US20130091788A1

US20130091788A1 - Flooring material having superior nonslip characteristics, and synthetic wood flooring using the same

Info

Publication number: US20130091788A1
Application number: US13/704,792
Authority: US
Inventors: Hya-Yeon Lee; Dong-jin Kim
Original assignee: LG Hausys Ltd
Current assignee: LX Hausys Ltd
Priority date: 2010-06-29
Filing date: 2011-06-14
Publication date: 2013-04-18
Also published as: CN102959164A; WO2012002657A3; RU2012155088A; RU2536724C2; CN102959164B; WO2012002657A2; JP2013529731A; JP5770841B2; KR20120001169A

Abstract

Disclosed are a flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics, and synthetic wood flooring using the same. The flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics is made of synthetic wood, and includes grooves formed on an upper surface thereof in a longitudinal direction, and embossed patterns, which are similar to patterns of natural wood and formed between the grooves. The flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics can be used alone or can be used together with a synthetic wood flooring material having embossed patterns or grooves, thereby providing nonslip characteristics and good design.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flooring material, and more particularly, to a flooring material made of synthetic wood and having excellent nonslip characteristics, and synthetic wood flooring using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a flooring material used in a house, commercial space, landscape space, and the like has been manufactured using a synthetic resin. In a conventional method of manufacturing a flooring material using a synthetic resin, a plasticizer to facilitate processing and pigments are added together with other materials to a raw material, i.e. the synthetic resin, followed by blending and gelling.
After gelling, the raw material is spread in a plate shape and formed to have a desired thickness through rolling, followed by a post-process to impart physical properties. However, such a conventional method provides a limited surface effect to the flooring material.
Recently, instead of the synthetic resin, natural wood has been employed as a material for flooring materials in order to impart a feeling of natural texture to flooring. However, the flooring material based on natural wood has disadvantages in that the wood rots and loses beauty when left in the presence of moisture for a long period of time, thereby lowering safety and quality of life.
In addition, flooring materials for ships, hospitals, kindergartens, public landscape spaces, and the like need nonslip characteristics for safety and pleasant appearance.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present invention is directed to providing a flooring material having a design effect, which appears to be made of natural wood, while using synthetic wood and providing excellent nonslip characteristics.
In addition, the present invention is directed to providing synthetic wood flooring, which is constructed using the flooring material alone, or together with other synthetic wood flooring materials, thereby improving both design and nonslip characteristics.

Technical Solution

One aspect of the present invention provides a flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics, which is made of synthetic wood and includes grooves on an upper surface thereof in a longitudinal direction and an embossed pattern between the grooves. The embossed pattern may correspond to a pattern on natural wood.
Another aspect of the present invention provides synthetic wood flooring, which includes: a first flooring material made of synthetic wood and including grooves on an upper surface of the first flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof and an embossed pattern between the grooves; and a second flooring material made of synthetic wood and including grooves on an upper surface of the second flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof, wherein the first flooring material and the second flooring material are alternately arranged, and wherein each of the first flooring material and the second flooring material includes joint grooves on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction such that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction can be harmoniously joined to each other without difference in texture.
A further aspect of the present invention provides synthetic wood flooring, which includes: a first flooring material including grooves on an upper surface of the first flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof and an embossed pattern between the grooves; and a third flooring material including an embossed pattern on an upper surface of the third flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof, wherein the first flooring material and the third flooring material are alternately arranged, and wherein each of the first and third flooring materials includes joint grooves on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction so that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction can be harmoniously joined to each other without difference in texture.
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides synthetic wood flooring including: a first flooring material including grooves on an upper surface of the first flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof and an embossed pattern between the grooves; a second flooring material including grooves on an upper surface of the second flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof; and a third flooring material including an embossed pattern on an upper surface of the third flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof, wherein the first flooring material, the second flooring material and the third flooring material are alternately arranged, and wherein each of the first flooring material, the second flooring material and the third flooring material includes joint grooves on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction such that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction can be harmoniously joined to each other without difference in texture.

Advantageous Effects

A flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics according to the present invention is made of synthetic wood and includes grooves and an embossed pattern between the grooves, thereby providing improved nonslip characteristics.
Synthetic wood flooring according to the present invention is constructed using combination of a flooring material having grooves alone and a flooring material having an embossed pattern alone, thereby providing improved nonslip characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the flooring material of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of synthetic wood flooring in which the flooring materials of FIG. 1 are arranged.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flooring material having grooves formed in a longitudinal direction according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the flooring material of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of synthetic wood flooring synthetic wood flooring in which a first flooring material and a second flooring material are alternately arranged.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flooring material having an embossed pattern formed in a longitudinal direction.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the flooring material of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates one example of synthetic wood flooring in which a first flooring material and a third flooring material are alternately arranged.

FIG. 10 illustrates one example of synthetic wood flooring in which a first flooring material, a second flooring material and a third flooring material are alternately arranged.

FIGS. 11 to 14 illustrate flooring materials having excellent nonslip characteristics according to other embodiments of the present invention.

BEST MODE

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the following embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and may be embodied in different ways, and that the embodiments are given to provide complete disclosure of the invention and to provide a thorough understanding of the invention to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims. Like components will be denoted by like reference numerals throughout the specification.
A flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics according to one embodiment of the present invention and synthetic wood flooring using the same will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the flooring material of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1, the flooring material 100 having excellent nonslip characteristics according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed with a plurality of grooves 110 on an upper surface thereof in a longitudinal direction. Further, an embossed pattern 120 is formed between the grooves 110.
Here, both the groove 110 and the embossed pattern 120 are provided in a recessed form. However, the groove 110 is more right-angled and deeper than the embossed pattern 120.
The groove 110 may be formed in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the flooring material 100, and the embossed pattern 120 may be formed in a curved line, as shown in FIG. 1, as well as a straight line.
As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the embossed pattern 120 may be formed corresponding to a pattern of natural wood. In this case, a texture of natural wood may be imparted to the flooring material.
The groove 110 and the embossed pattern 120 provide nonslip characteristics through a plurality of grooves formed in the longitudinal direction of the flooring material 100.
In addition, the flooring material 100 according to the present embodiment is made of synthetic wood to provide a texture of natural wood, and includes the embossed pattern 120 formed between the grooves 110 to provide a design effect that appears to be made of natural wood.
According to the present invention, the synthetic wood for the flooring material may be mainly made of wood flour and further include a synthetic resin.
The wood flour is obtained by pulverizing natural wood or the like, and serves to impart a texture of natural wood.
The synthetic resin acts as a binder. The synthetic resin may include at least one selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly lactic acid (PLA), and mixtures thereof.
In manufacture of the synthetic wood, the synthetic resin may be added in an amount of 20 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the wood flour. If the amount of the synthetic resin exceeds 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the wood flour, the effect of providing a texture of natural wood can be deteriorated. On the other hand, if the amount of the synthetic resin is less than 20 parts by weight, compatibility with other components can be deteriorated
Also, the flooring material 100 is formed with joint grooves 130 at both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction such that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction are joined to each other via the joint grooves via the joint grooves.
At a portion where the adjacent flooring materials contact each other, the joint grooves 130 may form a hole into which a clip or other joint member can be inserted.
FIG. 3 illustrates one example of synthetic wood flooring in which the flooring materials of FIG. 1 are arranged.
Referring to FIG. 3, the synthetic wood flooring may be constructed by successively arranging the flooring materials 100, each of which has the grooves 110 and the embossed pattern 120.
The constructed synthetic wood flooring has improved nonslip characteristics through the flooring materials 100 including the grooves 110 and the embossed pattern 120. Also, the embossed pattern and the wood flour contained in the flooring material of the synthetic wood provide an excellent effect of imparting natural texture.
Further, the synthetic wood floor may be constructed by combination of the flooring material as shown in FIG. 1 and a flooring material having a different shape.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show one example of a flooring material which can be used together with the flooring material of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flooring material having grooves formed in a longitudinal direction according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the flooring material of FIG. 4.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the flooring material 400 is formed with grooves alone.
The flooring material 400 of FIG. 4 (hereinafter, referred to as a second flooring material) is formed with grooves 110 alone and thus has inferior nonslip characteristics to the flooring material 100 of FIG. 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a first flooring material). However, the second flooring material 400 also exhibits nonslip characteristics through the grooves 110. Thus, the second flooring material 400 made of synthetic wood can also be harmoniously joined together with the first flooring material 100 without difference in texture.
FIG. 6 illustrates one example of synthetic wood flooring in which a first flooring material and a second flooring material are alternately arranged.
Referring to FIG. 6, the first flooring material 100 and the second flooring material 400 may be used together in construction of flooring.
The first flooring material 100 is made of synthetic wood and formed with grooves 110 on an upper surface thereof in a longitudinal direction, and an embossed pattern 120 between the grooves 110.
The second flooring material 400 is made of synthetic wood as in the first flooring material. However, the second flooring material 400 is formed with grooves on an upper surface thereof in the longitudinal direction.
Both the first flooring material 100 and the second flooring material 400 are made of the synthetic wood, and have the grooves 110 in common so that they can be constructed naturally.
At this time, each of the first flooring material 100 and the second flooring material 400 is formed with the joint grooves 130 on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction, so that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction can be joined.
The first flooring material 100 may be made of a synthetic wood containing 20 to 50 parts by weight of a synthetic resin based on 100 parts by weight of wood flour, and the second flooring material 400 may also be made of the synthetic wood containing the wood flour and the synthetic resin as in the first flooring material.
Examples of the synthetic resin used in the first flooring material 100 and the like may include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly lactic acid (PLA), etc.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show another example of a flooring material which can be used together with the flooring material of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flooring material having an embossed pattern formed in a longitudinal direction, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the flooring material of FIG. 7.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the flooring material 700 is formed with an embossed pattern alone.
The flooring material 700 of FIG. 7 (hereinafter, referred to as a third flooring material) is formed with an embossed pattern 120 alone and thus has inferior nonslip characteristics to the first flooring material 100 of FIG. 1. However, the third flooring material 700 also exhibits nonslip characteristics through the embossed pattern 120. Thus, the third flooring material 700 made of synthetic wood can also be harmoniously joined together with the first flooring material 100 without difference in texture.
FIG. 9 illustrates one example of synthetic wood flooring in which a first flooring material and a third flooring material are alternately arranged.
Referring to FIG. 9, the first flooring material 100 and the second flooring material 400 can be used together.
The first flooring material 100 is made of synthetic wood and formed with grooves 110 on an upper surface thereof in a longitudinal direction. An embossed pattern 120 is formed between the grooves 110.
The third flooring material 700 is made of synthetic wood as in the first flooring material. However, the third flooring material 700 is formed with the embossed pattern 120 alone on an upper surface thereof in the longitudinal direction.
Both the first flooring material 100 and the third flooring material 700 are made of the synthetic wood, and have the embossed pattern 120 in common so that they can be naturally used for construction of flooring.
Such construction may be achieved by the same method as combination construction of the flowing using the first flooring material 100 and the second flooring material 400, as shown in FIG. 6.
For combination construction, each of the first flooring material 100 and the third flooring material 700 is formed with joint grooves 130 on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction such that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction are joined to each other via the joint grooves.
Also, the first flooring material 100 may be made of synthetic wood containing 20 to 50 parts by weight of a synthetic resin, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly lactic acid (PLA), etc., based on 100 parts by weight of wood flour, and the third flooring material 700 may also be made of such synthetic wood.
FIG. 10 illustrates one example of synthetic wood flooring in which a first flooring material, a second flooring material and a third flooring material are alternately arranged.
As shown in FIG. 10, the first flooring material formed with both grooves and an embossed pattern in the longitudinal direction thereof, the second flooring material formed with grooves in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the third flooring material formed with an embossed pattern in the longitudinal direction thereof are made of the same synthetic wood, and they can be harmoniously joined without difference in texture through the grooves provided in common between the first flooring material and the second flooring material, and the embossed pattern provided in common between the first flooring material and the third flooring material.
Each of the flooring materials 100, 400, 700 is formed with joint grooves on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction such that that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction are joined to each other via the joint grooves.
As described above, the flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics according to the embodiments of the present invention is made of synthetic wood, and improves nonslip characteristics through the grooves and the embossed pattern formed between the grooves. Further, the flooring material having grooves alone and the flooring material having an embossed pattern alone may be used together in construction of flooring which has improved nonslip characteristics.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to some embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, it should be understood that these embodiments are given by way of illustration only and do not limit the scope of the invention, and that various modifications, variations, and alterations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the accompanying claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A flooring material having excellent nonslip characteristics, the flooring material being made of synthetic wood and comprising grooves on an upper surface thereof in a longitudinal direction and an embossed pattern between the grooves.

2. The flooring material of claim 1, wherein the flooring material comprises joint grooves on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction.

3. The flooring material of claim 1, wherein the flooring material comprises 20 to 50 parts by weight of a synthetic resin based on 100 parts by weight of wood flour.

4. The flooring material of claim 3, wherein the synthetic resin is selected from among polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and poly lactic acid (PLA).

5. The flooring material of claim 1, wherein the embossed pattern corresponds to a pattern on natural wood.

6. Synthetic wood flooring comprising:

a first flooring material made of synthetic wood and comprising grooves on an upper surface of the first flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof and an embossed pattern between the grooves; and

a second flooring material made of synthetic wood and comprising grooves on an upper surface of the second flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof,

the first flooring material and the second flooring material being alternately arranged, each of the first and second flooring materials comprising joint grooves on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction such that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction are joined to each other via the joint grooves.

7. The synthetic wood flooring of claim 6, wherein the first flooring material comprises 20 to 50 parts by weight of a synthetic resin based on 100 parts by weight of wood flour.

8. The synthetic wood flooring of claim 7, wherein the synthetic resin is selected from among polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly lactic acid (PLA).

9. The synthetic wood flooring of claim 7, wherein the second flooring material comprises 20 to 50 parts by weight of a synthetic resin based on 100 parts by weight of wood flour.

10. The synthetic wood flooring of claim 7, wherein the embossed pattern corresponds to a pattern of natural wood.

11. Synthetic wood flooring comprising:

a first flooring material comprising grooves on an upper surface of the first flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof and a first embossed pattern between the grooves; and

a third flooring material comprising a second embossed pattern on an upper surface of the third flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof,

the first flooring material and the third flooring material being alternately arranged, each of the first and third flooring materials comprising joint grooves on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction such that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction are joined to each other via the joint grooves.

12. The flooring material of claim 11, further comprising: a second flooring material comprising grooves on an upper surface of the second flooring material in a longitudinal direction thereof,

the first flooring material, the second flooring material and the third flooring material being alternately arranged, each of the first flooring material, the second flooring material and the third flooring material comprising joint grooves on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction such that the flooring materials neighboring in a width direction are joined to each other via the joint grooves.

13. The synthetic wood flooring of claim 11, wherein the first flooring material comprises 20 to 50 parts by weight of a synthetic resin based on 100 parts by weight of wood flour.

14. The synthetic wood flooring of claim 13, wherein the synthetic resin is selected from among polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly lactic acid (PLA).

15. The synthetic wood flooring of claim 13, wherein the first embossed pattern corresponds to a pattern of natural wood.

16. The synthetic wood flooring of claim 13, wherein the third flooring material comprises 20 to 50 parts by weight of a synthetic resin based on 100 parts by weight of wood flour.

17. The synthetic wood flooring of claim 16, wherein the second embossed pattern corresponds to a pattern of natural wood.