RU2289004C2 - Floor panel with pressurizing tools - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: construction engineering, in particular, of waterproof connecting systems, meant for floor panels.

SUBSTANCE: floor panels and floor elements are made of core in form of sheet, which prior to application of surface layer of floor panels is made with pressurization tools, preventing alteration of properties of floor panels caused by moisture.

EFFECT: increased water impermeability of system for holding floor panels.

7 cl, 17 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of moisture-proof connecting systems for floor panels. The invention relates to a waterproof system for fixing floor panels, which can be connected mechanically; to floor panels equipped with such a locking system; semi-finished products for the production of such floor panels; and methods for producing such semi-finished products and floor panels. The invention is particularly suitable for use in mechanical fixing systems included in a floor panel, for example systems of the type described in publications WO 9426999, WO 9966151, WO 9966152, SE 0100100-7 and SE 0100101-5 (owned by Välinge Aluminum AB), but can also be used in additional connecting systems that can be used to connect floors.

More specifically, the invention relates primarily to moisture-proof floor fixing systems of the type having a core and a decorative surface layer on the upper side of the core.

The present invention is particularly suitable for the manufacture of removable floors made of floor panels, which, on the one hand, are connected mechanically by a connecting system forming one with the floor panel, i.e. installed at the factory, and on the other hand, are made of one or more preferably watertight upper layers of decorative laminate or decorative plastic and an intermediate core, of a material based on wood fiber or plastic and preferably a lower balancing layer on the back side of the core. The following description of the state of the art, problems associated with known systems, and the objectives and features of the present invention will primarily relate to this field of application and, in particular, laminate flooring made of rectangular floor panels designed to mechanically join both long and and short sides. However, it should be noted that the invention can be used in arbitrary floor panels with arbitrary connecting systems, where floor panels have a core and are finished by machining. Thus, the invention can also be applied to homogeneous wooden floors and wooden floors consisting of two or more layers of wood or wood fiber based material and a decorative surface layer of wood. Thus, the invention can be applied to floor panels consisting of any material based on wood fiber, such as solid wood, plywood, particle board, fiber board, MDF (medium density fiber board), HDF (wood high-density fiberboard), etc. The present invention addresses problems that relate to the penetration of moisture into the connection system from the front of the floor panel. Systems and methods that are designed to solve these moisture-related problems also relate to preventing moisture from entering the connection system from the rear side of the floor panel.

Laminate flooring usually consists of a core, which is formed by a wood-fiber board with a thickness of 6-9 mm, an upper decorative surface layer of a laminate with a thickness of 0.2-0.8 mm and a lower balancing layer of a laminate, plastic, paper or similar material with a thickness of 0.1- 0.6 mm. The surface layer provides the appearance and durability of floor panels. The core provides stability, and the balancing layer maintains the flatness of the panel when the relative humidity (OB) changes during the year. OB can vary from 15% in winter to 90% in summer. Floor panels are usually laid as a removable floor, i.e. without gluing, on an existing black floor, which does not have to be completely smooth and flat. Any irregularities are eliminated with the help of the enclosed material in the form, for example, of a board or foam, which is placed between the floor panels and the subfloor. Traditional solid floor panels in this type of removable flooring are connected, as a rule, with glue-bonded joints such as tongue and groove (i.e., joints with a comb in one floor panel and tongue and groove tongue in an adjacent floor panel) on the long side and on the short side. When laying the panels are connected horizontally, and the protruding ridge along the connecting edge of one panel is inserted into the tongue under the ridge along the connecting edge of the adjacent panel. The same method applies to both the long and short sides.

In addition to such traditional floors, which are connected by glue-bonded joints such as tongue and groove, floor panels have recently been developed that do not require glue, but are instead mechanically connected by so-called mechanical joint systems. These systems include fixing means that fix the panels horizontally and vertically. Mechanical connecting systems can be obtained by machining the core of the panel. On the other hand, parts of the fixing system can be made of a separate material forming one with the floor panel, i.e. connected to the floor panel during its production.

The main advantage of removable floors with mechanical joint systems is that they can be easily and quickly laid with various combinations of tilting in and embedding. They can be easily disconnected and reused elsewhere. Another advantage of mechanical joining systems is that the edge parts of the floor panels can be made of materials that do not require good bonding properties. The most common core material is wood in the parquet floor and wood-fiber board with high density and good stability, which is commonly called HDF - high-density fiberboard in laminate flooring. Sometimes MDF, a medium-density fiberboard, is used as the core.

Laminate flooring and, in addition, many other floorings with a surface layer of plastic, wood, veneer, cork and the like are produced by applying the core of the surface layer and the balancing layer to the material. Such an overlay can be carried out by gluing a prefabricated decorative layer, for example, in cases where a decorative laminate obtained under high pressure is applied to a wood-fiber board, which was obtained in a separate operation, in which many impregnated sheets of paper are pressed under high pressure and high temperature. Currently, the most common method for producing a laminate floor, however, is direct lamination, based on a more modern principle, according to which the production of a decorative laminate layer and its application to a wood-fiber board is carried out during the same production operation. The impregnated sheets of paper are applied directly to the plate and are compressed under pressure and heated without gluing.

In addition to these two methods, there are many other methods for producing a core with a surface layer. A decorative pattern may be printed on the surface of the core, which is then, for example, coated with a wear layer. The core may also be provided with a surface layer of wood, veneer, decorative paper or plastic film, and these materials may be coated with a wear layer.

Typically, these methods make it possible to obtain floorboards in the form of a large panel, which is then sawn into, for example, a dozen floor elements, followed by machining to obtain floor panels. In some cases, these methods allow you to get finished floorboards, which do not need to be cut before machining, designed to produce finished floor panels. The production of individual floor elements usually takes place in cases where these elements have a surface layer of wood or veneer.

In all cases, the edges of said floor slabs are individually machined to produce floor panels. Edge machining is carried out on advanced milling machines, where the floorboard is precisely installed between one or more chains and tapes placed in such a way that they can move with high speed and high accuracy past several milling engines equipped with diamond or metal cutting heads that process edge of the floorboard. Through the use of many milling motors operating at different angles, it is possible to obtain a perfect geometric shape of the joints at speeds exceeding 100 m / min and with an accuracy of ± 0.02 mm.

Definition of some terms

In the following text, the visible surface of the finished, installed floor panel is called the “front side”, while the opposite side of the floor panel facing the black floor is called the “back side”.

The applied starting material in the form of a sheet is called a “core”. By a fibrous core is meant a core material that contains wood fibers such as wood, MDF, HDF, chipboard, plywood, and the like. When a surface layer closest to the front side is applied to the core, and preferably also a balancing layer closest to the rear side, it forms a semi-finished product, which is referred to as a “floorboard” or “flooring element”.

A “floorboard” usually has substantially the same dimensions as a floorboard obtained from a floorboard. Thus, a floor panel is usually formed from a floorboard.

The “flooring element”, on the other hand, is so large that at least two floor panels can be obtained from it. Thus, the flooring element is usually divided into several floor slabs, from which floor panels are then formed.

Thus, when the edges of floor slabs are machined in such a way as to give the floorboards their final shape, including a joint system, they are called “floor panels”. By “surface layer” is meant all layers that are superimposed on the core closest to the front side and which preferably completely cover the front side of the floorboard. The term “decorative layer” refers to layers primarily intended to give a floor its decorative appearance. The term “wear layer” refers to layers that are primarily intended to increase the durability of the front side.

Other parts of the floor panel at the edge of the floor panel between the front side and the rear side are referred to as a “connecting edge”. As a rule, the connecting edge contains several "connecting surfaces", which can be vertical, horizontal, inclined, rounded, conical, etc. These joining surfaces can be found on various materials included in the floor panel and joining system, for example in a laminate, wood-fiber board, plywood, plastic, metal (especially aluminum) or sealing material. The term “joint edge portion” refers to the joint edge and part of the floor panel portions closest to the joint edge.

By the terms “connection” or “connecting system” is meant interacting connecting means that connect floor panels vertically and / or horizontally.

Laminate flooring, as well as wooden flooring, is often laid in kitchens, in corridors and in halls, where they are constantly exposed to water, for example, as a result of people walking on the floor in wet shoes or when washing floors with water, etc. In recent years, laminate flooring is also used in bathrooms. Laminate and wood flooring are used all over the world and installed in humid climates, where the relative humidity exceeds 90%.

When water enters the material or when evaporated or condensed water is found on or inside the materials, it is generally referred to as “moisture”.

By “moisture-proof material” is usually meant materials that absorb moisture to a limited extent or materials that are not damaged by moisture.

Moisture on the floors

When a laminate floor with a wood fiber core is, to a limited extent, exposed to moisture in the rooms mentioned above, moisture can penetrate, through the joint with adjacent floor panels, into the upper parts of the joint system closest to the front side and thus penetrate into core and its wood fibers. If the amount of incoming moisture is small, the water usually evaporates after some time, but as a result, a constant expansion of the joint edge section can occur, raising the edge of the upper joint edge section, with the possible occurrence of cracks in the surface layer, especially if the quality of the core is low and the laminate is thin. Raising the edge also causes severe wear on the surface layer around the connecting edges. In a wooden floor, the joint edges can also swell at high relative humidity and cause damage to the joint edges.

If moisture enters in large quantities or if it enters regularly for a long time, moisture can also penetrate through the entire connective system and further into the subfloor and cause significant damage, for example, in the form of mold. This can occur even when the floor panel is made of a moisture-proof core, since this moisture-proof core, as a rule, simply prevents swelling of the connecting edge sections or prevents moisture from spreading through the core. A moisture-proof core cannot prevent moisture from spreading through the connection system and further into the subfloor. This moisture migration through the joining system is enhanced if the geometric shape of the mechanical joining contains many joining surfaces on the floor panel that are not in contact with the respective joining surfaces on the adjacent floor panel. Such a geometric design facilitates, for example, the manufacture and facilitates the displacement of the floor panel in its fixed position along the connecting edge of the adjacent floor panel, however, this geometric shape does not provide advantages in counteracting the possibility of moisture penetrating through the connecting system.

The main misconception is that mechanical joint systems are more sensitive to moisture than traditional joint systems with glue, since it is believed that glue prevents moisture from entering the joint system. However, glued floors with non-environmentally harmful water-based adhesive systems cannot prevent moisture from entering the joint system. One reason is that, as a rule, glue can only be in separate parts of the connecting system. Another reason is that moisture that comes in contact with the adhesive layer dissolves the adhesive bond. Moisture penetrates through the connecting system and the panels are separated at the junction.

Laminate and wooden floors could capture a much larger market share, especially for plastic and ceramic tile floors, if they could more withstand the effects of high relative humidity and water entering the surface.

When the laminate floor is exposed to water entering its surface, a moisture-proof surface layer will counteract the penetration of moisture through the surface into the core. A limited amount of moisture penetrating through the surface layer and into the core, as a rule, will not cause any damage. At the joints, moisture will penetrate between the upper connecting edges of adjacent floor panels, and when moisture passes through the moisture-proof surface layer and when it reaches a core that is much more sensitive to moisture, moisture will spread through the core and at the same time continue to move to the rear side of the floor panel. If the core contains wood fibers, they will swell. As a result, the thickness of the floor panel within the connecting edge portion increases and the surface layer rises. This vertical expansion, in turn, causes damage to the floor. Upon receipt of additional moisture, moisture will spread down to the rear side until it passes through the connecting system and reaches the base plate and subfloor. This can lead to even more serious damage.

There are various ways to counter these problems. Attempts have been made to prevent moisture from entering the floor panel from the joint edge by applying a moisture-proof material such as paraffin or silicone to the joint surfaces. Such a solution is described, among others, in patents W09426999 (Valinge Aluminum AB) and EP0903451 (Unilin Beheer B.V.). In one case, an attempt is made to resist moisture migration from the front side towards the rear side of the floor panels along the joint by inserting an elastic sealing means between adjacent floor panels. Such solutions are described, among others, in patent W09747834 (Unilin Beheer B.V.).

Thus, there are several ways to improve the ability of connecting systems to withstand the effects of water and moisture.

The most common method is to manufacture the core of the floor panel from the HDF panel, which is of high quality in terms of density and moisture protection. Moisture resistance of the core can also be improved by adding certain binders during core manufacturing, in many cases in combination with special wood fibers. This method can significantly reduce, but not completely eliminate, the expansion due to moisture penetration. The main disadvantage of this method is the cost. The entire floor panel will be of equally high quality, although these specific properties apply only to a limited part of the floor panel associated with the joint edge. Another disadvantage is that this method does not provide protection against moisture migration through the connecting system from the front side to the rear side of the floor.

It is also known that it is possible to resist the penetration of moisture into the core of floor panels by spraying or otherwise applying special chemical compounds to the joint edges that impregnate or strengthen the wood fibers in the joint system. This application of chemical compounds is carried out after the joint is given the final geometric shape by machining. As a rule, the impregnation is carried out immediately in combination with the machining of the edges of the floor panels, since it is desirable to use the fact that during the indicated operation the panel is held in position by means of drive chains and belts of the processing equipment.

Impregnating materials can be applied in the joint system using various methods, which may include application by spraying, rolling, spreading, and the like. The most common impregnating materials are molten paraffin and various types of liquids, such as oils, polyurethane-based impregnating agents and many other chemicals that all prevent the penetration of moisture from the joint edge into the core, so as to reduce the risk of swelling when moisture penetrates between the upper joint edges.

All application methods are complex, expensive and give an unsatisfactory result. It is especially difficult to make corners waterproof. If, for example, spraying onto a moving floor panel begins too late, the part of the edge closest to the corner will not get impregnation. If the spraying ends too late, the impregnating liquid will escape into open air, which will lead to undesirable contamination of the equipment and the spread of unwanted solvents or impregnating materials in the air and in the room in which the production takes place. It is also difficult to impregnate the core on the connecting edge directly below the surface layer without simultaneously contaminating the surface of the floor panel closest to the connecting edge. It is also difficult to achieve deep and uniform soaking in areas located directly under the surface layer, which are most exposed to moisture and swelling. The general deterioration is due to the fact that the machining and thus subsequent impregnation are carried out at very high speeds and with the surface layer of the floor panels facing down. Other disadvantages are that the impregnation, especially if it is prepared on a water basis and is not harmful to the environment, can cause swelling of the fibers or settling of a layer of hardened impregnating agent in the joint system in such a way that an uncontrolled change in the geometric shape of the joint occurs .

In addition, these methods do not provide reliable sealing against moisture migration from the front side of the floor panels along the connecting surfaces down to the rear side of the floor panels. They also cannot solve the problem of swelling of the upper sections of the connecting edge in wooden floors.

It is also known that plastic can be used as a core material that does not swell and does not absorb moisture. This provides an excellent barrier to horizontal moisture migration away from the joint between two connected floor panels. The disadvantage of plastic is that plastic panels are much more expensive than wood-fiber boards, as well as the difficulty of gluing or directly applying a decorative surface layer to a plastic panel. In addition, the machining of plastic is much more difficult than the machining of material based on wood fiber, aimed at the manufacture of these connecting means along all four edges. An example of a floor panel having a plastic core is given in patent EA 1045083 A1. An example of a floor panel having a connecting means made of plastic is shown in US Pat. No. 6,101,778.

The aforementioned publication WO 9426999 (Välinge Aluminum AB) describes a system that prevents the penetration of moisture into the floor panels through the connecting edges and prevents the migration of moisture from the front side of the floor panels to their rear side. This publication involves the use of silicone or some other sealing compound, rubber band, or some other sealing device that is applied to the connection system before installation. The system described in WO 9426999 (Välinge Aluminum AB), i.e. providing moisture impermeability by means of a sealing joint or sealing device, which are applied to the joint during the manufacturing process, also has disadvantages. The disadvantages are essentially the same as when impregnating the edges by spraying or spreading. It is also difficult to work with panels on which a dirty sealing compound is applied. The properties of the sealing compound change over time. If the sealing compound is applied at the same time as laying, laying the floors will be difficult and expensive.

One method for impregnating floor panels is described in DE 20002744 U1.

One of the ways to prevent moisture penetration is to insert, in the process of laying floors, a sealing device in the form of, for example, a sealing rubber strip in a joint. And this method is time consuming and expensive. When a sealing agent is applied to the joint during the manufacturing process, it is not known how the sealing agent should be designed for optimal functioning, how it can be rationally applied and how the corners should be designed so that the sealing can act along the connecting edge of the entire panel as long so on the short side. In the aforementioned publication WO 9747834 (Unilin Beheer B.V.) in Fig. 10 shows how the sealing means is visually applied between the upper connecting edges, so that a narrow gap is visible between adjacent floor panels.

The use of elastic sealing means embedded in the joints is also known in connection with the connection of wall elements with a height of one floor. This is shown, for example, in patent GB2117813 (Ostrovsky), which describes a connection system, which, however, is not suitable for floor panels, which should be laid without noticeable clearances at the joints.

In addition, it is known to apply a sealing paste or waterproof glue to the joint between the floor panels, as shown in EP 0 665 347 A1. However, such a procedure may require the application of sealant during installation of the panels. In addition, it can have most of the disadvantages inherent in floor panels connected by glue.

It is also known (according to WO 9966152, Välinge Aluminum AB) the possibility of supplying the edge of the core on the long side or on the short side with separate materials that are attached to the core and which are then machined to acquire special properties in the fixation system, such as strength, moisture protection or flexibility. However, it is not known how these materials are superimposed and molded in order to optimally solve problems associated with moisture.

A particular problem, which relates to the penetration of moisture into the floor panels from the connecting edges, arises in connection with wooden floor panels consisting of several layers of wood with different fiber orientations, since the wood swells in a direction transverse to the orientation of the fibers, more than in the direction fibers. This means that in a wooden floor having a surface layer with fibers oriented in a longitudinal direction relative to the floor panel and a core with a different fiber orientation, for example in a direction transverse to the floor panel, and which is laid in a humid or high relative humidity environment, the surface layer swells to a greater extent in the transverse direction relative to the floor panel than the core. As a result, the upper portions of the connecting edge, and in particular the areas closest to the connecting surface, will swell and be distributed in parallel with the surface of the floor panel, pushing the floor panels apart, while the joint system made in the core retains its shape to a large extent . This can lead to damage, for example, by compression of the decorative layer (surface layer), rupture of the connecting system or complete or partial loss of the fixing function of the fixing system.

From this we can conclude that the problems of humidity in connection with the connected floor panels are essentially related to:

vertical and horizontal swelling of the sections of the connecting edge,

moisture penetration through the connecting systems.

In general, we can say that in relation to the creation of obstacles to the moisture migration in the floor panels from the connecting edges, many methods are known, none of which gives a result that is completely satisfactory in terms of quality and also costs. As for the obstruction of moisture migration along the junction from the front side to the rear side of the floor panels, there are no known solutions that allow obtaining an integrated structure in which the panel even with a manufacturing process is provided with sealing means that counteracts such moisture migration.

The objective of the invention is the creation of several types of seals, most necessary for a waterproof system for fixing the floor panels, which can be interconnected, namely:

“Material seal” that counteracts swelling of the connecting edges,

"Material seal" and "joint seal", which counteracts the swelling and penetration of moisture through the joint system,

“Compensation seal” that compensates for swelling and shrinkage of the connecting edges.

By “material seal” is meant a seal that prevents or counteracts the spread of moisture from the connecting edge of the floor panel deep into the floor panel. By “joint seal” is meant a seal that prevents or counteracts the migration of moisture through the joint along the joint surfaces. By “compensatory seal” is meant a seal that adapts to the movement of material caused by moisture in the floor panel (swelling and shrinkage) due to a change in moisture content, for example due to a change in the relative humidity of the ambient air, and which counteracts stresses arising from pressure and the appearance of a visible gap between the upper connecting edges of adjacent floor panels due to such movements of the material caused by moisture.

From the foregoing it is obvious that the known solutions to the problems created by moisture in connection with floor panels and floor materials are not entirely satisfactory. Some of these solutions do not have the expected effect, others have drawbacks that make it difficult to manufacture and install, while others are unsatisfactory in terms of costs.

Another objective of the present invention is to eliminate or significantly reduce one or more of the remaining problems associated with protection against moisture in the manufacture and use of floor panels. Another object of the invention is to propose a rational and cost-effective production method for the manufacture of core floor panels, floor slab elements, floor slabs and floor panels.

These and other tasks can be achieved with the help of floor panels, floors and production methods having the characteristics listed in independent paragraphs. The dependent paragraphs and the following description disclose embodiments of the present invention.

The invention is particularly suitable for use in floor panels with a mechanical locking system and in floor panels made of plate elements, which are divided into a plurality of boards before machining. However, the invention can also be used for floors with a joining system that is glued, and for floors from floor panels that are made directly in the form of floor slabs for machining to produce floor panels and which, therefore, are not made by separating large floor elements before subsequent machining of individual floor slabs.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a floor panel that comprises a body having a wood fiber core, in which floor panel at least two opposite parallel portions of the connecting edge are provided with connecting means for mechanically connecting the floor panel in a horizontal direction with similar floor panels, the connecting means having active fixing surfaces for interaction with the corresponding active fixing surfaces of adjacent floor panels after joining the floor panels to them. The floor panel is characterized in that at least one of the active fixing surfaces is completely or partially made of an elastically deformable material different from the body of the floor panel.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for forming a connection between two adjacent edges of floor panels, the floor panels having a core and a surface layer superimposed on the upper side of the core, wherein the surface layer consists of at least one layer and said floor panels on their adjacent sections of the connecting edge, equipped with connecting means for connecting the floor panels to each other in the vertical direction, and the upper adjacent connecting the edges of which are found in the vertical connecting plane. The system is characterized at least in that one of the opposite portions of the joint edge of the floor panels, when the floor panels are joined together, is provided with a joint seal designed to resist moisture penetration along the vertical joint plane between adjacent floor panels, this joint seal being made of elastic sealing material and attached to at least one of the floor panels, being formed when forming the connecting edges (82, 83) of the floor panels and is adapted for compression when connecting adjacent floor panels to each other.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a floor panel consisting of a core and a surface layer deposited on the upper side of the core, the surface layer consisting of at least one layer, the floor panel at opposite portions of the connecting edge comprising connecting means for connecting the floor panel to similar floor panels in the vertical direction, so that the connected floor panels have upper connecting edges that converge in the vertical joint plain plane. The floor panel is characterized in that at least one of the opposite portions of the joint edge of the floor panels is provided with a joint seal designed to counteract the penetration of moisture along the vertical joint plane between adjacent floor panels, and that this joint seal is made of elastic sealing material and is attached to the floor panel, being formed when forming the connecting edges (82, 83) of the floor panels, and adapted to elastic deformation when connecting the floor panel to a similar floor panel.

Thus, according to the first, second and third aspects of the present invention, the cores can be provided with inserted and firmly fixed elastically deformable materials, which can serve as sealing means and / or compensation means when the floor panels swell or shrink. Elastically deformable materials are placed in areas that should later be machined to produce the connecting means of the finished floor panel. The elastically deformable material will thus be machined simultaneously or in connection with the machining of the remaining parts of the joint system. As a result, the resiliently deformable material can be turned into precisely positioned and precisely dimensioned seals for forming the aforementioned joint seals or compensating means.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a core for manufacturing a floorboard or floor element, which must be divided into at least two floorboards, the method comprising manufacturing a core of sheet material from which a part of the fixing system for vertically fixing the floorboards must be formed. . The method is characterized by the manufacture of a groove in the sheet material and placement of an elastic sealing material therein.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method that is used in the manufacture of a floor panel, which method includes the operations described above in connection with the fourth aspect of the invention. The method is characterized in that the connecting seal of the elastic sealing material is formed in connection with the formation of the locking system.

By appropriate methods, such as sawing or milling, the core can be pre-prepared before applying the surface layer (for example, a decorative surface layer), so that, for example, in areas where the edges will be machined later, one or more grooves are formed. A suitable sealing material is then placed in the groove, preferably by impregnation or extrusion, or by any other suitable method. The sealing material may form a material seal and / or may be able to turn into a solid, moisture-proof and resiliently deformable material, which may become a joint seal. Then, a surface layer may be applied to the surface of the core over the groove with the sealing material. According to this aspect of the invention, the sealing material can also be applied in a similar manner after applying the surface layer. Then, a groove can be made in the floor element or floor plate, in the surface layer and in the core or simply in the core of the floorboard. When sawing a floor element onto floorboards, the edges will contain sealing material. If the sealing material is placed in a groove or on a machined portion of the edge of the floorboard, machining of the reference surface is preferable in connection with the application of the sealing material. This reference surface may be the outer edge of the floorboard. Then, during the second production operation, the final machining of the fixing system and the joint seal can be performed, when the reference surface can be used when the floorboard is installed in the desired position relative to the processing tool. This method allows you to install the sealing material with an accuracy of about 0.01 mm relative to the connecting surfaces and the surface of the floor panel. It is possible to install and form a joint seal in the core and in the lower part of the surface layer with a thickness of 0.1-0.5 mm. The joint seal will protect the core of the wood web and prevent the penetration of moisture through the fixing system. This method allows you to apply and form a seal in all types of laminate floors, which can be made with a sealing material. Obviously, this method can be used on thicker surfaces, for example surfaces of plastic or linoleum with a thickness of 1-3 mm. Such a seal will not be visible from the surface and will protect the wood fiber core under a waterproof surface layer. If the sealing material is flexible, it may also prevent moisture from entering through the fixation system.

To form a joint seal, in principle, any known sealing material can be used that can be applied in liquid or semi-liquid form by extrusion, such as foam and the like, and which, after application, has formability, elastic deformability and moisture resistance. Sealing materials may have the advantage of being able to adhere to the core. This ability to adhere, however, is not necessary since the sealing material can be mechanically attached, for example, in scoring grooves.

Subsequent machining in the manufacture of floor panels is carried out in such a way that only part of the material is removed or changed in shape. For example, a sealing material may be formed by deepening into an elastically deformable joint seal, which will be precisely placed along the entire long side and the entire short side and at the corners, as well as precisely placed relative to the surface layer.

The joint seal, and in particular its active part, which provides protection against moisture, can be made with an arbitrary external geometric shape by cutting, which can be performed with very narrow tolerances in combination with the formation of the rest of the connecting system.

If the joint system between the decorative layer and the joint seal also contains a material seal, the result is a floor with floor panels, which all have watertight joints on the long and short sides and corners. If the floor is also equipped with moisture-proof skirting boards made, for example, of plastic, which in conjunction with the floor contains a suitable sealing material or sealing strip, the floor will be completely waterproof at all joints and along the walls.

The material seal between the surface layer and the joint seal can, in addition to the impregnation described above, be made in many other ways, for example:

The core can be made of waterproof material.

In a directly laminated floor, the upper part of the core can be impregnated directly below the decorative layer, for example, as described below.

The impregnating material can also be applied in grooves, which are also applied to the joint seal.

In a high pressure laminate floor, the reinforcing layer of the laminate from phenol-impregnated kraft paper under the decorative layer may represent a material seal.

Another alternative is that a moisture-proof layer of plastic is laid between the core and the decorative surface layer throughout the panel.

In the same way that a joint seal is applied, it is possible to apply materials with other properties, such as incompressible materials, to protect the joint edge and form a material seal.

A material seal may consist of one or more materials that cover the entire surface of the core and which are also resilient and sound-absorbing. Their advantage is the ability to obtain, at the same cost, moisture resistance, sound absorption and a softer floor. Parts of the joint seal may also constitute a material seal. In conclusion, the entire joint seal, or parts thereof, may also constitute a material seal. This means that the joint seal can also serve as a material seal with or without impregnation of the core.

From the foregoing, it is clear that this aspect of the invention is suitable for wood fiber core materials, for example, fiberboard, but also for moisture-proof core materials such as plastic and various combinations of plastic and wood fiber materials.

As non-limiting examples of materials that can be used to produce a joint seal, mention may be made of acrylic plastic based materials, synthetic rubber elastomers, urethane rubber, silicone rubber and the like, or hot melt adhesive based on polyurethane.

In one embodiment, the floor panels may have a mechanical joint system that, for a long time and when the floor panels swell and shrink, holds the joint edge with the sealing material in close contact with another sealing means or with another connecting edge. The method and system can also be used in traditional adhesive-lubricated joints such as tongue and groove, but such joints with significantly greater costs and difficulties provide a tight connection compared to a mechanical joint system.

In connection with the laying, it is possible to add glue, sealing material and the like to the above-described connecting system, for example to further increase the strength or moisture resistance of the joint in separate parts of the floor or throughout the floor.

Within the scope of the invention, long sides and short sides can be formed in various ways. The reason may be that the connection method when laying the floor may vary on the long and short sides. For example, the long side can be fixed due to the internal tilt, and the short side can be latched, and this can lead to the need for various properties of materials, the geometric shape of the joints and seals, where one side is optimized for the internal tilt and the other for the snap. Another reason is that each square meter of floor contains a much larger connection on the long side than the connection on the short side with elongated panels. Optimizing material costs can lead to different joint designs.

Impregnation and reinforcement of the edge of the core in some areas before applying the surface layer and the balancing layer can also be used on the rear side in order, for example, to strengthen the part in which the lower parts of the connecting system are formed. This can be used, for example, to prepare a strong and flexible strip or bottom edge and a solid looking element when the strip or lower edge is formed as one unit with the core. If, for example, the strip is made of a material other than the core, for example aluminum, the impregnation on the back side can be used to reinforce the key parts to which the strip is attached, or where the panel interacts with the locking element.

The manufacturing methods described above can also be used to produce a mechanical joint system that comprises an elastic locking means. These elastic locking means can be compressed together when the adjacent upper connecting edges swell, and can expand as they shrink. In this way, the problems of horizontal swelling and the appearance of visible gaps in the dry floor can be counteracted. Since this swelling problem relates mainly to the long side, angles are not affected in this aspect. The resiliently deformable material may therefore be mechanically laid in solid form in the groove, for example, by snapping or pushing into the cut grooves, or by gluing to the edge of the groove. Thus, these elastic locking means will serve as an “elastic compensation seal”.

The manufacturing method described above, which allows to obtain a partial material seal in pre-selected core portions, can also be used in connection with the manufacture of the core in the form of a sheet. The impregnating material is then introduced either into a compound of wood fiber and a binder from which the core is formed, or in connection with the acquisition of the final shape by the core during the final stage of the manufacturing process.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a rectangular floor panel which comprises long sides, short sides, a core and a surface layer arranged on the surface of the core, said surface layer comprising a wear layer and a decorative layer (35), the floor panel adjacent to opposite portions of the connecting edges, equipped with a locking system for connecting the floor panel with similar floor panels vertically and horizontally along long sides and along short parties, and the specified fixation system is at least partially formed from the core. The floor panel is characterized in that it further comprises a section consisting of a material seal designed to counteract the penetration of moisture from the connecting edge of the floor panel into the core, said material seal being located between

- surface layer, and

- an elastically deformable joint seal, which is firmly connected to the floor panel and which, when connected to a similar floor panel, counteracts the penetration of moisture along the joint surfaces of the joint edges between adjacent floor panels.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a flooring member for use in forming at least two floor slabs, the flooring member comprising a wood fiber core and a surface layer that is attached to the surface of the core. The floorboard is characterized in that the groove is made on the surface of the core and / or in the surface layer, wherein said groove is located in that part of the board where the mechanical fixing system should be formed, and an elastically deformable material and / or impregnating agent are placed in the groove. The elastically deformable material can be turned into a joint seal as described above, at least partially in connection with the formation of the joint means.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a floorboard for use in forming a floor panel, the floor board comprising a wood fiber core and a surface layer that is attached to the surface of the core. The floorboard is characterized in that the groove is made in the upper edge part of the floorboard, where the formed mechanical fixing system must be formed, and an elastically deformable material and / or impregnating agent are placed in the said groove.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a joint with two adjacent edges of floor panels, the floor panels comprising a core, a surface layer superimposed on the upper side of the core, the surface layer comprising at least one layer, and a locking system for adjacent portions of the connecting edge, designed to interconnecting floor panels at least vertically, in which adjacent connecting edges converge in a vertical connecting strip awns. This method is characterized by fixing the elastic sealing material on at least one of the floor panels, forming a joint seal simultaneously with the formation of the joint edge of the floor panel, wherein the joint seal is formed on at least one of the adjacent portions of the joint edge of the floor panel, and is adapted to be compressed when joining adjacent floor panels to each other. According to this method, the joint seal is adapted to counteract the penetration of moisture along the vertical joint plane between adjacent floor panels.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

on figa-d illustrates the various steps of manufacturing a floor panel;

on figa-e shows the composition of the laminate floor with a surface of highly pressed laminate and directly laid laminate;

on figa-c illustrates examples of various mechanical connecting systems and moisture migration;

on figa-d illustrates the impregnation of the edge according to the hitherto used technical solutions;

5a-c illustrate impregnation with the formation of a material seal according to the invention;

on figa-c shows the impregnation of the upper connecting edges according to the present invention;

7a-c illustrate an embodiment of a material seal according to the invention;

Figs 8a-e illustrate the manufacture of a joint seal in a mechanical joint system according to the present invention;

on figa-d illustrates the manufacture of a mechanical connecting system with a material seal and a connecting seal, as well as reinforcing the edges of the parts of the connecting system according to the invention;

10a-c illustrate the compression of a joint seal according to the invention;

11a-g illustrate alternative embodiments of materials and joint seals according to the invention;

12a-b illustrate embodiments of material and joint seals according to the invention;

on figa-c illustrates floor panels with a connecting seal on both sides according to the invention;

on figa-e illustrates the mechanical locking system, and on figa illustrates the hitherto existing technical solution; and FIG. 14b-e illustrates mechanical locking systems with compensating seals in the form of an elastic locking means according to the invention;

on figa-e illustrates an embodiment of the invention;

in FIG. 16a-f illustrate a joint system formed according to the invention and having high strength;

17a-d illustrate sealing of corner portions of adjacent floor panels.

On figa-d illustrates four stages of manufacturing a floor panel. Fig. 1a shows three main components: a surface layer 31, a core 30 and a balancing layer 32. Fig. 1b shows a flooring element 3, where the surface layer and the balancing layer are applied to the core. On figs shows how the floorboards 2 are obtained by separating the genital element. On fig.1d shows how the floorboard 2 after machining the edges takes its final shape and becomes the floor panel 1 with the connecting system 7, 7 'on the long sides 4A, 4b, which connecting system in this case is mechanical.

On figa shows the production of high pressure laminate. The wear layer 34 of a transparent material having high wear resistance is impregnated with melamine with the addition of alumina. A decorative layer of melamine impregnated paper is placed under this layer 34. Under the decorative layer 35, one or more reinforcing layers 36a, 36b made of a paper core and impregnated with phenol are placed, and the entire package is placed under a press, where it is vulcanized under high pressure and heated on the surface layer 31 of a high pressure laminate having a thickness of about 0. 5-0.8 mm.

Fig. 2c shows how the surface layer 31 and the balancing layer 32 are then glued to the core 30 to form the flooring element 3.

In FIG. 2d and 2e, direct lamination is illustrated. The wear layer 34 in the form of a coating and the decorative layer of decorative paper 35 are placed directly on the core 30, after which all three parts and, as a rule, also the back balancing layer 32 are placed in the press, where they are vulcanized under high pressure and heating on the decorative surface layer 31 with a thickness of about 0.2 mm.

Figures 3a-c illustrate the mechanical coupling systems used so far, as well as the effect of moisture on the coupling systems according to the studies of the inventors.

In Fig. 3a, floor panel 1 consists of a directly laminated surface layer 31, a core 30 of wood-based fiber material (HDF) and a balancing layer 32. The vertical fixing means that fastens the panels 1 and 1 'in the direction D1 consists of a tongue 9 and a ridge 10. A horizontal fixing means that fastens the panels parallel to the surface layer 31 in the direction D2 consists of a strip 6 having a fixing element 8 that interacts with the fixing groove 12. The strip is obtained by mechanical processing abotki floor panel core and therefore in this embodiment formed integrally with the core 30. Dashed arrows MPM indicate how moisture can penetrate from the joint edge into the core 30 as moisture penetrates into the joint system from the front side or upper side of the floor.

3b, an embodiment is illustrated in which both the vertical and horizontal fixing means are formed as a tongue 9 and a ridge 10 made of a core 30 of the floor panel. The horizontal locking means consists of a strip 6 and a locking element 8, which are made of aluminum and are mechanically attached to the core 30.

In all these cases, the connecting systems are integrated with the core, i.e. made or installed at the factory, and at least part of the connecting system is always made by cutting the core 30 of the floor panel. The locking systems may be connected by tilting, horizontally snapping or snapping in an upwardly curved position.

Figures 4a-4c illustrate the impregnation of the connecting edges 82, 83 according to the existing technique, when the machined joint is impregnated with an impregnating material 24, which is applied to the sides by spraying.

To facilitate understanding, the floor panels in all figures are shown with their surface layer facing up.

In practice, however, floor panels, when machining on mechanical equipment and during subsequent impregnation, are oriented with their front side (top side) down.

In the impregnation method used so far, the floor panel moves past the stationary spray head 40. It is difficult to direct the impregnation material stream 24 so that the edge of the stream is located directly below the surface layer 31 in connection with the upper adjacent connecting edges 16 in order to obtain a material seal.

Even when the impregnation is carried out using protective plates 43 intended to protect the surface, it is difficult to provide effective protection. The strip 6 and the locking element 8 are in many cases an obstacle, and it is difficult to apply the impregnating material 24 with sufficient accuracy and to achieve a sufficiently deep penetration in the area located directly below the surface layer 31 on the upper adjacent connecting edges 16. Thus, the depth of impregnation varies, which it turns out to be smaller directly below the surface layer and at the farthest distance from the surface layer, as clearly shown in figa-4d.

5a-5c illustrate an impregnation to obtain a material seal according to the present invention. The impregnating material 24 is suitably applied to the tape-shaped sections 44 on the surface of the core 33 before applying the remaining layers, i.e. decorative layer and wear layer. The application can be carried out, for example, by spraying, rolling, etc., it is best first in the longitudinal direction L in areas where the long sides of the floorboards will later be formed.

Accordingly, one long side 4 of the core 30 is used as a guide surface, which is then used as a guide surface to facilitate positioning in connection with applying the surface layer 31, sawing and machining. Thus, it would be easier to ensure that the material seal 20 is correctly positioned relative to the finished joint edge.

5b illustrates the corresponding impregnation of parts that later form the short sides 5 of the floorboards. With this impregnation, the core moves in the transverse direction W, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. And in this case, one short side 5 of the core 30 can be used as a guide surface in the subsequent production process.

Fig. 5c shows on an enlarged scale the part that will form the corners of the floor panel and which will be completely impregnated in parallel with the long side, and also like the short side. The dividing lines 45 indicate the cuts along the long side, as well as along the short side, for separating the flooring element into the floorboards.

On figa-6c illustrates in more detail the implementation of the impregnation and penetration of the impregnating material into the core, as well as the location of the impregnated area relative to the connecting means, indicated in dashed lines in figa and 6b. Fig. 6c shows the edges of two floor panels obtained from a flooring element after it has been cut into individual floorboards by sawing along line 45.

Fig. 6a shows how the impregnating material 24, when applied by means of a spray nozzle 40, will penetrate into the core 30 from the surface of the core 33 and towards the central part of the core to form a material seal 20.

The penetration of the impregnating material 24 into the core 30 can be facilitated by creating a vacuum on the underside of the core using a vacuum device 46. The vacuum device 46 may consist, for example, of a stationary table with a vacuum clamp or moving vacuum strips. If the core 30 is stationary during the application of the impregnating material 24, for example, moving spray nozzles 40 are used.

6b shows how the impregnating material 24 is located in the core 30 of the flooring element 3 after being applied to the surface layer 31. The impregnating material then forms a material seal 20. The dividing line 45 indicates the intended cut.

On figs shows the connecting edges 82, 83 of the floor panels 1, 1 'after machining. To simplify the illustration, the floor panel has a mechanical connection only along one side. The material seal 20 will be precisely located along two perpendicular sides and in the corner, and in the shown embodiment it can be found in the upper portions of the connecting edge 80, 81.

A wood fiber core 30, such as HDF, is made by mixing ground wood fibers with a binder such as melamine, after which a panel is formed by pressing and heating. On the other hand, the impregnating material 24 can be applied to the panel in connection with this production, and the application takes place in special areas, which later form the connecting sections of the floor panel.

7a-7d illustrate in detail the various stages of the production of a material seal in a mechanical joint system.

7a, the impregnating material 24 is applied on the surface side of the core 33 in sections 86, 87 (dashed lines), which in the finished floor panel form sections of the connecting edge, indicated generally by 86 and 87, and in which the connecting system 9, 10 is formed. A significant portion of the upper portions of the connecting edge 80, 81 is impregnated so as to form a material seal 20.

Fig. 7b shows a flooring element 3 with a surface layer 31, a balancing layer 32 and a material seal 20 in the core 30 under the surface layer 31. The figure also shows dashed cut 45 and the contours of the final connecting means in dashed lines.

On figs shows the edges of the floorboard 2, 2 'after sawing. The sawing tolerance does not affect the final position of the material seal 20, which is closest to the joint edge. Subsequent machining does not require any additional equipment to place the material seal 20 in the upper sections of the connecting edge 80, 81 of the fixing system, since this material seal was obtained even before applying 30 different surface layers to the core 30.

Fig. 7d illustrates the mechanical connection with the material seal 20 immediately below the surface layer 31. The position HP denotes a horizontal plane parallel to the surface layer of the panel. The connecting edges of the floor panel 1, 1 'are generally indicated by 82, 83 and may have an additional connecting system. In the shown embodiment, the connecting edges are formed as a mechanical tongue-and-groove joint, which can be fixed due to internal tilt and snap-fit. Position VP means a vertical plane (the junction plane) extending perpendicular to the horizontal HP plane at the upper connecting edges 80, 81 located closest to the surface layer. Position T denotes the thickness of the floor panel. The greatest amount of impregnating material 20 can be found in the upper sections of the connecting edge 80, 81 directly under the wear layer 31, i.e. in the area most important in terms of humidity. This concentration of the impregnating material immediately below the wear layer 31 is achieved as a result of the fact that during the impregnation process it is possible to penetrate the impregnating material into the core from the surface of the core.

The upper portions of the connecting edge 80, 81 are thus distinguished in that the material seal 20 is present not only on the surface of the core 31 closest to the surface layer 31 between the vertical plane or the joint plane VP and the lower plane at a distance P2 from the surface of the core 33 , but also over the entire area in the horizontal direction from the vertical plane VP to the plane located at a distance P1 from the vertical plane VP. Thus, the entire volume of the core 30 is impregnated under the surface of the core 33 to form a material seal 20. Such an arrangement and extension of the material seal cannot be obtained by known impregnation methods in which the impregnation material 24 is applied or sprayed onto the upper connecting edges 84, 85 on a vertical plane VP, when these upper connecting edges are already provided with a surface layer 31 and by machining they are given the final shape.

Since the impregnating material 24 penetrates from the surface of the core 33, the concentration of the impregnating material will be especially high closest to the surface of the core 33. Typically, the concentration of the impregnating material decreases downward from the surface of the core 33, as schematically shown in figa-4d.

The material seal 20 should, primarily due to costs, be limited to that part of the floor panel 1 in which the intended connecting means are formed, and therefore preferably should not cover the entire surface of the core 33.

This method allows to obtain a material seal 20 under the surface layer 31 in a significant part of the connecting system. As for the length of the material seal in the transverse direction, i.e. across the joint plane VP and along the horizontal plane HP, it can be mentioned that the value of P1 can exceed 0.2 of the floor thickness T and, without any difficulties, can equal the thickness of the floor T or exceed it. In many embodiments, the distance P1 may be so large that all parts of the joint edge portion that comprise parts of the connecting means of the floor panel are impregnated with a material seal 20.

Impregnation depth, i.e. the distance P2 may typically be 0.1-0.3 of the floor thickness T. However, in many cases it is desirable that the depth of impregnation be such that at least the upper parts of the connecting means consist of an impregnated core material.

According to the invention, the connecting system is characterized in that the material seal 20 is located on the surface of the core 33 in the vertical plane VP and at a distance P1 from VP, as well as in that the sealing properties in this area are essentially equivalent or uniform, i.e. the surface of the core 33 is covered with essentially the same amount of impregnating material 24 per unit volume of the material of the core 30. This is a serious difference from the technical solutions used so far when the application was made from the vertical plane VP, when the concentration of the impregnating material, as shown in figa-4d, decreases in the direction from the connecting edge in the vertical plane VP and inside the panel parallel to the surface layer 31 by a distance P1 and where the depth of impregnation in horizontal the plane will be less closest to the surface of the core 31 and more at a distance from it.

8a-8e illustrate another embodiment of the invention. In this case, the groove 41 is formed in the surface of the core 33, for example, in the area where the upper and inner part of the ridge 10 will be formed later. The groove 41 is then applied with a sealing material 50, which after application should become solid, waterproof, elastically deformable, and it can be shape by cutting.

As shown in FIG. 8b, the core 30 with the groove 41 and the sealing material 50 is then coated with a surface layer 31 and preferably also with a balancing layer 32 to form a floor element. Then, the floor element 3 is sawn into floorboards by cutting along lines 45 and machined to obtain floor panels 1, 1 ′ with connecting systems. These floor panels are shown in FIGS. 8c-8e, and the connection of these floor panels according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

As described above, the groove 41 can also be made in the floor element or floorboard, which contain a surface layer 31, 32 connected with the core 30. This means that the groove 41 can be made both in the surface layer 31, 32, and in core 30. This groove 41 may be impregnated and / or provided with a sealing material 50. The advantage of this method is the possibility of using a standard floor element and applying impregnating materials, which may be difficult to use when gluing or laminating AANII surface layer 31, 32 on the core 30.

The sealing material 50 is formed on the joint seal 55, preferably by cutting with a tool that is particularly suited for molding elastically deformable synthetic materials.

As mentioned above, a large number of sealing materials are available on the market that can be used. As a non-limiting example of the invention, the possibility of using materials having the following properties can be indicated.

A sealing compound based on acrylic plastics, synthetic rubber elastomers, urethane rubber, silicone rubber and the like, which has properties that allow it to be applied to groove 41 as a compound by extrusion and allowing it to adhere to the core material (possibly after application to the core primer layer), which has high heat resistance, moisture resistance, the ability to withstand detergents, and capable of being cured and dried and turned into a solid, elastic o deformable substance. The properties of the materials must be optimized so that at the same time they remain sufficiently elastically deformable and preferably at the same time can be subjected to rational machining by means of a cutting tool.

Various types of hot-melt adhesive based on polyurethane, which is applied by heating and extruding, can also be used to form the joint seal. When such materials harden, they turn into a solid, elastically deformable substance. These materials can be later molded by cutting, or also by using heated rolls or drawing tools of a suitable shape, which are moved along and in contact with the sealing material 50 to give it a suitable geometric shape.

The combination of rough machining and final molding by hot scraping or rolling is also possible in the form of a two-stage application, where the first application is carried out with a highly liquid material that penetrates the core, and where the subsequent second application is made with a more viscous material with good adhesion to the applied earlier material. It is also possible to use various types of primers in order to improve the adhesion of the joint sealing material to the floor panel.

On opposite connecting edges and respectively on the long side and on the short side, various materials, application methods and molding methods may be used to optimize operation and costs.

Fig. 8c shows a machined joint edge with a mechanical locking system 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 and an elastically deformable joint seal 55. As shown in this figure, the joint seal is compressed when laying the floor panel. In this embodiment, showing the inclination inward, the compression and deformation begin only when the locking element 8 is already in the initial engagement with the locking groove 12, and when the ridge 10 is already engaged with the tongue 9. Thus, the compression functions are active fixation of the mechanical fixation system both vertically and horizontally. As a result, compression during laying can be accomplished by applying extremely little force, and the need for compression therefore does not lead to difficulties during laying.

On fig.8d shows how the two floor panels 1, 1 'are connected by snap, when the compression of the joint seal 55 can be carried out in the same manner as described above, due to the interaction between the tongue 9 and the ridge 10, which facilitates lateral displacement along the connecting plane , and where the flexible strip 6, the locking element 8 and the locking groove 12 interact with the compression of the joint seal and, therefore, compress the joint seal when it clicks.

It is desirable that the joint seal 55 be shaped in such a way that compression can begin when the guide part 11 of the locking element 8 interacts with the guide part 13 of the locking groove 12. This interaction will be facilitated if the guide part 11 of the locking element is configured as a rounded or conical part in the upper sections of the locking element. The direction, as well as the compression, will be facilitated if the locking groove 12 is made with a suitably rounded guide portion 13 in the lower part of the locking groove 12 closest to the connecting edge.

During laying, the joint seal 55 is pressed against the opposite interacting joint surface 56 of the joint system. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8a-8e, this connecting surface 56 is inclined at an angle of 45 ° to the horizontal plane HP of the panel. This is shown in FIG. The pressure applied to the joint seal 55 will thus be evenly distributed over the vertical 9, 10 and horizontal 6, 8, 12 fixing means of the joint system. This is convenient because it is desirable to reduce the pressure both during installation and in a fixed position. Excessive pressure in a fixed horizontal position can lead to the separation of floor panels and the formation of an undesirable gap at the junction at the junction of the upper connecting edges 16. Overpressure in a fixed vertical position can lead to a rise in the portion of the connecting edge 80 in the upper part of the tongue 9.

Figures 9a-9d show how the material seal 20 and the connection seal 55 can be combined into a watertight locking system. In this case, the groove 41 is made in the upper side of the core 30 after impregnation in order to form a material seal 20.

In this embodiment, both the tongue and groove side 9 and the ridge side 10 are provided with sealing material 50a, 50b. The embodiment also differs in that the impregnating material 24 serves as a binder and increases the strength of the core 30. In this embodiment (see Fig. 9a), the impregnating material 24 is applied to several sections of the core 30. These sections form a material seal 20 and also strengthen the upper portions of the connecting edge 80, 81. Impregnation will also provide reinforcement of the edges 21a, 21b in those areas where the strip 6 is attached, and in the portion 21c of the core 30 adjacent to the locking groove 12, where the locking groove 12 interacts with the locking element 8.

Fig. 9b shows how the sealing material 50a, 50b can be placed in the groove 41. Immediately after the surface layer 31 and the balancing layer 32 are applied to the core 30 (Fig. 9c), the connecting edge and the sealing material 50a, 50b turn into the joint seal 55a, 55b (FIG. 9a). As mentioned above in connection with fig.8b, the sealing material can be placed in a groove made in the surface layer 31, 32, and in the core 30.

The strip 6 can be made and attached to the core 30 by various means [for example, as shown in EP 1061201 (Välinge Aluminum AB) or WO9824995 (Välinge Aluminum AB)], so that a mechanical locking system is designed to bond floor panels 1 to each other, 1 'vertically and horizontally, will contain a comb 10 and a tongue 9; joint seals 55a and 55b; material seal 20, strip 6 with a locking element 8; edge reinforced locking parts 21a, 21b for strip 6; and reinforced at the edges of the locking surface 14 in the locking groove 12.

Floor panels 1, 1 'according to this embodiment will have upper portions of the connecting edge 80, 81, which in the vertical plane VP have a reinforced material seal 20 located directly below the surface layer 31, and connecting seals 55a, 55b connected to the material seal 20. The material seal 20 and the connection seals 55a, 55b together with the moisture-proof layer 31 prevent the penetration of moisture into the core 30 and the penetration of moisture through the connection system. This allows you to get a waterproof floor. As mentioned above, the fixing means vertically 9, 10 and horizontally 6, 8, 12 must be made so that they can hold the elastically deformable joint seals 55a, 55b, remaining compressed and elastically deformed throughout the life of the floor without deformation of the fixing funds. It is especially important that the tongue 9 does not extend too deep in the horizontal direction, and that the upper part or edge 15 of the tongue is so stiff that it does not rise. In addition, the locking element 8 and the strip 6 must be designed so as to be able to withstand the pressure exerted by the joint seals 55a, 55b without separating the floor panels 1, 1 'to form a visible butt gap near the upper portions of the joint edge 81, 82. The sealing material 50a, 50b must also be selected so that during the entire service life it applies pressure and prevents moisture from migrating through the connection system.

As shown in FIG. 9d, the core 30 is impregnated and reinforced in portions 21a, 21b and 21c where the strip 6 is attached and where the locking element 8 enters the locking groove 12. This allows the use of less expensive core material 30, which may have lower quality and which is enhanced by impregnation to obtain higher strength in critical areas. In this way, a combination of high quality with low costs can be achieved.

Many variations of this watertight fixation system are possible. The joint seals 55a, 55b may be further placed in the joint system, however, it is desirable that the joint seal be located close to the surface layer 31 while being invisible from the surface. They can also be additionally located on the tongue 9 side or on the ridge 10 side, and they, like the embodiment shown, can be located in both connecting parts. Of course, several connecting seals 55 may be located in each connecting part above and next to each other. In addition, the contact surface between the connecting seal 55 and the opposite part in the connecting system can be made arbitrarily with a geometric shape, which is, for example, toothed, triangular, semicircular, etc. You can use essentially all the forms that are usually used in the design of sealing strips of elastic synthetic material or rubber.

By applying the vacuum technology described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 6b, the entire connecting system from the surface layer 31 to the balancing layer 32 can be provided with material sealing and reinforcing edges 20. This can increase the strength of the connection and the protection against moisture, providing an increase flexibility of the turned strip, making it possible to obtain smoother surfaces during machining and reducing friction resistance when moving one floor in a fixed position hydrochloric panel relative to the other. It is also possible to impregnate wood fibers with plastic in such a way that the wood fibers, together with the impregnating material, obtain properties allowing them to form a joint seal.

As described above, the sealing material 50a, 50b and / or 20 can, on the other hand, be placed in grooves, which can also be made in the floor element 3 or in the floorboard 2 before the manufacture of the connecting parts. The groove 41 can then be made both in the core 30 and in the surface layer 31.

Sealing materials 50a, 50b can also be placed along the edge of the floorboard 2 or floor panel 1 when the whole joint system or part thereof is completed, and the final formation of the joint seal 55a, 55b can also be carried out during a separate production step when floor panel 1 is already acquired its final form.

By varying the angle of the pressure surfaces between the elastically deformable joint seals 55a, 55b, the direction and distribution of the compressive pressure can be adjusted between the fully horizontal and fully vertical directions. Preferably, the pressure surfaces are not perpendicular, but tilted relative to the horizontal plane of the HP, so that the pressure is distributed to the vertical and horizontal components, and the pressure distribution is optimized depending on the possibilities provided by the combinations of materials to form a rigid upper tongue 15 and a strong horizontal ridge 6, 8, 12.

Figures 10a-10c illustrate in detail how compression can be achieved due to internal tilt. The active portion 54 of the joint seal 55 is formed with a convex outer portion that begins to contract when the locking groove 12 interacts with the locking element 8. This is the position shown in FIG. 10b. In connection with the final downward inclination and fixation, the final compression of the joint seal occurs on the opposite interacting joint surface 56. The joint surface 56 may, after forming the joint system, be coated, for example, with paraffin or other similar material. This can facilitate movement along the joint edge in the locked position and contribute to improving the functioning of the material seal and the joint seal.

As shown in FIG. 10c, the coupling system may have one or more expansion cavities 53a, 53b, where the coupling seal 55 may swell when compressed against each other. Thus, the joint seal 55 can be formed with some excess, and if the joint system is formed with expansion cavities 53a, 53b of sufficient size, the joint seal 55 can be made with lower tolerance and function requirements.

The material seal 20 in the upper connecting edges is made in this embodiment to a considerable depth from the surface of the core 33, which means that the entire area from the upper parts of the connecting seal 55 to the surface of the core 33 is waterproof. In this embodiment, the main part of the portion of the connecting edge between the tongue 9 and the surface of the core 33 forms a material seal 20.

11a-11c, various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. 11 a shows an embodiment according to the present invention, where the joint seal 55 is configured to minimize edge lifting and separation of the joint edges. The contact surface of the connecting seal 55 with the opposite cooperating connecting surface 56 has a small angle to the plane of the panel, which means that the main part of the compressive force will be directed essentially vertically in the direction indicated by arrow A. The connecting edge above the ridge, however, is rigid, and the probability of an edge rise is small.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11b, the resiliently deformable joint seal 55a, 55b is located directly below the surface layer 31, which surface layer thus covers the joint seal. The upper part of the seal 55a, 55b may constitute a material seal that does not allow moisture to enter the core 31, while the lower parts of the seal 55a, 55b may constitute the actual joint seal. Seals 58a, 58b may also cover part of the surface layer 31, 32 closest to the core.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 11c is characterized in that the individual materials 58a, 58b, which can form a material seal, are placed above the elastically deformable joint seals 55a, 55b. These individual materials 58a, 58b can also be used to decorate the surface layer 31, for example, beveled portion 60, so that the individual materials 58a, 58b will be visible in the connection. Such decorative material can also be inserted into the groove formed in the core 30 and in the surface layer 31, 32 of the floorboard before the final machining of the floor panel.

The sealing principles also make it possible to dispense with a mechanical connection system if glue is applied between the tongue and the tongue 10.

11d shows an embodiment in which one edge of the floor panel has a material seal 20 and the other edge has a joint seal 55a. A joint seal covers the lower part of the surface layer 31. FIGS. 11f and 11g show how the sealing material 55a and 20 can be applied to the grooves 41a and 41b in the floorboard. The advantage of this method lies mainly in the fact that the sealing material can be applied with higher accuracy. In addition, overlaying on the surface can be avoided, a significant amount of impregnation can be applied and the final shape of the fixation system can be formed with great accuracy in the second stage of machining, when a reference surface such as 10a can be used to position the floorboard. Obviously, the use of a material seal and a joint seal can be combined in several ways. Both sides may, for example, have a material seal and a joint seal, or only a joint seal or material seal, and the like. In this embodiment, a significant amount of the impregnating material 20 should be in the upper portions of the connecting edge, directly below the wear layer 31, i.e. within the area most critical in terms of moisture penetration. This concentration of the impregnating material immediately below the wear layer 31 is achieved as a result of the penetration of the impregnating material into the core in the direction from the groove 41b closest to the surface during the impregnation. No protection of the surface closest to the edge is required since this surface is protected by the rest of the surface layer 31a and due to the possibility of applying a significant amount of the impregnating material. The portion of the core closest to the surface can be impregnated horizontally to a depth of about 1 mm or more, and the impregnation can be carried out to such a depth substantially along the entire edge of the floor panel. The concentration of the impregnating material 20 vertically under the wear layer 31 is higher on the connecting surface than in the core. Naturally, the above procedure, which is described with respect to the upper surface 33 of the floor panel, can also be performed with respect to the lower surface of the floor panel.

12 a shows an embodiment of the present invention in which three different surface layers having different functions are applied to the core 30. The surface of the floor panel 1, 1 ′ comprises a transparent, hard and durable wear layer 34 made of plastic, an intermediate decorative layer 35 made of plastic film and a reinforcing layer 36 made of an elastic material, which can be both waterproof and sound absorbing. The decorative layer of plastic film 35 can be replaced with decorative patterns printed directly on the underside of the transparent wear layer 34 or on the upper side of the elastic reinforcing layer 36. This embodiment can also be obtained without sealing and can then form a removable floor panel with a wood core such as HDF / MDF, with an elastic surface and a mechanical locking system for fixing the floor panels horizontally and vertically on the long and short sides by internal tilt and / or snapping. Even in this embodiment, the seal can be laid in a groove made in the core and in the surface layer of the floor plate.

The ridge-side connecting seal 55a has an active portion 54 in the form of a round protrusion that is pressed against the opposite elastic cooperating connecting surface 56. The active seal 54 of the connecting seal 55a is small, which helps to reduce friction during lateral displacement, when the short sides of the floor panels must be fixed by snaps. Friction can also be reduced by applying various types of friction reducing agents to the joint seals 55a, 55b.

Fig. 12b shows an embodiment with the same surface layer 31 as in Fig. 12a, however, the joint seals 55a, 55b are made in an elastic and deformable reinforcing layer 36 closest to the core 30. If the wear layer 34 is harder than the reinforcing layer 36, then, on the one hand, deformation of the joint seal 55b will essentially occur in the lower portion 57 of the joint seal closest to the core 30, and, on the other hand, no significant deformation of the wear layer 34 will be observed. As a result it turns out waterproof and sound-absorbing floor. In addition, in this embodiment, the sealing means in the form of a material seal and a joint seal can be implemented in many different ways, as described above.

It is clear that the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 6-12 can be combined. For example, the sealing means of FIGS. 12a and 12b or 10a and 10b may be housed in the same connection system. Strip 6 may be made of aluminum or the like.

13 shows a floor panel 1 with a mechanical joint system on the long sides 4a, 4b and short sides 5a, 5b and with a joint seal on one short side 5a and one long side 4b. When the floor panel 1 is connected to other similar floor panels 1 ′ on both long sides 4a, 4b and on both short sides 5a, 5b to form the floor, a joint seal will be provided on all sides.

If, in addition, the connecting edges have a material seal 20 according to the embodiments described above, the joint system of the floor panels will prevent the penetration of moisture into the joint system on all sides 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b and all the corner sections 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d.

Linear machining of the long and short sides allows you to design the corner sections 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d with the same narrow tolerances as the sides 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b of the floor panels 1. The joint seal at the corners 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d will be precisely adjusted, and the angular displacements between the short sides 5a, 5b and the long sides 4a, 4b, as well as deviations from the parallelism between the long sides 4a, 4b that may appear, can be compensated provided that the deformation of the joint seals 55a, 55b when connecting floor panels will exceed these manufacturing tolerances.

On figa shows a sectional view of floor panels 1, 1 'of a conventional design in the direction transverse to the joint running along the long side of the wooden floor. Floor panels 1, 1 'have a wood surface layer 31 with a main fiber direction parallel to the long side, and a core 30 having a different fiber orientation substantially perpendicular to the long side. The edges of the longitudinal side of the floor panel 1, 1 'have a mechanical joint system 9, 10, 6, 8, 12. In a humid environment, the upper portions of the joint edge 80, 81 swell in a direction transverse to the direction of the fibers (i.e., across the joint between adjacent floor panels 1, 1 ') to a greater extent than the core 20. This means that floor panels 1, 1' along the long sides are compressed separately, and that the strip 6 is folded back. This includes the risk of compression or damage to the upper portions of the connecting edge 80, 81 or the interacting fixing surfaces 14, 18. When the floor panels 1, 1 'dry out and shrink in the winter (when the relative humidity drops), this in turn can lead to to the occurrence of a gap at the junction occurring in the upper portions of the connecting edge 80, 81.

FIGS. 14b-14e show how this risk of joint gaps can be compensated for by using, according to the invention, an elastic compensation seal 52 which is inserted into horizontal fixing means 6, 8, 12 to counteract the effect of swelling and shrinkage of the upper portions of the joint edge 80 , 81.

FIG. 14b shows an embodiment of a floorboard 2 ′, which is suitable for forming a joint system with expansion joint according to the present invention. The contour of the connecting system should be indicated by a dashed line in fig.14b. The surface layer 31, the core 30 and the balancing layer 32 are shifted to the side both from the tongue of the tongue 9 and from the ridge 10 to minimize waste during machining of the connecting edges. A groove 40 is formed on the underside of the floorboard 2 in the core 30. An elastic material 51 is placed and fastened into the groove 41 by, for example, extrusion or a similar method according to the previously described methods or by gluing or mechanical fastening by, for example, pressing the material into the groove .

In subsequent machining, the elastic material 51 is only partially removed or given a new shape, turning it into an elastic compensating seal 52, which forms an active fixing surface in the locking groove 12 and which acts in the horizontal direction D2. This is shown in FIG. 14c.

When the sections of the connecting edge 80, 81 swell, the elastic compensation seal 52 will be compressed by its fixing surface 14, which is pressed against the fixing surface 18 of the fixing element 8. As a result, the mechanical fixing system can compensate for significant movements associated with the moisture in the upper parts of the connecting edge 80, 81 without damaging the connection system or the appearance of a noticeable gap in the winter when the floor dries and shrinks.

The problem of swelling of the upper connecting edges increases when the thickness WT of the surface layer 31 is significant and if this thickness is greater than, for example, 0.1 of the floor thickness T.

The connection system according to the described embodiment is particularly suitable for use with underfloor heating and in an environment in which the relative humidity varies widely over the course of the year. An elastic fixing means or compensating seal 52 can be placed additionally on the locking element 8 (as in FIG. 14d) or in the locking groove 12 (as in FIGS. 14c and 14e), or both of these parts, and it can be made with many geometric options with different angles and radii, which can facilitate fixing with an internal tilt and offset. An elastic locking means or compensating seal 52 may also be combined with the material seal 20 and the connecting seal 55 according to the above described embodiments of the invention.

On fig.14d illustrates an implementation option in which the elastic fixing means or the compensation seal 52 also serves as a joint seal, providing a seal against moisture. In this case, the seal 52 will also perceive movements during compression caused by swelling and shrinkage of the upper portions of the joint edge 80, 81. The compression and thus the sealing ability of the elastic seal 52 will thus increase when the floor panels are placed in a humid environment. In this case, there is a material seal 20, which, however, is not shown specifically in this figure, but which extends down to at least the upper parts of the connecting means in the same manner as shown, for example, in Fig. 7d.

On figa illustrated embodiment, in which the elastic compensation seal 52 is compressed by a locking element 8 made of a different material than the core 30. In this embodiment, the strip 6 and the locking element 8 can be made of aluminum or some other suitable metal. This design has a flexibility that is higher than in the case where the strip 6 is made in one piece with the core of the floor panel. The invention may also be used in this embodiment. One of the advantages of this embodiment is the low friction with lateral displacement in a fixed position.

On figa-15e illustrates an embodiment of a connecting system with a connecting seal 55, placed in the groove 41 in the core 30 near the upper and inner part of the ridge 10, made by means of a tool 70.

15a and 15b show a critical tolerance determining the position of the tool 70 during the molding process, for example, a groove 41 in the core 30 or board element, relative to the vertical plane VP in the floor panel 1 ′. The deepest position of the tool 70 is determined by the plane TP1. On fig.15b shows the outer position of the tool 70, which is limited by the plane TP2 outside the vertical plane VP. As is clearly shown in these two figures, the contact surfaces of the joint seal 55 for contacting the opposite interacting portion of the joint 56 can be formed with high accuracy, although the manufacturing tolerance TP1-TP2 for horizontal positioning of the groove 41 relative to the joint edge on the vertical plane VP is sufficient large and can exceed 0.2 of the floor thickness T. Using modern production equipment allows horizontal lateral positioning with such tolerances the entire production chain from production of the surface layer member 31 and the deck 3 to the finished floor panel 1 '. The vertical positioning of the tool 70 is less important since this tolerance depends mainly on the tolerances on the thickness of the materials and therefore, as a rule, is small compared to the lateral displacement tolerance.

In this embodiment, the core surface 33 or the surface layer 31 can also be used as a reference surface. The groove 41 and the sealing material 50, from which the joint seal 55 is then formed, can therefore be positioned with great accuracy in the vertical direction. The active contact surfaces of the joint system and the joint seal 55 can thus be made with very narrow manufacturing tolerances, which can be less than 0.01 of the floor thickness T, although the initial positioning of the sealing material 55 is carried out with significantly lower tolerance requirements.

This embodiment is characterized in that the manufacturing tolerance between the active part of the connecting seal 54 and the upper adjacent connecting edges 16 will be significantly lower than the tolerance between the other part of the connecting seal that is not active and the above upper adjacent connecting edge 16. This facilitates the organization of rational production and provides high quality products.

If a groove is formed in the core of the floorboard and in the surface layer 31, 32, the outer part of the ridge 10 can be formed during one machining operation, and this part of the ridge or some other parts of the floorboard can be used as a reference surface when forming the fixing system and seals 55. In this case, the vertical and horizontal tolerances can be reduced to only 0.01 mm.

Fig. 15c shows the joint seal 55 in a compressed state with expansion cavities 53a and 53b on both sides of the joint seal.

15d shows how a joint seal can be formed to facilitate machining of the surface layer 31 when it consists of a laminate. When machining the upper connecting edge 80 by means of a diamond cutting tool 71 operating horizontally, i.e. perpendicular to the vertical plane VP according to the direction of the arrow R, at point 72 of the diamond cutting tool operating on the wear layer 35 of the laminate that contains aluminum oxide, severe wear occurs. To use most of the active surface of the diamond cutting tool, the tool is moved, for example, from its initial position 71 stepwise downward in the direction of the ridge 10. The initial position of the tool is indicated by 71, and the end position by 71 '. If the connecting seal 55 is located near the upper and inner part of the ridge 10 in the shown groove 41 and if its upper boundary UP is located at a distance SD from the surface of the surface layer 31 exceeding, for example, 0.2 of the floor thickness T, it is possible to obtain a connecting seal 55 , which is designed in such a way that facilitates the mechanical processing of the connecting edge adjacent to the surface edge 31 and located below it. This shape and location of the connecting seal 55 at a certain distance from the surface layer 31 also allows you to form, by simple machining of the ridge 10 with the tool 73 (see Fig. 15e) and the opposite and interacting portion of the joint 56 on the opposite connecting edge, a locking system with rounding and angles so as to facilitate the functions of the locking system with respect to snapping and securing by means of an internal tilt.

On figa-16e shows the locking system, which contain many horizontal locking means. These fixation systems can be used with watertight fixation systems, but also simply with conventional mechanical fixation systems in order to obtain a fixation system with high horizontal strength. Fixation systems use basic principles, and these systems can be connected by tilting or snapping in and using strips 6, additionally formed together with the core 30 or made of a separate material, such as aluminum, and then attached to the core.

Various combinations of the system can be used on long and short sides. The locking elements 8a, 8b, 8c and the locking grooves 12a, 12b, 12c can be made with different angles and radii of curvature from, for example, wood, materials based on wood fiber, plastics and similar panel materials, with strips machined from the core or consisting of from separate materials, and the fixing elements can be made for installing floor panels by means of an internal tilt or snap.

The fixing system according to FIG. 16a comprises two strips 6a and 6b, two locking elements 8a, 8b and two locking strips 12a, 12b. The locking element 8a and the locking groove 12a allow fixing with high strength, as well as high-quality directivity in connection, for example, with fixing by means of an internal tilt. The locking element 8b provides primarily high strength and can significantly increase the horizontal locking force. The locking element can be made in such a way as to be serviceable when the horizontal tensile force is so great that the upper connecting edges begin to move apart, for example, when a gap of 0.05 mm or 0.10 mm wide occurs at the junction.

Fig. 16b illustrates a locking system with three horizontal locking means with locking elements 8a, 8b, 8c and locking grooves 12a, 12b, 12c, which can be made in accordance with these basic principles. This embodiment consists of fixing means with good guiding ability 8a, 12a and two fixing means 8b, 12b and 8c, 12c, which contribute to increasing the strength of the connecting system due to the horizontal tensile load. This joint system can hold together the joint edges during compression of the joint seal 55. Several locking elements can be formed according to this method in the upper and lower parts of the ridge 10 and in the strip 6, and they can be adjusted so as to facilitate the achievement of an internal tilt, snapping and pointing, and increase strength.

On figs shows that the individual locking means 8b, 12b and / or 8C, 12C can be used to limit separation in the connecting system, where parts of the locking groove 12A may consist of an elastic locking means 52.

The locking systems of FIGS. 16a and 16b are intended primarily for snapping in, however, they can be adjusted with a slight change in the angles and radii of curvature of the locking system to facilitate angular placement.

On fig.16d shows a locking system with two horizontal locking means 8A, 12A and 8b, 12b, which are convenient, for example, for the long side, which can be laid with an internal inclination.

FIG. 16e illustrates a locking system for, for example, a short side that can be secured by snap fastening. The fixation system according to FIG. a surface that is more inclined relative to the surface layer.

The locking grooves 12b and 12c can be given an improved shape through the use of tools that do not have to rotate. FIG. 16f illustrates the manufacture of a notched groove 12c in the joint system shown in FIG. 16b. The panel can, according to the existing metalworking technique, move past the stationary grooving tool 74, which in this embodiment has teeth 75 that act perpendicular to the surface layer 31. When the floor panel 1 moves in the direction indicated by arrow B, the floor panel will pass by the grooving tool 74 inserted into the tongue 9, the teeth of which perform the final molding of the cut groove 12 with its fixing surface. Most of the tongue 9 is formed in the usual way using large diamond rotary cutting tools until the panel moves to the position where the grooving tool 74 begins to operate. In this way, essentially any geometric shape can be obtained in exactly the same way as extrusion of plastic or aluminum profiles. This technique can also be used to form a groove 41 in the core where the sealing material is placed.

On figa-17d illustrates the increase in the angular section 38A of the floor panel, previously illustrated in Fig.13, and shows the connection of the three floor panels 1, 1 ', 1 ". Corner sections definitely form one of the most important parts of a waterproof floor. To counteract the penetration of moisture into the joint system through an angle, it is of great importance that the joint seal 55a, 55b remain intact in at least one corner 38a shown in Fig. 17a. In addition, the joint seal in the corner 38d of the floor panel 1 ′ must be positioned and designed so that its active part 54 is not completely removed due to the machining of various parts, in particular the tongue 9 of the joint system.

On figs and 17d illustrates the connecting system in cross section along the line C1-C2 in fig.17b, i.e. the short side and the corner portion 38a of the panel 1 'are shown from the end, while the panel 1 is shown in cross section along this line C1-C2. In this embodiment, the active portion 54 of the joint seal is intact in the panel 1 ′ at the outer end of the upper edge of the tongue 9b. This is due to the fact that the active part 54 is placed in the plane SA, which is located between the surface layer 31 and the upper part of the tongue, which in this case is a notched groove 9b. The active portion 54 of the joint seal will thus be in contact in this plane with the opposite interacting surface of the joint 56 of the third floor panel 1 ″.

This embodiment provides that the angle 38a has a portion SA in which the sealing material 55a is located in one or more planes, and in which the joint seal 55a is not broken. Thus, there will be no gaps and voids into which moisture can penetrate from the surface with subsequent spread through the connecting system. This embodiment is thus characterized in that the floor panel has two angles 38b, 38d, where the connecting seals 55a, 55b are in undisturbed contact with the opposite cooperating connecting surface. Thus, the active portion 54 of the joint seal 55 remains solid along the entire long side and the entire short side, as well as at the corners between these long and short sides.

Therefore, a system for forming a connection between two adjacent edges 4a, 4b is described; 5a, 5b of floor panels 1, 1 ', consisting of a wood-fiber core 30 and a surface layer 31, superimposed on the upper side 53 of the core and consisting of at least one layer, which on their adjacent connecting edges 82, 83 contain connecting means 9 , 10, designed to connect the floor panels to each other in the vertical direction D1, and the upper adjacent connecting edges 16 of these floor panels 1, 1 'converge in the vertical connecting plane VP. In this system, adjacent portions of the connecting edge 80, 81 of the floor panels 1, 1 'have a material seal 20 designed to resist moisture penetration into the core 30 of the floor panels of the connecting edges 82, 83, said material seal 20 consisting of impregnating the core 30 in the region the indicated sections of the connecting edge by a means that do not allow moisture and / or a means that counteracts or significantly reduces the swelling caused by moisture, starting from the upper side 33 of the core 30 and m nshey least for a certain distance down towards the connecting means 9, 10.

In this system, the concentration of the moisture-resistant agent in the portion of the connecting edge may be higher on the surface of the core than at a distance from it.

In this system, the impregnation of the core 30 can extend to a depth P2, which is at least 0.1 thickness T of the floor panel.

In this system, the impregnation of the core 30 can extend to a depth P2, which corresponds to at least half the distance between the surface 33 of the core and the upper surfaces of the connecting means 9, 10.

In this system, the impregnation can extend down to at least the upper parts of the connecting means 9, 10.

In this system, the impregnation can extend from the connecting plane VP into the core 30 by a distance P1 equal to at least 0.1 of the thickness of the floor panel.

In this system, the impregnation can extend from the connecting plane VP into the core 30 by a distance P1 equal to at least half the width of the connecting means 9, 10 visible from the connecting plane.

In this system, the impregnation can extend from the connecting plane VP inside the core 30 to a distance P1 corresponding to the width of essentially all of the connecting means 9, 10 visible from the connecting plane.

In this system, the core 30 may be impregnated from the bottom side within at least its connecting edge portions.

In this system, adjacent connecting edges 82, 83 may also have connecting means 6, 8, 12 designed to connect the floor panels 1, 1 'to each other in the horizontal direction HP, perpendicular to the connecting plane VP.

In this system, the core 30, within at least its connecting edge sections, can be impregnated with a property enhancing agent from the bottom side and at least a certain upward distance in the direction of the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12.

In this system, the impregnation can extend up to at least the lower parts of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

In this system, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the mechanical properties of the core 30.

In this system, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the elasticity properties of the core 30.

In this system, the core 30 can be impregnated at less than half the distance between these opposite portions of the connecting edge.

In this system, the core 13 can be impregnated within the indicated sections of the connecting edge, in which at least part of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 are made.

In this system, the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 can be designed to mechanically connect adjacent floor panels 1, 1 ″ along the vertical connecting plane VP perpendicular to them and perpendicular to the front side of the floor panel.

In this system, the floor panels 1, 1 'can be quadrangular, and all their opposite sections of the connecting edges can be impregnated.

In this system, the entire surface of the core 33 at the connecting edge portion of the corner portions 38a-d can be impregnated.

In this system, floor panels 1, 1 'can be quadrangular and have mechanical connecting systems 9, 10, 6, 8, 12, designed to connect vertically and horizontally on all sides.

In this system, connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 can be made to connect the floor panel 1 to the previously installed floor panel 1 ′ by tilting and / or snapping in a fixed position.

In this system, the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 may include a lower edge or a fixing strip 6, which can be made integrally with the core and is included in the mechanical connecting means.

In this system, the lower edge or retaining strip 6 is impregnated with an elasticity improving agent.

In this system, the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 may comprise an integrated fixing strip 6 made of a material different from the material of the core 30 and attached to the fixing elements 21a, 21b made along one of the opposite parallel portions of the connecting edge of each floor panel.

In this system, the locking elements 21a, 21b formed in the core 30 for the fixing strip 6 can be impregnated with a property-improving agent.

In this system, the fixing elements 21a, 21b may be impregnated with a strength enhancer.

In this system, connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 can be made by cutting.

In this system, opposing portions of the joint edge 86, 87 of the floor panels 1, 1 ′ may also include a joint seal 55 designed to resist moisture penetration along the joint surfaces of the joint edges between adjacent floor panels when they are joined, and this joint seal 55 is located along the joint sections edges 86, 87 and is made of an elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b, attached to at least one of the floor panels 1, 1 ', which is compressed I when connecting adjacent floor panels to each other.

In this system, the joint seal 55 may be made of parts of the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 and / or portions of the parts of the floor panel located above and / or below the connecting means.

In this system, the joint seal 55 may be configured such that the tolerance within the floor panel and / or between the various floor panels is less between the active part and the upper abutting joint edges 16 of the joint seal 55 than between the other part of the joint seal 55 and said upper connecting edges.

In this system, the joint seal 55 may be formed from parts of the vertical connecting means 9, 10 and / or portions of the parts of the floor panel located above the vertical connecting means.

In this system, the joint seal 55 can be obtained by machining the elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b in connection with the design of one of the joint edges 82, 83.

In this system, the joint seal 55 can be obtained by machining the elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b in connection with the design of one of the vertical connecting means 9, 10.

In this system, the active portion 54 of the joint seal 56 may be configured such that compression begins substantially when the locking member 8, when tilted internally, comes into contact with the active locking surface of the locking groove 12.

In this system, the active portion 54 of the joint seal 56 may be configured such that compression begins substantially when the locking member 8a is in contact with the active locking surface of the locking groove 12.

In this system, the floor panels may have a joint seal 56 with the active part 54 on the long side and on the short side, this active part 54 being continuous and covering all these long sides and short sides, as well as the corner portion between these long sides and short sides .

The system may also comprise a shock insulating sound layer 36 of the plastic between the core 30 and the decorative layer and the wear layer 34. In addition, in this system, parts of the free surface of the sound insulating shock layer 36 facing the joint VP are formed by cutting in connection with the design of the connecting edge and are made as connecting sealing means 55a, 55b, which are compressed when adjacent adjacent floor panels 1, 1 'are connected.

In this system, connecting sealing means 55, 55a, 55b are formed with contact surfaces that are inclined to the upper side of the floor panels 1, 1 ′ when they are in a connected state.

The system may comprise more than one fixing means 8a, 8b, 8c for horizontally connecting adjacent floor panels 1, 1 ′.

In this system, from the fixing means 8a, 8b, 8c for horizontal connection, one can be placed on one side of the vertical connecting plane VP and the other on the other side of the vertical connecting plane VP.

In this system, the fixing means 8a, 8b, 8c, intended for horizontal connection, can be located at different levels relative to the front side of the floor panels 1, 1 '.

In addition, a floor panel is described with a wood fiber core 30 and at least one surface layer 31 superimposed on an upper side of the core, having at least two opposite parallel portions of the connecting edge 86, 87, which comprise connecting means 9, 10 intended for connecting the floorboard in the vertical direction D1 with similar floorboards. In the floorboard, the core 30 within at least the indicated portions of the connecting edge 80, 81 is impregnated with a property-improving agent over the entire distance from its upper side 33 and at least down to the connecting means 9, 10.

In the floor panel, the concentration of the performance enhancing agent in the joint edge portion may be higher on the surface of the core 33 than at a distance from it.

In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend to a depth of at least 0.1 thickness of the floor panel.

In the floor panel, the impregnation of the core 30 may extend down to a depth P2 corresponding to at least half the distance between the surface 33 of the core and the upper parts of the connecting means 9, 10.

In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend down to at least the upper parts of the connecting means 9, 10.

In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend inward from the connecting plane VP into the core 30 by a distance which is at least 0.1 thickness of the floor panel.

In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend inward from the connecting plane VP into the core 30 by a distance that is at least half the width of the connecting means 9, 10 visible from the connecting plane VP.

In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend inward from the connecting plane VP into the core 30 by a distance P1, which is at least half the width of the connecting means 9, 10, visible from the connecting plane.

In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend down to at least the upper parts of the connecting means 9, 10.

In the floor panel, the core 30, within at least the indicated sections of the connecting edge, can also be impregnated with a property-improving agent from the lower side and at least a certain distance upward, in the direction of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

In the floor panel, the adjacent connecting edges 82, 83 may also have connecting means 6, 8, 12 for connecting the floor panel 1 in the horizontal direction HP with a similar floor panel 1 ′ perpendicular to the connecting plane VP.

In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend up to at least the lower parts of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

In the floor panel, the impregnating agent is an agent that improves the mechanical properties of the core 30.

In the floor panel, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the elasticity of the core 30.

In the floor panel, the impregnating agent may be a moisture-impermeable agent and / or an agent that counteracts or significantly reduces the swelling caused by moisture and is intended to form a material seal 20.

In the floor panel, the core 30 may be impregnated in a portion that is less than half the distance between said opposite portions of the connecting edge.

In the floor panel, the core 30 can be impregnated within the indicated sections of the connecting edge, in which at least part of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 are formed.

In the floor panel, connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 can be made for mechanically connecting the floor panel 1 to an adjacent similar floor panel 1 ′ along the vertical connecting plane VP perpendicular to them and perpendicular to the front side of the floor panel.

The floor panel can be quadrangular, and all its opposite sections of the connecting edges - soaked.

In the floor panel, connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 can be made to connect the floor panel 1 to the pre-installed floor panel 1 'by tilting and / or snapping in a fixed position.

In the floor panel, the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 may contain a lower edge or a fixing strip 6, which can be integral with the core 30 and is included in the mechanical connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

In the floor panel, the bottom edge or the fixing strip 6 is impregnated with an elasticity improving agent.

In the floor panel, the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 may comprise an integrated fixing strip 6 made of a material different from the material of the core 30 and attached to the fixing elements 21a, 21b made along one of the opposite parallel portions of the connecting edge of each floor panel.

In the floor panel, the fixing elements 21a, 21b, made in the core 30 and intended for the fixing strip 6, can be impregnated with a property-improving agent.

In the floor panel, the fixing elements 21a, 21b may be impregnated with a strength enhancer.

In the floor panel, connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 can be made by cutting.

In the floor panel, parts of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 and / or adjacent sections of the core 30 within the upper parts of the sections of the connecting edge can be made of elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b, which is attached to the core 30 and subjected to mechanical processing in connection with the design of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18, which are performed to form the means of the connecting seals 55, 55a, 55b, designed to resist the penetration of moisture between adjacent connected floor panels s 1, 1 '.

In the floor panel, the joint seal 55 may be made of parts of the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 and / or portions of the parts of the floor panel located above and / or below the connecting means.

In the floor panel, the joint seal 55 can be made so that the tolerance within the floor panel and / or between the different floor panels is less between the active part of the joint seal 55 and the upper adjacent joint edges 16 than between the other part of the joint seal 55 and the indicated upper connecting edges.

In the floor panel, the joint seal 55 may be formed from parts of the vertical connecting means 9, 10 and / or portions of the parts of the floor panel located above the vertical connecting means.

In the floor panel, the joint seal 55 can be obtained by machining the elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b in connection with the design of one of the joint edges 82, 83.

In the floor panel, the joint seal 55 can be obtained by machining the elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b in connection with the design of one of the vertical connecting means 9, 10.

In the floor panel, the active portion 54 of the joint seal 56 may be configured such that compression begins substantially when the locking element 8, when tilted internally, comes into contact with the active fixing surface of the locking groove 12 when the floor panel is connected to a similar floor panel.

In the floor panel, the active portion 54 of the joint seal 56 can be configured so that compression begins essentially when the locking element 8 clicks into contact with the active fixing surface of the locking groove 12 when the floor panel is connected to a similar floor panel.

The floor panel may have a joint seal 156 with an active part 54 on the long side and on the short side, this active part 54 being continuous and covering all of these long sides and short sides, as well as the corner portion between these long sides and short sides.

The floor panel may also comprise a shock insulating sound layer 36 of the plastic between the core 30 and the decorative layer and the wear layer 34. In this floor panel, the free surface sections of the shock insulating layer 36 facing the joint VP can be cut by cutting in connection with means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 and can be performed as connecting sealing means 55a, 55b, which are compressed when adjacent adjacent floor panels 1, 1 'are connected.

In addition, a method for manufacturing a wood-fiber core for manufacturing floorboards 2 or flooring elements 3, which are to be divided into floorboards 2 having opposite portions of the connecting edge 86, 87, is described. This method is characterized in that the wood-fiber core 30 it is impregnated with at least one property-improving agent within the selected sections 44 in the form of a tape, which contain sections of the connecting edge 86, 87, which should be located on the floorboards 2.

According to this method, the impregnation of a wood-based panel can be carried out on the side that should become its front side.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out in such a way that the concentration of the performance enhancing agent in the area of the connecting edge is higher on the surface of the core 33 than at a distance from the surface of the core.

According to this method, the impregnation of a wood-based panel can be carried out on the side that should become its back side.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out to a depth corresponding to at least 0.1 of the thickness of the panel T.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out to such a depth at which parts of the connecting means 9, 10, which should appear on the floor panel, will be impregnated.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out by applying a liquid impregnating agent to the sections 44 in the form of a tape.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out by means that improve the mechanical properties of the core 30.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out by means that improve the elasticity of the core 30.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out by a means of preventing the penetration of moisture.

According to this method, the impregnation may be carried out by a swelling reducing agent.

According to this method, the core 30 can be impregnated at a distance equal to less than half the distance between these opposite sections of the connecting edge.

According to this method, it is possible to form grooves 41 in the panels in sections 44 in the form of a tape to a depth at the level of the connecting grooves 6-10, 12, 14, 18 in the floorboards, and elastic sealing material can be inserted into these grooves.

According to this method, the elastic material can be molded into grooves 41.

Also described is a method of manufacturing floorboards 2 or flooring elements 3, which should be divided into floorboards having opposite sections of the connecting edge 86, 87, in which way the wood-fiber core 30 is coated with a surface layer 31 from its front side and a balancing layer 32 with it back side. This method is characterized in that before applying the surface layer 31 and a possible balancing layer 30, the wood-fiber core 30 is impregnated with at least one property-improving agent within the selected sections 44 in the form of a tape that contain sections of the connecting edge 86, 87, which should be located on the floorboards.

According to this method, the impregnation of the wood-based panel 30 can be carried out on the side that should become its front side.

According to this method, the impregnation of the wood-based panel 30 can be carried out on the side that should become its underside.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out at least to a depth at which parts of the connecting means 9, 10, 6-8-12, which should appear on the impregnated floorboards, are impregnated.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out by applying a liquid impregnating agent to the sections 44 in the form of a tape.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out by means that improve the mechanical properties of the core 30.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out by means that improve the elasticity of the core 30.

According to this method, the impregnation can be carried out by a means that does not allow moisture and / or a means that counteracts or significantly reduces the swelling caused by moisture, and is intended to form a material seal 20.

According to this method, the core 30 can be impregnated in a portion comprising less than half the distance between said opposite portions of the connecting edge.

According to this method, it is possible to form grooves 41 in the panels in sections 44 in the form of a tape to a depth at the level of the connecting means 9, 10 in the floorboards, wherein elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b can be inserted into these grooves.

A floorboard is also described which is intended to serve as a semi-finished product for the production of floor panel 1 and which contains a wood-fiber 30 core and a surface layer 31 superimposed on the upper side 33 of the core, and which has at least two opposite parallel portions of the connecting edge 86, 87, designed for cutting to form the connecting means 9, 10 of the floor panel. The floorboard is characterized in that the core 30 inside at least the indicated portions of the connecting edge 86, 87 is impregnated with a property-improving agent over the entire distance from its upper side 33 and at least down to the connecting means 9, 10.

In the floorboard, the concentration of the performance enhancing agent in the joint edge portion may be higher on the surface of the core 33 than at a distance from it.

In the floorboard, the impregnation may extend to a depth of at least 0.1 thickness of the floorboard.

In the floorboard, the impregnation of the core 30 can extend down to a depth P2 corresponding to at least half the distance between the surface 33 of the core and the upper parts of the connecting means 9, 10.

In the floorboard, the impregnation may extend down to at least the upper parts of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18, which should appear.

In the floorboard, the core 30, within at least the indicated sections of the connecting edge, can also be impregnated with a property-improving agent from the lower side and at least a certain distance upward, in the direction of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

In the floorboard, the impregnation may extend up to at least the lower parts of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

An impregnating agent in the floorboard is an agent that improves the mechanical properties of the core 30.

In the floorboard, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the elasticity of the core 30.

In the floorboard, the impregnating agent may be a moisture-impermeable agent and / or an agent that counteracts or significantly reduces the swelling caused by moisture.

In the floorboard, the core 30 may be impregnated in a portion of less than half the distance between said opposite portions of the connecting edge.

In the floorboard, the core 30 can be impregnated within the indicated sections of the connecting edge, in which at least part of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 are formed.

The floorboard can be quadrangular, and all its opposite sections of the connecting edges - soaked.

In the floorboard, the portions of the connecting edge on the upper side of the floorboard can be impregnated with a moisture-resistant agent and / or an agent that counteracts or significantly reduces the swelling caused by moisture.

In the floorboard, portions of the connecting edge on the underside of the floorboard can be impregnated with a strength enhancer.

In the floorboard, portions of the connecting edge on the lower side of the floorboard can be impregnated with a means of increasing elasticity.

The floorboard may contain an elastically deformable sealing material 54, which is attached to the core in those positions in which parts of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 of the floor panel and / or adjacent sections will be formed during machining of the floorboard to obtain a floor panel core 30 of the floor panel within the upper parts of the sections of the connecting edge.

In the floorboard, the elastic joint sealing material 56 may be attached to the core 30 within areas that are intended to form the long side and short side of the floor panel and extend continuously along all long and short sides, as well as the corner sections between the indicated long and short sides.

The floorboard may comprise an insulating impact sound of a plastic layer 36 between the core 30 and the decorative layer and the wear layer 34.

According to this embodiment, a system is provided for forming a joint between two adjacent edges of floor panels that have a wood-fiber core and a surface layer deposited on the upper side of the core and consisting of at least one layer and which abut against adjacent portions of the connecting edge having connecting means for connecting floor panels to each other vertically, which converge in a vertical plane. According to this aspect of the invention, adjacent portions of the connecting edge of the floor panel have a material seal designed to counteract the penetration of moisture into the core of the floor panels through the joint plane. This material seal comprises impregnating the core in said portions of the connecting edge with a moisture-tight and / or anti-swelling agent that significantly reduces the swelling caused by moisture at all distances from the upper side of the core and at least down to the connecting means.

This impregnation can stretch to a depth equal to at least 0.1 of the thickness of the floor panel when viewed from the upper side of the core. More preferably, the impregnation extends down to at least the upper parts of the connecting means of the floor panel. The depth of impregnation when observing from the joint plane and towards the inside of the core is also at least 0.1 of the thickness of the floor panel. More preferably, the impregnation, when observed from the joint plane, extends to a distance corresponding to at least half the width of the connecting means.

It is also desirable that the core is impregnated from its lower side and at least a certain distance up towards the connecting means. The impregnation of the lower side of the core can be carried out by a property-improving agent, in particular a means that improves the mechanical characteristics of the core.

In some connecting systems, it is possible to choose to improve the strength and elasticity of the core to better match the core with its functions as the starting material for the manufacture of mechanical connecting means.

Thanks to this embodiment, the necessary core properties are achieved within those parts of the floor panels that are most affected, i.e. edge sections. This gives significant economic advantages, since the impregnation is precisely limited to those areas that need to be improved to obtain a floor having the desired properties in relation to counteracting the influence of penetrating moisture. The impregnation of the core is therefore preferably carried out at less than half the distance between the opposite edges of the core. In the best case, the impregnation is limited to those parts of the edge sections in which at least parts of the connecting means are made.

As mentioned above, this embodiment is particularly useful in connection with systems based on the mechanical connection of adjacent floor panels, i.e. systems in which mechanical locking means connect the floor panels in a vertical joint plane perpendicular to both them and the front side of the floor panels. Connecting means can be made to connect the floor panel to a previously installed floor panel by tilting and / or snapping in a fixed position.

When using this embodiment for floor panels with mechanical locking means, the connecting means may comprise a lower edge or a fixing strip integrally formed with the core. In this case, it is especially important, as mentioned above, to impregnate the lower parts of the core with a property-improving agent, in particular an elasticity increasing agent, so that this lower edge or retaining strip acquires optimal properties for performing its functions. Within the scope of the invention, however, such a fixing strip may be made of another material, for example aluminum, in which case the parts of the core forming the fastener for a separate fixing strip, it is desirable to impregnate with such a property-improving agent to further increase the ability of the core to retain the attached fixing strip .

According to this embodiment, the problem of obtaining a material seal is solved by means of a core and thus an incomplete connecting edge impregnated in those areas in which the connecting system will later be made. The impregnating agent can be introduced in such a way that the upper part of the core closest to the front side will be impregnated in the area in which the connecting edge will later be made. The core is then coated with a surface layer on its front side and preferably also with a balancing layer on its back side. The flooring element or floorboard will thus comprise parts in which the cores under the surface layer are impregnated. The flooring element is sawn, when convenient, onto floorboards having edge portions in which the core under the surface layer is impregnated. The edges of the floorboards are then machined, and the finished floor panels will have impregnated upper portions of the connecting edges.

The impregnating agent may be applied to the surface of the core and / or parts of the core below the surface using methods that do not require impregnation from the connecting edge of the machined connecting systems.

The main advantage of the connecting system made according to this production method is the possibility of applying an impregnating agent without observing the actually required tolerances. Another advantage is that the flooring element production line can have high productivity, although the impregnation is carried out at a relatively low speed, since the impregnation is carried out in connection with the manufacture of large flooring elements, which are later divided into many floorboards, and not in connection with mechanical processing individual edges of floorboards. The impregnating material is also given the opportunity to penetrate the core for a relatively long time.

Other advantages are that this method makes it possible to apply the impregnating material directly under the surface layer in areas adjacent to the completed joint edge, i.e. on the upper portion of the connecting edge, and allows a significantly greater horizontal extent from the connecting edge in the direction of the floor panel compared to what can be achieved by impregnation from the connecting edge of the floor panel after it is machined to produce the connecting means. Another advantage is that all sections of the connecting edge of the corners will be impregnated. Since the joint is formed after impregnation, any swelling due to the impregnation will not adversely affect the geometric shape of the joint, and no impregnation residues will remain on the joint surfaces or on the surface layer closest to the joint edge.

Another advantage is that the impregnation result can be checked by measuring the swelling of the core, floor element or floorboard in the areas where the connecting edge will be made, and in another, not impregnated part of the panel, away from this connecting edge, for example, the nearest to the central part of the proposed floor panel.

The impregnation result can be guaranteed until the final machining of the floor panel is completed, which can lead to higher productivity and a significant reduction in costs by reducing waste.

This method of obtaining a material seal is suitable for all wood fiber core materials, such as homogeneous wood, plywood consisting of many layers of veneer, materials consisting of wood blocks glued together, HDF and MDF fiberboards, wood chipboards (chipboard), etc. The method can also be used with other core materials, which, for example, do not contain wood fibers and which do not swell when exposed to moisture, however, with the intention of first of all achieving impregnation of some parts to obtain edge reinforcement.

In principle, it is possible to use all the impregnating materials that are offered on the market and which can protect the wood or wood-fiber materials from moisture. However, it is desirable to be able to apply them in liquid form, and they should have properties that allow surface layers to be applied to the core using hitherto known application methods such as gluing, direct laminating, varnishing, calendering or plastic film application or the like. by extrusion, if desired in connection with grinding or applying primer layers and the like, to improve adhesion. As non-limiting examples of suitable materials, mention may be made of polyurethane, phenol and melamine. The impregnating liquid can be applied in various ways, for example by spraying. Other methods that are very difficult to use in the systems currently used to impregnate the machined joint edges of finished floor panels, such as rolling, spreading, injection and the like, operate in an excellent manner in connection with the present invention. The penetration of the impregnating agent into the core can be facilitated by the use of heat, vacuum, pressure, etc., if desired, in combination, for example, with grinding the surface of the core before applying the impregnating agent. Grinding of the impregnated core can also take place before applying the surface layer, so as to remove any swelling on the surface before applying the surface layer. The rarefaction and grinding of surface details cannot be used when the impregnation is carried out from the leading edge, and several of the methods described above are also much more difficult to use when impregnating from the connecting edge.

You can also make grooves in the core in those areas that later form the connection areas of the floor panel. Then, the impregnating agent can be applied both from the surface of the core and from the edges of the groove. It is also possible to apply various layers having different properties. Rolling or spreading is especially convenient when the impregnating agent contains substances that are harmful to the environment, such as polyurethane with isocyanates. When rolling the impregnating agent, it is possible to use, within the established limits, the amount of isocyanate, which is 10 times the amount acceptable when applied by spraying.

The impregnation method can also be used to strengthen the edge. Various chemicals, such as those mentioned above, can be supplied in liquid form and, after curing or hardening, strengthen the wood fibers and give the connecting edge a higher resistance to compression, shear or impact, or increase elasticity. The preferred method is particularly suitable for producing a moisture-proof and at the same time strong joint edge using, for example, thermosetting plastics, which typically require both heat and pressure to cure. Direct lamination of the surface layer in practice is carried out at high temperature and under high pressure, and during this operation, it is also possible to cure the impregnation layer. Bonding the surface layers with hot melt adhesive can also cause curing or drying. This method can be used in combination with impregnation to increase moisture resistance.

Different layers can also be obtained, for example, during a two-stage impregnation, in which the first impregnation operation is performed by a means that penetrates deep below the surface of the core and provides enhanced protection against moisture, while the second impregnation operation is performed by a means which, for example, has different viscosity or other curing properties and which allows you to get a strong connecting edge directly below the surface layer. In this way it is possible to obtain, for example, floor panels of direct lamination with reinforced sections of the connecting edge, the properties of which can be equivalent or even exceed the properties of significantly more expensive laminate floors with a surface layer of high pressure laminate.

The embodiment described above is intended to be used to change the properties of the core by adding various materials before applying the surface layer to those parts of the core that form the connecting edge portions in the floor panel.

Specific embodiments of the invention are described below.

In the floor panel described, the lower edge or retaining strip 6 may be impregnated with a resilience enhancing agent.

The connecting means 6, 8, 12 may include an integrated fixing strip 6 made of a material different from the core material 30 and attached to the fixing elements 21a, 21b located along one of the opposite parallel sections of the connecting edge of the floor panel.

The locking elements 21a, 21b, which can be made in the core 30 and designed for the fixing strip 6, can be impregnated with a compound that improves their performance.

The locking elements 21a, 21b may be impregnated with a compound that increases their strength.

The connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 can be made by cutting.

The floor panel may have mechanical locking systems on long sides and short sides.

The mechanical locking means along the long sides of the floor panel may have elastically deformable locking surfaces.

In the described system, the formation of the joint seal 55 by machining simultaneously with the formation of the connecting means can be carried out in such a way that the tolerance inside the floor panel and / or between the different floor panels is less between the active part 54 and the upper adjacent connecting edges 16 of the joint seal than between the other part connection seal 55 and upper adjacent connecting edges.

The joint seal 55 is made of parts of the vertical connecting means 9, 10 and / or parts of the sections of the floor panel located above the vertical connecting means.

A portion of the active portion 54 of the joint seal 55 is formed adjacent to one of the portions of the upper joint edge 80, 81, wherein the active portion 54 may be located closer to the surface layer 31 than the vertical joint means 9, 10.

The active portion 54 of the joint seal 55 can be made at a distance from the decorative layer 35 of the surface layer 31, and the portion of the joint edge between the active part of the joint seal and the decorative layer has a material seal 20, which prevents moisture from the joint edges 82, 83 and the core 30 .

Material seal 20 may be a polymer material. The material seal is a reinforcing layer 36 of phenol-impregnated paper.

The core 30 is a core of wood fiber material.

The connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12, 14, 18 can be made for mechanically joining adjacent floor panels 1, 1 'in a vertical connecting plane VP, perpendicular to them and to the front side of the floor panel.

Floor panels 1, 1 'can be four-sided, with each floor panel having connecting sealing means 55, 55a, 55b located at least along one long side and one short side so that when connected they are surrounded by connecting sealing means 55, 55a 55b along all of their opposite connecting edge portions.

The connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 can be made to connect the floor panel 1 with the pre-installed floor panel 1 'due to the internal tilt and / or snap in a fixed position.

The connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 may contain a lower edge or a fixing strip 6, forming one with the core 30 and included in the mechanical connecting means.

The connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 may comprise an integrated fixing strip 6 made of a material different from the material of the core 30, and which is attached to the fixing elements 21a, 21b formed along one of the opposite parallel portions of the connecting edge of each floor panel .

The connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 can be made by cutting.

The system may comprise an insulating impact sound of a plastic layer 36 between the core 30 and the decorative layer and the wear layer 34.

The free surface portions of the sound-insulating shock layer 36 facing the junction VP can be formed by cutting in connection with the design of said connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 and are made as connecting sealing means 55, 55a, 55b, which are compressed when connected adjacent adjacent floor panels 1, 1 '.

Connecting sealing means 55, 55a, 55b can be made with contact surfaces that are inclined to the upper side of the floor panels when they are in a connected state.

The connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 can be designed to connect the floor panel 1 with the pre-installed floor panel 1 'due to the internal tilt and / or snap in a fixed position.

The connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 may contain a lower edge or a fixing strip 6, forming one with the core 30 and included in these mechanical connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

The connecting means 6, 8, 12, 14, 18 may comprise an integrated fixing strip 6 made of a material different from the core material 30 and attached to the fixing elements 21a, 21b formed along one of the opposite parallel portions of the connecting edge of the floor panel.

The free surface portions of the sound insulating impact layer 36 facing the joint can be formed by cutting when designing connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 and are made as connecting sealing means 55a, 55b, which are compressed when adjacent adjacent floor panels 1 are connected together , one'.

Connecting sealing means 55, 55a, 55b are formed with contact surfaces that are inclined to the upper side of the floor panels when they are in a connected state.

In the manufacture of floor slabs, the groove 41 can be made in the area in the form of a tape on the surface 33 of the sheet material. The portion in the form of a tape may be the portion in which said fixation system is to be formed. The groove can be made at the edge of the sheet material.

The elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b can be molded or extruded into the grooves 41 for secure fastening in the core 30.

The elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b may be made of a material based on acrylic plastics, synthetic rubber elastomers, urethane rubber, silicone rubber and the like, or hot melt adhesive based on polyurethane.

The elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b can be converted into a joint seal 55, 55a, 55b during the formation of the locking system 6, 8, 9, 10, 12.

The elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b can be converted into a joint seal 55, 55a, 55b simultaneously with the formation of a fixing system 6, 8, 9, 10, 12.

The vertical connecting means 9, 10 may comprise a tongue 9 and a ridge 10, the connecting seal having an active portion 54 located between the decorative layer and the upper tongue portion closest to the surface layer 31.

The connecting edge portions 86, 87 of the floor panel 1, 1 ′ may have a material seal 20 preventing moisture from penetrating into the core 30 of the floor panels from the connecting edges 82, 83, the material seal 20 including impregnation with a moisture-proof agent and / or a countermeasure significantly reducing the swelling caused by moisture, the area extending from the upper side 33 of the core 30 at least a predetermined distance down to the specified connecting means 9, 10.

The core 30 within at least the indicated portions of the connecting edge can be impregnated with a performance enhancing chemical also from the bottom and at least a predetermined distance upward to said connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12.

Elastically deformable material 50, 50a, 50b can be formed by forming a mechanical fixation system 6, 8, 9, 10, 12.

The groove limiting surface may be impregnated with a performance enhancing chemical.

In conclusion, the floorboard 2 is intended for use in forming the floor panel 2, the floorboard comprising a wood fiber core 30 and a surface layer 31, 32 that is attached to the core surface 33, wherein the groove 41a, 41b can be made in the upper edge part 80, 81 of the floorboard, where a mechanical fixing system 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 is to be formed, and an elastically deformable material 50, 50a, 50b, 51 and / or an impregnating agent are placed in said groove.

Claims (19)

1. A floor panel containing a body having a core based on wood fiber, and in the floor panel, at least two opposite parallel sections of the connecting edge (86, 87) are provided with connecting means (6, 8, 12) intended for mechanical connection floor panels in the horizontal direction (D2) with similar floor panels, while the connecting means (6, 8, 12) have active locking surfaces (14, 18), designed to interact with the corresponding active locking p surfaces (14, 18) of adjacent floor panels after joining the floor panels with them, characterized in that at least one of the active fixing surfaces (17, 18) is fully or partially made of elastically deformable material (51, 52), different from body material of the floor panel. 2. The floor panel according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a surface layer (31) of wood and a core (30) of wood or wood-fiber material, the orientation of the fibers in the surface layer (31) being substantially different from their orientation in the core (30), and the connecting means (6, 8, 12, 14, 18) have active fixing surfaces (14, 18), designed to interact with the corresponding active fixing surfaces (14, 18) of adjacent floor panels after joining the floor panels with them, while active fixing surfaces (14, 18) are fully or partially made of elastically deformable material (51, 52). 3. The floor panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means (6, 8, 12) are made with the possibility of connecting the floor panel with a previously installed floor panel due to the internal tilt and / or latching in a fixed position. 4. The floor panel according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting means (6-10, 12) comprise a lower edge or a fixing strip (6) forming one with the core (30) and included in the indicated mechanical connecting means. 5. The floor panel according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made four-sided and has connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) along all four sides. 6. A system for forming a connection between two adjacent edges of floor panels (1, 1 ') having a core (30) and a surface layer (31) superimposed on the upper side (33) of the core, the surface layer (31) consisting of at least at least one layer, while the floor panels on their adjacent sections of the connecting edge (86, 87) are equipped with connecting means (9, 10) for connecting the floor panels to each other in the vertical direction (D1), and the upper adjacent connecting edges of which (6) meet in vertical with a single plane (VP), characterized in that at least one of the opposite sections of the connecting edge (86, 87) of the floor panels (1, 1 ') when connecting the floor panels together is provided with a joint seal (55, 55a, 55b), preventing the penetration of moisture along the vertical connecting plane (VP) between adjacent floor panels (1, 1 '), moreover, this connecting seal is made of elastic sealing material (51) and is attached to at least one of the floor panels (1, 1') ), formed at ation connecting edges (82, 83) of the floor panels and adapted to compress when connecting adjacent floor panels together. 7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting seal (55, 55a, 55b) is made of parts of connecting means (9, 10, 6, 8, 12) and / or parts of sections of the floor panel located above and / or below the connecting means, and is made of an elastic sealing material (50, 50a, 50b), which is attached to the floor panels and is formed at the same time as forming said connecting means, which is compressed when adjacent floor panels (1, 1 ') are joined together. 8. A floor panel consisting of a core (30) and a surface layer (31) deposited on the upper side (33) of the core, the surface layer (31) consisting of at least one layer, the floor panel on opposite sections of the connecting edge (86, 87) contains connecting means (9, 10) for connecting the floor panel with similar floor panels in the vertical direction (D1), so that the connected floor panels (1, 1 ') have upper connecting edges (16) that converge in vertical connecting plane (VP), characterized in that at least one of the opposite sections of the connecting edge (86, 87) of the floor panels is provided with a connecting seal (55, 55a, 55b), which prevents the penetration of moisture along the vertical connecting plane (VP) between adjacent floor panels (1, 1 '), while the connecting seal is made of an elastic sealing material (50, 50a, 50b) attached to the floor panel, is formed during the formation of the connecting means (9, 10) of the floor panels and is adapted for elastic deformation When connecting the floor panel with similar floor panel. 9. The floor panel according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting sealing means (55, 55a, 55b) are made of parts of the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) and / or parts of the sections of the floor panel located above the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18), and are made of elastic sealing material (50, 50a, 50b), which is attached to the floor panels and made by machining when forming the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18), with the possibility of compression when connecting adjacent floor panels (1, 1 ') to each other. 10. The floor panel of claim 8, wherein the core is a core of wood-fiber material. 11. The floor panel according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) are made with the possibility of mechanical connection of adjacent floor panels (1, 1 ') in a vertical connecting plane (VP) perpendicular to them and the front side of the floor panel. 12. The floor panel of claim 8, characterized in that it is four-sided and has a connecting sealing means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) located along its opposite sections of the connecting edge. 13. A method of manufacturing a core (30) for the production of a floorboard or floor element, which must be divided into at least two floorboards, wherein a core is made of sheet material from which a part of the fixing system for vertical fixing of the floorboards must be made plates, characterized in that a groove (41) is made in the sheet material, in which elastic sealing material (50, 50a, 50b) is placed. 14. The method according to item 13, wherein using a sheet material, which is a wood-fiber material. 15. A rectangular floor panel comprising long sides (4a, 4b), short sides (5a, 5b), a core (30) and a surface layer (31) located on the surface (33) of the core, the surface layer (31) comprising a layer wear (34) and a decorative layer (35), while the floor panel (1) adjacent to opposite sections of the connecting edge (86, 87) is equipped with a locking system (6, 8, 9, 10, 12) designed to connect the floor panels (1) with similar floor panels (1 ') vertically (D1) and horizontally (D2) along the long sides and along the cor sides, wherein said fixing system is at least partially made of a core (30), characterized in that the floor panel further comprises a section consisting of a material seal (20), which prevents moisture from the connecting edge of the floor panel from penetrating into the core (39 ) located between the surface layer (31) and the elastically deformable joint seal (55), which is firmly connected to the floor panel (1) and which, when the floor panel (1) is connected to a similar floor panel (1 '), edotvraschaet penetration of moisture along connecting surfaces of the connecting edges (82, 83) between adjacent floor panels (1, 1 '). 16. The floor panel of Claim 15, wherein the connecting seal on the long side is in contact with the connecting seal on the short side. 17. The floor panel according to clause 16, characterized in that the connecting seal on the long side is in continuous contact without a junction with the connecting seal on the short side. 18. The flooring element (3), intended for use in the formation of at least two floor boards (2), and the flooring element contains a core based on wood fiber (33) and a surface layer (31, 32), which is attached to the surface core, characterized in that the groove (41) is made on the surface (33) of the core and / or in the surface layer (31,32), and the groove (41) is located in that part of the floor element (3) where the mechanical system should be formed fixing (6, 8, 9, 10, 12), while in the groove (41) is placed elastically deformable material (50, 50a, 50b) and / or an impregnating agent. 19. A method of forming a connection with two adjacent edges of the floor panels, the floor panels comprising a core, a surface layer superimposed on the upper side of the core, the surface layer comprising at least one layer, and a fixing system for adjacent portions of the connecting edge for connection floor panels to each other, at least vertically, in which adjacent connecting edges converge in a vertical connecting plane, characterized in that they are fixed to other sealing material on at least one of the floor panels; form a joint seal simultaneously with the formation of the joint edge of the floor panel, and the joint seal is formed at least on one of the adjacent sections of the connecting edge of the floor panel with the possibility of compression when connecting the adjacent floor panels to each other, and the joint seal prevents the penetration of moisture along the vertical connecting plane between adjacent floor panels.

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