EP0973983B1 - Tile-like flat element - Google Patents

Abstract

A flat building element substantially consists of a highly water-resistant wooden material plate (2) provided with a plastic coating (4) on at least part of its top and/or bottom surface (5, 3). This element is designed as a wall or floor tile. Grooves (8) and springs (10) are provided at the edge surface (7) to secure and join several elements. The width (b) of the springs (10) is preferably larger than the depth (t) of the grooves (8), ensuring a particular, uniform joint width (bf) between the elements.

Description

The invention relates to a largely plate-shaped (construction) Element mainly used to manufacture a wall or Flooring can be used, according to the generic term of claim 1.

The so-called laminate flooring has in the recent past Always in living rooms as well as in business premises found wider distribution. The laminate floor is made made of a wood-based material as a carrier plate, at least on provide a plastic coating on the top is. To produce the laminate flooring, board or Floor-like installation parts over existing tongue and groove elements glued. The construction of such laying parts is already basically known for a long time. This is called Example referred to the German utility model G 81 13 176.3.

The laminate floors described are normally not used in so-called damp rooms or wet rooms. This is on it attributed to that the wood-based material forming the carrier plate is usually not water resistant, but swells on contact with moisture. Therefore in Damp rooms such as hallways and entrance areas and in particular almost still in wet rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens only tiles are used as wall and floor covering.

However, the usual ceramic tiles or ceramic tiles have despite its high water resistance, some disadvantages. This means that ceramic tiles can only be processed with great effort. It special tile cutters must be used, especially to cut off narrow edges or corners or holes to be provided for sockets, switches or the like. It is known how easily such tiles break. in addition comes that when processing ceramic tiles very much a lot of fine grinding dust occurs. On the other hand there are ceramic tiles in the common cases where there is no underfloor heating is present, very "cold feet". This is particularly true in Bathroom very uncomfortable, where you mostly move barefoot. Finally, there is the disadvantage that despite careful Frequently, cracks in the joints after some time or even occur in the tiles themselves, as the rigid ones Ceramic tiles do not absorb tensions in the substrate can. This effect is particularly evident in the renovation of old buildings, if wood-based panels for leveling were relocated. While the chipboard can expand own the ceramic tiles and the one used Joint material no corresponding flexibility.

In WO-A-96/27721 there is a floor or wall plate a tongue and groove connection is provided. Tongue and groove however, the same length to ensure a perfectly fitting, form-fitting To ensure connection of the individual elements. The emergence of joints between the individual elements must be according to the revelation this document can be avoided.

Also in US-A-4,388,788 are on a floor element Grooves and tongues provided. However, these also have here the result is the same length, so the individual elements collide flush at the top after their connection.

CH-A-595 525 describes a so-called panel plate Wood. The open joint created at the top serves only for decorative purposes and is not in width through the choice of the dimension of tongue and groove.

GB-A-1,048,132 shows only the general technology, which are used when laying a floor covering can.

The invention is therefore inter alia the task of new To provide components that take advantage of described materials while largely avoiding their unite respective disadvantages. In particular a component is to be created for wet rooms and wet rooms that the moisture occurring there and also withstands the corresponding temperature fluctuations, on the other hand but also the desired comfort and the desired Creates living comfort.

This problem is solved by the plate-shaped component with the features of claim 1. Special refinements of this element are in dependent claims 2 to 9 shown. A floor or wall covering according to the invention is in claim 10 and the associated dependent claims 11 and 12 claims. A manufacturing method according to the invention A floor covering defines claim 13. The wording all claims are hereby incorporated by reference Content of this description made.

The plate-shaped element according to the invention consists in essentially from a wood-based board with high water resistance, which has a coating on at least one Has part of their top and / or bottom. When coating it is in particular a plastic coating. The element also has at least one groove and at least one feather. This element is according to the invention in the manner of a tile, preferably in the manner of a wall or Floor tile trained. Accordingly, the invention Component also as a tile element or tile be designated.

According to the invention, this element is designed such that Tongue and groove means for fixing and / or connecting two adjacent elements are spaced from each other, whereby the width of the tongue is greater than the depth of the groove and the difference between this width and this depth of desired joint width one with the help of at least two of adjacent elements produced covering.

The combination of the features mentioned makes the new element surprisingly also for use in damp and Suitable for wet rooms. The tile can do any ceramic tile have the usual size and shape, i.e. in simple Case be rectangular or square, basically but also in any other known tile shape, also as Mosaic with any outline. Are accordingly the dimensions can also be varied within the usual limits. The The thickness of the element can correspond to a common tile thickness, being due to the wood material used Thicknesses of the element between 5 and 10 mm can be preferred. A usual thickness of the element is in particular 8 mm.

The term "plate-shaped" is only intended to mean that - as usual with tiles - the length and width of the element are usually larger than its thickness. Of course should also include small tile elements, for example Mosaic tiles, to be included in the invention, in which length and width can only be slightly larger than the thickness.

In the invention, the width of the spring, i.e. the about the actual top edge of the element protruding length of Tongue, greater than the depth of the corresponding groove. On this way it is achieved that between two neighboring Elements a defined distance remains. This distance, which is the difference between the width of the spring and Depth of the groove is chosen so that it is the desired Joint width of a tile covering to be laid corresponds. Through this special measure, a constant Joint width can be guaranteed.

Tongue and groove as a means of fixing and / or connection of the elements at a distance from one another facilitate production a tile covering, i.e. usually a tiled wall or a tiled floor. They are particular on the narrow sides of the element running around the outer circumference provided, hereinafter referred to as edge surfaces should be. But it can also be cone-like, for example Connecting means can be provided on one element, into a corresponding recess in another element are insertable. There can also be separate pin elements in a recess of two elements can be inserted.

Grooves and tongues can either over an entire edge surface of the element according to the invention parallel to it The top and / or bottom run, or on these edge surfaces only be provided in sections. It is provided to produce a tongue and groove connection of two Elements on one of these elements the groove (s) and on the other element to provide the spring (s). However, it is also possible to use a groove provided on both elements a (separate) inserted or inserted spring connect.

In a further development of the tongue and groove connection of two tile elements According to the invention it is preferred if the tile elements have four edge surfaces and two adjacent ones Edge surfaces grooves and on the other two Edge surfaces of springs are provided. This affects in primarily, but not exclusively, square and rectangular tile elements. In this way, the Lay elements on a surface in a simple manner.

In preferred embodiments, those described Grooves a conical, especially slightly conical cross-sectional area exhibit. There is such a conical shape preferred, in which the groove to the interior of the wood-based panel tapered towards. In such embodiments the shape of the cross-sectional area of the corresponding springs also conical, so that when inward conical tapered shape of the groove after the associated tongue tapered on the outside. That way, the good remains Get the tongue and groove connection. By the described Shape of the groove can make the actual edge flatter trained and thus the shock sensitivity reduced become.

In a further development, the component according to the invention has recesses, markings or the like on its upper side, a subdivision of the element, at least for the viewer, cause. This creates the impression that the element is not just one, but at least one two, preferably of several, tiles. Through the Markings, recesses or the like are thus at only one element "faked" several elements or tiles. This has the particular advantage that larger Elements are laid as the individual tile elements can. Regular patterns can be made from the same or different tiles or irregular patterns become.

The markings can be graphic representations act like lines, (wide) lines and the like. The recesses are grooves with any, the individual element or its outline adapted course, preferably longitudinal and / or Transverse grooves, particularly in the places of the actually not existing joints are provided. The width the grooves correspond in particular to the chosen joint width. Such grooves are then like the (right) joints filled with joint material after laying the elements.

The claimed plate-shaped element is according to the invention from a wood-based board with high water resistance. The expression "water-resistant" is intended to express that the corresponding wood-based panel upon entry is largely not swellable by moisture or water. The required properties can be, for example through a so-called alternating climate test (swelling, e.g. 72 hours, and subsequent re-drying). At lower or nonexistent swellability in such tests achieves one corresponding plate a high thickness, edge and surface stability, a very low moisture absorption as well high dimensional stability and temperature resistance. Corresponding wood-based panels also show after one Alternating climate test an excellent fit of existing groove and Spring parts.

Although other wood-based panels basically also are usable, the element according to the invention is present Case preferably from a chipboard high Water resistance. Such plates are made from wood chips manufactured in various sizes, with binders added become. They can be used as multilayer or multilayer boards be formed, the core or cover layers can have different wood particle sizes. Both so-called flat pressed plates manufactured in the flat pressing process the chips are preferably parallel to the plane of the board. At the extrusion plates manufactured in the extrusion process the chips are preferably oriented perpendicular to the plate plane. In the invention, the so-called. Flat pressed plates, in particular highly compressed flat pressed plates, Use.

Those mentioned as preferred, manufactured in the flat pressing process Chipboard is preferably PMDI-bound. Basically, such plates are to be understood at which the polyisocyanate binders used for the production too stable, insoluble under the production conditions Network products. Such binders are the first Line said polyisocyanates based on polymer MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate), PMDI for short. Possibly can also be used in combination with other binders be used. These plates are known to the person skilled in the art and accordingly need no further explanation. In particular, they are largely free of formaldehyde (like natural wood) and have the required high water resistance (low swellability). A particularly suitable one Wood-based panel for the tile element according to the invention is the plysoc ® wood-based panel by the applicant.

The (plastic) coating on the top of the wood-based panel is as long as it has the necessary water resistance for use in damp and wet rooms, basically freely selectable. The coating is usually have a decorative function to a previously used Imitate ceramic tile. Accordingly, the decors be very versatile. Stone floors can also be imitated be chosen, fantasy decors or simple plain colors Tones are used. The selection is accordingly the plastic film or the plastic coating under different points of view possible. Preferably be Usual melamine resin papers used as in different Decors are already available or manufactured on request can be. These melamine resin papers are made by heat welding under pressure on the surface of the wood-based panel applied by known methods. About such Melamine resin-impregnated layers of paper may have more Cover layers, so-called overlay layers are applied. Again, it can be melamine resin papers with special Properties act, for example those that are transparent or are transparent. Overall, it becomes highly wear-resistant Coating provided.

On the underside of the wood-based panel can be preferred there is also a (plastic) coating. On the one hand, this serves as a so-called counter-pull layer to prevent warping the wood-based panel through one-sided coating to prevent. This coating can also be the additional Puncture a moisture barrier or an adhesion promoter take. Especially for the latter The coating on the underside of the wood-based panel can function a structuring, such as one Surface roughness, show. Also for the coating of the Bottom come in particular melamine resin papers, like the one they have are known from the prior art, for use. A Decorative function is usually on the underside of the plate not mandatory.

In the event that on the top of the invention Tile element grooves, in particular longitudinal and / or transverse grooves, are provided for "subdivision" of the element any coating on the underside of the Plate on the corresponding to the grooves on the surface Digits partially removed. This is usually because of this achieved that after applying the coatings on the top and bottom, not just on the top, but also corresponding grooves on the underside be milled. The grooves on the bottom should ensure that the moisture present in the drying of the the grooves on the top of the grouting material the wood-based panel penetrates from the bottom of the Wood-based panel can escape into the subsurface. This would not be possible or at least only partially if a closed one on the underside of the wood-based panel (largely moisture-proof) coating would be located.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the described grooves on the underside of the tile element also be provided if on top of this Element grooves are not provided. In such cases the grooves on the underside can be laid the tile element, especially if this with glued to the surface, improve. This is on it attributable to the fact that the corresponding adhesive in the places where the grooves are present, directly with the wood material comes into contact. At such points, it is usually a stronger adhesive effect than on the Contact points between the plastic coating on the Bottom and the glue. In addition, the Glue when laying the element in these grooves the bottom can accumulate. To support this improved The grooves described can have an adhesive effect the bottom compared to grooves on the top a comparatively have a large width. So you can already a few grooves on the bottom for this effect suffice. The effect of the improved adhesive effect occurs of course also in the cases where also on grooves on the top for the optical subdivision of the tile element are provided.

In summary, it should be noted that the invention is a component provides that excellent for use is suitable in damp and wet rooms. It owns to the required water resistance and is for example wet available and easy to edit and lay (unlike ceramic tiles). It is not like ceramic tiles "cold feet" and has, for example a significantly better energy balance also for underfloor heating, because it absorbs the heat faster and much longer saves. On the other advantages mentioned so far expressly referred.

The invention further comprises a covering of components, especially a floor or wall covering. This owns the features mentioned in claim 10.

In further training, this covering is (adequately) waterproof grout that has sufficient elasticity / flexibility has and is therefore tear-resistant. Thereby becomes a closed covering with high water resistance and long life. The said Grout consists in particular of a so-called plastic-tempered Jointing material that is commercially available. As Plastic components are usually silicones or Acrylic resins used. However, the invention is not based on such joint materials limited. It is, for example So-called welding wire jointing is also conceivable, in which, for example PVC-containing hot melt adhesives are used.

Finally, the invention relates to a method in which the described tile elements according to the invention on a suitable Layed underground and then the educated Joints are grouted with a suitable joint material. The The tile elements are usually laid as with known tiles, glued to the substrate and grouting can also be carried out "wet" in the usual way.

The described features and other features of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred Embodiments in connection with the subclaims and the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf verlegte erfindungsgemäße Elemente (vor dem Ausfugen),

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt nach der Linie II-II in Fig. 1 (nach dem Ausfugen), und

Fig. 3

den Aufbau der Fuge gemäß Fig. 2 als vergrößerten Ausschnitt III.

The drawings show:

Fig. 1

a plan view of installed elements according to the invention (before grouting),

Fig. 2

a section along the line II-II in Fig. 1 (after grouting), and

Fig. 3

the structure of the joint according to FIG. 2 as an enlarged section III.

In Fig. 1, four tile elements 1 according to the invention are in shown but not yet grouted. The upper left, in this case square tile element 1 is complete, the remaining three are only partial shown.

Each tile element 1 consists (as in Figures 2 and 3 shown) from a wood-based board with high water resistance, in particular PMDI-bonded chipboard (product plysoc ® from the applicant). The wood-based panel 2 is on its bottom 3 with a plastic coating 4 in Form of a textured melamine resin paper Mistake. On the top 5 of the wood-based panel 2 there is a plastic coating 6 in the form of a Decorations made of melamine resin paper. The coatings 4 and 6 serve as a return film in the manner already described, Moisture barrier and adhesion promoter (plastic coating 4) and to imitate the appearance of ceramic or Earthenware tiles (plastic coating 6).

In the tile element 1 shown, longitudinal grooves 8 are provided on the two adjoining edge surfaces 7 parallel to the top and bottom and corresponding springs 10 are provided on the two other adjoining edge surfaces 9. The grooves 8 in the edge surfaces 7 have the depth t. The springs 10 on the edge surfaces 9 have the width b protruding beyond the associated outer edge. As shown in the figures, the width b of the springs 10 is greater than the depth t of the grooves 8 in the tile element 1, so that when the springs 10 are inserted into the grooves 8, a joint width bf remains, which is the difference between the width b and the depth t corresponds to. This configuration of the tile element 1 ensures a constant joint width b _f that can be predetermined and selected.

On the top 5 of the tile element 1, longitudinal and transverse grooves 12 are provided, which give the impression that the tile element 1 is constructed from four identical tile elements in the present case. The width of the grooves 12 corresponds to the selected joint width b _f . As already described, the grooves 12, like the joints formed between the tile elements 1, are also filled with joint material after laying. The depth of the joints 12 is fundamentally not critical. The joints 12 should, however, be able to accommodate so much joint material that a stable, recognizable jointing results.

The indicated in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3 with the Joint number 11 is made of a commercially available, especially plastic-coated joint material manufactured that has sufficient waterproofness, flexibility and has tensile strength. Regarding the usable Materials will go to the appropriate places in the Description referred.

The laying of the tile elements 1 according to the invention will performed as follows. First, the individual tile elements 1 laid on a prepared surface, the tongues 10 being inserted into the associated grooves 8 become. Although a floating laying of the tile elements 1 is basically possible, one becomes the tile elements 1 usually glue to the surface. After this in this way the wall or floor covering is produced is formed by the tongue and groove connection Grooves and the possibly existing grooves 12 are grooved. How 3, is shown between the tile elements 1 with the free space remaining above the spring 10 the grout 11 filled. The trained below the spring 10 The room remains empty. The grouting / grouting can done "wet" in a generally known manner, i.e. the Joint material is mixed with water and mixed in it Shape applied to the surface. This is particularly so therefore surprising since it was not previously thought possible panel-shaped elements with a wooden material this way for a wall or floor covering for damp and Use wet rooms.

Claims (13)

1. Tile-like, preferably wall or floor tile-like, flat element (1), comprising a highly water-resistant, wooden material plate having a coating (4, 6), particularly a plastic coating, on at least part of its upper and/or lower surface (3, 5) and with at least one groove (8) and at least one tongue (10), characterized in that the groove (8) and tongue (10) are means for fixing and/or connecting in spaced manner two adjacent elements, the width (b) of the tongue (10) being greater than the depth (t) of the groove (8) and the difference between said width (b) and said depth (t) corresponds to the desired joint width (b_f) of a covering produced with the aid of at least two adjacent elements (1).
2. Flat element according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove and tongue are provided on edge faces (7, 9) of the element (1).
3. Flat element according to claim 2, characterized in that the groove and tongue on an edge face run parallel to the upper and lower surface of the element.
4. Flat element according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the element (1), preferably having a rectangular or square surface area, has four edge faces (7, 9) and preferably on two adjacent edge faces (7) there are grooves (8) parallel to the upper and lower surface of the element and on both other edge faces (9) tongues (10) parallel to the upper and lower surface of the element.
5. Flat element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the upper surface of the element recesses, markings or the like are provided, which give the impression that the element is formed from at least two and preferably at least two identical elements.
6. Flat element according to claim 5, characterized in that longitudinal and/or transverse grooves (12) are provided on the upper surface (5) of the element (1) and preferably the width of these grooves corresponds to the desired joint width of a covering produced with the aid of the element.
7. Flat element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the highly water-resistant wooden material plate is a wood chipboard, which is preferably PMDI-bonded.
8. Flat element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a decorative coating (6) of plastic and in particular a melamine resin coating is provided on the upper surface (5) of the element (1).
9. Flat element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a preferably structured plastic coating (4) and in particular a melamine resin coating is provided on the lower surface (3) of the element (1).
10. Covering, particularly floor or wall covering, comprising at least two adjacent tile-like, preferably wall or floor tile-like, flat elements (1), in which each element (1) comprises a'highly water-resistant wooden material plate having a coating (4, 6), particularly a plastic coating, on at least part of its upper and/or lower surface (3, 5), in which one element (1) has at least one groove (8) and the other element (1) at least one tongue (10), characterized in that the groove (8) and tongue (10) are means for fixing and/or connecting in spaced manner the two adjacent elements (1), the width (b) of the tongue (10) being greater than the depth (t) of the groove (8) and the difference between said width (b) and said depth (t) corresponds to the desired joint width (bf) of the covering.
11. Covering according to claim 10, characterized in that its joints are filled with a waterproof, adequately tear-resistant and flexible joint filler.
12. Covering according to claim 11, characterized in that the joint filler comprises a plastic-coated jointing material.
13. Method for producing a covering, particularly a floor or wall covering, characterized in that elements according to at least one of the claims 1 to 9 are laid on a suitable substrate, particularly accompanied by bonding to said substrate and subsequently the joints formed are jointed in conventional manner with a suitable joint filler, i.e. wet jointed.

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