Abstract: The invention relates to an insert injection molded work surface for use in conjunction with a portable clothes washer. The work surface includes a decorative laminate top surface and an underlying injection molded substrate. The substrate is provided with a connecting structure facilitating convenient attachment to the upper surface of the clothes washer.

Abstract: A connector for assembling and sealing laminate flooring panels which are separate from the connector, the connector comprising: a base; an extension attached to the base and having a mating member for mating with a flooring panel; and a seal attached to a member selected from the base and the extension. A method for manufacturing a connector for assembling and sealing laminate flooring panels which are separate from the connector, the method comprising: extruding a connector having a base and an extension attached to the base, wherein the extension has a mating member for mating with a flooring panel; and attaching a seal to the connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabricating a decorative laminate panel, wherein the decorative laminate panel includes a decorative laminate layer and a core. The method is achieved by forming a decorative laminate of a predetermined size, placing the decorative laminate within a die cavity, injection molding the core within the die cavity while the decorative laminate remains within the die cavity to form a decorative laminate panel and releasing the formed decorative laminate panel from the die cavity. The invention further relates to a decorative laminate panel manufactured in accordance with the method defined above and a unitary edge profile member adapted for use in the fabrication of a compound injection molded decorative laminate panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabricating a decorative laminate panel, wherein the decorative laminate panel includes a decorative laminate layer and a core. The method is achieved by forming a decorative laminate of a predetermined size, placing the decorative laminate within a die cavity, injection molding the core within the die cavity while the decorative laminate remains within the die cavity to form a decorative laminate panel and releasing the formed decorative laminate panel from the die cavity. The invention further relates to a decorative laminate panel manufactured in accordance with the method defined above and a unitary edge profile member adapted for use in the fabrication of a compound injection molded decorative laminate panel.

Abstract: A coupling assembly securely attaching moldings to a support surface. The coupling assembly includes a track member having first and second upwardly extending flanges defining a channel. The coupling assembly also includes a connecting member shaped and dimensioned for secure attachment within the channel defined by the upwardly extending flanges. The connecting member includes first and second expansion members which move outwardly as the connecting member is forced downwardly within the channel to securely couple the connecting member within the track member and to force the first and second upwardly extending flanges outwardly into engagement with the molding such that the molding is securely coupled to the track member. A connecting member used in conjunction with the coupling assembly and a multi-component article including the present coupling assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymeric adhesive tape including a first polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film and a second polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film is disclosed. The tape is designed for use in the fabrication of articles wherein the polymeric adhesive tape secures a first member to a support surface. A method for bonding adjacent sheets to a substrate is also disclosed. In accordance with the disclosed method, a substrate is prepared for application of a first sheet and a second sheet, a polymeric adhesive tape is positioned on the substrate at a position along which the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet will be located, the first sheet and the second sheet are laid on the substrate such that the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet lies along the polymeric adhesive tape, and the adhesive tape is heated along the seam to bond the substrate, adhesive tape, first laminate and second laminate.

Abstract: A polymeric adhesive tape including a first polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film and a second polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film is disclosed. The tape is designed for use in the fabrication of articles wherein the polymeric adhesive tape secures a first member to a support surface. A method for bonding adjacent sheets to a substrate is also disclosed. In accordance with the disclosed method, a substrate is prepared for application of a first sheet and a second sheet, a polymeric adhesive tape is positioned on the substrate at a position along which the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet will be located, the first sheet and the second sheet are laid on the substrate such that the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet lies along the polymeric adhesive tape, and the adhesive tape is heated along the seam to bond the substrate, adhesive tape, first laminate and second laminate.

Abstract: An article suitable for use in surface coverings such as laminate floorings, such articles having an upper planar decorative surface and a lower planar surface, and at least one male edge and at least one female edge. The male and female edges will interlock with corresponding female and male edges on a complimentary article. These male and female edges have profiles that provide the ability to interlock adjacent articles by approaching one article to the other at an angle, inserting the male edge into the female edge and causing the lower planar surfaces of the two articles to become coplanar, thus forming a gapless seam between the articles which can be formed, if desired, without glue and which can be, if desired, watertight.

Abstract: An elongated wedge shaped spline can be used for joining work pieces in a dovetail joint. It can be used in joining a work piece, such as molding in a dovetailed joint. A divider track having a base support and a pair of spaced apart flanges extending at a right angle from the front surface of the base support is first affixed to a surface. The wedge shaped spline is positioned between and in abutment with the upper portion of the spaced apart flanges. A fan shaped mortise on the back surface of a work piece is positioned over the wedge shaped spline between and abutting the upper portion of the spaced apart flanges. Pressure is applied on the front surface of the work surface of the work piece for seating the work piece on the divider track, thereby forcing the wedge shaped spline between the flanges and spreading the flanges. The spread apart flanges engage the side walls of the fan shaped mortise for joining the work piece in a dovetailed joint with the divider track.

Abstract: A polymeric adhesive tape including a first polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film and a second polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film is disclosed. The tape is designed for use in the fabrication of articles wherein the polymeric adhesive tape secures a first member to a support surface. A method for bonding adjacent sheets to a substrate is also disclosed. In accordance with the disclosed method, a substrate is prepared for application of a first sheet and a second sheet, a polymeric adhesive tape is positioned on the substrate at a position along which the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet will be located, the first sheet and the second sheet are laid on the substrate such that the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet lies along the polymeric adhesive tape, and the adhesive tape is heated along the seam to bond the substrate, adhesive tape, first laminate and second laminate.

Abstract: A polymeric adhesive tape including a first polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film and a second polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film is disclosed. The tape is designed for use in the fabrication of articles wherein the polymeric adhesive tape secures a first member to a support surface. A method for bonding adjacent sheets to a substrate is also disclosed. In accordance with the disclosed method, a substrate is prepared for application of a first sheet and a second sheet, a polymeric adhesive tape is positioned on the substrate at a position along which the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet will be located, the first sheet and the second sheet are laid on the substrate such that the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet lies along the polymeric adhesive tape, and the adhesive tape is heated along the seam to bond the substrate, adhesive tape, first laminate and second laminate.

Abstract: An installation system for installing a backsplash and countertop upon a horizontal support member. The system includes an elongated mounting bracket shaped for selective attachment to a vertical support surface. The elongated mounting bracket includes a mounting bracket retaining member. The system further includes a countertop and a backsplash, wherein the rear surface of the backsplash includes a backsplash retaining member shaped for selective attachment to the mounting bracket retaining member. In use, the elongated mounting bracket is secured to the vertical support surface adjacent the horizontal support member, the countertop is placed upon the horizontal support member with its rear edge adjacent the support surface and the mounting bracket retaining member engages the backsplash retaining member to securely retain the countertop and backsplash relative to the elongated mounting bracket, the vertical support surface and the horizontal support member.

Abstract: A method of detecting a break in a transfer line transporting a fluid product between a first vessel and a second vessel includes sensing a current pressure of fluid product associated with the transfer line. A highest sensed pressure of the fluid product is continually tracked, and a trip pressure is defined. The trip pressure increases to new multiple value(s) at any or many of a possible multiple number of times when the highest sensed pressure increases. The method further includes detecting when the current sensed pressure drops below the trip pressure to detect a break in the transfer line, via use of a pressure sensor in or in fluid communication with the transfer line. A method of automatically shutting off transfer of fluid product between a first vessel and a second vessel includes a step for shutting off the transfer of fluid product between the first vessel and the second vessel.

Abstract: A linear mechanical line break detector for use on a mobile transport, the mobile transport having a supplying vessel disposed thereon for transporting a fluid product, the vessel having an outlet for transferring fluid product from the supplying vessel, the flow of fluid product from the outlet being controlled by a fluid product shut off valve, the outlet being coupled to a transfer line during transfer of fluid product under pressure from the supplying vessel to a receiving vessel, the transfer line being coupled to the receiving vessel for effecting transfer of the fluid product to the receiving vessel, includes a sensor/actuator that is in fluid communication with the transfer line for sensing the pressure of the fluid product therein.

Abstract: A waterproof laminate panel is disclosed. The panel includes a decorative layer and a backing layer. The backing layer is composed of at least one resin impregnated layer bound to a waterproofing layer which substantially prevents the penetration and release of moisture from the panel so as to maintain a constant moisture content within the decorative panel. The resin impregnated layer faces the decorative layer and the waterproofing layer is exposed to an external environment.

Abstract: A machine for processing a workpiece is provided wherein the machine has a movable continuous belt rotatably mounted around a slider bed mounted on a frame, wherein the movable belt feeds the workpiece into and through the machine and allows for the processing of the workpiece at high precision and high accuracy, particularly when the processing involves making various cutting operations in the preparation of high pressure decorative laminate surfaced moldings.

Abstract: A glue applicator for the installation of laminate flooring on subfloors has three laterally spaced nozzles for applying separate beads of glue onto the back of a plank of laminate flooring. Two nozzles are spaced for applying separate beads of glue along the lateral edges of a plank, the third nozzle is spaced for applying beads of glue through the center of the plank. Flanges on the sides of the glue applicator position the beads of glue on the back of a plank of laminate flooring and standoff flanges hold the nozzles above the back of the plank a sufficient distance for assuring that the glue applicator of this invention does not smear the beads.

Abstract: A stair nosing for the installation of laminate flooring on stair steps. The stair molding has an elongated, rigid base member for installation of the stair nosing on the leading edge of a stair step and an elongated, flexible tread member covering and interlocked with the rigid base member. The base member has a nose portion with a rounded front surface for defining a leading edge on a stair step and planar back surfaces that intersect at right angles. Flanges extend laterally from and on the same plane as the back surfaces of the nose portion for positioning the base portion on the tread and riser of a stair step.

Abstract: Laminate covered stair nosing is affixed with sheet metal prongs, extending at right angles from the top surface of a sheet metal fastener, on the leading edge of a stair step. The sheet metal fastener has a U shaped flange extending beyond the leading edge of the tread. The laminate covered stair nosing has a planar top surface and a planar bottom surface. Prongs on the sheet metal fastener are forced into the planar bottom surface for affixing the stair nosing on the tread. The stair nosing has a U-shaped leading edge. The U-shaped leading edge extends beyond the leading edge of the tread. The U-shaped flange on the sheet metal fastener is interlocked with a channel in the U-shaped leading edge for supporting the stair nosing on the tread. A shoulder on the stair nosing abuts with the front surface of laminate flooring on the riser for retaining laminate flooring installed over a pad on the riser of the stair step.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and manipulating database files comprises a plurality of database files (19, 23, 50) and an object maintenance module (26). The database files (19, 23, 50) may generate database objects. The object maintenance module (26) may automatically generate a batch execution file (42). The batch execution file (42) may automatically execute the database files (19, 23, 50). In another aspect of the invention, the method and system may comprise a first database environment (22, 24) and a migration module (36). The first database environment (22, 24) may include a first set of database files (19, 23). The migration module (36) may automatically generate a second set of database files (50) from the first set of database files (19, 23). The second set of database files (50) are for use in connection with a second database environment (48). The migration module (36) may transfer the second database files (19, 23) to the second database environment (48).