WO1998046843A1 - Tile-like flat element - Google Patents

Abstract

A flat building element substantially consists of a highly water-resistant wooden material plate (2) provided with a plastic coating (4) on at least part of its top and/or bottom surface (5, 3). This element is designed as a wall or floor tile. Grooves (8) and springs (10) are provided at the edge surface (7) to secure and join several elements. The width (b) of the springs (10) is preferably larger than the depth (t) of the grooves (8), ensuring a particular, uniform joint width (bf) between the elements.

Description

 Description;

Plate-like element in the manner of a tile

The invention relates to a largely plate-shaped (building) element that can be used mainly for producing a wall or floor covering.

The so-called laminate flooring has recently become more and more widespread both in living rooms and in business premises. The laminate flooring consists of a wood material as a carrier plate, which is provided with a plastic coating at least on its upper side. To produce the laminate flooring, board- or plank-like installation parts are glued over existing tongue and groove elements. The structure of such laying parts has long been known in principle. Reference is made to the German utility model G 81 13 176.3 as an example.

The laminate floors described are normally not used in so-called damp rooms or wet rooms. This is due to the fact that the wood material forming the carrier plate is usually not water-resistant, but swells when it comes into contact with moisture. For this reason, tiles are still used almost exclusively as wall and floor coverings in damp rooms such as corridors and entrance areas and especially in wet rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.

The usual ceramic tiles or ceramic tiles have some disadvantages despite their high water resistance. This means that ceramic tiles can only be processed with great effort. Special tile cutters must be used, especially to cut narrow edges or corners or to provide holes for sockets, switches or the like. It is known how easily such tiles break. In addition, there is a great deal of fine grinding dust when processing ceramic tiles. On the other hand, ceramic tiles are very "cold feet" in the frequent cases where there is no underfloor heating. This is particularly uncomfortable in the bathroom, where you usually move barefoot. Finally, there is the disadvantage that, despite careful laying, cracks often appear in the joints or even in the tiles themselves after some time, since the rigid ceramic tiles cannot absorb tensions in the substrate. This effect is particularly evident in the renovation of old buildings when wood-based panels have been laid to compensate for the floor. While the chipboard can expand, the ceramic tiles and the joint material used do not have the necessary flexibility.

The invention is therefore inter alia the task of making available new components which are intended to combine the advantages of the materials described, while largely avoiding their respective disadvantages. In particular, for damp rooms and wet rooms, a component is to be created which can withstand the moisture occurring there and also the corresponding temperature fluctuations, but on the other hand also creates the desired comfort and the desired living comfort.

This object is achieved by the plate-shaped component with the features of claim 1. Special configurations of this element are shown in the dependent claims 2 to 12. A floor or wall covering according to the invention is claimed in claim 13 and the associated dependent claims 14 and 15. A method according to the invention for producing a floor covering defines claim 16. all claims are hereby incorporated by reference into the content of this description.

The plate-shaped element according to the invention essentially consists of a wood-based panel with high water resistance, which has a coating on at least part of its top and / or bottom. The coating is in particular a plastic coating. According to the invention, this element is designed in the manner of a tile, preferably in the manner of a wall or floor tile. Accordingly, the component according to the invention can also be referred to as a tile element or tile.

The combination of the features mentioned, namely - in short - to design a wood-based board with high water resistance with a plastic coating as a wall or floor tile, makes the new element surprisingly suitable for use in damp and wet rooms. The tile can have any size and shape common to ceramic tiles, i.e. in the simple case be rectangular or square, but in principle also in any other known tile shape, also as a mosaic with any outline. Accordingly, the dimensions can also be varied within the usual limits. The thickness of the element can correspond to a customary tile thickness, with thicknesses of the element between 5 and 10 mm being preferred due to the wood material used. A usual thickness of the element is in particular 8 mm.

The term "plate-shaped" is only intended to mean that - as is customary with tiles - the length and width of the element are usually greater than its thickness. Of course, small tile elements, for example mosaic tiles, are also intended to be included in the invention, in which the length and width can only be slightly greater than the thickness. In preferred embodiments of the element according to the invention, means for fixing and / or connecting the elements at a distance from one another are provided. This is to facilitate the manufacture of a tile covering, ie usually a tiled wall or a tiled floor. Such means are provided in particular on the narrow sides of the element running around the outer circumference, which shall be referred to below as edge surfaces. For example, pin-like connecting means can be provided on one element, which can be inserted into a corresponding recess in another element. Separate pin elements can also be inserted into a recess of two elements.

Further preferred are embodiments in which conventional grooves and tongues are provided as means for fixing and / or connecting. Such grooves or tongues can either run over an entire edge surface of the element according to the invention parallel to the top and / or bottom thereof, or can only be provided in sections on these edge surfaces. It is advisable to provide the groove (s) on one of these elements and the tongue (s) on the other element in order to produce a tongue and groove connection between two elements. However, it is also possible to connect a groove provided on both elements with the aid of a (separate) inserted or inserted tongue.

In a further development of the tongue and groove connection of two tile elements according to the invention, it is preferred if the tile elements have four edge surfaces and grooves are provided on two adjacent edge surfaces and springs are provided on the two other edge surfaces. This applies primarily, but not exclusively, to square and rectangular tile elements. In this way, the elements can be easily laid on a surface. In the described embodiments with tongue and groove fixing or connection, it is preferred if the width of the tongue, ie the length of the tongue projecting beyond the actual upper edge of the element, is greater than the depth of the corresponding groove. In this way it is achieved that a (defined and definable) distance remains between two adjacent elements. This distance, which results from the difference between the width of the tongue and the depth of the groove, is preferably chosen so that it corresponds to the desired joint width of a tile covering to be laid. This special measure ensures a constant joint width.

In preferred embodiments, the grooves described can have a conical, in particular slightly conical, cross-sectional area. Such a conical shape is preferred in which the groove tapers towards the interior of the wood-based panel. In such embodiments, the shape of the cross-sectional area of the corresponding tongues is also conical, so that when the groove tapers conically inwards, the associated tongue tapers conically outwards. In this way, the tongue-and-groove connection fits well. Due to the described shape of the groove, the actual edge can be made flatter and the impact sensitivity reduced.

In a further development, the component according to the invention has recesses, markings or the like on its upper side which subdivide the element, at least for the viewer. This creates the impression that the element consists not only of one but of at least two, preferably of several, tiles. Through the markings, recesses or the like, multiple elements or tiles are thus "provided for only one element. deceives ". This has the particular advantage that larger elements than the individual tile elements can be laid. Regular patterns made of the same or different tiles or irregular patterns can be displayed.

The markings can be graphic representations such as lines, (wide) lines and the like. The recesses are grooves with any course adapted to the individual element or its outline, preferably longitudinal and / or transverse grooves, which are provided in particular at the locations of the joints which are actually not present. The width of the grooves corresponds in particular to the chosen joint width. Such grooves are then filled with joint material like the (correct) joints after laying the elements.

The claimed plate-shaped element according to the invention consists of a wood-based panel with high water resistance. The expression "water-resistant" is intended to mean that the corresponding wood-based panel is largely non-swellable when moisture or water is exposed. The required properties can be evaluated, for example, by a so-called alternating climate test (swelling, e.g. 72 hours, and subsequent drying). If the swellability in such tests is low or non-existent, a corresponding panel achieves high thickness, edge and surface stability, very low moisture absorption and high dimensional stability and temperature resistance. Corresponding wood-based panels show an excellent fit of existing tongue and groove parts even after an alternating climate test.

Although in principle other wood-based panels can also be used, the element according to the invention in the present case preferably consists of a chipboard with high water resistance. Such plates are made from wood chips manufactured in various sizes, with the addition of binders. They can be designed as multi-layer or multi-layer boards, the core or cover layers being able to have different wood particle sizes. In the case of the so-called flat press plates produced using the flat press process, the chips are preferably parallel to the plate plane. In the case of the extrusion plates produced by the extrusion process, the chips are preferably oriented perpendicular to the plate plane. In the invention, the so-called flat pressed plates, in particular highly compressed flat pressed plates, are used in particular.

The chipboard produced as preferred, manufactured in the flat pressing process, is preferably PMDI-bound. Basically, these are to be understood as those plates in which the polyisocyanate binders used for the production crosslink to stable, insoluble products under the production conditions. Such binders are primarily the polyisocyanates mentioned based on polymeric MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate), or PMDI for short. If necessary, PMDI can also be used in combination with other binders. These plates are known to the person skilled in the art and accordingly require no further explanation. In particular, they are largely free of formaldehyde (like natural wood) and have the required high water resistance (low swellability). A particularly suitable wood-based panel for the tile element according to the invention is the wood-based panel plysoc (Jv of the applicant.

The (plastic) coating on the top of the wood-based panel is basically freely selectable as long as it has the necessary water resistance for use in damp and wet rooms. The coating will usually have a decorative function to imitate a ceramic tile previously used. Accordingly, the decors can be very versatile. Stone floors can also be imitated , fancy decors are chosen or simple monochrome tones are used. Accordingly, the selection of the plastic film or the plastic coating is possible from different points of view. Conventional melamine resin papers are preferably used, as are already available in different designs or can be manufactured on request. These melamine resin papers are applied by heat welding under pressure to the surface of the wood-based panel by known methods. Additional top layers, so-called overlay layers, can optionally be applied over such melamine resin-impregnated paper layers. Here too, melamine resin papers with special properties can be involved, for example those that are transparent or translucent. Overall, a highly abrasion-resistant coating is made available.

A (plastic) coating can preferably also be located on the underside of the wood-based panel. On the one hand, this serves as a so-called counter-pull layer in order to prevent warping of the wood-based panel by coating on one side. This coating can also take on the additional function of a moisture barrier or an adhesion promoter. In particular for the last-mentioned function, the coating on the underside of the wood-based panel can show a structuring, such as, for example, a surface roughness. Melamine resin papers, as are known from the prior art, are also used in particular for coating the underside. A decorative function is usually not required on the underside of the plate.

In the event that grooves, in particular longitudinal and / or transverse grooves, are provided on the upper side of the tile element according to the invention to “subdivide” the element, a coating which may be present on the underside of the plate can correspond to the grooves on the surface Digits partially removed. This is usually achieved in that after the coatings have been applied to the top and bottom, not only corresponding grooves are milled on the top but also on the bottom. The grooves on the underside are intended to ensure that the moisture which penetrates into the wood-based panel when the joint material introduced into the grooves on the top dries, can escape from the underside of the wood-based panel into the subsurface. This would not be possible, or at least only partially, if there was a closed (largely moisture-proof) coating on the underside of the wood-based panel.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the grooves described can also be provided on the underside of the tile element if no grooves are provided on the top of this element. In such cases, the grooves on the underside can improve the ability to lay the tile element, especially if it is glued to the substrate. This is due to the fact that the corresponding adhesive comes into direct contact with the wood-based material at the locations where the grooves are present. In such places, there will usually be a stronger adhesive effect than at the contact points between the plastic coating on the underside and the adhesive. In addition, the adhesive can collect in these grooves on the underside when the element is installed. To support this improved adhesive effect, the grooves described on the underside can have a comparatively large width compared to grooves on the top. A few grooves on the underside can then suffice for this effect. The effect of the improved adhesive effect naturally also occurs in cases where grooves are also provided on the top for the optical division of the tile element. In summary, it can be stated that the invention provides a component which is outstandingly suitable for use in damp and wet rooms. On the one hand, it has the required water resistance and is, for example, wet available and, on the other hand, it can be easily worked and laid (in contrast to ceramic tiles). It is not "cold feet" like ceramic tiles and, for example, also has a much better energy balance for underfloor heating because it absorbs the heat faster and stores it for much longer. Reference is expressly made to the other advantages mentioned so far.

The invention further comprises a covering of components, in particular a floor or wall covering. This is characterized in that it is produced using the described tile elements according to the invention.

In a further development, this covering is grouted with a (sufficiently) waterproof joint compound which has sufficient elasticity / flexibility and is therefore tear-resistant. This provides a closed covering with high water resistance and a long service life. The jointing compound consists in particular of a so-called plastic-modified jointing material that is commercially available. Silicones or acrylic resins are usually used as plastic components. However, the invention is not limited to such joint materials. For example, so-called welding wire jointing is also conceivable, in which, for example, PVC-containing hot melt adhesives are used.

Finally, the invention relates to a method in which the described tile elements according to the invention are laid on a suitable substrate and then the joints formed are grouted with a suitable joint material. The tile elements are usually laid as in the case of known tiles with gluing to the substrate and also the supply can be carried out in the usual way “wet”.

The described features and further features of the invention result from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the subclaims and the drawings. The individual features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another.

The drawings show:

1 is a plan view of installed elements according to the invention (before grouting),

Fig. 2 shows a section along the line II-II in Fig. 1 (after grouting), and

3 shows the construction of the joint according to FIG. 2 as an enlarged section III.

In Fig. 1, four tile elements 1 according to the invention are shown in the installed but not yet grouted state. The top left, in the present case square tile element 1 is complete, the remaining three are only partially shown.

Each tile element 1 (as also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) consists of a wood-based panel with high water resistance, in particular PMDI-bonded chipboard (product plysoc '-y- from the applicant). The wood-based panel 2 is provided on its underside 3 with a plastic coating 4 in the form of a surface-structured melamine resin paper. On the top 5 of the wood-based panel 2 there is a plastic coating 6 in the form of a melamine resin paper provided with decors. Coatings 4 and 6 serve in the manner already described as a counter-pull film, moisture barrier and adhesion promoter (plastic coating 4) and to imitate the appearance of ceramic or stoneware tiles (plastic coating 6).

In the illustrated tile element 1, longitudinal grooves 8 are provided on the two adjoining edge surfaces 7 parallel to the top and bottom and corresponding springs 10 are provided on the two other adjoining edge surfaces 9. The grooves 8 in the edge surfaces 7 have the depth t. The springs 10 on the edge surfaces 9 have the width b protruding beyond the associated outer edge. As shown in the figures, the width b of the springs 10 is greater than the depth t of the grooves 8 in the tile element 1, so that when the springs 10 are inserted into the grooves 8, a joint width bf remains, which is the difference between the width b and the depth t corresponds to. This configuration of the tile element 1 ensures a constant joint width bf which can be predetermined and selected.

On the top 5 of the tile element 1, longitudinal and transverse grooves 12 are provided, which give the impression that the tile element 1 is constructed from four identical tile elements in the present case. The width of the grooves 12 corresponds to the selected joint width bf. As already described, the grooves 12, like the joints formed between the tile elements 1, are also filled with joint material after laying. The depth of the joints 12 is fundamentally not critical. The joints 12 should, however, be able to accommodate so much joint material that a stable, recognizable jointing is created.

The jointing compound indicated in FIG. 2 and denoted by reference number 11 in FIG. 3 is produced from a commercially available, in particular plastic-modified jointing material which has sufficient water resistance, flexibility stability and tear resistance. With regard to the materials that can be used, reference is made to the corresponding places in the description.

The tile elements 1 according to the invention are laid as follows. First, the individual tile elements 1 are laid on a possibly prepared surface, the tongues 10 being inserted into the associated grooves 8. Although floating laying of the tile elements 1 is fundamentally possible, the tile elements 1 will usually be glued to the substrate. After the wall or floor covering has been produced in this way, the grooves formed by the tongue and groove connection and the grooves 12 which may be present can be jointed out. As shown in Fig. 3, the remaining space above the spring 10 between the tile elements 1 is filled with the grout 11. The space formed below the spring 10 remains empty. The grouting / grouting can be carried out "wet" in a generally known manner, i.e. the joint material is mixed with water and applied to the covering in this form. This is particularly surprising since it was not previously thought possible to use plate-shaped elements with a wood-based material in this way for a wall or floor covering for damp and wet rooms.

Claims

Claims: 1. Panel-shaped element, consisting essentially of a wood-based panel of high water resistance with a coating (4, 6), in particular plastic coating, on at least part of its top and / or bottom (3, 5), the element being in the manner of a tile ( 1), preferably in the manner of a wall or floor tile. 2. Plate-shaped element according to claim 1, characterized in that means for fixing and / or connecting elements are provided at a distance from each other. Plate-like element according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for fixing and / or connection are provided on the edge surfaces (7, 9) of the element (1). Plate-shaped element according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the means for fixing and / or connection are at least one groove (8) or at least one tongue (10). 5. Plate-shaped element according to claim 4, characterized in that a groove or tongue extending on an edge surface parallel to the top and bottom of the element is formed, which cooperates with the intended use of the element with a corresponding tongue or groove of a further element. 6. Plate-shaped element according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the element (1), preferably with a rectangular or square base, has four edge surfaces (7, 9), preferably grooves (8) running parallel to the top and bottom of the element on two adjacent edge surfaces (7) and springs (10) running parallel to the top and bottom of the element on the two other edge surfaces (9). 7. Plate-like element according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the width (b) of the springs (10) is greater than the depth (t) of the grooves (8), the difference between the width of the springs and the depth of the grooves of the desired joint width (bf) preferably having one With the help of the element produced covering corresponds. 8. Plate-like element according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that recesses, markings or the like are provided on the top of the element, which give the impression that the element is constructed from at least two, preferably at least two identical elements. 9. Plate-shaped element according to claim 8, characterized in that on the top (5) of the element (1) longitudinal and / or transverse grooves (12) are provided, preferably the width of these grooves of the desired Joint width of a covering produced with the help of the element corresponds. 10. Plate-shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in the Wood-based board with high water resistance is a chipboard, preferably the chipboard is PMDI-bound. 11. Plate-shaped element according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that on the top (5) of the element (1) a decorative coating (6) made of plastic, in particular a melamine resin coating, is provided. 12. Plate-shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the underside (3) of the element (1) a preferably structured coating (4) made of plastic, in particular a melamine resin coating, is provided. 13. covering, in particular floor or wall covering, characterized by at least one element according to at least one of claims 1 to 12. 14. Covering according to claim 13, characterized in that its joints are filled with a waterproof and sufficiently tear-resistant and flexible joint compound. 15. Covering according to claim 14, characterized in that the grout consists of a plastic-grouted joint material. 16. A method for producing a covering, in particular a floor or wall covering, characterized in that elements according to at least one of claims 1 to 12 are laid on a suitable substrate, in particular by gluing to this substrate, and then the joints formed with a suitable joint material in the usual way, ie wet, be grouted.