GB2457669A

GB2457669A - Two layer tile

Info

Publication number: GB2457669A
Application number: GB0803048A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wayne Matthews; Joyce Matthews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-20
Filing date: 2008-02-20
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Also published as: GB0803048D0

Abstract

A tile 2 for covering a surface, comprising a first layer 4 and a second layer 6, the first layer comprising a cushioning material, the second layer comprising a substantially rigid material, wherein the first layer is arranged on an uppermost portion of the tile. The first layer may be diagonally offset from the second layer to form a lip 8, which may extend beyond at least one side of the first and/ or second layer or more preferably may extend beyond two sides of the second layer. The first layer may comprise an elastomer which may preferable be ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) and may be bound with a polyurethane binder. The first layer may comprise colouring agents. The second layer may comprise a mineral aggregate or clay. The layer may each be substantially between 2mm and 20mm in thickness. A method of tiling is also defined.

Description

1 2457669 A Tile The invention relates to a tile. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a tile for flooring.

The invention further relates to a method of tiling.

Generally, tiles comprise thin, flat slabs of hard material, for example, baked clay or concrete. In use, a number of tiles are laid in rows to provide a cover for walls, floors or roofs. The tiles are positioned adjacent one another and fixed in place using a suitable adhesive and grout.

In order to obtain a quality finish, tiling is often lb carried out by a skilled workman. This is because the tiles can be easily moved out of the desired position while the adhesive is setting. In particular, as one tile is being laid adjacent the next, it can be easy for a layman to nudge or slide the neighbouring tile accidently.

This results in misaligned tiles.

Often, the surface or floor to be covered is uneven.

Before the tiles can be laid, this surface must be levelled. Levelling is commonly carried out by using a suitable screed. Screeding is a labour intensive exercise which is time consuming and expensive.

It is an object of the invention to provide a tile which can be readily laid and which overcomes the aforementioned problems. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of tiling which uses minimal labour and skill.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a tile for covering a surface, the tile comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a cushioning material, the second layer comprising a substantially rigid material, wherein the first layer is arranged on an uppermost portion of the tile.

Preferably, the first layer and the second layer are diagonally offset from one another to form a lip.

The first layer comprising the cushioning material, forms the uppermost portion of the tile when the tiles are laid on a surface. The second layer comprising the substantially rigid material forms the lower portion of the tile. Advantageously, due to the material nature of the second layer, said layer can easily be laid in a level configuration thus there is no requirement for the surface beneath to be pre-treated with a screed prior to laying the tiles. The tiles can be simply positioned directly on to the surface and, preferably, glued in position.

Further advantageously, the provision of the lip ensures that adjacent tiles can be positioned in a jigsaw-like manner. Moreover, due to the nature of the cushioning material of the first layer, the tiles interlock in a close fitting manner without the need for grout. In so doing, a virtually seamless surface of tiles is created which is aesthetically very pleasing to the consumer.

:30 Further, the fitting of the tiles is not as labour intensive as conventional methods of tiling.

Preferably, the first layer comprises an elastomer. More preferably, the elastomer is a ter polymer. More preferably, the elastomer is a saturated rubbcr that cannot be cured by sulphur vulcanization. Most preferably, the elastomer is ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM).

Preferably, the first layer comprises thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), for example, Santoprene�.

Preferably, the first layer is bound by a binder material.

Preferably, the binder material comprises a polyurethane binder.

1 Preferably, the first layer comprises colouring agents, preferably, synthetic colouring agents.

Preferably, the second layer comprises a mineral material, preferably a mineral aggregate. More preferably, the second layer comprises a cement aggregate or clay.

Preferably, the first layer is substantially between 2mm and 20mm in thickness. More preferably, substantially between 4mm and 15mm.

Preferably, the first layer comprises four sides, preferably each side being of substantially equal length.

Preferably, each said side is substantially between 3cm and 100cm in length, preferably substantially between 20cm and 50cm, most preferably substantially 35cm in length.

Preferably, the second layer comprises four sides, preferably each side being of substantially equal length.

Preferably, the second layer is substantially between 2mm and 20mm in thickness. More preferably, substantially between 3mm and 8mm, most preferably 5mm.

Preferably, the lip extends beyond at least one side of the first layer and/or of the second layer. Preferably, the lip extends beyond two sides of the first and/or second layer. Most preferably, the lip comprises the first layer and, preferably, extends beyond two sides of the second layer. Preferably, the said two sides are perpendicular to each other.

Preferably, the lip extends substantially between 3mm and 50mm, preferably substantially between 5mm and 15mm, most preferably substantially 10mm.

Preferably, the first layer is fixed to the second layer by suitable fixing means. Preferably, the fixing means comprise a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the fixing means may comprise interlocking means or screw means.

Preferably, the second layer is fixed to the floor by a suitable adhesive. Preferably, the adhesive is a contact adhesive, preferably a neoprene rubber. The adhesive may be an epoxy based or polyurethane based adhesive.

Preferably, the second layer comprises a clay material and preferably, said layer is fixed to the surface using adhesive. Advantageously, due to the porous nature of the clay, the adhesive is readily absorbed, forming a "sticky-backed" tile which is easy to position on the surface.

Preferably, the floor to be covered is a surround of a swimming pool. The floor may be a terrace, or balcony, or walkway.

In a further aspect the invention provides a method of tiling, the method comprising the steps of: a) covering a surface to be tiled with adhesive means; b) positioning a first tile on to the adhesive means, the tile comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a cushioning material, the second layer comprising a substantially rigid material, the first layer and the second layer being diagonally offset from one another to form a lip, wherein the first layer is arranged on an uppermost portion of the tile, and the second layer is placed on to the adhesive means; and c) positioning a further tile adjacent said first tile such that the second layer of said tiles abut against each other, and the lip of the first tile interlocks with the lip of said further tile.

Preferably, a plurality of tiles are interlocked. In this manner, the tiles form a cover on the surface. Due to the configuration of the tiles, the cover is substantially seamless in appearance.

Advantageously, the combination of the two layers, one rigid and one flexible, facilitates a cushioned and safer surface on which to walk. This is in contrast to conventional hard, rigid tiles or concrete.

Further advantageously, the provision of a second hard layer of the tile, negates the need for screeding of the surface on which the tiles are to be placed.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded plan view of a tile according to the invention; Figures 2 shows a schematic exploded plan view of a tile according to the invention; Figures 3 shows a schematic exploded plan view of a tile according to the invention; Figures 4 shows a schematic exploded plan view of a tile according to the invention; and Figure 5 shows a schematic exploded plan side view of a tile according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 4 show a tile 2 according to the invention.

The tile 2 is generally rectangular in plan view. The tile 2 comprises two layer5, a first layer 4 and a second layer 6. The first layer 4 comprises a cushioned material, for example, an elastomer. The preferred elastomer is ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). The second layer 6 comprises a substantially rigid material, for example, concrete or clay.

The first layer 4 is fixed to the second layer 6. In the arrangement shown, said layers are fixed in a diagonally offset manner. Figure 1 shows a first configuration of this arrangement whereby the first layer 4 is diagonally offset to the bottom right of the second layer 6. In this configuration, a lip 8 is created by sides 10 and 12 of the second layer 6.

The diagonally offset manner of the first layer 4 and the lb second layer 6 is not restricted to that shown in Figure 1. For example, Figure 2 shows an alternative arrangement in which the first layer 4 is diagonally offset to the top right of the second layer 6 so that the lip 8 forms to the left-hand side of the first layer 4. In Figure 3, the first layer 4 is diagonally offset to the bottom left of the second layer 4 so that the lip is created to the right-hand side of the first layer 4. In Figure 4, the first layer 4 is offset to the top left of the second layer 6 such that the lip 8 is created to the right-hand side of the first layer 4.

Figure 5 shows an example arrangement 100 of two tiles 102, 103 placed together. Each tile 102, 103 is of the type shown in Figure 4. In order to lay the tiles, adhesive is spread on to the floor or surface, preferably using a suitable tool to achieve a combed effect of the adhesive. This aids the adhesion of the tile 102, 103 to the surface or floor. A first tile 102 is then placed on to the adhesive; the second layer 106 of said tile 102 facing the adhesive. Due to the second layer 106 comprising a substantially rigid material, the tile 102 is self-levelling and, therefore, there is no need to screed the floor prior to tiling. A second tile 103 is then placed adjacent the first tile 102 such that the side 110 of the second layer 106 of the first tile 102 lies adjacent the side 116 of the second layer 106 of the second tUe 103. The first layers 104 of each said tile 102, 103 push against each other in a close fitting manner due to their cushioned material. In so doing, it is not necessary to apply a grout to the tiles. In this arrangement, a plurality of tiles can be laid to create a substantially seamless floor covering. lb

Advantageously, the tiles can be readily laid on a floor without the expense and added labour needed in conventional methods of tiling where a screed is necessary.

The tiles can be laid in a conventional pattern as described above, or may be form a mosaic, for example, as a flooring in swimming pools.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this 0 specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the stops of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims; abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAS1. A tile for covering a surface, the tile comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a cushioning material, the second layer comprising a substantially rigid material, wherein the first layer is arranged on an uppermost portion of the tile.
2. A tile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are diagonally offset from one another to form a lip.
3. A tile as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the first layer comprises an elastomer.
4. A tile as claimed in claim 3, wherein the elastomer is ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)
5. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer is bound by a binder material comprising a polyurethane binder.
6. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first layer comprises colouring agents.
7. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second layer comprises a mineral material.
8. A tile as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second layer comprises a mineral aggregate.
9. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first layer is substantially between 2mm and 20mm in thickness.
10. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second layer is substantially between 2mm and 20mm in thickness.
11. A t1e as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the lip extends beyond at least one side of the first layer and/or of the second layer.
12. A tile as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lip comprises the first layer and, extends beyond two sides of the second layer.
13. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second layer comprises a clay material.
14. A method of tiling, the method comprising the steps of: a) covering a surface to be tiled with adhesive means; b) positioning a first tile on to the adhesive means, the tile comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a cushioning material, the second layer comprising a substantially rigid material, the first layer and the second layer being diagonally offset from one another to form a lip, wherein the first layer is arranged on an uppermost portion of the tile, and the second layer is placed on to the adhesive means; and c) positioning a further tile adjacent said first tile such that the second layer of said tiles abut against each other, 3nd the lip of the first tile interlocks with the lip of said further tile.
15. A tile substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.