U.S. patent application number 14/935425 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-11 for protective covering for a cabinet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eduardo Franco. Invention is credited to Eduardo Franco.
Application Number | 20170130433 14/935425 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58667999 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170130433 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Franco; Eduardo |
May 11, 2017 |
PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR A CABINET
Abstract
A protective covering for a cabinet, the protective covering
comprising a water resistant, flexible sheet with dimensions
substantially similar to a front face of the cabinet. The flexible
sheet is removably attached to the front face of the cabinet via
one or more adhesive tabs present on a rear face of the flexible
sheet. The flexible sheet further comprises one or more pockets
horizontally positioned along a bottom margin of the flexible
sheet.
Inventors: |
Franco; Eduardo; (Brea,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Franco; Eduardo |
Brea |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58667999 |
Appl. No.: |
14/935425 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/181 20130101;
A47J 47/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/181 20060101
E03C001/181 |
Claims
1. A protective covering for a cabinet, the protective covering
comprising: a flexible sheet with dimensions substantially similar
to a front face of the cabinet; at least one attachment means
positioned on a rear surface of the flexible sheet; and at least
one pocket horizontally positioned along a bottom margin of the
flexible sheet.
2. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet
is water resistant.
3. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the at least one
attachment means comprises an adhesive tab.
4. The protective covering of claim 1, comprises a plurality of
attachment means positioned along a top margin and bottom margin of
the flexible sheet.
5. The protective covering of claim 1, comprises a plurality of
pockets horizontally positioned along the bottom margin on a front
surface of the flexible sheet.
6. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet
is disposable after use.
7. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet
is made of a clear plastic material.
8. The protective covering of claim 1, further comprises a scratch
protector layer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A. Technical field
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the technical
field of protective covering for cabinet structures and more
specifically relates to disposable, water resistant covering sheets
for protecting the surface of base sink cabinets from damage caused
by water splashing and water dripping from the sink.
[0003] B. Description of related art
[0004] Water splashing and water dripping can be commonly found in
kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and the like. Wooden cabinets
found in kitchen and bathroom are frequently exposed to water,
especially the external surface, corners and edges of base sink
cabinets are damaged due to water splashing and dripping from the
sink. During use of the sink, water, food or cleaning liquid may
splash from the sink and fall to the face of the cabinet below the
sink. The splashes may discolor, swell, warp or otherwise damage
the face of the cabinet under the sink.
[0005] Moisture can cause damage to surfaces and materials,
especially those that are not designed to be moisture resistant,
for example wooden cabinets and other similar furnishings in the
vicinity of the sink or washing area. Moisture can also create
health hazards such as mold, mildew, and bacterial growth. Over
time, water can weaken and eventually destroy wooden cabinetry.
Often, this damage can only be repaired by incurring a great
expense or by replacing the entire cabinet.
[0006] The area under the sink is prone to increased damage and
health hazard caused by water leaks from the sink above.
Traditional solutions to this problem involve use of water
resistant panels or flexible plastic structures attached to an
outer surface of the sink to prevent water splashing and to
redirect the splash water back into the sink. However, these
structures are not efficient in preventing the cabinet structures
below the sink from exposure to water and also fails to prevent
water dripping from these structures onto the floor.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a protective
covering to prevent cabinet structures from water splashing or
dripping from the sink. There is also a need for the protective
covering to comprise a means to hold and collect the water spilled
from the sink and from the external surface area of the
covering.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a protective covering for a
cabinet structure, the protective covering comprising a flexible
sheet with dimensions substantially similar to a front face of the
cabinet and at least one attachment means positioned on a rear
surface of the flexible sheet, for removably attaching the flexible
sheet to the cabinet surface. The flexible sheet further comprises
at least one pocket horizontally positioned along a bottom margin
of the flexible sheet.
[0009] The flexible sheet is removably attached to a front face of
the cabinet in order to prevent the cabinet surface from water
splashing, dripping or spilling from a sink above the cabinet. One
or more pockets horizontally positioned along the bottom margin of
the flexible sheet to collect water trickling down the front
surface of the flexible sheet. The pockets at the bottom margin is
configured to hold the collected water until disposal thereby
preventing water draining onto the floor. The flexible sheet
further comprises a scratch protector layer attached to the front
surface, the scratch protector layer protects the cabinet drawer
front surface under the sink from scratch damage caused by articles
worn by the user such as belt buckles, pant buttons, zippers and
the like.
[0010] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet is made of a water
resistant, clear plastic material. A plurality of flexible sheets
can be stored in form of a roll inside a box, the box containing
flexible sheets can be attached to an inner face of a cabinet door,
for ease of use. The attachment means may comprise adhesive tabs or
Velcro attachments, positioned along a top margin and bottom margin
of the flexible sheet. The protective covering comprising the
flexible sheet is biodegradable and easily disposable after
use.
[0011] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed
description and the specific examples, while indicating specific
embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration
only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and
scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A shows a front perspective view of the protective
covering according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 1B shows a rear perspective view of the protective
covering according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the protective
covering attached to a cabinet surface.
[0015] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a dispenser cardboard
box.
[0016] FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of a wire mesh holder for
the box.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows the box placed inside the wire mesh holder
attached to a rear face of the cabinet door.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0018] A description of embodiments of the present invention will
now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the
present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The
described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,
therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their
scope.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1A and 1B, showing front and rear
perspective views of the protective covering 100 respectively,
comprises a flexible sheet 102 with dimensions substantially
similar to a front face of the cabinet to be protected. The
flexible sheet 102 comprises at least one attachment means 114
positioned along the margins on the rear surface 120, for removably
attaching the flexible sheet 102 to the cabinet face. The flexible
sheet 102 further comprises at least one pocket 104 horizontally
positioned along a bottom margin of the front surface 110 of the
flexible sheet 102. The front surface 110 of the flexible sheet 102
further comprises a scratch protector layer 106 for protecting the
cabinet surface from scratches caused by articles worn by the user.
The scratch protector layer 106 protects the cabinet drawer front
surface under the sink from scratch damage caused by articles such
as belt buckles, pant buttons, zippers and the like.
[0020] In an embodiment, the protective covering 100 comprises the
flexible sheet 102 with a plurality of attachment means 114 on the
rear surface 120, disposed preferably along the upper margin and
lower margin. The attachment means 114 may comprise a plurality of
adhesive tabs or self-adhering stickers for removably attaching the
flexible sheet 102 to the cabinet face, in order to protect the
cabinet from water splashing or dripping from a sink or a
countertop with cleaning area positioned above the cabinet. In one
embodiment, the rear surface 120 of the flexible sheet 102
comprises 3-6 adhesive tabs placed along the corners and/or
margins.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the flexible sheet 102
attached to a cabinet front face. The flexible sheet 102 comprises
a plurality of pockets 104 horizontally positioned along the bottom
margin on the front surface 110. The pockets 104 comprises bottom
and sides closed and an open top portion to receive water trickling
down the front surface 110 of the flexible sheet 102. For example,
water droplets splashing or dripping from the sink falls onto the
front surface 110 of the flexible sheet 102 removably attached over
the cabinet face. The flexible sheet 102 further comprises a
scratch protector layer 106 attached to the front surface 110 for
protecting the cabinet drawer front surface from scratches caused
by articles such as belt buckles, pant buttons, zippers and the
like. In an embodiment, the scratch protector layer 106 extends
along the length of the flexible sheet 102 and comprises a narrow
width, for example, 7 inches width.
[0022] The protective covering 100 of the present invention can be
used for protecting base cabinets having a sink above and/or a
countertop-cleaning surface. The protective covering 100 prevents
damage to wooden cabinetry due to dripping or splashing of water
from the sink. The protective covering 100 is made of biodegradable
material, therefore safely disposable after use. In an embodiment,
the flexible sheet 102 is made of a water resistant clear plastic
material.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the flexible sheet 102 may
comprise a plurality of pockets 104 horizontally positioned along
the bottom margin of the front face 110 and the rear face 120. The
plurality of pockets 104 may comprise a water absorbent material
such as water absorbing gel. The plurality of pockets 104 may
further comprise a drain hole attached with a removable closure
means, for draining the accumulated water.
[0024] In an embodiment, the flexible sheets 102 are rolled and
stored in a cardboard dispenser box, also known as a pro-guard box
134 configured to slide into a wire mesh 132, as shown in FIG. 3A
and FIG. 3B. The wire mesh 132 can be mounted on a rear surface of
cabinet door by screwing through the holes provided in the metal
plates 133 on either side of the wire mesh 132. The box 134 is
configured to hold a roll of plurality of flexible sheet 102, which
allows flexible sheets to be taken from the box 134 and attached to
cabinet surface before carrying out dish washing or cleaning. FIG.
4 shows the box 134 placed within the wire mesh 132 attached to the
rear face of the cabinet door.
[0025] The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments
of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those
skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only,
and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications
may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely
listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does
not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that
method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention
pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed
herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not
for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is
not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.
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