Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively curing a sheet of ethylene-propylene diene termonomer (EPDM) material to form a roofing membrane for installation on a roof deck. The method includes the steps of providing a sheet formed of ethylene-propylene diene termonomer, the sheet having a field and longitudinal edge areas bordering the field; and then simultaneously shielding at least one edge area of the EPDM sheet and exposing at least the field to a source of radiation to cure at least the field of the EPDM sheet and provide a selectively cured EPDM roofing membrane. Also disclosed is the product formed by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying a bead of TPO or TPE adhesive between a talc-free first roofing membrane and an overlapping talc-free second roofing membrane. The apparatus includes a movably supported chassis and an extruder attached to the chassis having a nozzle including an outlet having at least one opening for applying the TPO or TPE adhesive between the first membrane and the overlapping second membrane to adhere the overlapping second membrane to the first membrane. The TPO or TPE adhesive is heated within the apparatus allowing application along the seam between the first and second membranes. The outlet of the nozzle is positioned between the first and second membranes with the TPO or TPE adhesive applied between the overlapping portions of the membranes while pressing the overlapping first and second membranes to hold the overlapping portions together.

Abstract: A method of applying a roof membrane assembly to a roof deck. The method includes the steps of providing a roof membrane assembly including a first roof membrane and a second roof membrane. The first roof membrane has at least one longitudinally extending edge and the second roof membrane overlaps the first roof membrane and is bonded along at least one longitudinally extending edge of the first roof membrane to define a membrane flap having a longitudinally extending edge. The roof membrane assembly is then positioned upon the roof deck and at least one roof membrane fastening device is positioned over the first roof membrane and beneath the longitudinally extending membrane flap and secured through the first roof membrane and into the roof deck. The longitudinally extending edge of the membrane flap is then bonded to the first roof membrane.

Abstract: A breathable, decorative wallcovering having a smooth, continuous, aesthetically appealing exposed surface which can be printed with a design or pattern having sharply defined edges, and having a relatively high moisture permeability, includes a porous polymeric ply fused to and supported by a nonwoven substrate ply which consists of an array of hydroentangled fibers. The porous polymeric ply is formed by thermally fusing a plastisol coating, which is applied to the nonwoven substrate ply, and which has a thickness sufficiently low to permit localized variations in fiber orientation and small variations in the thickness of the nonwoven substrate ply to cause the formation of a multiplicity of miniature discontinuities which are substantially invisible to the unaided eye and which are randomly distributed throughout the coating. The plastisol coating is, however, thick enough to allow the formation of a coating which upon thermal fusion provides a polymeric ply having a smooth continuous appearance.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing a dialkoxyethanal-amine derivative resin low in color by adding low amounts of formaldehyde to the reactants before acidification and heating. The reaction product is also claimed. The composition is useful in a variety of coating and overcoating applications where a brown, yellow or amber color would be aesthetically undesirable.

Abstract: A method for making a flexible, waterproof shower pan liner comprised of a water-insoluble thermoplastic sheet. The shower pan liner includes on at least one surface selected indicia such as product information or plumbing codes at regular intervals. The indicia are embossed into the shower pan liner thereby eliminating the need for a protective top coat. In the process for making the invention, the thermoplastic is heated, calendered, and thereafter embossed with the selected indicia while in a heated condition.

Abstract: A dual-weld heat welding apparatus capable of simultaneously welding a first membrane and an overlapping second membrane on opposite sides of a roof membrane fastening apparatus fastened through the first membrane and located under the overlapping second membrane. The heat welding apparatus includes a movably supported chassis, a hot air welder attached to the chassis including a nozzle having an outlet including at least one opening for simultaneously applying a weld on opposite sides of the roof membrane fastener to weld the overlapping second membrane and the first membrane, and at least one weld wheel rotatably attached to the chassis and located rearward of the nozzle relative to the direction of movement of the apparatus and capable of simultaneously applying pressure to the weld on each side of the roof membrane fastener.

Abstract: A polymeric latex prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomeric mixture comprising styrene and butadiene in the presence of a seed polymer prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of styrene and a salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: A compounded and plasticized vinyl chloride polymer layer, optionally supported with a fabric, contains an outer adherent, stain resistant layer having durability and flexibility. The adherent, stain resistant layer is derived from a water-based polyester-amino resin composition. The stain resistant layer comprises the reaction product of said polyester, an acid catalyst, and an amino resin. The vinyl chloride layer may be printed or embossed or both printed and embossed, optionally printed again, before the outer layer is applied. A laminate formed from the polyvinyl chloride polymer layer and the stain resistant layer can also be embossed.

Abstract: An aqueous paper and paperboard coating composition is provided containing as a lubricant a vegetable oil triglyceride which is hydrophobic and non-ionic.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex for utilization in bonding carpet piles to carpet backing. By utilizing this improved latex, it is possible to attain improved wet-adhesion, a stronger tuft bind and improved delamination resistance. These improved properties are attained by including a rosin acid soap in the carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex. This invention more specifically discloses a carpet latex compound which is comprised of (a) a carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex, (b) a filler, (c) a thickener and (d) optionally, a curative; wherein said carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex is comprised of (i) water, (ii) a carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber, (iii) an emulsifier and (iv) a rosin acid soap.

Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition, as for bonding rubber substrates together or for bonding a rubber substrate to a fabric, comprising a blend of a carboxylated rubber latex as made from styrene, butadiene, and an unsaturated acid monomer, and a natural rubber latex, is sulfur curable and desirably utilizes rubber accelerators. The adhesive composition is substantially free of hydrocarbon solvents and/or tackifiers and has good physical properties such as high peel strength.

Abstract: A process of forming a seed polymer for use in an emulsion polymerization reaction. The process includes the steps of providing an aqueous mixture of styrene, emulsifying agent, initiator and at least one polymerizable di- or tri-carboxylic acid and then polymerizing the aqueous mixture in the presence of a nonpolymerizable di- or tri-carboxylic acid to form the seed polymer.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing a functionalized EPM or EPDM artificial latex from the EPM or EPDM polymerization reactor without isolating the polymer. The process includes i) post polymerization functionalizing of an EPM or EPDM copolymer, ii) dispersing the functionalized copolymer in water with an appropriate surfactant and iii) removing the solvents. The resulting latex is useful in paper coatings, latex coatings, adhesives, and in impact modifiers.

Abstract: An aqueous paper and paperboard coating composition is provided containing as a lubricant a vegetable oil triglyceride which is hydrophobic and non-ionic.

Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing and curing in-line a sheet of ethylene-propylene diene monomer to form an EPDM roofing membrane. The method includes the steps of forming a continuous sheet material of ethylene-propylene diene monomer and then continuously heating and pressing the sheet material to partially cure the sheet material and remove any voids within the sheet material. The partially cured sheet material is then continuously fed through a curing oven to fully cure the sheet material to form EPDM roofing membrane.

Abstract: A roofing membrane heat seal indicator provides a positive, visually perceptible indication that a joint or seam has been raised to a sufficiently high temperature to achieve a proper seal. The heat seal indicator is applied adjacent and parallel to an edge of a roofing membrane which will be arranged on a roof to form the upper (exposed) surface of an overlapping membrane seam. As the adjacent surfaces of the overlapped membranes are heated, heat passes through the membrane to the heat seal indicator. The heat seal indicator may be a temperature sensitive ink pigmented with material that changes color upon being subjected to a temperature indicating that the membrane surface has been subjected to a sufficiently high temperature to achieve an appropriate seal. Alternatively, the indicator may be an adhered layer of a ground or flaked polymer, such as polyethylene, which is initially opaque but melts to become translucent, thereby indicating obtainment of a proper sealing temperature.

Abstract: A compounded and plasticized vinyl chloride polymer layer, optionally supported with a fabric, contains an outer adherent, stain resistant layer having durability and flexibility. The adherent, stain resistant layer is derived from a water-based polyester-amino resin composition. The stain resistant layer comprises the reaction product of said polyester, an acid catalyst, and an amino resin. The vinyl chloride layer may be printed or embossed or both printed and embossed, optionally printed again, before the outer layer is applied. A laminate formed from the polyvinyl chloride polymer layer and the stain resistant layer can also be embossed.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric of chemically bonded non-cellulose fibers including a random arrangement of non-cellulose fibers and an essentially formaldehyde free latex binder capable of developing maximum tensile properties at temperatures less than the melt bonding temperature of the non-cellulose fibers.

Abstract: A method of applying a roof membrane assembly to a roof deck. The method includes the steps of providing a roof membrane assembly including a first roof membrane and a second roof membrane. The first roof membrane has at least one longitudinally extending edge and the second roof membrane overlaps the first roof membrane and is bonded along at least one longitudinally extending edge of the first roof membrane to define a membrane flap having a longitudinally extending edge. The roof membrane assembly is then positioned upon the roof deck and at least one roof membrane fastening device is positioned over the first roof membrane and beneath the longitudinally extending membrane flap and secured through the first roof membrane and into the roof deck. The longitudinally extending edge of the membrane flap is then bonded to the first roof membrane.