Patent Grant
6886209
The present invention relates to a floor mat having features that make it more desirable for home, commercial and other uses. More specifically, the invention provides a floor mat that includes a cleanable portion, and may also include a water dissipation component, a water absorbing component, a cushioning component, customized graphics, a transparent cleanable portion, a tacky surface on the cleanable portion, an antibacterial composition, an antifungal composition, and a fragrance. The cleanable portion may be erodible and may include a plurality of cleanable reusable layers. If a tacky surface is included in the floor mat, an anti-slip feature may be associated with the tacky surface to help prevent slipping on a possibly wet tacky surface. Additionally, a sensor system may be included in the floor mat to assist a user in identifying when the floor mat may require cleaning.
Floor mats are known for cleaning the soles of a person's shoes who is about to enter a particular area or room. One problem with floor mats in general is how to keep the floor mat sufficiently clean such that it may perform its function of cleaning the person's shoes when, by its very nature, it is purposefully dirtied when performing its function.
Known floor mats may be comprised of a single, unitary piece of material. Whereas these single structure floor mats may be kept clean by, for example, washing the floor mat, it may be required that the entire floor mat be removed from its location for washing and thus, the floor mat is not available where desired while the entire mat is being cleaned. Alternatively, even if the mat can be cleaned in-place, which may not be a possibility if it is located in, for example, a carpeted area, it may be inconvenient to clean the mat in-place.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,102 to Amos discloses a throw-away pad comprising a plurality of stacked disposable sheets where, when a particular sheet is dirtied, the duty sheet is removed and disposed of. The next sheet that is exposed after the dirty sheet is discarded is clean and thus, a clean surface is again available. However, there may be problems with comprising the floor mat of disposable sheets. Disposing of each dirty sheet may be uneconomical since each sheet is discarded after it becomes dirty. Additionally, after some finite number of sheets are disposed of, no sheets will remain and thus no effective cleaning surface is available.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,102 to Amos also discloses that an adhesive can be provided on each sheet's top surface to improve its ability to remove dirt from a person's shoes. However, again, these sheets are not cleanable and therefore are not reusable.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,897 to Amos et al. discloses a pad for cleaning shoes and wheels. The pad includes a thin water-washable adhesive covering its upper surface for removing dirt from shoes and wheels. Whereas the '897 patent discloses a pad with a water-washable adhesive upper surface, the pad is not known for use in domestic or office-type applications. As stated in the '897 patent, the pad is placed at an entrance doorway leading into a clean room.
Tacky floor mats are by far more popular for utilization in indoor environments that are far removed from exterior outside entrances, such as for clean rooms that are well-within the interior of the building in which they are used, e.g., hospital rooms, computer chip manufacturing spaces, and gymasiums. Thus, tacky floor mats are not known for use in areas that are adjacent to entrances that lead from the outdoor environment for cleaning the soles of a person's shoes prior to entry into the interior of a building, such as for example in an entry foyer or on an outdoor porch.
Tacky floor mats are not known for use in domestic or office-type applications, e.g., home or business office use, because of several known deficiencies. One of these deficiencies is that their tacky surface will not be as effective if it becomes wet. Therefore, if the tacky surface floor mat was utilized in an outdoor environment, such as the outdoor porch mentioned above, or in an indoor environment that is adjacent to or near an outdoor entrance, such as an entry foyer of a home or business, for cleaning a person's shoes prior to further entering the home or business, the mat is likely to become wet and therefore not effective. The mat could become wet from, for example, the moisture in the atmosphere or from moisture carried on the soles of the person's shoes who steps on the mat. Additionally, if the tacky surface becomes wet it may become slippery and thus cause a hazard for the person who steps on it.
Additional deficiencies with using known tacky floor mats for home or office-type applications as discussed above is their likelihood of becoming trip hazards and their lack of aesthetic appeal. In the '897 patent, because the pad is designed for use in clean room environments, it is adhesively adhered to the passageway floor in front of the entrance doorway. This may be satisfactory for retaining the mat in-place in clean room-type of applications, however, if it was attempted to use the '897 pad on a carpeted floor, the pad would not properly adhere to the carpet and thus a trip hazard would be present. This could result in significant liability issues. The '897 pad does not have sufficient mass for it to remain in-place without utilizing an adhesive. Regarding aesthetics, because tacky floor mats are known only for their functional characteristics, and thus for use only in “clean room”-type applications, they are not aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, for at least the above reasons, tacky floor mats are not known for use in home or office-type applications.
Additional drawbacks with known floor mats exist that are directed to issues of customization for a particular purchaser and a lack of additional cleaning properties. A floor mat may be the first object that a visitor to a particular home or business encounters. As such, the owner of the home or business may want to utilize the floor mat to graphically convey an initial greeting or message to the visitor. Whereas floor mats are known that may include a greeting on them, it is not currently known to allow for a particular purchaser to customize the displayed graphic so that the message is tailored to convey a particular message desired by the purchaser. For example, on Halloween the purchaser may want the floor mat to display a “Happy Halloween” message. In another situation, the purchaser may want to greet a particular visitor with a message such as “Hello, Joe”. Currently, it is not known to provide a floor mat where an individual can customize the floor mat to display a particular message that they want to convey and in certain circumstances even change the floor mat's message they want to convey.
Such customization of a floor mat may relate to choice of features such as colors, materials, constituent components and the like. Such choices may depend, for example, on whether a floor mat is intended for indoor or outdoor use. A floor mat that is user-configurable in terms of such features as color, components, and the like could fulfill unmet consumer needs by, for example, allowing consumers to choose floor mat materials adapted to regional climate or to personal preference in home decor.
An additional problem with known floor mats, as mentioned above, is that they are limited in their ability to clean the soles of a person's shoes. Whereas known floor mats may be capable of removing dirt particles from the shoe's soles, they are not able to disinfect the soles nor provide a scent to the soles to assist in masking any unpleasant odors that may be associated with the shoes.
An additional drawback with known floor mats, even if they are cleanable, is that they do not assist a user in determining when the floor mat may require cleaning. Generally, the owner or custodian of the floor mat does not continuously or regularly monitor the condition of the floor mat with respect to cleanliness. Therefore, the floor mat could require cleaning, and because the owner is not consciously monitoring the condition of the floor mat, there could be a significant period of time before the owner realizes that the floor mat requires cleaning. Therefore, it would be desirable to assist the owner/custodian of the floor mat in determining when the floor mat requires cleaning.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an advanced floor mat that could address deficiencies that exist with currently known floor mats. The advanced floor mat of the present invention overcomes deficiencies in the prior art and may include a base portion which incorporates a cleanable portion that is adapted to be removably received within the floor mat. The floor mat may also include features such as a water dissipation capability, a water absorbing capability, a cushioning capability, customized graphics, a transparent portion, a tacky surface on the cleanable portion, an antibacterial composition, an antifungal composition, and a fragrance. The cleanable portion may include the features of being erodible and containing a plurality of cleanable reusable layers. If a tacky surface is included in the floor mat, an anti-slip feature may be associated with the tacky surface to help prevent slipping on at possibly wet tacky surface. Additionally, a sensor system may be included in the floor mat to assist a user in identifying when the floor mat may require cleaning. An advanced floor mat according to the present invention may further be user-configurable with such features as color, materials, components, and the like. Other features will be apparent from the detailed description which follows.
The various features of the invention will best be appreciated by simultaneous reference to the description which follows and the accompanying drawings, in which:
The top surface of base portion 200 may be colored with any color depending upon the desires of a particular purchaser, however, it is preferable that a color be utilized that will minimize the visibility of any dirt that is accumulated by base portion 200. For example, it may be desirable that darker colors be utilized for the top surface of base portion 200 rather than lighter colors. However, again, any particular color may be utilized for base portion 200, and particularly the top surface of base portion 200, depending upon the particular desires of an individual. Additionally, the base portion 200 may be either translucent or opaque.
As can be seen in
Graphics 220 may be modified, and thus customized, by an individual after the floor mat has been purchased by the owner. The owner may customize the mat at their home or office and, thus, a graphic that may be appropriate for a particular situation may be modified by the individual for display in another situation. For example, the graphic may display a message stating “Happy Halloween” for Halloween and may be modified to display “Happy Holidays” during the winter holiday season. Thus, as can be understood, the graphics are modifiable by a user and thus, may be customized for the particular desires of a particular user.
As stated above, the present invention is not limited to any particular form for graphics 220. The graphics 220 can be customized by a user to include any of a variety of different colors, pictures, messages, or other representations that the user may want to display. In addition, the visible intensity of a color(s) can be modified. For example, a color that glows at night could be included in graphics 220 for an occasion such as Halloween.
Any of a variety of different types of structures or methods may be practiced in the present invention for modifying graphics 220 of floor mat 100 and the present invention is not limited to any particular methodology or structure for modifying graphics 220. Additionally, all of the various embodiments contemplated for providing a modifiable graphic display in the floor mat of the present invention can be incorporated in either, or both, of the base portion or the insert portion. For example, the graphics may consist of pre-formed messages or art forms which may be adhered to either the surface which defines the bottom of recess 210, such as by using an adhesive or fastener assembly, e.g., a hook and loop assembly, or to the underside of insert portion 300 such that, when insert portion 300 is placed within base portion 200, the graphics would be visible through a transparent insert portion.
Alternatively, a variety of different graphics may be stored within floor mat 100 such that a user is able to selectively uncover a particular graphic for display while the other available graphics remain covered within floor mat 100. This type of selectability is known in other mediums where selectivity between a variety of different graphics within a common display panel is desired. For example, advertising bulletin boards at sporting events are able to selectively display a first particular message during a first particular period of time and display a second message during a second period of time on an the same bulletin board.
A third possible alternative is to provide a modifiable display on the floor mat. The display surface can be associated with either the base portion or the insert portion, e.g., on either the bottom surface of recess 210 or attached to the bottom of insert portion 300. A display could be included on the front of the floor mat, on the back of the mat such that it is viewable through a transparent portion of the mat, embedded in the mat, attached to the mat, or integrally formed in the mat. For example, the display could be comprised of a small, thin box of graphics that could attach to a tacky portion and/or a base portion or any other component part of the floor mat. However it is associated with the floor mat, a user may design and display their customized graphic and may subsequently modify that graphic such that it is replaced with another graphic. A display surface such as an erasable writing board could be utilized for this purpose.
It is also contemplated that a modifiable electronic display surface could be provided, such as, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display could be connected to a computer and a computer generated image could be displayed on the display. Thus, the image displayed on the display could be modified by generating a different computer image and displaying that computer image on the display. The display could be associated with base portion 200, such as included within recess 210, or could be included on a bottom surface, facing upward, of insert portion 300. Alternatively, the display could be integrally formed with either of the base portion or the insert portion. The modifiable display could utilize a plurality of different graphics that can be displayed in any of a variety of manners on the display. For example, the graphics could be displayed in a generally fixed position on the display or could scroll across the display, with both exemplary methodologies displaying multiple graphics either individually or in combination.
Other alternatives for modifying the graphics 220 of floor mat 100 include using light emitting polymers to create, and thus change, graphics 220. The light emitting polymers can be either applied to, attached to, or woven into the floor mat. The light emitting polymers may be utilized on any portion of floor mat 100, for example, on either the base portion or the insert portion, or on any other portion of the different embodiments for the floor mat. Light emitting polymers are known and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,945,502, 5,869,350, and 5,571,626, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Other options for a display are to use electronic ink or electric paper. Electric paper is available from Xerox and is described U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,723,204, 5,604,027, 4,126,854, and 4,143,103, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Electric paper employs thousands of tiny, electrically charged beads, called Gyricon, each about the width of a human hair, to create pixels. The two-tone beads are embedded inside a liquid-filled plastic sheeting that forms the surface of the paper. Each bead, half-black, half-white, gyrates in response to an electric field. Whether the beads are black-or white-side up determines the image. Because there's no need to refresh the image, and because the screen isn't backlit, electric paper uses only a fraction of the power used by conventional electronic displays. Electromagnetic styluses and printer-like devices can be used for getting images onto the paper.
Electronic ink is available from E Ink Corp., at 45 Spinelli Pl., Cambridge, Mass. 02138. Electronic ink uses a microencapsulated micromechanical display system. Tiny microcapsules are captured between two sheets of plastic to create pixels. Alternatively, the capsules may be sprayed on a surface. The result is a flexible display material. The tiny capsules are transparent and contain a mixture of dark ink and white paint chips. An electric charge is passed through the capsules. Depending on the electrostatic charge, the paint chips float at the top or rest on the bottom of each capsule. When the paint chips float at the top, the surface appears white. When they rest at the bottom, and thus under the ink, the surface appears black. Each of the two states is stable: black or white. A transparent electromagnetic grid laid over the sheet's surface controls the shape of the image. The display may be wirelessly connected to, for example, a computer and thus, the World Wide Web by utilizing, for example, a Motorola paging system. Text on all displays, if multiple displays are used, can be changed at once by a single editor, through a Web page.
Again, a display, which could utilize any of the methods discussed above for modifying the display, could be associated with any portion of the floor mat, such as base portion 200 within recess 210 or on a bottom surface, facing upward, of inset portion 300. Alternatively, the display could be integrally formed with either of the base portion or the insert portion. The display could be utilized in any of the embodiments disclosed herein for the floor mat of the present invention, including a floor mat that includes a tacky surface and a non-tacky floor mat embodiment.
In further describing base portion 200, as mentioned above, base portion 200 may also include both a water dissipation component and a cushioning component. The water dissipation component provides for transferring moisture from the soles of a person's shoes that is standing on floor mat 100 to reduce the degree of moisture transferred to cleanable insert portion 300 and the cushioning component provides for conforming the floor mat 100 to the shape of the person's soles such that a greater amount of the debris on the person's soles may be removed by floor mat 100. The present invention is not limited to any particular structure or material for the water dissipation component and the cushioning component. For example, the water dissipation component may be composed of any of a wide variety of known materials, such as polyamides, vinylics, and polyisoprene. It is desirable, but not required, that the water dissipation component dissipate or move the water and not retain the water. Thus, porous materials, and not hydrophilic materials, are desired. The cushioning component may be comprised of any of a variety of cushioning components to include, for example, foam rubber.
On the bottom side 310 of cleanable insert portion 300, i.e., that surface which contacts the surface which defines the bottom of recess 210, an attachment mechanism may be provided such that cleanable insert portion 300 may be removably attached to base portion 200 within recess 210. Any of a variety of different attachment mechanisms may be provided on the bottom surface of cleanable insert portion 300 to include, for example, a hook and loop fastener assembly or an adhesive. Regardless of the particular securement mechanism used to removably attach cleanable insert portion 300 to base portion 200, in this embodiment, cleanable insert portion 300 may be removed from base portion 200 such that it may be cleaned by a user and, after cleaning, be reinserted within recess 210 such that a clean surface is now provided for floor mat 100.
As stated above, cleanable insert portion 300 may be formed from a transparent material such as hydrophilic aliphatic acrylic polymers and copolymers incorporating acrylic acid, hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, and glycerin monomethacrylate. Forming cleanable insert portion 300 of a transparent material would allow an individual to view the customized graphics that may be provided within floor mat 100, as discussed previously. Alternatively, the insert portion 300 could be opaque.
Additionally, the top side of cleanable insert portion 300 may include a tacky surface. The tacky surface would provide for assisting in removing debris from the soles of a person's shoes that is standing on cleanable insert portion 300. When the top tacky surface of cleanable insert portion 300 is dirtied to such an extent that the user desires to clean insert portion 300, in this embodiment, the user removes insert portion 300 from base portion 200 and cleans insert portion 300 to remove the accumulated debris. The insert portion 300 is then reinserted into base portion 200.
The tacky surface that is provided on the top side of cleanable insert portion 300 could be comprised of any of a variety of materials, such as polyvinyl chlorides combined with a suitable plasticizer, plasticized neoprene, polysulfides, and polyurethanes. Additionally, acrylics, such as butyl acrylate and many of its homologues, may be utilized. Again, the present invention is not limited to any particular material. The tacky surface may be formed, generally, from any adhesive material. The only consideration, in this embodiment, is that the surface should maintain its tacky characteristic even after repeated cleaning cycles.
The present invention is not limited to any particular methodology for cleaning insert portion 300. Insert portion 300 may be cleaned by any of a variety of methods depending upon a particular material composition for insert portion 300. For example, insert portion 300 may be cleaned by placing insert portion within a washing machine and washing insert portion 300 or insert portion 300 may be cleaned by scrubbing insert portion 300 with a scrub brush and soap and water or with a cleaning agent such as “Spic 'N Span”.
Additionally, the insert portion 300 could be cleaned by utilizing a roller that also includes a tacky surface around the circumference of the roller. The tacky surface of the roller is comprised of a stronger adhesive than that of the tacky insert portion such that, as the tacky surface of the roller is rolled over the tacky surface of the insert portion, any dirt and debris on the tacky insert portion will be drawn off of the tacky insert portion and will adhere to the roller. In this manner, a roller with a tacky surface could be utilized to clean the tacky insert portion.
Again, however, the present invention is not limited to any particular methodology or cleaning agent for cleaning insert portion 300 and any cleaning methodology or agent compatible with the composition of insert portion 300 is contemplated.
Floor mat 100 may also include additional features for assisting in the cleaning of the soles of a person standing on floor mat 100. For example, base portion 200 and/or insert portion 300 may include an antibacterial composition and an antifungal composition. Antibacterial compositions such as anthraquinone derivatives of polyethylene glycolmono- and di-methacrylate could be utilized. Thus, floor mat 100 would be bactericidal. The antibacterial feature would be particularly desirable because the floor mat would be able to both clean structural debris from the soles of the person's shoes and remove any potentially harmful bacteria from the person's soles as well.
Additionally, in order to further provide for a desirable sole surface prior to entering a particular area, floor mat 100 could also be provided with a fragrance. Flavones such as tricyclic molecules with aromatic substitution or organic ethers, e.g., liminolic acid, could be utilized. The fragrance is transferred from floor mat 100 to the soles of the person's shoes such that any undesirable odors are favorably masked by the fragrance.
The present invention is not only limited to utilizing an antibacterial composition, an antifungal composition, and/or a fragrance in floor mat 100. Rather, floor mat 100 could also incorporate a variety of other substances that would assist in cleaning the soles of a person's shoes.
Any variety of structures or methods could be utilized for associating an antibacterial composition, an antifungal composition, a fragrance, or any other composition, with floor mat 100. The substances could be applied as releasable, or dissipatable, coatings to floor mat 100 or could be releasably embedded as, for example, pellets within the structure of floor mat 100 such that as pressure is applied to floor mat 100 the substances are dispensed to the soles of the person's shoes.
Alternatively,
Returning to
Other alternative embodiments for insert portion 300 are contemplated. For example, whereas the previously disclosed embodiments discussed insert portion 300 as being comprised of one or more layers with a tacky surface on a top side of the layer(s), it is not required that insert portion 300 be formed with only a tacky surface on a top side thereof. More specifically, an alternative embodiment for insert portion 300 could include forming insert portion 300 as a single structural member from a material which is tacky in composition throughout the entire cross-section of the material. A material such as a blend of a noncross-linked hydrophilic thermoplastic, preferably a polyethylene glycol diacrylate with not exceeding 15, and a hydrophobic material, such as a polyvinyl neoprene chloride, could be utilized for the insert portion of this embodiment. By forming insert portion 300 from a uniform, tacky material, the insert portion 300 does not necessarily have to be removed from recess 210 of base portion 200 to be cleaned. Insert portion 300 could be cleaned in this alternative embodiment by eroding the top surface of the insert portion as a result of use of the inset portion. Thus, by providing an erodible insert portion, the insert portion may be cleaned by the erosion of its top surface as the insert portion is used within floor mat 100.
As insert portion 300 erodes, the exposed surface of insert portion 300 continues to be tacky in composition because of its uniform cross-section. As the exposed tacky surface erodes, the dirt captured by the exposed tacky surface will dissipate as a result of the erosion and thus, the erosion of the insert portion itself provides for a cleanable insert portion.
Alternatively, even with a uniform cross-section of a tacky substance for insert portion 300, the user may remove insert portion 300 from recess 210 and separately clean insert portion 300. Thus, the user is not required to rely solely on the erodible characteristic of insert portion 300 for cleaning of insert portion 300; rather, the user may utilize the erodible cleaning feature of the insert portion in combination with a separate cleaning step of removing the insert portion from the base portion and independently cleaning the insert portion.
As discussed above, insert portion 300 may be comprised of a variety of materials, including materials such as tacky plastics, paper, or adhesives that can be cleanable and may or may not be erodible and reusable. If paper is utilized, the insert portion may be formed as a single structural member or as a plurality of layers, as discussed previously. Additionally, the paper may include a tacky surface on a top-side thereof. The paper may be translucent, opaque, or colored, and may include a graphic display thereon.
As discussed earlier, it is desirable, but not required, that the floor mat contain a water dissipation and/or absorption capability. This capability is desired to help prevent the tacky surface of the insert portion from becoming excessively wet and, thus, slippery. Whereas it has been discussed that, in order to help prevent a user from slipping on the tacky surface of the insert portion, a water dissipation and/or absorbing capability could be included in the floor mat to reduce the degree of moisture on the tacky surface, this is not the only structure contemplated for preventing the tacky insert portion from becoming slippery. Alternatively, the tacky insert portion itself could be formed to help prevent slipping.
Whereas
Another alternative for providing a slip-resistant tacky portion is to include a plurality of anti-slip members, or treads or nipples, that extend up through and slightly above the surface of the tacky portion. As can be seen in
The treads may be configured in any shape and size. Additionally, the treads may be comprised of any material which is slip-resistant when wet, such as, for example, rubber or plastics. The treads may include grooves within them to further assist in preventing a person from slipping on the tacky portion.
The raised portion 300A can be formed in each layer in a variety of ways and the present invention is not limited to any particular method. One method for forming the raised portions is to assemble the layers into a pad of layers and then insert the entire pad into a machine press. One face of the press is flat and the other face, i.e., that face that is facing the non-tacky, or underside, of the layers, contains an array of bosses or bumps. When the pad is pressed in the machine press, all of the tacky layers become embossed with the pattern on the press face, causing the raised portions, or embossed portions, in each tacky layer of the pad. Thus, each embossed portion is integrally formed in each layer and is comprised of an indentation on the underside, or non-tacky side, of each layer and a raised portion on the upperside, or tacky side, of each layer.
As can be understood, in the method as described above for forming the raised portions, the raised portions of each layer are aligned with the raised portions of each other layer. It is desirable, but not required, that the raised portions of each layer are aligned so that their shape may be easily maintained when the layers are stacked one upon another.
As can be seen in
In another alternative embodiment for a tacky portion, the tacky portion could also include a water dissipating capability. The tacky portion could be comprised of a hydrophobic porous structure which would assist in dissipating water from the surface of the tacky portion.
The apertures would also provide for helping to prevent slipping on a wet surface of the layers, not only by draining surface water from the surface, but by also providing for enhanced frictional contact between the shoes of the person stepping on the layer and the layer itself. The apertures provide for discontinuities in the surface of the layer which would enhance the frictional contact between the person's shoes and the layer. The edges of the surface of the layer which define the apertures would provide for this enhanced contact. The person's shoes would engage with the edges, thus enhancing frictional contact for the shoes. Additionally, the apertures would act as a suction on the bottoms of the person's shoes, e.g., like suction cups. This suction caused by the apertures on the person's shoes would also help to prevent slippage on the surface of the layer.
Again, any number of layers may be included in tacky portion 300 in the embodiments of
It is also contemplated that a water absorbing powder, such as a talcum powder, could be provided in the present invention. The powder could either be integrated into the floor mat or be separately associated with the floor mat. The talcum powder would remove moisture from the soles of a person's shoes when the person stepped into the powder and the tacky insert portion could then remove the powder from the person's soles, in addition to any dirt on the soles, when the person next steps on the tacky insert portion.
The present invention also provides an apparatus and method for determining when the tacky portion, or a layer in the tacky portion, should be removed for cleaning. Since the tacky portion assists in removing dirt from the soles of the person's shoes that steps on the tacky portion, the tacky portion, or a layer thereof, will become dirty after some number of persons step on the it, assuming that any particular person's shoes are not exceptionally dirty. Therefore, it would be desirable to assist a person in deciding when to remove a dirty tacky portion for cleaning. Again, as discussed above, this determination can be made after a certain number of persons step on the mat. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in
Sensor system 700 includes a sensor 710 and a display device 720, e.g., an LED, coupled to sensor 710 and disposed on mat 100 such that it can be viewed. A power source, such as a battery, may be included on an underside of the floor mat. As mentioned above, sensor 710 senses the presence of a person on mat 100, e.g., in this embodiment on tacky portion 300. The sensor can detect the person's presence by utilizing any of a variety of apparatuses and methods and can include sensing the pressure applied to the mat by the weight of the person standing on the mat or by sensing the motion across the surface of the mat by the movements of the person. Thus, pressure sensors and motion detectors may be utilized in the present invention. Sensor system 700 also determines the number of persons that have stepped on the mat 100 by counting the number of sensed presences. After the number of presences equals a defined number of presences, a signal is provided to display device 720, e.g., illuminating the LED, which indicates that the tacky portion should be removed for cleaning. The present invention is not limited to removing the tacky portion at any particular number of sensed presences and the number may be adjusted based on the particular environmental conditions in which the mat is utilized. Of course, as can be understood, after the dirty tacky portion or layer is removed and/or cleaned the sensor system can be reset to begin counting the total number of presences on the newly cleaned or exposed layer.
Alarm device 720 can provide either a visual, audible, or vibratory signal and the present invention is not limited to providing any particular type of signal. For example, a visual signal could consist of a light that is illuminated when the floor mat should be cleaned and that is not illuminated when the floor mat does not require cleaning. Alternatively, the light could be continuously illuminated in one of a plurality of different colors, with each color signifying a different state of cleanliness for the floor mat. For example, a green light could signify that the mat does not need cleaning. A yellow light could indicate the mat is reaching a state of dirtiness that will soon require cleaning. A red light, which could blink on and off, could signify that it is time to clean the floor mat.
The sensor system of the present invention may be utilized with any of the embodiments disclosed for the cleanable portion, which may or may not be an insert and may or may not include layers and a tacky surface(s), and the base portion.
Whereas cleanable portion 300 has been discussed as an insert portion, it is not required that cleanable portion 300 be inserted into floor mat 100. There exists many alternative possibilities for associating cleanable portion 300 with floor mat 100. For example, cleanable portion 300 could be placed on top of base portion 200 or could be positioned adjacent to base portion 200. The present invention is not limited to inserting any of the embodiments for cleanable portion 300 within base portion 200.
For example,
Attachment layer 600 can be any of a variety of materials. All that is required is that the attachment layer be able to releasable join one portion of the floor mat to a second portion of the floor mat. For example, a hook and loop fastener assembly, e.g., Velcro®, can be used with one portion of the assembly on the attachment layer and the other portion on the underside of the first portion of the floor mat and the second portion of the floor mat. Alternatively, an adhesive can be utilized to releasably join the two portions of the floor mat to the attachment layer. Additionally, snaps, including any type of male/female connector, may be used to join the two portions to the attachment layer.
As can be seen in
As can be seen in
After the person steps onto insert portion 300, the user then steps off of floor mat 100. As described previously, floor mat 100 may be cleaned after an accumulation of dirt on insert portion 300 by any of the methods described previously. Insert portion 300 may be removed from base portion 200 and cleaned, a layer may be removed from insert portion 300 to be cleaned or discarded, or insert portion 300 may be cleaned through erosion of insert portion 300. The present invention is not limited to any particular methodology for cleaning insert portion 300 of floor mat 100.
Alternatively, instead of organizing the sheets in a roll and storing the roll in a cabinet, the sheets could be folder one upon another such that they form a flat package. The package of sheets could then be stored underneath of the floor mat 1800 where individual sheets could be removed from the package and from under the floor mat, when needed, similar to the way a Kleenex® tissue is dispensed.
Scraper 2130 can include any of a variety of structures, however, all that is required is that the scraper be capable of removing a top surface from cleanable portion 2110. For example, any type of scraping surface can be utilized in scraper 2130, such as, for example, a dull knife, a razor, or a plane.
Scraper 2130 is movable on tracks 2140, 2145. Tracks 2140, 2145 are adjacent to cleanable portion 2110 and base portion 2120. Scraper 2130 may include wheels or other structures, e.g., pins, which are received within comlementary structures, e.g., grooves, in tracks 2140, 2145. Thus, scraper 2130 is movable across cleanable portion 2110 on tracks 2140, 2145. The scraper 2130 may only include a scraping surface on the portion of scraper 2130 that is movable across cleanable portion 2110. Additionally, it is not required that two tracks be utilized. The scraper could be movable within a single track.
Scraper 2130 may be moved by any of a variety of methods, including using the foot of a user to engage with the scraper to move the scraper on the tracks.
Floor mat 2100 also includes a catch basin 2150 that may be included at one or both ends of tracks 2140, 2145. Catch basin(s) 2150 includes a recess into which is deposited the shavings from cleanable portion 2110 after scraper 2130 scrapes the cleanable portion. Scraper 2130 moves the shavings off of the cleanable portion and into the catch basin 2150. The shavings from the cleanable portion deposited into the catch basin may be removed from the catch basin in any of a variety of ways, including, for example, by vacuuming the shavings from the catch basin or removing a detachable catch basin, throwing away the contents from the catch basin, and reinstalling the catch basin.
As can be understood, as the cleanable portion is shaved, the scraper is commensurately lowered on tracks 2140, 2145 such that the surface of the scraper that engages with the cleanable portion remains engaged with the cleanable portion. As such, for example, the scraper may be mounted on a ratchet mechanism such that, as the scraper is moved across a complete width of the floor mat, the scraper actuates the ratchet such that the ratchet lowers the scraper. Alternatively, the scraper could remain in the same relative position with respect to the tracks and the tracks could be ratcheted lower with respect to the base portion and cleanable portion. Additionally, the blade surface of the scraper could be lowered with respect to the scraper's structure such that the blade is moved relative to the cleanable portion and the base portion but the scraper remains in the same relative position with respect to the tracks and the cleanable portion and the base portion.
Additionally, it is not required that a base portion be utilized in the embodiment for floor mat 2100. The cleanable portion alone can be utilized with the tracks adjacent the cleanable portion and the scraper movable on the tracks. A catch basin(s) could still be utilized. As such,
Thus, as described previously, the floor mat of the present invention includes features as described below. It should be noted that the below-listed features are not all-inclusive of the features of the floor mat of the present invention. This specification in its entirety discloses all of the features of the floor mat of the present invention.
As described previously, in an embodiment, the floor mat includes a tacky surface having a top exposed surface with a surface area and a substantially non-paper anti-slip component disposed within the surface area of the top exposed surface of the tacky surface to prevent slipping on the tacky surface when wet. Thus, the anti-slip component is in operable association with the top exposed surface of the tacky surface to reduce slippage of a person on the top exposed surface who steps on the top exposed surface when the top exposed surface is wet. The anti-slip component may be integrally included in the top exposed surface.
The anti-slip component may include a plurality of channels as can be seen in
Additionally, the anti-slip component may be the apertures illustrated in FIG. 11.
The various embodiments for an anti-slip component may be comprised of a non-tacky material, e.g., non-tacky members, and a water resistant material. Thus, the anti-slip components may be water resistant. The anti-slip components may also be comprised of a material such that they remain functional to prevent slipping on the tacky surface after a plurality of uses. As such, the anti-slip component may be comprised of a sufficiently rigid material such that a configuration of the anti-slip component is substantially maintained after being stepped on a plurality of times by a person and may be comprised of a material having a composition which is substantially maintained after having been stepped on a plurality of times by the person.
As was also described previously, in an embodiment, the floor mat includes a base portion having a non-tacky exposed top surface area 250 or contacting the soles of a person's shoes thereon and a tacky portion associated with the non-tacky exposed top surface area of the base portion and having a tacky exposed top surface area 350 for contacting the soles of the shoes thereon. As can be seen at least in
The floor mat's base portion may include a cushioning component such that when the person's shoes applies pressure to the base portion and the tacky portion, both the base portion and the tacky portion conform to a topography of a bottom of the person's shoes. The tacky portion may also include a tacky surface on a bottom side of the tacky portion.
In various embodiments, the base portion may circumscribe the tacky portion, as can be seen in
As can also be seen in at least
Turning first to
Around the perimeter of the mat frame, a channel 2340 is formed integrally with the backing material, and configured to receive a non-tacky inset, described in greater detail below. As shown in cross-sectional view 23A1—23A1, in one embodiment the channel 2340 tapers toward one end and forms a gap 2351 for receiving the non-tacky insert, which may also have a tapered shape adjacent to an edge thereof. The material of the floor mat frame 2300 may be made flexible, but still relatively stiff in the channel 2340, and the gap 2351 may be sized to be slightly smaller than the thickest portion of the non-tacky insert. Thus, the channel 2340 cooperates with the non-tacky insert to secure it in place.
An embodiment of channel 2340 in cross-sectional view 23A2—23A2 illustrates a plurality of teeth 2356 on an upper inner surface of the channel, and a plurality of teeth 2357 on a lower inner surface of the channel. Depending on a type of water absorbing/water wicking material used for the non-tacky insert and the natural adhesion characteristics of the frame material used, a range of textures of inner surfaces of the channel may be used. The range may include a completely smooth texture, as illustrated in cross-sectional view 23A1—23A1, and progressively rougher textures, including a substantially serrated texture as illustrated by the teeth of cross-sectional view 23A2—23A2. The teeth 2356, 2357 provide additional grip on a non-tacky insert that is placed into the floor mat frame, by engaging the non-tacky insert edge when extended within the channel.
The non-tacky insert could be formed with a template designed to provide dimensions for assuring that the non-tacky insert 2370 fits snugly and securely into the floor mat frame 2300. Templates could be designed to account for different material thicknesses of non-tacky inserts, for example if the non-tacky inserts were embodied as carpets. A thinner carpet might need to be sized slightly larger than a thicker carpet, so that the carpet material extends far enough into the channel 2340 to allow for a snug fit.
The anti-slip components 2320 may have properties of treads 344 described above. For example, the anti-slip components 2320 may be deformable and arranged in number and location such that the tacky insert is able to remove debris from a person's shoe when contacted by the shoe, and prevent slipping of the person on the tacky insert should the tacky insert become slippery when wet.
The tacky insert 2335 may be held in place with, for example, adhesive or double backed tape, designed to have sufficient adhesion to keep the tacky insert in place when the tacky insert is stepped on, but weak enough to be relatively easy to replace once all the tacky sheets are used, and the tacky insert needs to be replaced.
For example, as shown
Cross-sectional view 24A1—24A1 illustrates a cross section of each perimeter section 2410. The perimeter sections form a channel 2440 configured to receive a non-tacky insert and a frame backing section, described in greater detail below.
An embodiment of the perimeter sections wherein channel 2440 includes teeth, along lines described above in connection with cross-sectional view 23A2—23A2, is illustrated in cross-sectional view 24A2—24A2.
As noted above, a perimeter section 2411 having a cut-out area 2412 is used for forming a side of the frame perimeter associated with a tacky insert. The cut-out area 2412 is configured to receive an end portion of a tacky insert, allowing the tacky insert to extend at least as far as an outer edge of the floor mat perimeter, when the tacky insert is placed in a floor mat assembled from components illustrated in
As further shown in
FIG. 24B1 illustrates a floor mat frame backing section 2450 having holes 2455 formed adjacent to corners thereof. The backing section includes anti-slip components 2320. FIG. 24B2 further illustrates a non-tacky insert 2370 including holes 2475 formed adjacent to corners thereof, and which is sized to fit in a floor mat frame assembled from components described above. The non-tacky insert could, for example, be selected by an end user and cut with a template to the correct geometry to fit into an assembled floor mat frame, or could be ordered from a manufacturer pre-cut and selected from available materials identified in, for example, a catalog or a website on the Internet.
An upper portion 2465 of a fastener 2425 extends through holes, described above, formed in each of the nested components, as illustrated in cross-sectional view 24C—24C. The upper portion of the fastener is connected to a lower portion 2470 of the fastener 2425 to lock the assembly together adjacent to corners thereof. The lower portion 2470 of the fasteners may be countersunk into the corner sections 2420 so that the mat sits flush against the floor. Depending upon the natural adhesive characteristics of the backing section 2450 and non-tacky insert 2370, it could be helpful to use a small amount of adhesive between contact surfaces of the backing section and the non-tacky insert, to aid in keeping the non-tacky insert from moving around relative to the backing section and other components of the floor mat frame.
Components of the floor mat frame further comprise corner sections 2420 having holes 2425 formed therein to enable assembling components of the floor mat with fasteners
In contrast to earlier described embodiments, in the present embodiment a frame backing section 2550 including anti-slip components 2320 may not extend across the space bounded by the outer frame perimeter. Rather to economize on material the frame backing section 2550 is smaller than in the earlier described embodiments, and is configured to be received within a U-shaped section 2520 as further illustrated in FIG. 25A. The U-shaped section 2520 includes holes 2510 adjacent to ends thereof for enabling the U-shaped section to be connected to other components of a floor mat frame assembly as described in greater detail below.
Cross-sectional view 25A3—25A3 illustrates that the U-shaped section 2520 may comprise opposing channels 2572 and 2573. In a channel 2572 for engaging the frame backing section 2550, upper and lower inner surfaces for contacting the backing section are smooth, while upper and lower inner surfaces of a channel 2573 for engaging a non-tacky insert have teeth to provide additional gripping force. A slip-resistant foot 2574 may be applied to a bottom surface of the U-shaped section for contacting a floor, to provide skid resistance between the floor and the mat assembly. The slip resistant foot may, for example, be made of latex or rubber.
Means for assembling floor mat components are not limited to hole-and-fastener-type arrangements as described above, merely by way of example and illustration. Other known connecting arrangements are readily contemplated, such as tongue-and-groove-type connections or snap-together mating parts, or combinations of different known types of connecting arrangements.
Non-tacky areas according to this embodiment may have the properties of the non-tacky insert 2370 described above. A person using the mat shown in
Once the user had removed moisture from his or her shoes, he or she could then step onto either or both of the tacky sections 2640 and 2650 to further clean his or her shoes.
Embodiments of a user-configurable floor mat as described above could be made from pliable, water-resistant materials such as rubber or plastic, and, by way of example only, could be injection molded. The embodiments described above could be extruded to further reduce the cost of manufacturing.
Further, as noted earlier, floor mat components could be made available in kits that could be ordered from manufacturers. A selection of colors and materials for the components could be made available. Components for assembling a complete floor mat could be ordered in a single package, or individual components could be ordered separately to replace used or damaged components, for example. Thus, unitary frames such as described in connection with
All of the disclosed embodiments are illustrative of the various ways in which the present invention may be practiced. Additionally, any of the disclosed embodiments for the base portion and the cleanable portion, and thus all of the features associated with these components, may be combined in any embodiment of the present invention and the present invention is not limited to only the particular combined embodiments disclosed. Other embodiments can be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of international application no. PCT/US00/30206, filed Nov. 2, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/553,234, filed Apr. 19, 2000 and issued May 24, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,776. Application Ser. No. 09/553,234 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/418,752, filed Oct. 15, 1999, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/304,051, filed May 4, 1999 and issued Apr. 24, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,876.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2191704 | Bennett | Feb 1940 | A |
| 2254830 | Schloss | Sep 1941 | A |
| 2282672 | Nelson | May 1942 | A |
| 2512310 | Corson | Jun 1950 | A |
| 2800215 | Converse | Jul 1957 | A |
| 2843868 | Borgstrom | Jul 1958 | A |
| 2919456 | Spivey | Jan 1960 | A |
| 3038393 | Nappi | Apr 1962 | A |
| 3078490 | Etcher | Feb 1963 | A |
| 3141522 | Fitzpatrick | Jul 1964 | A |
| 3183116 | Schaar | May 1965 | A |
| 3300275 | Lorman | Jan 1967 | A |
| 3400421 | Nappi | Sep 1968 | A |
| 3435481 | Kessler | Apr 1969 | A |
| 3501797 | Nappi | Mar 1970 | A |
| 3517407 | Wyant | Jun 1970 | A |
| 3578738 | Hughes | May 1971 | A |
| 3663980 | Conklin | May 1972 | A |
| 3665543 | Nappi | May 1972 | A |
| 3696459 | Kucera et al. | Oct 1972 | A |
| 3699926 | Stockl | Oct 1972 | A |
| 3703424 | Charnock et al. | Nov 1972 | A |
| 3717897 | Amos et al. | Feb 1973 | A |
| 3785102 | Amos | Jan 1974 | A |
| 3886620 | Miller | Jun 1975 | A |
| 3906578 | Huber | Sep 1975 | A |
| 3909996 | Ettlinger, Jr. et al. | Oct 1975 | A |
| 4068339 | Maruyama et al. | Jan 1978 | A |
| 4107811 | Imsande | Aug 1978 | A |
| 4126854 | Sheridon | Nov 1978 | A |
| 4143103 | Sheridon | Mar 1979 | A |
| 4143194 | Wihksne | Mar 1979 | A |
| 4328275 | Vargo | May 1982 | A |
| 4353944 | Tarui | Oct 1982 | A |
| 4421809 | Bish et al. | Dec 1983 | A |
| 4435451 | Neubert | Mar 1984 | A |
| 4439474 | Sagel | Mar 1984 | A |
| 4482593 | Sagel et al. | Nov 1984 | A |
| 4484250 | Rzepecki et al. | Nov 1984 | A |
| 4559250 | Paige | Dec 1985 | A |
| 4564546 | Jones | Jan 1986 | A |
| 4609580 | Rockett et al. | Sep 1986 | A |
| 4614679 | Farrington, Jr. | Sep 1986 | A |
| 4707895 | Lang | Nov 1987 | A |
| 4720789 | Hector et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
| 4798754 | Tomek | Jan 1989 | A |
| 4822669 | Roga | Apr 1989 | A |
| 4917975 | De Guzman | Apr 1990 | A |
| 4959265 | Wood | Sep 1990 | A |
| 5018235 | Stamatiou et al. | May 1991 | A |
| 5071628 | Alazet | Dec 1991 | A |
| 5114774 | Maxim, Jr. | May 1992 | A |
| 5142733 | Mogel | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5204159 | Tan | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5293660 | Park | Mar 1994 | A |
| 5316817 | Timperley | May 1994 | A |
| 5335788 | Beasley et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
| 5344693 | Sanders | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5461748 | Koiduka | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5500267 | Canning | Mar 1996 | A |
| 5556685 | Swicegood, Jr. | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5562580 | Beasley et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5571626 | Cumming et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5589246 | Calhoun | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5604027 | Sheridon | Feb 1997 | A |
| 5658637 | Volz | Aug 1997 | A |
| 5723204 | Stefik | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5815995 | Adam | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5826874 | Teitell et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5839976 | Darr | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5869350 | Heeger et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5919540 | Bailey | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5945502 | Hsieh et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5997995 | Scianna | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6001456 | Newland | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6088984 | Kirby | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6458442 | McKay | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 26 39 289 | Mar 1978 | DE |
| 299 11 216 | Dec 1999 | DE |
| 200 18 166 | Apr 2001 | DE |
| 0 009 891 | Apr 1980 | EP |
| 0 188 005 | Jul 1986 | EP |
| 0 199 537 | Oct 1986 | EP |
| 0 202 846 | Nov 1986 | EP |
| 0 353 139 | Jan 1990 | EP |
| 0 354 281 | Feb 1990 | EP |
| 0 359 478 | Mar 1990 | EP |
| 0 365 869 | May 1990 | EP |
| 0 374 860 | Jun 1990 | EP |
| 0 421 258 | Apr 1991 | EP |
| 0 448 768 | Oct 1991 | EP |
| 0 512 904 | Nov 1992 | EP |
| 0 514 191 | Nov 1992 | EP |
| 0 554 641 | Aug 1993 | EP |
| 0 573 277 | Dec 1993 | EP |
| 0 624 125 | Nov 1994 | EP |
| 0 624 681 | Nov 1994 | EP |
| 0 648 834 | Apr 1995 | EP |
| 0 751 213 | Jan 1997 | EP |
| 0 794 244 | Sep 1997 | EP |
| 0 839 900 | May 1998 | EP |
| 0 895 745 | Feb 1999 | EP |
| 0 971 064 | Jan 2000 | EP |
| 2 761 255 | Oct 1998 | FR |
| 1 243 445 | Aug 1971 | GB |
| 1 340 636 | Dec 1973 | GB |
| 2 054 369 | Feb 1981 | GB |
| 2 268 399 | Jan 1994 | GB |
| 128 691 | Dec 1941 | HU |
| P 94 01177 | Dec 1996 | HU |
| 406090891 | Apr 1994 | JP |
| H8-228992 | Sep 1996 | JP |
| 10057728 | Mar 1998 | JP |
| ROC 51781 | Jul 1983 | TW |
| ROC 328711 | Mar 1998 | TW |
| ROC 394679 | Jun 2000 | TW |
| WO 8803383 | May 1988 | WO |
| 9108701 | Jun 1991 | WO |
| WO 96 38298 | Dec 1996 | WO |
| WO 0007811 | Feb 2000 | WO |
| WO 0016682 | Mar 2000 | WO |
| WO 0019871 | Apr 2000 | WO |
| WO 0029209 | May 2000 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20020028313 A1 | Mar 2002 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCTUS00/30206 | Nov 2000 | US |
| Child | 09928429 | US | |
| Parent | 09553234 | Apr 2000 | US |
| Child | PCTUS00/30206 | US | |
| Parent | 09418752 | Oct 1999 | US |
| Child | 09553234 | US | |
| Parent | 09304051 | May 1999 | US |
| Child | 09418752 | US |
