Methods for Manufacturing and Packaging Floor Panels, Devices Used Thereby, As Well As Floor Panel and Packed Set of Floor Panels

Method for manufacturing floor panels, comprising forming in at least a lower side of the panels at least one guiding groove and on at least two opposite edges profiled edge regions that comprise coupling parts, wherein at least one of the two profiled edge regions is formed such that as seen in a cross-section of the panel and transverse to the guiding groove, said at least one profiled edge region extends at the lower side of the panel at least up to the guiding groove.

Method for packaging floor panels, comprising packing in a box several floor panels having coupling parts on at least two opposite sides thereof, said box comprising at least one sheet-shaped packaging element that is formed into the box by a folding process, comprising carrying out at least part of the folding process while the packaging element and the floor panels to be packaged have been brought together.

Packed set of floor panels, comprising floor panels packed in a box comprising at least a folded sheet-shaped element defining a bottom and a number of upstanding sidewalls, wherein at least a number of the sidewalls are interconnected by glue.

Method for packaging floor panels having a rectangular oblong shape and that are adapted to form a floor covering, comprising industrially making said floor panels in at least two widths with coupling parts on at least two opposite side edges of the panels, and packaging said floor panels of different widths in the same package, wherein the floor panels are provided in the package in layers, and wherein in at least one of the layers at least two floor panels are placed next to each other with their longitudinal directions substantially parallel to each other.

Method for manufacturing floor panels, wherein a board of laminate material is formed by means of a press treatment and wherein the board is divided into several panels from which the floor panels are formed, comprising forming at least one impression in the board by a press treatment, said impression defining a guiding groove enabling the board or subsequently formed panels to be guided while undergoing further treatments.

Method for manufacturing floor panels that includes dividing a starting board into several panels and forming floor panels from the obtained panels, comprising the steps:

• forming, prior to the dividing of the board, a mechanical portion and using the mechanical portion for guiding the board or the panels into which the board is divided, during further treatments.

Method for manufacturing floor panels, comprising at least the steps:

• transporting panels through a processing machine by means of at least a first mechanical carrier element and a second mechanical carrier element, wherein the panels, at opposite first and second flat panel sides, come into contact with a respective carrier element and wherein at least the first mechanical carrier element, at least of the height of the respective contact with the flat panel side, is freely movable in a direction transverse to the respective flat panel side;
• forming profiled edge regions at least at two opposite side edges of the panels, while the panels are transported through the processing machine and are moved therein, with their edge regions to be profiled, along cutting tools;
• wherein the second mechanical carrier element also, at least at the height of the respective contact with a flat panel side, is freely movable in a direction transverse to the respective flat panel side.

Method for manufacturing floor panels, comprising the steps:

• transporting panels through a processing machine by using at least a first mechanical carrier element and a second mechanical carrier element, which carrier elements respectively cooperate with opposite first and second flat panel sides;
• forming profiled side edge regions at least two opposite edges of the panels while the panels are transported through the processing machine and are moved therein, with their edge regions to be profiled, along cutting tools;
• wherein the first and second mechanical carrier elements each comprise a belt that is positively supported.

The method of claim 61, wherein said pressure-exerting element is movable independently relative to the guiding portion.

Floor panel, which, at least at two opposite sides, is provided with profiled side edge regions, which, on the one hand, comprise coupling parts substantially formed as a tongue and a groove, the latter being bordered from below by a lower lip, wherein said coupling parts in coupled condition of two of such floor panels effect a locking in vertical direction, and, on the other hand, comprise locking parts, which, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels, effect a locking in horizontal direction, wherein at least one of the locking parts is provided on the tongue, wherein the floor panels have an overall thickness of at least 15 mm and wherein the lower lip has at least one recess that extends at least from the distal end and/or from the underside of the lower lip into the lower lip and that weakens the lower lip sufficiently to provide the lower lip with enhanced flexibility.