Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for optical storage which utilizes a photopolymerizable liquid crystalline material having cholesteric optical properties. By selectively adjusting the reflectance or transmittance properties of the recording medium such that specific wavelength bands of light are reflected or transmitted, and then substantially permanently fixing the reflectance or transmittance characteristics of the film by photopolymerization, multiple wavelength-dependent information can be stored in each dot. Accordingly, the capacity of the recording medium is substantially expanded when compared to conventional optical storage media.

Abstract: A decorative floor covering in tile form has a design printed on its upper surface. Particles are positioned on the upper surface of the tile with at least some of the particles being placed on the tile surface in register with the design printed on the tile surface. A cured wear layer overlies both the particle and the plastic base, whereby the wear layer surface in the areas containing particles and in the areas not containing particles will be of different gloss characteristics.The process requires the sprinkling of particles over an adhesive coated surface to retain the particles in registration with a printed design on the tile surface.

Abstract: The present invention concerns loose-lay floor structures comprising at least two layers of reinforcing material and processes to design and produce them. Loose-lay floors may be designed which will be suitable for use over stable subfloors, or which will accommodate the movement of very unstable subfloors. Flooring constructed according to this invention will have the ability to resist buckling, curling and doming, and will resist moving under a rolling load. A process is also provided for modifying structures comprising a single reinforcing layer in situ so as to convert structures with unacceptable buckling characteristics into structures with acceptable buckling characteristics. As an alternative, the reinforcing layer may be premodified such that, when used to provide a surface covering, the covering will have acceptable buckling characteristics.

Abstract: A decorative plastic floor tile composed of a decorative plastic base having a plurality of elements positioned on the base with a clear or translucent wear layer overlying the elements and the base. The base has raised and depressed areas. The elements comprise particles, preferably inorganic and rounded, and these are embedded in a plastic matrix which is placed only on the raised areas of the base. The particles are distributed throughout the matrix in a single layer of particles with the particles protruding from the matrix but being below the upper most level of the wear layer.

Abstract: A decorative plastic floor tile composed of a decorative plastic base having a plurality of elements positioned on the base with a clear or translucent wear layer overlying the elements and the base. The base has raised and depressed areas. The elements comprise particles, preferably inorganic and rounded, and these are embedded in a plastic matrix which is placed only on the raised areas of the base. The particles are distributed throughout the matrix in a single layer of particles with the particles protruding from the matrix but being below the upper most level of the wear layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the surface gloss of a coating are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises moving in a continuous manner a material which is to be coated, applying at least one coating composition on the material, impinging the surface of the coating composition with a fluid, partially curing the coating composition by radiation, removing any remaining fluid from the surface of the coating composition, and completing the cure of the coating composition.

Abstract: The longitudinal contraction of fibers of nylon in textile fabrics is caused by the application of a nylon textile fabric contracting agent. The agent comprises a mixture of ammonium or a metal nitrate; an acid selected from the group inorganic acid, organic carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof; and a halo, carbocyclic aryl, carbocyclic aryloxy or alkoxy substituted aliphatic alcohol. The textile fabric is treated with the contracting agent and heated to a temperature of from about 200.degree. F. to about 400.degree. F., to initiate a longitudinal contraction of the treated portions of the nylon fabric. After removal of substantially all of the textile fabric treating agent, the textile fabric is dried, thereby completing the longitudinal contraction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns loose-lay floor structures comprising at least two layers of reinforcing material and processes to design and produce them. Loose-lay floors may be designed which will be suitable for use over stable subfloors, or which will accommodate the movement of very unstable subfloors. Flooring constructed according to this invention will have the ability to resist buckling, curling and doming, and will resist moving under a rolling load. A process is also provided for modifying structures comprising a single reinforcing layer in situ so as to convert structures with unacceptable buckling characteristics into structures with acceptable buckling characteristics. As an alternative, the reinforcing layer may be premodified such that, when used to provide a surface covering, the covering will have acceptable buckling characteristics.