Web-type stock material with upwardly projecting filamentary elements and defined periphery

• US 4,671,976 A
• Filed: 08/13/1986
• Issued: 06/09/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stella M. Vidal
• Original Assignee: Stella M. Vidal
• Inventors: Vidal, Stella M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McCamish, Marion C.
• Application Number:
  US06/896,464
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 4/286, 4/292, 4/293, 428/40, 428/92, 428/65, 428/66, 428/85, 428/89, 428/343, 428/95
• US Class Current: 428/41.8
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 1/14 Stoppers for wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/001 Accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00 bath lifting devices for sick persons and invalids A61G7/10; Insertions, e.g. for babies; Tubs suspended or inserted in baths; Security or alarm devices; Protecting linings or coverings; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting baths; Bath insulation
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/264 Separate sieves or similar object-catching inserts
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/0409 Drainage outlets, e.g. gullies
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 2013/0413 Strainers for drainage outlets
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1236 Bottom drains
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1476 Release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/21 Circular sheet or circular blank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/218 Aperture containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23936 Differential pile length or surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23957 Particular shape or structure of pile
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23979 Particular backing structure or composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24174 including sheet or component perpendicular to plane of web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24182 Inward from edge of web or sheet

Abstract

Web-type stock material having upwardly projecting filamentary elements and a defined periphery, comprising, in combination, a flexible base member for overlying a floor surface in immediately surrounding relation to a liquid egress opening in the surface, the base member having a central hole for register with the egress opening; and a three-dimensional mat carried by the base member and comprising filamentary elements distributed throughout a volume extending horizontally at least over the entire area of the hole and vertically upwardly above the base member to a locality spaced above the base member for engaging and arresting liquid-carried debris such as hair outside and above the egress opening while permitting flow of liquid downwardly into the egress opening. Some at least of the filamentary elements extend transversely across the hole and intersect with each other at a multiplicity of points distributed substantially uniformly over the entire area of the hole so as to subdivide the hole into a multiplicity of individually small openings for downward liquid flow into the egress opening, the transversely extending filamentary elements and the base member cooperatively constituting a web having a periphery defined by the base member; and the filamentary elements include a multiplicity of flexible elements projecting upwardly throughout the entire vertical extent of the aforesaid volume and distributed substantially uniformly at least over the entire area of the hole in closely adjacent relation to each other.

Claims

1. Stock material comprising a web with filamentary material extending upwardly from the surface of the web to constitute a pile, said web having a central portion of open meshlike construction for permitting substantially free flow of liquid therethrough and a defined edge portion laterally surrounding said central portion, said pile extending at least over the entirety of said central portion.

2. Stock material as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said edge portion of said web comprises a base member for overlying a floor surface in immediately surrounding relation to a liquid egress opening in said surface, said base member having a central hole to overlie the egress opening;

(b) a three-dimensional mat is carried by the base member and comprises filamentary elements distributed throughout a volume extending horizontally at least over the entire area of the hole and vertically upwardly above the base member to a locality spaced above the base member for engaging and arresting liquid-carried debris outside and above the egress opening while permitting flow of liquid downwardly into the egress opening;

(c) some at least of the filamentary elements extend transversely across the hole and intersect with each other at a multiplicity of points distributed over the entire area of the hole so as to subdivide the hole into a multiplicity of individually openings for downward liquid flow into the egress opening, the transversely extending filamentary elements cooperatively constituting the web central portion; and

(d) the filamentary elements include a multiplicity of flexible elements projecting upwardly throughout the entire vertical extent of said volume to constitute said pile and distributed at least over the entire area of the hole in adjacent relation to each other to constitute said pile.

3. Stock material as defined in claim 2, wherein said transversely extending filamentary elements are intersecting ribs cooperatively forming a netlike structure extending across said hole, and wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are connected to said netlike structure above said openings and extend upwardly therefrom.

4. Stock material as defined in claim 3, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are flexible spikes which terminate in hook-shaped upper ends.

5. Stock material as defined in claim 3, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are flexible spikes, at least some of which extend substantially perpendicular to said net-like structure.

6. Stock material as defined in claim 3, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are flexible spikes, at least some of which extend oblique to said net-like structure.

7. Stock material as defined in claim 3, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are flexible spikes, some of which extend substantially perpendicular to said net-like structure and the remainder of which extend oblique to said net-like structure.

8. Stock material as defined in claim 3, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are bristles.

9. Stock material as defined in claim 8, wherein said bristles extend substantially perpendicular to said net-like structure.

10. Stock material as defined in claim 8, wherein some of said bristles extend substantially perpendicular to said net-like structure and the remainder of said bristles extend oblique to said net-like structure.

11. Stock material as defined in claim 2, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments form a three-dimensional web in which the upwardly projecting filaments cross each other.

12. Stock material as defined in claim 11, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are bonded together where they cross each other.

13. Stock material as defined in claim 11 ,wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are unmodified filaments.

14. Stock material as defined in claim 11, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are modified foamed filaments.

15. Stock material as defined in claim 11, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are modified abrasive filaments.

16. Stock material as defined in claim 2, wherein said mat extends horizontally over said base member outwardly of said hole, and wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are distributed over said base member as well as over said hole.

17. Stock material as defined in claim 2, wherein said base member has an undersurface with hollow insertable means located along its inner perimeter to be inserted in the egress opening.

18. Stock material as defined in claim 2, wherein said base member has an undersurface with means connected therein to attach said web to the area around the egress opening.

19. Stock material as defined in claim 18, wherein said means is pressure sensitive adhesive with a removable release layer.

20. Stock material as defined in claim 18, wherein said means is a plurality of suction cups.

21. Stock material as defined in claim 2, wherein said transversely extending filamentary elements and said upwardly projecting filaments are formed integrally as a three-dimensional open filamentary web bonded to said base member and extending entirely over said hole.

22. Stock material as defined in claim 21, wherein said filamentary elements are unmodified filaments.

23. Stock material as defined in claim 21, wherein said filamentary elements are modified foamed filaments.

24. Stock material as defined in claim 21, wherein said filamentary elements are modified abrasive filaments.

25. Stock material as defined in claim 21, wherein said base member has an undersurface with hollow insertable means located along its inner perimeter to be inserted in the egress opening.

26. Stock material as defined in claim 21, wherein said base member has an undersurface with means connected therein to attach said web to the area around the egress opening.

27. Stock material as defined in claim 26, wherein said means is pressure sensitive adhesive with a removable release layer.

28. Stock material as defined in claim 26, wherein said means is a plurality of suction cups.

29. Stock material as defined in claim 2, wherein said upwardly projecting filaments are rough indented openings.