BE1024706B1 - FLOOR COVERING - Google Patents

Abstract

Floor covering, said floor covering (1) comprising at least two adjacent decorative elements (2) adhered to a subfloor (4) by means of a Velcro connection (5), characterized in that the floor covering (1) is furthermore one or more has a combination of two or more of the following properties: the property that the respective decorative elements (2-2A) press against each other at their adjacent edges (16); - the property that the aforementioned Velcro connection (5) is out of its resting state; - the property that the relevant decorative elements (2) have a profiling (22) at their adjacent edges (16), whereby an overlap (23) is achieved between the relevant edges (16); - the property that the relevant decorative elements (2) have a lower edge region (25) at their adjacent edges (16).

Description

(30) Priority data:

(73) Holder (s):

UNILIN BVBA 8710, WIELSBEKE Belgium (72) Inventor (s):

MEERSSEMAN Laurent 8500 KORTRIJK Belgium (54) FLOOR CLADDING (57) Floor covering, this floor covering (1) comprising at least two adjacent decorative elements (2) adhered to a subfloor (4) by means of a Velcro connection (5), thereby characterized in that the floor covering (1) furthermore has one or a combination of two or more of the following properties: - the property that the respective decorative elements (2-2A) press against each other at their adjoining edges (16); - the property that the aforementioned velcro connection (5) is out of its resting state; - the property that the respective decorative elements (2) have a profiling (22) at their adjacent edges (16), whereby an overlap (23) is achieved between the respective edges (16); - the property that the

decorative elements (2) have a lower edge region (25) at their adjacent edges (16).

BELGIAN INVENTION PATENT

FPS Economy, K.M.O., Self-employed & Energy

Intellectual Property Office

Publication number: 1024706 Filing number: BE2016 / 5761

International classification: E04F 15/02 Date of issue: 06/06/2018

The Minister of Economy,

Having regard to the Paris Convention of 20 March 1883 for the Protection of Industrial Property;

Having regard to the Law of March 28, 1984 on inventive patents, Article 22, for patent applications filed before September 22, 2014;

Having regard to Title 1 Invention Patents of Book XI of the Economic Law Code, Article XI.24, for patent applications filed from September 22, 2014;

Having regard to the Royal Decree of 2 December 1986 on the filing, granting and maintenance of inventive patents, Article 28;

In view of the application for an invention patent received by the Intellectual Property Office on 11/10/2016.

Whereas for patent applications that fall within the scope of Title 1, Book XI, of the Code of Economic Law (hereinafter WER), in accordance with Article XI.19, § 4, second paragraph, of the WER, the granted patent will be limited. to the patent claims for which the novelty search report was prepared, when the patent application is the subject of a novelty search report indicating a lack of unity of invention as referred to in paragraph 1, and when the applicant does not limit his filing and does not file a divisional application in accordance with the search report.

Decision:

Article 1

UNILIN BVBA, Ooigemstraat 3, 8710 WIELSBEKE Belgium;

represented by

SCHACHT Benny, Ooigemstraat 3, 8710, WIELSBEKE;

VAN HOOYDONCK Guy, Ooigemstraat 3, 8710, WIELSBEKE;

a Belgian invention patent with a term of 20 years, subject to payment of the annual fees as referred to in Article XI.48, § 1 of the Code of Economic Law, for: FLOORING.

INVENTOR (S):

MEERSSEMAN Laurent, Beeklaan 33, 8500, KORTRIJK;

PRIORITY:

BREAKDOWN:

Split from basic application: Filing date of the basic application:

Article 2. - This patent is granted without prior investigation into the patentability of the invention, without warranty of the Merit of the invention, nor of the accuracy of its description and at the risk of the applicant (s).

Brussels, 06/06/2018,

With special authorization:

BE2016 / 5761

Floor covering.

This invention relates to a floor covering.

More specifically, the invention relates to a floor covering composed of two or more decorative elements, such as floor panels.

Such floor coverings are widely known, for example from WO 97/47834. The floor panels disclosed there relate, inter alia, to laminate floor panels in which they are provided at their edges with mechanical coupling parts which allow the laminate floor panels to be assembled into a cohesive floating floor covering.

EP 1 938 963 discloses panels for a floating floor covering which mainly consist of soft PVC. This concerns so-called LVT (“Luxury Vinyl Tile”) panels, which are also provided with mechanical coupling means on their edges. It is also known to glue thin LVT strips next to each other on the substrate to realize a floor covering. The aforementioned panels and strips present Problems when one panel needs to be replaced from the floor covering and, especially in the case of the aforementioned glued strips, complete removal or replacement of the floor covering is time consuming. In the case of a floating floor covering made of LVT elements, problems can arise with local heating of the floor covering, for example when direct sunlight falls near a window. Expansion of the elements can take place in these places. The limited stiffness of the decorative elements ensures that the floor covering can be curved locally.

From US 2010 / 285,268, CN 203080865 U and CN 103321383 A floor coverings are known with decorative elements which are adhered to a subfloor by means of a Velcro connection, better known under the brand name Velcro. As is well known, it concerns a Velcro connection

BE2016 / 5761, for example, a connection between two textiles, namely a textile that forms a so-called loop side, with small hairy loops, and a textile that forms a hook side, whereby the small hairy loops can mechanically hook onto the hook side. Variants with two interlocking hook sides are also known. Although such a system allows a complete removal or replacement of the floor covering in a simple manner, the quality of the installation leaves much to be desired. The Velcro allows a certain movement of the panels by deformation of the hooks and / or loops. This concerns a limited freedom of shearing or shearing flexibility, as a result of which the panels can be moved a short distance in the plane of the floor covering relative to the subfloor, which can lead to gaps in the floor covering and / or give rise to unpleasant walking comfort.

The present invention primarily contemplates an alternative floor covering which provides a solution to one or more of the Problems with prior art floor coverings.

To this end, the invention relates to a floor covering, wherein this floor covering comprises at least two adjacent decorative elements which are adhered to one. 2 0 subfloor by means of a Velcro connection or other connection that shows a shear freedom or shear flexibility, characterized in that the floor covering furthermore exhibits one or a combination of two or more of the following properties:

- the property that the respective decorative elements are adjacent to them

Press the edges together;

- the property that the connection in question is out of its idle state;

- the property that the respective decorative elements have a profiling at their adjoining edges, whereby an overlap between the respective edges is achieved;

- the property that the respective decorative elements have a lower edge area at their adjoining edges.

BE2016 / 5761

The aforementioned properties each individually, as well as in combination of two or more, offer either a solution for the inherent freedom of movement in shear direction, for example with a Velcro connection, or a solution for the undesired side effects when such movements occur. The invention makes it possible to obtain a more high-quality floor covering without having to change the prior art Velcro connections or other connections which allow a similar freedom of movement in the shearing direction.

By having the decorative elements press against each other at their adjoining edges, for example, the hook-loop interaction in the Velcro connection can be tensioned, such that when the decorative elements move away from each other only a limited or no movement more is possible in the Velcro connection. Movement towards each other is also limited by pressing the floor panels together.

Because the aforementioned connection is out of its rest state, this connection tends to return to the rest state. This return effect is preferably always oriented such that the adjacent decorative elements tend towards one another. Obviously, this property is eminently achievable in a Velcro connection where the hook-loop interaction or hook-hook interaction, as appropriate, is tensioned as described above.

By providing the decorative elements with a profiling at their adjoining edges, whereby an overlap between the respective edges is achieved, the possible development of through gaps between the relevant edges can be prevented. Examples of possible embodiments of such overlapping edges are available, for example, in WO 2005/068747. It is preferably an overlap that is separate from any mechanical coupling between the relevant elements. Preferably, such overlapping is in the aforementioned profiling above a tongue-in-groove coupling, where such coupling is present. In case a tongue-in-groove coupling is present,

BE2016 / 5761 it is preferably the tooth panel which is overlapped at its top edge with the groove panel.

By providing the decorative elements with a lower edge area at their adjoining edges, a gap can be hidden to some extent. Such lower-lying edge areas are preferably carried out by providing a bevel on both adjacent edges, such that a so-called V-groove is formed in the floor covering. According to an alternative, it is also possible to work with a U-groove by providing one or both adjacent edges with a straight groove. Preferably, the lower peripheral regions are designed as described in WO 01/96688 or in WO 2012/004701.

The decorative elements are preferably provided with lowered edge areas on at least two opposite edges thereof. In the case of elongated panels, this is preferably at least on the long pair of edges. It is certainly not excluded that the short pair of edges would also be worked with lowered edge areas.

It is clear that decorative elements that press against each other and at the same time have an overlap and / or a lowered edge area limit the risk of the formation of crevices and, if they do occur, mask such crevices.

As an alternative to a Velcro connection, in the context of the present invention, use can also be made of a connection by means of so-called PSAs (Pressure Sensitive Adhesives), or a connection by means of butyl rubber, or a connection by means of hot-melt adhesive, for example based on thermoplastic polyurethane, preferably with a glass transition temperature below 45 ° C, such that these hot melt adhesives show a certain flexibility at room temperature. Preferably, the compound used in the context of the present invention concerns a compound with a limited peeling strength, for instance less than 25 N / cm ² , such that a removal of one or more elements

BE2016 / 5761 can be easily implemented. Preferably, the joint used in the context of the present invention relates to a joint with at least a moderate tensile strength, for example a tensile strength greater than 1 N / cm ² , such that, taking into account the surface area of the elements, still a considerable holding force is obtained, for example, in cases where the floor covering tends to curve or to come out of the floor surface in some other way.

Preferably, the connection allows shear freedom in the range of 0.05 millimeters to 1 millimeter, and more preferably between 0.15 and 0.5 millimeters.

Preferably, the aforementioned decorative elements are rectangular and elongated. Preferably, several rows of the respective decorative elements, for example in a wild bond, are placed to form the aforementioned floor covering.

Preferably, the aforementioned decorative elements consist of so-called LVT panels or tiles. Such elements comprise at least a substrate layer of thermoplastic material, preferably soft PVC, with a printed pattern applied to it. The pattern can be on a thermoplastic film, for example a PVC film, and / or is further finished with a transparent wear layer, for instance also made of PVC.

Preferably, the aforementioned decorative elements comprise at least a reinforcing layer, preferably in the form of a glass fiber layer. Such a reinforcement layer prevents an excessive response to temperature changes, local heating, and the like, thereby further minimizing the risk of cracking and / or caving of the floor covering.

Preferably, the aforementioned decorative elements on the aforementioned adjacent edges are free from mechanical locking parts which would prevent movement of the decorative elements away from each other, such as free from so-called hook or drop connections according to DE 20222022 U1. This embodiment allows for simple fabrication, and allows to limit the thickness of the elements.

BE2016 / 5761

Preferably, the aforementioned decorative elements on the aforementioned adjacent edges are free from mechanical coupling parts which would prevent a relative movement in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor coverings, such as free from a so-called tongue-and-groove coupling.

It is clear that the absence of mechanical coupling parts and / or locking parts is not an essential part of the present invention and that embodiments which do have tongue-in-groove connections and / or hook connections can also have advantages within the scope of the present invention. For example, a tongue-in-groove connection can achieve a more reliable height alignment between the decorative elements, such that the compressibility of the Velcro connection in its thickness direction, which could lead to height differences between the adjacent edges, can be absorbed at least to some extent. .

The decorative elements preferably have a thickness of 4 millimeters or less, but preferably nevertheless more than 2 millimeters. Such thickness is insufficient to provide a reliable mechanical coupling system. According to the prior art, panels of such thickness are only glued to the substrate. The present invention now provides a system that allows reliable installation of such thin elements without the use of glue.

Preferably, the aforementioned subfloor has an area which is larger than the area of the aforementioned two decorative elements. At least the relevant underlay preferably bridges the seam between the respective two decorative elements.

It is clear that the aforementioned subfloor preferably forms either a loop side or a hook side of the aforementioned Velcro, and that preferably a hook side or a loop side is formed on the underside of the respective decorative elements.

BE2016 / 5761

The aforementioned subfloor may consist of adjacent strips of either a loop side or a hook side of the aforementioned Velcro. Such strips, for example, consist of a technical textile material which has the aforementioned hook or loop side. The aforementioned strips are preferably fixed to the substrate, for example by means of an adhesive connection. According to an alternative, said subfloor comprises adjacent panels, wherein on the surface of these panels, either a loop side or a hook side of the aforementioned Velcro is provided. It is preferred to work with rigid panels. Preferably the bending stiffness of these panels is at least greater, preferably at least twice as great as the bending stiffness of the decorative elements which are attached to them by means of the Velcro connection. The subfloor panels can, for example, be based on a wood-based board, such as chipboard or wood fiber board (MDF or HDF). At their edges, the panels of the subfloor may be provided with mechanical coupling parts on at least two opposite edges, for example of the type which provides for interlocking between two such panels in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels and in a direction in the plane of the panels and perpendicular to the respective edges. Such a subfloor has the ability to bridge limited unevenness of the subfloor, so that it cannot penetrate or otherwise continue to the surface of the floor covering. In addition, due to their greater bending stiffness, the panels can suppress any tendency of the decorative elements to bulge. The panels of the subfloor preferably form a floating whole, or, in other words, they are loosely positioned on the actual substrate.

As aforementioned, the decorative elements may comprise a substrate and a top layer applied thereto, said top layer comprising a printed decor and a transparent wear layer. The aforementioned printed decor may consist of a print formed directly on the aforementioned underlayer or of a thermoplastic film bearing a printed decor. The printed decor can show a wood motif or a motif of natural stone. Fantasy motifs or combinations of the aforementioned motifs are of course not excluded.

BE2016 / 5761

In general it is noted that the aforementioned properties can be combined in the same floor covering, and may or may not be cumulated on the same adjacent edges. According to a particular example, the decorative elements have at least the aforementioned overlap and / or lower edge area on their long edges, while at least the aforementioned pressing against each other is used on the short edges.

It is further noted that the aforementioned decorative elements need not necessarily be panel-shaped, but may also consist of strip-shaped material, as may be the case, for example, with wall-to-wall carpet, vinyl or linoleum.

It is clear that the above-mentioned connection does not necessarily have to extend over the entire surface of the floor covering, but can also occur locally, preferably such that every decorative element of the floor covering is on the substrate or subfloor by means of the relevant connection. confirmed. For this, in the case of a Velcro connection, either the loop side or the hook side or both can be used discontinuously.

With the insight to better demonstrate the features of the invention, some preferred embodiments are described below, by way of example without any limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows in perspective a part of a floor covering with the features of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a larger cross-section along the line Π-ΙΙ shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 in the same view illustrates the freedom of movement in the employed Velcro connection;

Figure 4 shows a variant in the same view as Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along line V-V shown in Figure 1;

BE2016 / 5761

Figure 6 shows how a floor covering with the features of the invention can be obtained;

Figures 7 to 9 show variants in a similar manner to that of figure 5.

Figure 1 shows a floor covering 1 comprising adjacent decorative elements 2. The decorative elements 2 are rectangular and elongated, and are placed in several rows 3, in a wild bond, to form the aforementioned floor covering 1. The decorative elements 2 are hereby adhered to the subfloor 4 by means of a connection 5 which provides a certain flexibility or allows freedom of movement in the directions H1, H2 in the horizontal plane.

Figures 2 and 3 show that the aforementioned connection 5 in this case concerns a Velcro connection, wherein a hook side 6 is provided on the substrate 7. The hook side 6 can lie loosely on the substrate 7 or can be glued on it. In the example, the hook side 6 is provided in adjacent strips 8 of a textile material.

Figure 3 shows an object 9 which is provided on its underside 10 with a textile material which forms a loop side 11 for the Velcro connection. The loops hook into the aforementioned hook side 6 which is arranged on the substrate 7. The effected Velcro connection 5 allows freedom of movement, inter alia over a distance S in the shear direction H1 in the plane, as shown by the dashed line

12. When moving over this distance S no significant counteracting force arises.

Figure 4 shows an alternative in which the subfloor 4 consists of adjacent panels 13 which fit together by means of a locking tongue-in-groove coupling 14 and wherein the above hook side 6 of the Velcro connection is arranged on the surface of each panel. In the shown case these are panels 13 with a core 15 of MDF or HDF material, which are provided loosely on the substrate 7 and form a floating whole.

BE2016 / 5761

Figure 5 clearly shows that the connection 5 of the invention in this case is designed as a Velcro connection, wherein the subfloor 4 is provided with the so-called hook side 6, and the decorative elements 2 on their underside 10 are provided with the so-called loop side 11. It is clear, however, that the hook and loop side 6-11 can be interchanged and that the same or at least similar advantages can be achieved. Moreover, it is clear that in the context of the invention another connection can be used which also allows some freedom of movement in one or more shearing directions. In order to limit or eliminate the aforementioned freedom of movement, the floor covering 1 further has the property that the decorative elements 4, in this case at least on their long edges 16, press against each other. This is shown here with reference to the arrows 17. The tensioning force has been obtained in part because the Velcro connection in the installed state of the decorative elements 2 has been brought out of its rest state, or in other words has been tensioned to some extent. Preferably, the Velcro connection 5 is in a position in which it has moved out of the rest position at least the aforementioned maximum distance S, so that the tension obtained is preferably maximally effective.

Figure 6 shows how the situation of Figure 5 could be obtained, by initially presenting the decorative element 2A to be installed with a certain overlap T with an adjacent element 2. A laying aid 18 can for instance be used for this. Then, the element 2A to be installed can then be slid to some extent, as shown by the arrow 19, to position the adjacent edges 16 of the adjacent elements 2-2A side by side in the plane of the floor covering 1. The Velcro connection is herein 5 moved out of its rest state under the element 2A to be installed. Preferably, the aforementioned overlap T is at least 80% of the aforementioned maximum distance S, and even better, the overlap T is at least equal to the distance S. In the fully installed state, shown in figure 5, some tension is then created at the adjacent edges. 16 of the decorative elements 2-2A.

BE2016 / 5761

Figure 6 also clearly shows that flexible decorative elements 2-2A have been used in the example. More specifically, so-called LVT panels are illustrated here, which comprise a core 20 of soft PVC and which have a top layer 21 on the surface with a decorative layer and a translucent or transparent wear layer applied thereon.

Figure 7 shows the property in which the decorative elements 2 have a profiling 22 at their adjacent edges 16, whereby an overlap 23 between the respective edges 16 is achieved. In this case, such profiling 22 is illustrated on the long edges 16. It goes without saying that such profiling 22 may also be present on the short edges, optionally in combination with a similar profiling on the long edges. Figure 7 further shows that in the core 20 of the decorative elements 2 a glass fiber layer 24 has been applied with a view to further stabilizing the elements 2, which in this case also consist of the aforementioned LVT panels.

Figure 8 shows the property in which the decorative elements 2 have a lower edge region 25 at their adjacent edges 16. In this case, the lower edge region 25 is designed as a chamfer or chamfer, such that in the final floor covering 1 a V-groove is obtained at the adjacent edges 16. For this purpose, at the location of the relevant edges 16, a part of the material is removed from the top layer 21 to the core 20 of the LVT panels. The resulting surface is provided with a separate decorative layer 26, for example on the basis of lacquer, paint or other coloring agent.

Figure 9 shows another example in which a pressing of the adjacent edges 16 against each other is achieved. In this case, the relevant edges 16 also have profilings 22 which comprise mechanical locking parts 27 in the form of a hook connection or drop connection. By means of the locking parts 27, the risk of the decorative elements 2 moving away from each other in the horizontal direction H1 is further limited. The edges 16 shown are free from

BE2016 / 5761 mechanical coupling parts that would prevent a relative movement in a direction VI perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering 1.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above-described embodiments, but such floor coverings can be realized in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention.

BE2016 / 5761

Claims (11)

Conclusions. Floor covering, wherein this floor covering (1) comprises at least two adjacent decorative elements (2) which are adhered to a subfloor (4) by means of a Velcro connection (5), characterized in that the floor covering (1) is further exhibits one or a combination of two or more of the following properties: - the property that the respective decorative elements (2-2A) press against each other at their adjacent edges (16); - the property that the aforementioned velcro connection (5) is out of its resting state; - the property that the respective decorative elements (2) have a profiling (22) at their adjacent edges (16), whereby an overlap (23) is achieved between the respective edges (16); - the property that the respective decorative elements (2) have a lower edge region (25) at their adjacent edges (16). Floor covering according to claim 1, characterized in that the above-mentioned decorative elements (2) are rectangular and elongated. Floor covering according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the above-mentioned decorative elements (2) consist of so-called LVT panels or tiles. Floor covering according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said decorative elements (2) at the said adjacent edges (16) are free from mechanical locking parts (27) which move away from the decorative elements (2) from each other would occur. Floor covering according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the above-mentioned decorative elements (2) at the aforementioned adjacent edges BE2016 / 5761 (16) are free from mechanical coupling parts that would prevent relative movement in a direction (VI) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1). Floor covering according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decorative elements (2) have a thickness of less than 4 millimeters. Floor covering according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said subfloor (4) has an area larger than the area of said two decorative elements (2) together. Floor covering according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said subfloor (4) forms either the loop side (11) or the hook side (6) of the aforementioned Velcro connection (5), and that the hook side (6), the lust side (11) is respectively formed on the underside (10) of the respective decorative 15 elements (2). Floor covering according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said subfloor (4) consists of adjacent strips (8) of either the loop side (11) or the hook side (6) of the aforementioned Velcro connection (5). 2 0 exists. Floor covering according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said subfloor (4) comprises adjacent panels (13), the surface of these panels (13) being either the loop side (11) or the hook side (6) of the The aforementioned Velcro connection (5) is attached. BE2016 / 5761 BE2016 / 5761 T BE2016 / 5761 BE2016 / 5761 Floor covering. Floor covering, wherein this floor covering (1) comprises at least two adjacent 5 decorative elements (2) which are adhered to a subfloor (4) by means of a Velcro connection (5), characterized in that the floor covering (1) furthermore comprises one or exhibits a combination of two or more of the following properties: - the property that the respective decorative elements (2-2A) are with them 10 pressing adjacent edges (16) together; - the property that the aforementioned velcro connection (5) is out of its resting state; - the property that the respective decorative elements (2) have a profiling (22) at their adjacent edges (16) with an overlap 15 (23) is reached between the respective edges (16); - the property that the respective decorative elements (2) have a lower edge region (25) at their adjoining edges (16).