US Patent 8216659 Spring-like textured composite floorcovering

The present invention concerns a textured floorcovering composite comprising a highly conformable fibrous outer layer 101 and an optional porous and resilient backing layer 102 that are continually, contiguously, or continuously attached to an activated adhesive layer 103 along a three-dimensional, undulating interface. The undulations correspond to depressed and elevated areas on the surface of the composite. Such a composite can be fabricated if its precursor is subjected to heat and pressure for a finite length time, provided that the applied pressure is relatively low, preferably under about 200 psi. The textured composite can be used as a floorcovering that advantageously resists warping and remains insensitive to variations in ambient temperature and humidity, including exposure to water.