Improvements in or relating to flooring

Abstract

A welded synthetic floor-covering material which is formed from one or more adjacent pairs of flooring elements wherein each adjacent pair of flooring elements is welded together by a symmetrical lower weld which engages each flooring element substantially equally; and wherein the symmetrical lower weld is substantially free from a metallic element; and a method of preparing a welded synthetic floor-covering material having a layout suitable for covering a pre-determined area wherein the welded synthetic floor-covering material comprises one or more adjacent pairs of flooring elements which have a floor-engaging lower surface and wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a floor plan for the pre-determined area wherein the floor plan defines a layout of flooring elements including positions of one or more welds; (b) providing a length of flooring and forming a groove on the floor-engaging surface of the flooring at the position of each of the one or more welds; (c) cutting the length of flooring to form the one or more adjacent pairs of flooring elements; and (d) arranging the flooring elements according to the layout and welding together each of the one or more adjacent pairs of flooring elements to form a symmetrical lower weld which engages each flooring element substantially equally such that the welded synthetic floor-covering material is formed.

Claims

1. A welded synthetic floor-covering material which is formed from two or more flooring elements wherein each adjacent pair of flooring elements is welded together by a symmetrical lower weld which engages each flooring element substantially equally; and wherein the symmetrical lower weld is substantially free from a metallic element; wherein each flooring element comprises one or more upper layers above the symmetrical lower weld wherein the one or more upper layers comprise a decorative layer; wherein each flooring element has a floor engaging lower surface and wherein each flooring element of an adjacent pair of flooring elements forms a partial groove on its floor-engaging lower surface such that the symmetrical weld is formed in an adjacent pair of partial grooves wherein the adjacent pair of partial grooves is symmetrical.

2. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 1 wherein each partial groove has a uniform depth and/or uniform width.

3. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 1 wherein the one or more upper layers are separated by a gap.

4. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 1 wherein the adjacent pair of flooring elements have one or more upper layers above the symmetrical lower weld wherein the one or more upper layers are sealed such that there is no gap between the one or more upper layers.

5. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 4 wherein the symmetrical lower weld has a depth which is from 40% to 80% of the depth of the floor-covering material.

6. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 1 wherein the flooring elements include one or more of the following layers: a base layer, a support layer, a structural layer, a topcoat layer, a clear wear layer, and/or an upper protective coating layer.

7. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 6 wherein the one or more base layers comprise a floor-engaging base layer.

8. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 1 wherein the flooring elements are non-slip flooring elements which include a non-slip upper layer.

9. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 1 wherein the symmetrical lower weld is formed in one or more lower layers of the flooring elements.

10. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 9 wherein the one or more lower layers comprise one or more base layers, a support layer, a structural layer, and/or a topcoat layer.

11. A method of preparing a welded synthetic floor-covering material having a layout suitable for covering a pre-determined area wherein the welded synthetic floor-covering material comprises two or more flooring elements which have a floor-engaging lower surface and wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a floor plan for the pre-determined area wherein the floor plan defines a layout of flooring elements including positions of one or more welds; (b) providing a length of flooring and forming a groove on the floor-engaging surface of the flooring at the position of each of the one or more welds; (c) cutting the length of flooring to form the one or more adjacent pairs of flooring elements; and (d) arranging the flooring elements according to the layout and welding together each of the one or more adjacent pairs of flooring elements to form a symmetrical lower weld which engages each flooring element substantially equally.

12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein step (a) additionally comprises preparing a flooring cutting plan for cutting up a length of flooring to obtain the flooring elements to minimise waste.

13. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the steps are carried out sequentially such that cutting step (c) is performed after groove forming step (b).

14. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein step (d) comprises sealing one or more upper layers of each adjacent pair of flooring elements.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein step (d) is performed on an insulating and/or reflective substrate.

16. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein step (c) comprises trimming the length of flooring to remove one or more superfluous areas of flooring.

17. (canceled)

18. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 3 wherein the one or more upper layers are separated by a narrow gap.

19. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 3 wherein the one or more upper layers are separated by a gap wherein the gap is aligned to the groove.

20. The floor-covering material as defined in claim 7 wherein the floor-engaging base layer is an optionally pre-coated fabric layer, a tissue layer, support layer, an optionally foamed synthetic layer, or a self-adhesive layer.

21. The method as defined in claim 17 wherein the CAD file specifies one or more characteristics for each flooring element in the layout such as its shape, position, orientation, and/or dimensions.

Description

[0052] The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures of the accompanying drawings which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention:

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart which sets out the steps of the method according to the invention;

[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates a first step of the method according to the invention where a floorplan is prepared for a selected area;

[0055] FIG. 3A illustrates third and fourth steps of the method according to the invention where flooring is provided on a substrate and where grooves are formed on a lower surface of the flooring;

[0056] FIG. 3B shows flooring prepared in the fourth step of the method according to the invention;

[0057] FIG. 4A illustrates a fifth step of the method according to the invention where the grooved flooring is cut;

[0058] FIG. 4B shows flooring prepared in the fifth step of the method according to the invention;

[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates a sixth step of the method according to the invention where offcuts of flooring obtained from the fifth step are removed;

[0060] FIG. 6A illustrates a seventh and eighth step of the method according to the invention where the flooring elements are arranged according to the floor plan and the reverse side of adjacent arranged flooring elements are welded together;

[0061] FIG. 6B shows a schematic cross-section of a first embodiment of a reverse-welded surface-covering material according to the invention which has been prepared in the eighth step of the method according to the invention;

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-section of a second embodiment of a reverse-welded surface-covering material according to the invention;

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-section of a third embodiment of a reverse-welded surface-covering material according to the invention; and

[0064] FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a reverse-welded surface-covering material according to the invention.

[0065] A flowchart setting out the steps of the method according to the invention is indicated generally at M on FIG. 1. Method M is for preparing a welded floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3, 10F4, 10F5 which is formed from one or more pairs of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F and which is suitable for covering a predetermined area. Method M comprises seven steps M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7 which are a first step M1 of preparing a floor plan 10 with a layout of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F for covering the predetermined area where the floor plan 10 identifies the position(s) of lower welds 14W, 16W for joining the flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F together, a second step M2 of preparing a flooring cutting plan for cutting up flooring 30 to obtain the flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F while minimising waste, a third step M3 of providing flooring 30 on a substrate 20, a fourth step M4 of forming grooves 12G, 14G, 16G on the lower side of flooring 30 in the position(s) identified in step M1, a fifth step M5 of cutting 34, 36 the flooring 30 according to the flooring cutting plan prepared in step M2, a sixth step M6 of removing any offcuts or wastage, a seventh step M7 of arranging the flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F upside down according to the floor plan layout 10, and an eighth step M8 of welding the reverse side of each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F in the layout to form the welded floor-covering material F1, F2, F3, F4, F5.

[0066] In particular, the first step M1 of the method of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and may comprise analysing a surface plan for the predetermined area which may comprise one or more spaces 12, 14, 16 to be covered by flooring 30 to generate the layout 10 of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F for covering the predetermined area. For example, step M1 may comprise using a method of analysis as disclosed in GB2578350 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, particularly the methods comprising the steps of any one of FIGS. 2 to 6). Step M1 generates a CAD file which specifies the shape, position, orientation, and dimensions of each flooring element 12F, 14F, 16F in the layout 10 as well as the position of each groove 12G, 14G, 16G and joint or lower weld 14W, 16W between each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F in the layout. The CAD file may be used to program the multi axis cutting tool used in steps M4 and M5.

[0067] The second step M2 of the method of the invention comprises analysing the layout of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F to determine the most efficient way to cut up flooring 30 while minimising waste, e.g. using a method as described in GB2578350.

[0068] The third step M3 of the method of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B and comprises providing flooring 30 on a substrate 20 where the flooring 30 is inverted such that its floor-engaging surface is uppermost. Substrate 20 is insulating and has a thermally-reflective surface (e.g. Altro Whiterock?) to minimise loss of thermal energy from the flooring 30 during welding step M8. The advantages of minimising the loss of thermal energy from the flooring 30 during welding step M8 include that the strength of the lower weld 14W, 16W is improved and that the gap 38 in one or more of the upper layers of the welded floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3, 10F4, 10F5 may seal, forming a sealed volume 39 and welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3, 10F4, 10F5. This is believed to be due to the thermal energy in welding step M8 causing the upper layers of each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F to soften such that the upper layers bind together. The advantage of the welded floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3, 10F4, 10F5 having a sealed volume 39 include that dirt traps are not formed on an upper surface 70 of the flooring 30. In an alternative embodiment, a first substrate 20A may be used in steps M4 and M5 which is not insulating and/or lacks a thermally-reflective surface and a second substrate 20B may be used in step M8 which is insulating and has a thermally-reflective surface. In a further alternative embodiment where sealing of the upper layers is not required, a substrate 20 may be used in steps M4, M5, and M8 which is not insulating and/or lacks a thermally-reflective surface.

[0069] The fourth step M4 of the method of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B and comprises calculating a suitable groove depth (GD) and forming grooves 12G, 14G, 16G in the flooring 30 at locations identified in the first step M1 where welds or joints 14W, 16W are needed between each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F in the layout 10. The grooves 12G, 14G, 16G have a groove depth GD which may depend on factors such as the type of flooring, the materials from which the flooring 30 is made, and the thickness of the flooring 30. In particular, the groove depth GD may be selected such that the thickness of the remaining one or more upper layers of the flooring 30 is sufficiently thin for the flooring 30 to be re-sealed during the welding step M8 whilst still thick enough to provide some structural integrity. The thickness of the remaining one or more upper layers of the flooring 30 is the difference between the flooring depth FD and the groove depth GD. The grooves 12G, 14G, 16G may be formed using a multi-axis digital cutting machine having a router tool having a suitable shape for the desired grooves 12G, 14G, 16G, e.g. a semi-circular shape or a semi-oval shape.

[0070] A first preparatory flooring prepared in the third and fourth steps M3, M4 of the method M of the invention is indicated generally at PF1A on FIG. 3B. Preparatory flooring PF1A is shown inverted on substrate 20 such the floor engaging surface 41 of the preparatory flooring PF1A is uppermost such that a groove 12G is formed in that surface 41. Preparatory flooring PF1A comprises a layer of synthetic material 42 having a floor-engaging lower surface 41, a support layer 44 in the form of a scrim complex arranged on a surface of the layer 42, a pigmented layer 150 on a surface of the support layer 44, a polyacrylate transparent protective coating layer 54 on a surface of the pigmented layer 50, and a non-slip layer 56 applied to a surface of the protective coating layer 54. The plastics material may be a plasticised PVC plastics material. Groove 12G comprises partial grooves 33A, 33B which are formed in the layer of synthetic material 42, the support layer 44, and the pigmented layer 50. Groove 12G has a depth GD which is about 60% of the thickness of the flooring FD. In an alternative embodiment, the plastics material used to form layers 142, 510, 52 may be a polyolefin material.

[0071] The fifth step M5 of the method of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B and comprises cutting the flooring 30 to create the flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F for forming the layout 10. The flooring 30 is cut using a slitting wheel mounted on the multi-axis digital cutting machine. The multi-axis digital cutting machine makes trimming incisions 34 to remove superfluous parts of the flooring 30 and shaping incisions 36 to form the flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F. The flooring 30 is cut such that each groove 12G, 14G, 16G is cut in a predetermined manner, e.g. parallel to the length of the groove such that the grooves 12G, 14G, 16G are cut in half. Cutting step M5 may additionally include an initial verification check that the grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed in step M4 are in the correct locations such that shaping incisions 36 will cut the grooves 12G, 14G, 16G in half. In this way, flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F are formed which are defined by an outer edge which comprises one or more trimmed edges 34 and one or more shaped edges 36. In an alternative embodiment, the flooring 30 may not be trimmed such that one or more outer edge of the flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F may be defined by the periphery of flooring 30. The trimmed edges 34 and shaped edges 36 are shown in FIG. 4A to have a rectilinear shape. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the trimmed edges 34 and/or shaped edges 36 may have a curved shape.

[0072] A second preparatory flooring prepared in the fifth step M5 of the method M of the invention is indicated generally at PF1B on FIG. 4B. Preparatory flooring PF1B is shown inverted on substrate 20 such the floor engaging surface 41 of the preparatory flooring PF1B is uppermost. Like features of second preparatory flooring PF1B to the first preparatory flooring PF1A have been identified by like reference numerals. The second preparatory flooring PF1B is formed from the same layers 42, 44, 50, 54, 56 as the first preparatory flooring PF1A. Second preparatory flooring PF1B has been cut by shaping incision 36 along the middle of groove 12G such that it is separated into a pair of flooring elements 12F1, 14F1 by vertical gap 38 formed by the incision 36. Gap 38 uniformly dissects groove 12G such that two identical partial grooves 33A, 33B are respectively formed on each of the adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F1, 14F1. Gap 38 is formed in the remaining thickness of the upper layers which comprise pigmented layer 50 and transparent protective coating layer 54.

[0073] The sixth step M6 of the method of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 and comprises removing the offcuts 35 which are superfluous areas of flooring 30 formed by the trimming incisions 34, leaving the flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F which form partial grooves 33A, 33B, ready for the welding step M8.

[0074] The seventh step M7 of the method of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B and comprises arranging the flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F to have the floorplan layout 10 in reverse such that the lower floor-engaging surface 41 of the flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F is uppermost, flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F abut each other such that partial grooves 33A, 33B formed by each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F are aligned ready for welding step M8.

[0075] The eighth step M8 of the method of the invention is also illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B and comprises welding the shaped edges 36 of each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F together along grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed by partial grooves 33A, 33B to form lower welds 14W, 16W such that a welded floor-covering material 10F having the shape of floorplan layout 10 is formed and inverting the welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F.

[0076] The welding step M8 is carried out on a thermally reflective and insulating substrate 20 (such as Altro Whiterock?) such that gap 38 between adjacent upper layers of adjacent flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F is sealed by the heat from the welding gun. As a result of the sealing of gap 38, adjoining pairs of flooring elements 12F, 14F, 16F are bonded together by lower symmetric welds 14W, 16W and by sealed upper layers. The lower symmetric welds 14W, 16W are formed using an automatic welding machine where a 3.5-4.5 mm weld rod is laid along the groove 12G, 14G, 16G and is heated such that the weld rod melts and the lower weld 14W, 16W is formed. Once the weld 14W, 16W has cooled, the welds 14W, 16W of welded floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3, 10F4, 10F5 are trimmed.

[0077] Welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3, 10F4, 10F5 is then rolled up, optionally on a core, for transport to the desired location for laying. In an alternative embodiment, welding step M8 may be carried out on a non-thermally-reflective and/or non-insulating substrate 20 such that there is no sealing and gap 38 remains in the welded floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3, 10F4, 10F5.

[0078] The first embodiment of a welded floor-covering material according to the invention is indicated generally at 10F1 on FIG. 6B. Welded floor-covering material 10F1 is formed in steps M7 and M8 of the method M according to the invention as offcuts 35 have been removed, the flooring 30 has been welded and sealed, and the welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F1 formed has been inverted. Welded floor-covering material 10F1 is formed from an adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F1, 14F1. On each side of a flooring element 12F1, 14F1 which needs to be welded to a neighbouring flooring element 12F1, 14F1, a uniform partial groove 33A, 33B is formed at a lower edge of each flooring element 12F1, 14F1 where the gap 38 and a floor-engaging lower surface 41 of the flooring elements 12F1, 14F1 meet. The partial groove 33A, 33B is uniform as it has a uniform width and/or depth. The partial groove 33A, 33B has a uniform width because along the length of the partial groove 33A, 33B, the width of the partial groove 33A, 33B from gap 38 to the innermost surface of the partial groove 33A, 33B is substantially the same along the length of the partial groove 33A, 33B. The partial groove 33A, 33B has a uniform depth because along the length of the partial groove 33A, 33B, the depth of the partial groove 33A, 33B from floor-engaging lower surface 41 to the uppermost surface of the partial groove 33A, 33B is substantially the same along the length of the partial groove 33A, 33B. Each partial groove 33A, 33B has substantially the same shape such that pairs of partial grooves 33A, 33B, grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed from them, and welds 12W are symmetrical. The uniform partial groove 33A, 33B has an approximately quarter circle shape such that the grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed from the uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B have a substantially semi-circular shape. Advantages of the partial grooves 33A, 33B being uniform and symmetrical in shape along the length of the grooves 12G, 14G, 16G include that a strong bond is formed by a weld 12W, 14W, 16W in the grooves 12G, 14G, 16G.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment, the partial grooves 33A, 33B may have a triangular shape such that the grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed from them are V-shaped grooves 12G, 14G, 16G. In an alternative embodiment, the partial grooves 33A, 33B may have a partial trapezoid shape such that the grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed from them are trapezoid-shaped grooves 12G, 14G, 16G. In an alternative embodiment, the partial grooves 33A, 33B may have a quarter oval shape such that the grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed from them are semi-oval-shaped grooves 12G, 14G, 16G.

[0080] Flooring elements 12F1, 14F1 are welded along the groove 12G formed by uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B to form welded floor-covering 10F1 having a lower weld 14W. In an alternative embodiment, the welded floor-covering material 10F1 may be formed from more than two flooring elements 12F1, 14F1, 16F1 where each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F1, 14F1, 16F1 are welded together along grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed by adjacent uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B to form two or more welds 12W, 14W, 16W. In an alternative embodiment, where a non-thermally reflective and/or non-insulating substrate 20 has been used in step M8, each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F1, 14F1 may be separated by narrow gap 38 having a width of less than 1 mm as shown in FIG. 4B such that the upper layers of the flooring elements 12F1, 14F1 have not been sealed.

[0081] Welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F1 comprises a base layer 42 having a floor-engaging lower surface 41 wherein the base layer 42 is a synthetic material layer, a support layer 44 in the form of a scrim complex arranged on an upper surface of the base layer 42, a pigmented topcoat layer 50 on an upper surface of the support layer 44, a polyacrylate protective coating layer 54 on an upper surface of the pigmented topcoat layer 50, and a non-slip layer 56 applied to an upper surface of the protective coating layer 54. A lower weld 14W is formed in the following lower layers of welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F1: base layer 42, support layer 44, and pigmented topcoat layer 50. The remaining part of topcoat layer 50 above lower weld 14W and protective layer 54 have a sealed volume 39 where gap 38 had been. The plastics material may be a plasticised PVC plastics material. In an alternative embodiment, where a non-thermally reflective and/or non-insulating substrate 20 has been used in step M8, the adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F1, 14F1 may be separated by a narrow gap 38 having a width of less than 1 mm as shown in FIG. 4B such that the upper layers 150, 52, 54 of each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F1, 14F1 have not been sealed and floor-covering material 10F1 is a welded floor-covering material 10F1.

[0082] A second embodiment of a welded floor-covering material according to the invention is indicated generally at 10F2 on FIG. 7. Like features of the second embodiment to the first embodiment of the welded floor-covering material 10F1 are identified by like reference numerals. Welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F2 is formed in method steps M7 and M8 from an adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F2, 14F2. Each flooring element 12F2, 14F2 forms a partial groove 33A, 33B as for the first embodiment of the flooring elements 12F1, 14F1. Flooring elements 12F2, 14F2 are welded along the groove 14G formed by adjacent uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B to form welded floor-covering 10F2 having a lower weld 14W. In an alternative embodiment, the welded floor-covering material 10F2 may be formed from more than two flooring elements 12F2, 14F2, 16F2 where each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F2, 14F2, 16F2 is welded together by grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed by adjacent uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B. In an alternative embodiment, the plastics material used to form layers 142, 510, 52 may be a polyolefin material.

[0083] Welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F2 according to the second embodiment of the invention has a more complex construction than welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F1 according to the first embodiment because instead of pigmented topcoat layer 50, it includes an impregnation layer 46, a pigmented printing layer 48, a printed decorative layer 150, and a wear layer 52. The welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F2 comprises a foamed base layer 142 having a floor-engaging lower surface 41 wherein base layer 142 is a layer of foam-forming plastics material comprising a plasticised PVC composition and a blowing agent (e.g. an azodicarbonamide), a support layer 44 in the form of a non-woven glass fibre layer arranged on an upper surface of the foamed base layer 142, an impregnation layer 46 formed of plastics material arranged on an upper surface of the support layer 44, a pigmented printing layer 48 formed from a pigmented plasticised PVC composition having a contrasting (e.g. white) pigment on an upper surface of the impregnation layer 46, a printed decorative layer 150 on an upper surface of the pigmented printing layer 48, a clear wear layer 52 on an upper surface of the decorative layer 150, and a polyacrylate protective coating layer 54 on an upper surface of the clear wear layer 52. The protective coating layer 54 comprises a cured polymer layer. The plastics material may be a plasticised PVC plastics material. A lower weld 14W is formed in the following lower layers of welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F2: foamed base layer 142, support layer 44, impregnation layer 46, and pigmented printing layer 48. The remaining part of pigmented printing layer 48 above lower weld 14W and printed decorative layer 150, wear layer 52, and protective coating layer 54 have a sealed volume 39 where gap 38 had been as floor-covering material 10F2 is sealed. The partial groove 33A, 33B is formed in the base layer 142 of each flooring element 12F2, 14F2. In an alternative embodiment, the plastics material used to form layers 142, 46, 48, 150, 52 may be a polyolefin material. In an alternative embodiment, where a non-thermally reflective and/or non-insulating substrate 20 has been used in step M8, the adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F2, 14F2 may be separated by a narrow gap 38 having a width of less than 1 mm as shown in FIG. 4B such that the upper layers 150, 52, 54 of each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F2, 14F2 have not been sealed and floor-covering material 10F2 is a welded floor-covering material 10F2.

[0084] A third embodiment of a welded floor-covering material according to the invention is indicated generally at 10F3 on FIG. 8. Like features of the second embodiment to the first and second embodiments of the welded floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2 are identified by like reference numerals. Welded floor-covering material 10F3 is formed is formed in method steps M7 and M8 from an adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F3, 14F3. Each flooring element 12F3, 14F3 forms a partial groove 33A, 33B as for flooring elements 12F1, 14F1. The adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F3, 14F3 are welded along the groove 14G formed by uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B to form welded floor-covering 10F3 having a lower weld 14W. In an alternative embodiment, the welded floor-covering material 10F3 may be formed from more than two flooring elements 12F3, 14F3 where each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F3, 14F3, 16F3 is welded together along a groove 12G, 14G, 16G formed by adjacent uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B.

[0085] The welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F3 according to the third embodiment of the invention comprises the layers of welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F2 according to the second embodiment which are the foamed base layer 142 having a floor-engaging lower surface 41 wherein the base layer 142 is in the form of a foamed PVC layer, a support layer 44, an impregnation layer 46, a pigmented printing layer 48, a printed decorative layer 150, a wear layer 52, and a protective coating layer 54. In addition, the welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F3 comprises a non-slip layer 56 applied to an upper surface of the protective coating layer 54. Non-slip layer 56 comprises one or more particles 58 suitable for providing a non-slip surface wherein such particles 58 are at least partially embedded in the wear layer 52. The particles 58 may comprise one or more types of slip resistant particles such as degradable plastics, aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, quartz and/or glass. The plastics material may be a plasticised PVC plastics material. The partial groove 33A, 33B is formed in the base layer 142 of each flooring element 12F3, 14F3. In an alternative embodiment, the plastics material used to form layers 142, 46, 48, 150, 52 may be a polyolefin material. Flooring elements 12F3, 14F31 are welded along the groove 12G formed by partial grooves 33A, 33B to form welded floor-covering 10F3 having a lower weld 14W which is formed in the following lower layers of welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F3: foamed base layer 142, support layer 44, impregnation layer 46, and pigmented printing layer 48. The remaining part of pigmented printing layer 48 above lower weld 14W and printed decorative layer 150, wear layer 52, and protective coating layer 54 have a sealed volume 39 where gap 38 had been as floor-covering material 10F3 is sealed.

[0086] In an alternative embodiment, where a non-thermally reflective and/or non-insulating substrate 20 has been used in step M8, each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F3, 14F3 may be separated by narrow gap 38 having a width of less than 1 mm as shown in FIG. 4B such that the upper layers 150, 52, 54 of the flooring elements 12F3, 14F3 have not been sealed and floor-covering material 10F3 is a welded floor-covering material 10F3. In an alternative embodiment, the wear layer 52 may comprise two or more wear layers 52 which comprise at least one upper wear layer 52 of a transparent synthetic material comprising one or more embedded non-slip particles and at least one lower wear layer 52 of a transparent synthetic material which contains at least part of the one or more non-slip particles. Advantages of having two or more wear layers 52 include that if the floor-covering material is embossed, the appearance of the printed decorative layer 150 is not damaged by the one or more embedded non-slip particles 56.

[0087] The printed decorative layer 150 may be applied by any known suitable printing technique such as digital printing or gravure printing on the pigmented printing layer 48. The pigmented printing layer 48 is formulated to be suitable for receiving the printed decorative layer 150. The pigmented printing layer 48 may be pigmented with a colour which is selected to contrast with the design of the printed decorative layer 150.

[0088] The protective coating layer 54 comprises a cured polymer layer and has a thickness of from 5 to 50 ?m. Suitable polymers for use in the protective coating layer 54 include polyurethane, polyacrylate, urethane acrylate or a PVDF based composition. A suitable coating composition for forming protective coating layer 54 is a UV curable mixture containing from 20 to 30 parts by weight of oxybis(methyl-2,1-ethanediyl) diacrylate, from 10 to less than 20 parts by weight of 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate, from 10 to less than 20 parts by weight of acrylate resin, from 2.5 to 5 parts by weight of (1-methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)bis [oxy(methyl-2,1-ethanediyl)] diacrylate, from 1 to 5 parts by weight of benzophenone and from 1 to 5 parts by weight of 1-6,hexanedioldiacrylate was prepared. In an alternative embodiment, the protective coating layer 24 may be provided by a suitable film.

[0089] The welded floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3 may optionally be embossed. The welded floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3 may be provided as a roll of floor-covering material.

[0090] A fourth embodiment of a welded and sealed floor-covering material according to the invention is indicated generally at 10F4 on FIG. 9. Like features of the fourth embodiment to the first, second, and/or third embodiments of the welded floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3 are identified by like reference numerals. Welded floor-covering material 10F4 is formed in method steps M7 and M8 from an adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F4, 14F4. Each flooring element 12F4, 14F4 forms a partial groove 33A, 33B as for flooring elements 12F1, 14F1. Flooring elements 12F4, 14F4 are welded along the groove 32 formed by uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B to form welded floor-covering 10F4 having a lower weld 14W. In an alternative embodiment, the welded floor-covering material 10F4 may be formed from more than two flooring elements 12F4, 14F4, 16F4 where each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F4, 14F4, 16F4 are welded together along grooves 12G, 14G, 16G formed by adjacent uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B.

[0091] Welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F4 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention comprises a lower support layer 44 having a floor-engaging lower surface 41 wherein the lower support layer 44 comprises a non-woven glass fibre layer, a structural polyolefin layer 60 comprising fibreglass fibres 62 arranged on an upper surface of the support layer 44, and a polyacrylate protective coating layer 54 on an upper surface of the structural polyolefin layer 60. The partial grooves 33A, 33B are formed in the lower support layer 44 and in the structural polyolefin layer 60 of each flooring element 12F4, 14F4. In an alternative embodiment, the fibreglass fibres 62 may be omitted from the structural layer 60. In an alternative embodiment, the structural polyolefin layer 60 may comprise a fully embedded non-slip layer of non-slip particles. In an alternative embodiment, the protective coating layer 54 may comprises a non-slip layer which comprises one or more non-slip particles suitable for providing a non-slip surface wherein such non-slip particles are at least partially embedded in the protective coating layer 54. The lower weld 14W is formed in support layer 44 and in part of structural polyolefin layer 60. The remaining part of structural layer 60 above lower weld 14W and protective coating layer 54 have a sealed volume 39 where gap 38 had been as floor-covering material 10F2 is sealed. In an alternative embodiment, each flooring element 12F4, 14F4 may comprise a foamed polyolefin layer comprising a polyolefin and an azodicarbonamide arranged on an upper surface of the lower support layer 44 and on a lower surface of the structural polyolefin layer 60.

[0092] In an alternative embodiment, where a non-thermally reflective and/or non-insulating substrate 20 has been used in step M8, each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F4, 14F4 may be separated by a narrow gap 38 having a width of less than 1 mm as shown in FIG. 4B such that the upper layers 60 (part), 54 of the flooring elements 12F4, 14F4 have not been sealed and floor-covering material 10F3 is a welded floor-covering material 10F3. In an alternative embodiment, the structural polyolefin layer 60 may be replaced by a rubber layer.

[0093] A fifth embodiment of a welded floor-covering material according to the invention is indicated generally at 10F5 on FIG. 11. Like features of the fifth embodiment to the fourth embodiment of the welded floor-covering material 10F4 are identified by like reference numerals. Welded floor-covering material 10F5 is formed in method steps M7 and M8 from an adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F5, 14F5. Each flooring element 12F5, 14F5 forms a partial groove 33A, 33B as for flooring elements 12F4, 14F4. Flooring elements 12F5, 14F5 are welded along the groove 14G formed by uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B to form welded floor-covering 10F5 having a lower weld 14W. In an alternative embodiment, the welded floor-covering material 10F5 may be formed from more than two flooring elements 12F5, 14F5, 16F5 where each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F5, 14F5, 16F5 are welded together along a groove 12G, 14G, 16G formed by adjacent uniform and symmetrical partial grooves 33A, 33B.

[0094] Welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F5 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention comprises a base layer 242 having a floor-engaging lower surface 41 wherein the base layer 242 is in the form of a foamed polyolefin plastics material comprising a polyolefin and a foaming agent (such as an azodicarbonamide), a support layer 44 in the form of a non-woven glass fibre layer arranged on an upper surface of the base layer 242, a structural polyolefin layer 60 comprising fibreglass fibres 62 arranged on an upper surface of the support layer 44, a polyacrylate protective coating layer 54 on an upper surface of the structural polyolefin layer 60, and a non-slip layer 56 incorporated in the protective coating layer 54. The lower weld 14W is formed in the following lower layers of welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F5: foamed base layer 242, support layer 44 and in part of structural polyolefin layer 60. The remaining part of structural layer 60 above lower weld 14W and protective coating layer 54 has a sealed volume 39 where gap 38 had been as floor-covering material 10F5 is sealed. In an alternative embodiment, the fibreglass fibres 62 may be omitted from the structural layer 60. In an alternative embodiment, the protective coating layer 54 may be provided by a suitable film. In an alternative embodiment, where a non-thermally-reflective and/or non-insulating substrate 20 has been used in step M8, each adjacent pair of flooring elements 12F5, 14F5 may be separated by a narrow gap 38 having a width of less than 1 mm as shown in FIG. 4B such that the upper layers 60 (part), 54 of the flooring elements 12F5, 14F5 have not been sealed and floor-covering material 10F5 is a welded floor-covering material 10F5.

[0095] In an alternative embodiment, the base layer 42, 142, 242 of welded and sealed floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3, 10F4, 10F5 may include an additional floor-engaging base layer (not shown) which is an optionally pre-coated fabric (e.g. fleece or textile) layer, tissue layer, scrim (or support) layer, PVC layer, or a self-adhesive layer. Advantages of including a fabric layer include that a weight reduction and/or sound attenuation for the and welded sealed floor-covering material 10F1, 10F2, 10F3, 10F4, 10F5 may be obtained.

[0096] In an alternative embodiment, the support layer 44 may be formed from a plastic film, tissue, scrim, and/or textile.

[0097] The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Examples which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention.

Example 1

[0098] In Example 1, a flooring element 12F1, 14F1 for use in the welded floor-covering 10F1 according to the first embodiment of the invention may be prepared by carrying out the following steps: [0099] a. Coating a scrim complex with a base layer comprising a PVC plastisol; [0100] b. Gelling the plastisol of the base layer in an oven; [0101] C. Inverting the product; [0102] d. Applying a pigmented topcoat layer comprising a PVC plastisol to the reverse side of the scrim complex; [0103] e. Applying aggregate material (e.g. silicon carbide, quartz) and/or decorative elements (such as PVC chips) to the upper surface of the top layer; [0104] f. Gelling the plastisol in an oven; [0105] g. Applying a layer of particulate material to the pigmented topcoat layer to form a non-slip layer; [0106] h. Embossing the surface of the topcoat layer; [0107] i. Applying a polyacrylate protective coating layer and curing it to form a flooring element 12F1, 14F1; and [0108] j. Winding the product into a roll of the required length.

Example 2

[0109] In Example 2, a flooring element 12F2, 14F2 for use in the welded floor-covering 10F2 according to the second embodiment of the invention may be prepared by carrying out the following steps: [0110] a. coating a non-woven glass fibre support layer with an impregnation layer of plastics material and gelling (the coating) on a heated drum; [0111] b. Applying a printing layer formed from a pigmented plasticised PVC composition where the pigment is white; [0112] c. Printing onto the surface of the white printing layer to form a decorative layer having a printed design; [0113] d. Inverting the printed layered product; [0114] e. Applying a base layer comprising a foam-forming plastics material comprising a plasticised PVC composition and an azodicarbonamide [0115] f. Gelling the base layer on a heated drum; [0116] g. Inverting the product; [0117] h. Applying a wear layer comprising a clear plastics material having a plasticised PVC composition; [0118] i. Gelling the wear layer in an oven; [0119] j. Embossing the wear layer; [0120] k. Cooling, applying a polyacrylate protective coating layer, and curing it to form a flooring element 12F2, 14F2 for use in the invention.

[0121] To form a flooring element 12F3, 14F3 for use in the welded floor-covering material 10F3 according to the third embodiment of the invention, the method of the invention may additionally include after step i: a step i1 of applying a layer of particulate material to the wear layer to form a non-slip layer.

Example 3

[0122] In Example 3, a flooring element 12F4, 14F4 for use in the welded floor-covering 10F4 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention may be prepared by carrying out the following steps: [0123] a. Preparing compositions suitable for forming a structural polyolefin layer 60 by mixing the composition in a single-screw extruder or batch mixer, pelletizing the composition formed, and then calendaring the pellets to form a structural polyolefin layer 60; [0124] b. Placing the structural polyolefin layer 60 on a fleece fabric support layer 44 and using a double belt press to laminate the layers 44, 60 together; [0125] c. Applying a protective layer 24 and optionally a non-slip layer 26 to an upper surface of the structural polyolefin layer 16, curing the protective layer 24, and optionally embossing the flooring element 12F4, 14F4 formed.

Example 4

[0126] In Example 4, a flooring element 12F5, 14F5 for use in the welded floor-covering 10F5 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention may be prepared by carrying out the following steps: [0127] a. Preparing compositions suitable for forming a foamable polyolefin base layer 242 and a structural polyolefin layer 60 by mixing each composition in a single-screw extruder or batch mixer, pelletizing each composition formed, and then calendaring each pelletized composition to form a foamable polyolefin layer 242 and a structural polyolefin layer 60; [0128] b. Placing the foamable polyolefin base layer 242 and the structural polyolefin layer 60 on a fleece fabric support layer 44 (or placing the fleece fabric layer 44 and the structural polyolefin layer 60 on the foamable polyolefin layer 242) and using a double belt press to laminate the layers 44, 242, 60 (or 242, 44, 60) together; [0129] c. Applying a protective layer 54 and optionally a non-slip layer 56 to the transparent polyolefin layer 52, curing the protective layer 54, and optionally embossing the flooring element 12F5, 14F5 formed. Heating the flooring element 12F5, 14F5 to activate the blowing/foaming agent to form foamed polyolefin base layer 242, optionally as part of the embossing step.