Patent ID: 8033249
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A mat intended to be placed on a flooring surface or the like, comprising: a body member having surfaces on which a user walks or otherwise contacts surfaces of the mat; and, means associated with the surfaces of the body member for dislodging particles of debris from the feet of the user on contact of said feet with the surfaces of the mat and interactive on contact between said surfaces and the feet or other portion of the user contacting said surfaces to deform at least portions of said surfaces while maintaining said surfaces in a topographical condition suitable to and familiar to the user, said means comprising a multiplicity of cavities defined in the body member, the cavities having openings formed in at least portions of the surfaces of the body member, particles of debris adhering to the feet of a user contacting the surfaces of the mat being dislodged on contact with peripheral edges of the openings defined in said surfaces of the body member, the dislodged particles failing into said cavities and being at least temporarily retained therein, the cavities being defined by shaped hollow projections extending from at least certain portions of the surfaces of the body member toward a flooring surface or the like on which the mat is disposed, the projections terminating distally in surface portions of the body member enclosing said cavities, at least certain of the enclosing surface portions of the projections contacting the flooring surface and at least certain other of the enclosing surface portions of certain other projections being spaced from the flooring surface, pressure exerted on surfaces of the body member contacted by the user causing flexure of the surfaces of the body member to facilitate release of said particles adhering to the user for dislodgement of said particles from the user.