U.S. patent application number 14/228439 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for bib.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fang-Ching Lu. Invention is credited to Fang-Ching Lu.
Application Number | 20150272229 14/228439 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54188560 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150272229 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lu; Fang-Ching |
October 1, 2015 |
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.
Inventors: |
Lu; Fang-Ching; (Taoyuan
County, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lu; Fang-Ching |
Taoyuan County |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
54188560 |
Appl. No.: |
14/228439 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/49.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/103
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41B 13/10 20060101
A41B013/10 |
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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] 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.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] Notwithstanding the prior art, the invention is neither
taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bib according to a first
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bib according to a second
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the bib shown in FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bib shown in
FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bib according to a third
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is s an exploded view of the bib shown in FIG. 5;
and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional bib-bowl
combination.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] Preferably, the bib 3 is formed integrally.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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:
[0022] 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.
[0023] Preferably, the bib 5 has its collar and bowl manufactured
as two separate members and adapted to join prior to use.
[0024] 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:
[0025] 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.
[0026] Preferably, the bib 7 has its collar and bowl manufactured
as two separate members and adapted to join prior to use.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
* * * * *