GB2257038A

GB2257038A - Improvements in or relating to mats

Info

Publication number: GB2257038A
Application number: GB9111253A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Field
Original assignee: TURNER LANGDALE Ltd
Current assignee: TURNER LANGDALE Ltd
Priority date: 1991-05-24
Filing date: 1991-05-24
Publication date: 1993-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2011-05-24
Also published as: GB2257038B; GB9111253D0

Abstract

A bathroom mat comprises a substrate (1) of crepe paper on the underneath surface (10) of which there is applied a patterned area (12) of rubber-based material. The rubber-based material provides resistance to slipping when the mat is on a dry surface and the areas of crepe paper in between provide resistance to slipping when the mat is on a surface which is wet. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO MATS This invention relates to mats and particularly, though not exclusively, to bathroorn s.

Bathroom mats that are slippery are dangerous. Some bathroom mats which do not slip on dry surfaces can become slippery if the surface gets wot. For other bathroom mats, the reverse is true. The present invention is in recognition of the desirability to provide a mat which does not slip either on wet or dry surfaces.

Accordnlrlg to the invention flare is provided a mat where in a part area of the underneath surface of the mat is of a first material which is resistant to slipping on a dry surface and another part area of- the underneath surface is of a second material which is resistant to slipping on a surface which is wet.

The mat can conveniently comprise a substrate which is formed of one of the first and second materials.

The two materials are preferably arranged in a pattern extending substantially over the whole of the substrate and the pattern may be one which is regular and repeating, e.g. parallel stripes. In a preferred embodiment, the mat is a bathroom mat and has a substrate which is of crepe paper, with a striped pattern of a latex-based adhesive applied to its underneath surface. The adhesive stripes provide resistance to slipping when the mat is on a dry surface and the exposed areas of crepe paper in between the stripes provide resistance to slipping when the mat is on a surface which is wet. A bathroom mat such as this is suitable for use not only on a bathroom floor, for example, bt also in a bath or shower itself. The mat need not be expensive to make and can therefore be provided as a disposable item.A logo or the name of an establishment where the mat is used can conveniently be printed on the upper surface of the mat.

By way of example, embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an underneath view of a preferred form of mat according to the invention, Figure 2 shows an alternative to the mat of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows an enlarged sectional detail of the mat.

Figure 1 shows the underneath surface 10 of a mat according to the invention. The mat comprises a substrate 11, whlch here is of crepe paper. Crepe paper is a fibrous material which is conventionally used for bath mats. Crepe paper is known for its relatively high strength and Imoisture-absorbin3 properties. When crepe paper is on a damp or wet surface, it exhibits good slip-resistance characteristics.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the mat has a regular, repeating pattern oE parallel stripes on the underneath surface 10 of the substrate 11. The stripes 12 are of a material that is chosen for its ability to provide grip on a dry surface. Here, the material used to form the stripes 12 is rubber-based.

In between the stripes 12 are exposed areas 13 of crepe paper. On a dry surface, the stripes 12 operate to stop the mat slipping. On a surface which is et, the exposed areas 13 of crepe paper between the stripes 12 operate to stop the mat slipping, due to the fibrous nature of crepe paper, and the fact that it is able to absorb moisture.

Mats made purely of rubber-based materials can become slippery on a wet surface, particularly if the surface is also soapy. Equally, mats made purely of crepe paper can be slippery on a dry surface, eg on marble or glazed tiles. The mat seen in the drawings makes use of the contrasting properties of two different materials to provide a mat which can provide the necessary grip to resist slipping whether the surface that the mat is on is wet or dry.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the crepe paper has a weight of 130 gsm and the rubber-based material Is a proprietary adhesive compound known as ACL 600 which is latex-based, having a low -.-iscosity 60% saturated natural latex, a specific gravity of 1.09 and a viscosity of 0.5 poise. The strIped pattern is applied so that approximately 40% of -he underneath surface is covered b; adhesive, leavIng 60% exposed crepe paper. It is envisaged that there will be a greater area of exposed crepe paper tn adhesive in order to give the crepe paper a chance to absorb moisture and provide effective grip in damp or wet conditions.

The striped pattern in the example shown -in Figure 1 is particularly suited to being applied to the underneath surface of the substrate by a printing process. Other processes such as using coating or impregnation techniques could equally well be used instead. Fo example, the material could be applied to spraying and the pattern could be random.

Figure 2 shows an alternative pattern. Here the rubber-based material is applied in a lattice-like pattern, with diamond-shaped areas 13' of crepe paper in between the lattices 121.

It would be possible for the substrate of the mat to be of another material, eg plastics or a textile material such as cotton, with the two contrasting materials (such as crepe paper and a latex-hased adhesive) applied to the underneath surface thereof, the whole forming a composite lamination.

The pattern in which the two materials are arranged with respect to each other on the underneath surface can of course be varied. It is preferable Eor the pattern to extend substantially over the whole of the substrate, so that the mat is effective in resisting slipping over substantially its entire area. It may be desirable to vary the relative proportions of the areas of the two different materials, depending on the intended use of the mat, although the area of rubber-based or equivalent material wili probably not be less than about 25% of the total substrate area.

It may be desirable to introduce further materials into the pattern on the underneath surface of the mat, for the mat to be suitable for a wide range of different surfaces. It will be understood that the mat may have applications other than for use as a bathroom mat.

Claims

CLAIMS:

i. A mat wherein a part area of the underneath surface of the mat is of a first material which is resistant to slipping cn a dry surface and another part area of the underneath surface is of a second material which is resistant to slipping on a surface which is wet.
2. A mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first material is rubber-based.
3. A mat as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rubberbased material comprises a latex-based adhesive.
4. A mat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second material is fibrous and water--.borbent.
5. A mat as claimed in claim 4 wherein said fibrous, water-absorbent material comprises crags paper.
6. A mat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first and second materials are arranged in a pattern extending substantially over the whole of the substrate.
7. A mat as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pattern is regular and repeating.
8. A mat as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the first material is applied as a series of parallel stripes.
9. A mat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mat comprises a substrate formed of one of the first and second materials.
10. A mat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the area of said second material is greater than the area of said first material.
11. A mat substantially as hereinbefore described r;ith reference to and as shown in the accompany, drawings.