[1] The present invention relates to a clip for a bib, and an assembly having the bib with the clip. The invention is primarily intended for baby and toddler feeding bibs, for protecting a child’s skin and clothes, typically the area between the toddler and a table from food, liquid, waste, and other debris produced during eating. The invention is however not limited to this use and can also be used for other sheet items.

Background of the Invention

[2] Protective bibs have long been used to protect a child or adult’s clothing from food and liquid spills, which may typically occur during eating. The basic construction of a traditional bib generally comprises a piece of material for covering the persons chest and a means for attaching or securing the bib to the person - typically straps around the neck.

[3] Over the years, various mechanisms for attaching bibs to people have been used. An exemplary bib configuration generally comprises a body section having a body protection panel and two strings or extending flaps which may extend up to the person’s shoulders and around the neck. These flaps may then be secured behind the neck using one or more securing mechanisms. Exemplary securing mechanisms include, but are not limited to tie strings, buttons, snaps, Velcro or a pair of hook-and-loop fasteners.

[4] More recent innovations have included the development of “bucket bibs” which are made from plastics to ensure the maintenance of the bucket shape and attempt to catch the majority of the food, typically as it falls from a person’s mouth. This however does not account for the mess created from dropped food as it travels between the food’s location to the mouth, or for when spills occur to the sides of a person, in areas outside of the short area where these bucket bibs provide catchment. These plastic bibs also discourage environmental sustainability.

[5] There are also complete “smock” and table solutions, that cover the person and their eating tray/surface. The challenge with this is that the person would be able to pull the fabric up and flick up all the food on the eating surface onto the ground, nor are they transferable to alternate eating surfaces. The typical fabrics used are PU fabrics, as they are easier to wipe down but simultaneously, they are quite hot to wear, which may induce fatigue while eating and although practical, they are not visually appealing.

[6] The variations of eating locations does pose an ongoing challenge to protecting clothing and minimizing mess and subsequent cleaning after eating. Where an eating location involves a surface, any attachments to the surface that attempts to attach a protective bib to the surface have involved potentially marking the surface (two sided tapes, Velcro) and are not durable, with replacements of such fastening solutions losing their fastening strength and easily removed by persons using the eating surface, hence losing their validity.

[7] With any fastening solution that is universal to suit most eating surfaces, it must be safe. Magnets and any small components cannot be used, as they may become choking hazards for children or vision impaired or cognitively impaired adults.

[8] There is a need for a clothes protection and feeding table connection solution, that is not a choking hazard, is durable and hard to remove, and sufficiently allows food capture immediately around the whole person rather than just capturing food as it falls from the mouth.

[9] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[10] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[11 ] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a clip for connecting a sheet item to a furniture piece, the clip comprising: a mounting means adapted for attachment to the furniture piece, and a barrel track adapted to receive and retain therein an edge portion of the sheet item.

[12] Preferably, the sheet item is a bib comprising a body with a thickened piping edge and the barrel track is shaped to receive the piping edge, the barrel track having an opening through which the body of the bib extends through.

[13] Preferably, the clip comprises a flat central band which is to extend vertically in use, a lower flange extending from a lower edge of the central band, and an upper flange extending from an upper edge of the central band, wherein the lower flange and the upper flange extend outwardly from a first side of the central band in the same general direction and together with the central band form the mounting means.

[14] Preferably, the upper flange includes a downwardly curved end portion which with the upper portions of the central band effectively forms an upper hook.

[15] Alternatively, the upper flange is flat.

[16] Preferably, the lower flange includes an upwardly extending end tab which with the lower portions of the central band forms a lower channel. [17] In one embodiment, the barrel track is formed by a short tab extending from the lower edge of the central band and a second formation extending from the central band at a position spaced upwardly from the lower edge, with the second formation being curved towards a distal end of the tab, wherein the distal ends of the tab and the second formation are spaced from each other to form an opening therebetween.

[18] Preferably, the barrel track is generally a circular cross-section channel having the opening at one portion thereof.

[19] In another embodiment, the barrel track is formed by the lower flange and a second formation which extends from the lower edge of the central band, with the second formation being curved towards a distal end of the lower flange, wherein the distal ends of the lower flange and the second formation are spaced from each other to form an opening therebetween.

[20] In another embodiment, the clip includes two or more barrel tracks.

[21] The present invention also provides an assembly comprising: a sheet item having a flat body with a thickened lower edge piping, and a clip according to the above, wherein the lower edge piping is correspondingly sized and shaped to be received in the barrel track of the clip.

[22] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[23] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[24] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

[25] Figure 2 is a top view of an assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a bib with the clip,

[26] Figure 3 is a close-up view of the bib piping received in the clip track,

[27] Figure 4 shows two clips attached to a table of a highchair,

[28] Figure 5 shows four clips attached to the highchair table, with the bib piping attached to the clips,

[29] Figure 6 shows an example use of the assembly, [30] Figure 7 is a side perspective view of a clip according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,

[31 ] Figure 8 is a side perspective view of a clip according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,

[32] Figure 9 is a modified embodiment of the clip of Figure 1 ,

[33] Figure 10 is a modified embodiment of the clip of Figure 7, and

[34] Figure 11 (a) and (b) shows the clip of Figure 10 in an example use.

Description of Embodiments

[35] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[36] Figure 1 shows a clip 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The clip 10 comprises a mounting means 12 facing one side thereof and a barrel track 14 facing an opposite side thereof. The mounting means 12 is adapted for attachment to the edge of a furniture piece, such as a highchair table or a dining table. The barrel track 14 is adapted to receive and retain therein a thickened piping edge 52 of a bib 50 as described below.

[37] The clip 10 comprises a flat central band 20 which is to extend vertically in use. The clip 10 comprises a lower flange 24 extending from a lower edge 21 of the central band 20, and an upper flange 26 extending from an upper edge 22 of the central band 20. The lower flange 24 and the upper flange 26 extend outwardly from a first side 31 of the central band 20 in the same general direction, and together with the central band 20 form the mounting means 12.

[38] In the example shown, the mounting means 12 is shaped for attachment to the edge of a highchair table. The lower flange 24 includes an upwardly extending end tab 25, which with the lower portions of the central band 20 effectively forms a lower channel 23. The upper flange 24 includes a downwardly curved end portion 27, which with the upper portions of the central band 20 effectively forms an upper hook 28. The lower channel 23 and the upper hook 28 assist with retaining the clip 10.

[39] The barrel track 14 is formed by a first formation 34 and a second formation 36 extending from a second side 32 of the central band 20. The first formation 34 in the example is a short tab 34 extending from the lower edge 21 of the central band 20. The second formation 36 is a flange 36 extending from the central band 20 at a position spaced upwardly from the lower edge 21 , with the flange 36 being curved towards a distal end of the tab 34. The distal ends of the tab 34 and the flange 36 are spaced from each other to form an opening 38 therebetween. The barrel track 14 in the example is generally a circular cross-section channel having the opening 38 at one portion thereof. It is to be noted the barrel track 14 can be disposed at any desired position along the central band 20 and can for example be at the mid-portion or upper portion of the clip 10. The clip 10 can also include two or more barrel tracks 14 if desired to allow the user to vary the attachment position of the piping 52 on the clip 10.

[40] Figure 2 shows a toddler bib 50 according to the preferred embodiment. The bib 50 comprises a flat body 51 with a thickened lower edge piping 52, neck attachment 54, and straps 56. The body 51 in this example is a two layer fabric with a waterproof layer. The neck attachment 54 is a strap to circle around the toddler’s neck with quick attachment buttons, Velcro, clip or hook and loop means 55.

[41] As shown in Figure 3, the lower edge piping 52 is correspondingly sized and shaped to be received in the barrel track 14 of the clip 10. The piping 52 can be inserted into the barrel track 14 either by feeding an end of the piping 52 through the barrel track 14 until the desired position, or the desired position of the piping 52 can be inserted directly into the barrel track 14. One or both of the tab 34 and the flange 36 for example can be slightly flexible to assist with this insertion. Alternatively, the piping 52 is resilient and can be compressed for insertion into the barrel track 14 and expand back into shape to retain the piping 52 therein. A plurality of the clips 10 are used for each bib 50, with the clips 10 spaced along the piping 52.

[42] Figure 4 shows two clips 10 attached to a table 70 of a highchair 72. The table 70 in this example includes an edge flange 74 and the upper hook 28 hooks over the top of the edge flange 74 and the lower channel 23 engages the bottom edge of the edge flange 74. The mounting means 12 thus secures the clips 10 to the table 70 with the barrel tracks 14 facing the user.

[43] As shown in Figure 5 and 6, a plurality of the clips 10 can be used spaced along the piping 52 of the bib 50, with the clips 10 mounted in a spaced manner along the edge of the table 70 adjacent the user. The clips 10 are placed strategically such that the bib body 51 held thereby covers the area between the user and the edge of the table 70. The attached bib 50 acts as a catchment for food which the child user can recover and consume, leading to less mess wastage and less mess on the floor and highchair. As shown, substantially the entire area between the child (user) and the edge of the table can be covered by the bib 50.

[44] Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the clip 10a for a more general flat shaped table edge. The upper flange 26a in this example is flat to engage the flat upper surface of a tabletop, and the lower flange 24a is bent towards the upper flange 26a to act as a spring and provide an urging force to the lower surface of the tabletop. In this manner, the upper flange 26a and the lower flange 24a together squeeze on the table upper and lower surfaces to retain the clip 10a thereto. The barrel track 14 in this example is similarly shaped.

[45] Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the clip 10b for other shaped items such as pram handles. The upper flange 26a and the lower flange 24a in this example are curved towards each other to act as a general mount for different shaped items. In this manner, the upper flange 26a and the lower flange 24a together squeeze or hook to retain the clip 10a thereto. The barrel track 14b in this example is shaped to have its opening 38 at an upper portion thereof to allow items to be hung from the barrel track 14b such as bags.

[46] The preferred embodiments show thus provides a clip that fits to the feeding table and connects to the bib via the durable thick piping on the bib. The thick piping on the bib is fed through the clip track which locks the piping thereto. The clip can be connected to the inside or outside of a highchair depending on if the highchair tray is being used, to the edge of a table or other eating tray or other surface from which a person is eating. The assembly ensures the food does not fall through to the wearers clothing, or fall immediately around them in the chair.

[47] The clip is sufficiently clamped that only a person of high dexterity and strength (e.g. an adult) can remove it, large enough to ensure it is not a choking hazard and universal in its application. The clip can be modified to suit any eating surface specification, with the clip track and bib piping interlocking remaining.

[48] The bibs are to be made from natural materials with two layers, including a waterproof layer. The bibs have string ties to secure the larger side around the back of the wearer when not in a highchair, doubling as a large bib and/or apron without the clip.

[49] The embodiments provide safety, practicality, durability and the mitigation of the need to clean excessive mess from within a chair whilst also providing protection of a person’s clothes, particularly from the chest down. The fabrics ensure eating time is more comfortable, without overheating and the long bib can act as an apron for when a child user has outgrown the highchair.

[50] The clips can also be multipurpose and used for holding other items to the eating surface such as but not limited to drinking bottles, toys, dummies. They can also be used for handles of prams, on hoods of prams for sunshades and many other scenarios where access to or use of common items is required, but risk of dropping or losing them is high/typical due to a lack of a fastening solution.

[51] Figure 9 is a modified clip 10c of the clip 10 of Figure 1. In the clip 10c, the barrel track 14 is moved down and is generally facing the same side 31 as the mounting means 12. The lower flange 24 is curved downwardly. The barrel track 14 is formed by the lower flange 24 (which replaces the tab 34) and the second formation 36 extends from the lower edge 21 of the central band 20. The edges of the barrel track 14 are provided with smooth curves so the fabric can slide into the clip barrel track easier.

[52] . Figure 10 is a modified clip 10d of the clip 10a of Figure 7. The clip 10 also comprises a flat upper flange 26a and a lower flange 24a bent towards the upper flange 26a. The barrel track 14 in this example is similarly shaped as that shown in clip 10c, formed by a portion of the lower flange 24a and the second formation 36 extends from the lower edge 21 of the central band 20. Figure 11 shows the clip of Figure 10 in an example use.

[53] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiment shown. For example, grip means such as rubber pads can be added to the inside surface of the mounting means 12 or at least the flat upper flange 24a.

[54] It can be seen that the clip can be used by persons of all ages including for bibs for senior persons and those in special care. The clip can also be used by people in restaurants where patrons typically wear bibs such as seafood and rib restaurants.

[55] The clips can also be used with other sheet items such as aprons by cooks if desired to act as a catchment for food ingredients during food preparation, or other sheets such as blankets to act as a catchment for items such as when painting or renovating for example.

[56] The mounting means can be embodied in other forms, such as a spring clip. The barrel track can also be replaced by a spring clamp or clip. These embodiments are however less preferred as they are more complicated and include moving parts and hazards.