Document KJzaaeK6j0YMwbB5L6zyOYYpQ

FILE NAME: Mannington Mills (MM) DATE: 2001 Oct 22 DOC#: MM004 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Patent - Non-Asbestos Flooring Felt h I NOH-ASBESTOS FLOORING FELT Background of the Invention Decorative sheet-type covering material ;'ch as sheet vinyl floor or wall covering Is frequently made with a substrate comprising sheet-type felt material. ~he felt generally used for this purpose comprises, as a major component, cellulosic fibers and/or asbestos fibers. Synthetic fibers are sometimes used but are quite expensive. When eccessive amounts of synthetic fibers are used, the felt frequently cannot maintain the required dimen- 10 sionai stability and strength characteristics at the elevated temperaturesj^Mraliy 0 * * ^ of sheet vinyl flooring. The use of asbestos fibers in such felt is considered to represent a health hazard. while the use of large amounts of cellulosic fibers results in felt which tends to have poor dimen i 15 sional stability end which is unduly susceptible to biological degradation, especially When Installed on or below grade. I Summary of the Invention I It Is an object of the invention to provide improved sheet type felt, an improved process for preparing sheet type felt 20 and sheet type covering material using such felt. Sheet type felt of the Invention comprises on a dry 1 basis; ) between about 1 and about 10 weight percent (wt s) glass fibers; 25 b) between about 3 and about 25 wt S cellulosic fibers; c) between about 3 and about 20 wt % synthetic organic fibers; d) between about 3 and about 70 wt 1 particulate inorganic filler; 30 e) between about 10 and about 30 wt S latex binder, f) between about 3 and about 80 wt * calcium hydroxide;