Abstract: Disclosed are decorative surface coverings of the "inlaid" type having embossed patterns in register with inlaid patterns. Disclosed methods include the steps of: applying in a pattern on a first surface of a foamable layer an agent for modifying the foaming of said foamable layer to produce a foamable layer having a pattern of relatively nonfoamable areas and relatively foamable areas; applying a first collection of particulate resinous material substantially only to said areas containing said foaming modifier or only to said areas not containing said foaming modifier; and foaming said foamable layer in said relatively foamable areas.

Abstract: Decorative surface coverings comprising a multicolored, fused plastisol layer comprising (a) a fused plastisol composition of a first color; and (b) a fused plastisol composition of a second color, the second colored plastisol being distributed within the first colored plastisol such that the multicolored plastisol layer exhibits color gradients between the first and second colored plastisols. According to certain aspects the invention, the decorative surface covering products comprise a patterned solid plastisol mixture having a three dimensional appearance. Methods for manufacturing such decorative surface coverings comprise the steps of (a) applying to a substrate a coating of a first colored fluid plastisol; (b) distributing in the first colored fluid plastisol a second colored fluid plastisol to form a patterned fluid plastisol mixture; and (c) forming the patterned fluid plastisol mixture into a patterned solid plastisol mixture.

Abstract: A method for making decorative inlaid types of resilient sheet materials and the like comprising: depositing a substantially uniform layer of a wet, tacky, ungelled plastisol on a gelled, printed plastisol on a substrate; forming a rolling, churning bank of decorative chips or flakes over a flexible seal blade member which directs the delivery of the decorative chips or flakes from the rolling, churning bank; delivering the decorative chips or flakes from the rolling, churning bank and depositing the same on the layer of wet, tacky, ungelled plastisol, whereby, for the most part, they adhere thereto; moving the gelled, printed plastisol with its substrate and the layer of wet, tacky, ungelled plastisol and decorative chips or flakes forwardly and upwardly at an angle greater than the angle of repose for the decorative chips or flakes on the surface of the wet, tacky, ungelled plastisol, whereby some of the decorative chips or flakes slide backwardly and downwardly into the rolling, churning bank; beating or v