Infant's bib with multiple closures

Abstract

The invention includes an infant's bib with a plurality of side pieces attached to a center piece. The free ends of the side pieces have fastening mechanism, which can be attached to each other in a plurality of configurations. Each configuration providing more than one attachment points that secure the bib to the infants neck, body and torso. This inventive feature secures all parts of the bib to the infant and prevents the infant from lifting the bib away from its body or towards its face. Thus, eliminating the risk of the infant inserting the bib in its mouth and any associated choking hazards.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to bibs worn by infants. In particular, the invention relates to bibs worn around an infant's torso protecting the infant's skin and clothes from food, drool and liquids.

2. Description of Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,542 to Reinhart discloses a disposable bib having an improved mechanical fastener assembly. The mechanical fastener assembly includes an extended target surface and an array of prongs elements extending from a surface of the bib. The mechanical prong elements provide secure fastening of the bib shoulder extensions, yet are soft to the touch.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,836 to Morris discloses a bib that features a reusable attachment at the neck that accommodates different neck sizes and desired closeness of fit yet releases easily to eliminate a choking hazard.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,859,938 to Niski discloses a bib comprising a hoop made of memory material, a collar for fitting around a wearer's neck and a body portion for protecting the chest of the wearer. The hoop communicates with the collar and both the collar and hoop can be expanded to form a neck opening for placing on a wearer's neck. Upon releasing the expanding force on the hoop, the hoop naturally contracts due to its memory material construction. The contraction of the hoop provides an encircling force upon the collar and the collar thereby encircles the wearer's neck to form a snug fit.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,807 to Bergkvist discloses a child's bib includes a plastic string which has a free-bearing part that extends from one end of the edge of the neck-surrounding recess of the bib to the front piece thereof and terminating in the proximity of the other end of the edge of said recess, said plastic string having the form of a series of beads that are mutually separated by waist portions.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,518 to Bloom discloses an apron for use by dentists and the like is provided with a main body portion and a collar portion for securing the apron to the wearer in which the collar portion is adjustably securable at any position within a predetermined range such that it forms a close fit around the wearer wherein the collar and body portions comprise an absorbent side and a substantially waterproof.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an infant's bib with multiple closures. The bib has a plurality of side pieces attached to a center piece. Each side piece has an end attached to the center piece and a free end with a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanisms can be attached to each other in a plurality of configurations. More than one of these configurations results in multiple attachment points behind the infant's back. This inventive feature secures all parts of the bib to the infant and prevents the infant from lifting the bib away from its body or towards its face. Thus, eliminating the risk of the infant inserting the bib in its mouth and any associated choking hazards.

Any fastening mechanism may be used, such as, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a magnetic fastener, an adhesive, or the like. Regardless of the fastening mechanism used, they are configured to have multiple attachment points to allow for adjusting the tightness of the bib around the infant's neck and torso.

A number of washable and reusable materials can be used to construct the bib and to help achieve the objects of the present invention. The center piece and side pieces are comprised of various layers of these materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, for the purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following figures:

1. FIG. 1A is a front view of one embodiment of the infant's bib according to the present invention with the free ends of the side pieces unattached.

2. FIG. 1B is a front view of one embodiment of the infant's bib according to the present invention with the free ends of the side pieces attached by their fastening mechanisms.

3. FIG. 2A is a back view of one embodiment of the infant's bib according to the present invention with the free ends of the side pieces unattached.

4. FIG. 2B is a back view of one embodiment of the infant's bib according to the present invention with the free ends of the side pieces attached by their fastening mechanisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front views while FIGS. 2A and 2B are back views of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a basic configuration of the infant's bib comprising of a center piece 105 with four side pieces 110, 120, 130, 140. All side pieces are fixed to the center piece 105 and have fastening mechanisms 115, 125, 235, 245 on their free ends. The fastening mechanisms 115, 125, 235, 245 are preferably configured to have multiple attachment points to allow for adjusting the tightness of the bib around the infant's neck and torso. It should be understood that fastening mechanisms 115, 125, 235, 245 are shown for exemplary purposes only. Any fastening mechanism may be used, such as, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a magnetic fastener, an adhesive, or the like.

Typically, most bibs have one set of fastening mechanisms directly behind the infant's neck. The present invention provides for additional attachment points that secure the center piece 105 to the infant's torso. The embodiments in FIGS. 2A and 2B show an attachment point near the infant's neck and a second attachment point at the infant's lower back. The second attachment point is achieved by securing fastening mechanisms 235 and 245 to each other. This inventive feature secures the bib to the infant's torso and prevents the infant from lifting the bib away from its body or towards its face. Thus, this feature eliminates the risk of the infant inserting the bib in its mouth and any associated choking hazards.

As discussed above, traditional bibs only have one attachment point directly behind the infant's neck. In order to remove these bibs, the infant or the infant's head must be moved. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1A and 1B, side piece 110 is longer than side piece 120, this configuration allows for fastening of the side pieces 110, 120 at the side of the infant's head. Thus, the caregiver can remove be infant's bib by simply unfastening both side pieces 110, 120 from each other and pulling the bib forward without moving the infant.

A number of washable and reusable materials can be used to construct the bib and to help achieve the objects of the present invention. In some embodiments, three layers of absorbent material such as cotton are used for the center piece 105. In some embodiments, side pieces 110, 120, 130, 140 are constructed with two layers of absorbent material. In other embodiments, the center piece 105 and side pieces 110, 120, 130, 140 are constructed of a material selected from among: acrylic, microfiber, flannel, linen, polyester, terrycloth, and wool. However, it will be readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art that any other suitable material can be used to construct the bib.

While the invention will be described in connection with preferred embodiments, the description is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included in the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An infant's bib comprising:

a. a center piece; and

b. a plurality of side pieces, each side piece having opposed fixed and free ends, wherein the fixed ends are attached to the center piece and wherein the free ends comprises a fastening mechanism.

2. The infant's bib according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of side pieces comprises a first side piece and a second side piece; wherein the first side piece comprises a first fastening mechanisms, wherein the second side piece comprises a second fastening mechanisms; and wherein said first fastening mechanisms and said second fastening mechanisms are secured to each other behind the infant's back.

3. The infant's bib according to claim 2, comprising a third side piece with a third fastening mechanism and a fourth side piece with a fourth fastening mechanism, wherein said third side piece is longer than said fourth side piece, thus allowing for the third fastening mechanism and the fourth fastening mechanism to be secured to each other at one side of the center piece.

4. The infant's bib according to claim 1, wherein the center piece includes various layers of absorbent material.

5. The infant's bib according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of side pieces include various layers of absorbent material.

6. An infant's bib comprising:

a. a center piece;

b. a first side piece comprising a first fixed end and first free end, wherein said first fixed end is attached to the center piece, and said first free end has a first fastening mechanism;

c. a second side piece comprising a second fixed end and a second free end, wherein said second fixed end is attached to the center piece, and said second free end has a second fastening mechanism;

d. a third side piece comprising a third fixed end and a third free end, wherein said third fixed end is attached to the center piece, and said third free end has a third fastening mechanism; and

e. a fourth side piece comprising a fourth fixed end and a fourth free end, wherein said fourth fixed end is attached to the center piece, and said fourth free end has a fourth fastening mechanism.

7. The infant's bib according to claim 6, wherein the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism are secured to each other behind the infant's back.

8. The infant's bib according to claim 7, wherein the third side piece is longer than the fourth side piece, thus allowing for the third fastening mechanism and the fourth fastening mechanism to be secured to each other at one side of the center piece.

9. The infant's bib according to claim 6, wherein the center piece includes various layers of absorbent material.

10. The infant's bib according to claim 6, wherein the first side piece and the second side piece include various layers of absorbent material.

11. The infant's bib according to claim 6, wherein the third side piece and the fourth side piece include various layers of absorbent material.