Abstract:
An easily attachable, washable food, utensil and debris catcher device is easily fitted to all types of commercially available high chairs using a wide variety of attachment structures and operates to hold any small items or food spilled in the area of the child&#39;s seat and legs which would otherwise pass through to the floor. The catcher is designed to be attached to and detached from the high chair quickly and easily, yet can be attached for long periods of time especially where it is employed to catch dry objects such as toys or dry food such as whole peas or cereal. The catcher can be made from a wide range of material and can employ a wide range of attachment systems, including snap members, hook and loop members, hook and eyelet members, and latch members to name a few. Construction of the catcher is illustrated as well as variations in the construction which may enable the shape of the deployed catcher to be altered as well as one and two ply versions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a safe, convenient, easy to attach and remove structure and method for capture and disposal of food and debris dropped by an infant from a seating structure resulting in reduced cleanup for child care givers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Children are typically seated in high chairs during mealtime for a variety of reasons. Advantages include mealtime socialization, the ability to interact with the child at seated level, the ability to reach and help the child at mealtime, and the ability to keep the child orderly. One of the main purposes of the use of a high chair is to transition from having the parent feed the child to having the child feed himself/herself. Children are either fed or allowed to feed themselves using a plate of food placed on a table tray or other forward member attached to nearly all high chairs. 
         [0003]    Regardless of the extent to which training has occurred, nearly any interaction by the child will result in food, utensil and food container spillage. Food dropped, especially with younger children, typically falls down his or her chest, between or to the side of the child&#39;s legs and onto the floor. Consequently, there is a sticky, mushy mess on the floor that must be cleaned. 
         [0004]    Some of the devices in use to prevent spillage include a high chair catch attachment as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,432 to Davis as a plurality of additional trays mounted to either side of a high chair to present some probability of retaining debris before it hits the floor. Given that the probability stopping dropped food is proportional to the distance from the high chair as well as the area taken occupied by the trays, the device of Davis has a small probability, about 10% to capture dropped food and items. Further, the trays protruding from the sides of the high chair are easy for adults to trip over and run into resulting in injury. 
         [0005]    Another device commonly used to protect the floor area adjacent the high chair is a flexible sheet that is placed directly on the floor and upon which the high chair is placed, little more than a plastic paint drop cloth. This type of device has several disadvantages. Disposability results in significant waste for a large sheet, whereas cleaning the sheet may be as difficult as cleaning food from the floor. This device cannot easily move with the high chair to another location. 
         [0006]    Another device is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 4848834 to Linski as a specialized structure for used with a chair having no legs and which attaches to the side of a professional sturdily supported restaurant table. Linski provides a drape which extends from underneath the table at a point about 3 feet from the edge and which extends underneath and attaches at the back of the chair attached to the table. This arrangement requires a very sturdy, very heavy table, and takes advantage of the fact that such a specialized table-chair lacks legs and in fact, the chair becomes part of the table. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a device which is suitable for commonly commercially available high chairs which will prevent the major portion of food spillage, namely that which falls down the child&#39;s chest and legs. The needed device should be easily usable and either washable or disposable. It should be able to work in conjunction with any commercially available high chair. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An easily attachable, washable food, utensil and debris catcher device (hereinafter referred to simply as “catcher”) is easily fitted to all types of commercially available high chairs using a wide variety of attachment structures. The catcher device catches and holds any small items or food spilled in the area of the child&#39;s seat and legs. The catcher is designed to be attached to and detached from the high chair quickly and easily, yet can be attached for long periods of time especially where it is employed to catch dry objects such as toys or dry food such as whole peas or cereal. 
         [0009]    The catcher may preferably have attachment points to the underside of the high chair tray, or other forward member, as well as to the high chair tray support, including horizontal and vertical parts of the high chair arms. The catcher has a lower structure which may be preferably engaged about a lower structure on the high chair such as a foot rest or other convenient structure the high chair may have. Such lower engagement may be accomplished through a contractible urged edge or some other engagement structure which may or may not be elastically urged. The catcher may have internal structures which range from additional areas of material to seams to stiffening members where it is desired to promote a given shape. 
         [0010]    In normal use, the catcher can be detached from both sides of the high chair with two hands and brought downwardly slightly to be removed from underneath the foot support in a way that leaves the bottom most portion of the catcher lower than the front or rear edges. Debris supported by the catcher can be dumped, the catcher can be optionally turned inside out to reveal the contents and presence of any adhered materials. The catcher can then either be replaced onto the high chair, or washed in a conventional washing machine or hand washed. 
         [0011]    The catcher is compact and easily rinsed by hand and can be made of such thin material that it is unnecessary to take special procedures to dry it. In most instances it is not necessary to have to wait for it to dry before reattaching it to the highchair. 
         [0012]    The catcher of the invention is particularly ideal for children who are between the ages of five and twelve months, especially when they are able to pick up food and place it in their mouths, but haven&#39;t started to mischievously throw the food off the sides of the highchair. It is believed that no structure or method can deliver the convenience, safety, and flexibility to cure the spillage of food in a limited structural manner as can the catcher of the present invention. 
         [0013]    The catcher may be of a “rip stop nylon” material. It may be water impervious and as lightweight as possible. Such material will enable the catcher constructed to not only be lightweight, but also washable and to dry quickly. The catcher, when stretched flat approximates a half moon in shape. The construction of one embodiment of the catcher may preferably start with a circle of material, and then folded to a two ply semi circle. Elastic may be attached to operate within or adjacent the fold to cause it to contract. Attachment members may be attached at one or more points adjacent the curved periphery for attachment to corresponding attachment areas on the high chair, such as under the tray, adjacent the arms or arm supports. “Darts” or wedge shaped cutouts may occur along the periphery in order to shorten its radial extent, eliminate the need or tendency to form pleats or open gaps in the upper portion when placed against the tray, or generally to assist in forming a convex front profile. The darts may be adjusted in angular width and depth to achieve the convex shape (viewed from the front of the high chair and side profile of the high chair. In terms of the filled-out concave shape of the catcher as it is attached to a high chair, the darts not only eliminate folds which might be formed upon a snug fit to the high chair tray, but also generally help to form the side edges of the concave shape and define the transition from the front of the catcher to its sides. In essence, the darts eliminate the need for thick pleats at the front top of the catcher and enable the front top to be so lightweight as to be almost self supporting, although additional attachment members may be present. The shape of the darts can be modified to give shape effects to the convex front of the catcher once it is in place. 
         [0014]    Attachment may be had with interlocking hook-like and felt-like members with one of the set of members, preferably the hook-like members attached to the high chair, and the felt like members attached to the catcher so that upon washing the felt-like members do not catch on other articles being washed. Other attachment mechanisms can be used including hook and eyelet, snap, magnetic, pocket and insert, and more. Where attachment members are complementary, it is a matter of choice as to which of the complementary attachment members is attached to the catcher and which are anchored to the high chair. 
         [0015]    Ideally, the catcher may have a minimum of one and preferably two or more pairs of generally symmetrically oppositely located attachment members. In this configuration, the more forward pair of attachment member attach to the high chair food tray at forward most points adjacent the “turn” of the edges of the catcher toward each other to form the front panel. A rearward most pair of attachment members provide rearward most attachment locations holding up the catcher adjacent and high with respect to the location of the legs of the child. These rearward most attachment points help hold a continuation of the rearward extent of the upper part of the catcher, and also provide force and support against the lowermost portion of the catcher which may be elastically urged against the underside of the foot support, if present. 
         [0016]    It is preferred that the high chair have at least a partially downwardly and partially forwardly disposed portion of the front seat which may be a foot support or may be a leg guide. In modern high chairs, the seat may be molded to comfortably conform to the child&#39;s body and provide a leg guide integral with the seat to gently guide most of the child&#39;s body and shield it from any sharp edges or other undesirable surfaces. As a result, most modern high chairs have a leg guide possibly terminating in a forward extending foot support. The ability of the catcher to engage some rearward portion of the leg guide enables the catcher to be used with very little interaction with the child. In essence, the child will only be able to make contact with the catcher by stretching his or her legs to the side near the support points, with the catcher providing a significantly spaced forward enveloping area which many children may not be able to contact. 
         [0017]    In the configuration described, the catcher is able to be used with minimum disruption or distraction of the child and very little ability of the child to remove the catcher. Further, the catcher is such that it has a broad front area to support patterns, colors, and promotional logos and names. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view looking directly onto an expanse of material which is marked with potential cutting lines for making the expanse of material oval and marked with dart cutting lines; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a plan view similar to that seen in  FIG. 1  where the expanse of material has been cut to an oval shape and folded over, sewn to form an elastic capture channel and illustrating the dart cutting lines of the upper half of the expanse of material similar to that seen in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view approximating a shape which results after removal of dart material and shown where the catch is on a flat surface and in relaxed position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  and illustrates the example of a two ply catcher which has a main generally straight edge formed by the folding over of two areas of material and stitched to capture an elastic cord within the fold bounded by the stitch; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to that seen in  FIG. 4  and illustrates the example of a single ply catcher which may have an edge folded and stitched to prevent fraying and having an elastic band stitched adjacent the protective fold; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view of a form fitting high chair before attachment of the catcher of the invention, and illustrating the placement of anchoring members in anticipation of attachment of the catcher; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a side plan view of a form fitting high chair after attachment of the debris catcher of the invention utilizing the anchoring members seen in  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a side sectional view taken from a viewpoint similar to that for  FIG. 7  and illustrates the path of travel and collection of food, debris and utensils in the catcher. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    The description, construction and operation of the catcher of the invention will be best illustrated by beginning with the construction of the catcher. An expanse of material  21  is provided which may be cut to a circular shape or to an oval shape. Material  21  may preferably be made from polyurethane having a thickness of perhaps 3 mils. An alternative set of cutting lines are seen as cutting line  23  which may preferably form a blended radius for reduction of the effective radius by about 75% and a cutting line  25  which may preferably form a blended radius for reduction of the effective radius by about 83%. 
         [0028]    A pair of dart cutting lines  31  and  33  and a pair of dart cutting lines  35  and  37  are shown on the upper half of the expanse of material  21 . A pair of dart cutting lines  41  and  43  and a pair of dart cutting lines  45  and  47  are shown on the lower half of the expanse of material  21 . 
         [0029]    The expanse of material can be any size, but may have a maximum radius of about sixty inches down to about forty inches, but for certain models of high chairs the maximum radius may preferably be about forty eight inches. The dart cut lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 ,  41 ,  43 ,  45  and  47  can be varied greatly in both length, angle of separation and angle with respect to the effective center of the expanse of material  21 . Further, the darts may be slightly offset. The cut lines  33  &amp;  35  may be farther from each other than the cuts lines  43  and  45 . As will be shown this will provide for some offsets of the resulting darts in the resulting two ply catcher. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the expanse of material  21  of  FIG. 1  is shown as having been made more oval by cutting along cutting line  25 , and folded in half. The fold creates a folded edge  51  which has a length equivalent to the maximum diameter seen in  FIG. 1 . Adjacent and spaced apart from the folded edge  51  is a continuous stitch  53  which may preferably form an internal channel for supporting a stretched length of elastic (not shown in  FIG. 2 . In the alternative, the shape seen in  FIG. 2  may be provided a single ply thickness of material with stitching  53  used to stitch a length of stretched elastic near an upper edge (rather than fold  52 ). The use of a folded, two-ply structure seen in  FIG. 2  will result in a better exterior finish with resulting darts to have cut edges (for example cutting lines  31  and  33  joined together) sewn on the inside with the cut edges also inside. The opposing set of cutting lines  41  and  43  would similarly be located on the inside, but opposite and slightly offset from a resulting dart formed by the cutting lines  31  and  33 . 
         [0031]    Thus, a two-ply material would actually involve forming four darts, two on each side of the material. The two-ply material also allows the formed darts to have stitch lines which are internal for a better finished look, as well as having internally protruding seems offset from each other, which can also contribute to the overall shape of the resulting catcher. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 2 , the material between pair of dart cutting lines  31  and  33  and the material between pair of dart cutting lines  35  and  37  are to be removed at removal boundaries  55 . The removal boundaries  55  represent a connection between the pair of dart cutting lines  31  and  33  and pair of dart cutting lines  35  and  37  and are not otherwise specified. The shape of the removal boundary will determine the bulk and outward appearance of the resulting dart when the pairs of dart cutting lines  31  and  33  and  35  and  37  are brought together. The removal boundaries  55  can be straight, or more concave or angled at a greater angle that the dart cutting lines  31  and  33  and  35  and  37 . Forming the removal boundaries  55  as angle concave will reduce the pleat effect. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a plan view is shown in which the pair of dart cutting lines  31  and  33  have been brought together to form a dart  61  having a main seam length portion  63  and tapering into a pleat portion  65 . Likewise, the pair of dart cutting lines  35  and  37  have been brought together to form a dart  71  having a main seam length portion  73  and tapering into a pleat portion  75 . The main seam length portions  63  and  73  represent one way of transitioning from an state where the material is joined from a separation to where the material flows into a sturdy pleat. 
         [0034]    The view of  FIG. 3  shows the two distal portions of folded edge  51  as being angled with respect to a central portion to form a finished catcher  81 . However, the view of  FIG. 3  is merely a representation of the effect of the darts  61  and  71  on the overall shape (as such folded edge  51  is actually made to curve or equivalent). In reality the darts  61  and  71  form a three dimensional shape but for the fact that the expanse of material  21  is left to create undulating folds when laid flat which are not shown because of their unimportance in the flat state and because they randomly occur. 
         [0035]    With respect to the darts  61  and  71 , (as well as the two darts which are associated with cutting lines  31  &amp;  33  and  35  &amp;  37 ), the angle of the darts  61  and  71  with regard to the middle of the folded edge  51 , the depth of darts  61  and  71 , and the width of material taken out to form the darts  61  and  71  will control the three dimensionality of the resulting catcher  81 , especially the apparent shape when it is engaged to a high chair (as will be shown). 
         [0036]    Also seen in  FIG. 3  is a series of fasteners including a first pair of oppositely located fasteners  85  which are located at or near the distal ends of the folded edge  51 , and a second pair of oppositely located fasteners  87  which may be either spaced apart from, adjacent to, or continuous (especially where fasteners  87  and fasteners  85  are hook and loop members),is shown. An optional center fastener  89  is located along a curved edge  91  which is generally opposite, but terminating adjacent to the ends of folded edge  51 . Thus fasteners  87  and  89  can occupy much more length along the curved edge  91 , and that fasteners  85  can occupy much more length along folded edge  51 , especially where a continuous or intermittent engagement fastener is used. It is expected that the catcher  81  will be made with one complementary member of a complementary pair of fasteners already attached to the catcher  81  and that the other of the complementary pair will be provided for adhesive or glued attachment to the specific structures from which the catcher  81  will depend for support. Fasteners  85 ,  87 , and  89  may include hook and loop, snap, magnetic, hook and eyelet, tab and slot or simple hook, or any other structure which will enable attachment to child seating, such as high chairs. 
         [0037]    As will be shown the periphery which is generally co-extensive with the edge  51  will provide a force component to draw the center of the edge  51  underneath a either a foot support or some other stable anchoring members to enable the catcher to form a stable pocket. As a result, the number and availability of the fasteners along edge  51  can be used to provide further anchoring force, and can help control the catcher  81  more completely if desired. 
         [0038]    Conversely, a curved edge  91  will be in a more upwardly directed position and will attach adjacent the tray of a high chair. As will be shown, the material removed which shortens the radius, as well as the material removed for the darts  61  and  71  help take up the excess material to insure a good fit about a high chair tray. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  also illustrates several optional sets of ties  93  which may be utilized where a high chair has an insufficient leg support about which to form a pocket. The ties  93  can assist the generally central area of the edge  51  to be attached to form a debris catching pocket, where a high chair lacks leg supports about which the edge  51  may be elastically looped. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  illustrates in the example of a two ply catcher  81  the entrapment of an elastic member  95 , which may be an elastic rope or elastic band. The main generally straight edge  51  Seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is seen to be part of a capture tube formed by the folding over of two areas of material and stitched with stitch  53  to capture the elastic cord  95  within the fold bounded by the stitch  53 . In the embodiment seen in  FIG. 3 , the elastic cord  95  will be stitched at its opposite ends, typically at, along with, or near the first pair of oppositely located fasteners  85  to enable the first pair of oppositely located fasteners  85  to have a more direct connection with the elastic cord  95 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a view similar to that seen in  FIG. 4  illustrates the example of a single ply catcher which may have the edge  51  folded and stitched to prevent fraying, but also having an elastic band  97  continuously stitched adjacent the protective fold of edge  51 . The continuous stitching exposes the elastic band  97 , but as will be seen, one side of the catcher  81  will oppose the underside of a high chair and thus the elastic band  97  will be predominantly hidden during use. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an example of a commercially available high chair  101  is seen. In this particular model, a main back support member  103  is continuous with a rear set of legs  105 . A pair of front leg members  107  are provided, one of which is shown broken away so that it will not obscure the other important members of the high chair  101 . Not all high chairs have the front legs depend from a rear support, but such a design helps to keep front legs away from attachment points and mechanisms the child might be able to reach. 
         [0043]    Attached to the main support member  103  are arm rails  109  which support a tray bracket  111 . The arm rails  109  and main support member  103  may have attached or be formed with a form fitting seat  113  which may extend to and be formed integrally with a guided leg and foot support  115 . 
         [0044]    The tray bracket  111  typically includes a mechanism for supporting a tray  117 , or other high chair  101  forward and preferably upper member. The tray bracket  111  typically enables the tray to be slid forward or rearward and in some cases removed altogether. The design theme for most modern high chairs is that the child should be completely isolated from the operation mechanism. Thus, the tray  117  extends significantly beyond the bracket  111 . Given the form fitting seat  113  and the fact that the bracket  111  mechanical features are on the outside and underneath the tray, the child is isolated from the mechanism and can contact only smooth surfaces. The views of the form fitting seat  113  and the guided leg and foot support  115  are exterior views of structure which continuously surround the child and do not illustrate the full degree to which the child is isolated from the chair mechanism. 
         [0045]    The structures on any given high chair can provide a number of places for attachment of members by which the fasteners  85  and  87  may be attached. It should be noted that the food &amp; debris catcher  81  is very lightweight and it will take very little structural dependence in order to be fully supported. A first anchoring attachment member  121  is seen as supported by the tray bracket  111 . The first anchoring attachment member  121  will typically engage the fastener  85  as the upper and rearward most point of attachment for the catcher  81 . A second anchoring attachment member  123  is seen in phantom and as supported underneath the tray  117  by any structural element. The second anchoring attachment member  123  will typically engage the fastener  87  to hold up the front of the catcher  81 . As will be shown, the overwhelming bulk of the force will be held by the first anchoring attachment member  121  and the fastener  85  because of the pulling stress due to an elastic member associated with the edge  51 . The portion of the catcher  81  at the curved edge  91  need only hold up the weight of the material adjacent the curved edge  91  and the fasteners  87  which are typically spaced apart are usually sufficient. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a side view similar to that of  FIG. 6  is shown, but where the catcher  81  has been attached. The attachment process can be started from either side of the high chair  101  by orienting the catcher  81  with its fastener  85  toward the first anchoring attachment member  121  and attaching it. The folded edge  51  of the catcher  81  is brought underneath the guided leg and foot support  115  to and around the other side so that the other fastener  85  can be pulled up to engage an oppositely located first anchoring attachment member  121 , while pulling the folded edge  51  against the force of an internal elastic member (not yet shown). 
         [0047]    The continuous stitch  53  seen in  FIG. 7  gives an idea of the extent to which the folded edge  51  seeks the path of least length as the two fasteners  85  are oppositely stretched apart to their associated first anchoring attachment members  121 . Note that the guided leg and foot support  115  is at least partial enveloped between the edge  51  and the upper curved edge  91  which is shown as being loosely near the bottom front edge of the tray  117 . To operate as a catcher, is it only necessary that some minimum lower curvature be provided at or near a vicinity in which food and debris may fall. The guided leg and foot support  115  is shown as longer than may be available on some models of high chair. Other high chairs may have some obstruction a few inches upward from the lower rear area of the guided leg and foot support  115 , while others will have an abbreviated length guided leg and foot support  115  which may terminate before forming a foot support which is seen with respect to the high chair  101  of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . A dart  125  is seen on the outside of the catcher  81  which was associated with dart cutting lines  41  and  43 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 8  a sectional view taken through the center of the high chair  101  seen in  FIG. 7  illustrates further details of the catcher  81  and details of construction and attachment. Since the section is taken through the center of the high chair  101  with the catcher  81  in place, the leg  107  of the far side is not be shown in broken form as it does not obscure relevant details of the drawing. 
         [0049]    A smooth molded formfitting seat bottom and surface  129  is shown leading to a smooth form fitting lateral side and back surface  131  of the guided leg and foot support  115 . The transition between the bottom of the seat bottom and surface  129  and the back of lateral side and back surface  131  corresponds to area where the child&#39;s knee would bend. The seat bottom and surface  129  forms a natural funnel forward to the transition to the form fitting lateral side and back surface  131  with any food or debris able to escape to the floor upon which the high chair  101  is sitting only forward of the transition. 
         [0050]    However, because the catcher  81  is in place, a particle  133  of food or debris or a utensil  135  has no placed to go but into the bottom of the catcher  81 , where such particles  133  collect for later disposal. Other details seen are the structural tray members  137  which are usually extensive and accessible from underneath the tray  117 . Any available structure can be used to attach the second anchoring attachment member  123  to hold up the front of the catcher  81 . Also seen is dart  71  on the inside of the catcher  81 . 
         [0051]    When it is desired to dump the particles  133 , the user merely detaches the located fasteners  87  (since the front of the catcher will not likely fall forward with fasteners  85  still attached) and then simultaneously detach the fasteners  85  while bringing the whole catcher  81  low enough so that edge  51  (which remains significantly high above the lowest part of the catcher  81  to prevent spillage of the particles  133 ) clear the underneath portion of the guided leg and foot support  115  as it is brought forward. The catcher  81  can be then dumped into a receptacle and washed, if desired. 
         [0052]    While the present invention has been described in terms of a system and method for providing controllable capture of items dropped with respect to a high chair, one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied to many structures, including any structure or technique where an efficient capture and isolation of food, objects, utensils can be had with respect to a furniture object or child seat. 
         [0053]    Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.