FR2825397A1 - FLOOR COVERING ELEMENT (S) - Google Patents

Abstract

Laminated floor covering material, comprises compressible and optionally adhesive seal between interlocking sections. The floor covering material is in sections (1, 3) with interlocking joints (15, 17), each section comprising a first rigid layer (5) with a visible surface and protective layer (7) e.g. of varnish, oil or wax, a second rigid and mechanically-resistant layer (9) with the interlocking joint members and a compressible seal (21) and a solid counterbalancing layer (11). The seal can be of a malleable polyolefin adhesive that sticks repeatedly to adjacent surfaces at ambient temperature.

Description

said plates having a profile similar to that of the oak (18).

  The invention relates to a floor covering element, multilayer, laid floating, that is to say not secured to the slab or structure to be coated.

  of the building that we want to equip.

  In particular, the invention relates to a coating consisting of an element, or a set of elements: - of a "real parquet" whose surface layer is (essentially) of wood and is in the form of one or several plank (s) (also called planks, friezes, slats, etc.), - or of a "similiparquet" (also called "false parquet" or 0 "laminate", that is to say a coating having the appearance of a parquet but containing much less wood than a "real parquet"), both the parquet and

  the similiparquet being floating.

  In the area of these coatings, two installation techniques are .. preferred: - floating poses,

- poses glued.

  As understood, the invention relates to the field of floating poses in which typically a underlay (felt, carpet, ...) or

  a sheet of foam is interposed between the covering and the floor.

  In the other technique, the covering is fixed (typically glued) to the ground on a slab (often a patched slab covered with a fluid coating

forming a bonding bed).

  In the present case, an object of the invention is to improve the resistance to humidity of the coating and more generally, the resistance over time of the element once installed, the risk being that substances come to flow or

  pile up between two joined elements, risking damage.

  In the general field of floating floor coverings, multi-layer elements are already known having several sides, a wafer, extending in a general plane and comprising: - a first hard rigid layer, having a visible upper face, - and at least one second mechanically strong, rigid underlying layer for supporting the first layer, this second underlying layer comprising interlocking means adapted to cooperate mechanically with complementary interlocking means with which an immediately adjacent element is provided

  comprising the same said first and second layers.

  To satisfy the aforementioned object of the invention from such a known coating, it is advised that the element further comprises a deformable seal disposed on its edge and on at least one of its sides, at the distance from the interlocking means, the seal being adapted to ensure, in a projecting position on the edge, a seal against liquids when it is crushed against one side of said adjacent element by bringing these two said elements together and mutual locking between them of their so-called interlocking means. Another object of the invention is to ensure as perfect a posiffonnement as possible of the two adjacent elements, while promoting the holding

and joint control.

  It is therefore advisable that in a non-active position, the seal is, in a non-active position, essentially or entirely housed in a cavity

  formed in the edge of the element.

  To make the most of the protective effect of the cavity, we can even advise in a complementary way that this joint is then protected.

  behind a film (which can consist of a peelable sheet).

  Again for the good mechanical strength of the seal (essential for its effectiveness and reliability over time) another characteristic of the invention recommends that the seal be fixed to the second layer, in the bottom of the cavity Another object of the The invention is to provide control of the positioning of the joint when it goes from its "non active" state to its "active" state when it is crushed between two elements of floor covering, the means of which

  lock are mutually locked.

  For this, another characteristic of the invention recommends that at least one of these elements has, opposite the cavity (ies), a protuberance adapted so that at least part of the joint is deformed by

  this outgrowth during the interlocking of the elements.

  In the invention, it should further be noted that particular attention has been paid to the position of the joint, to the effectiveness of its function with respect to the structural constitution of each element and with respect to the way

  0 these are joined together by their interlocking means.

  Also, a characteristic of the invention advises that:

  - the seal is placed, on one of said elements, exclusively at-

  above the interlocking means, at the level of the second layer, and that the means for interlocking these elements, themselves located at the level of this second layer, interlock with each other by interlocking, in a first blocking position relative elements in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the then common general plane of said elements, which are unlockable from their said first locking position, by offset in height of one element relative to the other, such as for example that '' an element is tilted by

compared to each other.

  Also to promote a particularly effective positioning of the joint in the active position, it is further advised: - that the protuberance has a generally oblique upper face with respect to the general plane of the element (s) considered, this face ending with a free apex located opposite a part of the cavity which faces it, in the locked position, to urge the seal to deform at least partially upward, - and, in this case, that the protuberance, at the point of its apex, can present a projection which defines an obstacle preventing an exit of the joint

down.

  Thus, the risks of interference (jamming, etc.) are limited with the zone where the interlocking means are made up and the effect is favored.

  protector assured against the seal.

  To further encourage the consideration of expansions and other possible movements within an element or between adjacent adjacent elements, it is further advised that, according to its general plan, 0 the element provided with the joint has a length with, according to this length, a joint made up of a succession of joint sections with a

  interruption between two successive sections.

  According to the invention, the seal may have an external surface

active adhesive.

  However, it may be preferable to favor the controlled mechanical and deformation characteristics of the joint when it is crushed between the joined elements and, in this case, use a non-adhesive joint, then in

  rubbery material, based on butyl or vinyl.

  It will also be noted that the joint may be a multicomponent joint comprising a reactive base and a catalyst which the engagement of the protuberance in the cavity causes to mix, causing

activation of the reactive base.

  In a favorable embodiment, combining good deformation control and good sealing efficiency, another characteristic of the invention advises that the joint may appear as a flange having a naturally erect wing along the edge of the 'element

to which it is attached.

  Two other possibilities for producing the joint are, as an alternative, to be noted: - firstly, a joint which in an inactive state, can be distributed in two cavities formed respectively on one and the other of the elements and is partially facing, an area of one of the cavities facing the protrusion formed on the other element, - and / or a seal which, still in an inactive state where the elements are separated, is divided into two cavities formed respectively on one and the other of the elements and facing each other at least in part and, - on at least one of the elements, the corresponding part of the joint

  protrudes from said cavity to define said protuberance.

  A more detailed description of the invention will now be given.

  supplied in relation to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows, in section, two adjacent floor covering elements, in an unlocked state, facing each other, - Figure 2 shows the same elements in section, in their locked state, - Figure 3 shows the detail III of Figure 1, in enlarged view, - Figure 4 shows the seal of Figure 1 only, in enlarged view, - Figure 5 shows an alternative for making the solution of FIG. 1, - FIG. 6 shows another alternative embodiment, still in the face to face state, not locked, of the two covering elements, - FIG. 7 shows, in enlarged view, a perspective local of a covering element provided with an elongated seal, in the form of a discontinuous tape, and FIG. 8 schematically shows, in section, a "false parquet"

or "laminate".

  In Figure 1, we see two adjacent flooring components

1, 3, of the "real parquet" type.

  Thus, each element comprises - a rigid, hard and full upper layer 5, containing wood (typically made of wood), having an upper face of visible and continuous appearance 5a, this upper layer (typically of a thickness between 1 , 5 mm and 10 mm) can be covered with a protective layer, such as varnish, oil or wax, 7, - a second underlying layer, 9, for supporting the upper layer, located immediately below it , this second layer which is made of a rigid material containing wood (including agglomerated particles) which can be continuous or discontinuous (then having a series of slots 0 capable of being formed by battens spaced apart from each other), this second layer typically having a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 8 m, - advantageously, a solid counterbalancing layer 11, hard, containing wood (including agglomerated particles) and extending al gold (when it exists) immediately under the second layer 9, for the mechanical strength of the parquet as a whole, and particularly of the upper layer 5 (thickness between 0.1 mm and 5 mm), - and / or a soundproofing layer 13, made of an acoustically absorbent material (foam, heavy mass, etc.) located either directly under the counterbalancing layer 11, or directly under the second layer 9 (it being specified that, apart from this soundproofing layer 13 , which can be brought back after manufacture, the others are linked together at the time of

  parquet manufacturing, typically by pressure bonding).

  Two such elements, 1, 3, typically called boards or slats, are linked together during installation, by interlocking means materialized here by a male element 15 for element 3 and one by element

  complementary female 17, for element 1.

  The two means 15, 17, are located on at least one of the sides, such as 19a and 19a of the elements concerned, at the location of at least one of their

edge (vertical).

  They are more particularly arranged at the level of the second

  layer 9 for better efficiency.

  These are interlocking means known by the name

  "system clip" acting by interlocking and elastic wedging.

  Different types of such means already exist, offered by companies. In each case, there is mutual locking by nesting of the protrusion 15 in the cavity 17, after the element carrying the protrusion 15 has been presented offset in height relative to the cavity 17 (an inclined presentation relative to in the horizontal plane marked 100, in the FIG. 5, being particularly favorable), an angular displacement then making it possible to elastically lock the two elements together, by elastic wedging, during the folding of the element inclined in the

general plan 100.

  One or other of these interlocking means 15, 17 is (are) surmounted by at least one seal such as 21.

  In this case, it is the male means 15 of element 3.

  The seal 21 is a seal for liquids which is housed at the

level of the second layer 9.

  I1 is a deformable joint which is arranged on the edge of the element concerned, and on at least one of its sides, such as in this case the side

  l9a, above the element interlocking zone 41.

  This seal seals when it is pressed against the opposite side of the adjacent element, that is to say when the two elements 1, 3, are interlocked by interlocking from 15 to 17, the seal then being in a projecting position, between the elements, as shown in Figure 2, where we see that the seal 21 has been crushed and deformed upward in the direction of

  arrow 23, thus preventing it from interfering with zone 41.

  For this, a protuberance 25 has been provided projecting from the edge

  l9'a, at the level of the second layer 9, opposite the seal 21.

  Preferably, this hard, rigid protuberance (typically wood-based if it was formed of material with the layer 9) was formed towards the lower part of the joint when the latter is in the non-active position (or in a state) as in FIG. 1, the protrusion 25 having even been here shaped and arranged to block any possible movement of the seal downwards when it

  is overwritten in active posiffon as in figure 2.

  For this, not only does the projection 25 shown in enlarged view in FIG. 3 have an upper face 25a which is generally oblique with respect to the line 100 embodying the general plane in which the lo elements extend (cf. FIG. 7), but also present, at the place of its free apex b a projection which defines an obstacle preventing any exit of the joint downwards, the apex then being situated at the level of the lower extremity of the joint

  when the two elements 1, 3, are fitted as in FIG. 2.

  For its effectiveness in the active position and its resistance (or even its protection), the (each) joint such as 21 is preferably housed in a cavity 27 formed, in FIG. 1, hollow relative to the general vertical plane of the edge 19a . As can be seen in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the seal 21 in FIG. 1 is a hollow seal (which can typically appear as a tubular tube) mechanically engaged by force in an orifice 29 formed in the bottom of the cavity 27. Notches 31 effectively retain the seal which, in this non-active position, clearly extends beyond the cavity, the empty interior space 33a of its bead portion 33 allowing it to be

  effectively crushed and deformed when interlocking the elements.

  The seal 21 also has a raised upper wing 35 which extends to the level of the upper layer 5 against which it

  is supported, favoring an effective positioning of the joint in its active state.

  The seal 21 can be a deformable, flexible, polychloride

  vinyl, the wing 35 may be made of polyethylene.

  The front face 37 of the rod portion of the seal can be coated

  adhesive to stick against the area opposite the edge 19'a.

  In FIG. 2, it can be seen that in the flat locking position of the male locking means 15 in the female complementary means 17, the two sections 19a and 19'a of the two elements 1, 3, together, are in contact l 'from each other at the location of the two zones 19a1 and 19a2 situated immediately adjacent to said means 15, 17, respectively just at

above and just below them.

  On the other hand, a gap 39 remains above the area 19al, this gap extending, with a reduced width (see d2 with respect to d in FIG. 2) over the entire height of the first layer 5 of each of the elements. Thus, the seal 21, then in the crushed active position, extends essentially above the level of the apex 25b, a marginal part of the seal extending below, but only up to the place of the upper limit of the support area 19al, thus avoiding any interference between the sealing area of the gap 39 and the interlocking area 41 bordered at

  above and below by the contact zones 19a1 and 19a2.

  In the example of FIG. 2, it is the wing 35 which ensures stabilization of the joint during its deformation and increases the tightness at the location of the upper layer 5. This wing 35 extends (at least essentially) with regard to this upper layer 5, while the tubular bead 33 extends at the location of the gap 39, at the level of the second layer 9, this

  both in the active and inactive state of the seal.

  In FIG. 5, the two floor covering elements 1 ′, 3 ′, joined together, are structurally identical to those of FIG. 1 and represented in the same pre-positioning state, the difference with FIG. 1 consisting in the seals and their retaining / expansion cavities, as well as in the position and conformation of the crushing protrusion here

marked 225.

  Indeed, this outgrowth has a projection such that it defines a

  obstacle preventing exit of the seal downwards.

  Two cavities 43, 43 'contain a two-part seal (or two seals) marked 45 and 45' respectively (non-active state). The two cavities 43, 43 ', face each other in part and are respectively formed immediately above the upper contact area l9a'1 (having the same characteristics as the aforementioned area l9al) and the protrusion 125, which protrusion makes facing the lower part of the cavity 43 'whose height hl is

  greater than the height h2 of the cavity 43.

  lo The two cavities are interrupted just at the base of the

  upper layer 5 'of the two elements 1', 3 '.

  In one and / or the other of the cavities 43, 43 ′, a mixture of butyl rubber may have been placed (two pieces of the same seal) or a first component of a two-component seal consisting of a reagent and a catalyst, such as reagent 45 and catalyst 45 '(for example, a two-component polyurethane adhesive). In this latter hypothesis, the engagement of the protrusion (such as the protrusion 125 or the protrusion 25 of FIG. 1) in the cavity opposite causes the joint component concerned to come out of this cavity and to mix with its component complementary, with then, if

process, "activation" of the joint.

  In front of each of the cavities 43, 43 ′, a sheet of protecffon respectively 47, 47 ′ has preferably been placed, blocking the entrance to the cavity and therefore protecting the seal which is contained therein. It can be a film

peelable.

  While in the solution of Figure 5, the seal is entirely contained in its receiving cavity in its non-active state, Figure 6 (as indeed Figure 1) shows that the (each) seal element can

  overflow from this cavity, in the non-active state of said seal.

  Thus in FIG. 6, there is again a two-part seal, 51, 51 ′, such as a rubber seal. Seal based on synthetic rubber.

or butyl, for example).

  The front face, respectively 53, 53 ', of each joint part is curved towards the outside and projects beyond the corresponding cavity, respectively 55, 55'. Each part of the joint is linked at the place of its back region (for example, by adhesion) to an insert (respectively 57, 57 ') anchored in the thickness of the second layer 9 "of each element 1", 3 ",

coating ready to be assembled.

  The anchoring can be carried out by a notched end, respectively 59,

59 ', forcibly engaged.

  The two cavities and the two joint parts face each other and

are located on the same level.

  We can consider that each constitutes a "flexible" outgrowth of deformation with respect to the other, in the manner of hard outgrowths 25,

, Figures 1 and 5.

  In this case, the control of the upward deformation of the joint is less precise. However, the drawing of the contact area l9''a1 is adapted to prevent the joints from descending clearly in the direction of the interlocking area 41 ". On the other hand, the gap 61 with a depth of 2 (relative to the 'slightly protruding end of the wall l9''al) reserved above the seal 51 to the upper surface 5 "a allows the two seal elements 51, 51', to naturally take their active position

  compressed above said l9''al zone.

  Preferably, the projecting front part 53, 53 ′ of said seals will be coated with a protective film (not shown to avoid

overload the figure).

  In FIG. 7, the perspective therefore makes it possible to show the plane (generally typically horizontal) 100 in which each covering element generally extends, such as that partially represented in this figure.

and identified 20.

  The figure shows the male locking element 115 formed of material, projecting, at the level of the second layer 90. Above the interlocking bead 115 extends the zone 119 of contact between the covering elements, preventing the joint 125 still located above reaching the zone of the bead 115, in the compressed active state of the seal,

  when the bead 115 is locked.

  Still in the height direction, the seal 125 is interrupted (in 0 its inactive state) before having reached the level of the first upper layer 50 of the element 20. The front face 50a of this layer 5, as well as the part of the front face 90a of the second layer 90 which extends it in the same vertical are offset in depth by a distance d20 relative to the vertical plane in which the wall 119 extends, so as to reserve a gap 610 deploying the seal 125 when the element 20 is locked to its adjacent complementary element, like what

is illustrated in figure 2.

  An additional advantage of FIG. 7 is to show that the joint extends horizontally, parallel to the general plane 100, in the manner of a band housed (in this case entirely in its inactive state) in the

  cavity 270 formed in a hollow on the front surface of the second layer 90.

  The joint 125 has a length horizontally, materialized here by the reference L and, along this length, is presented as a succession of joint sections, such as 125a, 125b, with an interruption, such that

  150a, 150b, between two adjacent sections.

  This can favor the passage of the seal in its active state, as well as

  absorption of stresses and deformations.

  Note that the (each) joint can be a putty ("hot melt putty").

  In FIG. 8, we see another type of coating, typically called "laminate" (or false parquet) capable of being fitted with one of the

  the above interlocking and sealing systems.

  The illustration of FIG. 8 partially shows such a laminate marked 200. This laminate comprises: - a rigid, hard and full upper layer, made of resin, 21, having a visible upper surface, visible, continuous, 210a, as well as 'a lower face 210b, also continuous; - a decorative intermediate sheet 230 (paper, wood,) giving the product its visible appearance through the transparent upper layer 21, - a second underlying rigid layer 250, for supporting the upper layer 21 and located immediately under the layer 230, this second layer of rigid material containing wood (particles or fibers) bound by a synthetic resin and having a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, and optionally, an additional layer of soundproofing 290 which may be identical to the layer 13 presented for "real parquet", that is to say containing an expanded material and / or a visco elastic material (elastomer), it being however specified that said soundproofing layer 290 is then located immediately under the layer of

support and structuring 250.

Claims (14)

  1. - Element (3) of floor covering, multilayer, to lay floating, having several sides, a slice, extending in a general plane and comprising: - a first rigid rigid layer (5, 5 ', 50, 21 ), having a visible upper face, - and at least one second underlying layer (9, 9 ', 90, 250) mechanically resistant, rigid, supporting the first layer, this second underlying layer comprising interlocking means (15 , 115) adapted to cooperate mechanically with complementary interlocking means (17) which is provided with an immediately adjacent element (1) comprising the same said first and second layers, characterized in that the element further comprises a deformable seal ( 21; 45, 45 ', 51, 51', 125) disposed on its edge (19a) and on at least one of its sides, away from the interlocking means, the seal being adapted to ensure, in a posiffon projecting on the edge, a anchidity to liquids when it is crushed against one side (19'a) of said adjacent element by bringing these two said elements together and interlocking between them   of their so-called interlocking means.   2. - Element according to revendicaffon 1, characterized in that, in a non-acffve posiffon, the seal is housed in a cavity (27; 43, 43 '; 270)   formed in the edge of the element.   3. - covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a non-acffve posiffon, the seal (45, 45 ') is essenffellement, or enffère, housed in a cavity and is then protected behind a film (47, 47 ').   4. -.Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal (21; 51, 51 ') is partly housed in a cavity formed in said edge and   is attached to the second layer (9, 9 ") in the bottom of this cavity.   5. - elements of floor coverings comprising at least the element and the adjacent element of claim 1, in which: - at least one of the elements present, on a wafer and at least locally on at least one of its sides, a cavity (55 ', 27) o is at least partially housed the seal (51, 21), - and the adjacent element, or the two elements, have opposite the cavity (ies) a protuberance (25, 53 ') adapted so that at least part of the joint is deformed by this protrusion during interlocking elements.   6. - Floor covering elements comprising at least the element and   the adjacent element of one of claims 1 to 4 or according to claim   5, in which: - the seal (21; 47, 47 '; 53, 53'; 125) is arranged on one of said elements, exclusively above the interlocking means, at the level of the second layer (9 , 9 ', 9 ", 90), - and the interlocking means (15, 17; 115) of these elements, also located at the level of this second layer, are mutually interlocked by interlocking, in a first position of relative locking of the elements, in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the general then common plane of said elements, which are unlockable from their said first locking position, by offset in height of one element relative to the other, such as example   that an inclination of one element with respect to the other.   7. - floor covering elements according to claim 5, characterized in that the projection (25) has an upper face (25a) generally oblique to the general plane of the element (s) considered (s) ), this face ending in a free apex (25b) situated opposite a part of the cavity which faces it, in the blocking position, for   urge the joint to deform, at least partially upwards.   8. - Elements according to claim 7, characterized in that the projection (25) at the place of its apex (25b) has a projection which defines an obstacle preventing an exit of the joint downwards.   9. - Elements according to any one of claims 5 to 8,   characterized in that, along its general plane (100), the element provided with the seal has a length (L) and, along this length, said seal consists of a succession of sections of seal (125a, 125b) with an interruption   o (150a, 150b) between two successive sections.   10. - Elements according to any of claims 5 to 9,   characterized in that the element provided with the seal comprises a seal (125) not   adhesive, rubbery, vinyl or butyl.   11. - Elements according to any one of claims 5 to 10,   characterized in that the seal is multicomponent (45, 45) and comprises a reactive base and a catalyst which the engagement of the protuberance in the   cavity causes it to mix, causing activation of the reactive base.   12. - Elements according to any one of claims 5 to 11,   characterized in that the seal (21) is presented as a flange (33) having a wing (35) naturally dressoe along the edge of the element to which it is attached.   13. - Elements according to claim 5, characterized in that in a non-active state, the seal is distributed in two cavities (43, 43; 55, 55 ') formed respectively on one and the other of the elements and facing each other in part, an area of one of the cavities facing the protrusion (225) formed on the other element.   14. - Elements according to claim 5, characterized in that, in a non-active state o the elements are separated: - the seal is distributed in two cavities (55, 55 ') formed respectively on one and the other of elements and facing each other at least partially and, - on one of the elements, the corresponding part of the joint