Architectural laminate panel with embedded compressible objects and methods for making the same
US7550057B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/31797
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A decorative laminate panel comprises compressible objects embedded inside, wherein the compressible objects would be flattened in unnatural shapes under conventional processes. For example, an exemplary decorative laminate product comprises thatch reed, willow reed, bamboo, weeds, grasses, twigs and branches of a tree or bush, beans, and so forth. In at least one exemplary implementation of the present invention, an extruded sheet, such as PETG or polycarbonate, is softened and melted around the compressible materials such that the compressible materials do not deform. Imperfections in the decorative laminate panel can be easily removed, thereby allowing for producing a high quality decorative laminate panel with high efficiency and relatively low cost compared with conventional methods and materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.