GB1044286A - Vinyl sponge laminate - Google Patents

Abstract

1,044,286. Laminates and laminating. AMERICAN BILTRITE RUBBER CO. Inc. June 2, 1964, No. 22836/64. Heading B5N. In a process of making a vinyl sponge laminate superposed vinyl plies 20, 21, 22, one of which 22, contains a blowing agent, such as azodicarbonamide, are subjected to a moulding pressure at a temperature below the critical blowing temperature to laminate the plies together, and the laminated plies are then heated to above the critical blowing temperature to activate the blowing agent and convert the layer 22 to sponge consistency while preserving the laminated structure of the several plies. In the embodiment shown, the plies 20, 21, 22 are fed between an endless steel pressure band 14 and an endless fabric band 15 of duck or canvas round a steam-heated drum 10, supplemental segment heaters 31-35 being provided to raise the temperature to 325‹ F. to laminate the plies together. The assembly then passes round upper roll 11 whose temperature is 360‹ F., a band of radiant heaters 36 being provided to raise the temperature of the laminate to 360‹ F. to activate the blowing agent. The product then passes through zone heater 37 and is thereafter rapidly cooled and the steel band 14 and the canvas band 15 stripped off. The duck band 15 which imparts an ornamental texture to the back ply of the laminate may be replaced by another steel band. A laminate could be formed in which the sponge ply formed one of the outer layers. The face ply may be formed of a clear vinyl compound having printed or other surface decoration or may be composed of several clear and opaque films and may have spatter or terrazzo effects. Metallic or other coloured granules may be incorporated therein. A permanent fabric or felt back could be substituted for the vinyl back ply. The resultant laminate is suitable for flooring.