Patent US4303716A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4303716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decorative surface articles
Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
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Filing: 1980-11-14
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Granted: 1981-12-01
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Expires: 2000-11-14
Abstract
Abstract An article which has utility as a decorative surface for materials such as resilient flooring, furniture, walls, ceilings, counter tops and the like is produced by aligning and embedding a plurality of fibers in a translucent binder, curing the binder and thereafter subjecting the binder to tension which is applied in such a manner to thereby create aligned air pockets along the surface of at least some of the fibers. The article, thus produced, is typically in the form of a film, sheet, or board.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Eshbach
- 👤 Richard E. Felter
- 👤 Thomas Posipanko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:40
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06N; D06N3/00; D06N3/007; B; B44; B44C; B44C3/00; B44C3/08; B44F; B44F1/00; B44F1/06; B44F7/00; D06M; D06M15/00; D06M15/19; D06M15/21; D06M15/244; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1089; Y10T156/109; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24744; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249924; Y10T428/24994; Y10T428/249942; Y10T428/249948; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2933; Y10T428/2964; Y10T428/2967; Y10T428/2969
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A process for producing an article suitable for use as a decorative surface covering, said process comprising: (a) embedding, in a unidirectional orientation, a plurality of translucent solid fibers in a translucent binder; (b) curing the binder; and (c) subjecting the cured binder to pressure which is applied in such a manner to create aligned tubular air pockets adjacent to the surface of the fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process for producing an article suitable for use as a decorative surface covering, said process comprising: (a) embedding, in a unidirectional orientation, a plurality of translucent solid fibers in a translucent binder; (b) curing the binder; and (c) subjecting the cured binder to pressure which is applied in such a manner to create aligned tubular air pockets adjacent to the surface of the fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 comprising the additional step of applying a decorative pattern to a surface of the article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the decorative pattern is applied to the outer surface of the article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 3 wherein a transparent protective layer is applied on top of the decorative pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fibers are comprised of polyamide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the binder is plasticized polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the pressure is applied perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the pressure is applied to only selected areas of the binder to thereby create aligned tubular air pockets adjacent to the surface of those fibers that are directly beneath the area where the pressure is applied.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A surface covering article suitable for use as a floor covering which comprises a flexible solid translucent binder having an inner and outer surface, said binder having intimately associated therewith a plurality of translucent, solid fibers that are aligned in a unidirectional orientation wherein at least some of the fibers have adjacent to their surface aligned tubular air pockets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A surface covering article suitable for use as a floor covering which comprises a flexible solid translucent binder having an inner and outer surface, said binder having intimately associated therewith a plurality of translucent, solid fibers that are aligned in a unidirectional orientation wherein at least some of the fibers have adjacent to their surface aligned tubular air pockets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surface covering article of claim 9 which further comprises a decorative pattern which is positioned on a surface of said substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surface covering article of claim 9 wherein the decorative pattern is positioned on the outer surface of the said substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 9 further comprising a protective layer positioned on top of the decorative pattern.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 12 wherein the fibers are comprised of polyamide.
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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 |