Patent ID: 7842212

Claim:
Method for making a floor panel, said floor panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, and comprising a laminated structure including a base plate and a top layer; said top layer comprising a decorative layer; said decorative layer comprising a printed pattern; said top layer comprising impressions and defining a transparent or translucent layer of synthetic material on top of said decorative layer; said synthetic layer at least partially forming said top side of the panel; wherein said method comprises the step of manufacturing a plate larger than said floor panel, from which several of said floor panels are to be formed, at least by bringing at least said base plate, said decorative layer and said synthetic layer together in a heated press containing a pressing mould on which a relief is formed; wherein said pressing mould is a pressing plate; performing a positioning between, on the one hand, said decorative layer and, on the other hand, said pressing mould in order to position said printed pattern of the decorative layer relative to said relief on the pressing mould; and then compressing at least said base plate, said decorative layer and said synthetic layer in said heated press at least by means of putting said pressing mould in contact with said synthetic layer, thereby providing for an adhesion and hardening of the top layer; wherein said relief formed on said pressing mould is applied for forming impressions in said synthetic layer, simultaneously to said compressing; and wherein said impressions are formed as a function of said printed pattern in order to form an embossment which is in register with said printed pattern; wherein said base plate comprises Medium Density Fiberboard or High Density Fiberboard; wherein said larger plates are realized according to a Direct Pressure Laminate technique.