IP Library Granted Patent US 10,415,257
Granted Patent B2
US 10,415,257 · App. 15/981,146 · Granted Sep 17, 2019

Floor panel, as well as method, device and accessories for manufacturing such floor panel

Inventors: Laurent Meersseman (Kortrijk, BE); Christian Vandevoorde (Zulte, BE); Bernard Thiers (Beveren-Leie, BE)
Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
E04F15/02033B44C3/005B44C3/08B44F9/02E04F15/02B44C1/24B44C5/0469E04F15/02038E04F2201/0115E04F2201/0153E04F2201/026
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,415,257
App. No.
15/981,146
Granted
Sep 17, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A floor panel has a rectangular shape and an upper surface. The floor panel includes a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate. The top layer is made on the basis of synthetic material extending over a substantial part of the upper surface. The top layer includes a printed decor extending over a substantial part of the upper surface. The substrate has at least two opposite edges, with the edges being provided with coupling parts. The upper surface, at one or more edges, shows a sloping edge portion sloping down to the respective edge. The sloping edge portion, viewed according to a cross-section transverse to the respective edge, has a shape and/or angle varying in function of the longitudinal direction of the respective edge.

Claims (21)

1. A floor panel being rectangular and having an upper surface, said floor panel comprising:

a substrate and a top layer provided on said substrate;

said top layer being on the basis of synthetic material extending over a substantial part of said upper surface;

said top layer including a printed decor also extending over a substantial part of said upper surface;

said substrate having at least two opposite edges, said edges being provided with coupling parts;

wherein said upper surface, at one or more edges, shows a sloping edge portion sloping down to the respective edge, wherein said sloping edge portion, viewed according to a cross-section transverse to the respective edge, has a shape and/or angle varying in function of the longitudinal direction of the respective edge;

wherein the sloping edge portion changes in shape and/or angle relative to a longitudinal edge of the respective edge;

wherein the longitudinal edge remains constant in function in the longitudinal direction over at least a majority of a length of the respective edge;

wherein at least a location where an actual upper surface of said floor panel merges into said sloping edge portion varies laterally in function of the longitudinal direction.

2. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein said substrate is composed of several layers.

3. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein said sloping edge portion extends over a surface of said decor.

4. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein said top layer further includes an intermediate layer below said printed decor and above said substrate.

5. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein said printed decor is provided on a carrier material.

6. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein two of such floor panels in a coupled condition of said coupling parts adjoining at their upper edges substantially over the entire length of the respective edges at a same height.

7. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein between said sloping edge portion and said edge a less sloping portion is situated.

8. The floor panel of claim 7 , wherein said less sloping portion is horizontal.

9. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein the sloping edge portion defines first and second portions, the first portion being constant and extending to the longitudinal edge, and the second portion extending from the inner decorative surface to the first portion, the second portion having the shape and/or angle varying in function in the longitudinal direction.

10. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal edge has a straight profile viewed in cross-section relative to the longitudinal direction of the floor panel.

11. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein the sloping edge portion varies laterally in function of the longitudinal direction according to height relative to the longitudinal edge of the respective edge.

12. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein the sloping edge portion varies laterally in function of the longitudinal direction according to depth relative to the longitudinal edge of the respective edge.

13. The floor panel of claim 1 , wherein the sloping edge portion varies laterally in function of the longitudinal direction according to depth and height relative to the longitudinal edge of the respective edge.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2018
From: MEERSSEMAN, LAURENT; VANDEVOORDE, CHRISTIAN; THIERS, BERNARD
To: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LTD
Reel/Frame 045821/0298 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 16, 2018
From: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LTD
To: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
Reel/Frame 045821/0359 →
Priority Claims (1)
BE 2004/0635 · Dec 23, 2004 · national
Continuity (5)
Continuation 15451854 · Mar 7, 2017
Continuation 14966305 · Dec 11, 2015
Continuation 11315290 · Dec 23, 2005
Provisional Application 60690866 · Jun 16, 2005
Related Publication 20180266122A1 · Sep 20, 2018