GB2524757A - Flexible "Dry-erase" mat - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible dry-erase mat comprises a first side providing a dry-erase surface and a fastening means which is able to hold the mat in a rolled-up configuration. The mat may have a fabric, waterproof or wipe-clean material on its second surface. The mat may be magnetic and may have pockets to hold magnets for use on the mat. The mat may also have a means for holding drawing materials or an erasing device or small items such as small toys. The flexible mat may be used as a play mat/ play setting for toys such as cars or figurines.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1405816.S RTTVI Date:24 September 2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.govuk Flexible "Dry-erase" Mat The present invention relates to a drawing mat, and in particular to a flexible dry-erase mat.

Dry-erase boards, often also referred to as "white boards", have been widely used in classrooms, meeting rooms and similar for a number of years. Such boards are conventionally written or drawn on with erasable marking pens ("dry-erase markers"), and can be wiped clean by application of a dry cloth or eraser. A number of materials are known for the dry-erasable surfaces of such boards, including heat-cured polymer resins, melamine and ceramics.

The present invention relates to a flexible multi-functional, multi-purpose mat having a dry-erase surface.

Thus, in a first embodiment, the present invention provides a flexible mat having (i) a first side providing a dry-erase surface and (U) a fastening means which is able to hold the mat in a rolled-up configuration.

The present invention is particularly directed to a dry-erase mat which is flexible enough to be rolled up when not being used, and in particular for storage or transportation.

When open (i.e. when not rolled-up) the mat should lie flat, providing a flat dry-erase surface for drawing or writing on. The shape of the mat when open is not especially critical, although complicated shapes with edges or corners which may catch when the mat is rolled should generally be avoided, The mat most typically has a generally square or rectangular shape when open, although the corners may be, and preferably are, curved.

The mat is preferably of a size that it can be easily transported by hand when it is rolled up. When rolled-up the mat typically forms a cylindrical shape, and preferably the length of the cylindrical shape is less than 600mm.

Preferably the mat, in an open configuration, has a maximum dimension of 600mm or less. More preferably the mat, in an open configuration, is of a similar size to A2 paper or smaller. Thus, it is preferably 600mm or less on its longer edge and 420mm or less on its shorter edge. More preferably it is 350mm or less on its longer edge and 250mm or less on its shorter edge.

The thickness of the mat when open is not especially critical as long as it can be rolled up.

Subject to being suitably flexible to be repeatedly rolled and unrolled, the dry-erase surface can be formed of any material which can be written on with dry-erase markers and the marks then wiped off with a dry cloth. It need not be white, although this is most typical. It may be provided with permanent markings, such as letters, patterns or objects to be coloured in.

The second side, which may be considered as the reverse side when the mat is open with the dry-erase surface uppermost, is preferably of a fabric type material which is preferably waterproof and/or of a wipe-clean nature.

When the mat is rolled-up the second side is preferably on the outside of the rolled-up mat.

In its simplest form, the flexible mat according to the present invention may be made by fixing, for example using a heat, chemical or adhesive process, a layer of material suitable for the dry-erase surface to a layer of material which will form the second/reverse side. Alternatively an intermediate layer or layers may be provided between the layer of material which is used for the dry-erase surface/first side and the layer of material which forms the second side.

The fastening means which is able to hold the mat in a rolled-up configuration is preferably able to hold the mat in a rolled-up configuration when it has been rolled-up in the direction of its longer edge i.e. when rolled up the mat forms a generally cylindrical shape with length corresponding to the length of the shorter edge of the open mat. This generally provides the smallest rolled-up volume for a particular area of open mat, The fastening means may be any suitable fastening means. For example, Velcro could be provided at suitable locations on one of the short edges of the mat and on the second side, locations which are adjacent and can therefore be connected together in the rolled up configuration. Alternatively, there may be provided a button and a button hole or loop of material which can be joined to each other in the rolled up position.

A preferred fastening means comprises two lengths of material which can be tied together around the rolled-up mat.

Means can be provided on the mat for holding drawing materials. The drawing materials could be dry-erase markers or other markers which can be used on (and erased from) dry-erase surfaces. Wax crayons are an example of other markers which are suitable. The means for holding the drawing materials may be a pocket or clips by which such drawing materials could be held. The means should be located should be such that it allows the mat to be rolled-up with the drawing materials in place.

One or more means, preferably one or more pockets, can also be provided for holding items. As one example, a means, preferably a pocket, can be provided for holding a cloth or similar device for erasing the markings on the dry-erase surface. As another example, a means, preferably a pocket, can be provided for holding small items, such as small toys. Examples include toy cars and figurines which can be played with on the mat.

The mat may be magnetic. For example an intermediate structure or material may be provided between the material which is used for the dry-erase surface and the material which forms the second side which intermediate structure is magnetic. Magnets may then be used on the open mat. In such a scenario a pocket or other means may also be provided to hold magnets. As with the means for holding drawing materials, the means for holding magnets should be located such that it allows the mat to be rolled-up with the magnets in place.

The mat may be suitable for many uses, but one particular use would be as a children's drawing mat. It could, for example, be brought out in restaurants and cafes to keep children occupied whilst waiting for food to arrive. When rolled-up it could fit into a handbag or other small bag. It could for example also be used as a mat/play setting for other toys e.g. small cars could be pushed along a mat which has a road drawn on it, or it could be used a backdrop or selling for play with small figurines.

The mat may also find use in occupying children during journeys, for example in cars, on trains and on airplanes.

In addition, it may be useful in schools as an extremely robust and reusable writing surface which can be easily stored away. The two sides to the mat distinguish it from other writing surfaces which are thinner and therefore not as robust and not reusable indefinitely.

Claims (11)

1. Claims 1. A flexible mat having (4) a first side providing a dry-erase surface and (H) a fastening means which is able to hold the mat in a rolled-up configuration.
2. 2. A flexible mat according to claim 1 wherein, when rolled-up, the mat forms a cylindrical shape and the length of the cylindrical shape is less than 600mm.
3. 3. A flexible mat according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mat, in an open configuration, has a maximum dimension of 600mm or less.
4. 4. A flexible mat according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mat has a generally square or rectangular shape when open.
5. 5. A flexible mat according to claim 4 wherein the mat, in an open configuration, is 600mm or less on its longer edge and 420mm or less on its shorter edge.
6. 6. A flexible mat according to claim 4 wherein the mat, in an open configuration, is 350mm or less on its longer edge and 250mm or less on its shorter edge.
7. 7. A flexible mat according to any one of the preceding claims which has a second side, which may be considered as the back when the mat is open with the dry-erase surface uppermost, which is of a fabric or waterproof or wipe-clean material.
8. 8. A flexible mat according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a location on the mat is provided for holding drawing materials and/or a location is provided for a cloth or similar device for erasing the markings on the dry-erase surface and/or a location is provided for holding small items, such as small toys.
9. 9. A flexible mat according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mat is magnetic.
10. 10. A flexible mat according to claim 9 wherein a pocket is provided to hold magnets to be used on the mat.
11. 11. Use of a flexible mat according to any one of the preceding claims as a matlplaysetting for other toys, such as cars or figurines.