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  Moisture dissipative floor covering layerUSPTO Application #: 20060165949Title: Moisture dissipative floor covering layer Abstract: A carpet or carpet tile structure for mounting onto an underlying flooring surface comprising a backing layer having a top surface that is connected to a face fabric and a bottom surface that defines a plurality of fluid flow paths for dissipating moisture. (end of abstract)
Agent: Needle & Rosenberg, P.C. - Atlanta, GA, US Inventors: Jeffery Wayne Segars, Jeffery John Wright USPTO Applicaton #: 20060165949 - Class: 428085000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Stock Material Or Miscellaneous Articles, Pile Or Nap Type Surface Or Component The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060165949. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to flooring products. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a backing for a flooring material that permits moisture dissipation and air circulation between a bottom surface of the backing and an underlying flooring surface. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A finished floor conventionally consists of a flooring surface supported by a sub-floor. The nature of the sub-floor depends upon the flooring surface it needs to support and the environment in which it functions. For example, for carpet flooring material in a home, the sub-floor may simply consist of construction grade plywood. If the sub-floor is in contact with the ground, such as for example in slab construction or in basement floors, moisture intrusion is possible. [0003] Carpets, carpet tiles, and other flooring materials can be constructed with backings designed to prevent moisture penetration of spilled liquids through the backings and onto the underlying flooring surface. These same backings can prevent moisture that is retained between the backing and the underlying flooring surface from escaping. [0004] Moisture retained between the carpet backing and the flooring surface can provide an environment that is ideally suited for undesirable microbial growth. Further, residual moisture retained between the backing and the flooring surface can cause physical damage to the floor surface, can prevent proper drying, can cause the flooring adhesive to release, or can result in microbial growth. [0005] Residual moisture problems can occur in construction projects such as, for example, installing flooring materials on fresh or "green" concrete. During the curing process, moisture will be released from the concrete for an extended period of time. Moreover, it is common for moisture to communicate to the concrete surface from the underlying ground. Similarly, since many conventional flooring adhesives are water-based, they often emanate moisture during the curing process. [0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to have a flooring material that can be applied to a flooring surface that allows moisture to dissipate and air to circulate between the bottom of the flooring material and the underlying flooring surface. SUMMARY [0007] The present invention pertains to underlayments and backing layers for flooring products. An illustrative aspect of the present invention is directed to a flooring material for mounting to an underlying flooring surface, such as, for example, a carpet or carpet tile structure. In this aspect, the carpet or carpet tile structure comprises a face fabric and a backing layer. In one aspect, a top surface of the backing layer is connected to at least a portion of a bottom side of the face fabric. A portion of a bottom surface of the backing layer defines a plurality of fluid flow paths such that at least one of the plurality of fluid flow paths extends to at least a portion of one side edge of the structure. The plurality of fluid flow paths allows the backing layer to dissipate moisture from between the bottom surface of the backing layer and the underlying flooring surface. [0008] In one aspect, in use, at least one of the plurality of fluid flow paths that extend to the side edge of a first piece of structure are in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of fluid flow paths that extend to the side edge of an adjoining, second piece of structure when the first and second pieces of structure are positioned onto the underlying flooring surface. [0009] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth, in part, in the detailed description and Figures which follow, and in part will become obvious from the detailed description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as disclosed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0011] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of one aspect of the present invention showing a carpet or carpet tile structure having a backing layer, which is disposed on an underlying flooring surface. [0012] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of one aspect of the present invention showing a carpet or carpet tile structure having a precoat layer and a backing layer, which is disposed on an underlying flooring surface. [0013] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of one aspect of the present invention showing a carpet or carpet tile structure having a first adhesive layer and a backing layer, which is disposed on an underlying flooring surface. [0014] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of one aspect of the present invention showing a carpet or carpet tile structure having a first adhesive layer, a reinforcing fabric layer, and a backing layer, which is disposed on an underlying flooring surface. [0015] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of one aspect of the present invention showing a carpet or carpet tile structure having a first adhesive layer, a reinforcing fabric layer, a second adhesive layer, and a backing layer, which is disposed on an underlying flooring surface. [0016] FIGS. 6-9 are a partial bottom plan views of aspects of the positioning of shaped spaced male protrusions on a backing layer of the present invention showing a row axis R of spaced male protrusions being offset rotationally at an acute angle .alpha. relative to a longitudinal axis L of the bottom surface of the backing layer. [0017] FIG. 10 is a partial bottom perspective view of one aspect of the carpet or carpet tile structure of the present invention showing a plurality of spaced male protrusion distributed on and extending from the bottom surface of the backing layer. [0018] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the carpet or carpet tile structure of the present invention taken across line 11-11 of FIG. 10, showing a plurality of troughs defined on the bottom surface of the backing layer. [0019] FIG. 12 is an expanded view of a portion of FIG. 11 showing a female depression defined in the distal end of the male protrusion. [0020] FIG. 13 is a partial bottom perspective view of one aspect of the carpet or carpet tile structure of the present invention showing a backing layer formed from a resilient spacer member. Continue reading... Full patent description for Moisture dissipative floor covering layer Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Moisture dissipative floor covering layer patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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