Floor element for forming a floor covering and a floor covering

A floor covering comprising:

• a plurality of adjacent floor elements comprising coupling means configured to enable a mechanical coupling with coupling elements of adjacent floor elements,
• wherein each floor element comprises:
• a decorative layer of ceramic material comprising a lower surface that is substantially flat and free from relief structure;
• a support layer disposed below the decorative layer and comprising rigid polyvinylchloride (PVC) and greater than 60 wt % of a filler;
• and
• an intermediate reinforcing layer consisting of a thermosetting resin, the intermediate reinforcing layer disposed between and bonding together the decorative layer and the support layer,
• wherein the intermediate reinforcing layer further comprises at least one edge that is offset relative to a respective edge of the decorative layer and projects inwardly with respect to the respective edge of the decorative layer, the intermediate layer improving the impact resistance of the decorative layer,
• wherein the intermediate layer covers between 80% and 95% of the lower surface of the decorative layer,
• wherein the floor covering further comprises a grout filling an intermediate distance separating the decorative layers of the adjacent floor elements,
• wherein the resin permeates an open porosity of the decorative layer and is provided on a lower surface of the decorative layer in an amount greater than 100 g/sqm,
• wherein the resin comprises unsaturated polyester,
• wherein the resin has a tensile strength between 50 and 90 Mpa, and
• wherein the coupling elements are configured to limit or prevent movement in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction, and are configured such that a play between the coupling elements is established in the coupled condition.

A floor covering comprising:

• a plurality of adjacent floor elements comprising coupling means configured to enable a mechanical coupling with coupling elements of adjacent floor elements,
• wherein the floor elements comprise:
• a decorative layer comprising a ceramic material with a lower surface that is substantially flat and free from relief structure;
• a support layer disposed below the decorative layer and comprising rigid polyvinylchloride (PVC) and greater than 60 wt % of a filler;
• an intermediate layer reinforcing layer consisting of a thermosetting resin, the intermediate reinforcing layer disposed between and bonding together the decorative layer and the support layer, the intermediate layer improving the impact resistance of the decorative layer;
• and
• an underlayer made of a compressible material,
• wherein the intermediate layer further comprises at least one edge that is offset relative to a respective edge of the decorative layer and projects inwardly with respect to the respective edge of the decorative layer,
• wherein the intermediate layer covers between 80% and 95% of the lower surface of the decorative layer,
• wherein the resin permeates an open porosity of the decorative layer and is provided on a lower surface of the decorative layer in an amount greater than 100 g/sqm,
• wherein the resin comprises unsaturated polyester,
• wherein the resin has a tensile strength between 50 and 90 MPa, and
• wherein the coupling elements are configured to limit or prevent movement in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction, and are configured such that a play between the coupling elements is established in the coupled condition.