Abstract: A surface covering such as a carpet, carpet tile, area rug, floor mat or the like incorporating a textile face disposed in contacting overlying relation to at least one polyurethane layer. One or more optional intermediate structure layers may be disposed within, on, over, or under the polyurethane layer and one or more optional backing layers may be disposed across the underside of the polyurethane layer. Polyurethane compositions preferably including castor oil may form the precoat, tiecoat, and/or backing.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present invention relate to polyurethane compositions for forming a layer of polyurethane on a textile, fabric or material, such as a flooring fabric or a non-flooring fabric. The compositions comprise the reaction product of castor oil having a water content of less than or equal to about 0.2% by weight; a monol, and an isocyanate, wherein the reactants have a soft segment functionality of about 2.0 to about 2.64. Methods of using the compositions and products including the compositions are also disclosed. At least selected embodiments may provide compositions for use in surface coverings such as floor coverings having a show surface such as a textile or fabric face material in contacting overlying relation to a polyurethane backing with or without additional structures, layers, backings, and/or the like, as well as apparatus, processes, and/or methods for making such surface coverings, uses for such surface coverings, and/or the like.

Abstract: A surface covering such as a lay flat flooring product having an upper show surface disposed in overlying relation to a single or multi-layer, preferably flexible, heavy, thin, resilient backing. A fibrous backing sheet may be disposed across an underside of the backing. The surface covering may be, for example, a tile or roll goods. The show surface may be a decorative textile or carpet layer.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present invention relate to flooring products, methods of producing flooring products, and polyurethane compositions for use in flooring products, for example, for forming a layer of polyurethane on a textile, fabric or material, such as a flooring fabric. The compositions comprise the reaction product of castor oil having a water content of less than or equal to about 0.2% by weight; a monol, and an isocyanate, wherein the reactants have a soft segment functionality of about 2.0 to about 2.64. Methods of using the compositions and flooring products including the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present invention relate to polyurethane backed non-flooring products, methods of making non-flooring products, and polyurethane compositions for forming a layer of polyurethane on a non-flooring textile, fabric or material. The compositions comprise the reaction product of castor oil having a water content of less than or equal to about 0.2% by weight; a monol, and an isocyanate, wherein the reactants have a soft segment functionality of about 2.0 to about 2.64. Methods of using the compositions and products including the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coated fabric, including a lightly fused coating of thermoplastic powder material dispersed across at least a portion of a fabric substrate to a degree at which the air permeability is reduced to a level not greater than 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot of fabric at 0.5 inches of water while a high degree of flexibility is maintained.

Abstract: A method to form a carpet tile into a configuration for use on a stair riser. This method involves measuring the stair riser and using this measurement to score the pile on the face of a tile. The tile is then bent to a 90 angle and a nose guard adhesively placed over the bent or nose portion of the title to provide a preformed product. This product then can be taken on the job, placed into position and readily tacked or glued down to provide the stairs with a tile product which is comparable to the adjacent tiled areas and readily tacked or glued down to provide the stairs with a tile product which is comparable to the adjacent tiled areas.

Abstract: A method to form a carpet tile into a configuration for use on a stair riser. This method involves measuring the stair riser and using this measurement to score the pile on the face of a tile. The tile is then bent to a 90.degree. angle and a nose guard adhesively placed over the bent or nose portion of the tile to provide a preformed product. This product then can be taken on the job, placed into position and readily tacked or glued down to provide the stairs with a tile product which is comparable to the adjacent tiled areas.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus to apply a coating to a fabric which employs vacuum pressure to enhance the penetration of the coating into the fabric. The vacuum pressure source has a continuously moving surface to prevent build-up of the coating material at the outlet of the vacuum source.