WO2023213340A1

WO2023213340A1 - Apron for a person to wear when consuming food and/or drinks, and method for producing such an apron

Info

Publication number: WO2023213340A1
Application number: PCT/DE2023/000028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcus Dietl
Original assignee: Marcus Dietl
Priority date: 2022-05-05
Filing date: 2023-05-03
Publication date: 2023-11-09
Also published as: DE202022001085U1

Abstract

The invention discloses an apron (S) for a person (P) to wear when consuming food and/or drinks, the apron (S) having an upper region (OB) with a cutout to allow the apron (S) to be fitted around the neck of the person (P) and having a lower region (UB) for covering at least the upper body of the person (P), characterized in that the apron (S) is manufactured from a plastic sack (100) which consists of a first and second rectangular sheet (110, 120), wherein the two sheets (110, 120) are arranged in two layers and are connected to one another along a lower edge (101) and two lateral edges (102, 103), but not along an upper edge (104), an opening (140) being formed in the plastic sack (100) as a result, wherein the upper region (OB) of the apron (S) extends from the opening (140) of the plastic sack (100) and at least one of the two sheets (110, 120) has, in the upper region (OB), a partial cutout (150*) or full cutout (150) for the neck of the person (P), and wherein the lower region (UB) of the apron (S) extends from the lower edge (101) of the plastic sack (100) and only one sheet (110) of the two sheets has, in the lower region (UB), a prepared partial cutout (111), which can be folded over, about a fold-over zone (K1) running parallel to the lower edge (101), in the direction of the thigh region of the person (P).

Description

i

Apron for a person to wear when consuming food and/or drinks and method of making such an apron

The invention relates to an apron for a person to wear when consuming food and/or drinks, in particular an apron according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method for producing such an apron according to the preamble of the independent claim.

There are numerous types of aprons that protect people from getting dirty, including disposable aprons or bibs made of plastic film. The bibs are used in particular when consuming food and/or drinks, but only protect the upper area of the upper body from dirt. The usual aprons are often very long and difficult to use. There are therefore the following situations in particular for which the use of conventional aprons is not ideal:

The occupants of vehicles (automobiles, commercial vehicles, but also ships, boats, etc.) or airplanes are often concerned with eating food during their stay; This also applies to vehicle drivers who (have to) consume drinks, food, snacks, etc. during the journey. The problem therefore arises that the occupant soils himself or his clothing, sometimes significantly. The same applies to participants or spectators of an event, such as baseball or American football, who would like to consume drinks and food during the game. The problem actually exists for anyone who is in a sitting position while consuming food and/or drinks and is exposed to the risk of contamination; Examples include wheelchair users, elderly or disabled people.

Such an apron is disclosed in US Patent 5,530,968, which is intended to protect a vehicle driver from contamination while consuming food and/or drinks. The apron has an upper portion with a cutout for attaching the apron to the wearer's neck and a lower portion for covering

Confirmation copy at least the upper body of the wearer. The neckline is smaller than the wearer's head and the apron is made of a flat plastic material (PE) with a certain material thickness, which requires a slit with a closure ("slit 24" and "adhesive tape 26") at the neckline Fig. 1) must be provided so that the wearer can put the apron on his neck. Furthermore, the lower area of the apron can be folded up to create a pocket-shaped collection area (“lower front pocket 30”) for falling food residues (solid or liquid). To do this, the lower area of the apron, which is folded upwards, must have a concave cutout (“28” in Fig. 1) and its edges must be connected to the opposite edges (“32” and “34”) after being folded over. namely glued or missed (see column 5, lines 26-41). The construction and use of this apron are therefore quite complicated.

Another complicatedly designed apron is disclosed in US Patent 5,220,692. Further publications relating to the background of the invention include: DE 20 2013 009 525 Ul, DE 76 14 288 Ul, US 5 740 552 A and US 3 815 153 A. The object of the invention is to provide an apron for one person to wear To further develop the consumption of food and/or drinks in such a way that the above-mentioned disadvantages are overcome. In particular, an apron of the type mentioned at the beginning should be further developed in such a way that it is easy to manufacture or manufacture and reliably protects the wearer from contamination when consuming food and/or drinks. The apron should be particularly suitable for a vehicle or aircraft passenger or event participant in order to protect them from contamination when consuming food and/or drinks.

The task is solved by an apron with the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the apron according to the invention is characterized in that the apron is made from a foil bag or similar structure, which consists of a first and second essentially rectangular foil, the two foils being arranged in two layers and at a lower edge and two side edges are connected to one another and are not connected to one another at any upper edge, thereby forming an opening in the film bag, the upper region of the apron extending from the opening of the film bag and at least one of the two films in the upper region having a partial or full cutout for the neck of the person or wearer, and wherein the lower area of the apron extends from the lower edge of the film bag extends and only one film of the two films has a prepared partial cutout in the lower area, which can be folded down towards the thigh area of the person or wearer around a folding zone running parallel to the lower edge.

The apron can thus be made with little effort from an existing foil bag or larger foil bag, with the cutout on the wearer's neck being created by cutting out or providing a partial or full cutout on at least one foil (especially the rear foil) in the upper area of the apron or can even completely enclose it, so that the apron can be worn immediately by simply placing the partial cutout on the neck or putting the head through the full cutout or slipping through. In addition, by cutting out or perforating a partial cutout in the lower area of the apron, and only on one of the two films, namely the film or front film lying at the front, a part of the film can be folded forward over the wearer's lap and thighs created, whereby the total area of the apron can be significantly increased in a simple manner in order to protect the lower body area of the wearer in particular. When cutting out the cutouts, it is crucial that the prepared partial cutout (continuous cut or perforated) is provided in the lower area, i.e. the area of the film bag that extends from the lower closed end of the film bag and not from its opening. This means that the lower edge area can then be used as a collection area for leftover food and/or drinks when using the apron. The invention offers every person effective protection against soiling themselves when consuming food and/or drinks. The apron is particularly suitable for wearers who are exposed to a greater risk of soiling themselves, such as older or disabled people, but also drivers or other passengers who are traveling in a vehicle or aircraft and are carrying food and drinks safely and securely /or want to consume drinks. Vehicle is also understood to mean any type of watercraft, although the invention is likely to be used primarily in land vehicles. The apron according to the invention is also suitable as an advertising medium and/or as an additional accessory for customers of a restaurant, in particular a drive-in, or for passengers of an airline, or for spectators at an event. The apron can also be made from environmentally friendly, preferably compostable material. Furthermore, a method for producing such an apron is disclosed.

Advantageous refinements result from the subclaims.

Accordingly, the prepared partial cutout provided in the lower area of the apron will be formed by three incisions (continuous or perforated), two of which incisions each run parallel to one of the side edges of the film bag, in particular at a distance of 3-15 cm from the respective edge . As a result, elongated, vertically extending collecting pockets will also be formed in the two side edge areas in order to catch food and/or beverage residues and direct them downwards into the collecting pocket located at the lower end.

Preferably, the collecting pockets can be equipped with an absorbent material, such as paper kitchen towels, by introducing a filling material, in particular a liquid-absorbent filling material, at the lower edge and/or at the side edges between the films.

To dimension the lower collecting bag, the folding zone or the folding area, which forms the upper edge of the lower collecting bag, preferably runs parallel to the lower edge of the film bag at a distance of 5-25 cm. And for dimensioning the lower collecting pocket, the two incisions that run parallel to one of the side edges are preferably 20-60 cm long.

To dimension and position the passage for the wearer's head, the full cutout has an elliptical, in particular round, shape, the edge of which is at a minimum distance of 5-10 cm from the upper edge and at a minimum distance of 10-25 cm from the respective side edge runs.

The partial cutout of the apron can also be formed by an arcuate incision.

The film bag or bag is preferably made of a bio-based plastic, in particular of bio-polyethylene (Bio PE) or polyethylene furanoate (PEF) or of a biodegradable plastic, in particular of polylactide (PLA) or polybutylene succinate (PBS. Furthermore, the Foil bag can also be made from a compostable film material, the term foil bag being general can be understood and also includes, for example, a paper bag. Materials that should be mentioned in particular are those made from renewable raw materials, such as lactic acid, corn starch, potato starch, sugar cane, sugar beets or cellulose. For example, a bag made of paper can be used that has beeswax or another sustainable, biodegradable substance on the inside to make the apron as tight as possible against moisture and moisture.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the foldable partial cutout is printed with information on its surface facing the inside of the film bag in an orientation that can be read by the occupant when wearing the apron. This means that advertising prints, but also instructions for use or menus, drinks or price lists can be printed, which the wearer can easily read when using the apron.

The invention is described in detail below using exemplary embodiments, with reference being made to the accompanying schematic drawings, which show the following schematic representations:

Fig. 1 shows the apron (first embodiment) in a front view from the front (top view);

Fig. 2 shows the apron according to Fig. 1 in a three-dimensional view;

Fig. 3 illustrates wearing the apron according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows the apron in a variant (second exemplary embodiment);

Fig. 5 shows the apron in a further variant (third exemplary embodiment);

Fig. 6a)-c) show detailed views of a corner in the lower area of the apron according to Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows the apron in yet another variant (fourth exemplary embodiment); and

Fig. 8 shows a flowchart for a method for producing such an apron. A first exemplary embodiment is described with reference to Figures 1-3: As shown in the figures, the apron S is made from a film bag 100, which is essentially rectangular in shape and from two films lying one above the other

110 and 120 consists. Three of their edges are connected (welded) to one another, namely the two side edges 102 and 103 and the lower edge 101. At the upper end, the edges 104 are not connected to one another, which means that the opening 140 of the film bag 100 is located there. The upper area OB extends downwards from the opening 140 of the film bag and the lower area UB extends upwards from the lower edge 101.

A full cutout 150 is now formed in the upper area OB, namely on both foils, i.e. both foils 110 and 120 have a round, here elliptical cutout through which the wearer, i.e. e.g. vehicle occupant, passes his head in order to hang the apron around his neck.

In the lower area UB, a foldable partial cutout 111 is formed on only one of the two films, namely on the front film 110. The three incisions E2, E3 and E4 are dimensioned so that they are close to the lower edge 101 and parallel To do this, a folding zone or edge Kl is formed, around which the partial cutout is formed

111 can fold down (see Figs. 1 and 2). The folded portion 111 of the front film 110 thus provides protection for the lap and thighs of the wearer P (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The inside of the upper film 110 is now openly visible to the wearer P, so that text or other information can also be printed or attached there, such as advertising, instructions for use of the apron, etc. For this purpose, the text is on the foldable part of the The inside is aligned so that it is easy to read when wearing the apron (see Fig. 3).

For example, the apron has the dimensions of a normal garbage bag, i.e. when folded it is around 40-70 cm wide and 60-110 cm long. When the partial cutout 111 is folded down or unfolded, it has a length of approximately 50 cm, which increases the total length of the apron by approximately 50%.

The folding zone or edge Kl runs at a distance DA of approximately 5-20 cm (here approximately 15 cm) parallel to the lower edge 101 of the film bag 110 (see dashed line Kl in Fig. 1), which forms a lower collecting pocket. And the incisions E2 and E3 run parallel to the lateral edges 102 and 103, respectively, at a distance DB of approximately 3-15 cm (here approximately 4-5 cm), so that lateral collecting pockets are also formed. The collection pockets can safely catch falling food or drink residues and prevent them from getting onto the wearer P's clothing (see Figs. 2 and 3). The collecting pockets can optionally be equipped with a filling material, in particular a liquid-absorbent filling material F.

The full cutout 150 intended for the head or neck of the wearer has, for example, an elliptical shape, the edge of which is at a minimum distance DD of 5-10 cm from the upper edge 104 and at a minimum distance DC of 10-25 cm from the respective side edge 102 , 103 runs. The cutout 150 can also be circular and should have a diameter of approximately 22 cm.

The apron P can therefore simply be placed over the head of the wearer P and is immediately ready for use (see Fig. 3).

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. In addition, from the film that does not have the partial cutout 111 ', i.e. from the rear film 120, at least one strip-shaped partial cutout 112 was cut out, which runs parallel to the side edges and extends from the opening 140. In the example shown in Fig. 4, two strips 112 are left out, which can be folded upwards and thus serve as additional fastening strips with which the wearer P can bind the apron S 'even more firmly to his body (shoulder, neck), so that the Apron is secured against slipping and the lower area of the full cutout 150 lies as close as possible to the neck of the wearer P.

5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an apron in which only the rear film 120 has a cutout for the person's neck, here a full cutout 150, although a partial cutout or a recess, as shown in FIG. 7, would also be possible. The front film HO has the partial cutout 111 that can be folded down; Since both films 110 and 120 are the same length, the foldable area 111 is particularly long and can stretch the person's thighs and knees particularly wide when using the apron Cover or protect from contamination. The partial cutout 111, which can be folded around the folding edge Kl, is conical, so that the edge areas expand downwards, which improves the collecting function of the lower area. In addition, the lower corners of the film bag are folded inwards in the shape of a triangle, whereby the front film 110 stands out from the rear film 120 in these corner areas 105, so that an effective collection area is automatically formed. This is illustrated using Figures 6a)-c):

Fig. 6a) shows a partial view of the corner area 105 of the right corner, i.e. the area at the lower end of the right edge 103 (see Fig. 5), with the turning in of the corner tip being indicated by arrows. After wrapping, the corner tip is then located between the two foils and thereby creates a distance between these foils, which expands the collection area. This effectively prevents both foils from coming directly to each other and the user having to create the collection area by widening the distance between the foils. 6b) shows a view of the side of the right edge 103 and the folded-over film section 111 (virtually as a protective bib for the thighs) before the corner tip is folded in; therefore both foils are still close to each other. 6c) shows the situation after the corner tip has been folded in, whereby the distance between the films is formed in the respective corner area 105. This means that a collection area is always created automatically.

7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an apron which has only a partial cutout 150* or a recess for the person's neck on the rear film. Here the rear film 120 is longer than the front film 110, i.e. it is not a usual film bag from which the apron is formed, but a sack-shaped structure with a longer, rear film 120 and a shorter, front film 110, i.e. with unequal ones long slides.

Fig. 8 shows a flow chart for a method M for producing an apron according to the invention (see also the previous figures), ie an apron S for a person P to wear when consuming food and / or drinks, the apron having an upper area OB with a cutout for attaching the apron S to the neck of the person P and a lower area UB for covering at least the upper body of the person P. The method M has at least the following steps (S1 to S3): (51) Making or using a film bag (100) consisting of a first and second rectangular film (HO, 120), the two films (HO, 120) being arranged in two layers and on a lower edge (101) and two sides Edges (102, 103) are connected to one another and not connected to one another at any upper edge (104), whereby an opening (140) of the film bag (100) is formed,

(52) on at least one of the two films (110, 120) introducing a partial cutout (150*) or full cutout (150) of the person's neck (P) into the upper area (OB) of the apron (S), which is away from the Opening (140) of the film bag (100) extends; and

(53) on only one film (HO) of the two films, introducing a prepared partial cutout (111) in the lower area (UB) of the apron (S), which extends from the lower edge (101) of the film bag (100), whereby the Partial cutout (111) is designed to be foldable around a folding zone (Kl) running parallel to the lower edge (101) towards the thigh area of the person (P).

Numerous other variants are conceivable. As the description also reveals, the apron can be produced very cost-effectively and is immediately ready for use (full cut-out that can be slipped over); In addition, it can be extended immediately and without effort by folding over the partial cutout; It is also particularly effective at preventing the wearer from getting dirty, not least because of the collection pockets. The apron is therefore particularly suitable for wearers who, due to certain circumstances (consumption during the journey, flight or stay at an event), do not want or cannot consume food and/or drinks at a table or the like. In this sense, the apron is also suitable for patients in hospitals or residents of retirement homes or visitors to daycare centers.

Claims

Patent claims

1 . Apron (S) for a person (P) to be worn when consuming food and/or drinks, the apron (S) having an upper area (OB) with a cutout for attaching the apron (S) to the neck of the person (P) and a lower region (UB) for covering at least the upper body of the person (P), characterized in that the apron (S) is made from a film bag (100) which consists of a first and second rectangular film (HO, 120) exists, wherein the two films (110, 120) are arranged in two layers and are connected to one another at a lower edge (101) and two side edges (102, 103) and are not connected to one another at any upper edge (104), resulting in a Opening (140) of the film bag (100), the upper region (OB) of the apron (S) extending from the opening (140) of the film bag (100) and at least one of the two films (110, 120) in the upper Area (OB) has a partial cutout (150*) or full cutout (150) for the neck of the person (P), and the lower area (UB) of the apron (S) extends from the lower edge (101) of the foil bag (100 ) extends and only one film (HO) of the two films in the lower area (UB) has a prepared partial cutout (111) which extends around a folding zone (Kl) running parallel to the lower edge (101) towards the thigh area of the person (P). is foldable.

2. Apron (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that the prepared, foldable partial cutout (111) is formed: is formed by three perforated or continuous incisions (El, E2, E3), two of which are incisions (E2, E3) each run parallel to one of the side edges (102, 103) of the film bag (100), in particular at a distance (DB) of 5-15 cm from the respective edge; or through an arcuate perforated incision (E*) or through incision.

3. Apron (S) according to claim 2, characterized in that the two incisions (E2, E3) running parallel to one of the side edges (102, 103) have a length of 20-60 cm. Apron (S') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that only the rear (120) of the two films in the upper area (OB) has the partial cutout (150*) in the form of a recess for placing on the person's neck (P ), wherein the apron has at least one band-shaped structure (113) that encloses the neck when the apron is in use, apron (S') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from that film (120) which does not contain the partial cutout (111 '), at least one strip-shaped partial cutout (112) which runs parallel to the side edges and extends from the opening (140) is recessed. Apron (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folding zone (Kl) runs parallel to the lower edge (101) of the film bag (100) at a distance (DA) of 5-20 cm. Apron (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the full cutout (150) has an elliptical, in particular round, shape, the edge of which is at a minimum distance (DD) of 5-10 cm from the upper edge (104) and in one Minimum distance (DC) of 10-25 cm to the respective side edge (102, 103). Apron (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the lower edge (101) and/or on the side edges (102, 103) between the films (110, 120) there is a filling material (F), in particular a liquid-absorbent one Filling material (F) is introduced. Apron (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film bag (100) is made from a bio-based plastic, in particular from bio-based Polyethylene (Bio-PE) or polyethylene furanoate (PEF), or made of a biodegradable plastic, in particular polylactide (PLA) or polybutylene succinate (PBS). Apron (S) according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the film bag (100) is made from a compostable film material, in particular using renewable raw materials, comprising lactic acid, corn starch, potato starch, sugar cane, sugar beet or cellulose. Apron (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foldable partial cutout (111) has information (I) on its surface facing the inside of the film bag (100) in a way that is accessible to the wearer (P) when wearing the apron (S). legible orientation is printed. Use of an apron (S) according to one of the preceding claims to protect a vehicle or aircraft occupant or event participant. Method (M) for producing an apron (S) for a person (P) to wear when consuming food and/or drinks, the apron (S) having an upper region (OB) with a cutout for attaching the apron (S). on the neck of the person (P) and a lower area (UB) for covering at least the upper body of the person (P), characterized by the following steps:

(51) Making or using a film bag (100) consisting of a first and second rectangular film (HO, 120), the two films (110, 120) being arranged in two layers and on a lower edge (101) and two sides Edges (102, 103) are connected to one another and not connected to one another at any upper edge (104), whereby an opening (140) of the film bag (100) is formed,

(52) on at least one of the two films (110, 120) introducing a partial cutout (150*) or full cutout (150) of the person's neck (P) into the upper area (OB) of the apron (S), which is away from the Opening (140) of the Foil bag (100); and

(S3) on only one film (110) of the two films, introducing a prepared partial cutout (111) in the lower area (UB) of the apron (S), which extends from the lower edge (101) of the film bag (100), whereby the Partial cutout (111) is designed to be foldable around a folding zone (Kl) running parallel to the lower edge (101) towards the thigh area of the person (P).