Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A laminated tile for installation on an installation surface by a layer of adhesive, said laminated tile having a predetermined overall thickness comprising: a fused, fired, impact-resistant ceramic substrate having opposed, unglazed first and second major surfaces; a layer of natural stone; and an adhesive bonding said layer of natural stone to said first major surface of said ceramic substrate; wherein said laminated tile has higher impact resistance and load-bearing strength than a solid all natural stone tile having said predetermined overall thickness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A laminated tile for installation on an installation surface by a layer of adhesive, said laminated tile having a predetermined overall thickness comprising: a fused, fired, impact-resistant ceramic substrate having opposed, unglazed first and second major surfaces; a layer of natural stone; and an adhesive bonding said layer of natural stone to said first major surface of said ceramic substrate; wherein said laminated tile has higher impact resistance and load-bearing strength than a solid all natural stone tile having said predetermined overall thickness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A laminated tile according to claim 1, wherein said adhesive is an adhesive whose adhesive properties improve by exposure to heat and pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A laminated tile according to claim 2, wherein said adhesive contains cobalt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laminated tile according to claim 1, wherein said adhesive is a heat-cured adhesive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laminated tile according to claim 1, wherein said natural stone is selected from the group consisting of marble, travertine, granite, sandstone and fossilstone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A laminated tile according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is made of an unglazed ceramic bisque.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laminated tile according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is impervious to fluids.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laminated tile according to claim 1, wherein said layer of natural stone comprises a plurality of strips made of natural stone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A laminated tile according to claim 1, wherein said substrate has a plurality of raised protrusions covering a portion of said second major surface of said substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laminated tile according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic substrate is fired at a temperature of at least about 1,050° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laminated tile according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of said layer of natural stone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
A laminated tile installation having an exposed natural stone surface comprising: an installation surface; a laminated tile having a predetermined thickness and comprising a fused, fired, impact-resistant ceramic substrate having opposed, unglazed first and second major surfaces; a layer of natural stone; and an adhesive bonding said layer of natural stone to said first major surface of said ceramic substrate; wherein said laminated tile has higher impact resistance and load-bearing strength than a solid all natural stone tile having said predetermined overall thickness; and a thin-set adhesive bonding said second major surface of said ceramic substrate of said laminated tile to said installation surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
A laminated tile installation having an exposed natural stone surface comprising: an installation surface; a laminated tile having a predetermined thickness and comprising a fused, fired, impact-resistant ceramic substrate having opposed, unglazed first and second major surfaces; a layer of natural stone; and an adhesive bonding said layer of natural stone to said first major surface of said ceramic substrate; wherein said laminated tile has higher impact resistance and load-bearing strength than a solid all natural stone tile having said predetermined overall thickness; and a thin-set adhesive bonding said second major surface of said ceramic substrate of said laminated tile to said installation surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A laminated tile installation according to claim 12, wherein said substrate of said laminated tile has a plurality of raised protrusions covering a portion of said second major surface of said substrate and wherein said plurality of raised protrusions contact said installation surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A laminated tile installation according to claim 12, wherein said installation surface is a wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A laminated tile installation according to claim 12, wherein said installation surface is a floor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laminated tile installation according to claim 12, wherein said thin-set adhesive is a water-based mastic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A laminated tile installation according to claim 12, wherein said adhesive bonding said layer of natural stone to said first major surface of said ceramic substrate is cured before said laminated tile is adhered to said installation surface.