U.S. patent application number 10/813928 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for table placemat and protective covering.
Invention is credited to Mesalic, Admir James, Mesalic, Carol Ann.
Application Number | 20040232749 10/813928 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33457409 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040232749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mesalic, Admir James ; et
al. |
November 25, 2004 |
Table placemat and protective covering
Abstract
A protective covering for use with a table top and child's
chair, said child's chair having a front arm portion, comprising a
main protective portion; an intermediate portion extending from
said main protective portion; and a front protective portion
extending from said pocket portion and adapted to operatively
attach to said front arm portion of said child's chair. The
protective covering is intended to protect a baby from an
unsanitary table and high chair, whether in a restaurant or
elsewhere, and further to protect table surfaces, high chair
surfaces and floors from food, drinks and other items which a child
may drop.
Inventors: |
Mesalic, Admir James;
(Summerlin, NV) ; Mesalic, Carol Ann; (Summerlin,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY SONNABEND
441 FIRST STREET
SUITE 1L
BROOKLYN
NY
11215
US
|
Family ID: |
33457409 |
Appl. No.: |
10/813928 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60472916 |
May 23, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/256.17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/106 20130101;
A47D 1/008 20130101; A47G 23/0303 20130101; A47D 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/256.17 |
International
Class: |
A47C 031/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A protective covering for use with a table top and child's
chair, said child's chair having a front arm portion, comprising: a
main protective portion; and a front protective portion attached to
said main protective portion and adapted to operatively attach to
said front arm portion of said child's chair, said front protective
portion being adapted to extend from said table top to said child's
chair.
2. The protective covering of claim 1 wherein said main protective
portion comprises a bottom side for contacting said table top and a
top side, said bottom side having skid resistant portions for
resisting skidding of said protective covering across said table
top.
3. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein said main protective
portion includes a pocket formed therein.
4. The protective covering of claim 1 wherein said front protective
portion includes a coupling element for coupling said front
protective portion to said front arm portion of said child's
chair.
5. The protective covering of claim 4 wherein said coupling
elements are selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions,
hook-and-loop fabric; mutually attracting magnetic portions;
ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and
traditional button closures.
6. The protective covering of claim 1, said child's chair further
having two side arm portions, further comprising two side
protective portions attached to and extending from said front
protective portion, at least one of said side protective portions
being adapted to operatively attach to one of said side arm
portions.
7. The protective covering of claim 6 wherein said side arm
portions are substantially orthogonal to said front protective
portion.
8. The protective covering of claim 6 wherein each of said side
protective portions includes a coupling element for coupling said
side protective portion to said side arm portions of said child's
chair.
9. The protective covering of claim 8 wherein said coupling
elements are selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions,
hook-and-loop fabric; mutually attracting magnetic portions;
ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and
traditional button closures.
10. The protective covering of claim 9 wherein said main protective
portion comprises a bottom side for contacting said table top and a
top side, said bottom side having skid resistant portions for
resisting skidding of said protective covering across said table
top.
11. The protective covering of claim 9, wherein said main
protective portion includes a pocket formed therein.
12. The protective covering of claim 9 wherein said side arm
portions are substantially orthogonal to said front protective
portion.
13. A protective covering for use with a table top and child's
chair, said child's chair having a front arm portion, comprising: a
main protective portion; an intermediate portion extending from
said main protective portion; and a front protective portion
extending from said pocket portion and adapted to operatively
attach to said front arm portion of said child's chair.
14. The protective covering of claim 13 wherein said main
protective portion comprises a bottom side for contacting said
table top and a top side, said bottom side having skid resistant
portions for resisting skidding of said protective covering across
said table top.
15. The protective covering of claim 13 wherein said front
protective portion includes a coupling element for coupling said
front protective portion to said front arm portion of said child's
chair.
16. The protective covering of claim 15 wherein said coupling
elements are selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions,
hook-and-loop fabric; mutually attracting magnetic portions;
ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and
traditional button closures.
17. The protective covering of claim 13 wherein said intermediate
portion includes a pocket formed therein.
18. The protective covering of claim 17 wherein said front
protective portion includes a coupling element for coupling said
front protective portion to said front arm portion of said child's
chair.
19. The protective covering of claim 18 wherein said coupling
elements are selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions,
hook-and-loop fabric; mutually attracting magnetic portions;
ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and
traditional button closures.
20. The protective covering of claim 13, said child's chair further
having two side arm portions, further comprising two side
protective portions attached to and extending from said
intermediate portion, at least one of said side protective portions
being adapted to operatively attach to one of said side arm
portions.
21. The protective covering of claim 20 wherein said side arm
portions are substantially orthogonal to said intermediate
portion.
22. The protective covering of claim 20 wherein each of said side
protective portions include a coupling element for coupling said
side protective portions to said side arm portions of said child's
chair.
23. The protective covering of claim 22 wherein said coupling
elements are selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions,
hook-and-loop fabric; mutually attracting magnetic portions;
ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and
traditional button closures.
24. The protective covering of claim 22 wherein said main
protective portion comprises a bottom side for contacting said
table top and a top side, said bottom side having skid resistant
portions for resisting skidding of said protective covering across
said table top.
25. The protective covering of claim 20 wherein said intermediate
portion includes a pocket formed therein.
26. The protective covering of claim 25 wherein said side arm
portions are substantially orthogonal to said intermediate
portion.
27. The protective covering of claim 25 wherein said side
protective portions include coupling elements for coupling said
side protective portions to said side arm portions of said child's
chair.
28. The protective covering of claim 25 wherein said main
protective portion comprises a bottom side for contacting said
table top and a top side, said bottom side having skid resistant
portions for resisting skidding of said protective covering across
said table top.
29. The protective covering of claim 27 wherein said coupling
elements are selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions,
hook-and-loop fabric; mutually attracting magnetic portions;
ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and
traditional button closures.
30. The protective covering of claim 29 wherein said side arm
portions are substantially orthogonal to said intermediate
portion.
31. A placemat for use with a table and a chair comprising: a main
placement area for placement on said table and at least one side
flap extending from a side of said main placement area.
32. The placemat of claim 31 further comprising: two side flaps
extending from a side of said main placemat area; and a front flap
extending between said side flaps from a side of main placement
area.
33. The placemat of claim 32 wherein said side flaps are longer
than said front flap.
34. The placemat of claim 33 wherein said side flaps and said front
flap form a U-shaped opening facing away from said main placement
area.
35. The placemat of claim 34 wherein said chair includes side arms,
further comprising coupling elements on said side flaps to
releasably couple said placemat to said side arms of said
chair.
36. The placemat of claim 35 wherein said coupling elements are
selected from the group comprising: hook and loop segments, metal
brads, magnets, sticking pads and buttons.
37. The placemat of claim 34 wherein said chair includes a front
arm, further comprising coupling elements on said front flap to
releasably couple said placemat to said front arm of said
chair.
38. The placemat of claim 37 wherein said coupling elements are
selected from the group comprising: hook and loop segments, metal
brads, magnets, sticking pads and buttons.
39. The placemat of claim 32, said placemat area having a top
surface and a bottom surface, further comprising a pocket, said
pocket being provided in said top surface of said main placement
area.
40. The placemat of claim 32, wherein said placemat area has a top
surface and a bottom surface, said top surface being constructed of
vinyl.
41. The placemat of claim 32, wherein said placemat area has a top
surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface being constructed
of a skid resistant material.
42. The placemat of claim 32, wherein said placemat area has a top
surface and a bottom surface, further comprising an intermediate
layer located between said top surface and said bottom surface.
43. The placemat of claim 42, wherein said top surface is
constructed of a translucent or transparent material and said
intermediate layer is constructed of a printed fabric.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. provisional application serial No. 60/472,916 entitled "Table
Placemat" which was filed on May 23, 2003 and which is incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a table placemat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Managing a small child is especially difficult when dining
out in a restaurant. Typically, in a restaurant, parents have to
eat their food while simultaneously trying to feed their child.
This can result in an unsatisfying experience for everyone
involved.
[0004] High chairs that are typically used for seating a child,
whether in a restaurant or elsewhere, are often unsanitary because
of their repetitive use by different children during the day and
the lack of attention paid to clean them thoroughly. Another
problem is the mess created by the leftover food crumbs, smears,
and spills left behind when the family has finished dining. These
crumbs, smears and spills, consisting of foods and beverages
dropped by the child, may fall to the floor through the naturally
existing gap between a table and a high chair, or may fall on the
seat, arms and back of a high chair. Additionally, children may
drag plates, bowls and the like from tables, allowing them to fall
to the floor, resulting in spilled food and possible broken
dishware.
[0005] Spilled food and beverages may also damage table-tops and
table linens. Similarly, cutlery and dishware struck on or dragged
across table tops may also damage table tops or table linens.
Children seated at tables may be especially prone to behaviors
which lead to such damage.
[0006] To be practical for modern-day parents, any device which
seeks to lessen or eliminate the foregoing issues must be portable
and easy to use. Parents traveling with one or more children,
particularly into crowded restaurants and similar spaces, often are
not able to carry cumbersome or heavy accoutrements. Likewise,
these parents are ill-equipped to set-up complicated or unwieldy
mechanical devices.
[0007] Finally, in order to maintain a sanitary condition, a device
devised to prevent or eliminate spills, dropped implements,
table-top damage, and so on must be easily washable or disposable.
Devices which are incapable of being easily and adequately washed
will quickly become unsanitary, thus presenting a potentially
unhealthy condition for the child and defeating an important goal
of the device.
[0008] Several proposed solutions to the foregoing problems have
been suggested in the past; however, no suggestion has provided a
suitable solution.
[0009] One class of proposed solution may be found in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,631,950, 6,428,098, 6,237,998 and other similar patents.
Each of these patents discloses a seat liner; that is, a covering
for high chairs or other infant seats wherein the covering is
placed on or about the high chair or other infant seat. None of
these coverings provide any protection for an eating surface on a
table, nor do any provide protection for the floor around the base
of the high chair or other infant seat. Additionally, several of
these coverings are adapted to fit only a limited number of high
chair designs, or in some instances, only a single high chair
design. Additionally, these devices must be fitted to a high chair
or infant chair prior to placing an infant in the seat, and an
infant must be removed from its seat prior to removing the
device.
[0010] Still other proposed solutions are designed to prevent food
and other items from dropping to the floor. Two examples of such
devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,848,834 and 4,659,143.
Each of these devices is specifically adapted to operate with
cantilever type infant chairs that attach directly to a table top.
The two devices are secured to a table and catch falling items in a
surface formed beneath the infant seat. These devices suffer from
several significant limitations, including being of use with
cantilever type seats only, cumbersome set-up, and poor
portability. Furthermore, these devices do not protect table
surfaces nor high chair surfaces such as high chair arms.
[0011] As parents have become increasingly conscious of germ
protection for their children, there has been an increase in demand
for products that would make the experience of dining out more
pleasurable for the parents and more sanitary for the babies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, a placemat and protective covering is
disclosed. The placemat and protective covering is intended to
protect a baby from an unsanitary table and high chair, whether in
a restaurant or elsewhere, and further to protect table surfaces,
high chair surfaces and floors from food, drinks and other items
which a child may drop. The placemat and protective covering
includes a main placemat area (which acts as a main protective
portion) which may be placed on the table to provide a clean eating
surface. The placemat and protective covering may be coupled to the
side arms of a high chair or other child seat to provide a cover
for the side arms to protect the baby. If desired, the placemat and
protective covering may be coupled to the front arm of the high
chair or other child seat to provide a cover for the front arm to
protect the baby. Thus, almost all surfaces of the high chair or
other child seat and table with which the baby comes into contact
during eating may be covered to provide a sanitary and safe
surrounding for the baby. Likewise, the floor directly beneath and
around the high chair or other child seat may be protected. In an
exemplary embodiment, the placemat also prevents the baby from
pulling items, such as gum, that may be stuck to the bottom of the
table.
[0013] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
placemat and protective covering comprises a main placemat area, at
least one flap extending from the main placement area and operable
to releasably couple the main placement area with a chair, and at
least one coupling element operable to releasably couple the at
least one flap with the chair.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, a protective covering for use
with a table top and child's chair having a front arm portion. The
protective covering has a main protective portion and a front
protective portion which is attached to the main protective portion
and adapted to operatively attach to the front arm portion of the
child's chair. The front protective portion is adapted to extend
from the table top to the child's chair.
[0015] The protective portion may include a bottom side for
contacting the table top and a top side. The bottom side may have
skid resistant portions for resisting skidding of the protective
covering across the table top. The main protective portion may
include a pocket formed therein. This pocket may be formed by
cutting into the surface of the protective covering or by attaching
an additional piece of material to the top surface of the
protective covering, among other methods.
[0016] In certain preferred embodiments, the front protective
portion may include a coupling element for coupling the front
protective portion to the front arm portion of the child's chair.
The coupling elements may be selected from the group comprising:
adhesive portions, hook-and-loop fabric (such as Velcro brand
hook-and-loop fabric); mutually attracting magnetic portions;
ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and
traditional button closures (that is, traditional button/button
hole pairs).
[0017] In certain preferred embodiments, the child's chair further
has two side arm portions and the protective covering has two side
protective portions attached to and extending from the front
protective portion. The side arm portions may be substantially
orthogonal to the front protective portion.
[0018] In these embodiments, each of the side protective portions
may be adapted to operatively attach to (i.e., be maintained with)
one of the side arm portions. Each of the side protective portions
may include a coupling element for coupling the side protective
portion to the side arm portions of the child's chair. The coupling
elements may be selected from the group comprising: adhesive
portions, adhesive portions, hook-and-loop fabric; mutually
attracting magnetic portions; ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop
fasteners; ribbon ties; and traditional button closures.
[0019] The main protective portion may include a bottom side for
contacting the table top and a top side, the bottom side having
skid resistant portions for resisting skidding of the protective
covering across the table top.
[0020] An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes
a protective covering for use with a table top and child's chair
having a front arm portion. The protective covering has a main
protective portion, an intermediate portion (that is, a portion
interposed between the main protective portion and a front
protective portion) extending from the main protective portion and
a front protective portion extending from the pocket portion and
adapted to operatively attach to (i.e., be maintained with) the
front arm portion of the child's chair. In these embodiments, the
pocket discussed in the previous embodiments may be formed in the
intermediate portion. Similarly, the front and side protective
portions may be as previously described except that these portions
would extend from the intermediate portion, not the main protective
portion.
[0021] These and other aspects of the subject invention will become
more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art
from the following detailed description of the invention taken in
conjunction with the drawings described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the
following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a table placemat/protective
covering;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the table
placemat/protective covering of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table
placemat/protective covering of FIG. 1 coupled to a chair; and
[0026] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a
table placemat/protective covering.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its
advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 of
the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding
parts of the various drawings. The terms "table placemat" and
"protective covering" are used interchangeably herein.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a table placemat 10, FIG. 2 is
a bottom plan view of table placemat 10 and FIG. 3 is a perspective
view of table placemat 18 coupled to a chair 12. Placemat 10
comprises a top surface 11 (FIG. 1) and a bottom surface 13 (FIG.
2). Placemat 10 comprises a main placement area 14 which may be
placed on a table 25 and could serve as an eating area. In the
illustrated embodiment, main placement area 14 is rectangular.
However, it could be of any shape. Placemat 10 also comprises at
least one side flap 16 extending from a side of main placement area
14. In the illustrated embodiment, placemat 10 comprises two side
flaps 16.
[0029] If desired, placemat 10 may also comprise a front flap 18
(FIG. 1) extending between side flaps 16 from a side of main
placement area 14. The front flap may be split in order to accept a
vertical member or strap extending from the seat of the highchair
to the front arm of the highchair. Preferably, side flaps 16 and
front flap 18 extend from the same side of main placement area 14.
Furthermore, preferably side flaps 16 are longer than front flap
18. As illustrated, side flaps 16 and front flap 18 form a U-shape
with the opening of the U-shape facing away from main placement
area 14. If desired, a pocket 20 may be provided in main placement
area 14 on top surface 11 in proximity to side flaps 16.
Preferably, pocket 20 extends along the width of main placement
area 14. If desired, pocket 20 may extend only along a portion of
the width of main placemat area 14. Pocket 20 may be used to catch
food or other items falling from table 25 (FIG. 3).
[0030] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention. Placemat 10 comprises a top surface 11 and a
bottom surface, not shown. Placemat 10 comprises a main placement
area as shown and described in FIG. 1. Placemat 10 also comprises
intermediate portion 22 and at least one side flap 16 extending
from the intermediate portion 22. In the illustrated embodiment,
placemat 10 comprises two side flaps 16. Pocket 21, with opening
20, are formed in the intermediate portion 22.
[0031] Top surface 11 of placemat 10 may serve as an eating area on
which the food of the child may be placed. Top surface 11 of
placemat 10 is preferably made of an easy to clean material, such
as vinyl. Bottom surface 13 of placemat 10 preferably comprises or
is made of skid resistant material, such as a tacky rubber-like
material, to prevent slipping or skidding of placemat 10 from table
25. Preferably, the bottom surface of only area 14 is comprised or
made of skid resistant material, although if desired, the bottom
surface of other portions of placemat 10 may be made of skid
resistant material. Additionally, one or more suction cups may be
provided on bottom surface 13 for coupling placemat 10 with the
surface of table 25. If desired, an intermediate layer (not shown)
may be provided between the top and bottom surfaces. The
intermediate layer may be made of fabric or other material which
includes an aesthetic print to make placemat 10 aesthetically
pleasing. For example, the intermediate layer may display the
child's favorite cartoon characters or may be used to display
messages or advertisements.
[0032] Side flaps 16 may be used to releasably couple placemat 10
to or around side arms 24 of chair 12 (FIG. 3). Furthermore, side
flaps 16 may be used to cover the side arms of chair 12 for both
sanitary and safety reasons. Side flaps 16 may be coupled around
side arms 24 of chair 12 by one or more coupling elements 26 (FIG.
2). Any suitable coupling element, such as hook and loop segments,
metal brads, magnets, sticking pads, buttons, and other coupling
elements now known or developed in the future, may be used.
Although in the illustrated embodiment, four coupling elements 26
are shown, two on each side flap 16, the invention is not so
limited and if desired fewer or greater number of coupling elements
may be used. Coupling elements 26 are preferably attached to bottom
surface 13 of placemat 10. In an exemplary embodiment, a first part
of one or more hook and loop segments comprising of two parts each
is attached to one corner of one of the side flaps 16 while a
second part of the hook and loop segments is attached to another
corner of the same side flap.
[0033] Front flap 18 may be used to releasably couple placemat 18
to or around a front arm of chair 12 (FIG. 3). Furthermore, front
flap 18 may be used to cover the front arm of chair 12 for both
sanitary and safety reasons. Front flap 18 may be coupled around
the front aim of chair 12 by one or more coupling elements 28 (FIG.
2). Any suitable coupling element, such as hook and loop segments,
metal brads, magnets, sticking pads, buttons, and other coupling
elements now known or developed in the future, may be used.
Although in the illustrated embodiment, two coupling elements 28
are shown, the invention is not so limited and if desired fewer or
greater number of coupling elements may be used. Coupling elements
28 are preferably attached to bottom surface 13 of placemat 10. In
an exemplary embodiment, a first part of one or more hook and loop
segments comprising of two parts each is attached to one end of
front flap 18 while a second part of the hook and loop segments is
attached to another end of front flap 18.
[0034] In use, the child is placed on the seat of chair 12 (FIG.
3). Main placement area 14 of placemat 10 is placed on table 25 in
front of the child. Side flaps 16 are coupled to side arms 24 of
chair 12 such that side flaps 16 substantially cover the surface of
side arms 24. If desired, front flap 18 may be coupled to the front
of chair 12 such that front flap 18 substantially covers the
surface of the front arm. In this position, side flaps 16 and front
flap 18 prevent injury to the baby and also provide protection
against germs that may be present on the side arms and the front
arm of chair 12. Side flaps 16 and front flap 18 also prevent chair
12 from becoming dirty thereby making the job of wait staff at
restaurants easier. Furthermore, because placemat 10 extends from
table 25 to chair 12, food crumbs do not fall on the floor but
instead fall in a trough 30 formed by placemat 10. Trough 30 may be
made deeper by moving chair 12 closer to table 25. If placemat 10
comprises pocket 20, then pocket 20 hangs over the edge of table 25
with an opening 21 of pocket 20 extending along the edge of table
25 or in proximity to the edge. The food crumbs may be caught in
the pocket thereby preventing the food crumbs from falling on the
floor. Pocket 20 may also be used to store other things.
[0035] Placemat 10 provides a protective barrier between the child
and his or her surroundings, specifically while the child is seated
in a chair, such as those used in restaurants. The side and front
flaps facilitate coupling of placemat 10 with chair 12 and also
protect the child from the side arms and front arm of the chair
with which the child would normally come in contact.
[0036] Placemat 10 may be folded in a manner such that the dirty or
bottom surface 13 does not touch the clean or upper surface 11 that
faces the child. If desired, other articles, such as an unused
diaper may be placed on placemat 10 before it is folded to
eliminate the need to carry a diaper bag.
[0037] In an alternative embodiment, placemat 18 may comprise a
seat liner (not shown). The seat protector may be releasably
coupled to placemat 10.
[0038] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the pertinent art that changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.
* * * * *