Abstract: In various embodiments, the present inventions provide a rubber composite having an abrasion resistance better than about 125 mm3 under DIN 53516 and comprising a natural rubber, between about 15 to about 25 parts per hundred rubber (PHR) of a butadiene, between about 20 to about 40 PHR of a silica; and between about 0.4 to about 4 PHR of an organosilane polysulfur cross-linking agent. Also provided in various embodiments are multiply rubber materials having a first ply of the above composite and a second thinner ply of a styrene-butadiene rubber.

Abstract: An insulating facing tape material that can be used for covering exposed insulation surfaces to protect them from moisture and other environmental factors. The material typically includes a first layer of metal-containing foil, a second layer of metal-containing foil, a polymeric layer that is disposed between the first and second layers of metal-containing foil, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive connected to one of the layers of metal-containing foil and exposable for securing the tape material to a substrate. The polymeric layer is a laminate of multiple sub-layers of different principal polymer orientations. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may be covered with a release liner prior to application.

Abstract: A fitting piece provides a freely-rotating replacement roll with a specific attachment point which is suitable for securing spindles of the freely-rotating replacement roll when one of the two spindles is a cylindrical sleeve (6) in which a freely-rotating plug (4) is inserted, the foot of which is equipped with elastically-suspended cams (11) in order to clamp the plug along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve (6) and the head (7) equipped with a notch (8) or a recess (9) which specifically fits into an attachment point of a roll-holder.

Abstract: A printed surface covering which can be continuously manufactured by the following steps: utilizing a process printing method, a design is printed onto a polymer web having an opaque, uniform background color; this web is laminated onto a vinyl base web to form a composite material; this composite material is laminated to a wear resistant layer which is embossed in register with the printed design; and the embossed composite material is cut into discrete sections in register with the printed design.

Abstract: An improved process and means are disclosed for continuously forming tiles that are embossed in register with a printed design. In this process a base layer is formed on a continuously moving support surface and moved by the surface through printing, laminating and embossing stages wherein a printed design is applied to the base layer, a wear coat is laminated over the design, and the design is embossed. In accordance with the invention, the base layer is adhered to the support surface prior to transfer of the printed design thereto.

Abstract: An improved means is disclosed for continuously forming tiles that are embossed in register with a printed design. A printed design is first applied to a base coat and a wear coat is laminated over the design. Advantageously, the wear coat is applied to the printed web before it is heated for lamination. Before embossing occurs, the laminated product is cooled until partial setting occurs, and the embossing roll is sprayed with water in order to minimize the likelihood that the laminated product will adhere to the embossing roll. To avoid distorting the web during lamination and embossing, proper web tension is maintained by controlling the rotational speeds of the laminating drum and the embossing roll so that a desired ratio is preserved. The web is then cut into oversized tiles that shrink to size during annealing.

Abstract: An improved process suitable for continuously producing tiles which have the sharp and vivid coloring characteristics of ceramic tiles. In accordance with this process, a release paper is coated with a clear liquid plastisol layer. The clear liquid plastisol layer is given a completely smooth upper surface. A decorative design is then applied to the smooth upper surface by transfer printing. The printed plastisol is then covered with an opaque plastisol backing layer to form a cast wear layer comprising the clear plastisol layer, the printed pattern, and the opaque plastisol backing layer. The cast wear layer is then transferred to a continuous plastic base web that has been made previously so that the backing layer is in contact with the base web. The cast wear layer is laminated onto the base web, and this laminate is embossed using an engraved roll having raised sections which are images of the printed design.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for forming tiles that are embossed in register with a printed design. A printed design is first applied to a base coat and a wear coat is laminated over the design. Advantageously, the wear coat is applied to the printed web before it is heated for lamination. Before embossing occurs, the laminated product is cooled until partial setting occurs, and the embossing roll is sprayed with water in order to minimize the likelihood that the laminated product will adhere to the embossing roll. To avoid distorting the web during lamination and embossing, proper web tension is maintained by controlling the rotational speeds of the laminating drum and the embossing roll so that a desired ratio is preserved. The web is then cut into oversized tiles that shrink to size during annealing.

Abstract: A method is described for the continuous manufacture of inlaid vinyl sheeting using different colored plastisols and rotary screen printing equipment. The printing equipment comprises an unwind stand, an accumulator, a plurality of printing stations, a coating station, an oven, a second accumulator, and a wind up stand. Optionally an embossing station may also be used. Each printing station comprises (i) a rotary screen through which a different colored plastisol is squeezed to form a colored pattern on a base layer and (ii) a hot air dryer for partially drying the plastisol deposited on the base layer. In accordance with the invention, the viscosity of the plastisol and the rate of drying is such that plugs of plastisol are deposited on the base layer by each screen to form discrete portions of the total pattern created. Several different rotary screens are used to deposit these plugs of colored plastisols on the base layer so as to build up a pattern from the different colored plastisols.

Abstract: A method is described for the continuous manufacture of inlaid vinyl sheeting using different colored plastisols and rotary screen printing equipment. The printing equipment comprises an unwind stand, an accumulator, a plurality of printing stations, a coating station, an oven, a second accumulator, and a wind up stand. Optionally an embossing station may also be used. Each printing station comprises (i) a rotary screen through which a different colored plastisol is squeezed to form a colored pattern on a base layer and (ii) a hot air dryer for partially drying the plastisol deposited on the base layer. In accordance with the invention, the viscosity of the plastisol and the rate of drying is such that plugs of plastisol are deposited on the base layer by each screen to form discrete portions of the total pattern created. Several different rotary screens are used to deposit these plugs of colored plastisols on the base layer so as to build up a pattern from the different colored plastisols.

Abstract: Distortions during printing and laminating are minimized by printing the design on a stable base, preferably release paper, and then transferring the printed design to a hot plastic web made continuously by an extruder. A stress relieved hot plastic film is then laminated to the printed web to provide a protective wear coat. To emboss in register with the printed design, the laminated product is first aligned by means of registration marks that are printed along with the design. Embossing is then made using a conventional engraved roll having raised sections which are images of the printed design. After embossing, the web is partially cooled and annealed. It is then aligned with a die cutter using the same registration marks as used for alignment during embossing. As a result, individual tiles can be cut automatically in register to the printed and embossed pattern.

Abstract: An asbestos free composition suitable for the manufacture of vinyl floor tile comprises a substantially uniform mixture of a minor portion of vinyl polymer resin and a major portion of mineral filler consisting essentially of calcium carbonate and Kaolin clay. Formulations using such a mineral filler have been found processible into floor tile using the same basic production equipment and process line used in the manufacture of vinyl asbestos tile.

Abstract: A heating device, particularly useful for heating the end portions of hollow elongated objects such as thermoplastic hose or tubing, comprises an enclosure for substantially surrounding the end portion of the object, means for substantially immobilizing the end portion within the enclosure and means for directing a stream of heated gas around the inside and outside of the object along the length of the end portion. In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure is an insulated metal circular cylinder having at one end apertures for receiving thermoplastic hose and controlling gas flow. At the other end, the enclosure has an apertured conical member for insertion into the hose to immobilize it in axial alignment with the cylinder.

Abstract: A tile having pre-formed edges and an exposed decorative relief surface with high areas subject to greater than average wear and low areas subject to less than average wear is provided with a protective coating which is thicker on the high areas than on the low areas. The coating covers the exposed surface without covering the pre-formed edges. Such coatings are provided in high volume production apparatus by the steps of (a) providing a continuous succession of base tiles with abutting front and back edges; (b) spraying a first coating of protective material onto the exposed surface of the tile from one or more points vertically within the side edges; (c) at least partially curing the first coating; (d) applying a second coating of protective material primarily onto the high areas on the exposed surface by roller coating; and (e) curing the protective coating. In preferred embodiments, the protective coating material is cured by exposing it to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Conveyor belting ends, each comprising a pair of carcass plies separated by an intermediate elastomeric ply and enclosed by a pair of outer rubber plies, are spliced by removing material from various plies to expose one surface of each terminal portion of the carcass plies. The two belting ends are then interfitted, after the application of tie gum to exposed surfaces, such that each carcass ply terminal portion overlies the terminal portion of the associated carcass ply on the other belting end, thereby assuring two uninterrupted carcass plies at the longitudinal location on the belt where each carcass ply is severed.

Abstract: Conveyor belting ends, each comprising a pair of carcass plies separated by an intermediate elastomeric ply and enclosed by a pair of outer rubber plies, are spliced by removing material from various plies to expose surfaces of terminal portions of the carcass plies and then interfitting the two belting ends, after the application of tie gum to exposed surfaces. The interfitting is done such that each terminal portion of each carcass ply overlies the terminal portion of the associated carcass ply on the other belting end, thereby assuring two uninterrupted carcass plies at the longitudinal location on the belt where each carcass ply is severed.