ABSORBENT/DISPOSABLE BIB-APRON FOR DOMESTIC, HOSPITAL AND OTHER COMMERCIAL USES

1. For many years .bib ¹ S and aprons have been used in the home to provide protection for babies and toddlers from food or liquid spillages. Bibs are also used in hospitals, day care facilities, aged care, and nursing homes to provide protection to some patients when being fed.

Similarly, for many years aprons and bib-aprons have been used by:

• staff in hospitals, clinical situations and nursing homes to provide protection to their clothing/uniform when going about their duties as well as for hygienic reasons; and

. • workers in commercial settings e.g. food preparation, catering, laundries, to provide protection to their clothing when going about their duties as well as for hygienic reasons.

Currently bibs, aprons and bib-aprons are mostly made of cloth or plastic or a combination of both.

Bibs only go to the midriff. Covering only the upper part of the body they do not , provide extensive protection to the wearer, whether they are babies, toddlers, children or adults. They do not prevent spillages from soiling the wearer's lap. Spillages that are caught by cloth bibs may soak through the material and wet the clothing underneath.

Plastic aprons do not catch spillages but allows them to "roll off'.

Bibs have strings that tie at the neck which, wet or dry, can rub irritate and chafe the crevices in babies/toddlers necks. If sodden the ties may also tighten.

2. This invention has been specifically devised in order;

• to provide simple, cheap, improved protection and comfort for the wearer; as well as improved containment and absorption of spills; and

• to be readily disposable.

A bib, apron or bib-apron produced in accordance with this invention combines a waterproof breathable plastic undercoating with an absorbent paper surface which will channel wetness away to a fast absorbing middle layer and keep the top surface dry. It is disposable.

'Feeder' in the United States 3. ϊt is preferable that the invention be utilized in the form of a bib-apron as this will provide maximum protection to the wearer.

A ^" bib-apron produced in accordance with this invention will:

• have a soft elasticized band comprised of the paper and plastic layers around each of the neck, shoulders, underarms and waist with each having a grip tab fot easy adjustment and to provide a practical, secure fit.

• cover the body lengthwise from neck to calf, and the sides of the torso and legs.

A bib-apron in accordance with this invention will permit it to be used:

• by all ages, including the elderly in nursing homes, where protection of clothing is necessary to keep clean and dry _t Its length allows it to be tucked under table tops or high chair trays to cover the lap and legs and consequently protect them from spillage.

• as a versatile cover up and protector for infants, toddlers and small children to protect their clothes and keep them clean from dirty marks.

• by the medical profession and commercial/industrial workers to protect clothing from soiling and spillages.

Reference to the illustration will show;

Figure 1 - how the invention would cover the body of an adult. Figure 2 - how the invention would cover the body of a child.