Abstract: A floor surface is described which involves a plurality of planks joined together using a 2-part adhesive system. Pre-applied adhesives on one or more floor panels are further described as well as methods of installing the floor panels to form a floor surface.

Abstract: A spline, tongue, connector, or snap connector is described and useful for connecting a variety of surface covering products together. In one embodiment the spline is a polymeric material having an elongated shape and dimensions such that the spline has a sufficient width to fit into and extend outside of a groove in a side edge of a first plank and to fit into a respective groove in a side edge of a second plank. The spline may be concealed from view when the first plank and the second plank are connected together by the spline. A surface covering system for connecting two or more planks together is also described as well as methods to connect two or more planks together using the splines of the present invention. The system can include a spline having a length that differs from the length of one or more of the planks.

Abstract: A floor surface is described which involves a plurality of planks joined together using a 2-part adhesive system. Pre-applied adhesives on one or more floor panels are further described as well as methods of installing the floor panels to form a floor surface.

Abstract: A spline, tongue, connector, or snap connector is described and useful for connecting a variety of surface covering products together. In one embodiment the spline is a polymeric material having an elongated shape and dimensions such that the spline has a sufficient width to fit into and extend outside of a groove in a side edge of a first plank and to fit into a respective groove in a side edge of a second plank. The spline may be concealed from view when the first plank and the second plank are connected together by the spline. A surface covering system for connecting two or more planks together is also described as well as methods to connect two or more planks together using the splines of the present invention.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to, the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

Abstract: A surface covering containing at least one layer containing wear-resistant particles, such as aluminum oxide, is disclosed. Preferably, the wear-resistant particles are present in the outermost layer of the surface covering which is exposed to the environment. A method to improve wear and/or stain resistance to a surface covering is also disclosed and includes adding an effective amount of wear-resistant particles to a top coat layer or outermost layer of a surface covering optionally, with the use of a suspension aid. Also, layers of surface coverings having differences in gloss levels is also disclosed. Methods of making the surface covering are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

Abstract: A surface covering system is described where two or more polymeric planks are connected to each other by a bonding agent which contains at least one solvent capable of at least bonding the edges of the polymeric portion of the planks wherein the bonding agent is present on at least one edge of at least one plank and/or is present on a connector, like a spline, if one is used, in joining the planks. Also described is a method to connect two or more polymeric planks which involves applying the bonding agent to at least one plank edge and/or spline, if present, prior to or after connecting the second or more planks together.

Abstract: A spline, tongue, connector, or snap connector is described and useful for connecting a variety of surface covering products together. In one embodiment the spline is a polymeric material having an elongated shape and dimensions such that the spline has a sufficient width to fit into and extend outside of a groove in a side edge of a first plank and to fit into a respective groove in a side edge of a second plank. The spline may be concealed from view when the first plank and the second plank are connected together by the spline. A surface covering system for connecting two or more planks together is also described as well as methods to connect two or more planks together using the splines of the present invention. The system can include a spline having a length that differs from the length of one or more of the planks.

Abstract: A surface covering comprising at least one layer containing wear-resistant particles, such as aluminum oxide, is disclosed. Preferably, the wear-resistant particles are present in the outermost layer of the surface covering which is exposed to the environment. A method to improve wear and/or stain resistance to a surface covering is also disclosed and includes adding an effective amount of wear-resistant particles to a top coat layer or outermost layer of a surface covering optionally, with the use of a suspension aid. Also, layers of surface coverings having differences in gloss levels is also disclosed. Methods of making the surface covering are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spline, tongue, connector, or snap connector is described and useful for connecting a variety of surface covering products together. In one embodiment the spline is a polymeric material having an elongated shape and dimensions such that the spline has a sufficient width to fit into and extend outside of a groove in a side edge of a first plank and to fit into a respective groove in a side edge of a second plank. The spline may be concealed from view when the first plank and the second plank are connected together by the spline. A surface covering system for connecting two or more planks together is also described as well as methods to connect two or more planks together using the splines of the present invention.

Abstract: A surface covering containing at least one layer containing wear-resistant particles, such as aluminum oxide, is disclosed. Preferably, the wear-resistant particles are present in the outermost layer of the surface covering which is exposed to the environment. A method to improve wear and/or stain resistance to a surface covering is also disclosed and includes adding an effective amount of wear-resistant particles to a top coat layer or outermost layer of a surface covering optionally, with the use of a suspension aid. Also, layers of surface coverings having differences in gloss levels is also disclosed. Methods of making the surface covering are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surface covering comprising at least one layer containing wear-resistant particles, such as aluminum oxide, is disclosed. Preferably, the wear-resistant particles are present in the outermost layer of the surface covering which is exposed to the environment. A method to improve wear and/or stain resistance to a surface covering is also disclosed and includes adding an effective amount of wear-resistant particles to a top coat layer or outermost layer of a surface covering optionally, with the use of a suspension aid. Methods of making the surface covering are also disclosed.

Abstract: A food resembling pasta filata cheese or cheddar cheese is produced by forming a substantially gas-free homogeneous blend of fat, water, calcium caseinate, ungelatinized flour and certain acids. The blend is formed under high shear mixing at subatmospheric conditions.