Burping cloths

Abstract

Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for a burp sash/burping cloth, which is a continuous sash/cloth to ensure that the caretaker who is in the act of burping an infant, has a burping cloth that remains in place, avoiding any unintentional shifting, sliding, and/or dropping. It also protects the wearer's clothing during common parental duties (i.e. burping, holding, bathing, or otherwise performing activities common to caring for a baby). The sash/cloth only becomes a continuous piece when the two ends come together and are attached, such as by using magnets or hook and loop fasteners. Because the sash/cloth is not a fixed continuous circle, and has the capability to detach, the wearer has multiple options to put on or take off the item, making it user-friendly. Absorbent material protects the wearer's clothes, and the continuous loop/piece feature allows a caretaker to rotate the sash, resulting in a clean surface for future utilization.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A burp sash cloth device for use with an infant, comprising:
 an elongated section of fabric having a formed elongated body with respective ends of such body; and   joining means for allowing a user to selectively join such respective ends of such body to produce a continuous loop fabric which may be worn over a user's shoulder while providing care to an infant.   
     
     
         2 . A burp sash cloth device as in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated section of fabric comprises a generally rectangular section of cloth. 
     
     
         3 . A burp sash cloth device as in  claim 2 , wherein said section of cloth has one of tapered and rectangular ends. 
     
     
         4 . A burp sash cloth device as in  claim 3 , wherein said section of cloth comprises an absorbent, machine washable material. 
     
     
         5 . A burp sash cloth device as in  claim 2 , wherein said generally rectangular section of cloth is at least about 40 inches long and 6 inches wide. 
     
     
         6 . A burp sash cloth device as in  claim 5 , wherein said generally rectangular section of cloth is about 48 inches long and at least about 8 inches wide. 
     
     
         7 . A burp sash cloth device as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said elongated section of fabric comprises a generally rectangular section of absorbent, machine washable cloth; and   said joining means comprises respective magnets sewn into each respective end of such body, for being selectively joined together through magnetic attraction whenever placed adjacent one another.   
     
     
         8 . A burp sash cloth device as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said elongated section of fabric comprises a generally rectangular section of absorbent, machine washable cloth; and   said joining means comprises respective mechanical fastener features attached to each respective end of such body, for being selectively joined together through mechanical action whenever engaged with one another.   
     
     
         9 . A burp sash cloth device as in  claim 8 , wherein said respective mechanical fastener features comprise respective hook and loop features. 
     
     
         10 . A burp sash cloth device as in  claim 9 , wherein said respective hook and loop features are attached on the same respective side of said fabric so that whenever they are engaged with one another, a smooth outer surface loop is presented externally by said cloth device, to avoid adverse interaction of such hook and loop features with an infant. 
     
     
         11 . An improved burp sash cloth for use by a caregiver for an infant, comprising:
 a generally rectangular section of absorbent, machine washable fabric having an elongated body with opposing facing elongated sides and respective ends of such elongated body; and   joining means for allowing a user to selectively join such respective ends of such body to produce a continuous loop fabric which may be selectively positioned over a caregiver's shoulder while providing care to an infant, worn as a garment with said joining means shielded from contact with the infant.   
     
     
         12 . An improved burp sash cloth as in  claim 11 , wherein said joining means comprises respective magnets sewn into each respective end of such body, for being selectively joined together through magnetic attraction whenever placed adjacent one another by a caregiver. 
     
     
         13 . An improved burp sash cloth as in  claim 11 , wherein said joining means comprises respective hook and loop features attached to each respective end of such body, for being selectively joined together through mechanical action whenever engaged with one another, and wherein said respective hook and loop features are attached on the same respective elongated side of said body so that whenever they are engaged with one another, a smooth outer surface loop is presented externally by said sash cloth, to avoid adverse interaction of such hook and loop features with an infant. 
     
     
         14 . An improved burp sash cloth as in  claim 11 , wherein:
 said respective ends are generally rectangular; and   said fabric is about 48 inches long and at least about 8 inches wide.   
     
     
         15 . Methodology for providing an improved burp sash cloth for use by a caregiver for an infant, comprising:
 providing a generally rectangular section of absorbent, machine washable fabric having an elongated body with opposing facing elongated sides and respective ends of such elongated body; and   selectively joining such respective ends of such body together to produce a continuous loop fabric as a caregiver selectively positions the fabric over their shoulder to wear the fabric as a garment for providing care to an infant.   
     
     
         16 . Methodology as in  claim 15 , wherein selectively joining includes:
 providing respective magnets sewn into each respective end of such body; and   selectively joining such magnets together through magnetic attraction by placing them adjacent one another.   
     
     
         17 . Methodology as in  claim 15 , wherein selectively joining includes:
 providing hook and loop features attached to each respective end of such body, attached on the same respective elongated side of said body; and   selectively joining such hook and loop features together through mechanical engagement with one another, so that a smooth outer surface loop is presented externally by said sash cloth, to avoid adverse interaction of such hook and loop features with an infant.   
     
     
         18 . Methodology as in  claim 15 , wherein said fabric is generally at least about 40 inches long and at least about 6 inches wide. 
     
     
         19 . Methodology as in  claim 15 , wherein:
 said fabric is generally at least about 48 inches long and at least about 9 inches wide; and   selectively joining includes:
 providing respective magnets sewn into each respective end of such body; and 
 selectively joining such magnets together through magnetic attraction by placing them adjacent one another.