Item retaining mat

Abstract

An item retaining mat includes a base sheet and an array of projections extending from the base sheet to define an item receiving surface. When an item is pressed against the item receiving surface of the mat, one or more projections of the array of projections that are engaged by the item are depressed from an extended position to a depressed position to define a recess in the item receiving surface, the recess being shaped to limit lateral movement of the received item.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An item retaining mat comprising:
 a base sheet; and   an array of projections extending from the base sheet to define an item receiving surface;   wherein when an item is pressed against the item receiving surface of the mat, one or more projections of the array of projections that are engaged by the item are depressed from an extended position to a depressed position to define a recess in the item receiving surface, the recess being shaped to limit lateral movement of the received item.   
     
     
         2 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the array of projections is collapsible to the depressed position, such that when the received item is removed from the mat, the recess remains in the item receiving surface. 
     
     
         3 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the array of projections is re-extendable to the extended position to eliminate the recess in the item receiving surface. 
     
     
         4 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the array of projections comprises first and second annular wall portions joined by a first annular hinge portion configured to permit the second wall portion to fold toward the first wall portion when the projection is depressed from the extended position to the depressed position. 
     
     
         5 . The mat of  claim 4 , wherein the annular hinge portion of each of the array of projections includes a reduced wall thickness relative to the first and second wall portions. 
     
     
         6 . The mat of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second annular walls are frustoconical. 
     
     
         7 . The mat of  claim 4 , wherein each of the array of projections further comprises a third annular wall portion joined to the second annular wall portion by a second annular hinge portion, configured to permit the third wall portion to fold toward the second wall portion when the projection is depressed from the extended position to the depressed position. 
     
     
         8 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the array of projections is integrally formed with the base sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the array of projections extends a first height from the base sheet when in the extended position and a second height from the base sheet when in the depressed position, the second height being less than the first height. 
     
     
         10 . The mat of  claim 9 , wherein the second height is approximately one fifth of the first height. 
     
     
         11 . The mat of  claim 9 , wherein each of the array of projections is further depressible to a partially depressed position extending a third height from the base sheet, the third height being less than the first height and greater than the second height. 
     
     
         12 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the array of projections has a maximum diameter of up to approximately ½ inch. 
     
     
         13 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the array of projections is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the array of projections by a maximum distance of up to approximately 1 inch between center points of the adjacent projections. 
     
     
         14 . A method of retaining an item against lateral movement, the method comprising:
 providing an item retaining mat including a base sheet and an array of projections extending from the base sheet to define an item receiving surface; and   pressing one or more projections of the array of projections thereby depressing the one or more projections from an extended position to a depressed position to define a recess in the item receiving surface, the recess being shaped to limit lateral movement of an item; and   positioning the item in the recess.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein depressing the one or more projections from the extended position to the depressed position comprises collapsing the one or more projections to the depressed position, such that when the received item is removed from the mat, the recess remains in the item receiving surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein depressing each the one or more projections from the extended position to the depressed position comprises folding a second annular wall about an annular hinge portion toward a first annular wall. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the array of projections extends a first height from the base sheet when in the extended position, wherein depressing each of the one or more projections from the extended position to the depressed position comprises positioning the projection to extend a second height from the base sheet, the second height being less than the first height. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising depressing one or more of the array of projections to a partially depressed position extending a third height from the base sheet, the third height being less than the first height and greater than the second height. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein pressing one or more projections of the array of projections comprises placing the item on the item receiving surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein pressing one or more projections of the array of projections comprises pressing the item against the item receiving surface. 
     
     
         21 . An item retaining mat comprising:
 a base sheet;   an array of projections extending from the base sheet to define an item receiving surface; and   means for depressing one or more projections of the array of projections from an extended position to a depressed position to define a recess in the item receiving surface.   
     
     
         22 . The mat of  claim 21 , wherein the means for depressing comprises first and second annular wall portions of each of the array of projections, joined by an annular hinge portion configured to permit the second wall portion to fold toward the first wall portion when the projection is depressed from the extended position to the depressed position.