In some embodiments, a system comprises a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter, a suction cup having a sealing surface and an outer surface, and a stem that is coaxial with the suction cup and connects the suction cup to the anchor block. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The system may further comprise an elongated tether that is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors, and the elongated tether may comprise an anchor end having a generally spherical anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter.

A tableware system is provided that includes a placemat with non-integrated tableware. The placemat includes a substantially planar bottom surface that forms a partial vacuum when provided in contact with an underlying surface and a first fastening mechanism provided at a top surface of the placemat. The tableware includes a second fastening mechanism that corresponds to the first fastening mechanism, the second fastening mechanism being detachably coupled to the first fastening mechanism. A lid is provided that secures to the tableware and includes another first fastening mechanism provided at a top surface thereof. A lock is provided that fixedly secures the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism. The lock may include a release mechanism that disengages the lock upon application of a force thereto. Alternatively, the lock may be removable by a separate tool that disengages the lock to allow the tableware and the placemat to be detached.

A tableware system is provided that includes a placemat with non-integrated tableware. The placemat includes a substantially planar bottom surface that forms a partial vacuum when provided in contact with an underlying surface and a first fastening mechanism provided at a top surface of the placemat. The tableware includes a second fastening mechanism that corresponds to the first fastening mechanism, the second fastening mechanism being detachably coupled to the first fastening mechanism. A lid is provided that secures to the tableware and includes another first fastening mechanism provided at a top surface thereof. A lock is provided that fixedly secures the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism. The lock may include a release mechanism that disengages the lock upon application of a force thereto. Alternatively, the lock may be removable by a separate tool that disengages the lock to allow the tableware and the placemat to be detached.

The invention relates to a mat (1), in particular a self-adhesive mat (1), which is at least partially formed from an elastically deformable material. According to the invention, the mat (1) comprises at least one recess (2), wherein in the recess (2) a receiving device (3) is positioned which is at least partially composed of a more solid material than the mat (1).

The invention relates to a mat (1), in particular a self-adhesive mat (1), which is at least partially formed from an elastically deformable material. According to the invention, the mat (1) comprises at least one recess (2), wherein in the recess (2) a receiving device (3) is positioned which is at least partially composed of a more solid material than the mat (1).

The invention provides a supported body having a magnetic or ferromagnetic component to adhere the supported body to a magnetic or ferromagnetic support, such as a table top by magnetic attraction. A reusable adhering component, such as a stretch-releasable pressure sensitive adhesive tape is disposed on a top surface of the supported body to removably attach tableware or dishware to the supported body. The supported body can be in the form of a plate, a coaster, a placemat, or other known configuration. Alternatively, a support body can be releasably secured to a table top or other support surface by a releasable attaching device such as a suction cup and a supported body can be releasably attached to a piece of tableware or dishware by a releasable attaching device such as a suction cup, and the support body and the supported body can be magnetically attached to each other.

The invention provides a supported body having a magnetic or ferromagnetic component to adhere the supported body to a magnetic or ferromagnetic support, such as a table top by magnetic attraction. A reusable adhering component, such as a stretch-releasable pressure sensitive adhesive tape is disposed on a top surface of the supported body to removably attach tableware or dishware to the supported body. The supported body can be in the form of a plate, a coaster, a placemat, or other known configuration. Alternatively, a support body can be releasably secured to a table top or other support surface by a releasable attaching device such as a suction cup and a supported body can be releasably attached to a piece of tableware or dishware by a releasable attaching device such as a suction cup, and the support body and the supported body can be magnetically attached to each other.

In some embodiments, a method includes providing a flexible mat; wrapping the flexible mat around a crossbar associated with a seat for an infant or toddler; affixing two portions of the flexible mat together; providing a tether configured to secure an object; and coupling the tether to an anchor block on the flexible mat. The flexible mat may have a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; and a plurality of anchors. Each anchor may include an anchor block having an aperture configured to receive a tether, and a suction cup. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The back side may be adjacent a surface of the crossbar. The method may further include securing an object to the tether.

In some embodiments, a system comprises a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter, a suction cup having a sealing surface and an outer surface, and a stem that is coaxial with the suction cup and connects the suction cup to the anchor block. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The system may further comprise an elongated tether that is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors, and the elongated tether may comprise an anchor end having a generally spherical anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter.

A self-sealing integrated tableware and dining mat including a rubberlike planar portion having a raised perimeter delimiting at least one concavity above an upper surface and a suffuse undersurface disposed for sealable contact with an underlying surface upon which said mat is disposed, said sealable contact preventative of lateral displacement of the planar portion across the underlying surface, wherein said sealable contact creates a partial vacuum when attempts to separate the undersurface from the underlying surface are made except at an outer edge of the planar portion, whereby removal of the planar portion from the underlying surface is effective only by peeling the undersurface from the underlying surface starting first at the outer edge.