Materials having a selectively applied decorative adhesive matrix
AssigneeTarkett Inc.
InventorsEduard F. Lussi, Thomas G. Smith
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Abstract
The invention provides decorative, inlaid sheet materials which incorporate one or more selectively deposited matrix layers of discrete, low aspect ratio particles embedded in a resinous coating. The use of printed patterns which are visible beneath the adhesive matrix containing the particles constitutes one embodiment of the invention. The sheet materials of this invention are real through-patterned inlaids which do not lose their pattern due to wear in use, and which offer unique design advantages and flexibility, as well as superior properties.
Claims20
A decorative, inlaid floor or wall covering product which comprises:
- a) a substrate,
- b) a printed layer applied over and in contact with said substrate wherein said printed layer is a gelled or foamed resinous layer, the surface of which has been printed with an ink,
- c) one selectively deposited adhesive matrix layer overlaying a part of said printed layer, the adhesive matrix layer consisting essentially of an adhesive in which are embedded spherical or spheroidal particles having an aspect ratio no greater than about 2:1, and
- d) at least one wearlayer.
A decorative, inlaid floor or wall covering which comprises:
- a) a substrate, and
- b) more than one selectively deposited adhesive matrix layers, each overlaying a part of said substrate, the adhesive matrix layers each consisting essentially of an adhesive in which are embedded spherical or spheroidal particles having an aspect ratio no greater than about 2:1,
- wherein at least two of said selectively deposited adhesive matrix layers are comprised of different transparent and/or colored adhesives;
- and/or particles of different compositions, sizes and/or colors;
- and/or different loadings of particles.
A process for making a decorative inlaid floor covering which comprises the sequential steps of:
- a) over the surface of the substrate, optionally printing with one or more inks to make a printed layer;
- b) selectively coating a part of the substrate or optional printed layer with a layer of ungelled vinyl plastisol adhesive;
- c) depositing a substantially uniform layer of particles consisting essentially of spherical or essentially spherical particles having an aspect ratio no greater than about 2:1;
- d) removing excess particles;
- e) heating at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to embed said spherical or essentially spherical particles in said ungelled vinyl plastisol adhesive and to gel the vinyl plastisol adhesive, thereby forming a selectively deposited adhesive matrix layer;
- and
- f) optionally repeating steps b), c), d) and e).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.