Abstract: A decorative laminate, and method for making the same, includes a core layer, a print layer, an overlay layer, and a luminescent layer. The print layer includes patterns printed thereon using conventional ink. In some embodiments, the overlay layer is impregnated with a resin that includes photoluminescent material of a single color which, when exposed to UV light, causes the single color to be visible throughout. The luminescent layer includes patterns of photoluminescent materials of different colors. In the embodiments where the overlay layer includes a resin with a photoluminescent material, the different colored patterns of the luminescent layer are simultaneously visible with the single color of the overlay layer when exposed to UV light.

Abstract: A decorative laminate includes a core layer, a decorative layer and an optional overlay layer. The core layer includes one or more resin impregnated paper sheets. The decorative layer includes a dry paper sheet (i.e., one without any resin impregnation). A plurality of geometric patterns is printed on the decorative paper sheet with photoluminescent material of different colors, where the resulting patterns of different colors are simultaneously visible when exposed to ultraviolet light. The optional overlay layer includes one or more resin impregnated paper sheets. The decorative layer paper sheet is stacked with the layer and the optional overlay layer, when utilized, and laminated under heat and pressure to form the decorative laminate.

Abstract: An impact resistant laminated panel and a method for making the same is provided. The panel includes in stacked order: a first side overlay layer, a decorative layer, a first side fiber-reinforced layer, a core layer, a second side fiber-reinforced layer, and a base layer. The decorative layer has at least one appearance sheet and at least one flattening sheet. The flattening sheet is disposed between the appearance sheet and the first side fiber-reinforced layer. The decorative layer has a sufficient mass to prevent the formation of surface flatness and/or appearance variations in the outer surface of the first side overlay layer, which variations are attributable to the first side fiber-reinforced sheet.

Abstract: A heat and pressure consolidated laminate, and method for producing the same, is provided that includes in superimposed relationship a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material, an underlay layer, a substrate, and an optional backer layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite one another. The underlay layer includes one or more cellulosic sheets impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and is disposed between the decorative layer and the first layer of the substrate. The backer layer includes one or more cellulosic sheets impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and is disposed contiguous with the second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A heat and pressure consolidated laminate, and method for producing the same, is provided that includes in superimposed relationship a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material, an underlay layer, a substrate, and an optional backer layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite one another. The underlay layer includes one or more cellulosic sheets impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and is disposed between the decorative layer and the first layer of the substrate. The backer layer includes one or more cellulosic sheets impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and is disposed contiguous with the second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for the production of a laminate is provided, comprising the steps of: 1) providing a stack of layers including a decorative layer, a core layer, and optionally an overlayer; 2) impregnating one or both of the decorative layer and overlayer with a resin formulation that includes nanoclay particles disposed within a thermoset resin, wherein the concentration of the nanoclay particles within the thermoset resin is great enough to form a physical barrier within the resin and low enough to avoid a hazy appearance; and 3) subjecting the stack of layers to sufficient heat and pressure to cause the layers to bond to one another. According to an aspect of the present invention, a laminate is provided producible by the above-described method.

Abstract: A method for the production of a laminate is provided, comprising the steps of: 1) providing a stack of layers including a decorative layer, a core layer, and optionally an overlayer; 2) impregnating one or both of the decorative layer and overlayer with a resin formulation that includes nanoclay particles disposed within a thermoset resin, wherein the concentration of the nanoclay particles within the thermoset resin is great enough to form a physical barrier within the resin and low enough to avoid a hazy appearance; and 3) subjecting the stack of layers to sufficient heat and pressure to cause the layers to bond to one another. According to an aspect of the present invention, a laminate is provided producible by the above-described method.

Abstract: A heat and pressure consolidated laminate, and a method for manufacturing the same, is provided that includes in superimposed relationship a core layer containing a plurality of cellulosic sheets impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced decorative laminate, and a method for producing the same, is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) stacking in a superimposed relationship a decorative layer, a fiber-reinforced core layer, and a barrier layer disposed between the decorative layer and the core layer; and 2) simultaneously curing, under heat and pressure, the decorative, barrier and core layers to create the fiber-reinforced decorative laminate. The decorative layer includes one or more decorative sheets, and is at least partially resin-impregnated and at least partially cured. The fiber-reinforced core layer has a texture, and includes at least one fiber-reinforced sheet that is substantially devoid of cellulose. The core layer is at least partially resin-impregnated and at least partially cured. The barrier layer is operable to substantially prevent the texture of the core layer from being apparent through the decorative layer in the cured fiber-reinforced laminate.

Abstract: A decorative laminate, and method for making the same, includes a core layer, a print layer, an overlay layer, and a luminescent layer. The print layer includes patterns printed thereon using conventional ink. In some embodiments, the overlay layer is impregnated with a resin that includes photoluminescent material of a single color which, when exposed to UV light, causes the single color to be visible throughout. The luminescent layer includes patterns of photoluminescent materials of different colors. In the embodiments where the overlay layer includes a resin with a photoluminescent material, the different colored patterns of the luminescent layer are simultaneously visible with the single color of the overlay layer when exposed to UV light.

Abstract: A method for the production of a laminate is provided, comprising the steps of: 1) providing a stack of layers including a decorative layer, a core layer, and optionally an overlayer; 2) impregnating one or both of the decorative layer and overlayer with a resin formulation that includes nanoclay particles disposed within a thermoset resin, wherein the concentration of the nanoclay particles within the thermoset resin is great enough to form a physical barrier within the resin and low enough to avoid a hazy appearance; and 3) subjecting the stack of layers to sufficient heat and pressure to cause the layers to bond to one another. According to an aspect of the present invention, a laminate is provided producible by the above-described method.

Abstract: A decorative laminate includes a core layer, a decorative layer and an optional overlay layer. The core layer includes one or more resin impregnated paper sheets. The decorative layer includes a dry paper sheet (i.e., one without any resin impregnation). A plurality of geometric patterns is printed on the decorative paper sheet with photoluminescent material of different colors, where the resulting patterns of different colors are simultaneously visible when exposed to ultraviolet light. The optional overlay layer includes one or more resin impregnated paper sheets. The decorative layer paper sheet is stacked with the core layer and the optional overlay layer, when utilized, and laminated under heat and pressure to form the decorative laminate.

Abstract: A heat and pressure consolidated flexible laminate, and a method for producing the same, is provided that includes in superimposed relationship, a flexible, resin coated backing layer consisting of one or more sheets, a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material and, optionally, an overlay.

Abstract: A method for producing of a flexible heat and pressure consolidated leather laminate is provided that includes the steps of: a) stacking a flexible backing layer, a decorative layer comprised essentially of leather, and a release sheet; b) inserting the stacked layers in a thermosetting press; and c) exposing the stack to an elevated temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to form a laminate from said layers.

Abstract: A heat and pressure consolidated flexible laminate, and a method for producing the same, is provided that includes in superimposed relationship, a flexible, resin coated backing layer consisting of one or more sheets, a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material and, optionally, an overlay.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat and pressure consolidated laminate is provided that includes in superimposed relationship a core layer containing a plurality of cellulosic sheets impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced decorative laminate, and a method for producing the same, is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) stacking in a superimposed relationship a decorative layer, a fiber-reinforced core layer, and a barrier layer disposed between the decorative layer and the core layer; and 2) simultaneously curing, under heat and pressure, the decorative, barrier and core layers to create the fiber-reinforced decorative laminate. The decorative layer includes one or more decorative sheets, and is at least partially resin-impregnated and at least partially cured. The fiber-reinforced core layer has a texture, and includes at least one fiber-reinforced sheet that is substantially devoid of cellulose. The core layer is at least partially resin-impregnated and at least partially cured. The barrier layer is operable to substantially prevent the texture of the core layer from being apparent through the decorative layer in the cured fiber-reinforced laminate.

Abstract: A method for the production of a fiber-reinforced decorative laminate is provided. The method includes stacking, in a superimposed relationship, a decorative layer and a fiber-reinforced core layer. The decorative layer, which includes one or more decorative sheets, is at least partially resin-impregnated, and at least partially cured. The fiber-reinforced core layer includes at least one fiber-reinforced sheet, which is substantially devoid of cellulose, and at least partially resin-impregnated, and at least partially cured. The decorative and core layers are simultaneously cured, under heat and pressure, to create the fiber-reinforced decorative laminate. A fiber-reinforced decorative laminate produced according to the above method is also provided.

Abstract: A heat and pressure consolidated flexible laminate, and a method for producing the same, is provided that includes in superimposed relationship, a flexible, resin coated backing layer consisting of one or more sheets, a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material and, optionally, an overlay.

Abstract: A heat and pressure consolidated laminate, and a method for manufacturing the same, is provided that includes in superimposed relationship a core layer containing a plurality of cellulosic sheets impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and a decorative layer consisting essentially of a leather material.