Anti-microbial floor mat

Abstract

A floor mat system for placement directly near an entryway to permit the disinfecting and cleaning of shoe soles and all other surfaces contacting directly with the fibers of the mat. The floor mat system consists of a frame structure either mechanical or rubberized in construction. The top portion being of a carpet type fiber construction, with a hollow center portion and rubberized non-skid backing against the floor and sides. The hollow center portion of the system may be enclosed and a microbicidal component introduced to the carpet fiber portion in a capillary action.

1 . A floor mat comprising: 
 a base including a bottom wall, upwardly extending sidewalls, and a fluid permeable upper wall that is recessed with respect to the sidewalls, the walls cooperating to define an inner fluid chamber that receives a cleaning liquid, and the recessed upper wall providing an upwardly facing recess in fluid communication with the chamber;    a plurality of carpet fibers coupled to the upper wall and in fluid communication with the chamber; and    an aperture in at least one sidewall and communicating with the chamber to afford dispensing of the cleaning liquid into the chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The floor mat of  claim 1  wherein the upper wall is of a fluid impermeable material and includes a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       3 . The floor mat of  claim 2  wherein each of the plurality of carpet fibers includes two free ends that extend upwardly through a respective aperture in the upper wall and into the recess, and wherein a portion of each carpet fiber is positioned in the chamber for immersion in the cleaning liquid.  
   
   
       4 . The floor mat of  claim 1 , and further comprising a fluid permeable mesh backing positioned in the recess and coupling the plurality of carpet fibers together.  
   
   
       5 . The floor mat of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning fluid defines a fluid level, and wherein the aperture is positioned above the fluid level.  
   
   
       6 . The floor mat of  claim 5  wherein the aperture is positioned above the upper wall.  
   
   
       7 . The floor mat of  claim 1  wherein in response to an applied pressure upon the upper wall, the upper wall deflects and contacts the cleaning fluid.  
   
   
       8 . The floor mat of  claim 1 , and further comprising a transparent portion defined in at least one sidewall for observing an amount of the cleaning liquid that is in the chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The floor mat of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning liquid includes a microbicidal component.  
   
   
       10 . A floor mat comprising: 
 a base including a bottom wall, upwardly extending sidewalls, and a fluid permeable upper wall that is recessed with respect to the sidewalls, the walls cooperating to define an inner fluid chamber that receives a cleaning liquid, and the recessed upper wall providing an upwardly facing recess in fluid communication with the chamber;    a plurality of fibers in fluid communication with the chamber and at least partially disposed in the upwardly facing recess; and    an aperture in at least one sidewall and communicating with the chamber to afford dispensing of the cleaning liquid into the chamber.    
   
   
       11 . The floor mat of  claim 10 , and further comprising a fluid permeable backing disposed in the upwardly facing recess wherein a fixed end of each of the fibers is coupled to the fluid permeable backing.  
   
   
       12 . The floor mat of  claim 10 , and further comprising a plurality of upwardly facing ribs formed in the bottom wall of the base.  
   
   
       13 . The floor mat of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of fibers are coupled to the upper wall of the base and a portion of each fiber is positioned in the inner chamber for immersion in the cleaning liquid.  
   
   
       14 . The floor mat of  claim 10  wherein the upper wall is of a fluid impermeable material and the upper wall includes a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       15 . The floor mat of  claim 14  wherein each of the plurality of fibers includes a free end that extends upwardly through a respective aperture in the upper wall and into the recess, and wherein a portion of each carpet fiber is positioned in the chamber for immersion in the cleaning liquid.  
   
   
       16 . The floor mat of  claim 10  wherein the cleaning fluid defines a fluid level and the aperture is positioned above the fluid level.  
   
   
       17 . The floor mat of  claim 16  wherein the aperture is positioned above the upper wall.  
   
   
       18 . The floor mat of  claim 10  wherein in response to an applied pressure upon the upper wall, the upper wall deflects and contacts the cleaning fluid.  
   
   
       19 . The floor mat of  claim 10  wherein the cleaning liquid includes a microbicidal component.  
   
   
       20 . A method for cleaning soles comprising: 
 providing a floor mat including a bottom wall and upwardly extending sidewalls that cooperate to define a chamber;    covering the chamber with a fluid permeable upper layer including a carpet fiber portion;    providing a sealed cartridge containing a cleaning liquid;    inserting the sealed cartridge into the chamber;    applying pressure to the upper layer by pressing upon the carpet fiber portion;    rupturing the cartridge in response to the applying of pressure, thereby discharging the cleaning liquid; and    absorbing the cleaning liquid into the carpet fiber portion.