Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce a polymeric sheet comprising the steps of providing an acid-based polymer, providing a neutralizing agent, the neutralizing agent being selected from the group consisting of an organic metallic compound, a metallic salt of a fatty acid, and an ionomer, or a mixture thereof, providing a processing oil, mixing said acid-based polymer, said neutralizing agent, said processing oil, to obtain a polymeric composition, and processing said polymeric composition to form a polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet may be used as a component, or as a substrate, of a surface covering. The polymeric sheet may also be used to form polymeric particles which are component of so-called “homogenous”, or substrate-free, surface covering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce a polymeric sheet comprising the steps of providing an acid-based polymer, providing a neutralizing agent, the neutralizing agent being selected from the group consisting of an organic metallic compound, a metallic salt of a fatty acid, and an ionomer, or a mixture thereof, providing a processing oil, mixing said acid-based polymer, said neutralizing agent, said processing oil, to obtain a polymeric composition, and processing said polymeric composition to form a polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet may be used as a component, or as a substrate, of a surface covering. The polymeric sheet may also be used to form polymeric particles which are component of so-called “homogenous”, or substrate-free, surface covering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce a polymeric sheet comprising the steps of providing an acid-based polymer, providing a neutralizing agent, the neutralizing agent being selected from the group consisting of an organic metallic compound, a metallic salt of a fatty acid, and an ionomer, or a mixture thereof, providing a processing oil, mixing said acid-based polymer, said neutralizing agent, said processing oil, to obtain a polymeric composition, and processing said polymeric composition to form a polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet may be used as a component, or as a substrate, of a surface covering. The polymeric sheet may also be used to form polymeric particles which are component of so-called “homogenous”, or substrate-free, surface covering.

Abstract: Selectivity embossed surface coverings are prepared by mechanically embossing a wear layer which overlays at least one printing ink containing a photoinitiator which has been printed in a pattern or design. The embossed wear layer is subjected to ultraviolet radiation which causes curing of the wear layer in the surface areas disposed over the printing ink. The product then is fused whereby the mechanical embossing in surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink relaxes and becomes smooth. In a variant of the invention, a thermoplastic wear layer is employed which can be mechanically embossed in the surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink with a texture different from the first applied mechanical embossing. In another variant, two different spectral regions of UV curing radiation are used so that a urethane coating can be employed as a top coat with a selectively embossed surface.

Abstract: Selectivity embossed surface coverings are prepared by mechanically embossing a wear layer which overlays at least one printing ink containing a photoinitiator which has been printed in a pattern or design. The embossed wear layer is subjected to ultraviolet light which causes curing of the wear layer in the surface areas disposed over the printing ink. The product then is fused whereby the mechanical embossing in surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink relaxes and becomes smooth. In a variant of the invention, a thermoplastic wear layer is employed which can be mechanically embossed in the surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink with a texture different from the first applied mechanical embossing.

Abstract: Selectivity embossed surface coverings are prepared by mechanically embossing a wear layer which overlays at least one printing ink containing a photoinitiator which has been printed in a pattern or design. The embossed wear layer is subjected to ultraviolet radiation which causes curing of the wear layer in the surface areas disposed over the printing ink. The product then is fused whereby the mechanical embossing in surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink relaxes and becomes smooth. In a variant of the invention, a thermoplastic wear layer is employed which can be mechanically embossed in the surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink with a texture different from the first applied mechanical embossing. In another variant, two different spectral regions of UV curing radiation are used so that a urethane coating can be employed as a top coat with a selectively embossed surface.

Abstract: Selectivity embossed surface coverings are prepared by mechanically embossing a wear layer which overlays at least one printing ink containing a photoinitiator which has been printed in a pattern or design. The embossed wear layer is subjected to ultraviolet light which causes curing of the wear layer in the surface areas disposed over the printing ink. The product then is fused whereby the mechanical embossing in surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink relaxes and becomes smooth. In a variant of the invention, a thermoplastic wear layer is employed which can be mechanically embossed in the surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink with a texture different from the first applied mechanical embossing.

Abstract: An article that is a flooring material or a wall covering coated with a wear layer that is a heat-cured and radiation-cured coating composition, the composition including a polyvinyl chloride (PVC resin), an acrylic or methacrylic compound, and a radiation-reactive urethane oligomer, the composition being substantially or completely free of internal or external plasticizers.

Abstract: The specular gloss of a polyurethane wear layer of a surface covering is controlled by controlling the thermal conditions of a substrate before and after it is coated with a liquid polyurethane and by controlling the termal conditions of the liquid polyurethane before it is coated on the substrate. The liquid polyurethane is photo-curable or radiation-curable and it contains a matting agent. Changes in specular gloss are attained without changing the composition of the polyurethane or the conditions of photo-curing or radiation curing.

Abstract: A decorative inlaid sheet material comprising a sheet of flexible substrate and a plastic layer comprising birefringent particles (or flitters) dispersed in plastisol or organosol. Preferably, the plastisol or organosol is clear or translucent.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes an improved method for making decorative inlaid types of sheet materials which consists of forming, on a sheet of flexible substrate, a layer of plastisol or organosol containing resinous porous particles. The improvement consists in blending the resinous porous particles with the plastisol or organosol by slow agitation, under vacuum.

Abstract: A process for the production of synthetic coverings for floors, walls, etc. which exhibit a cracked effect is presented. The process includes the step of depositing on a compatible substrate, a plastisol coating composition containing a gel previously prepared from a mixture of two materials, the mixture being comprised of (1) a solid sorbent agent and (2) a solvent which causes swelling by absorption of the solvent in and on the sorbent agent; or alternately, by an aqueous dispersion of a (1) dry mixture of PVC and of (2) a plasticizer containing at least one resin forming a gel in water. Subsequent to depositing this plastisol coating on the substrate, a thermal treatment for the formation of a film or for drying is carried out at a sufficient temperature whereby an irreversible process of preliminary gelling of the coating and shrinkage of the gel by desorption of the solvent from the sorbent agent or by evaporation of the water, respectively, simultaneously occurs.

Abstract: A process and product is presented for obtaining selective areas of distinctive appearance, i.e., matting on synthetic coverings. The process includes, depositing a polymeric coating which contains at least one radiation initiator for polymerization onto at least a first selected area or zone on an expandable or non-expandable support substrate. Next, at least one second coating comprised of a crosslinkable monomer is deposited onto a second selected area on the substrate. This second area or zone may encompass at least a portion of the first area. Thereafter, pre-gelling is performed on the deposited material followed by a graining operation which is carried out over at least a portion of the substrate surface. The synthetic covering in the first zone or area is then polymerized by radiation initiation wherein the particular appearance thereof is fixed to the substrate. Thereafter, gelling is carried out wherein the polymer which has not been fixed by radiation initiation will flow, i.e.

Abstract: A process and product is presented for obtaining selective areas of distinctive appearance, i.e., matting on synthetic coverings. This process includes, depositing a polymer coating which contains at least one first initiator for polymerization onto at least a first selected area or zone on an expandable or nonexpandable support substrate. Next, at least one second coating comprised of a crosslinkable monomer containing at least one second polymerization initiator is deposited onto a second selected area on the substrate. This second area or zone may encompass at least a portion of the first area. The first and second initiators should be triggered by distinct "spectral zones", i.e., a range of temperature conditions, frequency conditions, etc. capable of decomposing the initiator to form free radicals or ions needed for chain propagation in a polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Textured sheet material is produced by a process which includes two printing steps and two separate applications of plastisol in the form of discontinuous layers. The plastisol layers are applied over respective of the printed patterns and the first layer of plastisol is gelled, but not fused, prior to the second printing step which provides an image thereon. The process enables production of a relief pattern having "valleys" of two different depths.

Abstract: The impregnation of a non-woven fabric with a plastisol is accomplished by first coating the fabric with a heated plastisol having a viscosity in the range of 4 to 30 poise, subsequently pressing the coated fabric against a rotating cylinder which has been heated to within the range of 130.degree. to 180.degree. C. and maintaining the coated fabric in contact with the cylinder for a sufficient time to obtain complete impregnation of the fabric by the plastisol and to gel the plastisol to the side of the fabric disposed away from the cylinder.

Abstract: A process and product is presented for obtaining selective areas of distinctive appearance, i.e., matting on synthetic coverings. The process includes, depositing a polymeric coating which contains at least one radiation initiator for polymerization onto at least a first selected area or zone on an expandable or non-expandable support substrate. Next, at least one second coating comprised of a crosslinkable monomer is deposited onto a second selected area on the substrate. This second area or zone may encompass at least a portion of the first area. Thereafter, pre-gelling is performed on the deposited material followed by a graining operation which is carried out over at least a portion of the substrate surface. The synthetic covering in the first zone or area is then polymerized by radiation initiation wherein the particular appearance thereof is fixed to the substrate. Thereafter, gelling is carried out wherein the polymer which has not been fixed by radiation initiation will flow, i.e.

Abstract: A process and product is presented for obtaining selective areas of distinctive appearance, i.e., matting on synthetic coverings. This process includes, depositing a polymer coating which contains at least one first initiator for polymerization onto at least a first selected area or zone on an expandable or nonexpandable support substrate. Next, at least one second coating comprised of a crosslinkable monomer containing at least one second polymerization initiator is deposited onto a second selected area on the substrate. This second area or zone may encompass at least a portion of the first area. The first and second initiators should be triggered by distinct "spectral zones", i.e., a range of temperature conditions, frequency conditions, etc. capable of decomposing the initiator to form free radicals or ions needed for chain propagation in a polymerization reaction.