DECORATIVE PANEL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING DECORATIVE PANELS

Abstract

Decorative panel comprising a substrate and a top layer, wherein said top layer optionally is provided with a main surface top coating provided thereon and said decorative panel at at least one upper edge is provided with a lowered edge region, wherein at least a portion of said lowered edge region is provided with a lowered edge top coating, wherein said lowered edge top coating is transparent or translucent.

Claims

1. A decorative panel comprising a substrate and a top layer, wherein said top layer optionally is provided with a main surface top coating provided thereon and said decorative panel at at least one upper edge is provided with a lowered edge region, wherein at least a portion of said lowered edge region is provided with a lowered edge top coating, wherein said lowered edge top coating is transparent or translucent.

2. The decorative panel of claim 1, wherein said main surface top coating has a degree of gloss of 10 or less, or 5 or less, as defined in DIN 67530.

3. The decorative panel of claim 1, wherein said main surface top coating is a lacquer layer that has been cured at least by means of excimer radiation.

4. The decorative panel of claim 1, wherein said lowered edge top coating has a degree of gloss matching the degree of gloss of the main surface of said decorative panel, e.g. matching the degree of gloss of the potentially present main surface top coating.

5. The decorative panel of claim 1, wherein said lowered edge top coating comprises a texturizing agent.

6. The decorative panel of claim 1, wherein said lowered edge top coating comprises silica or silicic acid.

7. The decorative panel of claim 6, wherein said lowered edge top coating comprises particles of silica, preferably amorphous silica and/or precipitated silica, preferably having a surface BET of 200 to 500 m.sup.2/g and/or a median particle size as defined by the D50 value of 3 to 10 ?m; and/or said lowered edge top coating comprises a wax based on polyethylene, polypropylene, carnauba, polytetrafluoroethylene or amide.

8. The decorative panel of claim 1, wherein said lowered edge top coating forms a top coating portion separate from said main surface top coating, and preferably overlaps a side edge of said main surface top coating.

9. The decorative panel of claim 1, wherein said top layer comprises a decoration layer and a wear layer, wherein said wear layer is provided onto said decoration layer.

10. The decorative panel of claim 9, wherein said wear layer is a thermoplastic wear layer.

11. The decorative panel of claim 10, wherein said decoration layer extends continuously from on the main surface at least up to and in said lowered edge region, and preferably up to said upper edge.

12. The decorative panel of claim 11, wherein said wear layer extends continuously from on the main surface at least up to and in said lowered edge region, and preferably up to said upper edge.

13. The decorative panel of claim 1, wherein said main surface top coating, when available, is absent in at least a portion of said lowered edge region, wherein said portion is preferably provided with said lowered edge top coating.

14. The decorative panel of claim 1, wherein said lowered edge top coating comprises a coating material, preferably an acrylate based, such as a polyurethane acrylate based, lacquer.

15. A method for manufacturing decorative panels according to claim 1, wherein said decorative panels comprise a substrate and a top layer, wherein said decorative panel at at least one upper edge is provided with a lowered edge region, said method comprising: providing a board or slab material comprising at least said substrate and said top layer of one or a plurality of said decorative panels; optionally the step of providing said board or slab material with a main surface top coating on said top layer, preferably at least by means of roller application of a coating material and/or preferably by hardening a coating material provided on said main surface by ultraviolet and/or excimer radiation; the step of dividing said board or slab in a plurality of half fabricated panels, for example having about the dimensions of said decorative panels; the step of forming a lowered area adjacent to an upper edge of one or more of said half fabricated panels; the step of providing said lowered area with a lowered edge top coating, wherein said lowered edge top coating is preferably transparent or translucent, wherein preferably said lowered edge top coating is provided essentially exclusively in or on said lowered area; optionally the step of postprocessing said lowered edge top coating; wherein at least a portion of said lowered area that is provided with said lowered edge top coating is comprised in or forms said lowered edge region.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0104] In order to better demonstrate the features of the invention, some preferred embodiments are described below, by way of example and without any limiting character, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0105] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a decorative panel in accordance with the first independent aspect of the invention;

[0106] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view according to line II-II in FIG. 1;

[0107] FIG. 3 illustrates a more detailed cross-sectional view according to F3 in FIG. 2;

[0108] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate variants in the same view as in FIG. 3;

[0109] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a method for manufacturing a decorative panel in accordance with the second independent aspect of the invention;

[0110] FIG. 7 shows a confocal microscopy image of the uppermost surface of a decorative panel in accordance with the first independent aspect of the invention;

[0111] FIG. 8, at a larger scale, gives a view on the area indicated with F8 in FIG. 2, though for a variant;

[0112] FIG. 9 illustrates some steps in a method for manufacturing the panel of FIG. 8; and

[0113] FIG. 10 in a same view as FIG. 9 illustrates a variant for said method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0114] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a decorative panel 1 according to the invention, in particular the first independent aspect of the invention, wherein said decorative panel 1 comprises a substrate 2, a top layer 3 and a top coating 4; and wherein the top layer 3 is located between said substrate 2 and said top coating 4. In FIG. 3, a detailed view of this layered buildup is shown. In particular, FIG. 3 shows that the top coating 4 of the decorative panel 1 comprises a coating material 5 and a texturizing agent 6. Said texturizing agent 6 forms a primary microrelief 7 in the top coating 4. The top layer 3 has a relief on its uppermost surface, which relief comprises a secondary microrelief 8, which secondary microrelief 8 defines a plurality of texture elements 9.

[0115] It is furthermore shown that the top layer 3 comprises a decoration layer 10 and a wear layer 11, wherein said wear layer 11 is provided onto said decoration layer 10. Although not explicitly shown, the top layer 3 may also comprise a separate lacquer layer which is provided onto the wear layer 11.

[0116] The decorative panel 1 is furthermore provided on at least two opposite edges with coupling parts, allowing that two such panels at the respective edges can be coupled to each other, wherein, in the coupled condition, a locking is obtained in a vertical direction V perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, and in a horizontal direction H in the plane of coupled panels and perpendicular to said edges. More specifically, a tongue 12 and groove 13 configuration is shown.

[0117] FIG. 1 furthermore aims to illustrate that the top layer 3 is provided with a macrorelief which imitates a wood pattern.

[0118] In the decorative panel as illustrated, the texturizing agent 6 comprises a micro-granulate which has a median particle diameter D50 of between 1 and 30 ?m, and which may concern a micronized polymer composition chosen from the group of polypropylene wax, polyethylene wax, polytetrafluoroethylene-modified polyethylene wax, modified high-density polyethylene wax, urea aldehyde resin, amide wax, polytetrafluoroethylene, amide-modified polyethylene wax, polyester, or combinations thereof. The coating material 5 comprises a UV-curable lacquer, preferably a polyurethane acrylate based lacquer. The top coating 4 as a whole may have an average thickness of between 10 and 50 ?m. The secondary microrelief is defined by the texture elements 9, wherein the smallest sphere circumscribing one of said texture elements 9 has an average diameter of between 5 and 100 ?m.

[0119] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 all aim to illustrate several variants or alternatives. In particular, FIG. 3 shows an exemplary buildup of a decorative panel 1 according to the invention, wherein the relief of the top layer 3, in particular the secondary microrelief 8 and possibly the macrorelief, is limited to the wear layer 11 only. The micro-granulate of the texturizing agent 6 may be partly exposed onto the surface of the decorative panel 1, or may be completely encapsulated by the coating material 5. Either way, the top coating 4 more or less follows the relief of the top layer 3 such that the primary microrelief 7, the secondary microrelief 8 and possibly the macrorelief are perceivable on the uppermost surface of the decorative panel 1. In an alternative, FIG. 4 shows that the relief of the top layer 3, in particular the secondary microrelief 8 and possibly the macrorelief, is present as a deformation of the wear layer 11, of the decoration layer 10, and possibly even of the substrate 2. The top coating 4 more or less follows the relief of the top layer 3 such that the primary microrelief 7, the secondary microrelief 8 and possibly the macrorelief are perceivable on the uppermost surface of the decorative panel 1. In another alternative, FIG. 5 shows that the relief of the top layer 3, in particular the secondary microrelief 8 and possibly the macrorelief is limited to the wear layer 11 only. However, the micro-granulate of the texturizing agent 6 is not exposed onto the surface of the decorative panel 1 as the coating material 5 completely encapsulates the texturizing agent 6. Even more so, the coating material 5 evens out the relief as a whole, such that the uppermost surface of the decorative panel 1 is substantially flat.

[0120] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a method for manufacturing a decorative panel 1 in accordance with the second independent aspect of the invention, comprising: the step S1 of providing a substrate 2, the step S2 of providing a top layer 3 onto said substrate 2, the optional step S3 of providing said top layer 3 with a relief on its uppermost surface, and the step S4 of providing a top coating 4 onto said top layer 3, wherein the top coating 4 comprises a coating material 5 and a texturizing agent 6. The texturizing agent 6 is provided for it to form a primary microrelief 4 in the top coating 4. The top layer 3 has a relief on its uppermost surface, which relief comprises a secondary microrelief 8, which secondary microrelief 8 defines a plurality of texture elements 9. Providing said top layer 3 with relief on its uppermost surface is performed by means of a mechanical embossing operation with an embossing roller 20.

[0121] It is furthermore shown that the top layer 3 comprises a decoration layer 10 and a wear layer 11, wherein said wear layer 11 is provided onto said decoration layer 10. The decoration layer 10 and the wear layer 11 are provided from the respective supply rolls 17 and 18, and are laminated onto the substrate 2 by means of two lamination rollers 19. Alternatively, although not explicitly shown, the decoration layer 10 and the wear layer 11 may also be laminated together by means of a single lamination roller 19. Although not explicitly shown, the top layer 3 may also comprise a separate lacquer layer which may be provided onto the wear layer 11.

[0122] In the method as illustrated, the texturizing agent 6 comprises a micro-granulate which has a median particle diameter D50 of between 1 and 30 ?m, and which may concern a micronized polymer composition chosen from the group of polypropylene wax, polyethylene wax, polytetrafluoroethylene-modified polyethylene wax, modified high-density polyethylene wax, urea aldehyde resin, amide wax, polytetrafluoroethylene, amide-modified polyethylene wax, polyester, or combinations thereof. The coating material 5 comprises a UV-curable lacquer, preferably a polyurethane acrylate based lacquer. The top coating 4 as a whole may have an average thickness of between 10 and 50 ?m. The secondary microrelief is defined by the texture elements 9, wherein the smallest sphere circumscribing one of said texture elements 9 has an average diameter of between 5 and 100 ?m. It may be that the coating material 5 and the texturizing agent 6 are provided together by means of a lick roller 21. Alternatively, it may also be that the coating material 5 and the texturizing agent 6 are provided separately. For example the coating material 5 may be provided by means of a lick roller 21 and the texturizing agent 6 may be scattered by means of an optional scattering device 22.

[0123] As is shown in FIG. 6, the step S1 of providing the substrate material 1 may be performed by an extrusion operation, which comprises a feed 14 for feeding raw material for the substrate material 2 to the extruder 15. The raw material is extruded through a so-called flat die or slot die 16 in to a flat substrate material, for example having a width of 1 to 2.1 meter, preferably about 1.3 meter and a thickness of 2 to 7 mm, by preference of 3 to 6 mm, more by preference of 3 to 5 mm, even more by preference of 3,5 to 4.5 mm. It is furthermore shown in FIG. 6 that the resulting material, in step S5, may be further divided into slabs 23 or boards comprising a plurality of decorative panels 1 and/or, in step S6, may be consequently divided into half fabricated decorative panels 1A. In a subsequent step, not illustrated here, these half fabricated decorative panels 1A may be further processed to obtain said decorative panels 1, for example by providing one or more edges thereof with coupling means or coupling parts, for example in the form of a tongue 12 and a groove 13 at a pair of opposite edges.

[0124] FIG. 7 shows a confocal microscopy image of the uppermost surface of a decorative panel in accordance with the first independent aspect of the invention, as obtained in accordance with ISO 25178-2:2021. FIG. 7 thus aims to illustrate the uppermost surface of the decorative panel, which comprises regions with a primary microrelief 7, a secondary microrelief 8 and with texture elements 9. The values on both axes are given in micrometer.

[0125] FIG. 8 illustrates decorative panels 1, wherein said decorative panels 1, in accordance with the particular independent aspect of the invention, are provided at at least one upper edge 24 with a lowered edge region 25. The decorative panels 1 are shown in a coupled condition wherein said tongue 12 cooperates with said groove 13. The decorative panels 1 comprise a substrate 2 and a top layer 3. Said top layer 3 comprises a decoration layer 10 and a wear layer 11. A main surface top coating 4A is provided on said top layer 3. Said wear layer 11 is a thermoplastic wear layer, and said main surface top coating 4A is a radiation cured coating material, such as an acrylate coating material. The lowered edge region 25 is provided with a lowered edge top coating 4B that is transparent or translucent. And matches the degree of gloss of said main surface top coating 4A. The lowered edge top coating 4B may comprise a texturizing agent. The main surface top coating 4A is essentially absent in said lowered edge region 25. As shown the lowered edge top coating 4B forms a top coating portion separate from said main surface top coating 4A and overlaps a side edge 26 of said main surface top coating 4A.

[0126] The decoration layer 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 8 extends continuously from on the main surface at least up to and in said lowered edge region 25, and in this case up to said upper edge 24.

[0127] In the cases where said lowered edge top coating 4B comprises a coating material 5 and a texturizing agent 6, the embodiment of FIG. 8 also forms an example of the first independent aspect of the invention, where the top coating 4, in this case the lowered edge top coating 4B, covers only a portion of the uppermost surface of the decorative panel 1, namely a portion essentially being said lowered edge region 25.

[0128] FIG. 9 illustrates some steps in a method for manufacturing a decorative panel 1 having a lowered edge region 25 with a lowered edge top coating 4B provided thereon. These steps may follow the method illustrated by means of FIG. 6, in that the half fabricated panels 1A may be formed by providing a board or slab material 23 comprising at least the substrate 2 and the top layer 3 of a plurality of said decorative panels 1, wherein a main surface top coating 4 is provided on said top layer 3 and subsequently said board or slab material 23 is divided in a plurality of half fabricated panels 1A, having about the dimensions of said decorative panels 1.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 9, said method comprises a step S7 of profiling at least an edge of said half fabricated panels 1A, wherein the applied profile comprises coupling means. In this case an edge having a profile in the form of a tongue 12 is illustrated. It is clear that at the edge opposite thereto a profile comprise a complimentary groove 13 as shown in FIG. 2 may be provided.

[0130] It is noted that the half fabricated panels 1A are shown in FIG. 9 with their decorative side comprising said decoration layer 10 facing downwards, as this is a conventional manner of machining, more particularly milling, profiles in a so-called double end tenoner.

[0131] FIG. 9 also shows that in a step S8 a lowered area 25A may be formed adjacent to an upper edge 24.

[0132] In a step S9 said lowered area 25A is provided with a lowered edge top coating 4B essentially exclusively in said lowered area. It is illustrated that, in this case, an excessive amount of coating material is applied to said lowered area 25A. In the step S10 the excess of coating material is removed to form the final surface 27 of the lowered edge region 25.

[0133] In dashed lines 28, it is illustrated that the profile at the respective edge does not need to be formed completely before the step S8 and/or S9 and/or S10 are completed. The step S7 of profiling the edge to form the coupling parts can take place at any time during said method.

[0134] FIG. 9 also forms an example of the first practical example for the geometry of the lowered edge region 25 and the pertaining lowered area 25A mentioned in the introduction. Herein, the portion of the lowered area 25A that is provided with said lowered edge top coating 4B is inclined downwardly in a distal direction towards the upper edge at a second angle A2 with the horizontal that corresponds to the angle A1 at which said final surface 27 of the lowered edge region 25 extends. The thickness of the lowered edge top coating 4B is about uniform over the entire lowered edge region 25.

[0135] FIG. 10 illustrate a variant of the method illustrated in FIG. 9, herein the half fabricated panels 1A are, in a step S7A, provided with an intermediary profile 28A deviating from the final profile 28B comprising the coupling parts, in this case the tongue 12. The final profile 28B is reached in a later step S7B. In a step S8 a lowered area 25A is formed and provided with an excess of coating material in a step S9. The excessive amount of coating material is removed in a step S10.

[0136] In the case of FIG. 10 an illustration of the second practical example for the geometry of said lowered edge region 25 and the pertaining lowered area 25A is obtained. Herein, the portion of the lowered area 25A that is provided with said lowered edge top coating 4B is horizontal, or extending at an angle A2 lower than 2?. The angle A2 is different from the angle A1 at which said final surface 27 of the lowered edge region 25 extends. The thickness of the lowered edge top coating 4B is varying along the lowered edge region 25.

[0137] In FIG. 10, the lowered area 25A is formed with a retaining wall 29A in a proximal direction and a retaining wall 29B in a distal direction. The retaining walls 29A-29B, in this case, extend substantially vertically.

[0138] With respect to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 it is further noted that the lowered edge regions 25 or lowered areas 25A illustrated there preferably extend the entire length of the respective side edge, for example the longitudinal edge having the tongue 12. It is further clear that a same or similar lowered edge region 25 or lowered area 25A may be available at the opposite side edge having the groove 13. Also one or both of the short side edges may be provided with a lowered edge region or a pertaining lowered area, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Potential coupling parts provided at said short side edges may be the same or similar as the tongue 12 and groove 13 illustrated in FIG. 2. Preferably, the coupling parts at said short side edges at least allow obtaining a locking between the respective side edges in a horizontal direction in the plane of coupled panels and perpendicular to said side edges, and in a vertical direction perpendicular to said plane.

[0139] The present disclosure further relates to the embodiments as defined in the below numbered paragraphs. [0140] 1.Decorative panel comprising a substrate 2, a top layer 3 and a top coating 4, wherein said top layer is located between said substrate and said top coating, and wherein the uppermost surface of the top layer comprises a relief, characterized in that, said top coating comprises a coating material 5 and a texturizing agent 6. [0141] 2.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 1, characterized in that, said texturizing agent 6 forms a primary microrelief 7 in the top coating 4. [0142] 3.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 1 or 2, characterized in that, said texturizing agent 6 comprises a micro-granulate which has a median particle diameter D50 of between 1 and 30 ?m. [0143] 4.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 3, characterized in that, said micro-granulate comprises a micronized polymer composition. [0144] 5.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 4, characterized in that, said micronized polymer composition is chosen from the group of polypropylene wax, polyethylene wax, polytetrafluoroethylene-modified polyethylene wax, modified high-density polyethylene wax, urea aldehyde resin, amide wax, polytetrafluoroethylene, amide-modified polyethylene wax, polyester, or combinations thereof. [0145] 6.Decorative panel according to any one of preceding numbered paragraphs 1-5, characterized in that, said coating material 5 comprises a UV-curable lacquer, preferably a polyurethane acrylate based lacquer. [0146] 7.Decorative panel according to any one of preceding numbered paragraphs 1-6, characterized in that, said top coating 4 has an average thickness of between 10 and 50 ?m. [0147] 8.Decorative panel according to any one of preceding numbered paragraphs 1-7, characterized in that, the relief of the top layer 3 comprises a secondary microrelief 8, which secondary microrelief defines a plurality of texture elements 9, wherein the smallest sphere circumscribing one of said texture elements has an average diameter of between 5 and 100 ?m. [0148] 9.Decorative panel according to any one of preceding numbered paragraphs 1-8, characterized in that, the relief of the top layer 3 is at least partly formed by an embossing operation, preferably by a mechanical embossing operation. [0149] 10.Decorative panel according to any one of preceding numbered paragraphs 1-9, characterized in that, said top layer 3 comprises at least a decoration layer 10 and a wear layer 11, wherein said wear layer is provided onto said decoration layer. [0150] 11.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 10, characterized in that, said top layer 3 comprises a lacquer layer, wherein said lacquer layer is provided onto said wear layer 11. [0151] 12.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 11, characterized in that, the relief of the top layer 3 is formed by embossing said lacquer layer together with said wear layer 11. [0152] 13.Decorative panel according to any one of preceding numbered paragraphs 1-12, characterized in that, said substrate 2 comprises a thermoplastic material, preferably polyvinylchloride. [0153] 14.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 13, characterized in that, said substrate 2 comprises more than 40% by weight of a filler material, preferably between 65 and 85% by weight. [0154] 15.Method for manufacturing decorative panels, comprising: [0155] the step S1 of providing a substrate 2, [0156] the step S2 of providing a top layer 3 onto said substrate, [0157] the optional step S3 of providing said top layer with a relief on its uppermost surface, and [0158] the step S4 of providing a top coating 4 onto said top layer, [0159] characterized in that, said top coating comprises a coating material 5 and a texturizing agent 6. [0160] 16.Method according to numbered paragraph 15, characterized in that, said texturizing agent 6 forms a primary microrelief 7 in the top coating 4. [0161] 17.Method according to numbered paragraph 16, characterized in that, said texturizing agent 6 comprises a micro-granulate which has a median particle diameter D50 of between 1 and 30 ?m. [0162] 18.Method according to numbered paragraph 17, characterized in that, said micro-granulate comprises a micronized polymer composition. [0163] 19.Method according to numbered paragraph 18, characterized in that, said micronized polymer composition is chosen from the group of polypropylene wax, polyethylene wax, polytetrafluoroethylene-modified polyethylene wax, modified high-density polyethylene wax, urea aldehyde resin, amide wax, polytetrafluoroethylene, amide-modified polyethylene wax, polyester, or combinations thereof. [0164] 20.Method according to any one of numbered paragraphs 15-19, characterized in that, said coating material 5 comprises a UV-curable lacquer, preferably a polyurethane acrylate based lacquer. [0165] 21.Method according to any one of numbered paragraphs 15-20, characterized in that, said top coating 4 is provided onto said top layer 3 in an amount of between 10 and 20 g/m.sup.2. [0166] 22.Method according to any one of numbered paragraphs 15-21, characterized in that, said top coating 4 has an average final thickness of between 10 and 50 ?m. [0167] 23.Method according to any one of preceding numbered paragraphs 15-22, characterized in that, said relief of the top layer 3 comprises a secondary microrelief 8, which secondary microrelief defines a plurality of texture elements 9, wherein the smallest sphere circumscribing one of said texture elements has an average diameter of between 5 and 100 ?m. [0168] 24.Method according to any one of numbered paragraphs 15-23, characterized in that, providing said top layer 3 with relief on its uppermost surface is performed by means of an embossing operation, preferably by a mechanical embossing operation. [0169] 25.Method according to any one of numbered paragraph 15-24, characterized in that, said top layer 3 comprises at least a decoration layer 10 and a wear layer 11, wherein said wear layer is provided onto said decoration layer. [0170] 26.Method according to numbered paragraph 25, characterized in that, said top layer 3 comprises a lacquer layer, wherein said lacquer layer is provided onto said wear 11 layer. [0171] 27.Method according to numbered paragraph 26, characterized in that, the relief of the top layer 3 is formed by embossing said lacquer layer together with said wear layer 11. [0172] 28.Method according to any one of preceding numbered paragraphs 15-27, characterized in that, said substrate 2 is provided by means of extrusion. [0173] 29.Method according to any one of preceding numbered paragraphs 15-28, characterized in that, said substrate 2 comprises a thermoplastic material, preferably polyvinylchloride (PVC). [0174] 30.Method according to numbered paragraph 29, characterized in that, said substrate 2 comprises more than 40% by weight of a filler material, preferably between 65 and 85%. [0175] 31.Decorative panel comprising a substrate 2 and a top layer 3, wherein said top layer 3 optionally is provided with a main surface top coating 4A provided thereon and said decorative panel 1 at at least one upper edge 24 is provided with a lowered edge region 25, characterized in that at least a portion of said lowered edge region 25 is provided with a lowered edge top coating 4B, wherein said lowered edge top coating 4B is transparent or translucent. [0176] 32.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 31, characterized in that said main surface top coating 4A has a degree of gloss of 10 or less, or 5 or less, as defined in DIN 67530. [0177] 33.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 31 or 32, characterized in that said main surface top coating 4A is a lacquer layer that has been cured at least by means of excimer radiation. [0178] 34.Decorative panel according to any of numbered paragraphs 31 to 33, characterized in that said lowered edge top coating 4B has a degree of gloss matching the degree of gloss of the main surface of said decorative panel, e.g. matching the degree of gloss of the potentially present main surface top coating 4A. [0179] 35.Decorative panel according to any of numbered paragraphs 31 to 34, characterized in that said lowered edge top coating 4B comprises a texturizing agent 6. [0180] 36.Decorative panel according to any of numbered paragraphs 31 to 35, characterized in that said lowered edge top coating 4B comprises silica or silicic acid. [0181] 37.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 36, characterized in that [0182] said lowered edge top coating 4B comprises particles of silica, preferably amorphous silica and/or precipitated silica, preferably having a surface BET of 200 to 500 m.sup.2/g and/or a median particle size as defined by the D50 value of 3 to 10 ?m; and/or [0183] said lowered edge top coating 4B comprises a wax based on polyethylene, polypropylene, carnauba, polytetrafluoroethylene or amide. [0184] 38.Decorative panel according to any of numbered paragraphs 31 to 37, characterized in that said lowered edge top coating 4B forms a top coating portion separate from said main surface top coating 4A, and preferably overlaps a side edge 26 of said main surface top coating 4A. [0185] 39.Decorative panel according to any of numbered paragraphs 31 to 38, characterized in that said top layer comprises a decoration layer 10 and a wear layer 11, wherein said wear layer 11 is provided onto said decoration layer 10. [0186] 40.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 39, characterized in that said wear layer 11 is a thermoplastic wear layer. [0187] 41.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 39 or 40, characterized in that said decoration layer 10 extends continuously from on the main surface at least up to and in said lowered edge region 25, and preferably up to said upper edge 24. [0188] 42.Decorative panel according to numbered paragraph 41, characterized in that said wear layer 11 extends continuously from on the main surface at least up to and in said lowered edge region 25, and preferably up to said upper edge 24. [0189] 43.Decorative panel according to any of the numbered paragraphs 31 to 42, characterized in that said main surface top coating 4A, when available, is absent in at least a portion of said lowered edge region 25, wherein said portion is preferably provided with said lowered edge top coating 4B. [0190] 44.Decorative panel according to any of the numbered paragraphs 31 to 43, characterized in that said lowered edge top coating 4B comprises a coating material, preferably an acrylate based, such as a polyurethane acrylate based, lacquer. [0191] 45.Method for manufacturing decorative panels preferably in accordance with any of the numbered paragraphs 31 to 44, wherein said decorative panels 1 comprise a substrate 2 and a top layer 3, wherein said decorative panel 1 at at least one upper edge 24 is provided with a lowered edge region 25, said method comprising: [0192] providing a board or slab material 23 comprising at least said substrate 2 and said top layer 3 of one or a plurality of said decorative panels 1; [0193] optionally the step of providing said board or slab material with a main surface top coating 4A on said top layer 3, preferably at least by means of roller application of a coating material and/or preferably by hardening a coating material provided on said main surface by ultraviolet and/or excimer radiation; [0194] in the cases where said board or slab material 23 comprises the substrate 2, the top layer 3 and potentially the main surface top coating 4a of a plurality of said decorative panels 1, the step S6 of dividing said board or slab in a plurality of half fabricated panels 1A, for example having about the dimensions of said decorative panels 1; in an alternative case said board or slab 23 may have about the dimensions of one such decorative panel 1 and form one half fabricated panel 1A per se; [0195] the step S8 of forming a lowered area 25A adjacent to an upper edge 24 of one or more of said half fabricated panels 1A; [0196] the step S9 of providing said lowered area 25A with a lowered edge top coating 4B, wherein said lowered edge top coating 4B is preferably transparent or translucent, wherein preferably said lowered edge top coating 4A is provided essentially exclusively in or on said lowered area 25A; [0197] optionally the step S10 of postprocessing said lowered edge top coating 4B; [0198] wherein at least a portion of said lowered area 25A that is provided with said lowered edge top coating 4B is comprised in or forms said lowered edge region 25. [0199] 46.Method according to numbered paragraph 45, characterized in that said main surface top coating 4A, when available, has a degree of gloss of 10 or less, or 5 or less, or 2 or less as defined in DIN 67530. Preferably, said main surface top coating 4A is obtained by hardening a lacquer layer at least by means of excimer radiation and/or at least by ultraviolet radiation. [0200] 47.Method according to numbered paragraphs 45 or 46, characterized in that said top layer 3 comprises at least a decoration layer 10 and a wear layer 11, wherein said wear layer 11 is provided onto said decoration layer 10. Said wear layer 11 is preferably a thermoplastic wear layer. Said decoration layer 10 may extend continuously from on the main surface at least up to and in said lowered edge region 25, and preferably up to said upper edge 24 adjacent said lowered edge region 25. Preferably, said wear layer 11 extends continuously from on the main surface at least up to and in said lowered edge region 25, and preferably up to said upper edge 24 adjacent said lowered edge region 25. [0201] 48.Method according to any of numbered paragraphs 45 to 47, Preferably said step S9 of providing said lowered edge top coating 4B comprises the application of a coating material by means of a vacuum application device, a transfer disk application, a transfer print application and/or a roller application device. [0202] 49.Method according to any of numbered paragraphs 45 to 48, characterized in that said method comprises a step S7-S7A-S7B of profiling one or more of the edges of said half fabricated panels 1A, for example wherein the applied profile comprises coupling means or coupling parts, allowing that two of such panels at the respective edges can be coupled to each other, wherein, in the coupled condition, a locking is obtained in a vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, and in a horizontal direction in the plane of coupled panels and perpendicular to said edges. Preferably said step S7-S7A-S7B of profiling comprises a mechanical milling operation with one or more rotating milling cutters. Said step S7-S7A-S7B of profiling may be executed at any time in the above method, preferably, however, at a time when said slab material, board material 23 or half fabricated panels 1A have about the final dimensions of the decorative panels 1. [0203] 50.Method according to any of numbered paragraphs 45 to 49, characterized in that said step S8 of forming a lowered area 25A comprises removing a material portion from said top layer 3. [0204] 51.Method according to any of numbered paragraphs 45 to 50, characterized in that said optional step S10 of postprocessing said lowered edge top coating 4B may comprise a step of forming the final upper surface 27 of the respective lowered edge region 25.

[0205] The aspects and concepts disclosed in the claims and drawings may be combined with one another as long as they are not mutually contradictory. The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described above, however decorative panels may be realized according to various variants without departing from the scope of the present invention.