WO2020193800A1

WO2020193800A1 - A bib system

Info

Publication number: WO2020193800A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/058926
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernadette MCTIERNAN
Original assignee: Mctiernan Bernadette
Priority date: 2019-03-28
Filing date: 2020-03-30
Publication date: 2020-10-01

Abstract

A bib system (100) for protecting an underlying garment, the system comprising a bib (2) and at least one attachment mechanism (8) which is releasably engagable with the garment and comprises a fastener (5) adapted to effect the releasable engagement of the bib thereto.

Description

A Bib System

Field of Invention

This invention relates to a bib system for use in applications where it is necessary or desirable to locate a protective layer over the clothing of the user, in particular for applications where the user is a baby and it is necessary to protect the baby’s clothing from being soiled during feeding activities prior to sleeping activities.

Background of Invention

A bib is a garment which is worn around a user’s neck and which extends down over the chest of the user in order to protect the user’s clothing from accidental spills while it is feeding or being fed. The use of a bib to protect the clothing of a user (during activities such as teething, feeding, being fed or during dental procedures) is known in the prior art, particularly in relation to baby users (baby bibs), disabled users (child or adult bibs) or use in conjunction with messy food substances such as lobster (disposable dining bibs), etc.

Whilst bibs can vary in colour, texture, material, size, shape, design etc., a common characteristic in typical bib design is that the bib extends behind the neck of the user in order to locate the bib as close as possible to the neck of the user with the main body of the bib hanging down over at least the upper chest area of the user. When the bib is located in this position on the user, the main flow of spillages from the mouth area of the user falls on the main body of the bib and the bib can be generally effective in preventing leakages of solids or fluids underneath the bib. A bib may feature a neck section with an adjustable length (such as an elasticated section) or a bib may comprise two open ends which are connected together through means of a knot or alternative attachment mechanism.

A disadvantage of traditional bib designs, particularly in relation to use in baby applications (where the babies are teething, feeding or being fed) is that once the activity requiring protection is complete, the bib which extends the whole way around the baby’s neck, must be removed for safety reasons in order to ensure that the neck section is not a choking hazard if the baby is subsequently left unattended. As babies are particularly prone to sleeping after they have been fed, removing the bib without waking the sleeping baby can be difficult due the lack of access to the section of the bib which extends around the back of the babies neck and is consequently often located under the sleeping baby. It is often necessary to move the baby in order to remove the bib from the baby, thus waking the baby in the process. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a bib system which does not extend around the back of the users neck and which can be easily removed from a front aspect.

Summary of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a bib system for protecting an underlying garment, the system comprising a bib; at least one attachment mechanism releasably engagable with the garment; and at least one fastener having a first part and a second part releasably engagable with one another, the first part being provided on the bib and the second part on the attachment mechanism.

Preferably, the at least one attachment mechanism comprises a clamp adapted to grip a portion of the garment in order to effect retention thereon.

Preferably, the first part of the at least one fastener is one of a cooperating male and a female part.

Preferably, the second part of the at least one fastener is an other of the cooperating male and female part.

Preferably, the attachment mechanism comprises a clamp.

Preferably, the attachment mechanism comprises a first portion and a second portion displaceable between an open or disengaged position in which the first and second portions are located distal one another and a closed or engaged position in which the first and second portions are located proximal or engaged with one another such as to be capable of clamping a section of garment therebetween.

Preferably, the first portion and the second portion are first and second ends of a single element.

Preferably, the first end and the second end are hingedly displaceable between the open or disengaged position and the closed or engaged position.

Preferably, the attachment mechanism comprises biasing means adapted to bias the first and second portions towards the closed or engaged position.

Preferably, the attachment mechanism comprises a magnet.

Preferably, the first part of the at least one fastener is embedded in the bib. Preferably, at least two fasteners are positioned at or adjacent opposed edges of the bib. Preferably, the bib is substantially crescent shaped.

Preferably, the at least one attachment mechanism comprises food grade silicone.

Preferably, at least a part of the attachment mechanism comprises an outer layer of material.

Brief Description of Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the bib system;

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the attachment mechanism in the open position; and Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the attachment mechanism in the closed position.

Detailed Description of Drawings

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a bib system, generally indicated as (100), which is designed to easily and efficiently allow a bib (2) to be attached and detached from a user’s clothing (or garment), in particular in the situation when access to the bib (2) or access to the user is limited to access from a front aspect, for example when the user is a child who may have fallen asleep and it is therefore desired not to disturb the child.

The bib system (100) allows a bib (2) to be attached to a user’s garment (not shown) through means of at least one fastener (5) a first part (4) of which is located on the bib (2) and is releasably connectable to a second part (6) which is located on an attachment mechanism (8), when the attachment mechanism (8) is used in order to secure the bib (2) to the user’s garment.

In a preferred embodiment, the bib (2) is substantially crescent shaped with two elongated tips (10, 12). In use, the elongated tips (10, 12) of the bib (2) will extend up to the shoulder area of the user when the bib (2) is located in its preferred position on the user’s garment. It is advantageous for the bib (2) to be in close proximity to the front of the user’s neck such that any spillages from the vicinity of the user’s mouth will fall on the main body of the bib (2) rather than on the outer perimeter of the bib (2). Although the preferred embodiment is crescent shaped, it should be appreciated that any other shape which is deemed appropriate for the application would be suitable for use in this invention, including but not limited to a square shape, a semi circular shape etc.. It will also be appreciated that the bib (2) may be modified in various ways, for example to include a trough or the like along a lower edge of the bib (2) in order to catch any food that would otherwise have dropped or dripped off the bib (2). Similarly the bib (2) may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, and could for example comprise multiple layers, such as outer layers of relative soft and therefore comfortable material, together with an inner layer or backing layer of waterproof material or the like.

In the preferred embodiment, it is envisaged that the first part (4) of the first fastener (5) is located on the first elongated tip (10) and a first part (4) of a second fastener (7) is located on a second elongated tip (12). Additional fasteners (5, 7) may be included in the bib system (100), as required. The position of the fasteners (5, 7) is not limited to the positions mentioned above and alternative locations for the fasteners (5, 7) on the bib (2) are also possible.

In the preferred embodiment, it is envisaged that the first parts (4) of the fasteners (5, 7) on the bib (2) are all female parts and they are connectable to the second parts (6) of the fasteners (5, 7) which are located on the at least one attachment mechanism (8), which are all male parts. It will however be understood that the positioning of male and female parts of the fasteners (5, 7) could be reversed without deviating from the inventive concept of the bib system (100).

In the preferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism (8) comprises a single elongate element having a first or inner surface (14) and second or outer surface (16). A first portion comprising at least part of a first end (18) of the inner surface (14) is covered by a magnetic strip (22) and a second portion comprising at least part of a second end (20) of the inner surface (14) is covered by a strip of ferromagnetic material (24), such as but not limited to iron. The strip (24) could of course be magnetic material of opposite magnetic polarity to the strip (22). It is envisaged that the strips (22, 24) at each end (18, 20) of the inner surface (14) of the attachment mechanism (8) will be sufficient to create the desired effect, however, it will be understood that the strips (22, 24) may partially extend though the length of the attachment mechanism (8) or they may fully extend through the length of the attachment mechanism (8). Similarly a discrete section such as a disk of magnetic material may be provided at both the first and seconds ends (18, 20) which may be brought into register with one another as hereinafter described. The magnetic strip (22) may be embedded in the material surrounding the inner surface (14) or it may be adhered (or otherwise fixed) to the inner surface (14). Similarly the ferromagnetic strip (24) may be embedded in the material surrounding the inner surface (14) or it be adhered (or otherwise fixed) to the inner surface (14). A protective and/or comfort layer (not shown) may be provided about a part or the whole of the attachment mechanism (8), such as an outer layer of material, preferably a washable material, such as to partially or fully encapsulate the attachment mechanism (8) in order to prevent any discomfort should the attachment mechanism come into contact with an infants skin.

In use, the attachment mechanism (8) is folded or hinged as shown in Figure 3 to form a clamp-like structure; such that the two ends (18, 20) of the inner surface (14) are in close proximity and an attractive magnetic force exists between the two strips (22, 24). The magnetic force between the two strips (22, 24) is such that it retains the two strips (22, 24) in place until a threshold separating force is exerted on at least one of the strips (22, 24). It is therefore to be understood that the attachment mechanism (8) is displaceable between an open or disengaged state or position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and a closed or engaged state as illustrated in Figure 3, preferably by hinging or folding the two ends (18, 20) towards/away from one another about a live hinge provided

therebetween, which may be of any suitable form as is well known in the art. The attractive magnetic force thus acts to bias the ends (18, 20) towards one another to provide the clamping force to secure the attachment mechanism to a garment or similar substrate. It should therefore also be understood that any other suitable biasing means could be used in place of or in combination with the magnetic strips (22, 24), for example a spring or spring biased hinge (not shown) could be provided between the first and second ends (18, 20) such that the attachment mechanism (8) effectively acts as a clamp to capture a piece of a garment therebetween.

Although the preferred embodiment comprises the attachment mechanism (8) described above with a magnetic closure, it will be appreciated that an attachment mechanism (8) in any other suitable form (such as a spring loaded clasp etc.) could be used instead of a magnetic closure without deviating from the inventive concept of the bib system (100). Similarly it will be appreciated that the attachment mechanism (8) could be formed from two separate parts in the form of the first end (18) and the second end (20) which could be brought together with a section of clothing captured therebetween, and the magnetic attraction would hold the two separate parts together. This is however less desirable as the attachment mechanism (8) would be somewhat easier to dislodge from the infant’s garment, and there is a greater likelihood of misplacing one or other parts.

When a piece of the user’s garment is placed in a position between the two ends (18, 20) of the folded or hinged attachment mechanism (8), the attractive magnetic force between the two strips (22, 24) is sufficiently strong to ensure that the piece of the user’s garment is also held in place between the strips (22, 24), thus the attachment mechanism (8) is effectively attached to the user’s clothing until a threshold force is exerted on at least one of the ends (18, 20). The exerted force could be a tensile force wherein the two ends (18, 20) are engaged on a surface other than the inner surface (14) of the attachment mechanism and at least one of the two ends (18,20) is pulled away from the other end (18,20) or the force could be a compressive force wherein an object (such as a wedge or a finger) is forced between the two ends (18, 20) on inner surface (14) thus pushing at least one end (18,20) away from the other end (18,20). The attachment mechanism (8) also comprises on one end (20) of its outer surface (16), the second part (6) of the fastener (5) which is preferably but not essentially in the form of a male part. Once the attachment mechanism (8) is attached to the user’s garment, the second part (6) on the attachment mechanism (8) can be attached to the first part (4) on the bib (2) in order to fix the bib (2) in the desired location on the user’s upper chest. When the bib (2) is no longer required, the attachment mechanism (8) can simply be removed from the user’s garment through applying a tensile or compressive force greater than the threshold force to one of the ends (18, 20) of the attachment mechanism (8) such that the ends (18, 20) are separated to a degree whereby the piece of the user’s garment can be removed from attachment mechanism (8).

In the preferred embodiment, it is envisaged that the second part (6) of the at least one fastener (5) will be part of the attachment mechanism (8) and the first part (4) of the at least one fastener (5) will be part of the bib (2), with the first part (4) being a female part and the second part (6) being a male part, however it will be understood that this arrangement could be reversed if required, so that the first part (4) comprises a male part and the second part (6) comprises a female part, without deviating from the inventive concept of the bib system (100). Alternatively the fasteners (5, 7) could be replaced with any other suitable functional equivalent, for example magnetic based fasteners, hook and loop type fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that at least two attachment mechanisms (8) are present in the bib system (100) with two corresponding fasteners (5, 7), such that the bib (2) can be attached to the vicinity of the collarbone of the user and it hangs down from these attachment points over the chest of the user. Further embodiments could be envisaged wherein one sole attachment mechanism (8) with one sole corresponding fastener (5, 7) is used to secure the bib (2) to the user’s garment. Similarly further embodiments could be envisaged wherein several attachment mechanisms (8) with several corresponding fasteners (4, 5) are used to secure the bib (2) to the user’s garment. The attachment mechanisms (8) may also be fixed to the user’s garment at a variety of locations and should not be considered to be limited to the vicinity of the collarbone area.

In use, when the bib system (100) is removed from the user’s garment, it can be disassembled so that the two attachment mechanisms (8) are disconnected from the bib (2). Disconnecting each of the attachment mechanisms (8) from the bib (2) can be useful as it allows the bib (2) to be washed separately from the attachment mechanisms (8) and it also allows the interchangeable use of bibs (2) so that several different bibs (2) can be connected to the same attachment mechanism (8) non- concurrently. The interchangeable bib (2) feature can be particularly useful if several different types of bibs (2) are required for different simultaneous activities.

Claims

1 . A bib system (100) for protecting an underlying garment, the system (100) comprising a bib (2); at least one attachment mechanism (8) releasably engagable with the garment; and at least one fastener (5) having a first part (4) and a second part (6) releasably engagable with one another, the first part (4) being provided on the bib (2) and the second part (6) on the attachment mechanism (8).

2. The system (100) of claim 1 wherein the at least one attachment mechanism (8) comprises a clamp adapted to grip a portion of the garment in order to effect retention thereon.

3. The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein the first part (4) of the at least one fastener (5) is one of a cooperating male and a female part.

4. The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein the second part (6) of the at least one fastener (5) is an other of the cooperating male and female part.

5. The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein the attachment mechanism (8) comprises a clamp.

6. The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein the attachment mechanism (8) comprises a first portion and a second portion displaceable between an open or disengaged position in which the first and second portions are located distal one another and a closed or engaged position in which the first and second portions are located proximal or engaged with one another such as to be capable of clamping a section of garment therebetween.

7. The system (100) of claim 6 wherein the first portion and the second portion are first and second ends of a single element.

8. The system (100) of claim 7 wherein the first end and the second end are hingedly

displaceable between the open or disengaged position and the closed or engaged position.

9. The system (100) of any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the attachment mechanism (8) comprises biasing means (22, 24) adapted to bias the first and second portions towards the closed or engaged position.

10. The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein the attachment mechanism (8) comprises a magnet (22, 24).

1 1 . The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein the first part (4) of the at least one fastener (5) is embedded in the bib (2).

12. The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein at least two fasteners (5, 7) are positioned at or adjacent opposed edges of the bib (2).

13. The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein the bib (2) is substantially crescent shaped.

14. The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein the at least one attachment mechanism (8) comprises food grade silicone.

15. The system (100) of any preceding claim wherein at least a part of the attachment

mechanism (8) comprises an outer layer of material.