US1824041A - Flexible hard surfaced floor covering - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 22, 1931. J. Ewe

. FLEXIBLE HARD SURFACED FLOOR COVERING Filed May 7. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R O N E v m atented Sept. 22, i3l

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN ELIIG, OF LANCASTER, IPENNSYLVANLA, ASSIGNOB 1'0 ARMSTRONG CORK COM PANY, F LANOASTERfPENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA 'ILEXIBLE HARD SURFACED FLOO B covanm'e Application filed Kay 7,

This invention relates to the manufacture of flexible hard surfaced floor coverings such as linoleum and a method and apparatus for the production thereof. It has heretofore been proposed to make surface coverings such and then apply still further design elements which overlie those on the backing. In this way many new and desirable efiects may be obtained; The material has characteristics not found in surface coverings of the types now made.

My method may be readily carried out in a machine of the rotarytype. It is, however, necessary to modify the machine to the extent of positioning the die roll which applies the overlying design elements so that it is spaced in more than the ordinary amount from the backing. This is necessary in order that it will apply the design elements with the proper degree'of pressure to the pattern elements previously applied.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the present preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a rotary machine,

Figure 2 is a view to an enlarged scale showing a portion of a drum of the machine and two of the die rolls thereof,

Figure 3 is a top'plan view of one type of my improved product,

Figure 4 is a erspective view of a portion" of such materia and Figure 5 is a similar View showing anothe type of my improved material.

The machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a drum2 having die rolls 3 and 3a arranged around its periphery. Each die roll is supplied with a web 4 of linoleum mix 1829. Serial No. 881,076.;

formed by cylinders and carried to the die it I rolls by belts 6. A platen roll 7 cooperates with each die roll and the surfaces of the die rolls are provided with knives in the usual manner to cut the webs of linoleum mix into pattern elements and scrap. The scrap is ejected by pin rolls 8 and brushes 8a as is well known, the scrap being carried away by conveyors 9.

A web 10 of backing material such as coated burlap is supplied to the machine and is carried around the drum 2. Each die roll is proe vided with a pattern roll 11 adapted to actu-' ate the strippers 12 which have not been reviously actuated by the pin rolls 8 and t us apply the pattern elements P forming the general body of the pattern to the backing 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the pattern elements P are spaced apart so as to expose a part of the coat backing 10, thus producing the effect of tiles with depressed interliners.

The overlying pattern elements are applied by the die roll 3a. As shown in Fig. 2, the die roll 3a is spaced further from the drum 2 than are the other die rolls, this being nieces-1; sary. because the design elements which are applied by {the die roll 3a are not applied to the backing 10 but to the pattern elements P. The pattern elements which are applied by the die roll 3a are indicated at P in Fig. 2.

After the various pattern elements have been applied, the material passes over an in spection table 13, and thence to a calender 14 having a blanket 15 backed by pressure rolls 16. The blanket securely bonds the difi'erent pattern elements to the backing and to one another, and if suflicient pressure is applied rounds off the edges as shown in Fig. 4. Care must be taken so as to avoid any distortion of the pattern elements P. I prefer to make these pattern elements of relatively thin material so as to avoid distortion as far as possible.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a linoleum wherein the pattern elements P are spaced apart so as to form a tile pattern with the backing showing between pattern elements. It will be noted that at intervals a specially colored pattern element P" is applied. This lends a single die roll can apply but one color the e special pattern elements P" are applied by hand as the material passes over the inspection table 13.

Fi re 5 illustrates another type of materia wherein the backing 10a is entirely concealed by pattern elements 17, which in this case are shown as made up into a conventional pattern of squares alternating in color. Special pattern elements 18 are applied. These may be ut on by a die roll or may be applied by han as desired. After calendering they are firmly keyed to the goods and provide a new and highly desirable effect.

I have illustrated and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention. It will be understood, however, that it is not limited to the form shown, but may be otherwise embodied or practiced within the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible hard surfaced floor covering comprising a backing having pattern elements thereon, there being design elements overlying the pattern elements.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible hard surfaced floor covering comprising a backing having pattern elements of linoleum mix thereon and design elements of linoleum mix overlying at least some of the pat tern elements.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible hard surfaced floor covering comprising a backing having pattern elements applie thereto in such manner as to leave portions of the backing exposed and design elements overlying at least some of the pattern elements.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible hard surfaced floor covering comprisin a backing having pattern elements applied thereto in such manner as'to leave portions of the backing exposed and design elements overlying at least some of the pattern elements, the design elements u standing from the pattern elements and t e ments upstanding from the base.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN EMIG.

pattern ele-

Images