US4303695A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crinkle emboss and method
Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
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Filing: 1979-08-07
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Granted: 1981-12-01
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Expires: 1999-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A crinkle embossed surface on a flexible sheet goods substrate is created by means of applying an actinic radiation curable coating which is essentially solvent-free and comprises at least two photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups per molecule to the flexible sheet substrate. The coating is fully reacted and has developed essentially all of its physical properties upon exposure to actinic radiation in the temperature range of 180° to 250° F. for between five seconds and one minute time period resulting in a product having a clear, durable wearlayer, with stain resistant properties; scratch and scuff resistance as well as wear properties which are superior and having a uniform crinkled surface texture. A desired application is in the creation of crinkle embossing on vinyl sheet products such as sheet vinyl floor and wall coverings, table coverings, book covers, coated fabrics for use in upholstery, clothing and automobile interiors, shoes, handbags, decorative vinyl laminates and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. McCann
- 👤 Ernest E. Regan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:38
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B32B3/26; B32B3/28; B05; B05D; B05D3/00; B05D3/06; B05D3/061; B05D3/065; B05D3/067; B05D5/00; B05D5/06; B05D5/061; B05D5/062; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/065; B32B27/18; B32B27/22; B32B38/00; B32B38/06; B32B5/00; B32B5/18; B32B5/20; B44; B44C; B44C1/00; B44C1/20; B44C1/205; D; D06; D06N; D06N3/00; D06N3/007; D06N3/0081; D06N3/04; D06N3/06; D06N3/08; D06N7/00; D06N7/0005; D06N7/0007; B32B2266/00; B32B2266/02; B32B2266/0214; B32B2266/0221; B32B2266/0235; B32B2310/00; B32B2310/08; B32B2310/0806; B32B2310/0831; B32B2451/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24355; Y10T428/24446; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24496; Y10T428/24612; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249987; Y10T428/249988; Y10T428/249991; Y10T428/249992; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for creating a crinkle finish surface on a flexible foamed decorated substrate in an uninterrupted process comprising the steps of, coating a vinyl overlay over a decorated foamable substrate, exposing the coated flexible decorated substrate to an elevated temperature whereupon the foamable coat has expanded to a cellular foam and the vinyl overlay is fused, cooling the thus foamed and fused vinyl substrate to a temperature compatible with the application of an actinic radiation curable coating, passing the thus foamed and fused vinyl substrate through a coating station where an essentially solvent free acrylourethane oligomer actinic radiation curable coating of lower elongation properties than that of the vinyl overlay is applied at temperatures less than 180° F., thereafter curing said coating upon exposure to actinic radiation at elevated temperatures between 180° and 250° F. for less than one minute, whereupon exposure to said radiation at said elevated temperature results in a product exhibiting a crinkle surface texture which has been created on the surface of the flexible substrate by permitting the differential elongation properties of the vinyl overlay and the actinic radiation cured coating to interact to give the crinkle surface texture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for creating a crinkle finish surface on a flexible foamed decorated substrate in an uninterrupted process comprising the steps of, coating a vinyl overlay over a decorated foamable substrate, exposing the coated flexible decorated substrate to an elevated temperature whereupon the foamable coat has expanded to a cellular foam and the vinyl overlay is fused, cooling the thus foamed and fused vinyl substrate to a temperature compatible with the application of an actinic radiation curable coating, passing the thus foamed and fused vinyl substrate through a coating station where an essentially solvent free acrylourethane oligomer actinic radiation curable coating of lower elongation properties than that of the vinyl overlay is applied at temperatures less than 180° F., thereafter curing said coating upon exposure to actinic radiation at elevated temperatures between 180° and 250° F. for less than one minute, whereupon exposure to said radiation at said elevated temperature results in a product exhibiting a crinkle surface texture which has been created on the surface of the flexible substrate by permitting the differential elongation properties of the vinyl overlay and the actinic radiation cured coating to interact to give the crinkle surface texture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the overlay is applied over a flexible foamable polyvinyl chloride substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the polyvinyl chloride substrate contains polyvinyl chloride resins, plasticizers, heat stabilizer and light stabilizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is a foamable polyvinyl chloride substrate and contains polyvinyl chloride resins, plasticizers, blowing agent, pigment and activators proportioned to provide a blowing capability of at least 200%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein a carrier is provided for the flexible substrate which is a felt like sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the actinic radiation cured coating includes a reactive base polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the actinic radiation cured coating includes a U.V. photosensitizer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the actinic radiation cured coating includes reactive monofunctional crosslinking monomers and multi-functional crosslinking monomers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said essentially solvent free acrylourethane oligomer actinic radiation curable coating includes acrylyl groups of the structure H 2 C═CHCO--.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the actinic radiation polymerization reaction takes place in a non-oxidizing environment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 10, wherein an inert gas is swept over the coated sheet to exclude oxygen and remove volatile monomers from contacting with the actinic radiation source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the actinic radiation polymerization reaction takes place in air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 12, wherein air is swept over the coated sheet to remove any residual monomers from contacting with the actinic radiation source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the actinic radiation cured coating is between 0.0005 and 0.005 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the substrate is between 0.005 and 0.250 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the elevated temperature is in the range of 200°-240° F.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the crinkled surface finish is achieved in combination with a previously chemically embossed flexible substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the crinkled surface finish is achieved in combination with a previously mechanically embossed flexible substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the crinkled finish is achieved in combination with an embossed flexible substrate which has been accomplished by rotary screen printing of foamable plastisols.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-30 | 1985-06-01 | 1985-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-30 | 1989-06-01 | 1989-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-30 | 1993-06-01 | 1993-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |