Patent ID: 7550057

Claim:
A process of embedding decorative compressible objects within translucent resin sheets by softening and melting the translucent resin sheets about the compressible objects, such that the resultant laminate panel portrays the aesthetic characteristics of the embedded compressible objects, comprising: softening a laminate assembly by holding the laminate assembly at a first pressure and heating the laminate assembly at a first temperature until first and second translucent extruded sheets surrounding decorative compressible objects begin to soften and melt around the compressible objects, and do not crush the compressible objects in a first step; wherein the first pressure is between about 5 psi and about 10 psi, and the first temperature comprises a temperature of up to 300° F.; further softening and melting the laminate assembly at a second pressure and temperature such that the compressible objects become enveloped by the first and second extruded sheets without being crushed in a second step, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure; and pressing the laminate assembly at a third pressure and temperature, wherein the third pressure is greater than the second pressure.