EP2829415A1 - Method for producing a decorated wall and floor panel - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for producing a decorated wall or floor panel, comprising the method steps: a) providing a pourable carrier material (20), b) arranging the carrier material (20) between two belt-like conveying means (12, 14), c) shaping the carrier material (20) under the effect of temperature to form a web-shaped carrier (36), d) compressing the carrier (36), e) treating the carrier (36) under the action of temperature and pressure, f) cooling the carrier (36), h) applying a decorative pattern replicating decoration on the carrier (36), and i) applying a protective layer to the decor. This method allows a particularly effective production of a panel, wherein the panel can be particularly stable, adaptable and high quality. Furthermore, provision is made for a device for producing a decorated wall panel or floor panel as well as a wall or floor panel which is produced according to the method, wherein a panel-shaped support (36) has a profiling at least in one edge area.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a decorated wall or floor panel, to an apparatus for producing a decorated wall or floor panel, and to a wall or floor panel produced according to such a method.

Decorated panels are known per se, whereby the term wall panel is also to be understood as panels which are suitable for ceiling clothing. They usually consist of a carrier or core made of a solid material, for example a wood material, which is provided on at least one side with a decorative layer and a cover layer and optionally with other layers, for example, arranged between the decorative and cover layer wear layer. The decorative layer is usually a printed paper impregnated with a resin. The top layer and the remaining layers are usually made of resin.

The production of the panels such as the core or the carrier may possibly still offer room for improvement.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved method for producing decorated wall or floor panels.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and by an apparatus according to claim 13. With regard to the wall or floor panel, the object is achieved by a panel according to claim 14.

1. a) Bereitstellen eines schüttfähigen Trägermaterials, insbesondere eines Granulats,
2. b) Anordnen des Trägermaterials zwischen zwei bandartigen Fördermitteln,
3. c) Formen des Trägermaterials unter Einwirkung von Temperatur unter Ausbildung eines bahnförmigen Trägers,
4. d) Komprimieren des Trägers,
5. e) Behandeln des Trägers unter Einwirkung von Temperatur und Druck, insbesondere unter Verwendung einer Zweibandpresse,
6. f) Abkühlen des Trägers,
7. g) gegebenenfalls Aufbringen eines Dekoruntergrunds auf zumindest einen Teilbereich des Trägers;
8. h) Aufbringen eines eine Dekorvorlage nachbildenden Dekors auf zumindest einen Teilbereich des Trägers,
9. i) Aufbringen einer Schutzschicht auf zumindest einen Teilbereich des Dekors,
10. j) gegebenenfalls Strukturieren der Schutzschicht zum Einfügen von Poren und/oder des Randbereichs des Trägers zum Ausbilden von Verbindungselementen, und
11. k) gegebenenfalls Behandeln des Trägers zur elektrostatischen Entladung vor einem der vorgenannten Verfahrensschritte.

The invention thus proposes a method for producing a decorated wall or floor panel, comprising the method steps:

1. a) providing a pourable carrier material, in particular a granulate,
2. b) arranging the carrier material between two belt-like conveying means,
3. c) shaping the support material under the action of temperature to form a web-shaped support,
4. d) compressing the carrier,
5. e) treating the support under the action of temperature and pressure, in particular using a two-band press,
6. f) cooling the carrier,
7. g) optionally applying a decorative substrate to at least a portion of the carrier;
8. h) application of a decorative pattern reproducing decoration on at least a portion of the carrier,
9. i) applying a protective layer to at least a portion of the decoration,
10. j) optionally structuring the protective layer for inserting pores and / or the edge region of the carrier for forming connecting elements, and
11. k) optionally treating the carrier for electrostatic discharge before one of the aforementioned method steps.

The term "decorated wall or floor panel" or "decorative panel" is to be understood in the context of the invention, in particular wall, ceiling or floor panels, which have a applied to a support plate a decorative template replica decor. Decorative panels are used in a variety of ways, both in the field of interior design of rooms, as well as decorative cladding of buildings, for example in exhibition construction. One of the most common uses of decorative panels is their use as floor coverings. The decorative panels often have a decor that is intended to recreate a natural material.

Examples of such modeled natural materials or decorative patterns are wood species such as maple, oak, birch, cherry, ash, walnut, chestnut, wenge or exotic woods such as panga panga, mahogany, bamboo and bubinga. In addition, many natural materials are modeled on stone surfaces or ceramic surfaces.

Correspondingly, a "decor template" in the sense of the present invention may be understood as meaning, in particular, such an original natural material or at least a surface of one which is to be imitated or imitated by the decor.

A "pourable" material may, in particular, be understood as meaning a material which can be applied to a substrate by a pouring process or spreading process. In this case, the material may be present as a fluid or in particular as a pourable solid.

Furthermore, a "granulate" or a "granular material" can be understood as meaning a solid or a heap of a solid which comprises or consists of a multiplicity of solid particles, such as grains or spheres. By way of example, but not exhaustive, granular or pulverulent materials may be mentioned here.

A "support" may in particular be understood as a layer serving as a core or as a base layer in a finished panel, which may in particular comprise a natural material, such as a wood-based material, a fiber material or a material comprising a plastic. For example, the wearer may already impart or contribute to the panel a suitable stability.

A "web-like carrier" may be understood to mean a carrier which, in its production process, has a web-like and therefore significantly greater length compared to its thickness or width and whose length may be, for example, greater than 15 meters.

In the context of the present invention, a "plate-shaped carrier" can also be understood to mean a carrier which is formed by singulation from the web-like carrier and is designed in the form of a plate. Furthermore, the plate-shaped carrier already pretend the shape and / or size of the panel to be produced. However, the plate-shaped carrier may also be provided as a large plate. A large plate according to the invention is in particular a carrier whose dimensions exceed the dimensions of the final decorative panels by a multiple and which is divided in the course of the manufacturing process into a corresponding plurality of decorative panels, for example by sawing, laser or water jet cutting. For example, the large plate can correspond to the web-shaped carrier.

"Wood materials" in the context of the invention are in addition to solid wood materials such as cross-laminated timber, glued laminated timber, hardwood plywood, plywood, laminated veneer lumber, Funierstreifenholz and bending plywood. In addition, under wood materials in the context of the invention, wood chip materials such as chipboard, extruded plates, coarse chipboard (Oriented Structural Board, OSB) and chipboard wood as well as wood fiber materials such as wood fiber insulation boards (HFD), medium-hard and hard fiberboard (MB, HFH), and especially medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and high-density fiberboard (HDF) to understand. Also modern wood materials such as wood-polymer materials (WPC), sandwich panels of a lightweight core material such as foam, rigid foam or paper honeycomb and a wood layer applied thereto, as well as mineral, such as cement, bonded wood chipboard form wood materials in the context of the invention. Cork also represents a wood material in the context of the invention.

For the purposes of the invention, the term "fiber materials" means materials such as paper and nonwovens based on vegetable, animal, mineral or even artificial fibers, as well as cardboard. Examples are fiber materials made of vegetable fibers and in addition to papers and webs of cellulose fibers plates of biomass such as straw, corn straw, bamboo, foliage, algae extracts, hemp, cotton or oil palm fibers. Examples of animal fiber materials include keratin-based materials such as wool or horsehair. Examples of mineral fiber materials are mineral wool or glass wool.

It has surprisingly been possible to demonstrate that the method described above makes it possible to combine a particularly advantageous preparation, in particular of a carrier of a wall or floor panel, with materials which are particularly preferred for producing the carrier of the panel due to their outstanding properties. In this case, by a combination of the above-described method steps, a production method, in particular a carrier with outstanding materials of a decorated wall or floor panel can be made possible with improved effectiveness, which method moreover makes the production highly adaptable and very stable Panels allowed. Thus, it is easy to produce panels which may have preferred properties.

The method for producing a wall or floor panel comprises the following method steps.

First, according to the present method, a carrier or a core is generated. For this purpose, the above-described method comprises according to method step a) first of all providing a pourable carrier material. The carrier material serves as the basis for the production of in particular plate-shaped carriers for panels. It may be present, for example, as a uniform material or as a material mixture of two or more materials. In this case, the support material or at least one constituent of the support material should have a melting point or a softening point in order to form the support material in a further process step by the action of heat, as explained in detail below. In a particularly advantageous manner, the support material can be provided as a pourable solid or as granules, wherein the granules can have a grain size in a range of ≥ 100 microns to ≤ 10 mm purely by way of example, depending on the material used. This allows a problem-free storage life and also a particularly good adaptability to a desired material composition. In particular, in granular form, a particularly homogeneous mixture of various components can be produced, with a particularly defined mixture is obtainable with a precisely adjustable composition. By way of example, so-called dry blends can be used, ie dry plastic powders with additives. In addition, granules can be distributed very homogeneously and furthermore very clearly distributed on a substrate, in particular in the above-described size range, so that a carrier with a highly defined property profile can be produced. A preferred bed or distribution of the support material may have a deviation of the bulk density of ≤5%, in particular < 3%. According to process step b), the pourable, in particular granular, carrier material is arranged between two belt-like conveying means. In detail, a lower belt-like conveyor is circulating and at a defined distance from the lower conveyor an upper belt-like conveyor is moved circumferentially. The carrier material can be applied to the lower conveyor and then limited by the lower and the upper conveyor. By an exact scattering can be dispensed with a lateral boundary. By means of the two conveying means, the carrier material can thus be conveyed to or through individual processing stations and processed into a carrier. Furthermore, the carrier material can already be preformed in this process step. Thus, the belt-like conveying means can take on two functions, namely that of a means of transport and that of a mold.

The band-like conveying means may be at least partially made of Teflon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). For example, the bands may be formed entirely of polytetrafluoroethylene, or bands provided with an outer coating of polytetrafluoroethylene may be used. In the latter case, glass fiber reinforced plastic tapes can be used. By means of such conveying means, a particularly defined, for example, smooth surface of the carrier produced can be produced on account of the non-stick properties of this material. Thus it can be prevented that the conveyed carrier material adheres to the conveying means and thus adversely affects the surface structure directly or by adhering material in a next cycle. In addition, polyterafluoroethylene is resistant to chemicals as well as against decomposition even at high temperatures, so that on the one hand a problem-free temperature treatment of the carrier material is possible and the funding is also stable for a long period of time. In addition, the carrier material can be freely selectable.

The discharging of the carrier material according to method step b) can be realized in particular by means of one or a plurality of scattering heads, which can discharge the carrier material in a defined manner. With regard to the scattering heads, these may for example be part of a scattering unit and have at least one rotating scattering roller. For example, a funnel can be provided, which can carry out the material to be discharged defined on the scattering roller. In this case, a doctor may further be provided which sweeps the material in recesses of the roller. Subsequently, the material can be discharged by means of a rotating brush roller from the scattering roller, where it hits against a baffle and from there slides on the conveyor. In order to regulate the spread, a spread width setting may be further provided. In this embodiment, a particularly homogeneous discharge of the carrier material can take place, which can likewise lead to a homogeneous carrier with defined quality.

For example, a scattering head or two, three or more scattering heads can be provided. As a result, the carrier can be particularly tailor-made in a particularly simple manner, for example by providing a desired material mixture. In this embodiment, the mixture can be easily adapted during the manufacturing process or between batches, so that a particularly large variability can be ensured. In addition, by a different equipping of the individual scattering heads, a mixture for the carrier material can be generated only immediately before processing, so that a negative influence on the various components with each other and a consequent reduction in the quality of the carrier produced can be prevented.

In a further step, according to method step c), a shaping of the carrier material arranged between the band-like conveying means takes place under the action of temperature or heat. In this process step takes place by the acting heat or heat thus melting or softening of Support material or at least a part thereof, whereby, for example, the granules can be formed. In this state, it can homogeneously fill the receiving space forming between the conveying means and thus form a web-shaped carrier which can be further treated.

The thus formed web-shaped carrier can be compressed according to method step d) below. This process step can be carried out in particular in a suitable press or roller. There is thus here a first compression of the web-shaped carrier. In this step, the carrier can already essentially obtain its desired thickness, so that in the following processing steps only a slight compression needs to take place and thus the further steps can be particularly gentle, as will be explained in detail below. In this case, it can be ensured, in particular, that the temperature of the carrier has cooled down so far that a suitable compressibility can be achieved while maintaining the desired result.

In a further method step e), a further treatment of the carrier takes place under the action of temperature or heat and pressure, in particular using a two-band press. In particular, the surface properties of the carrier can be adjusted in this method step. For example, in this process step, in particular a smoothing of the surface can take place. For this purpose, the previously compressed carrier can be treated under the action of temperature and pressure, wherein in particular the pressure can be selected low such that this second compression takes place only in a very small range. By way of example, a compression in a range of ≤5%, carried out in particular <3% of the total thickness of the carrier before compression. Thus, the configuration of the processing device in this process step can be chosen in particular depending on a desired adjustment of the surface properties, which can be particularly gentle.

In particular, the use of a two-belt press may be advantageous, since particularly gentle compression steps are possible with such a press, and furthermore the surface quality can be adjusted in a particularly effective and defined manner. Furthermore, in particular, the use of a belt press can enable high line speeds, so that the entire process can enable a particularly high throughput.

For example, such a belt press, which usually has a fairly long processing space in the conveying direction of the carrier, have a plurality of tempering zones, which may allow a temperature profile and thus an effective adjustment of the surface properties even at high line speeds.

In addition, a particularly uniform and defined adjustable belt tension of the two-band press can be made possible by the provision of pneumatic cylinders, for example, so that the adjustment of the surface quality as well as the compression can be particularly exact. The belt press can include about steel bands and be tempered by a thermal oil heating.

Smoothing or adjusting the surface finish may mean in this step that, although the uppermost surface is smoothed, already introduced structures or pores, however, are not or only influenced within a defined range, so that they still remain in the desired manner after this process step may be present, insofar as this is desired. This can be made possible in particular by the use of a belt press with a suitable temperature profile and with suitable pressure values.

In the further course, cooling of the web-shaped carrier takes place in a further method step f). The carrier can in particular by the provision of a

Cooling device can be cooled with defined cooling stages to a temperature which corresponds to the room temperature or is purely exemplary in a range of up to 20 ° C above. For example, there may be a plurality of cooling zones to allow for defined cooling of the support.

After cooling of the carrier produced, the carrier can first be stored in a web-like form or as an isolated plate-like carrier, and the process can initially be completed. Preferably, however, immediately follow further treatment steps, which may be feasible without grinding, in particular in order to process the provided support so as to produce a finished panel, as explained in detail below.

To produce a finished panel, the method comprises the further following method steps in order to provide the support with a decoration and to coat it with a protective layer. The subsequent steps are preferably carried out directly with the web-shaped carrier produced. However, it is also encompassed by the invention that the web-shaped carrier is first subdivided into a plurality of plate-shaped carriers prior to one of method steps g) to j) and / or the plate-shaped carrier is further processed by the corresponding following method steps. The following explanations apply to both alternatives, with a further discussion of treatment of the carrier for the sake of simplicity.

According to process step gk), pretreatment of the carrier for electrostatic discharge can thus optionally first be carried out, for example, before process step g). This may in particular serve to avoid the occurrence of blurring in the course of decor application. This is particularly suitable for printing methods for applying the decorative layers, since the build up in the course of the production process electrostatic charge in the substrates to be printed to a deflection of the color or Drops of ink on their way from the print head to the surface to be printed. The thus caused inaccuracy of the ink application leads to the noticeable blurring of the printed image.

In this case, the means for discharging electrostatic charges may comprise at least one roller, brush or lip of a conductive material with a conductivity ≥ 1 * 10 ³ Sm ^-1 , which electrically conductively contacts the carrier at least in the area of the printing unit and which is connected to an electrical ground potential is. In this case, the electrical ground potential can be provided for example by a ground. Furthermore, a device for discharging electrostatic charges may be, for example, a device for generating a corona discharge.

According to method step g), a decorative substrate may furthermore optionally be applied to at least one partial region of the carrier. For example, initially a primer can be applied in particular for printing processes as a decorative substrate, for example in a thickness of ≥ 10 μm to ≦ 60 μm. In this case, the primer used may be a liquid radiation-curing mixture based on a urethane or a urethane acrylate, optionally with one or more of a photoinitiator, a reactive diluent, a UV stabilizer, a rheology agent such as a thickener, radical scavenger, leveling agent, defoamer or preservative, pigment and / or or a dye. For example, the urethane acrylate can be contained in the form of reactive oligomers or prepolymers in the primer composition. For the purposes of the invention, the term "reactive oligomer" or "prepolymer" is to be understood as meaning a compound comprising urethane acrylate units, which may be radiation-induced, possibly reactive to urethane polymer or urethane acrylate polymer with the addition of a reactive binder or reactive diluent , Urethane acrylates in the context of the invention are compounds which are essentially composed of one or more aliphatic structural elements and urethane groups. Aliphatic structural elements include both Alkylene groups, preferably having 4 to 10 C-atoms, as well as cycloalkylene groups having preferably 6 to 20 C-atoms. Both the alkylene and the cycloalkylene groups may be mono- or polysubstituted with C ₁ -C ₄ -alkyl, in particular with methyl, and may contain one or more non-adjacent oxygen atoms. The aliphatic structural elements are optionally connected to each other via quaternary or tertiary carbon atoms, via urea groups, biuret, urethdione, allophanate, cyanurate, urethane, ester or amide groups or via ether oxygen or amine nitrogen. Furthermore, urethane acrylates according to the invention may also have ethylenically unsaturated structural elements. These are preferably vinyl or allyl groups which may also be substituted by C ₁ -C ₄ -alkyl, in particular methyl, and which are derived in particular from α, β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or their amides. Particularly preferred ethylenically unsaturated structural units are acryloyl and methacryloyl groups such as acrylamido and methacrylamido and especially acryloxy and methacryloxy. Radiation-curable in the sense of the invention means that the primer composition can be at least partially polymerized, induced by electromagnetic radiation of a suitable wavelength, such as, for example, UV radiation, or electron radiation.

The use of radiation-curable primers based on urethane acrylates makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner to apply a decoration, for example by means of digital printing technology, immediately following the application and the radiation-induced curing of the primer layer. The primer layer ensures good adhesion of the applied decoration on the carrier surface coated with the primer. In this case, urethane acrylates have the advantage of good adhesion both to the support material and to the decorative layer, ie the decorative color or ink. This is due inter alia to the polymerization reactions occurring in this type of polymers, in which on the one hand a radiation-induced radical polymerization of the OH groups occurs, on the other hand, a post-curing of the polymer via the NCO groups. This leads to the fact that immediately after the radiation-induced curing non-tacky and processable surface, while the final properties of the primer layer are also affected by NCO group-based post cure and provide secure bonding to the substrate. In addition, the postcuring that occurs ensures that sufficient layer stability is achieved even in less or unexposed areas of the support. In this way, in particular, pre-structured carriers, ie carriers whose surface already has a three-dimensional structuring, can be provided with a primer layer with the method according to the invention, which ensures that the subsequently applied decoration is adhesively bonded to the carrier.

The primer can preferably be applied in the process according to the invention by means of rubber rollers, casting machine or by spraying onto the carrier plate. The primer is preferably used in an amount between ≥ 1 g / m ² and ≦ 100 g / m ² , preferably between ≥ 10 g / m ² and ≦ 50 g / m ² , in particular between ≥ 20 g / m ² and ≦ 40 g / m ² applied. Following the application of the primer to the carrier surface, irradiation is carried out with a radiation source of suitable wavelength.

In addition to the use of a primer, it is possible to apply the decor to a decorative paper which can be printed with a corresponding decor, which can be provided as a connection means, for example, by means of a resin layer previously applied to the support. Such a printing substrate is suitable both for flexo printing, offset printing or screen printing methods, and in particular for digital printing techniques, such as inkjet method or laser printing method. For applying the resin layer, it may be preferable to apply a resin composition having as a resin component at least one compound selected from the group consisting of melamine resin, formaldehyde resin, urea resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, diallyl phthalate, or mixtures thereof. In this case, the resin composition may be, for example, in an application amount between ≥5 g / m ² and ≤40 g / m ² , preferably ≥10 g / m ² and ≤30 g / m ^{2 are} applied. Furthermore, a paper or nonwoven having a grammage of between ≥ 30 g / m ² and ≦ 80 g / m ² , preferably between ≥ 40 g / m ² and ≦ 70 g / m ^{2, may be} applied to the plate-shaped carrier.

Furthermore, in accordance with method step h), a decoration which imitates a decorative pattern can be applied to at least one subregion of the carrier. The decor can be applied by the so-called direct printing. For the purposes of the invention, the term "direct printing" refers to the application of a decoration directly to the support of a panel or to a non-printed fibrous material layer or a decorative substrate applied to the support. Different printing techniques, such as flexographic printing, offset printing or screen printing can be used. In particular, as digital printing techniques, for example, inkjet method or laser printing method can be used.

For example, to imitate a decorative template in a particularly detailed and highly accurate manner in three-dimensional form or to feel the same, the decor can be applied identical to a template. In particular, the three-dimensional decor data can be provided by a three-dimensional scanning of the decor template by means of electromagnetic radiation, for example by a three-dimensional scanner (3D scanner). In this case, a plurality of decorative layers with at least partially different surface application based on provided three-dimensional decor data can be applied successively.

Furthermore, the decorative layers can be formed from a particular radiation-curable ink and / or ink. For example, a UV-curable ink or ink may be used. In this embodiment, a particularly detailed and consistent replica of the decorative template can be achieved. For one thing, in this way can be achieved without the provision of further measures and highly accurate a synchronous pore. A Synchronous pore can be in particular a pore or a different type of structure, which is spatially arranged exactly where it is optically represented by a matching with the optical decor features haptic structuring. This is essentially the case automatically in this refinement, since the structural design is precisely produced by the ink or ink. In addition, decor templates, such as wood-based panels, often have a variation of the color impression not only along their width or length but also along their depth. Also, this color impression or color gradient can be modeled in particular detail in this embodiment, which also makes the overall impression of the panel appear even more identical. In this case, especially when the ink or ink used is radiation-curable, a particularly rapid solidification can be achieved, as a result of which the plurality of layers can be rapidly applied to one another, which can also make the overall process feasible in a shorter time and thus more cost-effective.

In the context of the invention, the term radiation-curable ink is understood to mean a composition containing binder and / or filler as well as color pigments, which can be at least partially polymerized induced by electromagnetic radiation of suitable wavelength, such as UV radiation or electron radiation.

According to the invention, the term radiation-curable ink is to be understood as meaning a substantially filler-free, color pigments-containing composition which can be at least partially polymerized induced by electromagnetic radiation of suitable wavelength, such as UV radiation or electron radiation.

In this case, the decorative layers can each be applied in a thickness in a range of ≥ 5 μm to ≦ 10 μm.

It can also be provided, in addition to a color and / or structure positive image also apply a corresponding negative image of the decor template. In detail, as is known, for example, from a positive pickling or negative pickling for wood materials, the color impression of, for example, a grain can be reversed by the use of digital data, so that a negative arises with respect to the color or, in particular, lighter and darker areas. The same is possible in addition to the color impression also for the applied structure, so that also with respect to the structural design, a negative is feasible. Even such effects can be easily integrated into a production process on the basis of digital three-dimensional data without any lead time or conversions.

According to method step i), a coating of a protective layer on at least a portion of the decoration may be provided. Such a layer for protecting the applied decoration can be applied in particular as a wear or cover layer above the decorative layer in a subsequent process step, which in particular protects the decorative layer from wear or damage by dirt, moisture or mechanical effects such as abrasion. For example, it may be provided that the wear and / or cover layer is laid on the printed support as a pre-produced overlay layer, for example based on melamine, and connected thereto by pressure and / or heat. Furthermore, it may be preferred that a radiation-curable composition, such as, for example, a radiation-curable lacquer, such as an acrylic lacquer, is also applied to form the wear and / or cover layer. It may be provided that the wear layer hard materials such as titanium nitride, titanium carbide, silicon nitride, Silicon carbide, boron carbide, tungsten carbide, tantalum carbide, alumina (corundum), zirconium oxide or mixtures thereof, to increase the wear resistance of the layer. In this case, the application can be applied for example by means of rollers, such as rubber rollers or by means of pouring devices.

Furthermore, the cover layer can first be partially cured and subsequently a final coating with a urethane acrylate and a final curing, such as with a gallium radiator, are performed.

Further, the cover and / or wear layer may include means for reducing the static (electrostatic) charge of the final laminate. For example, it can be provided that the cover and / or wearing layer compounds such. Choline chloride has. The antistatic agent may, for example, in a concentration between ≥0.1 wt .-% and ≤40.0 wt .-%, preferably between ≥1.0 wt .-% and ≤30.0 wt .-% in the cover and / or composition for forming wear layer.

Furthermore, according to method step j), it is provided that a structuring, in particular a surface structuring matching the decor, is introduced into the protective layer or wear or cover layer by the introduction of pores. It can be provided that the carrier plate already has a structuring and alignment of a printing tool for applying the decor and the support plate to each other in dependence on by means of the optical process detected structuring of the support plate. For aligning the pressure tool and the support plate to each other, it may be provided that a necessary relative to the orientation relative movement between the pressure tool and support plate to each other by a displacement of the support plate or by a displacement of the pressure tool. Furthermore, it can be provided that a structuring of Decorative panels after the application of the cover and / or wear layer takes place. For this purpose, it can preferably be provided that a curable composition is applied as cover and / or wear layer and a curing process takes place only to the extent that only partial hardening of the cover and / or wear layer takes place. In the thus partially cured layer, a desired surface structure is impressed by means of suitable tools, such as a hard metal structural roll or a stamp. The embossing is done in accordance with the applied decor. In order to ensure sufficient conformity of the structure to be introduced with the decor, provision may be made for the carrier plate and the embossing tool to be aligned with one another by corresponding relative movements. Subsequent to the introduction of the desired structure into the partially cured cover and / or wear layer, a further hardening of the now structured covering and / or wear layer takes place.

In many cases it is provided that in such wear or cover layers a matching with the decor surface structuring is introduced. Under a matching with the decor surface structuring is to be understood that the surface of the decorative panel has a haptic perceptible structure, which corresponds in shape and pattern of the applied decor, so as to obtain a true to the original reproduction of a natural material also in terms of haptics.

In addition, a counter-pull can be applied on the side opposite the decorative side. It is particularly preferred that the counter-pull is applied in a common calendering with the paper or non-woven on the decorative side.

Alternatively or additionally, the edge regions of the panel can be structured or profiled, in order to provide in particular detachable connecting elements. In this regard, it can be provided in a profiling according to the invention that by means of suitable material removal tools at least in a part of the edges of the decorative panel a decorative and / or functional profile is introduced. In this case, a functional profile is understood, for example, to mean the introduction of a tongue and / or groove profile into an edge in order to make decorative panels connectable to each other via the introduced profilings. Particularly in the case of tongue and / or groove profiles, elastic materials are advantageous, since such profiles alone can be produced by them, which are particularly easy to handle and stable. In particular, no further materials are necessary to produce the fasteners.

The method described above enables an improved production of a wall panel or floor panel.

In particular, the support material can be chosen particularly freely and, in particular, support materials can be used which can have particularly advantageous properties for the panel to be produced. For example, it is possible to produce particularly high-quality panels which can meet the highest requirements in terms of appearance and stability. In this case, a production can be particularly effective and inexpensive.

The method for producing a carrier that can be used in the method for producing a wall and floor panel can be advantageous, in particular in the context of the present inventive method for producing wall and floor panels, since it enables particularly high line speeds, which far exceed those of the prior art Line speeds known to the art, as a feed rate of the carrier or the conveying means, may be for the manufacture of a panel. Line speeds of up to 15 m / min can be achieved, in particular by the use of a two-belt press, whereby values of 6 m / min or more can also be possible for materials which are problematic in this respect.

Furthermore, by the above-described two-stage compression process a very accurate thickness can be achieved, in particular for panel support materials, wherein, for example, thickness tolerances in a range of 0.1 mm or less can be achieved. Thus, in addition to a particularly homogeneous composition, a carrier produced by the above-described method can furthermore have a particularly uniform thickness, which allows a particularly defined and reproducible product and thus a particularly high quality.

Furthermore, it has been found that in particular by the method described above very stable carriers can be produced, which can be further improved in terms of stability.

According to one embodiment, a carrier material based on a plastic or a wood-plastic composite material (WPC) can be provided. For example, the carrier plate may be formed of a thermoplastic, elastomeric or thermosetting plastic. Furthermore, recycled materials from the materials mentioned can be used in the context of the method according to the invention. In particular, thermoplastic materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins (for example polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamides (PA), polyurethanes (PU), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate may be preferred as the plate material (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or mixtures or co-polymers thereof In this case, irrespective of the base material of the support, it is possible, for example, to provide plasticizers which are present in a range of> 0% by weight. % to ≦ 20% by weight, in particular < 10% by weight, preferably < 7% by weight, for example in a range from ≥ 5% by weight to ≦ 10% by weight about the under the trade name "Dinsch" of the BASF sold plasticizers. Further, as a replacement for conventional plasticizers, copolymers such as acrylates or methacrylates may be provided.

In particular, thermoplastics also offer the advantage that the products made from them can be recycled very easily. Recycled materials from other sources can also be used. This results in a further possibility for reducing the production costs.

Such carriers are very elastic or resilient, which allows a comfortable impression when walking and also can reduce the noise occurring when committing compared to conventional materials, thus an improved footfall sound can be realized.

Moreover, the above-mentioned carriers offer the advantage of good water resistance since they have a swelling of 1% or less. This is true in a surprising way in addition to pure plastic substrates for WPC materials, as they are explained in detail below.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the carrier material may comprise or consist of wood-polymer materials (WPC). Here, by way of example, a wood and a polymer may be suitable, which may be present in a ratio of 40/60 to 70/30, for example 50/50. Polypropylene, polyethylene or a copolymer of the two abovementioned materials can be used as polymer constituents. Such materials offer the advantage that they can already be formed into a support at low temperatures, such as in a range of ≥ 180 ° C. to ≦ 200 ° C., in the method described above, so that particularly effective process control, for example at exemplary line speeds in a range of 6m / min, can be made possible. For example, for a WPC product with a 50/50 distribution of wood and Polymer shares with an exemplary product thickness of 4.1mm possible, which can enable a particularly effective manufacturing process.

Furthermore, very stable panels can be produced which furthermore have high elasticity, which can be advantageous in particular for an effective and cost-effective design of connecting elements on the edge region of the carrier and furthermore with regard to footfall sound insulation. Furthermore, the aforementioned good water compatibility can be made possible with a swelling of less than 1% in such WPC materials. In this case, WPC materials, for example, stabilizers and / or other additives, which may preferably be present in the plastic content.

Furthermore, it may be particularly advantageous that the carrier material comprises or consists of a PVC-based material. Also, such materials can be used in a particularly advantageous manner for high quality panels, which are easily used even in wet rooms. Furthermore, PVC-based carrier materials are also suitable for a particularly effective production process, since here line speeds of 8 m / min with an exemplary product thickness of 4.1 mm may be possible, which may allow a particularly effective production process. Furthermore, such carriers have an advantageous elasticity and water compatibility, which can lead to the aforementioned advantages.

In the case of plastic-based panels as well as WPC-based panels, mineral fillers may be advantageous. Particularly suitable here are about talc or calcium carbonate (chalk), alumina, silica, quartz, wood flour, gypsum. For example, chalk can be provided in a range from ≥ 30% by weight to ≦ 70% by weight, it being possible in particular for the slips of the carrier to be improved by the fillers, in particular by the chalk. Also, they can be colored in a known manner. In particular, it may be provided that the plate material has a flame retardant.

According to a further embodiment, the carrier material may comprise hollow microspheres. Such additives can in particular cause the density of the carrier and thus of the panel produced can be significantly reduced, so that a particularly simple and cost-effective transport and also a particularly comfortable installation can be guaranteed. In this case, a stability of the panel produced can be ensured in particular by the insertion of hollow microspheres, which is not significantly reduced compared to a material without hollow microspheres. Thus, stability is sufficient for most of the applications. Under hollow microspheres can be understood in particular structures that have a hollow body and have a size or a maximum diameter, which is in the micrometer range. For example, usable hollow spheres may have a diameter which is in the range of ≥ 5 μm to ≦ 100 μm, for example ≥ 20 μm to ≦ 50 μm. As a material of the hollow microspheres is basically any material into consideration, such as glass or ceramic. Furthermore, due to the weight of plastics, such as the plastics used in the support material, for example PVC, PE or PP, may be advantageous, which may optionally be prevented, for example by suitable additives, from deforming during the manufacturing process.

According to a further embodiment, the band-like conveying means may be at least partially structured. Through the use of structured conveying means, it is possible to produce a carrier which is likewise structured and thus can have pores, for example, which can reflect a natural product to be sensed. As a result, it is possible, for example, to dispense with further structuring in the subsequent production process of the panel, which can make the subsequent method steps particularly simple, quick and cost-effective. In addition, the structuring or In this embodiment, the pores can be realized in one working step with the shaping of the band-shaped carrier, so that a further working step for the formation of the pores can be dispensed with. Furthermore, the introduced structure in that it is already present in the carrier and thus in the core of the panel, even with the highest stress be particularly stable and durable. In addition to the introduction of a structure, the conveyor belts can also have a defined roughness, since such a venting can be improved in a shaping of the carrier. In this case, for example, different roughness depths can be used for the upper and lower band, wherein the lower band can have a greater roughness depth than the upper band or band-like conveying means. For example, the lower band and / or the upper band may have a roughness depth in a range of ≥ 0 to ≦ 25 μm.

According to a further embodiment, a sensor for checking the arrangement of the carrier material between the two belt-like conveying means may be provided. In particular, the sensor may detect the placement of the substrate on the lower conveyor. For example, it is possible to provide a sensor which is based in particular on x-rays and checks the weight per unit area of the material applied and thus the homogeneity of the material applied. Preferably, the sensor may have a feedback to the scattering units so as to be able to react immediately to a faulty application. In this case, the sensor can be shielded by appropriate fenders to prevent accidental leakage of X-rays. Furthermore, a cooling system can be provided to protect and extend the life of the sensor.

According to a further embodiment, a fiber material can be incorporated into the carrier. In particular, the fiber material can be incorporated into the carrier in process step b). In this embodiment, therefore, about a fiber material, in particular as a fiber material web, be wound on a roll and unwound by means of a unwinding for unwinding of the fiber material and between the two belt-like conveyor are guided to insert the fiber material. For example, in this embodiment, a glass fiber fleece can be used. In this embodiment, a carrier can be produced with a particularly high load-bearing capacity or stability, since the strength of the carrier can be significantly increased by the incorporated fiber material. In addition, the carrier can be particularly tailored in this embodiment, since, for example, by providing a plurality of scattering units, as explained above in detail, the carrier material, for example, above and below the web can be adjusted as desired. Furthermore, a still tailor-made solution can be made possible by the provision of a plurality of fibrous material webs, wherein the carrier material can in turn be variable or adaptable as desired.

According to a further embodiment, a temperature gradient can be set in method step c). In particular, a temperature gradient can be set along a conveying direction of the carrier material. In this embodiment, this method step can enable a particularly high-quality product and also allow a particularly high line speed. In detail, for example, using a temperature gradient along a conveying direction a particularly rapid heating can be made possible, which allows a high line speed. This can be realized, for example, by a comparatively higher temperature in a first or front region in the conveying direction. In this case, too high a temperature effect on the carrier material can continue to be prevented, which can prevent damage and enable a particularly high quality. In addition, for example, a degassing can be improved and accelerated upon heating of the support material, which in turn allows a high line speed and also can provide a particularly high stability and quality by preventing gas inclusions. This can be made possible in particular by a temperature gradient in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. In the latter case, in particular, the area below the substrate can be higher be heated than the area above the substrate. For example, here a temperature gradient in a range of 50 ° C may be advantageous.

According to a further embodiment, method step c) can be carried out using two plate-like shaping devices. In this embodiment, a particularly long processing time and shaping of the carrier take place even at high line speeds, which may allow a particularly defined forms of the carrier. For in particular in this embodiment can be easily heated to a desired and necessary temperature even at high line speeds by a long contact time of the carrier material with the plate-like shaping devices, which can be heated accordingly, the carrier material. In addition, in this embodiment, the formation of temperature profiles can be made particularly simple and effective.

According to a further embodiment, process step d) is carried out using an S-roll. By using an S-roll as a compression unit, desired compression can be enabled with a simple and inexpensive means defined even at high line speeds. In order to set the appropriate and depending on the desired result suitable force, the roller can be adjustable, for example, in the direction of the continuous carrier material. In this case, the S-roll, for example, only comprise a roller which exerts a force only in combination with a counterforce by the belt tension of the conveyor. Alternatively, one or a plurality of counter-rollers may be provided, which apply the corresponding counterforce. In the context of the invention, an S-roll can be understood to mean a roll which is arranged such that the support circulates in an S-shaped manner, as is known to the person skilled in the art and described in detail below with reference to the figures.

According to a further embodiment, the carrier can be compressed in step e) by a factor of> 0% to ≤ 7%, preferably> 0% to ≤ 5%. In this embodiment, method step e) can thus obtain a particularly smooth surface by means of a slight compression, since this method step can essentially be tuned to the smoothing or to the setting of the surface quality. Thus, the entire structure of the press, in particular the dual-band press, can be aligned with smoothing and there is no need to focus on excessive compression, which can produce a particularly good surface image even at high throughputs.

With regard to further technical features and advantages of the method, reference is hereby explicitly made to the description of the device, the wall or floor panel and to the figure.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for producing a decorated wall or floor panel, which is characterized in that the device comprises means for performing a method configured as described above. With regard to the provision of the corresponding means and their advantages, reference is explicitly made to the description of the method, the wall or floor panel and to the figure.

Moreover, the invention relates to a wall or floor panel, produced according to a method described above, wherein a plate-shaped carrier has a profiling at least in one edge region. In a profiling according to the invention, it is provided that a decorative and / or functional profile is introduced by means of suitable material-removing tools at least in a part of the edges of the decorative panel. Here, a functional profile, for example, the introduction of a tongue and / or groove profile in an edge to understand decorative panels on the introduced Profiles connectable to each other. A decorative profile in the sense of the invention is, for example, a chamfer introduced in the edge region of the decorative panel in order to simulate, for example, a joint between two interconnected panels, as occurs, for example, in so-called plank flooring.

In a partial profiling of the decorative panel not all to be provided in the final panel profiles are introduced, but only a part of the profiles to be provided, while other profiles are introduced in a subsequent step. For example, it may be provided that the decorative profile to be provided in a panel, such as a chamfer, is introduced in one work step, while the functional profile, for example tongue and groove, is introduced in a subsequent work step.

By applying the decoration only after the at least partial profiling of the carrier, for example by the above-described methods such as direct printing method, a removal or damage of the decoration in the course of profiling is advantageously avoided. As a result, the decor also corresponds to the desired imitation of a natural material, for example, in the areas of the profiling in a detailed manner.

In order to provide a particularly detailed imitation in the profiled areas, the print template used for printing in the area of the profiling of the panel can be distortion-compensated. Distortion compensation means in the context of the invention, for example, for the exemplary case of application with a printing process, which is compensated by the deviation of the profiling from the surface plane of the carrier, for example at a chamfer flank, caused distortion of the printed image by adjusting the artwork to the deviation. It may be provided, for example, that the compensation of the distortion by means of adaptation the pixel spacing, the pixel size and / or the color order depending on the intended edge profile of the finished decorative panel. In the case of printing by means of digital printing, the triggering of the print head can be effected as a function of the distortion to be compensated, so that the print head is deflected beyond the profiled area, for example, and the color output is adapted to the profile.

In this case, it is possible, for example, that prior to application of the decorative layer of the carrier provided as a large panel, the joints (such as V-joints) to be provided in a final panel composite are milled into the carrier, at least the decorative layer is applied to the carrier profiled in this way and the carrier is then divided at least in the profiled areas. Depending on the type of division, such as, for example, sawing, laser cutting or water jet cutting, it can preferably be provided that the required cutting allowance in the introduced profile is taken into account.

For example, the plate-shaped carrier may comprise a material based on a WPC material or a PVC material. With regard to the exact composition and the resulting advantages, reference is explicitly made to the above description of the method.

With regard to further technical features and advantages of the wall or floor panel, reference is hereby explicitly made to the description of the method, the apparatus and to the figure.

• Fig. 1 zeigt schematisch eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Durchführen eines Teils des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine beispielhafte S-Walze zum Durchführen eines Verfahrensschritts des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

The invention is explained below with reference to the figures and an embodiment.

• Fig. 1 shows schematically an apparatus according to the invention for performing a part of the method according to the invention; and
• Fig. 2 shows an exemplary S-roll for performing a method step of the method according to the invention.

1. a) Bereitstellen eines schüttfähigen Trägermaterials, insbesondere eines Granulats,
2. b) Anordnen des Trägermaterials zwischen zwei bandartigen Fördermitteln,
3. c) Formen des Trägermaterials unter Einwirkung von Temperatur unter Ausbildung eines bahnförmigen Trägers,
4. d) Komprimieren des Trägers,
5. e) Behandeln der Trägermaterialbahn unter Einwirkung von Temperatur und Druck, insbesondere unter Verwendung einer Zweibandpresse,
6. f) Abkühlen des Trägers.

The device after FIG. 1 is suitable for a method of making a decorated wall or floor panel. It will respect FIG. 1 in particular, processing stations for the following method steps are described:

1. a) providing a pourable carrier material, in particular a granulate,
2. b) arranging the carrier material between two belt-like conveying means,
3. c) shaping the support material under the action of temperature to form a web-shaped support,
4. d) compressing the carrier,
5. e) treating the substrate sheet under the action of temperature and pressure, in particular using a two-band press,
6. f) cooling the carrier.

Following these process steps, the process can have further process steps in order to obtain the finished wall or floor panel.

The device 10 according to FIG. 1 comprises first two circumferential band-like conveying means 12, 14 which are guided in particular by deflection rollers 16 such that between them a receiving space 18 for receiving and processing a provided pourable, in particular granular carrier material 20, such as based on a plastic, such as PVC, or a wood-plastic composite material, such as wood and PP, PE or a block copolymer comprising PP and PE, forms. The conveying means 12, 14 may be at least partially made of polytetrafluoroethylene be, for example, be coated with it. Furthermore, the conveying means 12, 14 may be at least partially roughened or structured, in particular on their side facing the receiving space 18. Further, the conveying means 12, 14 may have a width in a range of about 1.5 m.

In order to arrange the carrier material 20 between the belt-like conveying means 12, 14 or in the receiving space 18, a discharge unit 22 is provided with one or a plurality of discharge heads 24, by means of which the carrier material 20 can be arranged on the lower conveying means 14. The discharge heads 24 may in this case comprise a funnel 25, which applies the carrier material 20 to corresponding scattering rollers 26, whereupon the carrier material 20 can be scattered onto the lower conveying means 14.

In order to ensure a homogeneous application of the carrier material 20 on the lower conveyor 14, a sensor for checking the arrangement of the carrier material 20 between two belt-like conveying means 12, 14 may be provided. The sensor may in particular be coupled to the discharge unit 22 in order to directly correct a potentially inaccurate filling of the receiving space 18.

In order to enable a particularly homogeneous distribution of the carrier material 20, vibrators may also be provided. These can act approximately on the lower conveyor 14 and be arranged, for example, under the lower conveyor 14, so that the carrier material 20 is finely distributed.

In order to prevent undesired contamination and damage to subsequent processing stations, it is further possible to provide a sensor for detecting metals, which can detect unintentionally inserted metal.

Furthermore, a device for introducing a fiber material into the receiving space 18 and thus be provided in the carrier. For example, the fiber material can be designed like a belt and unwound from a roll. In this case, the fiber material may be arranged approximately between two discharge heads 24 in order, for example, to be able to arrange a different material above and below the fiber material. Thus, the fiber material can be introduced, for example, such that above and below the fiber material, a desired amount of support material 20 is located.

In the conveying direction of the conveying means 12, 14, which is characterized by the arrow 13, a forming unit 28 is further provided, which is adapted to the carrier material 20 under the action of temperature or heat to fuse the carrier material 20 to form a web-shaped carrier 36 to shape. For this purpose, the molding unit 28 can have approximately two plate-like molding devices 30, 32, which can be heated by a heating device 34, for example by means of a thermal oil. Thereby, the support material 20 may be heated until, depending on the melting point of the support material 20 or a part thereof, a temperature of, for example and depending on the material used, such as PVC or a WPV material, ≥ 180 ° C to ≤ 200 ° C has reached. For this purpose, the molding unit 28 or the molding devices 30, 32 can be heated, for example to a temperature of up to 250 ° C. In this case, for example, one or a plurality of independently adjustable heating areas can be provided for setting a temperature gradient. For example, the entire shaping devices 30, 32, which may have a length of several meters, may be heatable, or only part of them may be heatable.

Furthermore, the molding unit 28 may in particular have a parallel gap, which may be formed by the plate-like molding devices 30, 32. However, an inlet mouth can be provided at the inlet by a conical shape to an improved inlet of the carrier material 20. The force acting on the carrier material 20 may be fed in a range from> 0 kg / m ^2, up to ≤ 1 kg / m ^2. In particular, a uniform pressurization without the provision of a pressure profile or a pressure gradient can be provided.

In the FIG. 1 It should also be appreciated that the lower former 32 is longer than the upper former 30 and also begins before the upper. It can thereby be achieved that processing only takes place when the carrier material 20 has already been melted or at least melted on and at least partially softened. As a result, a particularly defined shaping process can be made possible.

In the further course in the conveying direction of the conveyor units 12, 14 of the belt-like carrier 36 is guided by a pressing device 38. The pressing device 38 may for example comprise an S-roll, which in detail in the FIG. 2 is shown. The S-roll can be moved substantially perpendicular to the surface of the carrier 36 and thus to the direction of travel of the carrier 36, as indicated by the arrow 58, so that the desired pressures can be particularly advantageous adjustable. Further, the pressing device 38 may, for example, on the carrier 36 exert a pressure that may be in a range of ≥ 1kg / m ² to ≤ 3kg / m ² . The S-roll comprises a main roller 60, which acts on the web-shaped carrier 36. Under certain circumstances, the belt tension may be sufficient as a back pressure, but it is preferred that at least one counter-pressure roller 62 is provided. For a suitable guiding of the web-like support 36, two pairs of calender rolls 64 and, optionally, deflection rolls 66 can also be provided, which can furthermore provide for a suitable strip tension. In the FIG. 2 It can be seen that the web-like support 36 is guided by the guide rollers 66 and the main roller 60 twice S-shaped, which guide the term S-roller conditional. In detail, the main roller 60 may be wrapped by the sheet-shaped carrier 36 in a range of about 50% or more. The temperature of the carrier 36 In addition, in the case of an inlet into the pressing device 38, in particular, the temperature present at the exit from the forming unit 28 corresponds.

From the pressing device 38, the carrier 36 is subsequently guided to a further pressing device 40. To compensate for any heat loss from the carrier 36 or to further deliberately heat the carrier 36, another heater 42, such as an IR heater, may be provided between the press devices 38, 40.

Coming back to the pressing device 40, this advantageously can be a two-belt press, which in particular can have steel belts 44, 46 and wherein the belts 44, 46 of the two-belt press can be guided by deflection rollers 48, 50. The deflection rollers 48, 50 can be heated, for example by means of a thermal oil heater and / or the rollers on the same side of the gap can be arranged approximately a distance in a range of ≥1m to ≤ 2m, for example 1.5m from each other, wherein the Bands 44, 46 may have a width in a range of about 1.5m. According to FIG. 1 the carrier 20 located between the conveying means 12, 14 is guided between the deflection rollers 48, 50 and thus between the belts 44, 46, in particular steel belts. On the carrier 36 opposite side of the bands 44, 46 each pressing and / or heating means 52, 54 are provided. These can both the conveyors 12, 14 and thus the carrier 36 both heat, as well as slightly compress. For this purpose, for example, an air heater may be provided and a plurality of rollers, which may allow an intermittent pressing. In this case, a temperature in a range of up to 250 ° C act on the carrier 36. For example, the temperature may be in a range from ≥ 25 ° C to ≦ 35 ° C above the melting temperature or softening temperature of the support material or a part thereof. Furthermore, such a pressure on the support 36 can act, that the carrier 36 is compressed at step e) by a factor of ≤ 7.5%, preferably <5%, for setting in a range of 0.2 mm to ≤ ≥0,1mm , The pressing and / or heating devices 52, 54 may occupy substantially the entire area between the deflection rollers 48, 50, or even a limited area along the conveying direction. After passing through the pressing device 40, the carrier may have a temperature in the range of approximately 190 ° C.

The pressing device 40 may have a variable pressure profile, starting approximately with 6mm and ending with 4.1mm, or advantageously designed as an isochronous press.

In the conveying direction behind the pressing device 40 is according to FIG. 1 a cooling device 56 is arranged, through which the carrier can be cooled to a temperature which is for example in a range of ≤ 35 ° C. In this case, the cooling device 56 may be based, for example, on a water cooling system and include a plurality of cooling zones, in order to allow a defined cooling using precisely customizable cooling programs. The length of the cooling zone can correspond to the effective length of the pressing device 40. After the cooling device 56 may still be provided another cooling belt.

After these process steps, the support, which may have a final thickness in a range of ≥ 3 mm to ≦ 5 mm, for example 4.1 mm, can be treated further directly, or be stored, for example as a web-shaped carrier 36 or as an already singly plate-shaped carrier.

• g) gegebenenfalls Aufbringen eines Dekoruntergrunds auf zumindest einen Teilbereich des Trägers 36;
• h) Aufbringen eines eine Dekorvorlage nachbildenden Dekors auf zumindest einen Teilbereich des Trägers 36,
• i) Aufbringen einer Schutzschicht auf zumindest einen Teilbereich des Dekors,
• j) gegebenenfalls Strukturieren der Schutzschicht, und
• k) gegebenenfalls Behandeln des Trägers 36 zur elektrostatischen Entladung vor einem der vorgenannten Verfahrensschritte.

At this point, the further method steps follow in the method according to the invention:

• g) optionally applying a decorative substrate to at least a portion of the carrier 36;
• h) application of a decorative pattern replica decoration on at least a portion of the carrier 36,
• i) applying a protective layer to at least a portion of the decoration,
• j) optionally structuring the protective layer, and
• k) optionally treating the carrier 36 for electrostatic discharge before one of the aforementioned method steps.

Reference numerals:

10

contraption

12

belt-like conveyor

13

arrow

14

belt-like conveyor

16

idler pulley

18

accommodation space

20

support material

22

discharge unit

24

Discharge

25

funnel

26

spreading roller

28

molding unit

30

forming device

32

forming device

34

heater

36

band-like carrier

38

presser

40

presser

44

steel strips

46

steel strips

48

idler pulley

50

idler pulley

52

heater

54

heater

56

cooling device

58

arrow

60

main roll

62

Backing roll

64

calender roll

66

deflecting

Claims (15)

Method for producing a decorated wall or floor panel, comprising the method steps: a) providing a free-flowing carrier material (20), in particular a granulate, b) arranging the carrier material (20) between two belt-like conveying means (12, 14), c) shaping the carrier material (20) under the action of temperature to form a web-shaped carrier (36), d) compressing the carrier (36), e) treating the support (36) under the action of temperature and pressure, in particular using a two-belt press, f) cooling the carrier (36), g) optionally applying a decorative substrate to at least a portion of the carrier (36); h) applying a decor which simulates a decorative pattern to at least one partial region of the carrier (36), i) applying a protective layer to at least a portion of the decoration, j) optionally structuring the protective layer for inserting pores and / or the edge region of the carrier for forming connecting elements, and k) optionally treating the carrier (36) for electrostatic discharge before one of the aforementioned method steps. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a carrier material (20) is provided based on a plastic or a wood-plastic composite material. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that a support material (20) based on a WPC material comprising wood and polyethylene, wood and polypropylene or wood and a copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene is provided. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that a carrier material (20) is provided based on a PVC material. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier material (20) comprises hollow microspheres. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the band-like conveying means (12, 14) are at least partially structured. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sensor for checking the arrangement of the carrier material (20) between the belt-like conveying means (12, 14) is provided. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the carrier (36) a fiber material, in particular a fiber material web, is incorporated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in process step c) a temperature gradient is set. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that method step c) is carried out using two plate-like shaping devices (30, 32). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that method step d) is carried out using an S-roll. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier is compressed in step e) by a factor of ≤ 7%, preferably ≤ 5%. Device for producing a decorated wall or floor panel, characterized in that the device comprises means for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 12. Wall or floor panel, produced according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a plate-shaped support (36) has a profiling, in particular as a connecting element, at least in one edge area. Wall or floor panel according to claim 14, characterized in that the plate-shaped support (36) comprises a material based on a WPC material or a PVC material.

Images