GB2530235A

GB2530235A - Novel Mat

Info

Publication number: GB2530235A
Application number: GB1404836.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ann Cruickshank
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-18
Filing date: 2014-03-18
Publication date: 2016-03-23
Also published as: GB201404836D0

Abstract

A mat 1 comprises a water impermeable layer 2 having a bottom face 2A for placement on a floor, a water absorbent layer 3 on the water impermeable layer 2 with an upper exposed face 3A, and lifting loops 4A, 4B on the exposed face 3A of the water absorbent layer 3. In use, the water impermeable layer 2 prevents surface water on the floor from dampening the water absorbent layer 3. Following use, the loops 4A, 4B can be used to lift the mat 1 off the floor allowing the mat 1 to fold with sections of the bottom face 2A abutting one another so that the wet bottom face is contained between the sections of the bottom face. The mat is suited for use in public shower facilities.

Description

TITLE: Novel Mat The present invention relates to a novel mat, and especially to a mat which is portable for use when showering in public shower facilities.

When taking a shower in public shower facilities, invariably the shower room has a wet floor in the dressing area from a previous user. It then becomes very difficult to dry feet before putting footwear on, such as socks or tights, as one is always standing on a wet floor. If a towel is placed on the floor this too becomes wet and does not absorb water off the feet.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a novel mat comprising: a) a water impermeable layer having a bottom face for placement on a floor, b) a water absorbent layer on the water impermeable layer with an upper exposed face, and c) manual lifting means on the exposed face of the water absorbent layer to lift the mat off the ground allowing the mat to fold with sections of the bottom face abutting one another, in use said mat being placed on a wet floor with the water impermeable layer preventing surface water on the floor from dampening the water absorbent layer, and the wet bottom face being contained between the sections of the bottom face abutting one another when the mat is lifted by the manual lifting means.

Preferably the novel mat further comprises a waterproof container. The waterproof container may be cylindrical.

Preferably the water absorbent layer is formed from a synthetic micro-fibre material.

Preferably the manual lifting means are positioned on an axis of symmetry of the mat so the mat folds in half when lifted by the manual lifting means whereby a half section of the bottom face abuts another half section of the bottom. The manual lifting means may be a pair of ioops.

A tie may be provided to maintain the mat in a folded or rolled up state.

Preferably the mat is generally rectangular.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a mat, Figure 2 shows a view of the mat rolled up, and Figure 3 shows a rolled mat in a container.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a novel, generally rectangular mat 1.

Mat 1 has a rectangular water impermeable layer 2 having a bottom face 2A for placement on a floor. Layer 2 may be formed of any suitable material such as rubber or sheet material of plastics. Layer 2 may be textured over its bottom face 2A, to provide grip so preventing it from sliding on a slippery wet floor.

A rectangular water absorbent layer 3 is bonded to the water impermeable layer 2 and has an upper exposed face 3A. Layer 3 may be formed of any suitable material such as a synthetic micro-fibre well known in the art to wick water away from a persons skin, and which feels soft to touch.

Manual lifting means are provided on the exposed face of the water absorbent layer to lift the mat oft' the ground allowing the mat to fold with sections of the bottom face abutting one another. The manual lifting means may be in the form of a pair of loops 4A,4B positioned on an axis of symmetry of the mat so the mat folds in half when lifted by the manual lifting means whereby a half section of the bottom face abuts another half section of the bottom. The mat I can then be handled without touching the wet bottom face 2A.

In use said mat being placed on a wet floor, such as in a shower room, with the water impermeable layer preventing surface water on the floor from dampening the water absorbent layer, and the wet bottom face being contained between the sections of the bottom face abutting one another when the mat is lifted by the manual lifting means. The water absorbent material allows a person to stand on the mat and absorb water off the user's feet.

After use, the mat 1 can be rolled up (or otherwise folded) and secured in a rolled state using a Velcro strap 5. See Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 3, the rolled mat 1 can be placed in a container such as a plastics cylindrical tube 10 with an open end 1OA and closed end lOB. The open end by be releasably sealed with an end cap II.

The cylindrical tube 10 may serve as packaging for the mat before it is purchased, as well as a storage device for the mat is use. When the mat is wet, the tube 10 can be placed in a clothes bag without clothes being made damp by a wet mat.

Mat I may typically be around 700mm x 400mm.

Mat may be machine washable.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mat comprising: a) a water impermeable layer having a bottom face for placement on a floor, b) a water absorbent layer on the water impermeable layer with an upper exposed face, and c) manual lifting means on the exposed face of the water absorbent layer to lift the mat off the ground allowing the mat to fold with sections of the bottom face abutting one another, in use said mat being placed on a wet floor with the water impermeable layer IC) preventing surface water on the floor from dampening the water absorbent layer, and the wet bottom face being contained between the sections of the bottom face abutting one another when the mat is lifted by the manual lifting means. r
2. A mat as claimed in claim 1, comprising a waterproof container.
3. A mat as claimed in claim 2, in which the waterproof container is cylindrical.
4. A mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the water absorbent layer is formed from a synthetic micro-fibre material.
5. A mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the manual lifting means are positioned on an axis of symmetry of the mat so the mat folds in half when lifted by the manual lifting means whereby a half section of the bottom face abuts another half section of the bottom.
6. A mat as claimed in claim 2, in which the manual lifting means comprises a pair of loops.
7. A mat as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a tie for maintaining the mat in a folded or rolled up state.
8. A mat as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mat is generally rectangular.
9. A mat substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. IC)N r