Abstract
A panel comprises a swellable sealing lip. The panel comprises a panel top side and a panel bottom side and at least four panel edges arranged mutually facing each other in pairs, with complementary retaining profiles provided in pairs at the mutually facing panel edges, wherein the retaining profiles are configured such that at a retaining profile of one panel further panels with a complementary retaining profile can be mounted. In this case, at least one retaining profile comprises a swellable sealing lip at least partially along its longitudinal axis. Moreover, an arrangement of such panels and a method for producing such panels are proposed. In summary, the above-described panel has the advantage that panel joints can be protected against ingress and penetration of liquids in a particularly good and easy way without applying permanent, additional stresses to the connection of joined retaining profiles.
Claims
1. A panel comprising a carrier layer including top side and a bottom side and at least four edges arranged facing each other in pairs, with complementary retaining profiles arranged in pairs on the mutual facing edges, wherein the retaining profiles are configured such that at a retaining profile of one panel further panels with complementary retaining profile can be mounted, wherein at least one retaining profile comprises a swellable sealing lip at least partially along its longitudinal axis, wherein the swellable sealing lip is spaced apart from the top side and consists essentially of a substantially water-insoluble polymer which is swellable by absorbing aqueous liquids.
2. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the swellable sealing lip comprises a water-absorbing material selected from the group consisting of superabsorbents, acrylonitrile copolymers, polyacrylamide copolymers, ethylene-maleic acid anhydride copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers or combinations thereof.
3. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the swellable sealing lip comprises a water-absorbing material selected from the group consisting of crosslinked carboxy methyl celluloses, compressed celluloses, modified celluloses, cellulose ethers, bran or combinations thereof.
4. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the swellable sealing lip consists essentially of a material which forms hydrogels with water.
5. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the swellable sealing lip comprises a binder.
6. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the swellable sealing lip extends along the entire length of the retaining profile.
7. The panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one retaining profile of each of the pairwise complementary retaining profiles comprises a swellable sealing lip.
8. The panel according to claim 1, wherein all retaining profiles comprise a swellable sealing lip.
9. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the swellable sealing lip terminates substantially flush with the retaining profile.
10. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the swellable sealing lip is arranged in such a manner in the retaining profile of the edge, that the swellable sealing lip, after mounting another panel with a complementary retaining profile, forms a clearance fit or transition fit with the complementary retaining profile of the other panel.
11. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the swellable sealing lip is arranged in such a manner in the retaining profile of the edge, that the swellable sealing lip, after mounting another panel with a complementary retaining profile, after swelling abuts the complementary retaining profile of the other panel in a hydraulically sealing form.
12. An arrangement of at least two panels according to claim 1, wherein the panels comprise complementary retaining profiles at mutually facing edges and the two panels are mounted to each other by means of the complementary retaining profiles, wherein at least one of the mutually facing complementary retaining profiles comprises a swellable sealing lip along its longitudinal axis, and the swellable sealing lip forms a clearance fit or a transition fit with the complementary retaining profile of the other edge, wherein the swellable sealing lip after absorption of an aqueous liquid abuts the complementary retaining profile of other edge in a hydraulically sealing form.
13. A method for producing a panel according to claim 1, comprising the steps: providing the carrier, forming the retaining profile at at least one edge of the carrier, mounting the swellable sealing lip to the retaining profile.
Description
DRAWINGS
(1) The disclosure is explained below in more detail with reference to the figures. The figures show possible embodiments of the disclosure. In principle, however, combinations or modifications of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the swellable sealing lip may have a different cross section and/or can be mounted to a different location to the retaining profile. In principle, the assembly of a swellable sealing lip to differently designed retaining profiles is possible, which are not shown below.
(2) FIG. 1 shows schematically portions of two mutually facing complementary retaining profiles of a panel according to the disclosure;
(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically show a cross-section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two panels according to the disclosure from FIG. 1;
(4) FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show schematically a cross-section of various complementary retaining profiles suitable for mounting a sealing lip;
(5) FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F show schematically a cross section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two respective panels according to the disclosure comprising the retaining profile of FIG. 3A;
(6) FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G and 5H show schematically a cross-section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two respective panels according to the disclosure comprising the retaining profile of FIG. 3B;
(7) FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G and 6H show schematically a cross-section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two respective panels according to the disclosure comprising the retaining profile of FIG. 3C; and
(8) FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7F show schematically a cross-section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two respective panels according to the disclosure comprising a multi-part retaining profile.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(9) FIG. 1 shows schematically portions of two mutually facing complementary retaining profiles 20 of a panel 10 according to the disclosure with a panel top side 11. One of the retaining profiles 20 comprises a swellable sealing lip which extends at least partially along a longitudinal axis 50 of the retaining profile 20.
(10) FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically show a cross-section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two panels according to the disclosure from FIG. 1 with a panel top side 11 and a panel bottom side 12. A retaining profile 30 comprises a swellable sealing lip 100 along the longitudinal axis. A complementary retaining profile 40 is mounted to the retaining profile 30. The swellable sealing lip 100 is arranged in the retaining profile 30 of the panel edge in such a way that it forms a clearance fit with the complementary retaining profile 40 in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2B, the swellable sealing lip of FIG. 2A is shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lip 101 abuts the complementary retaining profile 40 in a hydraulically sealing manner and prevents the penetration of liquids through the joint between the retaining profile 30 and the mounted complementary retaining profile 40.
(11) FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show schematically a cross-section of various complementary retaining profiles, which are suitable for mounting a swellable sealing lip. FIG. 3A schematically shows a side view of complementary retaining profiles comprising a hook with a convex curvature on one side and a recess with a concave curvature on the other side. The retaining profile has a plurality of profile surfaces 60 and the complementary retaining profile has corresponding complementary profile surfaces 70, which are suitable for mounting a swellable sealing lip. FIG. 3B schematically shows a side view of complementary retaining profiles, each comprising a hook element, wherein the profile surfaces 60 and the complementary profile surfaces 70 are suitable for mounting a swellable sealing lip. FIG. 3C schematically shows a side view of complementary retaining profiles, each comprising a hook element with a recess and a latching element, wherein the profile surfaces 60 and the complementary profile surfaces 70 are suitable for mounting a swellable sealing lip 100.
(12) FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F schematically show a cross-section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two exemplary panels according to the disclosure with the retaining profile of FIG. 3A.
(13) FIG. 4A shows two panels according to the disclosure, wherein a flat swellable sealing lip 100 is applied to a lower end face of the retaining profile 30. In this case, the swellable sealing lip 100 is arranged so that it forms a transition fit with the complementary retaining profile 40. In FIG. 4B, the swellable sealing lip of FIG. 4A is shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lip 101 abuts the complementary retaining profile 40 in a hydraulically sealing manner.
(14) In FIG. 4C, a substantially triangular swellable sealing lip 100 is applied between two profile surfaces of the complementary retaining profile 40. In this case, the swellable sealing lip 100 is arranged so that it forms a clearance fit with the retaining profile 30. In FIG. 4D, the swellable sealing lip of FIG. 4C is shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lip 101 abuts the retaining profile 30 in a hydraulically sealing manner.
(15) In FIG. 4E, a substantially circular swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in a lower profile surface of the hook of the retaining profile 30. In addition, a substantially rectangular swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in a lower profile surface of the recess of the complementary retaining profile 40. In this case, the swellable sealing lips 100 are arranged such that they form a clearance fit with the complementary retaining profile 40 and with the retaining profile 30, respectively. In FIG. 4F, the swellable sealing lips of FIG. 4E are shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lips 101 abut the complementary retaining profile 40 and the retaining profile 30, respectively, in a hydraulically sealing form.
(16) FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G and 5H show schematically a cross-section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two respective panels according to the disclosure comprising the retaining profile of FIG. 3B.
(17) FIG. 5A shows two panels according to the disclosure, wherein a substantially rectangular swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in an upwardly facing surface of a hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In this case, the swellable sealing lip 100 is arranged so that it forms a transition fit with the retaining profile 30. In FIG. 5B the swellable sealing lip of FIG. 5A is shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lip 101 abuts the retaining profile 30 in a hydraulically sealing manner.
(18) In FIG. 5C, a flat swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in an inner end face of a hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In this case, the swellable sealing lip 100 is arranged so that it forms a clearance fit with the retaining profile 30. In FIG. 5D, the swellable sealing lip of FIG. 5C is shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lip 101 abuts the retaining profile 30 in a hydraulically sealing manner.
(19) In FIG. 5E, a substantially rectangular swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in an inner end face of a hook element of the retaining profile 30. In addition, a flat swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in an upwardly facing surface of the hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In this case, the swellable sealing lips 100 are arranged such that they form a transition fit with the complementary retaining profile 40 and with the retaining profile 30, respectively. In FIG. 5F, the swellable sealing lips of FIG. 5E are shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lips 101 abut the complementary retaining profile 40 and the retaining profile 30, respectively, in a hydraulically sealing form.
(20) In FIG. 5G, a substantially rectangular swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in an outer end face of a hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In addition, a flat swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in a downwardly facing surface of the hook element of the retaining profile 30. In this case, the swellable sealing lips 100 are arranged such that they form a transition fit with the retaining profile 30 and with the complementary retaining profile 40, respectively. In FIG. 5H, the swellable sealing lips of FIG. 5G are shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lips 101 abut the retaining profile 30 and the complementary retaining profile 40, respectively, in a hydraulically sealing form.
(21) FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G and 6H show schematically a cross-section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two respective panels according to the disclosure comprising the retaining profile of FIG. 3C.
(22) FIG. 6A shows two panels according to the disclosure, wherein a flat swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in a surface of a hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In addition, a flat swellable sealing lip 100 is partially embedded in a downwardly facing surface of the hooking element of the retaining profile 30. In this case, the swellable sealing lips 100 are arranged such that they form a transition fit with the retaining profile 30 and a clearance fit with the complementary retaining profile 40, respectively. In FIG. 6B, the swellable sealing lips of FIG. 6A are shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lips 101 abut the retaining profile 30 and the complementary retaining profile 40, respectively, in a hydraulically sealing form.
(23) In FIG. 6C, a swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in a surface of a hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In addition, a swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in an opposite surface of the hook element of the retaining profile 30. In this case, the swellable sealing lips 100 are arranged such that they form a clearance fit with the retaining profile 30 and with the complementary retaining profile 40, respectively. In FIG. 6D, the swellable sealing lips of FIG. 6C are shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lips 101 abut the retaining profile 30 and the complementary retaining profile 40, respectively, in a hydraulically sealing form.
(24) In FIG. 6E, a substantially quadrangular swellable sealing lip 100 is partially embedded in an inner end face of a hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In this case, the swellable sealing lip 100 is arranged so that it forms a clearance fit with the retaining profile 30. FIG. 6F shows the swellable sealing lip of FIG. 6E in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lip 101 abuts the retaining profile 30 in a hydraulically sealing manner.
(25) In FIG. 6G, a substantially quadrangular swellable sealing lip 100 is completely embedded in an inner surface of a hook element of the retaining profile 30. In this case, the swellable sealing lip 100 is arranged so that it forms a clearance fit with the complementary retaining profile 40. In FIG. 6H, the swellable sealing lip of FIG. 6G is shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lip 101 abuts the complementary retaining profile 40 in a hydraulically sealing manner.
(26) FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7F show schematically a cross section of joined complementary retaining profiles of two respective panels according to the disclosure with a multi-part retaining profile. In this case, the retaining profile additionally comprises a separate vertical locking element 80, which is embedded in a recess of the retaining profile.
(27) In FIG. 7A, a swellable sealing lip 100 is partially embedded in an end face of a hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In this case, the swellable sealing lip 100 is arranged so that it forms a clearance fit with the retaining profile 30. In FIG. 7B, the swellable sealing lip of FIG. 7A is shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lip 101 abuts the retaining profile 30 in a hydraulically sealing manner.
(28) In FIG. 7C, a flat swellable sealing lip 100 is completely embedded in a surface of a hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In this case, the swellable sealing lip 100 is arranged so that it forms a clearance fit with the retaining profile 30. In FIG. 7D, the swellable sealing lip of FIG. 7C is shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lip 101 abuts the retaining profile 30 in a hydraulically sealing manner.
(29) In FIG. 7E, a swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in a surface of a hook element of the complementary retaining profile 40. In addition, a swellable sealing lip 100 is embedded in a surface of the hook member of the retaining profile 30. In this case, the swellable sealing lips 100 are arranged such that they form a clearance fit with the retaining profile 30 and with the complementary retaining profile 40, respectively. In FIG. 7F, the swellable sealing lips of FIG. 7E are shown in the swollen state 101. In this case, the swollen swellable sealing lips 101 abut the retaining profile 30 and the complementary retaining profile 40, respectively, in a hydraulically sealing form.
