Abstract:
The invention discloses a method and system for applying weight to a table linen to make it less susceptible of blowing in windy environments. In one embodiment, a bead chain is placed within one or more hems on the perimeter of the linen.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to table settings, and more particularly to textiles used while dining such as tablecloths and napkins. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is a known pleasure to dine alfresco, to enjoy a picnic in the country, to enjoy a meal sitting in the cockpit of a sailboat in a brisk wind, or to enjoy a tailgate meal at a football game. All of these pleasures are enhanced by the elegance of serving a meal with cloth table linens instead of paper. (When used herein, the term “table linen” refers to tablecloths and napkins and the like made from any cloth made from any textile fiber such as cotton, synthetic fiber combinations, or indeed, actual linen.) 
         [0003]    It is frequently annoying in these settings to have one&#39;s napkin blown away by the wind. Indeed, it is well known in the art to employ a spring clips to hold a tablecloth to a picnic table to keep the tablecloth from lifting in the wind. 
         [0004]    But what of napkins and other small linens? In use, they are susceptible of blowing about the table, off one&#39;s lap, overboard, or otherwise being lifted by the wind and taken away. Even tucking the napkin into one&#39;s shirt does not eliminate the problem: the wind still can blow the napkin about and be quite annoying. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a way to prevent napkins and similar small table linens from being blown about by the wind while still being accessible and usable as they were designed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention solves the problem of cloth napkins and other small table linens from blowing about by applying one or more weights to the napkin in a manner which is unobtrusive and allows the napkin to continue to be used in the manner intended without unnecessary interference. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, a weight is attached to a clip such as a mitten clip, and the clip attached to the napkin. More than one clip may be beneficially utilized, depending upon the strength of the wind. The added weight applied to the napkin lessens its susceptibility being blown about by the wind. In another embodiment, a weighted bar, such as a piece of metal, having one or more pins on the bar, and inserting the pins through the fabric of the napkin and holding the ins in place by butterfly clips. The weighted bar may additionally be coated in a decorative material such as electroplating or plastic coating, and given a decorative design. 
         [0008]    Both the foregoing embodiments suffer from having the weight possibly interfere with the intended use of the napkin. Rubbing one&#39;s face with a napkin only to find a mitten clip can be unsettling. 
         [0009]    A preferred embodiment is to insert one or more weights held within an outer perimeter hem of the napkin. A preferred embodiment is to utilize bead chain as the weight, as it is flexible and thin enough not to interfere with the ordinary intended use of the napkin but heavy enough in long enough pieces to provide necessary weight. Placing the bead chain within an edge hem facilitates being able to iron the napkin. While any bead chain may be used, it has been found that bead chain made from stainless steel is preferable. Other metals may oxidize and discolor the napkin as a result of washing or long-term use. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a drawing of a mitten clip with attached weight. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a bar weight and butterfly clips. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a napkin with bead chain captured inside two edge hems. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown as a mitten clip  10  with an attached weight  50 . The mitten clip has upper teeth  30  and lower teeth  20  and a hinge  40 . The mitten clip  10  has an upper portion  52  and a lower portion  50  which are joined by the hinge  40 . In use, the mitten clip  10  is opened by moving the lower half  54  away from the upper half  52  rotating about the hinge  40 . A napkin is inserted between the upper portion  52  and lower portion  54  and the mitten clip closed. The teeth  20  and  30  hold a mitten clip in place and the weight  50  lessens the napkin&#39;s susceptibility to being blown by the wind. 
         [0014]    The weight may be made of any convenient material and attached to the mitten clip by glue are other means well known in the art. It is preferable to choose a non-oxidizing material for the weight, and a material that is attractive. A metallic weight that has a decorative coating such as plastic, electroplating or paint is preferable. Decorative patterns may be applied to the weight as well. 
         [0015]    Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 . A weight  60  is shown having two pins  70 . In use, the pins  70  are inserted into the table linen (not shown) and held in place be inserting the pins  70  into butterfly clips  80 . One or any number of pins may be utilized depending upon the size of the weight. The pins  70  should be of a length so as to be able to penetrate the napkin and be held by a butterfly clip  80  or similar device well known in the art. As before, it is preferable to use a weight made of a non-oxidizing material and one that is attractive. The weight may be coated with paint or plastic and a decorative pattern or logo may be applied as well. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a square napkin  100 . The napkin has folded edges  110  held in place by seams  120  thus creating a hem  140  along each side of the napkin  100 . Captured within two of the hems  140  is a length of bead chain  130 . The bead chain  130  may be of any convenient length, but should be long enough to be of sufficient weight to accomplish the purpose of preventing the napkin from being susceptible of being carried away by the wind. Different combinations of size, length and material may be utilized beneficially. The larger the bead, the more difficult and obtrusive in use it becomes. Smaller beads have less weight and so longer lengths need to be utilized to achieve a desired weight. There is no one best solution of bead size and length. 
         [0017]    A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, mitten clip weights may be used in combination with napkins edged with bead chain in higher wind situations. The invention need not only be used with napkins; it may beneficially be used with tablecloths, runners, placemats and doilies. The table linen need not e rectangular; indeed, it may be of any shape and still benefit from the present invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.