A liquid controlling surface, comprising a formation comprising a plurality of individual open topped, closed bottomed cells for containing liquid with each of the cells having a cell wall integral with the closed bottom and defining a well. Each of the cell walls have a top edge. The surface also i
A liquid controlling surface, comprising a formation comprising a plurality of individual open topped, closed bottomed cells for containing liquid with each of the cells having a cell wall integral with the closed bottom and defining a well. Each of the cell walls have a top edge. The surface also includes a plurality of distribution channels extending between adjacent cells and being positioned on the cell wall at a height to permit liquid to drain to the adjacent cell when a cell liquid level exceeds a predetermined limit and to permit liquid to be retained in the well up to the limit. At least some of the cell walls are sized and shaped to define contact areas at the top edges to support an object above the limit.
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1. A liquid controlling surface, comprising: a formation comprising a plurality of individual open topped, closed bottomed cells for containing liquid, each of said cells having a cell wall integral with the closed bottom, and defining a well, each of said cell walls having a top edge;a plurality of
1. A liquid controlling surface, comprising: a formation comprising a plurality of individual open topped, closed bottomed cells for containing liquid, each of said cells having a cell wall integral with the closed bottom, and defining a well, each of said cell walls having a top edge;a plurality of distribution channels extending between adjacent cells and being positioned on the cell wall at a height to permit liquid to drain to the adjacent cell when a cell liquid level exceeds a predetermined limit and to permit liquid to be retained in said well up to said limit; andat least some of said cell walls being sized and shaped to define contact areas at said top edges and having sufficient rigidity to support an object above said limit, wherein said object is a foot of a person, or a wheel of a vehicle. 2. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said distribution channels is sized and shaped to inhibit said object supported by said contact areas from contacting liquid in the cells or the distribution channels. 3. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cell walls have average thicknesses sufficient to support said object on said contact areas, and wherein at least some of said cell walls taper upwardly to said contact areas so as to: a) reduce a surface area of said contact areas to help reduce liquid transfer to said object supported thereon; orb) promote drainage of liquids from said contact areas to help reduce liquid transfer to said object supported thereon. 4. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 3, where the cell walls taper upwardly substantially to a point at said top edges. 5. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tapered cell walls have non-pointed top edges. 6. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contact areas are generally circular in plan view. 7. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contact areas are generally octagonal in plan view. 8. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contact areas bulge outward to encourage draining of liquid from the contact areas to the cells. 9. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a perimeter wall surrounding said cells, the perimeter wall having a height higher than said distribution channels to prevent liquid from leaking from said cells to an area outside the perimeter wall. 10. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 9, wherein the formation and perimeter wall comprise rubber. 11. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 10, wherein said rubber is recycled moulded rubber sourced from tires. 12. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 9, wherein the formation and perimeter wall comprise plastic. 13. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plastic is recycled plastic. 14. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 9, wherein the formation and the perimeter wall are a unitary construction. 15. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 9, wherein the surface further comprises at least one reservoir channel and a reservoir positioned adjacent said formation and configured to receive liquid from the reservoir channels. 16. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 15, wherein said perimeter wall surrounds said formation and reservoir. 17. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 15, wherein the surface further includes a drain positioned to drain liquid from the reservoir. 18. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 15, wherein the reservoir contains an absorbent material for absorbing liquid moving into the reservoir. 19. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 15, wherein the surface further comprises a removable reservoir cover. 20. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 9, wherein said perimeter wall is free of distribution channels. 21. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distribution channels comprise arcuate depressions extending across the cell walls. 22. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the formation is generally rectangular in plan view. 23. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cells are generally rectangular in plan view. 24. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said cells comprises a well for holding liquid, the distribution channels being positioned at a top of the well, the cell wall being sized and shaped to surround the well. 25. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface includes a drain positioned to drain liquid from one or more cells. 26. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a liquid-flow-away section and a liquid retaining section, and wherein an average well depth in the liquid-flow-away section is less than an average well depth in the liquid retaining section to cause liquid to move from the liquid-flow-away section to the liquid retaining section. 27. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a liquid-flow-away section and a liquid retaining section, and wherein an average cell height, above a floor, in the liquid-flow-away section, is greater than an average cell height, above the floor, in the liquid retaining section, to cause liquid to move from the liquid-flow-away section to the liquid retaining section. 28. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of surface modules connected together. 29. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface is a ground covering. 30. The liquid controlling surface as in claim 29, wherein said ground covering is a mat. 31. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distribution channels comprise square depressions extending across the cell walls. 32. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distribution channels comprise V-shaped depressions extending across the cell walls. 33. The liquid controlling surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distribution channels comprise holes extending through the cell wells.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (31)
Engst Wilhelm,DEX, Absorption mat and method of making same.
Clapper David D. (1306 Peterson Dr. Omaha NE 68130) Talmadge Thomas E. (4803 N. 80th Ave. Omaha NE 68134), Drips-catching mats for garage floors and the like.
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