Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a decorative panel and to a method for manufacturing a decorative panel. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a decorative panel in which long edges of the panel lying opposite each other are, at least in parts, not parallel to the longitudinal axis. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a decorative panel, comprising the step of dividing a large plate comprising a multiple of the area of a decorative panel into individual decorative panels using a cutting means which is freely movable in at least two axes.
Claims
1. A decorative panel respectively comprising a pair of opposing short and long edges, wherein the pairs of respective opposing edges have mutually compatible geometries, wherein at least the opposing long edges of the panel do not extend parallel to the longitudinal axis, at least in sections.
2. The decorative panel according to claim 1, wherein at least 50% of the total edge length of the long edges of the panel, preferably at least 60%, in particular at least 75%, do not extend parallel to the longitudinal axis.
3. The decorative panel according to claim 1, wherein the opposing short edges of the panel do not extend parallel to the transverse axis, at least in sections.
4. The decorative panel according to claim 3, wherein at least 50% of the total edge length of the short edges of the panel, preferably at least 60%, in particular at least 75%, do not extend parallel to the transverse axis.
5. The decorative panel according to claim 1, wherein the long edges have edge portions which enclose an angle to each other in a range between ≥30° and ≤120°.
6. The decorative panel according to claim 1, wherein a short edge (140) comprises edge portions which enclose an angle to each other in a range between ≥30° and ≤120°.
7. The decorative panel according to claim 1, wherein a short edge comprises edge portions which enclose an angle to each other in a range between ≥30° and ≤120°.
8. The decorative panel according to claim 1, wherein the pairs of respective opposing edges have mutually compatible locking means for forming a locking means locking at least in the vertical direction.
9. The decorative panel according to claim 8, wherein the locking means are formed in one piece.
10. The decorative panel according to claim 8, wherein the locking means comprise a locking element which is separable from the decorative panel.
11. The decorative panel according to claim 8, wherein the locking element is formed of a resilient latching tab.
12. A method of manufacturing a decorative panel according to claim 1, comprising the step of dividing a large plate comprising a multiple of the surface area of a decorative panel by means of a cutting means which is freely movable in at least 2 axes.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the cutting means cuts by means of electromagnetic radiation, preferably by means of a laser.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises the step of profiling at least one pair of opposite edges, wherein the profiling is performed by means of a profiling tool which is freely movable in at least 3 axes.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said profiling tool is a laser.
Description
DRAWINGS
[0055] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0056] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail with reference to the following figures.
[0057] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a decorative panel according to the disclosure;
[0058] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the disclosure in which 3 decorative panels are joined together to form a covering surface in the extension direction of their transverse axis to the covering surface; and
[0059] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the disclosure in which 7 decorative panels are joined together to form a covering surface both in the extension direction of their transverse axis and in the extension direction of their longitudinal axis.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0060] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0061] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a decorative panel 100 according to the disclosure. The decorative panel 100 comprises respectively a pair of opposing short edges 130, 140 and long edges 110, 120, wherein the pairs of the respective opposing edges 110, 120, 130, 140 have mutually compatible geometries. Here, a mutually compatible geometry of the edges is to be understood in the sense of the disclosure to mean that the geometry of a first edge (110, 130) is designed in such a way that a second edge 120, 140 can be placed against the first edge 110, 130 in a form-fitting manner. Here, according to the disclosure it is provided that at least the opposing long edges 110, 120 of the panel 100 do not extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 150, at least in sections. In the embodiment of the disclosure shown, >90% of the total edge length of the long edges 119, 120 of the panel extend not parallel to the longitudinal axis 150. Moreover, in the embodiment shown >90% of the total edge length of the short edges 130, 140 of the panel do not extend parallel to the transverse axis 160. The long edges 110, 120 have edge sections 111, 112, 121, 122, which enclose an angle to each other in a range between ≥30° and ≤120°, here about 90°. A short edge 140 comprises edge sections 141, 142 which enclose an angle with respect to each other in a range between ≥30° and ≤120°, here about 90°. The opposing short edge 130 comprises edge portions 131, 132 that enclose an angle to each other in a range between ≥30° and ≤120°, here about 90°. The pairs of the respective opposite edges 110, 120, 130, 140 preferably have mutually compatible interlocking means (not shown here) for forming an interlock which locks at least in the vertical direction. This allows two decorative panels according to the disclosure to be joined together in a simple manner to form a substantially integral covering surface. Here, the long edges 110, 120 of a first decorative panel engage in the long edge of a second decorative panel in a staggered manner, so that, for example, an edge section 111 of a first decorative panel is connected to the edge section 122 of a second decorative panel. Here, the locking means can be formed integrally with the core of the decorative panel or can be formed as a separate locking element or a locking element that can be separated from the decorative panel. A locking means in the simplest form can be a groove at the edge sections of the first long edges 110 and a tongue at the edge sections of the second long edge 120, so that when two decorative panels are joined together along their respective long edges 119, 120, the tongue of the second edge engages in the groove of the first edge. Alternatively, it can be provided that the long edges 110, 120 have a groove as locking means into which a separate tongue is inserted as a locking element, by means of which the two panels are connected to one another. It can also be provided that the locking means at the long edges 110, 120 or at the edge sections 111, 112, 121, 122 comprise locking means which, in addition to a locking acting in the horizontal direction, also effect a locking acting in the vertical direction. For this purpose, it can be provided that the locking means are formed hook-shaped and have a locking element, such as a resilient latching tab. Here, such a resilient latching tab may be an integral part of the decorative panel or may be provided as a separate element. Likewise, at the short edges 130, 140 at the edge sections 131, 132, 141, 142 compatible locking means can be provided, by means of which decorative panels can also be interconnected along the longitudinal axis. Here, these locking means can be designed in a comparable manner to the locking means provided at the long edges 110, 120 or the edge sections 111, 112, 121, 122.
[0062] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of decorative panels 201, 202, 203 which can be joined along their respective long edges to form a larger covering surface. In this case, the decorative panels are displaced in the connecting direction 205 and joined together along the connecting lines 204, 206 by means of corresponding locking means.
[0063] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an arrangement of a plurality of decorative panels 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307 according to the disclosure, in which the decorative panels are arranged offset from one another in the extension direction of their longitudinal axis and are connected via the connecting lines 308, 311, 312 and 313 in this direction, whereas a connection in the extension direction of the transverse axis along the connecting lines 309 and 310 is implemented. In this way, even large covering surfaces can be covered in a simple manner with complex laying geometries.
[0064] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are inter-changeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
