Bib product

Abstract

A bib product that includes an elongate, curved retainer that is shaped and sized to be movable between a normal position in which the retainer is retained around the neck of a wearer, and a spread position in which the retainer may be placed around and removed from around the neck of the wearer. A bib sheet is provided for covering the chest and abdomen of the wearer, and includes a tubular neck portion for being carried by the retainer and fitted against the front of the neck.

1 . A bib product, comprising:
 (a) an elongate, curved retainer that is shaped and sized to be movable between a normal position in which the retainer is retained around the neck of a wearer, and a spread position in which the retainer may be placed around and removed from around the neck of the wearer; and   (b) a bib sheet for covering the chest and abdomen of the wearer, and including a neck portion for being carried by the retainer and fitted against the front of the neck.   
     
     
         2 . A bib product according to  claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises a plastic band having sufficient flexibility to permit movement between the normal and spread positions. 
     
     
         3 . A bib product according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck portion of the bib sheet is tubular and the retainer is adapted to be fitted into and extend out from opposite sides of the neck portion. 
     
     
         4 . A bib product according to  claim 1 , wherein the bib sheet includes an upwardly-facing, open, elongate pocket extending along a bottom edge of the bib sheet to catch material falling onto the bib sheet. 
     
     
         5 . A bib product according to  claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises a plastic band having sufficient flexibility to permit movement between the normal and spread positions, the neck portion of the bib sheet is tubular and the retainer is adapted to be fitted into and extend out from opposite sides of the neck portion, and further wherein the bib sheet includes an upwardly-facing, open, elongate pocket extending along a bottom edge of the bib sheet to catch material falling onto the bib sheet. 
     
     
         6 . A bib product according to  claim 1 , wherein the bib sheet is a plastic film. 
     
     
         7 . A bib product according to  claim 1 , wherein the bib sheet comprises an absorbent material. 
     
     
         8 . A bib product according to  claim 1 , wherein the bib sheet comprises a laminated sheet of plastic and absorbent material. 
     
     
         9 . A bib, comprising:
 (a) an elongate, curved plastic band that is shaped, sized and is provided with sufficient flexibility to be movable between a normal position in which the retainer is retained around the neck of a wearer, and a spread position in which the retainer may be placed around and removed from around the neck of the wearer; and   (b) a bib sheet for covering the chest and abdomen of the wearer, and including a neck portion for being carried by the retainer and fitted against the front of the neck, wherein the neck portion of the bib sheet is tubular and the retainer is adapted to be fitted into and extend out from opposite sides of the neck portion, and further wherein the bib sheet includes an upwardly-facing, elongate pocket extending along a bottom edge of the bib sheet to catch material falling onto the bib sheet.   
     
     
         10 . A bib product according to  claim 9 , wherein the bib sheet is a thermoplastic, and the tubular neck portion and the upwardly-facing, elongate pocket are fabricated by ultrasonically-welding. 
     
     
         11 . A bib product according to  claim 9 , wherein the bib sheet is fabricated of a sheet material selected from the group consisting of plastic, fabric, an absorbent non-woven material and a laminated sheet of plastic and absorbent material. 
     
     
         12 . A bib product according to  claim 11 , wherein the tubular neck portion and the upwardly-facing, elongate pocket are fabricated by sewing stitches. 
     
     
         13 . A bib product according to  claim 9 , wherein the bib sheet is fabricated of a sheet material selected from the group consisting of plastic, fabric, an absorbent non-woven material and a laminated sheet of plastic and absorbent material, and the tubular neck portion and the upwardly-facing, elongate pocket are fabricated by joining areas of the bib sheet with a joining method selected from the group of methods consisting of ultrasonically-welding, gluing, sewing, riveting and applying complementary touch fastener elements. 
     
     
         14 . A bib sheet product for covering the chest and abdomen of a wearer, and including a neck portion for being carried by the retainer and fitted against the front of the neck, wherein the neck portion of the bib sheet is tubular and a curved, spreadable retainer is adapted to be fitted into and extend out from opposite sides of the neck portion. 
     
     
         15 . A bib sheet product according to  claim 14 , wherein the bib sheet includes an upwardly-facing, elongate pocket extending along a bottom edge of the bib sheet to catch material falling onto the bib sheet.