WO2007067376A2

WO2007067376A2 - Device and system for table settings

Info

Publication number: WO2007067376A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/045413
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karen Mccombs
Original assignee: Karen Mccombs
Priority date: 2005-11-28
Filing date: 2006-11-24
Publication date: 2007-06-14
Also published as: WO2007067376A3

Abstract

An interchangeable themed system for table settings. Dishes and other table setting elements are provided with a groove into which can be inserted a member having a decorative upper visible surface. The groove is generally arranged as a border for framing or setting off the particular table setting element. In a dish, the groove is spaced from but proximate the outer marginal edge of the dish with the member insertable but easily removable from the groove. The top surface of the member is decorated so as to establish, with other installed members, a predetermined theme for the table setting. The member is so dimensioned as to fit flush with the exposed surface of the dish or other element in which it is installed to present the appearance of being integrally formed with the dish or other table setting.

Description

DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR TABLE SETTINGS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a device for use in conjunction with and as part of a table setting.

Description of Related Art

Table settings are often decorated for festive celebrations. It is well known, for example, to use themes celebrating such holidays as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the like. It is also known to generally decorate cups and plates, and in particular those made of paper, with holiday designs. Wang, in U.S. Patent No. 5,967,307, teaches design elements which may be releasably attached to a cup so as to change the cups general appearance. Reisman in U.S. Patent No. 4,836,363, teaches the releasably attaching of a decorative packing ring to the outer edge of a flat shipping plate. However, in order to use the plate taught by Reisman is necessary to cover the decorated plate with a plastic sheet or the like. The function of the decorative ring is principally for protecting articles while in shipment.

These and similar decorative members combined with dishes, glasses, and mugs are believed to be novelty items which, while having an entertaining appearance, are not truly suitable for use in the context of a dining experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a replaceable decorative border for dishes (e.g. , plates, bowls, and related accessories) to enable the user to provide a design theme which may be changed from time-to-time or holiday-to-holiday.

It is another object of this invention to provide a member which may be releasably attached to a dish.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a member which, when attached to a dish does not interfere with the dining experience.

It is a further object of this invention to provide interrelated design members which may be releasably attached to plates, napkin rings, and table cloths to provide the user with the capability of changing the design features of related plates, napkin rings, and table cloths according to the user's decorative wishes.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a table setting system in which the general overall design may be selectively changed by the user.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a table setting system of interchangeable design features.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a changeable table setting device comprising at least one element of a table setting having at least one groove therewithin. There is further provided a removable member so dimensioned as to fit within the groove. The removable member includes decorative indicia visible when positioned in the groove. In yet another embodiment of the invention there is a changeable table system which comprises at least a plurality of predetermined table setting elements and decorative members which are selectively securable to and removable from the predetermined table setting elements to thereby provide a decorative presentation for the table setting.

In still another embodiment there is a device of the type configured for holding a tablecloth to a table. The device comprises a C-shaped resilient member having an outer surface. The I resilient member has a groove within an outer surface. There is also a removable member so dimensioned as to fit within the groove. The removable member has decorative indicia visible when positioned in the groove.

In still another embodiment there is provided a device of the type configured for holding napkins. This device comprises a generally C-shaped member having an outer surface. The C-shaped member has a groove within an outer surface. There is also a removable member so dimensioned as to fit within the groove. The removable member has decorative indicia visible when positioned in said groove.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a plate constructed in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view of the plate of FIG.1 taken along line 2-2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of another plate constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of a spring clip or napkin ring constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is an end view of the spring clip or napkin ring of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following discussion describes in detail embodiments of the invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to any particular embodiment. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims.

Design themes for table settings are well known. Dishes are provided with decorations and these decorations are known to be selected to match decorations on table cloths, napkin holders, table cloths and the like. However, it is believed that there is, until now, no convenient means of changing the decorative themes of table settings. The system of this invention provides a convenient means of changing the design themes of table settings while always using the same dishes.

Turning to the drawing, FIG. 1 provides a dish 10. The term 'dish' as used herein adopts the definition "The containers and often the utensils used when eating" (www . dictionary . com) In the example provided, the dish is a dinner plate 10. The plate 10 may be made of any material from which dishes are commonly made (e.g., china or plastic). The plate 10 may be made in any well known method and is formed with a continuous groove 12. The groove 12 is shown proximate the outer marginal edge 14 of the plate 10. However, the groove 12 may be discontinuous and/or formed in other locations on the plate 10. For example, the groove 12 may be located closer to or within the portion of the plate 10 where one eats. Also, the groove 12 may have any desired width.

There also may be provided a decorative member 16 (shown sectioned in FIG. 2 and in plan view in FIG. 1). The decorative member 16 is so dimensioned as to be easily insertable and into and removable from the groove 12. The decorative member 16 may be comprised of a single member or, as shown, in two parts 18, 20 molded or secured by adhesives or the like. The lower or second part 20 may be made of a flexible plastic. The upper or first part 18 may be formed of a more rigid material, such as a plastic or porcelain.

In another example of a dish, the plate 24 (FIG. 3) may have a generally rectangular shape. The groove 26 may be spaced from and proximate to the outer marginal edge 28 of the plate 24. As with the circular plate 12, the flexible member 36 is likewise easily insertable and removable from the groove 26.

The same concept may be applied to other types of dishes, such as, for example, a soup bowl, salad plate, candle holders, or the like. As another example of another component of the table setting system, the same combination may be provided in the context of a napkin ring or a spring clip for holding a table cloth (not shown) to a table (not shown). In the example presented, a napkin ring or spring clip 30 (FIGS. 4 and 5) may be formed with a groove 32. A member 34 may be removably inserted within the groove 32.

When viewed as an integral part of a table setting, the exposed upper surface 22, 36, 38, of the members 16, 26, 34 may be decorated with any suitable design theme such as, for example, Christmas wreathes for a Christmas celebration. The material and color of the insertable and removable members 16, 36, 34 may match the materials from which the dishes 10, 24, 30 are made so that the members form, to the eye, an inseparable part of the table setting element to which they are secured. The members are so dimensioned as to be flush with the table setting element into which they are inserted so as to enhance the uniform appearance.

In a like manner, there may also be provided for such table setting components as a tablecloth to which may be attached along the exposed border a removable themed print. This themed print may be attached by any known closure means, such as Velcro^® or buttons.

In use, the member 16, 36, 34 upper surface design are intended to be coordinated, one with the other and with the attachable border for the tablecloth. If, for example, the table setting components are of muted color, the members 16, 36, 34 and border, which may match or compliment one another, may be provide with the dominent theme for the entire set. In this way, the user may have one set of members for a table settings for use at Christmas and another for the 4^th of July Celebration and so on, with each set easily and quickly interchangeable with others.

The relative ease of removal of the members permits for the ability to clean the table setting elements.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMS What is Claimed Is:

1. A changeable table setting device comprising:

at least one element of a table setting having at least one groove therewithin; a removable member so dimensioned as to fit within said groove; and

said removable member comprising decorative indicia visible when positioned in said groove.

2. The changeable table setting device of Claim 1 wherein said removable member is disposed within said grove in a less-than snug fit.

3. The changeable table setting device of Claim 2 wherein said removable member comprises an upper portion and a lower portion; said lower portion being flexible relative to said upper portion.

4. The changeable table setting device of Claim 3 wherein with said removable member having an exposed upper surface, with said removable member is disposed within said groove, said upper surface being flush with the surface of said plate.

5. The changeable table setting device of Claim 4 wherein said removable member upper portion being opaque material relatively rigid with respect to said lower member; said upper member providing an upper surface substantially similar in appearance to the exposed surface of said element.

6. The changeable table setting device of Claim 5 wherein said groove is annular; said upper portion of said removable member is affixed to said lower portion; said lower portion comprises plastic.

7. The changeable table setting device of Claim 6 wherein said element is a substantially circular plate; said groove forms a border being adjacent and uniformly spaced from the outer marginal edge of said plate.

8. The changeable table setting device of Claim 6 wherein said dish is a substantially rectangular plate; said groove forms a border being adjacent and uniformly spaced from the outer marginal edge of said plate.

9. The changeable table setting device of Claim 6 wherein said dish is a bowl; said groove forms a border within said bowl and being adjacent and uniformly spaced from the outer marginal edge of said bowl.

10. The changeable table setting device of Claim 6 wherein said dish is a soup bowl; said groove forms a border being adjacent and uniformly spaced from the outer marginal edge of said bowl.

11. The changeable table setting device of Claim 1 wherein said element is a substantially circular plate; said groove forms a border being adjacent and uniformly spaced from the outer marginal edge of said plate.

12. The changeable table setting device of Claim 1 wherein said element is a substantially rectangular plate; said groove forms a border being adjacent and uniformly spaced from the outer marginal edge of said plate.

13. The changeable table setting device of Claim 1 wherein said element is a bowl; said groove forms a border within said bowl and being adjacent and uniformly spaced from the outer marginal edge of said bowl.

14. The changeable table setting device of Claim 1 wherein said element is a soup bowl; said groove forms a border being adjacent and uniformly spaced from the outer marginal edge of said bowl.

15. The changeable table setting device of Claim 1 where element is a napkin ring.

16. The changeable table setting device of Claim 1 where element is a tablecloth clip.

17. A changeable table system comprising:

at least a plurality of predetermined table setting elements; and

decorative members selectively securable to and removable from said predetermined table setting elements to thereby provide a decorative presentation for said table setting.

18. The system of Claim 17 comprising at least element having a groove therewithin; a member so dimensioned to fit within said groove and be disposed with an upper exposed surface; and at least a tablecloth; and a tablecloth border removably attachable to the border of said table cloth; coordinated design elements disposed on at least said upper exposed surface and said border to thereby providing a coordinated and changeable design for said table setting.