Patent Application
20070014968
This invention generally relates to a surface cover for protecting a surface, and more particularly, to a collapsible surface cover that is portable and provides for easy removal of a top layer of the surface cover.
A number of tasks can result in unwanted materials such as food, shoe polish, paint, scrap and liquids contacting a surface such as a countertop, a table and a floor. The unwanted materials can damage the surface, which can include carpet, wood and grout. For example, the process of feeding a child generally results in food falling onto a portion of the floor below the feeding child. Cleaning the portion of the floor under the child typically is difficult, because of the adjacent table and chair legs. In addition, the cleaning process is considered drudge work and occurs generally with the same frequency as feeding the child.
In order to reduce the cleaning drudge work prior to feeding the child, a cover typically made of plastic is placed on the portion of the floor below where the child is fed. After feeding the child, the cover is simply removed from the floor, and the food on the collecting surface of the cover is disposed in a trash bin.
The cover can tend to shift or distribute unevenly forming folds on the cover's collecting top surface as a result of moving the cover or people treading on the cover. The resulting surface folds can provide a tripping hazard to an adult attending the feeding child. In addition, liquid spilled on the folded surface of the cover near the edge of the cover can flow onto the adjacent floor. Furthermore, removal and replacement of the cover to dispose of food or scrap collected on the cover generally can result in unintended repositioning of the cover. After unintentional repositioning, the cover may not collect food and scrap as desired. In addition, the cover tends to form creases when folded up and stored away such that when the cover is unfolded for use considerable time is required to press down the cover to reduce the folds.
Hence, there is a need for a cover that contains liquid and does not shift or form folds that are tripping hazards and does not unintentionally reposition on disposing of collected food or scrap.
The present invention satisfies the foregoing need for a cover to protect a surface. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the cover is collapsible and comprises a first portion having first and second surfaces, and a spring-like member secured to the first portion to expand or collapse the first portion. At least one first fastener secures to the first surface. A second portion has at least one second fastener for receiving the at least one first fastener. The at least first and second fasteners engage and disengage to enable the first and second portions to quickly attach and detach, respectively.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a cover that is collapsible is provided for protecting a surface. The collapsible cover includes a first portion having first and second surfaces. A spring-like member is secured to the first portion to expand or collapse the first portion. A second portion has third and fourth surfaces. At least one first and second fasteners are secured to the respective first and fourth surfaces of the first and fourth portions, respectively. The at least one first and second fastener engage to allow quick attachment or detachment between the first and second portions.
Generally, the present invention provides a cover having an expanded and collapsed configuration used for protecting a surface and for transporting the cover, respectively. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the cover includes a detachable top portion for connecting to or disconnecting from a bottom portion. The detachable top portion includes a surface used for collecting food or scrap materials. Without repositioning the bottom portion, the detachable top portion can be quickly removed. The detachable top portion and the bottom portion are conforming flexible layers and are generally parallel with respect to a generally flat surface. In another embodiment of the present invention, the conforming flexible layers are generally concave with respect to the generally flat surface allowing the cover to better contain liquids.
At least one mounting pad, referred to as mounting pads 10, is formed on the bottom surface 8 of the base portion 1 and is provided to reduce the potential for movement or slippage between of the base portion 1 and the surface 3. The mounting pads 10 can be bonded to the base portion 1 using any one of a number of techniques. For example, a pressure sensitive adhesive can be dispensed, rolled or painted between the mounting pads 10 and the bottom surface 8 of the base portion 1. Adhesives can include materials containing cyanoacrylate, epoxy, polyurethane, acrylic resins, and the like. Alternatively, the mounting pads 10 can be formed on the bottom surface 8 of the base portion 1 by jetting, spraying, silk-screening and the like. The techniques and materials for forming the mounting pads 10 to the base portion 1 should not be considered a limitation of the present invention. The mounting pads 10 can be made using a variety of materials including rubber, abrasive particles and a combination of rubber and abrasive particles, and the like. The mounting pads 10 can be patterned as discussed below under
The detachable layer 18 is flexible and attaches and conforms to the base portion 1. The detachable layer 18 is generally the same size and shape as the base portion 1 and can be made of materials including terry cloth, felt, canvas, synthetic sheep skin, sheep skin, disposable paper material, polyester, chenille, and the like. The detachable layer 18 includes at least one fastener 23 attached to an under surface 22 of the detachable layer 18. The location of the fastener 23 mirrors the fastener 16 location of the base portion 1, because the fasteners 16 and 23 must make contact to engage or connect the base portion 1 to the detachable layer 18. The fastener 23 is provided for receiving the fastener 16 in order to temporarily connect the detachable layer 18 to the base portion 1 of the cover 100. The fastener 23 can be made of fastener material similar to the fastener 16 as mentioned above. The fastener 23 is made of a loop fastener material where the fastener 16 is made of a hook fastener material or visa versa. The fasteners 16 and 23 provide the advantage of quickly connecting and disconnecting the detachable layer 18 from the base portion 1. For example, forces applied in opposite directions to the base portion 1 and the detachable layer 18 can quickly remove (attach) the detachable layer 18 from (to) the base portion 1. Depending on the speed and dexterity of the user, the detachable layer 18 can be quickly removed from the base portion 1 in a time that can range from about 2 seconds to about 5 seconds. The detachable layer 18 provides the advantage of collecting materials such as food, scrap materials and the like. The detachable layer 18 containing the collected material is pulled off from the base portion 1 and the collected material is quickly disposed of in a trash container without picking up and repositioning the base portion 1. Further a detachable layer 18 made of disposable paper can be disposed with any collected food and scrap materials. As mentioned previously, the profile of the cover 100 is maintained, and an upper surface 20 of the detachable layer 18 is smooth in the expanded configuration.
Top 7 and bottom 5 snaps are nested on at least one the fasteners 23 and 16, respectively. In another embodiment the top 7 and bottom 5 snaps can be located at a plurality of locations including opposite corners of the detachable layer 18 and base portion 1, respectively. The top 7 and bottom 5 snaps are used to locate the appropriate portions of the base portion 1 and the detachable layer 18. The top 7 and bottom 5 snaps can be made using metal or plastic snaps, buttons, pins and socket connectors and the like. In another embodiment (not shown), a plurality of top 7 and bottom 5 snaps completely replaces fasteners 16 and 23.
Although certain preferred embodiments and methods have been disclosed herein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the rules and principles of applicable law.
