Abstract: A tile for use as a covering on a floor, wall, or other surface comprising a top section disposed on a core layer. Such a core layer may be comprised of a rigid material, such as densified foam, or stone plastic composite, or some other material, such as a mineral fiber composition or some other dimensionally stable material. Such a top section may comprise a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer and/or a wear layer, which may be comprised of at least one paper layer saturated with at least one resinous compound. The inventive tile in some embodiments described herein further comprises an exposed portion, or a plurality thereof, configured to provide a highly realistic imitation of a grout line. The inventive tile may also comprise at least one interconnecting mechanism, wherein such interconnecting mechanism may be formed on the same side of the tile as the exposed portion.

Abstract: A tile for use as a covering on a floor, wall, or other surface comprising a top section disposed on a rigid core layer, wherein the top section comprises in some embodiments a veneer layer, or another layer or coating of material, such as polyurethane, upon which at least one design element may be imparted, such as through printing processes. The inventive tile in some embodiments described herein further comprises an exposed portion, or a plurality thereof, configured to provide a highly realistic imitation of a grout line. The inventive tile may also comprise at least one interconnecting mechanism, wherein such interconnecting mechanism may be formed on the same side of the tile as the exposed portion. In at least one embodiment, the layer or coating of material is disposed in covering relation to the exposed portion, and alternatively, a protective layer may instead be applied onto the exposed portion.

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or other surface comprises a top section, a protective section, a vinyl layer, an optional core layer, and an exposed portion formed along at least one of its sides and structured to represent an imitation but highly realistic looking grout line. The exposed portion may be formed on at least a portion of the top section. The vinyl layer is generally disposed between the top section and the core layer. The vinyl layer generally comprises a solid vinyl material comprising polyvinyl chloride and stone dust. In some embodiments, the exposed portion is also formed across a middle section of the tile, and may further include an interconnecting mechanism to facilitate installation. The exposed portion may also be formed at least one a portion of the top section above the interconnecting mechanism.

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or other surface comprises a top section, a protective section, a vinyl layer, an optional core layer, and an exposed portion formed along at least one of its sides and structured to represent an imitation but highly realistic looking grout line. The exposed portion may be formed on at least a portion of the top section. The vinyl layer is generally disposed between the top section and the core layer. The vinyl layer generally comprises a solid vinyl material comprising polyvinyl chloride and stone dust. In some embodiments, the exposed portion is also formed across a middle section of the tile, and may further include an interconnecting mechanism to facilitate installation. The exposed portion may also be formed at least one a portion of the top section above the interconnecting mechanism.

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or other surface comprises a top section, a protective section, and a core layer, and an exposed portion formed along at least one of its sides and structured to represent an imitation but highly realistic looking grout line. In a preferred embodiment, the top section comprises a wear layer, a decorative layer and a polyvinyl chloride layer, and the core layer comprises a densified foam material. The protective section is disposed between the top section and the core layer, and preferably comprises both a protective layer and another decorative layer. The exposed portion structured to represent an imitation grout line is formed within the protective section and is resistant to staining. In some embodiments, the exposed portion is also formed across a middle section of the tile, and may further include an interconnecting mechanism to facilitate installation.

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or other surface comprises a top section, a protective section, a vinyl layer, an optional core layer, and an exposed portion formed along at least one of its sides and structured to represent an imitation but highly realistic looking grout line. The exposed portion may be formed on at least a portion of the top section. The vinyl layer is generally disposed between the top section and the core layer. The vinyl layer generally comprises a solid vinyl material comprising polyvinyl chloride and stone dust. In some embodiments, the exposed portion is also formed across a middle section of the tile, and may further include an interconnecting mechanism to facilitate installation. The exposed portion may also be formed at least one a portion of the top section above the interconnecting mechanism.

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or other surface comprises a top section, a protective section, and a core layer, and an exposed portion formed along at least one of its sides and structured to represent an imitation but highly realistic looking grout line. In a preferred embodiment, the top section comprises a wear layer, a decorative layer and a polyvinyl chloride layer, and the core layer comprises a densified foam material. The protective section is disposed between the top section and the core layer, and preferably comprises both a protective layer and another decorative layer. The exposed portion structured to represent an imitation grout line is formed within the protective section and is resistant to staining. In some embodiments, the exposed portion is also formed across a middle section of the tile, and may further include an interconnecting mechanism to facilitate installation.

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or ceiling surface comprises at least a top section and a core layer may be made from a densified foam material. In most embodiments, but not all, the top section comprises a polyvinyl chloride layer, and may also comprise a wear layer and/or a decorative layer. The tile includes a plurality of sides with an exposed portion(s) formed along at least one of the sides, but in some embodiments also across a middle section of the tile. The exposed portion(s) may be formed on the polyvinyl chloride layer below the tile's top surface at a depth to closely resemble an actual grout line. The tile may further comprise an interconnecting mechanism that at least partially enables an efficient tile installation. The interconnecting mechanism may further contribute to tile's visual appeal by at least partially concealing a connector(s).

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or ceiling surface comprises at least a top section and a core layer may be made from a densified foam material. In most embodiments, but not all, the top section comprises a polyvinyl chloride layer, and may also comprise a wear layer and/or a decorative layer. The tile includes a plurality of sides with an exposed portion(s) formed along at least one of the sides, but in some embodiments also across a middle section of the tile. The exposed portion(s) may be formed on the polyvinyl chloride layer below the tile's top surface at a depth to closely resemble an actual grout line. The tile may further comprise an interconnecting mechanism that at least partially enables an efficient tile installation. The interconnecting mechanism may further contribute to tile's visual appeal by at least partially concealing a connector(s).

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or ceiling surface comprises at least a top section and a core layer may be made from a densified foam material. In most embodiments, but not all, the top section comprises a polyvinyl chloride layer, and may also comprise a wear layer and/or a decorative layer. The tile includes a plurality of sides with an exposed portion(s) formed along at least one of the sides, but in some embodiments also across a middle section of the tile. The exposed portion(s) may be formed on the polyvinyl chloride layer below the tile's top surface at a depth to closely resemble an actual grout line. The tile may further comprise an interconnecting mechanism that at least partially enables an efficient tile installation. The interconnecting mechanism may further contribute to tile's visual appeal by at least partially concealing a connector(s).

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or ceiling surface comprises at least a top section and a core layer may be made from a densified foam material. In most embodiments, but not all, the top section comprises a polyvinyl chloride layer, and may also comprise a wear layer and/or a decorative layer. The tile includes a plurality of sides with an exposed portion(s) formed along at least one of the sides, but in some embodiments also across a middle section of the tile. The exposed portion(s) may be formed on the polyvinyl chloride layer below the tile's top surface at a depth to closely resemble an actual grout line. The tile may further comprise an interconnecting mechanism that at least partially enables an efficient tile installation. The interconnecting mechanism may further contribute to tile's visual appeal by at least partially concealing a connector(s).

Abstract: A waterproof board for use as a backing surface comprising a top face, a bottom face, a plurality of sides, a core layer having a thickness of about 5 millimeters, and a sound layer having a thickness of about 2 millimeters. The sound layer is generally interconnected to the core layer. The core layer may comprises at least two faces, either of which may comprise a textured surface. The textured surface may comprise either a substantially smooth finish or a substantially abrasive finish. The core layer comprises a densified foam material having a density of 490 kg/m3 to about 520 kg/m3, and a specific material composition, both of which enhance waterproofing and attain an optimal balance between rigidity and severability.

Abstract: A flooring tile having a plurality of sides, at least a top layer, a core layer comprising a densified foam material, and an exposed portion that extends outwardly along one side with a textured surface that imitates a grout line. The top layer of the tile can include a top surface defined by a wear layer, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer having an optimal density and a dye or colorant(s), and a decorative layer. The exposed portion may be formed on the PVC layer below the top surface of the tile at a depth of about 0.9 millimeters (0.035 inches) to 2 millimeters (0.079 inches), or more, so as to extend into the core layer, and will have a width of generally between 2 millimeters (0.079 inches) to 5 millimeters (0.197 inches). The overall thickness of the tile ranges from 4 millimeters (0.157 inches) to 8 millimeters (0.315 inches).