Patent ID: 7425359

Claim:
A textured composite material having a surface area and comprising a continuous or integral fibrous outer layer and a contiguous adhesive layer, wherein the continuous or integral fibrous outer layer is formed from a fabric that is initially arranged substantially parallel to the contiguous adhesive layer, wherein the surface area comprises depressed areas and elevated areas, wherein the fibers of the fibrous outer layer in the depressed areas are anchored in the adhesive layer and wherein at least some of the fibers on the outer surface of the fibrous outer layer in the elevated areas are unbonded to the adhesive layer, wherein after the depressed and elevated areas are formed the fibrous outer layer and the top and bottom surfaces of the adhesive layer are non-planar and follow substantially the same contour, wherein a combined density of the fibrous outer layer and the adhesive layer in the depressed areas is at least about 0.7g/cm 3 , wherein a lateral distance between adjacent depressed areas in at least one direction is from about 1.5 mm to about 10 mm, wherein the elevation of the elevated area, D, is greater than the thickness of fibrous layer, T f , in the elevated area, and wherein the textured composite material is useable as a floor cover.