WO2019145765A1

WO2019145765A1 - System for covering surfaces

Info

Publication number: WO2019145765A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/059224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cristian MATTEAZZI
Original assignee: Magneticskin Srl
Current assignee: Magneticskin Srl
Priority date: 2018-01-24
Filing date: 2018-11-22
Publication date: 2019-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-24
Also published as: IT201800001726A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns a covering system (1; 101) for covering a surface (3; 103), comprising a covering element (2; 20; 102) designed to be applied to the surface (3; 103) through a mutual magnetic adhesion force between the surface (3; 103) and the covering element (2; 20; 102). The system (1; 101) comprises magnetic material (4; 24) associated with one between the surface (3; 103) and the covering element (2; 20; 102) and comprises magnetic material (4; 24) or ferromagnetic material (8) associated with the other one between the surface (3; 103) and the covering element (2; 20; 102). The magnetic material (4; 24) is associated with the surface (3; 103) and/or with the covering element (2; 20; 102) by means of a double-sided adhesive tape.

Description

SYSTEM FOR COVERING SURFACES.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns the technical field related to the production of covering or cladding elements for surfaces.

More specifically, the present invention concerns the production of coverings for surfaces such as floors, walls, ceilings, as well as the production of external cladding elements, including technical surfaces for sporting activities to be used for athletics tracks, sports halls, gyms, very crowded places such as ballrooms, airports, shopping centres, etc.

Even more specifically, the present invention concerns the production of covering and/or cladding elements for surfaces that need to be replaced or removed frequently.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

The use of covering materials laid on an underlying base usually consisting of a smoother or rougher concrete surface, or screed, is known in the field of production of tread surfaces, and in particular in the field of surface finishing in indoor and outdoor sports facilities, such as athletics tracks, gyms or sports halls. More generally, it is known that in the field of civil and/or industrial building construction the application of covering elements is widespread, wherein said covering elements can be in the form of tread surfaces such as floors or even decorative covering elements such as tiles applied to the internal or external walls of buildings.

Said covering elements can be of various types, for example ceramic tiles, elements made of wood, such as parquet or wooden boards, or elements made of plastic materials such as linoleum or of materials comprising fibres such as moquette, which are applied to the base surface through suitable bonding techniques for the purpose of obtaining the most effective union.

Therefore, for example, when laying tiles, a cement layer is normally used, while a layer of a suitable bonding material is used for laying parquet, linoleum or moquette.

In some cases, the covering elements must be replaced due to wear or to the need to adapt the surface to different types of use, which happens, in particular, in sports facilities, where the floor is periodically replaced due to wear or more frequently is replaced to prepare the surface for different sporting activities. So, for example, it may be necessary to lay a smooth parquet floor for a volleyball match and shortly after that it may be necessary to lay a tartan or different floor for a basketball match.

When replacing said surfaces due to wear, it is necessary to lift the surface layer in order to break the layer of bonding agent and detach it from the base surface, to remove the residues of bonding agent from the base surface and then to glue the new replacement surface thereon.

Instead, in the case of the periodical replacement needed for the different sporting activities mentioned above, the preferred procedure consists in the laying of panels whose upper side is made of the required material and in the successive removal of the same panels at the end of the activity, so that they can be replaced with other panels made of the material needed for the successive activity.

These operations require special attention, since said panels need to be correctly laid so that they adhere to each other. Furthermore, large spaces must be available for storing the panels when they are not in use and a considerable physical effort is required to lay and remove them.

According to a known solution which has been proposed to solve the drawbacks mentioned above, surface coverings are used which exploit magnetic adhesion force and therefore are made of a magnetic material.

According to the known technique, the covering system comprises a covering element which is suited to be applied to a surface to be covered, said covering element being provided with said magnetic material and the surface to be covered being provided with a ferromagnetic material.

According to the known technique, the covering element comprises a first layer made of magnetic material and facing towards the surface to be covered and a second visible layer opposite the first layer, said layers being glued together.

To glue said layers together, a procedure is used which includes the application of an adhesive temperature-activated substance to the surface of one of the two layers, the coupling of two layers and a heating treatment intended to heat the adhesive substance to its activation temperature. The adhesive substance is typically constituted by a polyurethane-based substance comprising a solvent, more specifically a solvent comprising water.

The procedure requires special care, so that during the heating treatment the magnetic material layer is kept at a lower temperature compared to the critical temperature that would affect its magnetic characteristics. Therefore, the procedure requires continuous monitoring of the activation temperatures, which are typically included between 50°C and 100°C.

Furthermore, in the case of use of an adhesive substance comprising a solvent, the method preferably includes a drying step intended to dry the adhesive substance before the first layer and the second layer are coupled together.

However, the procedure according to the known art poses some drawbacks.

A first drawback is represented by the long time required by the coupling operation, due to the necessary heating treatment.

This also affects production costs negatively.

Another drawback lies in the complexity of the coupling procedure and in the need to continuously control the operating temperatures and to use a specific system intended for this purpose.

In addition to the above, this further affects production costs negatively.

The main object of the present invention is to solve these drawbacks.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for covering surfaces requiring simplified operations compared to the covering systems of the known type.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for covering surfaces whose production costs are lower compared to the covering systems of the known type.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is based on the general consideration according to which it is possible to simplify the operations needed to carry out a covering system using a magnetic material and a double-sided adhesive tape.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the subject of the same is thus a system for covering a surface, comprising a covering element suited to be applied to said surface through a mutual magnetic adhesion force between said surface and said covering element, said system comprising magnetic material associated with one between said surface and said covering element, and comprising magnetic or ferromagnetic material associated with the other one between said surface and said covering element, wherein said magnetic material is associated with said surface and/or with said covering element by means of a double-sided adhesive tape.

Advantageously, the covering element can be easily applied to the surface by exploiting the magnetic adhesion force and can be easily removed with no need to carry out invasive operations on the elements of the system.

Preferably, the covering element comprises said magnetic material.

Even more preferably, the covering element comprises a first layer facing towards said surface comprising one between said magnetic material and said ferromagnetic material, a second visible layer opposite said first layer and an intermediate layer constituted by said double-sided adhesive tape.

Preferably, the double-sided adhesive tape comprises a supporting film, a layer of adhesive material on a first side of said supporting film and a layer of adhesive material on the opposite side of said supporting film.

Preferably the supporting film is a paper supporting film and preferably the adhesive layer comprises an adhesive in acrylic dispersion.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic material comprises a magnetic film. Even more preferably, the magnetic material is flexible.

Advantageously, the magnetic material can be easily applied.

In a preferred embodiment, the ferromagnetic material comprises a film made of plasto ferrite, or rubber ferrite.

In another preferred embodiment, the ferromagnetic material may comprise metallic components.

In a further preferred embodiment, the ferromagnetic material comprises a metallic paint.

Advantageously, the ferromagnetic material can be easily applied.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system furthermore comprises a magnetic element designed to be applied to said covering element through a mutual magnetic adhesion force between the covering element and the magnetic element, said magnetic element being suited to support an accessory that can be applied to the covering element.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic element belongs to said accessory. According to another aspect of the present invention, the subject of the same is a covering element suited to be applied to a surface, said element comprising magnetic or ferromagnetic material, wherein said magnetic material or said ferromagnetic material is associated with said covering element by means of a double-sided adhesive tape.

Advantageously, the covering element can be easily applied and, even more advantageously, it can be easily removed with no need to break it.

Preferably, the covering element comprises a first layer facing towards the surface comprising said magnetic material or said ferromagnetic material, a second visible layer opposite said first layer and an intermediate layer consisting of said double-sided adhesive tape.

In a preferred embodiment, the double-sided adhesive tape comprises a supporting film, a layer of adhesive material on a first face of said supporting film and a layer of adhesive material on the opposite face of said supporting film. Preferably the supporting film is a paper supporting film and preferably the adhesive layer comprises an adhesive in acrylic dispersion.

Advantageously, the magnetic material can be easily applied.

In a preferred embodiment, the ferromagnetic material comprises a plasto ferrite film.

Advantageously, the ferromagnetic material can be easily applied.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the subject of the same is a surface suited to be covered, said surface comprising magnetic material or ferromagnetic material, wherein said magnetic material or said ferromagnetic material is associated with said surface by means of a double-sided adhesive tape.

Advantageously, a covering element can be easily applied to said surface and, even more advantageously, it can be easily removed from the same surface with no need to break it.

Advantageously, the magnetic material can be easily applied.

In a further preferred embodiment, the ferromagnetic material comprises a metallic paint. Advantageously, the ferromagnetic material can be easily applied.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the subject of the same is a method for making a covering element for a surface, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

- preparation of a first layer comprising magnetic material;

- preparation of a second layer designed to be coupled with said first layer;

- application of a double-sided adhesive tape to the surface of at least one between said first layer and said second layer;

- coupling of said first layer with said second layer by means of said double-sided adhesive tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages, objectives and characteristics, as well as other embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and are clarified below by means of the following description, which makes reference to the attached drawings; in the drawings, corresponding or equivalent characteristics and/or component parts of the present invention are identified by the same reference numbers. More specifically, in the drawings:

- Figure 1 shows a possible application of the covering system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a detail of the covering system of Figure 1 carried out according to the invention;

- Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail of the covering system of Figure 1 carried out according to the invention;

- Figure 4 shows the sectional view of Figure 3 according to plane III-III;

- Figure 5 shows a detail of Figure 3;

- Figure 6 shows the sectional view of Figure 5 according to plane V-V;

- Figure 7 shows another detail of Figure 3;

- Figure 8 shows the sectional view of Figure 7 according to plane VII-VII;

- Figure 9 shows an enlarged and detailed view of an element of Figure 4;

- Figure 10 shows a variant embodiment of the element of Figure 5;

- Figure 1 1 shows a view from below of Figure 10;

- Figure 12 shows a variant embodiment of the system of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 13 shows a detail of the covering system of Figure 12;

- Figure 14 shows a variant embodiment of the system of the invention;

- Figure 15 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 14; - Figure 16 shows a variant embodiment of the system of the invention shown in Figure 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Even though the present invention is described here below with reference to its embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings. On the contrary, the embodiments described and illustrated clarify some aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims.

The present invention has proven to be particularly advantageous for use in covering systems for tread floors, and even more advantageous when applied to covering systems that need to be frequently removed or replaced for the most varied reasons, for example athletics tracks or floors of sports halls. It should however be underlined that the use of the present invention is not limited to covering tread surfaces. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently used in all the cases in which it is necessary to cover surfaces, therefore not only tread surfaces such as floors, but also surfaces of a different type, such as walls and ceilings, or in the cases where it is necessary to cover furnishing elements or to apply finishing and decorative elements or even to apply sound absorbing elements. The application of the invention is particularly convenient in all those cases in which it is necessary to frequently replace the covering portion, as is evident from the following description.

Figure 1 shows a first possible application of a first preferred embodiment of the covering system 1 that is the subject of the invention.

More specifically, the covering system 1 is related to the laying of the floor of a room S using covering elements 2 in the form of strips arranged side by side.

The shape of said covering elements 2 is not to be considered limiting in any way and, on the contrary, in variant embodiments said covering elements can assume any other desired shape such as, for example, the shape of substantially square or rectangular tiles, or they can be shaped in a different manner and be in different colours where a more or less decorative appearance is required.

Therefore, the covering system 1 comprises a plurality of covering elements 2 resting on a base surface which is indicated by 3 and visible in greater detail in Figure 2, wherein an edge of a covering element 2 is shown in raised configuration.

The covering element 2, as explained here below in the description, is actually flexible and can be deformed, if not even advantageously rolled up.

However, in variant embodiments, the covering element can be of the rigid type and therefore not deformable, as shown, on the contrary, in Figure 2.

The covering element 2, shown in particular in Figures 5 and 6, comprises a first layer 4 suited to be placed in contact with the base surface 3, a second visible layer 5 which constitutes the tread part of the floor and an intermediate layer 6 consisting of an adhesive substance.

It should be noted that the figures are representative only and the dimensions of the various layers shown are not to scale for the sake of clarity.

The first layer 4 of the covering element 2 is constituted by a magnetic sheet and therefore is characterized by a certain adhesion force and a certain intrinsic magnetic attraction. These parameters are proportional to the thickness of the sheet 4 itself and therefore the value of this thickness will be selected from time to time according to the application and to the desired degree of adhesion. In addition to having adhesion and attraction magnetic properties, this magnetic sheet 4 is advantageously flexible and therefore it can be easily handled when it is an integral part of the covering element 2. Said magnetic sheet 4 comprises, in fact, a rubber component and a ferritic component, which are suited to give this physical characteristic of flexibility in addition to the above mentioned magnetic characteristics.

The second layer 5 of the covering element 2 constitutes the tread portion of the floor and comprises, in the case described herein, a linoleum sheet. This material is widely used for making resilient floors, which are commonly used in hospitals, schools and public places.

In variant embodiments it will be possible to use sheets of other types of resilient materials suitable for this purpose, such as regenerated leather, leather, imitation leather, fabrics in general, imitation leather in spread and/or coagulated polyurethane and/or PVC, full grain leather, upgraded split, gres, composite materials based on fibreglass, carbon fibre, rigid and semi rigid extruded materials, foam polyurethane, rubber, moquette, tartan, polyurethane resins, or other materials, both rigid and flexible, commonly used for covering surfaces.

Said linoleum layer 5 is advantageously flexible, too, and therefore it can be easily handled when it is an integral part of the covering element 2.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the intermediate layer 6 of adhesive material which joins the first layer 4 and the second tread layer 5 is constituted by a double-sided adhesive tape (or double-sided adhesive film).

The applicant, in fact, has overcome the preconceived idea which characterized the systems of the known type, in which the layers are joined by means of an adhesive substance suited to be activated at a given temperature and of the respective heating treatment to which the adhesive substance must be subjected in order to reach its activation temperature.

After several tests, the applicant has surprisingly verified that the double-sided adhesive tape makes it possible to mutually fix the layers to each other in an optimal manner, at the same time reducing the complexity of the joining method and the time necessary to carry out the joining operation itself.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the double-sided adhesive tape 6 comprises a supporting film 30, an adhesive layer 30a on a first face of said supporting film 30 and an adhesive layer 30b on the opposite face of said supporting film 30.

The supporting film 30 preferably comprises a paper film. In variant embodiments, the supporting film can be of a different type, for example it can be made of nonwoven fabric, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, etc. The choice of the type of supporting film preferably depends on the operating temperature and on the rigidity required by each specific application.

As concerns one or both of the adhesive layers 30a, 30b, they preferably comprise a solvent-based adhesive.

In variant embodiments, it is possible to use a different type of adhesive, for example an acrylic-based, a water-based or a hot-melt adhesive.

Preferably, the adhesives used for the two layers are of the same type. In variant embodiments, the two adhesive layers can be different from each other.

In further variant embodiments, it is possible to use an unsupported double-sided adhesive tape, meaning a tape without the supporting film. In this case, preferably, the adhesive substance comprises fibreglass, in order to increase its adhesion and bonding capacity and therefore guarantee a minimum degree of rigidity.

In the embodiments in which two adhesive layers are used, the type of adhesive used for each one of the two layers may be advantageously selected as ideal adhesive according to the type of material to which it has to adhere, for example an ideal adhesive for bonding linoleum, on one side, and an ideal adhesive for bonding the magnetic sheet on the other side.

The method for producing the covering element substantially comprises the following steps:

- preparation of the first layer 4 comprising magnetic material;

- preparation of the second layer 5 suited to be coupled with the first layer 4;

- application of the double-sided adhesive tape 6 to the surface of one between the first layer 4 and the second layer 5;

- coupling of the first layer 4 with the second layer 5 by means of the double- sided adhesive tape 6.

Therefore, according to a further advantageous aspect of the present invention, the method for producing the covering element 2 is considerably simplified compared to the systems of known type and ensures considerably shorter production times.

Furthermore, the layers are not subjected to any heating treatment and, advantageously, the heating of the first layer 4 comprising magnetic material is avoided, thus avoiding also any deterioration of its magnetic characteristics.

The covering element 2 as a whole is flexible and can be rolled up. This flexibility makes it possible to advantageously roll said covering element 2 up, as illustrated in greater detail below.

The base surface 3, shown in detail in Figures 7 and 8, comprises a first layer 7 constituted by the screed of the floor, a second layer 8 made of ferromagnetic material and an intermediate layer 9 made of an adhesive substance.

It should be noted that also in this case the figures are only representative and the dimensions of the several layers shown are indicative and not necessarily to scale, for the sake of clarity.

As regards the screed 7, as is known it is constituted by a concrete layer providing a surface which is sufficiently level to favour the laying of the floor over it.

The second layer 8 in ferromagnetic material is preferably constituted by a plasto ferrite sheet.

Said plasto ferrite sheet 8, in addition to having ferromagnetic properties, is advantageously flexible and therefore it can be easily handled when being laid on the screed 7. In fact, said plasto ferrite sheet 8 has a rubber component and a ferritic component, which are suited to provide said physical characteristic of flexibility in addition to ferromagnetic characteristics. The intermediate layer 9 of adhesive material which joins the plasto ferrite sheet 8 to the screed 7 is preferably constituted by a polyurethane-based adhesive substance comprising a solvent, more particularly a solvent comprising water. More preferably, the solvent consists of water only.

In variant embodiments, the adhesive substance can be of a different type, both comprising a solvent and without any solvent. For example, said adhesive substance may be constituted by an acrylic glue, a vinyl glue or a polyvinyl glue, wherein said glues preferably comprise a solvent and said solvent is more preferably constituted by water.

In a further variant embodiment, the adhesive substance may comprise a double sided adhesive tape, analogously to what has been described above.

The laying operations are advantageously simplified and quicker compared to the systems of the known type.

The system 1 described above makes it possible to comfortably lay covering elements 2 on the base surface 3, as well as to remove and replace them.

More specifically, once the base surface 3 and the covering element 2 have been completed, the covering operations simply require that the covering elements 2 are laid side by side on the base surface 3.

In the moment when the magnetic sheet 4 of the covering element 2 is placed in contact with the plasto ferrite sheet 8 of the base surface 3, a magnetic adhesion force is produced between the two parts. This adhesion force guarantees the adhesion of the covering element 2 to the base surface 3, which is sufficient to counteract the stress to which the covering element 2 is subjected, wherein said stress is typical of floors and mainly caused by the treading upon it, and thus to avoid any movement of the covering element 2 with respect to the base surface 3, in particular along directions which substantially lie on the plane defined by the floor. The choice of the thickness and of the surface area of the magnetic sheet 4 is important for the determination of the required adhesion force.

The thicker and the larger the magnetic sheet 4, the higher the adhesion force produced to prevent any mutual movements between the covering element 2 and the base surface 3 on the plane defined by the floor.

At the same time, if on the one side mutual adhesion and consequent resistance to treading and to the other types of stress to which the covering element 2 is subjected are guaranteed, on the other side it is also very easy to remove the covering element 2 from the base surface 3. Said removal can be effectively carried out by lifting an edge of the covering element 2, as shown for example in Figure 2, and pulling it upwards, away from the base surface 3. Even more advantageously, the covering element can be rolled up and thus easily transported for disposal or stored in order to be laid again for other applications.

Analogously and advantageously, the covering element 2 can be provided in the form of a roll, so that it simply needs to be unrolled and laid on the base surface 3.

It is evident, however, that independently of the shape designed for the covering element 2, its removal can be comfortably carried out by moving it away according to a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the base surface 3 to which it adheres.

Figures 10 and 1 1 show a variant embodiment of a covering element 20 according to the present invention, which differs from the covering element 2 previously described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 in that, instead of comprising a magnetic sheet 4 having the same surface area as the linoleum layer 5, it comprises a plurality of permanent magnets 24 applied to the linoleum layer 5, for example through a gluing operation, wherein said permanent magnets 24 are characterized by high magnetic attraction and adhesion force and can be, for example, neodymium magnets.

The permanent magnets 24 are connected to the linoleum layer 5 by means of a double-sided adhesive tape.

The advantages that can be obtained through the covering element 20 can be compared to those offered by the first embodiment described above and, in particular, the adhesion force produced by the permanent magnets 24 will be such as to prevent any mutual movement between the base surface 3 and the covering element 20.

Figures 12 and 13 show another possible application of the covering system 101 which is the subject of the invention.

More specifically, the covering system 101 is related to the covering of a wall 103 of a room with covering elements 102 in the form of square tiles.

The shape of said covering elements 102 must not be considered limiting in any way and, on the contrary, in variant embodiments said covering elements may have any other desired shape.

The covering system 101 comprises, therefore, a plurality of covering elements

102 resting on a vertical base wall, indicated by 103 and better visible in Figure 2, in which a covering element 102 is shown in the lifted configuration.

The covering element 102 comprises a first layer 4 suited to be placed in contact with the base surface 103, a second visible layer 105 and an intermediate layer 6 made of an adhesive substance.

The first layer 4 of the covering element 102 is constituted by a magnetic sheet and therefore is characterized by a certain adhesion force and a certain intrinsic magnetic attraction, as described above with reference to the first embodiment. The second layer 105 of the covering element 102 constitutes the visible part of the wall and is preferably constituted by a ceramic or marble tile.

In variant embodiments it will be possible to use other types of material, for example moquette or wallpaper.

According to the advantageous aspect of the present invention, the intermediate layer 6 of adhesive material that joins the first layer 4 and the second visible layer 105 is constituted by a double-sided adhesive tape.

The double-sided adhesive tape 6 can be of the type previously described.

This makes it possible to achieve all the objects and/or advantages described above, also with regard to the method of production of the covering element 102. The base surface 103, analogously to what has been explained with reference to the base surface 3 of the first embodiment, comprises a first layer 107 constituted by a plaster layer, a second layer 8 made of ferromagnetic material and an intermediate layer 9 of an adhesive substance.

It should be noted that also in this case the figures are representative only and the dimensions of the various layers shown are indicative and not necessarily to scale for the sake of clarity.

The second layer 8 made of ferromagnetic material is preferably constituted by a plasto ferrite sheet.

This plasto ferrite sheet 8, in addition to having ferromagnetic properties, is advantageously flexible and therefore can be easily handled when being laid on the vertical wall 107. Said plasto ferrite sheet 8, in fact, comprises a rubber component and a ferritic component which are suited to provide said physical characteristic of flexibility, in addition to ferromagnetic characteristics.

In a variant embodiment, the application of plasto ferrite to the cement base may require the previous bonding of the plasto ferrite sheet to the surface of a supporting paper. The plasto ferrite sheet can then be applied to the wall exactly like wallpaper by gluing it on the cement base.

The intermediate layer 9 of adhesive material which joins the plasto ferrite sheet 8 to the wall 107 is preferably constituted by a polyurethane-based adhesive substance comprising a solvent, more specifically a solvent comprising water. More preferably, the solvent is constituted by water only.

In variant embodiments, the adhesive substance can be of a different type, both comprising a solvent and without any solvent. For example, said adhesive substance may be constituted by an acrylic glue, a vinyl glue or a polyvinyl glue, wherein said glues preferably comprise a solvent and more preferably said solvent is constituted by water.

In a further variant embodiment, the adhesive substance may comprise a doublesided adhesive tape, analogously to what has been described above.

Figures 14 and 15 show a possible advantageous use of the system 101 shown in Figures 12 and 13.

More specifically, a magnetic element 1 10 with high adhesion force is used, preferably a neodymium magnet.

The magnetic element 1 10 preferably has the shape of a small pin and constitutes a fixing point of an accessory C to the wall 103, for example a picture C.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 16, the magnetic element 1 10 is preferably incorporated in the accessory C’.

In variant embodiments, the magnetic element can have the shape that is most suitable for providing support.

In variant embodiments, the accessory can be constituted by any element suited to be hung to the wall 103.

When the magnetic element 1 10 is brought near the covering element 102, owing to the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic element 1 10 and the magnetic layer 4 of the covering element 102, the desired adhesion of the magnetic element 1 10 to the covering element 102 is obtained.

In the embodiments described above, the adhesion force between the parts is obtained by means of a magnetized element associated with the covering element, meaning a magnetic sheet or permanent magnets, and by means of a ferromagnetic element constituted by plasto ferrite and associated with the base surface.

However, numerous variants can be carried out.

For example, instead of having a magnetized element and an element constituted by a ferromagnetic material, as for example in the first embodiment described above, both the elements can have magnetic characteristics, which can be obtained by exploiting the different polarity to achieve the desired degree of adhesion.

Still more, the covering element may comprise a layer of ferromagnetic material, for example iron strips fixed to the visible layer, and the magnetized element can be associated with the base surface.

Still more, the element in ferromagnetic material associated with the base surface may be constituted by a layer of metallic paint.

Still more, the element in ferromagnetic material associated with the base surface may be constituted by a metallic structure, for example a grid in the shape of a cage buried in the concrete that makes up the screed or in the plaster layer of the wall.

In the embodiments described above, once again, the base surface is constituted by the screed of a floor or by the plaster of a vertical wall. However, in variant embodiments the base surface may be constituted by the base of an athletics track or by a ceiling.

It has thus been shown that the present invention makes it possible to achieve the set objects. More specifically, it makes it possible to provide a system for covering surfaces which allows the execution of simplified operations compared to the covering systems of the known type.

It should be noted that while the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments illustrated in the figures, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the claims.

Claims

1. Covering system (1 ; 101) for covering a surface (3; 103), comprising a covering element (2; 20; 102) suited to be applied to said surface (3; 103) through a mutual magnetic adhesion force between said surface (3; 103) and said covering element (2; 20; 102), said system (1 ; 101) comprising magnetic material (4; 24) associated with one between said surface (3; 103) and said covering element (2; 20; 102) and comprising magnetic material (4; 24) or ferromagnetic material (8) associated with the other one between said surface (3; 103) and said covering element (2; 20; 102), characterized in that said magnetic material (4; 24) is associated with said surface (3; 103) and/or with said covering element (2; 20; 102) by means of a double-sided adhesive tape.

2. System (1 ; 101 ) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that said covering element (2; 20; 102) comprises said magnetic material (4; 24).

3. System (1 ; 101) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that said covering element (2; 20; 102) comprises:

- a first layer (4) facing towards said surface (3; 103), said first layer (4) comprising one between said magnetic material (4; 24) and said ferromagnetic material;

- a second visible layer (5; 105) opposite said first layer (4); and

- an intermediate layer (6) constituted by said double-sided adhesive tape.

4. System (1 ; 101) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said double-sided adhesive tape comprises a supporting film (30), an adhesive layer (30a) on a first face of said supporting film (30) and an adhesive layer (30b) on the opposite face of said supporting film (30).

5. System (1 ; 101) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said magnetic material (4) comprises a magnetic film.

6. System (1 ; 101) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ferromagnetic material (8) comprises a plasto ferrite film.

7. System (101 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a magnetic element (1 10) suited to be applied to said covering element ( 102) through a mutual magnetic adhesion force between said covering element ( 102) and said magnetic element, said magnetic element being suited to support an accessory (C; C’) which can be applied to said covering element (102).

8. System (101) according to claim 7), characterized in that said magnetic element (110) belongs to said accessory (C’).

9. Covering element (2; 20; 102) suited to be applied to a surface (3; 103), said element comprising magnetic material (4; 24) or ferromagnetic material, characterized in that said magnetic material (4; 24) or said ferromagnetic material is associated with said covering element (2; 20; 102) by means of a double-sided adhesive tape.

10. Covering element (2; 20; 102) according to claim 9), characterized in that said covering element (2; 20; 102) comprises:

- a first layer (4) facing towards said surface (3; 103), said first layer (4) comprising said magnetic material (4; 24) or said ferromagnetic material;

- a second visible layer (5; 105) opposite said first layer (4); and

- an intermediate layer (6) constituted by said double-sided adhesive tape.

1 1. Covering element (2; 20; 102) according to claim 9) or 10), characterized in that said double-sided adhesive tape comprises a supporting film (30), an adhesive layer (30a) on a first face of said supporting film (30) and an adhesive layer (30b) on the opposite face of said supporting film (30).

12. Covering element (2; 20; 102) according to any of the claims from 9) to 1 1), characterized in that said magnetic material (4) comprises a magnetic film.

13. Covering element (2; 20; 102) according to any of the claims from 9) to 12), characterized in that said ferromagnetic material comprises a plasto ferrite film.

14. Surface (3; 103) suited to be covered, said surface (3; 103) comprising magnetic material or ferromagnetic material (8), characterized in that said magnetic material or said ferromagnetic material (8) is associated with said surface by means of a double-sided adhesive tape.

15. Surface (3; 103) according to claim 14, characterized in that said magnetic material comprises a magnetic film.

16. Surface (3; 103) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that said ferromagnetic material (8) comprises a plasto ferrite film.

17. Method for making a covering element (2; 20; 102) for a surface (3; 103), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- preparation of a first layer (4) comprising magnetic material;

- preparation of a second layer (5; 105) suited to be coupled with said first layer (4);

- application of a double-sided adhesive tape on the surface of at least one between said first layer (4) and said second layer (5; 105);

- coupling of said first layer (4) with said second layer (5; 105) by means of said double-sided adhesive tape.