Fitted tablecloth having integral hinged access regions

Abstract

A fitted table covering includes a flexible top panel and a perimeter portion having a securing member for retaining the covering on a supporting surface. At least one access region formed in the top panel defines a movable panel portion integrally formed from the sheet material and hinged by uncut material of the top panel. A releasable closure retains the movable panel portion in a closed position such that the top panel presents a substantially continuous protective surface while permitting selective access beneath the covering without removal of the table covering.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] This invention was not made with federally sponsored research or development.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to fitted table coverings. More particularly, the invention relates to a fitted tablecloth having one or more integral hinged access regions formed in a top panel to permit selective access to items positioned beneath the tablecloth without removing the tablecloth from a supporting surface.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Fitted tablecloths are commonly used to cover tables for decorative, protective, and hygienic purposes. Such tablecloths typically include a flexible top panel and a perimeter portion that secures the tablecloth beneath the edges of a table, often by means of elastic or other securing members.

[0005] In many applications, items such as food containers, trays, warming dishes, utensils, or supplies are positioned on the table surface beneath the tablecloth to protect the items from environmental exposure or to conceal them from view.

[0006] Conventional fitted tablecloths require partial or complete removal from the table in order to access items positioned beneath the tablecloth. This process can disturb the fitted engagement of the tablecloth, disrupt table arrangements, and expose the underlying items to contaminants.

[0007] Existing table coverings fail to provide integrally formed, hinged access openings that allow repeated opening and closing while the tablecloth remains secured to the table.

[0008] Accordingly, there exists a need for a fitted table covering that remains secured to a supporting surface while permitting controlled, repeatable access to items positioned beneath the covering.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention provides a fitted table covering comprising a flexible sheet material forming a top panel and a perimeter portion extending downwardly from the top panel.

[0010] A securing member is associated with the perimeter portion and is configured to retain the table covering on a supporting surface in a fitted condition.

[0011] At least one access region is formed in the top panel. Each access region defines a movable panel portion integrally formed from the same sheet material as the top panel.

[0012] The movable panel portion is defined by three separated sides formed by cuts through the sheet material and a fourth unseparated side formed solely from uncut sheet material of the top panel, thereby defining an integral hinge.

[0013] The movable panel portion is movable between an open position permitting access to items positioned beneath the table covering while the table covering remains secured on the supporting surface, and a closed position in which the movable panel portion lies substantially flush with surrounding portions of the top panel.

[0014] A releasable closure retains the movable panel portion in the closed position such that the top panel presents a substantially continuous protective surface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fitted table covering positioned on supporting surfaces, showing a top panel, a perimeter portion, access regions, hinged flaps, fasteners, an elastic channel, and pockets.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the fitted table covering showing an arrangement of multiple access regions across the top panel.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view showing the fitted perimeter portion and a pocket.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the fitted table covering.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a right-side elevational view showing a fitted corner formed by the perimeter portion.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a left-side elevational view showing a fitted corner.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view showing seam configurations forming fitted corners.

[0022] FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a hook-and-loop closure.

[0023] FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a zipper closure and zipper pull.

[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates operation of the fitted table covering when positioned on a supporting surface.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an elastic securing member retained within a channel formed by the perimeter portion.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Referring to the drawings, a fitted table covering is shown generally at 10. The table covering 10 includes a top panel 12 and a perimeter portion 14 extending downwardly from the top panel 12.

[0027] The top panel 12 is formed from a flexible sheet material, including but not limited to fabric, vinyl, plastic, or laminated material.

[0028] The perimeter portion 14 is configured to extend beneath an edge of a supporting surface, such as a table T, to retain the table covering 10 in a fitted condition.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 11, the perimeter portion 14 forms a channel 14B that retains a securing member 14A. The securing member 14A may comprise an elastic member, drawstring, strap, hook, clip, or weighted perimeter.

[0030] Formed in the top panel 12 is at least one access region 20. Each access region 20 defines a movable panel portion or flap 22 integrally formed from the same sheet material as the top panel 12.

[0031] The movable panel portion 22 is defined by three separated sides formed by cuts through the sheet material and a fourth unseparated side formed solely from uncut sheet material of the top panel 12, thereby defining an integral hinge.

[0032] The integral hinge permits repeated opening and closing of the movable panel portion 22 while maintaining structural continuity of the top panel 12.

[0033] The movable panel portion 22 is movable between an open position allowing access to items positioned beneath the table covering 10 while the securing member 14A remains engaged with the supporting surface, and a closed position in which the movable panel portion 22 lies substantially flush with surrounding portions of the top panel 12.

[0034] A releasable fastener 24 retains the movable panel portion 22 in the closed position. The releasable fastener 24 may comprise hook-and-loop material 150, a zipper 160 with a zipper pull 170, magnets, snaps, or equivalent closure structures.

[0035] Multiple access regions 20 may be arranged across the top panel 12, including central, edge, or corner locations, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0036] One or more pockets 30 may be formed along the perimeter portion 14 to provide storage.

[0037] Seam configurations 140 form fitted corners in the perimeter portion 14, as shown in FIG. 7, allowing the table covering 10 to conform to tables of varying dimensions.

Claims

1. A table covering system comprising:a flexible covering configured to overlie a supporting surface and having a peripheral region positioned relative to the supporting surface during use;a positioning structure associated with the peripheral region and configured to maintain the flexible covering in position relative to the supporting surface during use;at least one access region formed in the flexible covering, the access region being defined within a continuous portion of the flexible covering by a localized structural modification that at least partially delineates a movable portion from surrounding portions of the flexible covering while maintaining the movable portion integrally connected to the surrounding portions along at least one remaining connecting portion;wherein the localized structural modification comprises one or more of a partial separation, seam-defined boundary, slit-defined boundary, fold-defined boundary, overlap-defined boundary, or material discontinuity permitting localized relative movement of the movable portion with respect to the surrounding portions;wherein the movable portion is selectively movable between a closed configuration and an access configuration by lifting, folding, sliding, separating, pivoting, or flexing the movable portion relative to the surrounding portions;wherein movement of the movable portion to the access configuration provides localized access through the flexible covering to a region beneath the flexible covering while surrounding portions of the flexible covering remain positioned relative to the supporting surface and the flexible covering remains in place without removal from the supporting surface; andwherein the movable portion remains continuously attached to the flexible covering along the at least one remaining connecting portion during repeated transitions between the closed configuration and the access configuration.

2. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein the positioning structure comprises a perimeter retention structure.

3. The table covering system of claim 2, wherein the perimeter retention structure comprises an elastic perimeter portion.

4. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein the localized structural modification comprises a partial separation defining multiple sides of the movable portion.

5. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein the at least one remaining connecting portion comprises a hinge region.

6. The table covering system of claim 5, wherein the hinge region comprises a fold region, seam region, living hinge region, or flexible bridge.

7. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein the localized structural modification comprises a slit region.

8. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein the localized structural modification comprises an overlap-defined boundary selectively openable and closable.

9. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein the movable portion comprises a panel portion.

10. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein movement of the movable portion includes lifting.

11. The table covering system of claim 1, further comprising a retention feature configured to selectively maintain the movable portion in the closed configuration.

12. The table covering system of claim 11, wherein the retention feature comprises a hook-and-loop fastener, zipper, snap fastener, magnetic fastener, friction overlap, or adhesive closure.

13. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein the positioning structure comprises a weighted perimeter portion.

14. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of access regions are formed in the flexible covering.

15. The table covering system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of access regions are independently movable.

16. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein the flexible covering is draped over the supporting surface without elastic retention.

17. The table covering system of claim 1, wherein the flexible covering is configured for use on a ground surface.

18. A table covering system comprising:a flexible covering sized to overlie a supporting surface and having peripheral portions positionable relative to the supporting surface;a positioning structure configured to maintain the peripheral portions in position relative to the supporting surface;a plurality of access regions formed in the flexible covering, each access region being defined by a localized structural modification that at least partially delineates a corresponding movable portion integrally connected to surrounding portions of the flexible covering along at least one connecting portion;wherein each corresponding movable portion is independently movable between a closed configuration and an access configuration;wherein movement of one corresponding movable portion to the access configuration provides localized access through the flexible covering to a region beneath the flexible covering while remaining movable portions and surrounding portions remain positioned relative to the supporting surface; andwherein each corresponding movable portion remains continuously attached to the flexible covering during repeated use.

19. A method of accessing a region beneath a table covering, comprising:positioning a flexible covering over a supporting surface;moving an access region of the flexible covering from a closed configuration to an access configuration while the flexible covering remains positioned relative to the supporting surface;accessing the region beneath the flexible covering through the access region; andreturning the access region toward the closed configuration.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the access region is defined by a localized structural modification comprising a partial separation, seam-defined boundary, slit-defined boundary, fold-defined boundary, overlap-defined boundary, or material discontinuity.

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