US4440826A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decorative surface covering
Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1983-01-24
•
Granted: 1984-04-03
•
Expires: 2003-01-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a process of preparing decorative coverings whereby a pattern is optionally provided on a backing and is then covered with a layer of thermoplastic material. Translucent or transparent chips having a thickness dimension not less than the thickness of the layer of material are applied to the surface thereof, the mateial is warmed, and the structure is consolidated to push the chips down into the layer of material until they contact the underlying surface. By doing so, the material residing between the chips and the underlying surface is extruded from beneath the chips, resulting in a plurality of windows onto the underlying surface. Structures produced according to the present invention exhibit unique visual properties and are useful as floor coverings, wall coverings, and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack H. Witman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:50
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06N; D06N7/00; D06N7/0005; D06N7/0039; D06N7/0052; D06N7/0055; B; B44; B44F; B44F1/00; B44F1/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1089; Y10T156/109; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/254
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A decorative surface covering comprising a backing material, optionally a design disposed on said backing material, and a thermoplastic coating material disposed on said backing material having translucent or transparent chips embedded therein, the dry thickness of said coating material being not greater than the thickness of said chips, said chips being embedded such that said coating material is extruded from beneath said chips, thereby making said backing material and said optional pattern visible through said chips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A decorative surface covering comprising a backing material, optionally a design disposed on said backing material, and a thermoplastic coating material disposed on said backing material having translucent or transparent chips embedded therein, the dry thickness of said coating material being not greater than the thickness of said chips, said chips being embedded such that said coating material is extruded from beneath said chips, thereby making said backing material and said optional pattern visible through said chips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 hereof wherein the dry thickness of said thermoplastic coating material varies from about 1 to about 6 mils.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 hereof wherein said thickness varies from about 1.5 to about 4 mils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 hereof wherein said chips are vinyl chips.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 hereof wherein said chips are quartz-filled vinyl chips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A process for preparing a decorative surface covering, said process comprising the steps of selecting a backing material, optionally disposing a pattern on said backing material, coating said backing material with a thermoplastic coating composition having a dry thickness which is not greater than the thickness of subsequently applied chips, disposing translucent or transparent chips on the surface of said coating material, warming said thermoplastic material, and compressing said chips into said coating material to extrude said coating material from beneath said chips, thereby making said underlying backing material and said optional pattern visible through said chips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
A process for preparing a decorative surface covering, said process comprising the steps of selecting a backing material, optionally disposing a pattern on said backing material, coating said backing material with a thermoplastic coating composition having a dry thickness which is not greater than the thickness of subsequently applied chips, disposing translucent or transparent chips on the surface of said coating material, warming said thermoplastic material, and compressing said chips into said coating material to extrude said coating material from beneath said chips, thereby making said underlying backing material and said optional pattern visible through said chips.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 hereof wherein the dry thickness of said thermoplastic coating material varies from about 1 to about 6 mils.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 hereof wherein said thickness varies from about 1.5 to about 4 mils.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 hereof wherein said coating material is solvent based.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 hereof wherein said coating material is a hot melt thermoplastic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 hereof wherein said coating material is solvent based.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 hereof wherein said coating material is a hot melt thermoplastic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as set forth in claim 8 hereof wherein said coating material is solvent based.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as set forth in claim 8 hereof wherein said coating material is a hot melt thermoplastic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 hereof wherein said chips are vinyl chips.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 hereof wherein said chips are quartz-filled vinyl chips.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2867263A
Cited
US2936814A
Cited
US2888975A
Cited
US3265548A
Cited
US3360414A
Cited
US3682741A
Cited
US3749629A
Cited
US4187258A
Cited
US3772051A
Cited
US4054699A
Cited
US4212691A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-03 | 1987-10-03 | 1988-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-03 | 1991-10-03 | 1992-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-03 | 1995-10-03 | 1996-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |