Floor panel and floor panel system

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor panel for use under a decorative floor covering, in particular a floating decorative floor covering consisting of a plurality of decorative floor panels. The invention also relates to a floor panel system comprising a plurality of said floor panels according to the invention for use under a decorative floor covering.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a subfloor panel for use underneath a decorative floor covering, in particular a floating decorative floor covering consisting of a plurality of decorative floor panels. The invention also relates to a subfloor panel system comprising a plurality of said subfloor panels according to the invention. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there has been a growing demand for hard decorative flooring materials such as ceramic and masonry tiles as well as decorative floor panels. These products are, among other qualities, durable, easy to maintain and attractive. However, despite their many desirable qualities, these materials often exhibit inadequate acoustic performance with regard to structure-borne sound transmission. Specifically, noise generated by footsteps or other periodic impacts can easily be transmitted to the concrete or wooden building floors below and even further.

[0003] Therefore, an underlayment or baseboard is usually applied between the building floor and the decorative floor covering, with the purpose of providing sound insulation for the room and / or providing a moisture barrier between the building floor and the decorative floor covering. An example of such a baseboard is a roll of thick baseboard made of foamed polyethylene, polyurethane, polystyrene and polypropylene. These rolls usually have a standard width, wherein during the installation process, the foam is unrolled and placed on the building floor. Adjacent foam layers are usually connected by tape. However, this known method is considered to be rather impractical, laborious and time-consuming. In addition, the acoustic properties of these baseboards usually deteriorate over time during the continuous compression of the foam, which affects the sound absorption capacity of these baseboards. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide an improved floor system, in particular an improved floor panel.

[0005] Therefore, a second object of the present invention is to provide a more practical floor system, in particular a more practical floor panel.

[0006] It is therefore a third object of the present invention to provide an improved floor panel which allows relatively easy and quick installation of the floor.

[0007] It is therefore a fourth object of the present invention to provide an improved floor panel having relatively durable acoustic properties.

[0008] At least one of these objects can be achieved by providing a floor panel according to the preamble, the floor panel comprising:

[0009] - a top layer having a top surface and a bottom surface,

[0010] - a bottom layer having a top surface and a bottom surface,

[0011] - the top surface of the bottom layer is adhered to the bottom surface of the top layer so that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in the length and / or width direction so that the top surface of the boundary end of the bottom layer and the bottom surface of the boundary end of the top layer are both exposed,

[0012] wherein the length and / or width of the bottom layer is preferably smaller than the length and / or width of the top layer, an optional gap is created between the bottom layer of a floor panel and the bottom layer of an adjacent floor panel, and wherein the top layer comprises:

[0013] - at a first top layer edge comprising a first joining profile, and

[0014] - at a second top layer edge, preferably opposite the first top layer edge, comprising a second coupling profile designed to interlockingly engage with said first coupling profile of the top layer of an adjacent floor panel in horizontal and / or vertical direction.

[0015] The floor panel according to the present invention has a number of advantages. Compared to conventional foam rolls, the floor panel is easier to handle due to limited size and weight. In addition, since the top layer includes a coupling profile, adjacent floor panels can be connected to each other without having to use tape and / or mechanical fastening means such as nails (which affect the acoustic performance). This generally results in a constant height of the floor while maintaining the acoustic performance of the floor panel. Therefore, the interconnectable floor panels are designed to achieve a floating floor. The offset orientation of the top layer and the bottom layer stabilizes the final floor because the adjacent floor panels will also support each other. Preferably, the top layer is larger than the bottom layer. This will result in gaps between the bottom layers of adjacent floor panels. These gaps allow the top layers of adjacent floor panels to be positioned relatively closely to each other and prevent the formation of undesirable gaps between the top layers of adjacent panels. In addition, these gaps facilitate drainage. Therefore, the present invention particularly relates to a floor system covered by a decorative floor covering. Therefore, the floor system does not require any decorative features and is therefore preferably free of any decorative layer and / or texture layer (embossing layer).

[0016] The floor panel according to the present invention preferably comprises a top layer consisting of a single material layer. The single material layer does not have a decorative upper surface and can (therefore) be optimized for the purpose of supporting a decorative floor covering. Preferably, the top surface of the top layer defines the upper surface of the floor panel. Preferably, the first and / or second coupling profiles are configured to establish a horizontal and vertical locking between adjacent floor panels, which is preferably free of play. This playless coupling results in a tight coupling between the floor panels, which is conducive to achieving a stable floor and is also conducive to the permanent installation of a decorative floor on top of the floor. Preferably, each of the first and second coupling profiles is configured to establish a horizontal and vertical locking. Due to the properties of the coupling profiles according to the present invention, the time required to form the floor can be significantly reduced while maintaining a stable floor. The first and second coupling profiles ensure that the interlocking panels will not easily separate in the vertical or horizontal direction under normal use. However, when moving in the opposite direction to lock the panels, the interlocking panels can preferably be disconnected, which can provide further advantages, such as reusing and / or replacing the floor panels. Because the first and second connection profiles allow horizontal and vertical locking, the base plate can be advantageously assembled without the use of glue. Another advantage of horizontal locking is that, during the assembly process of the base plate, adjacent base plate panels will not move, or move very little. Therefore, a base plate consisting of a plurality of interconnected base plate panels may already provide a substantially stable local base plate without having to use a fixed world, such as the walls of a room to stabilize the base plate. In addition, the advantage of the connection profile is that the base plate can not only be placed on the floor, but also as a base plate on a wall or even on a ceiling. In particular, it is preferred that the locking profile is substantially free of glue or adhesive. In particular, wherein the first and second connection profiles are at least free of adhesive at the engagement position. It is preferred that adhesive is not applied, because adhesive is usually applied before the connection, which may cause some adhesive to flow out of the connection edge and dry during the connection. If the adhesive dries in a manner protruding from the top surface, it is necessary to polish the base plate, which is quite troublesome and therefore undesirable (and unnecessary).

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the floor panel further comprises a third coupling profile at the third top edge, and at the fourth top edge, preferably opposite the third top edge, it comprises a fourth coupling profile, said fourth coupling profile being designed to interlock with said third coupling profile of the top layer of the adjacent floor panel in the horizontal direction and / or vertical direction, and preferably only in the vertical direction to facilitate installation. Preferably, the third and fourth coupling profiles are of different types compared to the first and second coupling profiles. Preferably, the first and second coupling profiles provide horizontal and vertical locking actions, while the third and fourth coupling profiles can provide at least vertical locking and optional horizontal locking. Preferably, in the present invention, the locking of the coupling profile can be understood as more than just blocking, for which a detent profile is preferably provided, which establishes a detent connection allowing the locking of the coupling profile. Due to the coupling profile provided in the present invention, a better and smoother top surface between the coupled floor panels can be ensured. This is very important for providing a decorative floor on the floor. It greatly improves the efficiency of the user, such as a craftsman. Especially because the sanding action may not be necessary, and the user is informed by the click of the first and second coupling profiles that the floor panel is correctly installed. Preferred embodiments of the third and fourth coupling profiles will be described in more detail below.

[0018] It may be preferred that at least one border section, preferably all border sections, are free of any adhesive. Additionally or alternatively, it is also conceivable that at least one border section is provided with an adhesive, preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Due to the pressure-sensitive nature, the floor panels can be easily separated from each other without damaging the floor panels, thereby facilitating installation and / or replacement.

[0019] Preferably, the exposed adhesive on the border portion (if applied) is initially covered by a removable release film. This is typically a flexible sheet, preferably corresponding in size and shape to the border portion. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the size and shape of the release film may vary. The release film may be made of, for example, any known suitable release material, such as silicone coated paper, plastic sheet, polymer film or other material that allows the release film to be quickly and easily removed from the adhesive surface during installation of the floor panel.

[0020] Preferably, the top layer is adhered to the bottom layer directly or indirectly. Any suitable adhesive can be used, such as hot melt adhesive (thermoplastic adhesive), pressure sensitive adhesive or structural and / or reactive adhesive. However, for this purpose, it is usually preferred to apply thermoplastic adhesives, such as polyvinyl acetate. The latter allows the bottom layer and the top layer to be easily (and cleanly) separated when heated to more than the threshold temperature, such as 80 degrees Celsius. This is conducive to the recycling of the bottom layer and the top layer. It is conceivable that there is at least one intermediate material layer (different from the adhesive layer) between the bottom layer and the top layer. It is conceivable that the top layer is fused to the bottom layer without using additional adhesive. The latter can be realized, for example, by including a thermoplastic material in the top layer and the bottom layer, which can be melted in the heating step. Preferably, the top surface of the top layer is basically smooth (smooth) and / or flat (falt) and / or planar (planar). That is, preferably, the top layer, particularly the top surface, has no interruption and / or dent and / or texture and / or large bevel. This can make the top layer form a good flat, therefore balanced support bottom surface. It is particularly preferred that the top surface of the top layer is flat in the space spanned by the first connecting profile and the second connecting profile. It is conceivable that the panels of the interconnected (adjacent) panels are substantially smooth. The latter can provide that, once a floor panel is connected to an adjacent floor panel, a flat support surface can be established. Preferably, the height difference between the top surface of the top layer of the floor panel and the top surface of the adjacent floor panel is less than 0.5 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, in particular less than 0.05 mm, and ideally is substantially horizontal (flush). The use of the first and connecting profiles, which are configured to achieve a horizontal and vertical locking effect between the connected floor panels, is very suitable for achieving a desired substantially flush orientation of the adjacent top surfaces of the adjacent floor panels.

[0021] The bottom layer preferably consists of a single material layer. The material composition of the bottom layer may be the same as the material composition of the top layer. It is also conceivable that the material composition and / or properties of the bottom layer are different from the material composition and / or properties of the top layer. Preferably, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the bottom layer defines the bottom surface of the floor panel. Preferably, at least in the width direction of the panel, the entire bottom layer is a single and / or continuous layer. It is conceivable that the bottom layer extends substantially uninterruptedly from left to right in a cross-sectional view. This enables the bottom layer to provide good support and eliminate any inconsistencies or undulations in the floor. However, it is also conceivable that the bottom layer is provided with one or more cavities and / or through holes, preferably arranged in a pattern, to reduce weight and preferably improve acoustic damping properties.

[0022] It is conceivable that at least a portion of the bottom surface of the bottom layer is covered by a backing layer, such as a cork layer and / or a foam layer. Preferably, the backing layer is at least partially composed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of: preferably a low-density ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam layer, radiation cross-linked polyethylene (IXPE), expanded polypropylene (XPP), expanded polystyrene (XPS), a non-woven material and / or a woven material, preferably with fibers, such as fibers made of natural fibers such as hemp or cork, and / or recycled and / or recyclable (thermoplastic) materials such as PET. Backing layers are generally used to improve the performance of sound insulation panels and / or to provide more comfort to the floor panels to improve the user experience. It is also conceivable that at least a portion of the bottom surface of the bottom layer is covered by an elastic backing layer. Due to this elastic backing layer, the bottom surface can conform to the unevenness of the floor covered by the bottom plate. In addition, since a better contact surface can be formed, it can contribute to a better pressure distribution.

[0023] It is conceivable that the top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of at least one material selected from the group consisting of bamboo, hemp, wood, wood fiber, MDF, LDF, HDF and plywood. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of at least one material, preferably at least one additive, selected from the group consisting of mineral materials such as magnesium oxide, gypsum, concrete, clay, talc, chalk, wood, graphene, graphite, glass, cement, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, rice and / or calcium carbonate. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of at least one polymer material, preferably at least one thermoplastic material, more preferably at least one thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of PVC, PET, PP, PS, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), PE, in particular MDPE and / or HDPE and combinations thereof. The thermoplastic material can be used in a foamed state and / or in an unfoamed state. Preferably, the bottom layer and / or the top layer is rigid (consisting of a rigid material) or semi-flexible. Preferably, one or more additives, such as those mentioned above, are incorporated into a polymer matrix, in particular a thermoplastic matrix, preferably selected from one or more of the above-mentioned thermoplastic materials. Optionally, the bottom layer and / or the top layer may include at least one reinforcing layer, such as a woven or non-woven glass (fiber) layer, which may be embedded in the thermoplastic material of the bottom layer and / or the top layer (if applied). It is conceivable that the top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of a mineral material, preferably rich in fibers, such as fiber cement, gypsum and / or magnesium oxide.

[0024] Preferably, the top layer and / or bottom layer at least partly consists of a mixture of new and recycled polymeric materials. Preferably, at least a portion of the polymers used may be formed from recycled thermoplastics, such as recycled PVC or recycled PU. It is conceivable that a mixture of new and recycled thermoplastic materials is used to form at least a portion of the core.

[0025] The top layer and / or bottom layer are at least partially composed of a waterproof material. Such materials (examples of which are included in the list above) make the top layer and / or bottom layer less susceptible to expansion, contraction and / or warping when wet.

[0026] Preferably, the first coupling profile and the second coupling profile are configured such that two such floor panels can be coupled to one another by a rotational movement and / or by a vertical movement.

[0027] It is generally preferred that the panel comprises at least one third coupling profile and at least one fourth coupling profile located at the third top layer edge and the fourth top layer edge, respectively. Preferably, the third coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are configured such that two such panels can be coupled to each other by a rotational movement and / or a linear movement (e.g. a horizontal movement) and / or a sliding movement.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the first connecting profile and / or the third connecting profile comprises: an upward tongue, at least one upward wing at a certain distance from the upward tongue, an upward groove formed between the upward tongue and the upward wing, wherein the upward groove is suitable for receiving at least a portion of the downward tongue of the second connecting profile of an adjacent panel, and preferably at least one first locking element, preferably arranged on the far side of the upward tongue away from the upward wing, and wherein the second connecting profile and / or the fourth connecting profile comprises: a first downward tongue, at least one first downward wing at a certain distance from the downward tongue, a first downward groove formed between the downward tongue and the downward wing, wherein the downward groove is suitable for receiving at least a portion of the upward tongue of the first connecting profile of an adjacent panel, and preferably at least one second locking element is suitable for interacting with the first locking element of the adjacent panel, and the second locking element is preferably arranged on the downward wing.

[0029] Preferably, the first coupling profile and the second coupling profile are configured to achieve a drop-lock connection, wherein the first coupling profile holds or secures the second coupling profile, and preferably vice versa. To this end, it may be advantageous that at least a portion of the interior of the upward tongue facing the upward wing is inclined upwards towards the upward wing, and / or at least a portion of the interior of the downward tongue facing the downward wing is inclined downwards towards the downward wing. Such a system is also known as a closed groove system, in which each groove of a tile panel holds or secures a complementary tongue of an adjacent tile panel, which results in a horizontal and vertical locking effect. In this case, an inverted embodiment, an open groove system is also conceivable. One or more first locking elements and one or more second locking elements can further improve the mutual locking of the interconnected tile panels.

[0030] Preferably, the first locking element comprises a projection and / or a groove, and wherein the second locking element comprises a projection and / or a groove. The groove is generally adapted to be at least partially accommodated in a groove of an adjacent coupling panel to achieve a locking connection, preferably a vertical locking connection. It is also conceivable that the first locking element and the second locking element are not formed by a projection-groove combination, but by another combination of co-acting profile surfaces and / or high friction contact surfaces. At least one of the first locking element and the second locking element preferably constitutes an integral part of the corresponding coupling profile. However, it is also conceivable that at least one of the first locking element and the second locking element is at least partially formed by a separate component, such as an elastic locking band, in particular an elastic polymer locking band.

[0031] In the above-described embodiments, it is conceivable that the first connecting profile (and / or the third connecting profile) and the second connecting profile (and / or the fourth connecting profile) are configured such that in the connected state there is a pretension force which forces the connected panels towards each other at their respective edges, wherein this is preferably performed by applying an overlapping profile of the first connecting profile (and / or the third connecting profile) and the second connecting profile (and / or the fourth connecting profile), in particular an overlapping profile of a downward tongue and an upward groove and / or an overlapping profile of an upward tongue and a downward groove, and wherein the first connecting profile The profile (and / or the third connecting profile) and the second connecting profile (and / or the fourth connecting profile) are configured so that the two panels can be connected to each other by a downward folding movement and / or a vertical movement, so that in the connected state, at least a portion of the downward tongue of the second connecting profile (and / or the fourth connecting profile) is inserted into the upward groove of the first connecting profile (and / or the third connecting profile), so that the downward tongue is clamped by the first connecting profile (and / or the third connecting profile), and / or the upward tongue is clamped by the second connecting profile (and / or the fourth connecting profile).

[0032] It is conceivable that the first connection profile is configured to cooperate with the second connection profile and the fourth connection profile, and the third connection profile is also configured to cooperate with the second connection profile and the fourth connection profile. It is conceivable that the first connection profile and the fourth connection profile are identical, and / or one of the first connection profile and / or the second connection profile is identical to one of the third connection profile and / or the fourth connection profile. It is particularly preferred that at least two connection profiles at the edges of adjacent floor panels are identical, preferably female connection profiles. This can allow the floor panels to be connected to each other in different directions. Thus, the second floor panel can be connected to the long edge of the adjacent first floor panel with a short edge, or vice versa. This can allow a more stable floor because it provides greater stability compared to a more standard stretcher bond or header bond or English bond or Flemish bond connection.

[0033] In an embodiment of the panels according to the invention, the first and / or third coupling profile comprises: a lateral tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side of the core, at least one second downward wing at a distance from the lateral tongue and / or connected to the lateral tongue, and optionally a second downward groove formed between the lateral tongue and the second downward wing, and wherein the second and / or fourth coupling profile comprises: a third groove configured to accommodate at least a portion of the lateral tongue of the third coupling profile of an adjacent panel, the third groove being defined by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein the lower lip is optionally provided with an upward locking element, wherein the third coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are configured such that two such panels can be coupled to each other by a rotational movement and / or a linear movement and / or a sliding movement, wherein, in the coupled state: at least a portion of the lateral tongue of a first base panel panel is inserted into the third groove of an adjacent second base panel panel, and wherein, if applicable, at least a portion of the optional upward locking element of the second base panel panel is inserted into the optional second downward groove of the first base panel panel.

[0034] It is conceivable that each first coupling profile, each third coupling profile is compatible with each second coupling profile, each fourth coupling profile and can therefore cooperate and interlock. This also applies to the case where the interlocking coupling profiles do not have completely complementary shapes.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, at least one coupling profile, and preferably all coupling profiles, are at least partially formed by the top layer and are thus an integral part of the top layer.

[0036] In the coupled state, the width of the (preferred) gap formed between the lower layers of adjacent floor panels is preferably substantially constant along the opposite edges of the lower layers of the coupled floor panels. Preferably, in the coupled state, the width of the gap formed between the lower layers of adjacent floor panels is between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 5 mm. This prevents abutment of adjacent bottom layers and can also result in adequate drainage properties. Preferably, at least a portion of the gap formed between the lower layers of the coupled panels is parallel and / or perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the panels. The gap formed between the three interlocking floor panels is preferably substantially L-shaped.

[0037] Preferably, at least one, preferably each, boundary end is substantially L-shaped. This generally requires that the top layer is oriented offset both in length and width relative to the bottom layer. Preferably, the difference in length between the bottom layer and the top layer is between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 1 and 6 mm. Preferably, the difference in width between the bottom layer and the top layer is between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 1 and 6 mm.

[0038] Preferably, the width and / or the offset distance of at least one border portion (preferably each border portion) is between 2cm and 20cm, preferably between 5cm and 30cm, preferably between 2cm and 20cm, more preferably between 4cm and 10cm, and most preferably between 8cm and 10cm. This relatively large offset distance is more conducive to balancing even larger underground defects in a relatively good manner. Therefore, a large offset distance stabilizes the interconnected floor panels in a desired flush (horizontal) orientation, which also leads to the desired stability of the combined floor. Another benefit of the border portions is that they provide a stable floor, reducing the swinging of the floor panels. It has been particularly found that the width and / or the offset distance of at least one border portion is between 5 and 10cm, more preferably between 8 and 10cm, providing significant support for at least one connecting profile, which can reduce the risk of connecting profile fracture. In addition, the border end allows to reduce or hinder the rotational freedom around the axis defined by at least one connecting profile. That is, if two adjacent panels are connected and a weight or force, for example exerted by a foot of a person or an animal, is applied to the connecting profile, this generally causes the panels to rotate a little relative to each other around the connecting profile axis. At least one boundary portion, in particular a boundary edge portion located below the at least one connecting profile, can distribute the weight and / or force and prevent the panels from rotating relative to each other. Thus, the boundary portion contributes to the overall stability of the floor panel. Preferably, the ratio between the thickness of the floor panel and the width of at least one boundary end is between 1:5-1:75, preferably between 1:5-1:40. However, a ratio between 1:3-1:5.5 or 1:2-4, or a combination of these values ​​or other values ​​based on the disclosed panel thickness and boundary end width.

[0039] The thickness of the floor panel is preferably between 4 and 40mm (including 4 and 40mm), more preferably between 4-20mm (including 4 and 40mm), particularly between 10-13mm (including 10 and 13mm). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other thicknesses such as 12mm, 18.6mm, 30mm or 40mm are also conceivable. Typically, the bottom layer and / or the top layer are substantially rectangular and / or rectangular. Preferably, the top layer and the bottom layer all have a rectangular shape. Preferably, the first coupling profile and the second coupling profile are located at the relative long edge of the top layer, and the optional third coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are preferably located at the relative short edge of the top layer.

[0040] Preferably, the upper edge area of ​​at least two edges, preferably all edges, of the top layer is shown to have a bevel or other chamfer and / or a right angle. These bevels and / or other chamfers can be small and can, for example, have a total bevel width of less than 0.5 mm. These small bevels and / or chamfers are also referred to as micro-bevels and / or micro-cavities. Generally, square corners are preferred because this allows the formation of a substantially continuous top surface. However, it is difficult to produce these products if the material at the edge does not curl upwards, which may cause (even a little) damage to the smoothness of the top surface. This interruption requires a grinding action of the floor, otherwise these upwardly curled parts may be noticed through the decorative floor. The width of the bevel and / or chamfer is preferably less than 0.25 mm, in particular measured from the starting point of the bevel to the nearest panel edge. Preferably, the bevel or other chamfer is less than 0.1 mm. Two facing bevels, each with a bevel dimension of 0.25 mm or less, will produce a V-shaped groove with a maximum groove width of 0.5 mm or less in the joined state of adjacent floor panels, which is found to be practically invisible through the installed decorative floor. These (micro) bevel applications can prevent and / or fine-tune undesirable small, obvious height differences and / or ridges between adjacent panels. In particular for thin decorative floors installed on top of the floor according to the invention, it is important that the height differences cannot be seen in the decorative floor. The thin decorative floor can be, for example, a linoleum floor or a thin PVC floor, preferably with a thickness of at most 10 mm or even 5 mm. In this regard, the edges where the floor panels are connected to each other are the most critical, because this is usually where appearances or irregularities may form. Because these cracks or interruptions will pass through the decorative floor, which is obviously undesirable, a grinding action of the floor is required. The bevel or other chamfer according to the invention has been proven to provide a smooth top surface, which does not require grinding of the top surface.

[0041] Preferably, at least the bottom layer comprises one or more grooves and / or cavities and / or through holes, such as one or more channels, grooves, slits or slots and / or embossed patterns. Preferably, these grooves and / or cavities and / or through holes are arranged in a pattern. The grooves can be provided, for example, by calendering and / or embossing and / or milling and / or drilling. Providing grooves can reduce the weight of the bottom plate groove. In addition, it can help to reduce noise and allow air circulation under the grooves, which is beneficial for certain applications. It is conceivable that one or more grooves extend at least partially, optionally completely, through the top layer of the bottom plate groove. In particular, in the case of through holes, the hole can extend all the way through the bottom layer and the top layer.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the base layer is provided with a primer, preferably a primer that is impermeable to water and / or moisture. This may protect the baseboard panels from moisture that may be present in or under the floor or structure to which the baseboard is installed. This may help to increase the life of the baseboard panels.

[0043] Preferably, the floor panel, preferably the top surface and / or the bottom surface of at least one floor panel layer, more preferably the top surface of the top layer of the floor panel, is provided with at least one heating layer for generating and / or dissipating heat, preferably wherein at least one heating layer comprises at least a portion of electrically conductive particles, such as metal and / or graphite, for generating resistive heating. It is conceivable that the heating layer at least partially extends onto at least one panel side edge, and / or wherein at least one heating layer covers at least a portion of at least one bevel or other chamfer and / or right angle. It is also conceivable that the heating layer at least partially extends onto the first and / or second connecting profile. This is particularly beneficial because this can allow (electrical) contact to be established between the floor panels via the connecting profile. Preferably, the type of heat generated is resistive heat. Therefore, it is conceivable that, in particular, a resistive heating coating and / or varnish is applied, such as graphite comprising a resistive coating or varnish. Preferably, the electrically conductive particles are dispersed in a carrier of the heating layer so that the heating layer is electrically conductive. Preferably, the resistance of the heating layer is such that a predetermined amount of heat can be generated, which is suitable, for example, for domestic applications and is preferably safe to touch. To this end, at least one connector can be provided, which is connected to the heating layer and can be connected to a power source for providing (electricity) to the heating layer. It is conceivable that the resistivity value is between 0.05 ohm per square meter and 50 ohm per square meter, preferably measured at a thickness of about 50 μm. However, depending on the application, resistivity values ​​between 100 and 1500 ohm / m 2 It is also conceivable that there is something in between.

[0044] Optionally, at least one seam sealant and / or the heating layer and / or at least one connector are arranged on at least a portion of at least one edge of the floor panel so that in the connected state of adjacent floor panels, an electrical connection is established between the heating layers of adjacent floor panels. Preferably, the seam sealant contains conductive particles. Such a seam sealant can provide a more waterproof connection between adjacent panels. In addition, by adding conductive particles to the seam sealant, the seam sealant can be used as an electrical connection between the heating layers of adjacent panels in the connected state. It is also conceivable that the conductive material is provided on at least two connecting profiles. Preferably, each connecting profile is coated with conductive material. Preferably, the conductive material covers at least one, preferably at least two, in particular at least a portion of each connecting profile and extends to, in particular upwards to the heating layer. Preferably, at least a border overlapping the heating layer is established so that an electrical contact is formed between the conductive material and the heating layer. Preferably, at least one connector included in the floor panel can be formed by a conductive strip, such as a metal strip or other conductive connecting element.

[0045] Preferably, at least one upper portion of the first top layer edge and / or the second top layer edge is at least substantially vertical. It is also conceivable that, in the coupled state, at least one upper portion of the first top layer edge and / or the second top layer edge contacts an upper portion of a corresponding first top layer edge and / or second top layer edge of an adjacent panel. This may contribute to a flatter top surface of the adjacent floor panel in the coupled state. Preferably, the top surface of the top layer is substantially flush with the top surface of the top layer of the adjacent floor panel in the coupled state, at least along a portion of at least one edge.

[0046] The invention also relates to a floor system comprising a plurality of connected floor panels according to the invention.

[0047] Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following non-limiting terms.

[0048] 1. A floor panel for use underneath a decorative floor covering, in particular a floating decorative floor covering consisting of a plurality of decorative floor panels, comprising:

[0049] - a top layer having a top surface and a bottom surface,

[0050] - a bottom layer having a top surface and a bottom surface,

[0051] - the top surface of the bottom layer is adhered to the bottom surface of the top layer so that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in the length and / or width direction so that the top surface of the boundary end of the bottom layer and the bottom surface of the boundary end of the top layer are both exposed,

[0052] wherein the length and / or width of the bottom layer is less than the length and / or width of the top layer, a gap is created between the bottom layer of the floor panel and the bottom layer of an adjacent floor panel, and wherein the top layer comprises:

[0053] - at a first top layer edge comprising a first joining profile, and

[0054] - at a second top layer edge, preferably opposite the first top layer edge, comprising a second coupling profile designed to interlockingly engage with said first coupling profile of the top layer of an adjacent floor panel in horizontal and / or vertical direction.

[0055] 2. A floor panel according to clause 1, wherein the top layer consists of a single layer of material.

[0056] 3. A floor panel according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the top surface of the top layer defines an upper surface of the floor panel.

[0057] 4. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one border portion, preferably all border portions, are free of any adhesive.

[0058] 5. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one border portion is provided with adhesive.

[0059] 6. The floor panel of clause 5, wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0060] 7. The floor panel of clause 6, wherein the panel further comprises a removable release film initially covering the pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0061] 8. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the top layer is preferably directly adhered to the bottom layer.

[0062] 9. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the top layer is adhered to the bottom layer by a thermoplastic adhesive, preferably polyvinyl acetate.

[0063] 10. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the bottom layer consists of a single layer of material.

[0064] 11. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the base layer defines the bottom surface of the floor panel.

[0065] 12. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the base layer is covered by a backing layer such as a cork layer and / or a foam layer.

[0066] 13. A floor panel according to claim 12, wherein the backing layer is at least partially composed of at least one material selected from: preferably a low-density ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam layer, radiation cross-linked polyethylene (IXPE), expanded polypropylene (XPP), expanded polystyrene (XPS), a non-woven material and / or a woven material, preferably with fibers, for example fibers made from natural fibers such as hemp or cork, and / or recycled and / or recyclable materials such as PET.

[0067] 14. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of at least one material selected from the group consisting of bamboo, hemp, wood, wood fiber, MDF, LDF, HDF and plywood.

[0068] 15. Floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of at least one material selected from the group consisting of mineral materials such as magnesium oxide, gypsum, concrete, clay, talc and / or calcium carbonate.

[0069] 16. A base panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the top layer and / or the bottom layer is at least partially composed of at least one polymer material, preferably at least one thermoplastic material, more preferably at least one thermoplastic material selected from: PVC, PET, PP, PS, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), PE, in particular MDPE and / or HDPE and combinations thereof.

[0070] 17. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the top layer and / or bottom layer at least partially consists of a mixture of new and recycled polymer materials.

[0071] 18. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of a waterproof material.

[0072] 19. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the boundary end is substantially L-shaped.

[0073] 20. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first coupling profile comprises:

[0074] ● First upward tongue,

[0075] ● at least one first upward wing located at a distance from the upward tongue,

[0076] ●a first upward groove formed between the first upward tongue and the first upward wing, wherein the first upward groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of a second downward tongue of a second coupling profile of an adjacent panel, and

[0077] ● Preferably, at least one first locking element is, more preferably, arranged on a distal side of the first upward tongue away from the upward wing,

[0078] and wherein the second joint profile comprises:

[0079] ● The second downward tongue,

[0080] ● at least one second downward flank located at a distance from the downward tongue,

[0081] ● a second downward groove formed between the downward tongue and the downward wing, wherein the downward groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of the upward tongue of the first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, and

[0082] ● Preferably, at least one second locking element is adapted to interact with a first locking element of an adjacent panel, said second locking element being more preferably arranged at a downward flank.

[0083] 21. A floor panel according to claim 20, wherein the first connecting profile and the second connecting profile are configured so that two such panels can be connected to each other by a rotational movement and / or by a vertical movement; and / or wherein, in the connected state of adjacent panels, the first connecting profile of a panel and the second connecting profile of an adjacent panel are constructed so that two such panels can be separated from each other by a rotational movement and / or by a vertical movement and / or by a horizontal movement.

[0084] 22. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the floor panel comprises at least one third joining profile and at least one fourth joining profile located at a third top layer edge and a fourth top layer panel edge, respectively, wherein the third joining profile comprises:

[0085] ● a lateral tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to a plane defined by the floor panel,

[0086] ● at least one third downward flank located at a distance from the lateral tongue and / or connected to the lateral tongue, and

[0087] ● Optionally, a third downward groove is formed between the lateral tongue and the third downward wing,

[0088] Therein, the third coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are configured such that two such panels can be coupled to each other by a rotational movement and / or a sliding movement and / or a linear movement.

[0089] 23. A base panel according to claim 22, wherein the fourth connecting profile includes a fourth groove, the fourth groove being configured to accommodate at least a portion of a lateral tongue of a third connecting profile of an adjacent panel, the fourth groove being defined by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein the lower lip is optionally provided with an upward locking element, wherein, in the connected state: at least a portion of the lateral tongue of a first panel is inserted into the fourth groove of an adjacent second panel, and wherein at least a portion of the optional upward locking element of the second panel is inserted into an optional third downward groove of the first panel.

[0090] 24. A base panel according to claim 23, wherein a fourth locking arrangement is arranged on the far side of an upward locking element facing away from a fourth groove, wherein the fourth locking element is configured to cooperate with a locking element of a complementary connecting profile, in particular a second locking element of a second connecting profile of another panel, in a connected state of the panel.

[0091] 25. Floor panel according to any of the clauses 22-24, wherein the first joining profile and the fourth joining profile are identical.

[0092] 26. Panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein in a coupled state, the width of a gap formed between lower layers of adjacent floor panels is substantially constant along opposite edges of the lower layers of the coupled floor panels.

[0093] 27. Panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein in the coupled state the gap formed between the lower layers of adjacent floor panels has a width lying between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 5 mm.

[0094] 28. Floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least a portion of the gap formed between the lower layers of joining panels extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the panel.

[0095] 29. A panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least a portion of the gap formed between the lower layers of joining panels extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the panel.

[0096] 30. A base plate according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the difference in length between the bottom layer and the top layer is between 1 and 15 mm, preferably between 1 and 10 mm, more preferably between 1 and 6 mm.

[0097] 31. A base plate according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the width difference between the bottom layer and the top layer is between 1 and 15 mm, preferably between 1 and 10 mm, more preferably between 1 and 6 mm.

[0098] 32. A floor according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the floor panel thickness is between 4 and 20 mm, more preferably between 10 and 15 mm.

[0099] 33. A base plate according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the bottom layer and / or the top layer is substantially rectangular.

[0100] 34. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the upper edge region of at least two edges, preferably all edges, of the top layer has a bevel or other chamfer.

[0101] 35. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the width of each bevel or other chamfer is less than 0.5 mm.

[0102] 36. The panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the width of at least one border portion is between 2 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 10 cm.

[0103] 37. Floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least the bottom layer comprises one or more recesses, such as channels and / or through holes and / or an embossed pattern.

[0104] 38. The floor panel according to clause 37, wherein the one or more grooves extend at least partially, optionally completely, through the top layer of the floor panel.

[0105] 39. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the base layer is provided with a primer, preferably a primer that is impermeable to water and / or moisture.

[0106] 40. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the floor panel, preferably the top surface and / or the bottom surface of the floor panel, more preferably the top surface of the top layer, is provided with at least one heating layer for generating and / or dissipating heat, preferably, wherein the at least one heating layer comprises at least a portion of electrically conductive particles, such as metal and / or graphite, for generating resistive heating.

[0107] 41. The floor panel according to one of clauses 34 or 35 and 40, wherein the at least one heating layer covers at least a portion of at least one bevel or other chamfer and / or right angle.

[0108] 42. A floor panel according to any one of clauses 40-41, wherein at least one conductive seam sealant and / or the heating layer and / or connecting element are arranged on at least a portion of at least one edge of the floor panel, so that when adjacent floor panels are connected, an electrical connection is established between the heating layers of adjacent floor panels.

[0109] 43. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least an upper portion of the first top layer edge and / or the second top layer edge is at least substantially vertical, the upper portion optionally being located below a bevel or chamfer (if applicable).

[0110] 44. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein in a coupled state at least one upper portion of a first top layer edge and / or a second top layer edge is in contact with an upper portion of a corresponding first top layer edge or second top layer edge of an adjacent panel.

[0111] 45. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein a top surface of the top layer is substantially flush with a top surface of a top layer of an adjacent floor panel in a coupled state, at least along a portion of at least one edge.

[0112] 46. ​​The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first and second coupling profiles are free of adhesive at least in the joining location.

[0113] 47. A floor panel according to the preceding clause, wherein the top surface of the floor panel, in particular the top layer of the floor panel, is substantially free of a decorative layer and / or an embossed structure.

[0114] 48. The floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the floor panel to the width of at least one boundary end is between 1:5-1:75, preferably between 1:5-1:74.

[0115] 49. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of at least one polymer material, preferably at least one thermoplastic material and at least one additive selected from the following materials: mineral materials such as magnesium oxide, gypsum, concrete, clay, talc, chalk, wood, graphene, graphite, glass, rice and / or calcium carbonate; embedded in the polymer material, in particular the thermoplastic material.

[0116] 50. A floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of a mineral material, preferably rich in fibres, such as fibre cement, gypsum and / or magnesium oxide.

[0117] 51. Floor panel according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first coupling profile and the second coupling profile are configured for coupling adjacent floor panels in such a way that the coupled floor panels are fixed relative to each other without play.

[0118] 52. Flooring system comprising a plurality of coupled floor panels according to any of the preceding clauses. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0119] The invention will be explained on the basis of the following non-limiting exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0120] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A panel according to the invention is schematically shown,

[0121] Figure 2 Is Figure 1a A cross-sectional view represented by section AA' in FIG. 1 , in particular a cross-sectional view of the top layer;

[0122] Figure 3 Is Figure 1a A cross-sectional view represented by section BB' in FIG. 1 , in particular a cross-sectional view of the top layer;

[0123] Figure 4a and Figure 4b Schematically shows two panels according to the invention in a coupled state;

[0124] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a bottom panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0125] Figure 6 shows different cross-sectional views of a base panel according to the invention; and

[0126] Figure 7 Three bottom panels are shown in a joined state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0127] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A panel 1 according to the invention is schematically shown. Figure 1a A front view of a substantially rectangular panel 1 is shown. Figure 1bA rear view of a substantially rectangular panel 1 is shown. The panel 1 comprises an upper layer 2 and a lower layer 3, which may also be referred to as a top layer 2 and a bottom layer 3. The lower layer 3 is moved relative to the upper layer 2. The upper layer 2 comprises a first pair of opposing edges, in particular a first edge 4 and a complementary second edge 5, located on the long sides of the panel 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper layer 2 also comprises a second pair of opposing edges, in particular a third edge 6 and a complementary fourth edge 7, located on the short sides of the panel 1. The upper layer 2 is exposed to the external environment. The upper layer 2 may be in contact with a cushioning layer, on top of which a covering of a decorative panel is applied. In another embodiment, the upper layer 2 is directly in contact with the covering of the decorative panel. Figure 3 4 shows cross sections along lines AA' and BB'. The top surface of the bottom layer 3 is adhered to the bottom surface of the top layer 2 so that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in length and / or width direction, thereby exposing the top surface of the boundary end 19 of the bottom layer 3 and the bottom surface of the boundary end of the top layer.

[0128] Figure 2 Is Figure 1a1-1 . In this non-limiting cross-sectional view, only the top layer 2 of the floor panel 1 is shown. In this cross section, the shapes of the complementary first edge 104 and the second edge 105 are shown in detail. The first edge 104 comprises a lateral tongue 109 integrally connected to the upper layer 102 of the panel 100. By means of the vertical dashed line, the boundary between the lateral tongue 109 and the upper layer 102 can be seen. The front region 109a of the lateral tongue 109 is provided with a circular bottom surface 110. The outer end of the circular bottom surface 110 abuts an inclined locking surface 111. The opposite end of the circular bottom surface 110 abuts a support surface 112, which forms part of the rear region 109b of the lateral tongue 109. The second edge 105 of the panel 100 comprises an upper lip 113 and a lower lip 114 defining a groove 115. The two lips 113, 114 are integrally connected to the upper layer 102 of the panel 100. By means of the vertical dashed lines, the border between the lips 113, 114 and the upper layer 102 can be seen. The width of the upper lip 113 is significantly smaller than the width of the lower lip 114. The shape of the groove 115 is complementary to the shape of the lateral tongue 109. More specifically, the top surface 116 of the rear region 114a of the lower lip 114 has a (complementary) rounded shape, configured to cooperate with the rounded front region 109a of the lateral tongue 109, while the front region 114b of the lower lip 114 is provided with an upwardly protruding shoulder 117, configured to cooperate with the bearing surface 112 of the lateral tongue 109. The lower surface 118 of the upper lip 113 is inclined and corresponds to the locking surface 111 of the lateral tongue 109. The locking at the first edge 105 and the second edge 106 of the adjacent panels 100 is achieved by inserting the lateral tongue 109 of the panel 100 to be connected into the groove 115, wherein the panels 100 are initially held in an inclined position. After the lateral tongue 109 is inserted into the groove, the panels 100 to be connected will be pivoted (angled) downwards about an axis parallel to the first edge 104 until both panels 101 are positioned in the same generally horizontal plane, wherein the locking surface 111 of the lateral tongue 109 will engage the locking surface of the upper lip 118, and wherein at least the bottom front portion is substantially positively received in the groove 115, and wherein the bearing surface 112 is supported by the shoulder 117. The locking at the first edge 104 and the second edge 105 results in the locking of the connected panels 100 in the horizontal and vertical directions. The downwardly angled locking principle of the first edge 104 and the second edge 105 is a relatively easy locking principle which greatly facilitates the mutual coupling of the panels at these edges 104 , 105 .

[0129] Figure 3 Is Figure 1a. In this non-limiting cross-sectional view, only the top layer 102 of the floor panel 100 is shown. In this cross section, the shapes of the complementary third edge 106 and the fourth edge 107 are shown in detail. The third edge 106 includes an upward tongue 119, an upward flank 120 and an upward groove 121 formed between the upward tongue 119 and the upward flank 120. The upward tongue 119 is connected to the upper layer 102 by a bridge 122, which is preferably elastic to a certain extent. The side 119a of the upward tongue 119 facing the upward flank 120 extends in the direction of the normal N1 of the upper side 110 of the upper layer 102. Therefore, the tangent R1 and the normal N1 of the upper side 110 of the upper layer 102 are oriented towards each other (convergent orientation), wherein in this exemplary embodiment, the angle enclosed by R1 and N1 is preferably between 0 degrees and 10 degrees. Due to the convergent orientation of the upward wing 120 and the side 119a of the upward tongue 119 facing the upward wing 120, the upward groove 122 is a closed groove, which can be approached to a complementary counterpart only by deformation of the upward tongue 119 and / or the bridge 122. The other side 119b of the upward tongue 119 facing the upward wing 120 forms or can form an alignment edge, so that the connection with the adjacent floor panel 100 can be easily achieved. As shown in the figure, this side 119b serving as an alignment edge faces away from the normal N1 of the upper side 110 of the upper layer 102. However, the upper side 119d of the upward tongue 119 does extend in the direction of the normal N1 of the upper side 110 of the upper layer 102, and extends obliquely downward in the direction of the side 119e of the upward tongue 119 facing away from the upward wing 120. Such chamfering provides the option of giving the complementary fourth edge 107 a more solid and therefore more rigid form. A portion of the side 119e of the upward tongue 119 facing away from the upward flank 120 is oriented substantially vertically and is also provided with an outward projection 123. The lower portion 120a of the upward flank 120 is oriented diagonally, while the upper portion 120b of the upward flank 120 is shown to be substantially vertical and forms a stop surface for the fourth edge 107. Between the inclined portion 120a and the substantially vertical portion 120b of the upward flank, additional coupling elements, in particular additional projections 124, are provided. In this exemplary embodiment, the lower wall portion 121a of the upward groove 121 is oriented substantially horizontally. The fourth edge 107 is substantially complementary to the third edge 106. The fourth edge 107 comprises a downward tongue 125, a downward flank 126 and a downward groove 127 formed between the downward tongue 125 and the downward flank 126. The downward tongue 125 is connected to the upper layer 102 by a bridge 128, which preferably has a certain degree of elasticity. The side 125a of the downward tongue 125 facing the downward wing 126 is located in the direction of the normal N2 of the lower side 111 of the upper layer 102.This means that the tangent R2 of the side 125a of the downward tongue 125 and the normal to the lower side 111 of the upper layer 102 converge with each other, wherein in this exemplary embodiment, the angle enclosed by R2 and N2 is preferably between 0 and 10 degrees. More preferably, the inclination of R1 is the same as the inclination of R2; therefore, R1 and R2 are preferably parallel. Due to the convergent orientation of the downward flank 126 and the side 125a of the downward tongue 125 facing the downward flank 126, the downward groove 127 is a closed groove, which is only accessible to the upward tongue 119 of the adjacent panel 100 by deformation of the downward tongue 125 and / or the bridge 128, so that the entrance of the downward groove can be widened (temporarily). The side 125b of the downward tongue 125 facing away from the downward wing 126 is diagonally oriented but has a flatter orientation than the complementary side 120a of the upward wing 120, whereby a gap (air space) will be formed at the coupling location, which will generally facilitate the coupling between the two floor panels 100. The inclined side 125b of the downward tongue 125 also serves as an alignment edge to further facilitate the coupling between the two panels 100. The other side 125c facing away from the downward wing 126 takes a substantially vertical form, although a small cavity 129 is provided, which is configured to cooperate with the additional protrusion 124 of the other panel 100. The top of the side 125c facing away from the downward wing face 126 forms a complementary stop surface to the stop surface 120b of the upward wing face 120 (of the adjacent floor panel). The downward flank 126 is oriented substantially vertically and is provided with a groove 130 adapted to receive the outward projection 123 of the upward tongue 119 (of an adjacent panel).

[0130] Figure 4a and Figure 4b A front view of two connected panels 10 according to the invention is schematically shown. Figure 4aIn the figure, the panels 10 are connected at the long sides of the panels 10. In the figure, the panel edges 6, 16, 106 and the panel edges 7, 17, 107 of the upper layer 12 of the panels 10 are connected at the long sides of the panels 10. Between the lower layers 13 of the panels 10, a gap 18 is formed in the connected state of the panels 10. The gap 18 extends in the same direction as the extension direction of the interactive connection profile of the panel edge in the connected state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the gap 18 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the connected panels 10. In the connected state, the width of the gap 18 is substantially equal along the extension direction of the interactive connection profile of the panel edge. Therefore, in this embodiment, the width of the gap 18 is substantially equal along the longitudinal direction. The figure also shows that the floor panels 10 are adjacent in such a way that there is basically no gap between the top layers (or upper layers) 12 of the connected floor panels 10. This provides the best stability for the decorative panel placed on the top surface of the top layer 12. The top surface of the bottom layer 13 is adhered to the bottom surface of the top layer 12 so that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in the length and / or width direction, thereby exposing the top surface of the boundary end 19 of the bottom layer 13 and the bottom surface of the boundary end of the top layer. Figure 4a In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the boundary end 19 of the floor panel 10 shown at the bottom is at least partially located below the top layer 12 of the floor panel 10 shown at the top. Thus, such a boundary end 19 can define a stable support.

[0131] exist Figure 4b In the figure, the panels 10 are connected along the short sides of the panels 10. In the figure, the panel edges 4, 14, 104 and the panel edges 5, 15, 105 of the upper layer 12 of the panels 10 are connected at the short sides of the panels 10. Between the lower layer 13 of the panels 10, a gap 18 is formed in the connected state of the panels 10. The gap 18 extends in the same direction as the extension direction of the interacting coupling profiles of the panel edges in the connected state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the gap 18 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connected panels 10. In the connected state, the width of the gap 18 is substantially equal along the extension direction of the interacting coupling profiles of the panel edges. Therefore, in this embodiment, the width of the gap 18 is substantially equal along the transverse direction. The figure also shows that the floor panels 10 are adjacent in such a way that there is substantially no gap between the top layer (or upper layer) 12 of the connected floor panels 10. This provides optimal stability for the decorative panel placed on the top surface of the top layer 12. In Figure 4b In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the boundary end 19 of the floor panel 10 shown at the top is at least partially located below the top layer 12 of the floor panel 10 shown at the bottom. Thus, in this way of connecting adjacent floor panels 10, a stable support can be defined by such boundary ends 19.

[0132] Figure 5A non-limiting embodiment of a floor panel 100 according to the present invention is shown. The floor panel 100 comprises a top layer and a bottom layer 103. Here, the top layer 102 and the bottom layer 103 are schematically shown. A portion of the bottom layer 103 extends beyond the top layer 139, thereby exposing the top surface of the boundary end 139 of the bottom layer 103. Preferably, the upper portions 134, 135 of the first top layer edge 104 and the second top layer edge 105 are substantially vertical. Therefore, in the connected state of adjacent floor panels 100, the substantially vertical portions 134, 135 allow a substantially flush top surface 140 to be formed between adjacent panels 100. It is conceivable that the top layer 102, in particular its top surface, is provided with a heating layer 137. The heating layer can be a material layer containing conductive particles. This can allow the formation of a resistive heating layer 137. The resistive heating layer 137 can be applied in the form of a coating and / or a varnish. The first panel edge 104 and the second panel edge 105 comprise complementary coupling profiles 131, 132, allowing to interlockingly engage with each other to establish locking of the coupled floor panels in horizontal and vertical directions. Here, the first coupling profile 131 on the first panel edge 104 is formed by a lateral tongue 131, which is configured to cooperate with the second coupling profile 132 of the second panel edge 105 of the adjacent floor panel 100. In particular, the lateral tongue 131 of the first panel edge 104 can be received by the groove 132 of the second panel edge 105 of the adjacent floor panel 100.

[0133] Figure 6 Shows the preferred Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the same floor panel 100 is shown, wherein Figure 6 The cross section shown is preferably perpendicular to Figure 5The cross section shown. Thus, the figure represents, for example, a third panel edge 106 and a fourth panel edge 107. For illustrative purposes, the heating layer 137 is not shown in the figure, but may exist anyway. Indicated is a bevel 136 or other chamfer 136 applied to the edge of the upper layer 102. In particular, the bevel 136 shown is a micro-bevel. The width D1, D2 of the bevel is preferably at most 0.5mm, more preferably at most 0.25mm. When two floor panels 100 are connected to each other, adjacent bevels 136 may form a V-shape. Preferably, the maximum width is less than 0.5mm. It is observed that bevels of this size are not visible in (thin) decorative floors installed on the floor. In the figure, the third connecting profile 133 and the fourth connecting profile 132 are respectively arranged on the third panel edge 106 and the fourth panel edge 107. Here, the fourth connecting profile 132 is substantially the same as the second connecting profile 132 of the second panel edge 105. This allows the floor panels 100 to be connected in a more diverse manner. That is, the first coupling profile 131 or each of the first coupling profile 131, the third coupling profile 133 can be coupled to any of the second coupling profile or the fourth coupling profile 132, which allows the short edge of the first panel to be coupled to the short edge of the adjacent panel or the long edge of the adjacent panel. In this way, greater stability can be provided.

[0134] Figure 7 Three interlocking floor panels 100 according to the invention are shown. Here, it is also indicated that the first joining profile 131 and the third joining profile 133 can be received by either of the same second or fourth joining profiles 132. The figure also shows that the heating layers 137 provided on at least two floor panels 100 mutually form a heating surface 138. The heating surface 138 can be established by, for example, an electrically conductive joint sealant, which can be applied in the joints between the floor panels comprising the heating layer 137. The top surface 140 formed by the interconnected floor panels 100 is essentially flush, or at least does not require post-laying sanding actions.

[0135] The above-described inventive concepts have been described by means of several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that in doing so, individual inventive concepts may be applied without applying other details of the described examples. It is not necessary to describe in detail all possible combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as those skilled in the art will appreciate that many inventive concepts may be (re)combined to achieve a particular application.

[0136] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described herein, but many variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims, which will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

[0137] The verb "to comprise" and its conjugations as used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only "to include", but also the phrases "to include", "to consist essentially of", "to be formed of", and their conjugations.

Claims

1. A floor panel for use underneath a decorative floor covering, in particular a floor panel for use underneath a floating decorative floor covering consisting of a plurality of decorative floor panels, comprising: - a top layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, - a bottom layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, - the top surface of the bottom layer is adhered to the bottom surface of the top layer so that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in the length and / or width direction so that the top surface of the boundary end of the bottom layer and the bottom surface of the boundary end of the top layer are both exposed, wherein the bottom layer has a length and / or width that is smaller than the length and / or width of the top layer, creating a gap between the bottom layer of the floor panel and the bottom layer of an adjacent floor panel, and wherein the top layer comprises: - at a first top layer edge comprising a first joining profile, and - at a second top layer edge, preferably opposite said first top layer edge, comprising a second coupling profile, said second coupling profile being designed to interlockingly engage with said first coupling profile of a top layer of an adjacent floor panel in horizontal and vertical direction.

2. The floor panel according to claim 1, wherein The top layer consists of a single layer of material.

3. The floor panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The top surface of the top layer defines an upper surface of the floor panel.

4. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least one border portion, preferably all border portions, are free of any adhesive.

5. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least one border portion has an adhesive.

6. The floor panel according to claim 5, wherein The adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

7. The floor panel according to claim 6, wherein The floor panel also includes a removable release film initially covering the pressure sensitive adhesive.

8. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top layer is preferably adhered directly to the bottom layer.

9. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top layer is adhered to the bottom layer by a thermoplastic adhesive, preferably polyvinyl acetate.

10. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The bottom layer is composed of a single material layer.

11. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least a portion of the bottom surface of the base layer defines a bottom surface of the floor panel.

12. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least a portion of the bottom surface of the base layer is covered by a backing layer, such as a cork layer and / or a foam layer.

13. The floor panel of claim 12, wherein: The backing layer is at least partially composed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of: preferably a low-density ethylene-vinyl acetate EVA foam layer, radiation cross-linked polyethylene IXPE, expanded polypropylene XPP, expanded polystyrene XPS, non-woven materials and / or woven materials, preferably with fibers, for example fibers made from natural fibers such as hemp or cork and / or recycled and / or recyclable materials such as PET.

14. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of at least one material selected from the group consisting of bamboo, hemp, wood, wood fiber, MDF, LDF, HDF and plywood.

15. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of at least one material selected from the group consisting of: mineral materials, such as magnesium oxide, gypsum, concrete, clay, talc and / or calcium carbonate.

16. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top layer and / or bottom layer is at least partially composed of at least one polymer material, preferably at least one thermoplastic material, more preferably at least one thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of: PVC, PET, PP, PS, thermoplastic polyurethane TPU, PE, in particular MDPE and / or HDPE and combinations thereof.

17. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of a mixture of new and recycled polymeric materials.

18. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of a waterproof material.

19. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The boundary end is substantially L-shaped.

20. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first coupling profile comprises: - a first upward tongue, - at least one first upward flank, located at a distance from the upward tongue, - a first upward groove formed between the first upward tongue and the first upward flank, wherein the first upward groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of a second downward tongue of a second coupling profile of an adjacent panel, and - preferably, at least one first locking element is, more preferably, arranged on a distal side of the first upward tongue away from the upward wing, and wherein the second coupling profile comprises: - a second downward tongue, - at least one second downward flank, located at a distance from the downward tongue, - a second downward groove formed between the downward tongue and the downward wing, wherein the downward groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of the upward tongue of the first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, and - Preferably, at least one second locking element is adapted to interact with a first locking element of an adjacent panel, said second locking element being more preferably arranged on a downward flank.

21. The floor panel of claim 20, wherein The first connecting profile and the second connecting profile are configured so that two such panels can be connected to each other by a rotational movement and / or by a vertical movement; and / or wherein, in the connected state of adjacent panels, the first connecting profile of the base panel and the second connecting profile of the adjacent base panel are constructed so that two such base panels can be separated from each other by a rotational movement and / or by a vertical movement and / or by a horizontal movement.

22. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The floor panel comprises at least one third coupling profile and at least one fourth coupling profile at a third top layer edge and a fourth top layer floor panel edge, respectively, preferably wherein the fourth coupling profile is designed to interlockingly engage with the third coupling profile of the top layer of an adjacent floor panel in horizontal direction and / or vertical direction, preferably only in vertical direction, wherein the third coupling profile comprises: - a lateral tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to a plane defined by the upper side of said floor panel and / or core, - at least one third downward flank located at a distance from said lateral tongue and / or connected to said lateral tongue, and - preferably, a third downward groove is formed between said lateral tongue and said third downward wing, Therein, the third coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are configured such that two such floor panels can be coupled to one another by a rotational movement and / or a sliding movement and / or a linear movement.

23. The floor panel of claim 22, wherein The fourth connecting profile comprises a fourth groove, which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of a lateral tongue of a third connecting profile of an adjacent floor panel, the fourth groove being defined by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein the lower lip is preferably provided with an upward locking element, wherein, in a connected state: at least a portion of the lateral tongue of a first floor panel is inserted into the fourth groove of an adjacent second floor panel, and wherein at least a portion of the optional upward locking element of the second floor panel is inserted into an optional third downward groove of the first floor panel.

24. The floor panel of claim 23, wherein A fourth locking piece is arranged on the far side of the upward locking element facing away from the fourth groove, wherein the fourth locking element is configured to cooperate with a locking element of a complementary coupling profile, in particular with a second locking element of a second coupling profile of another floor panel in the coupled state of the floor panels.

25. The floor panel according to any one of claims 22-24, wherein The first coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are identical and / or wherein one of the first coupling profile and / or the second coupling profile is identical to one of the third coupling profile and / or the fourth coupling profile.

26. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein In the coupled state, the width of the gap formed between the lower layers of adjacent floor panels is substantially constant along the opposite edges of the lower layers of the coupled floor panels.

27. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein In the joined state, the width of the gap formed between the lower layers of adjacent floor panels lies between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 5 mm.

28. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least a portion of the gap formed between the lower layers of coupled floor panels extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the floor panels.

29. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least a portion of the gap formed between the lower layers of the coupled floor panels extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the floor panels.

30. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The difference in length between the bottom layer and the top layer is between 1 and 15 mm, preferably between 1 and 10 mm, more preferably between 1 and 6 mm.

31. The floor panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the width difference between the bottom layer and the top layer is between 1 and 15 mm, preferably between 1 and 10 mm, more preferably between 1 and 6 mm.

32. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The thickness of the floor panel is between 4 and 40 mm, preferably between 4 and 20 mm, more preferably between 10 and 15 mm.

33. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The bottom layer and / or the top layer may be substantially rectangular.

34. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least two edges, preferably all edges, of the top layer have bevels or other chamfers and / or right angles in their upper edge regions.

35. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The width of each bevel or other chamfer is less than 0.5 mm, in particular less than 0.25 mm, preferably measured in horizontal direction from the start of said bevel or other chamfer to the top layer of the adjacent floor panel.

36. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The width of at least one border portion is between 2 cm and 30 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 10 cm, more preferably between 4 cm and 10 cm, most preferably between 8 cm and 10 cm.

37. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least the bottom layer comprises one or more recesses, such as channels and / or through-holes and / or an embossed pattern.

38. The floor panel of claim 37, wherein The one or more grooves extend at least partially, optionally completely, through the top layer of the floor panel.

39. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least a portion of the bottom surface of the base layer is provided with a primer, preferably a primer that is impermeable to water and / or moisture.

40. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The floor panel, preferably the top surface and / or the bottom surface of the floor panel layer, more preferably the top surface of the top layer, is provided with at least one heating layer for generating and / or dissipating heat, preferably wherein the at least one heating layer comprises at least a portion of electrically conductive particles, such as metal and / or graphite, for generating resistive heating.

41. The floor panel according to any one of claims 34 or 35 and 40, wherein The at least one heating layer covers at least a portion of at least one bevel or other chamfer and / or right angle.

42. The floor panel according to any one of claims 40-41, wherein At least one electrically conductive seam sealant and / or the heating layer is disposed on at least a portion of at least one edge of the floor panels such that an electrical connection is established between the heating layers of adjacent floor panels in a coupled state of the adjacent floor panels.

43. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least an upper portion of the first top layer edge and / or the second top layer edge is at least substantially vertical, and when a bevel or chamfer is present, the upper portion is optionally located below the bevel or chamfer.

44. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least an upper portion of the first top layer edge and / or the second top layer edge is in contact with an upper portion of a corresponding first top layer edge and / or second top layer edge of an adjacent panel in the coupled state.

45. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top surface of the top layer is substantially flush with the top surface of the top layer of an adjacent floor panel in a coupled state, at least along a portion of at least one edge.

46. ​​A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first coupling profile and the second coupling profile are free of adhesive at least in the joining location.

47. A floor panel according to the preceding claim, wherein The top surface of the floor panel, in particular of the top layer of the floor panel, is substantially free of a decorative layer and / or an embossed structure.

48. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The ratio of the thickness of the floor panel to the width of at least one boundary end is between 1:5 and 1:75, preferably between 1:5 and 1:

40.

49. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of at least one polymer material, preferably at least one thermoplastic material and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of: mineral materials, such as magnesium oxide, gypsum, concrete, clay, talc, chalk, wood, graphene, graphite, glass, rice and / or calcium carbonate; embedded in the polymer material, in particular the thermoplastic material.

50. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The top layer and / or the bottom layer at least partially consists of a mineral material, preferably rich in fibers, such as fiber cement, gypsum and / or magnesium oxide.

51. A floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first coupling profile and the second coupling profile are configured to couple adjacent floor panels in such a way that the coupled floor panels are fixed to each other without a gap.

52. Flooring system comprising a plurality of coupled floor panels according to any one of the preceding claims.

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