Abstract: A floor panel and a floating floor system incorporating the floor panel include a floor panel having a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a visible decorative pattern. The bottom layer has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the bottom layer is adhered to the bottom surface of the top layer such that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of the top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed. At least one of the marginal end portions has an adhesive, and a ratio of a thickness of the top layer to a thickness of the bottom layer is about 5 or greater.

Abstract: A floor panel and a floating floor system include a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a visible decorative pattern and the bottom surface has a recess which extends about the periphery of the bottom surface. The recess has a recess surface. The floor panel includes a joining member with a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the joining member is adhered to the recess surface of the recess. The bottom surface of the joining member and the bottom surface of the floor panel are essentially flush which each other. The use of the joining member does not create any imprints on the top surface of the floor panel.

Abstract: A floor panel and a floating floor system include a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a visible decorative pattern and the bottom surface has a recess which extends about the periphery of the bottom surface. The recess has a recess surface. The floor panel includes a joining member with a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the joining member is adhered to the recess surface of the recess. The bottom surface of the joining member and the bottom surface of the floor panel are essentially flush which each other. The use of the joining member does not create any imprints on the top surface of the floor panel.

Abstract: A method of making a floor panel includes the steps of: providing an adhesive on a release member; laminating or marrying the release member to a bottom layer such that the adhesive is between the release member and the bottom layer; removing a portion of the release member to expose an area of the adhesive; and adhering a top layer to the area such that the top layer is offset with respect to the bottom layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of a top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed.

Abstract: A floor panel and a floating floor system include a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a visible decorative pattern and the bottom surface has a recess which extends about the periphery of the bottom surface. The recess has a recess surface. The floor panel includes a joining member with a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the joining member is adhered to the recess surface of the recess. The bottom surface of the joining member and the bottom surface of the floor panel are essentially flush which each other. The use of the joining member does not create any imprints on the top surface of the floor panel.

Abstract: A method of making a floor panel includes the steps of: providing an adhesive on a release member; laminating or marrying the release member to a bottom layer such that the adhesive is between the release member and the bottom layer; removing a portion of the release member to expose an area of the adhesive; and adhering a top layer to the area such that the top layer is offset with respect to the bottom layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of a top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed.

Abstract: A packaging system and a method of packaging a plurality of floor panels in a box includes floor panels having a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer has a top surface with a visible decorative pattern and a bottom surface adhered to a top surface of the bottom layer such that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of the top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed. At least one of the marginal end portions has an adhesive. The floor panels are stacked in the box in pairs. Each of the pairs is stacked such that the top surfaces of the top layers of each of the pairs of the floor panels are facing each other.

Abstract: A floor panel and a floating floor system include a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a visible decorative pattern and the bottom surface has a recess which extends about the periphery of the bottom surface. The recess has a recess surface. The floor panel includes a joining member with a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the joining member is adhered to the recess surface of the recess. The bottom surface of the joining member and the bottom surface of the floor panel are essentially flush which each other. The use of the joining member does not create any imprints on the top surface of the floor panel.

Abstract: A packaging system and a method of packaging a plurality of floor panels in a box includes floor panels having a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer has a top surface with a visible decorative pattern and a bottom surface adhered to a top surface of the bottom layer such that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of the top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed. At least one of the marginal end portions has an adhesive. The floor panels are stacked in the box in pairs. Each of the pairs is stacked such that the top surfaces of the top layers of each of the pairs of the floor panels are facing each other.

Abstract: A method of making a floor panel includes the steps of: providing an adhesive on a release member; laminating or marrying the release member to a bottom layer such that the adhesive is between the release member and the bottom layer; removing a portion of the release member to expose an area of the adhesive; and adhering a top layer to the area such that the top layer is offset with respect to the bottom layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of a top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed.

Abstract: A floor panel and a floating floor system incorporating the floor panel include a floor panel having a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a visible decorative pattern. The bottom layer has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the bottom layer is adhered to the bottom surface of the top layer such that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of the top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed. At least one of the marginal end portions has an adhesive, and a ratio of a thickness of the top layer to a thickness of the bottom layer is about 5 or greater.

Abstract: Disclosed are both a method and composition for providing a flooring visual by agglomeration of components. The flooring visual is comprised of a jaspe or marble like finish. The agglomerated mix may be formed into welding rods or into decorative sheets. The decorative sheets may be seamed with the welding rods.

Abstract: Disclosed are both a method and composition for providing a flooring visual by agglomeration of components. The flooring visual is comprised of a jaspe or marble like finish. The agglomerated mix may be formed into welding rods or into decorative sheets. The decorative sheets may be seamed with the welding rods.

Abstract: Disclosed is both a method and composition for providing a three dimensional welding rod. The welding rod essentially comprises a first layer which is substantially formed from a consolidated layer having pigmented particles and a second layer which is substantially formed from a consolidated layer of clear particle. The three dimensional welding rod includes three dimensional pigmented particles which appear to be dispersed about the clear particles and having an excess of clear upon forming the seam.

Abstract: The welding rod used to weld the surface covering has a laminate structure in which a print layer is disposed between a first thermoplastic layer and a second transparent thermoplastic layer. Preferably the welding rod is in the form of an elongated element having a half-round cross-sectional shape. The welding rod is used to join two pieces of thermoplastic sheeting, particularly flooring, together. If the welding rod has a pattern similar to the printed pattern of the sheeting the resulting surface covering looks seamless.

Abstract: The welding rod is a laminate structure in which a print layer is disposed between a first thermoplastic layer and a second transparent thermoplastic layer. Preferably the welding rod is in the form of an elongated element having a half-round cross-sectional shape. The welding rod is used to join two pieces of thermoplastic sheeting, particularly flooring, together. If the welding rod has a pattern similar to the printed pattern of the sheeting the resulting surface covering looks seamless.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which includes a layer of fused embossed PVC material on a substrate and a layer of transparent or translucent plastic material substantially covering the fused PVC layer and filling the embossed area of depression in the PVC layer. The surface covering product is made by applying the plastic material to the embossed surface of the PVC material and wiping off at least a portion of the plastic material. In one embodiment, a film of plastic material of substantial or minimal thickness remains on the fused PVC material. In another embodiment, the plastic material is completely wiped off the undepressed area of the fused granular material. The PVC material is preferably a granular material such as a stencil vinyl fine material. In one embodiment, the plastic material is a layer of minimal thickness substantially covering the stencil vinyl fine material.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which includes a layer of fused embossed PVC material on a substrate and a layer of transparent or translucent thixotropic material substantially covering the fused PVC layer and filling the embossed area of depression in the PVC layer. The surface covering product is made by applying the thixotropic material to the embossed surface of the PVC material and wiping off at least a portion of the thixotropic material. In one embodiment, a film of thixotropic material of substantial or minimal thickness remains on the fused PVC material. In another embodiment, the thixotropic material is completely wiped off the undepressed area of the fused granular material. The PVC material is preferably a granular material such as a stencil vinyl fine material. In one embodiment, the thixotropic material is a layer of minimal thickness substantially covering the stencil vinyl fine material.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which comprises a substrate material, an impervious coating upon said material, and, raised transparent or translucent or opaque colored elements printed upon said coating. The raised elements are formed as dot-shaped colored elements and comprise a thixotropic plastic. An opaque colored material surrounds the raised elements and a dot-like colored pattern is formed.

Abstract: A surface covering product and method of making the same wherien the product comprises a substrate material, an impervious coating upon said material with a decorative design as part of the impervious coating, and, raised transparent or slightly translucent elements printed upon said coating. The raised elements are formed as dot-shaped transparent elements and comprise a thixotropic plastic. An opaque material surrounds the raised elements and the decorative design can be seen only through the raised elements.