GB2302644A

GB2302644A - Disposable apron or bib with integral ties.

Info

Publication number: GB2302644A
Application number: GB9613403A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel William Bernard Ball
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-06-27
Filing date: 1996-06-26
Publication date: 1997-01-29
Also published as: GB9613403D0

Abstract

A disposable bib comprises a protective portion 3b and two securing portions 3a,b, the protective portion having a top portion from which the securing portions depend. The securing portions lie alongside the protective portion and are joined by a line of weakness 2b so that they may be separated from the protective portion as far as the top portion and secured by tying or by passing one notched securing portion through a hole in the other. The bibs can be manufactured and retailed in the form of a continuous roll or retailed boxed in a similar manner to tissues and may be provided with a crumb tray.

Description

DISPOSABLE PROTECTIVE DEVICE This invention relates to disposable protective devices for clothing and other fabrics. In particular, it relates to disposable devices such as bibs or aprons, which may be used at any time when the soiling of clothing is a risk.

Protective devices such as bibs and aprons for clothing are known, and suffer from various disadvantages, depending on their construction. They may be produced from a fabric material, such as cotton fibre or synthetic materials.

However, these are generally reusable, and as such require cleaning, may be unhygienic, expensive, and are generally inconvenient. Alternatively, disposable products such as paper bibs and aprons are known, but these have various disadvantages, including the ease with which fluid spilt on the devices can pass through, and thus soil the fabric underneath.

In particular in the area of bibs, such as bibs for children (for example for use during meal times), in hospitals, and on airlines, it is known for such devices to be provided with adhesive portions, which will facilitate adhesion of the bib to the user, so as to hold the bib in place. For example, in GB 2,212,710 there is described a neck-wear device for infants, comprising a collar having adhesive means for attachment to an item of clothing worn by an infant. The collar generally comprises a laminate of an outer layer of paper, a middle layer of absorbent materials, and a backing layer of liquid impermeable material such as plastics.

However, devices such as this have several drawbacks.

In particular, devices with an adhesive surface for attachment to the user have been found to have many disadvantages.

Amongst these is the high cost caused by the necessity to include an adhesive portion on such a bib or apron. The cost of the adhesive material, including any backing strip, plus the cost of application of the adhesive strip, can typically serve to increase the unit cost of a disposable bib by a factor of three. In addition, because of the difficulty of storing and packaging bibs containing adhesive portions, such bibs can be very bulky at the point of sale.

It has in addition been found that the consumer has a certain aversion to using bibs with adhesive portions. This is particularly the case when such bibs are intended for use with children. Adhesive bibs are relatively easy for children to pull from clothing and discard, and therefore have a reduced effectiveness. In addition, users have expressed a preference for a traditional style of bib, which is tied around the child's neck. This preference is based not only on tradition and culture, but also has a practical basis, in that bibs which are secured around a child's neck are more difficult for the child to remove.

It is also known for bibs to be manufactured in a continuous fashion, such as in roll form. For example, in US 3,299,440 (Grable) there is described an embodiment of bib which is in the form of a continuous strip, and comprises a protective portion having attached tie up portions, the tie up portions of one bib being adjacent the protective portion of the next bib on the continuous roll.

In particular, in example 1 there is shown an embodiment of continuous roll in which the protective portion of one bib is shown leading off the roll, with its tie off portions adjacent the protective portion of the next bib in the roll.

However, one problem we have found is that it is not possible to manufacture such a continuous roll of bibs on a commercial scale. The problem lies in the attachment of such a continuous roll to the spindle roll on which it is wound, and eventually sold. Commercial manufacture of such bibs (and similar methods are used to manufacture toilet paper, kitchen roll, etc.) relies on unrolling a parent roll, and at the same time passing the roll through a cutter arrangement which cuts or perforates the roll in the desired fashion. The cut, shaped, or otherwise perforated roll is the rewound onto one or more smaller spindle rollers which may for example hold cardboard tubes, on which the processed roll is sold.

With the embodiment of continuous bib roll shown in figure 1 of US 3,299,440, it would be necessary to attach the tie off portions of one bib onto a cardboard tube located on a smaller spindle roller. This has proved to be not possible on any reliable commercial scale; in practice the machines in general use which attach the roll to the spindle roller are not able to grasp and attach such small portions to the roll with sufficient accuracy to enable the rewind process to be carried out with sufficient reliability or quality. Therefore, if this embodiment of bib is to be manufactured commercially, it would be necessary to roll the continuous roll of bibs in the opposite manner to that shown in figure 1 - i.e. by attaching the protective portion of a bib to the spindle roll first.However we have found that such a configuration is not acceptable to the user, since it results in a roll of bibs which in use has free tie-off portions dangling. Such portions are regarded as untidy, and in use can easily be caught accidentally, causing the unrolling of the roll, and consequent nuisance.

A similar type of bib to that described above is also to be found in US 4,622,698, and similar comments apply. In addition, this patent describes embodiments of bib which have either adhesive portions, or tie portions which are intended to extend around the waist of the user. Adhesive portions are considered undesirable for the reasons described above, whilst the waist tying portions described in the other embodiments are considered to be uncomfortable and impractical in use.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a mass produced readily manufactured disposable secured bib, such as a tie-up bib.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a disposable secured bib which has a very low unit cost.

It is yet a further object of the invention to produce a disposable secured bib which is readily manufactured.

In one aspect, the invention comprises a disposable protective device comprising a protective portion and two securing portions, wherein the securing portions are detachable from the protective portion by lines of weakness.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a disposable protective device such as a bib or apron comprising a protective portion and two securing portions, the protective portion having a top portion from which the securing portions depend and a bottom portion, characterised in that when the protective device is layed flat, the securing portions lie alongside the protective portion.

In various embodiments, the securing portions may be detached from the protective portion. Alternatively, the securing portions may be attached to the protective portion initially (i.e. during manufacture and retailing) but are detachable therefrom by the user along lines of weakness.

In a preferred embodiment, the protective device will have sides which are parallel, and the borders separating the protective portion and the securing portions, whilst not necessarily being straight, may run substantially parallel to the sides of the protective device. As such, the securing portions need not have uniform width along their length, and may advantageously be shaped so as to be narrower in a mid-portion than at the end where they join the protective portion, and at their ends nearest the bottom portion of the protective device.

Preferably, the securing portions extend from the top of the protective portion generally towards the bottom of the protective portion. Preferably, a securing portion is located on each side of the protective portion of the device. Preferably, when protective devices is lying flat and the securing portions are alongside the protective portions, they are directly next to the protective portion, and even possibly touching the protective portion; in practice this means that the protective device according to the invention may be shaped from a blank without any waste.

Preferably, the disposable protective device is a bib or apron, in particular a bib. Conveniently, the disposable protective device is in the form of a sheet. The securing portions are attached to the protective portion, and remain attached, even when parts of the securing portions are detached from the protective portion along lines of weakness.

According to one aspect of the invention, a plurality of the protective devices may be separated, and stacked together in a box ready for dispensing. These may be stacked together adjacently, with the protective device to be dispensed next being readily accessible through a cut away panel of the box. Alternatively, the protective devices may be packed in a so called fan fold fashion, in which the uppermost protective device is folded near its mid point, with its bottom half located underneath the upper half of the next protective device in the stack. This folding pattern is repeated down through the stack, and is similar to a way in which many conventional box tissue products may be packaged and dispensed. When a protective device is dispensed, the action of the user pulling the dispensed article causes the top of the next one in the stack to protrude from the dispensing container.In such instances, although the protective devices are discreetly separate and therefore not attached to each other, they may have been manufactured in continuous (e.g. roll) form, and subsequently separated prior to retailing.

Preferably, such disposable protective devices can manufacture as a continuous stream, and can be detachable from the continuous stream of protective devices along a line of weakness. Conveniently, they may be manufactured and/or sold in the form of a roll. Preferably, the protective devices have parallel sides, though the ends of the protective devices need not be parallel or straight.

Conveniently, the protective devices are often symmetrical about their central longitudinal axis. When in continuous roll form, the protective portions of the protective devices are narrower than the complete roll itself. Preferably, the securing portions depend from the top of the protective portion, with one depending from each side of the protective portion. Typically, the protective portion may comprise 6095% of the width of the protective device, and the securing portions combined may comprise 5-40% of the width of the protective device.

An advantageous aspect of manufacturing protective devices according to the invention in the form of a roll is that they are readily dispensed from the roll along for example lines of weakness, with little or no damage being caused to the protective devices in the process of tearing from the roll. If the protective devices are manufactured in a roll, it is preferred that they are configured such that the tops of the protective devices (i.e. where the securing portions on the protective portions) come off the roll first, with the bottoms of the protective devices being nearer the centre of the roll. When the protective devices are configured such that the securing portions are detached from the sides of the protective portion, it is highly preferred that these are manufactured and retailed as a roll.

In a highly preferred aspect, the invention may comprise a plurality of protective devices attached to each other in consecutive form, with the top of one protective device being attached to the bottom of the adjacent one, and detachable therefrom along a line of weakness, such as a line of perforations. It is a highly preferred form of the invention that the protective devices are manufactured, and possibly retailed in the form of a continuous roll.

According to this further aspect, the invention comprises a plurality of disposable protective devices in continuous form, a protective device being detachable from the preceding protective device along a line of weakness, the protective device comprising a protective portion and two securing portions, wherein the securing portions are detachable from the protective portion by lines of weakness.

In an envisaged form of the invention, the continuous stream of protective devices are folded in a stack in concertina fashion, in a dispensing container, the uppermost protective device in the stack being detachable from the protective device underneath it by tearing it from the lower protective device along a line of weakness.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the securing portions are tying portions, which may be tied together in use to secure the protective device for example around the user's neck or waist. However it is also envisaged that the securing portions may link together in a different manner, for example by having a slit in the first securing portion through which a second such securing portion may pass, and securing together by means of preformed cuts in the second securing portion which are manipulable by the user so as to engage in slit in the first securing portion.

In various embodiments, the protective portion may comprise a single water resistant material, such as a plastics material. Examples of such plastics materials include polyvinyl chloride, and low density polyethylene.

However, in a preferred aspect of the invention, the protective device may be made up of a laminate of at least one absorbent layer and a water resistant layer. By laminate" in this instance is meant a series of two or more layers, but the laminate protective device structure may have been made by methods other than just laminating together two or more layers. For example, one layer could have been applied to another as a coating in liquid form, and allowed to dry. In addition, the protective devices may also have pictorial decoration or other information located on their protective portion surfaces, such as company names, advertising information and slogans, cartoon characters, and so on.

Disposable protective devices according to the invention have numerous advantages over known bibs. In particular, by avoiding the use of adhesives as a means to secure the protective device to the user in the manufacture of such disposable mass-produced protective devices, the above disadvantages of the use of adhesives, including the cost of manufacture, and the consumer reluctance for such products, are avoided. In particular, the shape of the protective device is such that it can readily be manufactured, and lends itself to convenient use, dispensing, and detachment of the securing portions from the protective portion.

A particular advantage of protective devices manufactured in accordance with the invention is that they lend themselves to production in continuous form, for example in continuous roll form, which is a particularly convenient way in which to both manufacture and retail disposable goods of this type. In particular, it is found that protective devices according to the invention can be made cheaply and on readily available manufacturing machinery, with relatively little adjustment or modification. Indeed the shapes of the protective devices according to the invention may be routinely programmed into appropriate manufacturing apparatus by the skilled person, with no more than standard modifications to equipment being necessary.It is also possible using the invention to manufacture protective devices in roll form in which there is effectively 100% utility of the materials of manufacture in the finished roll. Other embodiments of the invention also provide very high degrees of utility of the raw materials used.

In embodiments where the protective portion comprises an absorbent layer, it is possible according to the invention to manufacture protective devices such as bibs with a relatively high level of absorbency, which is attainable by the use of relatively cheap raw materials.

This is because the protective device according to the invention lends itself to manufacture from multiple ply tissue paper as the absorbent layer (typically 2-3 ply, though higher ply materials can be used), which provides a very high degree of efficiency of absorbtion compared to other absorbent materials. This provides a particular advantage over protective devices made from an absorbent material such as tissue paper joined to a water impervious backing material where the backing material has on its reverse side an adhesive which loosely and releasably binds to a lower disposable protective device in a stack.In such product concepts, which provide disposable adhesive protective devices but without the need for a protective paper for the adhesive portion (with the lower protective device in the stack acting as the protective paper" for the upper protective device), it has only been possible to use single ply tissue paper. This is because it has been found that as the top protective device in a stack is removed, unless the protective devices use single ply tissue, there is a tendency for a layer of tissue paper to be removed from the protective device underneath. This limitation to single ply has meant in practice that only a limited absorption and efficiency is possible with such protective devices.

Whilst it is possible to use any absorbent material to make the absorbent layer of the disposable protective device, multiple ply tissue paper is a preferred material because of its ease of processing, and also the high degree of absorbency it provides at a low cost.

A further preferred material for the absorbent layer is a non woven low density material, which is, for example, made from a cellulose pulp material, and can conveniently be embossed onto the water impervious backing material. An example of such non woven absorbent material is Walkisoft, available from United Papers, or Fibrella, available from Suminou Oy, Finland. A further preferred suitable material is Trinitrex, a cellulose and cotton based non woven material, which can conveniently be coated on one side, and is available from Lystil Oy of Helsinki, Finland. Such materials are preferred as they may confer softness, strength, and absorbency to the protective devices so produced.

In addition, by using a water impervious backing material, in particular one which is flexible, soft and strong, such as for example polyethylene (e.g. high or low density polyethylene), it is possible to make the securing portions of the protective device relatively soft, and therefore convenient for use. This is particularly the case where the securing portions of the protective devices are tie off portions.

In certain preferred aspects of the invention, the protective device may comprise a laminate (as previously defined) of a moisture impervious layer, and a moisture absorbent layer. Where the imperious layer is a polythene, in some circumstances high density polythene has been found to be preferred, since a lower thickness of the material may be needed to provide adequate moisture resistance (eg a layer of weight 10g/square metre or less, conveniently 7g/square metre). In addition, the use of high density polythene has been found to improve the tensile strength of the securing portions of the device.

It is also possible to use non woven materials which themselves may be laminates, made up of two or more different layers of material.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, in particular when the moisture imperious layer is polyethylene, it is highly preferred that the absorbent and impervious layers are coated onto each other, rather than simply assembled as dry layers next to each other. In particular, it is preferred that the absorbent layer is spray coated with a solution of the impervious layer (eg polyethylene), and allowed to dry. So-called coated laminates, as opposed to assembled laminates, have been found to be cheaper to produce, and have been found to provide improved tensile strength.

In addition, when the protective device is manufactured in the form of a roll, during the manufacturing process, it is necessary that at several stages substantial tension is used in the roll, in particular during the processes of perforation and cutting. Using coated materials as opposed to assembled laminates, it has been found that such conversion can be carried out without the risk of the roll continually breaking, which can happen when assembled laminate materials are used. This in turn can lead to improvements in the speed and reliability of the production process.

Where the protective devices are manufactured in continuous form on a roll and are made from a material which has both a moisture absorbent layer and a water resistant layer, it is preferable that the roll is wound such that the coated layer is on the outside of the roll of protective devices, and that the moisture absorbent layer is the innermost layer of the two. A continuous roll configured as such has been found to have various advantages. Included in these are that it helps to keep the outmost protective devices on the roll fresh, and that in use the protective device will curl, if it has a tendency to curl at all, away from the user's chest rather than towards it, which may diminish it's effectiveness. In addition, it has been found that when the water resistant layer is outermost, this helps the roll to stay relatively tightly wound when stood on a surface, and helps prevent the roll from unrolling itself.

In one aspect of the invention, the disposable protective device may be manufactured as a continuous roll of sheets which are linked by perforations, or other features which facilitate detachment, with a protective device "blank" being essentially a rectangle of material.

The edges of the tie-up portions of the protective device may conveniently be preformed parallel or substantially parallel to the sides of the roll, approximately 5-25mm in from each side of the roll, by lines of weakness or cuts.

The securing portions of a given protective device may thus be separated by lines of weakness from the protecting portion of the same protective device.

By "lines of weakness" in the context of this invention is meant any feature applied to the protective device, or between succeeding protective devices which facilitates the tearing of one portion of the protective device relative to another, or one protective device relative to another, along a certain line. Lines of weakness may therefore include perforations, nibs, crimped portions, or any other methods of providing lines of weakness in such articles which are known in the art. The types of lines of weakness used, and their exact locations, can be varied in practice to suit the types of stress the various parts of the protective devices will encounter in practice, as well as the desired ease with which either the protective devices are to be separated, or the securing portions are to be detached from the protective portions.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, of utility in particular (but not exclusively) when the protective device is a bib, the protective device may be manufactured with the capability to form a crumb tray.

Conveniently this may take the form of a portion of the protective device remote from where the securing portions join the protective portion, being foldable and conveniently securable so a to provide a receptacle in which spilt food or drink may be trapped. Conveniently the crumb tray portion of the protective device can be secured to the protective portion by folding it towards the protective portion of the protective device, and passing one or more tab portions of the crumb tray portion through one or more slits in the protective portion of the protective device to secure the crumb tray in position. Conveniently such slits can be curved to facilitate rapid folding and securing by the user, in particular by passing the crumb tray tab portions through the slits with the user's thumbs.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, where protective devices according to the invention are manufactured in roll form, and the protective devices are symmetrical about their central longitudinal axis, they may be manufactured not simply by processing the single thickness of material from which the protective devices are made, but by processing a double thickness folded about its central longitudinal axis. In this way the protective device may be manufactured, retailed and dispensed in a similar manner to that previously described, but is simply unfolded by the user prior to use to provide the protective device.

Such a method of manufacture, and also the subsequent packaging and retailing and retailing of bibs in this manner, can provide various advantages.

In particular, with minimal conversion, it may allow a processing machine to process twice as many rolls of material at once, thereby doubling the production rate of the protective devices. In addition, halving the width of the protective device as sold allows the protective devices to be packaged in containers which have a reduced width, which makes it more acceptable to retailers such as supermarkets, who may be able to increase their profits per unit area of shelf space. Protective devices retailed in this fashion also have the advantage of being more travel friendly as they are packaged in a relatively small container, and also more easy to dispense. This is because the user, when separating the protective device from the roll, is pulling on a double thickness of material, and is therefore less likely to damage the protective device by tearing it undesirably.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of continuous roll of disposable protective device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a disposable protective device according to the invention; Figure 3 shows the disposable protective device of Figure 2 in a secured configuration; Figure 4 shows a further alternative design of disposable protective device according to the invention in continuous roll form; Figure 5 shows a method of dispensing embodiments of protective devices according to the invention; Figure 6 shows a schematic cut away view of an alternative method of dispensing embodiments of protective devices according to the invention;; Figure 7 shows a further alternative design of disposable protective device according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows a further alternative design of disposable protective device according to the invention having a crumb tray facility; Figure 9 shows the design of disposable protective device shown in Figure 8 in which the crumb tray has been folded into position; Figure 10 shows a further alternative design of disposable protective device according to the invention; Figure 11 shows schematically the embodiment of figure 10 when the straps are pulled in the way normal in use; Figure 12 shows an alternative way of manufacturing protective devices according to the invention; and Figure 13 shows a protective device manufactured by the general method discussed in relation to Figure 12.

Referring to Figure 1, a continuous roll 1 of disposable bibs is made of a laminate of a water impervious backing material, such as polyethylene, and attached to that a water absorbent layer of three ply tissue paper. These can conveniently be attached to each other by conventional means, such as for example crimping together.

Manufactured into the roll is a line of weakness 2, along which successive bibs 3a, 3b, have been separated.

The lines of weakness can be of any preferred type, but in this instance the lines comprise a perforated section 2a, which runs along the top of the bib, perpendicular to its sides, and nibbed sections 2b, which detachably secure the securing portions of a bib to the protective portion of the same bib. Lines of weakness 2a, 2b run parallel to the sides of the roll, approximately 20 in from the sides, and extend for the whole of the length of each bib in straight line except for a distance of approximately 30 mm at one end of the bib. Bibs 3a, 3b can typically be for example 300mm x 300mm in size.

Separated bib 3b comprises three portions, namely a protective portion 4, and securing portions 5a, Sb, which are shown on the detached bib as already separated along lines of weakness from the protective portion. Protective portion 4 is designed so as to protect the front of the clothing of the user, whilst securing portions 5a, 5b can be folded back and extended around the neck of the user, and be secured by tying them together.

In use, a bib can be obtained simply by rolling open a suitable length of the roll, and detaching a bib by carefully pulling at it so as to cause it to separate from the roll at a line of weakness.

In the embodiment of figure 2, the bib likewise has a protective portion 24 and securing portions 25a, 25b.

However securing portion 25a is equipped with a slit 27, which can be preformed in the roll of bibs during manufacture. Additionally securing portion 25b is equipped with oblique notches 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, which likewise can be preformed in the roll during manufacturing.

In use, the end of securing portion 25b can be threaded through slit 27, and the slit engaged on any of oblique notches 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, so as to provide a comfortable fit, as shown for example in Figure 3.

As an alternative to oblique notches 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, securing portion 25 can have manufactured into it any other features which will enable it to engage slit 27, and therefore provide a means for securing the bib.

Though the bib shapes as shown in Figures 1-3 are generally rectangular, within the constraints of the invention any convenient shape of bib may be chosen.

Bibs according to the invention can conveniently be made on an industrial scale by using a parent roll, for example 6000 metres in length and 1.45 metres in width, of non woven air layered absorbent paper material. This can be laminated with an impervious sheet material such as polyethylene, or spray coated with a polymer to provide it with the required degree of water resistance. The parent roll is then converted by means of a rewind converting process onto a smaller diameter core, where it may then be slit into the required widths and then die cut to shape and perforated. Alternatively the material can be perforated first whilst it is in the parent roll width, die cut to shape, and then slit into the desired widths.This and other suitable techniques are known in the industrial manufacture of kitchen towels, foil packaging, wrapping and plastic films, and other domestic items that are wound around a core.

Continuous rolls of bibs can then be removed and wrapped using conventional flowline wrapping methods. Bibs in continuous roll form can be dispensed in use from any dispenser which is adapted to dispense items wrapped around a core.

Figure 4 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of bib according to the invention. This embodiment is suitable for dispensing from a continuous roll, but this shape may also conveniently be used where the bibs are stacked in a box with or without being attached to the adjacent bib, or in fan folded form. As with previous embodiments, the bib 43 has a line of weakness 42 by which it can be separated from the earlier bib in the roll, and additional lines of weakness 42a, 42b, which run parallel to the sides of the roll, approximately 20mm from the sides of the roll.

In this embodiment however, the line of weakness 42 which separates one bib from another is curved, and the securing portions for each bib run along the sides of that bib's protective portion. This additionally leads to the ends of securing portions 45a, 45b, being slightly pointed.

In this embodiment, the lines of weakness 42a, 42b, separating the securing portions 45a, 45b, from the protective portion run up the sides of the protective portion of each bib, and also along the top of the bib for a distance, before terminating in a curved portions 49a, 49b. The provision of such curved portions 49a, 49b, where the lines of weakness end (and therefore where the securing portions join the protective portion) has been found not only to accord the bib an aesthetic, traditional style appearance, but also to facilitate the tying together around a users neck of the securing portions, and also to give strength to the bib, by preventing further tearing between the securing portions and the protective portion.The curved lines of weakness 42a, 42b, in particular near to where the securing portions 45a, 45b, join the protective portion, is thought to contribute to the strength of the securing portions.

Figure 5 shows an alternative method of dispensing bibs according to the invention. In this method, bibs of a similar shape to those described in conjunction with figure 4, but not in a continuous stream are packaged in the form of a stack in a cardboard box, which is of the form such that the top and front are readily removable, for example by tearing away along a line of perforations. The bibs can then be readily accessed as required by the user.

Figure 6 shows a schematic cut away view of a method of dispensing bibs made according to the invention. In this method, the bibs (which are of similar shape and design to those described in conjunction with figure 4) are not in a continuous stream but have been separated, and are packaged in a dispensing container, such as a box, by so-called fan folding. In this way, the bottom half of a bib whose top half is projecting through the opening of the dispensing container is located underneath the top half of the bib immediately underneath it. As the uppermost bib is pulled through the opening of the container, it drags with it the top half of the next bib in the stack, and leaves this protruding through the opening of the dispensing container as the initial bib is removed.Both of the methods of packaging bibs shown in figures 5 and 6 utilise conventional techniques for assembly of the packaged goods.

Figure 7 shows a further particularly preferred embodiment of bib according to the invention, which is in some ways similar to that shown in figure 4. As in figure 4, the bib has a protective portion 74, and curved lines of weakness 72a, 72b, by which it is separated from adjacent bibs. The bib in figure 7 is particularly suitable for manufacture as, and for dispensing from, a continuous roll.

Lines of weakness 72a, 72b, separate securing portions 75a, 75b from the protective portion 73, and may be at least in part parallel to the straight sides of the bib in the region between the securing portions and the protective portion, away from the ends of the bib. Lines of weakness 72a, 72b also run towards the centre of the bib adjacent the top of the bib. Because of the shaping of lines of weakness 72a, 72b and line 72, securing portions 75a, 75b are slightly pointed at their ends. A preferred feature of this embodiment of bib are the curved portions 79a, 79b, on lines of weakness 72a, 72b.In this embodiment, curved portions extend for approximately 90 degrees from the remainder of the line of weakness, have radii of approximately 5mm and curved portions 79a, 79b are crossed by stop lines 80a, 80b which are similarly lines of weakness in the bib (along which it may be torn), and which may be approximately 4mm long. Stop lines 80a, 80b, provide the bib with added strength, by preventing further tearing between the securing portions and the protective portion.

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of bib which has a crumb tray facility. Like earlier embodiments, this embodiment has a protective portion 84 and securing portions 85a, 85b, with the securing portions being detachable from the protective portion along lines of weakness 82a, 82b. In this embodiment, there is additionally a crumb tray portion 90 located at the bottom of the bib, remote from where the securing portions join the protective portion. Crumb tray portion 90 has integral tab portions 91a, 91b. In use, the bib may be folded (generally about dotted line 92, though in practice this feature need not be marked or manufactured into the bib in any way) in such a way as to bring tab portions 91a, 9lb, into the proximity of preformed slits 93a, 93b. Slits 93a, 93b, can be manufactured into the bib in the same general manner as other lines of weakness.

Tab portions 91a, 91b, can then be pushed through slits 93a, 93b, and caused to engage such that the crumb tray portion 90 stays generally in the folded position, as shown in figure 9. Conveniently this operation can be carried out by the user grasping the bib on each side, and pushing tab portions 91a, 91b, through slits 93a, 93b, with their thumbs, generally at the same time. Such an operation is facilitated if the slits 93a, 93b, are curved, with their ends pointing towards the sides of the bib, and the middle of the curved portion pointing generally towards the protective portion 84 of the bib.

As the skilled person will appreciate, a crumb tray facility can readily be incorporated into the other configurations and embodiments of protective device described and exemplified herein.

Figure 10 shows a further highly preferred embodiment of bib according to the invention, which in some ways is generally similar to that shown in Figure 7. As in Figure 7, the bib has a protective portion 104 and curved lines of weakness 102, by which it is separated from adjacent bibs.

The bib of figure 10 is particularly suitable for manufacture as, and dispensing from a roll, and the outsides of the securing portions are parallel.

Curved lines of weakness 102a, 102b are waisted, and have a wider portion towards their ends 110a, 110b, before narrowing to thinner portions llla, lllb, and subsequently widening again at portions 112a, 112b, near where the straps join the protective portion. Curved lines of weakness terminate at cutaway portions 114a, 114b, which act in the same way as stop lines 80a, 80b, in Figure 7, as tear resistant stop features.

This configuration means that the protective portion of the bib is relatively wide nearer the waisted portions llla, 111b of the straps, which provides aesthetic and practical benefits. Also, it means that the straps can be relatively thin in waisted portions llla, lllb, where strength is not needed, and the straps are also easier to tie because of their relative thinness. However, wider portions 112a, 112b are beneficial, as they provide extra strength to the bib at an area where it is needed.

In addition the curved lines of weakness 102 are generally more exaggerated than in previous embodiments, which results in turnover collar areas 113a, 113b of the bib adjacent the upper curved line of weakness. In use, collar areas 113a, 113b have a tendency to curl or fold over in use, as can be seen for example in figure 11, providing aesthetic and/or practical benefits, in particular helping to protect the shoulders of the user.

Figure 12 shows a continuous roll of bibs made according to a further aspect of the invention. In this, the material from which the bibs are made is unrolled in a parent roll, folded in half, and been processed in the same way as generally described. In particular, the lines of weakness incorporated into the bib may be applied in one area of the bib, but because it is folded about its central longitudinal axis, the line of weakness applied is also simultaneously applied to the folded under portion of the bib.

Figure 13 shows the same bib configuration as described in relation to Figure 10, processed in the manner described in which the roll of bibs is produced from a roll which has previously been folded about its central longitudinal axis.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A disposable protective device comprising a protective portion and two securing portions, the protective portion having a top portion from which the securing portions depend and a bottom portion, characterised in that when the protective device is layed flat, the securing portions lie alongside the protective portion.

2. A disposable protective device according to Claim 1, wherein the securing portions are detached from the protective portion.

3. A disposable protective device according to Claim 1, wherein the securing portions are attached to the protective portion but are detachable therefrom along lines of weakness.

4. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a securing portion is located on each side of the protective portion.

5. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the securing portions extend from the top of the protective portion generally towards the bottom of the protective portion.

6. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the securing portions are not of uniform width.

7. A disposable protective device according to Claim 6, wherein the securing portions have waisted portions.

8. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the boundaries between the securing portions and the protective portion curve generally towards the central longitudinal axis of the protective device.

9. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the boundaries between the securing portions and the protective portion end at tear resistant stop features.

10. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the protective device is made from a laminated material.

11. A disposable protective device according to Claim 10, wherein the laminated material is a laminate of a water absorbent material and a water resistant material.

12. A disposable protective device according to Claim 11, wherein the water absorbent material is a non-woven low density material.

13. A disposable protective device according to Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the water resistant material is high density polyethylene.

14. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the laminate is a coated laminate.

15. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the securing portions are tying portions.

16. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the securing portions comprise cooperating slits and grooves.

17. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein the sides of the protective device are parallel.

18. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, being modified to provide a crumb tray.

19. A disposable protective device according to Claims 1 to 18, having in use turn over collar features.

20. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 19 which is a bib or apron.

21. A continuous stream of protective devices attached to each other according to any one of Claims 1 to 20, detachable from each other along lines of weakness.

22. A continuous stream of disposable protective devices according to Claim 21, wherein the continuous stream is in the form of a roll or concertina stack.

23. A disposable protective device comprising a protective portion and two securing portions, wherein the securing portions are detachable from the protective portion by lines of weakness.

24. A disposable protective device according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, packaged in a box.

25. A disposable protective device according to Claim 24, wherein the dispensable protective devices are fan folded.

26. A method according to claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the protective device is a laminate and has a water impervious layer and a water absorbent layer, with the water impervious layer outermost.

2 a dispensable protective device according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

26. A method of forming a continuous stream of protective devices, comprising the steps of: taking a roll of suitable material, and rolling it onto another roll whilst cutting and forming the roll appropriately so as to form a continuous stream of protective devices according to any one of the preceding claims, which are detachable from each other by lines of weakness.

27. A method according to Claim 26, wherein the roll is first folded in half longitudinally, and the cutting and forming stages are carried out on a double thickness of material.

28. A method according to Claim 26 or Claim 27, wherein the protective device is a laminate and has a water impervious layer and a water absorbent layer, with the water impervious layer outermost.

29. A disposable protective device according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A disposable protective device comprising a protective portion and two securing portions, the protective portion having a top portion from which the securing portions depend and a bottom portion, characterised in that when the protective device is layed flat, the securing portions lie alongside the protective portion, wherein the securing portions extend from the top of the protective portion generally towards the bottom of the protective portion and are not of uniform width.

3. A disposable protective device according to claim l, where in the securing portions are attached to the protective portion but are detachable therefrom along lines of weakness.

5. A disposable protective device according to claim 1, wherein the securing portions have waisted portions.

G. A disposable protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the boundaries between the securing portions and the protective portion curve generally towards the central longitudinal axis of the protective device.

7. A disposable protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the boundaries between the securing portions and the protective portion end at tear resistant stop features.

8. A disposable protective deice according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protective device is made from a laminated material.

9. A disposable protective device according to claim 8, wherein the laminated material is a laminate of a water absorbent material and a water resistant material.

10. A disposable protective device according t claim 9, wherein the water absorbent material is a non-woven low density material.

11. A disposable protective device according to claim 9, or claim 10, wherein the water resistant material is high density polyethylene.

12. A disposable protective device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the laminate is a coated laminate.

13. A disposable protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the securing portions are tying portions.

14. A disposable protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the securing portions comprise co-operating slits and grooves.

15. A disposable protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the sides of the protective device are parallel.

16. A disposable protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, being modified to provide a crumb tray.

17. A disposable protective device according to claims 1 to 16, having in use turn over collar features.

18. A disposable protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, which is a bib or apron.

iS. A continuous stream of protective devices attached to each other according to any one of claims 1 to 18, detachable from each other along lines of weakness.

20. A continuous stream of disposable protective devices according to claim 19, wherein the continuous stream is in the form of a roll or concertina stack.

21. A disposable protective device comprising a protective portion and two securing portions, wherein the securing portions are detachable from the protective portion by lines of weakness.

22. A disposable protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, packaged in a box.

23. A disposable protective device according to claim 21, wherein the dispensable protective devices are fan folded.

24. A method of forming a continuous stream of protective devices, comprising the steps of: taking a roll of suitable material, and rolling it onto another roll whilst cutting and forming the roll appropriately so as to form a continuous stream of protective devices according to any one of the preceding claimed, which are detachable from each other by lines of weakness.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the roll 1:3 first folded in half longitudinally, and the cutting and forming stages are carried out on a double thickness of material.