U.S. patent application number 11/857584 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for mat including a composite structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jeffrey S. Barden, Francis Enzien, Peter D. Spohn.
Application Number | 20090072479 11/857584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40453618 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090072479 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spohn; Peter D. ; et
al. |
March 19, 2009 |
MAT INCLUDING A COMPOSITE STRUCTURE
Abstract
A mat includes a first surface having a first polymer, a second
surface having a second polymer, and indicia associated with a
game. The first polymer can include, for example, an elastomer,
such as a silicone elastomer. The second polymer can include, for
example, a fluorinated polymer.
Inventors: |
Spohn; Peter D.; (Brookline,
NH) ; Enzien; Francis; (Bow, NH) ; Barden;
Jeffrey S.; (Glenview, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Saint-Gobain/GTPP
55 South Commercial Street
Manchester
NH
03101
US
|
Assignee: |
Saint-Gobain Ceramics &
Plastics, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40453618 |
Appl. No.: |
11/857584 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/236 ;
273/287 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2009/0047 20130101;
A63F 2003/00258 20130101; A63F 2003/0046 20130101; A63F 2009/0643
20130101; A63F 2003/00457 20130101; A63F 3/0023 20130101; A63F
2009/0647 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/236 ;
273/287 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00 |
Claims
1. A mat, comprising: a first surface comprising a silicone
elastomer; a second surface comprising a fluorinated polymer; and
indicia associated with a game.
2. The mat of claim 1, wherein the indicia are between the first
and second surfaces.
3. The mat of claim 1, wherein the indicia contact the first
surface.
4. The mat of claim 1, wherein the indicia contact the second
surface.
5. The mat of claim 1, further comprising fibrous
reinforcement.
6. The mat of claim 5, wherein the fibrous reinforcement is
woven.
7. The mat of claim 6, wherein the fibrous reinforcement comprises
fiberglass and polyaramid yarns.
8. The mat of claim 6, wherein the fibrous reinforcement is coated
with the fluorinated polymer.
9. The mat of claim 8, wherein the silicone elastomer is coupled to
the fluorinated polymer.
10. The mat of claim 5, wherein the fibrous reinforcement is coated
with the silicone elastomer.
11. The mat of claim 1, wherein the silicone elastomer has a higher
coefficient of friction than that of the fluorinated polymer.
12. The mat of claim 1, further comprising a bonding agent
contacting the second surface.
13. The mat of claim 12, wherein the bonding agent comprises
silica.
14. The mat of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprises a regular
pattern.
15. The mat of claim 14, wherein the pattern comprises hexagons,
rectangles, or squares.
16. A game, comprising: a mat comprising a first surface comprising
a silicone elastomer, a second surface comprising a fluorinated
polymer, and indicia associated with the game; and a playing piece
associated with the game.
17. The game of claim 16, wherein the indicia are between the first
and second surfaces.
18. The game of claim 16, wherein the indicia contact the first
surface.
19. The game of claim 16, wherein the indicia contacts the second
surface.
20. The game of claim 16, further comprising fibrous
reinforcement.
21. The game of claim 20, wherein the fibrous reinforcement is
woven.
22. The game of claim 21, wherein the fibrous reinforcement
comprises fiberglass and polyaramid yarns.
23. The game of claim 21, wherein the fibrous reinforcement is
coated with the fluorinated polymer.
24. The game of claim 23, wherein the silicone elastomer is coupled
to the fluorinated polymer.
25. The game of claim 20, wherein the fibrous reinforcement is
coated with the silicone elastomer.
26. The game of claim 16, wherein the silicone elastomer has a
higher coefficient of friction than that of the fluorinated
polymer.
27. The game of claim 16, further comprising a bonding agent
contacting the second surface.
28. The game of claim 27, wherein the bonding agent comprises
silica.
29. The game of claim 16, wherein the indicia comprise a regular
pattern.
30. The game of claim 16, wherein the pattern comprises hexagons,
rectangles, or squares.
31. The game of claim 16, wherein the playing piece comprises a
die.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to mats, such as gaming boards, and
methods of making and using the same.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many games are played on a mat. For example, in games such
as Monopoly.RTM. and Risk.RTM., play pieces are moved and dice are
thrown on a rigid board. The board or mat can be unfolded for play
and folded for storage. In other games, such as chess and
Pente.RTM., a flexible mat can be unrolled for play and rolled up
for storage. Gaming mats can be made of, for example, crushed felt,
cardboard, or plastic-coated fabric.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, the invention features gaming mats and games
including the mats. A mat includes a first surface having a first
polymer, a second surface having a second polymer, and indicia
associated with a game. In some embodiments, the first polymer has
a higher coefficient of friction than a coefficient of friction of
the second polymer. The first polymer can include, for example, an
elastomer, such as a silicone elastomer. The second polymer can
include, for example, a fluorinated polymer.
[0004] In another aspect, the invention features a mat having a
first surface including a silicone elastomer; a second surface
including a fluorinated polymer; and indicia associated with a
game.
[0005] In another aspect, the invention features a game including a
mat having a first surface including a silicone elastomer, a second
surface including a fluorinated polymer, and indicia associated
with the game; and a playing piece associated with the game.
[0006] Embodiments of the aspects may include one or more of the
following features. The indicia are between the first and second
surfaces. The indicia contact the first surface and/or the second
surface. The mat further includes fibrous reinforcement, e.g., one
including fiberglass and polyaramid yarns and/or coated with the
fluorinated polymer. The fibrous reinforcement is woven. The
silicone elastomer is coupled to the fluorinated polymer. The
fibrous reinforcement is coated with the silicone elastomer. The
silicone elastomer has a higher coefficient of friction than that
of the fluorinated polymer. The mat further includes a bonding
agent, such as one including silica, contacting the second surface.
The indicia include a regular pattern, e.g., hexagons, rectangles,
or squares. The playing piece includes a die.
[0007] The mat can be included in a mouse pad, used as shelf
covers, used as refrigerator hangings, and used as erasable boards
(e.g., white boards). For example, use of a mat as a mouse can
include contacting a computer mouse to a structure including the
mat described herein and moving the mouse relative to the
structure. A structure including a mat described herein can include
an adhesive, and the structure can be applied to (e.g., adhered) to
shelving and/or cabinetry. Use of a mat described herein can
include placing a structure including the mat on a support (such as
a refrigerator or a wall), and marking on the structure (e.g., the
mat itself). Marks can be subsequently erased, and the structure
can be re-marked. Variously sized structures (e.g., from
approximately paper size (8.5 inch.times.11 inch) to 4 ft.times.8
ft) can be made and used.
[0008] As used herein, a "game" is an article (such as a
merchandised article) that is used (e.g., played) for recreational,
entertainment, amusement, and/or educational purposes. A game can
include packaging (such as a box or a container), one or more play
pieces (such as dice and playing pieces or markers), a mat or board
on which the playing pieces are moved, and instructions for playing
the game. The mat or board can be folded or rolled for storage in
the packaging.
[0009] As used herein, "mat" and "board" are used
interchangeably.
[0010] Other aspects and features will be apparent from the
description of the embodiments thereof and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
game.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of an embodiment of a
mat.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of an embodiment of a
mat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a game 20, such as
Monopoly.RTM. and Risk.RTM.. As shown, game 20 includes packaging
22 (such as a box or a container for storing components of the
game), a mat 24, one or more playing pieces 26 (such as dice, a
spin wheel, and players' markers), and printed instructions 28 for
playing the game. During use, mat 24 and playing pieces 26 are
removed from packaging 22, and the playing pieces can be moved on
the mat. After use, mat 24 can be folded or rolled and stored in
packaging 22, along with playing pieces 26.
[0015] Referring also to FIG. 2, mat 24 is a composite structure
including (e.g., is formed of) two or more layers. As shown, mat 24
includes two layers 30, 32 that form a first major surface 34 and
an opposite second major surface 36, respectively, and indicia 38
(e.g., printed graphics) associated game 20. In some embodiments,
first major surface 34 includes (e.g., is formed of) a high
coefficient of friction material, such as a silicone elastomer, and
second major surface 36 includes (e.g., is formed of) a material
(such as a fluorinated polymer) having a low coefficient of
friction (e.g., lower than the coefficient of friction of the first
major surface). First major surface 34 can be placed face down on a
surface (such as a table or a floor) and playing pieces 26 can be
placed and moved on second major surface 36.
[0016] Layer 30 includes a high coefficient of friction material
that can reduce slippage and help keep mat 24 in place on an
intended surface. For example, layer 30 may include elastomeric
material. Exemplary materials include polyorganosiloxane,
polyolefins, polyurethane, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)
polymers, and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the material
included in layer 30 is substantially free of fluorination. In some
embodiments, the material included in layer 30 also has low surface
energy and may, for example, be non-stick material. For example,
layer 30 may include polyorganosiloxane, such as silicone
elastomer.
[0017] Layer 32 includes a low surface energy material, such as a
non-stick and/or non-reactive material. In some embodiments, the
material included in layer 32 has a low coefficient of friction.
The material of layer 32 protects layer 30 and mat 24 from damage
(e.g., from food and liquids), and allows the mat to be marked on
(e.g., with a marker) and easily cleaned for reuse. For example,
layer 32 may include fluorinated polymer. The fluorinated polymer
can be a homopolymer of fluorine-substituted monomers or a
copolymer including at least one fluorine-substituted monomer.
Exemplary fluorine substituted monomers include tetrafluoroethylene
(TFE), vinylidene fluoride (VF2), hexafluoropropylene (HFP),
chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), perfluoroethylvinyl ether (PEVE),
perfluoromethylvinyl ether (PMVE), and perfluoropropylvinyl ether
(PPVE). Examples of fluorinated polymers include
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkylvinyl ether (PFA),
fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer (FEP), ethylene
tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride
(PVDF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), and TFE copolymers
with VF2 and/or HFP. Layer 32 can include one material or a mixture
of materials.
[0018] While layers 30, 32 are illustrated as a single layer each,
the layers may be formed of several layers of their respective
materials described above. For example, layer 30 may be formed
through coating several layers of fluoropolymer and sintering after
each coating or after the final coat is applied.
[0019] Other components may be present in the materials used to
form layer 30 and/or layer 32. For example, one or more layers can
include fillers, light stabilizers, pigments, and bonding aids.
Exemplary fillers include talc, silica, and calcium carbonate.
Exemplary light absorbing additives and pigments include TiO.sub.2,
Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, carbon black, and calcined mixed metal oxides. One
or both layers 30, 32 can include one or more materials (e.g., an
ink) that allow the layer(s) to be thermally addressable or laser
addressable to form indicia. Examples of addressable materials are
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,835,424.
[0020] In some embodiments, a mat includes reinforcement, such as
fibrous reinforcement. FIG. 3 illustrates a mat 40 including
reinforcement 42. As shown, layer 44 includes a low surface energy
material and form a major surface 48. Layer 46 includes a high
coefficient of friction material and form a major surface 50. Layer
44 may include materials described above for layer 30 of FIG. 2,
and layer 46 may include materials described above for layer 32 of
FIG. 2. As show, reinforcement 42 is incorporated into layer 44.
Alternatively or additionally, reinforcement 42 is incorporated
into layer 46. In some embodiments, reinforcement 42 is located
between layers 44, 46.
[0021] Reinforcement 42 can include (e.g., be formed of) organic
and/or inorganic materials. Exemplary inorganic materials include
carbon fiber, metal filament, such as steel and copper wire,
ceramic filaments, such as glass fiber, and blends thereof.
Exemplary organic materials include natural fibers, such as cotton,
wool, and blends thereof and polymeric materials, such as
polyester, polyamide, polyaramid, polyamideimide, polyimide,
polyolefin, and blends or copolymers thereof. In some embodiments,
reinforcement 42 is incorporated into layer 44 and is formed from
polyaramid materials, such as meta- or para-polyaramid materials.
In some embodiments, reinforcement 42 is incorporated into layer 46
and is formed from polyester materials or polyamide material, such
as nylon materials. Reinforcement 42 can be coated with one or both
of the materials in layers 44, 46, for example, coated so as to be
substantially embedded in one or both of the layers. For example,
reinforcement 42 may be coated with fluorinated polymer (e.g.,
embedded in layer 44) or may be (coated with silicone elastomer
(e.g., embedded in layer 46).
[0022] Reinforcement 42 can include woven fibers (e.g., stitched or
in a weave) and/or non-woven fibers, (e.g., randomly distributed
fibers). A mat can include one or more layers, sheets or types of
reinforcement material.
[0023] In some embodiments, a mat is formed through a process of
coating a carrier web and/or a reinforcement with a low surface
energy, low coefficient of friction material, such as fluorinated
polymer, e.g., PTFE. Prior to coating, selected indicia associated
with the game can be applied to the carrier web and/or the
reinforcement. After the coating process, the low surface energy,
low coefficient of friction material can serve as a protective
layer for the indicia. The indicia can be in the form of graphics,
letters, words, numbers, symbols, etc. For example, for the game
Risk.RTM., the indicia may include graphics showing a map, and for
the game Monopoly.RTM., the indicia may include areas showing the
various properties. The indicia can be applied using inkjet marking
(e.g., printing), screen marking (e.g., printing), laser marking,
and/or by hand (e.g., writing with a marker). Alternatively or
additionally to applying indicia on the carrier web (e.g., by
rotary screen printing) and/or the reinforcement, indicia can be
applied on the low surface energy, low coefficient of friction
material. The indicia on the low surface energy, low coefficient of
friction material can be different from or the same as the indicia
applied on the carrier web and/or the reinforcement (e.g.,
overlaid).
[0024] The carrier web and/or the reinforcement are paid from a
roll and coated on one side with a suspension including fluorinated
polymer particles dispersed in a liquid medium. For example, the
suspension can include Fluon.RTM. ADILN PTFE aqueous dispersion to
which 0.5% Zonyl.RTM. FSO fluorosurfactant from DuPont has been
added. A blade or metering rods are positioned to remove excess
suspension from the carrier web. The suspension is then dried and
sintered to form a layer on the carrier web. In some embodiments,
the coated suspension is dried at about 332.degree. F. and sintered
at about 649.degree. F. The thickness of the layer may be increased
by repeating the coating process. In other embodiments, the carrier
web may be coated with the suspension, the suspension dried, and a
second coating applied to the dried suspension before
sintering.
[0025] An exposed surface of the fluorinated polymer can be
rendered bondable or more bondable. For example, the surface may be
chemically etched with an etching composition, such as sodium
metal/naphthalene/glycol ether mixture and sodium metal/anhydrous
ammonia mixture. In other embodiments, the surface is rendered
bondable through electrochemical treatments, metal sputtering and
deposition of metals and/or metal oxides. For example, deposition
of metals and metal oxides may include chemical vapor deposition
and physical vapor deposition.
[0026] In other embodiments, the surface of the fluorinated polymer
is rendered bondable or more bondable by impregnating the material
with colloidal silica. For example, the fluorinated polymer may
include 25-70 wt % colloidal silica. In a further example, the
surface may be rendered bondable by applying to the surface a
coating of FEP or PFA including colloidal silica. The FEP or PFA
coating is dried and sintered or fused to the surface of the
fluorinated polymer, such as PTFE. In other embodiments, the
fluorinated polymer surface is coated with a mixture of DuPont FEP
TE-9503, Ludox.RTM. LS 30 colloidal silica dispersion from W.R.
Grace Company, and Triton.RTM. X-100 non-ionic surfactant.
[0027] Once the surface is bondable or more bondable, a high
coefficient of friction material, such as silicone elastomer, is
applied to the bondable surface. For example, precursors of
silicone elastomer may be coated on the bondable surface and cured.
In some embodiments, a platinum catalyzed liquid silicone rubber
solution is applied to the bondable surface of the fluorinated
polymer layer. The coating may be heated to deactivate or evaporate
inhibitors, allowing the liquid silicone rubber solution to cure.
In other embodiments, an organic peroxide catalyzed silicone rubber
is coated to the fluorinated polymer layer and the coating is
heated to facilitate curing. Other exemplary silicone elastomers
include moisture-curing silicones. In embodiments, the silicone
elastomer precursor coating includes 50 parts 9252-500P Part A and
50 parts 9252-500P Part B liquid silicone rubber from Dow Corning
Corporation in which Part A includes a platinum catalyst and Part B
includes a crosslinking agent and a cure inhibitor capable of being
removed by heat. Multiple coatings of the silicone material may be
applied, and reinforcement may be incorporated in the silicone
layer.
[0028] In exemplary embodiments, the thickness of the fluorinated
polymer layer is generally about 0.2-12 mils. In one example, the
thickness is about 4-12 mils. In another example the thickness is
about 0.2-4 mils, such as about 0.5-4 mils. The silicone layer is
generally about 2-100 mils. In one example, the thickness of the
silicone layer is about 4-20 mils. Alternatively, the thickness of
the silicone layer is about 2-10 mils, such as about 5-10 mils. For
example, when a reinforcement is embedded in the fluorinated
polymer layer, the thickness of the fluorinated polymer layer may
be about 4-12 mils and the thickness of the silicone layer may be
about 2-10 mils. Alternatively, when the reinforcement material is
embedded in the silicone layer, the thickness of the fluorinated
polymer layer may be about 0.5-4 mils and the thickness of the
silicone layer may be about 4-20 mils.
[0029] Further details of the construction of a mat can be found
in, for example, US Patent Application Publication No. US
2001/0034170A1, incorporated herein by reference.
[0030] While a number of embodiments have been described, the
invention is not so limited.
[0031] For example, while embodiments of mats are described above
as associated with games, in other embodiments, the mats are
separately packaged. For example, a mat can include indicia of a
grid or a regular array of shapes, such as hexagons, rectangles,
squares, and circles. The mat can be used with various games (such
as Dungeons & Dragons.RTM., and strategy games) where players
may want to map certain areas and/or to show positions and
movements of character pieces. The mat allows the players to write
and to draw on the mat, and to easily remove (e.g., with a solvent
or water) the markings for re-use.
[0032] The mats can be made flexible so that they can be rolled for
storage, or the mats can be made stiff and scored so that they can
be folded for storage.
[0033] The mats can be used for other applications. For example, a
mat can be included in a mouse pad, used as shelf covers, used as
refrigerator hangings, and used as erasable boards (e.g., white
boards).
[0034] All references, such as patents, patent applications, and
publications, referred to above are incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
[0035] Other embodiments are within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *