Apparatus and method for a drop tray

Abstract

An apparatus and method for capturing spills is disclosed. The apparatus includes a drop tray and a high chair including one or more legs and a high chair seat. The apparatus further includes one or more legs that may be connected to the high chair, the one or more legs may elevate the high chair seat above a floor. The apparatus also includes a drop tray that may be positioned above a floor and below the high chair seat. The drop tray may surround one or more legs of the high chair, and the drop tray may include a top perimeter above and surrounding a base. The drop tray may further include one or more side walls extending between the top perimeter and the base. The base may also be attached to one or more legs of the high chair.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Application No. 2021 / 901051, filed on 11 April 2021, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for a drop tray used to catch falling debris, particularly, but not limited to, debris, e.g., food and liquids, dropped by a young child while sitting in a high chair. [Background technology]

[0003] The inclusion of any prior art or background discussion in this specification should not be construed as an admission that any discussed problem, including problems identified and solved by the applicant, was known to anyone other than the applicant or was public knowledge or common general knowledge anywhere.

[0004] A conventional high chair may include some type of restraint or upper portion (usually a front table portion) formed with four splayed legs, a seat, leg holes, and rails.

[0005] Food, liquids, utensils, or plates may often drop or spill on the floor. Toddlers can be very fun and moody. A typical solution may be to provide a drop seat or mat on the floor and a chair may be placed on the mat. The mat may have a sufficient margin around the chair to accommodate the extent of debris that falls from the toddler's activities. If the chair is to be moved, the mat must be moved separately from the chair, which may already be messy. Very often the mat may have to be cleaned before it can be moved, as baby food may not be very appealing. Moving the mat may create more mess. Moving the chair and mat separately may create more work for the parent.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide a useful alternative, particularly a drop tray, that can move with the chair, be simple to install, easy to clean, and be inexpensive. Summary of the Invention

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a high chair drop tray having an upper periphery above and surrounding a base, and a sidewall extending between the periphery and the base, the base having means defining spaced apart openings for spaced apart high chair legs.

[0008] Preferably, the tray is formed from a blank of thin sheet plastic having a perimeter corresponding to said peripheral edge, a base portion inside the perimeter and corresponding to the base, the base portion having means defining spaced apart openings, preferably foot holes, with a margin between the base portion and the perimeter, the margin corresponding to the sidewalls, and at least one coupling portion adapted to mate with the sidewall and simultaneously bias the sidewall into its operative position.

[0009] In one embodiment, the tray is for use with a high chair having four splayed legs extending from the seat area of ​​the chair to the ends of the legs, opposite pairs of ends of the legs being diametrically opposed with a leg end spacing between the opposite ends, and the means defining the spaced apart openings provides four leg holes as diametrically opposed pairs of holes corresponding to the legs of the chair, the spacing between opposing leg holes being less than the leg end spacing.

[0010] In another embodiment, the tray is for use with a chair having two legs or uprights, in which case the means defining the spaced apart openings provides two spaced apart slots for spaced apart square profile chair uprights or legs.

[0011] In one embodiment, the tray may be formed from a single piece of material including side wall portions pulled behind adjacent wall portions, with releasable hand insertable fasteners for securing the wall portions together.

[0012] In yet other embodiments, the tray may be formed by using a coupler that includes side wall portions pulled behind adjacent wall portions and has releasable hand insertable fasteners for securing the wall portions together.

[0013] The tray may have any shape suitable for catching dropped food items, but preferably it is generally dish-shaped, typically box-shaped, with sloping sidewalls defining an upper mouth that is wider than the base. In another embodiment, a thin plastic may be used, but the sidewalls are preferably configured to be manually effectively deformable and spring back to their operative position. It may be pulled to assist in cleaning or removing food items from the tray.

[0014] The means defining the spaced apart openings may be cut openings, but may be of any type, such as, but not limited to, actual holes in a closed loop sense, slots, lateral entry passages, clips in the array or means that may be formed therein, including extrusions in the base.

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and, together with the description, explain the disclosed principles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a drop tray having an opening consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a drop tray having a slotted opening, consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet for a drop tray having an opening, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating assembling a corner of a drop tray corner, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet for a drop tray having slotted openings, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet for a drop tray having diagonal slot openings, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet of a drop tray having a universal opening, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet of a drop tray that can be attached to a high chair without removing the legs, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a molded or thermoformed drop tray attached to a high chair consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10A] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a drop tray on two high chairs, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10B] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a drop tray on two high chairs, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a drop tray for two high chairs having an open backrest with two slots to slide onto the chairs, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar parts. Although several exemplary embodiments are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or changes may be made to the components and steps illustrated in the drawings, and the exemplary methods described herein may be modified by substituting, rearranging, removing, or adding steps to the disclosed methods. Thus, the following detailed description is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and examples. An embodiment consistent with the present disclosure relates to a drop tray, which may be a removable attachment to a child's high chair to capture food messes or liquid spills, utensils, plates, and other debris that falls from the high chair. The drop tray may be used with a high chair, which may have one or more legs and a high chair seat on which a child may be placed. The drop tray may be directly connected to the high chair without being connected to one or more legs of the high chair, or may be attached under the high chair (directly under the high chair seat). The attachment or interface of the drop tray may include clipping, snapping, plugging, and / or integrating with a footrest, car seat, chair, booster seat, or any other functionally similar device for children. The drop tray may be positioned between the floor and the bottom of the high chair seat, with the drop tray elevated above the floor. The drop tray may be positioned below the high chair seat and above the floor, but may have a surface area that includes and surrounds the bottom of the high chair and / or high chair seat. The surface area of ​​the drop tray may also extend in all directions to surround the high chair in all directions, with the drop tray catching food messes or liquid spills, utensils, plates, and other debris dropped by an infant or child from the high chair. The attachment of the drop tray (including one or more legs) may function as a footrest for the child.The drop tray may be a unitary material having one or more pieces joined to a common piece and inseparable, and one or more pieces may fold on themselves using deformable tab clips to form a fixed, stable, and / or rigid drop tray with upstanding walls, and may be attached to a high chair, foot rest, car seat, chair, booster seat, or any other functionally similar device for children. The drop tray may also be one or more pieces separately connected to each other to fold on themselves using deformable tab clips to form a fixed, stable, and / or rigid drop tray with upstanding walls, and may be attached to a high chair, foot rest, car seat, chair, booster seat, or any other functionally similar device for children. The drop tray may be a unitary device formed from a continuous single material having a base and upstanding walls, and may be attached to a high chair, foot rest, car seat, chair, booster seat, or any other functionally similar device for children. The drop tray may be fitted to or placed under the high chair seat, foot rest, car seat, chair, booster seat, or any other functionally similar device by specifically located holes or interfaces that allow the high chair frame to enter through or interface with the drop tray. The located holes or interfaces may prevent food messes or liquid spills, utensils, and other debris dropped by the toddler or child from the high chair from dropping to the floor. The drop tray may be used on a high chair with or without a feeding tray or foot rest, or any other functionally similar device for children. The drop tray may be formed from a waterproof and food safe material. Also, the drop tray may be formed from food grade plastic material, thermoplastic material, thermoset material, injection molded plastic, silicone, or other material that may be deformable, molded, thermoformed, and / or dishwasher safe.Thermoforming the drop tray may mean that the drop tray may be formed from a continuous, single piece of material without the need to assemble parts of the drop tray. Thermoforming processes may include any other similar manufacturing or plastic molding or forming process, such as injection molding, silicone molding, polyurethane foam (PUR foam) molding, and / or any other functionally similar process apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0018] Generally, a children's high chair may consist of a high chair frame, a seat, and a feeding tray. The seat may be for an infant to sit on. The feeding tray may be used to hold bowls, bottles, utensils, dishes, or food.

[0019] Conventional high chairs may not include a tray to catch food or liquid spills, utensils, plates, and other debris that fall from the high chair. Thus, when a child is allowed to eat, food and utensils typically spill or fall from the tray, front, sides, and back of the high chair, or between the leg compartments of the high chair onto the floor.

[0020] The drop tray may catch food or liquid spills, plates, or utensils so that food may be collected or discarded, spills may be discarded, and utensils or plates may be reused, while protecting the floor below the high chair from damage or dirty debris. The drop tray may also ensure that food and utensils may be collected from the drop tray at the proper height so that caregivers may not have to repeatedly bend down to a low, uncomfortable position when helping to feed their baby and clean up during and after mealtimes. The elevated height of the drop tray may also function as a foot rest, so that during mealtimes, the baby's feet may rest and not dangle in a way that may feel unstable and uncomfortable.

[0021] 1 is a typical diagram of an apertured drop tray consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apertured drop tray 100 may include a base, as well as raised sidewalls and an open top. The drop tray 100 may include a base 112 and a number of upper perimeters 114 positioned above and surrounding the base 112 to form the open top, and the base 112 may be connected to the number of perimeters 114 by a number of raised sidewalls extending from the base 112 to the number of perimeters 114.

[0022] The plurality of upstanding side walls may include a first side wall 116, a second side wall 118, a third side wall 120, and a fourth side wall 122. The first side wall 116 may be equal in size and shape to the second side wall 118. The first side wall 116 may be parallel to and opposite the second side wall 118 relative to the base 112. The third side wall 120 may be equal in size and shape to the fourth side wall 122. The third side wall 120 may be parallel to and opposite the fourth side wall 122 relative to the base 112. The first side wall 116 may not be equal in size and shape to the third side wall 120. In other embodiments, the first side wall 116, the second side wall 118, the third side wall 120, and the fourth side wall 122 may be equal in size and shape.

[0023] Each of the plurality of raised sidewalls and the base 112 may be shaped as a square, a rectangle, a circle, a triangle, an oval, and / or any combination thereof. Additionally, the plurality of raised sidewalls may also include a first corner sidewall 124 and a second sidewall 126 that may appear to be triangular, elliptical, circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, round, or square. The first corner sidewall 124 may be connected to the first sidewall 116, the third sidewall 120, and the base 112. The second corner sidewall 126 may be connected to the first sidewall 116, the fourth sidewall 122, and the base 112. Additionally, the plurality of raised sidewalls may also include a third corner sidewall 128 and a fourth corner sidewall 130 that may appear to have a trapezoidal shape. The third corner sidewall 128 may be connected to the second sidewall 118, the third sidewall 120, and the base 112. The fourth corner sidewall 130 may be connected to the second sidewall 118, the fourth sidewall 122, and the base 112.

[0024] Additionally, the first corner sidewall 124 and the third corner 128 may each share an edge with the third sidewall 120 and directly connect to the third sidewall 120. The first corner sidewall 124 may also include a deformable tab clip 132 that may be inserted onto a generally upper corner surface of the first sidewall 116 through a deformable slit opening. Similarly, the third corner sidewall 128 may include a deformable tab clip 134 that may be inserted onto a generally upper corner surface of the second sidewall 118.

[0025] The second corner sidewall 126 and the fourth corner sidewall 130 may each share an edge with the fourth sidewall 122 and directly connect to the fourth sidewall 122. The second corner sidewall 126 may also include a deformable tab clip 136. The deformable tab clip 136 may be inserted onto the generally upper corner surface of the first sidewall 116 through a deformable slit opening. Similarly, the fourth corner sidewall 130 may include a deformable tab clip 138. The deformable tab clip 138 may be inserted onto the generally upper corner surface of the second sidewall 118. The deformable tab clips 132, 134, 136, and 138 may be shaped as a triangle, a circle, a rectangle, a trapezoid, an oval, a spade, an arrow, and / or any combination thereof.

[0026] The base 112 may include one or more openings 140 for coupling with or receiving the legs or stand of a high chair, a foot rest, a car seat, or any other functionally similar device for children. The base 112 may attach to the legs or stand of a high chair, a foot rest, a car seat, or any other functionally similar device for children. The one or more openings 140 may each be shaped as a square, a rectangle, an oval, a circle, a triangle, a star, and / or any combination thereof. The one or more openings 140 may be approximately located near the corners, edges, and / or center of the base 112. In one embodiment, the one or more openings 140 may be four circles approximately located at the corners of the base 112. The one or more openings may have a localized surface area that may be raised above the surface of the base 112 and connected to the surface of the base 112. This is to prevent food or liquid spills, utensils, plates, and other debris dropped by a toddler from the high chair from sliding down through the legs or stand of the high chair, the interface of a footrest, the interface of a car seat, or the interface of any other functionally similar device for children. The openings may be shaped as a square, rectangle, oval, circle, triangle, star, and / or any combination thereof.

[0027] In another embodiment, the base 112 may have one or more legs instead of the one or more openings 140 so that the drop tray 100 can stand on its own under a high chair, foot rest, chair, booster seat, or any other functionally similar device for children.

[0028] In yet other embodiments, one or more openings 140 may be located on a plurality of elevated side walls instead of the base 112 such that one or more openings 140 may interface with or accommodate a high chair leg or stand, a footrest, a car seat, or any other functionally similar device for children.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a typical diagram of a drop tray with a slotted opening consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the drop tray with a slotted opening 200 may include a base, as well as raised side walls and an open top. The drop tray 200 may share all of the same features as the drop tray 100 in FIG. 1. The drop tray 200 may include a base 212 (also see base 112) and a number of upper peripheries 214 (also see upper peripheries 114) positioned above the base 212 and surrounding the base 212 to form an open top. The base 212 may be connected to the number of peripheries 214 by a number of raised side walls 216 extending from the base 212 to the number of peripheries 214. The plurality of raised sidewalls 216 may include a first sidewall 116, a second sidewall 118, a third sidewall 120, a fourth sidewall 122, a first corner sidewall 124, a second corner sidewall 126, a third corner sidewall 128, and a fourth corner sidewall 130, as shown in FIG. 1 above.

[0030] The base 212 may include one or more openings 218 for connecting with or accommodating a high chair, foot rest, car seat, or any other functionally similar device for children. The one or more openings 218 may be two slots located approximately near an edge 220 of the base 212 and centered between edges 222 and 224 of the base 212. The slots may be shaped as a square, a rectangle, an oval, a circle, a triangle, a star, and / or any combination thereof.

[0031] 3 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet of an apertured drop tray consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the apertured drop tray 300 may be in a folded configuration from which the drop tray 100 of FIG. 1 may be assembled. The drop tray 300 may include a base 312 (see also base 112 of FIG. 1), a first side wall 316 (see also first side wall 116 of FIG. 1), a second side wall 318 (see also second side wall 118 of FIG. 1), a third side wall 320 (see also third side wall 120 of FIG. 1), and a fourth side wall 322 (see also fourth side wall 122 of FIG. 1).

[0032] Additionally, the drop tray 300 may include a first corner sidewall 324 (see also first corner sidewall 124 in FIG. 1), a second corner sidewall 326 (see also second corner sidewall 126 in FIG. 1), a third corner sidewall 328 (see also third corner sidewall 128 in FIG. 1), and a fourth corner sidewall 330 (see also fourth corner sidewall 130 in FIG. 1). The plurality of raised sidewalls in FIG. 1 may include a first sidewall 316, a second sidewall 318, a third sidewall 320, a fourth sidewall 322, a first corner sidewall 324, a second corner sidewall 326, a third corner sidewall 328, and a fourth corner sidewall 330.

[0033] The drop tray 300 may also include a deformable tab clip 332 connected to the first corner sidewall 324 (see also deformable tab clip 132 in FIG. 1), a deformable tab clip 334 connected to the third corner sidewall 328 (see also deformable tab clip 134 in FIG. 1), a deformable tab clip 336 connected to the second corner sidewall 326 (see also deformable tab clip 136 in FIG. 1), and a deformable tab clip 338 connected to the fourth corner sidewall 330 (see also deformable tab clip 138 in FIG. 1).

[0034] Additionally, the drop tray 300 includes four openings 340 on the base 312, a deformable slit opening 342 on the first sidewall 316 (which may be positioned near the deformable tab clip 332 for inserting the deformable tab clip 332 into the deformable slit opening 342), a deformable slit opening 344 on the second sidewall 318 (which may be positioned near the deformable tab clip 334 for inserting the deformable tab clip 334 into the deformable slit opening 344), and a deformable slit opening 344 on the second sidewall 318 (which may be positioned near the deformable tab clip 334 for inserting the deformable tab clip 334 into the deformable slit opening 344). The openings may include a deformable slit opening 346 on the first side wall 316 (which may be located near the deformable tab clip 336 for inserting the deformable tab clip 336 into the deformable slit opening 346), a deformable slit opening 348 on the second side wall 318 (which may be located near the deformable tab clip 338 for inserting the deformable tab clip 338 into the deformable slit opening 348). The openings may be shaped as a square, a rectangle, an oval, a circle, a triangle, a star, and / or any combination thereof.

[0035] Additionally, the first corner sidewall 324 may share an edge 350 with the third sidewall 320, the third corner sidewall 328 may share an edge 352 with the third sidewall 320, the second corner sidewall 326 may share an edge 354 with the fourth sidewall 322, and the fourth corner sidewall 330 may share an edge 356 with the fourth sidewall 322.

[0036] 1 may include an edge 358 of the first sidewall 316, an edge 360 ​​of the first corner sidewall 324, an edge 362 of the third sidewall 320, an edge 364 of the third corner sidewall 328, an edge 366 of the second sidewall 318, an edge 368 of the fourth corner sidewall 330, an edge 370 of the fourth sidewall 322, and an edge 372 of the second corner sidewall 326. The deformable slit openings 342 and 346 may be perpendicular to the edge 358 and the deformable slit openings 344 and 348 may be perpendicular to the edge 366. In another embodiment, the edges 358, 360, 362, 364, 366, 368, 370, and 372 may be straight and / or curved. In yet other embodiments, edges 360, 364, 368, and 372 may be curved to form a dish shape relative to first corner sidewall 324, second corner sidewall 326, third corner sidewall 328, and fourth sidewall 330 of assembled drop tray 100 of FIG. 1 and drop tray 200 of FIG. 2.

[0037] Additionally, each of the deformable slit openings 342, 344, 346, and 348 may be formed in the form of two parallel lines spaced apart to form an opening. A circle may connect one end of each line at one end, and another circle connects the other end of each line at the other end.

[0038] 4 is a diagram of assembling a drop tray corner, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 4, to assemble a drop tray 400 (see also drop tray 100 in FIG. 1, 200, and 300 in FIG. 2), a deformable slit 438 (see also deformable slits 342, 344, 346, or 348 in FIG. 3) may be adapted to cooperate with a deformable tab clip 439 (see also deformable tab clips 332, 334, 336, or 336) adapted to pull a corner sidewall 440 (see also first corner sidewall 324, second corner sidewall 326, third corner sidewall 328, or fourth corner sidewall 330 in FIG. 3) behind a sidewall 441 (see also first sidewall 316 or second sidewall 318 in FIG. 3). The deformable tab clip 439 may have a width at its widest portion that exceeds the length of the deformable slit 438. The deformable tab clip 439 may be deformably passed through the deformable slit 438, and the widest portion of the deformable clip 439 may be fixed such that the neck 443 of the deformable tab clip 439 may align with the deformable slit 438. The deformable slit 438 may be at a 90 degree angle from the edge 444 of the sidewall 441 (see also edges 358 or 366 in FIG. 3 ), such that the corner sidewall 440 may be parallel to the edge 444 of the sidewall 441.

[0039] 5 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet of a slotted drop tray consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the slotted drop tray 500 may be in a folded configuration from which the drop tray 200 of FIG. 2 may be assembled. The drop tray 500 may also share all of the same features as the drop tray 300 in FIG. 3. The drop tray 500 may include a base 512 (see also base 112 in FIG. 1 , base 212 in FIG. 2 , and base 313 in FIG. 3 ), a first sidewall 516 (see also first sidewall 116 in FIG. 1 , first sidewall 216 in FIG. 2 , and first sidewall 316 in FIG. 3 ), a second sidewall 518 (see also second sidewall 118 in FIG. 1 , second sidewall 218 in FIG. 2 , and second sidewall 318 in FIG. 3 ), a third sidewall 520 (see also third sidewall 120 in FIG. 1 , third sidewall 220 in FIG. 2 , and third sidewall 318 in FIG. 3 ), and a fourth sidewall 522 (see also fourth sidewall 122 in FIG. 1 , fourth sidewall 222 in FIG. 2 , and fourth sidewall 322 in FIG. 3 ).

[0040] Further, the base 512 may have edges 524, 526, 528, and 530. Edge 524 may be opposite edge 526, and edge 528 may be opposite edge 530. Edge 524 may be parallel to edge 526, and edge 528 may be parallel to edge 530. The first sidewall 516 may share an edge 524 with the base 512, the second sidewall 518 may share an edge 526 with the base 512, the third sidewall 520 may share an edge 528 with the base 512, and the fourth sidewall 522 may share an edge 530 with the base 512.

[0041] Base 512 may also include slot opening 532 and slot opening 534 (see also one or more openings 218 in FIG. 2). Slot opening 532 may include parallel edges 538 and 542, the ends of which are connected to semicircles 536 and 540, respectively. Slot opening 534 may include parallel edges 546 and 550, the ends of which are connected to semicircles 544 and 548, respectively. Slot openings 532 and 534 may be centered between edges 528 and 530. Additionally, slot openings 532 and 534 may be offset to be positioned near edge 524 and further away from edge 526. Edges 538 and 542 of slot opening 532 may be parallel to edge 528 and perpendicular to edge 524. Edges 546 and 550 of slot opening 534 may also be parallel to edge 528 and perpendicular to edge 524. The slot opening may be shaped as a square, a rectangle, an oval, a circle, a triangle, a star, and / or any combination thereof.

[0042] 6 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet of a diagonal slotted drop tray consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the diagonal slotted drop tray 600 may be in a folded configuration from which the drop tray 100 of FIG. 1 may be assembled. The drop tray 600 may also share all of the same features as the drop tray 300 in FIG. 3. The drop tray 600 may include a base 612 (see also base 112 in FIG. 1 , base 212 in FIG. 2 , and base 313 in FIG. 3 ), a first sidewall 616 (see also first sidewall 116 in FIG. 1 , first sidewall 216 in FIG. 2 , and first sidewall 316 in FIG. 3 ), a second sidewall 618 (see also second sidewall 118 in FIG. 1 , second sidewall 218 in FIG. 2 , and second sidewall 318 in FIG. 3 ), a third sidewall 620 (see also third sidewall 120 in FIG. 1 , third sidewall 220 in FIG. 2 , and third sidewall 318 in FIG. 3 ), and a fourth sidewall 622 (see also fourth sidewall 122 in FIG. 1 , fourth sidewall 222 in FIG. 2 , and fourth sidewall 322 in FIG. 3 ).

[0043] Additionally, the base 612 may include diagonal slot openings 624, 626, 628, and 630. The diagonal slot opening 624 may be near a corner 638 of the base 612, the diagonal slot opening 626 may be near a corner 634 of the base 612, the diagonal slot opening 628 may be near a corner 632 of the base 612, and the diagonal slot opening 630 may be near a corner 636 of the base 612. Additionally, the diagonal slot opening 624 may have a vertex 640, and the diagonal slot opening 626 may have a vertex 642, where the vertices 640 and 642 may form an imaginary line that may be parallel to an imaginary line connecting the corners 638 and 634. Additionally, diagonal slot opening 628 may have a vertex 644 and diagonal slot opening 630 may have a vertex 646, where vertices 644 and 646 may form an imaginary line that may be parallel or aligned with an imaginary line connecting corner 632 and corner 636. The slot openings may be shaped as a square, a rectangle, an oval, a circle, a triangle, a star, and / or any combination thereof.

[0044] 7 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet of a generic opening drop tray consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 7, generic opening drop tray 700 may be in a folded configuration from which drop tray 100 of FIG. 1 may be assembled. Drop tray 700 may also share all of the same features as drop tray 300 in FIG. 3. The drop tray 700 may include a base 712 (see also base 112 in FIG. 1 , base 212 in FIG. 2 , and base 313 in FIG. 3 ), a first sidewall 616 (see also first sidewall 116 in FIG. 1 , first sidewall 216 in FIG. 2 , and first sidewall 316 in FIG. 3 ), a second sidewall 718 (see also second sidewall 118 in FIG. 1 , second sidewall 218 in FIG. 2 , and second sidewall 318 in FIG. 3 ), a third sidewall 720 (see also third sidewall 120 in FIG. 1 , third sidewall 220 in FIG. 2 , and third sidewall 318 in FIG. 3 ), and a fourth sidewall 722 (see also fourth sidewall 122 in FIG. 1 , fourth sidewall 222 in FIG. 2 , and fourth sidewall 322 in FIG. 3 ).

[0045] Additionally, base 712 may include an edge 724 that may be shared with first sidewall 716, an edge 726 that may be shared with second sidewall 718, an edge 728 that may be shared with third sidewall 728, and an edge 730 that may be shared with fourth sidewall 722. Base 712 may also include a universal opening that may allow drop tray 700 to conform to various configurations for interfacing with different high chairs, foot rests, car seats, or any other functionally similar devices for children.

[0046] The general purpose opening may include four first small circular openings 732, four large circular openings 734, and a pair of two rectangular openings 736. The general purpose openings may be a variety of shapes, such as oval, square, triangular, trapezoidal, star, and / or any other combination thereof. Additionally, the general purpose opening may be centered between edges 728 and 730. Additionally, the general purpose opening may be offset to be located near edge 724 and away from edge 726.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a cut blank sheet of a drop tray that may be attached to a high chair without removing the legs, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the drop tray 800 may be in a folded configuration, from which the drop tray 100 of FIG. 1 may be. Additionally, the drop tray 800 may be assembled to a high chair without removing the legs of the high chair. The drop tray 800 may have holes 860, 861, 862, and 863, which may be in the same locations as the drop tray 300 of FIG. 3. The holes 860-863 may be shaped as a circle, an oval, a square, a rectangle, and / or any combination thereof.

[0048] Additionally, channels 864 and 865 may allow the legs of a high chair to be inserted into drop tray 800. Clipping action built into holes 860-863 allows drop tray 800 to be secured beneath the high chair. Area 866 may be under the high chair seat to catch food, spills, plates, and / or utensils. Perimeter side walls or margins 867, 868, and 869 may also form a dish shape as clipping action built into holes 860-863 allows drop tray 800 to be secured beneath the high chair and above the floor. Clipping action built into holes 860-863 may be provided for one or more legs of the high chair without the need to disassemble one or more legs from the high chair.

[0049] Figure 9 is a diagram of a molded or thermoformed drop tray attached to a high chair consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Figure 9, the drop tray 900 may be an assembled drop tray 100 of Figure 1, an assembled drop tray 200 of Figure 2, an assembled drop tray 300 of Figure 3, an assembled drop tray 600 of Figure 6, an assembled drop tray 700 of Figure 7, and an assembled drop tray 800 of Figure 8. The high chair 911 may have four splayed legs 912, 913, and 914 (a fourth splayed leg is not shown).

[0050] The high chair may have a high chair seat 915, a backrest 916, and a table 917. As with the exemplary legs 912, each leg may fit into a socket 918. The socket 918 may be threaded or may have a push button release so that the splayed legs may be removed or separated from the seat.

[0051] Once the splayed legs are removed or separated, the drop tray 900 may be attached to the high chair. The holes 919, 920, 921, and 922 in the drop tray 900 (see also the one or more openings 140 in FIG. 1, the one or more openings 218 in FIG. 2, the four openings 340 in FIG. 3, the diagonal slot openings 624, 626, 628, and 630 in FIG. 6, the general purpose opening in FIG. 7, or the holes 860, 861, 862, and 863 in FIG. 8) may be sized to fit the splayed legs of the high chair. The splayed legs may be removed or separated from the seat and fed through the holes 919, 920, 921, and 922 (not shown), and the high chair and legs may be reassembled where the drop tray 900 may be below the high chair seat and above the floor. The drop tray 900 may be a simple and efficient design that may provide a secure fit since there may be no complicated attachments to the high chair that may fail. The flared legs and holes 919, 920, 921, and 922 may be positioned so that the height of the drop tray 900 may be set in a wedge fashion. The drop tray 900 may be positioned high enough to provide a foot rest for the child. The perimeter of the drop tray 900 (see also the base and raised side walls in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and the perimeter side wall or margin in Figure 8) when installed should be larger than an imaginary cone, pyramid, cube, or volume determined by the reach of a toddler to increase the likelihood of capturing a high percentage of food or liquid spills, plates, and / or utensils. Most foods may fall off the sides of a high chair. In one embodiment, the drop tray 900 may have a uniform margin (see also the base and raised side walls in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and the peripheral side wall or margin in Figure 8) to catch food, spills, plates, and / or utensils around the chair, or the drop tray 900 may be biased to have more margin to catch food, spills, plates, and / or utensils around the high chair seat 915 and table 917.The lower the drop tray 900 can be positioned, the wider the margin for catching food, spills, plates, and / or utensils. For example, the drop tray may be approximately 200 mm below the high chair seat 915 of the high chair.

[0052] In one embodiment, the high chair 911 may have one or more legs that may be detached from the high chair 911.

[0053] In another embodiment, the drop tray 900 may be attached to four splayed legs 912, 913, and 914 (a fourth splayed leg is not shown). In this case, the drop tray 900 may be integral to the high chair 911 in that the four splayed legs and the drop tray 900 cannot be separated. The drop tray 900 being integral to the high chair 911 may mean that the drop tray 900 and the four splayed legs may be inseparable or that the drop tray 900 may be pre-formed with the four splayed legs of the high chair 911 and / or the high chair 911, in which case the four splayed legs of the high chair 911 and / or the high chair may be formed from the same material.

[0054] In another embodiment, the high chair 911 may have one or more legs that may be attached to the drop tray 900, in which case the drop tray 900 may be integral to the high chair 911 in that the one or more legs and the drop tray 900 cannot be separated. By the drop tray 900 being integral to the high chair 911, it is meant that the drop tray 900 and the one or more legs may be inseparable or the drop tray 900 may be pre-formed with one or more legs of the high chair 911 and / or the high chair 911, in which case the one or more legs of the high chair 911 and / or the high chair may be formed from the same material.

[0055] In yet other embodiments, the extent of the margins to catch food or liquid spills, plates, and / or utensils may be optimized by having a generally dish-shaped or curved configuration. In yet other embodiments, the sides or margins of the drop tray 900 (see also the raised side walls in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and the perimeter side walls or margins in Fig. 8) may be between 10 and 90 degrees from a horizontal axis parallel to the base 927 of the drop tray 900. The angle of the sides of the drop tray 900 may vary around the high chair, in which case the back of the high chair may not require an angle, and the front and sides of the high chair may require an angle relative to the sides of the drop tray 900. Additionally, the sides 923, 924, 925, and 926 may form a dish around the base 927, and the sides 923, 924, 925, and 926 may serve additional functions when a thin flexible plastic sheet is used to form the drop tray 900. In this configuration, the drop tray 900 may be usefully manipulated manually. For example, the corner 928 (see also the first, second, third, or fourth corner sidewalls in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7, and the perimeter sidewall or margin in Fig. 8) may be pulled down to form an effective spout for liquids trapped within the drop tray 900. The sides 923, 924, 925, and 926 of the drop tray 900 may be similarly pulled down to aid in food removal or cleaning. Pulling the drop tray 900 downwards arbitrarily may not damage the drop tray 900 because the sides 923, 924, 925, and 926 will bounce back. In one embodiment, the material of the drop tray 900 may be 1.2 mm food-safe polypropylene, although other materials may be used.

[0056] In another embodiment, drop tray 900 may include drain holes that are not located over holes 919, 920, 921, and 922. The drain holes may have plugs that may be removed to pour spills, liquids, and / or food through the drain holes and into a trash can.

[0057] While the dish-shaped configuration may provide an easy way to remove food trapped on corners 928, drop tray 900 may also be cleaned in situ by disassembling it into its cut blank sheet shape, and then reassembling drop tray 900 after drying.

[0058] In other embodiments, the drop tray 900 in the form of a cut blank sheet may be placed in a dishwasher. In yet other embodiments, the drop tray 900 may be two or more pieces constructed together to fit around a high chair, foot rest, car seat, or any other functionally similar device for children.

[0059] 10A is a diagram of a drop tray on two high chairs consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the drop tray 1000A may have holes 1031 and 1032 (see also one or more openings 140 in FIG. 2 and slotted openings 532 and 534 in FIG. 5) to accommodate the angled legs 1035 and 1036 of the high chair 1037. The drop tray 1000A may be positioned on the high chair 1037 below the seat 1038 and above the floor 1033.

[0060] FIG. 10B is a rear view of a drop tray on two high chairs clipped onto the foot rests of the high chairs, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the rear view of FIG. 10A may be shown. Drop tray 1000B (see also drop tray 1000A in FIG. 10A, drop tray 200 in FIG. 2, and drop tray 500 in FIG. 5) may accommodate the angled legs 1052 and 1054 of high chair 1056. High chair 1056 may include a foot rest 1058, a seat 1060, and a backrest 1062. The foot rest 1058 may be positioned above the floor 1064 and below the seat 1060. Drop tray 1000B may be positioned below the seat 1060 on high chair 1056 and above the floor 1064. Drop tray 1000B may be positioned to rest on the foot rest 1058. The drop tray 1000B may include one or more tabs or clips 1066 that connect to a base 1068 of the drop tray 1000B. The one or more tabs or clips 1066 may contact or interlock with a rear surface 1070 (and / or sides and front) and / or base 1072 of the foot rest 1058 to prevent the drop tray 1000B from sliding off the foot rest 1058. The one or more tabs or clips 1066 may be spaced, square, rectangular, triangular, hook-shaped, and / or any other shape that may function to contact or interlock with the rear surface 1070 and / or base 1072 of the foot rest 1058.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a drop tray for two high chairs with an open backrest with two slots for sliding onto the chairs, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the drop tray 1100 (see also drop tray 100 of FIG. 1, drop tray 200 of FIG. 2, drop tray 300 of FIG. 3, drop tray 500 of FIG. 5, drop tray 600 of FIG. 6, drop tray 700 of FIG. 7, drop tray 900 of FIG. 9, drop tray 1000A of FIG. 10A, and drop tray 1000B of FIG. 10B) may include a base 1102, a front sidewall 1104, a left sidewall 1106, a right sidewall 1108, a left front corner sidewall 1110, and a right front corner sidewall 1112. The drop tray 1100 may not have a rear sidewall, a left rear sidewall, or a right rear sidewall in a rear region 1114 of the drop tray 1100. The left front corner sidewall 1110 may include a deformable tab clip 1116 that may be inserted into a slit in the front wall 1104. The right front corner sidewall 1112 may include a deformable tab clip 1118 that may be inserted into a slit in the front wall 1104. The deformable tab clip 1116 may connect the left side wall 1106 and the left front corner sidewall 1110 to the front wall 1104. The deformable tab clip 1118 may connect the right side wall 1108 and the right front corner sidewall 1112 to the front wall 1104. The base 1102 may be connected to the front wall 1104, the left side wall 1106, and the right side wall 1108. The base 1102 may include one or more slots 1120, each of which may include a slit opening 1122 that may extend from the one or more slots 1120 to the rear region 1114. The slit openings 1122 may allow the drop tray 1100 to slide and fit over a high chair, one or more legs of a high chair, a foot rest, a bumper seat, a car seat, and / or a chair without having to remove any legs. For example, the drop tray 1100 may be the drop tray 1000B in FIG. 10B, and the drop tray 1100 may be placed over the foot rest 1058.The rear region 1114 of the drop tray 1100 may face the rear of the high chair 1056 (see FIG. 10B) such that the left side wall 1106, the right side wall 1108, the left front corner side wall 1110, the right front corner side wall 1112, and the front side wall 1104 may extend around and beyond the seat 1060 (see FIG. 10B). The drop tray 1100 may also include one or more tabs or clips 1066 (see FIG. 10B). The one or more tabs or clips 1066 may be connected to the base 1102 (see FIG. 10B) of the drop tray 1100. The one or more tabs or clips 1066 may contact or couple with the rear surface 1070 (and / or sides and front) and / or base 1072 (see FIG. 10B) of the foot rest 1058 to prevent the drop tray 1100 from sliding off the foot rest 1058. Each of the one or more slots 1120 may include a fold-over portion 1124 that may be attached to the base 1102 and to a slit opening 1122 behind the one or more slots 1120. The fold-over portion 1124 may secure the drop tray 1100 to one or more legs, foot rests, high chairs, bumper seats, car seats, and / or chairs.

[0062] In one embodiment, the drop tray 1100 may be thermoformed into a single continuous piece of material without the need for deformable tab clips 1116 because the left side wall 1106, base 1102, right side wall 1108, left front corner side wall 1110, right front corner side wall 1112, and front side wall 1104 may be one continuous piece of material. Additionally, the drop tray 1100 may be thermoformed to include one or more tabs or clips 1066 on the base 1102.

[0063] The description of various embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Multiple modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used in this specification has been selected to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications or technical improvements to the technology found in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0064] Certain features of the present disclosure that are described for clarity in the context of separate embodiments may also be combined in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the present invention that are described for brevity in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as preferred in any other described embodiment of the present disclosure. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be construed as essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperable without those elements.

Claims

1. A method of providing a high chair comprising: a drop tray; and one or more legs and a high chair seat; the one or more legs are connected to the high chair seat; the one or more legs elevate the high chair seat above the floor; the drop tray is positioned above the floor and below the high chair seat; the drop tray couples to the one or more legs of the high chair; The drop tray further comprises: a base including at least a first edge and a second edge; an upper periphery above the base; a first sidewall and a second sidewall; at least one opening between the first edge and the second edge of the base; Including, the first sidewall and the second sidewall extend between the upper periphery and the base; the first edge is shared with the first sidewall, the second edge is shared with the second sidewall, the at least one opening communicates with the one or more legs of the high chair; At least one of the first side wall and the second side wall extends outwardly beyond a periphery of the high chair seat.

2. The device described in claim 1, wherein when viewed from above, the surface area of ​​the base is greater than the surface area of ​​the high chair seat.

3. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is positioned relative to the high chair such that at least one of the first and second side walls covers at least one of a front, right, or left side below the high chair seat.

4. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is positioned relative to the high chair such that at least one of the first and second side walls covers at least one of a rear side, a right side, a left side, or a front side below the high chair seat.

5. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second side walls of the drop tray extends below and beyond at least one of the front, right, or left sides of the high chair seat.

6. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second side walls of the drop tray extends below and beyond at least one of the rear side, the right side, the left side, or the front side of the high chair seat.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the drop tray is formed of plastic.

8. The device described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall is elastically deformable to an operating position.

9. The device described in claim 1, wherein the one or more openings include one or more openings for attachment to the one or more legs of the high chair.

10. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or more openings are universal openings comprising a first opening that couples with the one or more legs of the high chair and a second opening that couples with a different configuration to the one or more legs.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the base is inseparable from the one or more legs of the high chair.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base removably connects to the one or more legs of the high chair.

13. The device described in claim 1, wherein the base has at least two surface areas including a first surface area and a second surface area, the first surface area including at least one opening connecting with the one or more legs of the high chair and being elevated above the second surface area.

14. Separating one or more legs from a high chair, the high chair including a high chair seat elevated above a floor; and inserting the one or more feet into one or more openings on a base of a drop tray, the drop tray comprising: a base including at least a first edge and a second edge; an upper periphery above the base; a first sidewall and a second sidewall; at least one opening between the first edge and the second edge of the base; Including, the first sidewall and the second sidewall extend between the upper periphery and the base; the first edge is shared with the first sidewall, the second edge is shared with the second sidewall, the at least one opening communicates with the one or more legs; The method further comprises: reattaching the one or more legs to the high chair; and positioning the drop tray above the floor and below the seat of the high chair; , a method comprising:

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall extends outwardly beyond a periphery of the high chair seat.

16. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more openings in the base are positioned relative to the high chair such that at least one of the first and second side walls covers at least one of a front, right, or left side below the high chair seat.

17. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more openings in the base are positioned relative to the high chair such that at least one of the first and second side walls covers at least one of a rear side, a right side, a left side, or a front side below the high chair seat.

18. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second side walls of the drop tray extends below the high chair seat and beyond at least one of the front side, the right side, or the left side.

19. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first and second side walls of the drop tray extends below and beyond at least one of the rear side, the right side, the left side, or the front side of the high chair seat.

20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the drop tray is formed of plastic.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall is elastically deformable to an operating position.

22. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more openings are universal openings comprising a first opening that interfaces with the one or more legs and a second opening that interfaces with the one or more legs in a different configuration.

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