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 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.

The invention is directed to a pressing equipment for manufacturing a floor element, wherein the pressing equipment comprises a press configured to press an upper decorative layer of the floor element upon a lower support layer of the floor element, a positioning device configured to place the floor element in a pressing position at the press, and a centering device configured to adjust the mutual position of the upper decorative layer of the floor element and of the lower support layer of the floor element.

Ceramic and stone tiles are shown, which are provided with a locking system including a separate strip part connected to vertical and horizontal grooves formed in the tile edge. A set of ceramic or stone tiles including a first tile provided with a first edge and a second tile provided with a second edge wherein the tiles are provided with a locking system for locking the first edge to the second edge in a horizontal direction parallel with a tile surface and in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction, said locking system includes a first and a second tongue and a strip part provided with a first and a second locking element.

A mineral-based floor panel including a mineral-based core, wherein the panel includes at least one groove. The at least one groove may be provided in a rear side of the panel. There is also disclosed other such mineral-based panels, such as a building panel, a wall panel, a ceiling panel or a furniture panel. There is also disclosed a method for forming such grooves in a mineral-based panel. Furthermore, there is disclosed a mineral-based panel including a mineral-based core and polymer-based lower layer(s) attached to the core. A locking system of the panel includes a strip extending horizontally beyond an upper portion of the panel, wherein at least a horizontal portion of the strip is entirely formed in the polymer-based lower layer(s).

A pressing equipment for manufacturing a floor element, wherein the floor element comprises an upper decorative layer and a lower support layer, wherein the equipment comprises: a pressing device for pressing the upper decorative layer upon the lower support layer, a positioning device for placing the floor element in a pressing position at the pressing element, and a centering device for adjusting the mutual position of the upper decorative layer and of the lower support layer.

A mineral-based panel including a mineral-based core and at least one groove. The at least one groove may be provided in a rear side of the panel. The mineral-based panels may be floor panel, a building panel, a wall panel, a ceiling panel or a furniture panel. A method for forming such grooves in a mineral-based panel. Furthermore, a mineral-based panel including a mineral-based core and polymer-based lower layer(s) attached to the core. A locking system of the panel includes a strip extending horizontally beyond an upper portion of the panel, and a horizontal portion of the strip is entirely formed in the polymer-based lower layer(s).

Panel suitable for assembling a floor covering by gluing a plurality of said panels onto a substrate, wherein the panel has a substantially planar top side, and a substantially planar bottom side, at least four substantially linear side edges comprising at least one pair of opposite side edges, the panel having a layered structure which comprises a decorative top layer, wherein the decorative top layer shows a dimensional sensitivity to temperature and/or humidity fluctuations, the panel further comprising a reinforcing layer, adhered to the top layer, and having a modulus of elasticity of at least 2 Mpa.

Flooring material has an anti-slip, noise reducing pad directly self-adhered to a bottom surface. The pad is formed by applying a foamable PVC material is directly on the bottom surface of the flooring and heating the PVC material to foam the PVC material. The PVC material may then be cooled to form the pad with a definite formed shape having a resilient outer surface layer and a spongy foamy inner structure.

A support for installing facing materials such as ceramic tiles on a substrate such as floors, walls and ceilings wherein the support plate has a plurality of spaced apart recesses in the plate material, with the recesses being open at the top surface and have solid sidewalls and a base, and a plurality of slots in the non-recessed portions of the plate material extending through the top surface and bottom surface, the slots joining one or more adjacent recesses. The support plate of the invention is used for tile installations between the substrate and such tile. Thin-set mortar that is used to secure the tile to the support plate flows into the recesses and into the slots forming a continuous bond between the mortar and the adjacent slots providing for a strong bond between the support plate, mortar and the tiles.