Removable sanitary covering

Abstract

A sanitary covering designed to be releasably secured to a portion of a child's clothing during mealtime to protect the child's clothing from food and drink spillage. The sanitary covering includes a first and second layer. The first layer is configured to retain and absorb the food and drink spillage that occurs thereon. The second layer is configured to prohibit the propagation of material on the first layer onto the adjacent portion of child's clothing. The sanitary covering further includes an attachment mechanism that functions to releasably secured the sanitary covering to the desired portion of child or child's clothing while the child is engaged in eating or drinking.

Description

PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119(e) & 37 C.F.R. §1.78

This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. provisional patent application entitled: Kidz wipes, Application No. 60/665,622, filed Mar. 25, 2005, in the name of Amy Goland, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective barrier for clothing, more specifically but not by way of limitation, to a protective barrier that is designed to be releasably secured to an area of a child adjacent to the clothing of the child such as a sleeve area during mealtime to protect the clothing from food and drink debris generated by the child during eating.

BACKGROUND

The safety and hygiene of a child are a principal concern of parents when they are raising young children. Parents utilize many methods in order to ensure that their child practices good hygiene.

One area in which parents routinely practice methods of hygiene is during mealtime. This can be exceptionally challenging for younger children. During the years of motor skill development, young children spill food and drink where they are eating and often on themselves. The young child often spreads the spilt food or drink on the clothes that they are wearing during mealtime. Regardless of numerous instructions by the parent it is common for a young child to use their sleeve or other part of their clothing to wipe excess food or drink from their face. As good hygiene practices are part of a healthy lifestyle, the soiled clothes must be removed from the child and replaced. One issue involved in changing the soiled clothes of a child occurs when the parent and child are dining outside of their home. When dining outside of the home the parent does not have access to a change of clothes for the child once they have become soiled during mealtime. Without access to a change of clothes the child must remain in the soiled clothes.

Additionally, if a parent is unable to remove the clothes from the child in a timely fashion this increases the probability that the clothes of the child will become permanently stained from the food or drink that has been spilt on the clothes by the child. As children's clothing can be expensive, the parent optimally would like to be able to clean the clothes as soon as possible to prevent any permanent damage to the clothing.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can be releasably secured to the clothing of a child during mealtime that can protect the child's clothing from food and drink debris and be subsequently removed once the child has completed their meal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a protective barrier to be worn by a child during mealtime in order to prevent any food or drink spilt by the child from soiling the child's clothing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protective barrier to be worn by a child during mealtime that is releasably secured adjacent the child's clothing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective barrier to be worn by a child during mealtime that is releasably secured to the sleeve area of the child's clothing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a protective barrier that is worn adjacent to the thigh area of the child's clothing during mealtime.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a protective barrier that is worn adjacent to the torso area of the child's clothing during mealtime.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective barrier that is releasably secured to an area of a child's clothing during mealtime that is disposable and inexpensive.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having strips of hook loop fasteners;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having adhesive strips;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention positioned to receive a users arm or leg therein; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention positioned to be placed adjacent to a child's thigh area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a sanitary covering 100.

The sanitary covering 100 comprises a body 15 that is configured in a substantially planar manner and is generally rectangular in shape. The body 15 is manufactured from suitable durable and flexible materials such as but not limited to paper, plastic or absorbent cloth. The body 15 of the sanitary covering 100 is designed to be placed adjacent to and cover a portion thereof a section of the child's clothing and subsequently provide protection for the area of a child's clothing such as but not limited to the sleeve area of the child's clothing or the thigh area of the child's clothing.

The sanitary covering 100 is utilized to protect the child's clothing while the child is engaged in eating or drinking. While no specific size of the body 15 is required good results have been achieved with a body 15 that is manufactured in two sizes. A first size approximately four inches by four inches for covering the sleeve area of the child's clothing and a second size approximately six inches by six inches for covering the thigh area of the child's clothing. While illustrated as being generally square in shape in the drawings submitted herewith, it is contemplated that the body 15 could be manufactured in numerous different shapes in addition to and/or in conjunction with the shapes referenced herein. More specifically but not by way of limitation the body could be oval or annular in shape. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body could be manufactured with numerous designs printed thereon so as to be more appeasable and entertaining to the child wearing the sanitary covering 100.

The body 15 further includes an outer layer 20 and an inner layer 30. The outer layer 20 is manufactured from an absorbent material such as but not limited to cloth. The outer layer 20 is designed to capture and retain any liquid that is spilled by a child when the child is eating or drinking in order to protect the child's clothing from becoming soiled. The outer layer 20 further functions to repel any solid food material from contacting the section of the child's clothing adjacent thereto. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of absorbent materials could be utilized in manufacturing the outer layer 20. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer layer 20 could be treated with an anti-bacterial material.

The inner layer 30 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic. The inner layer 30 is adjacent the outer layer 20 and is secured thereto by conventional chemical or mechanical methods. The inner layer 20 is designed to be adjacent to a section of the child's clothing when the sanitary covering 100 has been placed in the desired location of the child such as but not limited to the sleeve area or the thigh area. The inner layer 30 is manufactured to be impermeable to liquids and other food debris. The inner layer 30 functions to ensure that the food and drink debris captured by the outer layer 20 does not propagate through the body 15 and subsequently soil the adjacent section of the child's clothing. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different materials could be utilized to manufacture the inner layer 30. it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 15 could be manufactured from one layer of suitable material that functions to protect the adjacent section of child's clothing from food or drink spillage.

Mounted on opposing sides of the sanitary covering 100 proximate to the peripheral edge 45 is an attachment device 40. The attachment device 40 functions to releasably secure the sanitary covering 100 adjacent to the desired area of child's clothing. The attachment device 40 is contiguously mounted to the body 15 and generally extends the length of one side of the sanitary covering 100. The attachment device 40 is mounted to the body 15 by conventional chemical or mechanical methods.

As shown in particular in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sanitary covering 100 utilizes a conventional hook and loop for the attachment device 40 mounted on opposing sides of the body 15. This type of attachment device is preferred when utilizing the sanitary covering 100 to encircle the sleeve area of a child's clothing as shown in FIG. 3.

In a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the attachment device 40 could be manufactured from a conventional adhesive material that is covered with a protective backing 50. The protective backing 50 is removed thereby exposing the adhesive material when the sanitary covering 100 is to be releasably secured to an area of the child's clothing that can not be reasonably encircled such as the thigh area or the torso area. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different methods and materials could be utilized to releasably secure the sanitary covering 100 to a section of a child's clothing. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that the sanitary covering 100 could be utilized to protect a section a a child's clothing during other activities. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the sanitary covering 100 could be utilized when a child is engaged in arts and crafts activities such as painting.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 1, a description of the operation of the sanitary covering 100 is as follows. In use, the sanitary covering 100 is releasably secured to the desired section of a child's clothing with the attachment device 40 prior to mealtime. Once secured to the child, the outer layer 20 absorbs and captures any food or drink material that is spilled on the child in the area covered by the sanitary covering. The inner layer 30 is adjacent to the child's clothing when the sanitary covering 100 is in use and functions to repel all materials absorbed or captured by the outer layer 20 thereby protecting the section of child's clothing that is covered by the sanitary covering 100. Once the child has finished eating or drinking, the sanitary covering 100 is removed and depending upon it composition can be cleaned or disposed of properly.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A removable protective barrier designed to protect a portion of a child's clothing comprising:

a body, said body configured in a substantially planar manner and being generally rectangular in shape, said body further being flexible to facilitate being matebaly securable to at least one of a user's arm and leg; and

an attachment mechanism disposed on said body, said attachment mechanism operable to secure said protective barrier to the user.

2. The removable protective barrier as recited in claim 1 and wherein said body further includes an absorbent outer layer, said outer layer for capturing and retaining materials spilled thereon.

3. The removable protective barrier as recited in claim 2, and wherein said body further includes an inner layer, said inner layer being adjacent said outer layer, said inner layer operable to prevent materials spilled on said outer layer from propagating through the protective barrier.

4. The removable protective barrier as recited in claim 3, wherein said body includes opposing peripheral edges and further wherein said attachment mechanism is disposed on said body proximate said opposing peripheral edges.

5. The removable protective barrier as recited in claim 4, wherein said attachment mechanism is a hook loop fastener.

6. The removable protective barrier as recited in claim 5, wherein said outer layer is manufactured from a cloth material.

7. The removable protective barrier as recited in claim 6, wherein said inner layer is manufactured from plastic.

8. A sanitary covering designed to protect a portion of a child's clothing during mealtime comprising:

a body, body, said body configured in a substantially planar manner and being generally square in shape and flexible, said body having a first and second layer, said body having at least two opposing edges, said body for protecting a portion child's clothing adjacent thereto from food and drink debris.

9. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 8, and further including an attachment mechanism, said attachment mechanism for releasably securing said sanitary covering to said portion of child's clothing, said attachment mechanism being disposed proximate said at least two opposing edges.

10. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 9, wherein said first layer of said body is manufactured from an absorbent material.

11. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 10, wherein said second layer of said body is manufactured from an impermeable material.

12. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 11, wherein said attachment mechanism is at least one of hook and loop material and adhesive material.

13. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 12, wherein said approximately four inches in length and four inches in width.

14. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 11, wherein said second layer is manufactured from plastic.

15. A sanitary covering to be releasably secured to a portion of a child's clothing and operable to protect the child's clothing from food and drink spillage during mealtime comprising:

a body configured in a substantially planar manner and being square in shape, said body further being flexible, said body having a first and second layer, said first layer for capturing and retaining said food and drink spillage thereon, said second layer for preventing said food and drink spillage captured and retained by said first layer from propagating through to said portion of child's clothing; and

an attachment mechanism, said attachment mechanism disposed proximate two opposing edges of said body, said attachment mechanism for releasably securing said sanitary covering to a portion of a child's clothing.

16. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 15, wherein said first layer is manufactured from at least one of an absorbent material and a paper based material.

17. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 16, wherein said second layer is manufactured from plastic.

18. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 17, wherein said body is approximately four inches in length and four inches in width.

19. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 18, wherein said attachment mechanism is manufactured from at least one of hook and loop material and adhesive material.

20. The sanitary covering as recited in claim 15, wherein said body is approximately six inches in length and six inches in width.