Protective covers and methods of making the same

Abstract

A table cover which comprises a silicone material, which comprises top and bottom surfaces. As opposed to conventional table covers, the table cover provides a flexible, unitary cover with excellent surface properties for dining and work space. Further, the bottom surface establishes a non-slip contact with the table surface to prevent the cover from sliding around of off of the table. The table cover may be configured and secured in a rolled position for storage and easy application to the table surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible cover for protecting a table surface, the cover comprising:
 a bottom surface configured to establish a generally non-slip contact with the table surface; and   a top surface generally opposite the bottom surface,   wherein at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface is made of a material including silicone, the cover having a surface area of at least nine ft 2 .   
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the material further includes a reinforcing material. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is configured to be overlaid by a table cloth such that a generally non-slip contact is established between the top surface of the cover and the table cloth. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface includes a generally non-stick material. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface includes a decorative embellishment. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to be rolled. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes an anti-spill edge, the anti-spill edge having a protrusion extending generally upwards from at least one edge of the top surface of the cover, the anti-spill edge being configured to inhibit materials from spilling off of the top surface of the cover. 
     
     
         8 . A method for manufacturing a cover for a table surface, the method comprising:
 receiving a dimension set corresponding with dimensions of the table surface, the table surface having a surface area of at least nine ft 2 ;   providing a flexible material, the flexible material having a bottom surface configured to establish a generally non-slip contact with the table top, the flexible material further including a top surface generally opposite the bottom surface, at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface being made of a material including silicone; and   forming the cover such that a dimension set associated with the cover is substantially equal to the dimension set of the table surface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the material further includes a reinforcing material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising applying at least one decorative embellishment to the top surface of the cover. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising rolling the cover. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 receiving a dimension set corresponding with dimensions of one or more table leaves; and   forming one or more additional cover pieces such that a dimension set associated with the additional cover pieces is substantially equal to the dimension set of the one or more table leaves.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 forming an anti-spill edge on the top surface of the cover, the anti-spill edge having a protrusion extending generally upwards from at least one edge of the top surface of the cover, the anti-spill edge being configured to inhibit materials from spilling off of the top surface of the cover.   
     
     
         14 . A multi-portion table cover for protecting a top of a table, the table including a first main table portion and a second main table portion, the first and second main table portions being separated from one another by one or more leaves, the kit comprising:
 a first main cover portion having a top surface and a generally opposite bottom surface, the bottom surface of the first main cover portion being configured to establish a generally non-slip contact with a top surface of the first main table portion, at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the first main cover portion being made of a material including silicone, the first main cover portion being generally flexible;   a second main cover portion having a top surface and a generally opposite bottom surface, the bottom surface of the second main cover portion being configured to establish a generally non-slip contact with a top surface of the second main table portion, at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the second main cover portion being made of a material including silicone, the second main cover portion being generally flexible; and   one or more leaf cover portions having a respective top surface and a generally opposite bottom surface, the bottom surface of the one or more leaf cover portions being configured to establish a generally non-slip contact with a top surface of the respective one or more leaves, at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the one or more leaf cover portions being made of a material including silicone, the one or more leaf cover portions being generally flexible.   
     
     
         15 . The multi-portion table cover of  claim 14 , wherein the material of the at least one of the top or the bottom surface of the first main cover portion, second main cover portion, or the one or more leaf cover portions further includes a reinforcing material. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-portion table cover of  claim 14 , wherein the top surfaces of the first main cover portion, second main cover portion, and the one or more leaf cover portions are configured to be overlaid by a table cloth such that a generally non-slip contact is established between the top surfaces and the table cloth. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-portion table cover of  claim 14 , wherein the top surfaces of the first main cover portion, second main cover portion, and the one or more leaf cover portions include a generally non-stick material. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-portion table cover of  claim 14 , wherein the top surfaces of the first main cover portion, second main cover portion, and the one or more leaf cover portions includes at least one decorative embellishment. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the first main cover portion, second main cover portion, and the one or more leaf cover portions are configured to be rolled. 
     
     
         20 . The multi-portion table cover of  claim 14 , wherein the first main cover portion is configured to cover the substantially all of the top surface of the first main table portion, the second main cover portion is configured to cover the substantially all of the top surface of the second main table portion, and the one or more leaf cover portions are configured to cover substantially all of the one or more leaves.