Bathroom floor mat

Abstract

Sanitary floor mat, wherein the mat (1) has at least one base film (4) and at least two layers of nonwoven fabric (5) applied over the entire surface to the base film (4) for absorbing liquid, wherein the base film (4) is folded over at at least one edge and wherein the nonwoven layers (5) are arranged between the base film (4) and the folded-over edge of the base film (4) and wherein the floor mat (1) is designed as a disposable floor mat.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sanitary floor mat, in particular a floor mat for showers and the like. Such a sanitary floor mat is also referred to as a mat, for example as a shower mat, bath mat, or toilet mat. It is a floor mat that is placed in front of the sanitary fixture in question, in particular in front of a shower tray or shower cubicle, and which can absorb any liquid that comes into contact with the sanitary fixture or shower cubicle. This is particularly water or shower water that adheres to or drips from a person who has used the sanitary fixture—in particular the shower—and is standing on the floor mat. The sanitary floor mat according to the invention is hereinafter also referred to simply as a mat or floor mat. Within the scope of the invention, "sanitary room" refers in particular to a shower room, a bathroom, or a toilet room.

[0002] Sanitary floor mats of the type mentioned above are known in practice and from the prior art in various embodiments. DE 78 29 383 U1 describes a disposable bath mat. DE 1 939 763 U discloses a mat that can be used as a bath mat. DE 1 823 454 U relates to a bath mat. DE 20 2010 017 758 U1 describes a padded absorbent mat. A disposable bath mat made of non-woven material is described at http: / / www.caractere-paris.com / drapsjetables-drap-jetable-protege-matelas-literie / contents / de / d34_tapis-bain-jetable.html, archived at http: / / www.archive.org on November 17, 2008 [accessed on December 15, 2016]. DE 20 2005 001 393 U1 relates to a multi-layered doormat. DE 20 2006 014 310 U1 discloses a floor covering. DE 689 23 747 T2 describes a doormat frame.Floor mats used as bath mats are known in practice. These are made of textile material and are relatively bulky and thick. They are typically manufactured using weaving, knotting, or similar methods. Their production is relatively complex, and they are also relatively difficult to handle and, in particular, to clean. After a relatively short period of use, these mats usually show signs of soiling, thus limiting their lifespan. It should also be noted that these known floor mats are relatively expensive. On the other hand, single-layer mats made of rubber or similar materials are known for use as inserts for shower trays or bathtubs, or as bath mats in front of showers, etc.However, these floor mats usually have no or very little absorbency, so that to a greater or lesser extent, water splashes or puddles remain on the floor in front of the sanitary facilities or in front of the shower.

[0003] Water splashes and puddles in or around sanitary facilities pose a particular problem when someone wants to get dressed in or around the facility after using it. This often results in clothing—especially footwear and legwear—becoming undesirably damp or wet. This problem is especially prevalent in sanitary facilities and showers at campsites or with portable sanitary facilities at mass events. The thick, textile floor mats described above are generally not available in these situations. The rubber or similar floor mats described second above do not solve the problem. Therefore, there is a need for improvement in this area.

[0004] The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a sanitary floor mat of the type mentioned above, in which the disadvantages and problems described above can be avoided and which is particularly easy to manufacture and is characterized by optimal absorbency for liquids or water.

[0005] To solve this technical problem, the invention teaches a sanitary floor mat according to claim 1. Liquid or liquid splashes means in particular water or water splashes.

[0006] As explained above, the terms "floor mat" or "mat" are used here and in the following text instead of "sanitary room floor mat." The sanitary room is preferably a shower room or a bathroom. The floor mat according to the invention is particularly preferably used in front of showers or shower trays and placed on the floor in front of the shower or shower tray. The floor mat according to the invention has proven especially useful in front of showers at campsites, in front of portable showers, or in front of rented showers at airports, train stations, rest stops, and similar locations. Floor mats are not usually available in these places.

[0007] The invention is based on the understanding that a floor mat according to the invention is very easy to handle and transport, and can be laid on the floor in front of a sanitary facility or shower without any problems or constraints. Furthermore, the floor mat according to the invention is characterized by excellent absorbency, so that any water residue carried by a person stepping onto the mat is quickly and easily absorbed by the mat. This applies in particular to water adhering to the person's feet. It should also be emphasized that the floor mat according to the invention, in its intended use, is particularly suitable for covering soiled floors in sanitary facilities, thus effectively protecting the person using the mat from dirt, pathogens, and the like.The floor mat according to the invention can be easily removed after use and, above all, stored and disposed of in a space-saving manner. Due to its space-saving design, the floor mat according to the invention is also ideally suited for sale in vending machines, for example at campsites, rest stops, or similar locations.

[0008] According to the invention, the floor mat is designed as a disposable floor mat. This means, in particular, that the floor mat according to the invention can be removed or disposed of after a single use. In principle, the floor mat according to the invention could, of course, also be used two or three times. In any case, due to its design according to the invention, the floor mat according to the invention can be easily and compactly folded or crumpled up and then disposed of. Even after use, the floor mat according to the invention, with absorbed liquid or water, is still relatively lightweight, so that no constraints or problems arise in this respect either.

[0009] According to the invention, the floor mat is equipped with a base film or a base film on the underside. "On the underside" here means that the floor mat according to the invention, with its base film, is laid on the floor or substrate so that the at least one nonwoven layer is oriented / arranged facing upwards on the side of the floor mat facing away from the substrate. It is within the scope of the invention that the base film consists of a plastic or consists essentially of a plastic. In a particularly recommended embodiment of the invention, the base film consists of a polyolefin, for example, polyethylene and / or a polyester. Advantageously, the base film is designed to be waterproof or substantially waterproof.

[0010] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the thickness of the base film is less than 1 mm, in particular less than 500 µm, preferably less than 400 µm, more preferably less than 300 µm, and very preferably less than 200 µm. Thickness of the base film refers to the extent of the base film transversely or perpendicularly to the surface of the base film or the floor mat.

[0011] It is within the scope of the invention that the at least one nonwoven layer of the floor mat according to the invention consists of fibers or essentially consists of fibers. According to one embodiment of the invention, the fibers of the nonwoven layer are staple fibers. According to another embodiment, the nonwoven layer comprises continuous fibers and can then be designed as a meltblown nonwoven or as a spunbond nonwoven. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one nonwoven layer, preferably all nonwoven layers, consists of or essentially consists of cellulose fibers. These are, in particular, staple fibers. It is within the scope of the invention that the at least one nonwoven layer, preferably all nonwoven layers, is / are designed as a paper layer or as an absorbent paper layer.- According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one nonwoven layer consists of plastic fibers / plastic filaments or essentially of plastic fibers / plastic filaments. The plastic fibers or plastic filaments preferably consist of at least one polyolefin or essentially of one polyolefin, in particular polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

[0012] According to the invention, at least two, preferably at least three, and preferably at least four nonwoven layers are applied to the base film. In another embodiment, at least five or at least six nonwoven layers can also be applied to the base film. The nonwoven layers, or all of them, advantageously consist of cellulose fibers or cellulose fibers, or essentially of cellulose fibers or cellulose fibers.

[0013] It is within the scope of the invention that the thickness of a nonwoven layer of the floor mat according to the invention is less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, and more preferably less than 1 mm. According to a highly preferred embodiment, the thickness of a nonwoven layer of the floor mat according to the invention is less than 500 µm, preferably less than 400 µm, and most preferably less than 250 µm. The thickness measurement of a nonwoven layer is preferably carried out according to DIN EN ISO 9073-2 (February 1997).

[0014] In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the entire floor mat according to the invention is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 4 mm, more preferably less than 3 mm, and more preferably less than 2.5 mm. According to a recommended embodiment, a floor mat according to the invention consists only of the at least one base film and the at least one nonwoven layer. Preferably, a floor mat according to the invention consists of only one base film—in particular, a base film made of plastic—and at least two nonwoven layers, and more preferably at least three nonwoven layers. In this embodiment, no further layers are provided in the floor mat according to the invention besides the base film and the nonwoven layers.

[0015] According to a recommended embodiment of the invention, the floor mat according to the invention is rectangular or square in plan view. However, the floor mat according to the invention can also have other geometric shapes in plan view and, for example, be oval.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the floor mat according to the invention has an area of ​​1800 to 5500 cm². 2 preferably from 2000 to 5000 cm 2 and very preferably from 2000 to 4000 cm 2 The floor mat is rectangular in design and is characterized by the area axb, where a is between 30 and 70 cm, preferably between 35 and 60 cm, preferably between 35 and 50 cm, and where b is between 35 and 100 cm, preferably between 40 and 90 cm, very preferably between 45 and 80 cm, and particularly preferably between 50 and 70 cm.

[0017] According to a particularly recommended embodiment of the invention, the base film is connected to the at least one nonwoven layer—preferably to the further nonwoven layers—only at its edge or in the edge region. This means that the base film is not connected to the immediately adjacent nonwoven mat over the majority of the floor mat's surface, but preferably only at the edge region. According to the invention, the base film is folded over at at least one edge, preferably at two opposite edges, and the nonwoven layers are arranged or clamped between the base film and the folded-over edge of the base film.

[0018] The invention is based on the understanding that a sanitary floor mat according to the invention is ideally suited for mobile use and can be easily transported to the respective location in a space-saving manner. The location of use could be, for example, campsites, bathing facilities, rest stops, or the like. Furthermore, the floor mat according to the invention can be easily and simply placed on the floor or surface at the desired location and, due to its base film, is also sufficiently slip-resistant. When placed in front of sanitary facilities—especially in front of a shower—the floor mat according to the invention can effectively absorb and trap water splashes and residual water adhering to people, and is characterized by a high absorption capacity in this respect. Therefore, a relatively small area of ​​the floor mat is generally sufficient for the purposes of the invention.The floor mat according to the invention is particularly useful for covering soiled floor surfaces in sanitary facilities. This effectively protects the user from dirt, pathogens, and the like on the floor. After use, the floor mat can be easily picked up, folded, or collapsed for space-saving disposal. The floor mat according to the invention, as well as used floor mats according to the invention, are characterized by their relatively low weight. The floor mat according to the invention can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively and can therefore be used as a disposable item or disposable floor mat.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment. The drawing shows, in schematic representation: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a floor mat according to the invention in front of a sanitary facility or in front of a shower tray and Fig. 2 a section through a floor mat according to the invention.

[0020] The figures show a sanitary floor mat 1 according to the invention, which is particularly suitable as a floor mat for showers and the like. Fig. Figure 1 shows that a floor mat 1 according to the invention is laid on the floor 2 in front of a shower tray 3. The floor mat 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable for mobile use in showers at campsites and the like.

[0021] The floor mat 1 preferably has, and in the exemplary embodiment, a base film 4 on the underside, which is preferably made of plastic and is waterproof. The base film 4 thus rests on the floor 2 and also ensures a certain degree of slip resistance of the floor mat 1 according to the invention. The thickness of the base film 4 may preferably be less than 200 µm.

[0022] As recommended and in the exemplary embodiment, the floor mat according to the invention comprises several nonwoven layers 5 made of cellulose fibers. In the exemplary embodiment, a total of six nonwoven layers 5 made of cellulose fibers are used. In principle, however, fewer nonwoven layers 5, for example only two nonwoven layers 5, could also be used. The nonwoven layers 5 are applied over the entire surface of the base film 4. Advantageously, and in the exemplary embodiment, the base film is connected to the nonwoven layer 5 arranged directly above it only in the edge region 6. This means that, in a preferred embodiment, the base film 4 is not connected to the nonwoven layer 5 arranged directly above it over most of the surface, but only in the edge region 6. Preferably, the further nonwoven layers 5 are also connected to the base film 4 and / or to each other only in the edge region 6 of the floor mat 1.According to a recommended embodiment and in the exemplary embodiment, the base film 4 is formed by being folded around a base film section 7 at at least two opposite edges, and the nonwoven layers 5 are incorporated in the edge area 6 between the base film 4 and the base film section 7.

[0023] Preferably, and in the exemplary embodiment, an additional nonwoven layer 8 is arranged above the nonwoven layers 5. According to a recommended embodiment, this additional nonwoven layer 8 consists of plastic fibers or plastic filaments, and is particularly preferably designed as a meltblown nonwoven layer made of meltblown fibers. It is possible that the additional nonwoven layer 8 is bonded to the underlying nonwoven layer 5, and according to one embodiment, also bonded over its entire surface.

[0024] The thickness of a nonwoven layer 5 and / or an additional nonwoven layer 8 may preferably be less than 500 µm, and preferably less than 250 µm, as demonstrated in the exemplary embodiment. The thickness of the entire floor mat 1 is expediently less than 4 mm, preferably less than 3 mm. In the exemplary embodiment, the floor mat 1 according to the invention is rectangular in plan view. It may have dimensions axb of 40 x 60 cm. The area of ​​this floor mat 1 is accordingly 2400 cm². 2 .

Claims

[1] Sanitary floor mat, wherein the mat (1) has at least one base film (4) and at least two layers of nonwoven fabric (5) applied over the surface of the base film (4) for absorbing liquid, wherein the base film (4) is folded over at at least one edge and wherein the nonwoven layers (5) are arranged between the base film (4) and the folded-over edge of the base film (4) and wherein the floor mat (1) is designed as a disposable floor mat. [2] Floor mat according to claim 1, wherein the base film (4) is made of a plastic. [3] Floor mat according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the base film (4) is designed to be waterproof. [4] Floor mat according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thickness of the base film (4) is less than 500 µm. [5] Floor mat according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one nonwoven layer (5) consists of cellulose fibers. [6] Floor mat according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one nonwoven layer (5) consists of plastic fibers. [7] Floor mat according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the nonwoven layers (5) are designed to be absorbent for water. [8] Floor mat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thickness of a nonwoven layer (5) is less than 2 mm. [9] Floor mat according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the thickness of the entire floor mat (1) is less than 5 mm. [10] Floor mat according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the floor mat (1) is rectangular in plan view. [11] Floor mat according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the floor mat (1) has an area of ​​1800 to 5000 cm² 2 exhibits.

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