FLOOR PANELS COMPRISING A TILE ATTACHED TO A CARRIER

Abstract

A set of floor panels includes a first panel and a second panel comprising a ceramic tile attached to a carrier by an adhesive coating. A first and a second edge portion of the first and second panels comprise a locking groove and a strip provided with a locking element configured to cooperate with each other for horizontal locking of the first and second edge portions. The first and second edge portions further comprise a tongue and a tongue groove configured to cooperate with each other for vertical locking of the first and second edge portions. A rear side of the tile or an upper side of the carrier comprises a protruding member.

Claims

1. A set of floor panels comprising a first panel and a second panel, each panel comprising a tile and a carrier, the tile being a rectangular or a square ceramic tile and the carrier comprising a thermoplastic material, wherein the tile is attached to the carrier by an adhesive coating arranged between an upper side of the carrier and a rear side of the tile, wherein a first and a second edge portion of the first and second panels comprise a locking groove and a strip provided with a locking element, the locking groove and the locking element being configured to cooperate with each other for horizontal locking of the first and second edge portions, wherein the first and second edge portions further comprise a tongue and a tongue groove, the tongue and the tongue groove being configured to cooperate with each other for vertical locking of the first and second edge portions, wherein one of the rear side of the tile or the upper side of the carrier comprises a protruding member, the protruding member defining a plurality of cavities in the one of rear side of the tile or the upper side of the carrier, and wherein the adhesive coating is arranged at least on an end portion of the protruding member, wherein the rear side and the upper side are non-complementary, such that the rear side and the upper side are spaced from each other at spacing portions, and wherein there is a joint gap between the tiles of the first and second panels in a locked state of the panels, the gap being configured to be at least partially filled by a grout element.

2. The set according to claim 1, wherein the protruding member extends along a peripheral portion of the one of the rear side of the tile or the upper side of the carrier.

3. The set according to claim 1, wherein an attachment area between the tile and the carrier via the protruding member is 10-50% of a total tile surface area.

4. The set according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive coating is further at least partly arranged in the cavities.

5. The set according to claim 1, wherein the cavities are horizontally enclosed, such that they are entirely surrounded by sidewalls of the protruding member.

6. The set according to claim 1, wherein the cavities are open, and wherein the cavities are communicating to form a single overall recess.

7. The set according to claim 1, wherein an internal horizontal distance of the cavities of the tile and/or the carrier is in the range of 1-10 times a thickness of the tile.

8. The set according to claim 1, wherein a maximal depth of the cavities of the tile and/or the carrier is 3-50% of a thickness of the tile.

9. The set according to claim 1, wherein the protruding member comprises only a single protruding element.

10. The set according to claim 1, wherein the protruding member comprises a plurality of protruding elements.

11. The set according to claim 1, wherein the rear side of the tile or the upper side of the carrier is essentially continuously planar.

12. The set according to claim 1, wherein the rear side and the upper side are spaced from each other by a space at the spacing portions, which corresponds to 3-50% of a thickness of the tile.

13. The set according to claim 1, wherein a surface roughness of the tile and/or the carrier, expressed as an Ra value, ranges between 0.25 and 5 mm.

14. The set according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive coating is arranged in a pattern.

15. The set according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive coating is arranged along a peripheral portion and in an inner region of the rear side of the tile and/or of the upper side of the carrier, the inner region being spaced from the peripheral portion by a distance, which is at least 0.2 of a length of the tile extending along an edge section of the tile.

16. The set according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the adhesive coating exceeds a rear side height variation of the tile.

17. The set according to claim 1, wherein the carrier of the first and second panels comprises a first carrier layer and a second carrier layer arranged on the first carrier layer, a thermoplastic material of the first carrier layer comprising a plasticizer to a degree of at least 5 wt % and a thermoplastic material of the second carrier layer comprising less than 3 wt % of a plasticizer.

18. The set according to claim 1, wherein upper portions of the carriers of the first and second panels are configured to cooperate with each other in the locked state of the panels, the tile and/or the carrier of the first and/or the second panel comprising a sidewardly open recess.

19. The set according to claim 1, wherein the joint gap between the tiles of the first and second panels in the locked state of the panels does not exceed 2 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The disclosure will in the following be described in connection to exemplary embodiments and in greater detail with reference to the appended exemplary drawings, wherein:

[0049] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate in a perspective view (FIG. 1A), a side view (FIG. 1B) and a transparent, sectional perspective view (FIG. 1C) an embodiment of a floor panel comprising a tile and a carrier.

[0050] FIG. 1D illustrates in a side view the tile in FIGS. 1A-1C, which may be combined with any of the carriers herein, e.g., in FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A and 5C.

[0051] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate in a side view (FIG. 2A) and in related perspective views (FIGS. 2B-2C) embodiments of a carrier of a first and/or a second panel.

[0052] FIG. 3A illustrates in a perspective view an embodiment of a carrier, which optionally may be combined with any of FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A.

[0053] FIGS. 3B-3D illustrate in side views an embodiment of a first and a second panel in an unlocked state (FIG. 3B) and in a locked state (FIG. 3C), and an embodiment of a first and a second panel in a locked state (FIG. 3D).

[0054] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate in a side view (FIG. 4A) and in related perspective views (FIGS. 4B-4C) embodiments of a carrier of a first and/or a second panel.

[0055] FIG. 5A illustrates in a perspective view an embodiment of a carrier, which optionally may be combined with FIG. 4A.

[0056] FIG. 5B illustrates in a bottom perspective view an embodiment of a tile, which optionally may be combined with FIG. 4A (without cavities) or with any of FIGS. 1A-1D, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A and 5C.

[0057] FIGS. 5C-5D illustrate in side views embodiments of a first and a second panel in a locked state, FIG. 5C optionally being provided with a tile from FIG. 1D or 5B.

[0058] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate in a top view (FIG. 6A) an embodiment of a tile and in cross-sectional bottom or top views (FIG. 6B-6D) along the section S1-S1 or S2-S2 in any of, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1B, 3B-3D, 5C-5D, 6E-6F, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12B an embodiment of a tile or a carrier when the tile is attached to the carrier.

[0059] FIGS. 6E-6F illustrate in side views an embodiment of a first and a second panel in an unlocked state (FIG. 6E) and in a locked state (FIG. 6F).

[0060] FIGS. 6G-6H illustrate in cross-sectional bottom or top views along the section S1-S1 or S2-S2 in any of, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1B, 3B-3D, 5C-5D, 6E-6F, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12B an embodiment of a tile or a carrier when the tile is attached to the carrier.

[0061] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate in side views (FIGS. 7A and 7C) and related bottom perspective views (FIGS. 7B and 7D) embodiments of a tile.

[0062] FIGS. 8A-8F illustrate in enlarged bottom perspective views embodiments of a rear side of a tile, any of which may replace the rear side in, e.g., FIGS. 7A-7D.

[0063] FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate in cross-sectional side views an embodiment of a tile (FIG. 9A) and an embodiment of a carrier (FIG. 9B), wherein the tile may be attached to the carrier for obtaining a first or a second panel.

[0064] FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate in side views an embodiment of a first and a second panel in an unlocked state (FIG. 10A) and in a locked state (FIG. 10B), and an embodiment of a first and a second panel comprising a recess (FIG. 10C).

[0065] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate in side views an embodiment of a first and a second panel in an unlocked state (FIG. 11A) and in a locked state (FIG. 11B), and an embodiment of a panel comprising a tile and a carrier (FIG. 11C).

[0066] FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate in side views an embodiment of a first and a second panel in an unlocked state (FIG. 12A) and in a locked state (FIG. 12B).

[0067] FIGS. 12C-12E illustrate in enlarged perspective views, for example of the illustrations in FIGS. 2C, 4C, and 4B, respectively (or FIGS. 8B, 8E, and 8D, respectively), embodiments of a rear side of a tile or an upper side of a carrier, on which an adhesive coating is arranged in a pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] With reference to the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1A-1D, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A-5D, 6A-6H, 7A-7D, 8A-8F, 9A-9B, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12E, the disclosure relates to a set of floor panels comprising a first 1 and a second 2 panel, wherein each panel 1, 2 comprises a first 1a, 2a and a second 1b, 2b edge portion as well as a tile 3 and a carrier 4, such as a core. It is clear to a skilled artisan that the set may comprise additional panels, such as a plurality of panels, but for simplifying the presentation herein, reference will often be made to two panels 1, 2, and their cooperation at their edge portions 1a, 2b. The floor panels in the set may be assembled to provide a floor covering configured to be arranged on and along a subfloor 20, preferably in a floating manner. Preferably, the panels herein are essentially identical, but they may alternatively be different in size, proportion, appearance, etc.

[0069] The tile 3 of each panel 1, 2 comprises a front side 3a and a rear side 3b, preferably extending along a first X and a second Y perpendicular horizontal direction. The front side 3a may be configured to be visible during use of the panels. Moreover, the carrier 4 of each panel 1, 2 comprises an upper side 4a and a lower side 4b, preferably extending along the first X and second Y horizontal directions. For example, the first 1a and second 2b edge portions may extend along the first horizontal direction X. A normal N1 of a horizontal main plane M1, M1 extending along the front side 3a and/or the rear side 3b, such as along a vertically lowermost portion 3i of the rear side 3b, may define a vertical direction Z extending away from the front sides 3a of the tiles 3 of the first 1 and second 2 panels. Alternatively, or additionally, a normal N2 of a horizontal main plane M2, M2 extending along the upper side 4a and/or the lower side 4b, such as along a vertically uppermost portion 4i of the upper side 4a, may define the vertical direction Z. In a locked state of the panels 1, 2, the horizontal directions X, Y may extend essentially in parallel with the subfloor 20, and the vertical direction Z may extend perpendicularly thereto.

[0070] The tile 3 may be a ceramic tile, a porcelain tile or a stone tile. For example, the stone tile may be a natural stone tile and/or it may comprise marble, granite, quartz, soap stone or limestone. Alternatively, the tile comprises a mineral-based composite material, preferably comprising at least 85 wt %, such as at least 90 wt %, of inorganic material. For example, the inorganic material may be a stone material, such as stone powder, a sand material, CaCO3, clay or talc. Preferably, the mineral-based composite material comprises less than 4 wt %, such as less than 3 wt %, of polymeric material, such as no polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material may be, for example, a thermoplastic material or a thermosetting resin.

[0071] Alternatively, or additionally, to the above descriptions of the main planes M1, M1, the normal N1 may extend in parallel with a side surface 3j of the tile 3. Indeed, such a side surface 3j may be formed by laser cutting or waterjet cutting, for example for a ceramic tile, and may therefore provide a well-defined reference surface. Optionally, the water-jet cutting may be mixed with an abrasive compound.

[0072] Preferably, the tile 3 is a rectangular or a square tile. In other words, at least the front side 3a may be rectangularly shaped or square shaped. Optionally, the tile 3 comprises a bevel 3k along one or several of the edge portions 1a-1d, 2a-2d. Moreover, the tile 3 is attached to the carrier 4 by means of an adhesive coating 5 arranged between the upper side 4a of the carrier and the rear side 3b of the tile.

[0073] A, preferably maximal, thickness T1 of the tile 3 may be in the range of 2 mm to 12 mm, such as 7-11 mm or 8-10 mm or 3-8 mm or 4-7 mm. A, preferably maximal, thickness T2 of the carrier 4 may be in the range of 2 mm to 15 mm, such as 2-12 mm, 4-10 mm or 4.5-6 mm. Generally herein, a total thickness T of the panel 1, 2 does not exceed 20 mm, such as not exceeding 15 mm.

[0074] The first 1a and second 2b edge portions may be short edge portions (or long edge portions). As indicated above, it is clear that the panels 1, 2 may comprise opposing edge portions 1b, 2a as shown in, e.g., FIG. 1B. The panels 1, 2 may further comprise third 1c, 2c and fourth 1d, 2d opposing edge portions, see, e.g., FIG. 1C. In the case of rectangular panels, the third 1c, 2c and fourth 1d, 2d edge portions may be long edge portions (or short edge portions). For example, the third and fourth edge portions may extend along the second horizontal direction Y.

[0075] The set of panels further comprises a locking device for locking the first 1a and second 2b edge portions to each other and obtaining a locked state. The locking device herein may be a mechanical locking device, preferably formed in the carrier 4 of the first 1 and second 2 panels. Optionally, the locking device may comprise separate locking parts, cf. FIG. 5D. Thereby, the first 1 and second 2 panels may be assembled to each other. The locking device comprises a horizontal locking device and a vertical locking device configured to define a horizontally and vertically locked state of the first 1a and second 2b edge portions, respectively.

[0076] The first 1a and a second 2b edge portions comprise a locking groove 7 and a strip 6 provided with a, preferably upwardly extending, locking element 8 (see, e.g., FIG. 2A). The locking groove 7 and the locking element 8 are configured to cooperate, such as engage, with each other for horizontal locking of the first 1a and second 2b edge portions. Moreover, the first 1a and second 2b edge portions comprise a tongue 9 and a tongue groove 10. The tongue 9 and the tongue groove 10 are configured to cooperate, such as engage, with each other for vertical locking of the first 1a and second 2b edge portions.

[0077] The locking device, including the locking groove 7, the locking element 8, the tongue 9, and a tongue groove 10 may be formed in the carrier 4 of the panels 1, 2. Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 5D, at least parts of the locking device may be separately formed from the panels 1, 2.

[0078] The carrier 4 may generally herein comprise at least one carrier layer 14a, such as at least two mutually attached, such as adhered or laminated, carrier layers 14a, 14b. Various types of carrier materials are conceivable.

[0079] In some embodiments, the carrier 4 comprises a polymer-based material, such as a thermoplastic material or a thermosetting resin. For example, the thickness T2 may be in the range of 2 mm to 15 mm, such as 4-10 mm.

[0080] The thermoplastic material may comprise PVC, polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), PU, such as thermoplastic PU (TPU), PE terephthalate (PET), PET glycol (PET-G), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the carrier may comprise at least two carrier layers 14a, 14b, each comprising a thermoplastic material, such as PVC.

[0081] The thermoplastic material preferably comprises a filler. A degree of filler may exceed 40 wt %, preferably exceeding 60 wt %, such as 50-90 wt % or 60-80 wt %. The filler may comprise, or may be, an inorganic filler, such as a mineral material, for example CaCO3, limestone, such as chalk, talc, fly ash, or a stone material, such as stone powder. Alternatively, or additionally, the filler may comprise, or may be, an organic filler, such as a wood material, a bamboo material, cork filler, such as cork husks, or rice husks. For example, the wood material may be wood fibres, wood flour and/or wood dust, and the bamboo material may be bamboo dust.

[0082] The carrier 4 may be an extruded carrier layer 14a or at least two co-extruded carrier layers 14a, 14b. For example, the carrier may comprise two or three carrier layers arranged in an AB or an ABC layered structure with different layer characteristics or an ABA layered structure with some, such as two, of the layers having the same characteristics. The characteristics may include the types and proportions of materials in the layers, their rigidity, etc. Generally, the carrier 4 may rigid or resilient, depending on the amount of plasticizer, either of them being foamed or dense (thereby not being foamed). For example, the carrier herein may comprise one or several layers of a Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT tile), a Stone Plastic (Polymer) Composite panel or Solid Polymer Core panel (SPC panel), or an Expanded Polymer Core panel (EPC panel), also known as Water Proof Core panel or Wood Plastic Composite panel (WPC panel).

[0083] In some embodiments, the carrier 4 may comprise a thermoplastic material, such as PVC, a filler, preferably a mineral filler, and a plasticizer. For example, carrier may comprise the plasticizer to a degree of at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, for example 5-20 wt %. Such as resilient carrier, for example in the form of an LVT tile, may be suitable for an uneven subfloor 20 or, at least for some applications, when a more comfortable floor covering is desired.

[0084] As illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12B, the carrier 4 of the panels 1, 2 may in some embodiments comprise a first 14a and a second 14b carrier layer arranged on, preferably attached to, the first carrier layer 14a. A thermoplastic material of the first carrier layer 14a may comprise a plasticizer to a degree of at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, for example 5-20 wt %. A thermoplastic material of the second carrier layer 14b may comprise less than 3 wt % of a plasticizer, such as less than 1 wt % or essentially no plasticizer. For example, the first carrier layer 14a may be an LVT tile and the second carrier layer 14b may be a SPC tile.

[0085] The thermosetting resin may for example be PU, an epoxy resin, or an MF resin. In some embodiments, the carrier 4 comprises a compact laminate or a high-pressure laminate board, a HPL board, comprising a paper and a cured MF resin.

[0086] In some embodiments, the carrier 4 is a mineral-based carrier. In a first example, the carrier 4 comprises MgO, and optionally magnesium chloride (e.g., MgCl.sub.2) and/or magnesium sulphate (e.g., MgSO.sub.4). In a second example, the carrier 4 is a cementitious carrier, such as comprising fibre cement.

[0087] In yet some embodiments, the carrier 4 is or comprises a wood-based carrier, such as comprising an MDF board, an HDF board, a plywood board, a solid wood layer, or a particle board layer. For example, the thickness T2 may be in the range of 3 mm to 15 mm or 3-12 mm, such as 4-6 mm or 12-15 mm.

[0088] In some embodiments, the carrier 4 may comprise a cork composite material, for example comprising cork, PE or PP, a coupling agent, and additives.

[0089] The adhesive coating 5 may be applied by contact application, such as by slot-die coating or by roller coating. Alternatively, the adhesive coating 5 may be applied by non-contact application, such as by spraying or curtain coating. For example, adhesive may be applied to the rear side 3b and/or the upper side 4a in an amount of 10-200 g/m.sup.2, such as 60-140 g/m.sup.2, such as 80-120 g/m.sup.2.

[0090] Generally herein, the adhesive coating may comprise a thermoplastic adhesive or a thermosetting adhesive. The thermoplastic adhesive may provide a simpler separation of the tile 3 from the carrier 4 during a recycling of the panel. For example, the thermoplastic adhesive may be re-heated, thereby further simplifying the separation of the tile 3 from the carrier 4. The thermosetting adhesive may at least in some applications provide a better attachment between the tile and the carrier. In addition, the adhesive attachment may become more heat resistant and/or resistant against certain types of solvents.

[0091] The adhesive may be a hot-melt adhesive, such as a reactive or non-reactive hot-melt adhesive. For example, the adhesive may comprise and/or may be based on PU or polyolefins (PO), optionally with reactive components, or thermoplastic rubber. For example, the adhesive may comprise silane-modified polymers (SMP) (or silane-terminated polymers), such as silane-modified polyolefins (POR). For example, the adhesive comprising PU or SMP may be a two-component adhesive.

[0092] The non-reactive hot-melt adhesive may comprise a thermoplastic material, such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), PO, polyamides, polyesters, or TPU. The reactive hot-melt adhesive may comprise a reactive PU (PUR) or reactive PO (POR).

[0093] The adhesive may generally herein be flexible, for example comprising SMP or being a pressure-sensitive adhesive, PSA. For example, the PSA may be based on PO.

[0094] In any embodiment herein, and as illustrated in FIG. 5D, a reinforcement layer 16, such as a glass-fibre layer or mesh, may be arranged at or in the adhesive coating 5. Alternatively, or additionally, the tiles 3 herein may optionally be reinforced, for example by organic and/or inorganic fibres. Examples of fibres include glass-fibres and/or carbon fibres.

[0095] In some embodiments, and as illustrated in, e.g., FIG. 5C and also in FIG. 5B combined with, e.g., FIG. 9B, the rear side 3b and the upper side 4a are each essentially continuously planar, optionally comprising a surface structure (see below). Here, the tile 3 may be a ceramic tile, a porcelain tile or a stone tile, or it may comprise a mineral-based composite material as described above.

[0096] Throughout the disclosure, and as illustrated in, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1D, 3B-3D, 4A (without cavities 12, cf. discussion below), 5B-5D, 6E-6F, 9B, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12C, by being essentially continuously planar, the rear side 3b and/or the upper side 4a may extend continuously between opposing edge sections 3e, 3f and/or opposing edge sections 4e, 4f essentially along the main plane M1 and/or M2 without interruptions, optionally comprising the surface structure. Preferably, there is no protruding member 11 and no cavities 12 (discussed further below) in the continuously planar rear 3b and/or upper 4a side.

[0097] As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A, 5D, 6B, 6E-6F, 7A-7D, 8A-8F, 9A, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12E, the rear side 3b of the tile or the upper side 4a of the carrier may comprise a protruding member 11, preferably integrally formed with the tile 3 or the carrier 4. For example, the protruding member 11 of the tile 3 may be formed during manufacturing, preferably moulding, of the tile 3, which for example may be a ceramic or porcelain tile, and the protruding member 11 of the carrier 4 may be formed by, for example moulding, extrusion or machining. The protruding member 11 may define a plurality of cavities 12 in the rear side 3b or in the upper side 4a. Thereby, the cavities 12 may be delimited by protruding member 11, such that it may form a boundary of the cavities. The adhesive coating 5 may be arranged at least on an end portion 11a of the protruding member 11.

[0098] As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A and 8A-8C, 9A, the protruding member 11 may comprise a plurality of protruding elements 11c. The protruding elements 11c may be horizontally separated, preferably being at least partially, such as entirely, separated by the cavities 12 along the first X and/or second Y horizontal direction. Alternatively, as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 4B-4C, 5A, 7A-7D and 8D-8F, there may be a single protruding member 11, preferably being integrally formed, and comprising a plurality of cavities 12. In other words, the single protruding member 11 may be formed as a single protruding element 11c.

[0099] At least a portion of the protruding member 11, such as the end portion 11a, may extend along the vertically lowermost 3i or uppermost 4i portion, such as along the main plane M1 or M2. Thereby, the cavities 12 may extend vertically below the vertically uppermost portion 4i as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A-3C, 4A-4C and 5A or vertically above the vertically lowermost portion 3i as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 7A-7D (recalling that the shown tiles 3 are turned upside-down).

[0100] Preferably, the carrier 4 is arranged entirely vertically below the tile 3. Thereby, no part of the carrier 4 may extend vertically above the main plane M1 or no part of the tile 3 may extend vertically below the main plane M2.

[0101] As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A, 5D, 6E-6F, 9A-9B, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12B, the rear side 3b and the upper side 4a may be non-complementary, such that the rear side 3b and the upper side 4a are spaced from each other at spacing portions 19 by a space 19a. The spacing portions 19 may correspond to the space formed by the cavities 12. Incidentally, it is clear that there may optionally be one or more complementary portions of the rear 3b and upper 4a side, in addition to the non-complementary portions. The complementary portions may cooperate with each other along planar or non-planar portions of the rear 3b and upper 4a side (without any space), optionally comprising a surface roughness (see below).

[0102] When the rear side 3b (or the upper side 4a) comprises a protruding member 11, the upper side 4a (or the rear side 3b) may be continuously planar, optionally comprising a surface structure.

[0103] When the rear side 3b of the tile comprises the protruding member 11, the tile 3 preferably is a ceramic tile or it comprises said mineral-based composite material. Furthermore, the thickness T2 of the carrier 4, at least in an inner segment 4k of the carrier 4, preferably inwardly of the locking device, may be essentially constant, cf. FIG. 9B.

[0104] When the upper side 4a of the carrier 4 comprises the protruding member 11, the tile 3 may be a ceramic tile, a porcelain tile or a stone tile, or it may comprise said mineral-based composite material. Furthermore, the thickness T1 of the tile 3 may be essentially constant, possibly except at the location of the bevel(s) 3k.

[0105] Preferably, the protruding member 11 extends along a peripheral portion 3c of the rear side 3b or along a peripheral portion 4c of the upper side 4a. At least when the tile 3 is attached to the carrier 4, the peripheral portion 3c, 4c may be located from the side surface 3j within 10%, preferably within 5%, of a length B1 and/or B2 of the tile 3 extending along the first 3e and/or the second 3f edge section. For example, the peripheral portion 3c, 4c may be located within 15 mm, such as within 10 mm, from the side surface 3j. The peripheral portion 3c, 4c herein may be located at or at a distance from the side surface 3j according to any of the examples above along the first X and/or second Y horizontal direction.

[0106] The cavities 12 may be horizontally enclosed, as shown most clearly in, e.g., FIGS. 1C, 2B-2C, 4A-4C, 5A, 6B, 7B, 7D, 8A-8B and 8D-8F. Thereby, the cavities 12 may be at least partially surrounded (see, e.g., FIGS. 2B-2C and 8A-8B) or entirely surrounded (see, e.g., FIGS. 1C, 4A-4C, 5A, 6B, 7B, 7D, and 8D-8F) by sidewalls 11b of the protruding member 11. The cavities 12 may be at least partially surrounded by the sidewalls 11b along the first X and/or second Y horizontal direction. Optionally, the cavities 12 may be entirely surrounded by the sidewalls 11b along the first X and the second Y horizontal directions. Clearly, the cavities 12 may also be enclosed by an upper wall 3g of the rear side 3b or a lower wall 4g of the upper side 4a. In some embodiments, the cavities 12 are horizontally open, such as along one or two horizontal directions X, Y. Open cavities 12 are illustrated in, e.g., FIGS. 2B-2C, 3A and 8A-8C. Open cavities 12 may thus communicate to form a single overall recess.

[0107] As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C and 5A, the protruding member 11 may protrude vertically upwards from a vertically lowermost portion 4h of the upper side 4a, such as from the upper wall 4g. As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 5D, 6E-6F, 7A-7D, 8A-8F, 9A, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12C, the protruding member 11 may protrude vertically downwards from a vertically uppermost portion 3h of the rear side 3b, such as from the upper wall 3g.

[0108] An internal horizontal distance L1, L2 of the cavities 12 of the tile 3 and/or the carrier 4 may be in the range of 1-15 times the thickness T1 of the tile 3, such as in the range of 4-8 times the thickness T1. In some embodiments, the internal horizontal distance L1, L2 of the tile 3 and/or the carrier 4 may be in the range of 3-10 times the thickness T1 of the tile 3, such as in the range of 2-5 times the thickness T1. For example, given a panel 1, 2, the internal horizontal distance L1 (or L2) may be determined along the first 1a, 2a and second 1b, 2b edge portions (or the third 1c, 2c and fourth 1d, 2d edge portions).

[0109] A maximal depth D of the cavities 12 of the tile 3 and/or the carrier 4 may be 3-50%, such as 10-35% or 20-25%, of the thickness T1. T1 may be a maximal thickness. Expressed explicitly, the depth D of the cavities 12 may be 0.3-5 mm, such as 0.3-1.5 mm or 1-4 mm or 1.5-2.5 mm. The same values as for the depth D may be valid for the space 19a.

[0110] Optionally, and as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11C, the adhesive coating 5, e.g., in any of FIGS. 1A-1D, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A, 5D, 6B-6F, 7A-7D, 8A-8F, 9A-9B, 10A-10C and 12A-12B, may be further at least partly arranged in the cavities 12. Indeed, excessive adhesive coating 5 may flow into the cavities 12 during an attachment of the tile 3 to the carrier 4, and thereby a more controlled vertical positioning of the tile 3 with respect to the carrier 4 may be obtained. Additionally, at least by means of the adhesive coating 5 being arranged inside the cavities 12, for example against side walls 12a of the cavities, a better adhesion between the tile and the carrier may be obtained. At least some of the side walls 12a may share common surfaces with the sidewalls 11b of the protruding member 11. By being at least partly arranged in the cavities 12, the adhesive coating 5 may be arranged above the end portions 11a of the tile 3 and/or above the main plane M1 extending along the vertically lowermost portion 3i. Alternatively, the adhesive coating 5 may be arranged below the end portions 11a of the carrier 4 and/or below the main plane M2 extending along the vertically uppermost portion 4i.

[0111] In some embodiments, the adhesive coating 5 may comprise a foamed adhesive or a foamable adhesive, for example being a hot-melt adhesive. Thereby, a predetermined amount of adhesive, preferably specified in wt %, may occupy a larger area or volume along the vertical direction Z. For example, more adhesive coating 5 may be arranged in the cavities 12.

[0112] As illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9B, a surface structure of the rear side 3b of the tile 3 and/or a surface structure of the upper side 4a of the carrier 4 may include a surface roughness. The surface roughness of the rear side 3b of the tile 3 and/or the upper side 4a of the carrier 4, expressed as an Ra value, may range between 0.25 and 5 mm, such as 0.5-3 mm or 0.75-2 mm, for example about 1 mm. Any of these examples may be applicable to embodiments with the continuously planar rear 3b and upper 4a sides and to embodiments comprising the protruding member 11. In the latter case, the end portion 11a may include the surface roughness.

[0113] The tile 3 may be attached to the carrier 4 by means of the adhesive coating 5 along an attachment area A1, see the illustration in FIGS. 6B and 6G-6H.

[0114] When the rear side 3b of the tile and the upper side 4a of the carrier are essentially continuously planar, such as when neither of the tile 3 or the carrier 4 comprises a protruding member 11, see, e.g., FIGS. 5C and 6G-6H, the attachment area A1 may be 10-100%, such as 50-100%, of a total tile surface area A2, for example essentially the entire tile 3 may be attached to the carrier 4, cf. FIG. 6A. In these embodiments, the rear side 3b and the upper side 4a may thereby be complementary, preferably such that at least portions of rear side 3b cooperate, such as engage, with the upper side 4a, optionally via the adhesive coating 5. For example, essentially the entire rear side 3b may cooperate, such as engage, with the upper side 4a, optionally via the adhesive coating 5.

[0115] In embodiments, such as those in FIGS. 1A-1D, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A, 5D, 6A-6F, 7A-7D, 8A-8F, 9A-9B, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12E, the attachment area A1 between the tile 3 and the carrier 4 via the protruding member 11 may be 10-50%, such as 15-35%, of the total tile surface area A2, cf. FIGS. 6A and 6G-6H.

[0116] Generally, the adhesive coating 5 may be arranged at one or several locations of the rear side 3b or the front side 4a, for example in one or several continuous applications.

[0117] The adhesive coating 5 may alternatively be arranged in a pattern, such as a line pattern or a lattice pattern, cf. FIGS. 6G-6H (where the optional protruding member 11 and cavities 12 are suppressed for clarity) and FIG. 12C (lattice pattern), FIG. 12D (line pattern), and FIG. 12E (line pattern, with crossing lines). For example, the line pattern or lattice pattern may cover less than 50%, such as less than 20% or less than 10%, of the length B1 and/or B2 of the tile 3 extending along the first 3e and/or the second 3f edge section. The adhesive coating 5 may be arranged along the peripheral portion 3c and/or along the peripheral portion 4c. Preferably, the adhesive coating 5 may further be arranged in an inner region 3d of the rear side 3b and/or in an inner region 4d of the upper side 4a, cf. FIGS. 6C-6D. It is noted that the labels B1, B2 in FIGS. 6C-6D are valid only when the figures depict the tile 3, and not the carrier 4. It is emphasized that the embodiments in FIGS. 12C-12E may depict either the rear side 3b of the tile 3 or the upper side 4a of the carrier 4a. Also, it is stressed that similar adhesive patterns as in FIGS. 12C-12E are conceivable in any embodiment herein, such as in FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A-5D, 6B, 6E-6F, 7A-7D, 8A-8F, 9A-9B, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12B.

[0118] Optionally, and as illustrated in FIGS. 6C-6D, the inner region 3d, 4d may in some examples be spaced from the peripheral portion 3c, 4c by a distance J1, J2, which preferably is at least 0.2, such as at least 0.3, of the length B1, B2 of the tile 3 extending along the first 3e and/or the second 3f edge section. For example, 0.2J1/B10.49 and 0.2J2/B20.49 or 0.3J1/B10.4 and 0.3J2/B20.4. The inner region 3d, 4d may be shaped in any form, such as a disc, an annulus (as shown in FIG. 6C), a rectangle, or an irregular shape (as shown in FIG. 6D). For clarity of the presentation, a possible protruding member 11 and cavities 12 are suppressed in FIGS. 6C-6D, but it is understood that they may optionally be present.

[0119] It is emphasized that the configurations relating to the adhesive coating 5 are equally conceivable for the embodiments with continuously planar rear 3b and upper 4a sides and for the embodiments comprising a protruding member 11.

[0120] A thickness Q of the adhesive coating 5 may exceed a, preferably maximal, rear side 3b height variation H of the tile 3. Preferably, the rear side height variation H may be a maximal vertical variation of the rear side 3b, such as of the vertically lowermost portion 3i of the rear side 3b, preferably including the end portions 11a of the tile 3. The vertically lowermost portion 3i may extend horizontally along the rear side 3b, such as along the first X and/or second Y horizontal directions. This is schematically illustrated in FIG. 11C in the context of a tile 3 being subjected to a large cupping effect, but is more widely applicable. Indeed, the rear side height variation H may generally include a cupping of the tile 3 as well as the rear side surface structure, such as the surface roughness. The height variation H may be determined along the vertical direction Z and/or along the normal N1, which optionally may extend along the side surface 3j. Generally herein, the thickness T1, T2 of the tile and the carrier, as well as the rear side height variation H of the tile may be measured by means of a caliper, preferably a digital caliper, and/or a coordinate-measuring machine (CMM). Preferably, the adhesive coating 5 with Q>H is applied by means of an isochoric application process.

[0121] Upper portions 4j of the carriers 4 of the first 1 and second 2 panels may be configured to cooperate with each other in the locked state of the panels 1, 2, see, e.g., FIGS. 3C-3D, 5C, 6F, 10B, 11B and 12B. Optionally, there may be a joint gap G between the tiles 3 of the panels 1, 2 in the locked state.

[0122] Generally herein, the joint gap G may be range from about 0 mm, preferably exceeding 0 mm, to about 10 mm. For example, and as shown most clearly in, e.g., FIG. 6F, the joint gap G may be configured to be at least partially filled by a grout element 13, such as a powder-based grout, a decorative grout element, for example comprising a polymer-based material, or a separate connecting device 21 comprising a first 21a and a second 21b connecting element such as that in FIG. 5D; also see WO 2019/240656 A1. For example, the joint gap G may exceed or may be at least 1 mm, such as being 1-10 mm or 3-6 mm. It is emphasized that the embodiment of the type in FIG. 5D is included in an inventive concept described herein, at least since the locking device comprises a locking groove 7 and a locking element 8 as well as a tongue 9 and a tongue groove 10, albeit that at least parts of the locking device are arranged separately from the panels 1, 2.

[0123] In some embodiments, the grout element 13 may be flexible, such as being silicone-based grout element or being a PU dispersion, PUD. Such a flexible grout element 13 may at least in some applications be preferred for a floating floor covering comprising a locking device of the type described herein. Indeed, the flexible grout element 13 may be more resistant against developing grout cracks, for example being caused by relative displacements of the panels 1, 2.

[0124] In some embodiments, the joint gap G between the tiles 3 of the panels 1, 2 in the locked state is lower than 3 mm, such as not exceeding 2 mm, such as not exceeding 1 mm, or even not exceeding 0.5 mm.

[0125] The carrier 4, such as the upper side 4a arranged horizontally outside of the tile 3 of the first 1 and/or second 2 panel, may be configured to be exposed from above before arranging the grout element 13 in the gap G. In a first example, and as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 3B-3D, 5C, 6E-6F and 10A-10B, the joint gap G may be formed by the tile 3 of the first panel 1 being horizontally displaced with respect to the carrier 4 of the first panel 1. In a second example, and as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 11A-11B, the joint gap G may be formed by the tile 3 of the second panel 2 being horizontally displaced with respect to the carrier 4 of the second panel 2. In a third example, and as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 12A-12B, the joint gap G may be formed by the tile 3 of the first panel 1 being horizontally displaced with respect to the carrier 4 of the first panel 1 and by the tile 3 of the second panel 2 being horizontally displaced with respect to the carrier 4 of the second panel 2. In any of the three examples above, the horizontal displacement may be directed along the first X and/or the second Y horizontal direction, depending on whether the joint gap G is arranged between the first 1a and second 2b edge portions and/or between the third edge portion 1c, 2c and an adjacent fourth edge portion 1d, 2d.

[0126] It is emphasized that any of the three examples of the joint gap G in the previous paragraph are conceivable, e.g., in any of FIGS. 1A-1D, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A, 5C, 6E-6F, 7A-7D, 8A-8F, 9A-9B, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12B mutatis mutandis. Moreover, it is understood that in any of these embodiments, a grout element 13, such as that shown in FIG. 6F, may at least partially fill the joint gap G.

[0127] In some embodiments, such as in FIG. 5D, the upper portions 4j of the carriers 4 of the first 1 and second 2 panels may be spaced from each other in the locked state. Moreover, the joint gap G may be formed by the first connecting element 21a relatively fixing the first 1 and second 2 panels with respect to each other.

[0128] In some embodiments, the tile 3 and/or the carrier 4 of the first 1 and/or the second 2 panel comprises a sidewardly open recess 15. The recess 15 may be arranged at one or several edge portions 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d facing horizontally outwards from the respective panel 1, 2, for example along the second horizontal direction Y, but alternatively or additionally also along the first horizontal direction X. For example, the recess 15 may be arranged in the rear side 3b and/or in the upper side 4a.

[0129] In a first example, and as shown in, e.g., FIG. 10C, the recess 15 may be formed from one or several of the cavities 12, which is defined (i.e., delimited) by a protruding member 11. In a second example, the recess 15 may be formed as a separate opening, such as being provided horizontally outside of enclosed cavities 12, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5C and 7C-7D.

[0130] The first 1 and second 2 panels may be assembled to each other by a relative vertical displacement of the first 1a and second 2b edge portions against each other, preferably by means of a scissor or folding displacement, cf. FIG. 12A. Such locking devices are illustrated in, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A-3C, 4A-4C, 5A, 5C-5D, 6E-6F, 10C, 11A-11C and 12A-12B.

[0131] In some embodiments, however, the first 1 and second 2 panels may be assembled to each other by angling the first 1a and second 2b edge portions relative to each other, cf. FIG. 10A. Such locking devices are illustrated in, e.g., FIGS. 3D, 9B and 10A-10B. When the edge portions are configured to be assembled to each other by angling, the joint gap G preferably at least amounts to 1 mm, for example being in the range of 1-10 mm.

[0132] In a first example, and as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 3B-3C, 5C-5D, 6E-6F, 10C and 11A-11C, the tongue 9 may be a separate, displaceable and flexible tongue, preferably configured to be arranged in an insertion groove 9a. The separate, flexible tongue 9 may be arranged in the first panel 1 and the tongue groove 10 may be arranged in the second panel 2, although a reversed configuration is equally conceivable (not shown).

[0133] In a second example, and as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A, 3D, 4A-4C, 5A, 9B, 10A-10B and 12A-12B, the tongue 9 may be integrally formed (i.e., in one piece) with the carrier 4 of the first 1 or the second 2 panel. The integrally formed tongue 9 and tongue groove 10 may be arranged in the second 2 and first 1 panel, respectively, such as when the edge portions are configured to be assembled to each other by angling. Alternatively, the integrally formed tongue 9 and the tongue groove 10 may be arranged in the first 1 and the second 2 panel, respectively, such as when the edge portions are configured to be assembled to each other by a relative vertical displacement.

[0134] The roles of the locking device on the first 1a and second 2b edge portions described above may be interchanged or complemented with a corresponding locking device on the third 1c, 2c and fourth 1d, 2d edge portions. For example, the first 1a and second 2b edge portions may be configured to be assembled to each other by angling and the third 1c, 2c and fourth 1d, 2d edge portions may be configured to be assembled to each other by a relative vertical displacement, or vice versa.

[0135] As shown in FIGS. 6E-6F, the set may optionally further comprise a separate connecting device 17 configured to be at least partially arranged in the locking groove 7 in the locked state. Such a configuration may position the panels 1, 2 in a four-way junction. For example, the strip 6 may comprise a sidewardly open cavity 18 extending below a plane P of an upper surface of the locking element 8. Embodiments and examples of the connecting device and its cooperation with the panels 1, 2 are described, e.g., in WO 2024/248711 A1, whereby reference is made thereto.

[0136] Optionally herein, an underlay element 22, and as illustrated in FIG. 5C, may be adhered to the rear side 4b of the carrier 4. The underlay element 22 may be or may comprise cork, rubber, or a foamed layer, for example comprising PE, such as IXPE and EPE, EVA, PET, including rPET, PP, such as XPP and IXPP, PS, such as XPS, EPS, PO, such as XPO, PU, PUR, TPU, PVC.

[0137] Aspects of the disclosure has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the disclosure, inter alia as defined by the list of itemized embodiments below and by the appended patent claims. For example, it is clear to a skilled artisan that the locking devices shown herein are exemplary and that other ones may be used. Furthermore, the carrier layer configuration shown in FIGS. 12A-12B is equally applicable to the other embodiments herein, such as in FIGS. 1A-1D, 2A-2C, 3A-3D, 4A-4C, 5A-5D, 6A-6H, 7A-7D, 8A-8F, 9A-9B, 10A-10C, 11A-11C and 12C-12E.

Embodiments

[0138] Further aspects of disclosure are provided below. Embodiments, examples etc. of these aspects are largely analogous to the embodiments, examples, etc. as described above, whereby reference is made to the above for a detailed description.

[0139] Item 1. A set of floor panels comprising a first panel (1) and a second panel (2), each panel (1, 2) comprising a rectangular or square tile (3) and a carrier (4), the tile (3) being a ceramic tile, a porcelain tile or a stone tile, or the tile (3) comprising a mineral-based composite material, [0140] wherein the tile (3) is attached to the carrier (4) by an adhesive coating (5) arranged between an upper side (4a) of the carrier and a rear side (3b) of the tile, [0141] wherein a first (1a) and a second (2b) edge portion of the first (1) and second (2) panels comprise a locking groove (7) and a strip (6) provided with a locking element (8), the locking groove (7) and the locking element (8) being configured to cooperate with each other for horizontal locking of the first and second edge portions, and [0142] wherein the first (1a) and second (2b) edge portions further comprise a tongue (9) and a tongue groove (10), the tongue (9) and the tongue groove (10) being configured to cooperate with each other for vertical locking of the first and second edge portions.

[0143] Item 2. The set according to item 1, wherein the carrier (4) comprises a thermoplastic material, preferably comprising a filler.

[0144] Item 3. The set according to item 1, wherein the carrier (4) comprises a thermosetting resin, such as polyurethane, an epoxy resin, or a melamine-formaldehyde resin.

[0145] Item 4. The set according to item 1, wherein the carrier (4) is a mineral-based carrier, such as comprising magnesium oxide or cement.

[0146] Item 5. The set according to item 1, wherein the carrier (4) is a wood-based carrier, such as comprising a medium-density fibre board, a high-density fibre board, a plywood board, a solid wood layer, or a particle board layer.

[0147] Item 6. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein the rear side (3b) of the tile and/or the upper side (4a) of the carrier are/is essentially continuously planar, optionally comprising a surface roughness.

[0148] Item 7. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein, preferably one of, the rear side (3b) of the tile or the upper side (4a) of the carrier comprises a protruding member (11), the protruding member (11) defining a plurality of cavities (12) in, preferably the one of, the rear side (3b) of the tile or the upper side (4a) of the carrier, and wherein the adhesive coating (5) is arranged at least on an end portion (11a) of the protruding member (11).

[0149] Item 8. The set according to item 7, wherein the protruding member (11) extends along a peripheral portion (3c; 4c) of, the preferably one of, the rear side (3b) of the tile or the upper side (4a) of the carrier.

[0150] Item 9. The set according to item 7 or 8, wherein an attachment area (A1) between the tile (3) and the carrier (4) via the protruding member (11) is 10-50%, such as 15-35%, of a total tile surface area (A2).

[0151] Item 10. The set according to any of the preceding items 7-9, wherein the adhesive coating (5) is further at least partly arranged in the cavities (12).

[0152] Item 11. The set according to any of the preceding items 7-10, wherein the cavities (12) are horizontally enclosed, optionally such that they are entirely surrounded by sidewalls (11b) of the protruding member (11).

[0153] Item 12. The set according to any of the preceding items 1-10, wherein the cavities (12) are open, and wherein the cavities (12) are communicating to form a single overall recess.

[0154] Item 13. The set according to any of the preceding items 7-12, wherein an internal horizontal distance (L1; L2) of the cavities (12) of the tile (3) and/or the carrier (4) is in the range of 1-10 times a thickness (T1) of the tile (3), such as in the range of 2-5 times a thickness (T1) of the tile (3).

[0155] Item 14. The set according to any of the preceding items 7-13, wherein a maximal depth (D) of the cavities (12) of the tile (3) and/or the carrier (4) is 3-50%, such as 10-35%, of a thickness (T1) of the tile (3).

[0156] Item 15. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein the protruding member (11) comprises only a single protruding element (11c), which preferably horizontally encloses the cavities (12).

[0157] Item 16. The set according to any of the preceding items 7-12, wherein the protruding member (11) comprises a plurality of protruding elements (11c), which preferably are horizontally separated by the cavities (12).

[0158] Item 17. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein the rear side (3b) and the upper side (4a) are non-complementary, such that the rear side (3b) and the upper side (4a) are spaced from each other at spacing portions (19).

[0159] Item 18. The set according to item 17, wherein the rear side (3b) and the upper side (4a) are spaced from each other by a space (19a) at the spacing portions (19), which corresponds to 3-50%, such as 10-35% or 20-25%, of a thickness (T1) of the tile (3).

[0160] Item 19. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein a surface roughness of the tile (3) and/or the carrier (4), such as a surface roughness of the rear side (3b) of the tile and/or the upper side (4a) of the carrier, expressed as an Ra value, range between 0.25 and 5 mm, such as 0.5-3 mm or 0.75-2 mm.

[0161] Item 20. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein the adhesive coating (5) is arranged in a pattern, such as a line pattern or a lattice pattern.

[0162] Item 21. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein the adhesive coating (5) is arranged along a peripheral portion (3c; 4c) and in an inner region (3d; 4d) of the rear side (3b) of the tile and/or of the upper side (4a) of the carrier, the inner region (3d; 4d) being spaced from the peripheral portion (3c; 4c) by a distance (J1; J2), which is at least 0.2, such as at least 0.3, of a length (B1; B2) of the tile (3) extending along an edge section (3e; 3f) of the tile (3).

[0163] Item 22. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein a thickness (Q) of the adhesive coating (5) exceeds a rear side (3b) height variation (H) of the tile (3).

[0164] Item 23. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein the carrier (4) of the first (1) and second (2) panels comprises a first carrier layer (14a) and a second carrier layer (14b) arranged on the first carrier layer (14a), a thermoplastic material of the first carrier layer (14a) comprising a plasticizer to a degree of at least 5 wt % and a thermoplastic material of the second carrier layer (14b) comprising less than 3 wt % of a plasticizer, such as essentially no plasticizer.

[0165] Item 24. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein upper portions (4j) of the carriers (4) of the first (1) and second (2) panels are configured to cooperate with each other in a locked state of the panels (1, 2), the tile (3) and/or the carrier (4) of the first (1) and/or the second (2) panel comprising a sidewardly open recess (15).

[0166] Item 25. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein there is a joint gap (G) between the tiles (3) of the first (1) and second (2) panels in a locked state of the panels (1, 2), the gap (G) being configured to be at least partially filled by a grout element.

[0167] Item 26. The set according to any of the preceding items, wherein a joint gap (G) between the tiles (3) of the first (1) and second (2) panels in a locked state of the panels (1, 2) does not exceed 2 mm, such as not exceeding 1 mm.