US20180220821A1 - Changeable placemat system - Google Patents
Changeable placemat system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180220821A1 US20180220821A1 US15/868,671 US201815868671A US2018220821A1 US 20180220821 A1 US20180220821 A1 US 20180220821A1 US 201815868671 A US201815868671 A US 201815868671A US 2018220821 A1 US2018220821 A1 US 2018220821A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- unit
- placemat
- changeable
- flexible
- rigid
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G23/00—Other table equipment
- A47G23/03—Underlays for glasses or drinking-vessels
- A47G23/0303—Table mats
Definitions
- a changeable placemat system may have a rigid unit and at least one flexible unit wherein the flexible unit may be selectively and temporarily inserted over the rigid unit for display and protection.
- the present device allows for both easy cleaning of a placemat as well and allowing a user to select different patterns to display on the placemat.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,603 to Horton discloses a placemat having integrated adhesive stickers or labels constructed as a single sheet integrated placemat product.
- a preferred embodiment of the present invention is fabricated from a preprinted bond paper sheet having an underlying silicone coated kraft paper liner adhered to at least a portion of the rear side of the preprinted bond paper sheet. Portions of the preprinted bond paper sheet have die cuts which permit removal of preprinted designs on the integrated adhesive stickers or labels.
- Children or other interested patrons complete drawings on the placemats by placing or positioning the adhesive stickers or labels wherever the children or other interested patrons choose on the placemats.
- the adhered stickers and/or the remainder of the placemats may be further decorated or colored using various writing instruments, including pencils, pens, ink markers and crayons, to create a picture or artistic scene.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,428 to Phillips discloses a placemat related product having a built-in storage pocket for customer entertainment.
- the placemat product provides the multiple functions of a sanitary tabletop placemat or tray liner, an entertainment device to occupy customers and a storage pocket to hold related entertainment items such as crayons, treats, games, children's menus, disposable wipes, small compact toys, promotional reply cards and the like all in one comprehensive, integrated product.
- a changeable placemat system may have a rigid unit and at least one flexible unit wherein the flexible unit may be selectively and temporarily inserted over the rigid unit for display and protection.
- the present device allows for both easy cleaning of a placemat as well and allowing a user to select different patterns to display on the placemat.
- An advantage of the present changeable placemat system is that the present changeable placemat system may allow a user to easily wash a placemat in, for example, a standard washing machine.
- the present changeable placemat may allow a user to display various ornamental covers.
- the present changeable placemat may allow a user to protect a table by utilizing a rigid unit which protects a table from, for example, watermarks and scratches.
- the present changeable placemat may allow a user to replace worn or damaged placemats covers.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the top of the changeable placemat wherein the flexible unit is secured over the rigid unit.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the top of the changeable placemat wherein the flexible unit is secured over the rigid unit
- FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of the bottom of the changeable placemat wherein a portion of the flexible unit is visible from the underside of the rigid unit and wherein the flexible unit is secured to the rigid unit.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the flexible unit secured to the rigid unit.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the rigid unit and the flexible unit wherein the flexible unit is not secured around the rigid unit.
- a changeable placemat system may have a rigid unit and at least one flexible unit wherein the flexible unit may be selectively and temporarily inserted over the rigid unit for display and protection.
- the present device allows for both easy cleaning of a placemat as well and allowing a user to select different patterns to display on the placemat.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a changeable placemat system 1 .
- the changeable placemat system 1 may have a rigid unit 20 ( FIG. 3 ) and at least one flexible unit 30 .
- the rigid unit 20 may be made from, for example, metal, stone, marble, plastic or any other suitable material.
- the flexible unit 30 may be made from, for example, a plastic, cloth, rubber or the like. Preferably, the flexible unit 30 is machine washable.
- the rigid unit 20 may have a top surface 21 ( FIG. 5 ), a bottom surface 22 ( FIG. 4 ) and a side 23 and wherein the top surface 21 is generally identical to the bottom surface 22 .
- the rigid unit 20 may have a diameter 25 and a height 26 wherein the height 26 is the measurement of the side 23 .
- the flexible unit 30 may have a top surface (or “first surface”) 31 and a bottom surface (or “second surface”) 32 .
- the bottom surface 32 of the flexible unit 30 has a second pattern (illustrated as partial dots and partial plain in the drawings).
- the flexible unit 30 may be reversed/inverted so that the bottom surface 32 is now the exposed surface over the rigid unit 20 . As a result, a user may select which or two patterns to use in display of the placemat 1 .
- the flexible unit 30 is machine washable.
- the top surface 31 of the flexible unit 30 may have an ornamental design 35 (in the illustrations, a design of rope is utilized; however any ornamental design may be used).
- the flexible unit 30 may also have a diameter 37 ( FIG. 2 ).
- the diameter 37 of the flexible unit 30 is generally slightly smaller than the diameter 25 of the rigid unit 20 so that the flexible unit 30 may be pulled over the rigid unit 20 and held in place by, for example, friction.
- the flexible unit 30 may have an elastic band 33 ( FIG. 4 ) which (nearly) surrounds the diameter 37 of the flexible unit 30 .
- the elastic band 33 may therein be pulled over the side 23 and then partly onto the bottom surface 22 of the rigid unit 20 so that the flexible unit 30 remains temporarily secured to the rigid unit 20 as is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- a user simply pulls a portion of the elastic band 33 outward so as to stretch a diameter 70 of the elastic band 33 to increase the diameter 70 so as to remove the flexible unit 30 from the rigid unit 20 .
- the flexible unit 30 may be cleaned or replaced with an alternative flexible unit 30 having an alternative ornamental design.
- the flexible unit 30 may be inverted to display a second ornamental pattern.
- the elastic band 33 may have a diameter 70 wherein the diameter 70 is less than the diameter 25 of the rigid unit 20 so that the flexible unit 30 may be held in place on the rigid unit 20 by friction.
- a portion 60 of the flexible unit 30 may cover the edge 23 of the bottom surface 22 of the rigid unit 20 and a portion of the bottom surface 22 of the rigid unit 20 .
- a folded portion 61 of the flexible unit 30 may be folded back upon itself and attached to a surface 62 of the flexible unit 30 wherein the folded portion 61 contains a pocket which stores the elastic band 33 .
- the folded portion 61 provides a smooth surface when the flexible unit 30 is inserted over the rigid unit 20 in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
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Abstract
A changeable placemat system is provided. The changeable placemat system may have a rigid unit and at least one flexible unit wherein the flexible unit may be selectively and temporarily inserted over the rigid unit for display and protection. As a result, a user may select between flexible units having various ornamental designs. The present device allows for both easy cleaning of a placemat as well and allowing a user to select different patterns to display on the placemat.
Description
- The following application is based on and claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/455,616 filed Feb. 7, 2017 currently co-pending; the entire contents of both which are incorporated by reference.
- A changeable placemat system is provided. The changeable placemat system may have a rigid unit and at least one flexible unit wherein the flexible unit may be selectively and temporarily inserted over the rigid unit for display and protection. As a result, a user may select between flexible units having various ornamental designs. The present device allows for both easy cleaning of a placemat as well and allowing a user to select different patterns to display on the placemat.
- Patents related to placemats have been granted in the past. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,603 to Horton discloses a placemat having integrated adhesive stickers or labels constructed as a single sheet integrated placemat product. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is fabricated from a preprinted bond paper sheet having an underlying silicone coated kraft paper liner adhered to at least a portion of the rear side of the preprinted bond paper sheet. Portions of the preprinted bond paper sheet have die cuts which permit removal of preprinted designs on the integrated adhesive stickers or labels. Children or other interested patrons complete drawings on the placemats by placing or positioning the adhesive stickers or labels wherever the children or other interested patrons choose on the placemats. If desired, the adhered stickers and/or the remainder of the placemats may be further decorated or colored using various writing instruments, including pencils, pens, ink markers and crayons, to create a picture or artistic scene.
- Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,428 to Phillips discloses a placemat related product having a built-in storage pocket for customer entertainment. The placemat product provides the multiple functions of a sanitary tabletop placemat or tray liner, an entertainment device to occupy customers and a storage pocket to hold related entertainment items such as crayons, treats, games, children's menus, disposable wipes, small compact toys, promotional reply cards and the like all in one comprehensive, integrated product.
- Still further, U.S. Pat. No. D481,248 to Maxwell discloses an ornamental design for a roll of placemats.
- However, these devices fail to disclose a changeable placemat which is easy to use, quick and inexpensive. Further, these devices fail to provide a changeable placemat which allows a user to select between various ornamental patterns to be displayed.
- A changeable placemat system is provided. The changeable placemat system may have a rigid unit and at least one flexible unit wherein the flexible unit may be selectively and temporarily inserted over the rigid unit for display and protection. As a result, a user may select between flexible units having various ornamental designs. The present device allows for both easy cleaning of a placemat as well and allowing a user to select different patterns to display on the placemat.
- An advantage of the present changeable placemat system is that the present changeable placemat system may allow a user to easily wash a placemat in, for example, a standard washing machine.
- And another advantage of the present changeable placemat system is that the present changeable placemat may allow a user to display various ornamental covers.
- Still another advantage of the present changeable placemat system is that the present changeable placemat may allow a user to protect a table by utilizing a rigid unit which protects a table from, for example, watermarks and scratches.
- Yet another advantage of the present changeable placemat system is that the present changeable placemat may allow a user to replace worn or damaged placemats covers.
- For a more complete understanding of the above listed features and advantages of the present changeable placemat system reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. Further, additional features and advantages of the invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the top of the changeable placemat wherein the flexible unit is secured over the rigid unit. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the top of the changeable placemat wherein the flexible unit is secured over the rigid unit -
FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of the bottom of the changeable placemat wherein a portion of the flexible unit is visible from the underside of the rigid unit and wherein the flexible unit is secured to the rigid unit. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the flexible unit secured to the rigid unit. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the rigid unit and the flexible unit wherein the flexible unit is not secured around the rigid unit. - A changeable placemat system is provided. The changeable placemat system may have a rigid unit and at least one flexible unit wherein the flexible unit may be selectively and temporarily inserted over the rigid unit for display and protection. As a result, a user may select between flexible units having various ornamental designs. The present device allows for both easy cleaning of a placemat as well and allowing a user to select different patterns to display on the placemat.
- Referring now to the drawings,
FIG. 1 illustrates achangeable placemat system 1. Thechangeable placemat system 1 may have a rigid unit 20 (FIG. 3 ) and at least oneflexible unit 30. In an embodiment, therigid unit 20 may be made from, for example, metal, stone, marble, plastic or any other suitable material. In an embodiment, theflexible unit 30 may be made from, for example, a plastic, cloth, rubber or the like. Preferably, theflexible unit 30 is machine washable. - The
rigid unit 20 may have a top surface 21 (FIG. 5 ), a bottom surface 22 (FIG. 4 ) and aside 23 and wherein thetop surface 21 is generally identical to thebottom surface 22. In an embodiment, therigid unit 20 may have adiameter 25 and aheight 26 wherein theheight 26 is the measurement of theside 23. Although the pictures illustrate both therigid unit 20 andflexible units 30 as circular, therigid unit 20 andflexible units 30 may also be square in shape, rectangular in shape, oval in shape or any other suitable shape. - Referring now to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , theflexible unit 30 may have a top surface (or “first surface”) 31 and a bottom surface (or “second surface”) 32. In an embodiment, thebottom surface 32 of theflexible unit 30 has a second pattern (illustrated as partial dots and partial plain in the drawings). Theflexible unit 30 may be reversed/inverted so that thebottom surface 32 is now the exposed surface over therigid unit 20. As a result, a user may select which or two patterns to use in display of theplacemat 1. - Preferably, the
flexible unit 30 is machine washable. Thetop surface 31 of theflexible unit 30 may have an ornamental design 35 (in the illustrations, a design of rope is utilized; however any ornamental design may be used). Theflexible unit 30 may also have a diameter 37 (FIG. 2 ). Thediameter 37 of theflexible unit 30 is generally slightly smaller than thediameter 25 of therigid unit 20 so that theflexible unit 30 may be pulled over therigid unit 20 and held in place by, for example, friction. - In an embodiment, the
flexible unit 30 may have an elastic band 33 (FIG. 4 ) which (nearly) surrounds thediameter 37 of theflexible unit 30. Starting from thetop 21, theelastic band 33 may therein be pulled over theside 23 and then partly onto thebottom surface 22 of therigid unit 20 so that theflexible unit 30 remains temporarily secured to therigid unit 20 as is illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 . To remove theflexible unit 30 from the rigid unit 20 a user simply pulls a portion of theelastic band 33 outward so as to stretch adiameter 70 of theelastic band 33 to increase thediameter 70 so as to remove theflexible unit 30 from therigid unit 20. Once removed, theflexible unit 30 may be cleaned or replaced with an alternativeflexible unit 30 having an alternative ornamental design. Alternatively, theflexible unit 30 may be inverted to display a second ornamental pattern. - As stated above, the
elastic band 33 may have adiameter 70 wherein thediameter 70 is less than thediameter 25 of therigid unit 20 so that theflexible unit 30 may be held in place on therigid unit 20 by friction. Once theflexible unit 30 is secured over the rigid unit 20 aportion 60 of theflexible unit 30 may cover theedge 23 of thebottom surface 22 of therigid unit 20 and a portion of thebottom surface 22 of therigid unit 20. Further, in an embodiment, a foldedportion 61 of theflexible unit 30 may be folded back upon itself and attached to asurface 62 of theflexible unit 30 wherein the foldedportion 61 contains a pocket which stores theelastic band 33. The foldedportion 61 provides a smooth surface when theflexible unit 30 is inserted over therigid unit 20 in the manner shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . - Although embodiments of the invention are shown and described therein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages
Claims (5)
1) A changeable placemat system comprising:
a first unit which is rigid the first unit having a top, a bottom and a side;
a second unit which is flexible the second unit having a first surface and a second surface; and
wherein the second unit is selectively and temporarily secured to the first unit.
2) The changeable placemat system of claim 1 further comprising:
an elastic band secured to the second unit wherein the elastic band is capable of securing the second unit to the first unit by friction.
3) The changeable placemat system of claim 1 further comprising:
an ornamental pattern located on the first surface of the second unit.
4) The changeable placemat system of claim 1
an ornamental pattern located on the second surface of the second unit.
5) The changeable placemat system of claim 2 further comprising:
a diameter of the elastic band wherein the diameter of the elastic band is less than a diameter of the rigid unit.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/868,671 US20180220821A1 (en) | 2017-02-07 | 2018-01-11 | Changeable placemat system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201762455616P | 2017-02-07 | 2017-02-07 | |
US15/868,671 US20180220821A1 (en) | 2017-02-07 | 2018-01-11 | Changeable placemat system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20180220821A1 true US20180220821A1 (en) | 2018-08-09 |
Family
ID=63038426
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/868,671 Abandoned US20180220821A1 (en) | 2017-02-07 | 2018-01-11 | Changeable placemat system |
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Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4393104A (en) * | 1981-05-18 | 1983-07-12 | Helen M. Fink | Table placemat |
US5922437A (en) * | 1996-07-11 | 1999-07-13 | Monta S. Bryant | Fitted covers for household items |
US20040237851A1 (en) * | 2003-06-02 | 2004-12-02 | Andrea Loreto | Reversible table cover |
US20160052330A1 (en) * | 2014-08-20 | 2016-02-25 | Tracey Nicole Cunningham | Multiuse Decorative Covers |
-
2018
- 2018-01-11 US US15/868,671 patent/US20180220821A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4393104A (en) * | 1981-05-18 | 1983-07-12 | Helen M. Fink | Table placemat |
US5922437A (en) * | 1996-07-11 | 1999-07-13 | Monta S. Bryant | Fitted covers for household items |
US20040237851A1 (en) * | 2003-06-02 | 2004-12-02 | Andrea Loreto | Reversible table cover |
US20160052330A1 (en) * | 2014-08-20 | 2016-02-25 | Tracey Nicole Cunningham | Multiuse Decorative Covers |
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