Floor mat support and drainage structure

Abstract

An advanced floor mat is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the floor mat 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. The tacky surface may be comprised of a material that has an inherent anti-slip capability when wet. Additionally, a sensor system may be included in the floor mat to assist a user in identifying when the floor mat may require cleaning. A support and drainage structure for the floor mat is also described. The support and drainage structure includes sloping surfaces for directing water coming in contact therewith downward.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A floor mat support and drainage structure, comprising: 
 a plurality of sloping surfaces for directing water coming in contact therewith downward; and    support members arranged between said sloping surfaces for supporting a mat placed thereon.    
     
     
         2 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 1 , further comprising walls arranged on sides of said plurality of sloping surfaces.  
     
     
         3 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one water retention reservoir arranged on an edge of at least one of said sloping surfaces.  
     
     
         4 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support members are radially arranged.  
     
     
         5 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 2 , wherein said walls are beveled.  
     
     
         6 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 1 , wherein upper surfaces of said support members are substantially co-planar.  
     
     
         7 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 1 , wherein upper surfaces of said support members are co-planar with respective ones of said sloping surfaces.  
     
     
         8 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 1 , wherein adjoining ones of said sloping surfaces form an apex.  
     
     
         9 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a substantially planar section.  
     
     
         10 . A floor mat support and drainage structure, comprising two adjoining sloping surfaces forming an apex, for directing water coming in contact therewith downward.  
     
     
         11 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 10 , wherein said adjoining sloping surfaces are formed in a single piece of material.  
     
     
         12 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 11 , wherein said single piece of material has varying thickness, with a maximum thickness at or near a center thereof, and decreasing thickness toward edges thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 10 , further comprising transverse members for supporting a mat placed thereon.  
     
     
         14 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 10 , further comprising walls arranged on sides of said two adjoining sloping surfaces.  
     
     
         15 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one water retention reservoir arranged on an edge of at least one of said sloping surfaces.  
     
     
         16 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 10 , further comprising a substantially planar section for receiving a tacky mat.  
     
     
         17 . A floor mat comprising: 
 a first layer with perforations; and    a second layer adjacent said first layer, with channels extending across a width thereof.    
     
     
         18 . The floor mat of  claim 17 , wherein said channels are formed by grooves in a surface of said second layer adjacent said perforations.  
     
     
         19 . The floor mat of  claim 17 , wherein said second layer comprises a water-absorptive material.  
     
     
         20 . The floor mat of  claim 19 , wherein said channels are formed in said water-absorptive material.  
     
     
         21 . The floor mat of  claim 17 , wherein a channel is formed such that a point in said channel at or near a center of said mat is higher than ends of said channel.  
     
     
         22 . The floor mat of  claim 17 , further comprising a slip-resistant layer for contacting a surface that receives said floor mat.  
     
     
         23 . The floor mat of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one of an anti-fungal agent, an anti-bacterial agent, and a fragrance.  
     
     
         24 . A floor mat comprising: 
 a first layer with perforations; and    a second layer adjacent said first layer, wherein said second layer comprises water-absorptive fibers.    
     
     
         25 . The floor mat of  claim 24 , wherein spaces between said fibers form channels extending across a width of said mat.  
     
     
         26 . The floor mat of  claim 24 , wherein a fiber is formed such that a point in said fiber at or near a center of said mat is higher than ends of said fiber.  
     
     
         27 . The floor mat of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one of an anti-fungal agent, an anti-bacterial agent, and a fragrance.  
     
     
         28 . A floor mat support and drainage structure, comprising: 
 a plurality of sloping surfaces for directing water coming in contact therewith downward;    radial support members arranged between said sloping surfaces for supporting a mat placed thereon;    walls arranged on sides of said plurality of sloping surfaces; and    at least one water retention reservoir arranged on an edge of at least one of said sloping surfaces.    
     
     
         29 . A floor mat support and drainage structure, comprising: 
 two adjoining sloping surfaces forming an apex, for directing water coming in contact therewith downward;    walls arranged on sides of said two adjoining sloping surfaces;    transverse members extending between said walls for supporting a mat placed thereon; and    at least one water retention reservoir arranged on an edge of at least one of said sloping surfaces.    
     
     
         30 . The floor mat support and drainage structure of  claim 29 , wherein said adjoining sloping surfaces are formed in a single piece of material.  
     
     
         31 . A floor mat comprising a non-tacky portion and a tacky portion configured to overlie a mat support and drainage structure, wherein said mat support and drainage structure includes a first portion comprising a plurality of sloping surfaces for directing water coming in contact therewith downward, and a substantially planar portion; and wherein said non-tacky portion is configured to extend substantially over said first portion, and said tacky portion is configured to extend substantially over said planar portion.  
     
     
         32 . A floor mat comprising a non-tacky portion and a tacky portion configured to overlie a mat support and drainage structure comprising a plurality of sloping surfaces for directing water coming in contact therewith downward, wherein both said non-tacky portion and said tacky portion include water-absorbing and water-wicking properties.  
     
     
         33 . A floor mat assembly comprising: 
 a mat support and drainage structure comprising a plurality of sloping surfaces for directing water coming in contact therewith downward, and    support members arranged between said sloping surfaces for supporting a mat placed thereon; and    a mat comprising a base portion having anti-slip components, and a tacky portion having apertures configured to receive said anti-slip components.    
     
     
         34 . A floor mat assembly comprising: 
 a mat support and drainage structure comprising a plurality of sloping surfaces for directing water coming in contact therewith downward, and    support members arranged between said sloping surfaces for supporting a mat placed thereon, and further comprising anti-slip components; and    a tacky portion having apertures configured to receive said anti-slip components.    
     
     
         35 . A floor mat assembly comprising: 
 a water-absorbing member cooperating with a water drainage member;    anti-slip components; and    a tacky portion having apertures configured to receive said anti-slip components.