Cajun eating table

Abstract

The Cajun Eating Table is a multi-layered tabletop that allows the user easy access to items placed on the tabletop surfaces and to the trash container located under the tabletop surfaces. The Cajun Eating Table is comprised of a top shelf, an upper tray, a lower tray, a base or legs, an umbrella hole through at least the top shelf and upper tray, and an open area for refuse under the lower tray. It may also include removable slats to provide access to the trashcan and drain plugs in the upper tray and lower tray. A consumer uses this device by simply placing items on appropriate spaces on the table and discarding refuse into the trash container through the openings provided for it. The table is designed for easy cleaning and draining after use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional patent application does not claim priority to any United States Provisional Application or foreign patent application.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to tables. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of picnic tables or kitchen tables.

BACKGROUND

Eating shellfish such as crab, lobster, shrimp or crawfish can create a cluttered and messy table full of empty shells and other refuse. Often, the table needs to be cleared and then covered with newspapers or a plastic sheet prior to use. Then, the shellfish, condiments, side dishes, plates, and drinks can be placed on the table for consumption. The table will need to be cleared of debris periodically as empty shells and other items accumulate on the table surface. The process of cleaning off the table, laying paper or plastic on the table and repeatedly clearing the table during eating can be a time consuming and unpleasant experience.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, The Cajun Eating Table allows the users to have a multi-layered table which increases the usable surface area and allows for easy disposal of refuse.

In one embodiment of the invention, The Cajun Eating Table includes a multi-layered table, a hole for an umbrella shaft, a condiment shelf, a base or legs, an open area for a trash can under the table tops, removable slats in the table for access to the trash can, and a plurality of drain plugs.

Although the device described herein is often referred to as a Cajun Eating Table, it should be understood that such a device could be used for a variety of types of foods.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a table that is easy to use and facilitates disposal of trash or debris from the eating surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easily rinsed and cleaned table surface.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a durable table that has multiple surfaces for handling a variety of items for consumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the Cajun Eating Table.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of the Cajun Eating Table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Cajun Eating Table of the present invention is comprised of at least some of the following: a top shelf, an upper tray or tabletop, a lower tray or tabletop, a base or set of legs, an umbrella hole through at least the top shelf and upper tray, and an open area for refuse under the lower tray or tabletop. It may also include removable slats to provide access to the trashcan through the base and drain plugs in the upper tray and lower tray.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1, a multi-layered table 1 has a base 2 with a hollow center 3 and one open side 4. On the top of the base 2, an upper tray 5 is attached. A lower tray 6 is also attached to the base 2 below the upper tray 5.

The multi-layered table 1 also has a guardrail 7 located around the upper tray 5. A guardrail 8 is also located around the perimeter of the lower tray 6. A plurality of holes 9 are located in the upper tray 5 and the lower tray 6. The holes 9 can be filled with a plurality of plugs 10 designed to correspond in width with the holes 9. The plugs 10 are made of rubber in this preferred embodiment.

The multi-layered table 1 also has a top shelf 11 attached on top of the upper tray 5. A hole 12 extends through approximately the center of the top shelf 11 and the upper tray 5. The hole 12 is designed to correspond in diameter with the pole for an umbrella (not pictured).

The base 2 has openings 13 on each side between the upper tray 5 and lower tray 6. These openings 13 allow a user to discard refuse into the hollow center 3 below. Removable slats 14 are used to close at least a portion of the openings 13 when a user is eating to prevent accidental spillage of food into the openings 13. The base 2 has a container 15 placed in its hollow center 3 through the open side 4. This container 15 can catch any garbage.

FIG. 2 shows the front view of the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the container 15 is inserted into the hollow center 3 of the base 2.

The Cajun Eating Table is designed to make table setting, eating and cleanup easier in a variety of ways. It allows the user to place multiple items of food and a variety of beverages on the different surface levels. A user can easily reach the various surface levels and utilize the disposal openings to discard items when they are no longer wanted. If the table is used outside, the holes in the trays can be unplugged to allow condensation from beverages or excess juices to easily flow off the table surfaces to the tray below or the ground. The container placed in the hollow base can be easily removed once all items are discarded. The waterproof plastic design of the preferred embodiment facilitates clean up. After all items are removed from the table, it can simply be hosed off and stored.

The Cajun Eating Table will be offered in a variety of sizes and colors. The components of the Cajun Eating Table may vary widely but will likely utilize rubber and plastic.

Plastic may be used in the production process of the Cajun Eating Table. The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

The plastic components of the Cajun Eating Table can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-layered table comprising:

(a) a base with a hollow center;

(b) an upper tray attached to the base; and

(c) a lower tray attached to the base.

2. The multi-layered table of claim 1 further comprising

a guardrail located around the upper tray.

3. The multi-layered table of claim 1 further comprising

a guardrail located around the lower tray.

4. The multi-layered table of claim 2 with a first plurality of holes located in the upper tray.

5. The multi-layered table of claim 3 with a second plurality of holes located in the lower tray.

6. The multi-layered table of claim 4 further comprising

a first plurality of plugs corresponding with the first plurality of holes located in the upper tray.

7. The multi-layered table of claim 5 further comprising

a second plurality of plugs corresponding with the second plurality of holes located in the lower tray.

8. The multi-layered table of claim 6 wherein the plugs are made of rubber.

9. The multi-layered table of claim 7 wherein the plugs are made of rubber.

10. The multi-layered table of claim 1 further comprising

a top shelf located on top of the upper tray.

11. The multi-layered table of claim 10 further comprising

a hole through approximately the center of the top shelf and the upper tray.

12. The multi-layered table of claim 1 wherein the base has an opening between the upper tray and lower tray.

13. The multi-layered table of claim 12 wherein a removable slat is used to close at least a portion of the opening.

14. The multi-layered table of claim 1 wherein the base has a container placed in its interior through an open side.

15. A multi-layered table comprising:

(a) a base with a hollow center;

(b) an upper tray attached to the base;

(c) a lower tray attached to the base:

(d) a guardrail surrounding the upper tray;

(e) a guardrail surrounding the lower tray;

(f) a first plurality of holes located in the upper tray and a second plurality of holes located in the lower tray;

(g) a first plurality of plugs made of rubber and corresponding with the first plurality of holes located in the upper tray and a second plurality of plugs made of rubber and corresponding with the second plurality of holes in the lower tray;

(h) a top shelf located above the upper tray and having a hole through approximately the center of the top shelf and the upper tray;

(i) a plurality of openings on each side of the base between the upper tray and lower tray;

(j) a plurality of removable slats used to close at least a portion of the plurality of openings on each side of the base; and

(k) a container located in the interior of the base.