Abstract: An article which comprises (1) a composite comprising a polyurethane matrix including fibrous or particulate reinforcement, the polyurethane matrix being formed in situ about the reinforcement by reaction of polyurethane forming components at a temperature below the melting point of the reinforcement and (2) a polymeric film bound to at least one surface of the composite, the film being bound to the composite by adhesion to the polyurethane matrix which emerges or is enhanced as the matrix is formed in situ.

Abstract: A flexible laminated sheet flooring product for covering a subfloor. The flooring product includes a resilient top layer defining a wearing surface of the flooring product. A fiber backing is laminated to the top layer for dimensionally supporting the layer. A pressure sensitive adhesive coating is permanently applied to the fiber backing and releasable from a protective covering without separation of the fiber backing from the top layer. The coating has sufficient tack for releasably adhering the flooring product to the subfloor.

Abstract: An image bearing composite optical material is formed as a laminated flexible sheet having an image bearing photographic quality film layer variously bonded between outer and inner translucent layers of paper, fabric, or synthetic materials. The composite optical material provides two sharply distinct appearances dependent upon being viewed under backlit or ambient illumination conditions. Full-colored and precisely detailed images are produced under backlighted conditions; a plain appearance is produced otherwise. Improved embodiments include a nonbilateral structure wherein a middle image bearing film layer is bonded over its entire adjacent surface with an outer translucent layer, and is bonded at widely separated points or along thin lines with an inner translucent layer to produce an air gap there between. The air gap embodiment negates image transmission under nonbacklit viewing conditions.

Abstract: A portable area floor covering and method is directed to a floor covering that is durable yet sufficiently flexible to facilitate portability, exhibits a robust construction and a very attractive and aesthetically pleasing appearance for use in residential and commercial environments. In its most fundamental embodiment, the portable area floor covering comprises a construction including a durable, flexible sheet layer formed of a plurality of sheet sections wherein each sheet section includes a plurality of outer edges. A flexible base layer is affixed to a bottom side of each of the sheet sections to form a backing for the durable, flexible sheet layer. A border reducer is fused to the flexible base layer and to the outer edges of the sheet sections. The border reducer is wedge-shaped which facilitates interfacing with a floor surface. Finally, a padding layer is secured to a bottom side of the flexible base layer to provide cushioning to the entire portable area floor covering.

Abstract: A membrane structure employing a structure in which a lipid membrane is held by a hydrophilic polymer. The hydrophilic polymer layer contains an aqueous phase. There are functional molecules distributed selectively throughout each layer. The membrane structure is adaptable to applications as a separating agent, filler or delivery agent by performing physical and chemical operations.

Abstract: A zirconia diaphragm structure, and a method of producing such structure in which the zirconia diaphragm structure includes a zirconia substrate having at least one window, and a zirconia diaphragm plate formed integrally with the zirconia substrate so as to close each window, the zirconia substrate comprising a zirconia material as a major component, and containing 0.1-3.0% by weight of alumina, 0.1-3.0% by weight of silica, 0.1-5.0% by weight of alumina and silica, 0.1-5.0% by weight of alumina and magnesia, or 0.1-5.0% by weight of alumina, silica and magnesia.

Abstract: An improved sandwich structure including a top facing sheet, a bottom facing sheet, a core located between the top facing sheet and the bottom facing sheet, and a damping layer extending only partially across the core and not fully interrupting the continuity of the core between the top facing sheet portion and the bottom facing sheet portion to provide damping to the core without adversely affecting the static stiffness or strength of the core.

Abstract: Two pairs of parallel substantial-cut or scored lines extend the length of a card stock sheet and short through-cut lines extend between each of the pairs to define two columns of business card blanks on the sheet. The sheet is passed through a laser or ink jet printer or copier, printing the desired identifying or other indicia on the blanks. The blanks are then separated along the substantial-cut and through-cut lines and the waste sheet portions at the ends, sides, and between the columns are disposed of. The business cards separate cleanly along the substantial-cut lines, superior to the microperforated business card separation lines. Even with the substantial-cut and full-cut lines, the card stock sheets have enough integrity to reliably pass through the printer without breaking apart. To make for a cleaner break (or business card edge) along the substantial-cut lines, the substantial-cut lines can be made by scoring part way into the sheet on both opposing sheet faces.

Abstract: A lightweight structurally sound casket formed preferably of a sandwich construction using a core of an open cell or honeycomb patterned material and fluid resistant surface elements. The casket is comprised of a body containment portion and a lid portion, each of which has the sandwich construction as the main structural element. The open cell material is structurally enhanced by being sandwiched between first and second stabilizing surface elements in both the body containment portion and the lid portion. In addition to the stabilizing surface elements, an aesthetically pleasing material is adhered to the outer portions of the body containment section and lid so that the casket has an attractive appearance. The body containment portion is constructed from rectangular pieces of the open cell material and stabilizing surface elements by folding the same into a box-like configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a barrier layer which has the ability to substantially prevent the diffusion of stains, such as plasticizers and dyes or other chemicals, onto a surface of a surface covering, from a surface or object in which the surface covering is placed upon. The barrier layer contains a polyamide or polyurethane and is preferably located above a substrate or base layer in a surface covering. The barrier layer preferably is located between a UV topcoat layer and a vinyl wear layer. The present invention also relates to a method of preventing stain migration onto a surface covering from a surface on which the surface covering is placed by use of the barrier layer of the present invention and also relates to methods of making surface coverings containing the barrier layer of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel thermoplastic article having a fabric comprised of textile fibers embedded therein produced by applying heat and pressure to a laminate comprising, in order, (1) an upper sheet material, (2) a fabric comprised of textile fibers, and (3) a lower sheet material to produce a thermoplastic article having the fabric embedded therein. The upper and lower sheet materials are formed from a copolyester having an inherent viscosity of 0.5 to 1.2 dL/g, when measured at 25.degree. C. using 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite shingle which includes (a) a rectangular shingle sheet having an undivided headlap portion and a lower butt portion which is divided into spaced apart tabs and (b) an elongated backup strip of hue or color contrasting with said shingle sheet, positioned under the tabs of said butt portion and secured to the lower portion of the headlap, the bottom edge of said strip conforming in outline to the bottom edge of said tabs and extending below said tabs at a distance equal to the spaces between the tabs, so as to form a uniform border around tabs.

Abstract: A building tile for covering a building surface includes a flexible backing layer having a rearward face for securing to the building surface and a forward face; and a flexible cement layer secured to the forward face. The tile preferably additionally includes adhesive material, where at least part of the rearward face is covered with the adhesive material for mounting the tile to the building surface. The flexible cement layer is preferably textured to be aesthetically appealing. The flexible cement layer preferably includes a mixture of a cement aggregate; an acrylic resin; a water-based paint; and a waterproof rubber material. The backing layer may be formed of laminate sheet material, peg board or formica sheet material.

Abstract: A multilayered flexible sheet for absorbing liquids comprises a nonsegmented flexible layer comprised of woven or nonwoven materials having the capacity to absorb liquids and a segmented flexible layer of woven or nonwoven materials having the capacity to absorb liquids being tacked face-to-face to the nonsegmented layer, the segments of the segmented layer being separated by substantially straight boundaries extending across one dimension of the sheet. The multilayered sheet can be easily folded along the boundaries between the segments of the segmented layer and therefore can be used unfolded as walk on mats, wipes, absorbent pads and response pads or folded as pillows or socks for absorbing liquids.

Abstract: A decorative photographic floor tile comprising an enlarged photographic print to create a visual decor for use in commercial settings. The photographic floor tile comprises a lamination of clear vinyl on top of a photographic print with a self-adhesive peel-away backing. A method of using the decorative photographic floor tile to create a visual decor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blank for folding into a body containment section of a casket, the blank comprising: a first stabilizing surface element, the first stabilizing surface element being a unitary element, a second stabilizing surface element positioned to lie above the first stabilizing surface element and spaced-apart therefrom, the second stabilizing surface element being a unitary element, and a core having a top surface and a bottom surface, the core being sandwiched between the first and second stabilizing surface elements, the bottom surface of the core being attached to the first stabilizing surface element and the top surface of the core being attached to the second stabilizing surface element, the core including a first section and a second section spaced-apart from the first section to form an elongated gap therebetween, the first and second sections of the core being arranged so that the blank can be bent along the gap, each of the first and second sections of the core being atta

Abstract: A tile having a desired pattern is provided. The pattern goes through the tile in the thickness direction. For manufacturing such a tile, e.g. a partition plate 84 is disposed in a pressure forming die 91 so as to divide its inside space into an outer forming space 95 and an inner forming space 96. Light black granules and light red granules are filled respectively in the outer and inner forming spaces 95, 96. Then, the partition wall 84 is taken out from the die 91, and lining granules are filled over the colored granules. Thereafter, they are pressed into one body and burned.

Abstract: A mask to be used for grouting tile which when utilized eliminates washing and cleaning of the tiles, thereby saving the time and labor required for washing and clean-up of the grout material.

Abstract: A thermal walkway cover comprises at least three laminated layers including a middle layer of electrically conductive carbonized rubber, a durable, waterproof, UV-resistant top layer, and an insulating, waterproof bottom layer. Means are provided in to form of electrically conductive strips embedded in the middle layer to heat the middle layer. Connections are provided to a power source. The cover may have one or more edges of a dovetail construction so that cover sections or modules may be connected together to cover a desired walkway area, in which case electrical connections are provided between individual modules.

Abstract: A method of producing a hardwood flooring product, including the steps of processing a strip of raw wood into a blank having a predetermined thickness and width, and top and bottom surfaces defining parallel planes relative to each other, and splitting the blank along the width of the blank from one side to the other to form two low profile flooring strips having the same width as the blank and a thickness less than one-half the thickness of the blank. The splitting step includes the steps of providing first and second circular saw blades mounted on spaced-apart vertical axes for rotation in a single plane intermediate and parallel to the planes of the top and bottom surfaces of the blank and positioning the blank on conveying means upstream from the saw blades with the plane of rotation of the saw blades intermediate and parallel to the planes of the top and bottom surfaces of the blank for movement of the blank from an upstream position to a downstream position relative to the saw blades.

Abstract: A multi-layer article that includes a layer of a water-soluble polymer that provides a water-removable, non-tacky film over an adhesive layer and/or acts as an adhesive for securing the multi-layer article to a substrate, such as concrete, when wetted. The article forms a water barrier capable of being secured to an area of potential water flow including a layer of flexible, water-impermeable sheet material having a continuous or discontinuous coating of a water-soluble polymer thereon. When the water-soluble polymer is wetted to at least partially solubilize the water-soluble coating, the polymer readily adheres the article to a substrate at the area of potential water flow.

Abstract: A large ceramic substrate article for electronic applications including at least one layer of sintered ceramic material, the layer including a plurality of greensheet segments of ceramic material joined edge to edge. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating a large ceramic greensheet article as well as a large ceramic substrate article.

Abstract: Single-member sets of zoomorphic tiles, in which any single tile, if duplicated, can tile the plane in periodic ways, or, with duplicates of its mirror image, in either periodic or non periodic ways, and which can also form tilings of the plane in conjunction with duplicates of any other appropriately sized but differently shaped embodiment or embodiments of the invention. The diverse and variable arrangements show vertices at which 3, 4, 5, and 6 tiles meet. These tiles, tilings, patches and rosettes of tiles may be used in puzzles, games and other recreations, for teaching certain aspects of geometry, for various purposes in conjunction with computers, for the decoration of fabrics or other surfaces, for the shape of food items such as cookies, or for other uses to which tiles or tilings may be put.

Abstract: A space filling unit for use in a container for cargo shipment to prohibit shifting of the cargo is formed by flat first and second panels, with first and second slots formed in each so that, when assembled, an x-shaped structure is formed. When placed in the container, respective end edges of the panels are supported on the bed of the cargo container while the other of the panel's end edges engage the container's sidewalls. The panel side edges form a pair of x-shaped bases which serve to support the cargo against movement toward the end wall of the container. An anti-slip element may be included on the respective end edges, braces may engage the panels proximate respective end edges, and panel wear on the cargo. An auxiliary bearing penal may also be used adjacent at least one of the x-shaped bases. A plurality of x-shaped structures may be utilized in the present invention, with a corresponding plurality of bearing panels interposed between the x-shaped structures.

Abstract: A device making it possible to install tiles or any other decorative design in the form of a panel, particularly on walls or floors, wherein these decorative designs are laid down and adhere by adhesive prebonding on a mesh consisting of a trellis of filaments, the said panels are formed of two parts, an external polygon consisting of mosaics arranged in rigorously defined positions which determine the manner in which the panels fit together, and a random arrangement inside the said polygon or frame with a density of mosaics or stones such that they do not touch and do not form any alignment, the juxtaposition of the said panels formed in this way provides a final appearance devoid of connection joint lines.

Abstract: A large ceramic substrate article for electronic applications including at least one layer of sintered ceramic material, the layer including a plurality of greensheet segments of ceramic material joined edge to edge. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating a large ceramic greensheet article as well as a large ceramic substrate article.

Abstract: A floor including a plurality of tiles inter engaging each other by tongue and groove engagement. The tiles include a cement base portion cut to a desired size for a floor tile and being coated with a waterproof coating to substantially maintain the moisture content of the cement at a constant level. The tile also includes a veneer layer on top of the base portion having a combination of wood and vinyl to provide a thin layer having the appearance of wood and a vinyl surface facing up from the layer. In a preferred embodiment the cement base portion includes a pair of parallel sides having tongue and groove cuts along opposite parallel sides to provide interlocking engagement with an adjacent tile. The underside of the groove is angled at an angle sufficient to provide a relief space at the engagement of a groove in an adjacent tile.

Abstract: A tackable tile for mounting to a frame to provide a tackable surface to a wall having one or more of such tiles is disclosed. The tile includes a frame defining an open central portion, and a composite tackable member conforming to the perimetric shape of the frame and mounted in the open central portion thereof. The composite tackable memeber includes a resilient pierceable layer of material, and a layer of noise reducing acoustic material. The layer of pierceable material has a front and a rear side, and the acoustic material is adhered to the rear side of said resilient pierceable layer.

Abstract: A space filling device for use in a container for cargo shipment to prohibit shifting of the cargo is formed by flat first and second panels, with first and second slots formed in each so that, when assembled, an x-shaped structure is formed. When placed in the container, respective end edges of the panels are supported on the bed of the cargo container while the other of the panels' end edges engage the container's sidewalls. The panel side edges form a pair of x-shaped bases which serve to support the cargo against movement toward the end wall of the container. An anti-slip element may be included on the respective end edges, braces may engage the panels proximate respective end edges, and panel side edge guards may be included to prevent undue wear on the cargo. An auxiliary bearing penal may also be used adjacent at least one of the x-shaped bases.

Abstract: A protective covering for select areas of the surface anatomy of the body having incisions, wounds, injuries or other delicate features requiring protection from moisture or trauma for limited periods of time during external application of water or aqueous solutions including a waterproof flexible membrane, a window to aid in positioning over the select areas and means for affixing the membrane without adhering to the incisions, wounds, injuries or delicate features requiring protection.

Abstract: A wall covering is arranged to provide for opaque panels mounted with transparent panels, and wherein the opaque panels are arranged to include transparent windows therethrough to permit viewing of a wall surface accommodating the wall covering structure. A modification of the invention includes vertical reservoirs arranged in adjacency and coextensively relative to one another to define the panels, wherein the reservoirs are arranged for the reception and subsequent selective drainage of contrastingly colored fluids therewithin. Photochromic panel members are arranged for positioning as desired on the outer surface of the reservoirs.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated tile is disclosed which comprises providing a sheet of natural stone having opposed first and second major surfaces and providing a plurality of ceramic substrates, each having opposed first and second major surfaces. An adhesive material is provided on at least one of the first and second major surface of the sheet of natural stone and the first major surface of each of the plurality of ceramic substrates. The plurality of ceramic substrates and the sheet of natural stone are assembled to form a laminated assembly such that the first surface of each of a portion of the plurality of ceramic substrates faces the first major surface of the sheet of natural stone with adhesive material therebetween, and the remainder of the ceramic substrates face the second major surface of the sheet of natural stone with adhesive material therebetween.

Abstract: Artistic tile designs are mass produced with precut tile pieces from commercially available square tile units. An initial tile design is created with the tile pieces to serve as a pattern. Thereafter the tile designs are reproduced by placing a transparent, semi-transparent or translucent sheet-type substrate or backing over the initial design, and by securing matching tile pieces to the substrate, as viewed through the substrate. The substrate is of the type that is sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain its shape while handled. The tile design can be repeated on the reverse side of the substrate using the design on the front side as the pattern to provide a double-sided design. If an opaque substrate is to be used, the front faces of the tile pieces are temporarily secured to a readily removable substrate, and the adhesive is thereafter applied to the back of the tile pieces to be permanently mounted.

Abstract: A tile includes: an outer layer having a decorative surface portion formed on an outermost surface of the outer layer made of rigid material such as rigid plastic material, an air-chamber layer formed on a bottom portion of the outer layer defining an air chamber in the bottom portion of the outer layer, a plurality of supporting stems protruding downwardly or inwardly from the outer layer to be distributed in the air chamber, and a substrate layer secured to each bottom surface of the supporting stem for sealing the air chamber and made of softer material such as soft plastic material to be coated on a floor surface, thereby providing a comfortable cushioning and thermal resistant tile as effected by the intermediate air-chamber layer and the substrate layer.

Abstract: A vinyl floor covering to accommodate wood subfloor contraction and expansion as well as rolling load incorporates a foamed plastisol encapsulated glass mat which may be cut to form pivot points and expanded under a controlled pre-stressed condition. The glass mat serves as a carrier during manufacture and an "elastic glass" reinforcing layer during use as either tension or loose-lay flooring. The floor covering may be a true hybrid surface covering which is capable of accommodating the dimensional change of a target subfloor by utilizing the characteristics of both tension floorings and loose-lay floorings.

Abstract: A surgical floor mat having a plurality of compressed sponge sections with a low profile in a dry condition and a expanded profile in a wet condition for absorbing fluids which fall onto the sponge sections over the course of a surgical procedure. Furthermore, the compressed sponge sections are adhered to a waterproof and foldable sheet with a gap between each of the sponge sections to allow the foldable sheet and sponge sections to be easily folded for purposes of storage or later disposal. The waterproof and foldable sheet has a non-slip undersurface for secure engagement between the operating room floor and the surgical floor mat. Additionally, an adhesive strip can be used and affixed to the undersurface of the foldable sheet for greater securement to the floor and a number of different configurations for the surgical floor mat can be used.

Abstract: The subject pad comprises resilient layers attached to each other and spaced apart by compression members distributed with spaces between them. The compression members on one side of each layer are opposite the spaces between the compression members on the other side so that the layer portions between compression members of one layer function as beams loaded near or at their centers by compression members on the adjacent layers. The pad may be an integral part or the layers may be separate, in which case the compression members comprise mating projections from the surfaces of adjacent layers. The compression members may be ridges or columns. The projections may be shaped to mechanically interlock when mated, utilizing the resilence of the material and/or adhesive may be used to secure the attachment. In a prefered embodiment a percentage of the projections are shaped to mechanically interlock when mated, the remaining projections being simple ribs or stubs.

Abstract: A vinyl tension floor covering includes a reinforcing layer, preferably disposed below the neutral bending plane. The floor covering elongates in at least one direction due to a controlled pre-stressed condition and tends to return to its original pre-elongated dimension. Reinforcing layers expand in the across machine direction as well as machine direction in response to a tensile stretching force in the machine direction or roll-up growth.

Abstract: A vinyl floor covering to accommodate wood subfloor contraction and expansion as well as rolling load incorporates a foamed plastisol encapsulated glass mat which may be cut to form pivot points and expanded under a controlled pre-stressed condition. The glass mat serves as a carrier during maufacture and an "elastic glass" reinforcing layer during use as either tension or loose-lay flooring. The floor covering may be a true hybrid surface covering which is capable of accommodating the dimensional change of a target subfloor by utilizing the characteristics of both tension floorings and loose-lay floorings.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated tile product is disclosed which comprises provided a sheet of natural stone having opposed first and second major surfaces and providing a plurality of ceramic substrates, each of the plurality of ceramic substrates having opposed first and second major surfaces. An adhesive material is provided on at least one of the first major surface of the sheet of natural stone and the first major surface of each of the plurality of ceramic substrates. The plurality of ceramic substrates and the sheet of natural stone are assembled such that the first surface of each of the plurality of ceramic substrates faces the first major surface of the sheet of natural stone with the adhesive material therebetween. Preferably, the second major surface of the ceramic substrate is polished and then the second major surface of the sheet of natural stone is polished. The resulting laminated assembly may be cut into a plurality of tiles. The laminated tiles produced by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A decorative article is assembled using a plurality of pre-cut wood pieces. The wood pieces are of three types, a square, triangle and parallelogram, and are sized relative to one another, such that a variety of different designs and patterns can be achieved. The wood pieces are assembled on a disposable sheet having a rectangular grid to effect the desired pattern. Four wood frame members are then temporarily attached to the corresponding border surfaces of a wood substrate having the same rectangular grid pattern as the disposable sheet to define a wooden frame around the grid pattern. Wood glue is applied to individual squares of the grid pattern on the wood substrate and the wood pieces are sequentially moved from the disposable sheet to the wood substrate where they are secured in their respective proper positions on the substrate by the glue.

Abstract: The subject pad comprises resilient layers attached to each other and spaced apart by compression members distributed with spaces between them. The compression members on one side of each layer are opposite the spaces between the compression members on the other side so that the layer portions between compression members of one layer function as beams loaded near or at their centers by compression members on the adjacent layers. The pad may be an integral part or the layers may be separate, in which case the compression members comprise mating projections from the surfaces of adjacent layers. The compression members may be ridges or colums. The projections may be shaped to mechanically interlock when mated, utilizing the resilience of the material and/or adhesive may be used to secure the attachment.

Abstract: Ceramic, non-glazed flooring tile consisting of a comparatively thick ground layer and a comparatively thin upper layer, wherein the upper layer with a pattern layer having a colour and/or grain size different from the top layer in the top layer or on at least part of the top layer.

Abstract: A tile product is disclosed which comprises a ceramic substrate having opposed major surfaces, a layer of natural stone and an adhesive bonding the layer of natural stone to one of the major surfaces of the ceramic substrate. The layer of natural stone preferably comprises a plurality of strips made of fossilstone and the substrate is preferably made of an unglazed ceramic bisque.

Abstract: The method of reinforcing a panel of sheet metal, a shaped plastic body or the like is performed by means of a one- or multi-layer stiffening member of essentially flat shape which comprises a layer at least partially consisting of a thermosetting resin. Thereby, the stiffening member is subjected to a first heat treatment until at least one of the surfaces of the stiffening member is sticky. Thereafter, the stiffening member is applied to the surface of an element to be reinforced. Finally, the stiffening member is subjected to a second, final heat treatment until all layers comprising a thermosetting resin material are cured. Thus, it is not necessary to manually prepare the stiffening member by removing a protection foil from its sticky surface prior to applying it to the element to be reinforced and a fully automated handling is possible.

Abstract: Novel roof membranes for providing improved lap joints with adjacent roof membranes, wherein opposed edges of the adjacent membranes for the lap joint are tapered.

Abstract: Artificial athletic turf has a simulated grass surface provided by tufting strips into a backing fabric. The tufts are held in place by a precoat of polyurethane, and a reinforcing sheet is embedded within the precoat to provide tear resistance. A foamed polyurethane is placed on the precoat, and one or more reinforcing sheets are also embedded within or placed on the foamed polyurethane. The strips are hydrophobic plastic with strength to prevent damage, and the coatings are polyurethane reinforced for tear resistance, which also yields a resilience as needed for an athletic mat. One or more of the fibrous sheets may be needle felt to provide some of the needed resilience. The turf is cut along lines parallel and perpendicular to the tufting lines to provide tiles, and the tiles are assembled to form the desired turf.

Abstract: The multi-layer body member consists of a support member, e.g. a glass fiber tissue impregnated with a thermosetting resin which is covered by a layer of thermosetting adhesive resin. In order to protect the sticky surface of the adhesive resin, a protection foil made of a meterial shrinking under the influence of heat is provided. The foil comprises slits which open to apertures after a preliminary heat treatment such that an essential portion of the sticky resin surface is freely exposed. Thus, the need to remove the protection foil prior to applying the multi-layer body member to the surface to be reinforced is removed.

Abstract: A plastics tile has a back ply having raised areas on one face which define at least one recess and a slug of facing material bonded in the or each recess. The slug or slugs are desirably either flush with or slightly proud of the raised areas of the back ply.

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.