Abstract: A method of making a scouring material comprises the steps of: 1) forming a three-dimensional nonwoven web of natural fibres contacted with dry particulate material that includes fusible binder particles, 2) exposing the web to conditions that cause the binder particles to form a flowable liquid binder, and then solidifying the liquid binder to form bonds between the fibres of the web and thereby provide a pre-bonded web and 3) applying abrasive particles to the pre-bonded web and bonding the abrasive particles to the fibres of the pre-bonded web by at least a make-coat resin to provide the scouring material.

Abstract: A base (2) for a floor mat (1) is composed of a plurality of components that are releasably-secured together to define at least one recess, for receiving matting material (3), and a ramp-like edge (4) that inclines upwardly from the level of the floor surface to the level of the upper surface of the mat. In some embodiments, the ramp-like edge may extend without interruption around the entire periphery of the base. In other embodiments, in which the base is generally rectangular, the ramp-like edge may extend without interruption along only two opposed sides of the base. Advantageously, the height of the walls of the/each recess is such that the tops of the walls are at the level of the upper surface of the mat.

Abstract: A mat/carpet (1) comprises an upper layer (3) having a soil-removing outer surface (7) for contacting traffic passing over the mat, and a lower layer (5) located below the upper layer. The upper layer comprises textile fibers (9, 11) and is water-permeable whereby water can drain from the upper layer (3) into the lower layer (5). The lower layer (5) is arranged to collect, for subsequent removal, water that is received from the upper layer (3), and may comprise channels (50) through which water can flow in a direction generally parallel to the soil-removing outer surface (7) of the mat.