Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2004063491A1/en
Timestamp: 2019-11-17 11:01:56
Document Index: 462329825

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 60', 'arts 12', 'arts 12', 'arts 13', 'arts 14', 'arts 15', 'arts 16', 'arts 17', 'arts 18', 'arts 19', 'arts 12', 'arts 13', 'arts 22', 'arts 12', 'arts 13', 'arts 16', 'arts 17', 'arts 14', 'arts 15', 'arts 19', 'arts 18', 'arts 28', 'arts 28', 'arts 14', 'arts 12', 'arts 13', 'art 12', 'arts 13', 'arts 17']

WO2004063491A1 - Floor panel, its laying and manufacturing methods - Google Patents
WO2004063491A1
WO2004063491A1 PCT/EP2003/014548 EP0314548W WO2004063491A1 WO 2004063491 A1 WO2004063491 A1 WO 2004063491A1 EP 0314548 W EP0314548 W EP 0314548W WO 2004063491 A1 WO2004063491 A1 WO 2004063491A1
PCT/EP2003/014548
2003-12-18 Application filed by Flooring Industries Ltd. filed Critical Flooring Industries Ltd.
2004-07-29 Publication of WO2004063491A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004063491A1/en
Floor covering, of the type consisting of hard floor panels (2-3), which are manufactured of a plate material and which, at least at a number of sides (4-5-6-7; 8-9-10-11), are provided with coupling parts (12-13-14-15; 16-17-18-19), characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) are configured such that, in joined condition, they represent a herringbone pattern, whereby the sides (4-5-6-7; 8-9-10-11) of the floor panels (2; 3) coincide with transition edges of the herringbone pattern.
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 60/438,777 filed on 9 January 2003.
This invention relates to a floor covering and a floor panel for forming such floor covering. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to methods for laying and manufacturing such floor panels .
By floor panels with a layered structure, in the first place traditional laminated panels are meant, which, as known, comprise at least one core layer and a top layer, whereby the core layer, for example, consists of MDF, HDF, particle board, so'-called compact laminate or the like, whereas the top layer, for example, consists of different sheets of material pressed on top of each other, such as paper layers soaked in resin, amongst which a printed decorative layer. However, floor panels with another layered structure are not excluded, whereby, for example, the top layer consists of cork, veneer, a relatively thick layer of wood, and so on.
It is known that when installing massive parquetry, different patterns can be formed by means of the composing wooden floor parts . Hereby, it is also known to make use of relatively small strips which are provided on the subfloor according to a so-called herringbone pattern. Realizing a parquetry floor with a herringbone pattern of massive wooden strips, however, shows various disadvantages. For example, the manufacture of such small, very precisely finished strips is time-consuming. Moreover, the installation of massive parquetry in a herringbone pattern requires a good knowledge of the art. As a consequence, such parquetry is rather expensive.
Preferably, the floor panels are provided with coupling parts on all sides . More particularly, it is preferred that these coupling parts are configured such that they provide for a locking in vertical as well as horizontal directions on all sides of the floor panels. By "vertical direction", hereby a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering is meant. By "horizontal direction", hereby a direction perpendicular to the respective coupled sides of two floor panels and parallel to the plan'e of the floor covering is meant.
According to a variant, each floor panel also may coincide with a multiple of strip-shaped parts of the herringbone pattern .
With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, hereafter, as an example without any limitative character, several preferred forms of embodiment are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 represents a part of a floor covering according to the invention; figures 2 and 3 represent coupling parts which can be used in the floor panels of figure 1; . figures 4 and 5 represent variants of the coupling parts of figures 2 and 3; figures 6 and 7 represent further variants of the coupling parts of figures 2 and 3; figures 8 to 13 represent six variants of a floor covering according to the invention; figures 14 to 17 represent some further variants of the invention; figures 18 and 19 represent two methods of manufacturing according to the invention.
As represented in figure 1, the floor covering 1 of the invention consists of hard floor panels 2-3 which, at least -at a number of sides, in this case, at all four sides, 4-5-6-7 and 8-9-10-11, respectively, are provided with coupling parts, 12-13-14-15 and 16-17-18-19, respectively. Hereby, the floor panels 2-3 are configured such that, in joined condition, they represent a herringbone pattern, whereby the sides 4 to 11 of the floor panels 2-3 coincide with transition edges or peripheral lines of the herringbone pattern.
Preferably, said coupling parts 12 to 19 are configured such that they perform at all sides of the floor panels 2- 3 a locking in vertical as well as horizontal directions. Such coupling parts are known in themselves in different forms, and hereby coupling parts can be concerned which allow a joining of the floor panels 2-3 according to different possibilities, for example, . by shifting the floor panels 2-3 towards each other, whereby these coupling parts engage into each other by means of a snap- effect, by turning the floor panels 2-3 into each other or by joining them vertically. In the following, a non- restrictive number of possible forms of embodiment of coupling parts will be illustrated by means of figures 2 to 7.
In the example of figure 1, two series of different floor panels, floor panels 2 and floor panels 3, respectively, are applied. These floor panels 2-3 are oblong and, in installed condition, they . each are situated with their short sides against the long sides of, an adjoining floor panel .
As schematically indicated in figure 1, the floor panels 2, at their opposed long sides 4-5, respectively are provided with first coupling parts 12 and second coupling parts 13, whereas, at their opposed short sides 6-7, they are provided with third coupling parts 14 and fourth coupling parts 15. At their opposed long sides 8-9, the floor panels 3 are provided with first coupling parts 16 and second coupling parts 17, respectively, whereas, at their opposed short sides 10-11, they are provided with third coupling parts 18 and fourth coupling parts 19.
By "complementary" is meant that they can cooperate with each other. However, to this end, the complementary coupling parts do not necessarily have to have perfectly complementary forms .
The coupling parts 12, 14, 16 and 19 can have, for example, a shape as represented in figure 2, whereas the coupling parts 13, 15, 17 and 18 then have a shape as represented in figure 3.
Figures 4 and 5 represent another example of coupling parts, which can be used instead of those of figures 2 and 3.
As represented in figures 2 to 5, preferably use shall be made of coupling parts in the form of a tongue 20 and a groove 21 with locking parts 22 and 23, which offer a locking in horizontal direction.
Other possibilities, however, are not excluded, as becomes clear from the variant illustrated in figures 6 and 7.
The above-said makes clear that all combinations of using different coupling parts at different sides of the panels are possible, as long as they allow that the panels can be joined in herringbone pattern. However, in a preferred form of embodiment, the coupling parts at the long sides will be of such a nature that they can be coupled to adjacent panels by means of shifting the panels towards each other and/or by angling them in, whereas the coupling parts at the short sides are of such a nature that the panels can be coupled to adjacent panels be means of shifting the panels towards each other. In another preferred form of embodiment, the coupling parts at the long sides will be of such a nature that the panels can be coupled to adjacent panels by means of shifting the panels towards each other and/or by angling them into each other, whereas the coupling parts at the short sides are of a nature as shown in figures 6 and 7, in other words, are of the type that allows that the short side can be engaged with the long side of the corresponding adjacent panel by means of a dropping-in movement .
In general, it can be an advantage that the coupling parts at one or more sides of the panel are of the type that allows a coupling by a downward movement, more particularly a dropping-in movement, irrespective the type of coupling parts applied at the remaining sides .
In the embodiment of figure 1, the floor panels 2-3 are rectangular, which allows for a smooth manufacturing with little waste. However, this does not exclude that the floor panels 2-3 may have the shape of a parallelogram, as illustrated in figure 8. Figure 8 also shows that the coupling parts in the form of a tongue and a groove also can be arranged in another manner at the periphery than in the embodiment of figure 1. In figure 9, a form of embodiment is represented wherein the floor panels 2-3 are realized in the form of a parallelogram, however, these floor panels 2-3 are also configured such that in installed condition, the floor panels 2 form two rows 24, whereas the floor panels 3 form rows 25, whereby these rows 24 and 25 are separated by means of parallel separation lines 26-27.
In the example of figure 9, the floor panels 2-3 are oblong, and the floor panels ■ 2 adjoin with their short sides 6 and 7 against the short sides 11 and 10 of the surrounding floor panels 3.
The floor panels 2- of figure 9 have first coupling parts 12 and second coupling parts 13 which are complementary to each other. The floor panels 3, too, have first coupling parts 16 and second coupling parts 17 which are complementary to each other. Further, the floor panels 2 have third coupling parts 14 and fourth coupling parts 15 at their short sides, said coupling parts being complementary to fourth coupling parts 19 and third coupling parts 18 which are situated at the floor panels 3.
In this case, too, coupling means can be applied of the type, as, for example, represented in figures 2-3, figures 4-5 or figures 6-7.
In figure 10, a variant of the embodiment of figure 9 is represented, whereby the floor panels 2 and 3 are identical to each other in respect to shape and coupling parts, whereby they also have the shape' of an equilateral parallelogram. Depending on the pattern one wants to apply on the upper side of the floor panels 2-3, it is no longer necessary to produce two different floor panels 2-3.
Figure 11 represents a variant whereby, on one floor panel 2-3, each time two parts 28 of the herringbone pattern are represented, in other words, two so-cal,led strips of the herringbone pattern. Figure 11 also shows that it is possible to thereby realize the floor panels 2-3 such that they can be joined into each other in a staggered manner without disturbing the herringbone pattern.
Figures 12 and 13 represent another two variants whereby each floor panel 2-3 coincides with a multiple of strip- shaped parts 28 of the herringbone pattern.
When laying the floor panels 2-3, according to the - invention different methods can be applied. A practical method consists in that, as indicated in several of the figures, the floor panels 2 and 3 are installed row per row, more particularly by laying alternately a row of floor panels 2 according to arrow A and a row of floor panels 3 according to arrow B. Each floor panel to be laid can, for example, be shifted or turned with its long side . into the preceding floor panel, after which it is coupled at one short side to an adjacent floor panel by shifting.
In figures 2 to 7, a traditional construction, consisting of a core 29 of MDF, HDF, particle board or the like is represented, said construction being provided with a top layer 30 and a backing layer 31. The top layer 30 consists of several layers of paper soaked in resin or the like, amongst which a printed decorative layer. Of course, the invention is not restricted to floor panels 2-3 with such construction.
E.g., the core may consist of another, material, for example, so-called engineered wood, and/or the top layer 30 may consist of only one resin-based layer, or even another material, which is applied directly or indirectly to the core. The core, may also be composed of different layers, in which layers may be included for particular purposes, such as for sound-dampening.
Figure 14 shows an important alternative which differs from the previously described embodiments in that not each of both pairs of opposite sides or edges comprises complementary coupling parts. In fact, according to the embodiment of figure 14, both floor panels 2-3 each show one pair of opposite sides, in this case the short sides 6-7, 10-11, respectively, comprising similar coupling parts 14-15 and 18-19, whereas the remaining pair of opposite sides 4-5 and 8-9 preferably is provided with complementary coupling parts 12-13 and 16-17.
This means that, as shown in figure 14, each type of floor panel 2 and 3 comprises coupling parts 13-14-15, 17-18-19 of the same type at three successive sides, whereas the fourth side is provided with a coupling part 12, 16, respectively, of the complementary type. However, the coupling parts 13-14-15 at the three successive sides of the floor panel 2 of the first type are complementary to the coupling parts 17-18-19 at the three successive sides of the floor panel 3 of the second type .
Figure 15 shows an embodiment of a floor covering similar to the one in figure 14, however, with the difference that the opposite sides having non-complementary coupling parts now are formed by the long sides 4-5 and 8-9.
The embodiments of figures 14 and 15 show some interesting advantages over the previous embodiments, especially when the panels 2-3 are provided with coupling parts which, at one or more edges, provide in a vertical and horizontal interlocking. Due to the fact that mechanical coupling parts are provided, the installation of the panels 2-3 requires less experience than with normal tongue and groove panels which have to be glued together, resulting in that such panels increasingly are installed by less experienced people and DIYs. In case of floor panels 2-3 to be installed in herringbone pattern, an additional problem has to be overcome, namely that it is not easy to compose the pattern, as for each panel location, the right type of panel 2 or 3 has to be used. As in the previously described embodiments, e.g. of figure 1, both types of floor panels 2-3 are of the same form and dimension and both have pairs of opposite edges with complementary coupling parts, it is quite difficult for a person with less experience to distinguish both types of panels from one another. On the contrary, by means of coupling parts arranged in the manner as e.g. in the embodiments of figures 14 and 15, the panels can be distinguished at first sight due to the fact that one type of panel, for example, comprises three tongue-like coupling parts and only one groove-like coupling part, whereas the other type of panel then comprises three groove-like coupling parts and only one tongue-like coupling part.
Another advantage consists in that, when the surface of the panels of each series shows a . different appearance, for example, surfaces with a dark colour and a light colour, or with different colours, special effects can be created as shown in figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 shows that complete rows of herringbone patterns, i.e. one row of panels 2 and an adjacent row of panels 3, can be realized, which rows of patterns alternately are of different colours. Figure 15 shows that by means of panels 2 and 3 of different appearance, successive zigzag rows can be created. Of course, also more than two series of panels, each series having panels of different appearance, can be applied to create further special effects.
A further advantage consists in the fact that the panels 2-3 of figures 14-15 can be installed in a somewhat different manner in respect to the panels of, for example, figure 1, which in certain cases may simplify the method of laying. In figure 14, first one complete herringbone pattern may be installed, for example, of the first colour, after which the subsequent complete herringbone pattern of the second colour is installed. This method of the invention has the advantage that a complete herringbone pattern can be created without having to switch from one series of panels to the other. In the embodiment of figure 15, first a complete zigzag row of panels 2 can be installed, after which a second zigzag row of panels 3 is installed, and so on. Of course, these methods are not limited to panels 2 and 3 with surfaces having a different appearance .
It is clear that floor panels 2-3 according to the invention can also be installed in groups, which groups are arranged according to a herringbone pattern, for example, two by two, as shown in figure 16.
In a particular embodiment, the dimensions of the floor panels allowing to form a herringbone pattern, more particularly the ratio between length and width of the panels, will be chosen such that the same panels can be used to form other patterns, preferably of the type as shown in figure 17. Herein the length-width ratio is an integer, which preferably is "5".
When realizing panels in which each pair of opposite sides is provided with complementary coupling parts, e.g. as in figure 1, according to a particular aspect of the present invention, the panels 2 as well as 3 are realized by means of the same cutting tools, whereby at least the following steps are applied: displacing the panels of both series along a first set of tools for forming a first pair of complementary coupling parts at two opposite^ sides; displacing the panels of both series along a second set of tools for forming the second pair of complementary coupling parts at the two remaining opposite sides; - when transferring the panels 2 of the first series of panels from the first to the second set of tools, subjecting them to a rotation such that they finally end up in a rotational position in which they are turned in one direction; and when transferring the panels 3 of the second series of panels from the first to the second set of tools, subjecting them to a rotation such that they finally end up in a position in which they are turned in another direction than the panels of the first series .
The above-explained method is schematically illustrated in figure 18 in which the first and second sets of tools are respectively indicated by reference numerals 32 and 33.
An advantage of this method consists in that there is no need of turning any of the panels over half a turn, and that the required rotational movements can be equally divided over both series of panels . In this manner a more regular process can be guaranteed.
The panels 2-3 having coupling parts which are arranged around the periphery in a manner as shown in figures 14 and 15, may be realized, according to the invention, by using three sets of tools, whereby a first set of tools is used for providing the panels 2-3 of both series with complementary coupling parts at one pair of opposite sides, whereby a second set of tools is used for realizing non-complementary coupling parts at the remaining opposite sides of the panels 2 of the first series, and a third set of tools is used for realizing non-complementary coupling parts at the remaining opposite sides of the panels 3 of the second series . Hereby, the sequence of guiding the panels through the respective sets of tools can be chosen at will.
The second and third set of tools can be arranged along different conveyor lines, whereby the panels for forming the first series of panels 2 run along the first conveyor line, whereas the panels for forming the second series of panels 3 run along the second conveyor line. This is schematically represented in figure 19, for the panels of figure 14, in which the first, second and third set of tools are indicated with reference numerals 34, 35 and 36. However, alternatives are not excluded. According to' an advantageous alternative, the second and third set of tools are arranged along a common conveyor line and the respective tools are retractable, such that dependent on which panel 2 or 3 has to be realized, the set of tools concerned can be brought into contact with the panel material .
According to a further particular aspect of the invention, the panels of both series are packaged in a mixed manner, whereby preferably each package, more particularly box, comprises a same number of' panels 2 as panels 3. Contrary to systems in which the panels 2-3 of both series are packaged in separate boxes, this offers several advantages . On the one hand, the storage and handling of the panels is facilitated, as all packages have the same content. On the other hand, for the same reason, the customers automatically receive panels of the one series and of the other series in the correct ratio.
1.- Floor covering, of the type consisting of hard floor panels (2-3) , which are manufactured of a plate material and which, at least at a number of sides (4-5-6-7; 8-9-10- 11) , are provided with coupling parts (12-13-14-15; 16-17- 18-19) , characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) are configured such that, in joined condition, they represent a herringbone pattern, whereby the sides (4-5-6-7; 8-9-10- 11) of the floor panels (2; 3) coincide with transition edges of the herringbone pattern.
2.- Flopr covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) are provided with coupling parts (12-13-14-15; 16-17-18-19) on all sides (4-5-6-7; 8-9-10-11) .
t 3.- Floor covering according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said panels (2-3) comprise coupling parts at one or more sides, which allow that these panels by these sides can be coupled to other panels by means of a downward movement, more particularly by means of a so- called dropping-in movement, thereby providing a locking in horizontal direction in coupled condition.
4.- Floor covering according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling parts (12-13-14-15; 16-17-18-19) are configured such that they perform a locking in vertical as well as horizontal directions at all sides (4-5-6-7; 8-9- 10-11) of the floor panels (2; 3) .
5. - Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists of at least two series of different floor panels (2; 3) .
6.- Floor covering according to claim 5, characterized in that the floor panels (2) of one of said two series form those parts (28) of the herringbone pattern which extend in a first direction, whereas the floor panels (3) of the second series form the parts (28) of the herringbone pattern which extend in a second direction.
7. - Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) are oblong and thus have short sides (6-7; 10-11) and long sides (4-5; 8-9) and that these floor panels (2; 3) in mounted condition are situated with their short sides against the long sides of adjacent floor panels (2; 3) .
8.- Floor covering according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) of the first series as well as of the second series are provided at their opposed long sides (4-5; 8-9) , with first coupling parts (12; 16) and second coupling parts (13; 17) , respectively, whereas at their opposed short sides (6-7; 10-11) , they are provided with third and fourth coupling parts (14; 18; 15, 19) ; that the first and second coupling parts (12; 16; 13, 17) of the floor panels (2; 3) of the first series are complementary to each other; that the first and second coupling parts (12, 16; 13, 17) of the floor panels (2; 3) of the second series are complementary to each other; that the third and fourth coupling parts
(14, 18; 15, 19) of the floor panels (2; 3) of the first series are complementary to the second and the first coupling parts (13, 17; 12, 16), respectively, of the floor panels (2; 3) of the second series; and that the third and the fourth coupling parts (14, 18; 15, 19) of the floor panels (2; 3) of the second series are complementary to the first and second coupling parts (12, 16; 13, 17), respectively, of the first series.
9.- Floor covering according to claim 8, characterized in that the coupling parts (12-13-14-15; 16-17-18-19) at the floor panels (2; 3) , starting from a long side, are arranged successively, seen from the upper side and in clockwise direction: first, fourth, second and third coupling parts (12-13-14-15; 16-17-18-19) .
10.- Floor covering according to any of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in' that the floor panels (-2; 3) are rectangular.
11.- Floor covering according to any of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) have the shape of a parallelogram.
12.- Floor covering according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) are realized in the shape of a parallelogram, whereby these floor panels (2; 3) extend in one direction in rows with parallel separation lines (26-27) .
13.- Floor covering according to claim 12, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) are oblong.
14.- Floor covering according to claim 13, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) are situated with their short sides (6-7; 10-11) against said parallel separation lines (26-27) .
15.- Floor covering according to any of the claims 12 to 1'4, characterized in that it comprises at least two series of different floor panels (2; 3) , whereby the floor panels (2; 3) of one of said two series form the parts (28) of the herringbone pattern which extend in a first direction, whereas the floor panels (2; 3) of the second series form the parts (28) of the herringbone pattern which extend in a second direction.
16.- Floor covering according to claim 15, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) of the first series as well as the second series are provided with first and second coupling parts (12, 16; 13, 17) at two opposed sides (4-5-6-7; 8-9-10-11), whereas at the other two sides (12, 16; 13, 17), they are provided with third and fourth coupling parts (14, 18; 15, 19); that the first and second coupling parts (12, 16; 13, 17) of the floor panels (2; 3) of the first series are complementary to each other; that the first and second coupling parts (12, 16; 13, 17) of the floor panels (2; 3) of the second series are complementary to each other; and that the third and fourth coupling parts (14, 18; 15, 19) of the floor panels (2; 3) of the first series are complementary to the fourth and the third coupling parts (15, 19; 14, 18), respectively, of the second series.
17.- Floor covering according to claim 12, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) which .are intended for forming the parts (28) which extend in one oblique direction of the herringbone pattern, as well as the floor panels (2; 3) which are intended for forming the parts (28) which extend in the other oblique direction of the herringbone pattern, are identical in respect to shape and coupling parts (12-13-14-15; 16-17-18-19) , whereby they also have the shape of an equilateral parallelogram.
18.- Floor covering according to claim.5, characterized in that floor panels (2; 3) are applied each having a pair of opposed sides with coupling parts of a similar, non-complementary type .
19.- Floor covering according to claim 18, characterized in that the remaining pairs of opposed sides show complementary coupling parts .
20.- Floor covering according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) of each of both series, per series comprise coupling parts' of the same type at three successive sides of the panels, whereby the coupling parts at said three successive sides of the panels of the first series are complementary to the coupling parts at the three successive sides of the panels of the second series.
21.- Floor covering according to any of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the panels are rectangular and oblong and in that the opposite sides with the non- complementary coupling parts are formed by the long sides.
22.- Floor covering according to any of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the panels are rectangular and oblong and in that the opposite sides with the non- complementary coupling parts are formed by the short sides .
23.- Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each floor panel coincides with one part of the herringbone pattern.
24.- Floor covering according to any of the claims 1 to 22, characterized in that each floor panel coincides with a multiple of strip-shaped parts (28) of the herringbone pattern.
25.- Floor covering according to any of the claims 1 to 16 or 18 to 22, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) are realized as strip-shaped parts (28), wherein the longest sides (4-5; 8-9) of the floor panels (2; 3) are shorter than 50 cm, and both longest sides (4-5; 8-9) are situated at a distance from each other which is smaller than 15 cm.
26.- Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) are provided with coupling parts (12-13-14-15; 16-17-18-19) which lock the floor panels (2; 3) free of play, preferably with a pretension.
27.- Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panels (2; 3) and the coupling parts (12-13-14-15; 16-17-18-19) are realized of one piece, from one plate, whether of a multi-layered structure or not.
28.- Floor panel, characterized in that it is configured such that therewith, in combination with other floor panels (2; 3), whether having another shape or not, a floor covering according to any of the preceding claims can be realized.
29.- Method for laying panels, for realizing a floor covering according to claim 8, characterized in that the floor panels (2-3) of the respective series are installed row per row, more particularly by laying alternately a row of floor panels (2) of the first series in one direction (A) and a row of floor panels (3) of the second series in an opposite direction (B) .
30.- Method for laying panels, for realizing a floor covering according to claim 22, characterized in that alternately complete herringbone patterns are realised with panels of the first series and with panels of the second series .
31.- Method for laying panels, for realizing a floor covering according to claim 21, characterized in that alternately zigzag rows are realized during laying, each zigzag row being systematically formed of panels belonging to only one series .
32.- Method for manufacturing panels, for realizing a floor covering in a herringbone pattern comprising two series of panels (2-3) , each pair of opposite sides of both panels being provided with complementary coupling parts, characterized in that the panels of both series are realized by means of the same cutting tools, whereby at least the following steps are applied: displacing the panels of both series along a first set of tools (32) for forming a first pair of complementary coupling parts at two opposite sides; - displacing the panels of both series along a second set of tools (33) for forming the second pair of complementary coupling parts at the two remaining opposite sides; when transferring . the panels (2) of the first series of panels from the first to the second set of tools, subjecting them to a rotation such that they finally end up in a rotational position in which they are turned in one direction; and when transferring the panels (3) of the second series of panels from the first to the second set of tools, subjecting them to a rotation such that they finally end up in a position in which they are turned in another direction than the panels of the first series .
33.- Method for manufacturing panels, for realizing a floor covering in a herringbone pattern comprising two series of panels (2-3) , one pair of opposite sides of both panels being provided with complementary coupling parts, the other pair being provided with non-complementary coupling parts, characterized in that the coupling parts are realized by using three sets of tools, whereby a first set of tools (34) is used for providing the panels (2-3) of both series with complementary coupling parts at one pair of opposite sides, whereby a second set of tools (35) is used for realizing non-complementary coupling parts at the remaining opposite sides of the panels (2) of the first series, and a third set of tools (36) is used for realizing non-complementary coupling parts at the remaining opposite sides of the panels (3) of the second series .
34.- Set of packaged floor panels, more particularly floor panels according to claim 28, for forming a herringbone pattern composed of at least two series of different panels (2, 3) , characterized in that said panels are packaged such that each packaging comprises panels of both series .
PCT/EP2003/014548 2003-01-08 2003-12-18 Floor panel, its laying and manufacturing methods WO2004063491A1 (en)
WO2004063491A1 true WO2004063491A1 (en) 2004-07-29
WO2017076794A1 (en) * 2015-11-02 2017-05-11 Kaindl Flooring Gmbh Panel and panel assembly comprising a plurality of such panels
Ref document number: 2003815060
2005-06-03 ENP Entry into the national phase in:
Ref document number: 2006032168
Ref document number: 10537539
2006-12-07 NENP Non-entry into the national phase in: