Patents by Inventor Gary A. Sigel
Gary A. Sigel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7381474Abstract: The methods for making a coated thin veneer, plank or wood product in which the coated surface does not crack due to instability of the wood involve applying to a veneer, plank or wood product a composition including a hydrophilic polymer and a reactive monomer or a composition including a reactive (meth)acrylate. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer is a polyalkylene glycol, such as polyethylene glycol. The composition also advantageously includes a thermally activated free radical initiator, a photoinitiator or both. The veneer is further laminated into wood product boards that are cut down to planks. In another aspect of the current invention, several solvent based resins are roll coated onto the loose and/or tight side of the thin veneer or unfinished plank wood, dried to remove solvent, and exposed to UV radiation to cure the resinous material by radical initiation of the photoinitiator that leads to polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: AWI Licensing CompanyInventors: Burton L. Wilson, Gary A. Sigel, Larry W. Leininger, Michael H. Maney, Craig W. DeSantis
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Publication number: 20080081882Abstract: A flooring product is provided comprising at least one layer including a polymeric binder comprising at least one thermoplastic polyester resin, wherein the polyester resin comprises at least one renewable component. A flooring product is also provided that includes at least one layer comprising filler and at least one thermoplastic, high molecular weight polyester resin. The flooring product may also qualify for at least one point under the LEED System. A composition is also provided that can be melt mixed in low intensity mixers and processed into flooring layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Dong Tian, Gary A. Sigel, Fang Qiao, Rebecca L. Winey, Jeffrey S. Ross
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Publication number: 20080081898Abstract: Thermoplastic, high molecular weight polyester resin fibers comprise renewable components. Such fibers find utility in flooring applications including carpet fibers, non-woven fiber mats, and reinforcing fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Jeffrey S. Ross, Dong Tian, Gary A. Sigel
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Publication number: 20080081158Abstract: A flooring product comprises a heterogeneous design layer having multiple regions wherein two regions comprise compositions having different recycle content or renewable content. The thickness of the design layer may be greater than the dimensions of the regions or the regions may extending from the top surface of the layer to the bottom surface of the design layer. The heterogeneous layer may be composed of consolidated particles/chips which may contain a polyester binder system with a renewable component. Additionally, a method for making a heterogeneous layer having a target wt % recycle content or renewable content is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Rebecca L. Winey, Jeffrey S. Ross, Fang Qiao, Ronald S. Lenox, Dong Tian, Gary A. Sigel
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Publication number: 20080081875Abstract: A flooring product is provided which has at least one layer including a polymeric binder comprising homo-polymer PVC resin and thermoplastic, high molecular weight polyester resin or highly viscous polyester resin. The polyester resin comprises renewable components, and can be amorphous or crystalline in nature. A flooring product is described that comprises a renewable or recycle content that classifies the product for points under the LEED system for commercial products.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Dong Tian, Gary A. Sigel, Fang Qiao, Rebecca L. Winey, Jeffrey S. Ross
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Patent number: 7276265Abstract: Surface covering components that include a topcoat layer with different gloss levels in various regions on the top coat layer, and methods of manufacturing such surface covering components, are disclosed. The surface covering components include a coating layer that includes regions that have a relatively higher gloss, and regions with a relatively lower gloss. The differential gloss is provided by coating a substrate with a UV-curable coating composition, subjecting a first region of the surface coating to polymerization under a first set of conditions, and subjecting a second region of the surface coating to polymerization under a second set of conditions. The UV-curable coating compositions include UV-curable components and one or more flatting agents. The different polymerization conditions involve applying various photoinitiators, thermal initiators and/or cure altering agents to some regions of the coated substrate, and not applying these components to other regions of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: AWI Licensing CompanyInventors: Gary A. Sigel, William J. Kauffman, Donald E. Barshinger
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Publication number: 20070077402Abstract: Surface covering components that include a topcoat layer with different gloss levels in various regions on the top coat layer, and methods of manufacturing such surface covering components, are disclosed. The surface covering components include a coating layer that includes regions that have a relatively higher gloss, and regions with a relatively lower gloss. The differential gloss is provided by coating a substrate with a UV-curable coating composition, subjecting a first region of the surface coating to polymerization under a first set of conditions, and subjecting a second region of the surface coating to polymerization under a second set of conditions. The UV-curable coating compositions include UV-curable components and one or more flatting agents. The different polymerization conditions involve applying various photoinitiators, thermal initiators and/or cure altering agents to some regions of the coated substrate, and not applying these components to other regions of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Inventors: Gary Sigel, William Kauffman, Donald Barshinger
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Patent number: 7195812Abstract: Surface covering components that include a topcoat layer with different gloss levels in various regions on the top coat layer, and methods of manufacturing such surface covering components, are disclosed. The surface covering components include a coating layer that includes regions that have a relatively higher gloss, and regions with a relatively lower gloss. The differential gloss is provided by coating a substrate with a UV-curable coating composition, subjecting a first region of the surface coating to polymerization under a first set of conditions, and subjecting a second region of the surface coating to polymerization under a second set of conditions. The UV-curable coating compositions include UV-curable components and one or more flatting agents. The different polymerization conditions involve applying various photoinitiators, thermal initiators and/or cure altering agents to some regions of the coated substrate, and not applying these components to other regions of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: AWI Licensing CompanyInventors: Gary A. Sigel, William J. Kauffman, Donald E. Barshinger
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Publication number: 20060166022Abstract: The methods for making a coated thin veneer, plank or wood product in which the coated surface does not crack due to instability of the wood involve applying to a veneer, plank or wood product a composition including a hydrophilic polymer and a reactive monomer or a composition including a reactive (meth)acrylate. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer is a polyalkylene glycol, such as polyethylene glycol. The composition also advantageously includes a thermally activated free radical initiator, a photoinitiator or both. The veneer is further laminated into wood product boards that are cut down to planks. In another aspect of the current invention, several solvent based resins are roll coated onto the loose and/or tight side of the thin veneer or unfinished plank wood, dried to remove solvent, and exposed to UV radiation to cure the resinous material by radical initiation of the photoinitiator that leads to polymerization.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2006Publication date: July 27, 2006Inventors: Burton Wilson, Gary Sigel, Larry Leininger, Michael Maney, Craig DeSantis
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Publication number: 20050227056Abstract: Composite wear layers that include a polyethylene terephthalate wear layer adhered to an organic/inorganic (O/I) top coat layer, and surface coverings and surface covering components including the composite wear layers, are disclosed. The organic/inorganic top coat layer is formed from a top coat formulation that comprises a coupling agent that includes an organic polymerizable moiety such as epoxy, acrylate and the like, as well as an inorganic polymerizable moiety such as a silanol. The wear layer is typically in the range of about 1-20 mils thickness, and the top coat layer is typically in the range of 2 microns to 0.5 mils thickness. The composite wear layers can be included in surface coverings or surface covering components, such as floor and wall coverings. An adhesion promoter/binder can be used to better adhere the polyethylene terephthalate wear layer to the organic/inorganic top coat layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2005Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventors: William Kauffman, Gary Sigel
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Patent number: 6911263Abstract: Composite wear layers that include a polyethylene terephthalate wear layer adhered to an organic/inorganic (O/I) top coat layer, and surface coverings and surface covering components including the composite wear layers, are disclosed. The organic/inorganic top coat layer is formed from a top coat formulation that comprises a coupling agent that includes an organic polymerizable moiety such as epoxy, acrylate and the like, as well as an inorganic polymerizable moiety such as a silanol. The wear layer is typically in the range of about 1-20 mils thickness, and the top coat layer is typically in the range of 2 microns to 0.5 mils thickness. The composite wear layers can be included in surface coverings or surface covering components, such as floor and wall coverings. An adhesion promoter/binder can be used to better adhere the polyethylene terephthalate wear layer to the organic/inorganic top coat layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: AWI Licensing CompanyInventors: William J. Kauffman, Gary A. Sigel
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Patent number: 6908663Abstract: A method and composition for providing a colored high performance wear surface for floor coverings is disclosed. Specifically, the floor covering includes a substrate and a high performance layer comprising a radiation cured pigmented composition. The exposed surface of the floor covering has a stain resistance of less than about 150 Delta E units. A pigmented high performance wear layer can be added in register with a printed design on the substrate or in register with an embossed texture of the substrate. Additionally, a high performance topcoat wear layer may be added. The pigmented high performance layer may include a nacreous pigment.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: AWI Licensing CompanyInventors: Ralph W. Wright, Jr., Gary A. Sigel, Jennifer W. Sager, William J. Kauffman
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Patent number: 6908585Abstract: A method and composition for providing a colored high performance wear surface for floor coverings is disclosed. Specifically, the floor covering includes a substrate and a high performance layer comprising a radiation cured pigmented composition. The exposed surface of the floor covering has a stain resistance of less than about 150 Delta E units. A pigmented high performance wear layer can be added in register with a printed design on the substrate or in register with an embossed texture of the substrate. Additionally, a high performance topcoat wear layer may be added. The pigmented high performance layer may include a nacreous pigment.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: AWI Licensing CompanyInventors: Ralph W. Wright, Jr., Gary A. Sigel, Jennifer W. Sager, William J. Kauffman
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Patent number: 6890625Abstract: Surface covering components that include a topcoat layer with different gloss levels in various regions on the top coat layer, and methods of manufacturing such surface covering components, are disclosed. The surface covering components include a coating layer that includes regions that have a relatively higher gloss, and regions with a relatively lower gloss. The differential gloss is provided by coating a substrate with a UV-curable coating composition, subjecting a first region of the surface coating to polymerization under a first set of conditions, and subjecting a second region of the surface coating to polymerization under a second set of conditions. The UV-curable coating compositions include UV-curable components and one or more flatting agents. The different polymerization conditions involve applying various photoinitiators, thermal initiators and/or cure altering agents to some regions of the coated substrate, and not applying these components to other regions of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: AWI Licensing CompanyInventors: Gary A. Sigel, William J. Kauffman, Donald E. Barshinger
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Publication number: 20050069681Abstract: A method and composition for providing a colored high performance wear surface for floor coverings is disclosed. Specifically, the floor covering includes a substrate and a high performance layer comprising a radiation cured pigmented composition. The exposed surface of the floor covering has a stain resistance of less than about 150 Delta E units. A pigmented high performance wear layer can be added in register with a printed design on the substrate or in register with an embossed texture of the substrate. Additionally, a high performance topcoat wear layer may be added. The pigmented high performance layer may include a nacreous pigment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2004Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Ralph Wright, Gary Sigel, Jennifer Sager, William Kauffman
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Publication number: 20040219334Abstract: A coated freestanding film, a surface covering and a method of manufacturing such coated freestanding film and surface covering are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the coated freestanding film and surface covering include a film having a print layer forming a pattern or design disposed on one side of the film. A discontinuous gloss layer is disposed on the other side of the film substantially in-register with at least a portion of the printed pattern or design. Additionally, the gloss layer has at least one portion thereof which has a gloss level different from the side upon which the gloss layer is disposed. The film may be a rigid or semirigid film. In another embodiment, the coated freestanding film and surface covering has a film and a discontinuous gloss layer disposed on one side of the film. The gloss layer forms a pattern or design and at least one portion thereof has a gloss level different from the side upon which the gloss layer is disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: Frank Watts, Gary A. Sigel, William J. Kauffman
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Publication number: 20040180182Abstract: Surface covering components that include a topcoat layer with different gloss levels in various regions on the top coat layer, and methods of manufacturing such surface covering components, are disclosed. The surface covering components include a coating layer that includes regions that have a relatively higher gloss, and regions with a relatively lower gloss. The differential gloss is provided by coating a substrate with a UV-curable coating composition, subjecting a first region of the surface coating to polymerization under a first set of conditions, and subjecting a second region of the surface coating to polymerization under a second set of conditions. The UV-curable coating compositions include UV-curable components and one or more flatting agents. The different polymerization conditions involve applying various photoinitiators, thermal initiators and/or cure altering agents to some regions of the coated substrate, and not applying these components to other regions of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Sigel, William J. Kauffman, Donald E. Barshinger
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Publication number: 20040038062Abstract: The methods for making a coated thin veneer, plank or wood product in which the coated surface does not crack due to instability of the wood involve applying to a veneer, plank or wood product a composition including a hydrophilic polymer and a reactive monomer or a composition including a reactive (meth)acrylate. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer is a polyalkylene glycol, such as polyethylene glycol. The composition also advantageously includes a thermally activated free radical initiator, a photoinitiator or both. The veneer is further laminated into wood product boards that are cut down to planks. In another aspect of the current invention, several solvent based resins are roll coated onto the loose and/or tight side of the thin veneer or unfinished plank wood, dried to remove solvent, and exposed to UV radiation to cure the resinous material by radical initiation of the photoinitiator that leads to polymerization.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Burton L. Wilson, Gary A. Sigel, Larry W. Leininger, Michael H. Maney, Craig W. DeSantis
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Publication number: 20030180509Abstract: A method and composition for providing a colored high performance wear surface for floor coverings is disclosed. Specifically, the floor covering includes a substrate and a high performance layer comprising a radiation cured pigmented composition. The exposed surface of the floor covering has a stain resistance of less than about 150 Delta E units. A pigmented high performance wear layer can be added in register with a printed design on the substrate or in register with an embossed texture of the substrate. Additionally, a high performance topcoat wear layer may be added. The pigmented high performance layer may include a nacreous pigment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.Inventors: Ralph W. Wright, Gary A. Sigel, Jennifer W. Sager, William J. Kauffman
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Patent number: 6616792Abstract: A surface covering has a base to which is laminated a rigid vinyl film. The film is precoated with an electron beam cured wearlayer. The preferred wearlayer composition is a polymerizable organic urethane-polyester wearlayer coating. The coated printed film is prepared by application of a polyester urethane acrylate composition to a printed sheet of rigid vinyl film and the coating is exposed to a low accelerating energy Electro-curtain to form an abrasion resistant topcoat with no apparent degradation of printed rigid vinyl film.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: AWI Licensing CompanyInventors: Gary A. Sigel, John R. Eshbach, Jr., George E. Bagley, F. Joseph Appleyard