GB2568327A

GB2568327A - Improved protective garment

Info

Publication number: GB2568327A
Application number: GB1803843.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laxton Daniel
Original assignee: Bibado Ltd
Current assignee: BIBADO LTD.
Priority date: 2017-10-02
Filing date: 2018-03-09
Publication date: 2019-05-15
Also published as: GB201715991D0; GB201803843D0

Abstract

A protective garment such as a bib or apron comprising a neck portion 12 for securing the garment around a wearer’s neck, a body portion 14 which extends from the neck portion and is arranged to extend adjacent a chest region of the wearer, wherein the body portion comprises a first layer 14a and a second layer 14b, the first and second layers being coupled together along a coupling region 15 which permits the body portion to reconfigure between a first configuration (figure 3) in which the first and second layers extend adjacent each other and a second configuration (figure 1) in which the first and second layers are pivotally separated about the coupling region to expose an intermediate surface 16 disposed between the first and second layers. The internal faces 16 of the two layers may be formed of an absorbent material, such that a parent can use them for wiping food off a baby’s mouth without soiling the outwardly facing portion of the bib. Also claimed is a bib with a front surface, back surface and hidden inner surface.

Description

IMPROVED PROTECTIVE GARMENT

The present invention relates to an improved protective garment. More specifically to a bib to be worn around the neck of a child in order to protect their clothing from soiling.

A bib is a garment worn by a wearer to protect themselves or their clothing from soiling. The bib is worn at the neck, usually around the neck, and extends over the chest of the individual. The bib may have sleeves and may extend beyond the waist of the wearer. Whilst bibs are usually used to prevent soiling from food or drink being consumed by the individual, they may also be used in medical procedures, such as dental procedures.

Bibs are important for young children. While young children are teething, they are often dressed in a 'dribble bib' in order to protect their clothes from becoming soiled by their saliva, food or drink. These dribble bibs are often worn as a fashion accessory and as such are designed to be visually appealing.

Current conventional dribble bibs have a significant shortcoming. When wiping the saliva, food or drink from around the child's mouth, the parent must choose whether to wipe with the front (facing away from the child) or back (facing towards the child) surface of the bib. If the front surface is chosen, then the bib becomes soiled, compromising the visual appeal of the garment. If the back surface is used, the soiled surface will then be lying against the child's clothes, potentially soiling these in turn.

'Reversible' dribble bibs, where both front and back surface are visually appealing have been growing in popularity. These types of bib further compound the problem, since whichever surface is used to wipe the child's mouth soils a surface which is intended to be visually appealing. Additionally, in order to be visually appealing on both the front and back of a bib, both surfaces are typically made from a 'jersey' material which is less absorbent than a towelling material, which is typically used for the back surface of a 'non-reversible' bib. The result is that both surfaces of the reversible dribble bib, provide an unsatisfactory job of wiping saliva, food or drink from around a child's mouth.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved protective garment.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a protective garment comprising a neck portion for securing the garment around a wearers neck; a body portion which extends from the neck portion and which is arranged to extend adjacent a chest region of the wearer; the body portion comprising a first layer which forms at least a portion of an upper surface of the body portion and a second layer which forms at least a portion of a lower surface of the body portion; wherein the first and second layer are coupled together along a coupling region which permits the body portion to reconfigure between a first use configuration in which the first and second layers extend adjacent each other and a second use configuration in which the first and second layers are pivoted about the coupling region to expose an intermediate surface disposed between the first and second layers.

Advantageously, the intermediate surface, which is hidden from view and arranged out of contact with the wearers clothes, may be used for wiping a child's mouth for example.

In an embodiment, the first layer has an internal surface and an external surface and the second layer has an internal surface and an external surface, wherein the intermediate surface is defined between the internal surfaces of the first and second layers.

In an embodiment, the first and second layers comprise a wool, cotton and/or synthetic fibre material.

In an embodiment, the internal surface of the first layer comprises a third layer disposed thereon and the internal surface of the second layer comprises a fourth layer disposed thereon, wherein the intermediate surface is defined between the third and fourth layers. The third and fourth layers may comprise a different material to the first and second layers.

In an embodiment, at least one of the internal surfaces of the first and second layers comprises an absorbent material or at least one of the third layer and fourth layer comprises an absorbent material.

In an embodiment, the intermediate surface is formed from a continuous section of material. This can improve the construction of the garment.

In an embodiment, the first and second layers comprise the same physical dimensions. Alternatively, the physical dimension can be varied to give rise to multiple aesthetic designs.

In an embodiment, in the first use configuration the internal surfaces of the first and second layers are in abutment. The close fit keeps the garment from becoming unwieldy in a feeding situation, for example.

In an embodiment, the first and second layers are detachably couplable via fastening means. The garment may have a modular design allowing the soiled portions to be removed and cleaned such as the body portion being detachably couplable form the neck portion or the layers can be engaged to avoid the soiled intermediate portion becoming accessible during movement when not intended for use.

In an embodiment, the neck portion includes securing means. The securing means may comprise releasably engageable elements. The releasably engageable elements may comprise fix press studs or hook and loop fasteners or button and holes. Further alternative methods of fastening are readily envisaged, such as laces.

In an embodiment, the garment is formed from a single sheet of material.

In an embodiment, the garment comprises a bib or an apron.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a bib to be worn by a wearer, the bib comprising: a front surface, a back surface and a hidden internal surface, wherein the hidden internal surface is formed between the front surface and back surface.

The invention may be performed in various ways and an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:3

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the protective garment in the second/open use configuration, where the intermediate surface is accessible to wipe a child's mouth;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the protective garment, with the body portion in a partially reconfigured between the first and second use configurations, where the intermediate is accessible to wipe a child's mouth;

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the protective garment in the first/closed use configuration, where the intermediate is hidden and not accessible; and,

Figures 4A and 4B show an embodiment of the protective garment in the first and second in use configurations respectively.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a protective garment (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The garment has a neck portion (12) for securing the garment around the wearer's neck. Also shown are the securing means (18A,18B). A body portion (14) extends from the neck portion and is arranged to extend adjacent a chest region of the wearer. The body portion (14) comprises a first layer (14A) which can form a portion or all of an upper surface of the body and a second layer (14B) which forms a portion or all of a lower region of the body. The first and second layer are coupled together along a coupling region (15) which permits the body portion (14) to reconfigure between a first use or closed configuration (13) (as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings) in which the first and second layers extend adjacent each other (in Figure 3 the layers are abutting), and a second use or open configuration (11) (as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings) in which the first and second layers are pivoted about the coupling region to expose an intermediate surface (16) disposed between the first and second layers. Figure 2 illustrates the body portion in a partially reconfigured position between the first and second configuration.

The body portion (14) comprises a first layer (14A) and second layer (14B), each having external surfaces (facing away from the child and towards the child respectively) and internal surfaces (facing inwardly of the body portion, from the external surface). The internal surfaces of the layers define the intermediate surface (16) and in this way the intermediate surface is hidden from view. The internal surfaces of the body portion layers may further comprise additional layers, such as a third and fourth layer disposed on the internal surfaces of the first and second layers respectively. These additional layers may be comprised of a different material to the first and second layers, for example an absorbent material. It is also envisaged that the third and fourth layer may be composed of a continuous section of material releasably attachable to the first and second layers. The first and second layers may further comprise fastening means (19), such as a button, for connecting the first and second layers together when in the first use/closed configuration, to keep the soiled intermediate surface closed and hidden from view.

The garment (10) can comprise a modular construction whereby the body portion may be detachably couplable with the neck portion and the first and second layers, and where present, the third and fourth layers may be detachably couplable from one another.

The neck portion (12) of the garment may include additional securing means. The neck portion may be formed such that it is capable of securing without fastening means i.e. being of a length that a knot could be tied between the opposite ends thereof. The neck portion could have one or more additional elements for securing, such as hook and loop fasteners, fix press studs and buttons and holes. The element may be a single element such as a patch of hooks which can attach to the material forming the garment.

The protective garment (10) may be constructed in multiple ways from various materials. In an embodiment, the neck and body portion may be formed of a jersey type material of a cotton, bamboo or similar fabric. The first and second layers of the body portion may comprise substantially the same dimensions, but could be designed in differing patterns. A further two layers, forming the third and fourth layers, can be constructed of an absorbent material such as bamboo or cotton towelling or similar. One of third or fourth layer can be of the same dimensions as the first or second layer, while the other can be smaller in size and of a different shape. The first and second layers, and where present, the third and fourth layers may be coupled together via stitching, for example.

The coupling region (15) may be formed in various ways to cooperate with the construction technique being used. The coupling region can allow the body portion or individual layers thereof to be detachable coupled from the neck portion. They coupling region may consists of hook and loop fasteners, buttons and holes, laces or any other suitable means. In an embodiment where the garment is formed from a single sheet of material, the coupling region is a sewn line separating and defining the neck portion and body portion, which allows the first and second layers of the body to pivot independently of one another and to reconfigure in to the first and second use configurations.

It is envisaged in alternative embodiments that the neck and body portions, and the various layers forming the body portion, may be formed from different materials and connected in various ways. In an embodiment the garment may be formed from single sheet of material in which the suitable layers are positioned for ease of construction. The physical dimensions of the garment are envisaged to be changeable, to suit different requirements, such as the size of a child.

In an example of use, the protective garment (10) can be used while feeding a child. The neck portion (12) is placed around the child's neck with opposite ends of the neck portion being fastened together with a fix press stud (popper), for example. Once the bib is secured around the neck, the body portion will extend across the child's chest in a first use configuration, to provide protection from any dribbling, for example. In this configuration, the intermediate portion (16) is hidden from view with the first and second layers extend adjacent each other. Feeding of the child can then take place, with the garment body protecting the child's clothes from accidental spillages. When it is desired to wipe any food from around the child's mouth, the first layer (14A) of the body portion may be lifted exposing the intermediate portion (16) and the garment is suitably manoeuvred to bring the intermediate surface (16) up to the child's face to wipe it clean. The intermediate surface includes the absorbent material which is better suited to wiping the child's face than the other parts of the garment. Once the child's mouth has been wiped the first layer (14A) can be returned adjacent to the second layer (14B) hiding the now soiled intermediate surface (16). Feeding can then continue with the process of wiping repeated until finished. Once finished the first layer (14A) and second layer (14B) may be engaged, using a button for example (not shown), such that the soiled intermediate surface does not become accidently exposed. The bib may be removed completely from the child's neck or the part of the body portion removed for cleaning. The garment (10) can then be suitable prepared for the next feeding.

Select embodiments of the invention only have been described and illustrated, and it will be readily apparent that other embodiments, modifications, additions and omissions are possible within the scope of the invention.

The apparatus of the invention may be varied according to requirements, but, having as its objective the provision of an improved hygienic protective garment that maintains its aesthetic qualities.

Claims

1. A protective garment (10) comprising:

a neck portion (12) for securing the garment around a wearers neck;

a body portion (14) which extends from the neck portion and which is arranged to extend adjacent a chest region of the wearer;

the body portion comprising a first layer (14A) which forms at least a portion of an upper surface of the body and a second layer (14B) which forms at least a portion of a lower region of the body; wherein the first and second layer are coupled together along a coupling region (15) which permits the body portion (14) to reconfigure between a first use configuration (13) in which the first and second layers extend adjacent each other and a second use configuration (11) in which the first and second layers are pivoted about the coupling region to expose an intermediate surface (16) disposed between the first and second layers.

2. The protective garment (10) of claim 1, wherein the first layer (14A) comprises an internal surface and an external surface, and the second layer (14B) comprises an internal surface and an external surface, wherein the intermediate surface (16) is defined between the internal surfaces of the first and second layers.

3. The protective garment (10) of claim 2, wherein the internal surface of the first layer (14A) comprises a third layer disposed thereon and the internal surface of the second layer (14B) comprises a fourth layer disposed thereon, wherein the intermediate surface (16) is defined between the third and fourth layers

4. The protective garment (10) of claim 2, wherein at least one of the internal surfaces of the first and second layers (14A,14B) comprises an absorbent material.

5. The protective garment (10) of any claim 3, wherein at least on of the third layer and fourth layer comprise an absorbent material.

6. The protective garment (10) of claim 4 or 5, wherein the intermediate surface is formed from a continuous section of material.

7. The protective garment (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second layers (14A,14B) comprise the same physical dimensions.

8. The protective garment (10) of any proceeding claim, wherein in the first use configuration (13) the internal surfaces of the first and second layers (14A,14B) are in abutment.

9. The protective garment (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second layers (14A,14B) are detachably couplable.

10. The protective garment (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the neck portion (12) comprises securing means (18A, 18B).

11. The protective garment (10) of claim 10, wherein the securing means (18A,18B) comprise releasably engageable elements.

12. The protective garment (10) of claim 11, wherein the releasably engageable elements comprise fix press studs or hook and loop fasteners or button and holes.

13. The protective garment (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the garment is formed from a single sheet of material.

14. The protective garment (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the garment comprises a bib or an apron.

15. A bib to be worn by a wearer comprising: a front surface, a back surface and a hidden internal surface, wherein the hidden internal surface is formed between the front surface and back surface.