METHOD FOR REUSING SCRAPPED, LOOSE MATS

Abstract: A method for reusing loose, rejected or scrapped mats (1) of the type having a compact rubber-cloth backing (2) with a textile pile (3) incorporated therein, as well as a circumferential, pile-free backing edge portion (4, 4'), is disclosed. After optionally shaving off pile to produce the circumferential, pile-free backing edge portion, two such mats of essentially the same size, or one such mat and a pile-free rubber cloth of essentially the same size, are put together with the pile sides facing one another, or with the pile side facing the rubber cloth. Then, the edge portions (4, 4') are attached to one another throughout the entire circumference in an air-entrapping manner, whereby to obtain a mat especially suited for use on working sites or in industry.

Description: METHOD FOR REUSING SCRAPPED, LOOSE MATS This invention relates to a method for reusing loose, rejected or scrapped mats. Large quantities of small mats, such as entrance mats, are produced, which have a compact backing, usually made of a synthetic rubber cloth with textile fibres or pile incorporated therein, that may form a pattern of some sort, e.g. a company logotype, as well as a circumferen- tial, pile-free edge portion. The mats are scrapped when worn or stained, or when to be replaced with mats having another pattern. It will be appreciated that scrapping has harmful environmental consequences. The object of the invention is to provide a method for reusing mats of this type. This object is attained by the method defined in appended claim 1, in which two such mats of essentially the same size are put together with the pile sides facing one another, and the circumferential, pile-free backing edge portions on the pile sides are attached to one another throughout the entire circumference in an air- entrapping manner, whereby to obtain a mat especially suited for use on working sites or in industry. It has been found that the inventive method yields an ergonomically-compatible mat suited for use on working sites or in industry. Thus, the produced mat is springy owing to the air entrapped therein, as well as soft to walk on owing to the engagement of the two pile sides fac¬ ing one another. It will be appreciated that the inventive mat is inexpensive to produce compared with ordinary mats for use on working sites or in industry. In a mode of the invention defined in appended claim 2, some of the pile is removed at the corners close to the pile-free backing edge portion before the mats are joined together. The resulting mat is especially well suited for use on working sites because of its anti-tripping proper¬ ties. Mats with synthetic fibre pile as well as mats with natural fibre pile have proved to give the advantageous properties indicated above. The pile-free edge portions can be attached to one another in various ways obvious to the expert. For instance, they can be glued together or be joined by cold curing when the backing cloth material is curable, with optional interposition of a strip of natural rubber. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrat- ed in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a mat prior to attachment, and Fig. 2 is a cross-section of two mats that have been joined together. Thus, two scrapped equal-sized mats 1, which have a synthetic rubber backing 2 with a pile 3 incorporated therein, as well as a circumferential, pile-free backing edge portion 4, have been put together with the pile sides facing one another. Beforehand, the pile 3 of the two mats 1 has been shaved off in the four corners 4' . The pile- free edge and corner areas 4, 4' have been glued together at 5 at room temperature and under pressure in order to entrap air between the mats. The ergonomically-compatible mat thus produced is ready for use on working sites or in industry. Although air is enclosed between the mats, the inventive product need not be completely airtight. Some mats of the type at issue are perforated with small holes to enable centrifuging off water after washing. In such a case, the enclosed air is gently expelled when people are walking on the joined mats, but the negative pressure then generated results in air being again drawn into the mats. According to the invention, also mats that have been cut in half may be joined as above with the pile sides facing each other. If so, the cut edge sides are first shaved on the pile side to produce the appearance shown in Fig. 1. Also, the invention encompasses the joining of a mat and a (synthetic) rubber cloth that may be provided with a pattern.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for reusing loose, rejected or scrapped mats (1 ) of the type having a compact rubber-cloth back¬ ing (2) with a textile pile (3) incorporated therein, as well as a circumferential, pile-free backing edge portion (4, 4'), c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the steps, after optionally shaving off pile to produce said circumferen- tial, pile-free backing edge portion, of putting together two such mats of essentially the same size, or one such mat and a pile-free rubber cloth of essentially the same size, with the pile sides facing one another, or with the pile side facing the rubber cloth, and attaching the edge portions (4, 4' ) to one another throughout the entire circumference in an air-entrapping manner, whereby to obtain a mat especially suited for use on working sites or in industry. 2. A method as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c - t e r i s e d in that, prior to attaching the mats (1) to one another, a pile portion is removed at the corners (4' ) of both mats, or that, prior to attaching the mat to the rubber cloth, a pile portion is removed at the corners (4' ) of the mat. 3. A method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i s e d in that the attachment is brought about by gluing or curing, optionally with the interposition of a strip of natural rubber.

Inventors: ANDREEN GUNNAR, ANDREEN, GUNNAR
Applicants: ANDREEN GUNNAR, BERENDSEN S AB, ANDREEN, GUNNAR, S. BERENDSEN AKTIEBOLAG
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A47G27
IPC codes: A47G27, B32B5