Permanently Embedded Protective Covering for Articles of Clothing

Abstract

The present invention involves a method for manufacturing an article of clothing with a permanently embedded protective covering over at least one predetermined portion of the clothing that can be worn by infants, children and adults. The protective covering is made from a thermoplastic material that is applied to and thermally bonds with the outermost fabric fibers of the clothing article creating a permanently embedded liquid impermeable, non-porous protective covering that retains the same flexibility as the underlying fabric of the clothing article with a ridge formed along the outer edge to retard the outward flow of splashed or spilled material onto the article of clothing. The protective covering can be positioned across the top front portion of the clothing article and extend downward to a lower portion of the front of the clothing article creating an easy to clean particle and dirt resistant covering for the clothing article.

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         10 . A printed bib to be worn by an infant, child or adult comprising:
 a fabric that may be of woven or non-woven fibers having exterior and interior surfaces;   a thermoplastic material printed onto at least one predetermined area of the exterior surface of the printed bib transferring the thermoplastic into the outermost fibers of the fabric of the exterior surface of the printed bib to create a permanent protective covering embedded into and interweaved with the outermost fibers of said at least one predetermined area of said printed bib without penetrating to the interior surface thereof;   said applied thermoplastic material forming a ridge along the outer edge of the protective covering for retarding outflow of materials from the area of the protective covering; and,   said protective covering retaining the flexibility of the underlying fabric.   
     
     
         11 . The printed bib of  claim 10 , wherein said permanently embedded protective covering is non-toxic, moisture impervious, and flame retardant. 
     
     
         12 . The printed bib of  claim 10 , wherein the thermoplastic material is a plastisol ink. 
     
     
         13 . The printed bib of  claim 10 , wherein the thermoplastic material has color, translucency or is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         14 . The printed bib of  claim 10 , wherein said printed bib is selected from the group consisting of infant jumpers and sleepers, children's shirts, dresses and overalls, adult shirts, coats and gowns for use in medical and laboratory professions, adult medical gowns, overalls and ties.