Serviette support

Abstract

A system for suspension of a serviette or table napkin (30) below the chin of a user; said system comprising a spring clip (14) and a suspension device (12); said suspension device adapted for placement about the neck (32) of a wearer; said clip adapted for depending from said suspension device.

Description

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the protection of clothing from damage or staining by substances passing to the mouth of a user and, more particularly, to means of supporting a serviette or bib for this purpose.

BACKGROUND

Serviettes have long been a common means of preventing food and drink in particular, from spilling onto one's clothing when manipulated from plate or glass to mouth. To be effective, a serviette ideally should depend from just below the chin of a wearer, to below the level of the plate or table from which the food or drink is conveyed.

This is frequently inconvenient to arrange at a restaurant, or even impossible for female users wearing, for example, an evening gown. But even for males, trying to insert the corner of a serviette into one's tight collar, is uncomfortable and inconvenient.

It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Accordingly in one broad from of the invention there is provided a system for the suspension of a serviette or table napkin below the chin of a user; said system comprising a spring clip and a suspension device; said suspension device adapted for placement about the neck of a wearer; said clip adapted for depending from said suspension device.

Preferably said clip is a banknote clip.

Preferably said suspension device comprises an elongate flexible member of a length sufficient to pass loosely about a neck of said user.

Preferably said elongate flexible member is provided with cooperating closure means adapted to releasably attach a first end of said elongate flexible member to a second end of said elongate flexible member.

Preferably said elongate flexible member is a length of chain.

Preferably said elongate flexible member is a length of cord.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of suspending a serviette or table napkin below the chin of a user; said method including the steps of:

• • (a) attaching a spring clip to a suspension device,
  • (b) fastening said suspension device around the neck of said user,
  • (c) inserting a portion of said serviette into said spring clip.

Preferably said suspension device is a flexible elongate member.

Preferably said elongate member is a length of chain.

Preferably said elongate member is a length of cord.

Preferably said elongate member is provided with closure means adapted for releasably attaching a first end of said elongate member to a second end of said elongate member.

Preferably said spring clip is a banknote clip.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a serviette or table napkin support device as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred arrangement of the serviette support,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spring clip according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a user with a preferred embodiment of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a serviette support 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises a support device 12 and a spring clip 14. Support device 12 is a length of flexible chain or cord, sufficiently long to fit loosely around the neck 16 of a user as may be seen in FIG. 3. Preferably, the chain or cord is fitted with a closure device, such as a clasp or hook 11 and eye 13, as are commonly found on necklaces for example.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, spring clip 14 is a banknote clip. Such clips are typically of a metal, sometimes a precious metal such as silver, and comprise a single length of the metal folded back on itself at a point less than half of the length so as to form a back portion 16 and relatively shorter front portion 18. The bend 20 is formed as a loop, so that in the region of the bend the inner opposing surfaces of the length of metal are separated sufficient to accommodate a reasonable sheaf of banknotes.

An end 22 of the front portion 18 is given a concave curving section 24 so that the tip of front portion is raised above the surface 26 of back portion 16. This allows easy insertion between the back portion 16 and front portion 18 of a thickness of material approximately up to that of the loop of bend 20.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the underside of concave curving section 24 presses against surface 26 when the clip 14 is not in use. Any parting of this contact is resisted by the stiffness of the metal forming the clip so that any material introduced between surface 28 and the underside of curving section 26 will be retained with some force.

In Use

With reference now to FIG. 3, a serviette or table napkin 30 may be readily inserted into clip 14 and the support device 12 placed or fastened about the neck 32 of a user so as to protect the user's clothing 34.

The clip 14 and its support device 12 are small, lightweight items which may easily be carried in the pocket, handbag or purse, thus being readily portable for use when a user is to partake of a meal in any appropriate situation.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, although the preferred clip according to the invention is a banknote clip, the support device may clearly be fitted with any clip which is capable of receiving therein and supporting a serviette or table napkin.

Claims

1. A system for the suspension of a serviette or table napkin below the chin of a user; said system comprising a spring clip and a suspension device; said suspension device adapted for placement about the neck of a wearer; said clip adapted for depending from said suspension device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said clip is a banknote clip.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said suspension device comprises an elongate flexible member of a length sufficient to pass loosely about a neck of said user.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said elongate flexible member is provided with cooperating closure means adapted to releasably attach a first end of said elongate flexible member to a second end of said elongate flexible member.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said elongate flexible member is a length of chain.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said elongate flexible member is a length of cord.

7. A method of suspending a serviette or table napkin below the chin of a user; said method including the steps of: (a) attaching a spring clip to a suspension device,(b) fastening said suspension device around the neck of said user,(c) inserting a portion of said serviette into said spring clip.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said suspension device is a flexible elongate member.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said elongate member is a length of chain.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said elongate member is a length of cord.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said elongate member is provided with closure means adapted for releasably attaching a first end of said elongate member to a second end of said elongate member.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein said spring clip is a banknote clip.

13. (canceled)