Floor panel for forming a floor covering

Abstract

A floor panel for forming a floor covering wherein the floor panel is substantially realized on the basis of synthetic material. The floor panel is rectangular and comprises a first pair of opposite edges and a second pair of opposite edges such that both pairs of opposite edges comprise coupling parts allowing for mutually coupling a plurality of such floor panels to each other. The coupling parts of at least the first pair of opposite edges are configured such that two of such panels can be coupled to each other at these edges by means of a turning movement and the coupling parts to this aim consist of a tongue and a groove as well as locking parts, which, in the coupled condition, prevent the shifting apart of tongue and groove. The floor panel has a global thickness which is smaller than or equal to 4.5 millimeters.

Claims

1. A floor panel for forming a floor covering, wherein the floor panel comprises a substrate based on a synthetic material formed as one or more base layers; wherein the floor panel is of the supple type and is rectangular, either oblong or square, and thus comprises a first pair of opposite edges and a second pair of opposite edges; wherein both pairs of opposite edges comprise coupling parts which allow mutually coupling a plurality of such floor panels to each other; wherein said coupling parts, on both pairs of edges, form a first locking system which, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels, effects a locking in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the respective edges, as well as form a second locking system, which, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels, effects a locking transverse to the plane of the floor panels; wherein these coupling parts on the first pair of opposite edges substantially are formed of the material of the floor panel itself and in said substrate; wherein the coupling parts of at least the first pair of opposite edges are configured such that two of such panels can be coupled to each other at these edges by means of a turning movement, and to this aim these coupling parts on the first pair of opposite edges consist of a tongue and a groove as well as of locking parts which, in the coupled condition, prevent the shifting apart of the tongue and groove; wherein, on the first pair of opposite edges, the groove is bordered by a lower lip having an upper side and an upper lip, of which the lower lip extends laterally to beyond the most distal end of the upper lip; wherein the floor panel has a global thickness (T) which is smaller than or equal to 4.5 millimeters; wherein the locking parts of the first pair of opposite edges have a locking distance (A) which is greater than 0.6 times the value of the overall thickness (T) of the floor panel, the locking distance (A) being formed by the horizontal distance between a vertical closing plane (S) of two coupled floor panels and a vertical plane (VS) through the middle of the zone over which the locking surfaces of the locking parts, in coupled condition, make contact with each other, as measured in horizontal direction, and the closing plane (S) being defined as a vertical plane through the most distal end of the upper lip; wherein the upper side of the lower lip at the height of said closing plane, in the coupled condition of two of such panels, is located on a level (N1) which is situated higher than a level (N2) which is determined by a lowermost point of the locking part located on the underside of the tongue, wherein the height difference between the two levels (N1 and N2) is at least 0.05 times the overall thickness (T); wherein, seen in a cross section perpendicular to coupled edges of said first pairs of edges, the tongue has a tongue portion extending from the closing plane to the tip of the tongue, said tongue portion having an underside, wherein the underside of said tongue portion defines one or more portions that, from a proximal position to a distal position, are upwardly inclined, wherein seen in said cross section said one or more portions define a majority of said underside of said tongue portion; and wherein in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels, a space is present on the aforementioned first pair of edges underneath the tongue, which space extends from the tip of the tongue at least to beyond a vertical center plane (M) through the zone over which the contact between the upper side of the tongue and the underside of the upper lip extends.

2. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the floor panel substantially is composed of a soft thermoplastic material, or that at least one or more base layers of the floor panel consist of such a material.

3. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the floor panel includes polyvinyl chloride, soft polyvinyl chloride, or at least one or more base layers which include polyvinyl chloride or soft polyvinyl chloride.

4. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the floor panel is a vinyl panel.

5. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the floor panel or one or more base layers of the floor panel are formed of polyurethane or polypropylene.

6. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the substrate, in one or more base layers thereof, comprises plasticizers.

7. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the substrate, in one or more layers thereof, is provided with one or more fillers.

8. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein it is provided with at least one reinforcement layer of glass fiber.

9. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the floor panel comprises a locking groove and that the floor panel, at the location of the locking groove, has a minimum thickness which is greater than 0.4 times the overall thickness of the floor panel.

10. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein on the first pair of opposite edges, an underside of the upper lip is provided with a contact surface for an upper side of the tongue and that the contact surface is horizontal or alternatively runs slightly inclined at an angle with a plane in which the floor panel extends, wherein the angle is less than 7 degrees.

11. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein on the first pair of edges locking surfaces are formed which, in coupled condition, define a tangent line which extends at an angle of more than 50 degrees and still better more than 60 degrees to the horizontal.

12. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the first pair of opposite edges is configured such that, when two of such floor panels are coupled to each other, a contact, herein below named first contact (C1), is present between the underside of the tongue and the upper side of the lower lip, wherein a contact point or contact zone defined by such first contact (C1), seen in cross-section, is situated entirely within two planes (V1 and V2) which are located parallel to the closing plane (S), this respectively on both sides of the closing plane, each time one millimeter or half a millimeter remote from the closing plane (S), such that the first contact (C1) is locally present between said planes (V1 and V2) and thus does not continue beyond these borders.

13. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein in the coupled condition of two of such panels, on said first pair of edges, a first space is present underneath the tongue, the first space extending from the tip of the tongue at least to beyond a vertical center plane (M) through the zone over which the contact between the upper side of the tongue and the underside of the upper lip extends; wherein the first space ends at a contact, herein after named first contact (C1), formed by a contact point or a contact zone, between the underside of the tongue and the upper side of the lower lip; wherein the first contact (C1), in distal direction of the groove, ends at a second space, wherein the transition, in respect to the groove side, is situated proximally to a theoretical vertical plane (V3), which, in respect to the groove side, is situated distally at a distance (E) from the closing plane (S) of the floor panel, which distance is smaller than 0.5 times the overall thickness (T) or smaller than 0.25 times the overall thickness (T); and wherein the closing plane is defined as being a vertical plane through the most distal end of the upper lip.

14. The floor panel of claim 12, wherein the respective coupling means are configured such that in coupled condition there is a second contact (C2) which, in respect to the groove side, is located proximally from the locking surfaces, however, is separated from the first contact by a space.

15. The floor panel of claim 14, wherein the second contact (C2), in proximal direction of the groove, ends in a point (P1) which is located within a distal half (H=A/2) of the locking distance (A).

16. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the coupling parts on the second pair of edges are configured such that two of such floor panels at these edges can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of one panel in respect to the other, in such a manner that a plurality of such panels can be coupled to each other by means of the so-called fold-down technique.

17. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein on the first pair of edges the underside of the tongue comprises a step-shaped portion which, in the coupled condition of two of such panels, in respect to the groove side is situated mainly proximal from said vertical closing plane.

18. A floor panel for forming a floor covering, wherein the floor panel is rectangular, either oblong, or square, and thus comprises a first pair of opposite edges and a second pair of opposite edges; wherein both pairs of opposite edges comprise coupling parts which allow mutually coupling a plurality of such floor panels to each other; wherein these coupling parts on both pairs of edges form a first locking system, which, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels, effects a locking in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the respective edges, as well as form a second locking system, which, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels, effects a locking transverse to the plane of the floor panels; wherein these coupling parts on a first pair of opposite edges substantially are formed of the material of the floor panel itself; wherein the coupling parts of at least the first pair of opposite edges are configured such that two of such panels can be coupled to each other at these edges by means of a turning movement and these coupling parts on the first pair of opposite edges to this aim consist of a tongue and a groove as well as of locking parts which, in the coupled condition, prevent the shifting apart of the tongue and groove; wherein, on the first pair of opposite edges, the groove is bordered by a lower lip and an upper lip, of which the lower lip extends laterally to beyond the most distal end of the upper lip; wherein on the first pair of edges the underside of the tongue comprises a step-shaped portion which, in the coupled condition of two of such panels, in respect to the groove side is situated mainly proximal from a vertical closing plane (S), wherein the vertical closing plane (S) is defined as a vertical plane through the most distal end of the upper lip; wherein said step-shaped portion of the tongue is at least formed by a first surface on the underside of the tongue, which first surface, in the coupled condition of two of such panels, in respect to the groove side is situated entirely proximal from said vertical closing plane, wherein the first surface is inclined and wherein the first surface, in a distal direction in respect to the groove side, merges into a second surface, which is more inclined than said first surface, and wherein the second surface in respect to the groove side is situated at least partially proximal from the vertical closing plane; wherein said second surface, in distal direction in respect to the groove side, merges into a third surface, which, in respect to the horizontal, is less inclined than the second surface, wherein the third surface, in the coupled condition of two of such panels, in respect to the groove side is situated at least partially distal from said vertical closing plane; wherein, seen in a cross section perpendicular to coupled edges of first pairs of edges, the tongue has a tongue portion extending from the closing plane to the tip of the tongue, said tongue portion having an underside; wherein, seen in said cross section, said first surface and second surface together define the majority of said underside; and wherein the locking parts of the first pair of opposite edges have a locking distance (A) which is greater than 0.6 times the value of the overall thickness (T) of the floor panel, the locking distance (A) being formed by the horizontal distance between a vertical closing plane (S) of two coupled floor panels and a vertical plane (VS) through the middle of the zone over which the locking surfaces of the locking parts, in coupled condition, make contact with each other, as measured in horizontal direction, and the closing plane (S) being defined as a vertical plane through the most distal end of the upper lip.

19. The floor panel of claim 18, wherein on the first pair of edges, the lower lip comprises a downward-directed recess including a depression, wherein the downward-directed recess, in the coupled condition of two of such panels, in respect to the groove side is situated mainly or entirely proximal from said vertical closing plane.

20. The floor panel of claim 18, wherein the coupling parts on the second pair of edges are configured such that two of such floor panels can be coupled to each other at these edges by means of a downward movement of one panel in respect to the other, in such a manner that a plurality of such panels can be coupled to each other by means of the so-called fold-down technique.

21. The floor panel of claim 18, wherein the floor panel substantially is made of a soft synthetic material.

22. The floor panel of claim 7, wherein the substrate, in the one or more layers thereof, includes chalk as at least one of the one or more fillers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, herein after, as an example without any limitative character, some preferred embodiments are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 in top view represents a floor panel according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 represents a cross-section according to line II-II in FIG. 1, however, in a condition coupled to a second similar floor panel;

(4) FIG. 3 represents another preferred embodiment according to a view analogous to FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 in cross-section represents a possible embodiment of a second pair of edges of a floor panel according to the invention, in coupled condition of two of such floor panels;

(6) FIG. 5 represents a view analogous to FIG. 4, however, during coupling;

(7) FIG. 6 represents how such floor panels can be mutually connected; and

(8) FIG. 7, at a larger scale, represents the portion indicated by arrow F7 in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(9) As represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, the floor panel 1 is realized as a layer-shaped substrate, which more particularly is realized substantially on the basis of synthetic material, and preferably on the basis of one of the synthetic materials described in the introduction.

(10) Moreover, the floor panel is oblong rectangular and thus comprises a first pair of opposite edges 2-3 and a second pair of opposite edges 4-5.

(11) Both pairs of opposite edges 2-3 and 4-5 comprise coupling parts 6-7 and 8-9, respectively, which allow mutually coupling a plurality of such floor panels 1 to each other.

(12) These coupling parts 6-7 and 8-9, on both pairs of edges 2-3 and 4-5, form a first locking system which, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels 1, effects a locking in the plane of the floor panels 1 and perpendicular to the respective edges 2-3-4-5, as well as form a second locking system which, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels 1, effects a locking transverse to the plane of the panels 1.

(13) The coupling parts 6-7 on the first pair of opposite edges 2-3 substantially are realized in the material of the floor panel 1 itself and more particularly in said substrate, and thus in one piece therewith.

(14) Further, the coupling parts 6-7 are configured such that two of such panels 1 can be coupled to each other at the edges 2-3 by means of a turning movement. To this aim, these coupling parts 6-7 consist of a tongue 10 and a groove 11 as well as of locking parts 12-13 which, in the coupled condition, prevent the shifting apart of the tongue 10 and the groove 11.

(15) It is noted that the coupling parts 8-9 on the second pair of opposite edges 4-5, however, as aforementioned, provide in a horizontal and vertical locking, but that it is clear that these coupling parts 8-9 can be of any kind, whether or not in one piece with the floor panel 1. Also, these coupling parts 8-9 do not necessarily have to allow that two of such floor panels 1 can be coupled to each other at these edges 4-5 by means of a turning movement, however, these coupling parts 8-9 can be configured such that they allow coupling two of such floor panels 1 to each other on these edges 4-5 by means of another mechanism. Herein, it is also noted that FIG. 1 is only a schematic representation of these coupling parts 8-9, as well as of the coupling parts 6-7.

(16) Also, the groove 11 is bordered by a lower lip 14 and an upper lip 15, of which the lower lip 14 extends laterally to beyond the distal end 16 of the upper lip 15.

(17) According to the first aspect, the floor panel 1 shall have a global thickness T which is smaller than or equal to 4.5 millimeters, and in particular preferably is four millimeters or less.

(18) In the represented example, the floor panel 1 is substantially composed of two base layers 17 and one top layer 18, and the floor panel 1 is provided with a reinforcement layer 19, preferably in glass fiber or the like. As represented in FIG. 2, this reinforcement layer 19 preferably extends over the locking groove 20 which is present behind said tongue 10, and in other words, it is located on such a level that it extends above the locking groove 20. Further, it preferably extends into the tongue 10, more particularly preferably up to the tip of this tongue.

(19) It is noted that instead of two base layers 17 also only one base layer or more than two base layers can be used. Also, it is noted that the top layer 18 is not always necessary. In the case that it is applied indeed, as such it may or may not consist of a plurality of layers.

(20) The locking parts 12-13 are provided with locking surfaces 21-22, which are located at least partially in the portion of the lower lip 14 which is situated beyond the distal end 16 of the upper lip 15.

(21) Further, the locking parts 12-13 have a locking distance A which is greater than 0.6 times the value of the overall thickness T of the floor panel 1. Herein, the locking distance A is formed by the horizontal distance between the vertical closing plane S of two coupled floor panels 1 and a vertical plane VS through the middle of the zone over which the locking surfaces 21-22 of the locking parts 12-13, in coupled condition, make contact with each other, as measured in horizontal direction. Herein, the vertical closing plane S is defined as a vertical plane through the most distal end 16 of the upper lip 15.

(22) At the location of the locking groove 20, the floor panel 1 has a minimum thickness D which is greater than 0.4 times the overall thickness T of the floor panel 1.

(23) The upper side of the lower lip 14 at the height of the vertical closing plane S, in the coupled condition of two of such panels 1, is located on a level N1 which is situated higher than the level N2 which is determined by the lowermost point of the locking part located on the underside of the tongue 10, wherein the height difference between the two levels N1 and N2 preferably is at least 0.05 times the overall thickness T.

(24) The underside of the upper lip 15 is provided with a contact surface 23 for the upper side of the tongue 10. This contact surface 23 runs slightly inclined at an angle H1 with the plane of the floor panel 1, which angle H1 preferably is less than 7 degrees. According to an alternative, this contact plane 23 is horizontal.

(25) There, where the locking surfaces 21-22 in coupled condition work in conjunction, they define a tangent line R which extends at an angle of more than 50 degrees and still better more than 60 degrees to the horizontal.

(26) The first pair of opposite edges 6-7 is configured such that, when two of such floor panels 1 are coupled to each other, a contact, herein below named first contact C1, is present between the underside of the tongue 10 and the upper side of the lower lip 14. The contact point or contact zone defined by such first contact C1, seen in cross-section, is situated entirely within two planes V1 and V2 which are located parallel to the closing plane S, this respectively on both sides of this closing plane S, each time one millimeter remote from this closing plane S, or still better each time half a millimeter remote therefrom; such that, in other words, the first contact C1 is locally present between said planes V1 and V2 and thus does not continue beyond these borders.

(27) Further, there is a space 24 present underneath the tongue 10 in the coupled condition of two of such panels 1. This space 24 extends from the tip of the tongue 10 at least to beyond a vertical center plane M through the zone over which the contact between the upper side of the tongue 10 and the underside of the upper lip 15 extends. The space 24 ends at the contact C1, which contact C1, in distal direction of the groove, preferably ends and thus again merges into a space 25, wherein this transition, in respect to the groove side, is situated proximally to a theoretical vertical plane V3 which, in respect to the groove side, is situated distally at a distance E from the closing plane S of the floor panel 1, which distance E is smaller than 0.5 times the overall thickness T and still better is smaller than 0.25 times the overall thickness T.

(28) Said first contact C1 is formed by contact surfaces which theoretically only come together as a line contact, or in cross-section, thus, as a point contact, more particularly in that the theoretical profiles, as determined by the cutting tools applied therewith, can touch each other in a point contact only.

(29) As represented, said first contact C1 preferably is formed by cooperating non-parallel, whether or not curved, surfaces on the underside of the tongue 10 and the upper side of the lower lip 14, wherein preferably either one of these surfaces or both surfaces are non-parallel to the plane of the floor panel 1.

(30) According to a not-represented alternative, the first contact C1 is formed by mutually parallel surfaces on the underside of the tongue 10 and the upper side of the lower lip 14, wherein these, however, are non-parallel to the plane of the floor panel 1.

(31) Further, the first contact C1, in respect to the groove side, is situated entirely distal from a plane V4 extending perpendicular through the point where the contact between the tongue 10 and the upper lip 15 in distal direction of the lip ceases to exist, which is advantageous for the possibility of turning.

(32) The respective coupling means are configured such that in coupled condition there is a second contact C2, which, in respect to the groove side, is located proximally from the locking surfaces 21-22, however, is separated from the first contact C1 by a space 25.

(33) The second contact C2, in proximal direction of the groove, ends in a point P1 which is located within the distal half H of the locking distance A.

(34) It is also noted that one or more characteristics which were described herein above in respect to the first pair of edges 2-3, can also be applied on the second pair of edges 4-5, at least when similar coupling parts are applied there. Possibly, herein substantially identical coupling parts can be applied on the first pair of edges 2-3 and the second pair of edges 4-5.

(35) According to a preferred alternative embodiment, however, the coupling parts 8-9 on the second pair of edges 4-5 are configured such that two of such floor panels 1 at these edges 4-5 can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of one floor panel in respect to the other, in such a manner that a plurality of such floor panels 1 can be coupled to each other by means of a so-called fold-down technique. Still more preferably, the coupling parts 8-9 on the second pair of edges 4-5 then comprise a separate locking element in the form of a movable and/or deformable insertion piece which provides for the vertical locking.

(36) In FIG. 3, another preferred embodiment is represented of the first pair of edges 2-3 of a floor panel 1 of the invention, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels 1. On this first pair of edges 2-3, the underside of the tongue 10 comprises a step-shaped portion 26, which, in the coupled condition of two of such panels 1, in respect to the groove side is situated mainly proximal from the vertical closing plane S, wherein this vertical closing plane S, as mentioned before, is defined as a vertical plane through the most distal end 16 of the upper lip 15. More particularly, this step-shaped portion 26 is formed by a material removal on the underside of the tongue 10.

(37) The step-shaped portion 26 of the tongue 10 is formed at least by a first surface 27 on the underside of the tongue, which first surface 27, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels 1, in respect to the groove side is situated entirely proximal from said vertical closing plane S. This first surface 27, in distal direction in respect to the groove side, merges into a second surface 28, which in respect to the horizontal is more inclined than said first surface 27. The mentioned second surface 28, in respect to the groove side, preferably is situated at least partially proximal from the vertical closing plane S, and still more preferably in respect to the groove side is situated entirely proximal from the vertical closing plane S.

(38) In distal direction in respect to the groove side, the mentioned second surface 28 merges into a third surface 29, which, in respect to the horizontal, is less inclined than the second surface 28. In the coupled condition of two of such floor panels 1, in respect to the groove side this third surface 29 is situated at least partially distal from said vertical closing plane S.

(39) Still on the first pair of edges 2-3, the lower lip 14 comprises a downward-directed recess 30, more particularly a depression. This downward-directed recess 30, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels 1, in respect to the groove side is situated entirely proximal from the vertical closing plane S. It is also noted that according to an alternative, this downward-directed recess 30 may be situated mainly proximal from said vertical closing plane.

(40) As already mentioned in the introduction, said step-shaped portion 26 and/or said downward-directed recess 30 allow, in relative terms, to create a large space on the underside of the tongue 10 and above the lower lip 14, such that the friction, which possibly is associated with the mutual shifting of such floor panels 1, can be minimized and preferably avoided, in particular during installation, wherein the floor panel 1 to be installed is held slightly inclined in respect to a floor panel 1 already installed in a preceding row. Such slightly inclined position of a floor panel 1 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 by means of the represented profiling A1, which corresponds to the profiling of the floor panel 1 with the tongue 10 illustrated in FIG. 3. It is clear that shifting this slightly inclined floor panel 1 with the tongue 10 in respect to the floor panel 1 with the groove 11 along the first pair of edges 2-3, and thus in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the cross-section represented in FIG. 3, may be performed with a minimum or preferably even without friction.

(41) In FIG. 4, a possible embodiment is represented of the second pair of edges 4-5 of a floor panel according to the invention, in coupled condition of two of such floor panels. The coupling parts 8-9 on this second pair of edges 4-5 are configured such that two of such floor panels 1 can be coupled on these edges 4-5 by means of a downward movement of one floor panel 1 in respect to the other floor panel 1, in such a manner that a plurality of such floor panels 1 can be coupled to each other by means of the so-called fold-down technique. Said downward movement is represented in FIG. 5, which represents a view analogous to FIG. 4, however, during coupling of the floor panels 1, and is indicated by reference M1.

(42) In such floor panels 1, which can be coupled to each other by means of the so-called fold-down technique, as also mentioned in the introduction, the step-shaped portion 26 and/or the downward-directed recess 30 can be used in an advantageous manner. This fold-down technique is represented in FIG. 6. In order to explain the method, for extra distinction some of the floor panels 1 then are indicated by references 1A, 1B and 1C. The floor panels 1 are installed row by row and coupled to each other. In order to obtain that the panels are coupled at the edges 2-3 as well as 4-5, the method comprises at least the following steps: Installing a first panel 1A which is intended for forming part of a first row of panels; coupling a second panel 1B to said first panel 1A, this at first edges 2-3, wherein this second panel 1B is intended for forming part of a second row, following said first row of panels; coupling in the second row a third panel 1C to said second panel 1B as well as to the first panel 1A, wherein the third panel 1C is coupled to the first panel 1A by means of a turning movement, wherein the third panel 1C is brought from an upward-turned position into substantially the same plane as the first and second panels, whereas as a consequence of this movement and the created therewith downward movement, the coupling parts 8-9 between the third and second panels engage in each other.

(43) In practice, the third floor panel 1C and the first floor panel 1A mutually are shifted slightly along the respective first pair of edges 2-3 before performing the actual fold-down movement. This is explained in more detail by means of FIG. 7, which at a larger scale represents the portion indicated by arrow F7 in FIG. 6. Practically, the third floor panel 1C is provided on the first floor panel 1A according to a direction A2, and this in a slightly inclined position, as schematically represented by the floor panel 1C shown in bold print. Herein, the edge 4 of the third floor panel 1C still is situated at a horizontal distance D1 from the edge 5 of the second floor panel 1B. It is noted that this distance D1 in reality is minute, more particularly several millimeters, however, for clarity's sake here is represented relatively large. Subsequently, the third floor panel 1C is shifted in respect to the first floor panel 1A according to a direction A3, such that thereafter the third floor panel 1C can be brought from the upward-turned position into substantially the same plane as the first and second floor panels and can be coupled to the second floor panel 1B. It is clear that with such shifting, as already mentioned, it is advantageous to provide a relatively large space, such that the friction, which possibly is associated with the mutual shifting of such floor panels 1, can be minimized and preferably can be avoided.

(44) It is clear that this in the first place relates to decorative floor panels, thus, with a decorative upper side, for forming a floor covering on an existing carrying floor, and more particularly for forming a floating floor covering.

(45) The invention is intended in particular for floor panels which substantially consist of synthetic material, or which comprise at least one or more base layers on the basis of synthetic material, and still more for floor panels of the supple type. More particularly, the invention shows its advantages best with vinyl panels, in particular so-called vinyl tiles, and in particular with panels of the so-called LVT type (Luxury Vinyl Tile) or VCT type (Vinyl Composite Tile, also named Vinyl Composition Tile).

(46) Such synthetic material floor panel, and in particular supple synthetic material floor panel, and more particularly such vinyl tile, preferably shows one or more of the following characteristics: the floor panel substantially is composed of one or more base layers and at least one top layer, wherein the top layer as such may or may not be composed of a plurality of layers; herein, the top layer comprises at least a decorative layer, preferably in the form of a print, preferably provided on a foil or film, possibly covered still further by one or more wear layers, for example, either in the form of a transparent foil, or in the form of a transparent lacquer, for example, a polyurethane lacquer, or a combination thereof; the top layer comprises at least a translucent or transparent wear layer; the floor panel substantially is composed of a thermoplastic material, preferably a soft thermoplastic material; the floor panel, or anyhow at least the one or more base layers thereof, is/are substantially composed of polyvinyl chloride, more particularly soft polyvinyl chloride, more particularly provided with plasticizers or similar; a composition substantially on the basis of PVC must be interpreted broadly, as a large number of additives, for example, fillers, can be applied in PVC floors; the floor panel comprises at least one reinforcement layer, preferably formed of fibers, more particularly reinforcement fibers, such as glass fibers.

(47) It is noted that soft PVC is a term expressing that this relates to supple PVC, in other words, PVC which is relatively smoothly bendable. The term soft PVC is commonly known in the technique. Such soft PVC consists of PVC which is softened, for example, by means of a plasticizer added during the production process. Depending on the added amount of plasticizers, of course various degrees of suppleness can be achieved.

(48) By a plasticizer any material has to be understood which, when added, results in a more supple PVC. Typical examples are phthalate plasticizers and isosorbide plasticizers.

(49) By PVC which is softened, of course also PVC can be understood, or a composition on the basis of PVC can be understood, which, for example, because it has been modified, as such has the feature of being supple.

(50) The same is valid for other soft synthetic materials and the above is not restricted to PVC.

(51) As herein above already stated, the present invention shows its advantages in particular when it is applied to floor panels which substantially are manufactured of supple or soft synthetic material, or in other words, with supple panels.

(52) By supple floor panels, floor panels are meant which, when they, in the case of a rectangular panel having a width of, for example, less than 50 centimeters, are clamped on one of the two short sides of the panel and hereby protrude over a length of 100 centimeters and are not supported, the panels will bend under the influence of their own weight, wherein this bending at the height of the free extremity in respect to the clamped extremity is minimum 10 centimeters. For this bending, a bending time of 10 seconds is observed, and wherein the panel starts from a flat horizontal position.

(53) It is clear that the coupling parts in free condition preferably show a somewhat overlapping design, such that the floor panels in coupled condition become seated in each other with a so-called pretension.

(54) The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described herein above and represented in the figures, on the contrary may such floor panel be realized in various forms and dimensions without exceeding the scope of the invention.

(55) So, for example, it is noted that although in FIG. 1 an oblong panel is represented, the invention can also be applied in square floor panels. Also, the edges of the first pair of opposite edges in FIG. 1 are indicated by the edges 2-3 of the long sides, however, it is clear that by definition the first pair of edges might also be present on the short sides, whereas the second pair of edges then is present on the long sides.