Tile Panel, Surface Covering of a Multitude of Such Tile Panels for a Floor, Ceiling or Wall Surface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a decorative tile panel for covering a floor, ceiling, or wall. Furthermore, the invention relates to a surface covering for a floor, ceiling or wall surface which is constructed by a multitude of neighbouring tile panels according to the invention, wherein the plurality of tile panels are preferably interconnected.

Claims

1. A decorative tile panel suitable for covering a floor, ceiling or wall surface, which tile panel comprises: at least one core layer, and at least one decorative top section, directly or indirectly affixed to said core layer, wherein the top section defines a top surface of the tile panel, a plurality of side edges at least partially defined by said core layer and/or by said top section, wherein the tile panel is provided with at least one imitation grout line along at least one side edge of the tile panel, which is formed by a channel-shaped recess connecting to the top surface of the tile panel, which recess extends along a side edge of the tile panel, and has a substantially constant width which is delimited by the respective side edge of the tile panel, wherein at least one recess has an upwardly facing recess surface, which is at least partially formed by a separate grout covering layer, wherein said recess surface is at least partially concavely curved across the width direction of the recess, wherein said recess has a deepest point at a distance from the respective side edge, wherein said deepest point is located closer to said side edge than to the top surface of the tile panel, and wherein the width of said recess is at least three times the maximum depth of said recess with respect to the top surface of the tile panel.

2. The tile panel according to claim 1, wherein the width of said recess is at least six times the maximum depth of said recess with respect to the top surface of the tile panel.

3. The tile panel according to claim 1, wherein the deepest point of said recess divides the recess into an inner recess portion, connecting to the top surface of the tile panel, and an outer recess portion, connecting to the side edge of the tile panel, wherein the width of the inner recess portion is at least two times the width of the outer recess portion.

4. The tile panel according to claim 3, wherein the width of the inner recess portion is at least three times the width of the outer recess portion.

5. The tile panel according to claim 3, wherein the maximum height of the inner recess portion with respect to the deepest point is at least four times the maximum height of the outer recess portion with respect to the deepest point.

6. The tile panel according to claim 3, wherein at least one concavely shaped part of the recess surface has an increasing radius towards the side edge.

7. The tile panel according to claim 3, wherein the recess surface of the inner recess portion has an increasing radius towards the deepest point.

8. The tile panel according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the tile panel is at least ten times the maximum depth of the recess with respect to the top surface of the tile panel.

9. The tile panel according to claim 3, wherein the side edges comprise at least one pair, preferably two pairs, of opposed side edges, wherein one side edge of said pair is provided with an imitation grout line while the other side edge of said pair is not provided with an imitation grout line.

10. The tile panel according to claim 3, wherein at least one pair of opposing first and second side edges is provided with mutually interacting coupling profiles, so that the first side edge of a first tile panel can be coupled to the second side edge of a second tile panel, wherein the first side edge is provided with an imitation grout line, wherein an outer portion of said imitation grout line defines a vertical plane, wherein at least a part of a first coupling profile arranged at said first side edge extends with respect to said vertical plane over a horizontal distance which is larger than the width of the imitation grout line, and which is smaller than three times, preferably smaller than two times, the width of the imitation grout line.

11. The tile panel according to the claim 3, wherein a first tile panel edge comprises a first coupling profile, and a second tile panel edge, preferably opposite to the first tile panel edge, comprising a second coupling profile being designed to engage interlockingly with said first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, both in horizontal direction and in vertical direction, wherein the first coupling profile and the second coupling profile are preferably configured such that two of such panels can be coupled to each other by means of a lowering movement.

12. The tile panel according to claim 11, wherein the first coupling profile comprises: an upward tongue, at least one upward flank lying at a distance from the upward tongue, an upward groove formed in between the upward tongue and the upward flank wherein the upward groove is adapted to receive at least a part of a downward tongue of a second coupling profile of an adjacent panel, and at least one first locking element, preferably provided at a distant side of the upward tongue facing away from the upward flank, and wherein the second coupling profile comprises: a first downward tongue, at least one first downward flank lying at a distance from the downward tongue, a first downward groove formed in between the downward tongue and the downward flank, wherein the downward groove is adapted to receive at least a part of an upward tongue of a first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, and at least one second locking element adapted for co-action with a first locking element of an adjacent panel, said second locking element preferably being provided at the downward flank.

13. The tile panel according to claim 11, wherein the tile panel comprises at least one third coupling profile and at least one fourth coupling profile located respectively at a third tile panel edge and a fourth tile panel edge, wherein the third coupling profile comprises: a sideward tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side of the core, at least one second downward flank lying at a distance from the sideward tongue, and a second downward groove formed between the sideward tongue and the second downward flank, wherein the fourth coupling profile comprises: a third groove configured for accommodating at least a part of the sideward tongue of the third coupling profile of an adjacent panel, said third groove being defined by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein said lower lip is provided with an upward locking element, wherein the third coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are configured such that two of such panels can be coupled to each other by means of a turning movement, wherein, in coupled condition: at least a part of the sideward tongue of a first panel is inserted into the third groove of an adjacent, second panel, and wherein at least a part of the upward locking element of said second panel is inserted into the second downward groove of said first panel.

14. The tile panel according to claim 12, wherein the first tile panel edge and the fourth tile panel edge are provided with an imitation grout line while the second tile panel edge and the third tile panel edge are not provided with an imitation grout line.

15. The tile panel according to claim 12, wherein an outer portion of the recess, connecting to a side edge of the panel, is configured to abut an outer portion of a recess of a similar tile panel, and defines a joint plane extending in the vertical plane.

16. The tile panel according to claim 12, wherein the recess surface is free of any convexly curved portions, and wherein the recess surface is preferably entirely concavely curved.

17. The tile panel according to claim 12 , wherein the substantially complete recess surface is formed by the separate grout covering layer.

18. The tile panel according to claim 12 , wherein the separate grout covering layer is formed by a coating.

19. The tile panel according to claim 12 , wherein the separate grout covering layer is formed by a transferred layer originating from a transfer foil or transfer film by means of transfer printing.

20. The tile panel according to claim 12 , wherein the separate grout covering layer is formed by printed layer.

21-48. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0146] The invention will be further elucidated by several examples and with reference to the appended figures, wherein:

[0147] FIG. 1 is a top view of a tile panel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0148] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tile panel of FIG. 1;

[0149] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the tile panel according to the invention;

[0150] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the side edges of two neighbouring panels that are interlinked to each other by a preferred type of coupling profiles;

[0151] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of two neighbouring panels that are interlinked to each other by another preferred type of coupling profiles;

[0152] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal-sectional view of a tile panel according to the invention,

[0153] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tile according to FIG. 6,

[0154] FIG. 8 is a detailed partial view of the longitudinal-section view according to FIG. 6; and

[0155] FIG. 9 is a detailed partial view of the cross-sectional view according to FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0156] FIG. 1 shows a tile panel 1 of a substantially flat format having a top surface 3, a bottom surface (not visible) and a plurality of side edges 7a-d.

[0157] The tile panel 1 is provided with two imitation grout lines 9 and 9′, along the two side edges 7b and 7c, which is formed by a recess in the top surface 3 and has a substantially constant width which is delimited by the respective side edges 7b and 7c.

[0158] Dotted line A-A′ indicates a cross-section of the panel which is depicted in FIG. 2.

[0159] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the same tile panel 1 as in FIG. 1, along line A-A′ in FIG. 1. Identical parts in both figures have the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1.

[0160] The tile panel has a bottom surface 5, and is composed of a substantially flat core layer 20 of a resilient material, and a substantially flat top layer 22 that is connected to the top side of the core layer 20. The top layer 22 has properties that resemble natural material such as marble, stone, ceramic or wood, and is made from a wood plastic composite and/or stone plastic composite. The core layer 20 is made of a thermoplastic, for instance PVC.

[0161] The imitation grout line 9 is formed by a recess having an upwards facing recess surface 11, which recess surface comprises a gradual curve of a concave type over the width direction of the recess 9.

[0162] FIG. 3 shows two abutting side edges 7a and 7b of two neighbouring tile panels 1 and 1′, which are interlinked by a coupling profile comprising a tongue 30 and groove 32 which are provided at the respective side edges 7a and 7b.

[0163] The imitation grout line 9 is formed by a crescent shaped recess which comprises a grout covering layer 10 the top side of which forms the upwards facing recess surface. The grout covering layer 10 has a rough upper texture and preferably a grey colour. The recess 9 has a maximum vertical depth as indicated by the arrow dm. The vertical vector V is perpendicular oriented to the top surface of the tile panel 1, and indicates the vertical direction of the tile panel.

[0164] The form of the gradual curve of the recess surface is characterized by tangent lines T1, T2, T3, wherein T1 has an angle of 15 degrees to vertical vector V, T2 an angle of 40 degrees to the vertical vector V, and T3 has an angle of 80 degrees to vertical vector V.

[0165] FIG. 4 shows two side edges of two neighbouring tile panels 1 and 1′, which are interlinked by a coupling profile 5 and 6 which contain a tongue 51 and a groove 61. The coupling profiles 5 and 6 are configured such that an angling or turning movement (depicted by arrow T) allows for coupling the two profiles together, which results in an interlocked coupling in the horizontal plane.

[0166] FIG. 5 shows two side edges of two neighbouring tile panels 1 and 1′, which are interlinked by a coupling profile 7 and 8 which contain a respective tongue 71 and groove 73, and a respective tongue 81 and groove 83. The coupling profiles 7 and 8 are configured such that a drop down movement of panel 1′ (depicted by the arrow) allows for coupling of the two profiles together, which results in an interlocked coupling in the horizontal plane.

[0167] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal-sectional view of a tile panel 100 according to the invention. The tile panel 100 comprises a first tile panel edge 101 comprises a first coupling profile 101a, and a second tile panel edge 102, preferably opposite to the first tile panel edge 101, comprising a second coupling profile 102a being designed to engage interlockingly with said first coupling profile 101a of an adjacent panel, both in horizontal direction and in vertical direction, wherein the first coupling profile 101a and the second coupling profile 102a are preferably configured such that two of such panels can be coupled to each other by means of a lowering movement. The first coupling profile 101a comprises: an upward tongue 103, at least one upward flank 104 lying at a distance from the upward tongue 103, an upward groove 105 formed in between the upward tongue 103 and the upward flank 104 wherein the upward groove 105 is adapted to receive at least a part of a downward tongue 106 of the second coupling profile 102a of an adjacent panel, and at least one first locking element 107, preferably provided at a distant side of the upward tongue 103 facing away from the upward flank 104, and wherein the second coupling profile 102a comprises: a first downward tongue 106, at least one first downward flank 108 lying at a distance from the downward tongue 106, a first downward groove 109 formed in between the downward tongue 106 and the downward flank 108, wherein the downward groove 109 is adapted to receive at least a part of an upward tongue 103 of a first coupling profile 101a of an adjacent panel, and at least one second locking element 110 adapted for co-action with a first locking element 107 of an adjacent panel, said second locking element 110 preferably being provided at the downward flank 108. The proximal sides of the tongues 103, 106, as seen in downward direction, are inclined towards the facing flanks 104, 108, which leads to an additional vertical locking effect in coupled condition of two tile panels 100. The first edge is provided with a concavely curved channel-like recess 111, which constitutes an imitation grout line, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 8.

[0168] The recess 111 has a deepest point D at a distance from the respective side edge 101, wherein said deepest point is located closer to said side edge 101 than to a top surface of the tile panel 100a. In this example, the width Wr of said recess 111 is at least eight times the maximum depth Dr of said recess with respect to the top surface of the tile panel. As seen in more detail in FIG. 8, the deepest point D of said recess divides the recess into an inner recess portion IRP, connecting to the top surface of the tile panel, and an outer recess portion ORP, connecting to the side edge 101 of the tile panel, wherein the width of the inner recess portion IRP is at least three times the width of the outer recess portion ORP. The maximum height of the inner recess portion IRP with respect to the deepest point is at least five times the maximum height of the outer recess portion ORP with respect to the deepest point. This leads to the embodiment, wherein the height of the outer recess portion is kept limited, which makes this outer recess portion less vulnerable for breakage. As shown, the recess surface of the inner recess portion IRP has an increasing radius towards the deepest point. This allows the formation of a clear transition line between the recess and the top surface of the tile panel, while keeping the depth of the recess as such limited.

[0169] In this example, the thickness of the tile panel is at least ten times the maximum depth of the recess with respect to the top surface of the tile panel.

[0170] In the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 7, it is shown that the tile panel 100 comprises at least one third coupling profile 120a and at least one fourth coupling profile 121a located respectively at a third tile panel edge 120 and a fourth tile panel edge 121, wherein the third coupling profile 120a comprises: a sideward tongue 122 extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side 100a of the tile panel 100, at least one second downward flank 123 lying at a distance from the sideward tongue 122, and a second downward groove 124 formed between the sideward tongue 122 and the second downward flank 123. The fourth coupling profile comprises a third groove 125 configured for accommodating at least a part of the sideward tongue 122 of the third coupling profile 120a of an adjacent tile panel, said third groove 125 being defined by an upper lip 126 and a lower lip 127, wherein said lower lip 127 is provided with an upward locking element 128, wherein the third coupling profile 120a and the fourth coupling profile 121a are configured such that two of such panels can be coupled to each other by means of a turning (angling in) movement, wherein, in coupled condition: at least a part of the sideward tongue 122 of a first tile panel 100 is inserted into the third groove 125 of an adjacent, second panel 100, and wherein at least a part of the upward locking element 128 of said second tile panel is inserted into the second downward groove 124 of said first tile panel 100. The fourth edge is provided with a concavely curved channel-like recess 130, which constitutes an imitation grout line, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 9, and which has exactly the same shape, features, and dimensions as the recess 111 shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. Hence, the first tile panel edge and the fourth tile panel edge are provided with an imitation grout line 111, 130 while the second tile panel edge and the third tile panel edge are free of any imitation grout line.

[0171] In FIGS. 6-9 the layers of the tile panel 100 are not explicitly shown, but typically such a tile panel comprises, at least one core layer, and at least one decorative top section, directly or indirectly affixed to said core layer, wherein the top section defines a top surface of the tile panel. The channel-like recesses 111, 130 are preferably provided with a decorative covering layer. The channel-like recesses 111, 130 may be entirely situated in the decorative top section, and thus above the core layer. However, it is also imaginable, and often preferable, that each of the channel-like recesses 111, 130 is partially situation in the top section and partially in the core layer. Optionally, other layers, such as a backing layer, covering a rear side of the core layer, may be applied.

[0172] 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.

[0173] 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.

[0174] 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.