# US 2019/0169858 A1 · Tile with protected imitation grout line > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0169858 A1 - Document ID: US20190169858A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/196,974 - Filed: 2018-11-20 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-26 - Assignees: Quickstyle Industries Inc. - Inventors: Stephen Courey; Michele Alfieri - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190169858A1 ## CPC - E04F 15/02033: {Joints with beveled or recessed upper edges} - E04F 15/105: {of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials} - B32B 3/06: for securing layers together; for attaching the product to another member, e.g. to a support {, or to another product, e.g. groove/tongue, interlocking} - B32B 3/263: {characterised by a layer having non-uniform thickness} - B32B 5/18: characterised by features of a layer {of} foamed material - B32B 27/065: {of foam} - B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 27/20: using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents - B32B 27/304: {comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF} - E04F 15/02038: {characterised by tongue and groove connections between neighbouring flooring elements} - E04F 15/107: {composed of several layers, e.g. sandwich panels (layered products in general B32B; producing decorative panels or veneers B44C5/04)} - B32B 2266/0235: Vinyl halide, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF - B32B 2307/412: Transparent - B32B 2307/72: Density - B32B 2307/722: Non-uniform density - B32B 2419/04: Tiles for floors or walls - E04F 2201/0153: by rotating the sheets, plates or panels around an axis which is parallel to the abutting edges, possibly combined with a sliding movement - E04F 2201/023: with a continuous tongue or groove - E04F 2201/043: with tongues and grooves being formed by projecting or recessed parts of the panel layers - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM ## Abstract A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or other surface comprises a top section, a protective section, and a core layer, and an exposed portion formed along at least one of its sides and structured to represent an imitation but highly realistic looking grout line. In a preferred embodiment, the top section comprises a wear layer, a decorative layer and a polyvinyl chloride layer, and the core layer comprises a densified foam material. The protective section is disposed between the top section and the core layer, and preferably comprises both a protective layer and another decorative layer. The exposed portion structured to represent an imitation grout line is formed within the protective section and is resistant to staining. In some embodiments, the exposed portion is also formed across a middle section of the tile, and may further include an interconnecting mechanism to facilitate installation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tile comprising: a top section at least partially defining a top surface, said top section including a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer, a rigid core layer joined to said top section, said core layer comprising a densified foam material, a plurality of sides at least partially defined by said core layer, at least one exposed portion comprising a textured surface structured to represent a grout line, said at least one exposed portion disposed along a corresponding one of said plurality of sides, and said at least one exposed portion defined within and exposing at least a portion of said polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tile as recited in claim 1 wherein said polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer comprises a density of about 1,600 kg/m3 (about 99.884 lb/ft3) to about 2,600 kg/m3 (about 162.313 lb/ft3). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tile as recited in claim 1 wherein said rigid core layer comprises a density of about 500 kg/m3 (about 31.214 lb/ft3) to about 2,000 kg/m3 (about 124.856 lb/ft3). ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The tile as recited in claim 2 wherein said rigid core layer comprises a density of about 500 kg/m3 (about 31.214 lb/ft3) to about 1,500 kg/m3 (about 93.642 lb/ft3). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tile as recited in claim 1 wherein said polyvinyl chloride layer (PVC) further includes a colorant corresponding with an intended visual appearance of said textured surface structured to represent a grout line. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tile as recited in claim 1 wherein said top section further comprises a wear layer interconnected to said polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The tile as recited in claim 6 wherein said top layer further comprises a decorative layer disposed between said wear layer and said polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer; said wear layer comprising a substantially transparent material, such that said decorative layer is visually observable through said wear layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tile as recited in claim 1 further comprising an interconnecting mechanism at least partially formed along at least one of said plurality of sides. ### Claim 9 A tile comprising: a top section at least partially defining a top surface, said top section including a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer; a protective section joined to said top section, a rigid core layer joined to said protective section, said rigid core layer comprising a densified foam material, a plurality of sides at least partially defined by said rigid core layer, at least one exposed portion comprising a textured surface structured to represent a grout line, said at least one exposed portion disposed along a corresponding one of said plurality of sides, and said at least one exposed portion defined within and exposing at least a portion of said protective section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tile as recited in claim 9 wherein said protective section comprises a protective layer joined to said top section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The tile as recited in claim 10 wherein said protective section further comprises a decorative layer disposed between said protective layer and said rigid core layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The tile as recited in claim 11 wherein said protective layer comprises a substantially transparent material, said decorative layer is visually observable through said protective layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The tile as recited in claim 10 wherein said exposed portion is defined within and exposes at least a portion of said protective layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The tile as recited in claim 9 further comprising a second exposed portion formed substantially across a middle section of said top surface; said second exposed portion defined within and exposing at least a portion of said protective section. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The tile as recited in claim 9 wherein said polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer comprises a density of about 1,600 kg/m3 (about 99.884 lb/ft3) to about 2,600 kg/m3 (about 162.313 lb/ft3). ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The tile as recited in claim 9 wherein said rigid core layer comprises a density of about 500 kg/m3 (about 31.214 lb/ft3) to about 2,000 kg/m3 (about 124.856 lb/ft3). ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The tile as recited in claim 9 wherein said top section further comprises a wear layer interconnected to said polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The tile as recited in claim 17 wherein said top layer further comprises another decorative layer disposed between said wear layer and said polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer; said wear layer comprising a substantially transparent material, said second decorative layer is visually observable through said wear layer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The tile as recited in claim 9 wherein said polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer comprises a first density and said rigid core layer comprises a second density; said first density being greater than said second density. ### Claim 20 A tile comprising: a top section at least partially defining a top surface, said top section including a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer comprising a first density; a protective section comprising a protective layer and a decorative layer, a rigid core layer joined to said protective section, said rigid core layer comprising a densified foam material, said rigid core layer comprising a second density, a plurality of sides at least partially defined by said rigid core layer, a plurality of exposed portions each comprising a textured surface structured to represent a grout line, at least a first of said plurality of exposed portions disposed along a corresponding one of said plurality of sides, said at least one exposed portion defined within and exposing at least a portion of said protective layer, said decorative layer disposed between said protective layer and said rigid core layer, said protective layer comprising a substantially transparent material, said decorative layer visually observable through said protective layer, and said first density of said polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer greater than said second density of said rigid core layer.