Cleaning mat

Abstract

The cleaning mat is designed for placement on the floor and for cleaning the undersides of shoes, feet and other objects. The mat includes a base layer formed of a non-slip polymer material and a non-woven absorbent cleaning layer generally co-extensive with the base layer and attached thereto. The cleaning layer has an upper surface for cleaning and a lower surface joined to the base layer. The cleaning layer has a plurality of openings defined therethrough.

1 . A cleaning mat for placement on a floor and for cleaning the undersides of shoes, feet, and other objects, the cleaning mat comprising: 
 a base layer formed of a non-slip polymer material for minimizing slip between the cleaning mat and floor; and    a non-woven absorbent cleaning layer generally coextensive with the base layer, the cleaning layer having a lower surface joined to the base layer and an upper surface for cleaning, the cleaning layer further having a plurality of opening defined therethrough.    
     
     
         2 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the base layer is substantially continuous and covers the openings in the cleaning layer, such that exposed areas are defined on the base layer that are visible through the openings in the cleaning layer.  
     
     
         3 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one exposed area of the base layer includes a projection extending through one of the respective openings in the cleaning layer to define a non-slip area presented at the upper surface of the cleaning layer during use of the mat.  
     
     
         4 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 2  including an adhesive disposed along at least a portion of the exposed areas of the base layer for retaining debris deposited thereon.  
     
     
         5 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the cleaning layer has a plurality of nubs extending upwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         6 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 5 , wherein the cleaning layer and the nubs are formed of the same non-woven material.  
     
     
         7 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 5 , wherein the nubs are generally hemispherical in shape.  
     
     
         8 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 5 , wherein the nubs are rounded bumps.  
     
     
         9 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the openings are defined through both the cleaning layer and the base layer.  
     
     
         10 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the base layer is textured to enhance grip between the mat and floor.  
     
     
         11 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1 , having at least one folding line defined in at least one of its layers to facilitate folding of the cleaning mat therealong.  
     
     
         12 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1 , including an abrasive coating applied to at least a portion of the upper surface.  
     
     
         13 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 12 , wherein the abrasive coating comprises a plurality of abrasive particles in an acrylic emulsion.  
     
     
         14 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the base layer is formed of a foamed PVC or Thermo-plastic Urethane.  
     
     
         15 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the base layer includes at least one suction cup for securing the cleaning mat to the floor.  
     
     
         16 . A cleaning mat for placement on a floor and for cleaning the undersides of shoes, feet, and other objects, the cleaning mat comprising: 
 a base layer formed of a non-slip polymer material;    an absorbent middle layer attached to the base layer; and    a non-woven cleaning layer attached to the middle layer, the cleaning layer having an upper surface for cleaning and a lower surface joined to the base layer, the cleaning layer further having a plurality of openings defined therethrough.    
     
     
         17 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 16 , wherein the middle layer is substantially continuous and covers the openings in the cleaning layer, such that exposed areas are defined in the middle layer that are visible through the openings in the cleaning layer.  
     
     
         18 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 17  including an adhesive disposed along at least a portion of the exposed areas of the middle layer for retaining debris deposited thereon.  
     
     
         19 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 16 , wherein the upper surface of the cleaning layer has a plurality of nubs extending upwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         20 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 19 , wherein cleaning layer and the nubs are formed of the same non-woven material.  
     
     
         21 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 19 , wherein the nubs are generally hemispherical in shape.  
     
     
         22 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 19 , wherein the nubs are rounded bumps.  
     
     
         23 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 16 , wherein the base layer is textured to enhance grip between the mat and floor.  
     
     
         24 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 16 , having at least one folding line defined in at least one of its layers to facilitate folding of the cleaning mat therealong.  
     
     
         25 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 16 , including an abrasive coating applied to at least a portion of the upper surface.  
     
     
         26 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 25 , wherein the abrasive coating comprises a plurality of abrasive particles in an acrylic emulsion.  
     
     
         27 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 16 , wherein the base layer is formed of a foamed PVC or Thermo-plastic Urethane.  
     
     
         28 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 16 , wherein the base layer is includes at least one suction cup for securing the cleaning mat to the floor.  
     
     
         29 . A cleaning mat comprising: 
 a base layer formed of a non-slip polymer material; and    a non-woven absorbent cleaning layer generally coextensive with the base layer and attached thereto, the cleaning layer having an upper surface for cleaning and a lower surface joined to the base layer, the cleaning layer further having a plurality of openings each allowing the base layer to be visible therethrough, the cleaning layer further having a cutout defined therein for exposing a portion of the base layer to provide enhanced grip between the mat and an object placed upon the mat.    
     
     
         30 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 29 , wherein the base layer is substantially continuous and covers the openings in the cleaning layer, such that exposed areas are defined in the base layer that are visible through the openings in the cleaning layer.  
     
     
         31 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 30  including an adhesive disposed along at least a portion of the exposed areas of the base layer for retaining debris deposited thereon.  
     
     
         32 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 29 , wherein the upper surface of the cleaning layer has a plurality of nubs extending upwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         33 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 32 , wherein cleaning layer and the nubs are formed of the same non-woven material.  
     
     
         34 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 32 , wherein the nubs are generally hemispherical in shape.  
     
     
         35 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 32 , wherein the nubs are rounded bumps.  
     
     
         36 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 29 , wherein the cutout is generally rectangular for use of the mat on a floor of an automotive vehicle, wherein the exposed area provides enhanced traction between the mat and a foot of a passenger in the vehicle.  
     
     
         37 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 29 , wherein the cutout is generally circular for minimizing slip between the mat and a feeding bowl placed thereon.  
     
     
         38 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the layers includes a plurality of rupturable micro-beads filled with fragrance and/or disinfectant for releasing the fragrance and/or disinfectant in response to a predetermined level of contact with the cleaning mat.  
     
     
         39 . The cleaning mat according to  claim 1  including a scouring layer overlying at least a portion of the cleaning layer.