GB2185676A - Protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

A protector for a necktie comprises a strip-like piece of material 1 generally shaped to the shape of a necktie and of a size to cover the major part of the front of a necktie when worn. The material may be an impregnated paper or a plastics material. Bendable fingers 2 or other securing means extend from the side edges of the piece 1. In use the protector is placed over the front of a necktie 3 and the fingers 2 are bent round behind the main body of the necktie to hold the protector in position. The piece of material 1 may either be opaque or transparent, the latter allowing the colour of the tie to show through the protector. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Protection device The present invention relates to a protection device and more particularly to a protectorfora necktie.

When seatedfora meal it is common practiceto make use of a table napkin or serviette in orderto protect the front of a persons clothes and the lap from any drops or splashes of food, and drink.

However, in the case of persons earing a necktie this frequently bulges or hangs forward to some extent when a person is seated and therefore runs an increased risk of becoming soiled by dropped food or drink or grease splashes, even when a napkin or serviette is used. This problem can be avoided by tucking a napkin or serviette in the collar. However, not only is this often uncomfortable but it tends to leave the lap unprotected.

Afurther nuisance arises from the fact that it is notoriously difficult to clean a necktie which has been spoilt by dropped food or grease in a completely effective manner, which in turn means that once a necktie has been spoilt in this way, it cannot satisfactorily be worn again.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a protection device which alleviates the problems discussed above.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a protector for a necktie comprising a piece of material dimensioned to extend over the front of the necktie and means for securing the piece of material to the necktie.

Advantageously the piece of material is ofstrip form and of an area to cover at least the major part of the front of a necktie. The strip of material may be shaped generally similarto the shape of the common form of necktie,thatisto say,widen outfrom its upper end towards its lower end, the latter end terminating in a point. Alternatively, it may be straight sided and of a sufficient width to coverthe tie.

The protector may be made of any desired pliable or soft material, but is preferably made from a material which is resistant or impervious to grease and liquid, such as a plastics material oran impregnated paper.

The meansforsecuring the protectortothe necktie may take any convenient form. One preferred form comprises stiff but bendable strips orfingers projecting from the two side edges of the protector which can be bent around to grip the back the necktie and so hold the protector in position. Two or more such strips or fingers may be provided along each side edge of the protector.

Although the necktie protector according to the invention may be reusable many times, particularly where it is made from a wipe-clean material; it may also readily be made cheaply in a form which is intended to be thrown away after use. Thus, such a protector is very suitable for use by restaurants who may hand itto any of their guests wearing a necktie, forexampleatthetimeofseating ortaking an order.

If desired, where used in restaurants or other eating establishments, the protector may carry the name of the restaurant, a logo or other promotional material.

Clearly,the protector may also be coloured and/or patterned as desired, according to the material from which it is made.

Oneembodimentofthe invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa front view of one form of necktie protector according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a section through a necktie and protector in position on the tie.

Referring to Figure 1, the necktie protector shown comprises a strip-like piece of pliable plastics material 1 generally shaped to the shape of a common form of necktie and of a size to coverthe major part of the front of a necktie when worn.

Bendable fingers 2 project from the side edges ofthe piece 1 both towards its upper end and towards its lower end. The fingers 2 may be made from a bendable plastics ora covered wire and are adhesively or heat bonded or otherwise secured to the piece of material 1.

In use the protector is placed overthe front of a necktie 3 and the fingers 2 are bent round behind the main body of the necktie to hold the protector in position, as is shown in Figure 2.

The piece of plastics material 1 may either be opaque ortransparent,the latter allowing the colour of thetie to showthrough the protector.

Whilst a particular embodiment has been describeditwill beunderstoodthatvarious modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this invention. Thus the securing means may take numerousotherforms and could infactbe provided byfolded-over side flanges ortabs on the piece of material 1.

1. A protectorfor a necktie compdsing a piece of material dimensioned to extend overthefront of the necktie and means forsecuring the piece of material to the necktie.

2. A protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piece of material is of strip form and of an area to cover at least the major part of the front of a necktie.

3. A protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strip is shaped generally similarto the shape ofthe common form of necktie, that is to say, widens out from its upper end towards its lower end, the latter end terminating in a point.

4. A protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strip is straight sided and of a sufficient width to cover the necktie.

5. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing means are intended to extend across the back of the necktie when in use.

6. Aprotectorasclaimed in claim 5, wherein the securing means comprise bendable strips or fingers projecting from the two side edges of the protector which can be bent around to grip the back of the necktie and so hold the protector in position.

7. A protector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the securing means are provided by folded-over side

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Protection device The present invention relates to a protection device and more particularly to a protectorfora necktie. When seatedfora meal it is common practiceto make use of a table napkin or serviette in orderto protect the front of a persons clothes and the lap from any drops or splashes of food, and drink. However, in the case of persons earing a necktie this frequently bulges or hangs forward to some extent when a person is seated and therefore runs an increased risk of becoming soiled by dropped food or drink or grease splashes, even when a napkin or serviette is used. This problem can be avoided by tucking a napkin or serviette in the collar. However, not only is this often uncomfortable but it tends to leave the lap unprotected. Afurther nuisance arises from the fact that it is notoriously difficult to clean a necktie which has been spoilt by dropped food or grease in a completely effective manner, which in turn means that once a necktie has been spoilt in this way, it cannot satisfactorily be worn again. It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a protection device which alleviates the problems discussed above. Accordingly, the present invention provides a protector for a necktie comprising a piece of material dimensioned to extend over the front of the necktie and means for securing the piece of material to the necktie. Advantageously the piece of material is ofstrip form and of an area to cover at least the major part of the front of a necktie. The strip of material may be shaped generally similarto the shape of the common form of necktie,thatisto say,widen outfrom its upper end towards its lower end, the latter end terminating in a point. Alternatively, it may be straight sided and of a sufficient width to coverthe tie. The protector may be made of any desired pliable or soft material, but is preferably made from a material which is resistant or impervious to grease and liquid, such as a plastics material oran impregnated paper. The meansforsecuring the protectortothe necktie may take any convenient form. One preferred form comprises stiff but bendable strips orfingers projecting from the two side edges of the protector which can be bent around to grip the back the necktie and so hold the protector in position. Two or more such strips or fingers may be provided along each side edge of the protector. Although the necktie protector according to the invention may be reusable many times, particularly where it is made from a wipe-clean material; it may also readily be made cheaply in a form which is intended to be thrown away after use. Thus, such a protector is very suitable for use by restaurants who may hand itto any of their guests wearing a necktie, forexampleatthetimeofseating ortaking an order. If desired, where used in restaurants or other eating establishments, the protector may carry the name of the restaurant, a logo or other promotional material. Clearly,the protector may also be coloured and/or patterned as desired, according to the material from which it is made. Oneembodimentofthe invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa front view of one form of necktie protector according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a section through a necktie and protector in position on the tie. Referring to Figure 1, the necktie protector shown comprises a strip-like piece of pliable plastics material 1 generally shaped to the shape of a common form of necktie and of a size to coverthe major part of the front of a necktie when worn. Bendable fingers 2 project from the side edges ofthe piece 1 both towards its upper end and towards its lower end. The fingers 2 may be made from a bendable plastics ora covered wire and are adhesively or heat bonded or otherwise secured to the piece of material 1. In use the protector is placed overthe front of a necktie 3 and the fingers 2 are bent round behind the main body of the necktie to hold the protector in position, as is shown in Figure 2. The piece of plastics material 1 may either be opaque ortransparent,the latter allowing the colour of thetie to showthrough the protector. Whilst a particular embodiment has been describeditwill beunderstoodthatvarious modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this invention. Thus the securing means may take numerousotherforms and could infactbe provided byfolded-over side flanges ortabs on the piece of material 1. CLAIMS

1. A protectorfor a necktie compdsing a piece of material dimensioned to extend overthefront of the necktie and means forsecuring the piece of material to the necktie.

2. A protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piece of material is of strip form and of an area to cover at least the major part of the front of a necktie.

3. A protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strip is shaped generally similarto the shape ofthe common form of necktie, that is to say, widens out from its upper end towards its lower end, the latter end terminating in a point.

4. A protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strip is straight sided and of a sufficient width to cover the necktie.

5. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing means are intended to extend across the back of the necktie when in use.

6. Aprotectorasclaimed in claim 5, wherein the securing means comprise bendable strips or fingers projecting from the two side edges of the protector which can be bent around to grip the back of the necktie and so hold the protector in position.

7. A protector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the securing means are provided by folded-over side flanges or tabs on the piece of material.

8. A protector as claimed in claim 5,6 or7 wherein two or more securing means are provided spaced along the side-edges of the protector.

9. A prottector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the piece of material is resistant or impervious to grease and liquid, such as a plastics material or an impregnated paper.

10. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protector carries the name of a restaurant, a logo or other promotional material.

11. Atie protector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.