Abstract: The invention provides a process for making a mat particularly a washable dust control mat, having a fabric layer and a rubber backing layer with a border extending beyond the fabric layer using a press which heat-cures the rubber and adheres it to the fabric and employs an inflatable bag to apply pressure by pressing the layers against a heated platen, wherein a frame defining the extent of the border is located between the bag and the platen, and wherein the bag applies pressure to the assembled layers including the border portion of the backing layer. The frame can act as a dam for preventing outward movement of the rubber and provide an integral thickened border; in some cases it also provides a guillotine for trimming the rubber during pressing.

Abstract: A mat has a fabric layer (2) including a substrate (8) a tufted pile (6), and a rubber backing (4). The fabric layer (2) includes tufts of a blended yarn (12) that includes a moisture absorbing fibre and a fibre having anti-microbial properties, and optionally a low melting point fibre that is at least partially fused to the other fibres in the blended yarn. The tufted pile (6) may also optionally include tufts of twisted synthetic yarn (10).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for making a mat particularly a washable dust control mat, having a fabric layer (2) and a rubber backing layer (4) with a border (6) extending beyond the fabric layer (2) using a press which heat-cures the rubber and adheres it to the fabric and employs an inflatable bag (24) to apply pressure by pressing the layers against a heated platen (21), wherein a frame (14) defining the extent of the border (6) is located between the bag and the platen, and wherein the bag applies pressure to the assembled layers including the border portion of the backing layer. The frame (14) can act as a dam for preventing outward movement of the rubber and provide an integral thickened border; in some cases it also provides a guillotine for trimming the rubber during pressing.