Antimicrobial Article

Abstract

An antimicrobial article in the form of a portable hygiene mat. The mat includes a lightweight, flexible incorporated with an antimicrobial agent. The mat is readily configurable to a compact size. A fastener secures the mat in the compact configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An antimicrobial article, the article comprising:
 a lightweight, flexible body, the body having a planar configuration; and   an antimicrobial agent incorporated into the body.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the body is constructed of a polymerized organic compound. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 3 , wherein the body is constructed in the form of a unitary molded mat. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 3 , wherein the body comprises an anterior region, a posterior region, and a central region. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 5 , wherein the body further comprises:
 a front section;   a rear section;   a front surface;   a rear surface; and   a continuous peripheral edge integrally joining the front surface and the rear surface, the continuous peripheral edge is oriented perpendicular to the front surface and the rear surface.   
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the body further comprises a first enlarged bulbous curvature at the front section of the anterior region, and a second enlarged bulbous curvature at the front section of the posterior region, the first enlarged bulbous curvature integrally joined to the second enlarged bulbous curvature via an elongated tapering conical section, the conical section tapering in a direction from the front section towards the rear section, and wherein the body tapers inward from a greater transverse width at the front section to a smaller transverse width at the central region forming a first concave portion and a second concave portion, and terminating to a greater transverse width defining a first arcuate section in the rear section and a second arcuate section in the rear section, wherein the first arcuate section terminating in an elongated concave section, the elongated concave section defines a nadir, the elongated concave section extends from the nadir into the second arcuate section, the second arcuate section terminating at the second concave portion, and wherein the second concave portion extending integrally into the second enlarged bulbous curvature. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein the body is foldable to a compact configuration and detachably secured in the compact configuration via the fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the front surface is disposed with at least one of indicia and an ornamental pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent imparts the mat with at least one of microbicidal, microbistatic, biostatic, and biocidal characteristics. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the fastener comprises an elongated strap having a hook-and-loop fastener system, the elongated strap is constructed of a lightweight, flexible material, the strap includes a first free end and a second free end. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein the first free end of the strap is attached to the body. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 3 , wherein the polymerized organic compound is neoprene. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the front surface provides a body contact surface, the body contact surface accommodating peripheral tissue spreading contours imparted by a user when engaged thereagainst. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the body is constructed of at least one of a textile material, a combination of textile materials, and a polymer foam. 
     
     
         16 . An antimicrobial device, the device comprising:
 a lightweight, flexible body, the body having a planar configuration and foldable to a compact configuration;   an antimicrobial agent incorporated into the body; and   a portable, lightweight bag, the bag storing the compactly configured body.   
     
     
         17 . The antimicrobial device of  claim 16 , further comprising a fastener, the fastener detachably securing the body in the compact configuration.