US1506332A - Bib or apron for dentists' use and the like - Google Patents

Description

Auge y n VV. BLM

BIB OR APRON FOR DENTISTS Filed April 25. 3.923

USE AND THE LIKE Patented ug. 26, 1924.

4UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM 0. BLOOM, OF BOYLSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BIB OR APRON FOR-DEN'IISTS USE AND THE LIKE.

Application led April 25, 1923. Serial No. 634,616.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. BLooM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boylston, in the county of IVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Bib or Apronfor Dentists Use and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for use by dentists, physicians and nurses to protect patients during dental work or minor operations on the face and mouth, but it is capable of general use and can be used as a table bib or napkin for children and individuals.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a device of this character of paper so that it can be made at extremely low expense and need not be used but once, and while keeping this object in mind, to provide means for connecting it around the neck of the patient or other person using it; also to provide the latter means in an extreinely simple and inexpensive form so that it will be sufficiently durable for use once and will be easily applied and not require tying or any expensive fastening means. Other vobjects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a view of a bib orapron constructed in accordance with this invention land shown in the position it assumes when in use;

Fig. 2 is a view of the upper part of the same in the process of manufacture;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing an additional step in the process of manufacture;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the article completed and ini a fiat state;

Fig. 5 is a view showing a slight modification; and

Fig, 6 is a similar view showing a further modification.

In the form shown in the first four figures the main part of the device consists of a bib, apron, or napkin 10 preferably of crpe paper or other paper used ordinarily for napkins, towels or the like. This is formed preferably of rectangularshape, although the bottom of it can be of any desired form. Preferably it is straight across the top. Near the upper edge, and parallel with it, is placed avery fine soft, easily bendable wire 11 which extends substantially from one side edge to the other. The surface'of the paper above this wire, or the surface below it through an equal area, is covered with paste and the part 12- extending above the wire is turned down against the paper below the wire to fold the wire in at the edge of the fold and to form a double thickness with 'the flap 12 extending downwardly from the edges of the slits and leaves two tongues or straps 14 at opposite ends of the'top of the article extending oppositely from the center and with it forming a collar. These two tongues, as well as the space between them, being provided with the wire 11, can be turnedor bent around as indicated in Fig..

1. In other words the upper part can be used as a fastening means and placed around the neck of the patient or child who is to use the device. The ends at 15 are then bent over around each other or twisted together to form a fastening means. The soft wire permits this to be done easily and effectively.

In this way it will be seen that this upper portion comprising the straps 14 forms a continuous band or collar which is not only strengthened by the wire, but is held thereby in any desired position in which Yit may be bent. This collaralso is in a plane at right angles to the plane of the main body of the bib. Therefore it can be placed around the neck of the wearer and the ends bent over at 15 as indicated, so as to hold it there as long as it is to be worn. Furthermore it will be seen that' not/only is the strap 14 reinforced through its area but the upper edges of the bib after this strap is bent back are also reinforced in the same way.

The articles can be manufactured in large quantities and sold at very small expense so that a large number of them can be kept in stock by dentists, physicians or nurses, and each one used once in the manner indicated. This does away with laundering,-

the cost of the article itself being less than the cost of laundering an ordinary cloth apron or bib used for such purposes and in many instances less than the depreciation. It is neat and is always in condition for use. It is easily applied and contains no piece of metal that can come directly in contact with the person. It is not complicated in any way, and as stated, can be manufactured in its preferred form for a very small sum for each article.

In the form shown in 'Fig 5 only one corner of the article is shown, as only a slight modification is provided. Here the wire 21 extends only part way in from the end merely for the purpose of using less wire. This wire is located between the top and bottom edges of the strap 24. This I strap in this case is made by pasting a separate piece of paper on the bib along its upper edge. Otherwise the article is the same as above described.

In the form shown in Fig. 6 a piece of stiff paper or cardboard 26 takes the place of the wire and extends preferably throughout the pasted area as described above. Tt constitutes the only addition to the bib, being pasted on one side at the top. This is provided with a fastening device at its opposite ends. This is shown as a series of perforations 27 in the ends of one strap for engagement with the tongue 28 at the opposite end to fasten the two parts together conveniently at the back. Any other shape can be employed involving cooperating parts toJ fasten the ends together. Most of the advantages above mentioned are secured by this form also.

Although I have illustrated and described only three forms of the invention T am aware of the fact thatmany other modifications can be made therein by any per- `son skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited t0 all the details herein shown and described, but what T do claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a bib or apron for the purpose described formed from a piece of paper substantially rectangular at the top having the top doubled over on itself and pasted to the body of the bib and slit inwardly from its opposite edges within the area of the doubled over portion to form two straps separated from the body of the paper and adapted to pass around the neck of the wearer, these straps having means by which they can be con-V nected together at thev back, whereby the straps and the upper edge of the bib just below the straps near the side edges are reinforced by being formed of do-uble thickness.

2. As an article of manufacture, a bib or apron for the purpose described comprising a body of soft paper having a pair of straps at the top adapted to be passed around the neck of the wearer and fastened together at the back, and a strip of stiiening material extending along the same for the purpose described in a single strand substantially to the two ends of the strap to permit twisting the ends together at any point to hold the bib in position.

3. As an article of manufacture, a bib or apron for the purpose described comprising a body of paper having a pair of straps at the top of double thickness throughout its area and adapted to be passed around the neck of the wearer and fastened together at the back, and a strip 0f bendable stiiiening material inserted between the two layers thereof lengthwise for the purpose described, the eXtreme ends of the straps being adapted to be twisted together thereby bending the stiening material for holding the article in place.

4. As an article of manufacture, a paper protecting device having its top doubled over downwardly throughout its width and having two slits near the upper edge of theA article and above the lower edge of the doubled over portion providing two straps, the said slits being cut from the two edges adjacent the upper 'edge inwardly along a line substantially parallel to the upper edge and a soft wire reinforcement in said straps, whereby they can be bent around each other to secure thearticle in place and will remain in that position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aiiixed my signature.

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