# US 2015/0147531 A1 · Flooring product with grouting barrier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0147531 A1 - Document ID: US20150147531A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/088,047 - Filed: 2013-11-22 - Published: 2015-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-22 - Assignees: Armstrong World Industries, Inc. - Applicants: Armstrong World Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Kean M. ANSPACH - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150147531A1 ## CPC - E04F 15/0215: {specially adapted for being adhesively fixed to an underlayer; Fastening means therefor; Fixing by means of plastics materials hardening after application} - B32B 7/06: permitting easy separation - B32B 27/304: {comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF} - E04F 15/02016: {with sealing elements between flooring elements (sealings of joints between building constructions in general E04B1/68)} - E04F 15/105: {of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials} - E04F 15/107: {composed of several layers, e.g. sandwich panels (layered products in general B32B; producing decorative panels or veneers B44C5/04)} - E04F 21/1652: {for smoothing and shaping joint compound to a desired contour} - B32B 2307/73: Hydrophobic - B32B 2471/00: Floor coverings (B32B2419/04 takes precedence) - Y10T 428/24612: Composite web or sheet - Y10T 428/24777: Edge feature - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A flooring product is provided with a removable protective grouting film. In one embodiment, the flooring product may be a synthetic polymeric laminated tile. The protective grouting film is releasably adhered to a top surface of the tile and may have a flexible structure. In one arrangement, the protective grouting film is configured to form a protective barrier covering peripheral portions of the tile and leaving an exposed open central portion. The protective grouting film helps prevent grout from contacting the tile making subsequent cleanup easier and quicker. In one embodiment, the tile may be a resilient type synthetic flooring product formed of polyvinyl chloride such as luxury vinyl tile. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flooring product comprising: a substrate; a polymeric wear layer bonded on top of the substrate; the substrate and wear layer collectively forming a flooring product having a plurality of lateral edges and peripheral top surfaces lying adjacent the lateral edges and extending around a perimeter of the substrate; and a conformal protective grouting film releasably adhered on the peripheral top surfaces of the flooring product, the protective grouting film having a flexible structure and being removable from the peripheral top surfaces by peeling. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flooring product of claim 1, wherein the protective grouting film has an open frame shape defining an open central area in which a top major surface of the flooring product is exposed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The flooring product of claim 2, wherein the protective grouting film forms a single contiguous structure extending around the perimeter of the flooring product on the top major surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The flooring product of claim 3, wherein, the protective grouting film is peelable from the flooring product as a single intact unit. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flooring product of claim 1, further comprising a printed patterned layer bonded between the substrate and wear layer. ### Claim 8 (canceled) ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The flooring product of claim 1, wherein the protective grouting film is adhesive free. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The flooring product of claim 1, wherein the protective grouting film comprises polyester or a removable spray booth protective coating material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The flooring product of claim 1, further comprising a lifting tab for removing the protective grouting film from the flooring product. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The flooring product of claim 1, wherein the protective grouting film is applied to the flooring product during fabrication of the flooring product in a factory. ### Claim 13 (canceled) ### Claim 14 (canceled) ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 File flooring product of claim wherein the protective grouting film conforms to the topography of the substrate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The flooring product of claim 1, wherein the wear layer has an embossed surface. ### Claim 18 (canceled) ### Claim 19 (canceled) ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The footing product of claim 1, wherein the flooring product is laminated luxury vinyl tile. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The flooring product of claim 1, wherein the substrate is comprised of a non-vinyl polymer. ### Claim 22 A synthetic flooring product comprising: a polymeric base layer; a transparent polymeric wear layer bonded to substrate; the polymeric base and wear layers collectively forming a synthetic flooring product having a top major surface and opposing bottom major surface, the top surface defining a plurality of lateral edges and peripheral top surfaces lying adjacent the lateral edges and extending around a perimeter of the substrate; and a hydrophobic protective grouting film releasably adhered on the peripheral top surfaces of the flooring product, the protective grouting film haying a flexible conformal structure which conforms to contours of the peripheral top surface of the flooring product; wherein the protective growing film is impervious to moisture from grout a d removable from the peripheral top surface by peeling and bending the ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The synthetic flooring product of claim 22, wherein the protective grouting film is formed of polymer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The synthetic flooring product of claims 22, wherein the wear layer has an embossed surface. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The synthetic flooring product of claim 22, wherein the protective grouting film has an open frame shape defining an open central area in which a top major surface of the flooring product is exposed. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The synthetic flooring product of claim 22, wherein the protective grouting film forms a single contiguous structure extending around the perimeter of the flooring product on the top major surface. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The synthetic flooring product of claim 22, wherein, the protective grouting film is peelable from the flooring product as a single intact unit. ### Claim at position 28 28-40. (canceled)