NZ630106A - Bib - Google Patents

Abstract

A bib (100) including: a neck hanging portion (110) for allowing the bib to be hung from a neck of a wearer; a chest coverage portion (120) extending from the neck support portion and being for covering at least part of a chest of a wearer; a lap coverage portion (130) extending from an end of the chest coverage portion opposing the neck hanging portion and being for covering at least part of each leg of a wearer and a region between covered parts of the legs of the wearer; and a pair of leg securing flaps (131, 132) extending from opposing sides of the lap coverage portion. Each leg securing flap is wrapped around a respective leg of the wearer and attached to the lap coverage portion between the legs of the wearer in use, thereby allowing the lap coverage portion to be secured relative to the legs of the wearer.

Description

Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a bib, being particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for use by babies, toddlers and small children.

Description of the Prior Art A bib is a garment that is typically used for protecting a wearer's clothing or other nearby surfaces from spilt food, drinks, or the like. Parents will often use a bib on their baby or young child to reduce the mess that will often result during feeding, and thus save the need to wash clothes after every meal. Bibs may also be worn by adults in certain circumstances, such as during the consumption of foods prone to spillage, during visits to dentist or during some medical procedures. Adults with mental and/or physical impairments may also use a bib to prevent spillage.

Bibs are typically worn by being hung from the wearer's neck. In their simplest forms, bibs merely require a panel of material for covering a portion of the wearer's chest and means for hanging the panel around the wearer's neck. For instance, the bib may include a hole formed at one end of the panel and sized to allow wearer's head to pass through. Sometimes the hole is elasticised to accommodate larger head sizes. Alternatively, the bib may include one or two ties, straps, flaps, tabs or the like, with suitable fastenings to allow these to be secured around the wearer's neck to allow a better fit.

The material used to form the bib can vary depending on whether it is desirable to absorb spills, in which case an absorbent material such as towelling may be used, or to easily clean the bib, in which case a water impermeable material such as plastic may be used. Some bibs may include a layered arrangement including an absorbent front layer and a waterproof backing for preventing wetting of the wearer's clothes. Disposable bibs may be formed from an absorbent strengthened paper and a waterproofing backing.

Larger sized bibs will generally provide better protection. However, if the bib is too large it may become a hindrance to the wearer. When worn by babies and small children, a bib should not get in the way of the wearer's hands, be uncomfortable to wear, or prevent the baby from learning to feed themselves.

Some existing bibs seek to extend protection without restricting movement by providing long sleeves for the wearer's arms and sometime additional shoulder coverage.

However, these so-called "cover-all" bibs have some disadvantages, as many children dislike being dr essed up to eat and may protest, and some full -sleeved versions sometimes have uncomfortable elasticized wrists, and can be expensive.

Other apron style bibs will have an elongated panel which covers part of the wearer's legs in addition to the wearer's chest, but will usually need to be secured around the wearer's torso which can be difficult when the wearer is in a sitting position. Some bibs include separate flaps for covering a part of each leg of the wearer but these do not provide reliable coverage and allow spilled food or drink to fall between the wearer's legs.

Some bibs have been provided with additional features for minimising the impacts of spillage. For example, some bibs include a pockets or pouch at a lower end of the panel for catching spilled food which may otherwise slide off the panel and into the lap of the wearer.

These pockets or pouches may be formed from a flap of material sewn onto the main panel, or in some examples, moulded from a plastic, rubber or silicone material. However, rigid plastic versions can be stiff and uncomfortable around the neck, older babies may enjoy tipping foodstuff out of the pocket, and the bib may catch on a highchair tray and generally be awkward to use.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Summary of the Present Invention In a broad form the present invention seeks to provide a bib including: a) a neck hanging portion for allowing the bib to be hung from a neck of a wearer; b) a chest coverage portion extending from the neck support portion and being for covering at least part of a chest of a wearer; c) a lap coverage portion extending from an end of the chest coverage portion opposing the neck hanging portion and being for covering: i) at least part of each leg of a wearer; and, ii) a region between covered parts of the legs of the wearer; and, d) a pair of leg securing flaps extending from opposing sides of the lap coverage portion, each leg securing flap being wrapped around a respective leg of the wearer and attached to the lap coverage portion between the legs of the wearer in use, to thereby allow the lap coverage portion to be secured relative to the legs of the wearer.

Typically each leg securing flap defines a respective leg opening when attached to the lap coverage portion, such that each leg of the wearer passes through one of the leg openings in use.

Typically the leg securing flaps are each configured to be wrapped around a respective leg of the wearer and attached to the lap coverage portion between the legs of the wearer using at least one fastener.

Typically each leg securing flap includes at least one fastener proximate to a distal end of the leg securing flap.

Typically the at least one fastener of each leg securing flap is located on an underside of the leg securing flap that faces towards the wearer in use.

Typically the lap coverage portion includes at least one fastener corresponding to the at least one fastener of each the leg securing flap.

Typically the at least one fastener of the lap coverage portion is located on an underside of the lap coverage portion that faces towards the wearer in use.

Typically the at least one fastener is a detachable fastener.

Typically the at least one fastener includes at least one of: a) a clip; b) a stud; c) a clasp; d) a button; e) a buckle; f) a snap fastener; g) a hook and loop fastener; h) a fabric engaging fastener; and, i) an adhesive.

In alternative embodiments, each leg securing flap may be permanently attached to the lap coverage portion.

Typically at least the chest coverage portion, the lap coverage portion and the leg securing flaps are formed integrally.

Typically the bib includes one or more layers of material shaped to define at least the chest coverage portion, the lap coverage portion and the leg securing flaps.

Typically the one or more layers of material include at least one of: a) a fabric; b) a plastic material; c) a laminated material; and, d) paper.

Typically the bib includes at least two layers of material including a layer of an absorbent material and a layer of an impermeable material.

Typically the layer of the absorbent material provides an absorbent surface of the bib for facing outwardly from the wearer in use.

Typically the layer of the impermeable material is located between the layer of the absorbent material and the wearer in use.

Typically the neck hanging portion defines a neck opening in use, such that the neck of the wearer passes through the neck opening.

Typically an inner edge of the neck opening includes a soft edging material.

Typically an inner edge of the neck opening is elasticized.

Typically the neck hanging portion is formed integrally with the chest coverage portion, the lap coverage portion and the leg securing flaps.

Typically the neck hanging portion includes at least one neck attachment flap configured to be wrapped at least partially around the neck of wearer and attached to another part of the neck hanging portion using at least one fastener, to thereby allow the neck hanging portion to be secured about the neck of the wearer.

Typically the neck hanging portion includes a pair of opposing neck attachment flaps configured to be attached together at respective ends.

Typically the bib is configured so that each of the neck attachment flaps and the leg securing flaps can be detached and brought together to allow the bib to be lifted away from the wearer by the flaps along with any substances caught by the chest coverage portion and the lap coverage portion.

Typically the at least one fastener used with the at least one neck attachment flap is of the same type as the at least one fastener used with each leg securing flap.

Typically at least one edge of the bib includes at least one of: a) an internally stitched seam; b) an externally stitched seam; and, c) a bias binding.

Typically the bib is formed from disposable materials.

Brief Description of the Drawings An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1A is a front view of an example of a bib in an open configuration; Figure 1B is a rear view of the bib in the open configuration of Figure 1A; Figure 1C is a front view of the bib of Figure 1A, in a closed configuration; Figure 1D is a rear view of the bib in the closed configuration of Figure 1C; Figure 1E is a side view of the bib in the closed configuration of Figure 1C; and, Figure 1F is an end view of the bib in the closed configuration of Figure 1C.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An example of a bib 100 will now be described with reference to Figures 1A to 1F.

In broad terms, the bib 100 includes a neck hanging portion 110 for allowing the bib 100 to be hung from a neck of a wearer, a chest coverage portion 120 extending from the neck support portion 110 and being for covering at least part of a chest of a wearer, and a lap coverage portion 130 extending from an end of the chest coverage portion 120 opposing the neck hanging portion 110 and being for covering at least part of each leg of a wearer and a region between covered parts of the legs of the wearer. Each of the neck hanging portion 110, the chest coverage portion 120, and the lap coverage portion 130 are generally indicated in each of Figures 1A to 1E.

The bib 100 further includes a pair of leg securing flaps 131, 132 extending from opposing sides of the lap coverage portion 130. Each leg securing flap 131, 132 is wrapped around a respective leg of the wearer and attached to the lap coverage portion 130 between the legs of the wearer in use, to thereby allow the lap coverage portion 130 to be secured relative to the legs of the wearer.

It should be noted that whilst the aforementioned portions 110, 120, 130 of the bib 100 and the leg securing flaps 131, 132 have been referred to separately for the sake of allowing explanation of their respective functionalities, this should not be taken to imply that these elements are provided as separate parts of the bib 100, and in some embodiments at least some of these elements will be formed integrally as discussed in further detail below.

In any event, in view of the above, it will be appreciated that the bib 100 can provide extended coverage across at least some of a lap of a wearer when in a seated position, i.e. the area across the upper legs between the waist and knees of the seated wearer. This is particularly due to the lap coverage portion 130 extending from the chest portion 120, such that the coverage of the bib 100 extends further away from the wearer's neck and at least partially along the upper legs of the wearer.

Many conventional bibs only protect the chest, leaving lower parts of the wearer and clothing over those parts exposed to spillage. In contrast, the lap coverage portion 130 will additionally protect the lap of the wearer and clothing or other surfaces in proximity to that area from spills, and thus act to catch spilled food, drinks or any other substance that might fall onto the wearer's laps.

Furthermore, the leg securing flaps 131, 132 allow the lap coverage portion 130 to be effectively secured in place relative to the wearer's legs, thus ensuring the lap coverage portion 130 remains in an appropriate position for protecting the wearer's lap from spillage. It will be understood that the leg securing flaps 131, 132 will secure the lap coverage portion 130 against both unintentional and intentional movement.

For example, the leg securing flaps 131, 132 can help to prevent the lap coverage portion 130 from unintentionally slipping to either side or riding up to expose previously covered parts of the wearer's legs. In addition, the leg securing flaps 131, 132 may be attached to the lap coverage portion 130 in such a way as to avoid detachment by the wearer and thus prevent removal of the lap coverage portion 130 from the wearer's lap by the wearer.

It will be appreciated that the bib 100 can be usefully worn by a variety of wearers of different ages, sizes and body shapes, with the size of the bib 100 and its features being selected to suit the size of the intended wearer. For example, a length between the neck portion 110 and a lower edge 139 of the bib 100 can be selected based on a height of the wearer to ensure adequate coverage along the wearer's lap. Similarly, a width of the chest coverage portion 120 can be selected to ensure a suitable area of the chest is covered in accordance with the size of the wearer. An extension length of each leg securing flap 131, 132 may be adjusted to accommodate a typical leg circumference of the intended wearer.

The bib 100 is particularly suitable for being worn by babies, toddlers and small children, to help to protect clothing and other surfaces in the area surrounding the wearer from spillage of substances during feeding or during other messy activities. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the extended coverage provided by the lap coverage portion 130 will be especially useful when the bib 100 is worn by babies, where spillage onto the lap is a common problem faced by parents.

The bib 100 also helps to protect against spills reaching surfaces upon which the wearer is resting or sitting, such as a bed, lounge, chair, baby seat, bouncer, swing, high chair, booster seat, wheelchair or any other type of support, along with associated restraints, straps, connectors, buckles or the like, particularly where these cross the chest or lap of the wearer. The bib 100 can also catch spills which would otherwise reach the floor. This can greatly reduce the need for cleaning up the area surrounding the wearer after spills have occurred.

Moreover, the securing functionality provided by the leg securing flaps 131, 132 may help to stop babies from lifting, moving or playing with the lap coverage portion 130, which could otherwise compromise the protection against spillage on the lap. It will also be understood that the additional coverage provided by the lap coverage portion 130 and the ability to secure of the lap coverage portion 130 around the legs will also help to prevent babies from tampering or playing with restraints, straps, connectors, buckles or the like. This not only provides additional security against babies or small children from removing safety restraints and being at risk of falling from a support such as a high chair, but also helps to remove potential distractions during feeding or other activities.

However, suitably sized bibs 100 may also be used by older children or adults, especially the mentally or physically impaired, for whom spillage may be a larger concern and where the need to have spillages cleaned up from the lap area of the wearer by another individual would otherwise be difficult or embarrassing.

Accordingly, the bib 100 provides a useful garment that can be worn by a variety of wearers to protect their clothing and other nearby surfaces against spilled substances, with the protection offered by the bib 100 across the lap of the wearer being reliably maintained during use by having the lap coverage portion 130 secured around the wearer's legs by the leg securing flaps 131, 132.

Further features of preferred embodiments of the bib 100, along with optional variations, will now be described, again with reference to Figures 1A to 1E.

As can be best seen in Figure 1F, each leg securing flap 131, 132 will preferably define a respective leg opening 103, 104 when attached to the lap coverage portion 130, such that each leg of the wearer passes through one of the leg openings 103, 104 in use. It will be appreciated that the size of each leg openings 103, 104 may thus be determined based on a width of the lap coverage portion and extension length of each leg securing flap 131, 132.

In the depicted example, the leg securing flaps 131, 132 are each configured to be wrapped around a respective leg of the wearer and attached to the lap coverage portion 130 between the legs of the wearer using at least one fastener 135, 136, 137, 138.

However, it should be appreciated that in alternative examples, each leg securing flap 131, 132 may be permanently attached to the lap coverage portion 130. For instance, respective parts of the leg securing flaps 131, 132 and the lap coverage portion 130 may be permanently attached together by stitching, by using an adhesive or other suitable bonding method, or by using permanent fasteners. In such examples, the bib 100 may be worn by passing the legs of the wearer through the leg openings 103, 104, which will be permanently defined. This may require similar actions as required for dressing the wearer with pants or other similar garments worn around the legs. This can ensure that the lap coverage portion 130 will remain secured relative to the legs by removing any possibility of the wearer detaching the leg securing flap 131, 132, although this can make the bib 100 more difficult to put on or take off.

Turning back to the example depicted in the Figures, it is noted that this example includes detachable fasteners 135, 136, 137, 138 for attaching the leg securing flaps 131, 132 to the lap coverage portion 130, when the leg securing flaps 131, 132 are wrapped around respective legs of the wearer. It will be appreciated that using a detachable type of fastener will allow the leg securing flaps 131, 132 to be selectively attached to and detached from the lap coverage portion 130, thereby providing improved flexibility in how the bib 100 can be put on or taken off.

This detachable arrangement can be particularly helpful when the bib 100 is to be worn by a baby or other individual that is not capable of putting on or taking off the bib 100 by themselves. For instance, the bib 100 may be put on the wearer by hanging the neck hanging portion 110 around the neck of a sitting wearer and draping the chest coverage portion 120 and lap coverage portion 130 across the chest and lap of the wearer, then wrapping each leg securing flap 131, 132 around a respective leg the wearer and attaching the leg securing flap 131, 132 to the lap coverage portion 130 between the wearer's leg.

It will be appreciated that the leg securing flaps 131, 132 can be conveniently attached to the lap coverage portion 130 between the wearer's leg by another individual when the wearer is in a sitting position without requiring substantial repositioning of the wearer.

Similarly, the leg securing flaps 131, 132 can be conveniently detached when the wearer is in the sitting position, to allow removal of the bib 100. Accordingly, the bib 100 can be easily put on or taken off the wearer by another individual whilst the wearer remains in the sitting position, which may be particularly convenient for use with a baby in a high chair or the like.

This can be contrasted with other conventional bibs which provide elongated coverage, such as apron style bibs, which may rely on waist straps or the like which are difficult to use when the wearer is sitting.

A range of suitable detachable fasteners may be used, including at least one of a clip, a stud, a clasp, a button, a buckle, a snap fastener, a hook and loop fastener (suc h as VELCRO) or a fabric engaging fastener. The fasteners will typically utilize commercially available fastening systems which may be formed from any suitable material, including plastic, metal or the like. It may be desirable to use fasteners that are compatible with washing processes, i.e. able to withstand high temperature and exposure to water and potentially corrosive substances. Alternatively, an adhesive may be used to provide an effective detachable fastener, such as by coating a first area with a suitable multi-use adhesive that is compatible with a material in a corresponding other area for attachment.

Figures 1C to 1F provide different views of a closed configuration of the bib 100, in which the leg securing flaps 131, 132 are attached to the lap coverage portion 130 using fasteners 135, 136, 137, 138, as would be the case in use. It should be noted that the bib 100 is shown in a relatively flat configuration since of the bib 100 is not being worn by a wearer, however this configuration is also representative of the bib 100 being worn by a wearer in a standing or lying position. However, the bib 100 would more typically be worn by a wearer in a sitting position, such as while sitting in a chair or the like, and in such cases the lap coverage portion 130 would extend at an angle relative to the chest coverage portion 120 which would drape across the wearer's chest. The lap coverage portion would typically extend parallel with wearer's legs so that the lap coverage portion 130 would rest across the wearer's lap, and the leg holes 103, 104 would be aligned with the wearer's legs.

In the present example, each leg securing flap 131, 132 includes at least one fastener 135, 136 proximate to a distal end 133, 134 of the leg securing flap 131, 132. Thus, each leg securing flap 131, 132 may be attached to the lap coverage portion 130 by attaching a fastener at its distal end 133, 134 to a suitable part of the lap coverage portion 130.

As is the case in this example, the at least one fastener 135, 136 of each leg securing flap may be located on an underside of the leg securing flap 131, 132 that faces towards the wearer in use. This is best appreciated with reference to Figure 1F, where it can be seen that the undersides of the leg securing flaps 131, 132 are attached to the lap coverage portion 130.

The lap coverage portion 130 may also include at least one fastener 137, 138 corresponding to the at least one fastener 135, 136 of each the leg securing flap 131, 132. The fasteners 137, 138 of the lap coverage portion 130 may be provided as complementary forms of the fasteners 135, 136 of the leg securing flaps. For example, fasteners 137, 138 of the lap coverage portion 130 may be provided as female clips which match male clips providing the fasteners 135, 136. In another example, if the fasteners 135, 136 of the leg securing flaps are provided by a patch of hooks of a hook and loop fastening system, the fasteners 137, 138 of the lap coverage portion 130 would be provided by a corresponding patch of loops.

However, the use of corresponding fasteners 137, 138 on the lap coverage portion 130 is not essential, and in some embodiments, fasteners may only be provided on the leg securing flaps 131, 132 if these are capable of attachment to the lap coverage portion 130 without the need for a corresponding fastener. For instance, the leg securing flaps 131, 132 may include portions coated with a multi-use adhesive or material engaging fasteners which are selected to cooperate with the material used to form a surface of the lap coverage portion 130 to which the leg securing flaps 131, 132 are attached.

When the lap coverage portion 130 includes fasteners 137, 138 corresponding to the fasteners 135, 136 of the leg securing flaps 131, 132, the fasteners of the lap coverage portion 130 may be located on an underside of the lap coverage portion 130 that faces towards the wearer in use, as per the depicted example, and as can be best appreciate with reference once again to Figure 1F.

Whilst the example of Figures 1A to 1F shows the use of a single fastener 135, 136 at each end 133, 134 of the leg securing flaps 131, 132 which directly correspond to fasteners 137, 138 of the lap coverage portion 130 in a one-to-one relationship, it will be appreciated that different numbers of fasteners may be used in different combinations.

For example, multiple fasteners 135, 136 may be provided at each end 133, 134 of the leg securing flaps 131, 132 and multiple corresponding fasteners 137, 138 may be provided on the lap coverage portion 130 to allow multiple fastener attachments for each leg securing flap 131, 132, to thereby provide a more secure attachment. In an alternative example, multiple fasteners 135, 136 may be provided at each end 133, 134 of the leg securing flaps 131, 132 and only a single fastener 137, 138 corresponding to those fasteners 135, 136 may be provided on the lap coverage portion 130, to allow the leg securing flap 131, 132 to be attached to the lap coverage portion 130 at different positions. This would allow leg openings 103, 104 of different sizes to be defined depending on which of the multiple fasteners 135, 136 are used.

As mentioned above, whilst the different elements of the bib 100 are referred to separately for the sake of explanation, this does not mean that these elements are provided as separate parts. In some embodiments, at least the chest coverage portion 120, the lap coverage portion 130 and the leg securing flaps 131, 132 are formed integrally. Thus, the lap coverage portion 130 would provide a continuous extension from a lower region 122 of the chest coverage portion 120 and the leg securing flaps 131, 132 would provide continuous extensions from sides of the lap coverage portion 130.

This may be achieved, for example, by forming the bib 100 using one or more layers of material shaped to define at least the chest coverage portion 120, the lap coverage portion 130 and the leg securing flaps 131, 132. In other words, the chest coverage portion 120, the lap coverage portion 130 and the leg securing flaps 131, 132 may be formed by cutting the material used to form the bib in a suitable pattern.

The one or more layers of material may include at least one of a fabric, a plastic material, a laminated material, or paper. It will be appreciated that the properties of different materials may be used to provide the bib 100 with desirable qualities depending on the particular intended use. For example, the materials may be selected for improved absorbency or alternatively for easier cleaning. Fabrics for providing at least one layer of embodiments of the bib 100 include toweling material, corduroy and drill cotton.

In some examples, single layer construction may be sufficient, but in other examples, dual layer or multiple layer construction may be used. In one particular example, the bib may include at least two layers of material including a layer of an absorbent material and a layer of an impermeable material. The layer of the absorbent material may be used to provide an absorbent surface of the bib 100 for facing outwardly from the wearer in use. On the other hand, the layer of the impermeable material may be located between the layer of the absorbent material and the wearer in use. This may allow spilled substances to be absorbed by the bib 100 to at least some extend whilst providing a barrier for preventing absorbed liquids from penetrating to the underside of the bib 100 and reaching the wearer's clothes.

A bib 100 including layers of an absorbent material and an impermeable material as discussed above may be reusable if the absorbent material is a washable fabric or the like. In some examples, the bib 100 may include three layers, including respective outer layers formed from absorbent materials and an inner layer formed from an impermeable material which is sandwiched between the outer layers. The outer layers may be formed from the same fabric, or each outer layer may be formed from a different material having different absorbencies, for example. The outer layers may have different respective colours or patterns to change the outward appearance of the bib 100 depending on which side faces outwardly from the wearer.

In other examples, the bib 100 may be formed from disposable materials. For instance, the bib 100 may be formed from a laminate of a layer of strengthened paper or absorbent cellulose and a plastic film backing. The paper layer would typically face away from the wearer in use and be capable of absorbing at least some spillage, whilst the film backing would provide a barrier against absorbed liquids reaching the wearer's clothes. It will be appreciated that such a construction will be inexpensive to manufacture and can allow for compact storage of multiple bibs 100. Bibs 100 of this type may be provided for single uses and disposed of afterwards, rather than needing to be washed.

When two or more layers of material are used, and particularly where at least one of the layers is provided by a fabric, edges of the bib may be defined by an internally stitched seam, an externally stitched seam or a bias binding, depending on requirements. The use of a bias binding may allow branding or decorative patterns to be provided around the edge on bias tape used to form the bias binding. The bib 100 may include smooth and continuous side edges 123, 124 which define the shape of the neck hanging portion 110, the chest coverage portion 120, the lap coverage portion 130 and the leg securing flaps 131, 132.

With regard to the neck hanging portion 110, this will typically define a neck opening 101 in use, as shown in Figures 1C and 1D, such that the neck of the wearer passes through the neck opening 101. The neck opening 101 may be simply defined as a hole in material forming the neck hanging portion 110, but will more typically be provided using parts of the neck hanging portion 110 which can be selectively attached or detached for ease of hanging the neck hanging portion 110 around the wearer's neck. An inner edge 115 of the neck opening 102 may include a soft edging material, or may be elasticized to allow for some stretching of the neck opening 102. In one example, the inner edge 115 may be effectively elasticized by forming the inner edge 125 by stitching a pre-tensioned elastic material.

As shown in the illustrated example, the neck hanging portion 110 may be formed integrally with the chest coverage portion 120, the lap coverage portion 130 and the leg securing flaps 131, 132. Thus, the neck hanging portion 110 would be formed as a continuous extension from an upper region 121 of the chest coverage portion 120. Whilst this is not essential, it can allow the main portions of the bib 100 to all be conveniently formed from the same material, such as by cutting one ore more layers of material used to form the bib 100 in a suitable pattern.

Alternatively, however, the neck hanging portion 110 may be formed separately from the other portions of the bib 100. For example, the neck hanging portion 110 may be provided using one or more suitable straps or cords attached to the chest coverage portion 120, or any other means for allowing the bib 100 to be hung from the neck of the wearer.

Turning back to the present example, the neck hanging portion 110 may include at least one neck attachment flap 111, 112 configured to be wrapped at least partially around the neck of wearer and attached to another part of the neck hanging portion 110 using at least one fastener 113, 114, to thereby allow the neck hanging portion 110 to be secured about the neck of the wearer.

As mentioned above, the neck hanging portion 110 is formed integrally with the chest coverage portion 120 in this example and thus the at least one neck attachment flap 111, 112 may be provided as extended flaps formed from the same material as other bib 100 elements.

In the particular example illustrated in the Figures, the neck hanging portion 110 includes a pair of opposing neck attachment flaps 111, 112 configured to be attached together at respective ends, such as by using fasteners 113, 114. However, it will be appreciated that this is not essential and a single neck attachment flap could be used which wraps around the neck of the wearer and is attached to another part of the neck hanging portion 110 or an upper part of the chest coverage portion 120.

As discussed above for the fasteners 135, 136, 137, 138 used to attach the leg securing flaps 131, 132 to the lap coverage portion, the neck attachment flaps 111, 112 can be attached together using a range of different types of fasteners 113, 114, which may be similar to those described above. In the present example, the fastener 113, 114 used with the neck attachment flaps 111, 112 are of the same type as fasteners 135, 136, 137, 138 used with each leg securing flap. However, this is not essential, and different fasteners may be used for attaching together different parts of the bib 100, depending on requirements.

As also described above in relation to the fasteners 135, 136, 137, 138 used to attach the leg securing flaps 131, 132 to the lap coverage portion, one of the neck attachment flaps 111, 112 may have multiple fasteners for allowing the sizing of the neck opening 101 to be adjusted depending on the particular fastener used to attach that neck attachment flap to the other neck attachment flap.

The particular embodiment depicted in the Figures, having a pair of neck attachment flaps 111, 112 and a pair of the leg securing flaps 131, 132 as shown, can also allow for an advantageous method of removing the bib 100. In particular, this embodiment of the bib 100 is configured so that each of the neck attachment flaps 111, 112 and the leg securing flaps 131, 132 can be detached and brought together to allow the bib 100 to be lifted away from the wearer by the flaps 111, 112, 131, 132, along with any substances caught by the chest coverage portion 120 and the lap coverage portion 130.

This method of removing the bib 100 is possible since the bib 100 includes flaps 111, 112, 131, 132 generally in corner locations of the bib 100, such that when these are brought together an effective pouch may be formed in the central region of the bib 100. It will be appreciated that removing the bib 100 from a wearer such as a baby or small child in this manner can facilitate the efficient removal of spilled substances with the bib 100, significantly reducing the need to clean spilled substances that might otherwise fall from the bib 100 after its removal.

Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises or comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

Claims (9)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1) A bib including: a) a neck hanging portion for allowing the bib to be hung from a neck of a wearer; b) a chest coverage portion extending from the neck support portion and being for covering at least part of a chest of a wearer; c) a lap coverage portion extending from an end of the chest coverage portion opposing the neck hanging portion and being for covering: i) at least part of each leg of a wearer; and, ii) a region between covered parts of the legs of the wearer; and, d) a pair of leg securing flaps extending from opposing sides of the lap coverage portion, each leg securing flap being wrapped around a respective leg of the wearer and attached to the lap coverage portion between the legs of the wearer in use, to thereby allow the lap coverage portion to be secured relative to the legs of the wearer.

2) A bib according to claim 1, wherein each leg securing flap defines a respective leg opening when attached to the lap coverage portion, such that each leg of the wearer passes through one of the leg openings in use.

3) A bib according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the leg securing flaps are each configured to be wrapped around a respective leg of the wearer and attached to the lap coverage portion between the legs of the wearer using at least one fastener.

4) A bib according to claim 3, wherein each leg securing flap includes at least one fastener proximate to a distal end of the leg securing flap.

5) A bib according to claim 4, wherein the at least one fastener of each leg securing flap is located on an underside of the leg securing flap that faces towards the wearer in use.

6) A bib according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the lap coverage portion includes at least one fastener corresponding to the at least one fastener of each the leg securing flap.

7) A bib according to claim 6, wherein the at least one fastener of the lap coverage portion is located on an underside of the lap coverage portion that faces towards the wearer in use.

8) A bib according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the at least one fastener is a detachable fastener.

9) A bib according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the at least one fastener includes at least one of: a) a clip; H:\tw\I nterwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\7045671_1.doc-28/