IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,251,960
Granted Patent B2
US 12,251,960 · App. 18/301,304 · Granted Mar 18, 2025

Coated panel and method for manufacturing such panel

Inventors: Benny Schacht (Vlamertinge, BE); Filip Tack (Oudenaarde, BE)
Assignee: Unilin, BV
B44C5/04B05D1/322B05D3/06B05D3/12B05D5/02B05D5/065B05D7/06B41F17/00B44C1/10B44C1/20B44C1/22B44C5/043B44C5/0453B44F9/02B44F9/04E04F13/08E04F15/02E04F15/02033B05D1/26B05D5/00Y10T428/24884
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,251,960
App. No.
18/301,304
Granted
Mar 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method may be provided for manufacturing a panel that may include a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate. The top layer may have a printed motif and a translucent or transparent synthetic material layer provided above the printed motif. The panel may have a structure or relief at the surface. The method may involve milling profiles into the substrate to obtain mechanical coupling means for coupling together two of the panels. The structure or relief and/or the printed motif may be realized after milling the profiles into the substrate.

Claims (22)

1. A method for manufacturing a panel, the method comprising:

providing a substrate with a top layer provided on the substrate, the top layer having a printed motif and a translucent or transparent synthetic material layer provided above the printed motif, the translucent or transparent synthetic material layer having a surface with a structure or relief;

milling profiles into the substrate to obtain mechanical coupling means for coupling together two of the panels;

realizing the structure or relief and/or the printed motif after milling the profiles into the substrate;

wherein the translucent or transparent synthetic material layer includes a foamable synthetic material;

foaming the foamable synthetic material; and

providing an additional print with an expansion prevention agent that determines location of recesses in the structure or relief.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the translucent or transparent synthetic material layer includes a finishing layer on the basis of a UV-hardening or electron beam-hardening lacquer.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the printed motif is printed using an inkjet printer.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the printed motif is printed using UV inks.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the top layer further comprises one or more priming layers between the substrate and the printed motif.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a waterproof substrate comprised of thermoplastic material.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate substantially or entirely consists of polyvinylchloride.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the transparent or translucent synthetic material layer is free from material sheets and/or substantially free from cellulose fibers.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the entire top layer is free from material sheets or substantially free from cellulose fibers.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the panel is a floor panel.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the translucent or transparent synthetic material layer is chosen from the series of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, acrylate, polyamide, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polyester.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the top layer comprises polyvinylchloride.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate has a thickness ranging between 5 and 15 millimeters.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate has a thickness ranging from 2 to 5 millimeters.

15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the structure or relief corresponds to the printed motif.

16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the structure or relief comprises an imitation of a joint or of a chamfer.

Assignments (2)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Mar 18, 2024
From: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
To: UNILIN BV
Reel/Frame 066805/0445 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2023
From: SCHACHT, BENNY; TACK, FILIP
To: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
Reel/Frame 063338/0976 →
Priority Claims (2)
BE 2009/0141 · Mar 10, 2009 · national
BE 2009/0246 · Apr 21, 2009 · national
Continuity (6)
Continuation 17345156 · Jun 11, 2021
Continuation 16005165 · Jun 11, 2018
Continuation 14939217 · Nov 12, 2015
Division 13133875
Provisional Application 61139286 · Dec 19, 2008
Related Publication 20230256774A1 · Aug 17, 2023
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