Abstract
A decorative anti-slip floor covering element, in particular a floor panel, including a core provided with an upper side and a lower side. A decorative anti-slip floor covering, including a plurality of, preferably interconnected, floor covering elements according to the invention.
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A decorative anti-slip floor covering element, in particular a floor panel, comprising: a core provided with an upper side and a lower side, a decorative top structure affixed, either directly or indirectly, on said upper side of the core, wherein the core comprises at least one main polymer and a wear-resisting anti-slip substance at least partially embedded in said main polymer, wherein said anti-slip substance textures the upper side of the core, wherein the textured upper side of the core at least partially defines a textured upper surface of the decorative floor covering element.
28. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein at least a fraction of the anti-slip substance is composed of a material chosen from the group consisting of: a mineral material, a glass material, a ceramic material, and a composite material.
29. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein at least a fraction of the anti-slip substance is composed of a material chosen from the group consisting of: carborundum, quartz, silica, glass particles, feldspar, clay, ceramic, carbon, textile, fused aluminium oxide, an auxiliary polymer deviating from the main polymer of the core, or combinations thereof.
30. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein the decorative top structure is at least partially transparent or translucent.
31. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein the anti-slip substance is at least partially composed of anti-slip particles.
32. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein the anti-slip particles have an average particle size of between 0.015 mm to 1.0 mm.
33. The floor covering element according to claim 31, wherein at least a fraction of the particles is coated with a pigmented coating, preferably a coloured coating and/or a glitter coating.
34. The floor covering element according to claim 31, wherein at least a fraction of the anti-slip particles is loosely dispersed throughout at least one zone of the core, preferably throughout the entire core.
35. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein at least a part of the anti-slip substance embedded in the core is left uncovered by the decorative top structure.
36. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein the core comprises at least two polymer layers, preferably composed of the same main polymer, laminated together, wherein at least one anti-slip substance is embedded as anti-slip layer in between said polymer layers.
37. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein the upper side of the core has a nominal base level, wherein the anti-slip substance embedded by the core protrudes at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.2 mm, more preferably at least 0.3 mm, with respect to said base level.
38. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein the upper side of the decorative top structure has a nominal base level, wherein the anti-slip substance embedded by the core causes portions of the decorative top structure to protrude at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.2 mm, more preferably at least 0.3 mm, with respect to said base level.
39. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein the anti-slip substance, in particular anti-slip particles, embedded in the core have a minimum Moh's hardness of 6.
40. The floor covering element according to claim 27, wherein the main polymer of the core is formed by a thermoplastic material chosen from the group consisting of: PVC, PET, PP, PS and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
41. A decorative anti-slip floor covering, comprising a plurality of, preferably interconnected, floor covering elements according to claim 27.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] The terms FIG., FIGS., Figure, and Figures are used interchangeably to refer to the corresponding figures in the drawings.
[0055] The invention will be further elucidated according to the following non-limitative figures:
[0056] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a decorative panel according to the invention; and
[0057] FIG. 2 shows a schematic transversal cross-section along line B-B of an embodiment of a decorative panel according to the invention; and
[0058] FIG. 3 shows a schematic transversal cross-section along line A-A of an embodiment of a decorative panel according to the invention; and
[0059] FIG. 4 shows a transversal cross-section of an embodiment of a decorative panel covering according to the invention; and
[0060] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of a partial cross-section of an embodiment of a decorative covering according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0061] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a decorative panel 1 according to the present invention. The panel is of a rectangular shape having a length extending longitudinally along line B-B, and a width extending transversally along line A-A. The panel 1 is provided with a core 2 provided with an upper side and a lower side. The panel is provided with a decorative top structure 12 affixed, either directly or indirectly, on said upper side of the core 2. The sides of the decorative panel 1 are provided with coupling profiles 5, 6, 7, 8. At opposite edges 9, 10 a first panel edge 3 comprising a first coupling profile 5, and a second panel edge 4 comprising a second coupling profile 6. The coupling profiles are designed such that the second coupling profile 6 engage interlockingly with said first coupling profile 5 of an adjacent panel, both in horizontal and in vertical direction. The panel 1 is further provided with a third coupling profile 7 and fourth coupling profile 8 at opposite edges 9 and 10 respectively, which also interlockingly engage. The core 2 of the panel 1 comprises at least one main polymer and a wear-resisting anti-slip substance which is at least partially embedded in said main polymer. The wear-resisting anti-slip substance textures an upper side of the core 2, and at least partially defines a textured upper surface 17 of the decorative floor covering element 1. Hence, the wear-resisting anti-slip substance at least partially extends beyond an upper side of the core 2. The portion extending beyond the core 2 may as such form the textured upper surface 17 of the floor covering element 1. The textured upper surface 17 may increase the grip of said textured upper surface 17. Preferably, said anti-slip substance is at least partially composed of anti-slip particles 16, wherein said particles protrude beyond an upper side of the core 2A, such as to form at least a part of the textured upper surface 17. Preferably, said anti-slip particles 16 are at least partially embedded in the core 2 of the decorative floor covering 1. An additional benefit of the anti-slip particles 16 is that the sound dampening property of the decorative floor covering 1 may be improved. The sound waves travelling through the panel 1 are disturbed by the anti-slip particles 16 and hence damped. Said anti-slip particles 16 may for example be composed out of a material chosen from the group consisting of carborundum, quartz, silica, glass particles, feldspar, clay, ceramic, carbon, textile, fused aluminium oxide, an auxiliary polymer deviating from the main polymer of the core, or combinations thereof. Preferably having an average particle size between 0.015 mm to 1.0 mm. The particles 16 may be coated with a pigmented coating, preferably a coloured coating and/or a glitter coating may be used to this end.
[0062] FIG. 2 shows a transversal cross-section of an embodiment of a decorative panel 1 according to the present invention, provided with a core 2, a decorative top structure 12 and coupling profiles 7,8. The decorative top structure 12 is directly or indirectly affixed to the upper side 2a of the core 2. For example, the top structure 12 may be glued, by means of an adhesive, and/or fused onto the core 2. The decorative top structure 12 may comprise at least one wear layer and a decorative layer (FIG. 5). The upper side 2a of the core 2 may be a textured side in particular when the core comprises a wear-resisting anti-slip substance 16. In this embodiment the anti-slip substance 16 is at least partially formed by anti-slip particles 16 which are embedded in the core 2. Said anti-slip particles 16 at least partially protrude with respect to a nominal base level of the core 2. As such, the anti-slip particles 16 define, at least partially, a textured upper side 2A of the core 2 and an upper surface 17 of the panel 1 as such. The anti-slip particles 16 may protrude at least 0.2 mm with respect to the nominal base level of the core 2, preferably at least 0.3 mm. The lower side of the core 2b may be the lower side of the panel 1 or may be affixed to a (not shown) base layer. The panel 1 may as such be co-extruded, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0063] FIG. 3 shows in transversal cross-section the first coupling part 5 at side edge 3 and the second coupling part 6 at opposing side edge 4. The first coupling part 5 comprises a sideward tongue 20 and the second coupling part 6 comprises a recess 30 for accommodating at least a part of the sideward tongue 20 of a further panel. The recess 30 is configured to actively co-act with a sideward tongue 20 of another panel 1, in a coupled condition of such panels 1. Although these specific coupling parts 5, 6, are shown the present invention is not limited thereto. It is conceivable that a different type of coupling part 5, 6 may be applied. The figure depicts in particular a co-extruded panel 1 wherein the core 2 comprises an upper core portion 21 and a lower core portion 22. Said upper and lower core portion 21, 22 may be affixed by means of the co-extrusion process. The upper core portion 21 comprises the wear-resisting anti-slip substance 16. The wear-resisting anti-slip substance 16 is in this non-limitative embodiment partially composed out of anti-slip particles 16. At least some of the anti-slip particles 16 protrude through the upper side 2a of the core 2. The particles 16 at least partially define a textured upper surface 17 of the decorative floor covering 1. By applying the wear-resisting anti-slip particles 16 only in the upper core portion 21, material and hence cost may be saved. It is also conceivable that both the upper and the lower core portion 21, 22 are provided with anti-slip particles 16.
[0064] FIG. 4 shows a decorative covering 31 consisting of a plurality of interlocked panels 1, 1 according to the invention. The figure shows how the coupling profiles 7 and 8 can be coupled to each other when connecting a panel 1 and a panel 1 to each other. The panel 1 is hereby moved vertically downwards along the arrow, wherein the profiles 7 and 8 engage with each other by receiving upward tongue 71 in downward groove 83 and receiving downward tongue 81 in upward groove 73. A decorative top structure 12 is directly or indirectly affixed to the upper side 2a of the core 2. For example, the top structure 12 may be glued, by means of an adhesive, and/or fused onto the core 2. The decorative top structure 12 may comprise at least one polymeric wear layer and a decorative layer (FIG. 5). The upper side 2a of the core 2 may have a textured side, for example when the core comprises a wear-resisting anti-slip substance. In this embodiment the anti-slip substance 16 is at least partially formed by anti-slip particles 16 which are embedded in the core 2. Said anti-slip particles 16 at least partially protrude with respect to a nominal base level of the core 2. As such, the anti-slip particles 16 define, at least partially, a textured upper surface 17 of the panel 1 as such.
[0065] FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the decorative panel 1 according to the invention. This figure shows the core 2 of the panel 1, wherein anti-slip particles 16 are embedded within said core 2. At least some of the particles 16 protrude through the upper side 2A of the core 2. The decorative top structure 12 is affixed directly or indirectly on the upper side 2A of the core 2. The circle A is enlarged and shows a more detailed view of the different layers 12A, 12B, 12C of the decorative top structure 12. The decorative top structure comprises a decorative layer 12A, a wear layer 12B, and a top coating 12C. It is conceivable that the particles 16 protrude through the decorative layer 12A, which may be a dcor image, or the decorative layer may follow the contours over said particles 16. The wear layer 12B and the top coating 12C may be provided on top of the decorative layer 12A. The figure clearly shows the textured upper surface 17 of the panel 1. Although not shown in this embodiment, it is conceivable that the particles 16 protrude through the wear layer 12B of the decorative top structure 12 and/or through the top coating 12C. Hence, the particles 16 may be directly exposed. Different combinations thereof are also conceivable, and may benefit to the looks and feels of the panel 1 as such.
[0066] The above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re) combined in order to arrive at a specific application. Various embodiments of the panel as described above and in the appended claims may be combined with this alternative panel configuration.
[0067] By horizontal is meant a direction which extends parallel to a plane defined by the floor covering element, and which may intersect the core. By vertical is meant a direction which is perpendicular to said plane defined by the floor covering element.
[0068] The ordinal numbers used in this document, like first, second, and third are used only for identification purposes. Hence, the use of the expressions third locking element and second locking element does therefore not necessarily require the co-presence of a first locking element.
[0069] By complementary coupling profiles is meant that these coupling profiles can cooperate with each other. However, to this end, the complementary coupling profiles do not necessarily have to have complementary forms. The floor covering element according to the invention may also applied as wall covering element, ceiling covering element, or alternative covering element. In case in this document reference is made to a floor tile or floor panel, these expressions may be replaced by expressions like tile, wall tile, ceiling tile, covering tile.
[0070] It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described herein, but that numerous variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims that will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
[0071] The verb comprise and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only comprise, but are also understood to mean the phrases contain, substantially consist of, formed by and conjugations thereof.
