Table with table top and layer

Abstract

A table may include a blow-molded plastic table top with a first set of characteristics and an insert with a second set of characteristics. Advantageously, the different characteristics may be used to create a table with a different appearance, design, aesthetics, functionality and/or uses. In particular, the table top is preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic and it may include one or more engaging portions, and the insert is preferably constructed from a different process and it may include one or more receiving portions. The receiving portions and engaging portions may provide a mechanical interface or connection between the insert and the table top.

1 . A table comprising: 
 a blow-molded plastic table top including a hollow interior portion formed during the blow-molding process, the blow-molded plastic table top including an upper portion and a lower portion, the blow-molded table top including a first set of characteristics;    at least one engaging portion disposed in the upper portion of the table top;    at least one leg assembly connected to the table top;    an insert that is sized and configured to be connected to the upper portion of the table top, the insert not being constructed from blow-molded plastic and including a second set of characteristics that are different than the first set of properties of the table top; and    at least one receiving portion disposed in the insert that is sized and configured to receive the engaging portion to facilitate connection of the insert and the table top.    
   
   
       2 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the insert, at least a portion of the table top, or at least a portion of the insert and at least a portion of the table top are melted to connect the insert and the table top.  
   
   
       3 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the insert is attached to the table top using an in-mold technique wherein at least a portion of the insert is disposed within the mold during the blow molding manufacturing process of the table top.  
   
   
       4 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the insert, at least a portion of the table top, or at least a portion of the insert and at least a portion of the table top are melted using a friction generating device to connect the insert and the table top.  
   
   
       5 . The table as in  claim 1 , further comprising a receiving portion in the upper portion of the table top that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the insert.  
   
   
       6 . The table as in  claim 5 , further comprising a thickness of the insert that is substantially equal to a depth of the receiving portion so that at least a portion of an upper portion of the insert is generally aligned with at least a portion of an upper portion of the table top.  
   
   
       7 . The table as in  claim 5 , wherein the receiving portion is integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure.  
   
   
       8 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the insert has a different appearance than the table top to provide a contrast between the insert and the table top.  
   
   
       9 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the insert provides different functionality than the table top.  
   
   
       10 . A table comprising: 
 a blow-molded plastic table top including a hollow interior portion formed during the blow-molding process, the blow-molded plastic table top including an upper portion and a lower portion, the blow-molded table top including a first set of characteristics;    at least one leg assembly connected to the table top; and    a plastic insert that is sized and configured to be connected to the upper portion of the table top, the insert including a second set of characteristics that are different than the first set of properties of the table top;    at least a portion of the insert, at least a portion of the table top or at least a portion of the insert and at least a portion of the table top being melted to connect the insert and the table top.    
   
   
       11 . The table as in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one engaging portion disposed in the table top and at least one receiving portion disposed in the insert that is sized and configured to receive the engaging portion to facilitate connection of the insert and the table top.  
   
   
       12 . The table as in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one engaging portion disposed in the insert and at least one engaging portion disposed in the table top that is sized and configured to receive the engaging portion to facilitate connection of the insert and the table top.  
   
   
       13 . The table as in  claim 10 , wherein the insert is attached to the table top using an in-mold technique wherein at least a portion of the insert is disposed within the mold during the blow molding manufacturing process of the table top.  
   
   
       14 . The table as in  claim 10 , further comprising a receiving portion in the upper portion of the table top that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the insert.  
   
   
       15 . The table as in  claim 14 , further comprising a thickness of the insert that is substantially equal to a depth of the receiving portion so that at least a portion of an upper portion of the insert is generally aligned with at least a portion of an upper portion of the table top.  
   
   
       16 . The table as in  claim 14 , wherein the receiving portion is integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure.  
   
   
       17 . The table as in  claim 10 , wherein the insert has a different appearance than the table top to provide a contrast between the insert and the table top.  
   
   
       18 . The table as in  claim 10 , wherein the insert provides different functionality than the table top.  
   
   
       19 . A table comprising: 
 a blow-molded plastic table top including a hollow interior portion formed during the blow-molding process, the blow-molded plastic table top including an upper portion and a lower portion, the blow-molded table top including a first set of characteristics;    at least one leg assembly connected to the table top;    an insert that is sized and configured to be connected to the upper portion of the table top, the insert not being constructed from blow-molded plastic and including a second set of characteristics that are different than the first set of properties of the table top, the insert and the upper portion of the table top being sized and configured to attach the insert to the upper portion of the table top using at least one of a snap fit, a friction fit or an interference fit.    
   
   
       20 . The table as in  claim 19 , further comprising one or more receiving portions disposed in the insert and one or more engaging portions disposed in the table top, the receiving portions being sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the engaging portions.  
   
   
       21 . The table as in  claim 19 , further comprising one or more receiving portions disposed in the table top and one or more engaging portions disposed in the insert, the receiving portions being sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the engaging portions.