Fluid absorption mat

The present invention is an inexpensive and disposable mat constructed from non-flammable material for placement beneath fluid leaking machinery. The mat is manufactured from at least one layer of non-woven fluid absorbing polypropylene that is bonded to at least one fluid impervious backing sheet such a polyester or polyethylene by use of heat sensitive adhesive. The assembled mat forms a high strength bonded mat that resists tearing and will retain fluids. The backing sheet prevents fluids from penetrating so as to confine all fluids to the non-woven portion of the mat where they disperse and, depending on the type of fluid absorbed, may evaporate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to floor coverings and, more particularly, 
to a floor covering device capable of retaining fluids. 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
Modern machinery is dependent upon fluids for lubrication, cooling, power 
transmission, and fuel. Despite advances in machinery design, it is well 
known that machinery has a tendency to leak fluids. 
Internal combustion engines used in automobiles are prominent examples of 
modern machinery dependent upon fluids for lubrication, cooling, power 
transmission, and fuel. For instance, oil lubricates the engine, 
anti-freeze cools the engine, transmission oil is used in torque 
conversion, and gasoline or diesel is used for fuel. The fluids circulate 
through assorted reservoirs and transfer tubes utilizing gasket material 
to seal mating components. The gasket material must be chemically 
resistant, withstand heat, cold, and vibration under unpredictably adverse 
conditions. The common result is that all gaskets have a tendency to leak 
fluid at one time or another. 
Over a period of time most automobiles leave at least one type of fluid 
beneath the engine compartment especially while parked. When the leaking 
automobile is moved the residual fluid is left in its place leaving an 
unsightly and dangerous condition. If the fluid that leaked is 
anti-freeze, cats and dogs attracted to the sweet taste of the fluid are 
in danger of poisoning. If the leaking fluid is oil, a danger exists of 
slipping on the oil if not tracking the oil onto carpeting in the home so 
as to deal with an infuriated spouse or parent. The stain left by the 
fluid on a garage floor, carport floor, driveway or other parking spot is 
a permanent unsightly discoloration. Many property owners who take pride 
in paving their driveways with tile or brick are especially troubled when 
automobiles drip oil onto the paving. 
The leakage of fluid from internal combustion engines is not limited to 
automobiles as golf carts, lawn mowers, motorcycles, mopeds, go-carts, 
chain saws, boat engines, and the like all have a tendency to leak with 
the passage of time. Leakage can occur when an engine is being repaired or 
maintained, such as an oil change or water pump replacement. Further, 
leakage is not limited to engines or factory machinery as bearings in 
electrical motors can leak, exercise equipment can leak grease, even 
barbecue grills can leak grease. 
Finally, the tools used to service the aforementioned machinery can be 
coated with fluids and when the tools are returned to a tool chest, the 
tools will drip the fluid coating on other tools as well as the bottom of 
the chest. For the reasons mentioned above, various remedies are in 
existence to alleviate the situation. 
A common attempt to catch fluid drippings from beneath an automobile is by 
use of a discarded piece of carpeting placed beneath a leaking automobile. 
Carpeting may absorb some of the fluids but over time the fluid will seep 
through the carpeting and reach the floor. The fluid soaked carpeting 
simply covers the leaked fluids. 
Limestone and cat litter are common materials used to cover and absorb 
fluids that have leaked from machinery. The materials effectively absorb 
the fluids but require spreading of the material and subsequent sweeping 
up for proper disposal. 
Yet another attempt at holding fluid drippings is the use of plastic 
sheets. However, drippings of fluid onto plastic can be very dangerous as 
oil placed on plastic leaves a very slick surface. In addition, low 
density plastics can be dissolved by oil and will disintegrate when 
introduced to most any solvent. 
Foam rubber has been sold as an absorbent material for placing beneath 
automobile engines. However, foam rubber is easily torn providing enhanced 
leakage. This is especially prevalent when used for lining tool chests, 
truck tool boxes, and for use as work bench mats. Such use not only 
requires the ability to retain fluids but also withstand abuse such as 
dropped tools without loss of effectiveness. 
Thus, what is lacking in the art is a product that is capable of absorbing 
fluids without disintegrating or allowing to bleed through, does not 
require additional cleaning, and is capable of withstanding abuse without 
tearing or shedding. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is an inexpensive and disposable mat constructed from 
non-flammable material for placement beneath fluid leaking machinery. In 
the preferred embodiment, the mat is constructed from polypropylene, which 
has the ability to absorb engine oil, grease, fuel, transmission fluid, 
anti-freeze, and water as well as numerous other solutions. A nonleak, 
non-slip backing sheet is constructed from a 0.57 mil thick piece of clear 
polyester. The backing sheet is bonded to the bottom of the polypropylene 
and chemically treated to prevent the backing sheet from slipping. 
The mat of the present invention will absorb and retain fluids when placed 
under leaking machinery. The backing sheet sets forth a barrier to prevent 
fluids from penetrating so as to confine all fluids to the mat where they 
disperse through a uniform nonwoven fabric formed by the polypropylene 
material, commonly referred to throughout this specification as a large 
mesh and, depending on the type of fluid, may evaporate. 
In an alternative embodiment, a mat is constructed of two layers of 8 to 12 
ounces per square yard non-woven large mesh polypropylene bonded to each 
side surface of a sheet of fluid impervious polyester. The non-woven 
material prevents-slippage on the exposed surface as well as the surface 
that engages the flooring. The mat is fabricated by placing a heat 
sensitive adhesive on each side surface of the impervious polyester 
wherein the large mesh sheets are heat pressed to the adhesive for 
permanent bonding. Upon assembly the mat exhibits a 350 plus tensile 
strength providing a material which resists tearing yet remains easily cut 
by use of a utility knife or scissor to accommodate a particular custom 
situation. 
In yet another embodiment, the mat is constructed of one layer of 8 to 12 
ounces per square yard non-woven large mesh polypropylene. The back side 
of the polypropylene is then treated with a solution known as polyethylene 
that is literally blown on. This creates the non-leak back. We then blown 
on to the polyethylene a product made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) 
copolymer which creates a non-slip back when used under normal conditions. 
Thus, a primary objective of the instant invention is to disclose an 
inexpensive and disposable mat for placement beneath fluid leaking 
machinery. 
Another objective is to disclose a mat constructed of various grades of 
polypropylene capable of absorbing at least ten times its weight in fluids 
so as to leave a visual surface that is unaffected by fluid drippings and 
provides a barrier to fluids by inclusion of a barrier constructed of 
fluid resistant material. 
Still another objective is to disclose a mat having fluid absorption, sound 
deadening, and reversible properties for use in lining tool boxes and 
covering work benches. 
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from 
the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying 
drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, 
certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of 
this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present 
invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Although the invention has been described in terms a specific embodiment, 
it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various 
modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without 
departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is 
defined by the claims appended hereto. 
Now referring to FIG. 1, shown is a pictorial view of the fluid absorption 
mat 10 placed flat on pavement 12. Foam tape tabs are used to secure the 
mat in breeze ways such as car ports by providing an adhesive attachment 
to the pavement. The mat 10 protects the pavement 12 from fluid drippings 
such as oil, anti-freeze, transmission oil, diesel fuel and so forth that 
may drop when an automobile 14 is parked thereon. 
FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of an air compressor 16 placed upon a fluid 
absorption mat 10. In this use the mat 10 is available to collect fluid 
drippings from the compressor 16 as well as operate to reduce vibration 
and noise that harmonize from the compressor through the support stand 18. 
The preferred embodiment of the mat 10 utilizes a larger mesh for 
placement against pavement which prevents moisture buildup. The mesh 
allows air flow to promote drying should the mesh be subjected to moisture 
such as rain water, floor condensation permeation, flooding, or the like 
moisture saturation. 
Now referring to FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the instant invention 
is depicted wherein fluid absorption mat 10 is shown with a first sheet 23 
of non-woven polypropylene material having approximately 8 to 12 ounces 
per square yard such as that manufactured from the Merge #L17917 with #5 
Denure Fiber which is a needle punching process of fibers as produced from 
Amoco Fabrics. The second sheet 24 is an impervious backing sheet of 
approximately 0.57 mils thick of clear polyester. A layer of 2.4 mils of 
thermal activated adhesive is placed between the sheets and permanently 
bonds the sheets together by subjection to pressure and heat. The 
underside of the product is treated with 0.75 mils of a vinyl copolymer 
solution such as identification #1060 which is an identification number of 
the General Binding Corporation for a thermal activated EVA adhesive to 
create a non-slip back. 
During use, oil is deposited onto the mesh 23, the oil will soak into the 
mesh and disperse along the backing surface. This will leave the surface 
of the mesh clean by concealing the oil from view. The second sheet 24 
will lay flat on the floor and can be secured to the floor by the use of 
two-sided foam tape 27 to prevent movement if used in drafty areas such as 
car ports. The backing sheet is treated with 0.75 mils of a vinyl 
copolymer solution such as Identification #1060 to create a non-slip back. 
Now referring to FIG. 4, the fluid absorption mat 20 is shown with a first 
sheet 20 of non-woven 8 to 15 ounces polypropylene. A second sheet 22 of 
non-woven 8 to 15 ounce per square yard of polypropylene is also shown. 
Between the first sheet 20 and the second sheet of 22 is positioned an 
impervious bonding sheet 26 of clear polyester having an upper surface 28 
and a lower surface 30 coated with thermal activated adhesive for 
permanently bonding by use of heated rollers which apply both heat and 
pressure during assembly or is simply set by pressure rollers. 
During use, oil is deposited onto the mesh 20, the oil will soak into the 
mesh and disperse along the side surface 28 of the bonding sheet 26. This 
will leave the surface of the mesh clean by concealing the oil from view. 
The second sheet 22 provides air gap beneath the mat to prevent moisture 
buildup. In addition, the use of a second sheet that assimilates the 
primary sheet 20 provides for reversibility allows the use of both sides 
for situations of minimal fluid absorption such as for use in lining of a 
tool chest and the like. The second sheet 22 will lay flat on the floor 
and can be secured thereto by use of two-sided foam tape 32. 
Now referring to FIG. 5, still another alternative embodiment of the fluid 
absorption mat is shown with a first sheet 40 of 8 to 15 ounce per square 
yard non-woven polypropylene base. A second sheet 42 of at least 1 mill of 
blown polyethylene is also shown. In this embodiment a lower sheet 48 is 
constructed of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer that is also blown on 
which provides a non-slip base that resists slipping. Either embodiment 
will allow the mat to lay flat on the floor and be secured thereto by use 
of two-sided foam tape 50. 
It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain 
forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or 
arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to 
those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without 
departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be 
considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the 
specification.