DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an improved structure of a portable hygienic mat that can be used after a shower or a bath for resting the feet on it.

Description of the prior art

Hygienic mats are known used commonly in public places, such as in gymnasium changing rooms, where the users, in order to avoid to rest their feet on wet slippers or directly on a dirty ground, can use them after a shower or a bath for drying the feet on a clean and dry surface .

Examples of mats adapted for such use are described hereafter .

GB-A-2268399 describes a hygienic mat comprising a single board put in a recess made of a stiff plane support. The recess is raised with respect to a bottom of the support. The board, however, is cumbersome to carry and is not designed to be portable.

US-A-3253293 describes a portable hygienic mat comprising four boards connected in a foldable way to one another along adjacent edges. However, this, mat is adapted to be used in a bathroom, but is cumbersome when folded and cannot be easily transported.

WO 9719623 (Al) describes a mat that comprises a first and a second stiff supports on which on one side a housing for a spongy mat is made and on the other side a support surface for contacting the ground is obtained.

A further exemplary embodiment of a mat is disclosed in IT258505 and comprises two boards hinged to each other, in order to fold it book-like and transport it easily.

Such mats, commonly used in fitness facilities or after sports activities, are passive objects that implement a single utility.

On the other hand, sports people after . exercising often wish to measure how much their own body parameters changed owing to the exercising activity. Furthermore, they wish monitoring how much such body parameters changed with respect to previous measurements. Among such parameters there are the weight and/or the fat-free mass.

Presently, sportspeople already have specific measuring instruments, such as weight scales or fat-free mass measuring instruments, which can be available at fitness facilities or at home.

For example, in DE3140483 a weight scale of known type is described, whereas in US2002/0129978 an instrument for measuring the fat-free mass is described.

However, in both cases such articles have top surfaces made of stiff material on which a user can rest the feet. This would be unsuitable for a use after a shower, or a bath, because the wet feet would make slippery the stiff surface and therefore dangerous for sportspeople safety.

Furthermore, both articles are not indicated for being transported, for example in a bag, or in rucksack, by sportspeople, for example to a gymnasium changing room.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a hygienic mat that has an improved functionality without affecting its portability and practicality concerning its main function of supporting a user when dressing or undressing on a wet or dirty ground.

It is also a feature of the present invention to provide a hygienic mat with improved functionality that is easy and not expensive to make.

These and other objects are achieved by a hygienic mat, according to the present innovation, comprising:

a first and a second board pivotally connected to each other along adjacent edges, said boards being rotatable between an open position, where said first and second boards form a support surface for a user, and a closed position, where said first and second boards are facing each other book-like;

wherein at least one among said first and second boards comprises:

a display;

a sensor arranged to measure a body parameter of a user standing on said support surface, said sensor generating a corresponding measurement signal;

a control unit configured to analyse said measurement signal and to transmit it to said display; a battery arranged to supply said display, said sensor and said control unit; such that when a user rests the feet on both said boards said sensor detects said measurement signal and transmits it to said display;

and wherein the first and the second boards have at least one upper portion which is made of a soft material and/or resilient material to provide a support for the feet of a user when drying the body after a bath, or a shower.

This way, after exercising the user can, by the same hygienic mat for resting the feet on, measure an own body parameter, displaying in real time the effects of the physical exercise, without resorting to an additional device .

Advantageously, said sensor arranged to measure a body parameter comprises at least one couple of contact surfaces obtained on said support surface that are arranged at opposite sides with respect to each other, in order to contact at least one part of the feet of a user, wherein said battery is connected to said couple of contact surfaces, in order to form an open electric circuit and is adapted to generate a predetermined electric current; and wherein said couple of contact surfaces are configured to measure a value of impedance given by the passage of said current through said user standing with the feet on said couple of contact surfaces and closes said open circuit, said control unit implementing a program means that is configured to compute, starting from said value of impedance, a fat-free mass value of said user.

This way, when the user rests the feet on a respective contact surface of the couple, a closed circuit is formed and the current generated passes through the couple of contact surfaces and the body of the user. The program means detects a corresponding value of impedance that is directly proportional to the fat-free mass value of the user. In particular, the program means determines the value of the fat-free mass correlating the measured impedance value with the body weight and the age and of the user.

In particular, through said display it is possible to interface said control unit and enter useful data, in order to calculate said body parameter value. This way, through the display it is possible to enter data like age, sex, height of the user, according to which a corresponding fat-free mass index is calculated and displayed, with output of a numerical value or a range.

Advantageously, a first and a second couple of contact surfaces are provided at a distance from each other, in order to ensure a safe contact with the feet of the user. This way, each foot of the user touches two different contact surfaces, to each other electrically connected by a single conductor, ensuring an effective contact and a most precise measurement of the fat-free mass of the user.

In particular, said sensor comprises at least one load cell arranged to measure a body parameter, preferably two load cells connected to each other arranged below said support surface, to provide a relative weight signal that can be shown by the display, wherein under said support surface a stiffening plate is provided.

Advantageously, two. couples of load cells are provided arranged respectively on said first and second boards.

Preferably, said or each couple of load cells are associated with a first and a second stiffening plate arranged respectively on said first and second boards. This way, a stiff surface is obtained in order to obtain a most accurate and precise value of the user's weight.

Advantageously, said hygienic mat comprises said load cells for computing the weight ^' and said contact surfaces for measuring a value of impedance. This way, the control unit can correlate values of the user's weight determined by the load cells with the data entered by the user at the interface on the display, in order to obtain the fat-free mass index of the user.

In particular, the first board and the second board have respective surfaces that, in use, remain facing the user, said surfaces having size substantially equivalent to each other, such that in the closed position, the mat has a lateral encumbrance equivalent substantially to half the lateral encumbrance of the mat in the open position.

Preferably, the first board and the second board are made of a resilient material and/or a soft material.

In particular, the soft material and/or resilient material can be selected from the group consisting of: a cloth, an adsorbent material, for example a spongy material, or a combination thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment the mat has a frame made of a plastic material and the support surface is made of a soft material and/or resilient material and is adapted to engage with said frame.

For example, plastic material can be selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, EVA, i.e. Ethyl Vinyl Acetate.

Advantageously, the first and second boards are hinged to each other by a flexible strip.

In particular, the flexible strip is made of a plastic material .

In particular, said first and second boards comprise a respective insert of spongy material arranged to positively engage in a removable way with a housing made in said first and second boards.

Advantageously, said first and/or said second board comprise/s a body of spongy material in which recesses are made to house said display and said or each sensor.

Advantageously, the first and second boards comprise anti-slip surfaces.

In particular, the above described anti-slip surfaces comprise a predetermined pattern of protrusions and/or recesses, for example a corrugated surface, arranged to increase the anti-slip properties.

Advantageously, the first and second boards have respective base surfaces that, in use, are configured to be arranged at opposite sides with respect to the feet of said user. More in detail, in the closed book-like position the display is arranged between the base surfaces, such that it is possible to carry the mat in a bag, or in a suitcase, without the risk of hitting unintentionally the display and then of damaging it. Brief description of the drawings

The invention is more clearly illustrated with the following description of two its exemplary embodiments, exemplifying and not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a hygienic mat, according to the invention, in an open configuration having a display and a sensor arranged to measure a body parameter;

- Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the hygienic mat of Fig. 1, in a closed configuration folded booklike;

- Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the hygienic mat having a couple of contact surfaces arranged to measure the fat-free mass of a user;

- Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the hygienic mat of Fig. 3, having a first and a second couple of contact surfaces arranged to measure the fat-free mass of a user;

- Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of the hygienic mat having a first and a second couple of load cells arranged to measure the user's weight;

- Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the hygienic mat equipped with the load cells that illustrates the capability for the user to have its weight displayed;

- Fig. 6A shows an exploded view of the interactive display for putting data like the sex, the age, the height, in order to integrate the data of the weight detected for determining value of the fat mass.

Description of a preferred exemplary embodiment

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a hygienic mat 100 according to the present invention comprises a first 10 and a second 20 boards pivotally connected to each other along respective adjacent edges 11, 12 in a foldable way between an open plane position A, where the first 10 and the second 20 boards define a support surface 25 and a closed position book-like B, where the first 10 and second 20 boards are facing each other(Fig. 2). In particular, surface 110 of first board 10 and surface 120 of second board 20 that in use are visible have size substantially equivalent to each other, so that in the closed position the two surfaces 110 and 120 are adjacent and contact each other (Fig. 2). This way, in the closed position mat 100 has a lateral encumbrance equivalent to half the lateral encumbrance of mat 100 in the open position. This allows carrying the mat easily in a sports bag, or in a rucksack, for example of the type used by the athletes for carrying sportswear and accessories.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the first and second boards 10, 20, are made of a resilient material and/or a soft material. This way, the "grip" for the feet of the user is increased and then it is avoided that the user of mat 100 can slip. At the same time the comfort for the user is increased. For example, the soft material and/or resilient material can be a cloth and/or an adsorbent material, for example a spongy material.

Mat 100 can have, for example, a frame 210 made of a plastic material, such as polypropylene, or EVA, i.e. Ethyl Vinyl Acetate. The support surface 25, which for example is made on at least one support body 250, is adapted to engage with the frame 210. For example support surface 25 is obtained at least at one support body 250 made of a soft and/or elastic material.

Boards 10 and 20 can be hinged to each other by a flexible strip 13, which can be for example of plastic material. In the open position A, the boards 10 and 20 form the support plane surface on which the person can stand steadily and at the same time keep the feet dry.

In an advantageous way, and as shown for .example in Fig. 5, first board 10 and second board 20 have a respective housing 14, 24, in each of which can positively engage in a removable way a respective insert 13, 23 of flexible material, in particular spongy, with a matching shape. In particular one among first board 10 and second board 20 comprises a display 18 and a sensor 22, 42 arranged to measure a body parameter of a user 200 standing on the support surface 25, where sensor 22, 42 creates a corresponding measurement signal 26, 46.

Furthermore, a control unit 52 is provided arranged to analyse the measurement signal 26, 46 and to transmit it to the display 18, in addition to a battery 32 arranged to supply the display 18, the sensor 22, 42 and the control unit 52, such that when a user 200 rests the feet on both boards 10, 20, (Fig. 3 or 6) the sensor 22, 42 detects the measurement signal 26, 46 and transmits it to the display 18. This way, after exercising user 200 can, by the same hygienic mat 100, measuring an own body parameter, and display in real time the effects of the exercise, without resorting to an additional device.

The first and second boards 10, 20 have respective base surfaces 111, 121 arranged at opposite sides with respect to surfaces 110 and 120, which, in use, are arranged at opposite sides with respect to the feet of user 200. In particular, in the closed position the display 18 is arranged between the base surfaces 111, 121 such that it is possible to carry mat 100 in a bag, or in a suitcase, without the risk of hitting unintentionally the display 18 and then of damaging it.

In particular, the sensor arranged to measure a body parameter comprises at least one couple of contact surfaces 22, 23 obtained on support surface 25 arranged at opposite sides with respect to each other, in order to contact at least one part of the feet of user 200. The battery 32 is connected to the couple of contact surfaces 22, 23, in order to form an open electric circuit and is adapted to generate a predetermined electric current I (Fig.3) .

More in particular, the couple of contact surfaces 22, 23 are configured to measure a value of impedance given by the passage of the current through user 200 standing with the feet on the couple of contact surfaces 22, 23 in order to close the open circuit. The control unit 52 implements program means that is arranged to compute by value of impedance a fat-free mass value of user 200. This way, when user 200 rests each foot on a respective contact surface 22, 23, is formed a closed circuit, diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3, and the current generated passes through the couple of contact surfaces 22, 23 and the body of user 200. The program means detects a corresponding value of impedance that is directly proportional to fat-free mass value of user 200.

Advantageously, as shown in Fig. 4, a first and a second couple of contact surfaces 22, 22' and 23, 23' are provided at a distance from each other, in order to ensure a safe contact with the feet of user 200. This way, each foot of user 200 touches two different contact surfaces 22, 22' and 23, 23' to each other electrically connected by a single conductor 26, ensuring an effective contact and a most precise measurement of the fat-free mass of user 200.

In alternative or in combination, the sensor comprises at least one couple of load cells 42 arranged to measure a user's weight. In particular, two couples of load cells are provided 42, 43 connected to each other arranged below the support surface 25, arranged to provide a relative weight signal 46 that can be shown by the display 18. In particular, under support surface 25 a stiffening plate is provided 62, 63. Preferably, each couple of load cells 42, 43 is associated with a first 62 and a second 63 stiffening plate arranged respectively on the first 10 and second 20 board. This way, a stiff surface is obtained in order to obtain a most accurate and precise value of the user' s weight 200. Above the stiff plates 62, 63 inserts 14, 24 of spongy material are overlapped.

In particular, as shown in Fig. 6A, through display 18 it is possible to interface control unit 52 and enter useful data, in order to calculate the value of the body parameter. In other words, through the display 18 it is possible to enter data like age, sex, height of the user, according to which a corresponding fat-free mass index is calculated and displayed, through a numerical value or a range .

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the hygienic mat comprises load cells for computing the weight and the contact surfaces 22, 23 for measuring a value of impedance. This way, the control unit 52 can correlate values of the user' s weight determined by the load cells 42, 43 with the impedance value and the data entered by the user at the interface on the display 18, in order to obtain the fat-free mass index of user 200.

The foregoing description of an embodiment of the method and of the apparatus according to the invention, and of the way of using the apparatus, will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and, then it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.