Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a convertible article, in particular to a convertible article providing the functionality of a mat and of a tray.

Background of the Invention

Various types of mats are known, which may be used in a variety of situations. A typical use of a mat is to provide a protective barrier across an area of a surface to prevent surface damage from, for example heat, spillages, knocks or scratches. A mat may be flexible or rigid, and may be more utilitarian or more decorative in design.

Various types of trays are also known, which may also be used in a variety of situations. For example, it is known to use a tray to facilitate the carrying of one or more articles. A tray may be used in a range of settings and may be designed to be an aesthetically pleasing as well as a practical item.

It is desirable to provide a convertible article that can function as a mat and as a tray, that is convenient to manufacture at a commercially viable cost and that can appeal practically and/or aesthetically to a variety of consumers.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect there is provided a convertible article, comprising: a substantially planar rigid base portion, and a border extending around the base portion, the border comprising rigid border portions and joining substantially non-folding web

I portions that are thinner than said base and said border portions, said border configurable between: a first mat configuration in which said border portions are substantially coplanar with said base portion, and a second tray configuration in which said border portions are inclined with respect to said base portion; wherein said base portion and said border portions are supported on a substrate sheet of flexible material that provides said web portions, and the outward surfaces of said base portion and said border portions are exposed as display faces.

In an embodiment, the substrate sheet of flexible material supports a single set of base and border portions on one side only thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the substrate sheet of flexible material supports a first set of base and border portions on one side thereof and a second like set of base and border portions on the other side thereof. The convertible article may have a reversible second tray configuration. In an embodiment, the base portion is substantially rectangular, and the border comprises first and second pairs of border portions extending along respective first and second opposed pairs of sides of the base portion. The border portions and the web portions of the border are so shaped as to provide a border configured such that moving one pair of the first and second pairs of border portions between one and the other of a substantially coplanar position with respect to the base portion and an inclined position with respect to the base portion causes the other pair of the first and second pairs of border portions to move correspondingly.

In an embodiment, the border is provided with a pair of handles. In an embodiment, the periphery of the border extends generally parallel around the periphery of the base portion.

According to a second aspect there is provided a method of manufacture of a convertible article as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising the steps of: receiving a sheet of flexible material, receiving base and border portions, and securing the received base and border portions to the received sheet of flexible material with the outward surfaces of the base portion and the border portions exposed as display faces. Brief Description of the Figures

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I shows a convertible article according to a first embodiment, in a first mat configuration;

Figure 2 illustrates conversion of the convertible article of Figure I , from the first mat configuration into a second tray configuration;

Figure 3 illustrates conversion of the convertible article of Figure I , from the first mat configuration into a second tray configuration, in an opposite direction;

Figure 4 shows a convertible article according to a second embodiment, in a first mat configuration;

Figure 5 illustrates conversion of the convertible article of Figure 4, from the first mat configuration into a second tray configuration;

Figure 6 illustrates conversion of the convertible article of Figure 4, from the first mat configuration in an opposite direction; Figure 7 shows a convertible article provided with handles; and

Figure 8 shows steps in a method of manufacture of a convertible article.

Description

A convertible article 101 is shown in Figure I . The convertible article 101 has a first side, indicated at 102, and a second side, indicated at 103. The convertible article 101 provides the functionality of a mat and of a tray.

The convertible article 101 comprises a substantially planar rigid base portion 104 and a border 105 extending around the base portion 104. The border 105 comprises rigid border portions 106 and joining substantially non-folding web portions 107 that are thinner than the base and border portions 104, 106. The border 105 is configurable between a first mat configuration, in which the border portions 106 are substantially coplanar with the base portion 104, and a second tray configuration, in which the border portions 106 are inclined with respect to the base portion 104. As will be described in further detail, the base portion 104 and the border portions 106 are supported on a substrate sheet of flexible material 108 that provides the web portions 107; and the outward surfaces 109, I 10 of the base portion 104 and the border portions 106 respectively are exposed as display faces.

In this first illustrated embodiment, the substrate sheet of flexible material 108 supports a single set of base and border portions 104, 106 on one side only thereof. Thus, as shown in Figure I , one side 102 of the convertible article 101 presents the base and border portions 104, 106 overlying areas of one side I I I of the substrate sheet of flexible material 108, and the other side 103 of the convertible article 101 presents the other side I 12 of the substrate sheet of flexible material 108.

The convertible article 101 is shown in Figure I in a first mat configuration. Figure 2 illustrates the convertible article 101 being moved from the first mat configuration into the second tray configuration.

At A, the convertible article 101 is shown with the first side 102 facing upwardly and with the base portion 104 and border portions 106 visible. In this embodiment the base portion 104 is substantially rectangular, and the border 105 comprises first and second pairs 201 , 202 of border portions 106 extending along respective first and second opposed sides of the base portion 104. The border 105 is configured such that moving a first pair 201 of the first and second pairs 201 , 202 of border portions 106 between a substantially coplanar position with respect to the base portion 104 and an inclined position with respect to the base portion 104 causes the second pair 202 of the first and second pairs 201 , 202 of border portions 106 to move correspondingly. As can be seen in this Figure, the base portion 104 has a pair of shorter opposed sides and a pair of longer opposed sides, and the border portions of the first pair 201 of border portions 106 are arranged along the pair of shorter opposed sides of the base portion 104 and the border portions of the second pair 202 of border portions 106 re arranged along the pair of longer sides opposed of the base portion. As shown, the border portions of the first pair 201 of border portions 106 have a substantially rectangular shape, the border portions of the second pair 202 of border portions 106 have a substantially trapezoidal shape and the web portions 107 have a substantially triangular shape. The substantially trapezoidal shape of the border portions 106 of the second pair 202 of border portions 106 have a pair of opposed parallel side edges, with one being longer than the other, which are connected by inwardly inclined end edges that extend at an angle of substantially 45° from the longer side edge to meet the shorter side edge at an angle of substantially 1 35°, with the substantially trapezoidal shape being oriented relative to the base portion 104 such that the longer side edge is outermost and the shorter side edge is innermost.

As illustrated at A, to convert the convertible article 101 from a mat configuration to a tray configuration, the border portions of the first pair 201 of border portions 106 are rotated upwardly and inwardly, towards each other, as indicated by arrows X, and this action causes the border portions 106 of the second pair 202 of border portions 106 to also be rotated upwardly and inwardly, towards each other, as indicated by arrows Y. At B, the convertible article 101 is shown in the tray configuration. The border portions of the first and second pairs 201 , 202 of border portions 106 have travelled through a maximum angle of rotation of substantially 90°, from a position in which the border portions 106 are coplanar position with respect to the base portion 104 into a position in which the border portions 106 are substantially perpendicular to the base portion 104. The convertible article 101 is thus configurable between a first mat configuration in which the convertible article 101 is relatively more two-dimensional, with the border portions 106 extending in substantially the same plane as the support surface S of the base portion 104, and a second tray configuration in which the convertible article 101 is relatively more three-dimensional, with the border portions 106 extending upwardly from the base portion 104 to provide sidewalls around the support surface S thereof. It is to be appreciated that items may be placed upon the support surface S of the first side 102 of the convertible article 101 when the convertible article 101 is in the mat configuration shown in Figure I , and when the convertible article 101 is in the tray configuration shown in Figure 2. Items are receivable upon the display face 109 of the base portion 104.

To effect conversion of the convertible article 101 from a tray to a mat, the border portions of the first pair 201 of border portions 106 are rotated downwardly and outwardly, away from each other, in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by arrows X, and this action causes the border portions 106 of the second pair 202 of border portions 106 to also be rotated downwardly and outwardly, away from each other, in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by arrows Y.

It is to be understood that the substrate material of flexible material allows folding of the border along fold lines where the border portions meet the webs such that folding occurs along the edges of the web, in the manner of hinges, rather than the web folding along a fold line extending through the area of the shape of the web, to allow conversion of the convertible article between a mat and a tray configuration.

The convertible article 101 is repeatedly convertible between the first mat configuration and the second tray configuration as desired by a user.

As described with reference to Figure 2, the border portions 106 of the convertible article 101 are rotatable to the first side 102 thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a tray. However, as will be described further with reference to Figure 3, in this embodiment, the convertible article 101 has a reversible second tray configuration.

At C of Figure 3, the convertible article 101 is shown with the second side 103 facing upwardly and with the base portion 104 and border portions 106 concealed from view behind the substrate sheet of flexible material 108.

To convert the convertible article 101 from a mat configuration to a tray configuration, the same steps are followed as described previously. At D, the convertible article 101 is shown in the tray configuration. It is to be appreciated that items may be placed upon the support surface SS of the second side 103 of the convertible article 101 when the convertible article 101 is in the mat configuration shown in Figure I , and when the convertible article 101 is in the tray configuration shown in Figure 3. Items are receivable upon the display face I 12 of the substrate sheet of flexible material 108. Thus, as described with reference to Figure 2, the border portions 106 of the convertible article 101 are rotatable to the first side 102 thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a tray and, as described with reference to Figure 3, the border portions 106 of the convertible article 101 are rotatable to the second side 103 thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a tray. In this way, the convertible article 101 is fully reversible, with both sides thereof 102, 103 providing a support surface S, SS respectively for receiving items thereon when in either of the mat and tray configurations.

In the first embodiment of a convertible article 101 described with reference to Figures 1 -3, the substrate sheet of flexible material 108 supports a single set of base and border portions 104, 106 on one side I I I thereof only. A second embodiment of a convertible article 401 will now be described with reference to Figures 4-6. For convenience, the same reference numerals will be used for the same features as appropriate.

As shown in Figure 4, the convertible article 401 has a first side, indicated at 102, and a second side, indicated at 103. The convertible article 401 provides the functionality of a mat and of a tray. In this second illustrated embodiment, the substrate sheet of flexible material 108 of the convertible article 401 supports a first set of base and border portions 104, 106 on one side I I I thereof and a second like set of base and border portions 402, 403 on the other side I 1 2 thereof. As illustrated in Figure 5, the border portions 106 of the convertible article 401 are rotatable to the first side 102 thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a tray. It is to be appreciated that items may be placed upon the support surface S of the first side 102 of the convertible article 401 when the convertible article 401 is in the mat configuration shown in Figure 4, and when the convertible article 101 is in the tray configuration shown in Figure 5.

As illustrated in Figure 5, at A, the border portions 106 of the convertible article 401 are rotatable to the first side 102 thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a tray. It is to be appreciated that items may be placed upon the support surface S, provided by base portion 104 of the first side 102 of the convertible article 401 , when the convertible article 401 is in the mat configuration shown in Figure 4, and when the convertible article 101 is in the tray configuration shown in Figure 5, at B.

As illustrated at C in Figure 6, the border portions 403 of the convertible article 401 are rotatable to the second side 103 thereof to effect conversion from a mat to a tray. It is to be appreciated that items may be placed upon the support surface SS, provided by base portion 402 of the second side 103 of the convertible article 401 , when the convertible article 401 is in the mat configuration shown in Figure 4, and when the convertible article 401 is in the tray configuration shown at D in Figure 6.

To convert the convertible article 401 from a tray configuration to a mat configuration, the reverse steps are followed as described previously.

A convertible article of the present invention may have other features as will be described with reference to Figure 7.

In an embodiment, the border of a convertible article may be provided with a pair of handles. As shown in Figure 7, in an example, the border portions of the first pair 201 of border portions 106 convertible article 101 each define a handle apertures 701 therethrough, with a corresponding pair of apertures being defined in the substrate sheet of flexible material 108. This allows a user to insert their hands through the border 105 of the convertible article 101. The handle apertures facilitate conversion of the convertible article 101 , and manoeuvring of the convertible article 101 when in the form of a tray. An alternative type of handle may be used, for example manually grippable elements, straps or loops. It is to be appreciated that the convertible article 101 with handle apertures 701 may be used as follows. The convertible article 101 can be laid flat on a suitable planar surface, such as may be provided by a table, worktop or shelf, as a mat. Items can then be loaded upon the presented support surface thereof. The handle apertures 701 can then be lifted, to form a tray. Items may then be carried on the portable tray from one place to another. The convertible article 101 can then be laid down on a suitable surface again, to allow the loading and/or unloading of items. In an example scenario, the convertible article 101 may be used as a food tray and placemat.

Figure 8 shows steps in a method of manufacture 801 of a convertible article as described herein.

At step 802, a sheet of flexible material is received, for use as a substrate for the base and border portions of the convertible article. At step 803, the base and border portions for the convertible article are received. At step 804, the received base and border portions for the convertible article are secured to the received substrate sheet of flexible material. The outward surfaces of the base portion and the border portions secured to the substrate sheet of flexible material are exposed as display faces.

The base and border portions may be secured to the substrate sheet of flexible material by any suitable means. The base and border portions may be secured to the substrate sheet of flexible by use of a suitable adhesive. The method of manufacture 801 of a convertible article may comprise further steps. As previously described, the outward surfaces of the base portion and the border portions are exposed as display faces. The present invention provides a convenient construction of the convertible article that allows for the materials of the substrate sheet of flexible material, the base portion and the border portions to be used in an aesthetic as well as a practical manner.

Each of the substrate sheet of flexible material and the base and border portions may be opaque, translucent or transparent.

The substrate sheet of flexible material may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials. The substrate sheet of flexible material may be fabricated from a textile, leather or a plastics material. The substrate sheet of flexible material may comprise one or more layers.

Each of the base and border portions may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials. Each of the base and border portions may be fabricated from wood, metal, glass or a plastics material. Each of the base and border portions may comprise one or more layers.

It is to be appreciated that materials, surface textures, surface finishes, colourations, and decorative designs may vary between components of a convertible article as described herein and between convertible articles as described herein. The material selected for the substrate sheet of flexible material and the base and border portions may reflect an intended use or an envisaged environment of use of the convertible article. For example, a selected material may have physical properties to reflect such a requirement as heat resistance or shatter resistance.

In a convertible article, the border portions may be fabricated from the same or different material or combination of materials as the base portion, and the border portions may be fabricated from the same material or combination of materials, or from two or more different materials or combination of materials.

By way of example, with reference to the convertible article of Figures 1 -3, the border portions may be made all the same as each other, or all different from one another, or a pair of the border portions may differ in one or more different material or aesthetic properties from the other pair of the border portions.

Also by way of example with reference to the convertible article of Figures 4-6, the set of base and border portions of one side may be made the same as, or different from, the set of border portions on the other side. For example, one side may have base and border portions of one colour and the other side may have base and border portions of another colour. In another example, one side may have a base portion of a first material and border portions of a second material and the other side may have a base portion of the second material and border portions of the first material.

Thus, the border portions of a border may be all alike, and the base portion around which the border portions are arranged may then be alike the border portions or different from the border portions. By exposing the outward faces of the base and border portions supported on the substrate sheet of flexible material, endless designs may be created. The construction of a convertible article as described herein allows for infinite variations of physical and aesthetic features.

In the illustrated embodiments, the base portion of the convertible article is substantially rectangular; however other shapes are envisaged which may be a regular or irregular shape and in which any corners may be sharp or rounded. In the illustrated embodiments, the periphery of the border extends generally parallel around the periphery of the base portion; however, alternative arrangements are envisaged. It is to be appreciated that the overall dimensions and weight may vary between convertible articles.

The convertible article may comprise retaining means for selectively retaining the convertible article in one or both of the mat and tray configurations. The retaining means may be of any suitable type, and may comprise magnets or clips to temporarily hold the border portions in position relative to the base portion.

The construction of a convertible article as described herein advantageous allows convertible article to be conveniently customised and varied for practical and aesthetic purposes. A convertible article described herein may be used in different places, by different people for different uses. For example, the convertible article may be used as a placemat and tray at home or in a commercial food outlet, or may be used as a building industry or DIY transport mat. The convertible article of the present invention may thus be used in a domestic, social, business or commercial setting.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.