Disposable table cloth for umbrella table

Abstract

A disposable table cloth for umbrella tables. The table cloth, for use by diners, card players, picnickers or other people using the table, is disposable, so that the users may simply place it flat on the table top, use the table, and dispose of the table cloth when they are finished. The table cloth has no expensive components such as velcro, elastic, ties, strings, etc, thus making for low cost. The table cloth further has a top surface which users may lay flat on the table top in order to use the table. The table cloth has a slit extending from the rim of the table cloth to a aperture through which the pole of the umbrella may sit. In addition, the table cloth has adhesive, especially tacky adhesive, used to fasten and seal the table cloth slit together.

1 . A table cloth for use with a table having an umbrella pole rising from the center of the table, the table cloth comprising: 
 a flat sheet of a disposable material;    the flat sheet having a central aperture;    the flat sheet further having a slit extending from the rim to the central aperture.    
   
   
       2 . The table cloth of  claim 1 , wherein the central aperture is dimensioned and configured to accept such umbrella pole therethrough.  
   
   
       3 . The table cloth of  claim 2 , wherein the central aperture has a radius approximately equal to the radius of such umbrella pole.  
   
   
       4 . The table cloth of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an adhesive running along the slit, whereby the slit may be fastened closed after the table cloth is placed upon a table.    
   
   
       5 . The table cloth of  claim 4 , wherein the adhesive is furthermore tacky.  
   
   
       6 . The table cloth of  claim 4 , wherein the adhesive further comprises transfer tape.  
   
   
       7 . The table cloth of  claim 4 , wherein the adhesive further runs along substantially the entire length of the slit.  
   
   
       8 . The table cloth of  claim 4 , wherein the adhesive further runs along a portion of the entire length of the slit.  
   
   
       8 . The table cloth of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener running along the slit, the fastener comprising of one member selected from the group consisting of: at least one plastic snap, a plastic seal, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The table cloth of  claim 1 , wherein the flat sheet has a planform selected from the group comprising: circular, square, rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal, irregular shapes and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The table cloth of  claim 1 , wherein the flat sheet furthermore comprises a non-permeable material.  
   
   
       11 . The table cloth of  claim 1 , wherein the flat sheet furthermore comprises a material selected from the group comprising: polymers, polyethylene, foam, paper, plastic, PEVA, laminates, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The table cloth of  claim 1 , wherein the flat sheet is dimensioned and configured to fit on at least one common size and shape of umbrella table.  
   
   
       13 . A method of providing a clean table surface during dining at a table having an obstruction rising from the table, the method comprising: 
 a) placing a flat sheet of a disposable material on the table surface prior to dining; the flat sheet having a central aperture and a slit extending from the rim to the central aperture, the slit having first and second edges;    b) opening the slit and placing the central aperture around such obstruction rising from the center of the table;    c) pulling the slit closed whereby the flat sheet entirely surrounds such obstruction;    d) flattening the sheet.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 e) fastening the edges of the slit together prior to step d) flattening the sheet.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 f) after dining, lifting the edges of the flat sheet to form a garbage bag.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step c) further comprises: 
 overlapping the first and second edges to reduce the size of the table cloth to better fit such table.    
   
   
       17 . A table cloth for use with a table having an umbrella pole rising from the center of the table, the table cloth comprising: 
 a) a flat sheet of a disposable, non-permeable, material, the flat sheet being of a size and shape to fit on at least one common size and shape of umbrella table;    b) the flat sheet having a circular aperture of the same diameter as such umbrella pole;    c) the flat sheet further having a slit extending from the rim to the central aperture, the slit having a first edge and a second edge, d) the first and second edge overlapping by a first distance when the flat sheet is laid flat.    
   
   
       18 . The table cloth of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 e) an adhesive located on the second edge, within the first distance of the slit, whereby when the first and second edges overlap, the adhesive causes the first and second edges to adhere together.    
   
   
       19 . The table cloth of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second edges form a non-permeable seal when adhered together.  
   
   
       20 . The table cloth of  claim 17 , wherein the adhesive is substantially flat, allowing the flat sheet to remain flat when the first and second edges are adhered together.  
   
   
       21 . The table cloth of  claim 17 , wherein the adhesive further comprises: 
 f) a strip of backing material which may be removed from the adhesive to expose it for use.