COVER FOR FLOORS WITH TAB AND WATER RESISTANT SLOT
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to floor covering panels for use in commercial, industrial or residential environments. More particularly, this invention relates to a floor covering panel having complementary coupling members with a protective or solid composition applied to the side edges of the floor covering panel. It is generally known in the art to use various laminates, including high-pressure laminates and pressed-board center laminates, in floor or floor covering applications. Pressboard center laminates used to manufacture parquet products typically include a plurality of layers that include an organic or pressed board core layer, a decorative layer, and a hard, flat protective wear layer of melamine material impregnated with resin. These layered constructions are typically formed in standard size panels that are joined together at an installation site to create a floor covering system. Although the uppermost layer of such flooring systems is often manufactured from a water-resistant or water-tight material, floor covering systems may be vulnerable to water damage in the joints between the adjacent floor covering panels that form the coating system for floors. Light imperfections in the fit (seam) between adjacent floor panels can allow water or other liquids to penetrate the joints between floor panels, which can, in turn, result in damage, warping, accelerated wear or adjustment of deteriorated individual floor panels. In addition, the cleaning materials generally comprise surfactants that can accelerate the filtration of water in the seam. Because the materials that form the inner layers of the floor panels may not be completely waterproof, those layers may absorb water or other fluids, resulting in damage or decreased product life. In current residential and commercial establishments, laminate and wood floorings are often contacted with liquids, either deliberately or by accident. The cleaning of the floors with a detergent solution can cause a swelling of up to 35% of the flooring in the seam. Accidental damping can also occur from spills or urine from animals or children. Each of these liquids has a lower surface tension than water and will probably migrate in the seam formed by the joining of the two floor covering panels to cause swelling. Manufacturers commonly apply paraffin-based materials to floor covering panels in an attempt to improve the water resistance of these products. However, such materials are generally not durable and, as such, do not provide good water resistance for the shelf life of a floor covering system. Furthermore, such materials also do not provide sufficient protection when, for example, cleaning agents are repeatedly used on the floor covering materials or when low surface tension materials are spilled on the floor. As a result, there is a need in the industry for a floor covering panel and a floor covering panel system that have strong, reliable joints that are resistant to water and other liquids. There is also a need for floor covering panels and floor covering systems that provide durable water protection. In accordance with the invention, as depicted and described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to a floor covering panel. In this aspect, the invention includes a first generally flat surface and a second generally flat surface opposite the first surface. Between the first and second surfaces there is a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge opposite, respectively. Within the first edge of the panel is a first coupling member, which includes a projection extending therefrom and a first splice surface between the projection and the first surface. A second complementary coupling member is defined within the second edge of the panel and includes a recess dimensioned and shaped to receive the first projection therein and a second splice surface between the recess and the first surface. A protective composition can be selectively applied to at least a portion of at least one of the first and second splice surfaces. In use, a first coupling member of a first panel is received within a second coupling member of a second panel so that the protective composition is placed between the first and second respective splice surfaces of the two panels. A water-resistant protection is thus formed between the two coupling members in association with the protective composition applied thereto. A plurality of panels can be joined together, in this way to form a floor covering system.
In particular, the protective composition can be applied to at least one of the first or second splice surfaces at a point in the floor covering manufacturing process. In a further aspect, a protective composition can be applied to the total surface of one or both of the first and second splicing surfaces. In addition, the protective composition provides a water resistant protection that substantially reduces the possibility of water or other liquids penetrating the seam of two united floor covering panels under normal conditions of use. Further advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and may partly be learned from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and obtained by means of the elements and combinations particularly indicated in the appended claims. It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of a plurality of floor covering panels connected together to form a floor covering panel system. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the even-deck, flooring panel according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a pair of floor covering panels according to Figure 2, particularly illustrating a first coupling member which is connected to a second coupling member. Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a test fixture used to test the water resistance associated with the floor covering panel of the invention. The present invention is described more particularly in the following examples which are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations thereto may be apparent to those skilled in the art. As used in the specification and in the claims, "one", "", "one" and "the" may mean one or more, depending on the context in which it is used. Several aspects are now described with reference to the figures, in which similar numbers indicate similar parts through the figures. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention, in one embodiment, is a floor covering panel 10. The panel 10 includes a first generally flat surface 11 and a second generally flat surface 12 opposite the first surface Extending between the surfaces 11, 12 there is a first lateral edge 13 and a second lateral edge 14 opposite, respectively, each of which runs along the floor covering panel Defined between the first side edge 13 there is a first coupling member 20, which includes a projection 21 extending therefrom. first joint surface 50 between the projection 21 and the first surface 11. The second lateral edge 14 includes a second complementary coupling member 22 defined therein that includes a recess 23 sized and shaped to receive the projection 21 of a second of the floor covering panels thereon The second coupling member 22 also includes a second surface 52 between the recess 23 and the first surface 11. A protective composition 60, described in greater detail in the following, is selectively applied to at least a portion of at least one of the first or second surfaces 50, 52 of splice, when desired. A plurality of floor covering panels can be joined together to form a floor covering system 15 as shown in Figure 1.
The present invention includes floor covering panels of various constructions known in the industry or that may be developed in the future. For example, the floor covering panels can be made of a laminate having a pressboard center. Additionally, the present invention can be constructed of other types of laminates such as high pressure laminates, which have been marketed under the trade names such as Formica® and Wilson Art®. Other materials can also be used to construct the floor panel such as natural, recycled or synthetic organic materials. In addition, the floor covering panel can be a tongue-and-groove wood flooring material such as that manufactured by Bruce Hardwood Floors, a division of Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (Lancaster, PA). In addition, the present invention is suitable for use in any parquet substrate that will benefit from the inclusion of a non-resettable bond as set forth in greater detail herein. With reference to Figure 2, a typical laminate floor panel is constructed of a plurality of discrete layers, which may include some or all of the following: a support layer 16, a central layer 17, a decorative layer 18 and a 19 wear layer. The various layers may adhere, join or mate between sisi by means of a chemical adhesive, mechanical connection or other means known in the art to form the panel. In one embodiment including each of the layers listed above, the first generally planar surface 11 is usually the upper surface of the wear layer 19 while the second generally planar surface 12 is typically created by the lower surface of the layer 16 of support as shown in Figure 2. When the panel 10 is installed, the support layer 16 faces the underlying sub-floor (not shown). Although the support layer 16 is optional, it can provide improved moisture resistance to the floor panel 10 because the core layer 17 is typically not completely impermeable to moisture or contaminants. Additionally, the support layer 16 can improve the structural integrity of the floor panel 10 by increasing the overall thickness and reducing the buckling and wear tendencies of the uncoated core material. The construction of the support layer 16 for example, may comprise a transparent sheet of melamine reinforced with aluminum oxide (AIO2) and impregnated with a suitable thermosetting resin. In other embodiments, the support layers 16 may be constructed of other materials that provide adequate moisture resistance, such as phenolic resins or other natural, synthetic or recycled materials. The next layer in a typical laminate floor covering panel is the central layer 17. In one embodiment, the central layer 17 may be formed of medium density or high density pressboard, such as that marketed by the companies including Louisiana Pacific, Georgia Pacific, Temple Inland, and Weyerhauser. A central pressed board material found that produces acceptable results is a high density pressed board, which is a composite of hardwood / softwood fiber compressed at 900-960 kg / m3. Such a pressboard core material is usually adequate in widths of 4 or 5 feet (1.22 or 1.52 meters) and lengths of up to 18 feet (5.49 meters). In other embodiments, the core layers 17 constructed of different materials or having different properties may be used, including but not limited to other wood-based products, such as plywood, chipboard or particulate board. In one embodiment, the decorative or "décor" layer 18 comprises a sheet of paper that substantially covers the upper surface of the central layer 17. The visible side of the decorative layer 18 has a desired aesthetic appearance, such as a color or design. For example, some designs currently contemplated include simulated hardwood flooring and simulated ceramic tile, each in a variety of styles, shades and colors. The styles of simulated hardwood currently contemplated include pine, duramén pine, cherry, maple, beech, oak and mahogany. The appearances of simulated tiles are contemplated in a range of styles, which include a variety of colors of marble tiles and ceramics, which include plastering lines in ceramic tile styles. Other designs currently contemplated include floral designs, abstract designs, geometric designs and company logos. Other designs can be selected by the manufacturer or the user according to their aesthetic preferences or design objectives. The decorative layer 18 can be made of paper that is "impregnated with a thermosetting resin and provided with the desired aesthetic color and / or design." Other materials can form the decorative layer 18, such as real wood veneer, sprayed ora, or others. Additionally, it is possible to achieve a similar decorative appearance by applying a direct or indirect printing process on the upper surface of the central layer 17. In such an embodiment, the decorative layer 18 comprises the ink, dye, pigment or other substances of the invention. marking applied to the central layer 17. Alternatively, the decorative appearance may be provided by etching, calcination, or otherwise joining the upper surface of the central layer 17. Any treatment that provides such decorative appearance on the upper surface of the central layer 17 is contemplated to comprise decorative layer 18 as defined herein.Alternatively, an ap The decorative surface can be imparted directly to the top surface of the wear layer 19, which can eliminate the need for a decorative layer 18 within the floor panel 10. The wear layer 19 can be adhered, joined or attached to the decorative layer 18 to protect the panel from the external environment. In one embodiment, the wear layer 19 is substantially transparent so that the aesthetic appearance of the decorative layer 18 is not obstructed by the wear layer 19. Although a wear layer 19 is optional, the resistance of the floor panel 10 to wear, discoloration or fading of the aesthetic image imparted to the decorative layer 18 can be generally improved by the inclusion of a wear layer 19 in the cover panel 10 for floors. The wear layer 19 may comprise a melamine sheet, which is reinforced with IO2 and impregnated with a thermosetting resin. Alternatively, the wear layer 19 may comprise a UV curable or scratch-resistant coating of varnish or other coating. In addition, the wear layer 19 can be formed of any material that provides adequate moisture resistance and elasticity to the loads and wear to which a floor is subjected, such as phenolic resins or other natural, synthetic or recycled materials. The coupling members 20 and 22 of the present invention provide a means for joining two adjacent floor covering panels 10a, 10b together as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. A non-limiting example of such means for joining adjacent panels is established in U.S. Patent No. 6, 006, 486 to Moriau et al. (which is incorporated herein in its entirety for reference). In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the first edge 13 of the panel 10 includes the first coupling member 20. The first coupling member 20 includes a projection 21 with a projection 30 formed therein. On the second edge 14, the second coupling member 22 includes an upper flange 33, a lower flange 31, and a retainer 32 formed within the lower flange 31. The recess 23 is sized and shaped to accept the projection 21, and the retainer 32 is dimensioned and shaped to accept the projection 30. In this embodiment, the detent 32 and the projection 30 represent a fastening structure, which will be discussed in greater detail in the following. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the coupling of the floor covering panel 10a to the adjacent panel 10b is achieved by placing the first panel coupling member 20a in the second panel member 22 of the panel 10b. In the illustrated embodiment, the tip of the projection 21 of the panel 10a should be inserted in the recess 23 of the panel 10b at an angle above the horizontal, and the panel 10a should then be rotated clockwise until the panels 10a and 10b are within substantially the same horizontal plane, as illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, contact is made between the complementary coupling members 20, 22 of the two panels 10a, 10b in four contact zones as shown in Figure 3. The projection 21 of the panel 10a contacts the top flange 33 and the lower flange 31 of the panel 10b in zones 40 and 41, respectively. The contact zones 40 and 41 help to secure the panels substantially in the same horizontal plane. The shoulder 30 (Figure 2) of the panel 10a connects the retainer 32 of the panel 10b in the contact zone 42. In this embodiment, the contact zone 42 is substantially flat; however, any contact zone can be formed in any way depending on the desired profile. The angle formed by the substantially flat contact zone 42 and the second substantially planar surface 12 forms an acute angle therebetween, when measured from the second surface 12 in a counter-clockwise direction to the plane of the zone 42 contact. This configuration ensures that the contact force between the adjacent panels 10a, 10b in the contact area 42 drives the panels together and promotes tight fitting. This fixing structure defined by the projection 30 of the panel 10a and the retainer 32 of the panel 10b prevents the substantial separation of the two panels 10a and 10b in a direction perpendicular to the lateral edges 13, 14 of the panels 10a, 10b and parallel to the first respective surfaces 11. An additional contact zone 43 is presented in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, adjacent to the first surface 11 of each of the panels 10a, 10b. It should be noted that the floor covering panels 10 can be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes, commonly including square, rectangular and other polygonal modalities. In the case of square and rectangular panels, each panel has four lateral edges. Thus, according to the invention, each panel 10 can include two first side edges 13, and two second side edges 14 opposite, each edge extending between the upper and lower surfaces 11, 12 of the panel 10. It should also be noted that the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3 are for illustrative purposes only, and that the present invention can equally be applied to other coupling profiles known in the industry or that may be developed in the future. In other embodiments, the amount, size and location of the contact areas may vary with the profile that is desired, but different profiles must fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, a tongue-and-groove profile without a fixing structure can benefit from, and fall within the scope of the present invention. As a further example, a tongue-and-groove profile in which substantially full contact is maintained along all the joining edges of the panels is also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. The protective composition 60 can be pre-selectively applied to floor covering panels in the factory, at any desired location and in any desired amount, using one of a number of methods known to one skilled in the art. In an illustrative example, the protective composition can be applied in the form of spray at the desired location. According to the present invention, the protective composition 60 can be selectively applied to at least a portion of at least one of the first or second splice surfaces 50, 52, as desired, for example, the zones 40-43 of FIG. Contact. In addition, the protective composition 60 can be selectively applied to at least a portion of the first splice surface 50. Still further, the protective composition 60 can be selectively applied to at least a portion of the second splice surface 52. In a further aspect, the protective composition 60 can selectively be applied to at least a portion of the first and second splice surfaces 50, 52, the portions of which may correspond to, or separate from each other, as desired. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the protective composition 60 can be selectively applied only substantially to the entire first splice surface 50 at a location corresponding to the contact zone 43. By "selectively applied" it is meant that the protective composition 60 is applied only to the intended area of the application, and that the protective composition 60 is not applied to neighboring areas or any other areas in addition to the selected and intended area of application. When panels 10a, Adjacent 10b are assembled together as illustrated in Figure 3, the protective composition 60 forms a moisture shield between the first and second splice surfaces 50, 52, so that water and other liquids along the first surface 11 of adjacent panels 10a, 10b is not allowed to substantially leak past the protection against moisture. In another embodiment, the protective composition 60 can selectively be applied only substantially to the entire second splice surface 52 at a location corresponding to the contact zone 43. In yet another embodiment, the protective composition 60 can be selectively applied substantially to the entire first and second splice surfaces 50, 52, at a location corresponding to the contact zone 43. In other embodiments, the protective composition 60 may be applied to a certain portion of, or all of, one or both of the coupling members 50, 52. As stated in the above, in various embodiments, the protective composition 60 can be selectively applied only to locations on the first splice surface 50. Alternatively, the protective composition 60 can be selectively applied only to locations on the second splice surface 52. In yet another embodiment, the protective composition 60 can be selectively applied to locations on both of the first splice surface 50 and the second splice surface 52. In yet a further embodiment, the protective composition 60 may be applied substantially to the entire first edge 13, second edge 14, or both, as desired. Various methods can be used to apply the protective composition 60 to the floor covering panels 10, as it is known. In a first aspect, a vacuum coating process can be used. In this regard, a floor covering panel is passed through a machine that applies the under pressure protective composition to one side of a respective edge of a floor covering panel. A vacuum is applied on an opposite side of the edge of the panel to remove excess protective composition from the floor covering panel. The excess of the protective composition is returned to a container for reuse. The use of such a vacuum coating method allows for the precise application of the protective composition to a floor covering panel by means of adjusting the pressure / vacuum ratios. An additional method that can be used to apply the protective composition to the floor covering panel is the use of a coating roll applicator. In this method, several large diameter rolls are made to join the area to be coated in the floor covering panels. The protective composition can be applied to the floor covering panels by a transfer roll which is provided with a protective composition from a supply tank. The application of the protective composition can be controlled precisely by adjusting the parameters used in the application. An additional method to apply the protective composition to the floor covering panels is achieved by the use of a multi-spray head applicator.
This method will allow the application of the amount of the protective composition to the parquet profile with precision and accuracy. In this method, multiple spray applicators can be adjusted with the nozzles and positioned to atomize the protective composition onto selected portions of the side edges of a floor covering panel. Spray applicators can be driven at a high frequency to apply the protective composition to the desired location on the floor covering panel, whose driving action can also help keep the spray head clean. The protective composition is provided to the spray head by means of a conventional pump system that extracts the composition from a supply tank. Such spray application systems are known to those skilled in the art, and spray applications are commercially available from manufacturers including Spraymation, Inc. (Ft. Lauderdale, FL). Other methods for applying the protective composition can be used according to the invention, including other existing methods for applying the protective composition, and include methods for applying the protective composition that can be developed in the future. The amount of the protective composition applied to the floor covering material is not critical, as long as the desired qualities of the protection against water are provided. Generally, approximately 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 5.0 grams of composition per board of 8"x 48" (0.20 x 1.22 meters) can provide the desired quality of protection against water in the finished floor covering material. As used herein, "protective composition" means the composition comprising the active ingredient, ie, the chemical material that provides the primary protective properties, and any solvent or diluent and other ingredients. In one aspect where the protective composition is to be selectively applied to the floor covering panel, the active ingredient can be any material that is suitable for use to provide resistance to water or resistance to oils on a surface. For this purpose, the following non-exclusive list of materials can be used as the active ingredient in the protective composition: a fluorochemical, metal stearate, petroleum, paraffin wax, acrylate polymer (latex) or a silicone polymer. In a further aspect, the active ingredient for the protective composition does not comprise a paraffin wax. In yet a further aspect, the protective composition does not comprise a synthetic isoparaffin hydrocarbon. In addition, the active ingredient for the protective composition consists essentially of a fluorochemical. As can be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, the application of a protective composition comprising one or more of the active ingredients described herein will result in a reduction in the wettability of the surface of a floor covering panel . Since the wetting capacity of the floor covering panel is lower, there will be a lower possibility that water or other harmful materials migrate through the seam of a joined pair of floor covering panels. This property of protection against water is very important to allow the floor covering materials to be used in places that are commonly subjected to contact with water, such as bathrooms, kitchens and other areas. In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that by locating a protective composition towards an upper portion of the vertical edges of a joined pair of floor covering panels that define a floor covering system, a protection against water can be obtained. or resistance against water durable and effective. Such selective application of the protective composition is not known in the prior art. In one aspect, the protective composition for the application of floor covering panels comprises a fluorochemical as an active ingredient. Suitable fluorochemicals are those that may have been used to provide water repellent qualities for textiles and other materials. Such materials are well known to one skilled in the art. Any fluorochemical which is suitable for use in imparting resistance to dirt or oils for textile materials can be used in the present invention. The fluorochemical can comprise unmarked generic fluoropolymers. Suitable fluorochemical textiles treatment agents include, but are not limited to, commercially available fluorochemical compositions. Fluorochemical compositions commercially available herein can be used in the invention such as SCOTCHGUARD FC 255, SCOTCHGÜARD FC 214-230, products of 3M Corp. (St. Paul, MN) and TEFLON, TEFLON 8070, and TEFLON 8787 and Zonyl 8412, available from DuPont (EI DuPont de Nemours Corp., ilmington, DE.). In addition, suitable fluorochemical compounds include the following: FX-1367F and FX-1355 from 3M Specialty Chemicals Division, NRD-372 from DuPont Flooring Systems, TG-232D from Advanced Polymers, Inc. (Carlstadt, NJ) and Nuva 3555 from Hoechst Celanese (Munich, Germany) . Other similar fluorochemical compounds from these and other manufacturers may also be suitable. In one aspect of the present invention, the protective composition does not comprise an organic solvent. In addition, the diluent for the active ingredient of the protective composition comprises water or, in a further aspect, consists essentially of water. In addition, the protective composition comprises an emulsion or dispersion of the active ingredient in water. In a further aspect, the protective composition is substantially non-flammable and can be used in an industrial setting without the use of explosion and fire-proof equipment. In particular, to obtain a durable protective composition, the use of a polymeric material may be desirable for use as the active ingredient. Non-exclusive examples of suitable polymers include silicone polymers, acrylate polymers (latex) and fluoropolymers. Such materials will generally have high molecular weights and, as such, may allow a more durable deposition of the protective composition to the floor covering panels. In separate aspects, the protective composition provides a treatment that makes a floor covering material durable for at least about 6 months, or at least about 1 year, or at least about 5 years, or at least about 7 years. years, or at least approximately 12 years, or for the entire life of the floor covering system.
In a suitable aspect of the present invention, the protective composition comprises a fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymer. The fluoroalkyl acrylate polymer can be formulated in an emulsion. Specific examples of such an emulsion for use in the compositions of the protective composition of the present invention are Unidyne TG-572 and TG-472 (Daikin America, Signal Mtn., TN). TG-472 is believed to comprise about 30% by weight of the fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymer and emulsifiers, about 5.4% tripropylene glycol, with the remainder of the composition comprising water. The composition of TG-572 is believed to be similar. The protective composition may comprise approximately 100% by weight of a composition comprising the active ingredient as provided by the vendor, i.e., net. The composition as provided by a vendor can comprise any amount of active ingredient. However, such compositions are usually provided as solutions or dispersions of water protection chemicals in water or other solvents. As contemplated, the concentration of protective chemicals as provided by a vendor is not important as long as appropriate dilution can be obtained to provide protective compositions suitable for use in the present invention.
Alternatively, the composition as provided may be diluted before use in the floor covering panels. Any suitable solvent can be used for dilution, but water results in less environmental impact from the industrial use of the active ingredient. Accordingly, the protective composition may comprise water as the primary solvent. The active ingredient for the protective composition may, in some cases, be crosslinkable. "crosslinkable" means that the active ingredient reacts with or condenses on its own to result in a final product with a molecular weight of at least about 1.5 times or about 2 times or about 3 times the molecular weight of the non-crosslinked active ingredient . The active ingredient may also be crosslinkable together with a second material, such as melanin / formaldehyde resin. The active ingredient can be crosslinkable by applying energy to the protective composition after application of the protective composition to the floor covering panel. The energy can be applied by heat, infrared lamps or microwave energy. The active ingredient can also be crosslinkable by the inclusion of a crosslinker in the protective composition. In separate aspects, the active ingredient is substantially cross-linked at the conclusion of the application of heat, however, it will be recognized that over time, some additional cross-linking may occur. The final amount of the active ingredient in the protective composition can vary within a wide range. In particular, the amount of the active ingredient (i.e., the chemical protective against water) in the protective composition can be about 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 or 50% by weight of the protective composition, with any value forming the upper and lower end point, as appropriate. The rest of the materials in the protective composition can be mainly water, along with a smaller amount of other materials. The protective composition may include additives as are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In particular, the protective composition may include one or more surfactants, viscosity modifiers, preservatives, surface tension modifiers or opacifiers. As can be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, any dilution of the active ingredient will largely depend on the type and amount of active ingredient in the composition as provided by a manufacturer. An important aspect of this invention is that the protective composition provides a durable water resistance or protective treatment for a floor covering panel or floor covering panel system. "Durable" is used herein to mean that the protective composition provides a treatment that will substantially reduce the possibility of water or other liquids penetrating the seam of two attached floor covering panels. The protective composition can provide protection against water that lasts at least twice as much as the protection provided by a paraffin-based composition. In addition, the protective composition of the present invention can reduce the amount of water entering a top seam by at least 1/2 or 3/4, or even when the water comprises a small amount of surfactant, that is, 1 weight percent of water or less. Such reduction should last at least about 10, or about 20, or about 40, or about 100 cycles of normal scrubbing, where "normal scrubbing" corresponds to the cleanliness that a floor covering panel system will experience during normal residential use. . Still further, the protective composition of the present invention will provide protection against durable water during a normal scrubbing cycle per week for approximately 1 years, or approximately 2 years, or approximately 5 years, or approximately 7 years, or approximately 12 years, or about as much as the normal life of the particular floor covering panel system. It has also been found possible to apply other materials to the floor covering panels together with this protective composition. In particular, prior art methods of applying water resistance compositions for example, for tongue and groove parquet materials, rely on a general application and do not specify the water resistance composition of the tongue and groove profile. This general and non-specific application can prevent the subsequent application of other materials, such as adhesive, because the water-protective composition can prevent the durable adhesion of the adhesive (or other material) to the surface of the tongue-and-groove profile. In some circumstances, it is desirable to have a floor covering panel that not only has a water-protecting property, but an adhesive can also be applied. In accordance with such an objective, the present invention can also be used in conjunction with an invention in relation to the selective application of an adhesive composition to a floor covering panel. The invention in relation to this adhesive is described in detail in a North American Patent Application filed concurrently therewith (Attorney File Number 19133.0026U1), a description of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety for this reference. With the application of the protective composition to the floor covering panels, heat may be applied to remove the solvent from the protective composition and / or to provide crosslinking, ie, curing of the active ingredient. In separate aspects, the protective composition can be dried for about 5 seconds, about 10 seconds, about 30 seconds, about 1 minute, about 3 minutes, about 5 minutes, about 10 minutes, or about 20 minutes, without any value forming an end point superior or inferior, as is appropriate. The temperature applied for drying and / or for crosslinking the active ingredient may be about 100 ° F (37.8 ° C), about 120 ° F (48.89 ° C), about 140 ° F (60 ° C), about 160 ° F. (71.1 ° C), approximately 180 ° F (82.2 ° C), approximately 200 ° F (93.3 ° C), or approximately 220 ° F (104.4 ° C), where any value can form an upper or lower end point, such as it is appropriate. In some aspects, it is important to heat the floor covering panels to at least approximately 180 ° F (82.2 ° C) for at least 10 seconds. The protective composition may include additives as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In particular, the protective composition may include one or more of: surfactants, viscosity modifiers, preservatives, surface tension modifiers or opacifiers. When only the floor covering panel is desired to be waterproof and not, for example, pre-gummed at the factory, as described and claimed in the co-pending patent application, Attorney File Number 19133.0026U1 , the protective composition can be applied to the entire profile of the floor covering panel to provide the exceptionally complete water proof for the panel, for example, the waterproof will be applied from above and below. In such an aspect, the crosslinked polymer forms the active ingredient of the protective composition of the present invention, the protective composition can be provided to a whole portion of the first and second splice. In this regard, the active ingredient of the protective composition must be crosslinkable or, otherwise put, crosslinked when the floor covering panels are assembled for use in a commercial or residential establishment. According to this aspect of the present invention, the crosslinkable material can be a silicone polymer, an acrylic polymer or a fluoropolymer. When a fluoropolymer, the crosslinkable material can be a fluoroacrylate polymer as described elsewhere herein. EXAMPLES The following examples are set forth to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete explanation and description of how the apparatus and compositions claimed herein are made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary of the invention and are not intended. to limit the scope of what is taken as the invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (eg, quantities, temperatures, etc.) although some errors and deviations can be explained. Unless otherwise indicated, the parts are parts by weight, the temperature is in ° C (° F) or is at room temperature, and the pressure is at or near atmospheric. Filtration and Seal Swelling Test Equipment: 1. Plumber putty 2. Digital gauge 3. 2% Ivory liquid detergent solution with Red 40 stain (much lower surface tension than ¾0) (very rough test) 4. Graduated cylinder 10ml 5. Flat horizontal surface 6. Saw with a blade to cut laminates
Procedure for Testing Seams (Figure 4): 1. Mark cuts of 30.48cm (12 inches) under the length of the panel as samples to be tested. 2. Mark the placement for three R rings of 5.08cm (two inches) approximately 3.81cm (1.5 inches) apart at the edge of the top flange on the side of the groove. 3. Within each R ring, mark three marks approximately 1.27cm (one-half inch) apart. . Using a digital gauge, measure the thickness of the panel in each of the marks. 5. Join the two panels 210a, 210b together and cut the samples apart. 6. Allow it to sit in a flat horizontal location for the desired amount of time. 7. Place a R ring of plumber's putty around each set of marks. 8. At the desired moment after joining the panels, pour 10ml of a solution S of red detergent into each ring R and allow it to settle undisturbed in a flat horizontal portion until all the solution has passed through junction J or evaporated. The detergent solution comprises 2% Ivory® liquid or Ajax® dishwashing detergent liquid with a small amount of added real food coloring. Separate the two panels and measure the same marked locations. Also note how much the red dye solution has penetrated into the joint. A spraymation head was used. Approximately Ig or less than 25% TG 472 or 571/75% of the water composition. The coating material for laminate floors 8"x 48" (0.20 x 1.22 meters). The protective composition applied to the location 50/52
Filtration and Swelling of the Seam 4 Hours% 72 Hours%
B Flexipel XPC Only 9.99 2.98 (compare) D Unidyne TG-571 16.70 4.31
E ünidyne TG-472 1.84 0.87
G Control Virgin (comparative) 24.45 23.68
H Paraffin Control 30.66 25.63 (comparative) I Coating material 21.17 21.49 for competitive floors (comparative believed to be treated with paraffin wax) Flexipel XPC (Innovative Chemical Technologies, Cartersville, GA) is a synthetic hydrocarbon (97-98) %) and a perfluorinated polymer (2-3%) ünidyne 571 and 472 are emulsions of fluoroacrylate polymer. After application to the floor covering panels, the floor covering panels were treated at 180 ° F (82.2 ° C) for 10-30 seconds. Filtration and swelling of the seams were measured as a% change in the thickness of the parquet material after the application of liquid as indicated. From the above results, it is apparent that the fluoroacrylate polymer provides markedly improved water protection over the other materials tested. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention described herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.