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: 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: Color, pattern, design, and/or the like is applied by means of a jet dye process, or any other secondary or post pattern application process, including but not exclusively, silk screen printing, rotary printing, etc., to a bonded carpet, where the yarn in the carpet is all white (no dye applied) or light colored or where the yarn is pre-dyed with a single or multiple colors or where the yarn is treated chemically. The bonded carpet preferably has a low face weight and flat, short, dense, vertical cut pile.

Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.

Abstract: A surface covering element adapted for disposition in covering relation to a support surface. The surface covering element includes a show surface adapted to project away from the support surface when the surface covering element is disposed across the support surface and an underside adapted to project towards the support surface when the surface covering element is disposed across the support surface. A friction enhancing coating composition is disposed in coated relation across the underside at an effective level to enhance sliding friction of the surface covering element such that the surface covering element exhibits a degree of lateral grip cross across the support surface. The friction enhancing coating composition does not permanently stick to the support surface.

Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.

Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.

Abstract: An improved cushioned carpet fabric is provided. The cushioned carpet comprises a primary carpet having a primary base and a plurality of pile-forming yarns projecting outwardly from one side. A layer of reinforcement material is bonded to the primary base on the side opposite the pile forming yarns. The reinforcement layer is adjacent to and embedded in, a cushion layer of a polymer such as a polyurethane. There is preferably no additional adhesive between the cushion layer and the layer of reinforcement material. An apparatus and process for forming the cushioned carpet fabric are also provided.

Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.

Abstract: A layered cushioned composite such as a carpet or carpet tile which in at least one embodiment incorporates a layer of stabilizing material and a layer of adhesive material below a primary carpet and above a layer of compressed particle, recycled and/or rebond foam or cushioning material and having special applicability to the residential market, especially the residential do-it-yourself market. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the residential carpet tile has a high twist frieze face, a polyurethane rebond foam cushion, and a non-square shape providing for interlocking with adjacent or abutting carpet tiles.

Abstract: A layered cushioned composite such as a carpet or carpet tile which in at least one embodiment incorporates a layer of stabilizing material and a layer of adhesive material below a primary carpet and above a layer of compressed particle, recycled and/or rebond foam or cushioning material and having special applicability to the residential market, especially the residential do-it-yourself market.

Abstract: A layered cushioned composite such as a carpet or carpet tile which in at least one embodiment incorporates a layer of stabilizing material and a layer of adhesive material below a primary carpet and above a layer of compressed particle, recycled and/or rebond foam or cushioning material and having special applicability to the residential market, especially the residential do-it-yourself market. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the residential carpet tile has a high twist frieze face, a polyurethane rebond foam cushion, and a non-square shape providing for interlocking with adjacent or abutting carpet tiles.

Abstract: Floor covering products, such as carpets, carpet tiles, floor mats, and the like, which comprise very specific antimicrobial adhesive latex formulations therein are provided. Such formulations comprise, as the only antimicrobial active ingredients, certain inorganic antimicrobial compounds, such as, preferably, silver-containing ion-exchange, glass, and/or zeolite compounds. Such latexes exhibit excellent adhesive and antimicrobial qualities and, since they do not contain any added organic bactericides (and thus no bactericide VOCs), do not release any such organic bactericides upon exposure to high processing temperatures.

Abstract: Color, pattern, design, and/or the like is applied by means of a jet dye process, or any other secondary or post pattern application process, including but not exclusively, silk screen printing, rotary printing, etc., to a bonded carpet, where the yarn in the carpet is all white (no dye applied) or light colored or where the yarn is pre-dyed with a single or multiple colors or where the yarn is treated chemically. The bonded carpet preferably has a low face weight and flat, short, dense, vertical cut pile.

Abstract: Broadly defined adhesive latex formula s exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Such formulations comprise certain antimicrobial compounds, such as, preferably, metal-containing ion-exchange and/or zeolite compounds, are provided. The inventive latex formulations must also exhibit substantially uniform characteristics (such a similar viscosity and/or appearance throughout) in order to provide a functionally and aestheticially pleasing formulation for utilization within any number of applications. In order to provide such an inventive latex formulation, it has been found that compounding of all the base ingredients (polymer, antimicrobial agent, fillers) must be undertaken prior to the final thickening step, which ultimately produces the desired latex. The specific method of producing such formulations is also encompassed within this invention.