WO2007114715A1 - A floor covering - Google Patents

A floor covering Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007114715A1
WO2007114715A1 PCT/NZ2007/000068 NZ2007000068W WO2007114715A1 WO 2007114715 A1 WO2007114715 A1 WO 2007114715A1 NZ 2007000068 W NZ2007000068 W NZ 2007000068W WO 2007114715 A1 WO2007114715 A1 WO 2007114715A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vinyl
image
floor covering
flooring
printed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ2007/000068
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Matthew Paul Nash
Original Assignee
Virtual Floors Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Virtual Floors Limited filed Critical Virtual Floors Limited
Publication of WO2007114715A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007114715A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/0041—Digital printing on surfaces other than ordinary paper
    • B41M5/0047—Digital printing on surfaces other than ordinary paper by ink-jet printing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/0041—Digital printing on surfaces other than ordinary paper
    • B41M5/0064—Digital printing on surfaces other than ordinary paper on plastics, horn, rubber, or other organic polymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M7/00—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock
    • B41M7/0027—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock using protective coatings or layers by lamination or by fusion of the coatings or layers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to floor coverings.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to printed vinyl floor coverings.
  • An object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a vinyl floor covering which incorporates a photographic style image for decorative or other aesthetic purposes, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
  • a method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a preformed flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, complete and suitable for use as flooring, ii) printing a selected photographic image directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.
  • the vinyl when printed as above, can be applied as a floor covering on a floor surface.
  • the image is printed at step ii) by way of a suitable inkjet printer.
  • the photographic image is of a real scene from nature, for example the sky, outer space, the ocean, a desert, a jungle, etc.
  • the photographic image is of a real scene from an urban or rural area, for example a city, a building, or a farm, etc.
  • the image is printed on an area of the vinyl which substantially does not have a sheen finish prior to printing.
  • a method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, ii) printing a selected photographic image chosen by and provided by a customer directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.
  • a sheet of flexible vinyl floor material (for example a polyvinyl chloride based product) is printed with a photographic image to give an interesting life-like flooring effect (optionally three dimensional) within a residential or commercial building.
  • the image is first digitally captured by a suitable high definition camera.
  • the image is then transferred to a suitable flat bed inkjet printer, for example a Durst Rho 600 flat bed printer.
  • the printer prints the photographic image directly onto the vinyl.
  • vinyl is normally applied with its sheen finished surface facing upwards so as to better protect against stains and wear and tear. Printing on the sheen side may make it difficult or even impossible for the colouring agents used by the printer to properly adhere to the vinyl. It is for that reason that printing is preferably to the non-sheen side of the vinyl.
  • the photographic image When the photographic image has been printed onto the vinyl it is covered by a suitable transparent sealing coating. This serves to protect the image against wear and fading as people, objects, and light come into contact with the vinyl when in use.
  • the vinyl is then applied to a floor to give an aesthetically pleasing finish to the floor.
  • the printed vinyl may give a very realistic scene effect which in a sense gives one the feeling of being drawn into the scene.
  • the image may show what one sees standing atop the edge of a famous tall building, looking down onto the street below.
  • the image may show a famous desert scene, for example pyramids in Egypt, etc.
  • the options for scenes are virtually limitless.
  • consumers may bring their own photographs to a workman so that they can be printed onto vinyl.
  • consumers may select a photographic image from a collection of images provided by the workman.

Landscapes

  • Floor Finish (AREA)
  • Ink Jet Recording Methods And Recording Media Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a preformed flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, complete and suitable for use as flooring, ii) printing a selected photographic image directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.

Description

TITLE
A Floor Covering.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to floor coverings. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to printed vinyl floor coverings.
BACKGROUND
It is known to use vinyl sheets or tiles to cover the internal floor spaces of residential or commercial premises. An object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a vinyl floor covering which incorporates a photographic style image for decorative or other aesthetic purposes, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a preformed flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, complete and suitable for use as flooring, ii) printing a selected photographic image directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.
The vinyl, when printed as above, can be applied as a floor covering on a floor surface.
Preferably the image is printed at step ii) by way of a suitable inkjet printer. Preferably the photographic image is of a real scene from nature, for example the sky, outer space, the ocean, a desert, a jungle, etc. Optionally the photographic image is of a real scene from an urban or rural area, for example a city, a building, or a farm, etc.
Preferably the image is printed on an area of the vinyl which substantially does not have a sheen finish prior to printing.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, ii) printing a selected photographic image chosen by and provided by a customer directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a sheet of flexible vinyl floor material (for example a polyvinyl chloride based product) is printed with a photographic image to give an interesting life-like flooring effect (optionally three dimensional) within a residential or commercial building. The image is first digitally captured by a suitable high definition camera. The image is then transferred to a suitable flat bed inkjet printer, for example a Durst Rho 600 flat bed printer. The printer prints the photographic image directly onto the vinyl. To enable this it may be necessary to ensure that the printer prints on what would in other circumstances be the underside of the vinyl, ie the side which does not have a sheen finish. In this regard vinyl is normally applied with its sheen finished surface facing upwards so as to better protect against stains and wear and tear. Printing on the sheen side may make it difficult or even impossible for the colouring agents used by the printer to properly adhere to the vinyl. It is for that reason that printing is preferably to the non-sheen side of the vinyl.
When the photographic image has been printed onto the vinyl it is covered by a suitable transparent sealing coating. This serves to protect the image against wear and fading as people, objects, and light come into contact with the vinyl when in use. The vinyl is then applied to a floor to give an aesthetically pleasing finish to the floor. For example the printed vinyl may give a very realistic scene effect which in a sense gives one the feeling of being drawn into the scene. For example the image may show what one sees standing atop the edge of a famous tall building, looking down onto the street below. Alternatively the image may show a famous desert scene, for example pyramids in Egypt, etc. The options for scenes are virtually limitless.
According to some embodiments of the invention consumers may bring their own photographs to a workman so that they can be printed onto vinyl. Alternatively consumers may select a photographic image from a collection of images provided by the workman.
While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a preformed flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, complete and suitable for use as flooring, ii) printing a selected photographic image directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the image is printed at step ii) by way of a suitable inkjet printer.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the photographic image is of a real scene from nature or from an urban or rural area.
4. A method according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the image is printed on an area of the vinyl which substantially does not have a sheen finish prior to printing.
5. A method according to claim 1 , substantially as herein described.
6. A floor covering prepared according to any one of the preceding claims.
7. A floor covering according to claim 6, when applied to a floor surface.
8. A method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, ii) printing a selected photographic image chosen by and provided by a customer directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.
PCT/NZ2007/000068 2006-04-03 2007-03-22 A floor covering WO2007114715A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ546324 2006-04-03
NZ546324A NZ546324A (en) 2006-04-03 2006-04-03 A vinyl floor covering directly printed with a photographic image

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007114715A1 true WO2007114715A1 (en) 2007-10-11

Family

ID=36922205

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NZ2007/000068 WO2007114715A1 (en) 2006-04-03 2007-03-22 A floor covering

Country Status (2)

Country Link
NZ (1) NZ546324A (en)
WO (1) WO2007114715A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3010428A1 (en) * 2013-09-10 2015-03-13 Gerflor FLOOR COATING COMPRISING AN INK JET PRINTED DECOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A FLOOR COATING
US11345116B2 (en) * 2016-07-18 2022-05-31 Beaulieu International Group Nv Multi-layered sheet suitable as floor or wall covering exhibiting a three-dimensional relief and a decorative image

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE1009214A6 (en) * 1995-03-17 1996-12-03 Brandt Tino De Machine with which colour photograph images and texts can be printed by means of heating and pressing onto various materials via transfers
US5863632A (en) * 1995-01-13 1999-01-26 Bisker; Darcy Decorative photographic tile and method using same
US6641696B1 (en) * 2000-07-11 2003-11-04 David A. Edgerton Method and apparatus for laminating ceramic tile
US20040045240A1 (en) * 2002-09-10 2004-03-11 Mcilvaine Bruce L. Laminate flooring with custom images
US6802164B1 (en) * 2001-11-01 2004-10-12 Ardex, L.P. Floor with embedded image and associated method
US20050079330A1 (en) * 2000-12-27 2005-04-14 Tanel Michael L. Display mat with high-definition graphics

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5863632A (en) * 1995-01-13 1999-01-26 Bisker; Darcy Decorative photographic tile and method using same
BE1009214A6 (en) * 1995-03-17 1996-12-03 Brandt Tino De Machine with which colour photograph images and texts can be printed by means of heating and pressing onto various materials via transfers
US6641696B1 (en) * 2000-07-11 2003-11-04 David A. Edgerton Method and apparatus for laminating ceramic tile
US20050079330A1 (en) * 2000-12-27 2005-04-14 Tanel Michael L. Display mat with high-definition graphics
US6802164B1 (en) * 2001-11-01 2004-10-12 Ardex, L.P. Floor with embedded image and associated method
US20040045240A1 (en) * 2002-09-10 2004-03-11 Mcilvaine Bruce L. Laminate flooring with custom images

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Week 200471, Derwent World Patents Index; Class Q45, AN 2004-720022 *
INTELIOCOAT: "Inteliocoat Technologies Introduces New Magic Floor Graphic System for Thermal and Piezo Ink Jet Printers", 21 January 2003 (2003-01-21), Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.magicinkjet.com/client_data_pdf/news/DMFGV5_PR_012103.pdf> *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3010428A1 (en) * 2013-09-10 2015-03-13 Gerflor FLOOR COATING COMPRISING AN INK JET PRINTED DECOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A FLOOR COATING
EP2875949A1 (en) * 2013-09-10 2015-05-27 Gerflor Floor covering comprising an ink-jet printed finish and method for producing such a covering
EP3263334A1 (en) * 2013-09-10 2018-01-03 Gerflor Floor covering comprising an ink-jet printed finish and method for producing such a covering
US11345116B2 (en) * 2016-07-18 2022-05-31 Beaulieu International Group Nv Multi-layered sheet suitable as floor or wall covering exhibiting a three-dimensional relief and a decorative image

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NZ546324A (en) 2006-08-31

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