Sanitizing Mat Systems for High-Risk Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857136_0002_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Sanitizing Mat Systems for High-Risk Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857136_0002_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857136_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,136.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A novel application of the original floor mat technology to create sanitizing mat systems for high-risk environments such as hospitals, food processing facilities, veterinary clinics, and public transportation, providing an additional layer of protection against infectious diseases.

Background and Problem Solved

The original floor mat patent addressed the need for a disposable doormat that could clean and disinfect shoe soles at home entrances. However, this technology has broader applications in high-risk environments where the transmission of infectious diseases is a significant concern. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by applying the core technology to create sanitizing mat systems that can be used in various high-risk settings.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The sanitizing mat system comprises a floor mat with a top layer containing antimicrobial materials such as antigerm silicone rubber, non-toxic, antimicrobial material, or salmonella, E. coli bacteria, virus, and germ-resistant silicone material. The bottom layer has a non-skid surface to ensure stability and prevent accidents. The mat is designed to disinfect medical equipment, personnel footwear, and wheels of mobility aids in hospitals, food processing facilities, veterinary clinics, and public transportation. The system can be used at entrances, in corridors, or in areas where high foot traffic is common.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications of the original floor mat technology to high-risk environments, providing an inventive step in the field of sanitizing mat systems. The use of antimicrobial materials and non-skid surfaces in these specific settings is new and non-obvious compared to the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the sanitizing mat system could include different shapes, sizes, and materials for the top and bottom layers. The system could also be integrated with existing cleaning protocols or automated systems for enhanced effectiveness. Variations could include using different types of antimicrobial materials or incorporating additional features such as UV light disinfection or air purification.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The sanitizing mat system has significant commercial potential in the healthcare, food processing, veterinary, and public transportation industries. The market for sanitizing mat systems is substantial, with potential customers including hospitals, clinics, food processing facilities, veterinary clinics, and public transportation operators. The system could be marketed as a standalone product or as part of a comprehensive infection control solution.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A47 A47L23/266
B B32 B32B7/12
B B32 B32B25/20
B B32 B32B2250/02
B B32 B32B2307/7145
B B32 B32B2307/7265
B B32 B32B2307/744
B B32 B32B2471/04

Field of Art

Sanitary floor mat design and antimicrobial surface technologies, encompassing materials science, surface engineering, and infection control systems, with expertise in silicone-based antimicrobial compositions and non-slip mat manufacturing

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A materials engineer or industrial designer with knowledge of surface treatments, antimicrobial materials, and floor mat design, capable of understanding material properties, manufacturing techniques, and cross-industry application of sanitization technologies

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the source patent's floor mat technology as readily adaptable to specialized environments by applying known antimicrobial silicone materials to specific high-risk settings. The core technical elements of the original floor mat design - non-skid bottom layer, antimicrobial top layer - are directly transferable to hospital, food processing, veterinary, and transportation contexts. The variations represent predictable extensions of the original invention's core technological principles.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Top layer containing antigerm silicone rubber and salmonella/E. coli resistant materials
PTD Variation
Applying the antimicrobial layer specifically to hospital operating room and veterinary clinic entrances
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of using existing antimicrobial technologies in targeted infection-sensitive environments, representing a predictable application of established sanitization principles
Source Patent Element
Non-skid bottom layer design
PTD Variation
Implementing the non-skid surface in food processing and public transportation mat systems
Obviousness Reasoning
Standard design choice for maintaining safety in high-traffic areas, representing a routine engineering adaptation with expected functional results
Source Patent Element
Disposable floor mat with disinfection capabilities
PTD Variation
Expanding use to sanitize equipment wheels and mobility aids in addition to footwear
Obviousness Reasoning
Logical extension of original sanitization purpose, utilizing known surface treatment techniques to broaden contamination prevention strategies
Source Patent Element
Non-toxic top layer material
PTD Variation
Specifying non-toxic antimicrobial materials for sensitive environments like food processing facilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable selection of material properties based on established safety and functional requirements in regulated industries
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed in this publication would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, based on the teachings of US Patent 11857136. The systematic application of the source patent's antimicrobial floor mat technology to specialized environments represents a straightforward technological adaptation employing known techniques and materials, thereby rendering potential claims of novelty invalid.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,136
TitleFloor mat and method of use