U.S. patent application number 15/111873 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-24 for a convertible article.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tradestock Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is TRADESTOCK LIMITED. Invention is credited to Duncan Babington.
Application Number | 20160340073 15/111873 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50239051 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160340073 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Babington; Duncan |
November 24, 2016 |
A CONVERTIBLE ARTICLE
Abstract
A convertible article (101) comprises a substantially planar
rigid base portion (104) and a border (105) extending around the
base portion (104). The border (105) comprises rigid border
portions (106) and joining substantially non-folding web portions
(107) that are thinner than the base and the border portions (104,
106). The border (105) is configurable between a first mat
configuration in which the border portions (106) are substantially
coplanar with the base portion (104), and a second tray
configuration in which the border portions (106) are inclined with
respect to the base portion (104). The base and the border portions
(104, 106) are supported on a substrate sheet of flexible material
(108) that provides the web portions (107). The outward surfaces
(109, 110) of the base and the border portions (104, 106) are
exposed as display faces. A method of manufacture (801) of the
convertible article (101).
Inventors: |
Babington; Duncan;
(Cullompton Devon, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TRADESTOCK LIMITED |
Taunton Somerset |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Tradestock Limited
Taunton Somerset
GB
|
Family ID: |
50239051 |
Appl. No.: |
15/111873 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
January 6, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/050111 |
371 Date: |
July 15, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/30 20130101;
A47G 23/06 20130101; B65D 1/34 20130101; A47G 23/0303 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/34 20060101
B65D001/34; B65D 25/30 20060101 B65D025/30; A47G 23/03 20060101
A47G023/03; A47G 23/06 20060101 A47G023/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 16, 2014 |
GB |
1400742.1 |
Claims
1. A convertible article, comprising: a substrate sheet of flexible
material; a substantially planar rigid base portion, the rigid base
portion having an inward surface thereof secured to a first side of
said substrate sheet of flexible material, and a border extending
around the rigid base portion, said border comprising rigid border
portions, each rigid border portion having an inward surface
thereof secured to said first side of said substrate sheet of
flexible material; the rigid base portion being substantially
rectangular and having first and second opposed pairs of sides, and
the border comprising: a first pair of rigid border portions having
a substantially rectangular shape and extending along one of the
first and second opposed pairs of sides of said rigid base portion,
a second pair of rigid border portions having a substantially
trapezoidal shape with opposed parallel side edges, one longer than
the other, extending along the other of the first and second
opposed pairs of sides of said rigid base portion, with the shorter
side edge closer to the rigid base portion, and joining
substantially non-folding flexible web portions provided by the
substrate sheet of flexible material, the flexible web portions
having a substantially triangular shape and the flexible web
portions being thinner than said rigid base portion and said rigid
border portions; said border repeatedly configurable between: a
first mat configuration in which said rigid border portions are
substantially coplanar with said rigid base portion, and a second
tray configuration in which said rigid border portions are inclined
with respect to said rigid base portion; said rigid border portions
and said flexible web portions providing a border configured such
that moving said first pair of rigid border portions between one
and the other of a substantially coplanar position with respect to
said rigid base portion and an inclined position with respect to
said rigid base portion causes said second pair of rigid border
portions to move correspondingly; wherein the outwards surface of
said rigid base portion, the outward surfaces of said rigid border
portions and said flexible material are visible, and the outward
surfaces of said rigid base portion and said rigid border portions
are exposed as display faces upon which items are receivable.
2. A convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
substrate sheet of flexible material supports a single set of rigid
base and rigid border portions on said first side only.
3. A convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
substrate sheet of flexible material supports a first set of rigid
base and rigid border portions on said first side and supports a
second set of rigid base and rigid border portions on the second
side thereof.
4. A convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
convertible article has a reversible second tray configuration.
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. A convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said rigid
base portion has a pair of shorter opposed sides and a pair of
longer opposed sides; and said first pair of rigid border portions
extend along said pair of shorter opposed sides of the rigid base
portion; and said second pair of rigid border portions extend along
said pair of longer sides opposed of the base portion.
9. A convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the border
is provided with a pair of handles.
10. A convertible article as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pair
of handles comprises a pair of handle apertures.
11. A convertible article as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pair
of handles comprises a pair of handle apertures defined in said
first pair of rigid border portions and said substrate sheet of
flexible material.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. A convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inward
surface of each said rigid base portion and each said rigid border
portion is secured to said substrate sheet of flexible material by
use of an adhesive.
16. A convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rigid
border portions are all fabricated from the same material or
combination of materials.
17. A convertible article as claimed in claim 16, wherein said base
portion is fabricated from the same material or combination of
materials as said rigid border portions.
18. A convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said
rigid base portion and each of said rigid border portions is
fabricated from one of: wood, metal, glass, a plastics
material.
19. A convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
substrate sheet of flexible material is fabricated from one of: a
textile, leather, a plastics material.
20. A method of manufacture of a convertible article as claimed in
claim 1, comprising the steps of: receiving a sheet of flexible
material, receiving a first set of rigid base and border portions,
said first set of rigid base and border portions comprising a first
rigid base portion and first and second pairs of rigid border
portions, and securing the inward surface of said received first
rigid base portion to a first side of the received sheet of
flexible material, and securing the inward surfaces of said first
and second pairs of rigid border portions to said first side of the
received sheet of flexible material to form a border extending
around the first rigid base portion with the outward surface of
said first rigid base portion, the outward surfaces of said first
and second pairs of rigid border portions, and said flexible
material of said border visible, and the outward surfaces of said
first rigid base portion and said first and second pairs of rigid
border portions exposed as display faces.
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. A method of manufacture of a convertible article as claimed in
claim 20, comprising the steps of: receiving a second set of rigid
base and border portions, said second set of rigid base and border
portions comprising a second rigid base portion and third and
fourth pairs of rigid border portions, and securing the inward
surface of said received second rigid base portion to a second side
of the received sheet of flexible material, and securing the inward
surfaces of said third and fourth pairs of rigid border portions to
said second side of the received sheet of flexible material to form
a border extending around said second rigid base portion with the
outward surfaces of said second rigid base portion, the outward
surfaces of said third and fourth pairs of rigid border portions,
and said flexible material of said border visible, and the outward
surfaces of said second rigid base portion and said third and
fourth pairs of rigid border portions exposed as display faces.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a convertible article, in
particular to a convertible article providing the functionality of
a mat and of a tray.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of mats are known, which may be used in a
variety of situations. A typical use of a mat is to provide a
protective barrier across an area of a surface to prevent surface
damage from, for example heat, spillages, knocks or scratches. A
mat may be flexible or rigid, and may be more utilitarian or more
decorative in design.
[0003] Various types of trays are also known, which may also be
used in a variety of situations. For example, it is known to use a
tray to facilitate the carrying of one or more articles. A tray may
be used in a range of settings and may be designed to be an
aesthetically pleasing as well as a practical item.
[0004] It is desirable to provide a convertible article that can
function as a mat and as a tray, that is convenient to manufacture
at a commercially viable cost and that can appeal practically
and/or aesthetically to a variety of consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect there is provided a convertible
article, comprising: a substantially planar rigid base portion, and
a border extending around the base portion, the border comprising
rigid border portions and joining substantially non-folding web
portions that are thinner than said base and said border portions,
said border configurable between: a first mat configuration in
which said border portions are substantially coplanar with said
base portion, and a second tray configuration in which said border
portions are inclined with respect to said base portion; wherein
said base portion and said border portions are supported on a
substrate sheet of flexible material that provides said web
portions, and the outward surfaces of said base portion and said
border portions are exposed as display faces.
[0006] In an embodiment, the substrate sheet of flexible material
supports a single set of base and border portions on one side only
thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the substrate sheet of
flexible material supports a first set of base and border portions
on one side thereof and a second like set of base and border
portions on the other side thereof. The convertible article may
have a reversible second tray configuration.
[0007] In an embodiment, the base portion is substantially
rectangular, and the border comprises first and second pairs of
border portions extending along respective first and second opposed
pairs of sides of the base portion. The border portions and the web
portions of the border are so shaped as to provide a border
configured such that moving one pair of the first and second pairs
of border portions between one and the other of a substantially
coplanar position with respect to the base portion and an inclined
position with respect to the base portion causes the other pair of
the first and second pairs of border portions to move
correspondingly.
[0008] In an embodiment, the border is provided with a pair of
handles.
[0009] In an embodiment, the periphery of the border extends
generally parallel around the periphery of the base portion.
[0010] According to a second aspect there is provided a method of
manufacture of a convertible article as claimed in any preceding
claim, comprising the steps of: receiving a sheet of flexible
material, receiving base and border portions, and securing the
received base and border portions to the received sheet of flexible
material with the outward surfaces of the base portion and the
border portions exposed as display faces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will now be more
particularly described, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a convertible article according to a first
embodiment, in a first mat configuration;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates conversion of the convertible article of
FIG. 1, from the first mat configuration into a second tray
configuration;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates conversion of the convertible article of
FIG. 1, from the first mat configuration into a second tray
configuration, in an opposite direction;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a convertible article according to a second
embodiment, in a first mat configuration;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates conversion of the convertible article of
FIG. 4, from the first mat configuration into a second tray
configuration;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates conversion of the convertible article of
FIG. 4, from the first mat configuration in an opposite
direction;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a convertible article provided with handles;
and
[0019] FIG. 8 shows steps in a method of manufacture of a
convertible article.
DESCRIPTION
[0020] A convertible article 101 is shown in FIG. 1. The
convertible article 101 has a first side, indicated at 102, and a
second side, indicated at 103. The convertible article 101 provides
the functionality of a mat and of a tray.
[0021] The convertible article 101 comprises a substantially planar
rigid base portion 104 and a border 105 extending around the base
portion 104. The border 105 comprises rigid border portions 106 and
joining substantially non-folding web portions 107 that are thinner
than the base and border portions 104, 106. The border 105 is
configurable between a first mat configuration, in which the border
portions 106 are substantially coplanar with the base portion 104,
and a second tray configuration, in which the border portions 106
are inclined with respect to the base portion 104. As will be
described in further detail, the base portion 104 and the border
portions 106 are supported on a substrate sheet of flexible
material 108 that provides the web portions 107; and the outward
surfaces 109, 110 of the base portion 104 and the border portions
106 respectively are exposed as display faces.
[0022] In this first illustrated embodiment, the substrate sheet of
flexible material 108 supports a single set of base and border
portions 104, 106 on one side only thereof. Thus, as shown in FIG.
1, one side 102 of the convertible article 101 presents the base
and border portions 104, 106 overlying areas of one side 111 of the
substrate sheet of flexible material 108, and the other side 103 of
the convertible article 101 presents the other side 112 of the
substrate sheet of flexible material 108.
[0023] The convertible article 101 is shown in FIG. 1 in a first
mat configuration. FIG. 2 illustrates the convertible article 101
being moved from the first mat configuration into the second tray
configuration.
[0024] At A, the convertible article 101 is shown with the first
side 102 facing upwardly and with the base portion 104 and border
portions 106 visible. In this embodiment the base portion 104 is
substantially rectangular, and the border 105 comprises first and
second pairs 201, 202 of border portions 106 extending along
respective first and second opposed sides of the base portion 104.
The border 105 is configured such that moving a first pair 201 of
the first and second pairs 201, 202 of border portions 106 between
a substantially coplanar position with respect to the base portion
104 and an inclined position with respect to the base portion 104
causes the second pair 202 of the first and second pairs 201, 202
of border portions 106 to move correspondingly. As can be seen in
this Figure, the base portion 104 has a pair of shorter opposed
sides and a pair of longer opposed sides, and the border portions
of the first pair 201 of border portions 106 are arranged along the
pair of shorter opposed sides of the base portion 104 and the
border portions of the second pair 202 of border portions 106 re
arranged along the pair of longer sides opposed of the base
portion. As shown, the border portions of the first pair 201 of
border portions 106 have a substantially rectangular shape, the
border portions of the second pair 202 of border portions 106 have
a substantially trapezoidal shape and the web portions 107 have a
substantially triangular shape. The substantially trapezoidal shape
of the border portions 106 of the second pair 202 of border
portions 106 have a pair of opposed parallel side edges, with one
being longer than the other, which are connected by inwardly
inclined end edges that extend at an angle of substantially
45.degree. from the longer side edge to meet the shorter side edge
at an angle of substantially 135.degree., with the substantially
trapezoidal shape being oriented relative to the base portion 104
such that the longer side edge is outermost and the shorter side
edge is innermost.
[0025] As illustrated at A, to convert the convertible article 101
from a mat configuration to a tray configuration, the border
portions of the first pair 201 of border portions 106 are rotated
upwardly and inwardly, towards each other, as indicated by arrows
X, and this action causes the border portions 106 of the second
pair 202 of border portions 106 to also be rotated upwardly and
inwardly, towards each other, as indicated by arrows Y. At B, the
convertible article 101 is shown in the tray configuration. The
border portions of the first and second pairs 201, 202 of border
portions 106 have travelled through a maximum angle of rotation of
substantially 90.degree., from a position in which the border
portions 106 are coplanar position with respect to the base portion
104 into a position in which the border portions 106 are
substantially perpendicular to the base portion 104.
[0026] The convertible article 101 is thus configurable between a
first mat configuration in which the convertible article 101 is
relatively more two-dimensional, with the border portions 106
extending in substantially the same plane as the support surface S
of the base portion 104, and a second tray configuration in which
the convertible article 101 is relatively more three-dimensional,
with the border portions 106 extending upwardly from the base
portion 104 to provide sidewalls around the support surface S
thereof.
[0027] It is to be appreciated that items may be placed upon the
support surface S of the first side 102 of the convertible article
101 when the convertible article 101 is in the mat configuration
shown in FIG. 1, and when the convertible article 101 is in the
tray configuration shown in FIG. 2. Items are receivable upon the
display face 109 of the base portion 104.
[0028] To effect conversion of the convertible article 101 from a
tray to a mat, the border portions of the first pair 201 of border
portions 106 are rotated downwardly and outwardly, away from each
other, in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by
arrows X, and this action causes the border portions 106 of the
second pair 202 of border portions 106 to also be rotated
downwardly and outwardly, away from each other, in the opposite
direction to the direction indicated by arrows Y.
[0029] It is to be understood that the substrate material of
flexible material allows folding of the border along fold lines
where the border portions meet the webs such that folding occurs
along the edges of the web, in the manner of hinges, rather than
the web folding along a fold line extending through the area of the
shape of the web, to allow conversion of the convertible article
between a mat and a tray configuration.
[0030] The convertible article 101 is repeatedly convertible
between the first mat configuration and the second tray
configuration as desired by a user.
[0031] As described with reference to FIG. 2, the border portions
106 of the convertible article 101 are rotatable to the first side
102 thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a tray. However, as
will be described further with reference to FIG. 3, in this
embodiment, the convertible article 101 has a reversible second
tray configuration.
[0032] At C of FIG. 3, the convertible article 101 is shown with
the second side 103 facing upwardly and with the base portion 104
and border portions 106 concealed from view behind the substrate
sheet of flexible material 108.
[0033] To convert the convertible article 101 from a mat
configuration to a tray configuration, the same steps are followed
as described previously. At D, the convertible article 101 is shown
in the tray configuration. It is to be appreciated that items may
be placed upon the support surface SS of the second side 103 of the
convertible article 101 when the convertible article 101 is in the
mat configuration shown in FIG. 1, and when the convertible article
101 is in the tray configuration shown in FIG. 3. Items are
receivable upon the display face 112 of the substrate sheet of
flexible material 108. Thus, as described with reference to FIG. 2,
the border portions 106 of the convertible article 101 are
rotatable to the first side 102 thereof to effect conversion from a
mat to a tray and, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the
border portions 106 of the convertible article 101 are rotatable to
the second side 103 thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a
tray. In this way, the convertible article 101 is fully reversible,
with both sides thereof 102, 103 providing a support surface S, SS
respectively for receiving items thereon when in either of the mat
and tray configurations.
[0034] In the first embodiment of a convertible article 101
described with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the substrate sheet of
flexible material 108 supports a single set of base and border
portions 104, 106 on one side 111 thereof only. A second embodiment
of a convertible article 401 will now be described with reference
to FIGS. 4-6. For convenience, the same reference numerals will be
used for the same features as appropriate.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the convertible article 401 has a first
side, indicated at 102, and a second side, indicated at 103. The
convertible article 401 provides the functionality of a mat and of
a tray.
[0036] In this second illustrated embodiment, the substrate sheet
of flexible material 108 of the convertible article 401 supports a
first set of base and border portions 104, 106 on one side 111
thereof and a second like set of base and border portions 402, 403
on the other side 112 thereof.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the border portions 106 of the
convertible article 401 are rotatable to the first side 102 thereof
to effect conversion from a mat to a tray. It is to be appreciated
that items may be placed upon the support surface S of the first
side 102 of the convertible article 401 when the convertible
article 401 is in the mat configuration shown in FIG. 4, and when
the convertible article 101 is in the tray configuration shown in
FIG. 5.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 5, at A, the border portions 106 of
the convertible article 401 are rotatable to the first side 102
thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a tray. It is to be
appreciated that items may be placed upon the support surface S,
provided by base portion 104 of the first side 102 of the
convertible article 401, when the convertible article 401 is in the
mat configuration shown in FIG. 4, and when the convertible article
101 is in the tray configuration shown in FIG. 5, at B.
[0039] As illustrated at C in FIG. 6, the border portions 403 of
the convertible article 401 are rotatable to the second side 103
thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a tray. It is to be
appreciated that items may be placed upon the support surface SS,
provided by base portion 402 of the second side 103 of the
convertible article 401, when the convertible article 401 is in the
mat configuration shown in FIG. 4, and when the convertible article
401 is in the tray configuration shown at D in FIG. 6.
[0040] To convert the convertible article 401 from a tray
configuration to a mat configuration, the reverse steps are
followed as described previously.
[0041] A convertible article of the present invention may have
other features as will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0042] In an embodiment, the border of a convertible article may be
provided with a pair of handles. As shown in FIG. 7, in an example,
the border portions of the first pair 201 of border portions 106
convertible article 101 each define a handle apertures 701
therethrough, with a corresponding pair of apertures being defined
in the substrate sheet of flexible material 108. This allows a user
to insert their hands through the border 105 of the convertible
article 101. The handle apertures facilitate conversion of the
convertible article 101, and manoeuvring of the convertible article
101 when in the form of a tray. An alternative type of handle may
be used, for example manually grippable elements, straps or
loops.
[0043] It is to be appreciated that the convertible article 101
with handle apertures 701 may be used as follows. The convertible
article 101 can be laid flat on a suitable planar surface, such as
may be provided by a table, worktop or shelf, as a mat. Items can
then be loaded upon the presented support surface thereof. The
handle apertures 701 can then be lifted, to form a tray. Items may
then be carried on the portable tray from one place to another. The
convertible article 101 can then be laid down on a suitable surface
again, to allow the loading and/or unloading of items. In an
example scenario, the convertible article 101 may be used as a food
tray and placemat.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows steps in a method of manufacture 801 of a
convertible article as described herein.
[0045] At step 802, a sheet of flexible material is received, for
use as a substrate for the base and border portions of the
convertible article. At step 803, the base and border portions for
the convertible article are received. At step 804, the received
base and border portions for the convertible article are secured to
the received substrate sheet of flexible material. The outward
surfaces of the base portion and the border portions secured to the
substrate sheet of flexible material are exposed as display
faces.
[0046] The base and border portions may be secured to the substrate
sheet of flexible material by any suitable means. The base and
border portions may be secured to the substrate sheet of flexible
by use of a suitable adhesive.
[0047] The method of manufacture 801 of a convertible article may
comprise further steps.
[0048] As previously described, the outward surfaces of the base
portion and the border portions are exposed as display faces. The
present invention provides a convenient construction of the
convertible article that allows for the materials of the substrate
sheet of flexible material, the base portion and the border
portions to be used in an aesthetic as well as a practical
manner.
[0049] Each of the substrate sheet of flexible material and the
base and border portions may be opaque, translucent or
transparent.
[0050] The substrate sheet of flexible material may be fabricated
from any suitable material or combination of materials. The
substrate sheet of flexible material may be fabricated from a
textile, leather or a plastics material. The substrate sheet of
flexible material may comprise one or more layers.
[0051] Each of the base and border portions may be fabricated from
any suitable material or combination of materials. Each of the base
and border portions may be fabricated from wood, metal, glass or a
plastics material. Each of the base and border portions may
comprise one or more layers.
[0052] It is to be appreciated that materials, surface textures,
surface finishes, colourations, and decorative designs may vary
between components of a convertible article as described herein and
between convertible articles as described herein.
[0053] The material selected for the substrate sheet of flexible
material and the base and border portions may reflect an intended
use or an envisaged environment of use of the convertible article.
For example, a selected material may have physical properties to
reflect such a requirement as heat resistance or shatter
resistance.
[0054] In a convertible article, the border portions may be
fabricated from the same or different material or combination of
materials as the base portion, and the border portions may be
fabricated from the same material or combination of materials, or
from two or more different materials or combination of
materials.
[0055] By way of example, with reference to the convertible article
of FIGS. 1-3, the border portions may be made all the same as each
other, or all different from one another, or a pair of the border
portions may differ in one or more different material or aesthetic
properties from the other pair of the border portions.
[0056] Also by way of example with reference to the convertible
article of FIGS. 4-6, the set of base and border portions of one
side may be made the same as, or different from, the set of border
portions on the other side. For example, one side may have base and
border portions of one colour and the other side may have base and
border portions of another colour. In another example, one side may
have a base portion of a first material and border portions of a
second material and the other side may have a base portion of the
second material and border portions of the first material.
[0057] Thus, the border portions of a border may be all alike, and
the base portion around which the border portions are arranged may
then be alike the border portions or different from the border
portions. By exposing the outward faces of the base and border
portions supported on the substrate sheet of flexible material,
endless designs may be created.
[0058] The construction of a convertible article as described
herein allows for infinite variations of physical and aesthetic
features.
[0059] In the illustrated embodiments, the base portion of the
convertible article is substantially rectangular; however other
shapes are envisaged which may be a regular or irregular shape and
in which any corners may be sharp or rounded. In the illustrated
embodiments, the periphery of the border extends generally parallel
around the periphery of the base portion; however, alternative
arrangements are envisaged. It is to be appreciated that the
overall dimensions and weight may vary between convertible
articles.
[0060] The convertible article may comprise retaining means for
selectively retaining the convertible article in one or both of the
mat and tray configurations. The retaining means may be of any
suitable type, and may comprise magnets or clips to temporarily
hold the border portions in position relative to the base
portion.
[0061] The construction of a convertible article as described
herein advantageous allows convertible article to be conveniently
customised and varied for practical and aesthetic purposes.
[0062] A convertible article described herein may be used in
different places, by different people for different uses. For
example, the convertible article may be used as a placemat and tray
at home or in a commercial food outlet, or may be used as a
building industry or DIY transport mat. The convertible article of
the present invention may thus be used in a domestic, social,
business or commercial setting.
[0063] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been
disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the
precise embodiments shown and that various changes and
modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *