NL2024618B1

NL2024618B1 - Carpet tile, and carpet covering made of such carpet tiles

Info

Publication number: NL2024618B1
Application number: NL2024618A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Alberic Boucké Eddy
Original assignee: I4F Licensing Nv
Priority date: 2020-01-07
Filing date: 2020-01-07
Publication date: 2021-09-07
Also published as: CA3163658A1

Abstract

Carpet tile which comprises - a base layer having a top side and a bottom side, wherein preferably pile 5 yarns are provided on the top side of the base layer, and - a backing layer fixedly connected to the bottom side of the base layer, which backing layer constitutes a bottom surface of the carpet tile, wherein on the bottom surface of the carpet tile an adhesive is applied, and wherein the adhesive imparts adhesive properties to the bottom surface which are 10 sufficient to allow the bottom surface to be attached to a suitable support surface, as well as to be detached from the same support surface onto which it has been attached previously.

Description

Carpet tile, and carpet covering made of such carpet tiles The present invention relates to a tile, in particular a carpet tile, and to a tile covering consisting of a plurality of such tiles, in particular carpet covering consisting of a plurality of such carpet tiles.

Historically, carpet tiles have been widely used in areas that are prone to intensive wear and tear, because of their flexibility. Recently, carpet tiles have become more fashionable as it closely resembles the qualities of a real carpet. Carpet tiles can suit the requirement of any flooring for both residential and commercial areas in high traffic areas. Carpet tiles are produced in a variety of sizes and styles and are especially advantageous in covering intricately shaped floor spaces.

Apart from the above advantages, carpet tiles have some drawbacks when used as a floor covering. For instance, carpet tiles are usually provided with a rubber backing layer, which backing layer may lose its initial dimensions easily over time so that the carpet tile becomes disfigured, which leads to the edges of the carpet tile curling upwards, which compromises its intended flat orientation parallel to the support surface as well as its coplanar orientation with neighbouring carpet tiles. This curling effect may be exacerbated when the tile is regularly cleaned with water or any other liquid agents.

Moreover, the known tiles are commonly installed as floated loose lay floor covering, without using glue, which may lead to undesired displacement of the tiles with respect to their supporting surface.

Itis an object of the invention to provide an improved tile, in particular a carpet tile, to overcome at least one of the drawbacks mentioned above.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to a first aspect provides a tile, in particular a carpet tile, comprising: a base layer having a top side and a bottom side, wherein preferably pile yarns are provided on the top side of the base layer, and at least one adhesive layer, affixed, either directly or indirectly, to the bottom side of the base layer, wherein at least one adhesive layer constitutes the lowest layer of the tile and/or wherein at least one adhesive layer defines at least a part of the bottom surface of the tile, and wherein the adhesive layer imparts adhesive properties sufficient to allow the tile to be releasably attached to a suitable support surface.

A significant advantage of the tile, in particular the carpet tile, is that, due to the adhesive on its bottom surface, the tile can be expediently attached to a support surface in a stable and durable manner, which avoids any unwanted shifting of the tile once it is correctly installed on the support surface. Furthermore, the tile can be vertically detached from the support surface in a practical manner in order to correct a positioning of the tile, or to replace a fouled or damaged tile.

Furthermore, the (carpet) tile has an improved dimensional stability and allows for an optimum flat laying of the tile.

In the context of the invention, the suitable support surface includes any support surface which allows for the adhesive to have an adhesive interaction with it. Such a support surface can be made of wood, plastic, concrete etc. The suitable support surface is preferably non-porous and substantially flat, and constitutes for instance a floor, a wall, or a ceiling. it is preferred in the (carpet) tile according to the invention, that the adhesive properties of the adhesive of the adhesive layer apply at room temperature (20 °C), or at least at a temperature range of 15 to 25 °C.

As such, the adhesive properties apply to the most common temperature in which the (carpet) tile is intended to be used. For broader applications, it is advantageous when the adhesive properties apply at a temperature range of 0 °C upto 50 °C. The adhesive layer may be a continuous or discontinuous layer. The adhesive layer may be formed by a plurality of interconnected and/or distant adhesive zones, such as adhesive spots or adhesive strips. It is imaginable that a plurality of adhesive layers is applied. Here, it is imaginable that at least two adhesive layers are applied (parallel) on top of each other and/or are situated in a same plane. It is advantageous in the (carpet) tile according to the invention, that the adhesive of the adhesive layer is present on edges and/or corners of the bottom surface of the (carpet) tile, and preferably on at least 50% of the total bottom surface of the (carpet) tile.

As such, the adhesive of the adhesive layer specifically counteracts the curling at corners and edges of the tile. In a further preferred embodiment of the tile according to the invention, the adhesive of the adhesive layer is configured to achieve a moderate adhesive strength to a suitable support surface which is lower than 15 MPa, preferably lower than 10 MPa.

Such moderate adhesive strength accomplishes that the (carpet) tile when attached onto a suitable support surface, has an attractive peeling strength which allows an average user to remove a (carpet) tile from the support surface to which it is attached, with moderate effort. it is advantageous in the (carpet) tile according to the invention, that the adhesive properties of the bottom surface apply for a period of at least 5 years, preferably at least 10 years. it is especially preferred in the (carpet) tile according to the invention, that the adhesive used in the adhesive layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), preferably of a detachable type.

Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) are ready-to-use adhesives and are viscous. In general they are applied as a film to a flexible material. The special feature of these adhesives is that they do not solidify to form a solid material, but remain viscous. As such they have a special place within the group of adhesives that bond via a physical mechanism. For manufacturing pressure sensitive adhesive systems, the adhesives can be dissolved in organic solvents (e.g. natural rubbers, acrylates), can be present as aqueous dispersions (e.g. acrylate dispersions) or can be solvent-free melts (pressure sensitive melts).

The basic formulation of a PSA comprises a base polymer, an adhesive resin and a plasticiser, with optional additives to confer special properties.

The actual adhesion when using pressure sensitive adhesives arises due to intermolecular interactions. Typically, in pressure sensitive adhesives there is still a viscous liquid state in the final bond. As such, the viscosity of the PSA has a direct effect on the adhesive strength. An important distinction can be made in this context between detachable and permanent adhesives.

The group of pressure sensitive adhesives having a lower viscosity, has consequently a low adhesive strength, such that and the adhered object can be detached again after use. These PSA types are tacky and have unlimited open time which means that they can be bonded to another substrate virtually permanently.

Further in the (carpet) tile according to the invention, it is preferable that the adhesive of the adhesive layer is a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive (HMPSA), preferably of a detachable type.

Hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives (HMPSA) are a specific type of PSA, and are based on thermoplastic adhesives. Likewise, a HMPSA is characterised by the fact that they do not fully set, and remain permanently sticky. This allows for an excellent adhesive bond even when the glue is cold. The required contact pressure is the key to creating a sufficient coat between the objects to be joined by the HMPSA.

A HMPSA retains the ability to form a serviceable bond under light pressure at room temperature.

With particular preference in the (carpet) tile according to the invention, the adhesive comprises one or more types of thermoplastic elastomers such as styrenic block copolymers (SBC), ethylene vinyl-acetates (EVA), and/or amorphous poly-olefins (APO).

These highly suitable thermoplastic elastomers can be modified by various types of tackifiers (natural and synthetic resins) in order to attain the specific adhesion performances required.

In the context of the invention, the HMPSA preferably comprises one or more types of SBCs. Such a HMPSA is permanently tacky at room temperature and offer good bonding strength under a light finger pressure.

In a preferred embodiment of the tile, in particular the (carpet) tile, according to the invention, at least one additional layer is situated in between the base layer and the adhesive layer. This additional layer may be a backing layer fixedly connected to the bottom side of the base layer, wherein the adhesive layer is applied onto a bottom side of the backing layer. Here, it is preferred that the backing layer comprises or consists of an elastic layer, which preferably has a foam structure having open and/or closed cells.

As such, the elastic properties of the backing layer allows the tile to adapt to any irregularities on the support surface onto which it is applied. Furthermore, the foam structure of the backing layer may further promote the attachment and detachment characteristics of the bottom surface of the tile.

5 The elastic layer preferably comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber, or mixtures thereof.

Furthermore, the elastic layer may comprise a filler, in particular, talc, chalk, wood, and/or calcium carbonate. Typically, the elastic layer has a thickness situated in between 0.1 and 6 mm. It is conceivable that the elastic backing layer defines (together with the adhesive layer) a lower surface of the tile. In this case it is advantageous in case a plurality of (superficial) suction holes is formed in at least a lower surface of said elastic layer allowing the tile to be quickly attached to a support surface and removed therefrom. Preferably, the elastic backing layer is made from an anisotropic material. Preferably, a plurality of superficial suction holes is formed in at least a lower surface of said elastic layer, wherein the superficial suction holes are open in a direction facing away from the base and substantially closed in a direction facing the base. Typically, the superficial suction holes together define a void footprint (void surface area), wherein material at the lower surface of the elastic layer in between said superficial suction holes define a material footprint (solid surface area). Preferably, the surface area ratio between the void footprint and the material footprint is at least 4, preferably at least 5, more preferably at least 6, thereby allowing the tile to be quickly and relatively firmly attached to a support surface, while easy removal of the tile from said support surface is maintained. A significant advantage of the tile, in particular the carpet tile, according to the invention is that, due to the quick-release adhesive backing structure, the tile is configured to become quickly attached to a support surface in a stable and durable manner, while the tile can also be detached from said support surface in a quick and easy manner without leaving any residue behind. These properties provide the tile, in particular the carpet tile, good dimensional stabilities, good lay flat characteristics, and a flexibility to easily attach and detach the tile to or from a, preferably non-porous and substantially flat, support surface, such as a floor, wall,

or even a ceiling. The lower surface of the elastic layer is not provided with any glue, and is preferably free of glue or other chemical adhesives. The adhesive properties of the lower surface of the elastic layer are caused by the presence of small suction holes (micro-holes, shell-shaped cavities, and/or hemispherical micro- spaces having a suction effect). During installation a tile to be installed is pushed onto a support surface, which will force air to escape from the suction holes, wherein circumferential edges of the suction holes, and/or elastic material of the lower surface situated in between the suction holes, create a substantially air-tight seal between the lower surface of the elastic layer and the support surface. Upon release of the downward force exerted to the tile installed, a vacuum (sub- atmospheric pressure) will be generated within the suction holes, causing the tile to be pulled towards and held against the support surface. Hence, the tiles will be significantly less susceptible for curling and will become stabilized with respect to the support surface until the suction force is exceeded by exerting an opposite pulling force to the tile e.g. during de-installation. Since no chemical adhesive (glue) is used, the tile according the invention may be efficiently produced in an in-line production method. The tile according to the invention is preferably a carpet tile, wherein the pile yarns can be made from a number of natural or synthetic fibres. Many types of yarn are made differently though, wherein there are typically two main types of yarn: spun and filament. The yarns may be made of nylon but other suitable synthetic yarns such as polyester, polypropylene, acrylic or blends thereof can be employed. The carpet tile may be either rigid or flexible. It is also conceivable that the base is free of any yarn or fibres.

The elastic layer is designed to exhibit a “stiff-adhere, soft-release”-principle, which can be understood in a simple way as follows. When pulled in a stiff direction, less elastic energy can be stored in the material (much like a stiff spring can store less energy compared to a soft spring), leading to lower energy release rate to drive random crack-like flaws induced by support surface roughness. On the other hand, much more elastic energy can be stored in the material when pulled in the soft direction, especially when the material is strongly anisotropic, leading to much higher energy release rate to drive the support surface roughness induced crack- like flaws.

Preferably, the substantially entire lower surface of the elastic layer is provided with suction holes. This will commonly improve and increase that overall suction effect which can be realized during installation of the tile onto a support surface. Although the size of the suction holes may be uniform, wherein the suction holes may for example be stamped, punched and/or mechanically applied into the lower surface of the elastic layer, it is commonly advantageous that the size of the suction holes varies throughout the entire lower surface of the elastic layer, which allows, for example, that the elastic layer is formed by an elastic foam. The elastic foam may have closed cells (cavities) and/or open cells (cavities). In a foam, typically cells with different sizes are present. In one embodiment, the elastic layer is made from a foam material composed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, rubber, polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), (plasticized) polyvinylchloride (PVC), or mixtures thereof. The elastic layer may optionally include other components, such as a filler, such as chalk, talc, sand, fibre, wood, mineral, and/or carbon; a foaming agent, such as azodicarbonamide, a crosslinking agent, such as dicumyl peroxide, a foaming agent, such as zinc oxide; and/or a colouring agent. Preferably, the elastic layer of the tile according to the present invention provides a rubber foam- like material with regard to softness and flexibility. The material has low- temperature toughness, stress-crack resistance, waterproof properties, air-tight sealing properties, and foam recovery after compression.

The backing layer may comprise, for example, a non-woven sheet, a woven sheet, a non-woven polyester sheet, a polypropylene sheet, a glass fibre scrim or tissue sheet or combinations thereof.

it is further preferred in the (carpet) tile according to the invention, that an intermediate core layer is present between the base layer and the backing layer. Preferably, the intermediate core layer is either rigid or flexible, and comprises at least one material of the group of materials consisting of: wood, in particular MDF or HDF; a polymer, in particular PVC, PE, PP, or PU; a mineral; or mixtures thereof. The thickness of the intermediate core layer is preferably at least 3 millimetre. It is also conceivable that the base layer as such constitutes a core layer, which is either rigid or flexible, and preferably comprises at least one material of the group of materials consisting of: wood, in particular MDF or HDF; a polymer, in particular PVC, PE, PP, or PU; mineral, or mixtures thereof.

it is particular advantageous that the (carpet) tile according to invention has flexible properties as a whole. As such, the flexibility of the (carpet) tile allows for a user to easily detach an attached (carpet) tile from a support surface. Typically, the (carpet) tile according to the invention has an overall thickness between 5 and 15 mm.

Itis further preferred in the (carpet) tile according to the invention, that the tile has two, preferably opposite, side edges which are respectively provided with interconnecting profiles such as a tongue and a groove profile, wherein preferably the profiles are an integral part of the backing layer material, and/or of an intermediate core layer when such is included in the (carpet) tile.

More preferably, the interconnecting profiles allow for a coupling of two (carpet) tiles by a vertical and/or an angling movement of the respective side edges. It is imaginable, and even preferable, that an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive, more preferably a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive, is applied onto one or more interconnecting profiles. This will improve the mutual connection of adjacent tiles.

In a particular embodiment of the (carpet) tile according to the invention, a removable protective film is attached onto a bottom surface of the adhesive layer of the (carpet) tile.

In order to protect the adhesive prior to use, in particular during transportation and storage, a removable protective film may temporarily be attached to the adhesive on the bottom surface of the (carpet) tile. This protective film is for instance formed by a peel-off liner which is commonly made of paper and/or plastic. The protective film is removed before installation of the tile.

Preferably the (carpet) tile according to the invention comprises an additional thermoplastic layer securing the base layer to the backing layer.

In the (carpet) tile according to the invention, the base layer may alternatively comprise a decorative layer and optionally a transparent wear layer covering said decorative layer.

Alternatively, the tile according to the invention may comprise a decorative substrate affixed, either directly or indirectly, onto a top side of the base layer.

The decorative substrate typically comprises a print layer and a protective layer covering said print layer.

The print layer may be formed by either a printed thermoplastic, in particular PVC based, film or by an ink layer applied (printed) onto the top side of the base layer and/or onto a primer applied (directly or indirectly) onto the base layer.

As said, the decorative substrate preferably comprises at least one decorative layer and at least one transparent wear layer covering said decorative layer.

The decorative substrate may additionally comprise at least one back layer situated in between said decorative layer and the core, wherein said back layer is preferably made of a vinyl compound.

A lacquer layer or other protective layer may be applied on top of said wear layer.

This will typically provide the tile an improved scratch resistance.

A finishing layer may be applied in between the decorative layer and the wear layer.

The decorative layer will be visible and will be used to provide the panel an attractive appearance.

To this end, the decorative layer may have a design pattern, which can, for example be a wood grain design, a mineral grain design that resembles marble, granite or any other natural stone grain, or a colour pattern, colour blend or single colour to name just a few design possibilities.

Customized appearances, often realized by digital printing during the tile production process, are also imaginable.

The decorative substrate may also be formed by a single layer.

In case the tile is a carpet tile or carpet-like tile, the base layer is preferably provided with pile yarns projecting upwardly therefrom.

The pile yarns can be made from a number of natural or synthetic fibres.

Many types of yarn are made differently though, wherein there are typically two main types of yarn: spun and filament.

The yarns may be made of nylon but other suitable synthetic yarns such as polyester, polypropylene, acrylic or blends thereof can be employed.

The carpet tile may be either rigid or flexible.

It is also conceivable that the base is free of any yam or fibres.

The pile yarns may consist of loop piles.

It is however also possible that the pile yarns consist of cut piles, twisted piles or any other suitable pile yarns in for example a level- or multilevel configuration.

The loop piles are possibly synthetic yarns, such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic or blends thereof.

In the shown embodiment, the loop piles are tufted in the carpet base.

The carpet base preferably also comprises a backing sheet, which can for example be a non-

woven sheet, a woven sheet, a non-woven polyester sheet, a polypropylene sheet, a glass fibre scrim or tissue sheet or combinations thereof.

The backing sheet typically acts as support structure (holding structure) for holding the yarns.

To more efficiently bond the tufts in position on the carpet base, and in particular on the backing sheet, preferably a pre-coat layer is applied.

This pre-coat layer can for example be a latex layer. it is imaginable that the a part of a top side of the base layer is provided with pile yarns, while another part of the top side of the base layer is provided with at least one decorative substrate preferably comprises at least one (flat/2D) decorative layer and at least one transparent wear layer covering said decorative layer.

This will lead to a hybrid tile, which is partially a carpet tile and partially a floor tile (floor panel or floor plank). Itis further preferred that the (carpet) tile according to the invention, has one of the following shapes: square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal.

A second aspect of the invention is related to a (carpet) tile covering consisting of a plurality of neighbouring tiles according to the first aspect of the invention.

It is further preferred in the (carpet) tile covering that the respective adjacent edges of neighbouring tiles are interconnected to each other.

The invention will be further explained with reference to the appended figures, wherein: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first possible embodiment of a tile according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a second possible embodiment of a tile according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a third possible embodiment of a tile according to the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view indicated by section A-A in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view indicated by section B-B in Figure 3. Figure 1 shows a tile (101), in particular a carpet tile (101), comprising a base layer (102) and a backing layer (103) attached to a lower side of said base (102). The base layer (102) of the shown embodiment is a primary carpet base (102) having pile yarns (104) projecting upwardly therefrom. The pile yarns (104) shown consist of loop piles (104). It is however also possible that the pile yarns (104) consist of cut piles, twisted piles or any other suitable pile yarns in for example a level- or multilevel configuration. The loop piles (104) are possibly synthetic yarns, such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic or blends thereof. In the shown embodiment, the loop piles (104) are tufted in the primary carpet base (102). The primary carpet base (102) comprises a primary backing sheet (105), which can for example be a non-woven sheet, a woven sheet, a non-woven polyester sheet, a polypropylene sheet, a glass fibre scrim or tissue sheet or combinations thereof. To bond the tufts in position on the base layer (102), and in particular on the primary backing sheet (105), a pre-coat layer (106) is applied. This pre-coat layer (106) can for example be a latex layer (106). This pre-coat layer (106) can possibly form part of the backing layer (103). The backing layer (103) comprises an elastic layer (107). The elastic layer (107) defines a bottom surface of the tile (101). The elastic layer (107) comprises a plurality of cells (108), which are merely schematically shown in the figures. The cells (108) can have air or a gas trapped inside.

The diameter size of the cells (108) is for example situated between 5 um to approximately 1 mm. The elastic layer (107) has for example a thickness situated between 0.1 and 6 mm. In the shown embodiment is the elastic layer (107) made of a foam material and/or comprise a foaming agent. The bottom surface of the elastic layer (107) has an air-tight sealing effect. Furthermore, the bottom surface of the elastic layer (107) is provided with an adhesive layer (109) which allows the bottom surface of the tile to be attached to a suitable support surface, as well as to be detached from the same support surface onto which it has been attached.

The backing structure (103) furthermore comprises another internal adhesive layer (110). This adhesive layer (110) is for example a solventless, hot melt adhesive layer (110) disposed on the pre-coat layer (106).

Figure 2 shows a tile (201), in particular a carpet tile (201), comprising a base layer (202) projecting upwardly therefrom. The carpet tile (201) furthermore comprises a backing layer (203) attached to a lower side of the base layer (202). The backing layer (203) comprises an elastic layer (207) defining a bottom surface of the tile (201), onto which an adhesive layer (209) is provided which allows the bottom surface of the tile to be attached to a suitable support surface, as well as to be detached from the same support surface onto which it has been attached. The elastic layer (207) is of a comparable type as in fig. 1, having a foam structure including cells (208). The pile yarns (204) shown in this embodiment consist of cut pile yarns (204). The cut pile yarns (204) can for example comprise nylon or other suitable material implemented in a PVC or hot-melt adhesive (206) which is laminated to a primary backing sheet (205), which can also be referred to as reinforcement layer (205). The primary carpet base (202) can possibly furthermore comprise a fibrous face wear surface secured to the primary backing sheet (205), wherein the primary backing sheet (205) preferably has a fibrous back surface. The backing structure (203) comprises furthermore an intermediate layer (211), situated in between the base (202) and the elastic layer (203). The intermediate layer (211) is either rigid or flexible, and comprises at least one material of the group of materials consisting of: wood, in particular MDF or HDF; a polymer, in particular PVC, PE, PP, or PU; mineral, or mixtures thereof.

Figure 3 shows a tile (301), in particular a panel (301), more in particular a floor panel (301) or wall panel (301) according to the invention. The tile (301) is interconnectable with similar tiles (301) for forming a floor covering. The tile (301) comprises a base (302) and a backing structure (303) attached to a lower side of said base (302). The backing structure (303) comprises an elastic layer (307) defining a lower surface of the tile (301), that is provided with an adhesive layer (not visible) as shown in fig. 1 and 2, to allow for both an easy attachment onto and detachment from a support surface.

Furthermore, the tile (301), and in particular the backing structure (303), comprises an intermediate core layer (312), situated in between the base (302) and the elastic layer (303). The intermediate layer (312) is either rigid or flexible, and comprises at least one material of the group of materials consisting of: wood, in particular MDF or HDF; a polymer, in particular PVC, PE, PP, or PU; mineral, or mixtures thereof. The thickness of the intermediate core layer (312) is for example at least 3 millimetre. The base (302) may comprise a top structure comprising a decorative layer, which may be printed onto the base layer, on top of which a protective layer may be applied. The base (302) can for example be a primary carpet base having pile yarns projecting upwardly therefrom, for example as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The intermediate core layer (312) comprises an upper side

(313) and a lower side (314). The core layer (312) is integrally connected with a first pair of opposite edges, in particular a first edge (315) and a complementary second edge (316), located at the long lateral sides of the tile (301). The core layer (312) is also integrally connected with a second pair of opposite edges, in particular athird edge (317) and a complementary fourth edge (318), located at the short sides of the tile (301) in this exemplary embodiment. A benefit of the presence of the intermediate layer (312) as shown in Figure 3 is that mutual locking of adjacent tiles (301) is enabled. Locking of adjacent tiles (301) in a first direction, perpendicular to a plane of the tile (301), and also a locking of the tiles (301) in a second direction, parallel to the plane of the tile (301), can herewith be realized. Furthermore, the change of curling or disfiguring of tiles (301) is reduced. The shown tile (301) has a rectangular shape. lt is, however also possible that the tile (301) comprises a square, pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal shape.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view indicated by section A-A in Figure 3. In this cross- section, the shape of the complementary first edge (315) and second (316) edge are shown in detail. The first edge (315) comprises a sideward tongue (329) which is integrally connected to the core layer (312). By means of the vertical dashed line the border between the sideward tongue (329) and the core layer (312) is visualised. A front region (329A) of the sideward tongue (329) is provided with a rounded bottom surface (320). An outer end of the rounded bottom surface (320) adjoins an inclined locking surface (321). An opposite end of the rounded bottom surface (320) adjoins a bearing surface (322) making part of a back region (329B) of the sideward tongue (329). The second edge (316) comprises an upper lip (323) and a lower lip (324) defining a recess (325). Both lips (323, 324) are integrally connected to the core (312). By means of the vertical dashed line the border between the lips (323, 324) and the core (312) is visualised. As shown in Figure 3, the width of the upper lip (323) is substantially smaller than the width of the lower lip (324). The recess (325) has a shape which is complementary to the shape of the sideward tongue (329). More in particular, a top surface (326) of a back region (324a) of the lower lip (324) has a (complementary) rounded shape, configured to co-act with the rounded front region (329a) of the sideward tongue (329), while a front region (324b) of the lower lip {324) is provided with a upwardly protruding shoulder (327), configured to co-act with the bearing surface (322) of the sideward tongue (329). A lower surface (328) of the upper lip (323) is inclined and corresponds to the locking surface (321) of the sideward tongue (329). Locking at the first edge (315) and the second edge (316) of adjacent tiles (301) by insertion of the sideward tongue (329) of a tile (301) to be coupled into the recess (325), wherein said tile (301) is initially held in an inclined position.

After insertion of the sideward tongue (329) into the recess, the tile (301) to be coupled will be pivoted

(angled) in downward direction about an axis parallel to the first edge (315) until both tiles (301) are positioned in the same — commonly horizontal — plane, wherein the locking surface (321) of the sideward tongue (329) will engage the locking surface of the upper lip (328), and wherein at least a bottom front part is accommodated substantially form-fittingly in the recess (325), and wherein the bearing surface (322) is supported by the shoulder (327). Locking at the first edge (315) and the second edge (316) leads to locking of the connected tiles (301) in both horizontal direction and vertical direction.

The angling down locking principle of the first and second edges (315, 316) is a relatively easy locking principle which facilitates mutual coupling of tiles at these edges (315, 316) tremendously.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view indicated by section B-B in Figure 3. In this cross- section, the shape of the complementary third edge (317) and second (318) edge are shown in detail.

The third edge (317) comprises an upward tongue (339), an upward flank (330) and an upward groove (331) formed between upward tongue (339) and upward flank (330). The upward tongue (339) is connected to the core (312) by means of a bridge (332), which is preferably resilient to some extent.

A side (339a) of upward tongue (339) facing toward upward flank (330) extends in the direction of the normal N1 of the upper side (313) of the core (312). The tangent Rt and the normal N1 of the upper side (313) of the core (312) are thus directed toward each other (converging orientation), wherein the angle enclosed by R1 and N1 is preferably between 0 and 10 degrees in this exemplary embodiment.

Due to the converging orientation of the upward flank (330) and the side (339a) of the upward tongue (339) facing toward to the upward flank (330), the upward groove is a closed groove, which is only accessible to a complementary counterpart by deformation of the upward tongue (339) and/or bridge (332). Another side (339b) of upward tongue (339) facing toward upward flank (330) forms an aligning edge enabling facilitated realization of a coupling to an adjacent tile (301). As shown, this side {339b) functioning as aligning edge is directed away from the normal N1 of upper side (313) of the core (312). An upper side (339dd of upward tongue (339)

does however extend in the direction of the normal N1 of the upper side (313) of the core (312), and runs inclining downward in the direction of the side (339e) of upward tongue (339) facing away from upward flank (330). This chamfering provides the option of giving the complementary fourth edge (318) a more robust and therefore stronger form. A part of the side (339e) of upward tongue (339) facing away from upward flank (330) is oriented substantially vertically and is moreover provided with an outward bulge (333). A lower part (330a) of upward flank (330) is oriented diagonally, while an upper part (330b) of upward flank (330) is shown to be substantially vertical and forms a stop surface for fourth edge (318).

In between the inclined part (330a) and the substantially vertical part {330b) of the upward flank an additional coupling element, in particular an additional bulge (334), is provided. A lower wall part (331a) of upward groove (331) is oriented substantially horizontally in this exemplary embodiment. The fourth edge (318) is substantially complementary to third edge (317). The fourth edge (318) comprises a downward tongue (345), a downward flank (346) and a downward groove (347) formed in between downward tongue (345) and downward flank (346). The downward tongue (345) is connected to the core (312) by means of a bridge (348), which is preferably resilient to some extent. A side (345a) of downward tongue (345) facing toward downward flank (346) lies in the direction of the normal N2 of the lower side (413) of the core (312). This means that a tangent R2 of side (345a) of downward tongue (345) and the normal of the lower side (314) of the core (312) are mutually converging, wherein the angle enclosed by R2 and N2 is preferably between 0 and 10 degrees in this exemplary embodiment. More preferably, the inclination of R1 is identical to the inclination of R2; hence, R1 and R2 are preferably parallel. Due to the converging orientation of the downward flank (346) and the side (34534) of the downward tongue (345) facing toward to the downward flank (346), the downward groove (347) is a closed groove, which is only accessible for the upward tongue (339) of an adjacent tile (301) by deformation of the downward tongue (345) and/or bridge (348), as a result of which the entrance of the downward groove can be widened (temporary). A side (345b) of the downward tongue (345) facing away from downward flank (346) is diagonally oriented, but has a flatter orientation than the complementary side (330a) of upward flank (330), whereby a gap (air space) will be formed in the coupled position, which will generally facilitate coupling between two tiles (301). The inclining side (345b) of downward tongue (345) also functions as aligning edge for the purpose of further facilitating coupling between two tiles (301). Another side (345c) facing away from downward flank (346) takes a substantially vertical form, though is provided with a small cavity (349) configured to co-act with the additional bulge (334) of another tile (301). A top part of the side (345c) facing away from downward flank (346) forms a complementary stop surface for stop surface (330b) of upward flank (330) (of an adjacent tile). Downward flank (346) is oriented substantially vertically and is provided with a recess (340) adapted to receive the outward bulge (333) of the upward tongue (339) (of an adjacent tile).

The above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above- described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined in order to arrive at a specific application. it will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described herein, but that numerous variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims that will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

The verb “comprise” and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only “comprise”, but are also understood to mean the phrases “contain”, “substantially consist of”, “formed by” and conjugations thereof.

Claims

Conclusions

A tile, in particular a carpet tile, comprising: - a base layer with a top side and a bottom side, wherein pile yarns are provided on at least a part of the top side of the base layer, and - at least one adhesive layer, which may or may not be directly is applied to the underside of the base layer, the adhesive layer providing adhesion properties sufficient to allow the tile to removably bond to a suitable bearing surface.

Tile according to claim 1, wherein the adhesion properties of the adhesive layer apply at least at room temperature.

Tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive of the adhesive layer is present on the edges and/or corners of the bottom surface of the tile, and preferably on at least 50% of the total bottom surface of the tile.

Tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive layer has a moderate adhesive strength on a suitable bearing surface and is less than 15MPa, preferably less than 10MPa.

Tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesion properties of the adhesive layer are applicable over a period of at least 5 years, preferably at least 10 years.

Tile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive of the adhesive layer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive, preferably of a removable type.

Tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive of the adhesive layer is a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive, preferably of a removable type.

Tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive of the adhesive layer comprises one or more types of thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene block copolymers (SBC), ethylene vinyl acetates (EVA), and/or amorphous polyolefins (APO).

Tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tile comprises at least one backing layer located between the base layer and the adhesive layer, the backing layer comprising or consisting of an elastic layer, which preferably has a foam structure with open and/or closed cells.

The tile of claim 9, wherein the elastic layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber, or mixtures thereof.

The tile of claim 9 or 10, wherein an intermediate core layer is present between the base layer and the backing layer.

The tile of claim 11, wherein the intermediate core layer is rigid or flexible, and at least one material! comprises one selected from the group consisting of: wood, especially MDF or HDF; a mineral; a polymer, in particular PVC, PE, PP or PU; or a mixture thereof.

A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, which as a whole has flexible properties.

Tile according to any one of the preceding claims, which has an overall thickness between 5 and 15 mm.

A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tile has two, preferably opposite, side edges which are respectively provided with interconnecting profiles such as a tongue-and-groove profile, preferably the profiles being an integral part of the material of the backing layer, and/or an intermediate core layer when provided in the carpet tile.

Tile according to claim 15, wherein the interconnecting profiles allow a coupling of two carpet tiles by a vertical and/or tilting movement of the respective side edges.

A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a removable protective film is bonded to the adhesive on the bottom surface of the carpet tile.

A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an additional thermoplastic layer which rigidly connects the base layer to the backing layer.

A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base layer comprises a decorative layer, and optionally a transparent wear layer covering the decorative layer.

A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, which has one of the following shapes: square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal.

A tile covering consisting of a plurality of adjacent tiles according to any one of claims 1-20.

The tile covering of claim 21, wherein respective adjacent edges of adjacent tiles are interconnected.