摘要：
The present disclosure relates to a mat, which comprises at least one readily biodegradable layer manufactured from a polymer environmental resin, and a silver based antimicrobial agent applied to the at least one readily biodegradable layer. The antimicrobial agent inhibits the growth of such microorganisms as bacteria and fungi in the mat, reducing the propensity for odour and unhygienic conditions to occur as a result of sweat and/or other bodily fluids mixing with the microorganisms, thereby extending the lifetime of the mat. al 0 C4o GC)
权利要求：
Claims
The claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. A mat, comprising:
at least one layer; and
an antimicrobial agent applied to the at least one layer.
2. A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agent is applied to a
surface of the at least one layer.
3. A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agent is intermixed
within the at least one layer.
4. A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one layer is readily
biodegradable.
5. A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one layer is manufactured
from a closed-cell, expanded polymer foam.
6. A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one layer is manufactured
from polyvinyl chloride that is essentially free from phthalate plasticizers. /. A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one layer is manufactured
from polyvinyl chloride that is essentially free from heavy metals.
8. A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one layer is manufactured
from polyvinyl chloride that is essentially free from biphenyl compounds. 9. A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one layer is manufactured
from polymer environmental resin (PER).
10.A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises silver. 11.A mat as claimed in claim 10, wherein the silver is selected from the group
comprising: silver ions, naturally occurring elemental silver, recycled silver and
nanoscale silver-based particles.
12.A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from
the group of antimicrobial agents comprising: zinc ions, a ceragenin, chitosan,
a pyrethroid, a quaternary amine polymer, a silica ammonium compound,
trichlosan, and a zeolite.
13.A mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one layer is two layers. 14. A mat as claimed in claim 13, further comprising an intermediate layer
disposed between the two layers.
15. A mat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the intermediate layer is adapted for
strengthening the mat.
16.A mat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the intermediate layer is flexible. 17.A mat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the intermediate layer is semi-rigid. 18.A mat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the two layers comprise aligned
peripheries and the intermediate layer comprises an intermediate layer
periphery being aligned with the aligned peripheries of the two layers.
19.A mat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the two layers comprise aligned
peripheries and the intermediate layer comprises an intermediate layer
periphery being slightly inward of the aligned peripheries of the two layers. 20.A mat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a
plurality of fibres interwoven to form a mesh.
21.A mat as claimed in claim 20, wherein the plurality of fibres are manufactured
from a polymer selected from the group of polymers comprising: polyester and
nylon.
22.A mat as claimed in claim 20, wherein the plurality of fibres are manufactured
from a natural fibre selected from the group of natural fibres comprising:
cotton, bamboo, kanaf, hemp, jute, and coconut husk natural fibres.