Today in 2012, US Patent 8166893 B2 was issued, an invention of Edgar Davis, for his “Table System.” Here’s the Abstract:

A table system that includes a table top having an upper surface and a surface covering which covers substantially the upper surface of the table top. The table top and the surface covering have concentric openings with substantially similar diameters.

This invention is directed to a table system and more particularly to a table system having a table top, an opening on the surface of the table top, and a removable bucket contained in the opening.