GB2232340A

GB2232340A - A disposable multi-ply absorbent bib

Info

Publication number: GB2232340A
Application number: GB9008390A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Renzo Marcallo Odoardi; Rolando Luberti
Original assignee: ABATEC Srl
Current assignee: ABATEC Srl
Priority date: 1989-05-03
Filing date: 1990-04-12
Publication date: 1990-12-12
Also published as: FR2646591B3; FR2646591A1; IT217944Z2; ES1013658U; DE9003784U1; NL9000743A; IT8935740V0; SE9001141L; SE9001141D0; GB9008390D0

Abstract

The disposable bib is fashioned in a rectangular shape from sandwiched materials comprising fully bonded layers of a waterproof 5 and an absorbent 6, and a third layer of non-woven fabric 7 having filtering properties 7 anchored to the absorbent around the periphery so as to leave a central area 13 between the two permeable layers into which air is allowed. The bib has a U-shaped neck contour (2, Figs. 1 and 3) at the top end, flanked by two straps with sticker tabs (18, 19), whilst the bottom end incorporates a reversible pocket 17 to capture spills; to advantage, the neck (9) and the pocket ends (10, 11) are heat-sealed. <IMAGE>

Description

Description A DISPOSABLE MULTI-PLY ABSORBENT BIB The present invention relates to a disposable bib intended in particular for children, but suitable also for adult, elderly and hospitalized persons.

Articles of the type are already available for general purchase. One such model is fashioned from a single, i.e. a single-ply material, exhibiting perforated sections that can be broken apart to provide two straps which fit around the neck.

Also available are disposable bibs fashioned from a material comprising two layers, one waterproof and covering the wearer's abdomen, the other absorbent, bonded together over their entire matched surface areas. Whilst the multi-ply material is certainly an improvement on the type first mentioned, its absorbent capacity nonetheless remains limited.

Certain models of bib, especially rigid or semirigid types, are designed with a cup or pocket at bottom, the purpose of which is to retain foods or liquids which spill onto the outer surface of the bib but are not absorbed.

Accordingly, the main object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks outlined above by providing a multilayer disposable bib with a notable capacity for absorbing liquids, yet significantly thin and remaining absolutely waterproof on the side offered to the body of the wearer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bib of shape such as permits ease of fabrication from the manufacturing standpoint, whilst affording optimum features of wearability and flexibility of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bib with a spill pocket that is simple to manufacture and can be easily prepared and rendered operational at the moment of use, if so desired.

The stated objects are realized in a disposable bib as characterized by the appended claims, typically for children, though with appropriately increased dimensions suitable also for adults, fashioned from at least three thin sandwiched layers of filtering, absorbent and waterproof material bonded together at least peripherally, and exhibiting substantially a rectangular outline; of the smaller sides of the rectangle, the one presents a semi-oval contour serving as an open neck line, with repositionable adhesive labels or tabs on either side, and the other a reversible pocket that can be folded out at the moment.of use. In a preferred embodiment, the contoured edge of the neckline and the ends of the pocket are heat-sealed.

One of the advantages provided by the invention stems from the fact that the bib is disposable, and thus of considerably low cost, whilst affording the typical features of shape, construction and use common to reusable articles, which must of course be washed or wiped.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: -fig 1 is a front view of the bib according to the invention, seen in its packaged state before being prepared for use; -fig 2 is the section through A-A in fig 1; -fig 3 is an axonometric projection illustrating the bib prepared and ready for use, i.e. ready for wearing.

In accordance with the spirit of the invention, the embodiment of the bib illustrated in the drawings is clearly modifiable in terms of its essential shape and dimensions.

In fig 1 of the drawings, 1 denotes the disclosed bib in its entirety, which will be seen to exhibit a substantially rectangular shape, of which one of the smaller sides incorporates a central opening 2 of half-oval or "U" shape serving as a neck line.

The end of the rectangle opposite from the neck 2 exhibits preferably rounded corners 3 and 4, which will be referred to in due course.

As illustrated in fig 2, the material from which the bib is fashioned presents a multi-ply sandwich type construction comprising at least three layers: a waterproof layer 5, an intermediate absorbent layer 6 and a filtering layer 7. The waterproof layer 5 consists in a thermoplastic, for example polyethylene, the absorbent 6 might be a derivative of cellulose or other suitable material as used conventionally in the manufacture of the type of article in question, whilst the preferred filter material 7 is non-woven fabric. The waterproof layer 5 and the absorbent layer 6 are bonded one to the other over their entire matched surface areas by means of suitable adhesive techniques, whereas the filter layer 7 is anchored to the absorbent by elongated applications of adhesive, schematically denoted 8 in the drawings.These streaks or dabs 8 of glue are applied selectively to the upper part of the bib, around the U-shaped neck opening 2, down each side and across the bottom edge, in such a way that a central area of the bib, denoted 12 in fig 1, is free of any attachment between the outer filter layer 7 and the absorbent layer 6 beneath.

An air gap 13 is thus created between these two layers (fig 2), the effect of which is to increase the absorbency of the intermediate layer 6; the advantages of such an expedient will be immediately clear.

According to the invention, moreover, the three layers are fused together by heat-sealed areas the inclusion of which is rendered possible by the adoption of a thermoplastic material; these heat seals are indicated in fig 1 by the densely cross hatched areas denoted 9, around the neck 2, and 10 and 11, which border the bottom corners 3 and 4 respectively. The neckline area 9 serves to create a semi-rigid collar, which is simple to effect in view of the ease of making a cut of substantially horseshoe shape through this part of the rectangle; what is more, the semi-rigid embodiment permits of adapting the contour better to the neck of the wearer. In addition to shaping the bottom end of the bib, the remaining sealed areas serve to create side closures for a cuff, or pocket, as will be made clear in due course.

To advantage, the heat-sealed areas 9, 10 and 11 might be patterned in relief to provide decoration; while not actually illustrated in the drawings in the interests of simplicity, such decoration could be effected simultaneously with the heat-seal by means of a suitable die.

Referring to fig 2, it will be noted that a panel, denoted 14, is created advantageously by doubling back the bottom end of the bib along a fold 15 disposed essentially parallel to the corresponding shorter side of the rectangle, in such a way that the waterproof faces of the panel and the remainder of the bib are breasted together. The depth of the panel is such that its free edge 16 lies at a given prescribed height. The elongated fillet of adhesive applied between the filtering and absorbent layers at bottom is designed to facilitate this folding operation, by anchoring the parts to be folded one to another.With the fold thus effected and made secure by the heat-seal 10 and 11 on either side, a pocket 17 is created, with the two seals extending preferably up beyond the height of the panel 14; immediately prior to use, the folded panel 14 will be bent first toward the main body of the bib as illustrated by the phantom line 14', then turned inside out as in fig 3. Given that the corners 3 and 4, hence the ends of the pocket 17, are brought to the inside in this manner, their added thickness has the automatic effect of keeping the pocket puffed out and ensuring its functional efficiency.

It will be clear from the description that the pocket 17 need not be reversed and made operational unless effectively required, and even then, not until immediately prior to use; in effect, the bib can be used to advantage in the state illustrated in figs 1 and 2.

18 and 19 denote respective repositionable adhesive labels or tabs applied one to each strap on either side of the U-shaped neck line for the purpose of attaching the bib to the clothes of the wearer in such a way as to remain suspended from the shoulder line. Needless to say, labels might also be applied at other points, e.g. below the central area, to anchor the bib more firmly to the clothing of the wearer.

Claims

1) A disposable bib fashioned in multi-ply material and provided with repositionable adhesive labels or tabs, characterized in that it is fashioned from at least three layers of material, comprising a first layer of waterproof thermoplastic and a second absorbent layer, bonded together over their entire matched surfaces, and a further material with filtering properties offered flush and bonded peripherally to the absorbent in such a manner as to leave an unbonded central area whereby a gap is created between the absorbent and filter layers.

2) A bib as in claim 1, embodied in a substantially rectangular shape of which the central area of one shorter side exhibits a semi-oval cutaway designed to create a U-shaped neck opening flanked by a strap on either side, wherein each such strap is fitted with a repositionable adhesive label or tab by means of which to suspend the bib from the shoulders of the wearer.

3) A bib as in claim 2, wherein the semi-oval cutaway coincides with a heat-sealed area the purpose of which is to create a semi-rigid collar around the U-shaped neck opening.

4) A bib as in claim 3, wherein the semi-rigid collar created by heat-sealing exhibits a decoration in relief or otherwise patterned.

5) A bib as in claim 1, embodied in a substantially rectangular shape of which the central area of one shorter side exhibits a semi-oval cutaway, further comprising a pocket coinciding with the shorter side of the rectangle opposite the cutaway, which is obtained by effecting a fold substantially parallel to the relative shorter side and securing the resulting panel to the two bottom corners of the bib.

6) A bib as in claim 5, wherein the fold is effected in such a way as to breast the waterproof layers of the pocket panel and the remainder of the bib one with another, and to permit of reversing the fold immediately prior to use such that secured ends of the panel are turned inside the pocket and the waterproof layer of the panel turned out.

7) A bib as in claim 5, wherein the ends of the pocket panel are secured to the corners of the bib by heat-sealing.

8) A bib as in claim, wherein the heat-sealed area at either end of the pocket exhibits a decoration in relief or otherwise patterned.

9) A bib as in preceding claims, substantially as described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, and as intended for the stated objects.