GB2364888A

GB2364888A - A placemat with an interchangeable insert

Info

Publication number: GB2364888A
Application number: GB0017677A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carole Hazelwood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-20
Filing date: 2000-07-20
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-20
Also published as: GB2364888B; GB0017677D0

Abstract

A placemat comprising a base 10 is adapted to receive and release a cover 20. The cover 20 comprises a transparent window and either an opaque or patterned border region 23. A removable and/or replaceable graphic display insert 30 is interposed between the base 10 and the cover 20 so that it can be viewed though the transparent window. The cover 20 is made from a transparent acrylic layer fused with a sheet of polycarbonate, PVC or polyester and the base 10 is either made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or high impact polystyrene. The cover 20 includes a resilient flange which enables the cover 20 to be releasably secured to the base 10.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> A TABLETOP DISPLAY This invention relates generally to tabletop displays and in particular, but not exclusively, to placemats incorporating a display.

Placemats or tablemats for placing underneath tableware such as plates and bowls etc are well known. They serve two main functions: to protect the table surface from damage from hot items and/or scratches, and to provide decoration and ornamentation to a dining table.

Placemats are often adorned with a facsimile of a famous painting, photograph or the like. Sometimes, especially in a commercial setting such as a restaurant, the placemat may feature a menu, a promotional advertisement, or be printed with the details of a special offer. However, such conventional placemats are either disposable (in the case of the paper variety) or include a permanent display that cannot be altered without replacing the entire placemat (in the case of the melamine or cork variety for example).

An object of the present invention is to provide a placement that is both durable and protective, and one which includes an interchangeable graphic display.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a placemat including a base adapted to receive and release a cover, wherein the cover includes a transparent window through which a graphic display insert interposed between the base and the cover can#beviewed.

The cover preferably comprises a transparent acrylic layer fused with a polycarbonate sheet, a PVC sheet or a polyester sheet.

The base is preferably constructed from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

(ABS) or high impact polystyrene.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the placemat prior to moulding the cover; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the placemat of Figure 1 after moulding of the cover; Figure 3 is an exploded view of a complete placemat; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the placemat of Figure 3.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the placemat, designated generally as 40, comprises a base 10, formed, for example, from ABS or high impact polystyrene, and a cover 20 for fitting over the base. The cover 20 is formed from moulding together a polycarbonate lamina 21 and a sheet of transparent acrylic 22. Alternatively, the lamina 21 may be a PVC or polyester lamina, and may be preprinted with, for example, an opaque border 23, or some other desired design. In a preferred embodiment, the base 10 is opaque.

The moulded cover 20 is constructed so as to fit over the base in such a way that a substantially close fit is achieved; the base 10 is enclosed by the cover 20 on a11 sides but the underside 11. The cover 20 can be secured to the base 10 in a variety of known ways: for example the cover may include a laterally inwardly, projecting flange that is resiliently urged outwards until the cover has enclosed the base. At this point the flange would resile and abut the underside 11 of the base 10, thus securing the cover to the base. Other suitable securing means are envisaged, all of which would be known to the skilled reader.

Interposed between the base and the cover is a graphic display insert 30.

This graphic display insert may be a paper sheet on which an advertising image and/or text are printed. An image 31 is shown in Figure 4, and as an outline in Figure 3. The content of the display insert is dictated by the particular needs of a user, and can be removed and replaced at will by the user.

In removing the cover, the user exposes the insert which can then be removed and replaced. Once the cover has been securely replaced over the base, the new image 31 is visible through a transparent display window 32, for example, formed in the cover 20 during the moulding process (Figure 4).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A placemat including a base adapted to receive and release a cover, wherein the cover includes a transparent window through which a graphic display insert interposed between the base and the cover can be viewed.
2. A placemat according to claim 1 wherein the insert is removable and/or replaceable.
3. A placemat as claimed in claim 1 or 2wherein the cover comprises a transparent acrylic layer.
4. A placemat as claimed in claim 3 wherein the transparent acrylic layer is fused with a sheet of polycarbonate, PVC or polyester.
5. A placemat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base is of ABS or high impact polystyrene.
6. A placemat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover has an opaque, or patterned, border region.
7. A placemat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cover includes a resilient flange enabling securing of the cover to the base.
8. A placemat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the graphic display insert is a paper sheet.
9. A placemat, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.