Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: Surface coverings, such as carpet, are described which contain at least one styrene polymer in the backing layer or elsewhere. A preferred surface covering is a carpet such as a modular carpet tile. A preferred styrene polymer is styrene-butadiene-styrene polymers. Methods of forming the surface coverings are further described.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least two sides capable of interfacing with adjacent tiles within the series. Each of the two sides of each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for treating one or more yarn strands before or after the strand is dyed. The apparatus preferably includes a modified space dyeing apparatus having a dye applicator modified to be used as a treatment composition applicator for treating a yarn strand. The apparatus enables a high speed yarn dyeing and treatment method. Also described is a method and composition for treating yarn with a polyphenolic derivative composition to form a bleach-resistant yarn.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for treating one or more yarn strands before or after the strand is dyed. The apparatus preferably includes a modified space dyeing apparatus having a dye applicator modified to be used as a treatment composition applicator for treating a yarn strand. The apparatus enables a high speed yarn dyeing and treatment method. Also described is a method and composition for treating yarn with a polyphenolic derivative composition to form a bleach-resistant yarn.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least two sides capable of interfacing with adjacent tiles within the series. Each of the two sides of each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least two sides capable of interfacing with adjacent tiles within the series. Each of the two sides of each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.

Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with a side of at least one other tile within the series. Each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least two sides capable of interfacing with adjacent tiles within the series. Each of the two sides of each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.