By: Rosemary German

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to devices for children, and more particularly to a face and chin guard for use by infants.

Background

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

When infants and young children learn to drink milk, either from the breast, or from a bottle, the initial result is for a large amount of the milk to get spilled in the process. To this end, the milk or formula typically runs down the face, chin and neck of the child and onto their clothing. Even as the infant gets older, they often fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth, thereby causing the contents of the bottle to dribble down their face.

In addition to the above, some children may have or develop skin allergies, which can be aggravated by the spilled milk unless it is quickly wiped away by an alert caregiver. In these children, it may become necessary to periodically visit a doctor, and/or require medicine to assist with rashes or other skin conditions that can arise. Although there are many types of bibs on the market, these items are typically affixed around the neck of the child, and function to protect the exterior of the child's clothing from making contact with food or liquid objects.

However, such bibs do not prevent the milk from making contact with the neck and face of the child, and ultimately passing beneath the clothing.

The present invention, directed to a face and chin guard for infants differs from the conventional art in a number of aspects. The manner by which will become more apparent in the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a face and chin guard device. One embodiment of the present invention can include a soft and absorbent main body having a shape and size that is suitable for extending across the face of a wearer. The invention can include a pair of straps that extend outward from the sides of the main body. The straps can be fixed length, adjustable or elastic in nature, and can secure the main body to the face of the wearer by engaging the wearer's ears. A central indentation is provided along the main body and can be adjusted to conform to the lower lip of the wearer.

In another embodiment, the device can further include a central aperture for

surrounding the mouth of the wearer, and the indentation can include a wire that allows movement only along a single plane, thereby preventing the main body from obstructing air to the wearer's nose.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include any number of decorative elements so as to allow the main body to include or comprise any number of fanciful shapes, such as an animal shape, for example.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Brief Description of the Drawings

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1A is a back side view of a face and chin guard device, that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. IB is a cutout view of a wire that is positioned within the main body of the face and chin guard device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the face and chin guard device in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front side view of the face and chin guard device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the face and chin guard device in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is another front side view of the face and chin guard device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Although described throughout this document for use with an infant, the invention is not limited to any particular use, as the device can also be manufactured in various sizes to accommodate large children and/or adults, such as those with physical or mental disabilities.

Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms "upper," "bottom," "right," "left," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 1A and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the face and chin guard device 10 that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the device 10 can include, essentially, an absorbent main body 11 and a pair of ear straps 21 and 22.

The main body 11 can include an elongated member having a front surface 1 la, a rear surface 1 lb, a top end 1 lc, a bottom end 1 Id and a pair of sides 1 le and 1 If. The main body

11 can include a dimension that is suitable for extending across the face of a wearer 1, as shown best in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the main body can be constructed in various sizes to fit adults or children, and/or can also be constructed as a one size fits all.

In one embodiment, the main body can include a flat/planar semicircular indentation 12 along the top end 1 lc, and extending toward the bottom end 1 Id. The shape of the indentation

12 can be maintained and/or manipulated in a planar fashion by a thin strip of wire 15, thereby allowing a parent to conform the shape of the indentation to conform to the lower lip of the wearer. As shown in cutout FIG. IB, one preferred embodiment of the wire 15 can include a main body 15a having a plurality of interlocking flexible segments 15b that are disposed along a length thereof. Such segments are arranged so as to permit the wire to only bend along a single plane (see arrow a), while preventing movement along another plane. One such example of this principle can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 2013/0216740, to Russell, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In such an embodiment, the wire 15 can be secured between the front and rear surfaces of the main body 11 so as to allow a user to manipulate the shape of the indentation 12 towards the top end 1 lc, bottom end 1 Id, and sides 1 le and 1 If (e.g., linear movement), while preventing movement towards either the front surface 1 la, or the rear surface 1 lb (e.g., three dimensional movement). As such, the indentation portion of the main body will remain flat at all times. Such a feature is particularly important when the indentation is to be placed adjacent to the nose of the wearer, as described below with regard to FIG. 3, as such a feature ensures the main body 11 cannot block the wearer's nose, thereby becoming a suffocation hazard. Of course, other embodiments are also contemplated wherein the wire 15 includes a non-malleable material that functions to maintain the indentation in a single position.

In one embodiment, the front and rear surfaces 11a and 1 lb can be constructed from two substantially identical shaped pieces of absorbent cloth or other such material that are joined together by a seam connector 13, such as sewed stitches or hem tape, for example, along the top, bottom and opposing sides edges, 1 lc, 1 Id, 1 le and 1 If. In the preferred embodiment, the main body 11 will be soft and absorbent terry cloth cotton; however, any number of different materials capable of absorbing liquids and withstanding the rigors of commercial laundering can also be utilized herein. Several nonlimiting examples can also include natural materials such as wool, and/or synthetic materials such as polyester or rayon, for example.

Although described above as including a durable and washable material that is reusable in nature, other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, the main body 11 can be constructed from any number of absorbent and non-reusable materials such as cellulose fibers commonly utilized in paper towels, and/or biodegradable tissue material. In this regard, the device 10 can be constructed so as to be disposable and/or biodegradable in nature after use.

As shown in FIG. 1A, one embodiment of the device can include a pair of straps 21 and 22 that extend outward from the sides 1 le and 1 If, respectively. The straps can be constructed from any number of different materials such as nylon, for example, and can be adjustable in length via retention members 23 along each side. In this present embodiment, the straps can be arranged as loops that can function to receive the ears of the wearer, and to suspend the main body therebetween during operation.

Although described above as adjustable ear straps, other embodiments are also contemplated. To this end, the straps 21 and 22 can also be constructed from a substantially elastomeric material (e.g., strands of weaved latex and/or rubber) and can stretch to allow the device to conform to the shape and size of the wearer's face. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the straps 21 and 22 can include connectors 25 (See FIG. 3) along their distal ends, thereby forming a single loop headband which can engage the entire head of the wearer. Of course, the straps can also be constructed from a single elastomeric member and function as a headband as well.

As described herein, the connectors 25 can include can include any number of different elements capable of repeatedly securing two items together in a nonpermanent manner. Several nonlimiting examples include opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®), magnetic elements, and/or compression fittings such as hooks, snaps and buttons, for example. Each illustrated connector can be permanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the device 10 can further include an aperture 30 that is positioned along the center of the main body 11, at a location beneath the indentation 12. The aperture 30 can include any number of different shapes such as round, oval, square or rectangular, for example, and will include a diameter/dimension that is suitable for encircling the mouth of the intended wearer of the device. As such, devices intended for use by infants will have a smaller sized aperture than those intended for use by large children or adults, for example.

In operation, the central aperture can function to surround, or substantially surround the mouth of the child as they breastfeed or drink from a bottle, while the indentation 12 functions to ensure the main body material does not go near the child's nose. To this end, the aperture allows the main body to protect the upper lip of the child from making contact with spilled liquids.

Although Illustrated with respect to a generally utilitarian main body 11, other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, FIG. 5, illustrates one embodiment, wherein the main body includes a decorative shape 50 such as a baby tiger, for example. Such a feature can impart a sense of fun into the device, that can be enjoyed by parents and children alike.

Of course, the main body is not limited to a decorative tiger shape, as other

embodiments are contemplated wherein the main body of the device can be shaped and/or adorned with any number of decorative elements. As described herein, decorative elements can include, but are not limited to, any number of different colors, markings, words, shapes, symbols, logos, designs, types of materials, texturing of materials, patterns, images, and/or jewels, for example. These elements can be secured onto and/or into the main body in accordance with known techniques so as to be flush with the surface of the main body or can be recessed, raised and/or protruding outward from the main body so as to give a three

dimensional effect. Likewise, the main body itself can be cut, formed or shaped to

accommodate or comprise such decorative elements.

As described herein, one or more elements of the face and chin guard device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, glue, stitches, seam tape, and liquid seams, among others. Moreover, although the above

embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individual elements such as the main body 11 and the straps 21 and 22, for example, may be formed together as one continuous element through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or

"comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use

contemplated.