Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of splicing a hollow gasket such that the final welded joint remains highly flexible and does not impair the fluid flow between the two spliced sections. The two gasket sections having identical multiple-chambered cross-sections are held in a splice mold by precision tooling and air drawn through small holes in the splice mold by a vacuum pump. Heat is applied to each end of the gasket sections and the ends are brought into contact with one another. As the ends cool, a welded joint is formed. The integrity of each individual chamber is maintained so that, when spliced, the two gaskets sections become one, with the chambers forming continuous channels. The continuous channels create a higher insulating quality than if the channels were blocked at the welded joints. Further, corners spliced in this manner remain as flexible as the adjoining gasket sections.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of creating a seamless printing master for use with an embossing roll to ultimately produce a textured wall or floor covering. A hardenable material is applied to the textured surface of a positive printing master section. The positive printing master section is pressed onto the embossing roll and the hardenable material is allowed to cure to a hardened state. The positive printing master section is then removed to expose a negative printing master region which is the negative image of the pattern contained in the positive printing master section, imprinted in hardened material, and adhered to the embossing roll. The process is repeated, either reusing the original positive printing master section or using a different positive printing master section, overlapping positive printing master sections onto previously formed negative printing master regions until the entire outer surface of the embossing roll is covered.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of creating a seamless printing master for use with an embossing roll to ultimately produce a textured wall or floor covering. A hardenable material is applied to the textured surface of a positive printing master. The embossing roll is placed on the positive printing master and then rolled in a forward direction, compressing the hardenable material between the textured surface of the substrate and the outer surface of the embossing roll, until approximately three fourths of the circumference of the embossing roll is covered. The hardenable material is then allowed to harden. A second amount of hardenable material is applied to the portion of the positive printing master which corresponds to the uncovered portion of the embossing roll.