EA043710B1 - TILE PANEL, SURFACE COATING OF MULTIPLE SUCH TILE PANELS FOR A FLOOR, CEILING OR WALL SURFACE - Google Patents

Description

Field of technology to which the present invention relates

The present invention relates to a decorative tile panel. Moreover, the present invention relates to a surface covering for a floor, ceiling or wall surface, which consists of a plurality of adjacent panels according to the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many centuries, the traditional method of applying a surface coating consisting of adjacent tiles to each other has been widely used, involving the application of a cement layer to the surface, followed by laying and fixing the tiles on this cement layer in such a way that the surface coating forms a certain pattern. In this traditional approach, mortar is additionally poured between the adjacent side edges of adjacent tile panels to fill the spatial gap between the adjacent side edges, the filled gaps being commonly referred to as a tile joint. These tile joints are visible as slightly recessed grouted joints that are located between the adjacent top surfaces of adjacent tiles.

As an alternative to the traditional method of applying a tile covering, it has been proposed in the art to develop a tile panel that has a top surface made of a synthetic material having properties similar to those of a conventionally used tile material, such as a ceramic material. Once such tile panels are placed close together and adhered to the surface, a covering of adjacent tiles can be formed by another practical method that does not require cement or mortar. Typically, the adjacent side edges of these adjacent tile panels are laid end-to-end relative to each other, and they may be provided with interlocking connecting profiles. Thus, you can do without applying mortar in the form of imitation tile joints.

However, to imitate the overall appearance of traditional tile flooring, it has recently been proposed to provide the side edges of a tile panel with a simulated tile joint by milling a rectangular groove on the top surface of the tile panel that runs along the side edge of the tile panel.

The disadvantage of the imitation tile joint known from the prior art is that the appearance of this imitation tile joint has in some aspects negative features. Firstly, the recess is characterized by an upward facing groove surface consisting of flat surfaces that are located at an angle to each other, and this leads to the fact that such a recess gives the imitation tile joint an artificial appearance and unnatural tactile sensation in comparison with traditionally molded tile joints. seam Secondly, at the interface between the adjacent side edges of adjacent tile panels, a visible seam remains, which divides the imitation tile joint into two halves, and this worsens the overall appearance of the imitation tile joint, which ideally should look like one continuous body of mortar , which fills the gap between two adjacent panels.

Brief Disclosure of the Present Invention

The purpose of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art by developing a new tile panel having improved properties, in particular in terms of the presence of a simulated tile joint.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by providing a decorative tile panel suitable for covering a floor, ceiling or wall surface, the tile panel comprising:

at least one inner layer;

at least one decorative top portion attached directly or indirectly to said inner layer or integrated into said inner layer, the top portion defining a top surface of the tile panel; and a plurality of side edges at least partially defined by said inner layer and/or said top portion;

wherein the tile panel is provided with at least one imitation tile seam running along at least one side edge of the tile panel, which is formed by a grooved recess connected to the top surface of the panel, this recess extending along the side edge of the tile panel;

wherein the recess is characterized by having an upwardly facing recess surface, said recess surface being at least partially concave in a transverse direction of the recess. In a preferred embodiment, the upward facing surface of the recess is at least partially formed by a separate layer covering the seam.

Thus, the tile panel includes a tile joint characterized by the presence of at least a partially, and preferably substantially completely rounded (curved) recess surface that more closely resembles the surface inherent in a traditionally formed tile joint.

In this context, it should be noted that the top defines the uppermost surface of the tile panel, which may be either smooth or textured (eg, embossed, preferably embossed together with a decorative layer forming part of said top). This top surface, defined by the top portion, is connected to at least one recess, said top surface and the upwardly facing surface of the recess together forming a complete top surface of the tile panel. Even if the top surface of the top has a texture such as an embossed indentation, the maximum depth of the indentation generally exceeds the maximum depth of said indentations.

The recess may be formed, for example, by default at the design stage or by milling, cutting, printing (preferably digital) or any other abrasive processing method suitable for the purpose. Typically the recess is created by cutting, i.e. removal of part of the material during the production process. However, it is entirely possible to create a recess by default during the manufacturing process without having to remove some of the material later.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one recess is characterized by the presence of a deepest point spaced a certain distance from a corresponding side edge, wherein said deepest point is located closer to said side edge than to the top surface of the tile panel, and wherein the width of said recess is less than at least twice, and preferably three times, the maximum depth of said recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel. The deepest point may be a single deepest point, as shown in a cross-section of an excavation. The deepest point may also be the deepest zone, usually defined by the lower horizontal portion of the surface of the excavation, as can be seen in a cross-section of the excavation. In this case, it is quite acceptable that the excavation can be characterized by the presence of many deepest points distant from each other, as shown in the cross section of the excavation. Preferably, the width of said recess is at least three times, and preferably at least five times, and more preferably at least six times the maximum depth of said recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel. This results in, as seen in the transverse direction, an elongated, shallow recess, which usually has a positive effect on the cleaning ability of the recess, and this results in a relatively large visible recess surface that is attractive from an aesthetic point of view. Placing the deepest point at a certain distance from the side edge provides the advantage that moisture will be forced away from the side edge and, accordingly, away from the seam formed between two tile panels, and this will prevent moisture from flowing into the specified seam, which could stimulate the growth of microorganisms between the tile panels. Thus, locating the deepest point at a certain distance from the side edge is preferable from a hygienic point of view. Moreover, this orientation of the deepest point is usually also preferable from an aesthetic point of view.

Preferably, the deepest point of said recess divides the recess into an inner part of the recess connected to the top surface of the tile panel, and an outer part of the recess connected to the side edge of the tile panel, the width of the inner part of the recess being at least twice, and preferably equal to at least three times the width of the outer part of the recess. This provides an embodiment in which the deepest point is located closer to said side edge than to the top surface of the tile panel, and this provides a less steep (more gradual) transition from the top surface to the deepest point. Preferably, the maximum height of the interior portion of the recess relative to the deepest point is at least four times the maximum height of the exterior portion of the recess relative to the deepest point. This provides an embodiment in which the height of the outer part of the recess is limited, which makes the outer part of the recess less susceptible to damage.

Preferably, the at least one concave portion of the recess surface has a radius that increases towards the side edge. Preferably, the surface of the inner part of the recess is characterized by a radius that increases towards the deepest point. This allows a distinct transition line to be formed between the recess and the top surface of the tile panel while maintaining a limited recess depth. The thickness of the tile panel is preferably at least ten times the maximum depth of the recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel.

If a separate layer covering the seam is provided, it does not form an integral part of the inner layer or top, but is applied as a separate layer, usually during the manufacturing process or after completion of the manufacturing process. This separate joint layer is used to provide the tile joint with an attractive appearance, such as a gray mortar color or a darker color than the top to create a depth effect. Moreover, said separate joint layer usually has the function of protecting the sensitive underlying portion of the side edge of the tile panel. Thus, this separate seam layer may have, for example, higher scratch resistance (abrasion resistance) than the underlying layer and/or it may have better water repellency properties than the underlying side edge portion. A separate joint layer can cover only part of the recess, in particular, part of the curved portion of the recess (surface). However, for the reasons stated above, it is generally more preferable that substantially the entire curved surface of the recess is formed by a separate joint layer, and more preferably, substantially the entire surface of the recess is formed by a separate joint layer. Optionally, a separate layer covering the seam may not be provided. In this latter case, the upward facing surface of the recess is usually formed by either at least part of the top and/or the inner layer.

The individual seam layer is usually at least partially made from at least one material selected from the group consisting of the following materials:

a metal such as aluminum, which may be applied as a metal layer and/or as metal particles;

at least one thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester or polyethylene (PE); and/or at least one thermoplastic material such as polyurethane;

at least one at least partially curable resin, in particular at least partially curable ink and/or at least partially curable paint.

A single joint layer may be a monolithic layer (one continuous layer), or it may consist of multiple sublayers.

In a preferred embodiment, a separate joint layer is formed by the coating. Typically, the coating is applied in a liquid state using a roller or brush, and the paint is then cured (dried) with air and/or radiation, such as infrared radiation.

It is also quite acceptable, and perhaps also preferable, for the seam layer to be applied by transfer printing using a transfer film. In a preferred embodiment, this transfer film (transfer foil) is initially provided with a transferable digital printed image. This digital printed image is transferred into and onto the surface of the recess during transfer printing and forms at least a portion of the surface of the recess. The formation of a separate seam layer using image transfer printing can be realized in a fairly cost-effective manner, even in small-scale production.

In addition, the possibility of applying a separate seam layer in the form of a printed layer, in particular a digitally printed layer, cannot be ruled out. In this manner, a two-dimensional or even three-dimensional structure can be printed to form at least a portion of the surface of the recess, and optionally to give the recess a specific shape, texture, and/or thickness. Digital printing can create a raised (3D) structure, also called positive embossing. It is also entirely possible that an etching fluid can be applied to an already printed liquid base layer, resulting in the formation of indentations in the desired locations, which is called negative embossing. A combination of this positive embossing step and a (preferably sequential) negative embossing step is also quite suitable for forming the peripheral portion(s) of the coating structure. Thus, this printing process can be considered as a printing process that creates an embossed structure that essentially forms a recess.

The individual layer covering the seam is preferably characterized by a substantially constant thickness. However, it is also conceivable that this separate layer covering the seam may have a thickness that varies in the transverse direction of the recess. In this latter case, the layer covering the seam is responsible (primarily) for the final shape of the recess itself, as well as the upward facing surface of the recess.

Typically, a separate layer covering the seam is bonded to the top surface of the tile panel. Typically, a separate layer covering the seam is bonded to the side edge of the tile panel. The separate layer covering the seam may have a smooth top surface, which usually makes the seam easier to clean. It is also conceivable that the individual layer covering the seam may have a textured (fine or coarse grain) top surface. This textured surface gives simulated grout a more realistic appearance and tactile feel than traditional grout.

The separate layer covering the seam is usually glued to and/or welded to the underlying portion of the tile panel.

It is quite conceivable that at least a portion, for example one layer of the top part extends to the side edge where the grooved recess is formed. This leads to a situation where

- 3 043710 a separate joint layer is applied directly to the upper part (segment) located in the recess or under the recess. Although the entire top portion may extend entirely to the side edge, it is often preferable for the top portion to terminate at a certain distance from the side edge, or for only that portion of the top portion to extend to the side edge that has a reduced thickness relative to the overall thickness of the top portion. In this latter embodiment, there is usually one or two top layers extending to the side edge, such as a polymer layer (PVC layer) and optionally a decorative layer. Typically, the wear layer is spaced a certain distance from the specified side edge. This ensures that there is free space for effective formation of the recess. Where the entire top ends within a certain distance from the side edge, it is usually preferable for a separate joint layer to be applied directly to the underlying base (which is connected to the side edge).

Preferably, the upward facing surface of the recess is at least partially smoothly concave in the transverse direction of the recess. This means that the resulting curvature is a continuous curvature. This prevents sharp projections (discontinuity) from appearing on the recess surface, which improves the appearance of the curved recess surface. In a preferred embodiment, the upward facing surface of the recess is substantially completely concave in the transverse direction of the recess.

The deepest point of the at least one recess, defining the maximum depth of the recess (relative to the (highest) top surface of the top), may be located on the side edge or at a certain distance from the side edge. In this latter case, a more or less parabolic shape of the recess is formed. It is conceivable that the deepest point of the at least one recess may be located at a distance from a corresponding side edge, the deepest point being located closer to the side edge than to the top surface of the tile panel.

The curvature of at least one concave portion of the recess surface may be characterized by a constant radius. However, it is also entirely conceivable that the curvature of at least one concave portion of the recess surface may have a radius varying in the transverse direction. In a preferred embodiment, the radius of at least one concave portion of the recess surface increases towards the side edge. This results in a situation in which the recess surface has maximum curvature near the top surface of the top and less curvature towards the side edge. In this case, for example, it is conceivable that the portion of the recess surface connected to the side edge has little or no curvature, resulting in a substantially flat recess surface at the side edge. Preferably, at least a portion of the at least one concave portion of the recess surface has at least one radius of 3-7 mm, and preferably 4 or 5 mm. Preferably, the at least one concave portion of the surface of the recess has a radius (in millimeters) greater than the width (in millimeters) of the recess. Preferably, the width of the recess is less than 4.5 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the grooved recess is characterized by a substantially constant width (along its length), which is limited by the corresponding side edge of the tile panel. It is entirely acceptable for the width of the recess to vary (slightly) along its length, giving the recess a more natural appearance which would, for example, be attractive if the decorative top was to be patterned, such as a wood and/or stone structure.

The recess is provided with a beveled edge (sloping edge) located between the top surface of the top portion and the concave portion of the recess surface. This is also called (micro)bevel. This beveled edge is usually made flat and therefore straight. The beveled edge preferably forms an angle with the plane defined by the tile panel that lies in the range of 5-50°, preferably in the range of 5-45°. Typically, this (micro)bevel/(micro)bevels are provided to create a smooth transition between the top surface and the curved part of the recess, and often also to compensate for slight differences in height between panels and to prevent, as much as possible, the presence of unwanted sharp protrusions in order to improving the appearance and feel of a tile floor consisting of a plurality of tile panels according to the present invention. The width of this beveled edge is usually in the range of 0.05-2 mm, and preferably about 1 mm.

It is quite conceivable that at least one side edge may not be provided with a grooved recess. This non-recessed side edge may be provided with a beveled edge connecting to the top surface. By placing the recessed side edge of the first tile panel next to the non-recessed side edge of the tile panel, a (micro)beveled curved tile joint with an eccentrically located cutting line is created which is less visible to the human eye and therefore more aesthetically pleasing. Thus, the imitation tile joint is visible to the human eye as a solid body.

In a preferred embodiment, the tile panel is equipped with at least two inter-tile

- 4 043710 seams extending along at least two connecting side edges of the tile panel, each tile seam being formed by a grooved recess connected to the top surface of the tile panel, the recess extending along the side edge of the tile panel and characterized by a substantially constant width that is limited a corresponding side edge of the tile panel, wherein the recess is characterized by having an upwardly facing recess surface that is at least partially formed by a separate layer covering the seam, and wherein said recess surface is at least partially concave in a transverse direction of the recess. The connecting tile joints may be identical to each other or different from each other in terms of their shape and/or size.

Preferably, said seam covering layer comprises a wear sublayer and a decorative sublayer, wherein said wear layer is bonded to said top surface of the tile panel and comprises a substantially transparent material such that said decorative sublayer is visible through said wear layer. The decorative (sub)layer can be formed by a decorative layer obtained by digital printing. This decorative layer can be printed directly or indirectly (eg using an intermediate primer layer) on the inner layer. The decorative layer can also be formed by a film or foil with a decorative pattern. The decorative print or pattern may be of a variety of natures and may be presented, for example, in the form of imitation marble, imitation stone, imitation ceramic or imitation wood, or any other imaginable pattern or structure. Typically, the top also contains at least one intermediate layer, such as a polymer layer (eg, a PVC layer) and/or a reinforcing layer, such as a fiberglass layer (woven or non-woven).

Preferably, said top portion comprises a wear layer and a decorative layer, wherein said wear layer is made of a substantially transparent material such that said decorative layer is visible through said wear layer. It is also entirely conceivable that the top portion may contain at least one tile or be composed of at least one tile. These tiles can be made from cut natural stone, marble, concrete, limestone, granite, slate, glass, ceramic, wood or composite material. In particular, preference is given to ceramic materials, the type of which is selected from the group that includes ceramics such as Monokutura or Monoporosa (single fired), porcelain or ceramics obtained by multiple casting.

In one of the preferred embodiments of the claimed invention, the tile panel according to the present invention is essentially made of one or more plastic composites, such as wood-polymer composite and/or stone-polymer composite. These materials have proven to be highly suitable and acceptable alternatives to traditional tile materials such as marble, stone, ceramic or wood.

Preferably, in the tile panel of the present invention, the recess surface is characterized by a top texture resembling the top texture of a natural tile joint, preferably a coarse top texture. The surface texture of the recess may be a texture that has been roughened to some degree. This coarse texture can be obtained, for example, using a coarsening technique, such as mechanical brushing after or during the formation of the recess itself. The rough top texture of the groove surface provides the effect that the simulated tile joint appears to the human eye as a natural tile joint.

A separate layer covering the joint can be made of a material that has abrasion resistance and/or water-repellent properties, which further extend the life of the imitation tile joint. The coating layer is, for example, a thin film that is applied to the structure by transfer printing. The layer covering the seam is usually characterized by a thickness ranging from 0.010 to 0.10 mm, but deviations from this range are also possible. By choosing the appropriate color of the coating layer, the tile joint appears to the human eye as a natural tile joint.

The inner layer can be rigid or semi-rigid. The inner layer may be solid or at least partially foamed. The inner layer may contain at least one primary and/or secondary polymer selected from the group consisting of the following polymers: EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer), PU (polyurethane), PP (polypropylene), PS (polystyrene), PVC ( polyvinyl chloride), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), polyisocyanurate (PIR) or mixtures thereof. The inner layer may comprise at least one wood-based material. The core may comprise at least one composite material of at least one polymeric material and at least one non-polymeric material. The at least one non-polymeric material is preferably selected from the group consisting of talc, chalk, wood, calcium carbonate and mineral filler. The core may contain magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide. Preferably, the top side of the core is substantially flat.

- 5 043710

The tile panel according to the present invention preferably has a thickness ranging from 4.0 to 12.0 mm. If the tile panel comprises an inner layer and a top part, then this top part may have a thickness ranging from 0.30 to 1.20 mm, while the thickness of the inner layer may be from 3.50 to 11.0 mm. If the top is formed by one or more tiles, then in most cases the overall thickness of the top and the tile panel itself will be greater.

In a preferred embodiment, the maximum recess depth is 0.2-1.5 mm, and in a more preferred embodiment, the maximum recess depth is 0.2-0.8 mm. To obtain a satisfactory visual effect from the imitation seam, the maximum vertical depth is selected so that it lies within the specified range. It should be noted that in a tile panel comprising both a top portion and an inner layer, a curved grooved tile joint may extend vertically into both the top portion and the inner layer.

In the tile panel according to the present invention, the smooth curve of the recess surface preferably includes at least a tangent line at an angle of 45° to the vertical vector of the tile panel; in a more preferable embodiment, also a tangent line at an angle of 20-70° to the vertical vector of the tile panel; and in the most preferred embodiment, also a tangent line at an angle of 90° to the vertical vector of the tile panel. In this case, the vertical vector of the tile panel is defined as the vector perpendicular to the top surface of the tile panel. A smooth curve including these tangent lines can be characterized as part of an arcuate curve.

Preferably, in the tile panel of the present invention, the side edges include at least one pair, and preferably two pairs of opposing side edges, wherein one side edge of the pair is provided with a simulated tile joint, while the other side edge is not provided with a simulated tile joint. More preferably, the side edges include at least one pair, and preferably two pairs of opposing side edges, wherein the first side edge of the pair is provided with a simulated tile joint, while the second side edge of the pair is not provided with a simulated tile joint. When constructing a surface covering consisting of adjacent tile panels, the tile panels may be laid in a specific pattern in which the first side edge of one tile panel meets the second side edge of another tile panel. In this situation, the simulated tile joint between two joined tile panels is formed by the first side edge containing the simulated tile joint, while the second side edge simply defines the boundary of the simulated tile joint of the first side edge. If two pairs of opposing side edges are provided, it is possible to obtain a surface covering in which each tile panel is visually limited by two pairs of imitation tile joints. In a particularly preferred embodiment, in the tile panel according to the present invention, the first and second side edges of the pair run parallel to each other, and the tile panel preferably has a rectangular or hexagonal shape.

In terms of a pair of side edges (consisting of first and second side edges) of the tile panel according to the present invention, it is preferable that they are provided with connecting profiles mating with each other so that the first side edge of the first tile panel can be connected to the second side edge edge of the second panel using the first and, accordingly, the second connecting profile.

In one preferred embodiment of the tile panel according to the present invention, at least one pair of opposing first and second side edges are provided with mutually mating connecting profiles, whereby the first side edge of the first tile panel can be connected to the second side edge of the second tile panel, whereby the first side edge is provided with an imitation tile seam, wherein the outer part of said imitation tile seam defines a vertical plane, wherein at least a part of the first connecting profile located on the first side edge extends in the horizontal direction relative to the specified vertical plane at a distance exceeding the width of the imitation tile joint, and it is three times smaller, and preferably two times smaller, than the width of the imitation tile joint. Preferably, the first edge of the tile panel comprises a first coupling profile, and the second edge of the tile panel, preferably located opposite the first edge of the tile panel, comprises a second coupling profile configured to engage mutually with said first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, both in a horizontal direction , and in the vertical direction, the first connecting profile and the second connecting profile being preferably configured in such a way that two such panels can be connected to each other by performing a lowering (throwing or vertically downward) movement. Preferably, the first connection profile comprises:

upward tongue;

- 6 043710 at least one upwardly directed end located at a distance from the upwardly directed tongue;

an upward groove formed between the upward tongue and the upward end, the upward groove being configured to receive at least a portion of the downward tongue of the second connecting profile of the adjacent panel; and at least one first locking element, preferably provided on a distal side of the upwardly directed tongue facing away from the upwardly directed end;

and the second connecting profile contains:

first downward tongue;

at least one first downward end located at a distance from the downward tongue;

a first downward groove formed between the downward tongue and the downward end, the downward groove being configured to receive at least a portion of the upward tongue of the first connecting profile of the adjacent panel; and at least one second closure element configured to cooperate with a first closure element of the adjacent panel, said second closure element being preferably provided at a downward end.

In a preferred embodiment, the tile panel comprises at least one third connecting profile and at least one fourth connecting profile, which are located, respectively, on the third edge of the tile panel and the fourth edge of the tile panel, the third connecting profile comprising:

a laterally directed tongue extending substantially parallel to the upper side of the core;

at least one second downwardly directed end located at a distance from the sidewardly directed tongue; and a second downwardly directed groove formed between the sidewardly directed tongue and the second downwardly directed end;

and the fourth connecting profile contains:

a third groove configured to receive at least a portion of a tongue-facing third connecting profile of an adjacent panel, said third groove being defined by an upper abutment projection and a lower abutment projection, wherein said lower abutment projection is provided with an upwardly directed locking member;

wherein the third connecting profile and the fourth connecting profile are configured such that two such panels can be connected to each other by a rotary motion, wherein in the connected state the following is provided: at least a portion of the sideways tongue of the first panel fits into the third groove of the adjacent second panel; and at least a portion of the upwardly directed closure member of said second panel engages a second downwardly directed groove of said first panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the first edge of the tile panel and the fourth edge of the tile panel are provided with a simulated tile joint, while the second edge of the tile panel and the third edge of the tile panel are not provided with a simulated tile joint.

In one of the preferred embodiments of the tile panel according to the present invention, the fourth side edge is provided with a simulated tile joint, wherein the outer portion of said imitation tile joint defines a vertical plane, wherein at least a portion of the fourth connecting profile located on said first side edge extends in the horizontal direction relative to the specified vertical plane at a distance exceeding the width of the imitation tile joint, and it is three times less, and preferably two times less, than the width of the imitation tile joint.

Preferably, the outer part of the recess connected to the side edge of the panel is configured to mate with the outer part of the recess of a similar tile panel and defines a parting surface extending in a vertical plane. This means that the tops of adjacent tile panels do not intersect this parting surface, and that the tile panels do not contain any overlapping edge portions near the top surface of the tile panels.

Preferably, the surface of the recess does not contain any raised areas. The recess surface is preferably completely concave.

In one (more) preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first edge of the panel includes a first connecting profile, and the second edge of the panel, preferably located opposite the first edge of the panel, contains a second connecting profile configured to engage mutually with said first connecting profile of an adjacent element surface coverings, both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, wherein the first connecting profile and the second connecting profile are preferably designed in such a way that two of such surface covering elements can be connected to each other by making a lowering movement (folding movement). If the surface covering element is rectangular in shape, the first edge of the panel and the second edge of the panel are typically located on opposite short sides of the surface covering element. In a preferred embodiment, the surface covering element also comprises at least one third connecting profile and at least one fourth connecting profile, which are located, respectively, on the third edge of the panel and the fourth edge of the panel, the third connecting profile comprising: a laterally directed tongue extending substantially parallel to the top side of the core; at least one second downwardly directed end located at a distance from the sidewardly directed tongue; and a second downwardly directed groove formed between the sidewardly directed tongue and the second downwardly directed end; wherein the fourth connecting profile comprises: a third groove configured to receive at least a portion of a tongue-facing third connecting profile of an adjacent surface covering element, wherein said third groove is defined by an upper abutment projection and a lower abutment projection, wherein said lower abutment projection equipped with an upward-facing locking element; wherein the third connecting profile and the fourth connecting profile are configured such that two such surface covering elements can be connected to each other by a rotary motion (tilting motion), wherein in the connected state the following is provided: at least a portion of a sidewardly directed tongue the first surface covering element fits into a third slot of the adjacent second surface covering element; and at least a portion of the upwardly directed closure element of said second surface covering element engages a second downwardly directed groove of said first surface covering element. In a preferred embodiment, the complementary connecting profiles are configured to mutually lock the connected tile panels in a direction parallel to the plane defined by the tile panels and/or in a direction perpendicular to the specified plane defined by the tile panels.

The top and inner layer of the tile panel can be combined with each other, resulting in a monolithic (single-layer) tile panel, in which one or more individual layers covering the seam are simply applied as additional layers to complete the appearance of the tile panel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a surface covering, such as a floor covering, a wall covering or a ceiling covering, which is composed of a plurality of preferably interlocking adjacent tile panels according to one of the preceding claims. This surface covering, consisting of tile panels, provides a visually satisfactory result, with the surface covering appearing to the human eye as a traditional tile joint.

Preferred embodiments of the tile panel according to the present invention are disclosed in the non-limiting paragraphs below.

1. A decorative tile panel suitable for covering a floor, ceiling or wall surface, the tile panel comprising:

at least one inner layer;

at least one decorative top portion attached directly or indirectly to said inner layer, the top portion defining a top surface of the tile panel; and a plurality of side edges at least partially defined by said inner layer and/or said top portion;

wherein the tile panel is provided with at least one simulated tile joint extending along at least one side edge of the tile panel, which is formed by a grooved recess connected to the top surface of the tile panel, wherein this recess extends along the side edge of the tile panel and preferably has substantially constant thickness, which is limited by the corresponding side edge of the tile panel;

wherein the recess is characterized by having an upward facing recess surface which is at least partially formed by a separate layer covering the seam, said recess surface being at least partially concave in the transverse direction of the recess.

2. The tile panel of claim 1, wherein substantially the entire surface of the recess is formed by a separate layer covering the seam.

3. The tile panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the separate layer covering the seam is formed by a coating.

4. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual layer covering the seam is formed by a transfer layer that has been transferred using a transfer foil or transfer film using a transfer printing method.

5. Tiled panel according to one of the previous paragraphs, in which a separate layer is covered

- 8 043710 seam formed by a printed layer.

6. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual layer covering the seam is characterized by a substantially constant thickness.

7. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, in which the individual layer covering the seam is characterized by a thickness varying in the transverse direction of the recess.

8. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate layer covering the seam is bonded to the top surface of the tile panel.

9. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate layer covering the seam is bonded to a corresponding side edge of the tile panel.

10. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual layer covering the seam and the top surface of the tile panel have a visually different appearance.

11. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the color of the individual layer covering the seam is darker than the color of the top surface of the tile panel.

12. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual layer covering the seam is characterized by a smooth top surface.

13. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate layer covering the seam is characterized by a textured top surface.

14. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate layer covering the seam is bonded to and/or fused to the underlying portion of the tile panel.

15. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one segment of the top portion extends to a side edge where a grooved recess is formed.

16. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upward facing surface of the recess is at least partially smoothly concave in a transverse direction of the recess.

17. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upward facing surface of the recess is substantially completely concave in the transverse direction of the recess.

18. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one recess is characterized in that its deepest point is spaced a certain distance from the corresponding side edge.

19. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one recess is characterized in that its deepest point is spaced a certain distance from the corresponding side edge, and the specified deepest point is located closer to the side edge than to the top surface of the tile panels.

20. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one concave portion of the recess surface is characterized by a radius increasing towards the corresponding side edge.

21. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one concave portion of the recess surface is characterized by a constant radius.

22. Tile panel according to one of the preceding paragraphs, in which at least one concave part of the recess surface is characterized by at least one radius lying in the range of 3-7 mm, and preferably in the range of 4-5 mm.

23. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one concave portion of the surface of the recess is characterized by a radius greater than the width of the recess.

24. Tile panel according to one of the preceding paragraphs, in which the width of the recess is less than 4.5 mm.

25. Tile panel according to one of the previous paragraphs, in which the maximum recess depth is in the range of 0.2-1.5 mm, and preferably in the range of 0.2-0.8 mm.

26. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess is provided with a beveled edge located between the top surface of the tile panel and the concave portion of the surface of the recess.

27. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one edge does not comprise a grooved recess, said edge being provided with a beveled edge connecting to the top surface.

28. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tile panel is provided with at least two imitation tile joints running along at least two connecting side edges of the tile panel, each tile joint being formed by a grooved recess connecting to the top surface of a tile panel, wherein the recess extends along a side edge of the tile panel and is characterized by a substantially constant width that is limited by a corresponding side edge of the tile panel, wherein the recess is characterized by having an upward facing surface of the recess that is at least partially formed by a separate layer covering the seam, wherein said surface of the recess is at least partially concave in the transverse direction of the recess.

29. Tile panel according to one of the previous paragraphs, in which the specified layer is covered

- 9 043710 seam comprising a wear sublayer and a decorative sublayer, wherein said wear layer is connected to said top surface of the tile panel and comprises a substantially transparent material such that said decorative sublayer is visible through said wear layer.

30. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said top portion comprises a wear layer and a decorative layer, wherein said wear layer coincides with said top surface of the tile panel and is made of a substantially transparent material such that said decorative layer is visible through said layer wear.

31. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, in which the inner layer of the tile panel is at least partially made of one or more plastic composites, such as a wood-polymer composite, and/or a stone-polymer composite, and/or a mineral-polymer composite .

32. Tile panel according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that this tiled panel is characterized by a thickness ranging from 4.0 to 12.0 mm.

33. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the smooth curve of the recess surface includes at least a tangent line at an angle of 45° to the vertical vector of the tile panel; in a more preferred embodiment, also a tangent line at an angle of 2070° to the vertical vector; and in the most preferred embodiment, also a tangent line at an angle of 90° to the vertical vector.

34. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side edges include at least one pair, and preferably two pairs of opposing side edges, wherein the first side edge in the pair is provided with a simulated tile joint, whereas the second side edge in the pair is not equipped with an imitation tile seam.

35. The tile panel of claim 34, wherein the first and second side edges of the pair extend parallel to each other, wherein the tile panel is preferably rectangular or hexagonal in shape.

36. The tile panel of claim 34 or 35, wherein the first and/or second edge of the pair is provided with cooperating connecting profiles such that the first side edge of the first tile panel can be connected to the second side edge of the second panel.

37. The tile panel of claim 36, wherein the connecting profiles are configured to interlock the tile panels with each other in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the tile panels and/or in a direction perpendicular to said plane defined by the tile panels.

38. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said recess is characterized in that its deepest point is spaced a certain distance from a corresponding side edge, wherein said deepest point is located closer to said side edge than to the top surface of the tile panel, and wherein the width of said recess is at least three times the maximum depth of said recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel.

39. The tile panel of claim 38, wherein the width of said recess is at least six times the maximum depth of said recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel.

40. The tile panel of claim 38 or 39, wherein the deepest point of said recess divides the recess into an interior portion of the recess connected to the top surface of the tile panel and an outer portion of the recess connected to the side edge of the tile panel, the width of the interior portion of the recess being at least twice the width of the outer part of the recess.

41. The tile panel according to claim 40, wherein the width of the inner part of the recess is at least three times the width of the outer part of the recess.

42. The tile panel of claim 40 or 41, wherein the maximum height of the interior of the recess relative to the deepest point is at least four times the maximum height of the outer portion of the recess relative to the deepest point.

42. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one concave portion of the recess surface has a radius that increases toward the side edge.

43. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims 40-42, in which the surface of the inner part of the recess has a radius that increases towards the deepest point.

44. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the tile panel is at least ten times the maximum depth of the recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel.

45. The tile panel according to one of the preceding paragraphs, in which the side edges contain at least one pair, and preferably two pairs of opposing side edges, and one side edge of the said pair is provided with an imitation tile seam, while the other side edge of the said pair is not provided with an imitation intertile seam.

46. Tile panel according to one of the previous paragraphs, in which at least one pa-

- 10 043710 ra of the opposite first and second side edges is provided with connecting profiles mating with each other, due to which the first side edge of the first tile panel can be connected to the second side edge of the second tile panel, and the first side edge is provided with an imitation inter-tile seam, and the outer part of the said the imitation tile joint defines a vertical plane, wherein at least part of the first connecting profile located on said first side edge extends in the horizontal direction relative to the specified vertical plane at a distance exceeding the width of the imitation tile joint, and it is three times smaller, and preferably half the width of the imitation tile joint.

47. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first edge of the tile panel comprises a first coupling profile, and the second edge of the tile panel, preferably located opposite the first edge of the tile panel, comprises a second coupling profile configured to engage in mutual engagement with said first connecting profile of the adjacent panel, both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, the first connecting profile and the second connecting profile being preferably configured in such a way that two such panels can be connected to each other by performing a lowering movement.

48. The tile panel according to claim 47, in which the first connecting profile comprises: an upwardly directed tongue;

at least one upwardly directed end located at a distance from the upwardly directed tongue;

an upward groove formed between the upward tongue and the upward end, the upward groove being configured to receive at least a portion of the downward tongue of the second connecting profile of the adjacent panel; and at least one first locking element, preferably provided on a distal side of the upwardly directed tongue facing away from the upwardly directed end;

and the second connecting profile contains:

the first tongue directed downward;

at least one first downward end located at a distance from the downward tongue;

a first downward groove formed between the downward tongue and the downward end, the downward groove being configured to receive at least a portion of the upward tongue of the first connecting profile of the adjacent panel; and at least one second closure element configured to cooperate with a first closure element of the adjacent panel, said second closure element being preferably provided at a downward end.

49. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains at least one third connecting profile and at least one fourth connecting profile, which are located, respectively, on the third edge of the tile panel and the fourth edge of the tile panel, and the third connection profile contains:

a sideways tongue extending substantially parallel to the top side of the core;

at least one second downwardly directed end located at a distance from the sidewardly directed tongue; and a second downwardly directed groove provided between the sidewardly directed tongue and the second downwardly directed end;

and the fourth connecting profile contains:

a third third slot configured to receive at least a portion of a tongue-facing third connecting profile of an adjacent panel, said third slot being defined by an upper abutment and a lower abutment, wherein said lower abutment is provided with an upwardly directed lock member;

wherein the third connecting profile and the fourth connecting profile are configured such that two such panels can be connected to each other by a rotary motion, wherein in the connected state the following is provided: at least a portion of the sideways tongue of the first panel fits into the third groove of the adjacent second panel; and at least a portion of the upwardly directed closure member of said second panel engages a second downwardly directed groove of said first panel.

50. The tile panel according to claims 48 and 49, wherein the first edge of the tile panel and the fourth edge of the tile panel are provided with a simulated tile joint, whereas the second edge of the tile panel and the third edge of the tile panel are not provided with a simulated tile joint.

51. The tile panel according to one of the preceding paragraphs, in which the outer part of the recess connecting to the side edge of the panel is configured to dock with the outer part

- 11 043710 recesses of a similar tile panel, and it defines the parting surface running in a vertical plane.

52. The tile panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess surface does not contain any convex portions, and wherein the recess surface is preferably completely concave.

53. A surface covering, in particular for a floor, ceiling or wall surface, which is composed of a plurality of adjacent tile panels according to one of the preceding paragraphs.

54. The surface covering according to claim 53, which is composed of a plurality of adjacent interconnected tile panels according to one of the preceding paragraphs.

Brief description of the figures

The present invention will be further disclosed by several examples of its implementation in connection with the attached figures, where:

in fig. 1 is a top view of a tile panel according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

in fig. 2 is a cross-section of the tile panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a tile panel according to the present invention;

in fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one side edge assembly of two adjacent panels that are connected to each other using one of the preferred types of connecting profiles;

in fig. 5 is a cross-section of two adjacent panels that are connected to each other using another preferred type of connecting profiles;

in fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a tile panel according to the present invention;

in fig. 7 shows a cross-section of the tile illustrated in FIG. 6;

in fig. 8 is a detailed partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 6; and in fig. 9 is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 7.

Detailed Disclosure of the Present Invention

In fig. 1 shows a panel 1 of a substantially flat shape, which is characterized by having a top surface 3, a bottom surface (not visible) and a plurality of side edges 7a-d.

The tile panel 1 is provided with two imitation tile seams 9 and 9' running along two side edges 7b and 7c, which are formed by a recess on the top surface 3, and which are characterized by a substantially constant width limited by the corresponding side edges 7b and 7c.

The dashed line A-A' indicates the cross section of the panel, which is shown in FIG. 2.

In fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same tile panel shown in FIG. 1, which is made along the line A-A' shown in FIG. 1. Identical elements in both of these figures are designated by the same reference numbers as in FIG. 1.

The tile panel is characterized by a bottom surface 5 and consists of a substantially flat inner layer 20 made of an elastic material and a substantially flat top layer 22 which is connected to the top side of the inner layer 20. The top layer 22 has properties similar to natural material, such as marble, stone, ceramics or wood, and it is made of wood-polymer composite and/or stone-polymer composite. The inner layer 20 is made of a thermoplastic material, for example PVC.

The imitation tile seam 9 is formed by a recess, which is characterized by the presence of an upward facing surface 11 of the recess, and the surface of the recess contains a smooth concave-type curve running in the transverse direction of the recess 9.

In fig. 3 shows two abutting side edges 7a and 7b of two adjacent tile panels 1 and 1', which are connected to each other by a connecting profile comprising a tongue 30 and a groove 32, which are provided on the respective side edges 7a and 7b.

The imitation tile joint 9 is formed by an arcuate recess, which contains a layer 10 covering the seam, the upper side of which forms the upward facing surface of the recess. The layer 10 covering the seam is characterized by a rough top texture, preferably gray in color. Recess 9 is characterized by a maximum vertical depth, indicated by the arrow dm. The vertical vector V is oriented perpendicular to the top surface of the tile panel 1 and indicates the vertical direction of the tile panel.

The shape of the smooth curved surface of the notch is characterized by tangent lines T1, T2 and T3, with line T1 running at an angle of 15° to the vertical vector V, line T2 running at an angle of 40° to the vertical vector V, and line T3 running at an angle of 80° to the vertical vector V.

- 12 043710

In fig. 4 shows two side edges of two adjacent tile panels 1 and 1', which are connected to each other using connecting profiles 5 and 6, which contain a tongue 51 and a groove 61.

The connecting profiles 5 and 6 are configured in such a way that an inclined or rotary movement (indicated by an arrow T) allows the two profiles to be connected to each other, which leads to their mutual interlocking in the horizontal plane.

In fig. 5 shows two side edges of two adjacent tile panels 1 and 1', which are connected to each other by means of connecting profiles 7 and 8, which contain a corresponding tongue 71 and groove 73. The connecting profiles 7 and 8 are configured in such a way that the lowering movement of the panel 1' (indicated by an arrow) provides the ability to connect two profiles to each other, which leads to their mutual adhesion in the horizontal plane.

In fig. 6 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a tile panel 100 according to the present invention. The tile panel 100 includes a first tile panel edge 101 comprising a first connection profile 101a, and a second tile panel edge 102, preferably opposite the first tile panel edge 101 and comprising a second connection profile 102a which is configured to engage mutually with said first connection profile 101a of the adjacent panel, both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, the first connecting profile 101a and the second connecting profile 102a being preferably configured such that two such panels can be connected to each other by performing a lowering movement. The first connecting profile 101a includes: an upwardly directed tongue 103; at least one upwardly directed end 104 located at a distance from the upwardly directed tongue 103; an upward groove 105 formed between the upward tongue 103 and the upward end 104, wherein the upward groove 105 is configured to receive at least a portion of the downward tongue 106 of the second connecting profile 102a of the adjacent panel; and at least one first locking element 107, preferably provided on a distal side of the upwardly directed tongue 103 facing away from the upwardly directed end 104; and the second connecting profile 102a includes: a first downwardly directed tongue 106; at least one first downward end 108 located at a distance from the downward tongue 106; a first downward groove 109 formed between the downward tongue 106 and the downward end 108, the downward groove 109 configured to receive at least a portion of the upward tongue 103 of the first connecting profile 101a of the adjacent panel; and at least one second locking member 110 configured to cooperate with a first locking member 107 of an adjacent panel, said second locking member 110 being preferably provided on the downward end 108. The proximal sides of the tongues 103 and 106, when viewed in the downward direction, are inclined to the facing ends 104 and 108, which provides an additional vertical locking effect when the two tile panels 100 are in a locked state. The first edge is provided with a concave groove 111, which constitutes a simulated tile joint, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 8.

The recess 111 is characterized by having a deepest point D spaced a certain distance from a corresponding side edge 101, said deepest point being closer to said side edge 101 than to the top surface of the tile panel 100a. In this example, the width Wr of said recess 111 is at least eight times the maximum depth Dr of said recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel. As can be seen in more detail in Fig. 8, the deepest point D of the recess divides the recess into an inner recess portion IRP connected to the top surface of the tile panel and an outer recess portion ORP connected to the side edge 101 of the tile panel, the width of the internal portion IRP of the recess being at least three times exceeds the width of the outer part of the ORP recess. The maximum height of the interior IRP of the recess relative to the deepest point is at least five times the maximum height of the outer portion of the ORP recess relative to the deepest point. This provides an embodiment in which the height of the outer part of the recess is kept constant, which makes the outer part of the recess less susceptible to damage. As can be seen, the surface of the inner part of the IRP recess is characterized by a radius that increases towards the deepest point. This makes it possible to obtain a clearly defined transition line between the recess and the top surface of the tile panel while maintaining a limited recess depth. In this example, the thickness of the tile panel is at least ten times the maximum depth of the recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel.

In the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the tile panel 100 includes at least one third connecting profile 120a and at least one fourth connecting profile 121a, which are located, respectively, on the third edge of the tile panel 120 and the fourth edge of the tile panel 121, the third connecting profile 120a includes: a laterally directed tongue 122 extending substantially parallel to the top side 100a of the tile panel 100; at least one second downwardly directed end 123 located

Claims (48)

located at a distance from the tongue 122 directed towards the side; and a second downward groove 124 provided between the sideways tongue 122 and the second downward end 123. The fourth connection profile comprises: a third groove 125 configured to receive at least a portion of the sideways tongue 122 of the third connection profile 120a of an adjacent a tile panel, wherein said third groove 125 is defined by an upper abutment 126 and a lower abutment 127, wherein said lower abutment 127 is provided with an upwardly directed locking member 128; wherein the third connecting profile 120a and the fourth connecting profile 121a are configured such that two such panels can be connected to each other by a rotary motion (tilting motion), wherein in the connected state the following is provided: at least a portion of the tongue directed towards the side 122 of the first tile panel 100 fits into the third groove 125 of the adjacent second panel 100; and at least a portion of the upwardly directed locking member 128 of said second tile panel engages a second downwardly directed groove 124 of said first tile panel 100. The fourth edge is provided with a concave grooved recess 130 constituting a simulated tile joint, which is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 9, and which has exactly the same shape, features and dimensions as the recess 111 shown in FIG. 6 and 8. Thus, the first edge of the tile panel and the fourth edge of the tile panel are provided with simulated tile joints 111 and 130, while the second edge of the tile panel and the fourth edge of the tile panel do not contain any simulated tile joints. In fig. 6-9, the layers of the tile panel 100 are not explicitly shown, but typically such a tile panel includes at least one inner layer and at least one decorative top portion directly or indirectly attached to said inner layer, the top portion defining the top surface of the tile panel. In a preferred embodiment, the grooved recesses 111 and 130 are provided with a decorative coating layer. The grooved recesses 111 and 130 may be located entirely within the decorative top portion and therefore on top of the inner layer. However, it is also possible, and often preferable, for each of the grooved recesses 111 and 130 to be located partly in the top portion and partly in the inner layer. Optionally, other layers may be used, such as a backing layer covering the back side of the inner layer. The ideas of the present invention described above are illustrated by several examples of its implementation. It is conceivable that certain teachings of the present invention may be practiced in this manner without applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to provide specific examples of all possible combinations of the ideas of the present invention disclosed above, since one skilled in the art will understand that many of the ideas of the present invention can be arranged/rearranged to find their particular application. It should be understood that the claimed invention is not limited to the working examples disclosed and illustrated herein, but that various embodiments thereof are possible within the scope of the appended claims that will be apparent to one skilled in the art. The verb contains and its derivatives used in this patent publication should be understood to include not only the verb contains, but also as meaning includes, essentially consists of, is formed and derivatives of these phrases. CLAIM 1. A decorative tile panel suitable for covering a floor, ceiling or wall surface, the tile panel comprising: at least one inner layer; at least one decorative top portion attached directly or indirectly to said inner layer, the top portion defining a top surface of the tile panel; and a plurality of side edges at least partially defined by said inner layer and/or said top portion; wherein the tile panel is provided with at least one simulated tile joint extending along at least one side edge of the tile panel, which is formed by a grooved recess connected to the top surface of the tile panel, wherein this recess extends along the side edge of the tile panel and preferably has substantially constant thickness, which is limited by the corresponding side edge of the tile panel; wherein the recess is characterized by having an upwardly facing recess surface which is at least partially formed by a separate layer covering the seam, wherein said recess surface is at least partially concave in a transverse direction of the recess, wherein said recess is characterized by having a deepest point, located at a distance from the corresponding side edge, said deepest point being closer to said side edge - 14 043710 edge than to the top surface of the tile panel, and wherein the width of said recess is at least three times the maximum depth of said recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel. 2. The tile panel of claim 1, wherein the width of said recess is at least six times the maximum depth of said recess relative to the top surface of the tile panel. 3. The tile panel of claim 1 or 2, wherein the deepest point of said recess divides the recess into an inner part of the recess connected to the top surface of the tile panel, and an outer part of the recess connected to the side edge of the tile panel, the width of the inner part of the recess being at least twice the width of the outer part of the recess. 4. The tile panel according to claim 3, wherein the width of the inner part of the recess is at least three times the width of the outer part of the recess. 5. The tile panel of claim 3 or 4, wherein the maximum height of the interior of the recess relative to the deepest point is at least four times the maximum height of the outer portion of the recess relative to the deepest point. 6. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one concave portion of the recess surface has a radius that increases toward the side edge. 7. Tile panel according to any one of claims 3 to 6, in which the surface of the inner part of the recess is characterized by a radius that increases towards the deepest point. 8. The tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the tile panel is at least ten times the maximum recess depth relative to the top surface of the tile panel. 9. The tile panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side edges include at least one pair, and preferably two pairs of opposing side edges, wherein one side edge of said pair is provided with a simulated tile joint, while the other side edge of said pair is not equipped with an imitation tile seam. 10. The tile panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one pair of opposing first and second side edges are provided with cooperating connecting profiles such that the first side edge of the first tile panel can be connected to the second side edge of the second tile panel, the first the side edge is provided with an imitation tile seam, wherein the outer part of said imitation tile seam defines a vertical plane, wherein at least part of the first connecting profile located on the first side edge extends in the horizontal direction relative to the specified vertical plane at a distance exceeding the width imitation tile joint, and it is three times smaller, and preferably two times smaller, than the width of the imitation tile joint. 11. The tile panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first edge of the tile panel comprises a first coupling profile and the second edge of the tile panel, preferably located opposite the first edge of the tile panel, comprises a second coupling profile configured to engage in mutual engagement with said first connecting profile of the adjacent panel, both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, the first connecting profile and the second connecting profile being preferably configured in such a way that two such panels can be connected to each other by performing a lowering movement. 12. Tile panel according to claim 11, in which the first connecting profile contains: upward tongue; at least one upwardly directed end located at a distance from the upwardly directed tongue; an upward groove formed between the upward tongue and the upward end, the upward groove being configured to receive at least a portion of the downward tongue of the second connecting profile of the adjacent panel; and at least one first locking element, preferably provided on a distal side of the upwardly directed tongue facing away from the upwardly directed end; and the second connecting profile contains: first downward tongue; at least one first downward end located at a distance from the downward tongue; a first downward groove formed between the downward tongue and the downward end, the downward groove being configured to receive at least a portion of the upward tongue of the first connecting profile of the adjacent panel; and at least one second locking element configured to interact with - 15 043710 by a first locking element of the adjacent panel, said second locking element being preferably provided at the downward end. 13. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tile panel comprises at least one third connecting profile and at least one fourth connecting profile, which are located, respectively, on the third edge of the tile panel and the fourth edge of the tile panel, wherein the third connecting profile contains: a laterally directed tongue extending substantially parallel to the upper side of the core; at least one second downwardly directed end located at a distance from the sidewardly directed tongue; and a second downwardly directed groove formed between the sidewardly directed tongue and the second downwardly directed end; and the fourth connecting profile contains: a third groove configured to receive at least a portion of a tongue-facing third connecting profile of an adjacent panel, said third groove being defined by an upper abutment projection and a lower abutment projection, wherein said lower abutment projection is provided with an upwardly directed locking member; wherein the third connecting profile and the fourth connecting profile are configured such that two such panels can be connected to each other by a rotary motion, wherein in the connected state the following is provided: at least a portion of the sideways tongue of the first panel fits into the third groove of the adjacent second panel; and at least a portion of the upwardly directed closure member of said second panel engages a second downwardly directed groove of said first panel. 14. The tile panel according to claim 13, in which the first edge of the tile panel and the fourth edge of the tile panel are provided with an imitation tile seam, and the second edge of the tile panel and the third edge of the tile panel are not provided with an imitation tile seam. 15. The tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer portion of the recess connecting to the side edge of the panel is configured to mate with the outer portion of the recess of a similar tile panel and defines a parting surface extending in a vertical plane. 16. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess surface does not contain any convex portions, and wherein the recess surface is preferably completely concave. 17. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein substantially the entire surface of the recess is formed by a separate layer covering the seam. 18. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate layer covering the seam is formed by a coating. 19. The tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual layer covering the seam is formed by a transfer layer that has been transferred using a transfer foil or transfer film using a transfer printing method. 20. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate layer covering the seam is formed by a printed layer. 21. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual layer covering the seam is characterized by a substantially constant thickness. 22. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual layer covering the seam is characterized by a thickness varying in the transverse direction of the recess. 23. The tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate layer covering the seam is bonded to the top surface of the tile panel. 24. A tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a separate layer covering the seam is bonded to a corresponding side edge of the tile panel. 25. The tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual layer covering the seam and the top surface of the tile panel have a visually different appearance. 26. The tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the color of the individual layer covering the seam is darker than the color of the top surface of the tile panel. 27. A tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate joint covering is characterized by a smooth top surface. 28. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual layer covering the seam is characterized by a textured top surface. 29. The tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate layer covering the seam is bonded to and/or fused to the underlying portion of the tile panel. 30. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least part - 16 043710 the top part reaches the side edge, where a groove is formed. 31. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upward facing surface of the recess is at least partially smoothly concave in a transverse direction of the recess. 32. The tile panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upward facing surface of the recess is substantially completely concave in the transverse direction of the recess. 33. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one concave portion of the recess surface is characterized by a constant radius. 34. The tile panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one concave portion of the recess surface has a radius ranging from 3 to 7 mm, preferably ranging from 4 to 5 mm. 35. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one concave portion of the recess surface has a radius greater than the width of the recess. 36. A tile panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the recess is less than 4.5 mm. 37. Tile panel according to any of the preceding claims, in which the maximum recess depth is in the range of 0.2-1.5 mm, and preferably in the range of 0.2-0.8 mm. 38. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess is provided with a beveled edge located between the top surface of the tile panel and the concave portion of the surface of the recess. 39. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one edge does not comprise a grooved recess, said edge being provided with a beveled edge connecting to the top surface. 40. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tile panel is provided with at least two imitation tile joints running along at least two connecting side edges of the tile panel, each tile joint being formed by a grooved recess connecting to the top surface of a tile panel, wherein the recess extends along a side edge of the tile panel and is characterized by a substantially constant width that is limited by a corresponding side edge of the tile panel, wherein the recess is characterized by having an upward facing surface of the recess that is at least partially formed by a separate layer covering the seam, wherein said surface of the recess is at least partially concave in the transverse direction of the recess. 41. The tile panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said seam covering layer comprises a wear sublayer and a decorative sublayer, wherein said wear layer is bonded to said top surface of the tile panel and comprises a substantially transparent material such that said decorative sublayer is visible through specified wear layer. 42. A tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said top portion comprises a wear layer and a decorative layer, wherein said wear layer coincides with said top surface of the tile panel and is made of a substantially transparent material such that said decorative layer is visible through said layer wear. 43. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, in which the inner layer of the tile panel is at least partially made of one or more plastic composites, such as a wood-polymer composite, and/or a stone-polymer composite, and/or a mineral-polymer composite . 44. A tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tile panel is characterized by a thickness ranging from 4.0 to 12.0 mm. 45. The tile panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the smooth curve of the recess surface includes at least a tangent line at an angle of 45° to the vertical vector of the tile panel; in a more preferable embodiment, also a tangent line at an angle of 20-70° to the vertical vector; and in the most preferred embodiment, also a tangent line at an angle of 90° to the vertical vector. 46. A tile panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two opposing edges of the tile panel extend parallel to each other, wherein the tile panel is preferably rectangular or hexagonal in shape. 47. A surface covering, in particular for a floor, ceiling or wall surface, which is composed of a plurality of adjacent tile panels according to any of the preceding claims. 48. The surface covering according to claim 47, which is composed of a plurality of adjacent interconnected tile panels according to any of the preceding paragraphs. -