Mat structure
The mat structure addresses connection and cost issues by using a cut line with a smaller depth than its thickness and a surface layer for enhanced folding, achieving damage-free folding and cost savings.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- US18/632204
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-16
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing foldable mat structures face issues with poor connection and increased production costs due to precise cutting tolerances and material inefficiency when the elastic layer is made thin.
A mat structure with a main body having a cut line of depth smaller than its thickness, enhanced by a first surface layer for improved folding connection, allowing for a larger cutting tolerance and material savings.
Enables folding without damage and extends the service life of the folding function while reducing material usage and production costs.
Smart Images

Figure US20250320645A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(a) Technical Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a mat structure, and more particularly to a mat structure that is foldable.(b) Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Taiwan Utility Model M594598 discloses a foldable mat structure, which, as shown in FIG. 1 of the Utility Model, mainly comprises an elastic layer and an additional layer. The additional layer is combined with the elastic layer as a one piece by means of heat-fusion co-injection, heat-fusion pressure-bonding, or heat-fusion lamination. Further, the additional layer is cut, along a central folding line, by a die cutter into two half additional layers.
[0003] In the above Utility Model, a folding operation is performed relying on the elastic layer to connect and integrate the two half additional layers. If the elastic layer is made excessively thin to save material, the connection becomes poor. Further, to prevent undesired cutting into the elastic layer, the tolerance for cutting must be precise, and this increases the production cost.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the above problems, an objective of the present invention is to provide a mat structure.
[0005] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a mat structure, which comprises:
[0006] a main body, the main body having a property of toughness, the main body comprising a first face and a second face, the main body being formed with a cut line in a middle, the cut line being formed through cutting from the second face of the main body, the cut line having a depth smaller than a thickness of the main body.
[0007] The first face of the main body is further provided with a first surface layer, so that connection and integration of the main body during an operation of folding is enhanced by the first surface layer to achieve an effect of extending the service life of the folding function.
[0008] With the depth of the cut line being smaller than the thickness of the main body and the main body having a property of toughness, the main body can be folded without causing damage. Further, for a die cutter being applied to cut and make the cut line, the present invention allows for an enlarged allowable tolerance range for the die cutter. Further, the arrangement of the main body in combination with the surface layer helps extend the service life for folding function.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the present invention including a first surface layer.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an operation of folding the present invention attached to a base.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the present invention after being folded.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the present invention including a second surface layer.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mat structure comprises:
[0015] a main body 1, the main body 1 having a property of toughness, the main body 1 comprising a first face 11 and a second face 12, the second face 12 of the main body 1 is formed, in a middle thereof, with a cut line 13, the cut line 13 being formed through cutting from the second face 12 of the main body 1.
[0016] In the above, the cut line 13 has a depth D2 that is smaller than a thickness D1 of the main body 1.
[0017] The first face 11 of the main body 1 is further provided with a first surface layer 2, so that connection and integration of the main body 1 during an operation of folding is enhanced by the first surface layer 2 to achieve an effect of extending the service life of the folding function.
[0018] In the above, the first face 11 of the main body 1 or the first surface layer 2 may be further formed with a folding line 14, and folding of the main body 1 can be easily carried out by means of the folding line 14 (as shown in FIG. 4).
[0019] In the above, the second face 12 of the main body 1 is further provided with a second surface layer 3, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0020] In the above, the main body 1 comprises polypropylene (PP), or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
[0021] In the above, the first surface layer 2 comprises a cut-resistant and tough material.
[0022] In the above, the second surface layer 3 comprises a cut-resistant and tough material.
[0023] In the above, the cut line 13 is of a straight configuration.
[0024] For practical utilization, the first face 11 or the second face 12 of the main body 1 of the present invention can serve as a cutting surface for conducting cutting, or the first surface layer 2 or the second surface layer 3 provided on the first face 11 and the second face 12 of the main body 1 can be used as a cutting surface for conducting cutting. Further, due to the main body 1 being formed with the cut line 13, the main body 1 can be folded along the folding line 14 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), so that the present invention may save space for stowage or shipping.
[0025] With the depth D2 of the cut line 13 being smaller than the thickness D1 of the main body 1 and the main body 1 having a property of toughness, the main body 1 can be folded along the folding line 14 without causing any damage. Compared with the prior art, the present invention does not need to cut off the main body 1, so that a die cutter, when applied to cutting and making the cut line 13, does not easily cut into and damage the first surface layer 2, and this allows for an enlarged allowable tolerance range for the die cutter. Further, since the present invention does not rely on the first surface layer 2 to connect and integrate the main body 1, the present invention allows the first surface layer 2 to be made thin, and an effect of saving material can be achieved. Further, the arrangement of the main body 1 in combination with the first surface layer 2 helps strengthen connection and integration of the main body 1 during an operation of folding, and an effect of extending service life for folding function is achieved.
Claims
1. A mat structure, comprising:a main body, the main body having a property of toughness, the main body comprising a first face and a second face, the second face of the main body being formed with a cut line in a middle,wherein the cut line has a depth that is smaller than a thickness of the main body.
2. The mat structure according to claim 1, wherein the main body comprises polypropylene (PP), or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
3. The mat structure according to claim 1, wherein the first face of the main body is formed with a folding line.
4. The mat structure according to claim 1, wherein the first face of the main body is provided with a first surface layer.
5. The mat structure according to claim 4, wherein the first surface layer comprises a material of cutting resistance and toughness.
6. The mat structure according to claim 4, wherein the first surface layer is formed with a folding line in a middle.
7. The mat structure according to claim 1, wherein the second face the main body is provided with a second surface layer.
8. The mat structure according to claim 7, wherein the second surface layer comprises a material of cutting resistance and toughness.
9. The mat structure according to claim 1, wherein the cut line is of a straight configuration.