Floor covering with universal backing and methods of making and recycling

A method of manufacturing a universal floor covering which can be used as either a broadloom or modular floor covering, the method comprising the steps of:

• manufacturing either a broadloom or modular floor covering from a group of components including a tufted textile substrate having a primary backing substrate extending in a first direction and a plurality of yarns tufted through the primary backing substrate, the primary backing substrate having a face side and a back side opposite the face side, a portion of each yarn forming a stitch portion having an end that is located on the back side of the primary backing substrate, and spaces existing between the stitch portions;
• said group of components further including a composition pool having adhesive and reinforcement fibers;
• moving the tufted textile substrate relative to an applicator having an engagement surface, and providing space between the stitch portions of the yarns and the applicator;
• mixing the adhesive and reinforcement fibers to form a mixture of reinforcement fibers and adhesive;
• separating reinforcement fibers from each other during the mixing step;
• applying a moving pressure on the mixture of reinforcement fibers and adhesive to move reinforcement fibers and adhesive against the engagement surface of the applicator;
• forming a slip path on the engagement surface of the applicator for separating the reinforcement fibers and adhesive from frictional engagement with the applicator;
• applying controlled pressure with the applicator in a second direction towards the primary backing substrate and forming a relatively rigid reinforcement layer of reinforcement fibers and adhesive, the relatively rigid reinforcement layer of reinforcement fibers and adhesive providing strength and stability to the universal floor covering;
• and
• forming a releasable gecko-like cover system for providing a releasable attachment of the universal floor covering to a supporting surface.