Patent Abstract:
Chair covers formed from disposable, polymeric non-woven fabric are disclosed. The covers are pre-formed in a variety of shapes to fit a variety of chair types. The covers are made from two pieces of non-woven material and pieced together by sewing, ultrasonic welding, heating or any other suitable fastening arrangement.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application is a divisional of pending application Ser. No. 11/208,168, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 11/104,006, filed Apr. 12, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,469,962, which was a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/816,530, filed Apr. 1, 2004, now abandoned. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to the field of furniture coverings and, more particularly, pertains to sanitary and decorative table and chair covers, and kits containing the same. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    Table and chair covers are often used to cover tables and chairs to protect them from dust, dirt, spills and the like. Also, it is common to cover tables and chairs with a cover that improves the aesthetic appearance of the table and chair. Table and chair covers are widely used in the hospitality industry such as at banquets, entertainment and special events. Table and chair covers are commonly constructed of cloth fabric material which can be removed and laundered. The expense in providing the cloth table and chair covers initially, and of transporting, laundering and storing such covers, has created a prohibitively expensive pricing for such covers such that many who would prefer to use covers at their special events do not. As a result, a significant demand goes unmet in the industry. 
         [0006]    Nevertheless, the use of covers for tables and chairs is highly desirable, as tables and chairs which are used by a great many people become worn and unsanitary as time passes. Therefore, there is a need to employ table and seat coverings which do not suffer from the economic limitations referenced above. 
         [0007]    The need exists, therefore, to provide affordable table and chair covers to limit users&#39; contact with tables and chairs, to reduce wear and tear and the spread of germs and disease that may result from contact with the contaminated surfaces of the tables and chairs. 
         [0008]    The need also exists to provide an inexpensive way to alter the appearance of furniture. 
         [0009]    It is, therefore, a primary object of my invention to provide sanitary covers for banquet and/or folding tables and chairs and the like, which is made from an inexpensive, single-use material. 
         [0010]    It is also an object of this invention to provide such covers which eliminate the need and expense of cleaning the tables and chairs due to the fact that the covers provide a barrier to the transmission of contaminants between the table and seat and the users. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of my invention to provide a cover that may be easily replaced each time the table or chair is used for a different event. 
         [0012]    Applicant&#39;s work in the catering field led to the further development of a catering kit and supplies, which include table covers and table skirts, made of the same non-woven material as the chair covers she invented. Similar to the issue encountered with the chair covers, the expense of purchasing cloth table covers and table skirts, initially, and of transporting, laundering and storing same has created a prohibitively expensive pricing such that many caterers who continue to use cloth table covers and skirts charge the function sponsor for their use, adding significantly (and in many cases, prohibitively) to the cost of an event. Due to this problem, an industry of suppliers and cleaners of just these products has arisen. In other words, the expense and effort required for individual caterers to maintain their own table linens is not justifiable and rental suppliers of these products have emerged. 
         [0013]    There are many examples of plastic table covers in the prior art. U.S. Pat. App. Pub. 2004/0238087 to Ciapessoni teaches a disposable tablecloth that can be converted into a trash bag. No criticality of material is discussed by Ciapessoni and no disclosure of non-woven material is made. U.S. Pat. App. Pub. 2003/0031826 to Cleveland et al. teaches a laminated, waterproof table covering for outdoor use. Cleveland&#39;s table cover is disclosed to be preferably made of polyethylene laminate and is not disposable. 
         [0014]    Although maintenance of plastic table covers is less expensive than the maintenance of cloth table covers, there are still many detriments to the use of plastic. For example, everyone is familiar with the “sticky feel” associated with plastic table covers. If a plastic cover is made of a lightweight material, it may not stay on the table or may cause other lightweight items located thereupon to spill. If the plastic cover is of heavy gauge material, it very often does not conform to the shape of the table. If used on a buffet, a heavy gauge plastic table cover may be caught or pulled by event attendees, resulting in spillage or the like. Many of the lightweight or heavy gauge plastic covers are not disposable, requiring caterers to lug them around. To date, no one has employed non-woven material in connection with table covers and/or skirts. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    To address these and other needs, the present invention provides a disposable sanitary table and seat cover fabricated from inexpensive, non-woven, disposable fabric readily adapted for a wide variety of tables and chairs, such as, for example but not by way of limitation, banquet tables, round tables, folding tables, banquet chairs and/or folding chairs. 
         [0016]    The present invention also provides methods for adjusting the dimensions and contours of the pre-manufactured covers of this invention so that the covers fit over the tables and chairs snugly and neatly. 
         [0017]    The covers are made of a non-woven fabric which is inexpensive and may, therefore, be discarded after use. 
         [0018]    Caterers encounter a wide variety of table sizes and shapes. Therefore, the non-woven table covers and skirts of this invention, which may be offered in the form of a table-covering kit and include clips and other fastening structures for releasably affixing the cover and/or skirt to a table, provide one or more sheets of non-woven material, which optionally may be adjustable to a wide variety of table shapes and sizes by dashed or solid lines defining the terminal edges of a particular size cover or, alternatively, perforations or other easily-removable connection along which excess material may be removed. For example, the covers and skirts of the present invention may be made available for round, oblong, square, rectangular, or any shaped tables. Each kit may include one or more large sheets that either are pre-manufactured in a specific common table size or can be cut or torn along perforations to create a sheet of a smaller size, if necessary. Preferably, the printed pattern outlines, if used, are only visible on one side of the material, so that they are not visible to the guests. In an alternate embodiment, the table cover and skirt may not employ the aforementioned adjustability features. 
         [0019]    Most caterers employ a drape or skirt (“skirt”) along the edge of the catering table for cosmetic and safety reasons. Such skirts conceal the space below the table, providing a desirable visual effect. The catering kit of the present invention includes one or more sheets that can be used as a skirt. Once again, the sheet can include printed lines or markings, perforations or other easily-removable connections so that the height of the skirt can be adjusted to fit the table, and, preferably, if printed markings are used, they are only visible on one side of the fabric. 
         [0020]    The kit of the present invention includes one or more clips to secure a first sheet, the table cover, to the top of the table and to secure the second sheet, the skirt, along the edge of the table to cover the space below the table top. Once again, the kit can be prepared with certain tables in mind, such as banquet tables, polyethylene tables made by Lifetime Products, Inc., or even adjustable clips for tables of non-standard thickness. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a typical prior art banquet chair which a first embodiment of the cover of the instant invention is meant to partially encapsulate. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of two sections of non-woven fabric which are adapted to be sewn together or otherwise attached to form the first embodiment of the instant invention. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 3 through 5  are rear perspective views showing an assembled chair cover of the first embodiment of instant invention being placed about a chair. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a front orthogonal view of the first embodiment of the instant invention placed over a banquet chair. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the chair and cover shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a right side elevational view of the chair and cover shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the assembled chair cover of the first embodiment in its final position about a banquet chair. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows a typical prior art folding chair which a second embodiment of the cover of the instant invention is meant to partially encapsulate. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of two sections of non-woven fabric which are adapted to be sewn together or otherwise attached to form the second embodiment of the instant invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the cover of the second embodiment of the invention in place about a folding chair. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of the cover of the second embodiment of this invention placed about a folding chair. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the cover of the second embodiment of this invention placed about a folding chair. 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a rear elevational view of the cover of the second embodiment of this invention in place about a folding chair, without showing the folding chair in phantom. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of the cover of the second embodiment of this invention being placed about a folding chair. 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  shows an exploded perspective view of a banquet table, table cover, table skirt, and clips. 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1 , in an assembled state. 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged elevational view of section line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the banquet clip. 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the clip utilized with a brand of polyethylene tables manufactured by Lifetime Products, Inc. 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  shows an exploded perspective view of a round table, table cover, table skirt and clips. 
           [0041]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of  FIG. 22  in an assembled state. 
           [0042]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of an adjustable clip. 
           [0043]      FIG. 25  provides a perspective view of one embodiment of an apron in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 26  provides a perspective view of a second embodiment of an apron in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a conventional banquet-type chair denoted by the letter “C” of the type commonly used at social functions such as weddings, birthday parties, concerts, etc. The type of chair shown here is merely to provide an example of one type of chair in connection with which the instant invention can be used. Any other chair, whether of the foldable or non-foldable variety, which is adaptable to receive a non-woven, disposable chair cover, is contemplated to be within the field of use of the instant invention. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  shows a typical pattern layout for a first embodiment of the non-woven fabric chair cover of the instant invention prior to the fabric being sewn or otherwise attached together to form a form-fitting chair cover  10 . It will be appreciated that the shape of the fabric patterns will vary depending upon the particular chair to be covered. The material may be formed of two panels  12 ,  14  which are to be sewn together in such a way as to form the cover shown in  FIGS. 3 through 9 . The panels  12 ,  14  may be attached through sewing/stitching, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, or any other suitable connection structure. The cover  10 , as seen in  FIGS. 3 through 9 , forms generally an upper pocket  20  adapted to at least partially envelope seat back section  4 , as well as a lower pocket  22  adapted to envelope seat portion  5  and front and rear legs  6 ,  8  of chair “C”. In this way, a user of the chair will not through ordinary use be able to come into contact with chair “C” while cover  10  is in place. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3 through 5  show the chair cover after being assembled. 
         [0048]    An additional feature may (but need not necessarily) be employed to permit adjustment of the height of cover  10  relative to chair “C”. In connection with this additional feature, upper pocket  20  of cover  10  includes a front panel  25 , a rear panel  26  and a flap  27  which is connected to lower pocket  22  and which is adapted to be folded over the top of seat back  4  and laid against rear panel  26  to form a natural height adjustment mechanism for cover  10 . Flap  27  may be held in place against rear panel  26  by any suitable means, such as the hook and loop fastener strips  24 ,  28  attached to flaps  27  and  26 , respectively. 
         [0049]    It is to be appreciated that the adjustability feature embodied in flap  27  and fasteners  24 ,  28  constitutes an option which is not necessary for the realization of the benefits of the instant invention, which is simply a non-woven, form fitting chair cover. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show an additional adjustment feature which may or may not be employed with the instant invention. This additional feature is comprised of a tear away strip  40  attached to lower pocket  22  by a perforated or other frangible connection. Strip  40  may be removed from cover  10  in the event that the legs  6 ,  8  are shorter than the height of lower pocket  22 . In this way, cover  10  will hang down to the bottom of legs  6 ,  8  and not be too long and cause the material of cover  10  to buckle, which would be a potential tripping hazard as well as unsightly. 
         [0051]    Still in the alternative, as best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a slit  50  may be provided in the front panel  22 ′ of lower cover section  22 . Slit  50  will accommodate a user&#39;s feet and legs if the user sitting in the chair attempts to tuck the user&#39;s legs up underneath the user. Slit  50  will alleviate undue tensile forces exerted on the material of cover  10  in the event of this occurring. Side edges “x” and “y” form the respective edges of slit  50 . 
         [0052]    The particular dimensions of cover  10  are not critical to the present invention. Cover  10  may be produced in a variety of different sizes to accommodate chairs of different configurations and dimensions. 
         [0053]    Panels  12 ,  14  of cover  10  may be of a substantially planar material formed from a suitable non-woven fiber material or a composite or laminate thereof, which is widely used in the hygiene products industry. The term “non woven” material fabric refers generally to materials having a structure of individual fibers or threads that are interlaid, not necessarily in a regular, repetitive manner as in a knitted fabric. Non-wovens provide cloth-like aesthetics at a lower cost than typical knitted fabrics. Non-woven fabrics or webs may be formed from many processes such as, for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, hydroentangling processes, air laid processes, conforming processes, spunbonding/meltblowing/spunbonding processes and bonded carded web processes. These processes are all well known in the hygiene arts and non-woven materials are readily commercially available. For example, non-woven laminates have been available commercially for years from Kimberly Clark Corporation. 
         [0054]    Cover  10  may be substantially liquid impermeable, or may be liquid-permeable, depending upon the application to which the cover will be put. Alternatively, cover  10  may be made from a material that exhibits elastic properties, as such materials are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,237 to Haffner discloses an elastic non-woven web or film manufactured from a thermo-plastic polymer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,668 discloses an elastic liquid impermeable laminate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,460 discloses a laminate material formed of an elastomeric polymer sheet and a non-woven fabric sheet. Other suitable elastic sheet materials are known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0055]      FIG. 10  shows a conventional folding-type chair denoted by the letter “C 1 ” of the type commonly used at social functions such as weddings, birthday parties, concerts, etc. 
         [0056]      FIG. 11  shows a typical pattern layout for a second embodiment of the non-woven fabric chair cover  110  of the instant invention adapted to be used to cover the folding-type chair shown in  FIG. 10 . The pattern layout for the cover  110  is shown in  FIG. 11  prior to panels  112 ,  114  being sewn or otherwise attached together to form a form-fitting chair cover  110 . The material may be formed of two panels  112 ,  114  which are to be sewn together in such a way as to form the cover shown in  FIGS. 12 through 16 . The panels  112 ,  114  may be attached through sewing/stitching, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, or any other suitable connection structure. The cover  110 , as seen in  FIGS. 13 through 16 , forms generally an upper pocket  120  adapted to at least partially envelope seat back section  104 , as well as a lower pocket  122  adapted to envelope seat portion  105  and front and rear legs  106 ,  108  of chair “C 1 ”. In this way, a user of the chair will not through ordinary use be able to come into contact with chair “C 1 ” while cover  110  is in place. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 12 through 16  show the chair cover after being assembled. 
         [0058]    In front panel  122 ′ of lower pocket  122 , a slit  150  is employed as in the first embodiment to permit a user seated in the chair to tuck his or her legs up underneath the chair without tearing the cover  110 . 
         [0059]    As best seen in  FIGS. 14 through 16 , one or more pleats  130  or “tucks” may be employed to permit a certain amount of “give” in the upper pocket  120  so as to allow upper pocket  120  to fit snugly about the chair back  104 . 
         [0060]    It can be seen, therefore, the covers  10  and  110  of the first and second embodiments of my invention in the form of cover  110  fit easily and snugly about a standard folding-type chair to provide a protection cover for the chair as well as a beautiful ornamentation for an otherwise bland seating apparatus. 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17-25 , in which like reference numerals designate like items, two modes of practicing the table cover and skirt embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. It is to be understood, however, that departures may be made in the specific structural assembly and use of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0062]    As depicted in  FIGS. 17-19 ,  22  and  23 , the table cover  200 ,  400  is placed on the table T, T 1  so as to substantially cover the top of the table and, in so doing, to act as a table-cloth.  FIGS. 17-19  depict a rectangular table T which is covered by a rectangular table cover  200 .  FIGS. 22 and 23  provide a round table T 1  which is covered by a round table cover  400 . 
         [0063]    If necessary, because tables are created in a variety of sizes, the table cover  200 ,  400  may be made of one or more sheets of non-woven fabric which are to be joined together by sewing/stitching, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, hook and loop fastener, adhesive tapes, snaps, buttons, or any other suitable connection structure. In addition, and again because tables are created in a variety of sizes, table cover  200 ,  400  may optionally include a size reduction feature  201 ,  401  such as dashed or solid lines defining the terminal edges of a particular size cover or, alternatively, perforations or other easily-removable connection along which excess cover material may be removed. The size reduction feature  201 ,  401  is visible in  FIGS. 17 and 22  for demonstration purposes only. Preferably, the size reduction feature  201 ,  401  is only visible on one side of the table cover  200 ,  400  so that it does not affect the overall appearance of the final product. 
         [0064]    It will be appreciated that the size enlargement and size reduction features of the table cover  200 ,  400  are not mutually exclusive. For example, a table may require two rectangular table covers  200  to cover a large table top, but may also need to utilize one of the size reduction features along one length of the table. 
         [0065]    The clips  210 ,  310 ,  410 , shown independently in  FIGS. 20 ,  21  and  24 , are then placed over the edge of the table  205 ,  405  to removably secure the table cover  200 ,  400  to the table top  204 ,  404 . The clips  210 ,  310 ,  410  may include attachment material  211 ,  311 ,  411  with which to removably attach the skirt  220 ,  420  along the edge of the table  205 ,  405 . As depicted in  FIGS. 19-21  and  24 , the attachment material  211 ,  311 ,  411  may comprise hook and loop fastener. However, any suitable attachment material  211 ,  311 ,  411  such as hook and loop fasteners, adhesive tapes, snaps, and buttons may be practiced in the present invention. 
         [0066]    In addition, and again because tables are created in a variety of sizes, table skirt  220 ,  420  may optionally include a size reduction feature  221 ,  421  such as dashed or solid lines defining the terminal edges of a particular size skirt or, alternatively, perforations or other easily-removable connection along which excess skirt material may be removed. Preferably, and as depicted in  FIGS. 17 ,  18 ,  22  and  23 , the size reduction feature  221 ,  421  is only visible on the side of the skirt  220 ,  420  facing the table T, T 1 . 
         [0067]    The skirt  220 ,  420  may also be provided with one or more lengths of attachment material  222 ,  422 . Similar to the attachment material  211 ,  311 ,  411  of the clips,  210 ,  310 ,  410 , the attachment material  222 ,  422  of the skirt  220 ,  420  can include hook and loop fasteners, adhesive tapes, snaps, buttons, or any other suitable attachment material. As depicted in  FIGS. 17 and 22 , the attachment material  222 ,  422  is provided in a continuous strip. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the attachment material  222 ,  422  may also be provided in intermittent lengths without departing from the scope of the present invention. To complete the table display, the attachment material  222 ,  422  of the skirt  220 ,  420  is attached to the attachment material  211 ,  311 ,  411  of the clip  210 ,  310 ,  410 . The resulting table T, T 1  is suitable for any event. 
         [0068]    In an alternate embodiment, it may be desirable to attach the skirt  220 , 420  to the table or other objects by means other than a clip  210 ,  310 ,  410 . For example, in creating a room of one theme, it may be necessary to place a skirt  220 ,  420  around a wooden stage, a portable or stationary bar, countertop, table or fixed structure (not shown). In that case, a supply of attachment material (not shown), such as hook and loop fastener, may be included with the kit. The caterer could simply attach the attachment material directly to the edge of the object and then removably attach the corresponding attachment material  222 ,  422  associated with the skirt  220 ,  420  to the attachment material connected to the edge of the object. In another example, the hostess may wish to display a beautiful table top without a table cover  200 ,  400 . In that embodiment, the skirt  220 ,  420  can be attached directly to the table by attachment material (not shown) without the clip  210 ,  310 ,  410 . Some non-limiting examples of suitable attachment material include hook and loop fasteners, adhesive tapes, snaps, and buttons. 
         [0069]    To add to the visual appeal provided by the uniform display of the tables and chairs, the kit may also include one or more aprons  500 ,  600  made of the same non-woven material as depicted in  FIGS. 25 and 26 . 
         [0070]    Preferably, a kit according to the present invention will include one or more adjustable table covers, one or more adjustable skirts, a plurality of clips, and one or more aprons. However, the inventor recognizes that each caterer&#39;s needs are distinct and may also provide the kit components in individual packaging. For example, a caterer may have a chosen color scheme for his/her display and may wish to pair a blue adjustable skirt with a white table cover. The caterer would be able to purchase either the white table cover or the blue skirt separately. In addition, the caterer may be working an outdoor event and require additional clips to add holding strength to the cover and/or skirt due to the weather. 
         [0071]    A kit of the present invention may only include the table top and/or the table skirt and/or clips and/or any combination thereof. The components of the kit will be dictated by the needs of the consumer. 
         [0072]    In addition, the present invention is not limited to use by caterers. Kits to be used at home could include birthday-themed table covers and skirts or even in simple decorative patterns for normal day-to-day decoration. This invention is perfect for the person who likes to frequently alter the appearance of their rooms because it is low-cost and disposable. Therefore, a person could alter the appearance of a room every week, if desired. 
         [0073]    The invention has been shown and described herein in the form of preferred embodiments with alternative features. It is to be understood, however, that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments and additional features disclosed herein, and that the invention is intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0