Convertible container and mat and method therefor

Abstract

A container that has perforations oriented so that when the container is opened along the perforations, the container forms a mat. The container may also be configured to form a tray when opened along the perforations. The perforations may be oriented so that the converted container provides a generally planar placemat portion that is integral with a tray portion. The perforations may also be oriented to produce a generally planar mat portion that is detached from the tray portion. The container is preferably made out of paper, cardboard, plastic, foil, metal and wood and is in the form of a bag or box. The use of the convertible container and method therefor allows a user to easily convert the container into a mat and tray that provides a clean surface for the objects and allows the user to easily access the objects once the container is open.

1 . A container that converts to a mat, said convertible container comprising:
 a bottom, an open end, opposing spaced apart first and second sidewalls, and opposing spaced apart first and second faces;   said faces and said side walls being contiguous with the bottom and said faces adjoin said side walls; and   said container having perforations oriented such that that when said container is opened along the perforations, said container forms a place mat.   
   
   
       2 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said perforations comprise:
 a first line of perforations vertically extending from said open end of said container to a second line of perforations;   said second line of perforations having a first portion horizontally disposed about a perimeter of said container near said bottom and extending across said first face and said first and second side walls and second portions vertically disposed between said second face and said first and second side walls and terminating at said bottom, wherein said convertible container when opened along the perforations includes a tray portion having three vertical walls, each of the three vertical walls contiguous with the bottom and a generally planar mat portion integral with said tray portion.   
   
   
       3 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said first and second lines of perforations are curved. 
   
   
       4 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said first and second lines of perforations are straight. 
   
   
       5 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said first line of perforations is centrally disposed on said first face. 
   
   
       6 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said perforations comprise:
 a first line of perforations vertically extending from said open end of said container to a second line of perforations;   said second line of perforations horizontally disposed about a perimeter of said container near said bottom and extending completely along said first face and second face and said first and second side walls wherein said convertible container when opened along the perforations forms a tray portion having four vertical walls each wall contiguous with said bottom and a generally planar mat portion that is completely detached from said tray portion.   
   
   
       7 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said first and second lines of perforations are curved. 
   
   
       8 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said first and second lines of perforations are straight. 
   
   
       9 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said container is constructed from a material chosen from the group consisting of paper, cardboard, plastic, foil, metal and wood. 
   
   
       10 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said container is a bag. 
   
   
       11 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said container is a box. 
   
   
       12 . The convertible container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said container is generally rectangular in shape. 
   
   
       13 . A method for converting a container having a bottom, an open end, opposing spaced apart first and second side walls, and opposing spaced apart first and second faces, said faces and said side walls being contiguous with the bottom and said faces adjoin said side walls; and said container having first and second lines of perforations, said first line of perforations vertically extending from said open end of said container to said second line of perforations, said second line of perforations having a first portion horizontally disposed about a perimeter of said container near said bottom and extending through said first face and said first and second side walls and a second portion vertically disposed between said second face and said first and second side walls, comprising the steps of:
 opening the container along said first line of perforations to said second line of perforations;   opening said first portion of said second line of perforations; and   opening said second portion of said second line of perforations to form a tray portion and a generally planar mat portion integral with said tray portion.   
   
   
       14 . A method for converting a container having a bottom, an open end, opposing spaced apart first and second side walls, and opposing spaced apart first and second faces, said faces and said side walls being contiguous with the bottom and said faces adjoin said side walls; and said container having first and second lines of perforations, said first line of perforations vertically extending from said open end of said container to said second line of perforations, said second line of perforations disposed about a perimeter of said container near said bottom and extending completely through said first face and second face and said first and second side walls, comprising the steps of:
 opening said first line of perforations to said second line of perforations; and   opening said second line of perforations to form a tray having four vertical walls, each wall contiguous with said bottom, and a generally planar mat that is completely detached from said tray.