Underlayment articles, compositions, and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure provides, among other things, articles useful as an underlayment material that makes floor tile installation easier and faster.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An underlayment system for flooring, comprising:
 a cellulosic layer for positioning atop a subfloor; and   a layer of double sided tape comprising a subfloor side adhesive, an interliner, and a design floor covering side adhesive,   wherein the subfloor side adhesive of the double sided tape layer is applied to a top side of the cellulosic layer, and   wherein the layer of double sided tape is applied such that there is a pullback exposing the cellulosic layer at an edge of the cellulosic layer, so that when seam tape is applied along the edge of two adjacent cellulosic layers connecting the layers, the layers are substantially planar.   
     
     
         2 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic layer is felt. 
     
     
         3 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 1 , wherein the pullback is greater than one half of a width of seam tape. 
     
     
         4 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 1 , wherein a layer of sound abatement material is positioned between the subfloor and the cellulosic layer. 
     
     
         5 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 1 , wherein the sound abatement layer is foam. 
     
     
         6 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 1 , wherein the underlayment system is characterized in that there is no adhesive drying time. 
     
     
         7 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 1 , wherein the underlayment system comprises a release liner with a release coating removably applied to the design floor covering side adhesive layer. 
     
     
         8 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic layer is coated on at least one side. 
     
     
         9 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 8 , wherein the coating on the cellulosic layer is characterized in that it provides adhesion. 
     
     
         10 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 8 , wherein the coating on the cellulosic layer is characterized in that it imparts waterproofing. 
     
     
         11 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic layer is about 23 mil. 
     
     
         12 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 7 , wherein the system is characterized in that it is capable of being rolled so that it is easy to store and apply. 
     
     
         13 . The underlayment system for flooring of  claim 1 , wherein the system is characterized in that it provides an impact insulation class rating of about 58. 
     
     
         14 . A method of using an underlayment system for flooring, wherein the underlayment system for flooring, comprises a cellulosic layer for positioning atop a subfloor; and a layer of double sided tape comprising a subfloor side adhesive, an interliner, and a design floor covering side adhesive, wherein the subfloor side adhesive of the double sided tape layer is applied to a top side of the cellulosic layer, and wherein the layer of double sided tape is applied such that there is a pullback exposing the cellulosic layer at an edge of the cellulosic layer, the method comprising steps of:
 positioning a first cellulosic layer on the subfloor;   positioning a second cellulosic layer on the subfloor adjacent to the first layer; and   applying seam tape along the exposed edges of two adjacent cellulosic layers to connect adjacent layers so that the layers are substantially planar.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cellulosic layer is felt. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning a layer of sound abatement material is positioned between the subfloor and the cellulosic layer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cellulosic layer is cork. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the positioning step comprises first coating the cellulosic layer with an adhesive layer, a waterproof layer, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the underlayment system comprises a release liner with a release coating removably applied to the design flooring side adhesive layer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the positioning step comprises removing the release liner.