Fluid absorbing apparatus

Abstract

A fluid absorbing apparatus. The fluid absorbing apparatus includes an absorbing layer having a fluid absorbing material and a protective layer having a number of apertures extending through the protective layer and in fluid communication with the absorbing layer.

1 . A fluid absorbing apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 an absorbing layer comprising a fluid absorbing material;    a protective layer having an underside adhered to the absorbing layer and a number of apertures extending through the protective layer and in fluid communication with the absorbing layer, wherein the underside includes an aperture face around each aperture; and    an adhering material applied to the aperture faces for adhering the absorbing layer thereto.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the absorbing layer includes a moisture barrier layer adhered to at least a portion of an underside of the absorbing layer.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of the moisture barrier layer adheres to the protective layer for preventing absorbed fluid from leaking out a side of the absorbing layer.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the underside of the protective layer includes grooves around each aperture to define the aperture faces.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the apertures and grooves are tapered.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the apertures and grooves are sufficiently tapered to compress outwardly in a lateral direction and to uncompress therefrom to draw fluid into an area between the absorbing layer and the grooves.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the apertures and grooves are sufficiently tapered to prevent the aperture face from puncturing through the moisture barrier when a person steps on the protective layer.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the protective layer includes an outer rim portion having a beveled edge overlaying a thickness of the absorbing layer.  
   
   
       9 . A fluid absorbing apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 an absorbing layer comprising a fluid absorbing material;    a protective layer having a number of apertures and an underside adhered to the absorbing layer such that fluid flows through the apertures to the absorbing layer; and    wherein the apertures compress laterally in an outward direction when the protective layer is compressed such that a vacuum is created upon decompression to draw fluid absorbed in an area of the absorbing layer defined by the apertures to an area under the protective layer between the apertures.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the absorbing layer includes a moisture barrier layer adhered to at least a portion of an underside of the absorbing layer.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein at least a portion of the moisture barrier layer adheres to the protective layer for preventing absorbed fluid from leaking out a side of the absorbing layer.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the underside includes an aperture face around each aperture and an adhering material applied to the aperture faces to adhere the absorbing layer thereto.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the underside of the protective layer includes grooves around each aperture to define the aperture faces.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the apertures and grooves are tapered.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the apertures and grooves are sufficiently tapered to prevent the aperture face from puncturing through the moisture barrier when a person steps on the protective layer.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the protective layer includes an outer rim portion having a beveled edge overlaying a thickness of the absorbing layer.  
   
   
       17 . A method of manufacturing a fluid absorbing apparatus, the method comprising: 
 providing an absorbing layer having a fluid absorbing material;    providing a protective layer having a number of apertures extending therethrough;    applying an adhering material to an underside of the protective layer;    adhering the absorbing layer adhered to the absorbing layer such that fluid flows through the apertures to the absorbing layer.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising configuring the protective layer to include aperture faces around each aperture and applying the adhering material to the aperture faces to adhere the absorbing layer thereto.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising adhering a moisture barrier layer to the absorbing layer and at least a portion of the protective layer for preventing absorbed fluid from leaking out a side of the absorbing layer.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising configuring the apertures to compress laterally in an outward direction when the protective layer is compressed such that a vacuum is created upon decompression to cause draw fluid absorbed within in an area of absorbing layer defined by the apertures to an area under the protective layer between the apertures.