WO2009057167A1

WO2009057167A1 - Element for covering a surface and covering obtained therewith, method for manufacturing an element for covering a surface and corresponding machine

Info

Publication number: WO2009057167A1
Application number: PCT/IT2007/000756
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rita Cadorin
Original assignee: Cadorin Group S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-10-30
Filing date: 2007-10-30
Publication date: 2009-05-07
Also published as: EP2207655B1; SI2207655T1; SMP201000056B; ATE496748T1; SMAP201000056A; EP2207655A1; DK2207655T3; ES2360259T3; DE602007012320D1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for making an element (1, 100) for covering surfaces that comprises the following operation: preparation of a support element (2) defining an upper surface (3) and a lower surface (4), and also comprising the following operation: application of a layer of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material to part of the upper surface (3). The invention also concerns a corresponding machine, an element for covering a surface and a covering obtained therewith.

Description

ELEMENT FOR COVERING A SURFACE AND COVERING OBTAINED THEREWITH₅ METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ELEMENT FOR COVERING A SURFACE AND CORRESPONDING MACHINE. The invention concerns an element for covering a surface, the covering obtained therewith, a method for manufacturing said element and a corresponding machine.

More particularly, the invention concerns a method for manufacturing an element for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, as well as the covering obtained therewith, the corresponding machine suitable for making said element and the element itself.

As already known, in building construction various types of elements are used for covering surfaces like for example walls, ceilings, floors. Said covering elements comprise a substantially flat support element in which it is possible to identify a lower surface suited to be placed in contact with the surface to be covered and an upper, exposed surface.

Said elements are intended to ensure that the surfaces they cover offer suitable resistance to mechanical stress and to chemical and atmospheric agents, as well as to finish said surfaces with satisfying aesthetical results. More particularly, the function of the coverings for indoor use is to finish and decorate the surfaces of walls and floors, thus also facilitating cleaning.

The invention concerns an element for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, and more precisely for making parquet flooring. As already known, parquet flooring is a type of flooring obtained by assembling individual covering elements made of wood, also called blocks, staves, strips or panels, which are positioned adjacent to one another and fixed to the rough floor surface.

The elements for making parquet flooring can be substantially divided in two types: unfinished elements and prefinished elements. It is known that the prefinished elements, differently from the unfinished or polished ones, are supplied already treated with varnish, oil or wax and therefore do not need any further treatment after laying.

Even these prefinished elements substantially comprise a support element in which it is possible to identify an upper surface and a lower surface and are substantially divided into prefinished solid wood elements and prefinished multi- layer elements. The prefinished solid wood elements are constituted by an element obtained as an individual body in one-layer solid wood that defines both the above mentioned surfaces, while the prefinished multi-layer elements are constituted by a support element having a stratified structure, of the multi-layer or laminate type, comprising a layer in noble material that defines the upper exposed surface. The remaining layers can consist of other layers in wood or another material. It is the object of the present invention to manufacture an element for covering surfaces that can be preferably used for making indoor floors and surfaces, the covering obtained therewith, as well as a method for manufacturing said element and a corresponding machine.

It is a further object of the invention to carry out an element and a surface characterized by excellent quality also from an aesthetic and decorative point of view.

It is a further object of the invention to manufacture an element that makes it possible to obtain floors and surfaces that are attractive and particularly elegant, characterized by considerable brightness, gloss and reflection capacity. It is another object of the invention to implement a process that makes it possible to obtain the element described above ensuring structural characteristics, lightness, surface protection capacity equal and even superior to those of the elements of known type.

It is another object of the invention to implement a process that is simple and capable of obtaining the element of the invention in an efficient and safe manner. It is another, yet not the least object of the invention to carry out an element that may have any shape and is particularly valuable, attractive, easy to manufacture and to install, and suitable for mass production.

The objects mentioned above have been achieved through a method for manufacturing an element for covering surfaces, a surface covering, an element for covering surfaces and a machine according to the contents of the corresponding independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The proposed solution advantageously makes it possible to manufacture an element that, when positioned adjacent to other elements of similar type or not, permits the creation of valuable surfaces, whose reflections can produce remarkable effects, ensuring brightness and gloss to the covered surface. Still advantageously, the solution proposed makes it possible to obtain an element and a surface that ensure excellent resistance and long life. Still advantageously, the element that is the subject of the invention can be properly treated and finished, for example through the application of varnishes, waxes, oils or colouring agents.

Still to advantage, the proposed solution makes it possible to produce an element that can be laid on and applied to the underlying surface even with traditional procedures and that is simple and easy to maintain. Still advantageously, the proposed solution makes it possible to produce an element that can be used to decorate interiors, to make decorative panels and to decorate pieces of furniture, for example table tops or mirrors or boiseries. Still advantageously, the method for manufacturing the element that is the subject of the invention allows a large number of elements of the above mentioned type to be obtained per unit of time, ensuring reduced costs, short processing times and flexibility, by adjusting the element processing methods depending on the needs, in order to obtain finishes and decorations of various types.

Still advantageously, the method and the machine proposed allow mass production of said elements, considerably reducing manufacturing costs. Still to advantage, the proposed solution makes it possible to produce prefinished elements that therefore do not need further processing once they have been laid and allow the laying time to be considerably reduced.

Still advantageously, the proposed solution makes it possible to produce prefinished elements having a repeatable quality that can be obtained even with specific products, for example UV curing products, that cannot be used in case of finishing after laying.

Still advantageously, the proposed solution makes it possible to produce prefinished elements whose finish is more resistant to abrasion than that of the elements of known type. The aims and advantages described above will be highlighted in greater detail in the description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, provided indicatively as examples without limitation, with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an element for covering surfaces carried out according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of another example of an element for covering surfaces carried out according to the present invention;

Each of figures from 3 to 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the same number of operations included in the method for making an element for covering surfaces that is also the subject of the invention;

Each of figures from 6 to 18 shows a schematic perspective view of the same number of examples of execution of some operations included in the method that is the subject of the invention; - Figure 19 shows a schematic side view of an example of a machine or system that is also the subject of the invention;

Figure 20 shows a schematic side view of another example of a machine or system that is also the subject of the invention;

Figure 21 shows a schematic perspective view of a floor that is also the subject of the invention.

By way of introduction it is important to point out that corresponding components and corresponding parts in different examples of embodiments are indicated by the same reference numbers.

The position indications given in the different examples of embodiment should be transferred to the new position.

While the following description, made with reference to the above mentioned figures, illustrates some particular embodiments of the present invention, it is clear that the invention is not limited to said particular embodiments, rather, the individual embodiments described here below clarify different aspects of the present invention, the scope and purpose of which are defined in the claims.

The examples of embodiment of the invention described below refer to an element for covering floors and in particular for making parquet flooring. It is clear, however, that the element described can be used to cover any type of surface, indoors and outdoors, like for example walls or ceilings, or even to cover parts of any type of obj ect.

Analogously, the method and the machine described above are suitable for making any type of covering and preferably for making elements for parquet flooring.

An element for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, that is the subject of the present invention, is represented in Figure 1, where it is indicated as a whole by 1.

It comprises a support element 2 that defines an upper surface 3 and a lower surface 4.

According to the invention, the upper surface 3 presents at least some parts, indicated by some lines and number 5 in Figura 1 , which have at least one layer 4 of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or glossy and/or bright material.

In other words, the layer of material 4 may cover the entire upper surface 3 or part of it, as shown in the example of Figure 1. More generally, according to the invention, the surface 3 of the body 2 has, on some parts or on its entire surface, a layer of material that gives the surface of the element 1 special qualities in terms of brightness and/or reflection and/or refraction and/or iridescence and/or gloss.

The refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright material preferably comprises natural or synthetic materials.

More precisely, said material may comprise powders or bodies in a vitreous material or a metal or a mineral or an organic material.

More particularly, according to some preferred embodiments of the invention, the above mentioned vitreous material may comprise glass or silica powders or equivalent materials, while the metal powders or bodies may comprise a precious or non precious metal, characterized by a certain gloss or light reflection capacity.

More particularly, the precious metal may preferably comprise gold and/or platinum and/or silver and/or alloys of these metals.

As an alternative, the metal may preferably comprise aluminium and/or tin and/or copper and/or metal alloys like for example brass or bronze, etc.

Always according to the invention, the mineral material may comprise parts or powders of stones like for example quartz, as well as parts or powders of precious stones like for example diamond or ruby or amethyst or sapphire, etc.

As regards the organic material, it may comprise for example a synthetic or natural material like mother of pearl, that is renowned for its iridescence.

It is worth noting that, in the non-limiting example represented in Figure 1, the body 2 is a body made of solid wood.

Always according to the invention, to obtain different characteristics in terms of brightness or reflection or refraction or iridescence, the upper surface 3 may also be brushed and/or cut and/or indented and/or scratched (for example with rollers having projecting elements or chains or hammers or toothed rollers or punches) and/or smoothed and/or planed and/or treated with steel wool and/or scraped and/or sandblasted at least on one part covered with said material 5. It is also clear that in other embodiments the upper surface 3 may belong to a wooden body or a metal body or a synthetic body or a marble body or a stone body.

Figure 2 shows another example of an element carried out according to the invention, indicated as a whole by 100, that is differentiated from the previous one due to the fact that the body 2 is stratified (of the so-called multi-layer or laminate or sandwich or plywood type).

More precisely, the body 2 comprises a first layer 21 made of noble wood like for example oak, walnut, etc, a second layer 22 made of plywood and a third layer 23 made of a material identical to the first layer 21 or having flexibility and/or resistance and/or thermal expansion substantially equivalent to those of the first layer 21.

This particular embodiment is also called counterbalanced element, since the two layers 21 and 23 are made of the same material/using the same system. It is clear, however, that in other embodiments the body 2 may be of the multilayer or laminate or sandwich type. It is also clear that the body 2 may comprise any number of layers and that these may be made of any material.

In particular, it should be noted that some layers may also be made of a synthetic material. Figures from 3 to 18 schematically illustrate a method for making an element for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, carried out according to the present invention.

According to this method, a support element 2 that defines an upper exposed surface 3 and a lower surface 4 is prepared for processing. Always according to the invention, the method also comprises the following operations:

- applying to at least part of the upper surface at least one layer 5 of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above. It is worth noting that in the particular example shown in Figures from 3 to 5 the support element 2 consists of a stratified structure of the type described and represented in Figure 2, comprising three layers 21, 22 and 23.

It is clear, however, that the same operations can be carried out for any type of support element 2 of the type described above.

It should be noted that in the case where the surface 3 belongs to a body made of a wooden material and more generally in the case where the surface is porous. the material 5, once applied, tends to get into the pores, advantageously sticking to the surface 3.

As regards the application of at least one layer 5 of material, it preferably includes glueing a sheet or foil of said material to at least part of the upper surface 3.

In the example represented herein, the material is a metallic material comprising gold and the foil is constituted by a film.

More particularly, in the non-limiting example schematically shown in Figures 6 and 7, the glueing operation includes the following steps: - distributing a bonding agent 6 on at least part of the upper surface 3, as schematically shown in Figure 6;

- laying a film or a foil 51 of metallic material as schematically shown in Figure 7.

Always according to the invention, as shown in particular in Figure 8, the method of the invention may also include an operation for pressing the film 51 against the upper surface 3, carried out for example with pressing means 8.

Always according to the invention, the method that is the subject of the invention may also comprise a drying stage, carried out for example in a furnace or in the air. A further preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, schematically represented in particular in Figure 9, is differentiated from the previous ones due to the fact that said application consists in the application of at least one layer of varnish or oil or wax comprising powders or particles of the above mentioned material. More precisely, the varnish used may be for example a metalized or mica varnish or a varnish comprising suspended particles of a refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above.

Said varnish can be applied, for example, by means of sprayers indicated as a whole by number 10 in Figure 9. As regards the support element and more particularly the upper surface 3, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and as explained above, it belongs to a wooden body.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method also comprises the following operation: - at least partially removing said at least one layer of material, preferably in order to let at least one part of the upper surface 3 of the body 2 emerge.

This advantageously makes it possible to obtain an element having an exposed surface with particular brightness, gloss, luminosity thanks to the application of the layer 5 in addition to the intrinsic characteristics of the surface 3.

This removal stage preferably comprises at least one of the following operations: brushing and/or sawing and/or smoothing and/or planing and/or steel wool treatment and/or scraping and/or sandblasting and/or scratching and/or cutting and/or rubbing and/or etching. More particularly, the brushing operation, as shown in detail in Figure 10, is carried out with a generically rotary brash having a cylindrical or circular shape. The brash 30 is preferably constituted by a series of bristles 31 made for example of a metallic, synthetic or natural material, according to the more or less aggressive action to be exerted on the surface. As an alternative, the brash may be of the ragged paper type.

As schematically shown in the non-limiting example of Figure 11, smoothing is carried out with a body having an abrasive surface 41 like for example a roller 40 or a disc or a brash or a sandpaper strap with grain varying according to the result to be obtained on the surface. As schematically shown in Figure 12, sawing is carried out by cutting the layer of material 5 with the sharp points 51 of a band saw or a circular saw 50, while the body 2 advances along an advance direction 15 and at the same time is set rotating at random with respect to an axis 16 orthogonal to the advance direction 15. As schematically shown in Figure 13, planing is carried out by removing at least part of the layer 5 by means of one or more tools called knives 61 that in the example shown herein are fixed to a rotating cylindrical body 60. It is clear that the depth of the grooves obtained will be proportional to the degree of protrusion of the cutting edge of each knife 61. Milling is carried out with manual equipment or a machine tool. As schematically shown in Figure 14, the steel wool treatment is carried out with steel wool 70 or an abrasive cloth or a sponge. Steel wool preferably comprises threads of metallic or synthetic material, twisted at random.

As schematically shown in Figure 15, scraping is carried out with a scraping tool 80 generally constituted by sharp, preferably metallic elements 81 that cut the material 5, removing it at least partially. More particularly, said elements 81 are moved at random in order to obtain cuts with substantially random shape, dimension and characteristics.

As schematically shown in Figure 16, sandblasting is substantially carried out by using an abrasive component 91 (sand, metal gravel, sodium bicarbonate, ecc) ejected at very high pressure by a specific machine called sandblasting machine.

Scratching, very similar to scraping, is substantially carried out by cutting the surface with sharp elements or bodies in order to remove the above mentioned material at least partially. As an alternative, the material can be removed by etching, the so-called pickling process, with acid or another chemical, natural or synthetic substance.

The above clearly shows that it is possible to obtain different surface effects depending on the characteristics of the abrasives used or the processing parameters adopted for the operations described above. It is clear, therefore, that these parameters can be any and must be understood as part of the present invention.

A further preferred embodiment of the method of the invention is differentiated from the previous one due to the fact that at least one layer of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above is applied only to some parts of the upper exposed surface.

This means that in this case application of the material is limited only to some areas, thus advantageously reducing the quantity of material 5 applied to the exposed surface, and reducing the production costs of the element.

Said application of the refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material can be carried out, for example, by spraying, as schematically shown in Figure 17. In this case the spraying means 95 can be activated alternately or can be moved at random over the element 2. In this way spraying is carried out on specific areas.

Alternatively, according to the proposed method it is possible to apply a film of material, for example metallic material, provided with some through openings 12, as schematically shown in Figure 18.

This advantageously makes it possible to obtain an element having an exposed surface with particular characteristics, which successively can undergo also the different processing operations described above. A further preferred embodiment of the method of the invention is differentiated from the previous ones due to the fact that, before application of said at least one layer of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above, it comprises at least one of the following operations: cleaning and/or smoothing and/or cutting and/or precision sizing of at least part of the upper surface 3 of the element 2.

These operations make it possible to enhance some characteristics of the material of which the upper surface 3 is made and to open, in the case where the material used is porous, openings where the refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described adheres better to the surface 3.

More particularly, the cleaning operation comprises at least one sandblasting operation and/or steel wool treatment and/or brushing and/or smoothing and/or scraping operation of the type described above. The levelling operation comprises a smoothing operation of the type previously described.The cutting operation comprises at least one planing and/or smoothing and/or sawing and/or scraping and/or scratching operation of the type described above.

A further preferred embodiment of the method of the invention is differentiated from the previous ones due to the fact that, before application of said at least one layer of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above, a colouring substance and/or a varnish and/or an oil and/or a wax is applied to at least part of said upper surface 3. This allows further special surface effects to be obtained. More particularly, application of a colouring substance and/or a varnish is preferably carried out by spraying or French polishing or with a brush or roller or water wash or sponge. Said substance, furthermore, may be distributed uniformly or not on the surface 3, thus obtaining other different chromatic effects. A further preferred embodiment of the method of the invention is differentiated from the previous ones due to the fact that, after application of said at least one layer of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above, said at least one layer is fixed.

More particularly, said fixing operation is carried out by applying at least one preferably transparent layer of varnish and/or oil and/or wax.

More precisely, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said varnish is preferably shiny or matt.

Always according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said varnish is also of the electrically insulating type.

A further preferred embodiment of the method of the invention is differentiated from the previous ones due to the fact that, before said fixing operation, it comprises a stage of oxidation of said at least one layer 5 of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above.

This allows a further special surface finish to be obtained.

It is clear that all the operations described above can be advantageously carried out while the support element 2 moves along a preferably rectilinear advance direction, as shown also in some of the figures mentioned above.

This makes it possible to obtain a method that can be applied to continuous production lines, thus ensuring lower costs for the manufacture of each element.

It is clear, however, that all and/or some of the operations described above can be carried out even manually by an operator, in particular when the material, more precisely the metal used is precious, for example gold and/or silver and/or platinum.

A machine for making elements for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, subject of the present invention is schematically represented in Figure 19, where it is indicated as a whole by 500.

It comprises conveyor means 501 defining an advance direction 502 and suited to receive one or more support elements 2.

According to the invention, the machine or system 500 comprises means 505 suited to apply a refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above to at least part of the upper surface 3 of the support element 2. It should be noted that in the example shown the material is constituted by a film of a precious material.

More particularly, the conveyor means 501 comprise transport means constituted by at least a first transport line equipped with a first conveyor belt 503. In the example shown, the above mentioned means 505, suited to apply a refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type previously described, comprise a unit 506 for distributing a bonding agent 6 on the surface 3 of the body 2 and a unit 507 suited to lay a metallic film 51 on the surface 3 and a pressing roller 508. In the example illustrated, the machine also comprises at least one unit for distributing a fixing material, arranged above the conveyor means 501 downstream of the means 505.

Said distributing means can be of the sprayer or doctor blade type, and more generally of the type suited to spread a uniform film of varnish or oil or wax on said elements 2.

Figure 20 shows another example of a system or machine suited to implement one of the methods described above. In the machine it is possible to identify the various processing stations indicated as a whole by numbers 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606. Said stations 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 schematically represent some examples of equipment that carry out the operations described with reference to the above mentioned methods subject of the invention. More particularly:

- the first station 601 comprises a spray varnish and/or oil and/or wax treatment station, if necessary followed by a drying station, not represented herein;

- the second station 602 comprises a brushing and/or sandblasting and/or smoothing and/or planing and/or precision sizing and/or milling station; - the third station 603 comprises a station for application of the layer of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above, constituted in the example by a metallic film; in the example shown the third station 603 comprises a unit 603a suited to spread a layer of bonding agent, and a unit 603b for unwinding and applying a metallic film to the body 2, equipped with a pressing roller 603c;

- the fourth station 604 comprises a drying station and includes a furnace;

- the fifth station 605 comprises a brushing and/or scraping and/or smoothing and/or planing and/or sawing and/or scratching station; - the sixth station 606 comprises a fixing station including, in the non limiting example, a station for spraying a varnish or an oil or a wax.

It is clear that in other embodiments the system may or not comprise one or more of the above mentioned six processing stations indicated by numbers 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, as described above with reference to the method that is the subject of the invention.

More particularly, by way of example, it is worth noting that other systems may comprise: exclusively the third station 603 or the following combinations: - the second station 602 and the third station 603; the first station 601, the second station 602 and the third station 603; the first station 601, the second station 602, the third station 603 and the fourth station 604; the first station 601, the second station 602, the third station 603, the fourth station 604 and the fifth station 605; the first station 601, the second station 602, the third station 603, the fourth station 604, the fifth station 605 and the sixth station 606. In other words, the system may substantially comprise all the possible combinations, however including at least the third station 603 for applying the layer 5 of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material of the type described above to the first surface 3 of the body 2. Obviously, also the sequence of the operations described above may be different from that indicated in the examples, provided that it is suited to make elements with analogous characteristics. Figure 21 shows a covering 700 comprising a plurality of elements for covering surfaces arranged side by side, wherein at least one of said elements for covering surfaces, indicated by 1 in the figure, is of the type that is the subject of the present invention.

It should be noted in particular that the covering shown is a floor made up of elements that are all level.

As regards application and in particular laying of the element of the invention, it should be noted that it can simply rest on the surface to be covered or can be fixed to it by mechanical means, like for example screws or nails, or glued to it. It is also clear that the body 2, as well as the element 1, may have any geometrical shape and dimensions. Finally, the edges of the element 1 may be provided with seats and/or projections suited to house/fit in corresponding projections/seats of analogous elements suited to be positioned adjacent to it. This makes it possible to match the various elements during application to the surface to be covered. Even though the invention has been described making reference to the attached drawings, in the construction phase changes can be made that shall all be considered protected by the present patent, provided that they are within the scope of the inventive concept expressed in the following claims. It is also important to remember that when the details mentioned in the claims below are followed by references, these must be understood as an aid to improve the comprehensibility of the claim in question and not as a limit to the interpretation of the same.

It should also be underlined that all the parts can be replaced with other technically equivalent parts, that any material can be used, provided that it is compatible with the intended use, and that the various elements can have any size, depending on the needs.

Claims

1) Method for manufacturing an element (1, 100) for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, comprising the following operations:

- positioning a support element (2) that defines an upper surface (3) and a lower surface (4); characterized in that it also comprises the following operations:

- applying at least one layer of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material (5) to at least part of said upper surface (3). 2) Method for manufacturing an element (1, 100) for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, comprising the following operations:

- positioning a support element (2) that defines an upper surface (3) and a lower surface (4); characterized in that it also comprises the following operations: - applying at least one layer of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material (5) to some parts of said upper surface (3).

3) Method according to claims 1) or 2), characterized in that it also comprises the following operations: - removing at least partially said at least one layer of material (5).

4) Method according to claim 3), characterized in that said removal step comprises at least one of the following operations: brushing and/or sawing and/or smoothing and/or planing and/or scraping and/or sandblasting and/or milling and/or precision sizing and/or steel wool treatment. 5) Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, before application of said at least one layer of material, it comprises at least one of the following operations: cleaning and/or smoothing and/or cutting at least part of said upper surface.

6) Method according to claim 5), characterized in that said cleaning operation comprises a sandblasting and/or brushing and/or smoothing and/or scraping and/or milling and/or precision sizing operation and/or a steel wool treatment.

7) Method according to claim 5), characterized in that said smoothing step comprises a planing and/or levelling operation.

8) Method according to claim 5), characterized in that said cutting step comprises a planing and/or smoothing and/or brushing and/or sawing and/or scraping operation.

9) Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, before application of said at least one layer of material (5) a colouring substance and preferably a varnish and/or oil and/or wax is applied. 10) Method according to claim 9), characterized in that said application of a colouring substance and/or varnish and/or oil and/or wax is carried out by spraying or French polishing or using a brush.

11) Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that after application of said at least one layer of material (5) it comprises an operation for fixing said at least one layer of material (5).

12) Method according to claim 11), characterized in that said fixing operation is carried out by applying at least one preferably transparent layer of varnish and/or oil and/or wax.

13) Method according to claims 11) or 12), characterized in that said varnish and/or oil and/or wax are shiny or matt.

14) Method according to claims 9) or 10) or 11), characterized in that before said fixing operation it comprises at least one operation for oxidizing said at least one layer of material (5).

15) Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said application includes glueing of a sheet or foil or film of said material (5) to at least part of said upper surface (3).

16) Method according to claim 15), characterized in that said glueing step comprises the following operations: distributing a bonding agent on at least part of said upper surface; - laying said sheet or film or foil.

17) Method according to claim 14), characterized in that it also comprises an operation for pressing said sheet or fihn or foil against said upper surface (3).

18) Method according to any of the claims from 1) to 14), characterized in that said application is carried out by applying at least one layer of varnish and/or oil and/or wax comprising powder or particles of said material.

19) Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material comprises natural or synthetic materials.

20) Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said material comprises a vitreous material or a metal or a mineral or an organic material.

21) Method according to claim 20), characterized in that said metal is a precious metal.

22) Method according to claim 21), characterized in that said precious metal comprises gold and/or platinum and/or silver and/or bronze or an alloy of these metals.

23) Method according to claim 20), characterized in that said metal comprises aluminium and/or tin and/or copper and/or an alloy of these metals.

24) Method according to claim 20), characterized in that said vitreous material may comprise glass or silica powders or equivalent substances.

25) Method according to claim 20), characterized in that said mineral material comprises stone parts or powders.

26) Method according to claim 25), characterized in that said stones comprise parts or powder of quartz or diamond or ruby or amethyst or sapphire. 27) Method according to claim 20), characterized in that said organic material comprises a synthetic or natural material, preferably mother of pearl. 28) Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said upper surface belongs to a wooden body or a metal body or a synthetic body or a marble body or a stone body. 29) Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said operations is carried out while said support element moves along a preferably rectilinear advance direction.

30) Machine (500, 600) for manufacturing elements (1, 100) for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, comprising a support element (2) in which it is possible to identify an upper surface (3) and a lower surface (4), said machine comprising conveyor means (501) defining an advance direction (502) and suited to receive one or more support elements (2), characterized in that it comprises means (505, 603) for applying a refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material (5) to at least part of said upper surface (3).

31) Machine according to claim 30), characterized in that it also comprises at least one station (601) for spraying a varnish and/or applying oil and/or wax.

32) Machine according to claims 30) or 31), characterized in that it also comprises a brushing and/or sandblasting and/or smoothing and/or planing and/or precision sizing and/or scraping and/or scratching and/or milling station.

33) Machine according to claims 30) or 31) or 32), characterized in that it also comprises at least one drying station.

34) Machine according to claims 30) or 31) or 32) or 33), characterized in that it also comprises at least one fixing station (606), preferably comprising a station for spraying a varnish or an oil or a wax.

35) Machine according to any of the claims from 30) to 34), characterized in that said station for the application of said material comprises a unit (603a) suitable for laying a film of bonding agent, and a unit (603b) for unwinding and applying a film of said material to said body (2).

36) Machine according to any of the claims from 30) to 35), characterized in that it is suited to implement the method according to any of the claims from 1) to 29).

37) Element (1, 100) for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, comprising a support element (2) defining an upper surface (3) and a lower surface (4), characterized in that it is manufactured in accordance with a method as per any of the claims from 1) to 29).

38) Element (1, 100) for covering surfaces, preferably walking surfaces, comprising a support element (2) defining an upper surface (3) and a lower surface (4), characterized in that some parts of said upper surface (3) present at least one layer of refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material (5).

39) Element according to claim 38), characterized in that said at least an upper surface is brushed and/or cut and/or smoothed and/or planed and/or scraped and/or sandblasted and/or precision sized and/or milled and/or treated with steel wool at least on one part covered with said material (5).

40) Element according to claim 38) or 39), characterized in that said upper surface (3) belongs to a wooden body or a metal body or a synthetic body or a marble body or a stone body. 41) Element according to any of the claims 38) or 39) or 40), characterized in that said refracting and/or reflecting and/or iridescent and/or bright and/or glossy material comprises natural or synthetic materials.

42) Element according to any of the claims from 38) to 40), characterized in that said material comprises a vitreous material or a metal or a mineral or an organic material. 43) Element according to claim 42), characterized in that said metal is a precious metal.

44) Element according to claim 43), characterized in that said precious metal comprises gold and/or platinum and/or silver and/or bronze or an alloy of these metals.

45) Element according to claim 42), characterized in that said metal comprises aluminium and/or tin and/or copper and/or an alloy of these metals.

46) Element according to claim 42), characterized in that said vitreous material may comprise glass or silica powders or equivalent substances. 47) Element according to claim 42), characterized in that said mineral material comprises stone parts or powders.

48) Element according to claim 47), characterized in that said stones comprise parts or powder of quartz or diamond or ruby or amethyst or sapphire.

49) Element according to claim 42), characterized in that said organic material comprises a synthetic or natural material, preferably mother of pearl.

50) Element according to any of the claims from 1) to 29) or from 37) to 49), characterized in that said element is an element suited to make a floor preferably of the type called parquet flooring.

51) Covering (700) comprising a plurality of elements for covering surfaces arranged side by side, characterized in that at least one of said elements (1,

100) for covering surfaces is carried out according to any of the claims from 1) to 29) or from 37) to 49).

52) Covering according to claim 51), characterized in that it is a floor.