Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FLOOR MAT WITH VOICE-RESPONSIVE DISPLAY
[001 ] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC section 119(e) ofU.S.
provisional application 60/268,409 filed February 14, 2001. Further, this
application
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application no. 09/553,234, filed April 19,
2000 and
issued May 22, 2001 as U.S. patent no. 6,233,776. Application no. 09/553,234
is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application no. 09/418,752, filed October
15,1999, which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application no. 09/304,051, filed May 4,
1999 and
issued April 24, 2001 as U.S. patent no. 6,219,876.
Background and Discussion of the Invention
[002] The present invention relates to a floor mat. More specifically, the
invention provides a floor mat that includes a cleanable portion. The floor
mat 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.
[003] 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
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the person's shoes when, by its very nature, it is purposefully dirtied when
performing
its function.
[004] 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.
[005] U.S. Patent Number 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 dirty 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.
[006] U.S. Patent Number 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.
[007] U.S. Patent Number 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.
[008] 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 gymnasiums. Thus,
tacky
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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.
[009] 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
adj acent
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 carned 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.
[010] More particularly, over the past several decades, the adhesives that are
typically used in tacky surfaces of floor mats have evolved to the point that
they have
been optimized through commercialization to a certain threshold of tackiness.
Nevertheless, even at this optimal threshold, the tacky surface has the
deficiency
described above, wherein the tacky surface may become slippery when wet.
[011 ] Efforts to address this problem by tinkering with the chemistry of the
adhesives used in the tacky surface have been unavailing. Beyond the optimal
threshold
of tackiness as described above (that is, if the tacky surface is made
tackier), a trip
hazard is presented when the surface is dry. On the other hand, below the
threshold
(that is, if the tacky surface is made less tacky), a slip hazard is presented
when the
tacky surface is wet.
[012] In consideration of the foregoing, a single chemistry for an adhesive
that
provides a tacky surface that is tacky both when wet and when dry is not
known.
Accordingly, there is a need for a floor mat with a tacky surface that can be
utilized in
both a wet environment and a dry environment.
[013] Additional deficiencies with using known tacky floor mats for home or
office-type applications as discussed above is their likelihood ofbecoming
trip hazards
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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
aestheticallypleasing. Therefore, for at least the above reasons, tacky floor
mats axe not
known for use in home or office-type applications.
[014] 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.
[015] 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 ofremoving 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.
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[016] 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.
[017] Additionally, it is a familiar experience to many who go shopping to be
frustrated by the inability to locate the desired item or items in the stores
in which they
shop. Often, after a period of fruitless searching, a shopper is forced to
find a store
employee to direct him or her to the location in the store where the desired
item or items
are stocked. Knowledgeable store employees may be scarce, otherwise occupied,
or
hard to identify, leading to further frustration. As described hereinafter,
embodiments
of a floor mat according to the invention may include a voice-responsive
display for
providing information, for example about the locations of items in a store, to
persons
upon request.
[018] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an advanced floor mat that
could
address deficiencies that exist with currentlyknown 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 a possibly wet
tacky
surface: Additionally, a sensor system may be included in the floor mat to
assist a user
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in identifying when the floor mat may require cleaning. Other features will be
apparent
from the detailed description which follows.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[019] The various features of the invention will best be appreciated by
simultaneous reference to the description which follows and the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[020] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a floor mat in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[021 ] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the floor mat of Fig. 1;
[022] Fig. 3 is an exploded side view of an alternative embodiment of the
floor
mat of the present invention;
[023] Fig. 4 is an exploded side view of an alternative embodiment of the
floor
mat of the present invention;
[024] Fig. 5 illustrates a third alternative embodiment for a tacky insert
portion
with an anti-slip feature for the floor mat of the present invention;
[025] Fig. 6 illustrates a fourth alternative embodiment for a tacky insert
portion
with an anti-slip feature for the floor mat of the present invention;
[026] Fig. 7 is a side view of the embodiment for the tacky insert portion
with an
anti-slip feature of Fig. 6;
[027] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment for a tacky insert
portion
with an anti-slip feature for the floor mat of the present invention;
[028] Fig. 9 illustrates a sixth alternative embodiment for a tacky insert
portion
with an anti-slip feature for the floor mat of the present invention;
[029] Fig. 10 illustrates the tacky insert portion with an anti-slip feature
of Fig.
9 in conjunction with an alternative embodiment for the base portion;
[030] Fig. l l illustrates a seventh alternative embodiment for a tacky insert
portion
with an anti-slip feature and a water dissipating capability for the floor mat
of the
present invention;
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[031 ] Fig. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a tacky insert
portion and
base portion with a water dissipating capability for the floor mat of the
present
invention;
[032] Fig. 13 illustrates a sensor system that may be utilized in an
embodiment
of the present invention;
[033] Fig. 14 is an embodiment for a floor mat where the tacky portion and the
non-tacky portion are separable;
[034] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the floor mat of the
present invention as being used in one step of a process for utilizing the
floor mat;
[035] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the floor mat of Fig. 15 as being used
in a
second step of a process for utilizing the floor mat;
[036] Fig. 17 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a floor mat in
accordance
with the present invention that includes interchangeable base portions;
[037] Fig. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a floor mat in
accordance
with the present invention that includes single sheets for the cleanable
portion;
[038] Fig. 19 illustrates a roll of sheets that may be utilized with the
embodiment
of Fig. 1 ~;
[039] Fig. 20 illustrates a storage container that may be utilized with the
roll of
sheets of Fig. 19;
[040] Fig. 21 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a floor mat in
accordance
with the present invention that includes a scraper movable on tracks;
[041 ] Fig. 22 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a floor mat in
accordance
with the present invention that includes a scraper movable on tracks;
[042] Fig. 23 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a tacky surface in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[043] Fig. 24 illustrates an alternative embodiment for the tacky surface of
Fig.
23;
[044] Fig. 25 illustrates another alternative embodiment for a tacky surface
in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[045] Fig. 26 illustrates another alternative embodiment for a tacky surface
in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
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[046] Fig. 27 illustrates another alternative embodiment for a tacky surface
in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[047] Fig. 28A illustrates an embodiment of a floor mat support and drainage
structure according to the invention;
[048] Fig. 28B illustrates an alternative embodiment ofthe floormat support
and
drainage structure;
[049] Fig. 28C illustrates an alternative embodiment of the floor mat support
and
drainage structure without a retaining reservoir;
[050] Fig. 28D illustrates an alternative embodiment of the floor mat support
and
drainage structure;
[051 ] Fig. 29 illustrates the placement of a floor mat onto the support and
drainage structure;
[052] Fig. 30 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the floor mat support
and
drainage structure, with a two-part floor mat placed therein;
[053] Fig. 31 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the floor mat
support
and drainage structure with a two-part floor mat placed therein;
[054] Fig. 32A illustrates another alternative embodiment ofthe floor mat
support
and drainage structure;
[055] Fig. 32B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the floor mat support
and
drainage structure without a retaining reservoir;
[056] Fig. 32C illustrates another alternative embodiment ofthe floormat
support
and drainage structure;
[057] Fig. 33 illustrates a floor mat being placed onto a support and drainage
structure according to an embodiment of the invention;
[058] Fig. 34 illustrates layers of a floor mat according to an embodiment of
the
invention;
[059] Fig. 35 illustrates the floor mat of Fig. 34 as used with an embodiment
of
a support and drainage structure;
[060] Fig. 36 illustrates layers of a floor mat according to another
embodiment
of the invention;
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[061 ] Fig. 37 illustrates the floor mat of Fig. 36 as used with an embodiment
of
a support and drainage structure;
[062] Fig. 38 illustrates layers of a floor mat according to another
embodiment
of the invention;
[063] Fig. 39 illustrates the floor mat of Fig. 38 as used with an embodiment
of
a support and drainage structure;
[064] Fig. 40 illustrates use of a floor mat according to embodiments of the
invention, wherein a display associated with the floor mat is voice-
responsive;
[065] Fig. 41 illustrates a computer and software for voice recognition
according
to one possible embodiment; and
[066] Fig. 42 illustrates a process flow according to embodiments.
Detailed Description
[067] Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment for a floor mat 100 in
accordance
with the principles of the present invention. As can be seen in Figure 1,
floor mat 100
includes a base portion 200 and a cleanable insert portion 300. As will be
further
described later in this specification, in this embodiment, cleanable portion
300 is
received within base portion 200 and is removable from base portion 200.
[063] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the floor mat of
Figure
1. As can be seen in Figure 2, base portion 200 is formed as a generally flat,
planar
member and defines a recess 210 within the top surface of base portion 200.
Base
portion 200 provides sufficient weight and mass for supporting cleanable
insert portion
300 and maintaining the floor mat's positioning on the surface on which it is
placed.
Base portion 200 may include, as will be discussed below, a water dissipation
capability, a water absorption capability, and a cushioning capability and may
be
comprised of materials such as polyurethane, polyisoprene and other cross-
linked
elastomeric materials, such as nylon-6, molded or woven to form a porous
structure.
Recess 210 can be configured in any of a variety of geometric configurations,
however,
in the present embodiment, recess 210 is configured in a rectangular shape.
Recess 210
has a length Ll and a width W,. The depth of recess 210 is such that it is
able to receive
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within it cleanable insert portion 300 such that when cleanable insert portion
300 is
received within recess 210, the top surface of cleanable insert portion 300
lies generally
in the same plane as the top surface of base portion 200.
[069] 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.
[070] As can be seen in Figure 2, the surface of base portion 200 which
defines
the bottom of recess 210 may include graphics 220 on that surface. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the graphics include pictorial representations of flowers and a
text
message which spells out the word "WELCOME". The present invention is not
limited
to any particular graphic within recess 210 and the present invention may
include any
of a variety of different forms of graphics.
[071 ] 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.
[072] 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 colors) can be
modified. For
example, a color that glows at night could be included in graphics 220 for an
occasion
such as Halloween.
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[073] Any of a variety of different types of structures or methods maybe
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.
[074] Alternatively, a variety of different graphics maybe 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 the same bulletin board.
[075] 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.
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[076] 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.
[077] 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 inU.S. Patents 5,945,502, 5,869,350, and 5,571,626, which are
incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
[078] Other options for a display are to use electronic ink or electric paper.
Electric paper is available from Xerox and is described in U.S. Patents
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
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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.
[079] Electronic ink is available from E Ink Corp., at 45 Spinelli Pl.,
Cambridge,
MA 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.
[080] 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 insert
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 rnat that includes a tacky surface and a non-tacky floor mat embodiment.
[081 ] 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 transfernng 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
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dissipation component and the cushioning component. For example, the water
dissipation component may be comprised 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.
[082] Figure 2 also further illustrates cleanable insert portion 300. As can
be
seen, cleanable insert portion 300 has a geometric shape which is
complementary in size
and form to the recess 210 that is formed within base portion 200. As such,
cleanable
insert portion 300 is able to be received securely within recess 210. Thus,
cleanable
insert portion 300 has a length L2 which is just slightly smaller than the
length Ll of
recess 210. Likewise, cleanable insert portion 300 has a width WZ which is
also just
slightly smaller than width Wl of recess 210.
[083] 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.
[084] 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.
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[085] 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.
[086] 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.
[087] 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".
[088] 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.
[089] Again, however, the present invention is not limited to any particular
methodology or cleaning agent for cleaning insert portion 300 and any cleaning
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methodology or agent compatible with the composition of insert portion 300 is
contemplated.
[090] 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 glycol mono- and di-methacrylate could be utilized. Thus,
floor mat
100 would be bacteriacidal. 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.
[091 ] 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.,
- limonoic 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.
[092] 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.
[093] 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 floormat 100 or couldbe 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.
[094] Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment for floor mat 100. In
Figure
3, it is illustrated that base portion 200 may include separate layers for a
water
dissipation component 230 and a cushioning component 240. Water dissipation
component 230, in this embodiment, is disposed on a top side of the cushioning
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component 240. However, the present invention is not limited to this
particular
embodiment for water dissipation component 230 and cushioning component 240.
For
example, a single hybrid structure could be utilized for base portion 200 that
would
include the material properties to provide for both water dissipation and
conforming
structure.
[095] Alternatively, Figure 4 illustrates that the floor mat may include both
a
water dissipation component, or wicking layer, and a water absorbtion layer.
In Figure
4, floor mat 400 includes wicking layer 410 and water absorption layer 420.
The
wicking layer 410 could be comprised of polypropylene or olefins, or any other
suitable
material that has the properties of moving the water from the surface of floor
mat 400.
The water absorption layer 420 is disposed underneath the wicking layer 410
and
absorbs any water that passes through the wicking layer 410. The water
absorption
layer 420 could be periodically removed and dried, such as by example only, in
a drying
machine. Of course, a wicking layer 410 may be used either with or without a
water
absorption layer 420 and a cushioning layer, as described previously in other
embodiments, and the water absorption layer 420 could be used with or without
a
wicking layer 410 and a cushioning layer. Additionally, both the wicking layer
andlor
the absorption layer and/or the cushioning layer could be used with or without
a tacky
portion.
[096] Returning to Figure 3, Figure 3 also illustrates an alternative
embodiment
for insert portion 300. Whereas the previously disclosed embodiment for insert
portion
300 was discussed as a single structural member that could include a tacky
surface on
a top side thereof, the embodiment of Figure 3 for insert portion 300 is
comprised of a
plurality of layers. As can be seen, layers 301-305, comprise insert portion
300. Each
of the layers may include a tacky surface on a top side thereof, as was
described
previously for insert portion 300. In use, a top-most layer, e.g., layer 301,
may be
removed from its adjacent lower layer, e.g., layer 302, and may be
independently
cleaned. After cleaning, the layer may be reinstalled within recess 210 on top
of the
exposed layer of insert portion 300. In this manner, insert portion 300 may be
cleaned
by removing a top-most layer, cleaning that layer, and reinstalling that layer
within
recess 210. Whereas each layer is described as being independently cleanable,
it is not
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required that each individual layerbe cleanable. Each layer maybe formed
ofmaterials
as described previously when discussing the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 for
the
insert portion.
[097] Other alternative embodiments for insertportion 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 n 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
insert 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.
[098] 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.
[099] 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.
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[0100] As discussed above, insert portion 300 maybe 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.
(0101 ] 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. Figures 5-12 and 23-27 illustrate alternative
embodiments for tacky insert portion 300. Figure 5 illustrates tacky insert
portion 300
as including a grid pattern 320 of channels 322 that could be comprised of a
non-tacky
material. The channels could be either raised from the surface of insert
portion 300 or
could lie co-planar with the top surface of the insert portion. By forming the
channels
of a non-tacky material, even if the tacky material of insert portion 300
became wet, a
user would be assisted in not slipping on the slippery, wet tacky surface of
the insert
portion by the presence of the non-tacky surfaces which do not become slippery
when
wet.
[0102] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another alternative embodiment for tacky
insert
portion 300 which includes anti-slip particles 324, e.g., silicon or sand
particles, which
extend above the top surface 330 of the tacky insert portion. It is desirable
that the anti-
slip particles be comprised of a material that does not become slippery when
wet and
that they be exposed from the tacky surface, however, it is not required. Even
if the
anti-slip particles are embedded within the tacky surface, their extension
above the top
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surface 330 of the tacky insert portion will provide a physical frictional
restraint against
slipping for the soles of a person's shoes who is standing on the floor mat.
[0103] Whereas Figure 5 illustrates tacky insert portion 300 as including a
grid
pattern 320 of channels 322 that could be comprised of a non-tacky material
and
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another alternative embodiment for tacky insert
portion 300
which includes anti-slip particles 324 which extend above the top surface 330
of the
tacky insert portion, it is not required that these two alternative
embodiments contain
features that are mutually exclusive. For example, it is contemplated that
tacky insert
portion 300 could include both a grid pattern of non-tacky channels and anti-
slip
particles, which is not illustrated specifically in the Figures but which can
be easily
understood.
[0104] 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 Figure 8,
in this
embodiment, tacky portion 300 is inserted within a base portion, which may be
a water
absorbent border 500, and includes a plurality of apertures 342 within it.
Each of a
plurality of treads 344, which may extend upward from a base disposed
underneath
tacky portion 300, extend up through one of the plurality of apertures 342. A
top-most
end of each tread extends above a top-most surface 340 of tacky portion 300.
As a
person steps onto tacky portion 300, the quantity and positioning of the
treads 344 is
such that the tacky portion is able to remove debris from the person's shoes
and the
treads 344, at least one of which is stepped upon by the person, prevents
slipping of the
person on the tacky portion 300 should the tacky portion 300 become slippery
when
wet. The treads 344 may compress when stepped upon such that the top-most end
of
the tread is co-planar with the top-most surface 340 of the tacky portion 300.
In this
manner, the tread will contact the person's shoes to prevent slipping but yet
not hinder
contact between the person's shoes and the tacky surface of the mat, which
enhances
the cleaning of the person's shoes. Therefore, there is a relationship between
the
distance that the tread extends above the top-most surface of the tacky
portion and the
compressibility of the tread; a relationship which provides the functionality
discussed
above.
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[0105] 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.
[0106] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate additional alternative embodiments for both
the tacky insert portion 300 and the base portion 200 that help to prevent
slipping on a
potentially wet tacky portion. As can be seen in Figure 9, and as discussed
previously,
tacky insert portion 300 is comprised of a plurality of layers 301, 302, and
303.
Whereas only three layers are illustrated, it can be understood that any
number of layers
can be utilized in the present invention. As can be seen, tacky layers 301-303
each
contain a plurality of integrally formed raised portions 300A. These raised
portions can
help to prevent a person from slipping on the tacky portion by providing
increased
friction between the top surface of the tacky layer, due to the raised
portions, and the
person's shoes. Thus, these raised portions can substantially reduce the
potential for
slipping on the tacky portion if it becomes wet.
[0107] 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.'
[0108] 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.
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[0109] As can be seen in Figure 10, base portion 200 may also be formed to be
complementary to the embossed layers. The surface 200A that defines a bottom
of the
recess of base portion 200, which receives within it the tacky layers 300, can
be formed
with raised portions 200B. These raised portions are positioned so that they
are aligned
with the raised portions in the tacky layers. Thus, the raised portions 200B
on surface
200A are positioned within the indentations in the lower-most tacky layer when
the
layers are inserted into the recess in the base portion. As can be understood,
these
raised portions help to retain and maintain the raised portions in the tacky
layer(s),
particularly when only the lower-most layers) remain in the floor mat.
However, it is
not required that the base portion be formed with raised portions in
practicing the
present invention. The layers may be formed with raised portions whether or
not the
base portion includes complementary raised portions.
[0110] 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.
[0111 ] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate alternative embodiments for the floor mat
of the present invention that provide a water dissipating capability for the
tacky portion.
As will be discussed, the embodiment of Figure 11 also helps to prevent a
person from
slipping on a potentially wet tacky portion.
[0112] Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment for tacky portion 300 where the
tacky layers 301 and 302 of the tacky portion define a plurality of apertures
300C
therein. The apertures of each layer are aligned with the apertures of each
other layer.
Thus, because of the aligned apertures in the layers, the tacky portion is
able to drain
surface water from the top-most surface of the tacky portion, or from the
soles of a
person's shoes that is standing on the tacky portion, through the apertures
and to the
base portion, within which the layers maybe positioned. The base portion, as
discussed
previously, may include a water dissipation component and/or a water absorbing
component which would move and/or absorb the surface water drained from the
tacky
portion through the apertures.
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[0113] 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.
[0114] Figure 12 illustrates another embodiment for the floor mat ofthe
present
invention that also provides a water dissipating capability for the tacky
portion. As can
be seen, tacky portion 300 includes layers 301 and 302. Base portion 200
defines a
recess where layers 301 and 302 are disposed within the recess. A surface of
the base
portion that defines a bottom of the recess includes a raised portion 2000 at
or near a
center position within the recess. Thus, the raised portion 200C of the base
portion
forms a raised portion in each of the layers. As can be understood, the raised
portion
formed in the layers acts to dissipate surface water on the layers from the
layers. The
surface water will drain off of the layers under the force of gravity due to
the raised
portion.
[0115] Again, any number of layers may be included in tacky portion 300 in the
embodiments of Figures 11 and 12.
[0116] 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.
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[0117] 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
Figure 13
includes a sensor system 700 that detects the presence of a person on the
floor mat 100.
The sensor system 700 may detect the presence of a person on base portion 200
and/or
tacky portion 300. Since it is assumed that a person who steps on base portion
200 will
also step on tacky portion 300, sensing the person's presence on either
portion is
sufficient for practicing the present invention.
[011 ~] 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
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system can be reset to begin counting the total number of presences on the
newly
cleaned or exposed layer.
[0119] Alann 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.
[0120] 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.
[0121 ] 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.
[0122] For example, Figure 14 illustrates a tacky portion 300 and a non-tacky
portion 200, which may include a water dissipation component, a water
absorbing
component, and a cushioning component, as discussed previously, that are
separable.
As can be seen in Figure 14, tacky portion 300 may be bordered within a border
500,
whichmaybe water absorbent, water dissipative, and include a cushioning
component,
and may include a plurality of apertures 342 and treads 344 within it. Tacky
portion
300 can include any ofthe embodiments previously discussed. An attachment
layer 600
is positioned on an underside of both border 500 of tacky portion 300 and non-
tacky
portion 200. The border 500 and/or non-tacky portion 200 may be releasably
attached
to attachment layer 600. Thus, through attachment layer 600, border 500, and
therefore
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tacky portion 300, and non-tacky portion 200 are releasably attachable to each
other.
In this manner, it is possible to, for example, position non-tacky portion 200
outside of
a person's home on the front porch and tacky portion 300 within the person's
home.
[0123] 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.
[0124] Figure 15 illustrates a first process step in utilizing an embodiment
of
the floor mat 100 of the present invention. As was described previously, an
embodiment of floor mat 100 includes a base portion 200 and an insert portion
300. As
can be seen in Figure 15, and as was also discussed previously, a different
graphic
display 220 is present in the embodiment of Figure 15 than was illustrated in
the
embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. Thus, Figure 15 displays a "Hello" message with
"smiley face" representations in the graphic 220.
[0125] As can be seen in Figure 15, in utilizing an embodiment of the present
invention, a user would first step upon base portion 200. As discussed
earlier, base
portion 200 may include a water dissipating and/or absorbing component and is
thus
able to assist in removing any moisture from the soles of the person's shoes.
As was
also discussed earlier, because base portion 200, in one embodiment, also
includes a
cushioning component, base portion 200 conforms to the person's soles when the
person
steps upon base portion 200. Whereas not illustrated in Figure 15, as
discussed
previously, an antibacterial composition, an antifungal composition, a
fragrance, or any
other cleaning substance may also be associated with floor mat 100 and applied
to the
soles of the person's shoes when the person applies pressure to floor mat 100.
[0126] As can be seen in Figure 16, the second process step in utilizing the
present invention includes the person stepping onto insert portion 300 of
floor mat 100.
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As discussed previously, insert portion 300 may include a tacky surface on a
top side
thereof for assisting in removing debris from the soles of the person's shoes.
Additionally, antibacterial compositions, antifungal compositions, fragrances,
or other
cleaning compositions may also be included within insert portion 300 for
dispensing to
the soles of the person's shoes.
[0127] 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.
[0128] Figures 17-22 illustrate further alternative embodiments for the floor
mat
of the present invention. As can be seen in Figure 17, in this embodiment for
the floor
mat, floor mat 1700 includes a cleanable portion 1710 and a plurality of base
portions
1720A-D. As can be seen, cleanable portion 1710 is positioned within one of
base
portions 1720A-D. In this manner, the floor mat 1700 can be customized for a
particular user by interchanging the cleanable portion 1710 with one of a
variety of base
portions 1720A-D. The base portions 1720A-D can be formed in any of a variety
of
physical configurations and can include any of a variety of themes, graphics,
or colors.
Thus, a common cleanable portion 1710 may be utilized with a variety of base
portions
1720A-D.
[0129] Figures 18-20 illustrate another alternative embodiment for a floor mat
1800 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As can be
seen in
Figure 18, floor mat 1800 also includes a cleanable portion 1810 and a base
portion
1820. As discussed previously, cleanable portion 1810 is received within base
portion
1820. In this embodiment, cleanable portion 1810 is comprised of a single
sheet
181 OA. The single sheet 1810A may be tacky on a top-side thereof and may
include
apertures therein to receive anti-slip nipples though it, as was also
discussed previously.
The single sheet 1810A, in this embodiment, may be removed and replaced with
another sheet when dirty.
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[0130] Figure 19 illustrates that aplurality of sheets 1810B-D, maybe attached
to each other and rolled into a roll 1830 of sheets. The sheets can be joined
to each
other at a perforated joint to provide for ease in separating a sheet from the
roll of
sheets. As can be understood, a sheet may be separated from the roll of
remaining
sheets and may be then inserted into base portion 1820.
[0131 ] Figure 20 illustrates that the roll of sheets 1830 may be stored in a
storage device 1840, such as, for example, by mounting the roll of sheets 1830
on a
cabinet door, which may be located in proximity to the floor mat. In this
manner,
replacements sheets are easily organized and stored for use.
[0132] 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.
[0133] Figure 21 illustrates another alternative embodiment for a floor mat in
accordance with the present invention. Floor mat 2100 also includes a
cleanablelscrapable portion 2110 and a base portion 2120. In this embodiment,
cleanable portion 2110 is formed, as discussed previously in this application,
as a single
structural member from a material which is tacky in composition throughout the
entire
cross-section of the material. As was also discussed previously, by forming
portion
2110 from a uniform, tacky material, the portion 2110 does not necessarily
have to be
removed from the base portion 2120 to be cleaned. However, in the embodiment
previously discussed, the cleanable portion 2110 could be cleaned by eroding
the top
surface of the insert portion as a result of use of the insert portion. In the
embodiment
of Figure 21, the cleanable portion is cleaned by scraping off a top surface
of
approximately 2-3 microns from the cleanable portion 2110 by utilizing a
scraper 2130.
[0134] 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.
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[0135] 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
complementary
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.
[0136] 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.
[0137] Floor mat 2100 also includes a catch basin 2150 that may be included
at one or both ends of tracks 2140, 2145. Catch basins) 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 ofthe 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.
[0138] 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 maybe 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.
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[0139] 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
basins) could still be utilized. As such, Figure 22 illustrates an embodiment
for floor
mat 2200 that includes a cleanable portion 2210 without use of a base portion.
Cleanable portion 2210 is adjacent to tracks 2240, 2245. Scraper 2230 is
movable on
tracks 2240, 2245. A catch basin 2250 may be included at one or both ends of
tracks
2240, 2245.
[0140] As discussed above, there is no known single chemistry which provides
a tacky surface which is tacky both when wet and when dry, and yet not too
tacky under
either condition. Accordingly, in still further alternative embodiments of the
present
invention, a dual chemistry may be used for the tacky surface. The dual
chemistry
combines adhesive compositions of two different types. Adhesive compositions
of one
type are optimally adhesive when dry. Adhesive compositions of the other type
are
optimally adhesive when wet. In combination, the adhesive compositions of the
two
types can be used to provide a top exposed surface that is optimally tacky
both when
wet and when dry. Thus, when a person's shoe comes in contact with the top
exposed
surface, the surface provides good tackiness when the surface is either dry or
wet, and
helps to prevent the person from slipping when the surface is wet.
[0141 ] By "optimally tacky" as used in the foregoing, it is meant that, while
either of the two types of adhesive compositions may retain some tackiness
when either
dry or wet, one type has a best or serviceable level of tackiness under dry
conditions,
while the other type has a best or serviceable level of tackiness under wet
conditions.
[0142] A material that comprises the two types of adhesive compositions and
presents the top exposed tacky surface that comes in contact with a shoe could
assume
a variety of embodiments. For example, the dual-chemistry top exposed tacky
surface
could be the surface of a tacky "insert" or "portion," such as insert 300
described in the
foregoing, designed to cooperate with a non-tacky base portion.
[0143] On the other hand, the dual-chemistry top exposed tacky surface might
not be a surface of a tacky "insert" or "portion" as such. Rather, the dual-
chemistry top
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exposed tacky surface could be the substantially the entirety of the usable
surface of an
independent floor mat.
[0144] Whether the dual-chemistry tacky surface is used in combination with
a non-tacky portion, or whether it is substantially the entirety of the usable
surface of
an independent floor mat, a separate structural member for an anti-slip
component does
not need to be used in conjunction with the tacky surface to prevent slipping
on the
tacky surface when the tacky surface becomes wet. On the other hand, if
desired, a .
separate structural member for an anti-slip component could be used with the
tacky
surface.
[0145] Generally, the material that presents the tacky surface comprises a
combination of components having chemistries that respectively are optimally
tacky
when dry or optimally tacky when wet, such that the combination as a whole
presents
a top exposed tacky surface that retains a serviceable level of tackiness when
either wet
or dry. More particularly, when the tackiness of components having a chemistry
which
is optimally tacky when dry is reduced due to the presence of moisture, the
loss of
tackiness is compensated for by the components having a chemistry which is
optimally
tacky when wet. On the other hand, when the tackiness of components having a
chemistry which is optimally tacky when wet is reduced due to the absence of
moisture,
the loss of tackiness is compensated for by the components having a chemistry
which
is optimally tacky when dry
[0146] The components could be combined in a pattern of alternating regions
with tacky-when-dry properties and tacky-when-wet properties, respectively.
The
components could be combined such that the composite material is segmented
into
regions with distinct characteristics such that the material has a
substantially non-
uniform composition. On the other hand, the components could be combined with
a
fine granularity, such that the material has a substantially uniform
composition.
[0147] Fig. 23 illustrates one possible embodiment of a multi-layer assembly
10 including a material that presents a top exposed tacky surface that is
tacky when
either wet or dry. The layers include a top layer 11, which comprises a
material that
presents a top exposed tacky surface that is tacky both when wet and when dry.
The
material comprises at least three types of distinct "domains." A "domain,"
with respect
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to a composition of the top layer 11, refers to a discrete constituent segment
of the top
layer with chemical properties distinct from other discrete constituent
segments.
[0148] The domains in top layer 11 include a tacky domain with pressure-
sensitive adhesive characteristics and high surface energy. This tacky domain
could
comprise, for example, copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and difunctional co-
monomers such as acrylamides, epoxy acrylates, or urethane terminated
acrylates and
pressure-sensitive polysiloxane derivatives.
[0149] A second domain of the top layer 11 is a non-tacky hydrophobic domain
of low surface energy. This non-tacky hydrophobic domain could comprise, for
example, polyalkyl fluroacrylates, acrylic terminated fluoroacrylamides, or
fluorosulfonamides, polysiloxanes derivatized with one or two acrylate groups,
celluloses derivatized with acrylates, styrene butadiene copolymers or acyclic
acrylates
or methacrylates. The methacrylates could include, for example, cyclohexane
methacrylate, norbornene methacrylate, or isobornyl methacrylate.
[0150] A third domain of the top layer 11 is a hydrophilic domain. The
hydrophilic domain could comprise, for example, hydroxyethyl methacrylate,
polyacrylic and methacrylic acids and their salts, polyvinyl alcohol,
polyoxymethylenes,
polyamides, polyesters and polyimides of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids.
[0151 ] In the top layer 1 l, tacky domains couldbe cross-linked,
andhydrophilic
domains could be cross-linked, with a cross-link density, respectively,
ranging from 5-
20 mole per cent. The material of the top layer is either in an elastomeric or
a leathery
state in a range of temperatures in which the floor mat would be in service. A
desired
range of glass transition temperatures is 5-25 °C.
[0152] In the top layer 11, a plurality of tacky domains are interspersed with
a
plurality of hydrophilic domains. The hydrophilic domains modulate the overall
tackiness of the top layer 1 l, by causing a tackiness of the top layer 11 in
a dry state to
be substantially equal to a tackiness of the top layer 11 in a wet state.
[0153] A function of the hydrophobic domains of low surface energy is to
prevent the formation of a continuous film of water over the top layer, and
therefore
increase the rate of drainage. The hydrophobic domains also enhance the
pressure
dependency of the tackiness of the top layer, thereby reducing tackiness in
the absence
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of a force. This can help to prevent excessive tackiness when pressure is
applied as the
floormat is actuallybeing used, and to prevent the tacky surface collecting an
excessive
amount of airborne particulate matter.
[0154] The overall morphology of polymeric layer 11 is miceller, with the
hydrophobic domains being substantially at or near the surface of the layer,
and the
hydrophilic and tacky domains being substantially below the surface of the
layer. The
hydrophilic and the tacky domains migrate to the surface under wet conditions,
and
together, provide the tackiness needed to attract dirt, bacteria and the like
from footwear
or other surface to be cleaned, and to help prevent slipping on the tacky
surface when
it is wet.
[0155] In fabricating the top layer 11, domain formation can be enhanced
through the use of solvent-induced crystallization. Depending upon the chosen
method
of manufacturing or assembly of the tacky portion, further enhancements may be
possible through selective orientation of the domains during the extrusion,
laminating
or application process of the top layer 11.
[0156] In addition to a top layer 11 as described above, the multi-layer
assembly
10 could also include at least one hydrophobic layer 12. On one side thereof,
the
hydrophobic layer 12 could be adj acent to the top layer 11. The hydrophobic
layer 12
could be made of a hydrophobic copolymer. Examples of such a hydrophobic
copolymer include methyl methacrylate copolymers, a styrene butadiene co-
polymer,
and polyalkyl or polyaryl siloxanes. The hydrophobic layer 12 could be bonded
to the
top layer 11 by means of, for example, an acrylic adhesive. The glass
transition
temperature of the hydrophobic layer may be in the range 5-150 °C.
[0157] The hydrophobic layer 12 is designed to efficiently transport water
from
the top layer 11. The composition of the hydrophobic layer 12 is selected to
minimize
solubility of water and maximize its diffusivity in the hydrophobic layer 12.
Polysiloxanes as constituents of the hydrophobic layer 12 are especially
desirable from
this point of view. It is also important to minimize the swelling
characteristics of the
hydrophobic layer 12 in the presence of water, because the desired function of
this layer
is to promote drainage and remain relatively dry.
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[0158] On a side opposite the side adj acent to the top layer 11, the
hydrophobic
layer 12 may be adjacent to a hydrophilic layer 13 made of polyvinyl alcohol,
polyoxymethylenes, polyhydroxy esters or amides. The cross-link density of
this
hydrophilic layer 13 could be between 10-30 mole per cent, and its glass
transition
temperature could be in the range -30 °C to 10 °C.
[0159] The hydrophilic layer 13 is capable of absorbing water transported to
it
by the hydrophobic layer 12. The hydrophilic layer 13 may be adhesively bonded
to
adjacent layers. Absorption of water by the hydrophilic layer increases its
thickness.
The composition and cross-link density of the hydrophilic layer may be
selected so that
this layer can hold up to twice its weight in water (swelling ratio 200%). A
function of
the hydrophilic layer is to act as a reservoir of water, when removal of water
through
evaporation is slow. At the same time, the cross-link density and
functionality of the
hydrophilic layer is carefully controlled so that it does not unduly retain
moisture.
[0160] The multi-layer assembly 10 could further include a bottom layer 14 for
contact with a floor. The bottom layer 14 could be made of a wear-resistant,
anti-skid
polymer such as a polyurethane, a styrene butadiene copolymer, or a
polycarbonate.
Other materials suitable for forming the bottom layer 14 include acrylic
terminated
aromatic polyurethanes and epoxides. The bottom layer 14 could generally be
cross-
linked highly (e.g., 10-50 mole per cent), and its glass transition
temperature, when
measurable, could be below 5 °C and in any case below IOC. The bottom
layer 14
could be formed so as to have a high surface energy, so that it does not lose
all affinity
to a floor surface even in the presence of a film of water on the floor
surface.
[0161] The bottom layer 14 could be especially useful if the mufti-layer
assembly 10 were being used as an independent floor mat. On the other hand, if
the
mufti-layer assembly 10 were being used as an insert in combination with a non-
tacky
portion, the bottom layer 14 might not be present. Instead, an adhesive might
be used
on a surface of hydrophilic layer 13 for contacting the non-tacky portion, to
ensure
adhesion of the mufti-layer assembly 10 to the non-tacky portion.
[0162] The top layer 11 could be about 50-500 microns in thickness. The
hydrophobic layer 12 could be about 100-1000 microns in thickness, and the
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hydrophilic layer 13 could be about 250-1500 microns in thickness. The bottom
layer
14 could be approximately 250-1000 microns in thickness.
[0163] The multi-layer assembly 10 could be embossed with a pattern to
increase surface area, and could be perforated with a pattern of holes (2-10
mm in
diameter) to provide drainage.
[0164] A multi-layer assembly 10 could be assembled by manufacturing each
of the above-described layers separately, and then bonding them together using
conventionalprocesses. Alternatively, for example, the top layer 11 couldbe
fabricated
first, and then the other layers could be successively applied or bonded to
the top layer
11 and to each other.
[0165] According to other alternative embodiments, the top layer 11 could
comprise a material having a uniform composition. By uniform composition, it
is
meant that the material is not divided into domains, but instead is more
finely grained
such that the material has chemical properties that are substantially constant
throughout
the material. The chemical properties are such that the material can absorb
water while
retaining tackiness.
[0166] For example, the material of uniform composition in top layer 11 could
be made of polymers, such as block copolymers or a grafted copolymer. The
polymers
could be pressure-sensitive adhesives coated or grafted with hydrophilic
monomers
followed by a further grafting of a fluoroacrylate. Alternatively, the
material of uniform
composition could comprise amixture ofpressure-sensitive adhesives
withhydrophilic
fillers such as fibers or microspheres to bind water.
[0167] As noted above, the mufti-layer assembly could be perforated for
improved water drainage. Figure 24 illustrates one embodiment of a perforation
pattern
formed in a mufti-layer assembly 15 comprising four layers as described above.
Circular
holes 16 are punched, cut, or drilled through all four layers. While circular
holes are
shown by way of example, the holes could be of any arbitrary shape.
[0168] Additional embodiments of the present invention could utilize two
fundamentally different adhesive compositions arranged in some arbitrary
pattern.. A
first adhesive composition could be pressure-sensitive and tacky when dry. A
second
adhesive composition could be hydrophilic and tacky when wet. The pattern
could be
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a pattern of regions of the first adhesive composition alternating with the
second
adhesive composition. Examples oftacky-when-dry adhesives include polyethylene-
co-
vinylacatate) and polyvinylbutyral. Examples of tacky-when-wet adhesives
include
mixtures containing natural and synthetic rubbers in the presence of
plasticizers mixed
with hydrocolloid gums and the following class of chemistries: co-polymers of
two
amino ethyl ethacrylate and nbutly methacrylate.
[0169] Figure 25 illustrates a perspective view of a cross section of a multi-
layer
assembly 17 utilizing two fundamentally different adhesive compositions as
described
above. A top layer 18 comprises a checkerboard pattern 19 of tacky-when-wet
adhesives alternating with tacky-when-dry adhesives. The checkerboard pattern
is
shown only by way of example and other alternating patterns are contemplated
in the
present invention. A bottom layer 20 is a wear-resistant anti-skid layer for
contacting
a floor. The bottom layer 20 could be especially useful if the multi-layer
assembly 17
were being used as an independent floor mat. On the other hand, if the multi-
layer
assembly 17 were being used as an insert in combination with a non-tacky
portion, the
bottom layer 20 might not be present. Instead, an adhesive might be used on a
surface
of layer 18 for contacting the non-tacky portion.
[0170] Figure 26 is perspective view of a cross section of a multi-layer
assembly
21 illustrating yet another embodiment of the present invention. A top layer
22
comprises a tacky-when-dry adhesive. A second layer 23 comprises a hydrophilic
tacky-when- wet adhesive. A bottom layer 24 is a wear-resistant anti-skid
layer for
contacting a floor.
[0171 ] Holes 25 are formed in the top layer 22 to enable contact by the sole
of
a shoe or other surface to be cleaned with the tacky-when-wet adhesive at the
same time
that the tacky-when-dry adhesive is contacted. Since the second layer 23 is
also
hydrophilic, it will swell and fill the holes 25 when wet, providing greater
access to the
tacky-when-wet adhesive of layer 23 by a surface to be cleaned, such as the
sole of a
shoe.
[0172] Fig. 27 illustrates another embodiment wherein the material that
presents
the top exposed tacky surface has a substantially uniform composition. The
material
comprises a blend of materials that are tacky when dry with materials that are
tacky
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when wet. The tacky-when-wet materials include certain hydrocolloid gums
(e.g., gaur
gum, locust bean gum, and the like). Since these hydrocolloid gums have a
large
capacity for absorbing moisture, they should provide good wet adhesive or
tackiness.
The tacky-when-dry materials, which are also pressure-sensitive, could include
synthetic and/or natural rubbers in the presence of plasticizers. The
synthetic and/or
natural rubbers could be, for example, polyisobutylenes, natural rubber,
silicone
rubbers, acrylonitrile rubbers, polyurethane rubbers, butyl rubber elastomer,
and the
like.
[0173] The strength and uniformity of a blend of tacky-when-wet and tacky
when-dry materials as described above could be increased by the introduction
of a
cohesive strengthening agent to the blend. The cohesive strengthening agent
could, for
example, be one or more of natural and artificial fibrous materials such as
wood
cellulose, cotton, or Dacron.
[0174] In Fig. 27, a top layer 27 of a multi-layer assembly 26 comprises a
blend
of pressure-sensitive dry adhesive with a hydrocolloid gum, mixed with a
cohesive
strengthening agent. Due to the cohesive strengthening agent, a surface 28 of
the top
layer 27 has a uniform appearance of a single material. A bottom layer 29 is a
wear-
resistant anti-skid layer for contacting a floor. The bottom layer 29 might
not be present
if the layer 27 is being used as an insert.
[0175] Any of the materials that present a top exposed tacky surface that is
tacky both when wet and when dry as described above could be used in
combination
with each other, or in combination with any of the other layers described. For
example,
either of layers 18 or 27 could be used in combination with a hydrophobic
layer and a
hydrophilic layer.
[0176] In embodiments according to the present invention, a water drainage
capability is provided to alleviate undesirable effects of moisture which may
become
trapped in the mat. Trapped moisture in the mat could cause mold, bacteria, or
algae
to form. Such molds, bacteria, and algae are often the source of certain
allergic
reactions and other illnesses experienced by people. Besides the potential
risk of
illness, the trapped moisture can also cause an unpleasant odor near and
around the
mat.
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[0177] In Figure 28A, an example of a mat support and drainage structure 30
is shown. The mat support and drainage structure includes support members 31
to
support a floor mat placed thereon and keep it substantially level. The
support
members 31 may be radially arranged. Upper surfaces of the support members 31
for contacting a mat placed thereon are substantially co-planar. Between pairs
of
support members, there is a sloping plane or surface 32 for directing water
that
comes into contact with the surface downward, allowing the water to drain to
edges
of the mat support and drainage structure. Embodiments may include a retention
reservoir 33 near one or more edges of the mat support and drainage structure.
Walls
112 may be axranged on sides of the sloping surfaces and support members. In
other
embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 28C and Figure 32B, the retention
reservoir is
not utilized.
[0178] A bevel 111 may be formed in the walls 112 to prevent people from
tripping over the mat support and drainage structure. The slope and extent of
the
bevel may vary depending upon the height and size of the mat support and
drainage
structure. The bevel shown is only an example; other bevel shapes and sizes
are also
possible and are well known to those skilled in the art.
[0179] The mat support and drainage structure 30 can be made from any
number of materials, for example, plastic or rubber. The mat support and
drainage
structure 30 could be molded, thermoformed, stamped or otherwise manufactured
depending upon the choice of material, and the number of pieces to be
manufactured.
[0180] Figure 28B illustrates another possible embodiment for a mat support
and drainage structure. The mat support and drainage structure 34 comprises
walls
35 with a plurality of sloping surfaces 36 that provide water drainage due to
gravity.
A plurality of sloping surfaces such as surfaces 36 may be referred to herein
as a
"gravitating portion." Surfaces 36 are supported by support members 37
positioned
between a surface 99 of the mat support and drainage structure, and the
sloping
surfaces. In the embodiment of Figure 28B, upper surfaces of support members
37
are substantially co-planar with sloping surfaces 36, ~;iY,e., the support
members do not
extend beyond a plane of the sloping surfaces as in the embodiment of Figure
28A).
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As moisture comes into contact with surfaces 36, it will run down these
surfaces and
into a retention reservoir 38 which circumscribes the gravitating portion of
the mat
support and drainage structure 34.
[0181 ] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 28B, a mat placed on mat
support and drainage structure 34 is supported by an apex 100 formed by
adjoining
surfaces 36, and by walls 35 of the mat support and drainage structure.
Transverse
members may be added to provide additional support for the mat. This
additional
support is not necessarily required for smaller mats of relatively rigid
construction.
[0182] Figure 28C illustrates an example where the mat support and drainage
structure does not have a retaining reservoir. Here the mat support and
drainage
structure 39 is constructed so that the water flows freely out one or more
ends 40 of the
mat support and drainage structure. This type of base would preferably be used
with
mats designed for outdoor use.
[0183] In the embodiments described in Figures 28B and 28C, a gravitating
portion was described as being supported by support members. Alternatively, a
gravitating portion could also be constructed from a single piece of material
with
varying thickness to create the desired gravitating water flow. Although such
construction could require more material, such construction may be simpler to
manufacture. An example of a mat support and drainage structure including a
one-piece
gravitating portion is illustrated in Figure 28D. In Figure 28D, showing a mat
support
and drainage structure 3000, a gravitating portion 3001 is fabricated from a
single piece
of material having a thickness that decreases toward edges 3003 thereof. The
single
piece of material could have a maximum thickness at an apex 3002 at or near a
center
thereof. The single pieces of material thereby presents two adj oining sloping
surfaces
forming an apex, for directing water coming into contact therewith downward.
[0184] The mat support and drainage structure 3000 would support a mat placed
thereon at the apex 3002 of the gravitating portion 3001 and at walls 3004.
Transverse
members 3005 may be utilized as additional support for the mat if the mat is
particularly large. The mat support and drainage structure 3000 is shown with
a
retaining reservoir 3006 but this is may not be required where the mat is used
outdoors.
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[0185] Shapes for a gravitating portion other than that illustrated for
gravitating
portion 3001 are also suitable for water drainage as described above. For
example, an
inverted bowl or a 3-or-more-sided pyramid are just a few other shapes that
could
perform a gravitating function for water drainage as described.
[0186] Figure 29 illustrates placement of a mat onto one of the mat support
and
drainage structures described by, for example, Figures 28A-D. In the example
of Figure
29, a mat 42 is sized for the mat support and drainage structure 43 such that
the only
exposed area of the mat support and drainage structure 43 is a section of
retention
reservoir on ends of the mat 42. The sizing of the mat 42 allows the water to
evaporate
from the exposed retention reservoir rather than staying trapped under the
mat. For
outdoor use, this exposed retention reservoir may not be required and, in such
cases, the
mat 42 could be sized to extend over the entire top exposed surface of the mat
support
and drainage structure. Additionally, for outdoor use, walls of the mat
support and
drainage structure could be removed from sides of the mat support and drainage
structure, allowing water to run onto, for example, outdoor steps or an
outdoor walkway
where the water is not likely to cause any damage. It should be noted,
however, that a
retention reservoir can be used outdoors as well.
[0187] Mat 42 could be embodied in any of a variety of forms that cooperate
with the mat support and drainage structure. Mat 42 could be, for example, any
commercially available floor mat. Alternatively, mat 42 could be any of the
embodiments of a floor mat as described herein, or components of a floor mat
as
described herein. For example, mat 42 could comprise solely a tacky portion,
solely a
non-tackyportion, or could be a combination of a tackyportion and a non-
tackyportion.
Or, mat 42 could be either a single layer or a multi-layer mat comprising a
tacky-when-
dry and tacky-when-wet material as described above. Mat 42 could include a
base
portion. The mat support and drainage structure could be separable from any of
the
embodiments of the mat 42 as described, or could be integrally formed with the
mat 42.
[0188] Figure 30 illustrates still further alternative embodiments according
to
the invention. In Figure 30, a mat arrangement 44 comprises a non-tacky
portion 45 and
a tackyportion 49 cooperating with a mat support and drainage structure 46. In
this mat
arrangement, non-tacky portion 45, which may have water-absorptive and water-
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wicking properties, is positioned over gravitating portion 47 of mat support
and
drainage structure 46. A substantiallyplanar section 48 of the mat support and
drainage
structure 46 adj acent to gravitating portion 47 is configured to receive a
tacky portion
49. The tacky portion 49 could be a single layer or a plurality of layers, and
cover only
a portion of the planar section 48. The plurality of layers could be
separable, disposable
tacky sheets. A recess could be formed in planar section 48, configured to
receive
either a single-layer or multiple-layer tacky portion 49. Alternatively, the
tacky portion
49, either as a single layer or a plurality of layers, could extend over the
entirety of the
planar section 48 and abut non-tacky portion 45.
[0189] A mat for cooperating with a mat support and drainage structure 46 need
not be separate non-tacky and tacky portions as illustrated in Figure 30.
Instead, a mat
for cooperating with a mat support and drainage structure 46 could be a single
integrated piece, with a non-tacky, water absorbing portion configured to be
positioned
over gravitating portion 47, and a tacky portion configured to be positioned
over planar
section 48.
[0190] By positioning the non-tacky, water-absorptive portion over the
gravitating portion as described above, water that drains from the water-
absorptive
portion may be stored in the mat support and drainage structure until it
evaporates or
is otherwise removed. Meanwhile, the tacky portion may stay relatively dry, by
virtue
of the absorptive portion of the mat being placed in front of the tacky
portion, with
respect to a person approaching the mat.
[0191 ] In another embodiment, both the tacky and non-tacky portions could be
positioned over the gravitating portion. Figure 31 illustrates such an
arrangement. In
Figure 31, a mat arrangement 50 includes both a non-tacky water-absorptive
portion 51
and a tacky portion 52 being positioned over a gravitating portion 53 of a mat
support
and drainage structure 54, which may include a water-retaining reservoir.
[0192] Tacky portion 52 could be a single layer or a plurality of layers as
described above. Tacky portion 52 could also have water wicking or absorbing
features
such that it would pass water to the support and drainage structure below. Non-
tacky
portion 51 and tacky portion 52 could be a single integrated piece.
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[0193] The mat support and drainage structures, if they are made from
sufficiently heavy material, could be used with multiple mats as they wear out
and are
replaced over time.
[0194] An alternative embodiment of a mat support and drainage structure is
illustrated in Figure 32A. In this embodiment, a mat support and drainage
structure 55
comprises an A-frame structure formed from two sloping surfaces 57 arranged to
form
an apex 101 at or near a center of the mat support and drainage structure.
Water that
comes into contact with the A-frame structure drains into water retention
reservoirs 58
on ends of the mat support and drainage structure 55 through a gravitating
action as
described above. In this embodiment, the mat support and drainage structure
may also
be formed with additional transverse members 59 to provide additional support
to a mat
placed thereon. Again, if the mat is reasonably small and rigid, crossing
members may
not be necessary.
[0195] For outdoor use, the mat support and drainage structure may not require
a retaining reservoir. Such an example is illustrated in Figure 32B. In this
figure, the
mat support and drainage structure 60 has no retaining reservoirs and the
water is free
to flow out one of more ends 61 of the mat support and drainage structure.
[0196] In a plan view the mat support and drainage structure may be a
quadrilateral with two long sides and two short sides. The short sides may be
referred
to herein as "ends." A distance between the two long sides is a width of the
mat support
and drainage structure, and a distance between the two ends is a length of the
mat
support and drainage structure. In view of the foregoing, it is also possible
to construct
a mat support and drainage structure wherein an A-frame structure as described
in
connection with Figure 32A is oriented so that the sloping surfaces of the A-
frame
structure slope toward the long sides of the mat support and drainage
structure, rather
than toward the ends thereof. Such a mat support and drainage structure is
illustrated
in Figure 32C. In this embodiment, two sloping surfaces 63 are arranged to
form an
apex at or near a center region (with respect to the ends) of the mat support
and drainage
structure. A non-sloping planar perimeter 103 of the A-frame structure extends
between
the A-frame structure and walls of the mat support and drainage structure.
Water
flowing down from the two slanting surfaces 63 would be retained in the non-
sloping
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planar perimeter between the A-frame structure and the walls. Alternatively,
the A-
frame structure could extend across the entire width of the mat support and
drainage
structure. In this embodiment, the only retaining reservoirs would be at the
ends of the
mat support and drainage structure.
[0197] Figure 33 illustrates the placement of the top portion of a mat 66 onto
a mat support and drainage structure 67. The mat may be sized so that, when
placed on
the mat support and drainage structure 67, the only exposed area of the mat
support and
drainage structure is a small section of reservoir on either end. This is to
allow the water
to evaporate rather than staying trapped under the mat.
[019] Another example ofhow to effectivelymanage the retention ofmoisture
in a mat is illustrated in Figure 34. In this embodiment, a mat 68 is
illustrated as
primarily a two-layer system. A top layer of the mat may comprise, for
example, a
tacky-when-dry and tacky-when-wet material as described above. However, the
top
layer is not limited to any particular kind of material. A bottom layer can be
a flexible
or rigid material with a channel formed in an upper surface thereof adjacent
the top
layer, and extending along a width of the mat. An enlarged sectional view 3434
illustrates the placement ofperforations 70 in the mat directly over channels
71 formed
along a width of the mat to provide drainage through sides of the mat when
sufficient
weight is applied to the mat. Although a multi-layer mat is illustrated, it is
also possible
to use a single-layer mat with perforations as the top layer, in combination
with a
bottom layer with channels as shown in Figure 34.
[0199] Figure 35 shows an arrangement 72 illustrating the use of a mat support
and drainage structure with a mat 68 described in connection with Figure 34.
In this
embodiment, the mat support and drainage structure has retaining reservoirs
73, 74 on
either end, respectively. The details of the mat drainage are as described
above, and
shown in an enlarged sectional view 35-35. The mat support and drainage
structure
need not include a gravitating portion, since drainage is provided by the mat
68 itself.
[0200] Yet another embodiment of a mat designed to manage moisture removal
is illustrated in Figure 36. In this embodiment, the mat 77 comprises three
layers.
Enlarged cross-sectional view 36-36 illustrates a function of mat 77. A top
layer 79
could be a thin film layer, for example formed from plastic or the like, or a
stack of thin
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film layers over a carrier substrate, with a tacky, slip-resistant surface as
described
earlier. However, the top layer 79 is not limited to any particular kind of
material. The
top layer of the mat is perforated with holes 80 that allow the moisture to
penetrate the
top layer into a middle layer 81 of the mat. The middle layer 81 comprises
water
absorptive material(s). Such materials could be selected such that the middle
layer can
hold up to twice its weight in water (swelling ratio of 200%) and may be
constructed
from, for example, open cell foam rubber or foam plastics, a very hydrophilic
polymer,
or natural and/or man-made fibers or fabrics. The water absorptive layer 81 is
constructed with small channels 82 that extend across a width of the mat.
Although
these channels are illustrated as cylindrical in shape, any shape that
produces an open
channel is contemplated.
[0201 ] A bottom layer 83 of the mat 77 comprises a rigid material, such as
rubber or plastic, and provides slip resistance between the bottom layer and a
surface
in contact therewith, for example, a surface or surfaces of a mat support and
drainage
structure as described above. When weight is applied to top layer of the mat,
for
example by a person stepping on the mat, excess water and moisture stored in
the
middle, water-absorptive layer 81 are forced out sides of the mat through the
chamlels
82 in the absorptive layer. A channel may be formed such that a point in the
channel at
or near a center of the mat is slightly higher than ends of the channel at
sides of the mat,
thereby introducing an angle into the channel. This would provide, drainage
out of the
mat in the absence of applied weight on the mat and would also assist in the
evacuation
of moisture due to applied weight on the mat surface.
[0202] Figure 37 shows an arrangement 84 illustrating the use of a mat support
and drainage structure with a mat 77 described in connection with Figure 36.
In this
_ embodiment, the mat support and drainage structure has retaining reservoirs
85, 86 on
either end, respectively. The details of the mat drainage are as described
above, and
shown in an enlarged sectional view 37-37. As in the embodiment ofFigure 35,
the mat
support and drainage structure need not include a gravitating portion, since
drainage is
provided by the mat 77 itself.
[0203] An alternative to placing channels in the absorptive layer would be to
use
absorptive fibers and preferentially orient them along a width of the mat such
that the
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water would run principally down the length of the fibers and out the sides of
the mat,
in the presence of applied weight. The use of fibers in the absorptive layer
is illustrated
in Figure 3 8.
[0204] In the case where fibers are used, the mat 88 could also comprise three
layers. An enlarged sectional view 38-38 illustrates a function ofthe mat 88.
A top layer
90 could be a thin film layer, for example formed from plastic or the like, or
a stack of
thin film layers over a carrier substrate, with a tacky, slip-resistant
surface as described
earlier. However, the top layer is not limited to any particular kind of
material. The top
layer of the mat is perforated with holes 91 that allow the moisture to
penetrate the film
into a middle layer 92 of the mat. The middle layer 92 comprises water
absorptive fibers
93. These fibers maybe formed, for example, from plastics, a very hydrophilic
polymer,
or natural and/or man-made materials. The fibers in the water absorptive layer
92 are
oriented along a width of the mat so that spaces between the fibers, and the
fibers
themselves, form channels that extend across a width of the mat.
[0205] A bottom layer 94 of the mat 88 comprises a rigid material, such as
rubber or plastic, and provides slip resistance between the bottom layer and a
surface
in contact therewith. When weight is applied to top layer of the mat, for
example by a
person stepping on the mat, excess water and moisture stored in the middle,
water-
absorptive layer 92 are forced out sides of the mat through channels created
by the
spaces between the fibers 93 and perhaps through the fibers themselves. Some
or all of
the fibers may also be positioned in the mat such that at a point at or near a
center of the
mat, a fiber is slightly higher than at the ends of the channel at sides of
the mat, thereby
introducing an angle into the fiber. This would provide drainage out of the
mat in the
absence of applied weight on the mat and would also additionally assist in the
evacuation of moisture due to applied weight on the mat surface.
[0206] Figure 39 shows an arrangement 95 illustrating the use of a mat support
and drainage structure with a mat 88 described in connection with Figure 38.
In this
embodiment, the mat support and drainage structure has retaining reservoirs
96, 97 on
either end, respectively. The details of the mat drainage are as described
above, and
shown in an enlarged sectional view 39-39. As with the embodiments of Figures
35 and
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37, the mat support and drainage structure need not include a gravitating
portion, since
drainage is provided by the mat 88 itself.
[0207] Figure 40 illustrates yet another possible embodiment of the invention.
In Figure 40, an arrangement 400 comprises a mat support and drainage
structure 401
configured to receive a mat 402 including a base portion 403 which may have
water
dissipating, water-absorbing and water-wicking properties as described above
in
connection with base portion 200. The mat 402 may further include a tacky
insert 404
and anti-slip components 405. The anti-slip components could, for example, be
treads
extending from the base portion of the mat 402 through apertures in the tacky
insert 404
as shown in Figure 18. The tacky insert 404 could be a single layer, or could
comprise
a plurality of separable layers.
[0208] According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the mat support and
drainage structure 401 itself could incorporate anti-slip components that
would extend
through apertures in a tacky insert when the tacky insert was placed on the
mat support
and drainage structure.
[0209] In all of the above disclosed embodiments, due to the possible stagnant
nature of the water in the mat support and drainage structure and potential
remaining
moisture in a mat placed thereon and having water absorptive features, the
addition of
anti-fungal agents, anti-bacterial agents, and/or fragrances could provide
additional
benefits and the incorporation of such agents and or fragrances are included
in the . '
present invention. Such agents and fragrances may be incorporated in the raw
materials
of the mat portions prior to molding or fabricating the mat support and
drainage
structure and/or the mat. Alternatively, the agents and fragrances may be
applied after
fabrication by spraying, dipping, brushing or dusting the agents and
fragrances onto the
mat support and drainage structure and/or the mat.
[0210] 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.
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[0211 ] 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-
s 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.
[0212] The anti-slip component may include a plurality of channels as can be
seen in Figure 5 which are comprised of a non-tacky material where the
plurality of
channels is extendible from the top surface of the tacky surface in response
to a person
stepping on the tacky surface. Alternatively, the floor mat may include an
anti-slip
component that is extendible from the top surface of the tacky surface in the
absence
of a person standing on the tacky surface, such as the treads described
previously. Thus,
the treads may be elongated members that have a length extending across the
top
exposed surface of the tacky surface which is substantially greater than a
height that the
treads extend above the top exposed surface of the tacky surface.
[0213] Additionally, the anti-slip component may be the apertures illustrated
in
Figure 11.
[0214] 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.
[0215] As was also described previously, in an embodiment, the floor mat
includes a base portion having a non-tacky exposed top surface area 250 for
contacting
the soles of a person's shoes thereon and a tacky portion associated with the
non-tacky
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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 Figure
1, the base portion non-tacky exposed top surface area 250 is at least as
large as the
tacky portion tacky exposed top surface area 350.
[0216] 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.
[0217] In various embodiments, the base portion may circumscribe the tacky
portion, as can be seen in Figure 1, or may be located adjacent to the tacky
portion, as
can be seen in Figure 14.
[0218] As can also be seen in at least Figure 1, the floor mat has a base
portion
that has a continuous non-tacky exposed top surface area 250 for contacting
the soles
of a person's shoes thereon and a tacky portion having a tacky exposed top
surface area
350 for contacting the soles of the shoes thereon. As can be seen also in
Figures 15 and
16, the non-tacky exposed top surface area of the base portion and the tacky
exposed
top surface area of the tacky portion are both of a size such that an entire
sole of an
adult-sized shoe is receivable thereon. The continuous non-tacky exposed top
surface
area 250 of the base portion has a first side area 252 disposed on a first
side 352 of the
tacky exposed top surface area of the tacky portion and a second side area 254
disposed
on a second, opposing side 354 of the tacky exposed top surface area of the
tacky
portion. The first side area of the continuous non-tacky exposed top surface
area of the
base portion is larger than the second side area of the continuous non-tacky
exposed top
surface area of the base portion.
[0219] As described above in the background discussion, persons can be
frustrated by the inability to locate an item or items in a store. Store
directories are
known, but are limited by space constraints in the amount of information they
can
convey. Clearly, there exists a need to conveniently and easily direct a
shopper to the
location of a desired item or items.
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[0220] To address the above-described need, according to still further
embodiments the floor mat may be associated with a sound-sensing device
coupled
to a speech recognition device coupled to a display device andlor sound-
generating
device. The sound-sensing device, speech recognition device, display device
and/or
sound-generating device may be configured to generate a display and/or audible
reply in response to a person's utterance containing the name or description
of an
item or items sought in a store.
[0221] More specifically, the sound-sensing device may be configured to
detect uttered speech and convert the speech into electrical signals
transmitted to the
speech recognition device. The speech recognition device may be configured to
process the signals received from the sound-sensing device to perform
operations
corresponding to words included in the speech. The operations may include
generating a display corresponding to the words, and/or generating an audible
response to the words. The speech recognition device may be coupled to a
display
device to form the display, or to a sound-generating device to generate the
audible
response, or to both an electronic display device and to a sound-generating
device.
[0222] In one possible application, the floor mat, sound-sensing device,
speech recognition device, display device and/or sound-generating device may
be
arranged in a place of business; for example, a retail store such as a
supermarket.
The display device may be contained in the floor mat, and the floor mat and
sound
sensing device may be located near the entrance to the store, either inside or
outside
the store. The sound-sensing device may be placed on a level such that words
uttered by a person within reasonable distance are readily detectable; for
example, 4
to 6 six feet from ground or floor level. Any means of support may be used to
hold
the sound-sensing device. For example, the sound-sensing device could be
supported on an independent stand, or be suspended from another structure.
[0223] To use the invention, a person visiting the store would approach the
floor mat and stand near or on the floor mat. The sound-sensing device would
be
clearly indicated. The person would utter, in the general direction of the
sound-
sensing device and from a distance such that the utterance was detectable by
the
sound-sensing device, the name or description of an item or items which the
person
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was seeking. The sound-sensing device would detect the utterance and convert
it
into electrical signals to be transmitted to the speech recognition device.
The speech
recognition device could be located proximately to the sound-sensing device or
at a
distance from the sound-sensing device. The speech recognition device could be
coupled to the sound-sensing device by a wired connection, such as a wire
conductor
or optical fiber, or by a wireless connection, such as ultrasonic, infrared,
or radio
frequency (RF) radiation.
[0224] The signals transmitted to the speech recognition device would be
processed to extract information therefrom and perform at least one operation
corresponding to the information. For example, the speech recognition device
could
process the signals to identify the word or words in the original utterance,
which
would typically be the name or description of an item or items sought in the
store.
When the name or description of the item or items were identified, the speech
recognition device could search a database that correlates the names or
description
of items in the store with their respective locations. If the item or items
identified in
the utterance were found in the database, the speech recognition device could
retrieve information from the database specifying the location of the item or
items in
the store. The speech recognition device could then display the location
information
on the display device, or generate an audible signal specifying the location
information (for example using some form of computerized speech synthesis), or
both.
[0225] The display device could display the location information in the
form of alphanumeric symbols. For example, in response to a person's uttering
the
words "pasta," "dog food" and "potato chips" in the direction of the sound-
sensing
device, the speech recognition device could generate the following display on
the
display device: .
"....PASTA - AISLE 6 ON LEFT ............DOG FOOD - AISLE 2 ON RIGHT
.... ................... POTATO CHIPS - END OF AISLE 9 AT REAR
.............................."
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[0226] Along with the name or description and location of the sought
item or items, the display device could display associated sales and
advertising
information. For example, in addition to the above example display, the
following
display might be generated:
"....ALPO DOG FOOD ON SALE TODAY, 55 CENTS PER CAN ....
LAY'S POTATO CHIPS - 8 OUNCE BAG - $1.49 ........."
This feature could generate additional revenue for the vendor.
[0227] Alternatively to a solely alphanumeric display, the display could be
in the form of a graphical representation of the store's layout, with the
location or
locations of the desired item or items highlighted.
[0228] As yet another alternative, as noted above, the sound-generating
device could reply audibly to the person's utterance, either independently or
in
conjunction with a visible display. The audible reply would specify the
location of
the item or items named or described in the utterance. The audible reply
could, for
example, be computer-generated or retrieved from a pre-recorded audio
database.
[0229] The sound-sensing device, speech recognition device, display
device and sound-generating device could be implemented in any of a number of
known and commercially available products. The sound-sensing device, for
example, could be a microphone of any size. More particularly, the sound-
sensing
device could be a directional microphone; that is, a microphone with a well-
defined
directional response, in order to better separate utterances which are
intentionally
directed toward the microphone from random environmental noise. Examples of
commercially available directional microphones that could be utilized include
cardioid microphones, super cardioid microphones, and shotgun microphones.
Examples of cardioid microphones include the DPA ~ Type 4021, the Earthworks
A30X, and the Shure ~ SM57. Examples of super-cardioid microphones include the
Peavey ~ PVM 480 and the Electrovoice ~ ND767A. Examples of shotgun
microphones include the Beyerdynamic ~ MCE86 S.l, the Sennheizer ~ I~6 ME-
66, and the Shure ~ SM89. Depending upon how noisy the environment in which
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the microphone was used, a microphone with greater directionality might yield
better
results than a microphone with lesser directionality. For example, in a very
noisy
environment, a microphone with high directionality, such as a super-cardioid
or
shotgun microphone could be preferable.
[0230] According to alternative embodiments, the sound-sensing device
could be incorporated into the display device, or attached to or embedded in
the floor
mat. The sound-sensing device could be, for example, a microphone array
embedded in the floor mat. As is well known, an array of microphones, e.g.,
two or
more, preferably four, omni-directional electret microphones can be arranged
to
provide a sound-sensing system that is responsive to sound direction. The use
of an
array of microphones could also address space-saving concerns, since the array
could
be embedded in the mat without adding undue thickness to the mat.
[0231] The speech recognition device could include a computer processor
and memory configured to execute speech recognition software in response to
signals received from the sound-sensing device. The speech recognition
software
when executed would process the signals to extract information therefrom; in
particular, the speech recognition software would identify a word or words
spoken in
the original utterance. With the word or words identified, the computer
processor
and memory could be further be configured to execute software to determine
whether the words name or describe items for sale in the store. If so,
software could
be executed to search for the item or items named or described in the
utterance in a
database correlating items for sale in the store with their respective
locations. The
speech recognition device could then cause information retrieved from the
database
identifying the location or locations of the named or described item or items
to be
displayed on the display device and/or audibly conveyed by the sound-
generating
device. The speech recognition device could, for example, execute speech
synthesis
software, or could access a pre-recorded audio database of speech components
to
generate an audible facsimile of human speech via the sound-generating device.
[0232] The speech recognition device could further, for example, execute
error routines which would detect unclear or ambiguous sounds and display or
audibly generate a corresponding message, requesting that the utterance be
repeated.
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Or, for example, if the named or described item or items were not available,
the
speech recognition device might generate a corresponding message, such as "NOT
AVAILABLE" or "OUT OF STOCK."
[0233] Examples of commercially available speech recognition software
include L&H Dragon Naturally Speaking ~, and IBM ViaVoice ~. Additionally or
alternatively to executing software with a general processor/memory
combination,
functions of the speech recognition device could be implemented in specialized
hardware, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or ASICs
with
required functions programmed into the circuit logic.
[0234] The display device could be implemented in any of a number of
forms. The display device could include, for example, an electronically
modifiable
display surface such as a liquid crystal display as described above. The
display
device could be connected to a computer (for example, a speech recognition
device
comprising a processor and memory and/or ASICs), and computer-generated images
could be displayed on the display as described above. The connection between
the
display device and the speech recognition device could be wired or wireless.
Alternatively, the speech recognition device could be incorporated into the
display
device.
[0235] As further described above, the display device could be associated
with the base portion 200 of the floor mat 100, such as included within recess
210,
or could be included on a bottom surface, facing upward of insert portion 300.
Alternatively, the display device could be integrally formed with either of
the base
portion or the insert portion. Images generated on the display device could be
displayed in a generally fixed position or could scroll across the display.
The display
device could include light-emitting polymers, electronic ink or electronic
paper as
described above. The display device could include light-emitting diodes
(LEDs),
organic LEDs, electroluminescent materials, a plasma display, or any other
visible
display emitting or reflecting light.
[0236] The sound-generating device could be implemented in the form of
a speaker or speakers of any size, and could be coupled to the speech
recognition
device via a wired or wireless connection. The speaker could be, for example,
a
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piezoelectric flat panel speaker incorporated into the display device or into
the floor
mat.
[0237] Figure 40 illustrates the above-described application of the
invention, wherein a person visiting a grocery store utilizes the invention. A
person
4000, located within a distance of sound-sensing device 4001 such that
utterances by
the person 4000 are detectable by the sound-sensing device 4001, vocalizes an
utterance 4004. The utterance 4004, in the illustrated example, is the word
"pasta."
[0238] The sound-sensing device 4001 converts the utterance 4004 into
electrical signals which are transmitted to the speech recognition device 4002
via a
wireless connection 4008 or wired connection 4009. The speech recognition
device
4002 processes the signals to extract the word "pasta" therefrom. Then, via
wired
connection 4013 or wireless connection 4012, the speech recognition device
4002
causes a responsive display 4007, "aisle 6," specifying the location of pasta
in the
store, to be displayed on display device 4006 contained in the floor mat 100.
Additionally or alternatively, via wired connection 4011 or wireless
connection
4010, the speech recognition device 4002 causes audible response 4005, "aisle
6," to
be generated by sound-generating device 4003.
[0239] More particularly, as shown in Figure 41, the speech recognition
device 4002 may comprise a memory 4100 and a processor 4101. The speech
recognition device 4002 could be coupled to a storage device 4103, such as a
disk
storage device. The storage device 4103 could contain speech recognition
software
4105 and an information database 4104 (e.g., a database as described above,
correlating items for sale with their respective locations in a store). The
speech
recognition software 4105 and information database 4104 could be loaded from
the
storage device 4103 into the memory 4100 and accessed to perform the
operations
described above.
[0240] It may easily be appreciated in view of the foregoing that useful
applications of the invention axe not limited to dispensing information about
the
location of items in retail stores. The invention could find useful
application in any
place of business, or, for that matter, in any human-trafficked area where
information is generally needed. For example, the floor mat and associated
devices
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as described above could be provided in any private or public building to
display
advertising information. Alternatively or additionally, the floor mat and
associated
devices could be used as a directory to persons or locations in the building.
As
another example, the floor mat and associated devices could be arranged in a
train,
bus or airplane station and provide schedule information upon request.
[0241] In light of the above, Figure 42 illustrates a process flow according
to embodiments of the invention. As shown in block 4200, a floor mat that
includes
a voice-responsive display device may be provided in a human-trafficked area.
A
person may approach the floor mat and vocalize an utterance requesting
information.
The floor mat with voice-responsive display device may receive the utterance
requesting information, as shown in block 4201.
[0242] As shown in block 4202, the floor mat with voice-responsive
display device may then process the utterance to obtain the requested
information,
along the lines discussed above. The voice-responsive display device may then
display the requested information to the person, as shown in block 4203.
[0243] 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 components of the floor mat, e.g., the base portion, the
tacky
portion, the graphic display, 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.
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