Exercise mat

Abstract

An exercise mat comprising: a bottom layer; and a top layer comprising an absorbent material and a traction enhancing material printed on the top layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise mat comprising:
 a bottom layer; and   a top layer comprising an absorbent material and a traction enhancing, material printed on the top layer.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom layer comprises: a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyurethane, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a rubber blend, or an EVA foam, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom layer is configured to provide traction when placed in contact with a surface. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material comprises: an absorbent fiber, a micro fiber, a super micro fiber, a nano fiber fabric made of 50-100% polyester and/or 50-100% nylon, or a blend of regenerated cellulose or polyester fibers, or any combination thereof 
     
     
         5 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material comprises a warp knitted material. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the traction enhancing material comprises a PVC and phthalate free acrylic material, or a PVC and phthalate free silicone material, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the traction enhancing material is disposed on an outer surface of the absorbent material in a pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the traction enhancing material is printed on an outer surface of the absorbent material. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the top layer and an inner surface of the bottom layer are laminated to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the top layer and/or the bottom layer comprises an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 . wherein the exercise mat is constructed and arranged to be machine washed and/or tumble dried. 
     
     
         12 . An exercise mat comprising:
 a bottom layer configured to provide traction when placed in contact with a surface; and   a top layer comprising a warp knitted absorbent material and a traction enhancing material printed on an outer surface of the absorbent material;   wherein an inner surface of the top layer and an inner surface of the bottom layer are laminated to one another.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise mat of  claim 12 , wherein the bottom layer comprises: a thermoplastic elastomer. a polyvinyl chloride, a polyurethane, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a rubber blend, or an EVA foam, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise mat of  claim 12 , wherein the absorbent material comprises: an absorbent fiber, a micro fiber, a super micro fiber, a nano fiber fabric made of 50-100% polyester and/or 50-100% nylon, or a blend of regenerated cellulose or polyester fibers, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise mat of  claim 12 , wherein the traction enhancing material comprises: a PVC and phthalate free acrylic material, or a PVC and phthalate free silicone material, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise mat of  claim 12 , wherein the traction enhancing material is disposed on an outer surface of the absorbent material in a pattern. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise mat of  claim 12 , wherein the traction enhancing material is printed on an outer surface of the absorbent material. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise mat of  claim 12 , wherein an inner surface of the top layer and an inner surface of the bottom layer are laminated to one another. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise mat of  claim 12 , wherein the top layer and/or the bottom layer comprises an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise mat of  claim 12 , wherein the exercise mat is constructed and arranged to be machine washed and/or tumble dried. 
     
     
         21 . An exercise mat comprising:
 a bottom layer configured to provide traction when placed in contact with a surface, the bottom layer comprising a foamed natural rubber-based compound with an antimicrobial agent comprising 3-trimethoxy silyl propyl dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride; and   a top layer comprising a warp knitted absorbent material comprising 80% super micro polyester and 20% nylon, the top layer treated with an antimicrobial agent comprising ionic silver; and   a traction enhancing acrylic material printed on an outer surface of the top layer.   
     
     
         22 . The exercise mat of  claim 21 , wherein the traction enhancing material comprises: a PVC and phthalate free acrylic material, or a PVC and phthalate free silicone material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The exercise mat of  claim 21 , wherein the traction enhancing material is disposed on an outer surface of the absorbent material in a pattern. 
     
     
         24 . The exercise mat of  claim 21 , wherein the traction enhancing material is printed on an outer surface of the absorbent material. 
     
     
         25 . The exercise mat of  claim 21 , wherein the top layer and/or the bottom layer comprises an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         26 . The exercise mat of  claim 21 , wherein the exercise mat is constructed and arranged to be machine washed and/or tumble dried. 
     
     
         27 . The exercise mat of  claim 21 , wherein an inner surface of the top layer and an inner surface of the bottom layer are laminated to one another. 
     
     
         28 . A method of manufacturing an exercise mat, comprising:
 pouring, a bottom layer onto a conveyor belt, the bottom layer comprising a foamed natural rubber-based compound with an antimicrobial agent comprising 3-trimethoxy silyl propyl dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride;   pouring a top layer onto the bottom layer, the top layer comprising a warp knitted absorbent material comprising 80% super micro polyester and 20% nylon;   heating the bottom layer and top layer in an oven, wherein the inner surface of the bottom layer and the inner surface of the top layer are laminated to each other in a mat; cooling the mat;   wounding the mat on a roller   cutting the mat into a rectangular shape;   printing a traction enhancing acrylic material on an outer surface of the top layer of the mat; and   heating the mat in an oven such that the traction enhancing acrylic material is laminated to the outer surface of the top layer of the mat.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the bottom layer and top layer are laminated together by being heated in the over for approximately 5-7 minutes at approximately 120-150 degrees C. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the traction enhancing acrylic material is laminated to the outer surface of the top layer of the mat by being heated in the over for approximately 45-120 seconds at approximately 170-200 degrees C.