Floor tile

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor tile (1) having a flat base body (2), the base body (2) having a lockable tongue-and-groove connection (3, 4) at at least two opposite edges, the tongue-and-groove connection being integrally connected to the base body, the base body (1) being fired. A method of making a tile (1) is also presented.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to floor tiles. BACKGROUND

[0002] Floor tiles are popular and robust floor coverings. In particular, in the entrance area, the kitchen or the bathroom, floor tiles are usually laid instead of, for example, wooden floorboards or laminate. On the one hand, floor tiles are popular in the aforementioned areas due to their structural properties. Thus, floor tiles are robust and easy to clean. On the other hand, consumers have become accustomed to laying floor tiles in rooms in which there is a higher probability of water and dirt falling onto the floor.

[0003] In addition to these reasons for the popularity of floor tiles, particular emphasis is placed on the haptics of floor tiles, which make other floor coverings appear less suitable for laying in certain rooms. Consumers expect a floor in the entrance area to have the feel of a floor tile. Such a floor should be stable and effective and give the impression of a solid stone.

[0004] In addition, the problem of the building infrastructure often also plays an important role in the selection of a floor covering. If, for example, underfloor heating is provided, due to the relatively high thermal conductivity of floor tiles, it shows clear advantages over wooden floorboards or laminate.

[0005] However, in addition to all these advantages, tiled floors also have disadvantages. In comparison with laying wooden floorboards, laminate or vinyl floor panels, classic floor tiles have to be laid in a very cost-intensive manner. Laying is associated with a great deal of dirt, is time-consuming and expensive. Most of the time, consumers leave the laying of floor tiles to the fitters, whereas modern wooden floorboards, laminate or vinyl floor panels can easily be laid even by non-professionals. In addition, the floor formed by classic floor tiles is not allowed to be trodden on for a long time after laying and jointing. If it is necessary to remove classic floor tiles again, this is associated with a great deal of effort, a great deal of manual work and dirt, which is likewise undesirable. SUMMARY

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide floor tiles which do not have the disadvantages of the prior art, but are also suitable for easy laying by non-professionals without preliminary knowledge and can be trodden on immediately after laying.

[0007] This object is achieved by the subject matter of claims 1 and 13.

[0008] The floor tile according to the application has a flat base body. The base body of the floor tile is fired. Thereby, the floor tile acquires this excellent haptics. In order to significantly simplify the process of laying the floor tiles to a tiled floor, the base body is provided with lockable tongue-and-groove connections at at least two opposite edges. Thereby, the composite structure of the floor tile according to the application can be advantageously laid to a tiled floor stably and simply by locking the tongue-and-groove connections, without the need for gluing and splicing the floor tiles. The locked tongue-and-groove connections firmly fix the floor tiles together. The placement and locking can also be carried out cleanly and without other aids by non-professionals. The lockable type of the tongue-and-groove connection can advantageously make the tongue-and-groove connection dispensable with gluing. In order to fix a plurality of floor tiles together, they can simply be locked to one another. If the floor tiles should be removed again, the locking is released.

[0009] Firing in the sense of the application is a grouting of the individual components of the base body induced by the input of heat and thus differs, inter alia, from hot extrusion, whereby there is also a clear difference in the structural and haptics properties of the fired and hot extruded material.

[0010] Advantageous configurations and refinements of the application can be derived from the dependent claims and from the description with reference to the drawings.

[0011] According to one preferred embodiment of the application, the base body is fired at at least 100°C. Thereby, the fixing of the components of the base body together is achieved particularly stably. It is particularly advantageous to fire the base body at a temperature of between 120°C and 500°C and in particular between 150°C and 220°C. This corresponds to a good compromise between the strength achieved and the energy consumed.

[0012] It is particularly preferred that one embodiment of the application proposes that the tongue-and-groove connections can be hooked into one another in a form-fit in order to be locked. In particular, it is proposed that the tongue-and-groove connections are click connections. Thereby, it is easier to lay the floor tiles to a tiled floor, whereby even inexperienced personnel can install a tiled floor.

[0013] According to one preferred embodiment of the application, it is proposed that the base body has a mineral composition, wherein the proportion of the mineral composition in the base body is at least 50 percent by weight and preferably at least 75 percent by weight, in particular more than 90%. Thereby, it is advantageously ensured that the base body acquires the strength expected of a floor tile when fired. In addition, by using at least 50%, preferably at least 75% and in particular at least 90% of a mineral composition, a typical tile haptics is achieved. It is conceivable that the mineral composition comprises quartz, preferably at least half, preferably at least two thirds and particularly preferably at least three quarters of the mineral composition is quartz. In particular, it is proposed that the mineral composition comprises calcium aluminum silicate.

[0014] It is particularly preferred to further provide that the matrix is fired with a proportion of a fibre material. The fibre material preferably comprises organic fibres and in particular cellulose. The fibre material significantly contributes to the mechanical suitability of the floor tile as a floor covering and in particular to the laying with lockable tongue and groove connections.

[0015] It is further preferred to provide that the floor tile is fired with between 2 and 20 percent by weight, preferably between 5 and 18 percent by weight and particularly preferably between 6 and 15 percent by weight of a fibre material. The mentioned ranges are preferably chosen such that the fibre material does not affect the strength and the mechanical properties of the matrix are set to provide optimal usability of the tongue and groove connection.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous to have a preferred embodiment of the present application in which it is provided that the matrix does not have plastics, in particular no PVC or other polymers. Thereby it is ensured that the floor tile does not pose a health risk. Thereby it is in particular necessary that no plasticizers are provided in the floor tile.

[0017] It is provided according to another preferred embodiment of the present application that the matrix is fired with a proportion of quartz. The quartz of the fired matrix is here for example percolated. It has proven to be optimal to use between 10 and 90 percent by weight of quartz, preferably between 35 and 85 percent by weight of quartz, particularly preferably between 50 and 80 percent by weight of quartz and in particular between 64 and 72 percent by weight of quartz. As a mineral component, quartz gives the floor tile its typical tile properties.

[0018] It is provided according to another preferred embodiment of the present application that the matrix is fired with between 2 and 40 percent by weight of calcium aluminate silicate. The matrix is preferably fired with between 10 and 30 percent by weight of calcium aluminate silicate. The matrix is particularly preferably fired with between 20 and 26 percent by weight of calcium aluminate silicate. Calcium aluminate silicate likewise contributes to the formation of a solid matrix when firing the matrix, wherein the mentioned proportions have proven to be particularly advantageous.

[0019] It is particularly preferred to provide that the matrix has tobermorite and in particular is tobermorite. Tobermorite is preferably formed when firing the matrix, which contributes to the usability of the floor tile and the introduction of normal working and durable tongue and groove connections.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment of the application it is proposed that the base body is formed with a chamfer at its edge. It is also conceivable that the base body is pressed at its edge, for example, so that a chamfer is pressed into the edge of the base body. It is conceivable that the chamfer at the edge of the base body is colored, for example, lacquered. Thereby the possibility arises that a plurality of floor tiles are arranged directly against one another without a gap between the base bodies. This increases the structural effect of the laid floor tile group in an advantageous manner and simplifies the handling, since subsequent filling of the gaps is not necessary.

[0021] It is conceivable an embodiment of the application, wherein it is proposed that a decorative layer is arranged on the base body. By designing the decorative layer, for example, a uniform coloring of the floor tile can be achieved. It is conceivable that a use layer is arranged on the decorative layer and / or that the decorative layer comprises a use layer. It is also conceivable that the use layer is arranged directly on the base body, wherein the floor tile does not comprise a decorative layer. The use layer protects the decorative layer and the base body and provides the possibility that the surface of the floor tile meets the user's requirements, for example, in terms of the appearance, slip resistance, wear resistance, etc. It is conceivable that the decorative layer is printed. However, it is also conceivable that the decorative layer comprises a paper layer. It is conceivable that the decorative layer is a laminate and / or is laminated to the base body. It is further proposed that the use layer is lacquered, printed, laminated and / or bonded. It is also particularly preferably proposed that the decorative layer and / or the use layer has melamine, wherein the proportion of melamine in the floor tile is preferably between 0.5 and 5 percent by weight, particularly preferably between 0.5 and 2 percent by weight and especially between 1.0 and 1.7 percent by weight. By means of melamine, the use layer or the decorative layer is impregnated in an advantageous manner and thereby made more resistant.

[0022] It is conceivable that the floor tile has a counter part (Gegenzug). The counter part is particularly preferably provided on the side of the base body opposite the decorative layer or the use layer. Thereby an undesired deformation of the floor tile can be prevented. For this purpose it is preferably proposed that the counter part comprises melamine.

[0023] It is particularly preferred an embodiment, wherein it is proposed that the base body is printed. It is particularly preferably proposed that the base body is printed by means of digital printing. For this purpose it is preferably proposed that the printed base body is lacquered. This embodiment is particularly advantageous, since it is very robust and durable. In particular by means of the printing it is achieved that a counter part is not necessary. It is therefore preferably proposed that no counter part is arranged at the printed base body.

[0024] It can be proposed that the production of the substrate comprises firing and subsequent cutting. It is furthermore proposed, inter alia, that the substrate is printed and preferably lacquered after cutting. If a decorative layer formed from paper is applied instead of printing, it is preferably proposed that the decorative layer formed from paper is applied before cutting.

[0025] Another subject for achieving the objects set forth in the opening part is a method for producing a floor tile. The floor tile is preferably a floor tile according to the application. Here, a flat substrate is fired and subsequently a lockable tongue-and-groove connection is milled into the substrate.

[0026] All details, advantages and features disclosed in connection with the floor tile according to the application likewise relate to the method for producing a floor tile according to the application.

[0027] Further details, features and advantages of the application will emerge from the drawings and the following description of preferred embodiments with the aid of the drawings. The drawings here merely illustrate exemplary embodiments of the application, which do not restrict the inventive concept. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 : shows a schematic view of a floor tile according to an exemplary embodiment of the application,

[0030] Figure 2 : shows a schematic cross-sectional view of two floor tiles according to an exemplary embodiment of the application,

[0031] Figure 3 : shows a schematic cross-sectional view of two floor tiles according to an exemplary embodiment of the application, with a locked tongue-and-groove connection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic view of a floor tile 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the application is shown. The floor tile 1 has a substrate 2. The substrate 2 can be formed square, as shown here. It is however also conceivable that the substrate 2 can have a further shape, in particular rectangular.

[0033] At two opposite sides of the substrate 2, a tongue-and-groove connection 3, 4 is arranged. The tongue-and-groove connection 3, 4 can likewise be seen in the cross-sectional view of Figure 2 and 3 The tongue-and-groove connection has a groove 3 and a tongue 4. The groove 3 is covered in Figure 1 and thus cannot be seen. In order to connect two floor tiles 1, the tongue 4 of one floor tile 1 is introduced into the groove 3 of the other floor tile 1 and is locked therein in a form-fit. Figure 3 Two floor tiles 1 thus connected are shown. The locked tongue-and-groove connection forms a click connection. The floor tiles 1 are thus particularly simply laid as a tiled floor.

[0034] The edge of the base body 2 is provided here with a chamfer 5. If several tiles 1 are laid as a composite structure, a lowered area arises at the abutment of the tiles 2, which indicates the structure of the tiles 1 in the composite structure. The tiles 1 shown are manufactured as pressed bevelled floor coverings, i.e. the chamfer 5 is pressed into the edge. Instead of this, the tiles 1 can also be formed without a chamfer or pressed at the edge, so that they lie laterally, in fact flush, against one another in the composite structure.

[0035] On the surface of the base body 2, a decorative layer 6 is arranged. The decorative layer 6 comprises (not separately designated) a use layer and can then increase the usability of the tile 1 in addition to the pure visual effect. The slip resistance or the wear resistance grade can then be adjusted by a corresponding use layer. The decorative layer 6 can be printed, pasted or laminated. The use layer can likewise be printed, pasted or laminated. In the particularly preferred embodiment shown here, the decorative layer 6 is a digital print on which a lacquer layer is applied.

[0036] On the surface of the base body 2 opposite the decorative layer 6, an opposite part 7 is arranged. The opposite part prevents the tile 1 from bulging and keeps the uniform flat form. The use layer and the decorative layer as well as the opposite part have melamine.

[0037] The structural properties of the tile 1, in particular the strength of the tile 1 and the haptics of the tile 1, are produced by a specific material composition. The tile's material consists of 65 to 71 percent by weight of quartz which is fired at least at 100°C.

[0038] In addition to a cellulose proportion of 7 to 14 percent by weight and quartz, the base body 2 of the tile 1 is also fired with a calcium aluminium silicate proportion of 21 to 25 percent by weight. In the base body 2, the wollastonite forms when fired at a temperature of between 150 and 220°C. The material produced thereby is outstandingly suitable for milling the tongue and groove connections 3, 4 into the base body 2. This material mixture and production method precisely produces a strength which is necessary in order to lay the tiles 1 with the tongue and groove connections 3, 4 as click connections and to guarantee the laid tiles 1 in everyday use.

[0039] List of reference signs:

[0040] 1 tile

[0041] 2 base body

[0042] 3 groove

[0043] 4 tongue

[0044] 5 chamfer

[0045] 6 decorative layer

[0046] 7 opposite part

Claims

1. A floor tile (1) having a flat base (2) wherein the base (2) has lockable mortise and tenon joints (3, 4) at at least two opposite edges, the mortise and tenon joints being integrally connected to the base, wherein the base (1) is fired.

2. The floor tile (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate (1) is fired at at least 100°C.

3. The floor tile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The mortise and tenon joints (3, 4) can be hooked into each other in a form fit for locking, wherein the mortise and tenon joints (3, 4) are in particular click joints.

4. The floor tile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The matrix (2) has a mineral composition, wherein the proportion of the mineral composition in the matrix (2) is at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 75% by weight, and particularly preferably greater than 90%.

5. The floor tile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The matrix (2) is fired with a certain proportion of fibrous material, wherein the fibrous material preferably has organic fibers and especially cellulose.

6. The floor tile (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The floor tile (1) is fired from a fiber material between 2% and 20% by weight, preferably between 5% and 18% by weight, particularly preferably between 6% and 15% by weight, and especially between 6% and 10% by weight.

7. The floor tile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The matrix (2) does not contain plastic, especially not PVC and / or other polymers.

8. The floor tile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The matrix (2) is fired with quartz between 10% and 90% by weight, wherein the matrix (2) is preferably fired with quartz between 35% and 85% by weight, wherein the matrix (2) is particularly preferably fired with quartz between 50% and 80% by weight, wherein the matrix (2) is especially fired with quartz sand between 64% and 72% by weight.

9. The floor tile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The matrix is ​​calcined with calcium aluminum silicate between 2% and 40% by weight, wherein the matrix is ​​preferably calcined with calcium aluminum silicate between 10% and 30% by weight, and wherein the matrix is ​​particularly preferably calcined with calcium aluminum silicate between 20% and 26% by weight.

10. The floor tile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The matrix (2) contains shaleite and is especially shaleite.

11. The floor tile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The substrate (2) is chamfered and / or pressed at its edges.

12. The floor tile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A decorative layer (6) is arranged on the substrate (2), wherein the decorative layer (6) is preferably printed, and a paint layer is particularly preferably arranged on the decorative layer (6).

13. A method for preparing floor tiles (1), preferably a method for preparing floor tiles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a flat substrate (2) is fired, wherein a lockable tenon joint (3, 4) is subsequently milled into the substrate (2).

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