IP Library Granted Patent US 12,331,529
Granted Patent B2
US 12,331,529 · App. 18/471,492 · Granted Jun 17, 2025

Panel

Inventor: Jan De Rick (Geraardsbergen, BE)
Assignee: UNILIN, BV
E04F15/042B32B3/06B32B7/12B32B17/065B32B17/067B32B19/06B32B27/304E04F13/0866E04F13/0871E04F13/0894E04F13/10E04F13/16E04F15/02038E04F15/04E04F15/102E04F15/107B32B2307/412B32B2307/414B32B2419/04B32B2451/00B32B2607/02E04F2201/0146E04F2201/0153E04F2201/0535E04F2201/0588
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,331,529
App. No.
18/471,492
Granted
Jun 17, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A floor, wall or ceiling panel comprises a core and a decorative top layer provided on the core. The core comprises a magnesium oxide-based board material, and wherein the aforementioned panel, on at least two opposite edges, is provided with coupling means allowing that two of such panels can be interlocked at the respective edges.

Claims (42)

1. A panel comprising a core and a decorative top layer provided thereon;

wherein the core comprises a first mineral-based board material layer,

wherein the panel, on at least two opposite edges, is provided with coupling means arranged for two of such panels to be interlocked at the respective edges;

wherein the coupling means is arranged for locking in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, the coupling means are formed as a tongue and groove connection such that the groove is bordered by an upper lip and a lower lip, the lower lip extending in the horizontal direction beyond the upper lip;

wherein the core comprises a lower mineral-based board material layer, wherein the lower mineral-based board material layer is provided at a side of the first mineral-based board material layer opposite from a side of the decorative top layer;

wherein the composition of the lower mineral-based board material layer differs from the composition of the first mineral-based board material layer;

wherein the core comprises an upper mineral-based board material layer, wherein the upper mineral-based board material layer is provided between the first mineral-based board material layer and the decorative top layer;

wherein the composition of the upper mineral-based board material layer differs from the composition of the first mineral-based board material layer.

2. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the lower mineral-based board material layer comprises less fillers than the first mineral-based board material layer.

3. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the lower mineral-based board material layer comprises fillers with an average particle size which is smaller than the fillers in the first mineral-based board material layer.

4. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the upper mineral-based board material layer comprises less fillers than the first mineral-based board material layer.

5. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the upper mineral-based board material layer comprises fillers with an average particle size which is smaller than the fillers in the first mineral-based board material layer.

6. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the decorative top layer contacts the upper mineral-based board material layer.

7. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the first mineral-based board material layer is a magnesium oxide-based material layer.

8. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the lower mineral-based board material layer is a magnesium oxide-based material layer.

9. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the upper mineral-based board material layer is a magnesium oxide-based material layer.

10. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the groove is provided in the first mineral-based board material layer.

11. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the upper lip is at least partially provided in the upper mineral-based board material layer.

12. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the lower lip is at least partially provided in the lower mineral-based board material layer.

13. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the decorative top layer comprises at least a printed decor.

14. The panel of claim 13 , wherein the decorative top layer comprises a carrier sheet printed with a decor.

15. The panel of claim 14 , wherein the carrier sheet comprises a paper sheet or a plastic foil.

16. The panel of claim 13 , wherein the decorative top layer comprises a decor formed directly on the core or printed on the core.

17. The panel of claim 13 , wherein a transparent or translucent wear layer is provided above the printed decor.

18. The panel of claim 1 , wherein each of the first mineral-based board material layer, the upper mineral-based board material layer and the lower mineral-based board material layer comprise cellulose fibers or wood particles, or both.

19. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the first mineral-based board material layer is thicker than the upper mineral-based board material layer and than the lower mineral-based board material layer.

20. A panel comprising a core and a decorative top layer provided thereon;

wherein the core comprises a first mineral-based board material layer,

wherein the panel, on at least two opposite edges, is provided with coupling means arranged for two of such panels to be interlocked at the respective edges;

wherein the coupling means is arranged for locking in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, the coupling means are formed as a tongue and groove connection such that the groove is bordered by an upper lip and a lower lip, the lower lip extending in the horizontal direction beyond the upper lip;

wherein the core comprises a lower mineral-based board material layer, wherein the lower mineral-based board material layer is provided at a side of the first mineral-based board material layer opposite from a side of the decorative top layer;

wherein the composition of the lower mineral-based board material layer differs from the composition of the first mineral-based board material layer;

wherein the core comprises an upper mineral-based board material layer, wherein the upper mineral-based board material layer is provided between the first mineral-based board material layer and the decorative top layer;

wherein the composition of the upper mineral-based board material layer differs from the composition of the first mineral-based board material layer;

wherein the first mineral-based board material layer is a magnesium oxide-based material layer;

wherein the lower mineral-based board material layer is a magnesium oxide-based material layer;

wherein the upper mineral-based board material layer is a magnesium oxide-based material layer;

wherein the groove is provided in the first mineral-based board material layer;

wherein the upper lip is at least partially provided in the upper mineral-based board material layer;

wherein the decorative top layer comprises at least a printed decor;

wherein each of the first mineral-based board material layer, the upper mineral-based board material layer and the lower mineral-based board material layer comprise cellulose fibers or wood particles, or both;

wherein the first mineral-based board material layer is thicker than the upper mineral-based board material layer and than the lower mineral-based board material layer.

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 Sep 21, 2023
From: DE RICK, JAN
To: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
Reel/Frame 064982/0686 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 18050148 · Oct 27, 2022
Continuation 16651419
Provisional Application 62564499 · Sep 28, 2017
Related Publication 20240011304A1 · Jan 11, 2024
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Cited By (1)
US 12,492,562