AU2012100048A4 - Absorbent/disposable bib - apron for domestic, medical and other commercial uses - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable bib-apron for use as a protective garment comprising three layers: a waterproof breathable undercoating; an absorbent paper surface to channel water away; and a fast absorbent middle layer. The bib-apron 5 provides coverage from neck to calf as well as to the side of torso and legs

Description

1 ABSORBENT/DISPOSABLE BIB-APRON FOR DOMESTIC, HOSPITAL AND OTHER COMMERCIAL USES FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to a bib-apron, in particular an absorbent and disposable bib-apron for domestic, hospital and other commercial uses. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION . For many years bibs (known as feeders in the U.S.) and aprons have been used in the home to provide protection for babies and toddlers from 10 food or liquid spillages. Bibs are also used in hospitals, day care facilities, aged care, and nursing homes to provide protection to some patients when being fed. Similarly, for many years aprons and bib-aprons have been used by: staff in hospitals, clinical situations and nursing homes to provide 15 protection to their clothing/uniform when going about their duties as well as for hygienic reasons; and workers in commercial settings e.g. food preparation, catering, laundries, to provide protection to their clothing when going about their duties as well as for hygienic reasons. 20 Currently bibs, aprons and bib-aprons are mostly made of cloth or plastic or a combination of both. Bibs only go to the midriff. Covering only the upper part of the body they do not provide extensive protection to the wearer, whether they are babies, toddlers, children or adults. They do not prevent spillages from soiling the 25 wearer's lap. Spillages that are caught by cloth bibs may soak through the material and wet the clothing underneath. Plastic aprons do not catch spillages but allows them to "roll off.

2 Bibs have strings that tie at the neck which, wet or dry, can rub irritate and chafe the crevices in babies/toddlers necks. If sodden the ties may also tighten. The object of this invention is to provide a bib-apron that alleviates the 5 above problems, or at least provides the public with a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a bib-apron comprising a body sized to cover a person from neck to calf and extend laterally to the side of said person's torso and legs. 10 Preferably the bib-apron further comprises a first neck band and a second shoulders, underarms and waist band, said bands being of a soft elasticized nature and comprising paper and plastic layers. Advantageously said bands further comprise a grip tab for securing. Preferably said body comprises three layers bonded together; a first 15 absorbent paper top surface layer; a second liquid absorbent middle layer and a third breathable plastic bottom layer. It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below 20 as appropriate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and 25 principles of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front view of a bib-apron of a preferred embodiment of the invention fitted to an adult; and 3 Figure 2 is a rear view of the bib-apron of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a bib-apron of a preferred embodiment of the invention fitted to a child; and Figure 4 is a rear view of the bib-apron of Figure 3; 5 LIST OF COMPONENTS 10 bib-apron 15 body 20 elasticized neck band 30 elasticized shoulders, underarms and waist band 10 40 grip tabs DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to 15 the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. This invention has been specifically devised in order to: provide simple, cheap, improved protection and comfort for the wearer; 20 improve containment and absorption of spills; and be readily disposable. It is preferable that the invention be utilized in the form of a bib-apron as this will provide maximum protection to the wearer. A bib-apron in accordance with this invention may be used by all ages, 25 including the elderly in nursing homes, where protection of clothing is necessary to keep clean and dry. Its length allows it to be tucked under table tops or high chair trays to cover the lap and legs and consequently protect them from spillage.

4 The bib-apron can be used as a versatile cover up and protector for infants, toddlers and small children to protect their clothes and keep them clean from dirty marks. The bib-apron may also be used by the medical profession and 5 commercial/industrial workers to protect clothing from soiling and spillages. A bib, apron or bib-apron produced in accordance with this invention combines a waterproof breathable plastic undercoating with an absorbent paper surface which will channel wetness away to a fast absorbing middle layer and keep the top surface dry. It is disposable. 10 A bib-apron 10 of the current invention is shown fitted to an adult in figures 1 and 2 with Figure 1 showing a front view and Figure 2 a rear view. Similarly figures 3 and 4 show the bib-apron 10 fitted to a child with Figure 3 showing a front view and Figure 4 a rear view. The bib-apron 10 comprises a body 15 sized sufficiently to cover an 15 individual from neck to calf and sides of torso and legs. The body 15 comprises three layers bonded together: an absorbent paper top surface; a liquid absorbent middle layer; and a breathable plastic bottom layer. The bib apron 10 further comprises neck band 20 and a shoulders, 20 underarms and waist band 30. Both bands 20 and 30 are a soft elasticized band comprised of paper and plastic layers. Each band 20 and 30 features a grip tab for easy adjustment and to provide a practical, secure fit. Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention 25 has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

5 Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field. In the summary of the invention, except where the context requires 5 otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A bib-apron comprising a body sized to cover a person from neck to calf and extend laterally to the side of said person's torso and legs.

2. A bib-apron as in claim 1 further comprising a first neck band and a 5 second shoulders, underarms and waist band, said bands being of a soft elasticized nature and comprising paper and plastic layers.

3. A bib-apron as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said bands further comprise a grip tab for securing.

4. A bib-apron as in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said body 10 comprises three layers bonded together; a first absorbent paper top surface layer; a second liquid absorbent middle layer and a third breathable plastic bottom layer.

5. A bib-apron substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 15