DISPOSABLE COUNTER TOP PROTECTIVE COVERING AND DISPENSER

Abstract

A disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser for temporarily covering a counter top surface during food preparation includes a roll of protective covering material having opposed first and second ends and first and second support legs that are each configured to be attached to a mounting surface at spaced distance from each other with the roll of protective covering material extending the spaced distance between the first and second support legs and supported at the opposite first and second ends for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/318,810, filed Mar. 30, 2010, the entire of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for protecting counter tops and other similar surfaces, and more particularly, relating to a disposable protective covering and dispenser for temporarily covering a counter top surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Preparing foodstuff on counter top surfaces or the like creates a concern for the cross contamination between the foodstuff and the counter top surface. This is particularly a concern when preparing raw meats such as poultry, beef and the like, which have a tendency to carry bacteria. When preparing or processing raw meats the counter top surface must be thoroughly cleaned with an antibacterial cleaning solution prior to and after preparing the raw meat to ensure proper health standards are maintained. Properly cleaning the counter top surface is a laborious task, and because of this, there is a tendency to not thoroughly clean the counter top surface each time. Additionally, some counter top surfaces are porous, such as the grout between the tiles of a tiled counter top, making cleaning even more laborious.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that eliminates or reduces the chance of cross contamination and which also reduces the labor required to properly clean a counter top surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention addresses this need by providing a disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser for temporarily covering a counter top surface during food preparation, thereby reducing cross contamination between the food and counter top surface and reducing labor to clean the counter top surface.

The embodiments of the present invention also provide a disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of a construction which lends itself to be easily manufactured.

The embodiments of the present invention also provide a disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser which is easily installed and operated.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention further provide a disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser having a novel dispenser construction.

To achieve these and other advantages, in general, in one aspect, a disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser includes a roll of protective covering material having opposed first and second ends. First and second support legs are each configured to be attached to a mounting surface at a spaced distance from each other with the roll of protective covering material extending the spaced distance between the first and second support legs and with the opposite first and second ends supported for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

In general, in another aspect, a combination counter top and disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser includes a roll of protective covering material having opposed first and second ends. First and second support legs are each attached to a mounting surface at a spaced distance across the counter top. Each of the first and second support legs includes an L-shaped member having a vertical portion conjoined with a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a top terminal edge of the vertical portion and terminating at an inwardly disposed hole. The roll of protective covering material extends the spaced distance between the first and second support legs. First and second support assemblies each include an end cap, a bushing and a thread fastener securing the bushing to a stub extending from a side of the end cap. The bushing of the first support assembly attached to the first end of the roll of protective covering material, the stub of the first support assembly rotatably extending the slot of the vertical portion of the first support leg with the end cap and the bushing of the first support assembly disposed on opposite sides of the vertical portion. The bushing of the second support assembly attached to the second end of the roll of protective covering material, the stub of the second support assembly rotatably extending the slot of the vertical portion of the second support leg with the end cap and the bushing of the second support assembly disposed on opposite sides of the vertical portion.

In general, in another aspect, a dispenser for a roll of disposable counter top protective covering includes first and second L-shaped members. Each L-shaped member including a vertical portion conjoined with a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a top terminal edge of the vertical portion and terminating at an inwardly disposed hole, and a plurality of holes through the horizontal portion. First and second assemblies, each include an end cap, a bushing and a thread fastener securing the bushing to a stub extending from a side of the end cap. The first assembly being rotatably supported by the first L-shaped member with the stub thereof extending the hole of the vertical portion of the first L-shaped member with the bushing and the end cap of the first assembly disposed on opposite sides of the vertical portion of the first L-shaped member. The second assembly being rotatably supported by the second L-shaped member with the stub thereof extending the hole of the vertical portion of the second L-shaped member with the bushing and the end cap of the second assembly disposed on opposite sides of the vertical portion of the second L-shaped member.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagrammatic illustration of a disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use protecting a counter top surface;

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagrammatic view of the disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective diagrammatic view of the disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of a support leg;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of an alternative support leg construction;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative support leg construction and associated support assembly;

FIG. 7 is an assembled rear perspective view of the support leg and associated support assembly;

FIG. 8 is an assembled front perspective view of the support leg and associated support assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an assembled perspective view of a disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser including the alternative construction illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As a preliminary matter, it should be noted that in this document (including the claims) directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., without departing from the principles of the invention.

Schematically depicted in FIGS. 1-3 there is shown an apparatus 10 for protecting the surface 12 of a counter top 14. It is desirable to protect a counter top from contamination from the processing of raw foods, for example during cooking or preparing the raw food for freezer storage. Additionally, it is desirable to protect a counter top from scratching or marring from the use of knifes and other utensils used in the processing of food. Apparatus 10 provides a novel solution to the problem of protecting a counter top from disease causing organism resulting from food contamination, and from being damaged by utensils.

In embodiments, apparatus 10 includes an indeterminate length of a flexible protective material 16 wound into a roll of protective material 18 about a longitudinally extending core. Protective material 16 can be manufactured of plastics, heavy paper, combinations there of and the like. The length of flexible protective material 16 can include distinct sections 20 separated by perforations 22 to permit used sections to be torn from the unused remaining material and to be disposed of.

Apparatus 10 further includes holder 24 for dispensing the protective material 16. Holder 24 includes vertical legs 26 and 28 and a horizontal support 30. Each vertical leg 26, 28 has a bottom end 30 fitted with a foot 32 and an opposed top end 34. Horizontal support 30 includes opposed ends 36 and 38. When holder 24 is assembled, legs 26 and 28 are spaced apart with the horizontal support spanning the distance between the legs and joined at ends 36 and 38 to the top end 34 of each leg.

In embodiments, horizontal support 30 can comprise a first portion 40 telescopically received by a second portion 42. A spring 44 acts against the first and second portions 40 and 42 to telescopically extend the portions. Ends 36 and 38 can be diametrically reduced to be received within bore 46 of top end 34 or each leg 26 and 28.

In use, as depicted in FIG. 1, apparatus 10 is positioned to extend across the width of the counter top 14 with legs 26 and 28 positioned at opposite sides thereof. Horizontal support 30 is inserted through the roll of protective material 18. Ends 36 and 38 of the horizontal support 30 are joined with legs 26 and 28, and accordingly, supports the roll of protective material 18 for dispensing. The bottom end 30 of legs 26 and 28 may be secured to the counter top 24 with fasteners to prevent the apparatus 10 from being displaced while in use. A length of the protective material 16 is pulled from the roll of protective material and extends across the length of the counter 14 and covers surface 12 thereof. Once the length of protective material 16 is used, it can be torn along a perforation 22 from the non-used portion and discarded leaving the surface 12 free from food contamination.

Variations are possible. For example, in FIG. 4, there is depicted an enlarged partial view of a leg 26, 28. A suction cup 50 can be joined to foot 32 and used to secure legs 26 and 28 to a counter top 14. In another example, in FIG. 5, suction cup 50 can be replace with pressure sensitive adhesive strip 52 for use in securing legs 26 and 28 to counter top 14.

Additional variations are illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 10, wherein legs 26′ and 28′ are substantially identical and are comprised of a generally L-shaped member having a vertical portion 54 and a conjoined horizontal portion 56. Vertical portion 54 includes a slot 58 extending from a terminal top edge thereof and in an inwardly direction where it terminates at a hole 60. The horizontal portion 56 includes holes 62a, 62b, 62c into which are received and retained therein a corresponding foot member 64a, 64b, 64c. Foot members 64a, 64b and 64c may comprise a suction cup bottom portion for securing the respective leg to a mounting surface. Alternatively, legs 26′ and 28′ may be secured to a mount surface by screws or other threaded fasteners extending holes 62a, 62b and 62c.

Further included are roll support assemblies 66 and 68 for securing and supporting opposite ends of the rolled media 18 on legs 26′ and 28′, respectively, for rotation about the long axis of the rolled media during dispensing. Support assemblies 66 and 68 are identical and include an end cap 70 having an integral stub 72 extending from the end cap and bushing 74 extending from the stub. Bushings 74 are inserted into the core of the rolled media 18 at opposite ends thereof and secure the rolled media 18 and assemblies 66 and 68.

One end of the rolled media 18 is attached to and supported by leg 26′ by support assembly 66 with stub 72 extending slot 58 and hole 60 with the end cap 70 and bushing 74 disposed on opposite sides of the vertical portion 54 thereof, as best seen in FIG. 10. Likewise, the opposite end of the rolled media is attached to and supported by leg 28′ by support assembly 68 with stub 72 extending slot 58 and hole 60 with end cap 70 and bushing 74 disposed on opposite sides of the vertical portion thereof. In this manner, the rolled media 18 is supported at its opposite ends for rotation along its long axis.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser, comprising:

a roll of protective covering material having opposed first and second ends;

first and second support legs each configured to be attached to a mounting surface at spaced distance from each other with said roll of protective covering material extending the spaced distance between said first and second support legs and supported at said opposite first and second ends for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

2. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second a support assemblies, said first support assembly securable to said first end of said roll of protective covering and said first support leg, said second support assembly securable to said second end of said roll of protective covering and said second support leg.

3. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 2, wherein:

each of said first and second support assemblies includes an end cap, a bushing and a thread fastener securing the bushing to a stub extending from a side of the end cap, said bushing extendable into a core of said roll of protective covering; and

wherein each leg of said first and second support legs includes an L-shaped member having a vertical portion conjoined with a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a top terminal edge of the vertical portion and terminating at an inwardly disposed hole, and a plurality of holes extending said horizontal portion.

4. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 3, wherein said bushing of each of said first and second support assemblies is a resilient bushing.

5. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 3, further comprising:

a plurality of foot members one corresponding to each of said holes extending said horizontal portion of each of said first and second support legs.

6. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 5, wherein one or more of said plurality of foot member comprise a suction cup.

7. A combination counter top and disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser, comprising:

a roll of protective covering material having opposed first and second ends;

first and second support legs attached to a mounting surface at a spaced distance across the counter top, each of said first and second support legs including an L-shaped member having a vertical portion conjoined with a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a top terminal edge of the vertical portion and terminating at an inwardly disposed hole;

said roll of protective covering material extend said spaced distance between said first and second support legs;

first and second support assemblies, each of said first and second support assemblies including an end cap, a bushing and a thread fastener securing the bushing to a stub extending from a side of the end cap;

wherein said bushing of said first support assembly attached to said first end of said roll of protective covering material, said stub of said first support assembly rotatably extending said slot of said vertical portion of said first support leg with said end cap and said bushing of said first support assembly disposed on opposite sides of said vertical portion; and

wherein said bushing of said second support assembly attached to said second end of said roll of protective covering material, said stub of said second support assembly rotatably extending said slot of said vertical portion of said second support leg with said end cap and said bushing of said second support assembly disposed on opposite sides of said vertical portion.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein each of said horizontal portions of each of said first and second support legs includes a plurality of holes.

9. The combination of claim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of foot members one corresponding to each of said holes of said horizontal portion of each of said first and second support legs.

10. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 9, wherein one or more of said plurality of foot member comprise a suction cup.

11. A dispenser for a roll of disposable counter top protective covering, comprising:

first and second L-shaped members, each including a vertical portion conjoined with a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a top terminal edge of the vertical portion and terminating at an inwardly disposed hole, and a plurality of holes through said horizontal portion;

first and second assemblies, each including an end cap, a bushing and a thread fastener securing the bushing to a stub extending from a side of the end cap;

wherein said first assembly is rotatably supported by said first L-shaped member with said stub thereof extending the hole of said vertical portion of said first L-shaped member with said bushing and said end cap of said first assembly disposed on opposite sides of said vertical portion of said first L-shaped member; and

wherein said second assembly is rotatably supported by said second L-shaped member with said stub thereof extending the hole of said vertical portion of said second L-shaped member with said bushing and said end cap of said second assembly disposed on opposite sides of said vertical portion of said second L-shaped member.

12. The dispenser for a roll of disposable counter top protective covering of claim 11, further comprising:

a plurality of foot members one corresponding to each of said holes of said horizontal portion of each of said first and second L-shaped members.

13. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 12, wherein one or more of said plurality of foot member comprise a suction cup.