Slip-resistant floor coverings

Abstract

The invention provides a synthetic slip-resistant floor-covering material comprising a layer of synthetic material which contains one or more degradable polymeric particles wherein the one or more degradable polymeric particles comprise: (a) one or more hard degradable polymeric particles which have a hardness which is greater than the hardness of the layer of synthetic material; and optionally (b) one or more soft degradable polymeric particles which have a hardness which is the same as or less than the hardness of the layer of synthetic material; and wherein the one or more hard degradable polymeric particles comprise one or more exposed hard degradable polymeric particles which are exposed at an upper surface of the synthetic floor-covering material to provide slip-resistance; and a method of preparing a synthetic floor-covering which method comprises the steps of: Providing a layer of synthetic material; Applying the one or more degradable polymeric particles to the layer of synthetic material; and Applying pressure to the layer of synthetic material to ensure that the one or more degradable polymeric particles are incorporated into the layer of synthetic material.

1 . A synthetic slip-resistant floor-covering material comprising a layer of synthetic material which contains one or more degradable polymeric particles wherein the one or more degradable polymeric particles comprise:
 (a) one or more hard degradable polymeric particles which have a hardness which is greater than the hardness of the layer of synthetic material; and optionally   (b) one or more soft degradable polymeric particles which have a hardness which is the same as or less than the hardness of the layer of synthetic material; and   
       wherein the one or more hard degradable polymeric particles comprise one or more exposed hard degradable polymeric particles which are exposed at an upper surface of the synthetic floor-covering material to provide slip-resistance. 
     
     
         2 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  which has a layer of one or more hard degradable polymeric particles which are partially embedded in an upper surface of the floor-covering material. 
     
     
         3 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the one or more hard degradable polymeric particles comprise one or more degradable polymeric particles which are entirely embedded in a layer of synthetic material. 
     
     
         4 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the one or more degradable polymeric particles are transparent or partially opaque. 
     
     
         5 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the one or more hard degradable polymeric particles are formed from a polyester. 
     
     
         6 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein one or more soft degradable polymeric particles are entirely embedded in a layer of synthetic material. 
     
     
         7 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein one or more soft degradable polymeric particles comprise one or more decorative soft degradable polymeric particles. 
     
     
         8 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein one or more soft degradable polymeric particles are formed from a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or an acrylic copolymer. 
     
     
         9 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the one or more degradable polymeric particles may have a principal dimension of from 15% to 90% of the thickness of the layer of synthetic material. 
     
     
         10 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of synthetic material and the one or more degradable polymeric particles are pigmented. 
     
     
         11 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the one or more degradable polymeric particles is formed from a polymer which has a melting point greater than 120° C. 
     
     
         12 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  which comprises a protective coating layer on an upper surface of the layer of synthetic material to form an upper layer of the floor-covering material. 
     
     
         13 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  which additionally includes one or more of the following layers: a foamed layer, a support layer, a decorative layer, a topcoat layer, and/or an external protective coating layer. 
     
     
         14 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  which is in the form of a luxury vinyl tile comprising a decorative layer and wherein the layer of synthetic material is provided on an upper surface of the decorative layer and wherein the layer of synthetic material is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         15 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of synthetic material includes one or more partial degradable polymeric particles. 
     
     
         16 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of synthetic material is pigmented or is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         17 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of synthetic material is a wear layer. 
     
     
         18 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 1  wherein the one or more hard degradable polymeric particles and/or the one or more soft degradable polymeric particles are biodegradable, oxidatively degradable, UV-degradable, and/or thermally degradable. 
     
     
         19 . A method of preparing a synthetic floor-covering which method comprises the steps of:
 Providing a layer of synthetic material;   Applying the one or more degradable polymeric particles to the layer of synthetic material; and   Applying pressure to the layer of synthetic material to ensure that the one or more degradable polymeric particles are incorporated into the layer of synthetic material.   
     
     
         20 . The method of preparing a synthetic floor-covering as defined in  claim 19  which method comprises the step of: applying a protective coating layer wherein this step is carried out after the step of applying pressure to the layer of synthetic material. 
     
     
         21 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 10  wherein the pigment of the one or more degradable polymeric particles is the same as the pigment for the layer of synthetic material. 
     
     
         22 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 14  which comprises a lower foamed layer. 
     
     
         23 . The floor-covering material as defined in  claim 14  which has a substantially smooth cut edge.