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[0001] Disposable bibsare well known in the art. Such bibs may be provided for use on babies during feeding, often for adults in the health care industry, for restaurants to keep customers clothes from becoming soiled among many other applications.
[0002] The present invention is related to disposable bibs, and more particularly, to a inexpensive bib having a unique, strong, always open pocket structure for receiving and supporting liquid and solid materials, in addition to quick and safe removal. The present invention provides for adult applications only.
[0003] The prior art also discloses bibs having a pocket structure for receiving solids or liquids that would otherwise dirty the wearer's clothing. One main problem with known bibs is that pocket structures may be ineffective in capturing, supporting, nor maintaining an open configuration of spilled food, liquid or other materials, particularly if crushed during storage, shipment or accidentally crushed by the user. Other major concerns include; The high cost to manufacture, the subsequent cost to the user, and a provision for quick, simple and safe removal of the bib for safety purposes; *No known examples provide for low cost nor quick and safe removal.
[0004] An example of a disposable bib having a pocket structure for receiving solids or liquids is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,751 issued May 7, 2002 to Benjamin, et al. Benjamin, et al states; The bib body comprises a first body panel, a second pocket panel, and a third panel. In order to provide a sustained pocket space, a flexible member is joined to the third panel proximate the second end and extends laterally between the longitudinally extending side edges of the third panel. The third panel and the flexible member are constructed and arranged such that, as the third panel is folded or defected into the pocket space from a first position, having an inside surface facing an outer surface of the body panel to a second position, having the inside surface of the third panel facing an inside surface of the pocket panel, the third panel provides an opening of the pocket space along the longitudinal centerline of the bib. The flexible member is more rigid than the third panel and provides a durable pocket opening that is maintained during use. However, the flexible member that is presumed to be maintained during use, does not account for potential during shipment, nor states to any certainty that it would regain its shape if crushed closed against something by a wearer crushing during use, making the pocket no longer effective for it's intended use.
[0005] Another example of a disposable bib having a pocket structure for receiving solids or liquids is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,780 issued Oct. 10, 2000 to Reinhart, et al. Reinhart et al. provides a bib having a bib body comprising a first, second, and a third panel. Disposition of the third panel between the pocket panel and the body panel serves to space at least a portion of the pocket panel from an underlying portion of the body panel to provide opening of the pocket space along the longitudinal centerline of the bib. However, the opening of the pocket will be crushed closed against something by a wearer crushing during use, again, making the pocket no longer open, or effective during use.
[0006] Another example of a potentially open pocket is U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,231 issued May 1, 1984 to Noel. Noel discloses a bib having a gravitationally open able pocket. Although the premise is sound, the result of the actual use depends upon the users awareness, and actual position, making the pocket potentially ineffective during use.
[0007] Other prominent references disclosing bibs with various structures for catching articles include U.S. Pat. No. 497,340 issued May 1893 to Pollitt; U.S. Pat. No. 615,293 issued December 1898 to Maier; U.S. Pat. No. 2,164,369 issued July 1939 to Woolever; U.S. Pat. No. 2,651,039 issued September 1953 to Tonkens et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,231 issued May, 1984 to Noel; U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,065 issued July 1986 to Sigl et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,698 issued November, 1986 to Heyman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,572 issued March, 1987 to Roessler; U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,523 issued October 1987 to Schrader et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,111 to Ralph; U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,048 to Shearer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,057 to Andersson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,941 issued April 1996 to Sell; U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,572 issued March, 1997 to Roessler; U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,303 to VanGompel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,490 issued March 1999 to Woodard et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,311 issued July, 1999 to Lampson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,530 B1 issued April, 2002 to Lampson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,048 issued March 2003 to Frye;
[0008] The present invention provides an inexpensive bib compromised of five distinct parts; A body panel folded and heat-sealed at one end to create a slightly tapered pocket, and at the opposite end, a tapered upper portion; An insert that is folded in half, inserted in the pocket, permanently heat-sealed, creating a unique, always open, strong pocket with reliable memory spring open tensile, strong enough to support and contain virtually all spilled food and/or fluids; A simple adjustable neck strap with a breakaway perforation for safety and easy removal, permanently heat-sealed on one end of the upper tapered body panel while the other end of the strap is secured with; A double-sided reusable tape to the other end of the tapered body panel; In addition a tab which is permanently attached by heat sealing to the outside bottom of the bib pocket designed for the purpose of dispensing.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable bib with a unique pocket structure which always springs open because of the fold of said insert which creates consistent tensile opening memory that it is reliable, even if crushed during storage, shipment or inadvertently crushed by the user.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a disposable bib having a strong pocket structure for receiving and supporting all spilled food and liquid material, with sufficient strength.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, strong adjustable neck strap with a breakaway perforation for safe use and easy removal.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tab attached to the outside bottom of the bib pocket, designed for the purpose of dispensing.
[0013] Particularly, there is a need for a disposable bib that is inexpensive, simple to apply, use and remove for safety reasons, including a reliable strong pocket that is always maintained in an open configuration for receiving, containing and supporting virtually all spilled solid and liquid food materials, even if crushed during storage, shipment or accidentally crushed by the user.
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