EP4119741A1 - Dekorpaneel - Google Patents

Dekorpaneel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4119741A1
EP4119741A1 EP21189982.8A EP21189982A EP4119741A1 EP 4119741 A1 EP4119741 A1 EP 4119741A1 EP 21189982 A EP21189982 A EP 21189982A EP 4119741 A1 EP4119741 A1 EP 4119741A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
decorative
top layer
decorative panel
panel according
substrate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21189982.8A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Pieter-Jan SABBE
Bryan ROLLIER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Flooring Industries Ltd SARL
Original Assignee
Flooring Industries Ltd SARL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Flooring Industries Ltd SARL filed Critical Flooring Industries Ltd SARL
Priority to AU2022312749A priority Critical patent/AU2022312749A1/en
Priority to PCT/IB2022/056405 priority patent/WO2023285954A1/en
Publication of EP4119741A1 publication Critical patent/EP4119741A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/04—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members
    • E04F15/041—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members with a top layer of wood in combination with a lower layer of other material
    • E04F15/042—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members with a top layer of wood in combination with a lower layer of other material the lower layer being of fibrous or chipped material, e.g. bonded with synthetic resins
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/02005—Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips
    • E04F15/02033—Joints with beveled or recessed upper edges
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/02038—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements characterised by tongue and groove connections between neighbouring flooring elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/02177—Floor elements for use at a specific location
    • E04F15/02188—Floor elements for use at a specific location for use in wet rooms
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0138—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0138—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane
    • E04F2201/0146—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane with snap action of the edge connectors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0153—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by rotating the sheets, plates or panels around an axis which is parallel to the abutting edges, possibly combined with a sliding movement
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0153—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by rotating the sheets, plates or panels around an axis which is parallel to the abutting edges, possibly combined with a sliding movement
    • E04F2201/0161—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by rotating the sheets, plates or panels around an axis which is parallel to the abutting edges, possibly combined with a sliding movement with snap action of the edge connectors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/05—Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins, keys or strips
    • E04F2201/0523—Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape
    • E04F2201/0535—Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape adapted for snap locking
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/05—Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins, keys or strips
    • E04F2201/0523—Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape
    • E04F2201/0547—Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape adapted to be moved perpendicular to the joint edge
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/05—Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins, keys or strips
    • E04F2201/0523—Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape
    • E04F2201/0552—Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape adapted to be rotated around an axis parallel to the joint edge

Definitions

  • the invention in particular concerns decorative panels having an improved resistance to deterioration due to moisture.
  • top layer may have irregular edges.
  • the irregularities at the edge may lead to uncontrollable openings paving the way for moisture to penetrate.
  • the irregularities may be irregularities in shape, for example local absence of top layer material along the edge, and/or irregularities in material properties, for example softer and harder areas along one or more of the edges of such top layer material.
  • Such irregularities are common in for example wooden decorative layers, such as in wooden decorative layers for engineered parquet flooring.
  • Such flooring may have a wooden decorative layer with a thickness of 2.5 mm or more.
  • Wooden top layers having a wood grain structure with open pores are particularly challenging, as the open pores tend to collect dirt from any moisture it has been exposed to, and may become dark.
  • the open pores are difficult to clean, especially since the moisture resistance of the panels as a whole does not allow to use a large amount of water and/or detergents, such as soap.
  • Open pores, i.e wood pores that are available at the surface of the wooden top layer as excavations in the surface are however fashionable as they add to the natural look of e.g. a parquet floor.
  • the present invention concerns four measures, identified herein as a first to fourth independent aspect of the invention, that may lead to an increased performance in humid ambient conditions of decorative panels. These measures may be applied separately or in any combination in one and the same decorative panel.
  • the wooden top layer may have any thickness, for example from 0.3 to 10 mm, for example about 0.6 mm.
  • the wooden top layer has a thickness of 1 mm or more, even better of at least 2.5 mm.
  • said lacquer layer is a UV cured lacquer and/or an acrylic lacquer.
  • Said lacquer layer may comprise additives.
  • said additives are silane based additives, silicone acrylates and/or fluor acrylates. These additives are particularly effective to create a surface which is easy to clean, and may lead to a more straight forward cleaning of any dirty open pores.
  • the d50 values as mentioned above are measured using laser light scattering granulometry performed in accordance with ISO 13320, namely by a dynamic light scattering technique using a laser having an emission wavelength of 632.8 nm and measured under a scattering angle of 90 degrees.
  • Such granulometry may e.g. be performed with a Malvern ® Mastersizer 2000 or with a Malvern ® Mastersizer 3000.
  • the respective particles may be dispersed in a liquid, such as water.
  • the invention is a decorative panel, comprising a substrate and a decorative top layer, with as a characteristic that said decorative top layer is applied to said substrate by means of a waterproof glue and/or by means of a polyisocyanate based glue and/or by means of a glue containing isocyanate as a cross linking agent, wherein said glue preferably forms a continuous layer covering substantially the entire bottom of said decorative top layer.
  • said glue is at least available at the location underneath one or more areas of the decorative top layer that have a diminished watertightness, such as at the location of one or more excavations or through openings, whether or not at least partially filled with filler material, such as with putty.
  • a polyurethane glue an epoxy glue or a cross-linking PVA (poly vinylacetate) glue may be used.
  • a crosslinking agent in PVA glue isocyanate may be used.
  • TDI toluene di-isocyanate
  • MDI methylene di-phenyl di-isocyanate
  • a thermosetting resin such as melamine formaldehyde resin, ureum formaldehyde resin, melamine ureum formaldehyde resin or phenol formaldehyde resin may be used.
  • said top layer is a wooden top layer, wherein said top layer may have any thickness, for example from 0.3 to 10 mm, for example about 0.6 mm.
  • the top layer has a thickness of 1 mm or more, even better of at least 2.5 mm.
  • the wooden top layer may comprise excavations or through openings that have been filled using filler material, such as putty. This may for example be the case at location where wood knots have been removed.
  • Other top layer materials than wooden top layers may profit from the advantages of the second independent aspect as well, such as bamboo top layers, and especially such top layer materials that are not entirely moisture tight or vapor tight, such as a textile covering and/or a covering having through openings.
  • the invention is a decorative panel, comprising a substrate and a decorative top layer, with as a characteristic that said decorative top layer comprises a wooden top layer, preferably having a thickness of 1 mm or more, even better of at least 2.5 mm, wherein at least one lateral edge of said wooden top layer has been provided with a water repellent agent.
  • said water repellent agent is available on the complete thickness of said lateral edge, and preferably also over the complete length thereof.
  • at least the edges of the wooden top layer where the wood grain has been generally cross-cut, or transversely cut are treated with said water repellent agent.
  • all lateral edges of the wooden top layer are, preferably entirely, i.e. over their entire thickness and length, treated with said water repellent agent.
  • the water repellent agent may in particular be protective towards substrate materials that are prone to deterioration due to moisture, for example as is the case with wood-based substrate materials, such as MDF or HDF, or with magnesiumoxychloride or magnesiumoxysulphate containing substrate materials.
  • the invention is a decorative panel, comprising a substrate and a decorative top layer, preferably having a thickness of 1 mm or more, with as a characteristic that said decorative panel at at least two opposite edges is provided with coupling means allowing two such panels to be connected at the respective edges wherein a locking is obtained in a vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels, as well as in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the coupled edges and in the plane of the panels, wherein at the respective edges, in a coupled condition, the decorative top layers laterally face each other with a clearance in between, said clearance at the top surface preferably being smaller than 0.2 mm, preferably 0.05 or 0.03 mm or smaller, while the panels, in said coupled condition, are connected practically free from play or free from play, for example with a pretension.
  • the availability of a clearance between the lateral facing edges of the decorative top layers allows the realization of a tight connection by means of the coupling means, that are then substantially, or practically entirely, realized within the thickness of the substrate material.
  • the potentially available play in the coupling means is preferably limited to a freedom of movement in said horizontal direction that is 0.15 mm or smaller, preferably 0.07 mm or smaller.
  • said clearance is defined in the connected state wherein the facing lateral edges are in their most mutually remote position.
  • the panels are connected free from play, i.e. without the possibility of a free movement in said horizontal direction.
  • This is preferably realized by providing coupling means at said opposite edges that have an overlapping profile contour or so-called pretension.
  • the overlap is preferably at least available at those surfaces that are active in creating said locking in said horizontal direction.
  • an overlapping profile contour it is meant that the profile contours of the coupling means at the two opposite edges, when drawn in a theoretical connected condition, interfere with each other, as stated preferably at least at the horizontally active contact surfaces.
  • any lowered edge areas such as bevels and the likes, are considered to be part of the top surface, and that the size of said clearance at the top surface is defined below such lowered edge areas.
  • the size of said clearance is defined in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective edge of the decorative panel.
  • Said coupling means may basically be formed as a tongue and a groove bordered by a lower and an upper groove lip.
  • said lower groove lip protrudes in said horizontal direction beyond said upper groove lip.
  • the tongue and groove are provided with locking elements preventing the drifting apart in said horizontal direction of the tongue and groove.
  • the locking element at the side of the tongue may be formed as an excavation at the lower side of the tongue and the locking element at the side of the groove may be formed as a protrusion at the top surface of the lower groove lip.
  • Said horizontally active surfaces are preferably formed on said locking elements.
  • the coupling means are such that the lower groove lip, in a coupled condition, is bent, for example due to the above described overlap at the location of the horizontally active contact surfaces. In so doing the coupled edges may actively be pushed towards each other by means of the resilient restoring force exerted by the bent lower groove lip on the bottom of the tongue.
  • a substantially vertically extending contact surface is formed at a location below said decorative top layer, preferably on the substrate material.
  • the vertically extending contact surface is preferably formed on a lateral edge of said upper groove lip, or, in other words, above the position where the actual tongue and groove engage or above any contact surface active in said vertical direction.
  • the vertically extending contact surfaces may provide for a closed seam below, preferably immediately below, said decorative top layer. In the case of a pretension, such a seam may actively be closed in a connected condition, as explained above.
  • a chamber or clearance is available between the coupled edges at a location between said vertically extending contact surfaces and said position where the actual tongue and groove engage or above any contact surface active in said vertical direction. The availability of said chamber enables a more reliable contact on said vertically extending contact surfaces.
  • support surfaces active in a vertical direction and preferably substantially horizontally extending, may be provided at a location below said clearance.
  • the support surfaces are formed on the material of the substrate, and are preferably in contact.
  • Such support surface may attribute an additional sealing barrier for water seeking its way to the substrate material.
  • a water repellent agent is applied on the respective edge at least at the location of said support surfaces and, preferably on any substrate material located above said support surfaces.
  • the laterally facing edges of said decorative top layer have been provided with a water repellent agent as discussed above in connection with said third independent aspect.
  • said decorative surface layers comprise a lateral edge that is vertical or inclined with respect to the vertical, said inclination from the substrate to the top surface being proximally directed, i.e. towards the panel.
  • Said inclination is preferably smaller than 10°, smaller than 1°, or even better smaller than 0.5°.
  • a water repellent agent applied to the laterally facing edges of the decorative top layer in accordance with said third independent aspect may be effective enough to keep moisture from penetrating the clearance between said laterally facing edges, as defined by means of said fourth independent aspect.
  • said substrate at a location immediately below said decorative top layer is preferably provided with a water repellent agent.
  • any moisture reaching the substrate material may experience an additional barrier.
  • a watertight layer is provided between said decorative top layer and said substrate.
  • the layer may be formed by means of a glue.
  • a plastic layer such as by means a layer or foil of PE (poly ethylene), PET (poly ethylene terephthalate), PU (polyurethane), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PLA (poly lactic acid), or PP (polypropylene).
  • PE poly ethylene
  • PET poly ethylene terephthalate
  • PU polyurethane
  • PVC polyvinyl chloride
  • PLA poly lactic acid
  • PP polypropylene
  • the substrate material may be a wood fiberboard, preferably MDF or HDF.
  • the invention according to any of said independent aspects is especially effective to create more moisture resistant flooring, even with MDF and HDF, that are known for lacking moisture resistance per se. Even if such wood fiberboard is of a so-called water resistant quality, such decorative panels may still benefit from the measures of any or a combination of any of the independent aspects.
  • MDF and HDF are generally well machinable with milling, and surfaces with low roughness can be obtained, such that contacts formed on such surface may be relatively tight.
  • the compressibility of MDF or HDF as limited as it is, may provide for additional tightness when such surface are being pressed onto each other for example by means of a pretension as described above.
  • said wood fiberboard comprises pMDI (polymeric methylene di-phenyl di-isocyanate) glue and or MUF (melamine-ureumformaldehyde) glue. Wood fiberboards prepared with these glues are considered to be the more water resistant varieties of MDF or HDF, and additional resistance to moisture may be obtained in the decorative panel when such substrate materials are applied.
  • pMDI polymeric methylene di-phenyl di-isocyanate
  • MUF melamine-ureumformaldehyde
  • the substrate material is a thermoplastic material, such as PVC, potentially filled with inorganic filler materials, such as CaCO3 based fillers, or the substrate is a mineral based material, such as a cement fiber board, a Calcium-Silicate board or a magnesiumoxysulphate or mgnesiumoxychloride board.
  • the substrate material is a lamella core, i.e. a core assembled from at least a plurality of transversely extending wooden and/or wood-based blocks.
  • the short pair of opposite edges of the substrate material is preferably provided by means of an MDF, HDF, plywood or plastic block.
  • the substrate material is a plywood board.
  • said decorative panel is rectangular, preferably oblong, with a first and a second pair of opposite edges, wherein at least said first pair of opposite edges comprises coupling means allowing two of such panels to be connected at the respective edges wherein a locking is obtained in a vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels as well as in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the coupled edges and in a plane of the panels.
  • the coupling means at said first pair of opposite edges is preferably formed as a tongue and a groove bordered by a lower and an upper groove lip.
  • said lower groove lip protrudes in said horizontal direction beyond said upper groove lip.
  • the tongue and groove are provided with locking elements preventing the drifting apart in said horizontal direction of the tongue and groove.
  • the first and/or second pair of opposite edges may be provided with coupling means formed as a male part and a female part that can be brought into each other by means of a substantially downward movement of the male part into the female part. Also, in such case, a locking may be obtained in said horizontal direction, as well as in said vertical direction.
  • the male part may be formed as an upper lip protruding from an upper edge and having a downwardly protruding hook-shaped element bordering a proximal male recess
  • the female part may be formed as a lower lip protruding from a lower edge and having an upwardly protruding hook-shaped element bordering a proximal female recess.
  • Such filler material may further comprise wood particles, wood dust or wood fibers, and/or colorants.
  • the present invention in particular is a decorative panel, comprising a substrate and a decorative top layer preferably having a thickness of 1 mm or more, with as a characteristic that said panel shows one or a combination of two or more of the following properties:
  • a water repellent agent in the cases where a water repellent agent is used, this preferably concerns a fluor copolymer and/or a fluor acrylate and/or the substances mentioned in WO 2016/182,896 and/or WO 2021/124,042 and/or BE 2021/5443 (from the present applicant, but not published at the time of filing the present application), all incorporated herein by reference.
  • the water repellent agent is applied in a dispersion or emulsion. Water-based or solvent based dispersion or emulsions are possible.
  • the application can be performed in accordance with the disclosure of the above mentioned WO and/or BE patent documents and/or by means of one or more spraying nozzles, rotating transfer disks and/or vacuum application techniques.
  • the water repellent agent is able to impregnate the material of the decorative panel to at least some extent.
  • wax or paraffin may be used instead of the water repellent agents mentioned above.
  • the wax or paraffin may be available as a layer on the edge of the panel.
  • the decorative panel of the invention more particularly the decorative toplayer, has a width between 10 cm and 30 cm, preferably between 15 and 25 cm.
  • the decorative panel of the invention has a length between 120 cm and 280 cm, preferably between 130 and 210 cm.
  • the coupling means 6 at the long pair of edges 2-3 are basically formed as a tongue 9 and groove 10 having locking elements 11-12 preventing the drifting apart of the tongue 9 and groove 10.
  • the locking element 11 at the side edge 2 comprising the tongue 9 is formed as an excavation at the lower side of the tongue 9.
  • the locking element 12 is formed as a protrusion at the lower groove lip 13. In this case the lower groove lip 13 protrudes beyond the upper groove lip 14.
  • the coupling means at the longitudinal edges 2-3 at least allow to couple the panels 1 at the respective edges by means of an angling motion.
  • Figure 2 further shows that the coupling means 6 are realized with so-called pretension, as per se also described in EP 1 026 341 .
  • the coupling means 6 are realized such that the lower groove lip 13, in coupled condition, is bent. The resilient restoring force exerted by the lower groove lip 13 on the bottom of the tongue 9 pushes the decorative panels 1 towards each other.
  • Figure 2 further shows that the panel 1 comprises a substrate 15 and a decorative top layer 16 having a thickness T of 1 millimeter or more.
  • the decorative top layer 16 is a wooden top layer having a thickness T of at least 2.5 mm.
  • a further layer 17 is provided at the bottom of the panel. In this case, it also concerns a wooden layer.
  • the substrate 15 is a wood fiberboard, namely HDF of a water resistant quality, for example HDF with a swelling of less than 15%, as measured according to EN 317:1993.
  • the fiberboard comprises 0.1 to 2% of paraffin or wax.
  • the fiberboard has an average density of at least 800 kg/m 3 and is glued by means of melamine-ureumformaldehyde glue.
  • Figures 4 shows that the coupling means 6 at the short pair of opposite edges 4-5, in the example, have mainly the same features as the coupling means 6 at the long pair of opposite edges. It is however not excluded that the coupling means 6 at the short pair of opposite edges 4-5 could have different features.
  • the coupling means 6 at the short pair of opposite edges 4-5 could be formed as a male part and a female part that can be brought into each other by means of a substantially downward movement of the male part into the female part. Also, in such case, a locking can be obtained in said horizontal H and in said vertical direction V.
  • Figures 2 and 4 show, by means of a dashed line, that the longitudinal pair of opposite edges 2-3 and/or the short pair of opposite edges 4-5 can be provided with lowered edge areas, such as with bevels 38.
  • said decorative top layer 16 comprises a wooden top layer having a wood grain structure comprising open pores 18 and a lacquer layer 19 applied on said wooden top layer, wherein said lacquer layer 19 is continuous over the surface of said wooden top layer, and follows the shape of said open pores 18.
  • open pores 18 it is meant that excavations are present at the top surface of the decorative panel 1 at the position where the original wood pores were present.
  • the lacquer layer 19 follows the shape of the original pores without filling them entirely.
  • the excavations at the top surface have a depth D1 corresponding to at least 60% of the depth D2 of the original wood pores.
  • said lacquer layer 19 is a UV cured acrylic lacquer, preferably containing a silane based additive, silicone acrylate additive and/or fluor acrylate additive.
  • a silane based additive such as silicone acrylate additive and/or fluor acrylate additive.
  • Such additives may provide for additional stain resistance and cleanability. This is of special interest in the case of the presence of open wood pores 18, as these tend to collect dirt and become dark.
  • said lacquer layer comprises abrasion resistant particles, such as aluminum oxide particles. Such particles may have an average particle size as expressed by d50 and measured using laser light scattering granulometry of 3 to 90 micron, preferably 10 to 50 micron.
  • the laser light scattering granulometry is performed in accordance with ISO 13320, namely by a dynamic light scattering technique using a laser having an emission wavelength of 632.8 nm and measured under a scattering angle of 90 degrees.
  • Such granulometry may e.g. be performed with a Malvern ® Mastersizer 2000 or with a Malvern ® Mastersizer 3000.
  • the respective particles may be dispersed in a liquid, such as water.
  • the lacquer layer 19 is preferably transparent or translucent.
  • the lacquer layer 19 may be pigmented to create a varnished or oiled look of the decorative top layer 16.
  • said decorative top layer 16 is applied to said substrate 15 by means of a waterproof glue 20, in this case by means of a poly isocyanate based glue.
  • Said glue preferably forms a continuous layer covering substantially the entire bottom of said decorative top layer 16.
  • the glue 20 forms a watertight layer in between the decorative top layer 16 and the substrate 2.
  • Such watertight layer is of importance to form a barrier against moisture penetrating the decorative top layer 16, for example through cracks and/or wood knots available in the wooden top layer.
  • moisture may be transferred towards the substrate 15 in particular at such areas.
  • a watertight layer may also be achieved in a different manner than by means of a waterproof glue.
  • a plastic layer such as a layer or foil of PE (poly ethylene), PET (poly ethylene terephthalate), PU (polyurethane), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PLA (poly lactic acid), or PP (polypropylene) may be applied.
  • PE poly ethylene
  • PET poly ethylene terephthalate
  • PU polyurethane
  • PVC polyvinyl chloride
  • PLA poly lactic acid
  • PP polypropylene
  • such watertight layer may be dispensed with in case the substrate 15 has a minimal risk of water absorption or a high water resistance, such as, in the case where the substrate 15 is based on thermoplastic material, for example PVC, potentially filled with inorganic filler materials, such as CaCO3 based fillers, or in the case where the substrate 15 is mineral based, for example is a cement fiber board or a board based on Ca-Silicate.
  • thermoplastic material for example PVC
  • inorganic filler materials such as CaCO3 based fillers
  • the substrate 15 is mineral based, for example is a cement fiber board or a board based on Ca-Silicate.
  • FIGS 3 and 5 further illustrate that at least one lateral edge 21 of said wooden top layer 16 has been provided with a water repellent agent 22.
  • all lateral edges 21 of said wooden top layer, as well at the long pair of opposite edges 2-3 as at the short pair of opposite edges 4-5 have been provided with a water repellent agent 22.
  • at least those lateral edges of the wooden top layer where the wood grain has been cut transversely, in this case at the short pair of opposite edges 4-5 are preferably provided with said water repellent agent 22.
  • Transversely cut wood grain tends to take up moisture more easily due to a large amount of available open wood vessels.
  • the wooden top layer may tend to discolor.
  • the availability of the water repellent agent 22 at these edges 4-5 can delay the discoloration effect or may even completely avoid it.
  • FIGS 3 and 5 clearly illustrate that, in a coupled condition, the decorative top layers 16 laterally face each other with a clearance 23 in between.
  • Said clearance 23 at the top surface is smaller than 0.2 mm, preferably 0.05 mm or 0.03 mm or smaller.
  • said clearance 23 is available between the lateral edges 21 of said decorative top layers 16 over the entire thickness T thereof, i.e. from the top surface of the decorative panel 1 at least down to said glue 20 and/or substrate 15.
  • Said panels 1, in said coupled condition are connected free from play, in this case, as already mentioned with a pretension.
  • Substantially vertically extending contact surfaces 24-25 are formed at a location below said decorative top layer 15.
  • Preferably said substantially vertically extending contact surfaces 24-25 are available immediately below said glue 20.
  • this is measured as the maximal opening between the laterally facing edges 21 of the decorative top layer 16. In the case of the presence of bevels 38, this is below the bevels 38. In the case of coupling means 6 having some play, this is in the connected state wherein said opening is at maximum, or in other words, said clearance 23 is defined in the connected state wherein the facing lateral edges 21 of the decorative top layer 16 are in their most mutually remote position.
  • a chamber 26 may be available between the coupled edges 2-3-4-5 at a location between said vertically extending contact surfaces 24-25 and the position where the actual tongue and groove engage or above any contact surface active in said vertical direction V.
  • said decorative surface layers 16 may comprise a lateral edge 21 that is inclined with respect to the vertical, said inclination A from the substrate 15 to the top surface being proximally directed, i.e. towards the panel 1. Said inclination A preferably being smaller than 1°, even better smaller than 0.5°. For clarity purposes, in the figures 3 and 5 the sum of the inclinations A of two lateral edges 21 facing each other has been indicated with A'.
  • the combination of the clearance 23 between said lateral edges 23, the contacts 24-25 on the substrate 15, and the availability of the water repellent agent 22 at said lateral edges 21 and at the location of said contacts 24-25, together with coupling means that are practically free from play, i.e. without play or with play smaller than 0.07mm, delivers the synergistic effect of a water tight seam even in the case of a decorative top layer 16 with a thickness of 1 mm or more and/or in the case of a decorative top layer 16 based on natural material such as wood, that may have imperfections along said lateral edges 21.
  • the minimal clearance 23 in combination with said water repellent agent 22 is able to repel water from the clearance 23.
  • a tight seam at the contacts 24-25 prevents the moisture from entering the substrate 15 where it could cause damage to the integrity of the substrate 15 and/or the coupling means 6.
  • This set-up may also prevent moisture to penetrate the seam and to accumulate below a floor covering assembled from a plurality of such decorative panels 1, such that subsequent nasty effects, such as growing of mold below the floor covering, may be avoided.
  • the bent of the lower groove lip 13 in figure 2 is caused due to the provision of coupling means 6 that have an overlapping profile contour.
  • the overlap 27 is, in this case, at least available at those surfaces 28-29 that are active in creating said locking in said horizontal direction H.
  • the profile contours of the coupling means 6 at the two opposite edges 2-3 when drawn in a theoretical connected condition, interfere with each other at least at the horizontally active contact surfaces 28-29.
  • the resiliency of the bent out lower groove lip 13 pushes on the bottom of the tongue 9 in an attempt to push the connected panels 1 towards each other. Preferably, this results in the vertically extending surfaces 24-25 to be pressed onto each other.
  • Figure 6 shows a possible embodiment for the coupling means 6 at the short pair of opposite edges 4-5.
  • the coupling means 6 at the short pair of opposite edges 4-5 are formed as a male part 31 and a female part 32 that can be brought into each other by means of a substantially downward movement D of the male part 31 into the female part 32.
  • a locking can be obtained in said horizontal H and in said vertical direction V.
  • the embodiment illustrated in figure 7 comprises coupling means 6 that mainly have the same features as those described in connection with figure 6 , with two main differences, which need not necessarily be combined.
  • the first difference is that a second pair of hook 40A and undercut 41A is available at the distal end of the lower lip 36.
  • the second difference is that the undercut 41 formed at the proximal end of the female part 32 is in this example also realized in one piece from the material of the substrate 15.
  • Such inclination of the horizontally active contact surfaces 28-29 provides for an additional locking in said vertical direction V.
  • the inclination of the horizontally active contact surfaces 28-29, when upwardly inclined towards the proximal end of the female part 32 is preferably such that it deviates from the vertical with less than 10°, or even with 5° or less.
  • the coupling means of figure 8 have been demonstrated here by means of an embodiment having a decorative top layer 16 of wood veneer with a thickness T being smaller than 1 mm, for example of about 0.6 mm.
  • Figure 9 in particular illustrates that support surfaces 44-45, in this case substantially horizontally extending, may be formed at a location below said clearance 23, though above the actual engagement of the tongue 9 and the groove 10, i.e. above any contact surface active in preventing the vertical separation of the tongue out of the groove in an upward vertical direction.
  • said support surfaces 44-45 are formed at a location below the glue 20 on a top surface of the upper groove lip 14 which is, as in the example, preferably free from said decorative top layer 16.
  • the support surfaces 44-45 are preferably formed, as is the case here, on the material of the substrate 15.
  • Figure 10 shows that also the short pair of opposite edges 4-5 may comprise such support surfaces 44-45. In this case, also substantially vertically extending surfaces 24-25 are present.
  • coupling means 6 illustrated in figure 10 are for the remainder similar to the coupling means 6 illustrated in figure 6 , and more particularly comprise a male part 31 and a female part 32 with lips 33-36, hook-shaped elements 34-37, recesses 34-37, hooks 40 and undercuts 41 as described in connection to figure 6 .
EP21189982.8A 2021-07-16 2021-08-05 Dekorpaneel Pending EP4119741A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2022312749A AU2022312749A1 (en) 2021-07-16 2022-07-12 Decorative panel
PCT/IB2022/056405 WO2023285954A1 (en) 2021-07-16 2022-07-12 Decorative panel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202163222629P 2021-07-16 2021-07-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4119741A1 true EP4119741A1 (de) 2023-01-18

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EP (1) EP4119741A1 (de)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1026341A2 (de) 1996-06-11 2000-08-09 Unilin Beheer B.V. Bodenbelag, bestehend aus harten Bodenplatten und Verfahren zur Herstellung solcher Bodenplatten
ES2266423T3 (es) * 2001-06-01 2007-03-01 Tarkett Sas Elementos de revestimiento de suelo con junta de estanqueidad.
WO2016182896A1 (en) 2015-05-12 2016-11-17 Unilin North America, Llc Floor board and method for manufacturing such floor boards
US20200181923A1 (en) * 2018-12-05 2020-06-11 Välinge Innovation AB Subfloor joint
US10745921B2 (en) * 2006-06-02 2020-08-18 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Floor covering, floor element and method for manufacturing floor elements
EP3708739A1 (de) * 2019-03-12 2020-09-16 Flooring Technologies Ltd. Hartes fussbodenpaneel zur schwimmenden verlegung unter ausbildung eines fussbodenpaneelverbundes
WO2021124042A1 (en) 2019-12-19 2021-06-24 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Use of a coating material on the edges of decorative panels and method

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1026341A2 (de) 1996-06-11 2000-08-09 Unilin Beheer B.V. Bodenbelag, bestehend aus harten Bodenplatten und Verfahren zur Herstellung solcher Bodenplatten
ES2266423T3 (es) * 2001-06-01 2007-03-01 Tarkett Sas Elementos de revestimiento de suelo con junta de estanqueidad.
US10745921B2 (en) * 2006-06-02 2020-08-18 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Floor covering, floor element and method for manufacturing floor elements
WO2016182896A1 (en) 2015-05-12 2016-11-17 Unilin North America, Llc Floor board and method for manufacturing such floor boards
US20200181923A1 (en) * 2018-12-05 2020-06-11 Välinge Innovation AB Subfloor joint
EP3708739A1 (de) * 2019-03-12 2020-09-16 Flooring Technologies Ltd. Hartes fussbodenpaneel zur schwimmenden verlegung unter ausbildung eines fussbodenpaneelverbundes
WO2021124042A1 (en) 2019-12-19 2021-06-24 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Use of a coating material on the edges of decorative panels and method

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