US20250057263A1

US20250057263A1 - Clothing protector apron

Info

Publication number: US20250057263A1
Application number: US18/233,757
Authority: US
Inventors: Lyndi Hutchinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-08-14
Filing date: 2023-08-14
Publication date: 2025-02-20

Abstract

The clothing protector apron is a simple, efficient, convenient economical and comfortable means for protecting one clothes by having an flexible non-stick silicone surface designed with an adjustable neck band, and spill control ribs, elongated barriers strip and a study pocket to catch and hold any inevitably spilled food or liquids. The clothing protector is comprises of a upper section with an adjustable neck band with a hook and lock fastener for attaching to the to the neck of an individual and protecting the shoulder area, a middle section with an spill control ribs, and side barriers controlling the flow of any liquid and food debris from getting onto your clothes and a lower section with a debris catching pocket attached to the apron front formed by an outer surface wall, two side walls and a bottom panel to catch and retain the liquid and food debris from leaking on the individual clothing and/or the seat of the vehicle. The clothing protector apron is made of a waterproof non-stick silicone material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apron having multiple features and functions, and more particularly, an clothing protector apron for use in protecting clothes from soiling by food and liquids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different types of bibs, garment protectors, and aprons exist which include pockets for catching the solids and liquids inadvertently dropped by the individual wearing the article. However, it is difficult to design an apron or bib with a simple pocket-forming device with the flexibility to be shaped to a user's preference while providing ease of cleaning and storage.
The most common use of a bib or apron is in feeding babies and young children, senior citizens, mentally and physically handicapped persons, and patrons of restaurants also use bibs or aprons. Bibs have been modified to make them more efficient at catching spills such as by including pockets, attaching the bib to a table, or tray of an infant's chair, or attaching a tray to the bib.
Eating and drinking in one's car while traveling has become ever more popular, as people continually seek ways to save time while performing various tasks necessary to daily life. Many fast-food chains have “drive-through” sections where customers do not leave their vehicle to buy and consume food and liquids. Inevitably, food and liquids are spilled on the driver's clothing and/or the front seat of the vehicle.
This is especially true of many commuters, who will often skip meals at home, stop at a fast food outlet on their way to work, at lunch and/or having their dinner on their drive home. The use of convenience stores, fast food outlets, and other establishments for lunch meals and evening meals by commuters and others with busy schedules, is also common in today's culture.
Auto manufacturers have come to realize the popularity of eating and drinking while driving, and accordingly virtually all cars manufactured today are available with cup holders and the like to assist the motorist. However, spillage of food and drink while the vehicle is in motion is also an occasionally expected, if undesirable, byproduct of this eating/drinking and driving or commuting combination. Spillage of food or drink in the interior of the vehicle is bad enough, but perhaps worse is the possibility of spillage on one's clothing during such a commute to work, with the resulting need to wear stained or soiled clothing for the entire workday.
Most commonly, bibs are made from cloth and only serve to protect a small portion of clothing directly below the bib or are merely decorative in nature therefore not providing adequate protection to the wearer. Also, cloth bibs need to be washed frequently creating a need for multiple cloth bibs for each wearer. Some other bibs made from rigid, plastic type materials with permanently formed troughs in the lower body, are able to catch and retain solids and liquids, but unfortunately can be both uncomfortable and potentially unsafe to the user due to the nature of the rigid material used which extends to the upper sections to secure the bib around the wearer's neck.
In view of the above descriptions, Clothing protectors are frequently worn by small children because they lack the motor skills necessary to prevent food from falling onto their clothes while they are eating. But this is not the only use for clothing protectors. People eating messy meals such as lobster or wings use clothing protectors to prevent liquids from getting on their clothing. Elderly and disabled persons, who lack fine motor control, also use bibs during meals. Most bibs comprise a clothing shield and two long strands that can be tied together around a user's neck. For robust people with good coordination, tying a bib around the neck is not a problem, but for people with poor motor skills or a limited range of motion a standard bib can be difficult to use. Disposable clothing protectors pose another problem in that they are often made of thin plastic and become easily knotted. Knotted plastic can be extremely difficult to remove without tearing or cutting the plastic.
There is a need therefore for clothing protector apron that can be easily put on over one's clothing, by the driver while operating the vehicle and which can provide protection against such mishaps and It is an object therefore of this invention to provide easily applied waterproof bib-apron that covers the chest waist, and legs of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a reusable, adjustable clothing protector apron that acts as a protective cover for individual's clothes from liquid and solid materials while eating, drinking, when traveling in a vehicle, train, plane, bus, boat, or the like and that can be easily folded/collapsed into itself when not in use.
More Specifically the clothing protector apron is a soft flexible, waterproof and durable travel accessory that protects clothing in multiple settings as used by adults, babies and special needs individuals during mealtimes.
In order to achieve this aspect, the present invention includes an upper section which can be fastened to the neck of an individual and protecting the shoulder area, a stain resistant middle section with the spill control ribs and side barriers controlling the flow of any liquid and food debris from getting onto your clothes and the sturdy pocket incorporated into the lower section designed to catch and retain the liquid and food debris from leaking on the individual clothing and/or the seat of the vehicle.
It is therefore, a primary object of the present invention to enable an individual a simple, efficient, convenient economical and comfortable means for protecting one clothes by having an flexible non-stick silicone surface designed with an adjustable neck band, and spill control ribs, elongated barriers strip and a study pocket to catch and hold any inevitably spilled food or liquids.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof and reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the clothing protector apron in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the clothing protector apron of FIG. 1 ; comprises of the main features of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the invention showing the manner in which the clothing protector apron may be applied to protect the user from soiling there apparel.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the invention showing the manner in which the clothing protector apron may be applied to protect the user when driving or sitting from soiling there apparel.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, detail front view of the sturdy pocket debris catcher of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, detail perspective view of FIG. 5 ; comprises of the main features of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, detail front view of the spill control ribs in accordance with the present embodiment invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detail perspective view of FIG. 7 ; comprises of the main features of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the clothing protector apron in the preferred embodiment with the adjustable neck band in the open position.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, detail perspective view of FIG. 1 shown in the attached position in accordance with the present embodiment invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, detail perspective view of FIG. 9 shown in the unattached position in accordance with the present embodiment invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, detail front view of the elongated barrier strips in accordance with the present embodiment invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, detail perspective view of FIG. 7 and FIG. 12 ; comprises of the main features of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present invention shown in FIG. 1 illustrate the clothing protector apron 10 comprises non-stick silicone surface 19, upper section 11, including the neck opening 18 and the adjustable neck band 21 for placement around the wearer's neck, the adjustable hook and lock fastener 15 that temporarily fasten the neck band to accommodate a range of neck sizes, a middle section 12, includes the spill control ribs 16, and the elongated barrier strip 17 for control the flow of inadvertently dropped solids and liquid guiding the debris into the lower section 13 sturdy pocket 14 catching and retain the liquid and food debris from leaking on the individual clothing and/or the seat of the vehicle.
As shown in FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the clothing protector apron 10 that has an apron front 22 and apron back 23. The apron front 22 further includes the spill control ribs 16, two opposing side elongated barrier strips 17, as well as a sturdy pocket 14 and an adjustable neck band 21.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the clothing protector apron 10, attached to an individual wearer 25, around the wearer's neck 26, on the outside of the clothing 27 of the user, showing the protected area 28.
As generally shown in FIG. 4 is an isometric view of clothing protector apron 10, attached to an individual wearer 25, in the sitting position 30 showing how the sturdy pocket 14, resting just above the individual wearer 25 lower body 29.
As best seen in FIG. 5 is an enlarged, detail front view of the sturdy pocket 14 debris catcher of the clothing protector apron 10, having a pocket opening 24 with a lower section 13 reinforced with three heavy-duty pocket support ribs 31 to prevent the wide pocket from opening when filled.
In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention FIG. 6 , is an enlarged, detail perspective view of the clothing protector apron 10 lower section 13, showing the construction of the sturdy pocket 14 having a pocket bottom 32 at one end, pocket outer surface wall 33 together with the side wall panels 20 and reinforced by the pocket support ribs 31 to create the pocket opening 24.
moreover, as shown in FIG. 7 is an enlarged, detail front view of the spill control ribs 16 located in the middle section 12, of the clothing protector apron 10 wherein the spill control ribs 16 are extending vertically along the clothing protector apron 10 in a linear rib pattern 34 from the top middle section 12 to just above the lower section 13.
As best seen in FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detail perspective view of FIG. 7 of the clothing protector apron 10, showing the spill control ribs 16, curved rib pattern 34 incorporated into the apron front 22 middle section 12 ending just above the pocket opening 24.
As generally shown in FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the clothing protector apron 10, showing the neck band 21 before being attached to the individual neck (not shown) whereas the hook fastener 37, and hook locking device 38 have not been engaged. The neck band open position 36 can be adjusted by opening up the neck opening 18 to fit any size neck.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 is an enlarged, detail perspective view of FIG. 1 shown in the adjustable neck band 21 in the attached position 39 by mean of the interaction of inserting the hook fastener 37 into the hook locking device 38 securing the present invention to the individual neck (not shown).
moreover, as shown in FIG. 11 is an enlarged, detailed perspective view of FIG. 9 showing the adjustable neck band 21 in the unattached position and the hook fastener 37, hook locking device 38 before being attached.
As best seen in FIG. 12 is an enlarged, detail front view of the clothing protector apron 10, wherein both sides of the apron front 22, middle section 12 include an elongated barrier strips 17 with an contoured barrier edge 40 designed to prevent excess liquid and solid materials from spilling over.
As best seen in FIG. 13 is an enlarged, detailed perspective view of spill control ribs 16, having a concave rib groove 42 that can control the speed and direction of any liquid and solid materials into the sturdy pocket (not shown). The elongated barrier strip 17 includes a contoured barrier edge 40 for containing any liquid and solid materials that might want to spill over the side of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A clothing protector apron comprising:

a upper section with an adjustable neck band with a hook and lock fastener for attaching to the to the neck of an individual and protecting the shoulder area;

a middle section with an spill control ribs, and side barriers controlling the flow of any liquid and food debris from getting onto your clothes;

a lower section with a debris catching pocket attached to the apron front formed by an outer surface wall, two side walls and a bottom panel to catch and retain the liquid and food debris from leaking on the individual clothing and/or the seat of the vehicle.

2. The clothing protector apron of claim 1, wherein the sturdy pocket debris catcher of the clothing protector apron, has a pocket opening with a lower section reinforced with three heavy-duty pocket support ribs to prevent the wide pocket from collapsing when filled.

3. The sturdy pocket of claim 2, having a pocket bottom at one end, pocket outer surface wall together with the side wall panels and reinforced by the pocket support ribs to create the pocket opening.

3. The clothing protector apron of claim 1, wherein the spill control ribs located in the middle section, of the clothing protector apron wherein the spill control ribs are extending vertically along the clothing protector apron in a linear rib pattern from the top middle section to just above the lower section.

4. Spill control ribs of claim 3, has a curved rib pattern incorporated into the apron front middle section ending just above the pocket opening.

5. Spill control ribs of claim 3, having a concave rib groove that can control the speed and direction of any liquid and solid materials into the sturdy pocket

6. The clothing protector apron of claim 1, wherein the hook and lock fastener in the attached position by mean of the interaction of inserting the hook fastener into the hook locking device securing the present invention to the individual neck in the unattached position and the hook fastener, hook locking device before being attached.

7. The clothing protector apron of claim 1, wherein the elongated barrier strips both sides of the apron front, middle section include an elongated barrier strip with an contoured barrier edge designed to prevent excess liquid and solid materials from spilling over.

8. The clothing protector apron of claim 1, wherein the adjustable neck band before being attached to the individual neck can be adjusted by relocating the hook into any of the locking fasteners located on the upper section to fit any size neck.

9. The clothing protector apron of claim 1 is made of a waterproof non-stick silicone material.