Mat hygiene apparatus

Abstract

A mat hygiene apparatus comprising a substantially rectangular body that comprises a plurality of ridges that extend across a first dimension of the body, the plurality of ridges being arranged along a second dimension of the body such that adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges form a channel that extends across the first dimension to form a plurality of channels, the channel comprising at least one flexural portion that extends across the first dimension of the body, such that the body is configured to flex at the flexural portion in a manner that allows the body to be rolled from a planar body configuration to a spiral body configuration is disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mat hygiene apparatus comprising:
 a substantially rectangular body that comprises:   a plurality of ridges that extend across a first dimension of the body, the plurality of ridges being arranged along a second dimension of the body such that adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges form a channel that extends across the first dimension to form a plurality of channels, the channel comprising at least one flexural portion that extends across the first dimension of the body, such that the body is configured to flex at the flexural portion in a manner that allows the body to be rolled from a planar body configuration to a spiral body configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one channel of the plurality of channels has a channel thickness across a third dimension of the body that is less than a ridge thickness across the third dimension of ridges of the plurality of ridges that are adjacent to the channel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the channel thickness is less than ten percent of the ridge thickness. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one channel of the plurality of channels comprises a coupling between adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges such that the coupling corresponds with the flexural portion of the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the channel comprises a channel member that is coupled at opposite ends to each adjacent ridge, such that at least one opposite end corresponds with a flexural portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of channel members that span dissimilar distances across the second dimension such that the plurality of channel members are arranged such that, in the spiral body configuration, channel members that are proximate to a center of the spiral body configuration have a greater distance than channel members that are less proximate to the center of the spiral body configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the channel member is substantially non-rigid. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one ridge of the plurality of ridges comprises a pocket configured to house at least one insert. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the body comprises at least one fastener that is configured to retain the insert within the pocket. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one insert configured to fit within the pocket. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the insert comprises a rigid member that is sized to fit within the pocket and substantially span the first dimension of the mat hygiene apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the insert comprises at least one pouch. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the pouch contains an air permeable substance. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the pouch contains an odor absorbing substance. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the pouch contains a moisture absorbent substance. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the moisture absorbent substance comprises a hydroscopic substance. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the pouch contains a scented substance. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the scented substance comprises at least one of a scented gel, potpourri, a scented oil, or a scented powder. 
     
     
         20 . A method for preserving hygienic quality of a mat comprising:
 placing a mat is placed on a surface so that the mat is in a planar configuration   placing a mat hygiene apparatus on the mat so that the mat hygiene apparatus is in a planar configuration and the length of the mat hygiene apparatus is substantially aligned with the mat   rolling the mat around the width axis of the mat and along the length of the mat such that the mat hygiene apparatus is rolled within the mat such that the mat and the mat hygiene apparatus are rolled into a spiral configuration.