Abstract: A window for use in an electronic device is provided. The window includes a display section and a strengthening layer. The display section is made of polyethylene terephthalate and overlaps with the strengthening layer. The strengthening layer is made of polymethyl methacrylate. The window is adhered to the electronic device with a transparent cyanoacrylate adhesive.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

Abstract: A modular display system including a plurality of display tiles insertable into slideways in a display tile holder. Each display tile includes a display panel, a slide panel, and a spacer extending therebetween. The display tile holder includes a base panel and a plurality of first slideways and a plurality of second slideways orthogonal to the first. The display tile holder includes a plurality of retainers each supported in spaced relation from the base panel and arranged in an array to define the slideways. Multiple display tile holders are joined together with a connector that engages connector sockets disposed on the base panel. Preferably, the display tile holders are connected together such that at least one slideway from each of the display tile holders is aligned with another slideway. The modular display system may include mounts attachable to a vertical surface and operative to support the display tile holders.

Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other. A surface covering comprises a multiplicity of units assembled to form a continuous surface without overlap between units and without substantial gaps between units. A structure, such as a wall or column can be formed of building units of the invention.

Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other. A surface covering comprises a multiplicity of units assembled to form a continuous surface without overlap between units and without substantial gaps between units. A structure, such as a wall or column can be formed of building units of the invention.

Abstract: A method of making alkali-metal vapor cells by first forming microscale-wax micropackets with alkali metals inside allows fabrication of vapor cells at low cost and in a batch fabricated manner. Alkali metals are enclosed in a chemically inert wax to preform alkali metal-wax micropackets, keeping the alkali metals from reacting with the ambient surroundings during the vapor cell fabrication. This enables the deposition of precise amounts of pure alkali metal inside the vapor cells. Laser ablation of the alkali metal-wax micropackets provides a simple and effective way of releasing the enclosed metal. The method reduces the cost of making chip-scale atomic clocks and allows shipping of alkali vapor packets without contamination issues, thereby creating a technology for alkali-metal vendors to provide small packets of alkali metals.

Abstract: The invention herein pertains to pavement marking patterns and the application thereof to roads, streets, walkways and the like. Various pattern designs for the markings are available to replicate layers of bricks, cobblestones, horizontal signage, logos and other components. The marking patterns are composed of two or more independent sections, the first section is a grid representing for example, the mortar joints in a brick wall. The second sections or inserts, for example represent bricks which are contained within the grid. As the first and second sections are generally formed from different colored, preferably thermoplastic materials, a hot melt adhesive spray is utilized on the bottom surface of the marking pattern to bridge the intersections between the first and second sections to maintain the integrity of the marking pattern for convenience during handling and application to a substrate.

Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped. In one preferred embodiment all six sides are irregularly shaped, images of each other and comprise mid-point rotations. As a result, any side of any unit can mate with any other side of any other unit. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other.

Abstract: A modular textile system comprises a plurality of distinct, but coordinating, textile tiles, each including at least one design zone, where at least two of the distinct tiles include at least one design zone having substantially the same composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal mosaic tile used as the interior finishing material on the wall of a building. The tile includes a metallic board and a metallic cover. Convex parts are provided on the front of the metallic board at regular intervals and concave parts are provided on the back of the metallic board at regular intervals. The metallic cover includes a bent side plate, a top plate and an opening for accommodating at least one of the convex parts of the metallic board, and the upper surface of each convex part adheres to the top plate. The tile has high fire resistance, effectively prevents condensation from occurring, mitigates vibration or noise, has high joining strength and high attaching strength against an object to which the tile is attached, and permits the mass production of metal mosaic tile at lower cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective covering with a hard outer layer and a soft inner layer. The hard outer layer comprises a plurality of substantially rigid shape-retaining and interworking tiles anatomically conformed to a contoured object. The outer layer has sufficient flexibility to adjust its conformity to the object as the object's contour changes. The soft inner layer comprises a plurality of impact absorbing units. The protective covering provides impact resistance and is designed to remain securely in place and protective of the object even when the contour of the object changes.

Abstract: Carpet tiles having patterns and color schemes that obviate the need to orient the tiles relative to each other. The tiles exhibit orthogonal ambiguity, meaning that they may be laid in any side-by-side orientation with respect to adjacent tiles without looking out of place to the ordinary viewer and thereby still achieving an appearance of continuity like broadloom carpet. Each tile has patterns of shapes having some straight sides and that appear to be randomly positioned but oriented with some straight sides parallel to carpet tile sides. The shapes are formed from a color or combination of colors so that adjacent shapes on each tile have at least one color in common. Furthermore, each tile has at least one color in common with every other tile, so that when the tiles are laid, the colors on adjacent tiles coordinate. All of the colors have similar intensities so that no one color will significantly stand out from the other colors.

Abstract: A resilient mat system where a mat has overall mat thickness T, and the mat has an upper layer with an upper layer thickness t, and a plurality of supporting resilient substructure columns, each column having a relatively uniform height h, such that T=t+h, wherein the ratio of h:t>3.5 for values of T>about 0.9 inch. Each column has a column wall that surrounds a central void in the column with the void opening at a bottom of the column. The column has lower zone that is a more compressible, relatively collapsible zone, and an upper zone that is a less compressible, relatively uncollapsible zone. There is a fenestrated mat connector with connector fenestrations sized and numbered to receive the bases of a plurality of columns from two mats therein.

Abstract: A resilient mat system has at least one mat with a mat thickness T, an upper layer with an upper layer thickness t, and a plurality of supporting resilient substructure columns, each column having a relatively uniform height h, such that T=t+h, wherein the ratio of h:t>3.5 for values of T> about 0.9 inch. Each column wall surrounds a central void in the column, the void opening at a bottom of the column. The column has in a bottom region of the column wall a lower zone that is a more compressible, relatively collapsible zone, and in an upper region of the column wall above the lower zone an upper zone that is a less compressible, relatively uncollapsible zone. The resilient mat system optionally has a relatively rigid ramp structure bordering at least one mat on at least two sides, and the ramp structure is preferably attached to a floor base to retain the mat, whereby the mat is removable from the border of the ramp. Alternatively, the ramp structure is attached to at least a portion of the mat.

Abstract: A floor system for simulating a natural environment, such as snow, is disclosed. The system includes a confinement member that holds an aggregate. The confinement member may be positioned between a pair of disturbing agent layers comprising meshes that contact the confinement member at a plurality of discrete points. Force applied to the floor system by a user walking across the system results in force being communicated to the confinement member through the disturbing agent layers through the plurality of discrete contact points. The force applied at each of the discrete contact points causes portions of the aggregate proximate to the contact points to shift, resulting in vibrations and sounds that simulate the sound and feel of walking on snow. Additional layers for support, durability, and comfort may also be included in the floor system.

Abstract: A tile for lining an internal surface in a heavy wear area. The tile includes at least one locating rod embedded within said tile and an internal mechanism for laterally extending said at least one locating rod out of said tile and into a gap in an adjoining structure which may be another tile. The tiles forming the lining surface are securely held in place as a result of the selective deployment of the locating rods into a gap in the adjoining structure.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a wheelchair accessible path through a variety of impact attenuating surfaces including loose fill materials. The combination of a tarmac and loose fill material provides an ASTM compliant impact attenuating surface for playgrounds and other activities. The modular tarmac 15 is also used in wet conditions to improve the traction and impact attenuation over traditional materials used in water parks, and also for reducing wear to park patrons' feet.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to interlocking spatial components, and more particularly to spatial components having mating surfaces of uniform periodical structure comprising a regular array of interlocking connectors of the same shape allowing components to be arbitrarily interlocked along various relative directions, in various relative orientations, and upon various sides and to be assembled with one another to create spatial structures.

Abstract: Omnidirectional strength plywood includes at least one ply disposed so that its grain runs diagonal to the length and width of the plywood sheet, and as such its grain diagonally intersects the grain of at least one other ply of the sheet. In some instances, two diagonal plies are disposed so that their grains intersect at approximate right angles and both run diagonal to the length and the width of the sheet. Further disclosed is a method for the manufacture of the diagonal grain plies.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a wheelchair accessible path through a variety of impact attenuating surfaces including loose fill materials. The combination of a tarmac and loose fill material provides an ASTM compliant impact attenuating surface for playgrounds and other activities. The modular tarmac 15 is also used in wet conditions to improve the traction and impact attenuation over traditional materials used in water parks, and also for reducing wear to park patrons' feet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a subfloor which is provided between a hard base (11) and a floor such as a laminate or parquet floor resting on the latter, whereby this subfloor is composed of laterally connecting mats (9, 10) having a core (1) made of a synthetic foam provided with an underlay (2) and a top layer (3) made of a synthetic foil, whereby this underlay (2) and top layer (3) represent a flap (4, 5) which extends over the side edge of said core (1), so that this flap (4, 5) overlaps with the mat (9, 10) connecting onto this side edge.

Abstract: A multilayer tile for flooring and the like has a cementitious top surface, a lower density intermediate layer preferably incorporating expanded polymeric beads mixed with cement, and a lower layer reinforced by tension-bearing fibers embedded therein. The interface between the top and middle insulative layers may be upwardly domed to reduce the tendency for cracks to form in the bottom surface of the top layer. Channels formed along the edges of such tiles allow insertion of heat transfer tubing to provide a hydronic floor surface. A composite tile may have cementitious top and bottom surfaces with an intermediate lower density layer there between. Such intermediate layer may be divided into two portions by a water impervious layer that serves as a binder and vapor barrier.

Abstract: A method for forming solder bodies on a substrate includes: positioning a first mask plate, which is formed with at least one first through-hole, on the substrate; filling the first through-hole with a first solder paste so as to form a first solder body on the substrate; positioning a second mask plate, which is formed with at least one second through-hole and at least one recess spaced apart from the second through-hole, on the substrate in such a manner that the first solder body is received in the recess; and filling the second through-hole with a second solder paste so as to form a second solder body on the substrate.

Abstract: Wall and ceiling acrylic latex coating compositions having properties that prevent joints between adjacent wallboard panels from cracking during settling of new homes and during transportation of manufactured buildings, and otherwise prevents joint cracking from flexing, such as caused by extreme weather conditions or building settling. In another embodiment, the coating compositions can be applied directly over joints between adjacent square-edged wallboard panels to conceal the joint without using tape, wallboard “mud”, or other joint filling compositions.

Abstract: A wear resistant and noise reducing arrangement of wear elements in material handling systems exposed to wear and to noise. The arrangement comprises at least one adjustable wear element arranged in a row, wherein the wear elements are provided along one side with a flexible sealing to seal between the arrangement and adjacent arrangements.

Abstract: The invention is a contact die for dispensing of flowable material on a substrate. The contact die includes at least one die block including a first internal passage. A die lip portion is disposed on the die block having a lateral dimension. A first plurality of orifices is disposed through the die lip portion proximate to each other and in communication with the internal passage to dispense flowable material as a single strip on the substrate. A first edge is disposed on one lateral side of the first plurality of orifices to direct the flowable material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to form a pattern of functional material on a substrate. The method uses an elastomeric stamp having a relief structure with a raised surface and having a modulus of elasticity of at least 10 MegaPascal. At least the raised surface of the stamp is treated by exposing the stamp to heat, radiation, electrons, a stream of charged gas, chemical fluids, chemical vapors, and combinations thereof, to enhance wettability of the surface. A composition of the functional material and a liquid is applied to the relief structure and the liquid is removed to form a film on the raised surface. The elastomeric stamp transfers the functional material from the raised surface to the substrate to form a pattern of the functional material on the substrate. The method is suitable for the fabrication of microcircuitry for electronic devices and components.

Abstract: Electrochemical plating (ECP) apparatuses with auxiliary cathodes to create uniform electric flux density. An ECP apparatus for electrochemical deposition includes an electrochemical cell with an electrolyte bath for electrochemically depositing a metal on a substrate. A main cathode and an anode are disposed in the electrolyte bath to provide a main electrical field. A substrate holder assembly holds a semiconductor wafer connecting the cathode. An auxiliary cathode is disposed outside the electrochemical cell to provide an auxiliary electrical field such that a flux line density at the center region of the substrate holder assembly substantially equals that at the circumference of the substrate holder assembly.

Abstract: Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. Embodiments of the connectors include a film and an adhesive layer coated on one side of the film. The connectors can have a conductive component that allows electrical continuity to be maintained between adjacent tiles. In yet another embodiment, the connectors can be equipped as radio frequency identification tags by including radio frequency transponders. To install tiles using the connectors, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that the adhesive layer faces upward and does not contact the floor. The connector is typically positioned so that only a portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the underside of the tile, leaving the remainder of the connector extending from the underside of the tile. One or more tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that a portion of the connector adheres to the adjacent tiles. In this way, the connectors span adjacent tile edges.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

Abstract: A transfer member includes a substrate sheet, a mold release layer of a belt-shaped pattern laminated on the substrate sheet, an ionizing radiation curing layer laminated all over a surface on mold release layer, a patterned layer laminated all over a surface or partially on the ionizing radiation curing layer, and an adhesive layer laminated on the patterned layer only partially in a portion where the adhesive layer overlaps with the mold release layer.

Abstract: A floor covering having a double rollable reinforcement, of the type comprising on the front a calendered sheet of predefined thickness, a first reinforcement, a layer of foam and a second reinforcement, made from polyester material comprising a grid and a non-woven layer on the back, is characterized in that the first reinforcement comprises a single glass grid.

Abstract: Design and manufacture of floor covering webs for, design, manufacture and installation of, asymmetrical carpet tiles having a prominent design element not intersected by a tile edge. Bands or regions define “frames” around what will become central carpet tile areas so that design elements positioned within the frames will not be intersected by a tile edge and may also be at least a predetermined distance from each tile edge. Design elements also may be positioned differing distances from each of at least one pair of opposed tile edges.

Abstract: A carpet is described which incorporates a set of distinct figures, shapes, or patterns. In embodiments as described, each of the set of shapes can begin in one color pattern and end in another color pattern, for instance, changing from a set of darker colors or tones to a lighter set of colors or tones. An adjacent set of shapes then begins in the same color pattern in which the preceding shapes end, and extends to another color pattern in which that adjacent set of shapes terminate. The blending effect of the color patterns preserves a visually continuous appearance, even when contrasting sets of shapes are placed side by side. In embodiments, carpet tiles cut from the carpet incorporating the multiple shapes and color patterns as described herein can be assembled into a tiled flooring assembly, while also maintaining a consistent visual appearance. Other aspects of the present invention are also described.

Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other. A surface covering comprises a multiplicity of units assembled to form a continuous surface without overlap between units and without substantial gaps between units. A structure, such as a wall or column can be formed of building units of the invention.

Abstract: A damper component for absorbing and dissipating vibration and/or noise resonating from a device is provided. The damper component includes a viscoelastic damper layer, and a continuous constraining layer intimately contacting and encasing the damper layer. The constraining layer has a greater stiffness and higher modulus of dynamic shearing elasticity than the damper layer. The constraining layer is a molded sheet molding compound that is substantially immiscible with the viscoelastomer to provide a discrete interface between the constraining layer and the damper layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a 100% bamboo plank with an interlocking system and associated manufacturing methods. In one embodiment, the 100% bamboo plank comprises first, second, and third layers of 100% bamboo, wherein the layers are laminated together. The layers are independently preconditioned to control moisture content therein. Each layer can be preconditioned by alternately elevating and lowering the moisture content in a plurality of sequential cycles before the layers are laminated together. The middle layer is oriented so its grain is substantially perpendicular to the edges of the plank. The plank had joinery portions formed along the edges, and joinery includes an asymmetric upper joinery member and lower joinery member arrangement for, and at least a portion of the upper joinery member and lower joinery member portions are formed in the second layer.

Abstract: The drip mat is a durable, modular fluid collection mat that rests on the ground in high-traffic areas where vehicles move slowly or stop for extended periods of time. The mat has at least one collection block that has a floor and at least one sidewall extending around the periphery of the floor to define a well for collecting fluids that drip from the vehicle. A grill is disposed over the well. The floor has sloping panels that direct the fluids to drain holes, where the fluids can be drawn out of the mat by an expandable container that is connected to the drain holes by a flexible hose. By connecting multiple straight and curved collection blocks together, the mat can cover different size areas. The mat has ramps on either end of the collection block(s) to allow vehicles to ride upon it, and has areas for logos and advertising.

Abstract: An mat system with each mat having sloping lips which overlap with an adjacent mat's sloping lips and are secured by interlocking joints in the mats' lips and/or by captive locking pins to form an easily assembled and interconnected flat surface. In use, opposing ledges forms a slot within holes in the top overlapping lips to receive a captive locking pin. The pin is captive by mid body prongs which fix underneath the ledges in a mat's upper lip's holes, and the pin locks and unlocks with rotary turning of the pin resulting in the pin's keeper feet fixing underneath the similar ledges in the holes of the lower lip of an adjacent mat.

Abstract: A rubber or plastic floor mat has a series of parallel upper ribs on its upper surface which define slots in which respective strips or carpeting or the like are removably held. The strips are retained along their lengths by retaining means which run continually or continuously along the slots. The strip retainers include hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO), and/or overhanging edges above the strip edges, preferably formed in one-piece fashion along the side of the upper ribs adjacent the slots. The overhangs may be interrupted, e.g., crenelated as seen from above, and may include bevels.

Abstract: A carpet web and a method of forming a carpet web having a striped pattern and color scheme that permits carpet tiles cut from the web to be installed without regard to relative tile positions and without visibly disrupting the pattern, but rather maintaining the appearance of a broadloom web. The web pattern includes parallel stripes having varying widths and longitudinal discontinuities. The stripes are formed with at least two colors or two shades of a color. The tiles are positionally ambiguous in that they need not be located on the floor in the same position they occupied in the web for the flooring installation to exhibit the desired uniform appearance. Instead, the tiles may be shuffled and laid in any side-by-side or top-to-bottom orientation (provided that uniform rotational orientation is maintained among the tiles) with respect to adjacent tiles without looking out of place to the ordinary viewer and without emphasizing the modularity of the flooring.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

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 tile for lining an internal surface in a heavy wear area. The tile includes at least one locating rod embedded within said tile and an internal mechanism for laterally extending said at least one locating rod out of said tile and into a gap in an adjoining structure which may be another tile. The tiles forming the lining surface are securely held in place as a result of the selective deployment of the locating rods into a gap in the adjoining structure.

Abstract: A rubber or plastic floor mat has a series of parallel upper ribs on its upper surface which define slots in which respective strips or carpeting or the like are removably held. The strips are retained along their lengths by retaining means which run continually or continuously along the slots. The strip retainers include hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO), and/or overhanging edges above the strip edges, preferably formed in one-piece fashion along the side of the upper ribs adjacent the slots. The overhangs may be interrupted, e.g., crenelated as seen from above, and may include bevels.

Abstract: A countertop and method of countertop manufacture wherein the countertop has a horizontal surface and a vertical edge surface wherein the vertical edge surface is comprised of at least one luminescent component. The luminescent component being of a solid surface material with a luminescent quality.

Abstract: Carpet tiles having patterns and color schemes that obviate the need to orient the tiles in a particular positional or rotational relationship relative to each other. The tiles exhibit orthogonal ambiguity, meaning that they may be laid in any side-by-side orientation with respect to adjacent tiles without looking out of place to the ordinary viewer and thereby still achieving an appearance of continuity like broadloom carpet. Each tile has patterns of shapes having some straight and curved elements. At least some of the straight elements on each tile preferably parallel a tile edge. The shapes are formed from a color or combination of colors so that adjacent shapes on each tile have at least one color in common. Furthermore, each tile has at least one color in common with every other tile, so that when the tiles are laid, the colors on adjacent tiles coordinate.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite panel for raised floors comprising a core bonded on its top to a tile of stony material and bonded on its bottom to a base of metallic material, wherein the stony material tile has a bottom surface comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion, and has a perimeter recess formed at the bottom surface, wherein the core is bonded to the stony material tile through the central portion of the bottom surface, and wherein the base of metallic material consists of a metallic sheet having upturned edges to form a tray that is bonded to the core, the end portions of the upturned edges being folded up to bond the stony material tile at the peripheral portion of its bottom surface and in the perimeter recess.

Abstract: Carpet tiles having patterns and color schemes that obviate the need to orient the tiles relative to each other. The tiles exhibit orthogonal ambiguity, meaning that they may be laid in any side-by-side orientation with respect to adjacent tiles without looking out of place to the ordinary viewer and thereby still achieving an appearance of continuity like broadloom carpet. Each tile has patterns of shapes having some straight sides and that appear to be randomly positioned but oriented with some straight sides parallel to carpet tile sides. The shapes are formed from a color or combination of colors so that adjacent shapes on each tile have at least one color in common. Furthermore, each tile has at least one color in common with every other tile, so that when the tiles are laid, the colors on adjacent tiles coordinate. All of the colors have similar intensities so that no one color will significantly stand out from the other colors.