 and U.S. Publication No. 2011/0010816 to name just a few of interest. However, they do not singly or in any combination teach the claimed invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a bib and apron that provides a connected bib and apron which covers nearly the full body of a user to prevent staining any portion of the user's clothing or for hygienic purposes.
An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a pocket having an opening being positioned at least proximate the center of the bib which may house snacks or other items essential to the user.
A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides an attachment mechanism on the bib to a mating attachment mechanism on the apron that secures the bib to the apron.
A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a bottom portion of the apron sized to rest on and about the user's legs.
A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides the user the option to wear the bib alone or attached to the apron and vice versa where the apron is worn alone or attached to the bib.
A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a safety flap cover member adjacent the top portion of the apron for protecting or covering the attachment mechanism on the apron that secures the apron to the bib
A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a safety flap cover member adjacent the bottom portion of the bib for protecting or covering the attachment mechanism on the bib that secures the bib to the apron.
A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a strap safety storage compartment having a pair of pull-apart sections defining a pocket member at each peripheral or seam corner adjacent the top portion of the apron for storing apron straps therein when the bib is attached thereto. Each pocket member includes a fastening member disposed at least at an upper location on an interior portion of each of the pull-apart sections for releasably engaging one another for closing the pocket members when the apron straps are stored therein or after the apron straps have been removed there from. The fastening members allow the pull-apart sections to be easily and quickly separated from one another.
A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a stretchable waist strap member secured at one peripheral edge of the apron, with the other end of the waist strap member having a fastening member thereon and being releasably attached to a fastening member disposed on either a front or back surface of the apron at the other peripheral edge thereof.
Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides mating attachment means along an opposite interior surfaces of the bib pocket opening at top edges thereof for securing the pocket opening in a closed position.
An additional aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a loop member secured at a desired location along a border or peripheral edge of the bib for attaching an item such as a pacifier thereto.
Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a stretchable member secured at a desired location along a border or peripheral edge of the bib for attaching items such as pacifiers, toys, or other user items thereto.
Additional aspects, objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and the appended claims of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention may be better understood, along with its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the bib connected to the apron according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the back of the bib and the front of the apron according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the bib and the apron according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the bib and apron connected and positioned on a user according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the bib and apron connected and positioned on a user with articles shown in a pocket of the bib according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front cut-sectional view of the apron with a safety flap cover member at a top portion of the apron and a stretchable waist strap member having one end secured to one peripheral edge of the apron and the other end of the waist strap having attachment or fastening means for releasably attaching to the other peripheral edge of the apron according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a back or rear cut-sectional view of the apron with a safety flap cover member at a top portion of the apron and a stretchable waist strap member having one end secured to one peripheral edge of the apron and the other end of the waist strap having attachment or fastening means thereon for releasably attaching to a mating attachment or fastening means on a back surface of the apron at a location at the other end of the apron according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded side cut-sectional view of the apron with a safety pocket member at a top edge portion of the apron for storing straps that are secured at a top portion of the apron therein with attachment means for closing pocket member when the bib is attached thereto according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates a back or rear view of the bib with a safety flap for covering an attachment mechanism thereon that secures the bib to an apron that is detached according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the bib with mating attachment means along opposite interior surfaces of a bib pocket access opening at top edges thereof for releasably securing the pocket access opening between open and closed positions and a loop holder attached thereon to hold necessary items for a user thereto according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the bib with mating attachment means along opposite interior surfaces of a bib pocket access opening at top edges thereof for releasably securing the pocket access opening between open and closed positions and a stretchable holder attached thereon to hold necessary items for a user thereto according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bib 100 connected to the apron 130. The bib and apparatus 120 is a multi-functional and waterproof bib, snack sack pocket and lap cover for messy eating, or for hygienic purposes, for example. The apparatus 120 can also serve as an apron if the child wants to help in the kitchen and/or play house. Additional trinkets or necessities may be attached to the bib such as a pacifier holder (See FIGS. 10 and 11). The apparatus 120 features a first material in the form of a bib sized to be fitted around a user's neck and a second material in the form of an apron sized to cover the user's body between the stomach and legs.
The bib 100 is made from a lightweight waterproof material such as neoprene or any polyester material. The bib 100 is worn hanging from the neck of a user and down to the user's chest to protect the user's clothing from spillage thereon. Various materials may be used to manufacture the bib 100 provided they are not harmful to the user. Also, the bib 100 features a top or front layer 105 that may have a bib design 106 pleasing to the user. Note that the design 106 shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration purposes only, whereas the design 106 may be any type of image on the bib 100 having any style size, shape or color. The bib 100 also features a border 107 on the outer perimeter. Also, the border 107 can be a solid or multi-color design to complement the design 106 on the bib 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, a back or rear layer material 108 of the bib 100 is on the back or rear side thereof. A lining (not shown) may be provided between the top layer 105 and the bottom layer 108 to add additional support and stiffness of the bib 100, if desired. An access opening or slit 109 is provided substantially near the center of the bib 100. Additionally, the access opening or slit 109 can be positioned higher or lower than the center, if it is desired, to increase the depth 112 of the pocket 110 formed. The depth or width 112 of the pocket 110 is defined as the length between the access opening or slit 109 and the bottom 113 of the bib 100. The pocket 110 has a length that is substantially equal to the length 114 of the bib 100. The pocket 110 length and width may vary depending on the snacks or other items essentials to the user. For example, the pocket 110 for a child may hold items, such as, snacks and toys. Also, the pocket 110 for an elderly person may house items, such as, medicine, keys, etc. In addition, the pocket 110 may be closed by using known closure mechanisms selected from the group consisting of zippers, buttons, or hook and loop type fasteners, such as Velcro. The bib 100 further features arms 101 and 102. The arms 101 and 102 may be positioned around the user's neck to secure the bib 100 thereabout. The arms include a female and male mating mechanisms 103 and 104 that may be selected from the group consisting of hook and loop type fasteners, such as, Velcro, buttons or other known connectors or fasteners that will connect the arms 101 and 102 together.
Apron 130 is shown attached to the bib 100. The apron 130 is an outer protective garment that covers primarily the front of the user's body. Note that the apron 130 may be manufactured from the same materials as the bib 100. Also, the apron includes straps 131, 132, 133, and 134. The straps 131 and 133 may be tied or connected to one another such they form a loop to be placed around the user's neck, along with the arms 101 and 102 of the bib 100. Straps 133 and 134 are tied or connected together such that they extend around the user's waist and back to secure the apron 130 to the user. Alternatively, straps 131 and 132 may be connected to one another and straps 133 and 134 may be connected to one another in such a manner to form loops to allow the user's arms to be extended through the loops to secure the apron to the user body, while the arms 101 and 102 are secured about the user's neck, thereby securing the bib 100 and apron 130 as a unit, primarily about the user's front body. In addition, the apron 130 also includes an apron design 137 thereon that is identical or complements the bib design 106.
FIG. 2 is a view of the back or rear of the bib 100 and the front of the apron 130. The apron 130 is an inverted T-shaped design such that the top section 140 extends to a length and width that at least cover the user's stomach and knees. A bottom section 150 is longer and wider than the top section 140 and extends from about the knees of the user to the ankles. The bottom section 150 includes wings 151 and 152 that rest freely on the user's legs such that they extend over and cover a side portion the user's legs as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The top section 140 further includes an apron hook and loop type attachment mechanism 160 shown as a strip of Velcro. Additional apron attachment mechanisms may be used, such as buttons, zippers or snaps, not shown, if desired. The hook and loop type attachment mechanism 160 should extend so that the hook and loop type attachment 160 aligns and mates with a hook and loop type attachment mechanism 161 shown as a strip of Velcro. As shown in FIG. 2, the hook and loop type fastener 160 of the apron 130 and the hook and loop type fastener 161 of the bib 100 are shown to be equal in length to mate with each other to secure the bib 100 and the apron 130 together as a unit. Once attached, the bib 100 is secured to the apron 130 providing full coverage of the user's clothing to prevent staining from messy eating or the wasting of food and drinks thereon or for hygienic purposes.
FIG. 3 shows a front view of bib 100 and apron 130 that is separated from one another. The apron 130 also includes the pocket 110 extending along the front of the apron 130 with ends thereof being contiguous to the border 107 to house essential user items therein.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the bib 100 and apron 130 connected together as a single unit and positioned about a user.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the bib 100 and apron 130 connected and positioned on a user with articles 170 shown in the pocket 110 of the bib 100. The user 900, shown for illustration purposes represents a child. However, the user may be anyone who desires his clothing or body to be covered so that stains are prevented from messy eating or the wasting of food and drinks thereon or for hygienic purposes. The surface of the bottom section 150 may be used to support the articles 170. Alternatively, the articles 170 may be housed in the pocket 110.
In FIGS. 6-11 the same reference elements as shown in FIGS. 1-5 will further include a character element a and a character element a′ to distinguish them from one another.
FIG. 6 depicts a front cut-sectional view of the apron with an upper elongated smaller dimensional body area section 130a and a partial lower elongated greater dimensional body area section 137a. The upper section 130a at a top portion includes a hook and loop fastener 160a, such as a Velcro strip, which is similar to the hook and loop fastener 160 as shown in FIGS. 1-5. The top portion of the apron section 130a includes a safety flap cover member 162a extending upward from the top portion of the apron section 130a. Further, the safety flap cover member 162 extends at least across a portion of a length of the top portion having at least a hook and loop fastener 163 at each peripheral end of the safety flap cover member 162. The safety flap cover member 162 will be folded and flipped over the hook and loop fastener 160a and matingly engage the at least a hook and loop fastener 163 to cover and protect the hook and loop fastener 160a of the apron section 130a from any damage when the bib 100a (See FIGS. 9-11) is not being used. Note that the at least a hook and loop fastener 163 could extend across at least a portion of the undersurface of the safety flap cover member 162 to fully engage the entire hook and loop fastener 160a of the apron section 130a, if desired. When the bib 100a is to be used the safety flap cover member 162 is easily unfolded and flipped upward and positioned above the apron section 130a top portion or over the apron section 130a top portion to the back side 130a′ of the apron section 130a to expose the hook and loop fastener 160a of the apron section 130a, so that the bib hook and loop fastener 161 (See FIG. 9) can be secured to the hook and loop fastener 160a of the apron section 130a.
Also, straps 131a and 133a are secured to the top portion of the apron section 130a adjacent upper peripheral edges and function in the same manner as previously discussed for FIGS. 1-5. Rather than using straps 132 and 134 as shown and previously discussed for FIGS. 1-5, a stretchable waist strap 164 is substituted therefore with one end being secured at a peripheral edge at a corner seam location on the smaller elongated dimensional body area section 130a of the inverted T-shaped design of apron 130. The other end of the stretchable waist strap 164 has a hook and loop fastener 165, such as Velcro, attached thereto.
FIG. 7 shows a back cut-sectional view of the apron sections 130a and 137a with the same elements as the front cut-sectional view of the apron sections 130a and 137a discussed in FIG. 6 above. Note that in FIG. 7 the safety flap cover member 162 is shown in an extended position that will allow it to be flipped up to an extended position or flipped and folded from the top portion of the apron section 130a to the back side of apron 130a, which exposes the hook and loop fastener 160a for easily attaching the hook and loop fastener 161a of the bib thereto, if desired. Opposite the secured area that the stretchable waist strap 164 one end is attached as discussed in FIG. 6 above, a hook and loop fastener 166 is disposed on a back surface of the smaller elongated dimension of the inverted T-shaped design of apron section 130a adjacent the other peripheral side edge of the apron section 130a for attaching the hook and loop fastener 165 to the hook and loop fastener 166 about the waist of a user.
In reference to the exploded side cut-sectional view of FIG. 8, only one side thereof is shown. A separate safety pocket device including a back pull-apart wall portion 167 at an upper peripheral edge of the apron back side surface 130a′ and a front pull-apart wall portion behind the hook and loop fastener 160a at an upper peripheral edge of the front side surface on the upper elongated smaller body dimensional body area of apron section 130a along the peripheral edge at the corner seam of the upper smaller dimensional body area of apron section 130a. The pull-apart wall portions are disposed below the safety flap cover member 162 and behind the hook and loop fastener 160a and defining a pocket opening 168 disposed at the upper peripheral edges of both sides of the upper smaller elongated dimensional body area of the inverted T-shaped design of apron section 130a. This pocket opening 168 provides a storage space for storing the straps 131a and 133a (See FIGS. 6-8) therein when the bib 100a (See FIG. 9) is to be attached thereto.
Also, FIG. 8 shows the safety flap cover member 162 in a flipped up position that releases the hook and loop fastener 163 of the safety flap cover member 162 from the hook and loop fastener 160a at the top portion of the upper smaller elongated dimensional body area of the inverted T-shaped design of apron section 130a. In addition, an interior surface of the back pull-apart wall portion 167 with the pocket opening 168 includes a hook and loop fastener 169 disposed on an interior surface of the back pull-apart wall portion 167 within the pocket opening 168. The hook and loop fastener 169 mates with a similar hook and loop fastener (not shown) at a back side of the upper peripheral edge of the apron front side surface of apron section 130a behind the hook and loop fastener 160a for opening and closing the pocket opening 168.
FIGS. 10 and 11 shows the same elements except that FIG. 10 depicts a hoop holder 173 for pacifiers, toys, trinkets or other necessary items and FIG. 11 depicts a strap or string like holder 174 for holding pacifiers, toys, trinkets or other necessary items thereto.
FIG. 9 shows a back or rear view of the bib 100a with a back layer 108a, a border 107a extending about the bib 100a and a pair of arms 101a and 102a with hook and loop fasteners 103a and 104a disposed thereon for securing the bib 100a about the neck of a user. Note that the previous discussion of FIG. 2 is applied here as well. Also, FIG. 9 shows a safety flap cover member 162a that releasably covers the hook and loop fastener 161a that is positioned and extending along a bottom portion between and with each end being adjacent to the border 107a to prevent damage to thereto. Another main reason for the safety flap cover member 162a to is protect the hook and loop fastener 161a from touching the skin of a user, especially an infant or young child when the bib 100a is being used without the apron 130.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the bib 100a with mating hook and loop attachment means 171, 172 disposed along opposite top and bottom edge surfaces of a bib pocket access opening 109a at top edges thereof for releasably securing the pocket access opening 109a between open and closed positions and a loop item holder 173 secured at a selected peripheral edge between the front layer 105a and the back layer 108a to hold pacifiers, toys, trinkets or other necessary items thereto.
FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the bib 100a with mating hook and loop attachment means 171, 172 disposed along opposite top and bottom edge surfaces of a bib pocket access opening 109a at top edges thereof for releasably securing the pocket access opening 109a between open and closed positions and a stretchable strap or string item holder 174 with one end attached at a selected peripheral edge between the front layer 105a and the back layer 108a and the other end having a hook and loop attachment means 175 to hold pacifiers, toys, trinkets or other necessary items thereto.
It is being noted that the front layer 105, 105a, the border 107, 107a, and the back layer 108, 108a of the bib 100, 100a can be of the same material with the same designs and/or colors, so that it can be reversible, if desired. Also, the apron 13, 130a, 137, 137a can be of the same material with the same designs and/or colors, so that it can be reversible, if desired. The bib and apron can be selected from many different types of lightweight water resistant materials consisting of fabrics, polymers, plastic, rubber, nylon, neoprene, polyester and any combination of the different types of materials, to name just a few. Also, the safety flap cover members can be made from the same material with the same designs and/or colors as well as being selected from many different types of lightweight water resistant materials, such as fabrics, polymers, plastic, rubber, nylon, neoprene, polyester and any combination of the different types of materials, to complement the bib 100, 100a and the apron 130, 130a, 137, 137a.
Furthermore, the apron 130, 130a, 137, 137a can be utilized alone as an apron or smock in many different types of environments, such as a use for children, students, patients, cleaning personnel and many other professional types.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
Patent Grant
9386806
