A CONVERTIBLE ARTICLE
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates t o a convertible article, in particular t o 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 t o provide a protective barrier across an area of a surface t o
prevent surface damage from, for example heat, spillages, knocks or scratches. A mat
may be flexible o r 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 t o use a tray t o facilitate the carrying of one or
more articles. A tray may be used in a range of settings and may be designed t o be an
aesthetically pleasing as well as a practical item.
It is desirable t o provide a convertible article that can function as a mat and as a tray,
that is convenient t o manufacture at a commercially viable cost and that can appeal
practically and/or aesthetically t o a variety of consumers.
Summary of the Invention
According t o 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 t o 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 t o 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 t o the base portion and an
inclined position with respect t o the base portion causes the other pair of the first and
second pairs of border portions t o 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 t o 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 t o the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure I shows a convertible article according t o 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 t o 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 10 1is shown in Figure I . The convertible article 10 1 has a first
side, indicated at 102, and a second side, indicated at 103. The convertible article 10 1
provides the functionality of a mat and of a tray.
The convertible article 10 1comprises 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 10 1 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 1 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 t o the base portion 104 and an
inclined position with respect t o the base portion 104 causes the second pair 202 of
the first and second pairs 201 , 202 of border portions 106 t o 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 135°, with the substantially
trapezoidal shape being oriented relative t o 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 10 1from a mat configuration to a
tray configuration, the border portions of the first pair 20 1 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 10 1 is shown in the tray configuration. The border
portions of the first and second pairs 20 1, 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 t o the base portion 104 into a
position in which the border portions 106 are substantially perpendicular to the base
portion 104.
The convertible article 10 1 is thus configurable between a first mat configuration in
which the convertible article 10 1 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 10 1
is relatively more three-dimensional, with the border portions 106 extending upwardly
from the base portion 104 t o provide sidewalls around the support surface Sthereof.
It is to be appreciated that items may be placed upon the support surface S of the first
side 102 of the convertible article 10 1when the convertible article 10 1 is in the mat
configuration shown in Figure I , and when the convertible article 10 1 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 10 1 from a tray to a mat, the border
portions of the first pair 20 1 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 t o 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, t o allow
conversion of the convertible article between a mat and a tray configuration.
The convertible article 10 1 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 10 1are rotatable t o the first side 102 thereof t o effect conversion from a mat
t o a tray. However, as will be described further with reference t o 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 t o 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 t o 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 t o Figure 2, the
border portions 106 of the convertible article 101 are rotatable t o the first side 102
thereof t o effect conversion from a mat t o a tray and, as described with reference t o
Figure 3, the border portions 106 of the convertible article 101 are rotatable t o the
second side 103 thereof t o effect conversion from a mat t o 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 t o
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 40 1 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 40 1 has a first side, indicated at 102, and
a second side, indicated at 103. The convertible article 40 1 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 40 1 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 12 thereof.
As illustrated in Figure 5, the border portions 106 of the convertible article 40 1 are
rotatable to the first side 102 thereof t o 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 40 1 when the convertible article 40 1 is in the mat
configuration shown in Figure 4, and when the convertible article 10 1 is in the tray
configuration shown in Figure 5.
As illustrated in Figure 5, at A, the border portions 106 of the convertible article 40 1
are rotatable t o the first side 102 thereof to effect conversion from a mat t o 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 40 1, 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 t o the second side 103 thereof t o effect conversion from a mat t o a tray.
It is t o 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 t o 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. A s 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 t o 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. A n alternative type of handle may be used, for example manually
grippable elements, straps or loops.
It is t o 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, t o form a tray. Items may then be carried on the portable tray from
one place t o another. The convertible article 101 can then be laid down on a suitable
surface again, t o 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 t o the received substrate sheet
of flexible material. The outward surfaces of the base portion and the border portions
secured t o the substrate sheet of flexible material are exposed as display faces.
The base and border portions may be secured t o the substrate sheet of flexible
material by any suitable means. The base and border portions may be secured t o 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 t o 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 o r 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 t o 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 t o 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 t o 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 t o 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 t o 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 o r in a commercial food outlet, o r may be used as a
building industry o r DIY transport mat. The convertible article of the present
invention may thus be used in a domestic, social, business o r commercial setting.
Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail
herein, with reference t o the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the
invention is not limited t o 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.
Claims
1. 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 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 t o 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.
2. A convertible article as claimed in claim I, wherein said substrate sheet
of flexible material supports a single set of base and border portions on one side only
thereof.
3. A convertible article as claimed in claim I, wherein said 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.
4. A convertible article as claimed in any of claims I t o 3, wherein said
convertible article has a reversible second tray configuration.
5. A convertible article as claimed in claim I, wherein:
said base portion is substantially rectangular, and
said border comprises first and second pairs of border portions extending along
respective first and second opposed pairs of sides of said base portion.
6. A convertible article as claimed in claim 5, wherein said border portions
and said web portions of said border are so shaped as t o provide a border configured
such that moving one pair of said first and second pairs of border portions between
one and the other of a substantially coplanar position with respect t o said base portion
and an inclined position with respect t o said base portion causes the other pair of said
first and second pairs of border portions t o move correspondingly.
7. A convertible article as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
the border portions of the said one pair of said first and second pairs of border
portions have a substantially rectangular shape;
the border portions of the said other pair of said first and second pairs of border
portions have a substantially trapezoidal shape; and
the web portions have a substantially triangular shape.
8. A convertible article as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
the base portion has a pair of shorter opposed sides and a pair of longer
opposed sides;
the said one pair of said first and second pairs of border portions extend along
said pair of shorter opposed sides of the base portion; and
the said other pair of said first and second pairs of border portions extend along
said pair of longer sides opposed of the base portion.
9. A convertible article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
border is provided with a pair of handles.
10 . A convertible article as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pair of handles
comprises a pair of handle apertures.
I I . A convertible article as claimed in claim 10 when dependent upon claim
6, wherein said pair of handles comprises a pair of handle apertures defined in the said
one pair of said first and second pairs of border portions and said substrate sheet of
flexible material.
1 . A convertible article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
periphery of said border extends generally parallel around the periphery of said base
portion.
13 . A convertible article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said
substrate sheet of flexible material comprises a single layer.
14 . A convertible article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said
base and border portions each comprise a single layer.
15 . A convertible article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each
said base portion and border portion is secured to said substrate sheet of flexible
material by use of an adhesive.
16 . A convertible article as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the
border portions of the o r each set of base and border portions are all fabricated from
the same material or combination of materials.
17 . A convertible article as claimed in claim 16, wherein the base portion of
the or each set of base and border portions is fabricated from the same material or
combination of materials as said border portions.
18 . A convertible article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said
base portion and each of said border portions are each fabricated from one of: wood,
metal, glass, a plastics material.
19 . A convertible article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said
substrate sheet of flexible material is fabricated from one of: a textile, leather, a
plastics material.
20. 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 t o the received sheet of flexible
material with the outward surfaces of the base portion and the border portions
exposed as display faces.
2 1. A convertible article substantially as described herein with reference t o
the accompanying drawings.
22. A method of manufacturing a convertible article substantially as
described herein with reference t o the accompanying drawings.