Abstract: Resin laminate mat is produced by laminating an outer layer comprising a transparent base resin and highly luminant particles dispersed in the transparent resin, and a back layer made of a colored resin. Back layer is composed of upper layer containing a coloring agent and lower layer containing a filler. Preferably, the transparent base resin of the outer layer is mainly composed of a linear low-density polyethylene resin, while the back layer is mainly composed of a mixture of a linear low-density polyethylene resin and a low-density polyethylene resin.

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: 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 coating composition and process of applying the coating to a substrate are provided herein. The coating composition includes filler particles, binder and a liquid carrier, such as water. The filler particles have an average particle size in the range from about 100 to about 600 microns and preferably in the range from about 200 to about 450 microns. The coating composition comprises from about 15% to about 50% by weight liquid carrier and from about 35% to about 90% by dry solids weight filler particles. The coating composition preserves the acoustic performance characteristics of the substrate to which it is applied, while imparting a textured appearance to the substrate, making the substrate virtually indistinguishable from surrounding panels.

Abstract: An absorbent pad for use in absorbing motor fluids, especially for use in absorbing and collecting motor fluids leaking from a motor/engine. The absorbent pad comprises a bottom liquid impermeable support layer, a layer of absorbent material and a top liquid permeable layer, wherein a portion of the top liquid permeable layer is bonded to a portion of the bottom liquid impermeable support layer with an adhesive strip thereby enclosing the absorbent material layer.

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 covering for a floor, wall or ceiling surface includes tiles each having first and second discrete tile sections. The first section includes a primary backing exposed on one side of the tile forming a first discrete exposed surface portion and a plurality of yarns tufted into the primary backing with cut or loop yarns on the back side of the primary backing leaving backstitches forming a second discrete exposed surface portion of the first section. The primary backing and backstitches form the first and second surface portions, respectively, of the first section with aesthetic characteristics different from one another. The second section of the tile is formed of one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric and a tufted pile and which second section forms the remaining portion of the exposed surface of the tile.

Abstract: An imbedded flooring product has a skeletal frame in the form of a mesh intermediate a first and second vinyl layer. The mesh creates a pattern visible from above the flooring product.

Abstract: A permeable industrial fabric is assembled from a plurality of separate tiles into at least two plies, and in which the two plies are held together by jointing structures made integrally with the tiles. In these fabrics, within each tile the jointing structures are incorporated at primary selected locations according a symmetrical pattern, and the apertures in the tiles which provide the required fabric permeability are incorporated at secondary and tertiary selected locations according two more patterns, at least one of which is asymmetrical. This combination of symmetry and asymmetry allows for some control over the permeability of the assembled fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floor covering, in which a surface material such as wood, Korean paper, textile fabric, and thermosetting resin sheet is attached to a surface of a perforated high density PVC sheet. Shrinkage or expansion differences between the surface material and the PVC sheet are removed because multiple holes of the perforated high density PVC sheet offset shrinkage or expansion of the PVC sheet, thereby cracks or curling of the floor covering are prevented and the floor covering can have a smooth appearance.

Abstract: A tile anchoring system for use in reactors and other furnace like equipment which involves the use of a tile that contains various internal parts. According to the various embodiments of the present invention, the tile is formed as more than one part. In the present invention, various techniques and parts are used to anchor tiles to surfaces wherein the various parts and the tiles themselves “snap” into place with one another and/or with an existing hexmetal mesh structure.

Abstract: A surface covering unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. Each 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 of 60, 90, 120 or 180 degrees, and each side is substantially a rotational image of the other side. The sum of the plural vertices angles is 180, 240, 270, 300 or 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, one or more edges of each unit are marked with indicia to facilitate matching mating sides of adjacent units. 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 carpet tile (11) and tile cutting apparatus (20) that produces a carpet tile with a removable cutout section (13) defined by discontinuous slits (19) and held in place by bridges (14). The apparatus includes a perimeter cutting assembly (50) and retractable inner cutting assembly (40). The perimeter cutting assembly is used to cut the carpet tile and the inner cutting assembly simultaneously forms the discontinuous slits in the inner portion of the carpet tile. The inner cutting assembly can be engaged or disengaged during the carpet tile cutting process. The carpet tile is installed by severing the bridges and laying the border sections (12) on the floor with dissimilar cutouts within the borders to create a visually interesting floor covering.

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: An arrangement which comprises: first and second panel-shaped pieces of flooring for joining together, said pieces resting on a sub-floor and having profiles along mutually meeting edge portions which, on the first piece, consist of a groove and a projection located thereunder, and on the second piece a tongue insertible in the groove, and also a recess accommodating the projection; wherein said projection, at its outer, free edge, is of greater thickness transversely of the plane of extent of the flooring piece than at its inner edge connected with remaining parts of the piece; and wherein the underside of the projection lies flush with the remainder of the underside of the flooring piece.

Abstract: A plastics floor covering (1) included a plurality of discrete plastics components (2, 3, 4) each having an upper surface and a lower surface (lower surface shown). The discrete components (2, 3, 4) are assembled together to form a predetermined design and are held in the assembled position to form a unitary floor covering (1) by at least one portion of a joining film (14) secured to the lower surface of each discrete component (2, 3, 4). The joining film (14) spans at least the edges of neighboring discrete components (2, 3, 4) and is coated with a thermally labile polymeric coupling agent. The joining film (14) is perforated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A roof membrane and a roof system employing a EPDM membrance which is compatible with a bituminous adhesive. The membrance includes an outer layer of polymeric layer such as EPDM bonded to a polyester protective layer which is in turn bonded to a fleecy material. This can be adhered to a roof deck surface using hot asphalt or bitumen which bonds the fleecy material to the roof deck in turn holding the EPDM in place. The polyester layer prevents the asphaltic material from attacking and dissolving the EPDM with the fleecy material providing good adhesion between the polyester and the EPDM.

Abstract: A trilaminate a trilaminate shingle, having a horizontal longitudinal orientation, includes an overlay sheet having series of tabs and cutouts extending horizontally across the shingle. The shingle also includes a middle sheet having a series of tabs and cutouts extending horizontally across the shingle. The middle sheet cutouts are narrower horizontally than the overlay cutouts. The shingle also includes an underlay sheet beneath the middle sheet. The middle sheet is laminated beneath the overlay so that portions of the middle sheet, including at least some of the middle sheet cutouts, are exposed through the overlay cutouts. The underlay is laminated beneath the middle sheet so that portions of the underlay are exposed through the middle sheet cutouts and through the overlay cutouts. The exposed portions of the underlay sheet are generally darker than the middle sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface covering system including a first covering portion detachably connected to a backing and a second covering portion detachably connected to the backing, wherein the first covering portion and the second covering portion are spaced apart on the backing.

Abstract: Cushion backed carpet tiles and carpet tile installations which can be installed without adhesives are described. The carpet tiles are manufactured according to rigid specifications in order that no corner of any of the individual tiles is {fraction (1/16)}″ or greater off the floor due to curl, and no corner on the tile has cup of greater than {fraction (3/16)}″. In this way, a substantially to entirely adhesive-free carpet tile installation can be achieved, with the installation being capable of withstanding the rigors of a variety of typical types of wear, such as rolling traffic, etc., without shifting or snowplowing over adjacent tiles.

Abstract: There is provided a modular area rug having a plurality of individual floor covering elements positioned in an aesthetically pleasing tiled configuration. The modular area rug may include a plurality of similar repeating sub-units, each of which may comprise multiple floor covering elements. The modular area rug is free-standing, requiring no contact with a wall to maintain its monolithic nature. Further, the individual floor covering elements may be easily repositioned to satisfy user needs or whims. Each floor covering element has a textile upper surface and a skid-resistant backing of either a sheet material or a fabric-elastomer composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to specific methods of producing cleated rubber-backed floor mats (such as dust control or rubber mats) through the utilization of the combination of a perforated coated woven fabric article and a cushioned platen liner between the article and the metal platen of an in-line dust control mat manufacturing machine. Such a procedure permits a more efficient manner of producing cleated anti-creep dust control mats than previously followed. The produced mat as well as the woven fabric article/cushioned platen liner combination are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: To produce a composite building unit having a polymer-cladded surface, a polymerizable resin binder and a blend of filler particles are combined to provide a resin binder/filler mixture which is deposited in a mold. A concrete substrate is then positioned in the mold with a face surface contacting a transition layer comprising a lightly filled resin binder/filler layer portion of the deposited mixture overlying a highly filled resin binder/filler layer portion of the deposited mixture. The resin binder in the transition layer migrates into pockets and pores in the substrate face surface to create mechanical locks when the resin binder is cured. These locks, in addition to chemical bonding, serve to permanently affix the cured resin binder as a surface cladding to the substrate. Initiators may be added to the resin binder to promote thermal and/or UV radiation cures thereof.

Abstract: A tile molded of thermoset plastic is provided with structure to retain the tiles in their desired position when subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The tiles are provided with an array of anchors that extend outwardly from the substrate facing surface of the tile. The anchors have a stretching portion which will allow for some movement imposed by freezing and thawing conditions and will return to its desired position during warmer conditions. The anchors have substrate engaging portions at their distal ends.

Abstract: A preseamed, resilient sheet flooring including first and second composite sheet products positioned closely adjacent each other edge-to-edge to form a seam therebetween. An adhesive is positioned in the seam. The adhesive extends completely through the thickness of the sheet flooring, bonds with the first and second sheet products through the entire thickness thereof, and has visual characteristics suitable for creating an indistinct appearance of the seam in the sheet flooring product. The adhesive also has wear characteristics sufficiently similar to wear characteristics of the sheet flooring to maintain the visually indistinct appearance of the adhesive on the surface of the seam as wear occurs to the sheet flooring, thereby creating a finished seam sufficiently strong and flexible to permit the adhesive to be positioned in the seam prior to unrolling the flooring onto a subfloor surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing a detailed mosaic decoration with a planar top surface. Specifically, this invention provides a multi-level supporting surface or substrate such that a less detailed portion of the mosaic, made up of relatively thicker mosaic materials, is formed atop a base portion of the support substrate, while a more detailed portion of the mosaic, made up of the relatively thinner mosaic materials, is formed atop a raised portion of the support substrate. Thus, both the highly detailed portion of the mosaic, being formed of relatively thinner mosaic materials, and the less detailed portion of the mosaic, being formed of relatively thicker mosaic materials, appear as though they are formed from relatively thicker mosaic materials.

Abstract: A dust control mat having a pile surface and a backing layer disposed beneath the pile surface. The pile surface includes segmented portions of pile-forming material salvaged from previously used mat structures and adhered to the backing layer in a predefined arrangement to define a contact surface of recycled material for use in removing dirt from the shoes of a user.

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: In an arrangement for jointing together adjacent pieces of floor covering material, mutually facing edge portions of the pieces in a joint are profiled such that the one piece has a groove-shaped accommodation space in which a corresponding bead-shaped projection on the other piece may be accommodated. The one piece has a flocking which is disposed for holding together adjacent pieces. The profiling has, besides the accommodation space and the projection, mutually facing surfaces on both pieces, at least one of these surfaces being flocked. The flocking or flockings are located outside the defining surfaces of the accommodation space and the projection.

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: In the present invention, there are obtained aliphatic polyesters having a controlled thermal decomposing property, hydrolizability, and biodegradability, in which OH terminals and COOH terminals are decreased to 50% and 30%, respectively, through a ring-opening polymerization of a lactone and lactide by a mono alcohol having a high boiling point or a metal alkoxide, or by further decreasing both terminals through combining produced polymer terminals with a diisocyanate and, from a composition containing the polyesters, there is obtained a particle-state composition for agriculture and gardening in which a duration period of a fertilizing effect can be controlled, and which is not remained in soil by decomposition.

Abstract: A method of making terrazzo floors with design inlays. The method utilizes pre-molded inserts as inlays in the finished floor, and generally includes four steps. First, inserts are pre-molded, which has design elements in terms of their color, nature of inclusions (chips, glass fragments, etc. and their colors), shape and/or a pattern of grooves in their upper surfaces. Second, the pre-molded inserts are placed on and affixed to the sub-flooring in a predetermined arrangement. Third, epoxy flooring mixture is poured to a height that fills the grooves in the inserts' upper surfaces and preferably cover the inserts. Fourth, the floor, after cured and hardened, is ground and polished to expose the upper surfaces of the inserts, which now become seamlessly integrated inlays within the overall finished floor.

Abstract: a 6 mil thick 42″ wide weather resistant sheeting that is stapled or glued on top of the boards that are used to seal a building when vacancy, fire or condemnation occurs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface covering system including a first covering portion detachably connected to a backing and a second covering portion detachably connected to the backing, wherein the first covering portion and the second covering portion are spaced apart on the backing.

Abstract: A semiconducting floor covering which consists of a layer (2) of conductive material parallel to the surface of the covering and at least one layer (1, 3) of polyvinyl chloride based material adhered to the layer of conductive material. As plasticizer for the polyvinyl chloride in the floor covering, 2-ethyl hexyl diphenyl phosphate and aliphatic ester compound has been used or these two combined so that per 100 parts of polyvinyl chloride it contains 39-80 parts of plasticizer. It further contains 1-250 parts of talc and/or ATH as filler.

Abstract: Composites useful in building structures such as floor tiles, are prepared having a very strong bond between a highly filled polymeric surface layer and a cementitious backing. The composite comprises: a first layer of solid particles intimately mixed with a polymeric binder; a second layer of an organic and/or inorganic solid; and a transitional layer located between the first and second layers comprising both the polymeric binder and the organic and/or inorganic solids wherein the polymeric binder is contained in pockets within the organic and/or inorganic solid and at least some of the pockets of the polymeric binder extend from the first layer.

Abstract: An adhesive tape pack, in which an adhesive layer (3), preferably a hot-melt adhesive layer, is arranged on at least one carrier element (2). In order to provide adhesive tape packs of this type with tape sections (5), which can be easily separated from one another, the present invention provides for providing the carrier element (2) with notches (4) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tape, which cut through the carrier element (2), but not the adhesive layer (3). In this way, the tape sections (5) are held together by means of the adhesive layer (3) and can be separated by lightly cutting through the adhesive layer (3) along the notches (4).

Abstract: The invention refers to a method of floor laying and underlay and surface material for this. According to the invention a coating of fiber flock on the underlay as well as on the underside of the floor surface material is utilized. Hereby is achieved partly that the need of glueing of floor material is eliminated and partly to provide a floor underlay that gives smoothing out, noise suppression and insulation as well as a fixing underlay for various floor materials so that these can be laid in larger or smaller portions and remain on site but simply can be adjusted when required.

Abstract: Exciting new optically engaging and controversial three dimensional simulating illusionary digital designs which generate emotional responses and photo-realism shock effects are produced by digitally creating a design or pattern and dying and/or printing the digitally created design using digitally controlled dying or printing equipment on flooring, such as, modular carpet tiles, area rugs, runners, rugs, carpets, floor mats, or the like. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a carpet tile substrate is cut into individual carpet tile blanks which are jet injection dyed with digitally created designs, colors, patterns, and/or the like which provide excellent seamability, look, feel, wear, and allow for true or accurate registration of three dimensional like, complex, complicated, intricate designs heretofore unknown in the carpet industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sheet materials suitable for use in or as a floor covering. The sheet materials comprise a polyalkene resin in intimate admixture with at least one additive comprising a filler, wherein the polyalkene resin has a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD), and a small amount of long chain branching and produced by a single site catalyzed polymerization of at least one, linear, branched or cyclic, alkene having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms. The present invention also extends to processes for the production of such sheet materials and floor coverings.

Abstract: A roll assembly is disclosed having a roll, a carrier strip secured to the roll, and a replaceable cover strip adhesively bonded to the carrier strip. Upon removal of the cover strip, the adhesive bond causes a portion of the carrier strip to be pulled away with the cover strip. A replacement cover strip can then be adhesively bonded to the newly exposed surface of the carrier strip.

Abstract: A preseamed sheet flooring product having first and second sheet products positioned closely adjacent each other edge-to-edge to form a seam therebetween. An adhesive is positioned in the seam and has visual characteristics suitable for creating an indistinct appearance of the seam in the sheet flooring product. The seam also has wear characteristics sufficiently similar to wear characteristics of the sheet flooring product to maintain the visually indistinct appearance of the adhesive on the surface of the seam as wear occurs to the end product sheet material.

Abstract: A settable mixture comprising magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride, water, resiliently compressible fibers, and a filler material produces a cement with high strength and excellent sound attenuation properties, avoiding the expansion properties observed in comparable prior art mixtures. The mixture may be used in a method of manufacturing a sound insulating floor construction on top of a floor base (1) and within confinement walls (2), the method comprising applying on top of the floor base a layer of soft, resilient mats (3), arranging along the confinement walls a spacer list (4) comprising a sort, resilient material, pouring on top of the mats the mixture, leveling the top surface of the mixture, and allowing it to set to form a solid slab (5).

Abstract: A laminate including a glass layer and a second layer, the glass layer having a pattern of crack lines, dividing the glass layer into pattern elements.

Abstract: A flexible composite expansion joint material comprises a fluoropolymer containing woven fabric substrate with mutually perpendicular warp and fill yarns. The substrate is subdivided into plural segments which are arranged successively in a longitudinally extending assembly with the warp and fill yarns of each segment extending obliquely with respect to the assembly length. At least one other component extends over the assembly length. The successively arranged substrate segments are spliced together and integrally joined to the other component by lamination under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A substantially solid glass-based simplified supporting structure includes at least one supporting unit made up of at least two glass sheets separated by at least one sheet of organic material. At least one protective member is provided on a face of the supporting unit, this protective member being made up of at least one sheet or layer of inorganic material and/or of at least one sheet or layer of organic material.

Abstract: A miniature mosaic is disclosed that includes a support, a plurality of tesserae arranged on the support to create an image where at least a majority of the tesserae are elongate strands having cross-sectional areas of no more than 0.25 square millimeters, and an adhesive fixing the tesserae to the support. A method of making a miniature mosaic is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cover for a flower pot, the cover comprising a sheet of material sized to substantially surround and encompass the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and a fastener comprised of elastic or elasticized materials and forming a generally continuous loop, the fastener connectingly held to either the upper surface or the lower surface of the sheet of material. The fastener can be stretched to an extent sufficient to enable the fastener to be disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and to hold the sheet of material applied thereabout. The invention further comprises a method for wrapping a pot with a covering such as described above, and a preformed pot cover having a fastener connected circumferentially to the interior surface of the pot cover.