Abstract: This invention describes the manufacture of partially cured binder compositions based upon modification of drying oils with at least one multi-functional co-vulcanizing agent. The partially cured binder compositions can be blended with polymeric materials to prepare polymer blends. These polymer blends can be used to produce products such as cured solid layers. Methods of manufacturing the partially cured binder compositions and cured solid layers are described.

Abstract: This invention describes the manufacture of partially cured binder compositions based upon modification of drying oils with at least one multi-functional co-vulcanizing agent. The partially cured binder compositions can be used to produce products such as cured solid layers. These layers can be used in flooring materials, coatings, printing inks, and paints. Methods of manufacturing the partially cured binder compositions and cured solid layers are described.

Abstract: This invention describes the manufacture of partially cured binder compositions based upon modification of drying oils with at least one multi-functional co-vulcanizing agent. The partially cured binder compositions can be blended with polymeric materials to prepare polymer blends. These polymer blends can be used to produce products such as cured solid layers. Methods of manufacturing the partially cured binder compositions and cured solid layers are described.

Abstract: This invention describes the manufacture of partially cured binder compositions based upon modification of drying oils with at least one multi-functional co-vulcanizing agent. The partially cured binder compositions can be used to produce products such as cured solid layers. These layers can be used in flooring materials, coatings, printing inks, and paints. Methods of manufacturing the partially cured binder compositions and cured solid layers are described.

Abstract: A binder composition comprising a partially pre-oxidized drying oil and at least one co-vulcanizing agent. A method provides rapid curing of the compositions. The materials find utility in flooring, coating, and decorating applications. One preferred utility is in the manufacture of linoleum type flooring. Another preferred utility is in the manufacture of a transparent/translucent coating for improving the wear properties of surfaces.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for electrographically imaging a plurality of substrates heretofore not usable in such a system. While prior art dielectric substrates could be used in the present process, the specific parameters outlined in this invention allows many more charge retentive surfaces or substrates to be used in electrostatic imaging. The process involves developing the latent electrostatic image before dissipation of the image charge which can be calculated by the inventive process for each substrate to be used.

Abstract: This invention involves a process for producing in an electrographic system a product having an image depth perception. The process includes dispensing in a system a first dielectric layer and electrographically imaging this layer and developing the image. A second dielectric layer is subsequently dispersed in the system, imaged and developed. A preselected plurality of dielectric layers may be imaged and developed. These developed layers are superimposed and adhered together to form a multilayered substrate having a depth perception. The layers can be superimposed, adhered together and overcoated either before or after separation from the system.

Abstract: The system of this invention uses both a process and apparatus for printing an image on a removable thicker dielectric layer than conventionally used in other systems. The dielectric layer is at least 0.2 mils thick and is removed from the system after it is imaged, developed and fixed. Several alternate ways are used to imagewise charge the dielectric layer. The toner used preferably incorporates a resin of the said family resin as used in the dielectric layer or layers. The imaged layer may be attached to a base such as a tile or wallpaper support structure. The base support substantially strengthens the dielectric layer which is important for shipping, storage, ultimate use and durability.

Abstract: This invention involves a structure containing a layered imaged configuration with an overcoating layer. The overcoating layer, in addition to encapsulating the toned image, substantially strengthens the dielectric layer after it is removed from the system. Also, a process for producing a product having an image depth perception and the product itself are disclosed. The layered structure may have one or two dielectric layers having a combined thickness of from about 0.2 to about 10.0 mils.

Abstract: The adhesive system of the present invention is suitable for use in adhering an incompatible ink system to a polymeric film; particularly, adhering a lithographic ink or electrographic toner bonded to a floor covering. The polymeric sheet and incompatible ink have a primer layer interposed between them or the ink layer is encapsulated between the two primer layers. The primer may be solvent based or aqueous based and preferably includes a benzene derivative, ketone, acetate or nitroparaffin solvent or film former. The primer is compatible with the polymeric sheet and diffuses into the ink layer. The preferred solvent or film former includes methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The primer also includes a polyvinyl resin, acrylic resin, polyurethane resin or polyester resin, and optionally a pigment. To deter dot distortion of the ink, the primer should have a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of at least about 60.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention involves both a process and apparatus for printing an image on a removable thicker dielectric layer than conventionally used in other systems. The process and apparatus can have one or more image-toning stations on a conductive substrate. When multiple stations having separate imaging and toning means are used, complicated image registration structures are avoided. The dielectric layer used is at least 0.2 mils thick and is removed from the system after it is imaged, developed, fixed and laminated or overcoated with a layer of the same family resin as used in the dielectric layer or layers. The imaged and overcoated layer may be attached to substrate such as a tile or wallpaper base, either before or after the process of this invention is completed. The overcoating substantially strengthens the dielectric layer in addition to overcoating the image. The final colored image (or monochrome) is removed from the printing apparatus after the overcoating is laminated thereon.

Abstract: This invention involves both a process and apparatus for printing an image on a removable thicker dielectric layer than conventionally used in other systems. The dielectric layer is at least 0.2 mils thick and is removed from the system after it is imaged, developed and fixed. The toner used preferably incorporates a resin of the same family resin as used in the dielectric layer or layers. The imaged layer may be attached to a base such as a tile or wallpaper support structure. The base support substantially strengthens the dielectric layer which is important for shipping, storage, ultimate use and durability.

Abstract: A tile product having a substantially non-porous vinyl composition base and a multilevel embossing and gloss which has a mechanically embossed mortar-line surround and which is free of gloss defects formed by pockets of air trapped between the wear layer and embossing mold during embossing is produced by applying a vacuum to the press during embossing. Preferably, the tile is laminated in a hot press heated by RF energy and cooled in a cold press to reduce the temperature of the wear layer to below its glass transition temperature.

Abstract: The process for making a dimensionally stable, embossed, ornamented surface covering suitable for use as a floor or wall tile, involving, inter alia, laminating and embossing a resinous thermoplastic top layer having a plurality of openings extending through its thickness to allow the escape of air and extending to base material or substrate of pre-formed, low-density, reinforced, porous thermoplastic material. The base material may include hollow non-thermoplastic particles. The composite structure is subjected to heat and pressure in a flatbed press to emboss the structure without deformation, fuse the resins and render the top layer substantially impermeable. The improvement comprises the use of a rigid vinyl wear layer in a two step embossing operation involving a first embossing step in a heated press and immediately thereafter a second embossing step in a cooled press.

Abstract: The process for making a dimensionally stable, embossed, ornamented surface covering suitable for use as a floor or wall tile, involving, inter alia, laminating and embossing a resinous thermoplastic top layer having a plurality of openings extending through its thickness to allow the escape of air and extending to a base material or substrate of pre-formed, low-density, reinforced, porous thermoplastic material. The base material may include hollow non-thermoplastic particles. The composite structure is subjected to heat and pressure in a flatbed press having a cooled embossing plate and a cooled back-up plate, to emboss the structure without deformation, fuse the resins and render the top layer substantially impermeable.

Abstract: The process for making a dimensionally stable, embossed, ornamented surface covering suitable for use as a floor or wall tile, involving, laminating and embossing a resinous thermoplastic top layer having a plurality of openings extending through its thickness to allow the escape of air and extending to a base material or substrate of pre-formed, low-density, reinforced, porous thermoplastic material. The composite structure is subjected to heat and pressure in a flatbed press to emboss the structure without deformation, fuse the resins and render the top layer substantially impermeable. The improvement comprises the use of a rigid vinyl wear layer in a two step embossing operation involving a first embossing step in a heated press and immediately thereafter a second embossing step in a cooled press.

Abstract: A stress-free embossed, ornamented surface covering, suitable for use as a floor or wall tile, is made by: providing a decorated resinous film on a release carrier, with the decorated surface of the film facing away from the carrier; providing on a release carrier a pre-formed, low-density, reinforced, porous thermoplastic base material, which may include hollow, non-thermoplastic particles; interfacing the decorated surface of the film with the top surface of the base material; perforating the film, after removal of the release carriers; and, subjecting the structure to high frequency electrical energy and pressure in a flatbed press having a cooled embossing plate and a cooled back-up plate, to emboss the structure, fuse the resins and render the film substantially impermeable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparency, a method for forming it and a photographic mask having variations in optical density corresponding to deviations of a surface contour from a plane of an original surface. The transparency is a composite two layer, transparent, preferably resinous structure with a contoured interface between the layers. The transparency may be made by forming a first conformed transparent layer on the contoured surface of a substrate. A second conformed transparent layer is then formed on the contoured surface of the first transparent layer. One of said first or second transparent layers is uniformly colored, the other of said layers may be uncolored, or have a less intense, uniform, similar, or different color. Each of the layers has a refractive index substantially equal to that of the other layer at all points. Light may be passed through the transparency in substantially unrefracted rays, and in amounts related to the thickness of the most intensely colored layer.

Abstract: A mechanical embossing process wherein a web of material composed of a composite structure having at least a carrier and a thick foam layer to be embossed is heated in an oven to a temperature of 250.degree. F. to 350.degree. F. and thereafter cooled by wetting the carrier, which is the back surface of the web, to approximately 100.degree. F. below the top surface of the web prior to embossing of the foam. In certain areas of the web, hot spots may occur resulting in a top surface-back surface temperature of less than approximately 100.degree. F. Just prior to embossing, these hot spots are eliminated by selectively and intermittently cooling the back surfaces of the hot spot areas to obtain a top surface-back surface temperature difference of approximately 100.degree. F. The process is used for achieving multilevel mechanical embossing of a fused or cured wear layer in register with a print-on and expanded foam.

Abstract: The process and apparatus herein is used for achieving multilevel mechanical embossing of a fused or cured wear layer in register with a print on an expanded foam thereunder. The expansion of the decorative foam and fusion of the wear layer are carried out and then the back of the foam is cooled by wetting and liquid evaporation. The wear layer is maintained at a high temperature for embossing and is embossed with registry between the embossed pattern and the printed pattern on the foam. Just prior to embossing, the decorative foam-wear layer web is wrapped around the backup roll of the embossing apparatus, and after embossing, is wrapped partially around the embossing roll of the embossing apparatus.