US-12616314-B2 - Multi-part dishwasher-optimized high chair

US12616314B2US 12616314 B2US12616314 B2US 12616314B2US-12616314-B2

Abstract

A high chair. A base structure rests on a support surface with upstanding structural members tapering inwardly and upwardly from a bottom region. A top structure has upstanding structural members tapering inwardly and upwardly from the bottom region. The top structure sets atop and in contact with the base structure. Alignment elements in the base and top structures ensure alignment when the structures are mated. A coupling mechanism couples the top base structures and can be removed to separate the top and base structures. The top structure includes a seat for the child. The top and base structures are dimensioned to allow the top structure to nest within a volume defined by the base structure.

Inventors

Liam Susswein
Benjamin Yost
Kane Feldman

Assignees

Liam Susswein
Benjamin Yost
Kane Feldman

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230620

Claims (14)

1 . A high chair comprising: a base structure for resting on a support surface, the base structure comprising upstanding structural members tapering inwardly and upwardly from a bottom region; a top structure comprising upstanding structural members tapering inwardly and upwardly from a bottom region, the top structure for setting atop and in contact with the base structure; a first alignment element in a structural member of the top structure for mating with a second alignment element in a structural member of the base structure; a coupling mechanism for removably coupling the top structure and the base structure; the top structure comprising a substantially horizontal seat upon which a child can sit; and wherein the top and base structures are dimensioned to allow the top structure to nest within a volume defined by the base structure.
2 . The high chair of claim 1 , wherein the base and the top structure are dimensioned to allow stacking of a plurality of high chairs by nesting a top structure of a first high chair within a base of a second high chair.
3 . The high chair of claim 1 , wherein dimensions of a footprint of the base structure are less than 23 inches by 23 inches and a height of the base structure is less than 23 inches.
4 . The high chair of claim 1 , wherein the first alignment element comprises a first shape defined within a first structural member of the top structure and the second alignment element comprises a complimentary second shape defined within a first structural member of the base structure, wherein mating the first shape and the complimentary second shape aligns the top structure and the base structure.
5 . The high chair of claim 4 , further comprising a third shape within a second structural member of the top structure and complimentary fourth shape within a second structural member of the base structure, wherein mating the third shape and the complimentary fourth shape aligns the top structure and the base structure, wherein the first structural member of the top structure and the first structural member of the base structure are in a spaced-apart opposing relation relative to the second structural member of the top structure and the second structural member of the base structure.
6 . The high chair of claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a first and a second U-shaped element, the first and second U-shaped element rotatably attached to a structural member on each of opposing sides of the top structure, wherein rotation of each one of the first and second U-shaped elements captures a respective structural member on each one of opposing sides of the base structure.
7 . The high chair of claim 6 , wherein frictional forces retain the first and second U-shaped elements in an engaged state with the respective base structural members.
8 . The high chair of claim 1 , further comprising a T-shaped child restraint system comprising a horizontal bar segment disposed between spaced-apart and opposing structural members of the top structure and comprising a vertical bar segment disposed between the horizontal bar segment and the seat.
9 . The high chair of claim 1 , further comprising a safety strap affixed to opposing left and right side surfaces of the top structure for restraining a child on the seat, the strap comprising an inner layer material exhibiting a high tensile strength and an outer layer material capable of withstanding water spray, harsh chemicals used in a dishwashing or sanitizing environment, and temperatures to 200 F present in a dishwasher during a wash cycle.
10 . The high chair of claim 9 , wherein the harsh chemicals comprise acids, bases, fats, organic solvents, detergents, rinse aids, and chemical sanitizers.
11 . The high chair of claim 1 , wherein the first and second alignment mechanisms comprise first and second spaced-apart and opposing structural members of the base structure that define a convex shape for mating with respective complementary concave shapes defined in first and second spaced-apart and opposing structural members of the top structure, thereby aligning the base and top structures.
12 . The high chair of claim 1 , wherein a material of the base and top structures comprises polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic or any composite thereof.
13 . The high chair of claim 1 , wherein the upstanding structural members of the base structure comprise four upstanding structural members configured to form a rectangular footprint of the base structure, and wherein the upstanding structural members of the top structure comprise four upstanding structural members configured to form a rectangular footprint of the top structure, and wherein the rectangular footprint of the base structure is larger than the rectangular footprint of the top structure.
14 . The high chair of claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a push button coupling mechanism further comprising a push button segment disposed on a first structural member of the top or base structure and a locking segment disposed in a second structural member of an other of the top and base structures, wherein the locking segment engages a release catch in the second structural member to couple the first and second structural members, and wherein activation of the push button releases the catch and decouples the top and base structures.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the provisional patent application filed on Apr. 17, 2022 and assigned application No. 63/331,857. The entire contents of this application are incorporated herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The subject invention relates generally to the cleaning of high chairs and to high chairs that can be regularly, consistently, and thoroughly cleaned according to a reliable and standardized cleaning regimen, and more specifically to techniques and methods by which such tasks can be completed, and to a high chair designed to facilitate a thorough cleaning process. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While conducting research in a variety of fields, the team of inventors uncovered an unmet need in consistently, reliably, and regularly cleaning high chairs in food establishment settings. There lacks a universal means of establishing and maintaining the cleanliness of high chairs in such food establishments (e.g., restaurants, diners, hotels). In food establishments currently, there are many ways to clean surfaces, furniture, and high chairs. The methods and materials for cleaning the high chairs vary widely, however, from establishment to establishment. Further, management styles, establishment organization, and employee workflows differ significantly from establishment to establishment. This not only results in unclean high chairs, with germ-laden food scraps, but also causes damage to the chairs and an inefficient use of employee time. The damage to the chairs results in shortened product life cycles and unpleasant customer experiences. But this lack of hygiene is not present in all aspects of food establishments. Plates, silverware, cooking utensils, and other equipment is routinely and effectively cleaned to ensure sanitary eating conditions and customer safety. This standard cleanliness derives from a rigorous cleaning standard coupled with the high effectiveness of commercial dishwashers. Furniture in food establishments is often too large or made of inadequate materials to be effectively cleaned in the dishwasher. Some furniture, such as tables and flat surfaces, have simple and established cleaning protocols that do not exist for seating furniture, including high chairs. While this is acceptable for most seating furniture, infants, babies, and toddlers for which the high chair is intended, have the tendency to create much more significant messes and erratic distribution of food debris. Through testing of existing high chairs, the inventors have determined that cleaning high chairs by hand did not consistently result in an effective clean within a reasonable time frame. The geometry of high chairs creates areas that are difficult to reach and thus prohibits effective cleaning by hand. Over time, this feature of high chairs in combination with the inconsistencies associated with hand-cleaning, and established high chair cleaning practices, leaves food to accumulate and harden on the high chair, making the chair increasingly difficult to clean with each use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Given these difficulties associated with high chair cleaning, the inventors have recognized an opportunity to leverage consistent and effective cleaning and sanitizing abilities of the commercial dishwasher, as well as its established place within food establishment operations, as a viable means to standardize high chair cleanliness and reduce the operational impact of cleaning high chairs in food establishments that rely on the use of high chairs to serve their customers. The primary object of the invention is to provide a multi-part high chair structure that, when in a first assembled state, functions as a high chair, and when in a second disassembled state, comprises a plurality of pieces, further comprising seat and base components, such that each can be placed in an automated sanitation unit, including, but not limited to, a commercial dishwasher, for cleaning. Another object of the invention is, in a third state, for the structure that creates the seat region to function as a booster seat with and without other associated structural components. Another object of the invention is to provide techniques and components for relatively quickly coupling and decoupling the seat and the base such that restaurant employees can reasonably perform these cleaning actions between each use of the product. Another object of the invention is to reduce the operational impact of cleaning high chairs on food establishments and its employees. Another object of the invention is to provide a structure that when assembled to serve as a high chair, is compatible with the standard operations and furniture and equipment arrangement of the food establishment. Another object of the invention is to provide a coupling and decoupling alignment mechanism between the various pieces such that when in the first state as a high chair, the child cannot, under its own volitio