Floor covering, floor panels and method for manufacturing floor panels

1. A method for manufacturing a floor panel,

wherein the floor panel comprises at least a substrate, and a synthetic material based top layer, present at an upper side of the floor panel, said top layer comprising a decor;

wherein the floor panel, at least at two opposite sides or edges of the floor panel, is provided with coupling parts allowing that two of such floor panels can cooperate with each other at said sides or edges;

wherein said upper side of the floor panel, at least at one of said sides or edges, is provided with a chamfer; and

wherein the method comprises at least the step of providing the surface of the chamfer with a separate decorative layer, the decorative layer being provided directly on the surface of the chamfer by means of a digital multicolor printer.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the decorative layer is provided with a pattern by means of a suitable control of the digital multicolor printer.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein, for the digital multicolor printer, use is made of an inkjet printer or a device working according to an inkjet principle.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digital multicolor printer is automatically controlled in function of data derived from the floor panel.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said data are derived from a mark that is present on the floor panel.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said mark is present in the décor of the floor panel.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said chamfer, before being printed by the digital multicolor printer, already is provided with a ground coat.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said ground coat comprises a lacquer, or a layer already provided earlier by means of a digital printer, or a layer provided by means of transfer printing.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said chamfer extends through the substrate.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said chamfer, as measured horizontally, has a width of less than 3 mm.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said decorative layer is thinner than the top layer of the floor panel.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein a transparent covering layer is applied on top of said decorative layer.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said floor panel is a laminate floor panel.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the floor panel is of the DPL (Direct Pressure Laminate) type.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said top layer is composed of a décor layer, defining said decor, and an overlay.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said décor layer consists of a support sheet upon which the décor is printed and which is impregnated with resin;

and wherein said overlay consists of a support sheet immersed in resin.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein corundum is integrated in said overlay.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said décor layer and said overlay are pressed onto said substrate.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein said substrate consists of MDF or HDF board.

20. A method for manufacturing a floor panel, wherein the floor panel comprises at least a substrate, and a synthetic material based top layer, present at an upper side of the floor panel, said top layer comprising a décor;

wherein the floor panel, at least at two opposite sides or edges of the floor panel, is provided with coupling parts allowing that two of such floor panels can cooperate with each other at said sides or edges;

wherein said upper side of the floor panel, at least at one of said sides or edges, is provided with a chamfer;

wherein the method comprises at least the step of providing the surface of the chamfer with a separate decorative layer, said decorative layer showing a pattern, said pattern being applied at least partially directly or indirectly by means of a digital printer, wherein, in case said pattern is applied at least partially indirectly by means of said digital printer, a print is performed by means of said digital printer upon a carrier medium, said print being transferred from the carrier medium onto the surface of the chamfer in order to form at least partially said pattern, and

wherein the digital printer is an inkjet printer or a device working according to an inkjet principle.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein said pattern consists of a wood structure.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein said wood structure comprises wood pores.

23. The method of claim 20 , wherein said pattern is provided on a ground layer forming a part of the decorative layer.

24. The method of claim 20 , wherein said chamfer extends through the substrate.

25. The method of claim 20 , wherein said chamfer, as measured horizontally, has a width of less than 3 mm.

26. The method of claim 20 , wherein said decorative layer is thinner than the top layer of the floor panel.

27. The method of claim 20 , wherein a transparent covering layer is applied on top of said decorative layer.

28. The method of claim 20 , wherein said floor panel is a laminate floor panel.

29. The method of claim 28 , wherein said floor panel is of the DPL (Direct Pressure Laminate) type.

30. The method of claim 28 , wherein said top layer is composed of a décor layer, defining said decor, and an overlay.

31. The method of claim 30 , wherein said décor layer consists of a support sheet upon which the respective décor is printed and which is impregnated with resin; and wherein said overlay also consists of a support sheet immersed in resin.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein corundum is integrated in said overlay.

33. The method of claim 32 , wherein said décor layer and said overlay are pressed onto said substrate.

34. The method of claim 20 , wherein said substrate consists of MDF or HDF board.