Importance

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Abstract

Artistic tile designs are mass produced with precut tile pieces from commercially available square tile units. An initial tile design is created with the tile pieces to serve as a pattern. Thereafter the tile designs are reproduced by placing a transparent, semi-transparent or translucent sheet-type substrate or backing over the initial design, and by securing matching tile pieces to the substrate, as viewed through the substrate. The substrate is of the type that is sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain its shape while handled. The tile design can be repeated on the reverse side of the substrate using the design on the front side as the pattern to provide a double-sided design. If an opaque substrate is to be used, the front faces of the tile pieces are temporarily secured to a readily removable substrate, and the adhesive is thereafter applied to the back of the tile pieces to be permanently mounted. Further, the tile design can create a mold, and the tile design can be recreated with the use of the mold. The adhesive used is flexible to minimize stress due to substrate flex and temperature changes. Added strength for the bond is provided by allowing the adhesive to flow through holes in the substrate while maintaining its flexibility.

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First Claim