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  Absorbent device and method for its useRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, MiscellaneousThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050223489. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates in general to absorbent devices and in particular to absorbent devices for toilet-related use and for methods of using such devices. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] Floors, particularly the floor areas surrounding a toilet, are often subject to spills or other stray moisture resulting from a variety of causes. [0003] Existing floor coverings for the vicinity of toilets in the home are often either hard non-absorbent material such as tile, or an absorbent but non-disposable material, such as a rug or carpet. The former fails to absorb and contain spills, while the latter may contain spills but may do so without revealing the fact or degree of such absorption, leading to an unhygienic and perhaps malodorous condition. [0004] An unmet need therefore exists for a means of contending with such unwanted spills in a manner that is hygienic, that renders the undesirable spills detectable and their treatment tractable, convenient and inexpensive. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] The present invention addresses, at least in part, the long felt, but previously unmet needs described above as well as other needs. In particular, the present invention provides a toilet mat comprising matting, the matting comprising disposable absorbent material, for being placed in proximity to a base of the toilet. In another embodiment, the absorbent matting may also comprise a wetness or moisture indicator for exhibiting a detectable indication in response to being contacted with moisture associated with a bodily fluid, water from the toilet or other sources. [0006] Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method for enabling a user to maintain the hygienic integrity of a floor area surrounding a toilet base. The method comprises the steps of: placing a disposable liquid absorbent matting, having a wetness indicator, in proximity to the toilet base, wherein the liquid absorbent matting absorbs urine spills occurring during use of the toilet and the absorption activates the wetness indicator; detecting a urine spill on the absorbent matting by observing the wetness indicator in an activated state; and; replacing the absorbent matting with an unused absorbent matting after the urine spill has been detected. [0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a disposable matting for protecting a toilet floor from urine spills. [0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a disposable matting that visually indicates the area of urine spills on the matting and when the matting should be replaced. [0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a disposable matting that encourages a user to adopt the improved toilet habits. Many other objects and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in this field upon reading the following description and claims in connection with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective exploded view of a disposable absorbent toilet mat, in an embodiment of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a top and front view of a disposable absorbent toilet mat including footprint indicia, in use, in an embodiment of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 3 illustrates the use of a wetness indicator, and of footprint indicia within the disposable absorbent toilet mat, in an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 4 illustrates the relative dimensions in an embodiment of a disposable absorbent toilet mat according to the present invention. [0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart for use of the disposable absorbent toilet mat, in use, in an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] FIG. 1 presents a side perspective exploded view of a disposable absorbent toilet mat in an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, but without limitation, mat 10 comprises multiple layers and has a thickness of approximately 0.125 (1/8") of an inch, as indicated at 12. Top layer 14 is of a porous material capable of passing liquid spills through to deeper layers of the mat 10. In one embodiment, such passage occurs via micro holes (not shown). This passage of spills to a deeper layer enhances hygiene by allowing a user to stand on the mat without coming into contact with the spilled liquid. Layer 14 permits the spilled liquid to pass through to transition layer 16, which is located directly below top layer 14. Thus, spilled liquid that is received via the micro holes (not shown) in layer 14, is transferred to an absorbent layer 18 via transition layer 16. At absorbent layer 18, the spilled liquid is absorbed in order to confine the spilled liquid to that layer and avoid the liquid from coming into contact with either the floor area under the matting, or the top layer 14 on which the user of the mat 10 may stand. Buffer layer 20, isolates the absorbent layer 18 holding the spilled liquid, from floor contact layer 22, which provides a non-slip surface 24 for ensuring that mat 10 does not slip on the bathroom floor. Top layer 14 also includes an adhesive collar 26 having an adhesive surface 28, which creates a seal between the base of a toilet and collar 26. The utility of the adhesive collar 26 will be further described in relation to FIG. 2. [0016] Generally, the disposable absorbent toilet mat is made from any material intended to be used until soiled, that is, a small number of time, or ever a single time, single-use or otherwise disposable, as distinguished from a mat or rug of fabric that wouldn't ordinarily be intended to be used only once or a small number of times until soiled. The absorbent material of the disposable absorbent toilet mat may comprise any known material such as those incorporated in diapers, feminine pads or panty liners, or other such articles that absorb moisture away from a top surface that initially comes in contact with the top surface and that most preferably contain a spill. Typically, the layers utilized in disposable absorbent materials may comprise a liquid permeable top layer for passing liquid spills, a liquid absorbent layer for absorbing the liquid, and a liquid impermeable bottom layer for confining the spilled liquid. The liquid absorbent layer may also comprise one or more chemical reagents that can change color when they come into contact with the liquid. The reagents many also exhibit a change in coloration in response to a substance within the liquid. [0017] Other numbers, arrangements and thicknesses of layers in the mat 10, as known or may become known in the art, are also contemplated by, and fall within the scope of, the present invention. However, the material, or materials are, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, most preferably disposable materials, as opposed to durable fabric and rubber material used in those toilet mats that are known in the art for repeated, indefinite use. [0018] The positioning of mat 10 in relation to a toilet 30, in an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 2. Mat 10 has a cut-away region 32 along an edge 34, where the cut-away region 32 abuts toilet base 36. As shown in the figure, the adhesive surface 28 (FIG. 1) of collar 26 adheres the periphery of cut-away region 30 to the bottom region of toilet base 36, thus, creating a seal between the toilet base 36 and the cut-away region 32. In this manner, the seal provides additional stability for keeping the mat 10 in position, and therefore prevents the mat from slipping on the floor surface. It also provides additional protection from urine spills that may occur in areas that are in relatively close proximity to the toilet base 34. [0019] The mat 10 may be of any desired shape. For example, mat 10 may be square, rectangular, or other multi-sided shape, oval or round. Also, depending on the location, orientation, and design of the toilet, mat 10 may not have a cut-away region. For example, some toilet units such as urinals may not have a base that is in contact with the floor. Accordingly, the shape of the mat 10 may be conformed for such use. The mat 10 may, for example, have straight sides instead of a cut-away region on one side. In this case, one of the sides of the mat abuts the wall to which one or more urinals is attached and may cover the floor under one or a plurality of urinals. Similarly, some toilet units are attached to the vertical walls, rather than being connected to the floor by means of a toilet base, such as toilet base 36 shown in FIG. 1. In this case, as with the urinal, mat 10 may not comprise a cut away region but may still be provided with adhesive strips. In terms of aligning and positioning the mat 10 with the toilet, the toilet base may be referred to as both an actual base, such as toilet base 36, or the area or region underneath the toilet bowl structure for toilet units not having an actual base (i.e., toilet units designed for attachment to a vertical wall). Other toilet units may include children's potties or generally any device designed to accommodate both children and/or adults in the act of releasing bodily fluids. Continue reading... Full patent description for Absorbent device and method for its use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Absorbent device and method for its use patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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