Elastic water-absorbing floor mat

Abstract

To provide an elastic water-absorbing floor mat (10, 30, 40) that is placed at the entrance of a bathroom to absorb moisture from the soles of feet or shoes. [Solution] The floor mat has an elastic layer (12) and a fabric layer (14). The elastic layer (12) is an open-pore foam made of a water-absorbing foam material and is used to attach to a floor, and the foam material further contains a water-absorbent material. The fabric layer (14) is attached to the upper side of the elastic layer (12) and is made of porous fabric, with a plurality of printed areas (24) printed on its surface with ink containing a water-absorbent material. The elastic, water-absorbent floor mat (10, 30, 40) has a fast water absorption rate, a soft feel underfoot, and can quickly absorb and drain water even with a dyed or printed fabric layer.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-absorbent floor mat for use at the entrance of a bathroom, and more particularly to an elastic water-absorbent floor mat. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional water-absorbing floor mats used at the entrance to bathrooms are made of woven fabric that absorbs water using capillary action, but they do not have a slip-proof effect, and people may slip and fall when they step on them. To solve the above problem, people skilled in the art have developed a water-absorbing floor mat made of woven fabric and rubber, in which the upper woven fabric absorbs water and the bottom rubber layer exerts a slip-proof effect, achieving both water absorption and slip-proof effects.

[0003] Although the water-absorbing floor mat having the above-mentioned rubber sole layer has a superior effect to conventional woven fabrics, since the user's contact time with the water-absorbing floor mat is short, the woven fabric does not absorb all the moisture from the soles of the feet or shoes by utilizing the capillary phenomenon in a short period of time, and the water remaining on the soles of the feet or shoes often falls onto the indoor floor.

[0004] In addition, the hard diatomaceous earth absorbent floor mats that have become common in recent years are mainly manufactured by mixing gypsum, diatomaceous earth powder, and water. They utilize the properties of a porous material and can quickly absorb water, and their absorption speed is faster than that of woven fabric. However, they have problems such as being uncomfortable to walk on, prone to cracking, and slippery (they need to be used in combination with an anti-slip mat), so there is room for improvement.

[0005] Therefore, the applicant of the present application has submitted "elastic water-absorbing floor mat" in Patent Documents 1-3: China Utility Model No. ZL201921062530.3, Taiwan Patent No. I693909, Taiwan Utility Model No. M582806, in which the elastic water-absorbing floor mat is composed of an anti-slip layer and an elastic layer which are interconnected porous foams, the surface of the elastic layer is provided with a plurality of coarse destruction areas which are broken holes, and the foam of the elastic layer further contains a water-absorbing material. The elastic water-absorbing floor mat can quickly absorb water from the sole of the foot or the sole of the shoe by using the elastic layer, and is soft and non-slip to step on, thus solving the shortcomings of the conventional water-absorbing floor mat with a rubber sole layer and the hard diatomaceous earth water-absorbing floor mat.

[0006] However, the elastic water-absorbing floor mat is made of a porous foam, and therefore does not look nice. Therefore, in order to increase consumer interest in purchasing the mat, it is necessary to attach a dyed or printed fabric layer to the surface of the elastic layer. However, the printing ink tends to inhibit the absorption of water into the fabric layer (the absorption time for 1 mL of water is extended from 30 seconds to about 60 seconds), and conversely, it reduces the water absorption speed of the elastic water-absorbing floor mat. There has been no technology in the technical field of the present invention that can solve the problem of the reduction in water absorption speed caused by ink. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] China Utility Model No. ZL201921062530.3 [Patent Document 2] Taiwan Patent No. I693909 [Patent Document 3] Taiwan Utility Model No. M582806 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an elastic water-absorbing floor mat that can solve the above problems. The elastic water-absorbing floor mat of the present invention has a high water absorption speed, is soft to the touch, and can quickly absorb and drain water even if the fabric layer is dyed or printed, making it practical. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an elastic, water-absorbent floor mat having an elastic layer and a woven fabric layer, wherein the elastic layer is an open-porous foam made of a foam material with a water-absorbing effect, which is used to be attached to a floor, and the foam material contains a predetermined ratio of water-absorbing material, and the woven fabric layer is attached to the upper side of the elastic layer, and is a porous cloth, and has a plurality of printing areas printed on its surface with ink containing a predetermined ratio of water-absorbing material.

[0010] Preferably, the foam material of the elastic layer contains 5% to 85% water absorbing material.

[0011] Preferably, the bottom side of the elastic layer is further provided with a plurality of anti-slip portions.

[0012] Preferably, each of the anti-slip portions has an uneven structure.

[0013] Preferably, the ink in each said printed area penetrates into the fabric layer.

[0014] Preferably, the ink in each said printed area soaks into the fabric layer and adheres to the elastic layer.

[0015] Preferably, the printed area on the surface of the fabric layer occupies 5% to 100% of the surface area of ​​the fabric layer.

[0016] Preferably, the ink in the printing area contains 5% to 95% water absorbent material.

[0017] Preferably, the absorbent material is mineral powder such as diatomaceous earth, china clay, clay, sand, etc., and / or vegetable powder such as cotton, agar, etc., and / or chemical powder such as silt, slag, superabsorbent resin, nylon, polyacrylate, etc. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The elastic water-absorbing floor mat of the present invention has the effects of having a high water absorption speed, being soft to the touch, and being able to quickly absorb and drain water even if the fabric layer is dyed or printed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section and water movement of one preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section and water movement of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section and water movement of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and specific examples in order to make those skilled in the art better understand the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a resilient, water-absorbent floor mat 10 according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention has an elastic layer 12 and a fabric layer 14 and may be placed at the entrance to a bathroom.

[0022] The elastic layer 12 is an interconnected porous foam made of a foam material with a water absorbing effect, and examples of such foam materials include natural rubber (NR), synthetic rubber (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). In this embodiment, the foam material is synthetic rubber, and the foam material contains 5% to 85% of a water absorbing material (the higher the ratio, the lower the flexibility of the elastic layer 14). The water absorbing material is, for example, mineral powder such as diatomaceous earth, china clay, and sand, and / or plant powder such as cotton and agar, and / or chemical powder such as silt, slag, superabsorbent resin, nylon, and polyacrylate, and an anti-slip portion 22 having an uneven structure is further provided on the bottom side.

[0023] The fabric layer 14 is a porous fabric such as a nonwoven fabric or a spacer fabric, and is attached to the upper side of the elastic layer 12 without adhesive by utilizing the force generated when the elastic layer 12 is foamed and the pressure of the gas generated by the chemical reaction of the foaming agent contained in the raw material, and has a plurality of printed areas 24 printed with ink on its surface. Each of the printed areas 24 occupies 5% to 100% of the surface area of ​​the fabric layer 14. The printing ink contains 5% to 95% of a water-absorbing material. The water-absorbing material is, for example, mineral powder such as diatomaceous earth, china clay, clay, sand, etc., and / or plant powder such as cotton, agar, etc., and / or chemical powder such as silt, slag, highly water-absorbent resin, nylon, polyacrylate, etc.

[0024] Therefore, the elastic water-absorbing floor mat 10 according to the present invention has a soft stepping feeling, and can be stepped on by the user when leaving the bathroom, due to the elastic layer 12 made of a porous foam elastomer and the multiple printed areas 24 provided on the surface of the woven fabric layer 14. In addition, the surface of the woven fabric layer 14 is provided with multiple printed areas 24, and the ink of each printed area 24 contains a water-absorbing material, so that each printed area 24 quickly absorbs water from the sole or sole of the foot, as shown in FIG. 2, and the water is absorbed by the woven fabric layer 14 and flows into the elastic layer 12. The three-dimensional and loose structure of the woven fabric layer 14 can not only absorb and guide water and discharge it to the elastic layer 12, but also help the absorbed water to dry naturally. In addition, the anti-slip property of the anti-slip portion 22 on the bottom side of the elastic layer 12 on the floor makes the elastic water-absorbing floor mat 10 less slippery when stepped on, and can prevent the twisting of the foot or the slipping and falling.

[0025] Conventional porous foam mats (e.g. yoga mats) made of foaming materials have a water absorbing effect, but the water absorbing speed is quite slow. In contrast, the elastic water absorbing floor mat 10 of the present invention has a very fast water absorbing speed, and according to actual measurements, when water is dropped onto the printed areas 24 on the surface of the fabric layer 14, the water absorption time for 1 mL of water is about 1 second or less, that is, the water absorbing speed is 15 to 30 times faster than that of conventional porous foam mats. Therefore, each of the printed areas 24 reliably improves the water absorbing effect of the fabric layer 14.

[0026] In addition, the higher the ratio of the printed areas 24 to the total surface area of ​​the fabric layer 14, the higher the probability that the shoes or feet will come into contact with the printed areas 24 when stepping on the elastic water-absorbing floor mat 10, ensuring that the water on the shoes or soles of the feet can be quickly and completely absorbed. Of course, when the ratio of the printed areas 24 to the total surface area of ​​the fabric layer 14 is low, the printed areas 24 can be provided in the upper middle part of the fabric layer 14 to increase the possibility of being stepped on.

[0027] According to actual measurements, when the ratio of the water absorbent material contained in the ink and elastic layer 12 of each of the printed areas 24 is 5%, the water absorption time can be shortened by about 15% to 20%. When the ratio of the water absorbent material contained in the elastic layer 12 is increased to 25% (the ratio of the water absorbent material contained in each of the printed areas 24 remains unchanged), the water absorption time can be shortened by about 35% to 40%. That is, when the absorption time of 1 mL of water in each of the printed areas 24 is 1 second (containing 5% water absorbent material) and the elastic layer 1 contains 10% water absorbent material, the water absorption time is shortened by 0.15 to 0.2 seconds, that is, the water absorption time becomes 0.8 to 0.85 seconds. Also, when the elastic layer 14 contains 25% water absorbent material (the ratio of the water absorbent material contained in each of the printed areas 24 is still 5%), the water absorption time is shortened by 0.35 to 0.4 seconds, that is, the water absorption time becomes 0.6 to 0.65 seconds. In other words, the water absorption time decreases as the ratio of the water absorbent material in the elastic layer 12 increases. The higher the ratio of the water absorbent material, the less flexible the elastic layer 12 becomes. In order not to lose all of the elasticity of the elastic layer 12, the ratio of the water absorbent material in the elastic layer 12 of the present invention is up to 85%.

[0028] In other words, the higher the ratio of absorbent material contained in the ink and elastic layer 12 of each of the printed areas 24, the faster the elastic absorbent floor mat 10 will absorb water.

[0029] In addition, the anti-slip portion 22 on the bottom side of the elastic layer 12 not only provides anti-slip properties against the floor, but also provides multiple gaps on the bottom side of the elastic layer 12, allowing air to pass through and enhancing the natural drying effect of the bottom side of the elastic water-absorbing floor mat 10.

[0030] 3, the elastic water-absorbing floor mat 30 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention has a structure similar to that of the elastic water-absorbing floor mat 10, but differs in that the ink of each printing area 32 penetrates into the fabric layer 34, that is, a part of the bottom of each printing area 32 extends into the fabric layer 34. These structures can increase the contact area between each printing area 32 and the fabric layer 34, and increase the speed at which the water absorbed in each printing area 32 is guided to the elastic layer 36 through the fabric layer 34. The degree to which the ink of each printing area 32 penetrates into the fabric layer 34 can be adjusted by the amount of ink and the weaving density of the fabric layer 34.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic absorbent floor mat 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention is different from the elastic absorbent floor mat 30 in that the ink of each printed area 42 penetrates into the fabric layer 44 and adheres to the elastic layer 46. Therefore, compared with the elastic absorbent floor mat 30, the elastic absorbent floor mat 40 has a structure in which a part of each printed area 42 is adhered to the elastic layer 46, so that the water absorbed in each printed area 42 flows into the elastic layer 46 through two routes (a route via the fabric layer 44 and a route directly flowing from the printed area 42 into the elastic layer 46), and the water absorption speed is faster than that of the elastic absorbent floor mat 30. By increasing the amount of ink or adjusting the weaving density of the fabric layer 34, the ink of each printed area 42 can penetrate into the fabric layer 34 and adhere to the elastic layer 46.

[0032] As can be seen from the above, the elastic water-absorbing floor mat of the present invention has the elastic layer and a number of printed areas on the surface of the woven fabric layer, and therefore has a fast water-absorbing speed, a soft feel, and a non-slip surface. This solves the problems of the conventional woven fabric floor mats, which have insufficient water-absorbing effect and are slippery, the problems of the hard diatomaceous earth water-absorbing floor mats commonly seen in recent years, which are easily cracked, slippery, and uncomfortable to walk on, and the problems of the ink printed on the surface of the fabric layer hindering water absorption, and is therefore practical.

[0033] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, any modifications or improvements made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 10. Elastic, water-absorbent floor mats 12 Elastic layer 14 woven layers 24 Printing Area 30 Elastic absorbent floor mat 32 Printing Area 34 woven layers 36 Elastic layer 40 Elastic absorbent floor mat 42 Printing Area 44 Textile layer 46 Elastic layer

Claims

1. The elastic layer and the fabric layer are included. The elastic layer is an interconnected porous foam made of a foam material having a water absorbing effect, and is used for attaching to a floor, and the foam contains a water absorbing material. the fabric layer is attached to the upper side of the elastic layer, is a porous cloth, and has a plurality of printing areas printed on a surface of the fabric layer with ink containing a water-absorbing material; The foam material of the elastic layer contains 5% to 85% water-absorbing material; the printed area on the surface of the fabric layer occupies 5% to 100% of the surface area of ​​the fabric layer; the ink in the printing area comprises 5% to 95% water-absorbing material; The ink in each of the printing areas soaks into the fabric layer and reaches the elastic layer, so that water absorbed in the printing areas 42 can flow into the elastic layer through the ink alone. An elastic, water-absorbent floor mat.

2. The bottom side of the elastic layer is further provided with a plurality of anti-slip portions.

2. The resilient, water-absorbent floor mat of claim 1.

3. Each of the anti-slip portions has a concave-convex structure.

3. The elastic, water-absorbent floor mat of claim 2.

4. The water-absorbing material is a mineral powder, and / or a plant powder, and / or a chemical powder; The ore powder is made from at least one of diatomaceous earth, china clay, clay, and sand; The plant powder is made from at least one of cotton and agar, The chemical powder is made of at least one of silt, slag, superabsorbent resin, nylon, and polyacrylate.

2. The resilient, water-absorbent floor mat of claim 1.

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