# US 9,133,598 B2 · Sealed interconnected mat system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,133,598 B2 - Document ID: US9133598B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/157,520 - Filed: 2014-01-17 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Granted: 2015-09-15 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-17 - Assignees: Polymics, Ltd. - Applicants: Tim T. Hsu - Inventors: Tim T. Hsu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9133598B2 ## CPC - E02D 31/002: {Ground foundation measures for protecting the soil or subsoil water, e.g. preventing or counteracting oil pollution (not used, see subgroups and E02D31/00)} - B65D 90/24: Spillage-retaining means, e.g. recovery ponds - Y10T 137/5762: With leakage or drip collecting - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A sealed mat system that protects an environment from discharge of a fluid or a solid material is disclosed. The mat system comprises interconnected channels, seals, and a composite panel structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A containment system for protecting an environment from discharge of a fluid or a solid material, the system comprising: a mat comprising an upper compression surface and a lower tension surface, said mat being capable of bearing a load placed on said upper compression surface; a core comprising a plurality of cells, the upper compression surface and the lower tension surface being disposed about said core so as to form one or more panels; a frame comprising a first plurality of interlocking channels adjacent to the core, the upper compression surface being disposed above said first interlocking channels and the lower tension surface being disposed below said first interlocking channels; a second plurality of interlocking channels adjacent to the core, said second plurality of interlocking channels having spaces formed therein such that the first and second interlocking channels are connectable with one another, and a surface of at least one panel being in contact with the frame and the core, the frame being supportive of load distribution across the mat. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said first plurality of interlocking channels comprises a plurality of internal cell frames, each internal cell frame being capable of motion under load, independently of each panel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said second plurality of interlocking channels further comprise slots having a spacing design that is congruous or asymmetric. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said first plurality of interlocking channels comprises substantially hollow profiles. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising a seal formed by contact and mating of a frame formed by said first plurality of interlocking channels with the one or more panels. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising a seal formed by contact of upper and lower sides of said first plurality of interlocking channels with interior surfaces of the one or more panels. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: one or more compressible sealing elements that allow for a coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between said frame and the one or more panels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more sealing elements that allow for deformation under load; and said one or more sealing elements comprising a Durometer Scale Shore A hardness in the range of 50 to 100. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more sealing elements that allow for deformation under load; and said one or more sealing elements comprising a Durometer Scale Shore D) hardness in the range of 20 to 90. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said core comprises a multi-unit matrix having a honeycomb configuration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said upper compression surface or said lower tension surface comprises a substantially planar configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more panels further comprise modifiers having electrostatic dissipative properties, ultraviolet ray blocking properties, anti-slip properties, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 13 A mat system comprising: a mat having an upper compression surface and a lower tension surface; a core comprising a plurality of cells, the upper compression surface and the lower tension surface being disposed about said core so as to form one or more panels; a frame comprising a first plurality of interlocking channels adjacent to the core, the upper compression surface being disposed above said first interlocking channels and the lower tension surface being disposed below said first interlocking channels; a second plurality of interlocking channels adjacent to the core, said second plurality of interlocking channels having spaces formed therein such that the first and second interlocking channels are connectable with one another, and a surface of the one or more panels being in contact with the frame and the core, the frame being supportive of load distribution across the mat.