WO2004021846A1

WO2004021846A1 - A mat

Info

Publication number: WO2004021846A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/001127
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Alvera
Original assignee: Paolo Alvera
Priority date: 2002-09-05
Filing date: 2003-09-03
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: AU2002100695B4

Abstract

A 2-layer mat is disclosed that finds especial, but not limiting, use as a table, counter or floor mat. The mat (1) consists of a first layer (4) of woven polyester material laminated (by heat, adhesive, ultrasonic sealing or any combination thereof) to a second layer (2) of a sponge material. Optionally, the upper surface of the first layer may carry a printed brand or other promotional message.

Description

TITLE: A MAT

THIS INVENTION relates to a mat. In particular, it is directed to a mat that finds especial, but not limiting, use as a table, counter or floor mat.

A product used by the hospitality industry, such as hotels, clubs and restaurants, for absorbing split liquids on bar tops is generally a strip of material, often referred to as a runner. Similarly, such a runner can be used as a floor mat, to be used in "wet" areas such as toilets, bathrooms, rest rooms, etc., whereby it absorbs any water spilt from awash basin and the like. This strip of material is manufactured from cotton towelling which, optionally, may carry a printed brand or other promotional message.

Acknowledged problems with this type of cotton towelling runner include:

once saturated with water or other liquid, seepage occurs to the surface on which the runner is placed, leading to staining of that surface;

towelling readily wrinkles and bunches up leading to an unsightly appearance on the work surface;

towelling tends to lose colour, shrink and crease when washed, further detracting from the appearance of the runner and thus presentation of the brand or other promotional message; and

the general tendency for the runner to slip on the work surface.

One prior art attempt to overcome a number of these problems is disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/AU 99/00751 wherein a multi-layer composite sheet is provided comprising a lower non-slip backing layer, an upper liquid-absorbent textile surface and an intermediate layer that joins the backing layer and textile surface together. Typically, the lower layer is manufactured from a non-slip material such as nitrile rubber, and the upper textile surface is formed from a polyester felt.

However, such a prior art mat suffers from a number of disadvantages which include:

only spillages on the upper textile surface can be absorbed; any spillages outside of the footprint of the mat on the work surface cannot be absorbed by the mat as the lower rubber layer is essentially impervious to liquid;

absorbency of the mat is limited to the thin upper layer of polyester felt;

hand washing and/or rinsing of the mat is difficult because the lower rubber layer is waterproof and complete removal of the bacteria that tends to remain trapped between the rubber and the felt is unlikely; if not removed, this bacteria subsequently leads to offensive smells and renders the entire mat non-hygienic;

machine washing is thus necessary to obtain a thorough wash to remove any bacteria but (a) polyester felt tends to pill on washing which consequently detracts from the overall appearance of the mat and (b) excessive washing shortens the useful life of the mat.

It is thus a general object to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the afore-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art mat. According to the present invention, there is provided a mat for use as a table, counter or floor mat, said mat consisting of:

a first layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, said first layer being adapted to accept a marking viewable on said upper surface; and

a second layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface of said second layer being bonded to said lower surface of said first layer;

wherein each of said first layer and said second layer is adapted to absorb liquid.

Preferably, said second layer is manufactured from a sponge-like material.

Preferably, said first layer is manufactured from a polyester material.

In one embodiment of the present invention, said polyester material is a polyester felt.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, said polyester material is a woven polyester.

The bonding of said upper surface of said second layer to said lower surface of said first layer can be undertaken by any means known to be suitable in the art, including the use of heat, adhesive, ultrasonic sealing or any combination thereof. Similarly, the application of said marking (which includes text, graphic or any combination thereof) can be undertaken by any means known to be suitable in the art including, for example, sublimation textile printing.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying FIG. 1 which illustrates a mat in partly exploded form.

The mat (1 ) consists of a first layer (4) of woven polyester material laminated to a second layer (2) of a sponge material. The upper surface (3) of the first layer (4) has printed thereon, by any known suitable textile printing process, the graphic PA. Typical dimensions for a mat that would be used as a bar runner are: 90cms long; 25cms wide; depth of sponge 3mm; depth of polyester layer 1 mm.

The mat of the present invention offers a number of advantages which include:

simple movement of the mat will enable any spillage outside of the footprint of the mat to be absorbed;

as the mat is more flexible and more liquid pervious than a rubber backed mat, machine washing is not essential - hand washing can be sufficient; also it is easier to remove any bacteria that may be present, thus resulting in a more hygienic mat;

as the capillaries of the sponge are larger than those of the woven polyester, the liquid absorbed by the sponge migrates to the top of the sponge just under the woven polyester, thus leaving the lower surface of the sponge and the upper polyester layer dry, leading to a longer use of the mat before it is necessary to clean same;

with the reduction in required frequency of cleaning, the product will maintain its fresh appearance for longer than prior art mats;

also, with decreased frequency of washing, any pilling of the upper layer will be reduced, once again maintaining the appearance of the mat and extending its life.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment is only an exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A mat for use as a table, counter or floor mat, said mat consisting of:

2. A mat as defined in Claim 1 wherein said second layer is manufactured from a sponge-like material.

3. A mat as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said first layer is manufactured from a polyester material.

4. A mat as defined in Claim 3 wherein said polyester material is a polyester felt.

5. A mat as defined in Claim 3 wherein said polyester material is a woven polyester.

6. A mat as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein said first layer includes a said marking viewable on said upper surface. A method of manufacturing a mat, said mat as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7, whereby said method includes bonding said upper surface of said second layer to said lower surface of said first layer by a process selected from a group that includes use of heat, adhesive, ultrasonic sealing or any combination thereof.