Method of applying a theromplastic polymer coating

A method comprising:

• preparing a foam of an aqueous dispersion of thermoplastic polymer particles, wherein the thermoplastic polymer particles have a particle size of approximately 50 microns to approximately 100 microns;
• applying a quantity of the foamed aqueous dispersion to a primary backing and loop backs of a tufted carpet or tufted synthetic turf;
• heating the aqueous dispersion on the primary backing and loop backs to a temperature sufficient to remove water therefrom;
• heating the thermoplastic particles on the primary backing and loop backs to a temperature at or above their melting temperature;
• cooling the heated thermoplastic polymer particles to below their melting temperature whereby the loop backs are adhered to the primary backing;
• and
• applying a secondary backing to the primary backing while the thermoplastic particles are still at or above their melting temperature.

A method comprising:

• applying a quantity of an aqueous dispersion of thermoplastic polymer particles to a primary backing and loop backs of a tufted carpet or a tufted synthetic turf, wherein the thermoplastic particles have an average particle size of approximately 1 micron to approximately 1,000 microns;
• heating the aqueous dispersion to a temperature sufficient to remove water therefrom;
• heating the thermoplastic particles on the primary backing and loop backs to a temperature at or above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic particles;
• placing a secondary backing in contact with the heated thermoplastic polymer particles on the primary backing;
• and
• allowing the heated thermoplastic polymer particles to cool below their melting temperature whereby the primary and secondary backings are adhered together.