AU2016100717A4 - Baby feeding and handling apron - Google Patents

Abstract

A baby feeding and handling apron is formed of a waterproof material which is soft and absorbent on the outside. A front section 1 with opposite side edges (2, 3) and top and bottom edges (4, 5) may include an optional slit extending between the side edges for use by breast-feeding mothers. A pair of rear sections (9) and (10) are joined to the side edges (2) and (3) with a pair of interposed sleeves (12) and (13). The rear sections are releasably joined by opposable tabs (18) and (19) leaving a gap (20) at the rear. Side slits (15) are formed at the bottom of the apron. The rear sections (9) and (10) are also joined to the top edge (4) on either side of a neck recess (6), which may be filled with a forwardly-extending panel to cover a neck tie. The front section (1) is preferably provided with a flap joined to the bottom edge (5) to cover the wearer's lap when required. x x Figure 1

Description

BABY FEEDING AND HANDLING APRON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an apron which is intended to be worn when feeding and generally handling babies.

[0002] Parents with small children often find it necessary to feed, bathe and generally handle children when wearing their good clothes. All too often this results in spillages of food, bath water, vomit or urine, which at best may require the clothing to be washed, and at worst, may even ruin an expensive garment.

[0003] People often resort to an attempt at covering themselves with towels, but these only provide partial cover, and liquids can easily soak through to the clothing beneath. Plastic aprons may be used to provide more effective cover, but these still leave significant areas unprotected and liquids tend to run off onto unprotected areas. In addition, they are not conducive to cuddling, which is very important for child-parent bonding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a baby feeding and handling which meets these requirements [0005] According to the invention there is provided a baby feeding and handling apron formed of a waterproof material which is soft and absorbent on the outside, the apron comprising: a front section having opposite side edges and top and bottom edges; a pair of rear sections joined to the opposite side edges of the front section; a pair of tubular sleeves inserted between the front and rear sections adjacent to said top edge; and connection means for releasably joining the rear sections together.

[0006] In another preferred embodiment, each rear section is joined to a respective side edge of the front section along part of its length to form a slit extending from the bottom edge along the respective side edge.

[0007] In another preferred embodiment, each rear section is joined to the top edge of the front section.

[0008] In another preferred embodiment, in which the top edge is formed with a neck recess between the rear sections, the neck recess contains a forwardly-extending panel.

[0009] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a baby feeding and handling apron in accordance with the invention, intended for use by a woman; [0011] Fig.2 is a general back view of a baby feeding and handling apron; [0012] Fig.3 is a cross-section through the apron taken on the line X-X indicated in Fig. 1; [0013] Fig.4 is a general front view of the apron which is arranged to show the bottom flap.

[0014] Fig.5 is a general front view of a modified version of the apron.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The baby feeding and handling apron shown in the drawings are intended for use by parents and wears during the feeding and general handling of babies. The apron will generally be worn over the adult's normal clothing to provide protection against soiling. A first version of the apron which is shown in Figs 1 to 4 is particularly suitable for use by breast-feeding mothers, although it could be worn by anyone, including grandmothers and nannies. Another modified version which is shown in Fig. 5 is more suitable for use by men.

[0016] Referring to Fig.l &2, the first version has a front section 1 of generally rectangular shape, having opposite side edges 2 and 3, a top edge 4 and a bottom edge 5. The top edge has a shallow central notch 6 forming a neck recess. A pair of elongate back section 9 and 10 are respectively sown or otherwise joined to the opposite side edges 2 and 3, with a pair of tubular sleeves 12 and 13 inserted into the side seams 14 end short of the bottom edge 5, forming a pair of vertical slits 15 on opposite sides of the apron to provide the user with increased freedom of movement. Each rear section is also joined to the top edge 4 by a top seam 16 ending adjacent to the neck recess 6.

[0017] Each rear section 9,10 is less than half the width of the front section 1. Approximately mid-way down the adjacent rear edges of both back section 9 and 10 there are a pair of opposable tabs 18 and 19, the free ends of which can be releasably joined together using pads of hook-and-loop fastening material, injection moulded clasps or the like, leaving a vertical gap 20 between the two rear sections. This minimizes the overall weight of the garment, improves ventilation and generally makes the apron more comfortable to wear.

[0018] In the case of the female apron which is shown in Fig.l to 4, the front section 1 is formed from upper and lower panels 22 and 23 leaving a horizontal opening 24 extending between the two side edges 2 and 3 immediately below the sleeves 12 and 13 and above the slits 15. Refer to Fig.3, it can be seen that the upper and lower panels 22 and 23 overlap slightly so that the opening 24 is closed in normal use. However, the opening allows a mother to breast feed a child without removing the apron. The sectional view also shows a flap 26 which is joined to the front section 1 along the bottom edge 5. The flap is of substantially rectangular outline, being of about the same width as the front section 1. The flap may be hidden from view by being folded up behind the front section 1, to which it may be releasably secured by press studs or the like. However, when the wearer wishes to sit down in order to feed a child on their lap for example, the flap can be lowered to the position shown in Fig.4 so that the flap will cover and protect their lap when seated.

[0019] Instead of being permanently joined to the front section the flap 26 could be releasably joined to the bottom edge 5 e.g. using buttons, press studs or a zip fastener, so that it can be removed when soiled or when it is not required. The second version of the apron which is shown in Fig.5 differs in that front section 1 is formed by a V-shaped notch 30 which is filled in by a triangular panel 31. The panel thus extends forwards so that if the apron is used by a man wearing a suit for example, the panel 31 may cover and protect a tie or shirt collar.

[0020] The forms of apron described above are easily placed over the wearers normal clothing by inserting the arms into the sleeves and then doing up the fastener at the rear. The apron provides complete and thorough protection against soiling whilst at the same time allowing the wearer unimpeded freedom of movement.

Claims (4)

1. A baby feeding and handling apron formed of a waterproof material which is soft and absorbent on the outside, the apron comprising: a front section having opposite side edges and top and bottom edges; a pair of rear sections joined to the opposite side edges of the front section; a pair of tubular sleeves inserted between the front and rear sections adjacent to said top edge; and connection means for releasably joining the rear sections together.

2. A baby feeding and handling apron as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each rear section is joined to a respective side edge of the front section along part of its length to form a slit extending from the bottom edge along the respective side edge.

3. A baby feeding and handling apron according to claim 1, wherein each rear section is joined to the top edge of the front section.

4. A baby feeding and handling apron according to claim 1, wherein in which the top edge is formed with a neck recess between the rear sections, the neck recess contains a forwardly-extending panel.