This invention relates generally to keeping one's personal space on an airplane clean and orderly by using a personal tray tablecloth, and more specifically it relates to covering the tray on an airplane while traveling, providing passengers with a protective barrier to the tray surface, as well as temporary storage pockets for personal items while traveling. In addition it provides a way to view an electronic device hands-free, or without having to sustain its weight, while in flight, and a place to put one's drink when the tray table is in the locked upright position.
Although travelers have long suspected that tray tables on airplanes are of questionable cleanliness, it has recently been determined that they are in fact one of the most unclean parts of an airplane seat. As airlines rush to disembark and then board passengers, there is no time between consecutive flights to lower each tray table and give it a good washing. More and more, germ transmission has been in the news, with the recent scare of the Ebola and Entero viruses, Swine and Bird Flu, as well as the annual cold and flu season viruses. The primary purpose of this invention is to provide a germ barrier that would minimize germ transfer from one airline passenger to the next, and additionally to facilitate the organization and accessibility of personal items, as well as personal entertainment to passengers while in flight.
This invention is a cover for an airplane tray table. It slips over and under the tray table, covering the top surface as well as the underside and all the side edges of the tray, and fits snugly to the tray with the ability to adapt to various tray sizes. For passengers on an airplane, it provides a germ barrier and a clean tray surface, as well as pockets that have a variety of purposes, including the facilitation of storing personal items and providing methods of entertainment while in flight; entertainment may include playing games, doing written activities, watching a movie or reading a book on an electronic device. Additionally, it provides a drink holder that attaches securely to the tray table, giving passengers a place to put their drink while the tray table is up.
One embodiment of this tray cover is illustrated in
The tray cover slips over and under a dropdown tray, such as an airplane tray table, covering it completely. It may be constructed of a combination of fabric cloths appropriate for each function, including but not limited to cotton, nylon, clear vinyl, or non woven fabric. This fabric would be cut in such a way that covers the entire tray surface when put on the tray, including the top and bottom surfaces, and all 4 side edges of the tray.
In
In this embodiment, the stretchy pocket, made of a suitable fabric such as power mesh, would cover the entire underside of the tray, and would be secured by sewing to two opposite side edges of the tray cover, called the side seams (5). The stretchiness of this mesh pocket would give this tray cover the ability to snugly fit the tray and adjust to different airplane tray sizes, and other tray tables, as well as provide storage and accessibility of a passenger's larger personal items, such as books or toys.
This illustration shows the tray cover placed on the tray, by slipping the tray between the top side of the tray cover and the stretchy pocket which would lie under the tray when put on. The row of pockets (1) are along the front edge of the tray. One can see the clear sleeve (2) on the surface of the tray, with a sheet of paper inserted (6) into the sleeve opening (3). The tray table is down (13). The tray table moves to the upright, locked position in the direction indicated by the arrow.
This drawing shows the tray table in its upright, locked position (7), with the tray cover still on the tray. This position makes the stretchy pocket (4) and the side seams (5) of the tray cover visible. The row of pockets (1) are hanging along the top edge of the tray. The stretchy pocket is sewn to the body of the tray cover along the side seams (5).
In this drawing, the viewing case is introduced. The viewing case is an accessory that works with the tray cover. It is meant to provide a way for passengers to view a movie, surf the internet or read a book on an electronic device while traveling, with the tray table in the upright locked position, and without having to sustain the weight of the device with their hands. The viewing case also serves as a storage and carrying case for the electronic device, as well as for the tray cover and the drink holder (which has not yet been introduced). The viewing case has three sections. The bottom section is the clear pocket (15) that holds an electronic device. It is made by cutting a piece of transparent material such as clear vinyl, and layering it over the bottom section of the viewing case, made of any suitable fabric, such as nylon or cotton. The bottom and side edges are sewn to form a clear pocket. The size of this pocket should be big enough to accommodate a larger tablet like an iPad. The top edge is open for easy insertion of the electronic device, and has a means of closure, in this embodiment, using two rounded hook/loop fasteners (17) at equal intervals on the top edge. The corners are open corners (16), and may be diagonally cut or rounded. These corners are left open to provide easy access to the headset port and volume controls on the electronic device. The middle section of the viewing case contains an inverted storage pocket (19), which is of a similar size as the clear pocket in the bottom section. This pocket is made by attaching a second layer of fabric to the middle section at the top and side edges. The opening of this inverted storage pocket runs along its bottom edge, and is aligned with the middle seam (22) of the viewing case. It has a means of closure, in this case a zipper (20) running across horizontally along the bottom of the storage pocket. Along each side edge of this middle section, one can see the loop fastener strips (11) sewn and running vertically. On the top end of each of these strips is some type of grip clip, in this embodiment they are suspender clips (10), that are connected to the loop fastener strips (11). At the bottom of these loop fastener strips are two hook fastener tabs (21), one on each side, that are sewn into the middle seam (22). They are used for vertical adjustment of the clear pocket (15) to an optimal viewing position, fastening hook tab to loop strip, like the well-known Velcro fastener. Sewn into the top seam of the middle section, there are two elastic loops (12) that give the viewing pocket another way to attach, in this embodiment most useful for attaching to the posts of a car headrest, so that kids in the back seat can watch a movie while traveling. The top section of the viewing pocket is a closure flap (8), which is used to close the viewing case. It has a pocket (9) to store the suspender clips (10), as well as the elastic loops (12), to keep them out of the way when not in use. To make the closure flap and its pocket, the fabric is cut into a shape that is functional for this purpose, in this embodiment it is a rectangular shape. Another piece of fabric, of similar shape and size is layered on top of this fabric, and sewn along the top and side edges to form the flap pocket. This closure flap has a square of loop fastener (14) in the center, which is sewn onto the top layer of the pocket only, so that the pocket is not sewn shut. This square of loop fastener (14) corresponds to the square of hook fastener (24), which is on the back side of the clear pocket of the bottom section. Both the square of loop fastener (14) and the square of hook fastener (24) are part of the closure mechanism of the viewing case. The closure flap closes the viewing case into a storage and carrying case for traveling. (see
This illustration shows the viewing case, lying flat, with the exterior side in view.
Notice the handle (23) on this side, which is sewn into the middle seam (22), as well as a square of hook fastener (24) sewn in the bottom center on the opposite side of the clear pocket.
Here you see the viewing pocket halfway closed, almost in the closed position as a storage case. The broken lines represent the suspender clips (10) and elastic loops (12) inside the flap pocket (9), and both hook (24) and loop (14) fasteners in view. The square of hook fastener (24) corresponds with the square of loop fastener (14) and are pressed and fastened together when the viewing pocket is in the fully closed position. The handle (23) is also in view. When fully closed, the viewing pocket forms a carrying case with handle, that can hold and carry the tray cover, the drink holder and the electronic device in the storage pocket.
Here you see the suspender clips (10) of the viewing case being attached to the front edge of the clear sleeve opening (3) of the tray cover, on the surface of the tray. You can also see the loop fastener strips (11) running vertically along each side of the middle section, and the hook fastener tabs (21) ready to be grabbed and adjusted after the tray table is up. The arrow indicates the movement of the tray when put in the upright, locked position.
In this figure, you see the attached clear pocket (15) in the process of being adjusted upward for a better viewing position. It is being lifted by the hook fastener tabs (21), and will be placed along the loop fastener strips (11) at the optimal position for viewing. Notice the electronic device in the clear pocket, with the Netflix App on the screen. The loop fastener strips (11) along each outer edge allow the viewing pocket to be positioned at any vertical point along these two strips using the hook fastener tabs (21). The tray table is in the upright, locked position. (7)
The tray cover is a protective cover, similar to a toilet seat cover in public bathrooms. It provides a barrier between the tray surface and the passenger, protecting a passenger from germs already on the surface, but since the passenger using the tray cover takes the majority of their own germs with them when they leave, it also protects the next passenger to use that tray table. Since trays are not cleaned between consecutive flights, this tray cover would also help to keep planes cleaner and perhaps impede flu and cold viral transmission while traveling.
The tray cover's pockets also give passengers a way to organize themselves while flying, hopefully minimizing the need to access their carryon baggage and disturb other passengers while in flight. There's a place for everything one might want to keep handy during flight. It helps all passengers, both adults and children, create their own space, with all their favorite things and snacks close at hand.
With the tray table turned into a changeable game board or white board, there's always something to do that's right in front of the child or adult, and these games can be played with traveling companions. The clear protective sleeve provides storage for game sheets, as well as a quick, moisture-resistant place to keep a newspaper or other reading material when the drinks are served. The erasability of the sleeve permits the repeated play of game sheets with dry erase markers.
The viewing case gives passengers a place to store their electronic device while traveling, and a way to watch a movie or surf the internet with the tray table up, either handsfree, or without having to sustain the full weight of the device. It also keeps the device out of reach of small children, and protects the screen from fingerprints. And when you arrive to your destination, you have a quick and easy storage case for the tray cover, drink holder and tablet, that can be easily slipped into your carryon.
The drink holder gives passengers a way to put their tray tables up before they're finished with their drinks. They can put the tray table up, having more room for their legs, and leisurely sip their drink, with a place to set it down. The elastic strap is great for securing beverage cans. This drink holder also packs easily, since it folds flat. It can easily be slipped into a purse or the pocket of a carryon, or stored in the viewing case. It is easily adapted to most tray thicknesses and drink sizes.
1. The simplest embodiment of this tray cover would be a cover more like an envelope, that would encase the tray. It could be made of non woven or nylon fabric, and would encase the tray completely, both the top, and underside surfaces, and all of its side edges, like an envelope, with no other purpose than to provide a clean tray surface for passengers. It would slip over the tray from the front edge toward the back, and be fastened with a hook/loop fastening system under the tray, with the back flap attaching to the underside.
2. Another embodiment would be for trays that come sideways out of the arm rest, and in such a case, the tray cover would have to be constructed with the slip-on opening coming from the side, like a pillowcase, and the stretchy pocket being sewn to the body of the tray cover along front and back seams instead of side seams. The stretchy pocket would still have its opening along the front edge of the tray, behind the row of pockets. It would be attached to the tray cover by sewing the bottom layer of the stretchy pocket to the front edge, and the folded bottom of the stretchy pocket to the tray cover's back flap. The size of this stretchy pocket would have to be modified to adapt to this configuration. There could be another row of pockets along the side edge opposite the slip-on opening, that would need a closure mechanism like a zipper. A larger pocket would be sewn into the back side seam with the stretchy pocket bottom, and would hang from the back of the tray. This hanging pocket would only be accessed when the tray table is in the upright, locked position.
3. Another embodiment would be the tray cover with pockets running along the sides and back edges of the tray, using a closure mechanism such as zipper, so that items would not fall out of these pockets when the tray table goes up. A large pocket could be added to the back edge of the tray, which could only be accessed when the tray table is up. It may or may not be a stretchy pocket.
4. An additional embodiment of the viewing case, instead of being detachable like the embodiment explained, could be permanently attached to the tray cover at the side seams under the tray, attached at two upper points of the viewing case, one on each side, using some kind of stretchy elastic attachment mechanism, to retain the stretchy adaptability of the tray cover to different tray sizes. The clear pocket could still be adjusted vertically up and down. The other points of attachment would be inside the storage pocket of the viewing case, sewn under the loop fastener strips, and this storage pocket would have an opening on top edge instead of at the middle seam of the middle section, where the tray cover and drink holder could be pulled in and stored. There still could be a zipper closure of this pocket, and then the closure flap would finish the job of closing the viewing case. The handle would be in the same place, sewn into the middle seam on the exterior side.
5. Another embodiment of the clear pocket for the electronic device could be the addition of an open frame consisting of two vertical open slips, one running along on each side edge and in front of the clear pocket, where the device can either be slipped behind the clear front layer, or could be slipped in front of the clear pocket, being held by these two side frame pieces, giving the passenger the viewing option of a bare, uncovered screen. There would be closure flaps on each lateral side of the frame pieces to close the pocket once the device is inserted. The closure flaps would be secured with hook/loop tabs or some other appropriate closure mechanism. The sides would be open on the corners to provide access to the controls and ports of the device. The top and bottom edge of the clear pocket would be sewn all the way across. The frame would be fitted to a particular screen, so is sized for a specific electronic device, such as an iPad. Smaller devices could be slipped behind the clear pocket.
6. Another embodiment of the drink holder would be one in which the drink holder was permanently attached to the tray cover. It would be sewn to the back of one of the smaller pockets in the row of pockets. The square top panel of the drink holder would still be needed for stability, but could be folded toward the front and stored in this smaller pocket while the tray table is down. When the passenger puts the tray table up, the square top panel would be flipped back and straddle the top edge of the tray before it is locked in its upright position.
This application claims the benefit of PPA Application No. 62/178,454 filed 2015 Apr. 10 by the present inventors, which is incorporated by reference. Not applicable Not applicable Search 1. Elizabeth Davino and Stacy Weberapplication Ser. No. 13/921,428Airline Tray Cover2. Norman Korpiapplication Ser. No. 13/868,020Airplane Tray CIP