US20230000177A1

US20230000177A1 - Disposable Clothing Cover with Integrated Napkin

Info

Publication number: US20230000177A1
Application number: US17/857,345
Authority: US
Inventors: Marilyn Weaver; Eva Szabo; Karen Barnette
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-07-02
Filing date: 2022-07-05
Publication date: 2023-01-05

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disposable clothing cover that has an integrated napkin. The cover provides the functionality of a bib and a napkin and prohibits clothes from inadvertently becoming stained. The cover has cloth friendly adhesive lines which are used for removably attaching the cover to clothing of a wearer. A perforated curved portion positioned below the neck of a wearer of the cover is configured to be detached and functions like a napkin while the remaining part of the cover functions as a bib. The cover has a pair of adhesive tabs that can be used for securing a folded bottom edge of the cover enabling the creation of a pocket at the bottom of the cover to catch food items dropped during eating and drinking. The clothing cover can be packaged individually, formed in a roll, or stacked in a dispenser box.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/217,901, which was filed on Jul. 2, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of bibs and napkins. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel disposable clothing cover that features a detachable napkin. The cover also provides a pocket for collecting food items dropped during eating and drinking. The cover provides combined bib and napkin and is removably attached to clothing of a user using adhesive lines. The cover is not required to be tied around the neck and therefore, can be used easily by both adults and children. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, eating and drinking are one of the major difficulties faced by individuals who are suffering from disabilities which makes them unable to move their hands or neck. Such individuals find it impossible to have food and drinks without staining their clothes. To avoid clothes staining, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities often require a family member or a caretaker to feed them. Spilling food and drink on clothing can lead to permanent stains which not only cause embarrassment, but forces individuals to purchase new clothes which is expensive and/or to change clothes frequently.
Children also face a challenge to eat food and consume drinks without spilling on their clothes. Conventional bibs are difficult to wear and children often cry while wearing conventional bibs. Further, conventional bibs are ineffective in preventing staining of trousers and more caused due to dropping of food on trousers and torso. Similarly, patients in hospitals, and residents in nursing homes, wear bibs to prevent staining of clothes while patients/residents consume food themselves or have food fed to them. Standard bibs are ineffective and patients/residents require improved bibs that eliminate staining of clothes.
Many individuals like to use napkins to wipe their mouth and face after consuming food. When consuming food outdoors, individuals do not always have access to napkins which becomes frustrating and discomforting for them. Individuals desire a clothing cover that can prevent clothes from stains and can also provide a napkin for wiping their mouth.
Conventional bibs for both adults and children are required to be worn or tied around the neck of a wearer. Such bibs are not only difficult to wear but are also discomforting around the neck. Further, individuals often need assistance in wearing these conventional bibs. Therefore, individuals desire a bib which can be easily worn without any discomfort.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved bib that can be used by both adults and children while eating and drinking. There is also a long felt need in the art for a clothing cover that provides a bib and a napkin. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a bib that is not required to be tied around the neck of a user for preventing staining of clothes. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for bibs that can prevent food from falling onto trousers. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved bib that does not slip or displace while being worn by a user. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for clothing cover that can be used anywhere easily. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for lightweight bibs that offer a way for both adults and children to keep their clothes clean while eating and drinking, and also providing a napkin for wiping the mouth and hands.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a clothing cover for preventing stains on clothes while eating and drinking. The clothing cover further comprising a front surface and a rear surface; a pair of side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; a perforated curvilinear portion along the top edge forming a part of said cover which is configured to be detached for forming a napkin; a pair of adhesive tabs disposed on the front surface near the bottom edge; a folding line positioned parallel to said bottom edge and between a virtual lateral line joining said adhesive tabs and the bottom edge; a pair of L-shaped adhesive lines disposed on said rear surface for removably attaching the cover to clothing of a user, wherein each adhesive line extends from said perforated curvilinear position to the folding line.
In this manner, the disposable clothing cover of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a disposable clothing cover with an integrated napkin capable of prohibiting clothing stains from food and drink while eating. The cover features perforations on the upper part so that a portion can be detached and used as a napkin. The cover is attached using adhesive and therefore, obviates the requirement of tying around the neck. The cover is easy to wear and can be used by both adults and children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a clothing cover for preventing stains on clothes while eating and drinking. The clothing cover further comprising a front surface and a rear surface; said surfaces being defined by a pair of side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; a perforated curvilinear portion forming a part of said cover and extending to the top edge; a pair of adhesive tabs disposed on the front surface near the bottom edge; a folding line positioned parallel to said bottom edge and between a virtual lateral line joining said adhesive tabs and the bottom edge; a pair of L-shaped adhesive lines disposed on said rear surface, wherein each adhesive line extends from said perforated curvilinear position to the folding line; the perforated curvilinear portion is configured to be detached from the cover for forming a napkin and said bottom edge is configured to be folded along the folding line to attach to said adhesive tabs for forming a pocket to collect dropped food while eating and drinking by the wearer when the clothing cover is removably attached to clothing of the wearer using said L-shaped adhesive lines.
In yet another embodiment, the clothing cover is disposable.
In yet another embodiment, the clothing cover is made from multi-ply and absorbent material.
In yet another embodiment, the clothing cover has an antimicrobial layer disposed thereon.
In yet another embodiment, the napkin can be used for cleaning mouth, hands, and more.
In yet another embodiment, the clothing cover has a unitary structure.
In yet another embodiment, the adhesive lines use one or more of wood glues, elastomers, silicone sealants and pressure sensitive tapes or films for removably attaching to clothing of a user.
In yet another embodiment, a disposable bib having a detachable napkin is disclosed. The disposable bib comprising a front surface and a rear surface; a perforated semi-circular portion near a top edge, wherein the perforations enable a semi-circular portion to detach for creating a napkin; a pair of adhesive linings disposed on the rear surface enabling the bib to removably attach to clothing of a wearer of the bib; a pair of adhesive tabs disposed on the front surface enabling to secure bottom edge of the bib to form a pocket wherein the bottom edge is folded towards the front surface for forming the pocket.
In yet another embodiment, the front surface faces away from the wearer of the bib and the rear surface rests against the clothing of the wearer.
In yet another embodiment, the adhesive lines disposed on the rear surface are protected by a peel away protection layer.
In yet another embodiment, the bib is made from a biodegradable material.
In yet another embodiment, a method of preventing clothes from stains while eating and drinking is described. The method includes the steps of removably attaching a clothing cover to clothing of a user using a pair of cloth friendly adhesive layers; folding a bottom edge of the clothing cover away from the user enabling the bottom edge to attach to a pair of adhesive tabs to create a pocket; detaching a curved portion of the cover along a perforated edge to create a napkin; wherein the remaining portion of the cover is used as a bib to prevent clothes from staining and the pocket is used for catching food dropped during eating and drinking.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a clothing cover with integrated napkin of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the napkin portion being detached along the perforated line from the clothing cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the clothing cover of the present invention for preventing staining of clothes while separately using the integrated napkin in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a clothing cover roll accommodating a plurality of clothing covers removably attached sequentially to each other enabling a user to access a single cover for use in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of packaging for storing the disposable clothing cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved bib that can be used by both adults and children while eating and drinking. There is also a long felt need in the art for a clothing cover that provides a bib and a napkin. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a bib that is not required to be tied around the neck of a user for preventing staining of clothes. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for bibs that can prevent food from falling onto trousers. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved bib that does not slip or displace while being worn by a user. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for clothing cover that can be used anywhere easily. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for lightweight bibs that offer a way for both adults and children to keep their clothes clean while eating and drinking, while also providing a napkin for wiping the mouth and hands.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method of preventing clothes from stains while eating and drinking. The method includes the steps of removably attaching a clothing cover to clothing of a user using a pair of cloth friendly adhesive layers; folding a bottom edge of the clothing cover away from the user enabling the bottom edge to attach to a pair of adhesive tabs to create a pocket; detaching a curved portion of the cover along a perforated edge to create a napkin portion; wherein the remaining bib portion of the cover is used as a bib to prevent clothes from staining wherein the pocket is used for catching food dropped during eating and drinking.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the clothing cover with integrated napkin of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The clothing cover 100 with integrated napkin 102 of the present invention is designed as a unique multipurpose clothing cover that offers the functionality of both bib and napkin. The clothing cover 100 is preferably disposable and is used for preventing stains from food and drinks while eating. The clothing cover 100 can be used by adults and children and is also configured to catch food dropped onto trousers while eating.
More specifically, the cover 100 has a front surface 104 and a rear surface 106 defined by a first side edge 108, a second side edge 110, a top edge 112 having a perforated curvilinear portion 114, and a bottom edge 116. The front surface 104 faces away from a wearer of the clothing cover 100 and the rear surface 106 rests on the clothing of the wearer. The cover 100 is configured to be worn such that the top edge 112 is worn under the neck of the wearer and the bottom edge 116 is preferably positioned around a section of the torso of the wearer. The clothing cover 100 is preferably made from a multi-ply and absorbent material and can be disposed of after use.
The curvilinear portion 114 has perforated edge 1140 and is configured to be detached from the clothing cover 100 to form the napkin 102. The napkin 102 can be used for cleaning the mouth and face of the wearer of the clothing cover 100. The front surface 104 has a pair of symmetrical adhesive tabs 118, 120 near the bottom edge 116 enabling a user to fold a lower portion 123 of the cover 100 along a folding line 122 for creating a linear pocket using the bottom edge 116 for collecting food dropped during eating.
The rear surface 106 has a first L-shaped thin line 124 of cloth friendly adhesive extending from the perforated edge 1140 to near the folding line 122. The first L-shaped thin line 124 runs generally parallel to the first side edge 108 and is configured to removably adhere to clothing of a wearer. Similarly, the rear surface 106 has a second L-shaped thin line 126 of the cloth friendly adhesive extending from the opposite end of the perforated edge 1140 to near the folding line 122. The second L-shaped thin line 126 runs generally parallel to the second side edge 110 and is configured to removably attach to the clothing of the wearer. The cloth friendly adhesive lines 124, 126 are symmetrical, cloth friendly, secure, and allow the clothing cover 100 to easily and removably attach to any clothing worn by a wearer and obviates wrapping or tying the cover 100 around the neck of the wearer. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive lines 124, 126 are protected by a thin protective cover or film which can be peeled away for attaching the cover 100 to the clothing of the wearer.
The clothing cover 100 may come in different sizes, colors and may be decorated with embroidery, lace, or any other decoration, including names or initials. In the preferred embodiment, the clothing cover 100 is a unitary piece and alternatively can be embodied in which the front surface 104 and rear surface 106 are joined or sewn together.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the napkin 102 being detached along the perforated line from the clothing cover 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The clothing cover 100 features perforations along the perforated edge 1140 on the upper part of the bib/cover 100 enabling a wearer to detach the curvilinear portion 114 to be used as a napkin 102 for cleaning mouth, hands, and more.
It should be appreciated that the adhesive lines 124, 126 remain attached to clothing of a wearer of the clothing bib 100 when the napkin 102 is detached enabling the cover 100 to be used as a bib while simultaneously using the napkin 102.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the clothing cover 100 of the present invention for preventing staining of clothes while separately using the integrated napkin in accordance with the disclosed architecture. A user 300 removably attaches the clothing cover 100 to the clothing 302 such that the rear surface 106 rests against the clothing 302 and is attached using the adhesive lines 124, 126 as described earlier in the disclosure. The top edge 112 lies under the neck 304 of the wearer 300 and the side edges 108, 110 run along opposing sides of the front of the torso of the wearer 300.
For catching the dropped food while the user 300 eats, a pocket is formed by folding the bottom edge 116 using the adhesive tabs/ catchers 118, 120. Any food being dropped while eating is caught in the cavity created by the pocket and thus protects the floor and trousers from stains. The front surface 104 is configured to protect the clothing 302 from stains by absorbing stains 306 resulting from dropped food or spilled liquid.
When the wearer 300 requires a napkin or a wipe for cleaning the mouth, hands, and more, the curvilinear portion 114 is detached from the cover 100 and is separately and independently used by holding in one or more hands 308 for cleaning mouth and more.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a clothing cover roll accommodating a plurality of clothing covers 100 removably attached sequentially to each other enabling a user to access a single cover for use in accordance with the disclosed architecture. A plurality of clothing covers 100 can come in a variety of packaging for users. In the present embodiment, a roll 400, preferably cylindrical in shape, accommodates a plurality of clothing covers 100. In one exemplary embodiment, the roll 400 may accommodate at least fifty individual covers wherein each individual clothing cover 100 can be detached and accessed from the roll.
As illustrated, the top edge 112 of the first clothing cover 100 and the top edge 402 of the successive cover 404 are removably attached together through perforations and can be detached by a user by pulling the trailing cover (cover 100 in this case) for accessing a single clothing cover. The clothing cover 100 can be easily detached from the roll without tearing the top edge 112 or the integrated napkin. In some embodiments, the roll 400 can be wall mounted or can have a plurality of cutting teeth along the length of the roll 400 for easy access of individual clothing covers.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of packaging for storing the disposable clothing cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the packaging is in the form a dispenser box 500 that is configured to allow users to pull out individual clothing cover bibs of the present invention. The dispenser box 500 can be wall mounted or alternatively can be kept on a floor.
The box 500 has a lid 502 having a hook and loop fastener 504. The lid 502 is hingedly coupled to the base 506 along an edge 508 such that the lid 502 covers the storage space 510 and fastens to the hook and loop fastener 512 positioned on the front surface 514 of the base 506.
The box 500 can be of any size and shape and preferably, individual bibs are folded in thirds and are stacked in zig-zag orientation enabling only a single individual bib to be pulled out of the box 500.
Other shapes, designs, and configurations of the disposable clothing cover 100 are contemplated and fall within the scope of the invention without affecting the utility of the device. Since the cover is easy to wear and use, therefore, can be used by both adults and children to keep their clothes clean while eating and drinking.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “disposable clothing cover”, “clothing cover”, “clothing cover with integrated napkin”, “bib and napkin combined clothing cover” and “bib with detachable napkin” are interchangeable and refer to the disposable clothing cover 100 with integrated napkin 102 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the disposable clothing cover 100 with integrated napkin 102 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the disposable clothing cover 100 with integrated napkin 102 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the disposable clothing cover 100 with integrated napkin 102 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the disposable clothing cover 100 with integrated napkin 102 important design parameters for user convenience, the disposable clothing cover 100 with integrated napkin 102 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multipurpose clothing cover comprising:

a clothing cover including a front surface, a rear surface, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge forming a bib portion;

wherein said clothing cover further including a perforated curvilinear portion removably attached forming a napkin portion;

wherein said front surface faces away from a wearer of said clothing cover;

wherein said rear surface rests on clothing of the wearer and said top edge positioned under the neck of the wearer;

wherein said bottom edge positioned around a section of the torso of the wearer; and

further wherein said perforated curvilinear portion having a perforated edge for selective detachment from said clothing cover to form said napkin portion.

2. The clothing cover of claim 1, wherein said front surface having a pair of adhesive tabs proximal to said bottom edge, and further wherein said clothing cover having a folding line for folding a lower portion of said clothing cover upward to secure to said pair of adhesive tabs to form a pocket therebetween.

3. The clothing cover of claim 2, wherein said clothing cover comprises a multi-ply and absorbent material.

4. The clothing cover of claim 3, wherein said clothing cover is disposable.

5. The clothing cover of claim 4, wherein said first side edge and said second side edge positioned to opposing sides of the front of the torso of the wearer.

6. The clothing cover of claim 5, wherein said rear surface having a first adhesive area proximal to said first side edge and a second adhesive area proximal to said second side edge, and further wherein said first adhesive area and said second adhesive area of said rear surface removably adhered to clothing of a wearer.

7. A multipurpose clothing cover comprising:

wherein said front surface faces away from a wearer of said clothing cover;

wherein said bottom edge positioned around a section of the torso of the wearer;

wherein said rear surface having a first adhesive area proximal to said first side edge and a second adhesive area proximal to said second side edge; and

further wherein said first adhesive area and said second adhesive area of said rear surface removably adhered to clothing of a wearer.

8. The clothing cover of claim 7, wherein said first adhesive area extending proximal to said top edge and said second adhesive area extending proximal to said top edge.

9. The clothing cover of claim 8, wherein said first adhesive area and said second adhesive area having a removable film for removing prior to adhering said rear surface to the clothing of the wearer.

10. The clothing cover of claim 8, wherein said front surface having a pair of adhesive tabs proximal to said bottom edge, and further wherein said clothing cover having a folding line for folding a lower portion of said clothing cover upward to secure to said pair of adhesive tabs to form a pocket therebetween.

11. The clothing cover of claim 8, wherein said clothing cover comprises a multi-ply and absorbent material.

12. The clothing cover of claim 11, wherein said clothing cover is disposable.

13. The clothing cover of claim 8, wherein said perforated curvilinear portion having a perforated edge for selective detachment from said clothing cover to form said napkin portion.

14. A plurality of clothing covers comprising:

a plurality of clothing covers wherein each clothing cover including a front surface, a rear surface, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge forming a bib portion;

wherein said each clothing cover further including a perforated portion removably attached forming a napkin portion;

wherein said front surface faces away from a wearer of said clothing cover;

further wherein a first said each clothing cover removably attached from a sequential second said each clothing cover.

15. The plurality of clothing covers of 14, wherein said perforated portion having a first perforated edge for selective detachment from said each clothing cover to form said napkin.

16. The plurality of clothing covers of claim 14, wherein said plurality of clothing covers sequentially attached in a roll.

17. The plurality of clothing covers of claim 15, wherein said first said each clothing cover and said second said each clothing cover having a second perforated edge therebetween.

18. The plurality of clothing covers of claim 16, wherein said rear surface having a first adhesive area proximal to said first side edge and a second adhesive area proximal to said second side edge, and further wherein said first adhesive area and said second adhesive area of said rear surface removably adhered to clothing of a wearer.

19. The plurality of clothing covers of claim 18, wherein said first adhesive area extending proximal to said top edge and said second adhesive area extending proximal to said top edge.

20. The plurality of clothing covers of claim 19, wherein said front surface having a pair of adhesive tabs proximal to said bottom edge, and further wherein said each clothing cover having a folding line for folding a lower portion of said each clothing cover upward to secure to said pair of adhesive tabs to form a pocket therebetween.