Abstract: Methods for providing surface coverings with differential gloss, and surface coverings prepared by the method, are disclosed. The methods involve screen printing or rotogravure printing a relatively low gloss primer onto portions of a substrate surface covering. The primer-coated substrate is then coated with a relatively higher gloss coating composition, and the coating compositions are cured, advantageously in a single curing step. The result is a surface covering including a top coat having a lower gloss level overlying the primer and a higher gloss level in the regions not overlying the primer.

Abstract: A method and composition for providing a colored high performance wear surface for floor coverings is disclosed. Specifically, the floor covering includes a substrate and a high performance layer comprising a radiation cured pigmented composition. The exposed surface of the floor covering has a stain resistance of less than about 150 Delta E units. A pigmented high performance wear layer can be added in register with a printed design on the substrate or in register with an embossed texture of the substrate. Additionally, a high performance topcoat wear layer may be added. The pigmented high performance layer may include a nacreous pigment.

Abstract: A method and composition for providing a colored high performance wear surface for floor coverings is disclosed. Specifically, the floor covering includes a substrate and a high performance layer comprising a radiation cured pigmented composition. The exposed surface of the floor covering has a stain resistance of less than about 150 Delta E units. A pigmented high performance wear layer can be added in register with a printed design on the substrate or in register with an embossed texture of the substrate. Additionally, a high performance topcoat wear layer may be added. The pigmented high performance layer may include a nacreous pigment.

Abstract: A sheet flooring product, including a homogeneous melt processable resin layer formed of a melt processable, non-plastisol layer, and an adjacent felt layer produced by a beater saturated method and having a substantially uniform thickness of between about 5 mils and about 40 mils. The melt processable resin layer is preferably applied by a hot melt calender (“HMC”) process to achieve enhanced can drop, refrigerator drag and indentation values.

Abstract: A flooring installation is characterized by installing an underlayment between the flooring material and the subfloor. The underlayment includes a polymeric layer, preferably a foamed polymeric layer, and a fiber mat, preferably a glass fiber. The foamed polymer interpenetrates at least the lower portion of the glass mat. A portion of the fiber mat is preferably unsaturated. The fiber mat may have an acrylic latex tie coat opposite the foamed polymer layer.

Abstract: A product having a textured surface thereon (and its process of manufacture) is disclosed wherein the textured surface is obtained by relieving the stress in pre-stressed polymeric chips that have been distributed as a single layer throughout a polymeric layer superimposed on a substrate.

Abstract: A product having a textured surface thereon (and its process of manufacture) is disclosed wherein the textured surface is obtained by relieving the stress in pre-stressed polymeric chips that have been distributed as a single layer throughout a polymeric layer superimposed on a substrate.

Abstract: A flooring installation is characterized by installing an underlayment between the flooring material and the subfloor. The underlayment includes (from the subfloor up) a foamed polymeric layer and a glass fiber mat. The foamed polymer interpenetrates at least the lower portion of the glass mat. The upper portion of the glass fiber mat is preferably unsaturated. The glass mat may have an acrylic latex tie coat opposite the foamed polymer layer.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional image is obtained in a substantially flat surface covering by aligning the platelets of a platey material in the optical surface of the surface covering parallel to the exposed surface of the surface covering and realigning predetermined platelets to a predetermined angle with respect to the original alignment. The platelets can be realigned by pressing a gelled transparent or translucent element into the platey material containing layer or by mechanically embossing the platey material containing layer.