Bib

Abstract

A bib is provided with a bowl including a concave portion having a receiving portion and an inclined section tapered from top to bottom; a first band having one end secured to one side of the bowl and an other end being open and bent to form a first holding section; and a second band having one end secured to an other side of the bowl and an other end being open and bent to form a second holding section. A space is defined by the bowl, the first band, and the second band. An opening is formed between the first holding section and the second holding section and is distal the bowl. The bib is non-sticky, easy to wash, and non-toxic.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a bib for use during the feeding of infants and more particularly to a bib adapted to fit around most portions of the neck and bowl for returning food and liquid fed to the infant, the bowl being formed of TPR (thermoplastic rubber) having characteristics of being non-sticky, easy to wash, and non-toxic, thereby greatly reducing the task of cleaning areas surrounding the infant after the meal.

2. Description of Related Art

In the course of the feeding of infants, portions of food may become deposited on the infant or on the surface on which the food container and eating utensils are placed for serving purposes. Bibs, which depend from the infant's neck, have been utilized to minimize the deposition of food on the infant and to simplify clean up after the meal. However, food and liquid fed to the infant still tend to drop from the mouth of the infant to make the surrounding environment (e.g., dining table) messy.

A conventional bib-bowl combination is shown in FIG. 7. The bib-bowl combination is characterized in that a conventional bib is comprised of a bowl unit to carry food having a rim, a bottom, and a predetermined portion adjacent to a user containing a circular slot; and a sheet for securing to the neck of a user. It can enhance the return of food and liquid to the bowl when spilled.

The drawback of the conventional bib-bowl combination is that the bib and the bowl may be displaced when in use. Hence, the desired purpose of enhancing the return of food and liquid to the bowl when spilled cannot be obtained.

Notwithstanding the prior art, the invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a bib comprising a bowl comprising a concave portion including a receiving portion and an inclined section tapered from top to bottom; a first band having one end secured to one side of the bowl and an other end being open and bent to form a first holding section; and a second band having one end secured to an other side of the bowl and an other end being open and bent to form a second holding section; wherein a space is defined by the bowl, the first band, and the second band; and wherein an opening is formed between the first holding section and the second holding section and is distal the bowl.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bib according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bib according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the bib shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bib shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bib according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is s an exploded view of the bib shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional bib-bowl combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a bib in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is designated 3 and comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

A bowl 10 is an open top container and comprises a concave portion 11 including a flat receiving portion 112 and an inclined section 111 extending from the small receiving portion 112 to a large rim of the bowl 10. Any liquid or food that is spilled by a user (e.g., an infant) can be returned to the receiving portion 112 so that food is not wasted. A curved first band 21 has one end integrally formed with one side of the bowl 10 and the other end being open and bent to form a first holding section 22. A curved second band 23 has one end integrally formed with the other side of the bowl 10 and the other end being open and bent to form a second holding section 24. A space 25 is defined by the bowl 10, the first band 21, and the second band 23. Further, an opening 26 is formed between the first holding section 22 and the second holding section 24 and is distal the bowl 10.

Preferably, the bib 3 is formed integrally.

Preferably, the bib 3 is made from TPR, PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizate), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), or silicone rubber. The bib 3 has characteristics of being non-sticky, easy to wash, and non-toxic.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, a bib in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is designated 5. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the first preferred embodiment except the following:

A bowl 50 is an open top container and comprises a concave portion 51 including a flat receiving portion 512 and an inclined section 511 extending from the small receiving portion 512 to a large rim of the bowl 50; a rear groove 52; and a rear limiting member 53 formed below the groove 52. Any liquid or food that is spilled by a user (e.g., an infant) can be returned to the receiving portion 512 so that food is not wasted. A curved first band 61 has the other end being open and bent to form a first holding section 62. A curved second band 63 has the other end being open and bent to form a second holding section 64. A joining member 67 is formed between one end of the first band 61 and one end of the second band 63. A space 65 is defined by the joining member 67, the first band 61, and the second band 63. Further, an opening 66 is formed between the first holding section 62 and the second holding section 64 and is distal the joining member 67. The joining member 67 is adapted to fit in the groove 52 and is held in place with the help of the limiting member 53, i.e., the bowl 50 and the collar being fastened together.

Preferably, the bib 5 has its collar and bowl manufactured as two separate members and adapted to join prior to use.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a bib in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is designated 7. The characteristics of the third preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the second preferred embodiment except the following:

A bowl 70 is an open top container and comprises a concave portion 71 including a flat receiving portion 712 and an inclined section 711 extending from the small receiving portion 712 to a large rim of the bowl 70. Any liquid or food that is spilled by a user (e.g., an infant) can be returned to the receiving portion 712 so that food is not wasted. Two hanging members 72 are formed on two corners of a rear end of the bowl 70. A curved first band 81 has the other end being open and bent to form a first holding section 82. A curved second band 83 has the other end being open and bent to form a second holding section 84. A joining member 87 is formed between one end of the first band 81 and one end of the second band 83. A space 85 is defined by the joining member 87, the first band 81, and the second band 83. Further, an opening 86 is formed between the first holding section 82 and the second holding section 84 and is distal the joining member 87. The hanging members 72 are adapted to releasably put on the joining member 87, i.e., the bowl 70 and the collar being fastened together.

Preferably, the bib 7 has its collar and bowl manufactured as two separate members and adapted to join prior to use.

The separate arrangement of the collar and bowl of each of the bibs 5 and 7 has the advantage of easily detaching the bowl 50 or 70 for cleaning after meal.

It is envisaged by the invention that the bib 3, 5, or 7 can fit around the neck and the throat of a user (e.g., an infant) in a single, easy action without the tedious tying or untying action experienced by the conventional art.

The following is a brief description of fitting the bib 3 around the neck and the throat of a user as an exemplary example: The user may use both hands to hold the first and second holding sections 22, 24 respectively. Next, the user may spread the first and second holding sections 22, 24 wide to enlarge the opening 26. Next, the user may encircle the neck and the throat of the user in the space 25 with the first and second holding sections 22, 24 clamping the neck and the throat of the user. Thus, the bib 3 fits around the neck and the throat of the user. A caretaker may feed food to the user or the user may place food on the receiving portion 112 prior to eating. After meal, the user may use both hands to hold the first and second holding sections 22, 24 respectively. Next, the user may spread the first and second holding sections 22, 24 wide to enlarge the opening 26. Finally, the user may detach the bib 3 from the neck and the throat of the user prior to cleaning.

It is envisaged by the invention that the bib having the characteristics of being non-sticky and easy to wash contributes greatly to the applicability of the invention.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bib comprising:

a bowl comprising a concave portion including a receiving portion and an inclined section tapered from top to bottom;

a first band having one end secured to one side of the bowl and an other end being open and bent to form a first holding section; and

a second band having one end secured to an other side of the bowl and an other end being open and bent to form a second holding section;

wherein a space is defined by the bowl, the first band, and the second band; and

wherein an opening is formed between the first holding section and the second holding section and is distal the bowl.

2. The bib of claim 1, wherein the bib is formed integrally.

3. The bib of claim 1, wherein the bowl further comprises a rear groove and a limiting member formed below the rear groove; and further comprising a joining member formed between one end of the first band and one end of the second band, the joining member being configured to fit in the rear groove and being held in place by the limiting member so that the bowl, the first band, and the second band are fastened together.

4. The bib of claim 1, wherein the bowl further comprises a plurality of rear, spaced) hanging members; and further comprising a joining member formed between one end of the first band and one end of the second band, the hanging members being configured to releasably put on the joining member so that the bowl, the first band, and the second band are fastened together.

5. The bib of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is flat.

6. The bib of claim 1, wherein the bib is made from TPR (thermoplastic rubber), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizate), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), or silicone rubber.