U.S. patent application number 15/507823 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-05 for surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lindsey Laurain. Invention is credited to Lindsey Laurain.
Application Number | 20170280904 15/507823 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55078894 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170280904 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Laurain; Lindsey |
October 5, 2017 |
Surface Contact Self-Sealing Integrated Tablewear and Dining
Mat
Abstract
A self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat including a
rubberlike planar portion having a raised perimeter delimiting at
least one concavity above an upper surface and a suffuse
undersurface disposed for sealable contact with an underlying
surface upon which said mat is disposed, said sealable contact
preventative of lateral displacement of the planar portion across
the underlying surface, wherein said sealable contact creates a
partial vacuum when attempts to separate the undersurface from the
underlying surface are made except at an outer edge of the planar
portion, whereby io removal of the planar portion from the
underlying surface is effective only by peeling the undersurface
from the underlying surface starting first at the outer edge.
Inventors: |
Laurain; Lindsey; (Parker,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Laurain; Lindsey |
Parker |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55078894 |
Appl. No.: |
15/507823 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
January 20, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US15/11955 |
371 Date: |
March 1, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0303 20130101;
A47G 19/10 20130101; A47G 19/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/10 20060101
A47G019/10; A47G 23/03 20060101 A47G023/03; A47G 19/02 20060101
A47G019/02 |
Claims
1. A surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining
mat comprising a rubberlike planar portion having a raised
perimeter delimiting at least one concavity above an upper surface
and a suffuse undersurface disposed for sealable contact with an
underlying surface upon which said mat is disposed, said sealable
contact preventative of lateral displacement of the planar portion
across the underlying surface, wherein said sealable contact
creates a partial io vacuum when attempts to separate the
undersurface from the underlying surface are made except at an
outer edge of the planar portion, whereby removal of the planar
portion from the underlying surface is effective only by peeling
the undersurface from the underlying surface starting first at the
outer edge.
2. The surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining
mat of claim 1 wherein the planar portion extends laterally beyond
the raised perimeter whereby the planar portion extends surrounding
the at least one concavity.
3. The surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining
mat of claim 2 wherein the at least one concavity includes at least
one receptacle divided therein, said at least one receptacle
appropriate for holding differentiated foodstuffs therein.
4. The surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining
mat of claim 3 wherein the rubberlike planar portion is molded
nontoxic silicone.
5. A surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining
mat comprising: a nontoxic polymeric planar portion; an outer edge
perimetrically bounding said planar portion; an undersurface
suffuse upon the planar portion, said undersurface disposed to
sealably contact an underlying surface upon which the planar
portion is disposed; to an upper surface; and a raised perimeter
disposed within the upper surface, said raised perimeter defining a
concavity wrought above the upper surface of the planar portion to
delimit at least one receptacle upon the planar portion; wherein
the undersurface sealably contacts an underlying surface upon which
the planar portion is disposed, said undersurface thereby
preventing lateral displacement of the planar portion upon said
underlying surface by frictional engagement therewith and, further,
creation of a partial vacuum between the undersurface and the
underlying surface when attempt is made to remove said planar
portion away from said underlying surface, whereby foodstuffs are
positional interior to the at least one receptacle, said receptacle
thence maintained in desired position by action of the planar
portion contacting said underlying surface, and removal of said
planar portion from said underlying surface is effective only when
said planar portion is lifted from said underlying surface first at
the outer edge of the planar portion.
6. The surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining
mat of claim 5 wherein the at least one receptacle is a bowl.
7. The surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining
mat of claim 5 wherein the at least one receptacle includes an
ovoid portion and at least a pair to of receptacles disposed within
the bounds of the ovoid portion for separate and selective
positioning of foodstuffs.
8. The surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining
mat of claim 5 wherein the nontoxic polymeric planar portion is
silicone.
9. A surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining
mat comprising: a silicone planar portion; an outer edge
perimetrically bounding the planar portion; an undersurface suffuse
upon the planar portion, said undersurface disposed to sealably
contact an underlying surface upon which the planar portion is
disposed; an upper surface; and a raised perimeter disposed within
the upper surface, said raised perimeter defining a concavity
wrought above the upper surface of the planar portion to delimit at
least one receptacle upon the planar portion; wherein the
undersurface sealably contacts an underlying surface upon which the
planar portion is disposed, said undersurface thereby preventing
lateral displacement of the planar portion upon said underlying
surface by frictional engagement therewith and, further, creation
of a partial vacuum between the undersurface and the underlying
surface when attempt is made to separate said planar portion from
said underlying surface, whereby foodstuffs are selectively
positional interior to the at least one receptacle, said receptacle
thence maintained in desired position upon the underlying surface
by action of the planar portion contacting said underlying surface,
and removal of said planar portion from said underlying surface is
effective only when said planar portion is separated from said
underlying surface first at the outer edge of the planar portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This international application claims the benefit of
nonprovisional application for utility patent no. 14333682 filed a
the united States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 17, 2014
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISK
[0003] Not Applicable
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
[0004] Be it known that I, Lindsey Laurain, a citizen of the United
States, have invented new and useful improvements in a surface
contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat as
described in this specification, and that the benefit of
nonprovisional application no. 14333682 for utility patent, filed
with the USPTO on Jul. 17, 2014, is hereby claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Various types of tablewear and associated placemats are
known in the prior art devised for use by infants and children at
mealtime. However, what is needed is a surface contact self-sealing
integrated tablewear and dining mat that includes an impervious,
rubberlike planar portion having a raised perimeter delimiting at
least one concavity above an upper surface, and a suffuse
undersurface disposed for sealable contact with an underlying
surface upon which said mat is disposed, said sealable contact
preventative of lateral displacement of the planar portion across
the underlying surface, wherein said sealable contact creates a
partial vacuum when attempts to separate the undersurface from the
underlying surface are made except at an outer edge of the planar
portion, whereby removal of the planar portion from the underlying
surface is effective only by peeling the undersurface from the
underlying surface starting first at the outer edge.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to a surface contact
self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat, and more
particularly, to a self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat
including an impervious rubberlike planar portion having a raised
perimeter delimiting at least one concavity above an upper surface
and a suffuse undersurface disposed for sealable contact with an
underlying surface upon which said mat is disposed, said sealable
contact preventative of lateral displacement of the planar io
portion across the underlying surface, wherein said sealable
contact creates a partial vacuum when attempts to separate the
undersurface from the underlying surface are made except at an
outer edge of the planar portion, whereby removal of the planar
portion from the underlying surface is effective only by peeling
the undersurface from the underlying surface starting first at the
outer edge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The general purpose of the surface contact self-sealing
integrated tablewear and dining mat, described subsequently in
greater detail, is to provide a surface contact self-sealing
integrated tablewear and dining mat which has many novel features
that result in a surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear
and dining mat which is not anticipated, rendered obvious,
suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in
combination thereof.
[0008] Many a parent knows the inconvenience of having to clean up
after their children's mealtimes. Young children especially can be
quite messy, even dislodging and upturning their plates and bowls
to spill foodstuffs and beverages everywhere. What is needed is a
surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat,
whereby tablewear (including bowls, plates, and other such
concavities and receptacles as are suited for delimiting foodstuffs
therein) is not separable from an underlying planar portion or
placemat, and lateral displacement and simple overturning of said
mat is preventable.
[0009] The present surface contact self-sealing integrated
tablewear and dining mat, therefore, enables a planar portion
devised for sealable contact upon an underlying ii surface, wherein
lateral displacement of said planar portion upon said underlying
surface is preventable and a partial vacuum, creatable between the
planar portion and said underlying surface when attempts to lift
the planar portion away from said underlying surface are effected,
prevents separation of the planar portion from the underlying
surface except when said planar portion is first peeled away from
said underlying surface at an outer edge of said planar portion.
Thus the present surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear
and dining mat resists displacement and overturning effected by a
clumsy or deliberate child, whereby foodstuffs are effectively
maintained at a desired position upon a tabletop, for example, and
spilled foodstuffs are catchable upon said planar portion and
thereat removed from contact with the underlying surface for ready
and expedient cleanup subsequent completion of the mealtime.
[0010] The present surface contact self-sealing integrated
tablewear and dining mat, therefore, includes an impermeable planar
portion delimited by an outer edge. The outer edge defines the
outermost extremity of the planar portion. The planar portion
includes an undersurface and an upper surface, as will be described
subsequently.
[0011] The undersurface has a high coefficient of friction, defined
herein as enabling contact upon a vertical surface, and maintaining
said contact by tractive engagement therewith capable of supporting
the weight of planar portion thereon. Thus, the planar portion is
capable of maintaining position and contact with a vertically
oriented surface when applied thereto by means of the high
coefficient of friction of the undersurface.
[0012] The undersurface also effects sealable contact with an
underlying surface. Lifting the planar portion anywhere except at
the outer edge, therefore, creates a partial vacuum between the
undersurface and said underlying surface, whereby frictional
resistance to lateral displacement and sealable contact impervious
to passage of air or fluids resist separation of the planar portion
from the underlying surface. Removal of the planar portion from an
underlying surface is thus best effected at the outer edge, whereat
sealable contact is breakable and creation of the partial vacuum is
avoidable.
[0013] The upper surface includes a raised perimeter centrally
disposed thereon, said raised perimeter defining a concavity atop
the planar portion upper surface. The concavity is contemplated to
include at least one receptacle wherein foodstuffs are storable, as
desired, for ingestion therefrom. The at least one receptacle is
contemplated to include a bowl and, alternately, an ovoid portion
having at least a pair of receptacles therein, whereby dissimilar
foodstuffs are storable within the concavity separated and distinct
for ingestion therefrom, as desired.
[0014] Since the concavity and at least one receptacle are
integrated with the planar portion upper surface, said concavity
and at least one receptacle are not separable therefrom, and
lateral displacement and spillage are thereby preventable by
inadvertent or deliberate knocking by a child. Moreover, the planar
portion acts to anchor the concavity and at least one receptacle in
a desired position upon an underlying surface, thereby preventative
of inadvertent or mischievous tampering by a child at mealtime.
[0015] In the preferred embodiment herein disclosed, the surface
contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat is
contemplated to be made from silicone, or another nontoxic
rubberlike polymer, yielding to the touch, and having an
undersurface io enabling sealable contact with an underlying
surface such as a tabletop, said undersurface having a high
coefficient of friction resistive of lateral displacement thereon.
Thus, the surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and
dining mat provides an all-in-one tablewear and placemat for
children, yielding to the touch, resistive to displacement,
overturning, or spillage, and appropriate to catch spilled foods
during ingestion by a child, whereby expedient cleanup after
mealtime is effective.
[0016] Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features
of the present surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear
and dining mat so that the detailed description thereof that
follows may be better understood and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
[0017] Objects of the present surface contact self-sealing
integrated tablewear and dining mat, along with various novel
features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed
out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better
understanding of the surface contact self-sealing integrated
tablewear and dining mat, its operating advantages and specific
objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings
and description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view of an example embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of an example embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of an example embodiment,
taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an example embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a top view of an example embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a side view of an example embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross section view of an example embodiment
taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.
[0027] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an example embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a top view of an example embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a side view of an example embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a cross section view of an example embodiment,
taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS.
1 through 12 thereof, example of the instant surface contact
self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat employing the
principles and concepts of the present surface contact self-sealing
integrated tablewear and dining mat and generally designated by the
reference number 10 will be described.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12 a preferred embodiment of
the present surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and
dining mat 10 is illustrated. The present surface contact
self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat 10 has been
devised to enable a choice placemat and integrated eating vessel
for young children, whereby lateral displacement of the mat 10 is
preventable upon a given underlying surface, such as a tabletop,
for example, and food is maintained in position within the area of
the mat 10.
[0033] The present surface contact self-sealing integrated
tablewear and dining mat 10, therefore includes a silicone planar
portion 20 bounded by an outer edge 22. An undersurface 24 is
suffuse upon the planar portion 20, said undersurface 24 disposed
to sealably contact an underlying surface upon which the planar
portion 20 is disposed. The undersurface 24 includes a high
coefficient of friction, whereby the planar portion 20 is
maintainable in contact with a vertically oriented surface without
vertical displacement thereupon. The sealable contact further
creates a partial vacuum between the undersurface 24 and an
underlying surface upon which the planar portion 20 is disposed
when the undersurface 24 is caused to separate from the underlying
surface, whereby the undersurface 24 is maintained in contact with
the underlying surface by force of atmosphere exerted upon the
planar portion 20, whereby separation of the planar portion 20 from
the underlying surface is preventable, except by peeling action at
the outer edge 22.
[0034] The planar portion 20 further includes an upper surface 26,
disposed overlying the undersurface 24. A raised perimeter 28 is
disposed within the upper surface 26, said raised perimeter 28
defining a concavity 30 wrought above the upper surface of the
planar portion 20 to delimit at least one receptacle 32 upon the
planar portion 20. The at least one receptacle 32 is variously
effected; as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the at least one
receptacle 32 is disposed as a bowl 32A; in FIGS. 5 through 8, the
at least one receptacle 32 is disposed as a shallow ovoid portion
32B, within the bounds of which ovoid portion 32B is disposed at
least a pair of receptacles 34 for the selective and separable
positioning of foodstuffs therein.
[0035] The at least one receptacle 32 is wrought of the same
material as the planar portion 20, and may be molded thereon at
time of manufacture. In the preferred embodiment herein disclosed,
the planar portion 20 is rendered of silicone, or another
rubberlike nontoxic polymer with a high coefficient of friction and
effective of sealable, airtight contact with an underlying surface.
The present surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and
dining mat 10, therefore, resists lateral displacement upon an
underlying surface, such as a tabletop, as when, for example, a
child attempts to push, knock, slip, or slide said tablewear and
dining mat 10. Moreover, the silicone or rubberlike nontoxic
substrate is yielding, whereby injury from forced contact therewith
is obviated.
[0036] Moreover, the silicone substrate, or nontoxic rubberlike
polymer, comprising the surface contact self-sealing integrated
tablewear and dining mat 10 is impermeable, whereby foodstuffs and
fluids are maintained from contact with the underlying surface upon
which said planar portion 20 is disposed. Thus, mess created when,
for example, and infant is eating is thereby catchable upon the
planar portion 20 and prevented from contacting the underlying
surface whereon is positioned the surface contact self-sealing
integrated tablewear and dining mat 10.
[0037] The present surface contact self-sealing integrated
tablewear and dining mat 10, therefore, sealably contacts an
underlying surface and thereby prevents lateral io displacement of
the planar portion 20 across said underlying surface by frictional
engagement therewith. Creation of a partial vacuum between the
undersurface 24 and the underlying surface, when attempt is made to
separate said planar portion 20 from said underlying surface,
prevents unintended lifting of the planar portion 20 off of said
underlying surface. A child, therefore, is prevented from lifting
the present surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and
dining mat 10 from a table, for example, by grasping the at least
one receptacle 32.
[0038] To remove the surface contact self-sealing integrated
tablewear and dining mat 10 from an underlying surface, and break
contact therebetween, a user lifts the outer edge 22 of the planar
portion 20 from off the underlying surface. Lifting the planar
portion 20 at the outer edge 22, and peeling the planar portion 20
from the underlying surface, prevents creation of the partial
vacuum by enabling entry of ambient atmosphere between the
undersurface 24 and the underlying surface, whereby removal of the
surface contact self-sealing integrated tablewear and dining mat 10
from an underlying surface is effective.
[0039] Foodstuffs are therefore selectively positional interior to
the at least one receptacle 32, said receptacle 32 thence
maintained in desired position upon the underlying surface by
action of the planar portion 20 sealably contacting said underlying
surface, and removal of said planar portion 20 from said underlying
surface is effective only when said planar portion 20 is separated
from said underlying surface first at the outer edge 22 of the
planar portion 20, whereby attempts by an infant to overturn,
slide, slip, or otherwise displace the planar portion 20 while
eating therefrom are preventable.
* * * * *