# US 8,771,814 B2 · Reusable placemat with strap > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,814 B2 - Document ID: US8771814B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/474,985 - Filed: 2009-05-29 - Published: 2009-12-03 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2008-05-29 - Assignees: My Own Mat, Inc. - Applicants: Laura Ciaffara; Amy Seitz - Inventors: Laura Ciaffara; Amy Seitz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771814B2 ## CPC - A47D 5/006: {foldable} - A47D 15/003: {foldable, e.g. baby mats} - A47G 23/0303: {Table mats (A47G23/0306 takes precedence)} - Y10T 428/1334: Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.] - Y10T 428/24008: including fastener for attaching to external surface - A47D: FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN (school benches or desks A47B39/00, A47B41/00) - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A placemat that is reusable and easily transported even when dirty or wet. The placemat consists of a six-sided surface of waterproof flexible material forming the bottom, a same-shaped water resistant material forming a central layer, and a same-shaped absorbent material forming the top layer. Two straps are attached to the placemat; at the point of attachment the strap forms a loop, allowing the use of a pin or other implement to attach the mat to a soft surface. At the loose end of each strap is a pair of snaps, allowing the user to fasten the strap around an object in use by the child or baby to prevent the object from falling to the floor or ground. On the bottom of the mat is a pair of suction cups that allow the placemat to be attached to a hard surface where a pin would not be of use. The mat has two pairs of snaps located along the side edges at the proximal edge so a crumb catcher can be formed when the snaps are snapped together. When folded in the proper fashion, the placemat may be turned inside-out into a pocket located on the back of the mat, allowing for clean transportation without the need to clean the placemat beforehand. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A placemat for use by a child comprising: a bottom surface layer formed of a flexible waterproof material, said bottom surface layer having a size defining an area from which a child can eat; a top surface layer formed of a flexible absorbent material, said flexible absorbent material being washable allowing for re-use of the placemat, said top surface layer being generally coextensive with said bottom surface layer, both surface layers being joined at corresponding edges to form an open mat structure; a pocket secured to said bottom surface layer at a central location thereof, wherein the pocket is defined by opposed side edges and a bottom edge secured to said bottom surface, wherein the pocket further includes an open edge defining an opening of said pocket; and wherein said open mat structure folds about fold lines that are flush with said opposed side edges, said open edge, and said bottom edge to an intermediate folded mat structure, and wherein said intermediate folded mat structure is dimensioned to be turned inside out into said open edge to form a final folded mat structure having dimensions directly corresponding to dimensions of the pocket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The placemat of claim 1, and further including a middle surface layer, of the same shape and size as said bottom surface layer and said top surface layer, said middle surface layer formed of a flexible water resistant material, and affixed at corresponding edges between said bottom and top surface layers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The placemat of claim 1, and further including a strap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The placemat of claim 3, wherein a set of snaps is attached at an end of said strap, which allows the strap to be fastened around an item to prevent said item from falling away from the placemat. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The placemat of claim 1, and further including apparatus attached at or on the bottom surface layer of the mat, allowing the mat to be affixed to a hard surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The placemat of claim 1, and further including two pairs of snaps that when snapped together form a crumb catcher that will hang over the edge of a table, and prevent food from falling from the table. ### Claim 7 A mat comprising: a planar sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface forming an open mat structure; a pocket centrally located on said bottom surface; and wherein said open mat structure is foldable about fold lines that are flush with edges of said pocket to an intermediate folded mat structure, and wherein said intermediate folded mat structure is dimensioned to be turned inside out into said pocket to form a final folded mat structure having dimensions directly corresponding to dimensions of the pocket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The mat of claim 7, further comprising a securement strap connected to said mat, said securement strap being securable to a pacifier. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The mat of claim 7, further comprising a loop secured thereto. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The mat of claim 7, further having a securement apparatus positioned on the bottom surface of said mat. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The mat of claim 7, further having a securement apparatus located relative to a proximal edge of said mat to provide a fold in the mat to catch crumbs when the mat is in the open mat structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The mat of claim 7 wherein: said bottom surface is formed of a layer of flexible waterproof material; and said top surface is formed of a layer of flexible absorbent material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The mat of claim 12, further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between said top surface layer and said bottom surface layer, said intermediate layer formed of a flexible waterproof material.