Abstract: Disclosed are methods for reclaiming inorganic material from waste carpeting. The method comprises providing a waste carpeting composition comprising an inorganic filler component and an organic component. The waste carpeting is heat treated under conditions effective to separate at least a portion of the organic component from the waste carpeting composition and to provide a reclaimed inorganic filler composition at least substantially free of the organic component. Also disclosed are carpets comprising the reclaimed inorganic material reclaimed by the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A carpet or carpet tile structure for mounting onto an underlying flooring surface comprising a backing layer having a top surface that is connected to a face fabric and a bottom surface that defines a plurality of fluid flow paths for dissipating moisture.

Abstract: A novel carpet and fabric carpet backing are disclosed which include a guide for orienting the carpet with respect to machine direction. The carpet comprises a face portion and a fabric backing with an exposed surface visible from the back side of the carpet. The fabric carpet backing includes a plurality of linear patterns visible from the exposed surface running generally parallel to each other and generally parallel to the same edge of the carpet and running the length of the carpet. Each of these linear patterns includes at least a first and second linear sub-pattern running the length of the pattern. The first and second sub-patterns are visually distinct from one another and are disposed in the same position relative to the other and relative to the edge of the carpet in each of the linear patterns. As a result, a guide is provided by these linear patterns for orienting the carpet with respect to machine direction and left/right, even if the carpet is cut on a line between any two linear patterns.