Convertible Placemats and Table Runner

Abstract

A set of convertible placemats includes a plurality of similarly shaped placemats. Each placemat may define a perimeter shape including at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side includes a first complex edge pattern including multiple curved or non-parallel geometric features, wherein the second side includes a second complex edge pattern including multiple curved or non-parallel geometric features, and wherein the second complex edge pattern is geometrically complementary to the first complex edge pattern, such that the second complex edge pattern geometrically mates with the first complex edge pattern of another one of the placemats when the two placemats are arranged side-by-side with the second complex edge pattern abutting the first complex edge pattern. At least a subset of the convertible placemats may be arranged side-by-side in a row to form a table runner.

1 . A set of convertible placemats, comprising:
 a plurality of similarly shaped placemats, each placemat comprising:
 a perimeter shape defining at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side; 
 wherein the first side includes a first complex edge pattern including multiple curved or non-parallel geometric features; 
 wherein the second side includes a second complex edge pattern including multiple curved or non-parallel geometric features; and 
 wherein the second complex edge pattern is geometrically complementary to the first complex edge pattern, such that the second complex edge pattern geometrically mates with the first complex edge pattern of another one of the placemats when the two placemats are arranged side-by-side with the second complex edge pattern abutting the first complex edge pattern. 
   
     
     
         2 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of placemats are identical in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the placemats are configured to be arranged side-by-side with the second complex edge pattern abutting the first complex edge pattern to form a table runner. 
     
     
         4 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein each placemat is at least partially formed from a silicone rubber material. 
     
     
         5 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein the first complex edge pattern is not symmetrical around any axis. 
     
     
         6 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein the first complex edge pattern has a zig-zag shape. 
     
     
         7 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein the first complex edge pattern of a first placemat is not geometrically complementary to itself. 
     
     
         8 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein each placemat has a non-uniform thickness. 
     
     
         9 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein each placemat has a three-dimensional shape defining a top surface having a three-dimensional textured pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 9 , wherein the three-dimensional textured pattern defines a plurality of peaks and valleys. 
     
     
         11 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein each placemat has a three-dimensional shape defining a top surface having a first three-dimensional textured pattern, and bottom surface having a second three-dimensional textured pattern. 
     
     
         12 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 11 , wherein the second three-dimensional textured pattern of the bottom surface is different than the first three-dimensional textured pattern of the top surface. 
     
     
         13 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 1 , wherein each placemat including one or more connecting features proximate at least one of the first and second sides, the one or more connecting features configured to removably secure adjacent placemats to each other when at least two placemats are arranged in a row to form a table runner. 
     
     
         14 . A convertible placemat, comprising:
 a perimeter shape defining at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   wherein the first side includes a first complex edge pattern including multiple curved or non-parallel geometric features;   wherein the second side includes a second complex edge pattern including multiple curved or non-parallel geometric features; and   wherein the second complex edge pattern is geometrically complementary to the first complex edge pattern, such that the second complex edge pattern geometrically mates with the first complex edge pattern of a similar or identical placemat when the two placemats are arranged side-by-side with the second complex edge pattern abutting the first complex edge pattern.   
     
     
         15 . A convertible placemat, comprising:
 a top surface having a three-dimensional surface texture defined by an array of interconnected three-dimensional structures;   wherein each three-dimensional structure has a peak defined by a point or surface; and   wherein the array of interconnected three-dimensional structures defines a plurality of valleys between two or more adjacent peaks;   a bottom surface having a different surface texture than the three-dimensional surface texture of the top surface; and   wherein, when the placemat is placed on a planar surface, a texture ratio of (a) a top surface texture variation measured from a particular peak to a particular adjacent valley in a direction normal to the planar surface to (b) a placemat thickness measured from the particular peak to the planar surface in the direction normal to the planar surface, is at least 25%.   
     
     
         16 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 15 , wherein the texture ratio is between 25% and 90%. 
     
     
         17 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 15 , wherein the texture ratio is between 50% and 90%. 
     
     
         18 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 15 , wherein the array of interconnected three-dimensional structures comprises an array of pyramid-shaped structures. 
     
     
         19 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 15 , wherein the array of interconnected three-dimensional structures comprises an array of structures rounded in three dimensions. 
     
     
         20 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 15 , wherein the placemat is formed from a silicone rubber material. 
     
     
         21 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 the placemat has a perimeter shape of defining at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   the first side includes a first complex edge pattern including multiple curved or non-parallel geometric features; and   the second side includes a second complex edge pattern including multiple curved or non-parallel geometric features; and   the second complex edge pattern is geometrically complementary to the first complex edge pattern.   
     
     
         22 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 15 , wherein the bottom surface is flat. 
     
     
         23 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 15 , wherein the bottom surface has a three-dimensional surface texture different than the three-dimensional surface texture of the top surface. 
     
     
         24 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 23 , wherein the three-dimensional surface texture of the bottom surface is flatter than the three-dimensional surface texture of the top surface. 
     
     
         25 . The set of convertible placemats according to  claim 15 , wherein the array of interconnected three-dimensional structures defines a plurality of openings extending through the placemat, each opening defining one of the valleys between two or more adjacent peaks. 
     
     
         26 . A table runner comprising:
 a plurality of similarly shaped placemats arranged in a row and abutting each other side-by-side;   wherein each placemat includes:
 a first side and having a first complex edge pattern including multiple curved or non-parallel geometric features, and 
 a second side having a second complex edge pattern that is geometrically complementary to the first complex edge pattern of an adjacent abutting placemat in the row of placemats.