Edward O Tate

US Patent:

50734288, Dec 17, 1991

Filed:

Oct 10, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/418605

Inventors:

Charles J. Lancelot - Winchester VA
Anthony F. Shaw - Bluemont VA
Edward O. Tate - Berryville VA

Assignee:

Rubbermaid Incorporated - Wooster OH

International Classification:

B32B 310
B32B 308

US Classification:

428 67

Abstract:

A foldable plastic product, such as a floor mat (10), comprises a sheet of material including at least two panels (16, 17) having upper surfaces (11), lower surfaces (12) and sides (13) spanning the upper and lower surfaces and defining the thickness of the sheet. At least one bridge portion (18) is provided, the upper surface of which integrally connects the upper surfaces (11) of the panels (16, 17). The thickness (D) of the bridge portion (18) is less than the thickness of the sheet. At least one hinge portion (20) is provided having an upper surface (22) coincident with the bridge portion (18). The lower surface (21) of the hinge portion (20) integrally connects the lower surfaces (12) of the panels (16, 17). The hinge portion (20) is preferably formed of a material selected from the group of thermoplastic elastomers selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes and plasticized polyvinylchlorides having a Shore A hardness of between about 65 to about 80 durometer.