Bibs are generally designed to protect clothing from soiling and are a way of life for many families with young children, and for some adults. Bibs are available in a variety of designs and materials that differ in effectiveness, ease of cleaning, comfort, and other factors. Often a caregiver needs to multitask and, consequently, a bib that does more than just protect clothing but also facilitates feeding an individual would be beneficial.
For parents of young children or toddlers and for some adult caregivers, significant time is spent assisting a child or adult who is generally incapable of feeding themselves. When traveling via car or stroller, or otherwise moving about, it may be difficult for the caregiver to assist with feeding. For example, a parent that is driving would not be able to get food or snacks for a child in a car seat. Furthermore, a child or adult given an unattached bowl of food is more likely to set the bowl down or spill the contents.
Therefore, there is a need for a bib that can protect an individual's clothing while at the same time facilitate feeding that individual who needs minor assistance. The bib would include a bowl attached to the bib that would allow individuals to eat at their leisure and prevent soiling of the individual's clothing. Furthermore, the bib would be portable such that an individual could eat easily while the individual is moving or being transported.
In one aspect, a portable bib is provided. The portable bib includes a bib and a bowl that can be attached to and easily removed from the bib. The bib includes semi-circular upper sections that can be attached together around the neck of an individual. By fastening the upper sections together, the bib bends slightly to conform to the neck, shoulders, and chest of the individual. The portable bib also includes a folded pocket where the bowl is placed and attached to the bib. The folded pocket spans substantially the entire length of the front surface of the bib and extends from the bottom of the bib upward to a location at or below the middle of the front surface of the bib. The bib may be easily unfolded for cleaning and storing. In one embodiment, the bib is constructed of flexible, waterproof material. In another embodiment, the bib is machine washable and dryer safe.
The bib also includes one or more fasteners in which certain complementary fasteners can be connected to form the portable bib. By way of nonlimiting example, the one or more fasteners can be snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, buckles, and/or clasps. At least one fastener is located at the end of each semi-circular upper section such that the upper sections can be attached together around the neck of an individual. Other complementary fasteners can be connected to form the folded pocket for the bowl. In another embodiment, at least one fastener on the bib corresponds to at least one fastener located on the bowl such that the bowl may be securely attached inside the folded pocket of the bib. The operation of the fasteners allows for stability and security for the portable bib while permitting easy removal and replacement of the bowl and disassembly of the bib for cleaning of the bowl and the bib.
The bowl of the portable bib includes two sides, a front, a back, and a bottom. In one embodiment, the back of the bowl is a concave surface such that the bowl and the bib conform to the abdomen of the individual. The front of the bowl may have any surface configuration that permits the bowl to fit securely inside the folded pocket of the bib. In one embodiment, the sides, front, and back of the bowl are tapered toward the bottom of the bowl to provide a better fit inside the folded pocket of the bib. In another embodiment, the bowl is constructed of a dishwasher safe plastic polymer. In a further embodiment, the bowl is microwavable.
In one embodiment, the interior of the bowl may be sealed by a lid that fits over the top of the bowl. The lid includes two sides, a front, a back, and a top such that the sides, front, and back of the lid correspond to and fasten securely to the sides, front, and back of the bowl. In one embodiment, the back of the lid is a concave surface that complements the concave surface of the back of the bowl. In another embodiment, the lid includes a lip that complements a lip on the bowl such that the connection between the lip of the lid and the lip of the bowl provides a leak-proof seal. In a further embodiment, the lid is constructed of a dishwasher safe plastic polymer.
In another embodiment, the bowl includes a spoon. The length of the spoon allows the spoon to fit inside the bowl with the lid in place but also prevents the spoon from falling to the bottom of the bowl. In one embodiment, the spoon is constructed of a dishwasher safe plastic polymer.
The embodiments and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.
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While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
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20170303602 A1 | Oct 2017 | US |