AU2016100709A4 - Apron - Google Patents

Abstract

An apron(1) to be worn while bathing an infant comprises an outer layer (6) of towel material and an inner layer (7) that is impermeable to liquid, for example a nylon textile impregnated with flexible polyurethane waterproofing material. The outer (6) and inner (7) layers are sewn together along their margins. The apron (1) comprises a bib portion (2) to cover a majority of a wearer's upper torso and a skirt portion (3) to cover a front and sides of the wearer's abdomen and upper legs. The towel outer layer (6) is comfortable for the infant and absorbs drips and splashes while the inner layer (7) acts as a barrier to water, protecting the wearer's clothes. 10flfflA

Description

APRON

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apron or the like to be worn by a wearer when bathing a baby, toddler or young child. More particularly but not exclusively, it relates to an apron which is comfortable for both parties, but protects the wearer's clothing from becoming wet.

[0002] When a mother or other wearer is bathing a baby, toddler or small child (henceforth, the general term "infant" will be used for convenience), water is frequently splashed about, including on to the wearer. Also, a wet infant will often cuddle up to the wearer while being removed from the bath. As a result, the wearer's clothing may become wet and uncomfortable, and the wearer may need to change into dry clothes.

[0003] It might be possible for the wearer to wear a cloth apron with a glossy plastic coating, such as is often worn while washing dishes, which would serve to keep the wearer's clothes largely dry. However, such an apron would not be comfortable for the infant, should he or she wish to grasp or cuddle up to the wearer while being placed in the bath or removed there from. It would also tend to be slippery when wet, a potential problem when attempting to deal with an active infant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is hence an object of the present invention to provide an apron or similar over garment which acts to protect a wearer's clothing from becoming wet while bathing an infant, while obviating the above disadvantages of existing aprons.

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided an over garment adapted to be worn when bathing an infant, comprising a sheet of flexible material having at least two conjoined layers and extending generally to cover at least a frontal portion of a body of a wearer, a first of said at least two layers forming, in use, an outer surface of the over garment and comprising a soft, water-absorbent textile material and a second of said at least two layers comprising a textile material impermeable to liquid.

[0006] In another preferred embodiment, the first layer comprises a towel material, optionally comprising a natural fiber.

[0007] In another preferred embodiment, the second layer comprises a textile material woven from a plastics yarn.

[0008] In another preferred embodiment, the second layer comprises a textile material impregnated or coated with a flexible waterproof composition.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment, the second layer comprises a breathable textile material, impervious to liquid water but permeable to water vapor [0010] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a frontal elevation of an apron embodying the present invention; [0012] Figure 2 is a scrap schematic cross-section of a margin of the apron shown in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to the Figures and to Figure I in particular, an apron 1 embodying the invention has a bib portion 2 adapted to cover a majority of a front of a wearer's upper torso while leaving shoulders and arms free, and a skirt portion 3 adapted to cover a front and sides of the wearer's abdomen and upper legs. The bib portion 2 and skirt portion 3 in this example join seamlessly as a single panel.

[0014] Two waist ties 4 extend outwardly from opposite margins of the apron 1, adjacent a juncture of the bib 2 and skirt 3 portions. These may be passed behind the wearer's body and tied together to secure the skirt portion 3 of the apron 1 in place. Two neck straps 5 extend from an upper, in use, margin of the bib portion 2, and may be passed behind the wearer's neck and tied together to position the apron 1 vertically on the wearer's body and to secure the bib portion 2 in place.

[0015] The apron I comprises two layers of woven textile material, as shown in Figure 2. An outer, in use, layer 6 comprises a cotton towel material, and an inner, in use, layer 7 comprises a woven polyamide textile impregnated with a flexible polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride) waterproofing material. A doubled strip of woven tape 8 extends around a margin of each layer 6, 7, and the layers 6, 7 are sewn together by stitches 9 passing through the margin of each layer 6, 7 and the tape 8. It is not generally found necessary to stitch or otherwise bond the layers 6, 7 together, apart from at their margins.

[0016] Instead of waist ties 4 and neck straps 5 adapted to be knotted together to give a desired length, corresponding patches of hook and loop repositionable fastening fabric may be provided to allow the respective ties 4 and straps 5 to be fastened adjustably together. Buckles or the like may also be used if preferred. The neck straps 5 may be replaced by a single continuous neck loop.

[0017] When wearing the apron 1, a wearer is protected from a majority of splashes produced by a boisterous infant being bathed. Any splashes of water sufficiently large to penetrate the outer towel layer 6 are prevented from reaching the wearer's clothing by the waterproof inner layer 7.

[0018] The towel outer layer 6 is comfortable to the touch, should it come into contact with the skin of an infant, while he or she is being put into a bath, removed there from, or sat on the wearer's lap to be dried. It also absorbs any drips from a wet infant before they run down on to a floor or the wearer's legs and feet. It is also easily graspable by the infant, for example should she or he feel insecure while being put into or lifted out of the bath.

[0019] The waterproofed textile inner layer 7 is sufficiently flexible to be comfortable for the wearer to wear. If preferred, a lining layer may also be provided, forming an inner, in use, surface of the apron, but this will not generally be necessary.

[0020] The entire apron 1 is machine washable without requiring special care, which is of particular benefit should the infant be of an age at which it may soil the apron.

[0021] Instead of the apron 1 shown, a tabard or smock may be used. In each case, a front panel of the respective garment will comprise the two-layer structure shown in Figure 2, while a rear panel may comprise a conventional textile. Optionally, one or both shoulder portions of a tabard or smock may similarly comprise said two-layer structure, so that a very young infant, for example, may be held to the wearer's upper chest and shoulder.

Claims (5)

1. An apron adapted to be worn while bathing an infant, comprising a sheet of flexible material having at least two conjoined layers and extending generally to cover in use at least a frontal portion of a body of a wearer, a first of said at least two layers forming, in use, an outer surface of the over garment and comprising a soft, water-absorbent textile material and a second of said at least two layers comprising a textile material impermeable to liquid.

2. An apron as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a towel material, optionally comprising a natural fiber.

3. An apron according to claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a textile material woven from a plastics yarn.

4. An apron according to claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a textile material impregnated or coated with a flexible waterproof composition.

5. An apron according to claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a breathable textile material, impervious to liquid water but permeable to water vapor.