Patent Publication Number: US-10772447-B2

Title: Dining placemat with interchangeable tableware

Description:
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     The technology relates to dining placemat with non-integrated tableware and more particularly to dining placemat that suctions to an underlying surface and includes separable tableware, and still more particularly to dining placemat that secures to an underlying surface by a partial vacuum and includes a mechanism for fastening tableware thereto. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     Traditionally, food is placed on tableware such as plates or bowls and served for consumption at a table. At the end of a meal, the tableware is carried to a sink, dishwasher, or other station for washing. Older children and adults typically possess sufficient motor skills and coordination to neatly feed themselves such that food is either consumed or maintained on the tableware. Occasionally, placemats may be provided underneath the tableware to catch crumbs or other food debris that may otherwise fall on a surface of the table around the tableware. When placemats are used, the placemats may be carried to the sink for a quick wipe down after a meal. Ideally, a combination of the tableware and the placemats allow for minimal clean-up to the table after each meal. 
     By comparison, infants and special needs children may lack motor skills and coordination needed to neatly feed themselves during a meal. Furthermore, adults may lose motor skills or coordination due to a medical condition such as a stroke or age. In these instances, traditional tableware may become a hindrance during mealtime. For example, the tableware may be inadvertently overturned or knocked off a table while attempting to grasp food placed therein. Alternatively, the tableware may be deliberately overturned or knocked off a table due to frustrations arising from an inability to access food placed therein. 
     One known solution includes dispensing with the tableware and providing food directly onto a placemat that is placed on surface such as a table top. While this solution is adequate for certain solid foods, it is inadequate for other foods including soup, applesauce, rice, or the like. Another known solution includes providing a placemat with integrated, non-separable tableware, where the placemat is affixed to a surface such as a table top. While the affixed placemat with integrated tableware enables consumption of various food types, the non-separable placemat is a hindrance to conventional food preparation and tableware storage. For example, the non-separable placemat may be sized such that it does not fit in a microwave or prevents proper operation of the microwave. In these instances, conventional tableware must be employed to prepare food that is subsequently transferred to the placemat with integrated tableware. The need for conventional tableware to prepare or heat food requires additional washing. Furthermore, the non-separable placemat may be sized such that it does not fit in a cupboard or prevents efficient stacking. Still further, there is considerable material waste in providing non-separable placemats with each piece of tableware. Ultimately, the material waste and need for additional washing associated with known solutions are harmful to the environment. These and other drawbacks exist with known solutions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view from above of a tableware system in a detached configuration according to one example of the technology; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view from below of a mat without a fastening mechanism included therein according to one example of the technology; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the tableware system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view from above of the tableware system in an attached configuration according to one example of the technology; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of stacked tableware in a detached configuration according to one example of the technology; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of stacked tableware in an attached configuration according to one example of the technology; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a stand-alone pin according to one example of the technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     What is needed is an improved tableware system that includes a dining placemat with non-integrated tableware, where the dining placemat may be secured to an underlying surface by partial vacuum. According to one example, the tableware may include a fastening mechanism that engages a corresponding fastening mechanism provided on the dining placemat. According to one example, the tableware may include a lid with a fastening mechanism that engages a corresponding fastening mechanism provided on another article of tableware. According to one example, a structure of the fastening mechanism provided on the dining mat may be similar to a structure of the fastening mechanism provided on the lid. In this way, two or more articles of tableware may be fastened to the dining mat concurrently. For example, two or more articles of tableware may be fastened to a single dining placemat that is secured to an underlying surface by partial vacuum. For example, two or more articles of tableware may be vertically stacked on a single dining placemat that is secured to an underlying surface by partial vacuum. In a stacked configuration, the tableware may be interchangeably fastened directly to the dining mat. According to one example, the technology may be used in various environments that benefit from a tableware system secured to an underlying surface such as households, restaurants, ships, yachts, boats, airplanes, cars, or the like. 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the examples described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the examples described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the dimensions of certain parts may have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art with access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and examples within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the technology may be of significant utility. 
     Unless defined otherwise, technical terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, as used herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Also, the terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The term “or” is meant to be inclusive and means either, any, several, or all of the listed items. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” mean to include, but are not necessarily limited to the things so described. The terms “connected” and “coupled” can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the thing that it “substantially” modifies, such that the thing need not be exact. For example, substantially 2 inches (2″) means that the dimension may include a slight variation. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a tableware system  100  according to one example of the technology. According to one example, the tableware system  100  includes a placemat or mat  102  and tableware  104 . According to one example, the mat  102  and tableware  104  may be detachably coupled. According to one example, the mat  102  may include substantially planar top and bottom surfaces  105 ,  106 , respectively. According to one example, the top surface  105  may include a raised edge  103  provided along a perimeter of the mat  102 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the mat  102  may be formed of any shape. According to one example, the mat  102  may be formed in a substantially rectangular-shape. 
     According to one example, the mat  102  may include a fastening mechanism  107  that secures the tableware  104  thereto. According to one example, the fastening mechanism  107  may be integrally formed with the mat  102 . For example, the fastening mechanism  107  may be embedded within the mat  102 . Alternatively, the fastening mechanism  107  may be detachably coupled to the top surface  105  of the mat  102 . For example, the fastening mechanism  107  may be secured to the top surface  105  of the mat  102  using a fastener such as a screw, adhesive, peg, or the like. According to one example, the fastening mechanism  107  may protrude from the top surface  105  of the mat  102 . According to one example, the fastening mechanism  107  may be centrally located on the top surface  105  of the mat  102 . Alternatively, the fastening mechanism  107  may be located anywhere along the top surface  105  of the mat  102 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the mat  102  may include two or more fastening mechanisms  107  provided at the top surface  105 . For example, the two or more fastening mechanisms  107  may secure multiple articles of tableware  104  such as plates, bowls, cups, utensils, or the like. 
     According to one example, the fastening mechanism  107  may include a disc-shaped protrusion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the top surface  105 . According to one example, the disc-shaped protrusion may include flanges  108  that extend in a radial direction from a perimeter thereof. According to one example, the flanges  108  may increase in thickness along a direction perpendicular to the top surface  105  to form a wedge-shaped profile.  FIG. 2  illustrates the mat  102  having a planar bottom surface  106  according to one example of the technology. According to one example, the mat  102  may include an aperture  202  that corresponds to an underside of the protruding portion of the fastening mechanism  107 . According to one example, multiple mats  102  may be stacked such that the protruding portion of the fastening mechanism  107  of an underlying mat  102  is inserted into the aperture  202  of an overlying mat  102 . Additionally, the mat  102  may include one or more slots  204  provided around a periphery of the aperture  202 . According to one example, the slots  204  may be dimensioned to receive protrusions that extend downward from the fastening mechanism  107 . According to one example, the slots  204  fixedly secure the fastening mechanism  107  in place. For example, the slots  204  may provide increased strength to a bond formed between the fastening mechanism  107  and the mat  102 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the fastening mechanism  107  may be integrally formed with the mat  102 . 
     According to one example, the bottom surface  106  of the mat  102  may be formed from a material having a tacky finish that provides a high coefficient of friction (μ), where μ is determined based on a weight of an object and how much force is needed to begin sliding the object across a surface. For example, a material for the bottom surface  106  may be selected to form a partial vacuum with a contacting surface such as a table, countertop, tray, or the like. In this case, the material may be selected such that a force needed to slide the tableware system  100  across the contacting surface exceeds a force needed to lift the tableware system  100  from the contacting surface. According to one example, an edge of the mat  102  may be peeled to remove the mat  102  from the underlying surface. According to one example, the selected material may include silicone, rubber, or the like. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the top and bottom surfaces of the mat may be formed from different material having different properties. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the tableware  104  may include a corresponding fastening mechanism  302  provided at a bottom surface  304  thereof to mechanically couple to the fastening mechanism  107  of the mat  102 . According to one example, the fastening mechanism  302  may include a cavity formed at the bottom surface  304  of the tableware  104 . According to one example, a rim  308  may be provided that extends substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface  304  of the tableware  104  to define an outer boundary of the cavity that receives the fastening mechanism  107 . According to one example, tabs  306  may be provided along an edge of the rim  308 . For example, the tabs  306  may extend inward from the edge of the rim  308  to engage the flanges  108  provided on the fastening mechanism  107  of the mat  102 . According to one example, the tableware  104  may be positioned over the mat  102  such that the fastening mechanism  302  is seated substantially over the corresponding fastening mechanism  107 . According to one example, the tableware  104  may be rotated in a clockwise direction such that the tabs  306  engage the flanges  108 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , clockwise rotation of the tableware  104  will cause the tabs  306  to engage the wedge-shaped profile of the flanges  108  provided on the fastening mechanism  107  to drive the bottom surface  304  of the tableware  104  toward the top surface  105  of the mat  102 . According to one example, the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302  are configured to mechanically couple the tableware  104  and the mat  102 . According to one example, the tableware  104  and the mat  102  may become fixedly engaged such that a release mechanism or tool is needed to disengage the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other fastening mechanisms may be provided to fixedly engage the tableware  104  and the mat  102 . 
     The tableware system  100  described herein is an improvement over known tableware systems. For example, infants and children that observe removal of an integrated placemat with the non-separable tableware provided in known systems quickly learn how to peel the edge to release the placemat. Once released, the infants and children using known tableware systems may overturn or knock the tableware off a table. In contrast, the tableware system  100  described herein allows the placemat  102  to remain affixed in place while the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302  are disengaged to release the tableware  104 . In this way, infants and children do not learn how to remove the placemat  102  to overturn or knock the tableware off the table. 
     According to one example, the tableware system  100  may include a lock  312  that fixedly secures the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302 . According to one example, the lock  312  may include a release mechanism that is maintained with the tableware system  100 . Alternatively, the lock may require a separate tool that is applied to disengage the lock. According to one example, the lock may include a pin that inserts through apertures  310 ,  314 ,  316  provided in the rim  308  and at a side wall of the fastening mechanism  107  that align when the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302  are engaged. According to one example, the release mechanism may be coupled to the rim  308  of the tableware  104  and may include a spring-loaded pin such that a tip of the pin is inserted by spring force through the apertures  310 ,  314 ,  316  in the rim  308  and the side wall of the fastening mechanism  107  when the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302  are engaged. According to one example, a counter-force may be applied to the release mechanism to extract the pin prior to disengaging the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other release mechanisms may be employed so that infants and children are incapable of separating the placemat  102  and the tableware  104  to prevent overturning or knocking the tableware off the table. According to one example, the release mechanism may require application of a force to disengage the tableware  104  from the placemat  102 . 
     According to another example, the lock may include a stand-alone pin  700  with an expanding tip  702 . According to one example, the rim  308  and the side wall of the fastening mechanism  107  may include apertures  310 ,  314 ,  316  that align when the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302  are engaged. According to one example, the pin  700  may be inserted through the apertures  310 ,  314 ,  316  when the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302  are engaged such that the expanding tip  702  of the pin  700  penetrates through the rim  308  and the side wall of the fastening mechanism  107 . According to one example, the tool may be used to retract the expanding tip  702  in order to remove the pin  700  prior to disengaging the fastening mechanisms  107 ,  302 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other tool types may be employed so that infants and children are incapable of separating the placemat  102  and the tableware  104  to prevent overturning or knocking the tableware off the table. 
     According to one example, the mat  102  may include a valve that may be coupled to a vacuum pump for removing air from between the mat  102  and the underlying contact surface. In this way, a suction force may be increased between the mat  102  and the underlying surface to prevent removal of the mat  102  from the underlying surface by peeling an edge of the mat  102 . According to one example, the mat  102  may include a relief valve  402  that releases pressure holding the mat  102  onto the underlying surface such that the mat  102  may be peeled from the underlying surface. Accordingly, it may not be possible to remove the mat  102  from the underlying surface without first relieving pressure using the relief valve  402 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate vertically stacked tableware  104   a , 104   b  according to one example of the technology. According to one example, lids  501   a , 501   b  may be provided that secure to the tableware  104   a , 104   b . According to one example, the lids  501   a , 501   b  may be secured to the tableware  104   a , 104   b  using a threaded coupling, pressure coupling, or the like. According to one example, the lids  501   a , 501   b  may include a fastening mechanism  507   a ,  507   b  for vertically stacking the tableware  104   a , 104   b . According to one example, the fastening mechanism  507   a ,  507   b  may be integrally formed with the lids  501   a , 501   b . Alternatively, the fastening mechanism  507   a ,  507   b  may be detachably coupled to a top surface  503   a , 503   b  of the lids  501   a , 501   b . For example, the fastening mechanism  507   a ,  507   b  may be secured to the top surface  503   a , 503   b  of the lids  501   a , 501   b  using a fastener such as a screw, adhesive, peg, or the like. According to one example, the fastening mechanism  507   a ,  507   b  may protrude from the top surface  503   a , 503   b  of the lids  501   a , 501   b.    
     According to one example, the fastening mechanism  507   a ,  507   b  may include a disc-shaped protrusion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the top surface  503   a , 503   b  of the lids  501   a , 501   b . According to one example, the disc-shaped protrusion may include flanges  508   a , 508   b  that extend in a radial direction from a perimeter thereof. According to one example, the flanges  508   a , 508   b  may increase in thickness along a direction perpendicular to the top surface  503   a , 503   b  to form a wedge-shaped profile. According to one example, the tableware  104   a , 104   b  may include a corresponding fastening mechanism provided at a bottom surface thereof to mechanically couple to the fastening mechanism  507   a ,  507   b  provided on the lids  501   a , 501   b . According to one example, the fastening mechanism may include a cavity formed at the bottom surface of the tableware  104   a , 104   b . According to one example, a rim may be provided that extends substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface of the tableware  104   a , 104   b  to define an outer boundary of the cavity that receives the fastening mechanism  507   a ,  507   b . According to one example, tabs may be provided along an edge of the rim. For example, the tabs may extend inward from the edge of the rim to engage the flanges  508   a , 508   b  provided on the fastening mechanisms  507   a ,  507   b  of the lids  501   a , 501   b.    
     According to one example, the tableware  104   a , 104   b  may be positioned over the lids  501   a , 501   b  such that the fastening mechanism is seated substantially over the corresponding fastening mechanism  507   a ,  507   b . According to one example, the tableware  104   a , 104   b  may be rotated in a clockwise direction such that the tabs engage the flanges  508   a , 508   b . With reference to  FIG. 6 , clockwise rotation of the tableware  104   a , 104   b  will cause the tabs to engage the wedge-shaped profile of the flanges  508   a , 508   b  provided on the fastening mechanisms  507   a ,  507   b  to drive the bottom surface of the tableware  104   a , 104   b  toward the top surface  503   a , 503   b  of the lids  501   a , 501   b . According to one example, the fastening mechanisms provided on the tableware  104   a , 104   b  and lids  501   a , 501   b  are configured to mechanically couple the tableware  104   a , 104   b  and the lids  501   a , 501   b . According to one example, the tableware  104   a , 104   b  and the lids  501   a , 501   b  may become fixedly engaged such that a release mechanism or tool is needed to disengage the fastening mechanisms. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other fastening mechanisms may be employed to fixedly engage the tableware  104   a , 104   b  and the lids  501   a , 501   b.    
     According to one example, the tableware  104   a , 104   b  may be formed of a rigid material such as plastic. For example, the tableware  104   a , 104   b  may be formed from Bisphenol A (BPA) and 2-ethylhexyl (DEHP) free plastic or a similar material. According to one example, the tableware  104   a , 104   b  may be formed from a microwave safe material. According to one example, the tableware  104   a , 104   b  may be formed from an insulating material that maintains the contents in a heated or cooled state. According to one example, an interior of the tableware  104  may be partitioned into two or more compartments as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Alternatively, the interior of the tableware  104  may include a single compartment. According to one example, the lid  501   a , 501   b  may form a fluid tight seal with an upper surface of the tableware  104   a , 104   b  such that any foods or liquids provided within the compartments does not migrate to other compartments when the lid  501   a , 501   b  is applied. 
     It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that this technology is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many examples and adaptations of the technology other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by this technology and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the technology. 
     While the foregoing illustrates and describes examples of this technology, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited to the construction disclosed herein. The technology can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential attributes.