A vertical joint system for substrates is formed with joints and which engaged by relative motion in a direction perpendicular to major surfaces and of the substrate. The joints are configured to enable relative rotation of up to 3 degrees while maintaining engagement of the joints. The joints and are further configured to form two locking planes one on each of the inner and outer most sides of the joint. Engagement about the locking planes is provided by transverse outward extending surfaces. At least one surface in each pair of engaging surfaces is smoothly curved. The joints and can be further arranged to provide a third locking plane parallel to and between the locking planes. The joints are disengaged by combination of a downward rotation of one joint relative the other then application of a downward force.

A vertical joint system for substrates is formed with joints and which engaged by relative motion in a direction perpendicular to major surfaces and of the substrate. The joints are configured to enable relative rotation of up to 3 degrees while maintaining engagement of the joints. The joints and are further configured to form two locking planes one on each of the inner and outer most sides of the joint. Engagement about the locking planes is provided by transverse outward extending surfaces. At least one surface in each pair of engaging surfaces is smoothly curved. The joints and can be further arranged to provide a third locking plane parallel to and between the locking planes. The joints are disengaged by combination of a downward rotation of one joint relative the other then application of a downward force.

Ceramic tile having a ceramic base layer and a cover glaze layer including a printed pattern, where the surface of the ceramic tile has a relief having structural features corresponding to the printed pattern. The relief being basically formed as a plurality of excavations present in the generally plane upper surface of the ceramic tile and the structural features have a depth such that they are completely situated above the ceramic base layer.

A floor element for forming a floor covering, wherein the floor element comprises a decorative layer made of a ceramic material, an intermediate layer having a resin material that permeates a lower surface of the decorative layer, and a support layer arranged below this decorative layer, wherein the support layer comprises edges provided with coupling elements configured to realize a mechanical coupling with coupling elements of an adjacent floor element.

Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.

Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described. A plank including a resilient composite sheet having four sides, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an overall thickness, and said composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, wherein said at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, wherein opposite sides of the composite sheet comprise a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, wherein the first tongue and first groove have complementary shape to each other to be interlockingly engageable with a corresponding groove or tongue on an adjacent floor plank.

A flooring panel (50) is provided with a quick-release adhesive sheet (10) such that the flooring panel (50) can be quickly attached to a support surface and removed therefrom. More particularly, the flooring panel (50) includes a top floor layer (52) attached or laminated to the adhesive sheet (10), which underlies the floor layer (52). The top flooring layer (52) can be any type of flooring material, such as vinyl flooring, real or engineered wood flooring, etc. (FIG. 8).

A covering element for floors includes a tile made of ceramic material and a reinforcing element attached to the tile. The covering element has a lining along an edge of the tile.

The invention relates firstly to a waterproof laminated sound insulation system, in particular for flooring. This system provides sound insulation, in particular against impact noise, in compliance with current regulations, and also satisfactory pressure resistance and satisfactory deformability. The invention also relates to a kit comprising the waterproof laminated system, to the use of fillers having a density of less than 1.2 g/cm.sup.3 in an adhesive composition for increasing the sound insulation of floors, and to the method of laying a waterproof laminated sound insulation system.

An integrated image layer construction and method of making same resulting in a homogenous mix which can be applied it to a target surface, such as a surface of a floor, wall tile or other hard surface, to yield a durable, resistant form of decoration.