US 2019/0161975 A1Published application

Synthetic Multilayer Floor Covering

AssigneeTarkett GDL

InventorJean-Yves Simon

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A synthetic multilayer floor covering has floor panels, each of which comprises at least a first and a second edge with a first and a second connecting profile, respectively. The connecting profiles are complementarily shaped so that adjacent floor panels may be coupled to one another. The first connecting profile of a first floor panel and/or the second connecting profile of a second floor panel is deformed when connecting profiles become coupled with each other. The deformation comprises a component that persists as the connecting profiles remain coupled. The persistent deformation results in stress within the connecting profiles, which are made of viscoelastic material. That material undergoes significant stress relaxation. At standard ambient temperature and pressure, the stress within the first and/or the second connecting profile decreases by at least 40% within 12 hours after the connecting profiles have become coupled.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A synthetic multilayer floor covering, comprising floor panels, each of which comprises a top face and a bottom face, at least a first and a second edge with a first and a second connecting profile, respectively, the first and second connecting profiles being complementarily shaped in such a way that adjacent floor panels may be coupled to one another via said first and second connecting profiles, the first connecting profile having a recess at said bottom face and a tongue overhanging said recess the second connection profile having a protrusion at said bottom face and a groove for receiving the tongue of the first profile the shapes of the first and second connecting profiles being such that at least one of the first connecting profile of a first floor panel and the second connecting profile of a second floor panel is deformed when the first and second connecting profiles become coupled with each other, the deformation comprising a component persistent as the first and second connecting profiles remain coupled, the persistent component originating from a dimensional mismatch between the shapes of the male and female profiles and leading to a compression of the male profile and/or to stretching of the female profile, the persistent component resulting in stress within at least one of the first and second connecting profile;

wherein the first or the second or both connecting profiles are made of viscoelastic material such that, at standard ambient temperature and pressure, said stress within the at least one of the first and second connecting profile decreases by at least 40% within 12 hours after the first and the second connecting profiles have become coupled;
and
wherein the dimensional mismatch amounts to less than 5% of the length of the protrusion or the length of the tongue in the direction perpendicular to the edge but parallel to the top and bottom faces.

A rectangular synthetic multilayer floor panel for laying a floor covering, the floor panel having a decorative top face and a bottom face for contacting an underfloor, and further:

a first long edge with a first connecting profile, the first connecting profile having a recess at said bottom face and a tongue overhanging said recess
a second long edge with a second connecting profile that is complementary to the first connecting profile, the second connecting profile having a protrusion at said bottom face and a groove for receiving the tongue of the first profile,
a first short edge with said first connection profile;
and
a second short edge with said second connection profile;
the first and second connecting profiles defining angling-type connectors, wherein the shapes of the first and second connecting profiles are such that at least one of the first connecting profile of a first floor panel and the second connecting profile of a second floor panel is deformed when the first and second connecting profiles become coupled with each other, the deformation comprising a component persistent as the first and second connecting profiles remain coupled, the persistent component originating from a dimensional mismatch between the shapes of the male and female profiles and leading to a compression of the male profile and/or to stretching of the female profile, the persistent component resulting in stress within at least one of the first and second connecting profile;
wherein the first or the second or both connecting profiles are made of viscoelastic material such that, at standard ambient temperature and pressure, said stress within the at least one of the first and second connecting profile decreases by at least 40% within 12 hours after the first and the second connecting profiles have become coupled;
and
wherein the dimensional mismatch amounts to less than 5% of the length of the protrusion or the length of the tongue in the direction perpendicular to the edge but parallel to the top and bottom faces.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/822,693Filed 27 Nov 2017
Published: 30 May 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

E04F 15/02038
Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements: characterised by tongue and groove connections between neighbouring flooring…
E04F 15/105
Of other materials, e.g. fibrous or chipped materials, organic plastics, magnesite tiles, hardboard , or with a top layer of other materials: of…
E04F 15/16
Flooring: flooring, e.g. parquet on flexible web, laid as flexible webs; Webs specially adapted for use as flooring; Parquet on flexible web
E04F
Finishing work on buildings