Biobased resilient floor tile

Abstract

A biobased resilient tile includes at least one base layer, at least one film layer, and a topcoat. The base layer includes a polymeric binder and a filler. The base layer has at least about 20-95% weight of the filler and at least about 5% weight of recycled material. The film layer is supported by the base layer. The film layer is a rigid film selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneterephthalate, glycolated polyethyleneterephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalte, or a thermoplastic ionomer resin. The film layer includes recycled material. The topcoat is provided on the film layer. The topcoat is a radiation curable biobased coating comprising a biobased component selected from the group consisting of a biobased resin, a biobased polyol acrylate, or a biobased polyol.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 432,907, filed Apr. 30, 2009, which in turn claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 125,975, filed Apr. 30, 2008; the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in their entireties.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present invention relates to resilient flooring products and more particularly to a biobased resilient floor tile.BACKGROUND[0003]Resilient flooring products, such as residential tiles, typically have at least one layer made from polymeric binders, such as polyvinyl chloride. However, the use of polyvinyl chloride is argued to pose a threat to human and environmental health due to its effect on the recycling stream. Not only is polyvinyl chloride not typically recyclable due to the prohibitive cost of regrinding and re-compounding the resin, but also, polyvinyl chloride is manufactured using fossil f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about a flooring product that is made from a base layer, a film layer, and a topcoat. The base layer is made up of a polymeric binder and a filler, with at least 20-30% of the weight of the filler being made up of recycled material. The film layer is a rigid film made of materials like polyethyleneterephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, which is supported by the base layer and includes recycled material. The topcoat is a radiation curable coating made of biobased components that is applied to the film layer. This invention is eco-friendly and provides a sustainable option for flooring options that are both comfortable and durable.

Problems solved by technology

However, the use of polyvinyl chloride is argued to pose a threat to human and environmental health due to its effect on the recycling stream.

Not only is polyvinyl chloride not typically recyclable due to the prohibitive cost of regrinding and re-compounding the resin, but also, polyvinyl chloride is manufactured using fossil fuels, such as petroleum and coal, which additionally negatively impacts the environment.

Due to the chemical composition of polyolefin, however, conventional adhesives and waxes can not be used on flooring products formed with polymeric binders made from polyolefin materials.

Additionally, polyolefin is also manufactured using fossil fuels, such as petroleum and coal, which negatively impacts the environment.

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