Patent ID: 8309231

Claim:
An acoustical tile comprising a core and a surface treatment, wherein the surface treatment comprises a surface treatment composition that is applied to the core, and wherein the surface treatment composition prior to drying comprises: from about 30 to about 50 weight % solvent; from about 40 to about 60 weight % filler; from about 2 to about 15 weight % TiO 2 ; from about 2 to about 20 weight % formaldehyde-free and non-formaldehyde-emitting latex; from about 0.25 to about 1.00 weight % dispersant; from about 0.01 to about 1.00 weight % formaldehyde-free and non-formaldehyde-emitting thickener, wherein the formaldehyde-free and non-formaldehyde-emitting thickener is selected from the group consisting of methyl cellulose, methylhydroxycellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and soy-protein derived polymers, or combinations thereof; from about 0.10 to about 1.00 weight % surfactant; from about 0.05 to about 0.50 weight % defoamer; and from about 0.01 to about 1.50 weight % formaldehyde-free and non-formaldehyde-emitting biocide, and wherein the acoustical tile is formaldehyde-free and does not emit formaldehyde.