JP4884647B2 - Floor panel with sealing means - Google Patents

Abstract

Floor panels and floor elements therefore are made of sheet-shaped cores (30) which before application of the surface layer (31) of the floor panels are formed with sealing means (20, 52, 57) for counteracting changes, caused by moisture, of the properties of the floor panels.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to the field of waterproof joint systems for floor panels. The present invention relates to a waterproof locking system for floor panels that can be mechanically joined, a floor panel with such a locking system, a semi-finished product for manufacturing such a floor panel, and such a semi-finished product and The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a floor panel. The present invention relates to a mechanical locking system integrated with the floor panel, for example, International Patent No. WO9426999, International Patent No. WO99666151, International Patent No. WO99666152, Swedish Patent No. SE0100100-7, and Swedish Patent No. SE0100101-5. Is particularly suitable for use in systems of the type shown and described in U.S. No. (owned by Waringe Aluminum AB), but can also be used in optional joining systems that can be used to join floors.

  More particularly, the present invention relates to a waterproof locking system for floors, in particular of the kind provided with a core and a decorative surface layer on top of the core.

  The present invention is particularly suitable for use on a floating floor formed of floor panels. These floor panels are on the one hand mechanically joined with a floor panel integrated or factory-installed joining system and on the other hand one or more preferably made of decorative laminates or decorative plastic materials. It consists of a waterproof upper layer, an intermediate core made of fiberboard-based material or plastic material, and preferably a lower balance layer provided on the back side of the core. Therefore, the current state of the art, the problems associated with known systems, and the following description of the objects and features of the present invention, as a non-limiting example, will first focus on this field of application, Note the laminate flooring formed of rectangular floor panels that are now mechanically joined at both the side and short sides. However, it should be noted that the present invention can be used with an optional floor panel having an optional joining system. These floor panels have a core and are given a final shape by cutting. Thus, the present invention is also applicable to homogeneous wooden flooring and wooden flooring with two or more layers of wood or fiberboard based material and a wooden decorative surface layer. Thus, the present invention can be applied to a floor panel including an arbitrary material based on wood fibers such as hardwood, plywood, particle board, fiber board, MDF, HDF and the like. The present invention primarily discusses problems associated with moisture penetrating the joining system from the front side of the floor panel. The systems and methods shown to solve these moisture problems can also be applied to prevent moisture from penetrating the joining system from the back side of the floor panel.

  The laminate flooring is usually a fiberboard core with a thickness of 6-9 mm, a top decorative layer with a thickness of 0.2-0.8 mm, and a thickness of 0.1-0. Includes a lower balance layer made of 6 mm laminate, plastic, paper, etc. The surface layer provides appearance and robustness to the floor panel. The core provides stability and the balance layer keeps the panel flat when the relative humidity (RH) changes during the year. RH varies between 15% in winter and 90% in summer. The floor panel is usually laid on the subfloor in a floating state, i.e. without adhesive. The subfloor does not need to be smooth or flat. Unevenness is eliminated with an underlay material, for example in the form of a board or foam, placed between the floor panel and the underlay floor. Conventional rigid floor panels of this type of floating flooring generally have long side and short side adhesive tongues (i.e., tongues on one floor panel and tongue grooves on adjacent floor panels). Are joined using a joint). When laying, these panels are joined in the horizontal direction, and the protruding tongue provided along the joining edge of one panel is inserted into the tongue groove provided along the joining edge of the adjacent panel. The same method applies to the long side as well as the short side.

  In addition to such conventional floors joined by adhesive tongues, floor panels have been developed today that do not require the use of adhesives and instead are mechanically joined by so-called mechanical joining systems. These systems include locking means for locking the panel in the horizontal and vertical directions. A mechanical joining system can be formed by machining the core of the panel. In another aspect, the locking system can be formed of another material that is integrated with the floor panel, ie, joined to the floor panel in connection with the manufacture of the floor panel.

  The main advantage of a floating floor with a mechanical joining system is that it can be installed easily and quickly by various combinations of inward tilt and snap fit. Further, it can be easily removed and reused in another place. Another advantage of the mechanical joining system is that the edge of the floor panel can be made of a material that does not need to have good adhesion. The most common core material is a parquet floor timber, a high density, stable laminate flooring fiber board, usually called HDF or high density fiber board. In some cases, MDF or medium density fiber board is used as the core.

  Many other floorings with laminated flooring and surface layers made of plastic, wood, plywood, cork, etc. are manufactured by applying a surface layer and a balance layer to the core material. This application can be performed, for example, by adhering a pre-manufactured decoration layer when a fiber board is provided with a high-pressure decorative laminate manufactured by another operation of compressing a plurality of impregnated paper sheets at high temperature and high pressure. it can. However, the current most common laminate flooring manufacturing method is direct lamination based on the more advanced principle that both the manufacture of the decorative laminate and the attachment to the foam board are performed in one and the same manufacturing process. The impregnated paper sheet is applied directly to the board and compressed without the use of adhesive under pressure and heat.

  In addition to these two methods, many other methods are used to provide a surface layer on the core. A decorative pattern can be printed on the surface of the core, which is then coated, for example with a wear layer. Furthermore, the core can be provided with a surface layer made of wood, plywood, decorative paper or plastic film, and these materials can then be coated with a wear layer.

  In general, the method described above forms a floorboard element in the form of a large panel, which is then sawed into, for example, tens of floorboards, which are then machined into floor panels. In some cases, a finished floorboard is obtained by the method described above, in which case there is no need to perform sawing before machining to complete the floor panel. The manufacture of individual floorboards is usually performed with the board having a surface layer of wood or plywood.

  In all cases, the above-described floorboards are individually machined along their edges into floor panels. Edge machining is done with state-of-the-art grinding machines. In these grinders, the floorboard is accurately positioned between one or more chains and bands. The chains and bands are mounted so that they can be moved at high speed and with very high accuracy through a number of grinding motors provided with diamond cutting tools or metal cutting tools for machining the edges of the floorboard. By using multiple grinding motors operating at different angles, the latest bonding forms can be formed at speeds exceeding 100 m / min and with an accuracy of ± 0.02 mm.

〔Definition of terms〕
In the text below, the visible surface of the completed and installed floor panel is called the “front side”, while the opposite side of the floor panel facing the underfloor floor is called the “rear side”.

  The sheet-like starting material used is called the “core”. The term “fiberboard core” means a core material comprising wood fibers such as homogeneous wood, MDF, HDF, particleboard, flakeboard, plywood, and the like. If the core is coated with a surface layer closest to the front side and coated with a balance layer closest to the rear side, a semi-finished product called a “floor board” or “floor element” is formed.

  A “floor board” is generally essentially the same size as a floor panel to be manufactured from the floor board. Thus, the floorboard is generally formed on a floor panel.

  On the other hand, “floor panels” are typically very large, so that at least two floor panels can be produced therefrom. Thus, the floor element is usually divided into several floorboards, which are then formed into floor panels.

  Thus, when the edges of the floorboard are machined to provide the floorboard with a final shape including the joining system, these floorboards are referred to as “floor panels”. The term “surface layer” means all layers applied to the core closest to the front side and preferably all layers covering the entire front side of the floorboard. The term “decorative layer” relates to a layer adapted to give a decorative appearance to the floor. The term “wear layer” relates in particular to a layer adapted to improve the robustness of the front side.

  The outer part at the edge between the front side and the rear side of the floor panel is called the “joining edge”. Generally, the joining edge has several “joining surfaces”. These joining surfaces are vertical surfaces, horizontal surfaces, angled surfaces, rounded surfaces, chamfered surfaces, and the like. These joining surfaces are found in various materials included in floor panels and joining systems, such as laminates, fiberboards, wood, plywood, plastics, metals (especially aluminum), or sealing materials. The “joining edge portion” relates to the joining edge and the floor panel portion closest to the joining edge.

  The term “joint” or “joining system” means cooperating connecting means for joining floor panels in the vertical and / or horizontal direction.

  Laminate flooring and wooden flooring are often laid in kitchens, entrances and corridors, open lounges, where people walk on the floor with wet shoes, for example, and when the floor is cleaned with water, etc. , Always exposed to water. Recently, laminate flooring is also used in bathrooms. Laminated wood flooring is sold worldwide and is installed in humid climates where the relative humidity exceeds 90%.

  If water penetrates the material, or if evaporated or condensed water is found inside or outside the material, this is commonly referred to as “moisture”.

  The term “waterproof material” generally means a material that absorbs moisture to some extent or is not damaged by moisture.

Floor moisture As mentioned above, when a laminated floor with a fiberboard-based core is exposed to moisture to some extent in the room, moisture passes through the junction between adjacent floor panels. Can penetrate the upper part of the joining system closest to the front side and thus penetrate the core and its wood fibers. If the amount of added water is small, the water will usually evaporate after a certain amount of time, but if the core quality is not high or the laminate is thin, the joint edge will be It swells permanently, the edge part of the upper joint edge part rises, and the surface layer is cracked. Further, the lift of the edge causes significant wear on the surface layer around the joint edge. In the case of a wooden floor, the joining edge further swells at high relative humidity, thereby damaging the joining edge.

  If moisture is added excessively or frequently over a long period of time, moisture penetrates through the entire bonding system and into the subfloor, causing serious damage, for example in the form of molds. This also occurs when the floor panel is made of a waterproof core. This is because the waterproof core generally only prevents the joint edge portion from swelling and prevents moisture from spreading into the core. A waterproof core cannot prevent moisture from spreading through the bonding system to the subfloor. This ingress of moisture through the joining system has a form in which the mechanical joint includes many joint surfaces of the floor panels, and these joint surfaces are not in contact with the corresponding joint surfaces of the adjacent floor panels. Conducive to the case. Such a geometric design, for example, facilitates manufacture and facilitates displacement along the joint edges of adjacent floor panels in the locked position, but such geometric forms are It is not advantageous to prevent moisture from entering through the bonding system.

  In general, mechanical joining systems are mistakenly considered to be less susceptible to moisture than conventional joining systems that use adhesives. This is because the adhesive is believed to prevent moisture from entering the bonding system. However, floors bonded with an environmentally friendly aqueous adhesive cannot prevent moisture from entering the bonding system. This is partly because the adhesive is only provided on a part of the joining system. Another reason is that moisture in contact with the adhesive layer dissolves the adhesive joint. Moisture that enters the bonding system and panel loosens the joint.

  Laminate floors and wooden floors can occupy a much larger market than plastic floors and tile floors in particular if they can resist the effects of high relative humidity and water on the surface.

[Prior art and its problems]
When the surface of the laminated floor is exposed to water, the waterproof surface layer prevents moisture from entering the core through the surface. The limited amount of moisture that penetrates the core through the surface layer generally does not cause damage. At the joint, when moisture penetrates between the upper joint edges of adjacent floor panels and the moisture passes through the waterproof surface layer and reaches the core that is susceptible to moisture, the moisture spreads into the core and the floor. Continue moving towards the back of the panel. If the core contains wood fibers, these swell. As a result, the thickness of the floor panel in the joint edge portion increases and the surface layer is lifted. This vertical swelling damages the floor. As additional moisture is supplied, it spreads downwards toward the rear until it passes through the bonding system and reaches the underlying board or subfloor. This further increases the damage.

Various methods have been used to solve these problems. Attempts have been made to prevent moisture from entering the floor panel from the joint edge by coating the joint surfaces with a moisture seal material, such as wax or silicone. This type of solution is described inter alia in International Patent No. WO 9426999 (Boehringe Aluminum AB) and European Patent No. EP 0903451 (Unilin Beer BV). Attempts have been made to prevent moisture from moving along the joint from the front side to the rear side of the floor panel by inserting elastic sealing means between adjacent floor panels. Such a solution is described inter alia in International Patent No. WO 9747834 (Unilin Beer BV).
Thus, several methods have been used to improve the durability of the bonding system against the effects of water and moisture in various ways.
International Patent No. WO9426999 European Patent EP 0903451 International Patent No. WO9747834 European Patent No. EP1045083A1 US Pat. No. 6,101,778 German Patent No. DE200002744U1 British patent GB2117813 European Patent No. EP0665347A1 International Patent No. WO 9966152

  The most common method is to form the floor panel core with high quality HDF panels with respect to density and moisture protection. The protection of the core against moisture can also be improved during the manufacture of the core, often by adding specific binders in combination with the use of special wood fibers. Although this method can greatly reduce the swelling during moisture penetration, this swelling is not completely eliminated. The main drawback of this method is cost. Although the entire floor panel has the same high quality, these particular properties can only be used in a limited portion of the floor panel associated with the joint edge. Another drawback is that this method does not provide protection against moisture movement through the joining system from the front side of the floor to the back side.

  In addition, it is also known that special chemicals that impregnate or strengthen the wood fibers of the joining system can be applied to the joining edges by means of spraying etc. to prevent moisture from penetrating into the floor panel core. Yes. This chemical application is done after the final shape and geometry is given to the joint by machining. In general, impregnation takes place immediately in connection with the machining of the edge of the floor panel. This is because it is desirable to use the situation that the panel is held in place by the drive chain or belt of the machining equipment during this process of manufacture.

  The impregnated material can be applied to the joining system using a variety of methods including application by spraying, rolling, spreading, etc. The most common impregnating materials are various types of liquids such as melted waxes and oils, polyurethane-based impregnants, and many other chemicals, all of which are water-tight on the top edge It helps to prevent moisture from penetrating from the joint edge into the core to reduce the risk of swelling due to penetration between the parts.

  All application methods are complex, expensive and do not give satisfactory results. It is particularly difficult to form waterproof corners. For example, if the start of application by spraying on a moving floor panel is too late, the edge closest to the corner will not be impregnated. If the spray finishes too late, the impregnating liquid will flow into the outside air, which can contaminate the equipment and spread unwanted solvents or impregnants into the air and the room in which the production takes place. Furthermore, it is difficult to impregnate the core at the joining edge, just below the surface layer, without polluting the surface of the floor panel closest to the joining edge. Furthermore, it is difficult to impregnate deep and evenly the area directly below the surface layer that is most exposed to moisture and swelling. Everything gets worse by machining and thus subsequent impregnation at very high speeds and with the surface layer of the floor panel facing down. Another drawback is that impregnation with an environmentally friendly aqueous saturant in particular causes the fibers to swell or solidify the saturant layer to the bonding system and change the shape of the joint in an uncontrolled manner.

  The above method does not form a reliable seal that prevents moisture from moving from the front side of the floor panel down to the rear side of the floor panel along the joint surface. Moreover, the problem of swelling of the upper joint edge portion of the wooden floor is not solved.

  Furthermore, it is known that plastic core materials that do not swell and do not absorb moisture can be used. This provides a complete seal that prevents moisture from moving horizontally between the two joined floor panels away from the joint. Plastic is not advantageous because plastic material panels are much more expensive than fiberboard and it is difficult to bond or directly laminate a decorative surface layer to a plastic material panel. Furthermore, the machining of plastics is much more difficult than the machining of materials based on fiberboard for forming the connecting means of the floor panel along all four edges. An example of a floor panel with a plastic core is provided in EP 1045083A1. An example of a floor panel with connecting means made of plastic material is provided in US Pat. No. 6,101,778.

  The above-mentioned International Patent No. WO 9426999 (Boehringe Aluminum AB) discloses a system for preventing moisture from penetrating the floor panel from the front side of the floor panel to the rear side of the floor panel. This document suggests using silicone or some other sealing compound, rubber strip or some other sealing device that is applied to the adhesive system prior to installation. There are also drawbacks to sealing against moisture using a system according to WO 9426999 (Boehringe Aluminum AB), ie a sealing compound or sealing device applied to the joint in connection with manufacture. These drawbacks are essentially the same as edge impregnation by spraying or spreading. In addition, it is difficult to handle panels with dirt seal compounds. The properties of the seal compound may change over time. If the seal compound is applied in connection with laying, laying becomes difficult and expensive.

  One method for impregnating floor panels is disclosed in German Patent DE200002744U1.

  One way to form a seal that prevents moisture penetration is to insert a sealing device, for example in the form of a rubber sealing strip, into the joint in connection with laying. This method is also difficult and expensive. When sealing means are applied to joints in connection with manufacturing, how the sealing means should be designed for optimal function, how to apply in a reasonable manner, and It is not known how the corners should be designed so that the seal can function along the joining edges of the entire floor panel both on the long side and on the short side. The above-mentioned International Patent No. WO9747834 (Unilin Beer BV) shows how the sealing means in FIG. 10 looks like a narrow gap between the upper joint edges and between adjacent floor panels. How to apply.

  Furthermore, the use of an inserted elastic sealing means at the joint is well known in connection with the joining of story-high wall elements. This is shown, for example, in GB GB217813, which discloses a joining system, which is not suitable for floor panels that are to be laid so that the joining gap is hardly visible.

  Furthermore, it is well known to apply sealing pastes or water-resistant adhesives to the joints between floor panels, as shown in EP 0665347 A1. However, such a method requires the application of a seal during panel installation. Furthermore, many of the disadvantages inherent in floor panels connected by adhesive remain.

  Furthermore, it is well known that another material can be provided on the edge of the long or short side of the core (see International Patent No. WO9966152). Such another material is attached to the core and then machined to have a specific function of the locking system such as strength, protection against moisture, or flexibility. However, it is not known how to apply and form these materials to optimally solve the moisture problem described above.

  A particular problem associated with the penetration of moisture from the joining edge into the floor panel arises in connection with a wooden floor panel having several wood layers with different fiber orientations. This is because the wood swells laterally with respect to the direction of the fibers and larger than the direction along the direction of the fibers. This means that the fiber layer has a surface layer in the length direction of the floor panel, and the fiber direction is different. For example, a wooden floor with a horizontal core of the floor panel is installed in an environment with high moisture or high relative humidity. This means that the surface swells larger than the core in the lateral direction of the floor panel. As a result, the upper joint edge part and specifically the part closest to the joint surface swell, expand in parallel with the surface of the floor panel, and move and release the floor panel. On the other hand, the joining system formed in the core almost retains its form. For example, the decorative layer (surface layer) may be compressed to cause damage and break the joining system or completely or partially lose the locking function of the locking system.

  It can be seen that the moisture problems associated with bonded floor panels are essentially related to:

* Vertical and horizontal swelling of the joining edge and * moisture penetration through the joining system.

  Briefly, there are a number of well-known methods for providing a seal that prevents moisture from moving through the edge of the floor panel, of which the ones that give satisfactory results in terms of quality and price are I can say no. With regard to a seal that prevents moisture from moving along the joint from the front side to the back side of the floor panel, a seal that prevents such moisture movement from occurring is sometimes provided in the panel, possibly in production. There is no well-known solution that allows for a successful design.

The present invention is based on the understanding that it can include several types of seals that are necessary in waterproof locking systems for floor panels that can be joined together, among others. These seals
* “Material seal” to prevent the joint edge from swelling,
* "Material seal" and "joint seal" to prevent swelling and moisture penetration through the joining system, and * "compensation seal" to compensate for swelling and shrinkage of the joining edge.

  The term “material seal” means a seal that prevents moisture from spreading into the floor panel from the joined edges of the floor panel. The term “joint seal” means a seal that prevents moisture from moving through the joint along the joint surface. The term “compensating seal” means a seal that adjusts to the movement (swelling and shrinking) of the material caused by moisture in the floor panel due to, for example, changes in moisture content due to changes in relative humidity in the ambient air, This seal resists compressive stress and ensures that there is no visible gap between the upper joint edges of adjacent floor panels due to movement of such material by moisture.

  As is apparent from the above description, the known solutions to the problems caused by floor panels and floor materials due to moisture were not entirely satisfactory. Some solutions are inadequate with respect to their intended effects, and other solutions have deficiencies that create difficulties associated with manufacturing and installation, but these other solutions are from a cost standpoint. It was not satisfactory.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate or greatly reduce one or more of the remaining problems associated with moisture sealing for the manufacture and use of floor panels. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rational and cost-effective manufacturing method for manufacturing floor panel cores, floor board elements, floor boards and floor panels.

  These and other objects are achieved by floor panels, floors, and manufacturing methods having the characteristics described in the independent claims. The dependent claims and the following description limit embodiments of the invention.

  The present invention is particularly suitable for use with floor panels having mechanical locking systems and floor panels formed from board elements that are divided into multiple boards prior to machining. However, the present invention is manufactured directly as separate floorboards to which the joining system is glued or machined into floor panels, and thus significant prior to subsequent machining of individual floorboards. Can also be used on floor panels that are not manufactured by splitting board elements

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor panel including a main body having a wood fiber-based core, wherein at least two parallel joint edge portions are provided with the same floor panel. Connecting means for mechanically joining the floor panels in the horizontal direction is provided, the connecting means has action locking surfaces, and these action locking surfaces are adjacent to the floor panel after joining the floor panels. A floor panel is provided that cooperates with a corresponding working locking surface. This floor panel is characterized in that the whole or a part of at least one of the action locking surfaces is formed of an elastically deformable material other than the material of the main body of the floor panel.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, a system for forming a joint between two adjacent edges of a floor panel, the floor panel comprising a core and a surface layer applied on top of the core. And the surface layer includes at least one layer, the floor panels having connecting means at their adjacent joint edge portions for joining the floor panels to each other in the vertical direction, and adjacent upper joint edges A system is provided where the parts meet at a vertical joining plane. In this system, at least one of the joint edge portions is provided with a joint seal to prevent moisture from penetrating along the vertical joint plane between adjacent floor panels when the floor panels are joined together. The joint seal is formed of an elastic sealing material fixed to at least one of the floor panels, and is formed in connection with the formation of the joint edge of the floor panel, and the adjacent floor panels are joined to each other. It is characterized in that it is compressed when

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor panel including a core and a surface layer applied on the upper side of the core, the surface layer including at least one layer, There is provided a floor panel provided with connecting means for joining the floor panel to a similar floor panel in the vertical direction, the upper joining edge of the joined floor panel meeting at the vertical joining plane. In this floor panel, at least one of the facing joining edge portions of the joined floor panels is provided with a joining seal for preventing moisture from penetrating along a vertical joining plane between adjacent floor panels. The joint seal is made of an elastic sealing material fixed to the floor panel and formed in connection with the formation of the joint edge (82, 83) of the floor panel. It is characterized by elastic deformation when joined to the panel.

  Thus, according to the first, second, and third features of the present invention, an elastically deformable material that acts as a sealing means and / or compensation means against swelling or shrinkage of the floor panel can be inserted and secured to the core. . The elastically deformable material is applied to the part that is later machined to form the connection means of the finished floor panel. The elastically deformable material is thus machined simultaneously with or in connection with the machining of the rest of the joining system. As a result, the elastically deformable material can be formed into a seal that is precisely positioned and dimensioned to form the bonded seal or compensation means referred to above.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a core forming method for manufacturing a floor board, a floor element adapted to be divided into at least two floor boards, wherein the core is formed from a sheet-like material. And a forming method comprising forming a part of a locking system for locking the floorboard in the vertical direction. This method is characterized by including a step of forming a groove in the sheet-like material, and a step of inserting an elastic sealing material into the groove.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for use in the manufacture of a floor panel comprising the steps described above in connection with the fourth aspect of the invention. This method is characterized in that an elastic sealing material is formed into a joint seal in connection with the formation of the locking system.

  Before applying the surface layer (eg decorative surface layer) to the core by any suitable method such as sawing or grinding, for example, one or more on the surface of the area where the edges of the joining system are subsequently machined The core can be pretreated so that the grooves are formed. A suitable sealing material is then applied to the groove, suitably by impregnation or extrusion or any other suitable method. The sealing material may form a material seal and / or may have properties that change to a waterproof, elastically deformable solid material that can be formed to fit the bonded seal. In this case, the surface layer can be applied to the surface of the core over the groove provided with the sealing material. According to this aspect of the invention, the sealing material can also be applied in a similar manner after the application of the surface layer. In this case, the grooves are formed in the surface layer and core of the floor element or floor board or only in the core of the floor board. When the floor element is sawed into a floorboard, a sealing material is provided at the edge. When the sealing material is applied to a floorboard groove or machined edge, it is preferred to machine the reference surface in connection with the application of the sealing material. This reference plane may be an outer portion of the edge of the floor board. The final machining of the locking system and joint seal can then be performed in a second manufacturing process. In the second manufacturing process, the floorboard can be positioned with respect to the machining tool using the reference surface. In this way, the sealing material can be positioned with a tolerance of about 0.01 mm with respect to the joining surface and the surface of the floor panel. The joint seal can be positioned and formed on the core and on the surface layer having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The bonded seal protects the wood fiber core and prevents moisture from penetrating through the locking system. This method allows the seal to be applied and formed on all types of laminate floors that can be manufactured with a seal material. Obviously, the method can also be used on thicker surfaces, for example 1 mm to 3 mm plastic and linoleum surfaces. Such a seal is invisible from the surface and protects the wood fiber core under the waterproof surface layer. If the sealing material is flexible, moisture can also be prevented from penetrating through the locking system.

  In order to form a bonded seal, in principle any known sealing material can be used, such as foam that can be applied in liquid or semi-liquid form by extrusion. This sealing material can be molded after application, is elastically deformable, and is waterproof. Advantageously, the sealing material has the property of adhering to the core. However, such adhesiveness is not always necessary. This is because the sealing material can also be mechanically attached to, for example, an undercut groove.

  Subsequent machining of the manufacture of the floor panel takes place so as to only partially remove or reshape the sealing material. For example, the seal material can be formed by cutting into an elastically deformable joint seal that is precisely positioned along the entire long and short sides and at the corners, and further accurately positioned with respect to the surface layer.

  An optional outer shape can be formed by cutting the working part providing a joint seal and in particular a moisture seal. This can be formed with very narrow tolerances with respect to the rest of the bonding system formed.

  Floor made of floor panels with waterproof joints on all long sides, short sides and corners if the material seal is also provided in the joint system between the decorative layer and the joint seal Is formed. If the floor is further provided with a waterproof baseboard, for example made of plastic material, provided with an appropriate sealing material or sealing strip associated with the floor, the floor is completely along all joints and walls. It is waterproof.

In addition to the impregnation described above, the material seal between the surface layer and the joint seal can be formed in many different ways. These methods are, for example,
* The core can be made of waterproof material.

* In a direct laminate floor, the upper part of the core just below the decorative layer can be impregnated, for example as described below.

* Furthermore, an impregnating material can be applied to the groove of the core where the joint seal is applied.

* On floors made of high-pressure laminates, the laminate reinforcement layer under the decorative layer, made of kraft paper impregnated with phenol, can constitute a material seal.

* In another variation, a waterproof plastic layer is applied between the core of the entire panel and the decorative layer.

  In order to protect the joint edge and to form a material seal, other properties of materials, such as incompressible materials, can be applied in a manner similar to applying a joint seal.

  The material seal may be formed of one or more materials that are elastic and acoustically reducing over the entire core surface. At the same cost, the advantage of providing a softer floor with moisture sealing and reduced sound is obtained. The joint seal portion also constitutes a material seal. Finally, the entire joint seal or part thereof can also constitute a material seal. This means that the bonded seal also serves as a material seal with or without impregnating the core.

  As is clear from the above, this feature of the present invention is suitable for a core material based on wood fiber, for example, based on fiberboard, but based on plastic, plastic and fiberboard. It is also suitable for waterproof core materials such as various combinations of materials.

  Non-limiting examples of materials that can be used to provide bond seals include acrylic plastic-based materials, synthetic rubber elastomers, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, etc., or hot-melt adhesives based on polyurethane. Can refer to agents.

  In one embodiment, the floor panels are in contact with each other in close contact with another sealing means or with other joint edges over time and during swelling and shrinkage of the floor panels. A mechanical joining system for holding may be provided. While this method and system can work with conventional glued tongues, it is quite expensive and difficult to provide a tighter joint than with a mechanical joining system.

  With regard to laying, for example, an adhesive, a sealing material, or the like can be added to the above-described joining system in order to further increase the strength and waterproofness of the floor portion or the joint portion of the entire floor.

Within the scope of the present invention, the long side and the short side can be formed in various ways. The reason is that the connecting method during laying can be changed between the long side and the short side. For example, the long side can be locked by tilting inward, and the short side can be locked by snap fit, which requires different material properties, joint shapes, and seal shapes. In this case, one side is optimized for inward tilting and the other side is optimized for snap fit. Another reason is that if the panels are elongated, there are significantly more long side joints per m ^{2 of} floor than the short side joints. Various joint designs can be provided by optimizing material costs.

  For example, in order to strengthen the part where the lower part of the joint seal is formed, impregnation of certain areas of the core and edge strengthening can be used on the back side before application of the surface layer and the balance layer. This can be used, for example, to form a strong and flexible strip or lower lip and a strong locking element when the strip or lower lip is integrally formed with the core. For example, if the strip is formed of a different material than the core, such as aluminum, use the impregnation from the back side to reinforce the critical part where the strip is fixed or the panel cooperates with the locking element it can.

  Furthermore, the above-described manufacturing method can be used for manufacturing a mechanical joining system including elastic locking means. These elastic locking means can press each other when the adjacent upper joint edge swells and can expand when contracted. In this way, the problem of horizontal swelling is solved and no visible gaps are formed on the dry floor. This swelling problem is mainly related to the long side, so the corners are not included in this regard. Thus, an elastically deformable material can be applied in solid form mechanically into the groove, for example by pressing it into a snap fit or undercut, or by adhering to the edge of the groove. Thus, these elastic locking means serve as an “elastic compensation seal”.

  The manufacturing method described above that provides a partial material seal in a predetermined area of the core can also be used in connection with the manufacture of a sheet-like core. In this case, the impregnating material is applied in a compound made of wood fibers and binder formed in the core or in connection with the core formed in the final shape in the manufacturing process.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the rectangular floor panel includes a long side portion, a short side portion, a core, and a surface layer disposed on a surface of the core, the surface layer including a wear layer and a decorative layer. The floor panel includes a locking system for joining the floor panel to a similar floor panel vertically and horizontally along the long side and the short side adjacent to both joint edges. A floor panel is provided wherein the locking system is at least partially formed from the core. The floor panel further includes a portion constituting a material seal for preventing moisture from entering the core from the joint edge of the floor panel,
A surface layer;
With an elastically deformable joint seal that is fixed to the floor panel and prevents moisture from penetrating along the joint surface of the joint edge between adjacent floor panels when the floor panel is joined to similar floor panels It is arranged between them.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor element comprising a wood fiber based core and a surface layer attached to the surface of the core for use in forming at least two floorboards. The The floor element is provided with a groove in the surface and / or surface layer of the core, which groove is arranged in the part of the floor element in which the mechanical locking system is to be formed and is elastically deformable in the groove Materials and / or impregnation agents are provided. The elastically deformable material can be formed at least in part in the joint seal described above in connection with the formation of the connecting means.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floorboard for use in forming a floor panel comprising a wood fiber based core and a surface layer attached to the surface of the core. This floorboard is characterized in that a groove is provided in the upper edge portion of the floorboard on which the mechanical locking system is to be formed, and the groove is provided with an elastically deformable material and / or impregnating agent. To do.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a joint between two adjacent edges of a floor panel, the floor panel comprising at least one core applied to the upper side of the core. A surface layer including two layers and a locking system provided at the adjacent joint edge portion for joining the floor panels to each other at least in the vertical direction, the adjacent upper joint edge being a vertical joint plane. A way to meet is provided. This method compresses when adjoining floor panels formed on at least one of the adjacent joining edge portions of the floor panel are joined to each other, and the elastic sealing material is fixed to at least one of the floor panels. A step of forming the joint seal thus formed is formed simultaneously with the formation of the joint edge of the floor panel. According to this method, the joint seal prevents moisture from penetrating along the vertical joint plane between adjacent floor panels.

  1a to 1d show four manufacturing steps of a floor panel. FIG. 1a shows three main components: a surface layer 31, a core 30, and a balance layer. FIG. 1b shows a floor element 3 with a surface layer and a balance layer attached to the core. FIG. 1c shows a method for manufacturing the floor board 2 by dividing the floor element. FIG. 1d shows the final shape of the floorboard 2 after edge machining and the finished floor panel 1 with the joining systems 7, 7 'on the long sides 4a, 4b. The joining system is in this case a mechanical joining system.

  FIG. 2a shows the production of the high-pressure laminate. A wear layer 34 made of a transparent material having high wear resistance is impregnated with melamine and aluminum oxide is added. A paper decorative layer 35 impregnated with melamine is placed under this layer 34. One or more reinforcing layers 36a, 36b made of phenolic impregnated paper core are placed under the decorative layer 35 and the entire packet is placed in a press where it is cured by the action of pressure and heat, The surface layer 31 made of a high pressure laminate having a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm is formed.

  FIG. 2 c shows a process of bonding the surface layer 31 and the balance layer 32 to the core 30 to form the board element 3.

  FIG. 2 d and e show direct stacking. After placing a wear layer 34 in the form of an overlay and a decorative layer 35 made of decorative paper directly on the core 30, all three of these, and in general, a rear balance layer 32, are placed on the press where the effects of heat and pressure are applied. These are cured to form a board element 3 having a decorative surface layer 31 and a thickness of about 0.2 mm.

  FIGS. 3a to 3c show a prior art mechanical joining system and, according to the inventor's work, show the effect of moisture on the joining system.

  In FIG. 3 a, the floor panel 1 includes a directly laminated surface layer 31, a core 30 made of fiberboard-based material (HDF), and a balance layer 32. The vertical locking means for locking the panels 1 and 1 ′ in the direction D <b> 1 includes a tongue groove 9 and a tongue 10. The horizontal locking means for locking the panel in the direction D 2 parallel to the surface layer 31 comprises a strip 6 with a locking element 8 cooperating with the locking groove 12. The strip is formed by machining the core 30 of the floor panel, and is thus integrally formed with the core 30 in this embodiment of the invention. The dashed arrow MPM shows how moisture penetrates into the core 30 from the joining edge when moisture penetrates into the joining system from the front or top of the floor.

  FIG. 3 b shows an embodiment in which both the vertical locking means and the horizontal locking means are formed as tongue grooves 9 with locking grooves 12 and tongues 10 with locking elements 8. The dashed arrow MPJ shows how moisture penetrates through the part of the locking system.

  In FIG. 3c, the floor panel is provided with a surface layer 31 made of a high-pressure laminate, a core 30 made of HDF, and a balance layer 32 made of a high-pressure laminate. In this embodiment, the vertical locking means further includes a tongue groove 9 and a tongue 10 formed from the core 30 of the floor panel. The horizontal locking means includes an aluminum strip 6 and a locking element 8 mechanically attached to the core 30.

  In all the cases described above, the joining system is integrated with the core, i.e. formed or attached at the factory, at least part of the joining system is always formed by cutting the core 30 of the floor panel. The The locking system can be joined by tilting, snapping in the horizontal direction, or snapping in an upwardly tilted position.

  FIGS. 4a to 4c show the impregnation of the joining edges 82, 83 according to the prior art. Here, the impregnation is performed by spray-applying the impregnation material 24 from the side onto the machined joint.

  To facilitate understanding, floor panels are shown with their surface layers facing up in all drawings. However, in actual manufacturing, the floor panels are generally oriented with their front side (upper side) down in the processing machine and with subsequent impregnation.

  Prior art impregnation moves the floor panel through a stationary spray nozzle 40. In order to form the material seal 20, it is difficult to direct the injection edge of the impregnating material 24 to be directly below the surface layer 31 in relation to the adjacent upper joining edge 16.

  Even if the application can be made using a protective plate 43 that protects the surface, it is difficult to provide efficient protection. In many cases, the strip 6 and the locking element 8 are obstructive and it is difficult to apply the impregnating material 24 sufficiently accurately, and it is sufficient in the region immediately below the surface layer 31 at the adjacent upper joint edge 16. It is difficult to penetrate deeply. Thus, the impregnation depth changes, and as is apparent from FIGS. 4a to 4d, it is shallow just below the surface layer and deepens away from the surface layer.

  FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show impregnation to form a material seal according to the present invention. The impregnating material 24 is applied in a suitable manner with a band 44 on the core surface 33. This is done prior to applying the remaining layers, namely the decorative layer and the wear layer. This can be done, for example, by spraying, rolling, etc. Conveniently first of all in the longitudinal direction L in the area where the long side of the floorboard is formed later.

  Suitably, the long side 4 of the core 30 is used as a guide surface, which is then used as a guide surface to facilitate positioning in connection with the application, sawing and machining of the surface layer 31. In this way, it is easy to correctly position the material seal with respect to the finished joint edge.

  FIG. 5b shows the corresponding impregnation of the part that later constitutes the short side of the floorboard. In this impregnation, the core is moved in the transverse direction W perpendicular to the length direction L. Again, one short side of the core 30 can be used as a guide surface in subsequent manufacturing.

  FIG. 5c is an enlarged view of a portion constituting the corner of the floor panel. This part is fully impregnated parallel to the long side as well as the short side. The dividing line 45 indicates a saw line along the long side and the short side for dividing the board element into floor boards.

  FIGS. 6a, b and c show in detail how the impregnation is performed and how it penetrates the core and how the impregnation region is positioned relative to the connecting means. These are indicated by broken lines in FIGS. FIG. 6c shows the edges of two floor panels made of board elements. These floor panels are cut into individual floorboards by sawing along line 45.

  FIG. 6a shows how the impregnated material is applied from the core surface 33 into the core 30 and towards the central portion of the core to form the material seal 20 when the impregnated material is applied by the spray nozzle 40. Indicates whether it will penetrate.

  Penetration of the impregnating material 24 into the core 30 can be facilitated by generating a vacuum below the core by a vacuum drive 46. The vacuum driving device 46 includes, for example, a stationary vacuum table or a moving vacuum band. If the core 30 does not move during application of the impregnating material 24, for example, a moving spray nozzle 40 is used.

  FIG. 6 b shows how the impregnated material 24 is positioned on the core 30 of the board element 3 after application of the surface layer 31. The impregnating material in this case constitutes the material seal 20. The dividing line 45 shows the intended sawing.

  FIG. 6c shows the joining edges 82, 83 of the floor panels 1, 1 'after machining. For simplicity of illustration, the floor panel has a mechanical joint only along one side. The material seal 20 is precisely positioned along two vertical sides and corners and is formed in the upper joint edge portions 80, 81 in the illustrated embodiment.

  The fiber board-based core 30, such as HDF, is made of ground fiber mixed with a binder such as melamine and forms a panel with pressure and heat after mixing. In another aspect, the impregnated material 24 can be applied to the panel in connection with this manufacture, with the application being made at a special portion that later constitutes the joined portion of the floor panel.

  FIGS. 7a-d show in detail the various manufacturing steps for manufacturing the material seal 20 of the mechanical joining system.

  According to FIG. 7a, the impregnating material 24 is applied from the surface 33 of the core at portions 86, 87 (dashed lines). These parts constitute a joining edge part generally designated by reference numerals 86 and 87 in the finished floor panel, forming a joining system 9, 10. Most of the upper joint edge portions 80, 81 are impregnated to form the material seal 20.

  FIG. 7 b shows the floor element 3 including the surface layer 31, the balance layer 32, and the material seal 20 in the core 30 and below the surface layer 31. This figure also shows the intended saw line 45 and the contour of the final connecting means in broken lines.

  FIG. 7c shows the edge of the floor board 2, 2 'after sawing. The saw tolerance does not affect the final position of the material seal 20 closest to the joining edge. Subsequent machining does not require additional equipment to form the material seal 20 at the upper joint edge portions 80, 81 of the locking system. This is because this material seal is provided prior to applying a different surface layer to the core 30.

  FIG. 7d shows a machined joint where the material seal 20 is directly under the surface layer 31. FIG. HP denotes a horizontal plane parallel to the surface layer of the panel. The joining edges of the floor panels 1, 1 ′ are generally denoted by reference numerals 82, 83 and are provided with an optional joining system. In the illustrated embodiment, the joint edge is formed as a mechanical tongue that can be locked by inward tilting and snapping. VP indicates a vertical plane (bonding plane) extending in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane HP of the upper bonding edges 80 and 81 closest to the surface layer. T indicates the thickness of the floor panel. The maximum amount of impregnating material 20 is at the upper joint edges 80, 81 just below the wear layer 31, i.e. in the most important area in terms of moisture. By impregnating the impregnating material into the core from the core surface during impregnation, the impregnating material is thus concentrated directly under the wear layer 31.

  The upper joint edge portions 80, 81 thus cause the material seal 20 to be placed on the core surface 31 closest to the surface layer 31 between the vertical plane or joint plane VP and the lower plane at a distance P2 from the core surface 33. In addition, the horizontal plane extends from the vertical plane VP to the plane at a distance P1 from the vertical plane VP. Thus, this entire volume of the core 30 below the core surface 33 is impregnated to form the material seal 20. Such position and spread of the material seal is impregnated when the surface layer 31 is already provided on the upper joint edges 84, 85 at the vertical plane VP and machined to their final shape. It cannot be provided by known impregnation methods in which the material 24 is applied to or sprayed on the upper joint edges 84,85.

  Since the impregnating material 24 penetrates from the core surface 33, the concentration of the impregnating material is particularly high at the closest location to the core surface 33. Typically, the concentration of impregnating material decreases downward from the core surface 33 as shown schematically in FIGS.

  The material seal 20 must be limited to the part of the floor panel 1 where the intended connection means are formed, especially for cost, and therefore preferably should not cover the entire core surface 33.

  In this way, a material seal 20 can be provided under the surface layer 31 in a significant part of the system. With respect to the spread of the material seal in the lateral direction, i.e. transverse to the joining plane VP and along the horizontal plane HP, P1 may be more than 0.2 times the floor thickness T1, The thickness T may be one time or more. In many embodiments, the distance P1 may be so large that the entire joint edge portion including the portion of the connecting means of the floor panel is impregnated with the material seal 20.

  The impregnation depth or distance P2 may conveniently be 0.1 to 0.3 times the floor thickness T, and in many cases the impregnation depth is at least the upper portion of the connecting means. A depth such as that made of impregnated core material is preferred.

  According to the present invention, the bonding system is such that the material seal 20 is arranged at a distance P1 from the VP at a plane VP perpendicular to the core surface 33 and the sealing properties in this region are essentially equal or It is characterized in that the core surface 33 is coated with essentially the same amount of impregnating material 24 per unit volume of the core material 30. This is very different compared to the prior art where the application is made from the vertical plane VP. In the case of the prior art, the concentration of the impregnating material is from the joint edge at the vertical plane VP to the plane at a distance P1 parallel to the surface layer 31 as shown in FIGS. Decrease. In this case, the impregnation depth in the horizontal plane is smaller as it gets closer to the core surface 33 and is larger as it gets further away from it.

  FIGS. 8a-e illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, for example, the groove 41 is formed in the core surface 33 in a region where the upper inner portion of the tongue 10 is formed later. A seal material 50 is applied to the groove 41 after the formation. This sealing material has a characteristic that it takes a solid form after application, becomes waterproof, is elastically deformable, and can be molded by cutting.

  As shown in FIG. 8b, the core 30 provided with the groove 41 and coated with the sealing material 50 is coated with the surface layer 31, preferably the balance layer 32 is provided to form the floor element. The floor element 3 is sawn along a line 45 to form a floor board, and floor panels 1 and 1 'having a joining system are formed by machining. These floor panels are shown in FIGS. The joining of floor panels according to this particular embodiment will be described in more detail below.

  As described above, the groove 41 can be formed in a floor element or a floor board in which the surface layers 31 and 32 are coupled to the core 30. This means that the groove 41 can be formed in both the surface layers 31 and 32 and the core 30. The groove 41 may be impregnated or provided with a sealing material 50. This method offers the advantage that standard floor elements can be used and impregnated materials that are difficult to use in connection with the adhesion or lamination of the surface layers 31, 32 to the core 30 can be applied.

  The sealing material 50 can preferably be formed in the joint seal 55 by cutting with a tool that is particularly suitable for molding elastically deformable synthetic materials.

  As mentioned above, many seal materials that can be used are commercially available. As a non-limiting example, a material with the following properties can be used.

  Extrusion has properties that can be applied to the groove 41 as a compound, can adhere to the core material (optionally after applying the primer layer), has good heat resistance, is waterproof, resists detergent, and after application A sealing compound based on an acrylic plastic, an elastomer made of synthetic rubber, silicon rubber, or the like that changes to a solid and elastically deformable form upon curing or drying can be used. The properties of the material must be optimized so that it is sufficiently elastically deformable and at the same time can be reasonably machined by a cutting tool.

  Various types of hot melt adhesives based on polyurethane applied by heating and extruding can be used to form joint seals. Such a material transforms into a solid form that is elastically deformable upon solidification. These materials can later be formed into the appropriate shape by cutting or using heated rolls or a suitable form of drag tool and moving the material in contact along the seal material 50. Can be formed.

  A combination of rough machining by cutting and final shaping with a high temperature scraping tool or roll tool is also possible and is applied in two stages. The first application is performed using a highly liquid material that penetrates the core, and the second application that follows is performed using a material with high viscosity and good adhesion to the material. Different types of primer systems can also be used to improve the adhesion of the bonding seal material to the floor panel.

  For the purpose of optimizing function and cost, various materials, application methods, and forming methods can be used at both joint edges and at the long and short sides, respectively.

  FIG. 8 c shows a machined joint edge, which is provided with a mechanical locking system 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 and an elastically deformable joint seal 55. As is apparent from this figure, the joint seal 55 is compressed in connection with the laying of the floor panel. In this embodiment, it is tilted inward and starts compression and deformation when the locking element 8 is already in initial engagement with the locking groove 12 and when the tongue 10 is already engaged with the tongue groove 9. To do. Thus, as the compression continues, both the vertical and horizontal locking functions of the mechanical locking system are active. As a result, by applying a very small amount of force, compression occurs in connection with laying and therefore does not become difficult to lay because compression is required.

  FIG. 8d shows how the two floor panels 1, 1 'are joined by a snap fit. Here, the joint seal 55 can be compressed by the interaction between the tongue groove 9 and the tongue 10 in the same manner as described above, and the lateral displacement along the joint plane is easy. The flexible strip 6, the locking element 8, and the locking groove 12 cooperate during compression of the two and thus compress the joint seal in conjunction with the snap fit.

  Advantageously, a joining seal 55 is formed so that compression can be initiated when the guide portion 11 of the locking element 8 engages the guide portion 13 of the locking groove 12. This engagement is facilitated when the guide part 11 of the locking element is formed as a rounded or chamfered part of the upper part of the locking element. Furthermore, guidance and compression is facilitated when a rounded guide portion 13 corresponding to the lower portion of the locking groove 12 closest to the joining edge is formed.

  In connection with laying, the joining seal 55 is pressed against the cooperating joining surface 56 of the joining system facing it. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8a to 8e, the bonding surface 56 has an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the horizontal plane HP of the panel. This is shown in FIG. Thus, the pressure applied by the joining seal 55 is evenly distributed to the vertical locking means 9, 10 and the horizontal locking means 6, 8, 12 of the joining system. This is advantageous because it is desirable to reduce both the pressure associated with laying and the pressure at the locking position. If excessive pressure is exerted laterally at the locking position, the floor panel is separated, and an undesired joint gap is formed at the adjacent upper joint edge 16. When excessive vertical pressure is applied at the locking position, the joint edge portion 80 of the upper portion of the tongue groove 9 is lifted.

  FIGS. 9a-9d illustrate how the material seal 20 and the joint seal 55 are combined to form a waterproof locking system. In this case, the groove 41 is formed on the upper side of the core 30 after the impregnation, and the material seal 20 is formed.

  In this embodiment, sealing materials 50 a and 50 b are provided on the tongue groove side 9 and the tongue side 10. This embodiment is further characterized in that the impregnating material 24 serves as a binder and increases the strength of the core 30. In this embodiment (see FIG. 9 a), the impregnating material 24 is applied to several areas of the core 30. These regions constitute the material seal 20 and further constitute the material reinforcement of the upper joint edges 80 and 81. The impregnation further forms edge reinforcements 21a, 21b in the part where the strip 6 is attached, and the locking groove 12 forms a region 21c in the core 30 adjacent to the locking groove 12 cooperating with the locking element 8. To do.

  FIG. 9 b shows a method of applying the sealing materials 50 a and 50 b to the groove 41. After the surface layer 31 and the balance layer 32 are provided on the core 30 (see FIG. 9c), the joining edges and the sealing materials 50a and 50b are formed, and the joining seals 55a and 55b are formed (see d in FIG. 9). . As mentioned above in connection with FIG. 8b, both the surface layers 31, 32 and the groove formed in the core 30 can be provided with a sealing material.

  The strip 6 can be formed and fixed to the core 30 in various ways [see, for example, European Patent No. EP1061201 (Boehringe Aluminum AB) or International Patent No. WO9824995 (Boehringe Aluminum AB)). As a result, the mechanical locking system for locking the floor panels 1, 1 ′ with each other in the vertical and horizontal directions comprises a tongue 10 and a tongue groove 9, joint seals 55 a and 55 b, a material seal 20, a locking element 8. , The edge reinforcing fixing portions 21 a and 21 b for the strip 6, and the edge reinforcing locking surface 14 of the locking groove 12.

  The floor panel 1, 1 ′ according to this embodiment has upper joint edges 80, 81, which have a reinforcing material seal 20 in the vertical plane VP, directly below the surface layer 31, Associated with the material seal 20 are joint seals 55a, 55b. The material seal 20 and the joining seals 55a and 55b, together with the waterproof surface layer 31, prevent moisture from entering the core 30 and prevent moisture from passing through the joining system. Thereby, a waterproof floor is formed. As described above, the vertical locking means 9, 10 and the horizontal locking means 6, 8, 12 are bonded seals 55 a, which can be elastically deformed without deforming the locking means during the life of the floor. It must be designed to hold 55b in a compressed and elastically deformed state. It is particularly important that the tongue groove 9 is not too deep in the horizontal direction and is rigid so that the upper part of the tongue groove, i.e. the lip 15 does not lift up. Furthermore, the locking element 8 and the strip 6 can be joined to the joining seals 55a, 55b without separating the floor panels 1, 1 'when a visible joining gap is formed adjacent to the upper joining edge portions 81, 82. It must be designed to withstand the pressure applied by. The seal material 50a, 50b must be selected so that it exerts pressure during the entire life of the floor and moisture does not move through the bonding system.

  As is apparent from FIG. 9d, the core 30 is impregnated, the strip 6 is fixed, and the areas 21a, 21b and 21c where the locking element 8 locks with the locking groove 12 are reinforced. . Thereby, the comparatively cheap core material 30 can be used. These core materials are of low quality and the impregnation increases the strength of critical areas. In this way, high quality can be combined with low price.

    Several variations of this waterproof locking system are possible. The joining seals 55a, 55b can optionally be arranged in the joining system, but these joining seals are advantageously arranged so that they are not visible from the surface close to the surface layer 31. Bonding seals can optionally be placed in the tongue groove 9 or on the tongue side 10, but they can be provided at the opposite bonding portions as in the illustrated embodiment. Of course, several joint seals 55 can be placed on each joint part above and laterally of each other. Furthermore, the contact surface between the joining seal 55 and the facing part of the joining system is designed in any way to have a geometric shape, for example a toothed shape, a triangular shape, a semicircular shape, etc. it can. In principle, all forms normally used in the design of seal strips made of elastic synthetic material or rubber can be used.

  Using the vacuum technique described in connection with the embodiment according to FIG. 6 b, a material seal and edge reinforcement 20 can be provided across the entire bonding system from the surface layer 31 to the balance layer 32. This can increase the strength and moisture protection of the joints, increase the flexibility of the machined strip, provide a smoother surface by machining, and hold one floor panel in the locked position. The frictional force when moving with respect to the other floor panel can be reduced. The wood fibers can also be impregnated with a plastic material so that the wood fibers have the property of being able to be formed together with the impregnating material in accordance with the joint seal.

  As described above, the sealing materials 50a, 50b and / or 20 may be arranged alternately in grooves that can be formed in the floor element 3 or in the floor board 2 prior to the formation of the connecting portion. In this case, the groove 41 can be formed in both the core 30 and the surface layer 31.

  The sealing material 50a, 50b can also be placed on the edge of the floorboard 2 or floor panel 1 during the manufacture of the entire joining system or part thereof, and the final molding of the joining seals 55a, 55b is done when the floor panel 1 has already been finalized. When the shape is obtained, it can be performed in a separate manufacturing process. By changing the angle of the pressure surface between the elastically deformable joint seals 55a, 55b, the direction and distribution of the compression pressure can be adjusted between completely horizontal and completely vertical. Advantageously, the pressure surface is not vertical but is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane HP. Thereby, the pressure is distributed in the vertical direction component and the horizontal direction component, and the pressure distribution is related to the fact that the rigid upper tongue groove portion 15 and the strong horizontal direction joint portions 6, 8, 12 can be formed by a combination of materials. Become optimal.

  FIGS. 10a-c show in detail how compression is performed in relation to tilting inward. The action part 54 of the joint seal 55 is formed as a convex outer part, and this part starts to compress when the locking groove 12 engages with the locking element 8. Such a position is shown in FIG. With regard to the final tilting and locking process, the joint seal is finally compressed against the opposing cooperating joint surface 56. The bonding surface 56 may be coated with, for example, wax or other similar material after formation of the bonding system. This facilitates displacement along the joining edge at the locking position, and contributes to improvement of the functions of the material seal and the joining seal.

  As is apparent from FIG. 10c, the joining system may include one or more expansion spaces 53a, 53b. In these spaces, the joint seal 55 can swell when pressed together. The joining seal 55 should thus be formed to a certain extent, and if the expansion spaces 53a, 53b are formed in the joining system, the joining seal 55 can be formed with low tolerance requirements, Function is maintained.

  The upper joint edge material seal 20 can be formed to a considerable depth from the core surface 33 in this embodiment. This means that the entire region from the upper part of the joint seal 55 to the core surface 33 is waterproof. In this embodiment, for example, the majority of the joint edge between the groove 9 and the core surface 33 forms the material seal 20.

  FIGS. 11a to 11c show another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11a shows an embodiment according to the invention, in which the joint seal 55 is formed to minimize edge lift and joint edge separation. The contact surface with the cooperating joint surface 56 facing the joint seal 55 is at a small angle with respect to the plane of the panel. This means that most of the compressive force is directed essentially vertically in the direction of arrow A. However, the joint edge on the tongue is rigid and the risk of the edge lifting is small.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 11b, elastically deformable joint seals 55a, 55b are arranged directly under the surface layer 31 and thus these surface layers cover the joint seal. The upper portions of the seals 55a and 55b can constitute a material seal that prevents the penetration of moisture into the core 31, whereas the lower portions of the seals 55a and 55b can constitute an actual joint seal. Further, the seals 58a and 58b may cover the portions of the surface layers 31 and 32 closest to the core.

  The embodiment according to FIG. 11c is characterized in that the other materials 58a, 58b constituting the material seal are arranged on the elastically deformable joint seals 55a, 55b. These other materials 58a, 58b can also be used for decoration purposes by the surface layer 31. For example, the chamfered portion 60. Therefore, these other materials 58a, 58b are visible at the seam. Such a decorative material can also be applied to the floor board core 30 and to the grooves formed in the surface layers 31, 32 prior to final machining of the edge of the floor panel.

  The principle of the sealing function without a mechanical joining system when an adhesive is applied between the tongue groove and the tongue 10 will be described.

  FIG. 11d shows an embodiment in which a material seal 20 is provided on one edge of the floor panel and a joining seal 55a is provided on the other edge. The joint seal covers the lower part of the surface layer 31. FIG. 11 f and g show a method of applying the sealing materials 55 a and 20 to the grooves 41 a and 41 b formed in the floor board. The advantage of this method is mainly that the sealing material can be applied very accurately. In addition, the locking system can be used in a second machining operation that can avoid application on the surface, can apply a significant amount of impregnated material, and can use a reference surface such as 10a for positioning the floorboard. The shape can be formed very accurately. It is clear that the application of material seals and joint seals can be combined in several ways. For example, a material seal and a joint seal can be provided on both sides, or only a joint seal or a material seal can be provided. In this embodiment, a large amount of impregnating material 20 is applied to the upper joint edge just below the wear layer 31, i.e. in the most important area in terms of moisture. This concentration of impregnating material just below the wear layer 31 is obtained by impregnating the impregnating material into the core from the groove 41b closest to the surface during impregnation. It is necessary that the surface closest to the final edge be unprotected. This is because the surface is protected by the remaining portion 31a of the surface layer, and a large amount of impregnating material can be applied. The core portion closest to the surface can be impregnated to a horizontal depth of about 1 mm or more and can be impregnated at this depth substantially over the entire edge of the floor panel. The vertical concentration of the impregnating material 20 under the wear layer 31 is higher at the joining surface than in the core. Of course, the procedure described above with reference to the upper surface 33 of the floor panel can also be applied to the lower surface of the floor panel.

  FIG. 12a shows an embodiment according to the invention in which the core 30 is coated with three different surface layers with different functions. The surface of the floor panel 1, 1 ′ includes a transparent, hard and durable plastic material wear layer 34, an intermediate decorative layer 35 made of plastic film, and a reinforcing layer 36 made of elastic material. This is waterproof and sound absorbing. The decorative layer 35 made of plastic film may be replaced with a decorative pattern printed directly on the lower side of the transparent wear layer 34 or the upper side of the elastic reinforcing layer 36. This embodiment can also be manufactured without a seal, in which case the wood-based HDF / MDF and other cores, elastic surfaces, and floor panels can be tilted and / or snapped at the long and short sides. A floating floor panel can be formed with a mechanical locking system for locking in the horizontal and vertical directions by fitting. The seal can also be applied to the grooves formed in the core and surface layer of the floorboard in this embodiment.

  The joint seal 55a has a working part 54 in the form of a convex bulge on the tongue side, and this working part is pressed against the opposing resilient cooperating joint surface 56. The working portion 54 of the joint seal 55a is small, which helps to reduce the friction associated with lateral displacement when attempting to snap the short side of the floor panel. Furthermore, friction can also be reduced by joint seals 55a, 55b coated with various types of friction reducers.

  12 b includes the same surface layer 31 as shown in FIG. 12 a, but the joint seals 55 a and 55 b are formed on the elastically deformable reinforcing layer 36 closest to the core 30. Show. If the wear layer 34 is harder than the reinforcing layer 36, on the one hand, deformation of the joint seal 55 b occurs essentially in the lower part 57 of the joint seal closest to the core 30, and on the other hand, the wear layer. No major deformation of 34 occurs. Thereby, a waterproof and sound-absorbing floor is formed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing means in the form of material seals and bonded seals can be designed in many different ways as described above.

  It is clear that the embodiments described above in FIGS. 6 to 12 can be combined. For example, the sealing means according to FIGS. 12a and b or FIG. 10a and b can be arranged in the same joining system. The strip 6 can be formed of aluminum or the like.

  FIG. 13 shows a floor in which the long side portions 4a and 4b and the short side portions 5a and 5b are provided with a mechanical joining system, and the joining seals 55a and 55b are provided on one short side portion 5a and one long side portion 4b. Panel 1 is shown. When the floor panel 1 is connected to other similar floor panels 1 'by the long side portions 4a, 4b and the short side portions 5a, 5b to form a floor, there are joint seals on all sides.

  When the material seal 20 according to the embodiment described above is provided at the joining edge, the floor panel joining system is applied to all sides 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b and all corners 38a, 38b, 38c. 38d to prevent moisture from penetrating the bonding system.

  By machining the long and short sides into a linear shape, the corners 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d can be designed with the same narrow tolerances as the sides 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b of the floor panel 1. If the joint seals at the corners 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d fit snugly and the joint seals 55a, 55b can be deformed when the floor panels are joined, between the short sides 5a, 5b and between the long sides 4a, 4b If there is an angular misalignment as well as a misalignment from the parallelism between the long side portions 4a and 4b, this can be compensated and the manufacturing tolerances are exceeded.

  FIG. 14a is a cross-sectional view of the joint of a conventionally designed floor panel 1, 1 'along one long side of the wooden floor. The floor panel 1, 1 ′ has a wooden surface layer 31 whose main fiber direction is parallel to the long side part, and a core 30 which is different in fiber direction and is essentially perpendicular to the long side part. The longitudinal side edges of the floor panels 1, 1 ′ have mechanical joining systems 9, 10, 6, 8, 12. In an environment with a lot of moisture, the upper joint edges 80 and 81 swell larger than the core 30 in the direction transverse to the direction of the fibers (that is, in the direction transverse to the joint between adjacent floor panels 1 and 1 ′). . This means that the floor panels 1, 1 ′ are pushed away along the long side and the strip 6 bends backwards. This risks the upper joint edges 80, 81 or cooperating locking surfaces 14, 18 being compressed or damaged. When the floor panels 1, 1 ′ are dried and contracted in winter (relative humidity decreases), the joint gap is lifted between the upper joint edges 80, 81.

  14b to 14e show that by using the elastic compensation seal 52 inserted in the horizontal locking means 6, 8 in accordance with the present invention to resist the action of swelling and contraction of the upper joint edges 80, 81. It shows how this risk of lifting the joint gap can be compensated.

  FIG. 14b shows an example of a floorboard 2 'suitable for forming a joining system with a compensation seal according to the invention. The outline of the joining system is indicated by a broken line in FIG. The surface layer 31, the core 30, and the balance layer 32 are offset laterally on both the tongue groove 9 and the tongue side 10 to minimize waste during machining of the joining edge. A groove 40 is formed in the core 30 below the floor board 2. An elastic material 51 is placed in the groove 41 and fixed in the groove according to the methods described in the past, for example by extrusion, or in another embodiment by mechanical fixing such as bonding or pushing material into the groove.

  In the subsequent machining, the elastic material 51 is removed or partially reshaped to form an elastic compensation seal 52 that acts on the locking groove 12 in the horizontal direction D <b> 2 that constitutes the operating locking surface. This is shown in FIG.

  When the joining edge portions 80, 81 swell, the elastic compensation seal 52 is compressed by pressing the locking surface 14 against the locking surface 18 of the locking element 8. As a result, the mechanical locking system has a large upper joint edge 80, 81 due to moisture without damaging the joint system or revealing visible joint gaps when the floor dries and shrinks in winter. Can compensate for movement.

  When the thickness WT of the surface layer 31 is considerably large and when this thickness is, for example, 0.1 times or more the floor thickness T, the problem of swelling of the upper joint edge increases.

  The joining system according to the embodiments described above is particularly suitable for use in floor heating and in environments where there is a large change in relative humidity over the years. The elastic locking means or compensating seal 52 is optional, but in the locking element 8 (see FIG. 14d) or in the locking groove 12 (see c and e in FIG. 14) or both of these parts. And can be formed in many different shapes with various angles and radii that can be easily tilted and displaced inward. The elastic locking means or compensating seal 52 can be further combined with the material seal 20 and the joint seal 55 according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention.

  FIG. 14d shows an embodiment in which the elastic locking means or compensation seal 52 also serves as a joint seal that seals against moisture. In this case, when the seal 52 is compressed, the seal 52 absorbs the movement caused by the swelling and contraction of the upper joint edges 80 and 81. Thus, the compressibility of the elastic seal 52 and thus the sealing performance when the floor panel is placed in a moisture environment is improved. In this case, a material seal 20 is provided. However, this material seal 20 is not specifically shown in this figure, but extends down, ie to the upper part of the connecting means, for example as shown in FIG. 7d.

  FIG. 14 e shows an embodiment in which the elastic compensation seal 52 is compressed by a locking element 8 made of a material other than the core 30. In this embodiment, strip 6 and locking element 8 can be formed of aluminum or some other convenient metal. This structure has greater flexibility than when the strip 6 is integrally formed with the floor panel core. Furthermore, the present invention can also be used in this embodiment. One advantage of this embodiment is that the friction during lateral displacement at the locked position is low.

  FIGS. 15a-e illustrate one embodiment of a bonding system in which a bonding seal 55 is disposed in the groove 41 of the core 30 formed using the tool 70 adjacent to the upper-inner portion of the tongue 10. FIG. Show.

  FIGS. 15a and 15b show the critical tolerance of the position of the tool 70 with respect to the vertical plane VP of the floor panel 1 'when, for example, a groove 41 is formed in the core 30 or board element. The innermost position of the tool 70 is defined by the plane TP1. FIG. 15b shows the outer position of the tool 70 defined by the plane TP2 outside the vertical plane VP. As can be seen from these two figures, the contact surface of the joint seal 55 for contacting the opposing cooperating joint portion 56 can be formed very accurately, but the groove for the joint edge placed in the vertical plane VP. The manufacturing tolerance TP1-TP2 for the horizontal position of 41 is very large, exceeding 0.2 times the thickness T of the floor. By using the latest manufacturing equipment, it is possible to manage the horizontal position of these tolerances in the entire manufacturing process from the manufacture of the surface layer 31 and the board element 3 to the completion of the floor panel 1 '. It is not very important to position the tool 70 vertically. This is because tolerances are primarily determined by material thickness tolerances, which are generally small relative to tolerances associated with lateral positioning.

  In this embodiment, the core surface 33 or the surface of the surface layer 31 can be used as a reference plane. Therefore, the groove 41 and the seal material 50 to be formed on the joint seal 55 later can be positioned in the vertical direction with great accuracy. Thus, the working contact surface of the joining system and the joining seal 55 can be formed with very narrow manufacturing tolerances of no more than 0.01 times the floor thickness T, but the original position of the sealing material 50 requires a fairly low tolerance. Influenced by conditions.

  In such an embodiment, the manufacturing tolerance between the working portion 54 of the joint seal and the adjacent upper joint edge 16 is such that the portion other than the working portion of the joint seal and the above-described adjacent upper joint edge 16 are different. It is characterized by being considerably smaller than the tolerance between. This facilitates rational manufacturing and enables high quality manufacturing.

  If the floorboard core and surface layers 31, 32 are grooved, the outer part of the tongue 10 can be formed in the same machining process, and this part of the tongue or other part of the floorboard can be locked It can be used as a reference surface when forming the system and seal 55. In this case, the vertical tolerance and the horizontal tolerance can be reduced to about 0.01 mm.

  FIG. 15c shows the joint seal 55 in a compressed state in which expansion spaces 53a and 53b are provided on both sides of the joint seal.

  FIG. 15d shows a method of forming the joint seal 55 that facilitates machining of the surface layer when the surface layer 31 is made of a laminate. When machining the joining edge 80 using a diamond cutting tool 71 operating in the horizontal direction, ie perpendicularly to the vertical plane VP according to the arrow R, diamond acting on the laminate wear layer 35 comprising aluminum oxide. Large wear occurs at the point 72 of the cutting tool. In order to use most of the working surface of the diamond cutting tool, the tool is moved downward from its starting position 71, for example, in the direction of the tongue 10 for each process. The starting position of the tool is indicated by position 71, and the end position thereof is indicated by position 71 '. When the joint seal 55 is disposed in the illustrated groove 41 adjacent to the upper-inner portion of the tongue 10, and the upper boundary UP is 0.2 times the thickness T of the floor, for example, from the surface of the surface layer 31. When arranged at the above distance SD, it is possible to provide the joint seal 55 designed to facilitate the machining of the joint edge adjacent to and below the surface layer 31. Due to this form and position of the joint seal 55 at a predetermined distance from the surface layer 31, the tongue 10 can be easily machined using a tool 73 (see e in FIG. 15) and provided at the opposite joint edge. The opposed cooperating joints 56 formed can form a locking system. The locking system has a radius and angle that facilitates snap-in and / or inward tilting of the locking system.

  Figures 16a to 16e show a locking system having a plurality of horizontal locking means. These locking systems can be used in conjunction with waterproof locking systems, but can also be used in the same manner as normal mechanical locking systems to provide a locking system with high horizontal strength. The basic principle can be used by inclining inward or by snap-fit and with a locking system joined using the strip 6. These strips are optionally molded integrally with the core 30 or formed of another material such as aluminum and secured to the core.

  Various combinations of systems can be used on the long side and the short side. The locking elements 8a, 8b, 8c and the locking grooves 12a, 12b, 12c have strips machined from the core or containing another material, for example wood, fiberboard based material, plastic material, etc. It can be formed at various angles and radii with panel material or the like, and the locking element can be designed to be installed by tilting the floor panel or snapping.

  The locking system according to FIG. 16a includes two strips 6a and 6b, two locking elements 8a and 8b, and two locking grooves 12a and 12b. The locking element 8a and the locking groove 12a can be locked with great strength and at the same time can be guided well in connection with, for example, inward tilting. Due to the locking element 8b, the strength is particularly increased and the horizontal locking force can be greatly increased. The locking element can be designed to work when the horizontal joint begins to move away from the upper joint edge due to very high tension, for example when a joint gap of 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm occurs.

  FIG. 16b shows a locking system with three horizontal locking means including locking elements 8a, 8b, 8c and locking grooves 12a, 12b, 12c which can be formed according to these basic principles. This embodiment comprises a locking means 8a, 12a with good guiding properties and two locking means 8b, 12b and 8c, 12c, which are connected to the horizontal tension load of the joining system. Helps increase strength. This joining system can hold the joining edges together during compression of the joining seal 55. Several locking elements can be formed on the upper and lower parts of the tongue 10 and the strip 6 according to this method, which facilitate inward tilting, snap-fit and guiding, and increase strength You can adjust as you like.

  FIG. 16c shows that separate locking means 8b, 12b and / or 8c, 12c can be used, for example to limit the separation of the joining system, in this case elastic locking means in the part of the locking groove 12a. 52 is provided.

  The locking system according to FIGS. 16a and 16b is primarily snap-fit, but can be adjusted to be easy to tilt by slightly changing the angle and radius of the locking system.

  FIG. 16d shows a locking system with two horizontal locking means 8a, 12a and 8b, 12b which are convenient for long sides which can be installed, for example, by tilting inward.

  FIG. 16e shows a locking system for the short side that can be installed, for example, with a snap fit. The locking system according to FIG. 16e differs from the locking system according to FIG. 16f, in particular, with a small locking element, a large inclination with respect to the surface layer, a long strip 6a and more flexibility, 9 is deep and the upper locking element 8b has a locking surface that is further inclined with respect to the surface layer.

  The locking systems 12b and 12c can be formed with an advanced configuration by a tool. The tool is not necessarily a rotary tool. FIG. 16f shows the manufacture of the undercut groove 12c of the joining system according to FIG. 16b. The panel can be passed through a stationary grooving tool 74 in accordance with conventional metalworking techniques. In this embodiment, the grooving tool has teeth 75 acting in a direction perpendicular to the surface layer 31. When the floor panel 1 is moved in the direction of arrow B, the floor panel passes through a grooving tool 74 inserted into the tongue groove 9, and the teeth of this tool perform the final forming of the undercut groove 12, and its locking surface. Form. Most of the tongue grooves 9 are formed in a conventional manner using a large rotary diamond cutting tool before the panel is in the operating position of the grooving tool 74. In this way, essentially all geometric shapes can be formed as in plastic or aluminum profiles. This technique can also be used to form the groove 41 in the core where the sealing material is disposed.

  17a to 17d show enlarged views of the corners 38a of the floor panel illustrated above in FIG. 13, and show the joining of the three floor panels 1, 1 ', 1' '. To be precise, the corners constitute one of the important parts of the waterproof floor. In order to prevent moisture from entering the joining system through the corners, it is very advantageous according to FIG. 17a that the joining seals 55a, 55b are not interrupted at at least one corner 38a. Furthermore, the joint seals at the corners 38d of the floor panel 1 'must be positioned and formed so that various parts of the joining system, in particular its working part 54 in connection with the machining of the tongue groove 9, are not completely removed. I must.

  FIGS. 17c and d show cross-sectional views of the bonding system along line C1-C2 of FIG. 17b. That is, the short side portion and the corner portion 38a of the panel 1 'are shown in an end view. On the other hand, the panel 1 is shown by a cross section along the line C1-C2. In this embodiment, the working part 54 of the joint seal is intact in the panel 1 'at the outer end of the upper lip of the tongue groove 9b. This is because the action part 54 is arranged on the plane SA positioned between the surface layer 31 and the upper part of the tongue groove which is the undercut groove 9b in this case. The working part 54 of the joint seal thus contacts in this plane with the opposing cooperating joint surface 56 of the third floor panel 1 ″.

  According to this embodiment, the corner 38a has a region SA where the sealing material 55a is positioned in one or more planes and the joint seal 55a is not interrupted. Thus, there are no gaps or hollows where moisture penetrates from the surface and spreads into the joining system. Thus, this embodiment is characterized in that at the two corners 38b, 38d of the floor panel, the joint seals 55a, 55b contact the opposing cooperating joint surfaces without interruption. The working part 54 of the joint seal 55 is thus continuous along one entire long side and one entire short side and at the corners between these long and short sides.

  Accordingly, between the two adjacent edges 4a, 4b; 5a, 5b of the floor panel 1, 1 'with a fiberboard core 30 and a surface layer 31 made of at least one layer applied to the upper side 53 of this core A system for forming a joint has been described. The floor panels are provided with connecting means 9, 10 for joining these floor panels to each other in the vertical direction D1 at their adjacent joining edges 82, 83, and above the floor panels 1, 1 '. The joining edge 16 meets in the vertical plane VP. In this system, adjacent joining edges 80, 81 of the floor panel 1, 1 'have a material seal 20 that prevents moisture from penetrating from the joining edges 82, 83 into the floor panel core 30, said material The seal 20 is configured so that the core 30 in the joint edge is connected from the upper side 33 of the core 30 to the connecting means 9 and 10 by a moisture sealant and / or an agent that prevents or significantly reduces swelling due to moisture. It is formed by impregnating a predetermined distance downward.

  In this system, the concentration of the moisture sealant at the joint edge may be higher at the core surface 33 than at a predetermined distance therefrom.

  In this system, the impregnation of the core 30 may extend downward to a depth P2 that is at least 0.1 times the thickness T of the floor panel.

  In this system, the impregnation of the core 30 may extend downward to a depth P2 corresponding to at least half of the distance between the core surface 33 and the upper surface of the connecting means 9,10.

  In this system, the impregnation may extend down to at least the upper part of the connecting means 9, 10.

  In this system, the impregnation may extend inward from the joining plane VP into the core 30 over a distance P1 that is at least 0.1 times the thickness of the floor panel.

  In this system, the impregnation may extend inward from the joining plane VP into the core 30 over a distance P1 corresponding to at least half of the width of the connecting means 9, 10 as seen from the joining plane.

  In this system, the impregnation may extend inwardly into the core 30 from the joining plane VP over a distance P1 corresponding to substantially the full width of the connecting means 9, 10 as seen from the joining plane.

  In this system, the core 30 may be impregnated from the lower side with a property improving agent at least in the joint edge portion.

  In this system, adjacent joining edges 82, 83 are provided with connecting means 6, 8, 12 for joining the floor panels 1, 1 'to each other in a horizontal direction HP perpendicular to the joining plane VP. Also good.

  In this system, the core 30 is impregnated for at least a predetermined distance from the lower side and upwardly toward the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12, at least in the joint edge portion. It may be.

  In this system, the impregnation may extend upward to at least the lower part of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

  In this system, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the mechanical properties of the core 30.

  In this system, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the elasticity of the core 30.

  In this system, the core 30 may be impregnated over half of the distance between the facing joint edge portions.

  In this system, the core 13 may be impregnated in the joint edge portion in which at least a part of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 is formed.

  In this system, the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 are adjacent to the adjacent floor panels 1, 1 'at a vertical joining plane VP perpendicular to them and perpendicular to the front side of the floor panel. 'May be designed to mechanically join.

  In this system, the floor panels 1, 1 ′ may be quadrilateral and all their facing joint edge portions may be impregnated.

  In this system, the entire surface 33 of the core at the junction edge of the corners 38a-d may be impregnated.

  In this system, the floor panels 1, 1 ′ may be quadrilateral and mechanical joining systems 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 for joining in the vertical and horizontal directions are provided on all sides. It may be.

  In this system, the connecting means 9, 10, 6-8-12 are joined by tilting the floor panel 1 inwardly to the previously installed floor panel 1 'and / or by snapping into the locked position. It may be designed to do.

  In this system, the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 may include a lower lip or locking strip 6, which may be integrally formed with the core or included in the mechanical connecting means. Also good.

  In this system, the lower lip or locking strip 6 is impregnated with an elastic modifier.

  In this system, the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 may comprise an integral locking strip 6 formed of a different material than the core 30, which strips are facing joint edge portions of each floor panel. It is fixed to fixing elements 21a and 21b formed along one of them.

  In this system, the fixing elements 21a, 21b formed in the core 30 for locking the strip 6 may be impregnated with a property improving agent.

  In this system, the fixing elements 21a, 21b may be impregnated with a strength improver.

  In this system, the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 may be formed by cutting.

  In this system, the facing joint edge portions 86, 87 of the floor panels 1, 1 'further prevent moisture from penetrating along the joint surfaces of the joint edges between adjacent floor panels when joined. The joint seal 55 may be provided at the joint edge portions 86 and 87 and formed by the elastic seal elements 50, 50a and 50b. It is fixed to at least one of them, and is compressed when adjacent floor panels are joined together.

  In this system, the joint seal 55 may be formed of portions of the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 and / or floor panel portions above and / or below the connecting means.

  In this system, the joint seal 55 has a tolerance within the floor panel and / or between different floor panels that is different between the working portion and the adjacent upper joint edge 16 of the joint seal 55. It may be designed to be smaller than that between the adjacent portion and the adjacent upper joint edge.

  In this system, the joint seal 55 may be formed of a part of the vertical connection means 9, 10 and / or a floor panel part positioned above the vertical connection means.

  In this system, the joint seal 55 may be formed by machining the elastic seal elements 50, 50a, 50b in connection with the design of one of the joint edges 82, 83.

  In this system, the joint seal 55 may be formed by machining the elastic sealing elements 50, 50a, 50b in connection with the design of one of the vertical coupling means 9,10.

  In this system, the working part 54 of the joint seal 56 is designed to start compression when the locking element 8 contacts the working locking surface of the locking groove 12 during inward tilting. Good.

  In this system, the working portion 54 of the joint seal 56 may be designed to initiate compression when the locking element 8a contacts the working locking surface of the locking groove 12 during snap-fit.

  In this system, the floor panel may be provided with a joining seal 56 having an active portion 54 on the long side and the short side, the active portion 54 being continuous, the long side and the short side. It may extend over the whole and the corners between these long and short sides.

  The system may further include a plastic impact-sound barrier layer 36 between the core 30 and the decoration-abrasion layer 34. Furthermore, in this system, the free surface portion of the impact-acoustic barrier layer 36 facing the joint VP can be designed by cutting in connection with the design of the joint edge, so that the adjacent floor panels 1, 1 ' It is formed as joint seal means 55a, 55b that are compressed when they are joined together.

  In this system, the joint seals 55, 55a, 55b may be formed with contact surfaces that are inclined with respect to the upper side of the floor panels 1, 1 'in the joined state.

  The system may include one or more locking means 8a, 8b, 8c for joining adjacent floor panels 1, 1 'in the horizontal direction.

  In this system, one of the locking means 8a, 8b, 8c for joining in the horizontal direction may be arranged on one side of the vertical joint plane VP, and the other is the other of the vertical joint plane VP. It may be arranged on the side.

  In this system, the locking means 8a, 8b, 8c for joining in the horizontal direction may be arranged at different levels with respect to the front side of the floor panels 1, 1 '.

  Further, the floor panel described above has a fiberboard core 30 and at least one surface layer 31 applied on the upper side of the core, at least at two parallel joint edge portions 86, 87 on both sides thereof. There are connecting means 9, 10 for joining the floorboard to the same floorboard in the vertical direction D1. In this floorboard, the core 30 is entirely impregnated with the property improving agent at least a predetermined distance downward from the upper side 33 toward the connecting means 9, 10 in the upper joint edge portions 80, 81. .

  In the floor panel, the concentration of the property improving agent at the joint edge portion may be higher at the core surface 33 than at a predetermined distance therefrom.

  For floor panels, the impregnation may extend to a predetermined depth of at least 0.1 times the thickness of the floor panel.

  In the floor panel, the impregnation of the core 30 may extend downward to a depth P2 corresponding to at least half of the distance between the core surface 33 and the upper part of the connecting means 9,10.

  In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend down to at least the upper part of the connecting means 9,10.

  In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend from the joining plane VP inward into the core 30 for a distance of at least 0.1 times the thickness of the floor panel.

  In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend inward from the joining plane VP into the core 30 over a distance corresponding to at least half the width of the connecting means 9, 10 as seen from the joining plane VP.

  In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend inwardly into the core 30 from the joining plane VP over a distance P1 corresponding to at least half of the width of the connecting means 9, 10 as seen from the joining plane.

  In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend down to at least the upper part of the connecting means 9,10.

  In the floor panel, the core 30 may be impregnated with a property improving agent at least in the joint edge portion from the lower side toward the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 to at least a predetermined distance.

  In the floor panel, the adjoining joining edges 82, 83 are further connected by connecting means 6, 8 for joining the floor panel 1 to another similar floor panel 1 'in the horizontal direction HP perpendicular to the joining plane VP. , 12 are provided.

  In the floor panel, the impregnation may extend upward to at least the lower part of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

  For floor panels, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the mechanical properties of the core 30.

  In the floor panel, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the elasticity of the core 30.

  In the floor panel, the impregnating agent may be a moisture sealing agent and / or an agent that prevents or significantly reduces swelling due to moisture, and forms the material sealing means 20.

  In the floor panel, the core 30 may be impregnated over half or less of the distance between the joint edge portions.

  In the floor panel, the core 30 may be impregnated in the joint edge portion in which at least part of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 is formed.

  In the floor panel, the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 are connected to a similar floor panel 1 'adjacent to the floor panel 1 at the vertical joining plane VP, perpendicular to this and on the front side of the floor panel. It may be formed so as to be mechanically joined vertically.

  The floor panel may be a quadrilateral, and all the joining edge portions on both sides thereof are impregnated.

  In the floor panel, the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 can be achieved by tilting the floor panel 1 inwardly on the floor panel 1 'installed earlier and / or by snapping into the locked position. You may form so that it may join.

  In the floor panel, the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 may include a lower lip or locking strip 6, which may be integrally formed with the core, or mechanical connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, and 18 may be included.

  In the floor panel, the lower lip or locking strip 6 may be impregnated with an elastic modifier.

  In the floor panel, the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 are connected to the core 30 fixed to fixing elements 21a, 21b formed along one of the parallel joint edge portions on both sides of the floor panel. An integral locking strip 6 made of different materials may be included.

  In the floor panel, the fixing elements 21a and 21b for the locking strip 6 formed on the core 30 may be impregnated with a property improving agent.

  In the floor panel, the fixing elements 21a and 21b may be impregnated with a strength improver.

  In the floor panel, the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 may be formed by cutting.

  In the floor panel, the adjacent portions of the core 30 in the portion of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 and / or the upper portion of the joint edge portion are elastic sealing materials 50, 50a, 50b fixed to the core 30. The elastic sealing material is designed by machining in connection with the design of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 and there is moisture between the adjacent joined floor panels 1,1. Joining sealing means 55, 55a, 55b for preventing permeation are formed.

  In the floor panel, the joint seal 55 may be formed of portions of the connecting means 9, 10, 6, 8, 12 and / or floor panel portions positioned above and / or below the connecting means.

  In a floor panel, the joint seal 55 is a separate part of the joint seal 55 between the working portion of the joint seal 55 and the adjacent upper joint edge 16 within the floor panel and / or between different floor panels. May be designed to be smaller than between the adjacent upper joint edge.

  In the floor panel, the joint seal 55 may be formed by a portion of the vertical connection means 9, 10 and / or a floor panel portion positioned above the vertical connection means.

  In the floor panel, the joining seal 55 may be formed by machining the elastic sealing elements 50, 50a, 50b in connection with the design of one of the joining edges 82, 83.

  In the floor panel, the joint seal 55 may be formed by machining the elastic sealing elements 50, 50a, 50b in connection with the design of one of the vertical coupling means 9,10.

  In the floor panel, the working part 54 of the joining seal 56 is when the locking element 8 comes into contact with the working locking surface of the locking groove 12 during inward tilting when the floor panel is joined to a similar floor panel. May be designed to initiate compression.

  In the floor panel, the working portion 54 of the joint seal 56 compresses when the locking element 8a contacts the working locking surface of the locking groove 12 during snap-fit when the floor panel is bonded to a similar floor panel. It may be designed to start.

  The floor panel may be provided with a joining seal 156 having a working part 54 on the long side and the short side of the working part 54, the working part 54 being continuous, the long side and the short side. It may extend over the entire part and the corners between these long and short sides.

  The floor panel may further comprise a plastic impact-sound barrier layer 36 between the core 30 and the decoration-abrasion layer 34. In this floor panel, the free surface portion of the shock-sound barrier 36 facing the joint VP can be designed by cutting in connection with the design of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 and adjacent floors. It is formed as joint sealing means 55a, 55b that are compressed when the panels 1, 1 'are joined together.

  Furthermore, the method for forming the floor board 2 which divided the floor board 2 or manufactured the board element 3 divided | segmented into the floor board 2 is demonstrated. The floor board 2 has both joint edge portions 86 and 87. This method is characterized in that the fiber board core 30 is impregnated with at least one property improving agent in a predetermined band-shaped region 44 that forms the joining edge portions 86 and 87 of the floor board 2.

  In this method, impregnation of a panel based on wood may be performed from the front side.

  In this method, the impregnation can be carried out so that the concentration of the property improving agent at the joint edge portion is higher at the core surface 33 than at a predetermined distance from the core surface.

  In this method, the impregnation of the panel based on wood may be performed from the rear side.

  In this method, the impregnation may be performed to a depth corresponding to at least 0.1 times the thickness T of the panel.

  In this method, the impregnation may be performed so as to be impregnated to the depth of the portion to be the connecting means 9 and 10 of the floor panel.

  In this method, impregnation can be performed by applying a liquid impregnating agent to the strip region 44.

  In this manner, the impregnation can be performed with an agent that improves the mechanical properties of the core 30.

  In this method, the impregnation can be performed with an agent that improves the elasticity of the core 30.

  In this method, the impregnation can be performed with a moisture sealant.

  In this method, the impregnation can be performed with a swelling reducing agent.

  In this method, the core 30 can be impregnated over half or less of the distance between the joint edge portions.

  In this method, the groove 41 can be formed in the strip region 44 of the panel to the same depth as the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 of the floorboard, and an elastic sealing material can be inserted into the groove.

  In this method, an elastic sealing material may be poured into the groove 41.

  Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the floor board 2 or the floor board element 3 having both joint edge portions 86 and 87 to be divided into floor boards will be described. In this method, the front side of the fiber board core 30 is coated with the surface layer 31, and preferably the balance layer 32 on the rear side is also coated. This involves impregnating at least one property improver a predetermined strip region 44 of the fiberboard core 30 constituting the joining edge portions 86, 87 of the floorboard before coating the surface layer 31 and possibly the balance layer 32. It is characterized by that.

  In this method, the impregnation of the panel 30 based on wood may be performed from above.

  In this method, the impregnation of the panel 30 based on wood may be performed from below.

  In this method, the impregnation may be carried out to a depth at which at least the portion of the connecting means 9, 10, 6-8-12 of the floor board is impregnated.

  In this method, the impregnation may be performed by applying a liquid impregnating agent over the belt-like region 44.

  In this method, impregnation may be performed with an agent that improves the mechanical properties of the core 30.

  In this method, the impregnation may be performed with an agent that improves the elasticity of the core 30.

  In this method, the impregnation may be performed with a moisture sealant and / or an agent that eliminates or greatly reduces swelling due to moisture.

  In this method, the core 30 may be impregnated over half or less of the distance between the joint edge portions.

  In this method, the groove 41 may be formed in the band-like region 44 of the panel 30 to a depth of the level of the connecting means 9 and 10 of the floor board, and the elastic sealing material 50, 50a, 50b can be inserted into the groove.

  This is a semi-finished product for manufacturing the floor panel 1 and has a floor board core 30 and a surface layer 31 applied to the upper side 33 of the core, and the connecting means 9 and 10 of the floor panel are formed by cutting. A floorboard having at least two parallel joint edge portions 86, 87 is also described. This floor board is characterized in that at least the core 30 in the joint edge portions 86 and 87 is impregnated with a property improving agent from the upper side 33 downward to at least the connecting means 9 and 10 for a predetermined distance. To do.

  In the floor board, the concentration of the moisture sealant at the joint edge portion is higher at the core surface 33 than at a predetermined distance from the core surface 33.

  For floorboards, the impregnation may extend to a predetermined depth of at least 0.1 times the thickness of the floorboard.

  In the floorboard, the impregnation of the core 30 may extend to a depth P2 corresponding to at least half of the distance between the core surface 33 and the upper surface of the connecting means 9,10.

  In the floorboard, the impregnation may extend down to at least the upper part of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

  In the floorboard, at least the core 30 in the joint edge portion may be impregnated with a property improving agent from the lower side and at least a predetermined distance upward toward the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18. .

  In the floorboard, the impregnation may extend upward to at least the lower part of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18.

  For floorboards, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the mechanical properties of the core 30.

  In the floorboard, the impregnating agent may be an agent that improves the elasticity of the core 30.

  In floorboards, the impregnating agent may be a moisture sealant and / or an agent that prevents or significantly reduces swelling due to moisture.

  In the floor board, the core 30 may be impregnated over a half or less of the distance between the joint edge portions.

  In the floor board, the core 30 may be impregnated in the joint edge portion in which at least a portion of the connecting means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 of the floor panel is to be formed.

  The floor board may be a quadrilateral, and all joint edge portions on both sides thereof are impregnated.

  In the floorboard, the joint edge portion on the upper side of the floorboard may be impregnated with a moisture sealant and / or an agent that prevents or significantly reduces swelling due to moisture.

  In the floor board, the joint edge part on the lower side of the floor board may be impregnated with a strength improver.

  In the floor board, the joint edge part on the lower side of the floor board may be impregnated with an elasticity improver.

  The floorboard may include an elastically deformable sealing material 54, which seal material of the floor panel connection means 6-10, 12, 14, 18 when the floorboard is machined into a floor panel. It is fixed in the position of the core so as to form the adjacent part of the core 30 of the floor panel in the upper part of the part and / or the joining edge part.

  In the floor board, the elastic bonding sealing material 56 may be fixed to the core 30 in a region where the long side portion and the short side portion of the floor panel are formed. These regions are continuous along the full length side and the short side and at the corners between the long side and the short side.

  The floorboard may include a plastic impact-sound barrier layer 36 between the core 30 and the decoration-abrasion layer 34.

  According to this embodiment, a fiberboard core and a surface layer comprising at least one layer applied on the upper side of the core, having connecting means for joining the floor panels to each other in the vertical direction, and a vertical joining plane A system is provided for forming a joint between two adjacent edges of an adjacent joint edge section and an adjacent floor panel that meet at. According to this aspect of the invention, adjacent joint edge portions of the floor panel have a material seal to prevent moisture penetration from the joining plane into the floor panel core. This material seal is a predetermined distance downward from the upper side of the core to at least the connecting means by a moisture sealant and / or an agent that prevents or significantly reduces swelling due to moisture in the joint edge portion. Including impregnation of the core.

  This impregnation may extend to a predetermined depth of at least 0.1 times the thickness of the floor panel as viewed from above the core. More particularly, the impregnation extends downward to at least the upper part of the connecting means of the floor panel. The depth of impregnation inward into the core as viewed from the joining plane is preferably at least 0.1 times the thickness of the floor panel. More preferably, the impregnation extends over a distance corresponding to at least half the width of the connecting means when viewed from the joining plane.

  It is also preferred that the core is impregnated for a predetermined distance from the lower side upward to the connecting means. Impregnation of the underside of the core can be performed using property improvers, particularly agents that improve the mechanical properties of the core.

  In some connection systems, a choice can be made to improve the strength and elasticity of the core so that the core better fulfills its function as starting material for the mechanical connection means.

  In this embodiment, the necessary properties of the core are obtained in the part of the floor panel that is most exposed to the influence, ie the edge. This has a great economic advantage. This is because the impregnation of the core is precisely limited to those parts that need to be improved so that a floor is obtained that has the desired properties with respect to resistance to the effects of intruding moisture. Therefore, the core impregnation is preferably performed to less than half of the distance between the edges of the core. Most advantageously, the impregnation is limited to the edge part in which at least part of the connecting means is formed.

  As mentioned above, this embodiment is a system based on mechanical joining of adjacent floor panels, i.e. mechanical locking means cause the floor panels to be perpendicular to and at a predetermined vertical joining plane. It is particularly useful in connection with a system that joins perpendicularly to the front side. The connecting means can particularly advantageously be designed to join the previously installed floor panel by tilting the floor panel inwardly and / or snapping into the locked position.

  When using the embodiment for a floor panel with mechanical locking means, the connecting means includes a lower lip or locking strip that is integrally formed with the core. In such cases, as mentioned above, it is particularly advantageous to impregnate the lower part of the core with a property improver, in particular an elasticity improver. As a result, this lower lip or locking strip acquires optional properties for its intended function. However, such a locking strip can be formed of another material, for example aluminum, and in this case the part of the core that forms the attachment for another locking strip holds the locking strip attached It is within the scope of the present invention that it can be advantageously impregnated with such property modifiers to further enhance the performance of the core.

  According to the present invention, the problem of providing a material seal is thus solved by impregnating the core (and thus not the finished joint edge) in the area of the joint system where the joint system is subsequently formed. The impregnating agent can be impregnated so that the upper part of the core closest to the front side is impregnated in the area where the joining edge is later formed. The front side of the core is then coated with a surface layer and the back side is coated with a balance layer. The board element or floorboard thus comprises a portion in which the core is impregnated under the surface layer. If appropriate, the board elements are sawn into floorboards with edges with cores impregnated under the surface layer. The edge of the floorboard is then machined to impregnate the upper joint edge of the finished floor panel.

  The impregnating agent can be applied in the surface of the core and / or in the portion of the core below the surface layer using a method that does not require impregnation from the joining edge of the machined joining system.

  The main advantage of a bonding system formed according to this manufacturing method is that the impregnating agent can be applied without practically requiring tolerances. Another advantage is that the capacity of the production line in the production of board elements is high, although impregnation takes place relatively slowly. This is because the impregnation is performed in connection with the manufacture of large board elements that are later divided into a plurality of floorboards, not in connection with the machining of the edges of the individual floorboards. Furthermore, the impregnated material can penetrate into the core for a relatively long time.

  Another advantage is that the method allows the impregnating material to be applied directly under the surface layer to the finished joint edge, i.e. the area adjacent to the upper joint edge part, and from the joint edge towards the floor panel. In other words, the present invention can be applied to a considerably larger size than that obtained by machining the joining edge of the floor panel in the horizontal direction to form the connecting means and then impregnating from the joining edge of the floor panel. Another advantage is that all corner joint edges are impregnated. Since the joint is formed after the impregnation, the swelling associated with the impregnation does not affect the shape of the joint, and the impregnation residue does not remain on the surface layer closest to the joint surface or the joint edge.

  One further advantage is that the core, the part of the board element or floorboard on which the joining edge is formed, and another unimpregnated part of the panel at a distance from this joining edge, eg the center of the floor panel The result of impregnation can be examined by measuring the swelling of the part closest to the part.

  Impregnation results can be ascertained prior to final machining of the floor panel, resulting in high performance and significant cost savings due to fewer defective products.

  This material seal providing method is based on homogenous wood, plywood containing multiple veneer layers, material in which wood blocks are bonded together, fiber board such as HDF type and MDF type fiber board, particle board, flake board (OSB) and so on. Suitable for all core materials. This method can be used with other core materials, such as wood fiber and materials that do not swell when exposed to moisture, but are used, among other things, to impregnate certain parts to enhance edges it can.

  In principle, all commercially available impregnating materials can be used which help to protect the wood or fiberboard based material against moisture. However, the impregnating material should preferably be able to be applied in liquid form, using conventional application methods such as adhesion, direct lamination, varnishing, calendering or coating of plastic films etc. in terms of improved adhesion. Thus, the surface layer must have such a property that it can be applied to the core. Non-limiting examples of impregnating materials that can be used include polyurethane, phenol, and melamine. The impregnating liquid can be applied by various methods such as spraying. Other difficult methods such as rolling, spreading, jetting, etc., which are very difficult to use in systems used today for finished floor panel machined joint edges are relevant to the present invention. And it works in an excellent way. By applying heat, vacuum, pressure, etc., penetration of the impregnating agent into the core can be promoted. Optionally, it can be combined with, for example, grinding of the surface of the core before application of the impregnating agent. Furthermore, the impregnated core can be ground prior to application of the surface layer, thus removing any swollen surface portion prior to application of the surface layer. Vacuum and surface grinding cannot be used when impregnation is performed from the joining edge, and some of the methods described above are quite difficult to use when impregnating from the joining edge. .

  It is also possible to form a groove in the core in a region that later constitutes a joined portion of the floor panel. In this case, the impregnating agent can be applied from both the surface of the core and the edge of the groove. Various layers with different properties can also be applied. Rolling or spreading is particularly advantageous when the impregnating agent includes a non-environmentally friendly material such as an isocyanate-containing polyurethane (PUR). When rolling the impregnating agent, up to 10 times or more of the isocyanate when applied by spraying can be used within the effective limits.

  The impregnation method can also be used for edge strengthening. Various chemicals such as those described above can be supplied in liquid form, which strengthens the wood fibers after curing, i.e. after solidification, and compresses, shears or impacts the joint edges, Alternatively, a joint edge having high elasticity is provided. The preferred method is particularly suitable for using a thermosetting plastic such as melamine or phenol that requires both heat and pressure for curing and providing a waterproof but strong joint edge. The direct lamination of the surface layer is actually performed at high temperature and pressure, and the impregnated layer can be cured in connection with this operation. Curing and drying can also be performed by thermal bonding of the surface layer. This method can be used in combination with moisture drying.

  Various layers can be produced, for example, by two-stage impregnation. In the two-stage impregnation, the first impregnation step is performed using an agent that penetrates deep under the surface of the core to increase protection against moisture, and the second impregnation step includes, for example, agents with different viscosity or other curing characteristics. As a result, a strong bonding edge is formed directly below the surface layer. In this way, for example, a directly laminated floor panel with a reinforced joint edge can be produced. These floor panel properties are equivalent to or better than a fairly expensive laminate floor with a surface layer made of a high pressure laminate.

The above embodiments are used to change the properties of the core by adding various materials to the core portion constituting the joint edge portion of the floor panel before the surface layer is applied.
In the floor panel, the lower lip or locking strip (6) is impregnated with an elasticity improver.
In the floor panel, the connecting means (6, 8, 12) is made of a material different from the material of the core (30) and is formed along one of the parallel joint edge portions of the floor panel. Characterized in that it comprises an integral locking strip (6) fixed to the fixing element (21a, 21b).
In the floor panel, the fixing elements (21a, 21b) for the locking strip (6) formed on the core (30) are impregnated with a property improving agent.
In the floor panel, the fixing elements (21a, 21b) are impregnated with a strength improver.
In the floor panel, the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) is formed by cutting.
The floor panel is characterized by having a mechanical locking system along the long side and the short side.
In the floor panel, the mechanical locking means along the long side portion of the floor panel has an elastically deformable locking surface.
In the system, the formation of the joint seal (55) by machining at the same time as the formation of the connecting means is due to tolerances in the floor panel and / or between different floor panels, the working part (54) and the joint seal. Between the adjacent upper joint edge of the joint seal (55) is smaller than that between another part of the joint seal (55) and the adjacent upper joint edge. Features.
In the system, the joint seal (55) is characterized in that it comprises a part of the vertical connection means (9, 10) and / or a part of the floor panel arranged above the vertical connection means.
In the system, the working part (54) of the joint seal (55) is adjacent to one of the upper joint edge parts (80, 81), the working part (54) being connected to the vertical connection. It is closer to the surface layer (31) than the means (9, 10).
In the system, the working portion (54) of the joint seal (55) is formed at a predetermined distance from the decorative layer (35) of the surface layer (31), and the working portion of the joint seal, the decorative layer, and The joint edge portion between is characterized by having a material seal (20) which prevents moisture from entering the core (30) from the joint edge (82, 83).
In the system, the material seal (20) is a polymer material.
In the system, the material seal is characterized in that it is a reinforcing layer (36) made of paper impregnated with phenol.
In the system, the core (30) is a core made of fiberboard material.
In the system, said connecting means (9, 10, 6, 8, 12, 14, 18) are arranged such that adjacent floor panels (1, 1 ') are perpendicular to this plane at the vertical joining plane (VP). It is formed for mechanically joining in a direction and in a direction perpendicular to the front side of the floor panel.
In the system, the floor panels (1, 1 ') are quadrilateral, and each floor panel has joint sealing means (55, 55a, 55b) along at least one long side and at least one short side. These floor panels are characterized in that, when they are joined, they are surrounded by the joint sealing means (55, 55a, 55b) along all their joint edge portions.
In the system, the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) can be provided by previously installing the floor panel by tilting the floor panel (1) inward and / or by snapping it into the locked position. It is characterized by joining to (1 ′).
In the system, the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) are integrally formed with the core (30) and have a lower lip or locking strip (6) included in the mechanical connecting means. It is characterized by that.
In the system, the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) comprises an integral locking strip (6) made of a material different from the material of the core (30), each locking strip being It is fixed to the fixing element (21a, 21b) formed along one of the parallel joint edge parts of a floor panel.
In the system, the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) is formed by cutting.
The system is characterized in that the floor panel has a plastic impact-sound barrier layer (36) between the core (30) and the decoration-abrasion layer (34).
In the system, the free surface portion of the impact-acoustic barrier (36) facing the joining plane (VP) is formed by cutting in connection with the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18), It is characterized by being formed as joint sealing means (55, 55a, 55b) that are compressed when the adjacent floor panels (1, 1 ') are joined together.
In the system, the joint sealing means (55, 55a, 55b) is characterized in that a contact surface inclined with respect to the upper side of the floor panel in a joined state is formed.
In the floor panel, the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) can be provided by previously tilting the floor panel (1) and / or by snapping it into the locked position. It joins to a panel (1 '), It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
In the floor panel, the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) is integrally formed with the core (30) and included in the mechanical connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18). Including a lower lip or locking strip (6).
In the floor panel, the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) is formed of a material other than the material of the core (30) and is attached to one of the parallel joint edge portions of each floor panel. Characterized in that it comprises an integral locking strip (6) fixed to fixing elements (21a, 21b) formed along.
In the floor panel, the floor panel has a plastic impact-sound barrier layer (36) between the core (30) and the decoration-abrasion layer (34).
In the floor panel, the free surface portion of the shock-sound barrier layer (36) facing the joint is designed by cutting in conjunction with the connecting means (6-10, 12, 14, 18) and is adjacent to the floor. It is characterized by being formed as joint sealing means (55a, 55b) that are compressed when the panels are joined together.
In the floor panel, the joint sealing means (55, 55a, 55b) is characterized in that a contact surface inclined with respect to the upper side of the floor panel is formed in the joined state.
In the method, the groove (41) is formed in a band-like region of the surface (33) of the sheet-like material.
In the method, the band-like region is a region from which the locking system is formed.
In the method, the groove is formed in an edge portion of the sheet-like material.
The method is characterized in that the elastic sealing material (50, 50a, 50b) is poured or extruded into the groove for fixing to the core (30).
In the method, the elastic sealing material (50, 50a, 50b) is formed of a material based on acrylic plastic, an elastomer made of synthetic rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber or the like, or a hot melt adhesive based on polyurethane. It is characterized by being.
In a method for use in the manufacture of floor panels, the elastic sealing material (50, 50a, 50b) is associated with the locking system (6, 8, 9, 10, 12) in a joint seal (55, 55a). 55b).
In the method, the elastic sealing material (50, 50a, 50b) is formed on the joint seal (55, 55a, 55b) simultaneously with the formation of the locking system (6, 8, 9, 10, 12). It is characterized by.
In the floor panel, the vertical connecting means (9, 10) includes a tongue groove (9) and a tongue (10), and the joint seal is a tongue groove closest to the decorative layer and the surface layer (31). It has a working part (54) formed between it and the upper part.
In the floor panel, the joint edge portions (86, 87) of the floor panel (1, 1 ′) prevent moisture from penetrating from the joint edge portions (82, 83) into the core (30) of the floor panel. The material seal (20) is made of a moisture sealant and / or an agent that prevents or significantly reduces swelling due to moisture in the joint edge portion. The impregnated portion is provided, and the impregnated portion extends at least a predetermined distance downward from the upper side (33) of the core (30) toward the connecting means (9, 10).
In the floor panel, the core (30) is at least a predetermined distance upward from the lower side toward the connecting means (9, 10, 6, 8, 12) with a property improving agent in at least the joint edge portion. It has an impregnation part extended over.
In the floor element, the elastically deformable material (50, 50a, 50b, 51) is shaped in association with the mechanical locking system (6, 8, 9, 10, 12). It is characterized by that.
The floor element is characterized in that the surface defining the groove is impregnated with a property improving agent.
A floorboard (2) for use in forming a floor panel (2) comprising a wood fiber based core (30) and a surface layer (31, 32) attached to the surface (33) of the core In which the groove (41a, 41b) is provided in the upper edge portion (80, 81) of the floor board on which the mechanical locking system (6, 8, 9, 10, 12) is to be formed. Is provided with an elastically deformable material (50, 50a, 50b, 51) and / or an impregnating agent.

a to d are diagrams showing various manufacturing processes of the floor panel. a to e are diagrams showing a configuration of a laminate floor including a surface made of a high-pressure laminate and a direct laminate. FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing examples of various mechanical joining systems and moisture movement. FIGS. FIGS. 4a to 4d are diagrams showing edge impregnation according to the prior art. FIGS. 2a to 2c are views of impregnation according to the present invention to form a material seal. FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams showing impregnation of an upper joint edge according to the present invention. FIGS. 4A to 4D are views showing an embodiment of a material seal according to the present invention. FIGS. 3a to 3e show the formation of a joint seal of a mechanical joining system according to the invention. FIGS. 4a to 4d show the production of a mechanical joining system with material and joining seals and edge reinforcements of parts of the joining system according to the invention. FIGS. 4a to 4c show compression of a joint seal according to the present invention. a to g are views of variations of materials and joint seals according to the present invention. FIGS. 4a and 4b are diagrams of variations of materials and joint seals according to the present invention. FIGS. 2a to 2c are views of a floor panel provided with joint seals on two sides according to the present invention. a through e show a mechanical locking system, a shows the prior art, and b through e show a locking system with compensation in the form of elastic locking means according to the invention. a to e are diagrams of an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1a to 1f are views of a high strength bonding system formed in accordance with the present invention. a to d are diagrams showing seals at corners of adjacent floor panels.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Floor panel 2 Floor board 3 Floor element 4a, 4b Long side part 6 Strip 7, 7' Joining system 8 Locking element 9 Tongue groove 10 Tongue 12 Locking groove 16 Upper joining edge 20 Material seal 24 Impregnation material 30 Core 31 Surface layer 32 Balance layer 33 Core surface 34 Wear layer 35 Paper decoration layers 36a, 36b Reinforcing layer

Claims (11)

A floor panel comprising a body having a core (30) based on wood fibers, wherein at least two parallel joint edge portions (86, 87) are horizontally aligned with adjacent floor panels (D2) in floor panels connecting means for mechanically joining (6, 8, 12) is provided,
The connecting means (6, 8, 12) for mechanical joining is a locking strip that extends horizontally from below one of the two parallel joint edge portions (86, 87) of the floor panel. (6) and an engaging protrusion (8) protruding above the tip of the locking strip (6) and the other connecting edge portion of both the connecting edge portions (86, 87), 6) an engaging groove (12) that engages with an engaging protrusion (8) that protrudes upward from the front end and joins adjacent floor panels, and includes two parallel joint edge portions (86, 87) is joined only by mechanical joining of the connecting means (6, 8, 12),
In the engagement protrusion (8) and the engagement groove (12), the whole of at least one of the action locking surfaces (14, 18) engaged with each other when the floor panel contracts in the horizontal direction after joining the floor panels or A part of the floor panel is made of an elastically deformable material (51, 52) other than the material of the main body, and the material (51, 52) is made of an acrylic plastic-based material, synthetic rubber. Made of hot melt adhesive based on elastomer, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, or polyurethane,
The floor panel according to claim 1 , wherein the elastically deformable material (51, 52) is provided in the engagement groove (12) . The floor panel according to claim 1,
It further comprises a wooden surface layer (31) disposed on the surface (33) of the core (30) , wherein the fiber direction of the surface layer (31) is essentially different from the fiber direction of the core (30). going on, a floor panel, characterized in that. The floor panel according to claim 1 ,
It said connecting means (6, 8, 12), said integrally formed with the core (30), a floor panel characterized by and this. The floor panel according to claim 1,
The floor panel characterized in that the locking strip (6) and the engaging protrusion (8) of the connecting means are provided separately from the core (30). In the floor panel according to claim 3 ,
Before SL locking strip (6) are impregnated with impregnating agents for improving the strength, the floor panel, characterized in that. The floor panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or 5 , wherein the connecting means (6, 8, 12) is formed by cutting. In any floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 6, the floor panel is quadrilateral, said connecting means (6, 8, 12) are provided along all four sides , A floor panel characterized by that. The floor panel according to claim 7 , characterized in that the floor panel is rectangular and the connecting means (6, 8, 12) are provided along the long side and the short side. Floor panel. In the floor panel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the joint edge portions of the floor panel (1, 1 ') (86, 87), the water bonding edge portions (86, 87) A material seal (20) for preventing penetration of the core (30) of the floor panel from the water seal, and the material seal (20) prevents swelling due to moisture sealant and / or moisture or significantly consists decreasing agent has impregnated portion provided on the joint edge portions (86, 87) within at least a predetermined distance on the upper side (33) or al under side of the impregnated part core (30) A floor panel characterized by that. The floor panel according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 9 , wherein the surface layer is made of wood, a decorative laminate, or a decorative plastic material arranged on the surface (33) of the core (30). 31), the surface layer (31) includes at least one layer, and the floor panel is joined to the adjacent floor panel in the vertical direction (D1) at both joint edge portions (86, 87) of the floor panel. Connecting means (9, 10) are provided, and the connecting means (9, 10) are arranged in a horizontal direction from the center of one joint edge of two parallel joint edge portions (86, 87) of the floor panel. And a tongue groove (9) formed on the other joint edge of the joint edge portions (86, 87) and engaged with the tongue (10). Both floor panels (1, 1 ') The upper part of the joining edge portion (86, 87) is a vertical joining plane (VP) , and in the floor panel, at least one of the facing joining edge portions (86, 87) of the joined floor panel. Are provided with joint seals (55, 55a, 55b) for preventing moisture from penetrating along the vertical joint plane (VP) between adjacent floor panels (1, 1 '). bonding the seal (55 and 55a, 55b), said being secured to the floor panel (1, 1 ') is adapted to elastically deform when joined to the floor panel adjacent the floor panel, the Characteristic floor panel. The floor panel according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the floor panel has a rectangular shape including a long side portion (4a, 4b) and a short side portion (5a, 5b). surface (33) disposed on the surface layer include (31), said surface layer (31) is wear layer (34) and the decorative layer (35) including a floor panel, characterized in that.

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