(19)
(11) EP 2 119 376 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
18.11.2009 Bulletin 2009/47

(21) Application number: 09160261.5

(22) Date of filing: 14.05.2009
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A41B 13/10(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 14.05.2008 NO 20082221

(71) Applicant: Engkvist, Ragnhild
0130 Oslo (NO)

(72) Inventor:
  • Engkvist, Ragnhild
    0130 Oslo (NO)

(74) Representative: Joergensen, Bjoern Barker et al
Internationalt Patent-Bureau A/S Rigensgade 11
1316 Copenhagen K
1316 Copenhagen K (DK)

   


(54) Waterproof and breathable bib-like clothes protector


(57) A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) divided into three parts, the upper part (8) having fastening devices in the form of two straps (9). The lower part (2) contains stiffeners (3) which cause this part to be kept spread out. The straps (9) have heavier end sections (10), and the lower part (2) and the end sections (10) are balanced with adapted self-weights. Moreover, the side of the end sections (10) facing the body is coated with a non-slip material in the upper part (8) so that this in addition to the adapted weights of the lower part (2) and the end sections (10) constitutes a balanced ratio. The lower part (2) may have a raised, peripheral edge (4) on both sides, the edge gradually taking the shape of a pocket or collection groove (5) at the bottom. The clothing protector substantially consists of a movable and light material, but the pocket or collection groove (5) may consist of a material which is made in a firm shape and which is also heavier.




Description


[0001] The present invention relates to a waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector which is of low weight and does not impede mobility. The waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector consists of three parts, a lower part covering the stomach and the lap and a middle part covering the chest, both to collect drips or the like during the intake of drink or other substances. An upper part consists of fastening devices in the form of two straps with end sections consisting of heavier materials placed over a respective shoulder.

[0002] Various types of aprons, napkins and bibs of paper, cotton-like textiles or plastic-like textiles fastened to the chest with strings or end sections with buttons fastened round the neck are known. Such aprons, napkins or bibs are often disposable or also often intended for use by children.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a device which protects clothing from drips or the like during the intake of drink or other substances, which is simple to put on and take off, which does not prevent mobility if used in, for example, a car, and which is simple to clean and store.

[0004] The invention will now be described below in connection with the accompanying drawing and will now be referred to as a clothing protector:

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a clothing protector 1, the total length may be approx. 70 cm, the width may be approx. 30 cm.



[0005] The clothing protector 1 may substantially consist of a waterproof, breathable, movable and very light material, which may be, for example, dermizax, which will give optimum freedom of movement and is simple to rinse or wipe as needed.

[0006] The lower part 2 of the clothing protector 1 consists of the area at the stomach and the lap where stiffeners 3 may be embedded to ensure that this part keeps spread out during use so that the clothing protector 1 can collect drips or the like from drink or other substances without any problem. Along the vertical edges of the lower part 2, a raised edge 4 may keep drips or the like in place on the clothing protector 1 and then guide drips or the like down to the bottom of the clothing protector 1 where the raised edge may gradually take the shape of a pocket or collection groove 5 which stops and stores drips or the like. This pocket or collection groove 5 may consist of embedded plastic of a firm shape. By making the plastic material heavier than the principal material, for example, dermizax, the pocket or collection groove 5 may have an adapted sinker function at the bottom of the clothing protector

[0007] The lower part 2 may also have a centre 6 which may have no stiffeners in order to make room for protruding body parts, such as the stomach.

[0008] The middle part 7 of the clothing protector 1 may also have no stiffeners in order to make room for protruding body parts, such as the chest.

[0009] The upper part 8 may consist of a fastening device in the form of two straps 9, wherein the end sections 10 of the straps 9 may consist of a heavier material which may function as a sinker or have a counterbalance effect with the task, when placed over the shoulders, of keeping the clothing protector 1 up in place on the front of the body.

[0010] The straps 9 or the end sections 10 may not be so long that they can interfere with or remain lying between the user's back and, for example, the seat back of a car seat.

[0011] On the lower portion of both the straps 9, a hole 11 may be arranged for hanging up the clothing protector 1 with string when it is not in use, or as a fastening point for string for use round the neck, if desired.

[0012] This design of the clothing protector 1 may have the effect that the clothing protector 1 can hang comfortably in place with the straps 9 and the end sections 10 laid over the shoulders, and at the other end of the clothing protector 1 the pocket or collection groove 5 at the bottom in the lap, both ends balanced with adapted weights.

[0013] Fig. 2 shows a slightly obliquely lateral view of the clothing protector 1.

[0014] It is apparent that the pocket or collection groove 5 in the lower part 2 may gradually become smaller and may become a raised, vertical edge 4 higher up along the vertical sides of the lower part 2.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows how the clothing protector 1 can shape itself when placed on a person.

[0016] Fig. 3 shows the clothing protector 1 partially rolled up so that it is simple to store when not in use.

[0017] Preferred aspects of the invention are:
  1. 1. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) in the form of a substantially rectangular piece of material, characterized in that the substantially rectangular material is divided into three parts, wherein the lower part (2) contains horizontal stiffeners (3), the lower part (2) has an area without stiffeners at the centre (6), the lower part (2) has a raised, vertical, peripheral edge (4) on both vertical sides, the edge gradually taking the shape of a pocket or collection groove (5) at the bottom, the middle part (7) has no stiffeners, the upper part (8) has fastening devices in the form of two straps (9) which have heavier end sections (10), and the upper part (8) has two alternative fastening holes (11).
  2. 2. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to aspect 1, characterized in that the material substantially consists of a waterproof, breathable, movable and very light material, such as dermizax.
  3. 3. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to aspect 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower part (2) contains stiffeners (3) which cause this part to be kept spread out.
  4. 4. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to aspects 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower part (2) has an area at the centre (6) which has no stiffeners.
  5. 5. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to aspects 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower part (2) has a raised, vertical, peripheral edge (4) on both vertical sides, the edge gradually taking the shape of a pocket or collection groove (5) at the bottom.
  6. 6. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to aspects 1 to 5, characterized in that the pocket or collection groove (5) in the lower part (2) consists of a material made in a firm shape, for example, hard plastic, and which is also heavier than, for example, dermizax and will then have an adapted sinker function at the bottom of the clothing protector (1).
  7. 7. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to aspects 1 to 6, characterized in that the middle part (7) has no stiffeners or anything else and may consist only of, for example, dermizax.
  8. 8. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to aspects 1 to 7, characterized in fastening devices in the upper part (8) in the form of two straps (9) with end sections (10) consisting of a heavier material which gives the end sections (10) a sinker function.
  9. 9. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to aspects 1 to 8, characterized in that the straps (9) on the upper part (8) are not so long that they interfere with or remain lying between the user's back and, possibly, the seat back of a car seat.
  10. 10. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to aspects 1 to 9, characterized in that the adapted weight of the pocket or collecting groove (5) in the lower part (2) and the adapted weight of the end sections (10) in addition to the fact that the side of the end sections (10) facing the body is coated with a non-slip material in the upper part (8) constitute a balanced ratio.



Claims

1. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) in the form of a substantially rectangular piece of material divided into three parts, the upper part (8) having fastening devices in the form of two straps (9), characterized in that the lower part (2) contains stiffeners (3) which cause this part to be kept spread out, that the straps (9) have heavier end sections (10), and that the lower part (2) and the end sections (10) are balanced with adapted self-weights.
 
2. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side of the end sections (10) facing the body is coated with a non-slip material in the upper part (8) so that this in addition to the adapted weights of the lower part (2) and the end sections (10) constitutes a balanced ratio.
 
3. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower part (2) has an area at the centre (6) which has no stiffeners.
 
4. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the middle part (7) has no stiffeners.
 
5. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in fastening devices in the upper part (8) in the form of two straps (9) with end sections (10) consisting of a heavier material which gives the end sections (10) a sinker function.
 
6. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the straps (9) on the upper part (8) are not so long that they interfere with or remain lying between the user's back and, possibly, the seat back of a car seat.
 
7. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lower part (2) has a raised, peripheral edge (4) on both sides, the edge gradually taking the shape of a pocket or collection groove (5) at the bottom.
 
8. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper part (8) has two alternative fastening holes (11).
 
9. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the material substantially consists of a waterproof, breathable, movable and light material such as dermizax.
 
10. A waterproof and breathable bib-like clothing protector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pocket or collection groove (5) in the lower part (2) consists of a material made in a firm shape, for example, hard plastic, and which is also heavier than, for example, dermizax, and will then have an adapted sinker function at the bottom of the clothing protector (1).
 




Drawing