GB2433193A

GB2433193A - A protector for a countertop etc on which drinks are stood

Info

Publication number: GB2433193A
Application number: GB0525570A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Joseph Larkin; Ciaran Francis Doran; Brian Gerrard Flanagan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-16
Filing date: 2005-12-16
Publication date: 2007-06-20
Also published as: GB0525570D0

Abstract

A protector 1 for a countertop, tabletop or a tray particularly, but not exclusively, for use as a bar mat, comprises a base portion 3 having a replaceable liquid absorbent insert 2 which may be disposable or may be removed for laundering. The arrangement permits a relatively inexpensive insert to be replaced without the need to replace the complete protector, permitting advertising to be changed and dirty or disfigured inserts to be replaced at minimal expense. The base portion 3 may comprise three layers 5,6,7 of rubber bonded together as shown or be a single moulded piece of rubber. It may have tab portions 8 to retain the insert 2 which may be of pulp board or a washable fabric such as synthetic felt.

Description

A Protector for a Countertop, a Tabletop or a Tray The present

invention relates to a protector for a countertop, a tabletop or a tray and particularly, but not exclusively, to such a protector used on the surface of bars for standing drinks thereon.

In the drinks industry, countertop or tabletop protectors typically comprise either drink mats (beer mats) comprising small, normally square or circular, mats made of pulp board, sufficient in size to rest a glass on. Additionally, on the countertop of the bar there will normally be rectangular "bar mats" on which several drinks can be stood. Bar mats have traditionally been in the form of bar towels (small rectangles of towelling material) and more recently these have been replaced by rubber based mats such as the Spark Promotions "Bar Buddy"TM. This newer type of mat comprises a rubber base layer with a bonded felt layer on an upper surface thereof, providing a non-slip mat which can be laundered and, more importantly, because as with all the above referred to mats the primary purpose is to provide an advertising medium, the felt can be printed to a very high definition and therefore is a better quality advertising medium than the traditional towel.

Both the above type of surface protectors have advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of the pulp board beer mat is that it is very cheap to produce, which is very important as the product itself rapidly deteriorates as the process of absorbing moisture causes the pulp board to warp and discolour. These properties have precluded it from being commonly used other than for a mat for individual drinks. In comparison, the rubber backed bar or countertop mat is expensive to produce but is very durable, not only failing to deteriorate when absorbing moisture from drinks but also being able to be laundered many times. However, the expense associated with these mats can result in the mats being infrequently replaced and therefore, as the mats deteriorate with laundering, the advertising conveyed by the mat will also deteriorate and may not provide the image the sponsor may otherwise wish.

According to the present invention there is a provided a protector for a countertop, a tabletop or a tray comprising a base portion and a replaceable liquid-absorbent insert.

By employing a protector in accordance with the present invention, having a replaceable liquid-absorbent insert separable from a base portion, the insert can be disposable whereby the base portion may be used with many subsequent inserts. This is particularly advantageous because the (relatively expensive to produce) base portion may be used to support the replaceable inserts that can regularly be replaced. Thus, the protector retains a new appearance with the base portion providing support for the insert to enable that insert to be made out of a material, which by itself would not perform satisfactorily.

Preferably, the base portion is shaped such that the insert is retained in place in the base portion with the base portion being liquid-impermeable and comprising a planar layer with a raised peripheral edge bordering the insert. This enables the insert to be relatively thin because it does not have to absorb all the liquid, for the peripheral wall of the base portion will retain excess liquid. Thus, it is sufficient for the insert to maintain an upper surface above the level of liquid contained by the base portion.

The peripheral edge of the base portion preferably has tab portions that extend over the insert to retain the insert in place. Depending on the material from which the base portion is formed, the tab portions may be hinged to a planar bottom layer of the base portion, but in preferred arrangements, the base portion is moulded with the tab portions formed integrally therein.

The base portion may be formed from a first planar layer, an intermediate layer in the form of a frame defining the peripheral edge and a top layer substantially corresponding to the shape of the intermediate layer with additional tab portions extending inwardly there from, the three layers being bonded together to form said base portion. Such a configuration provides a natural recess for accepting and retaining the insert. The tab portions may extend over the corners of the insert or may alternatively extend over side edges of the insert, the latter being particularly advantageous where the protector base portion and insert are circular.

Advantageously, the protector has a base portion formed from rubber and the insert may comprise a felt layer or other washable fabric. Alternatively, the insert may comprise a pulp board.

Felt layers are advantageous in that they can be removed and washed. In contrast, the pulp board cannot be washed but the cost of producing the pulp board will normally be significantly less than the cost of producing the insert from a felt layer. Furthermore, the problems associated with pulp boards warping, commonly preventing there application to larger mats, is substantially overcome by the pulp board being supported by the base portion. However, the invention is not limited to an insert which is a pulp board or washable fabric, the invention can use any appropriate absorbent insert including paper based and synthetic inserts.

Preferably, the base portion is non-slip. This may be due to the inherent properties of the material if, for example, the base portion is made from rubber, or may be due to the addition of non-slip feet or a pattern of non-slip material being printed on the bottom of the base portion, for example where the base portion is made out of a more rigid material such as PVC or a plastics material.

Preferably, the base portion has an embossed logo moulded into a peripheral upper edge, this enabling a supplier of the base portion to ensure any logo they desire is presented to a user, even when any insert originally supplied with the base portion is subsequently replaced with another.

Advantageously, the planar lower layer of the base portion is between 0.75 and 1.5mm thick and the insert is between 1.25 and 3.75 mm thick.

A protector in accordance with the invention will normally have an upper surface area of less than 0.2 m2, this being preferable for most countertop, tabletop or tray protector applications. Furthermore, a protector in accordance with the invention will typically comprise only said base portion and said insert with the insert retained in the base portion by the shape of the base portion relative to the insert and by no other means. This enables the insert to be readily removed from the base portion, either for laundering or for disposable and subsequent replacement.

A protector in accordance with the present invention is particularly advantageous for presenting advertising material printed on the insert.

Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figures Ia to Ic are perspective views of a countertop, a tabletop or tray protector in accordance with the invention; Figure 2a is a cross-section through the line ha-ha of Figure Ic; Figure 2b is a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of Figure 2a through an alternative protector; Figure 2c is a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of Figure 2a through a further alternative protector; Figures 3a and 3b show alternative embodiment and correspond to the views illustrated in Figures la to ic; and Figures 4a to 4c are perspective views of a circular countertop, a tabletop or tray protector in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 a, there is illustrated a perspective view of a protector in accordance with the present invention, indicated generally as 1. This comprises an insert 2 and a base portion 3. The insert 2, in this embodiment, is a pulp board with advertising printed on a top surface thereof.

As shown in Figure ib, the insert 2 can be inserted into the base portion 3 such that it is retained in place in the base portion, as illustrated in Figure Ic.

Referring to Figure 2a, a cross-section along the line ha-ha of Figure Ic, the base portion 3 is shown to comprise three layers of rubber bonded together. The lower layer 5 is a rectangular sheet, the middle 6 is a peripheral frame and the upper layer 7 has the same dimensions as the frame 6, except for in the corner regions where the layer 7 extends further towards the centre of the frame to form four corner tab portions 8. The three layers 5, 6 and 7, when bonded together, form a flexible sealed tray-like structure, with the tab portions 8 protruding from a peripheral edge permitting the insert to be slipped into the base portion 3 under the tab portions 8 and retained in place. In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in cross-section in Figure 2b, the base portion 3 is moulded from a single layer of rubber having a raised edge forming a frame, with the tab portions 8 formed by making horizontal cuts 9 in the region of the tab portions 8, with the insert 2 inserted into the cuts 9.

This arrangement has the disadvantage that the tab portions 8 are slightly raised, as shown in Figure 2b.

In a further alternative illustrated in Figure 2c, the base portion 3 is moulded from a single piece of rubber with recesses 10 moulded integrally under the tab portions 8.

Referring to Figures Ia to 2c, it will be apparent that the base portion being made of pulp board, will absorb any spillage or condensation from drinks placed on it. Additionally, any spillage in excess of the capacity of the pulp board insert 2, is retained by the base portion 3, protecting the surface upon which the protector is placed.

In this embodiment, the protector is intended for use as a bar mat and the top surface area of the protector is be less than 0.2 m2. The base portion comprises a relatively thin layer of rubber below the insert of between 0.75 and 1.5 mm thick with the insert itself being between 1. 25 and 3.75 mm thick.

In use, the insert 2 can be replaced when it either warps, stains or is not able to absorb any further moisture. It can also be replaced when it is desired to change the advertising or other media printed on the insert.

As an alternative to pulp board, the insert can be a washable fabric for example synthetic felt, so that the insert can be removed and laundered with the base portion rinsed prior to the insert being replaced in the base portion.

Referring now to Figures 3a and 3b, there is illustrated a protector 1 identical to the one illustrated in Figures la to Ic, except insofar as the tab portions 8 have a different shape. In Figure 3a, each tab portion 8a describes an arc in plan view and in Figure 3b the tab portions 8b extend along the edges of the insert 2, instead of across the corners. Again, the base portion can be formed in accordance with any of the embodiments illustrated in any one of Figures 2a to 2c.

Figures 4a to 4c are similar views to those of Figures Ia to ic, but in the Figure 4a to 4c embodiment the protector is circular with dimensions suitable for placing it in the base of a circular drinks tray. In the embodiment depicted in Figures 4a to 4c, the base portion 3 can be fabricated in accordance with any one of the embodiments depicted in Figures 2a to 2c. In the Figure 4a to 4c embodiment, the tab portions 8 extends across an edge of the circular insert 2, as shown. Also, in this embodiment a logo 11 is moulded in the base portion 3.

The above embodiments have been described by way of example only, but many further variations will be apparent to ones skilled in the art, which variations are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A protector for a countertop, a tabletop or a tray, the

protector comprising a base portion and a replaceable liquid- absorbent insert.

2. A protector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the base portion is shaped such that the insert is retained in place in the base portion.

3. A protector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the base portion is liquid-impermeable and comprises a planar layer with a raised peripheral edge bordering the insert.

4. A protector as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the peripheral edge has tab portions which extend over the insert to retain the insert in place.

5. A protector as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the tab portions are hinged to the planar layer.

6. A protector as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the base portion is moulded and the tab portions are moulded in the base portion.

7. A protector as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the base portion is formed from a first planar layer, an intermediate layer in the form of a frame defining the peripheral edge and a top layer substantially corresponding to the shape of the intermediate layer with additional tab portions extending inwardly therefrom, the three layers being bonded together to form said base portion.

8. A protector as claimed in any one of Claims 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the tab portions extend across corners of the insert.

9. A protector as claimed in any one of Claims 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the tab portions extend over side edges of the insert.

1 ft A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base portion is formed from rubber.

ii. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the insert is a felt layer.

12. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the insert comprises a washable fabric.

13. A protector as claimed in any one of Claims I to 10, wherein the insert comprises a pulp board.

14. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base portion is non-slip.

15. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base portion has an embossed logo moulded into a peripheral upper edge.

16. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a planar lower layer of the base portion is between 0.75 and 1.5 mm thick and where the insert is between 1.25 and 3.75 mm thick.

17. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, having an upper surface area of less than 0.2 m2.

18. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising only said base portion and said insert and wherein the insert is retained in the base portion by the shape of base portion relative to the insert and by no other means.

19. A protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the insert is printed.

20. A protector for a countertop, a tabletop or a tray, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, one or more of the accompanying figures.