Multilayer article for paving

Abstract

A multilayer article (1) for paving, comprising a cladding layer (2), which is substantially slab-like and polygonal in plan view and is provided with two mutually opposite main faces (2a, 2b), of which one is an exposed face (2a) designed to remain exposed in use and one is an adhesion face (2b), and a backing layer (3), which is substantially slab-like and polygonal in plan view and is provided with two mutually opposite main faces (3a, 3b), of which one is an adhesion face (3a) and one is a laying face (3b) designed to face, in use, a screed (M) to be covered, the adhesion faces (2b, 3a) of the cladding layer (2) and of the backing layer (3) being stably associated with each other and the plan perimetric of the backing layer (3) being contained within the plan perimetric of the cladding layer (2). The article (1) furthermore comprises first shape mating means (5) for coupling in use with one or more adjacent articles (1), which comprise at least one first male element (6) which is associated with the backing layer (3) along at least one first perimeter portion (7) and protrudes in plan view from the outline of the cladding layer (2), and at least one first female element (8) associated with the backing layer along at least one second perimeter portion (9), the first male element (6) of an article (1) being adapted, in use, to be arranged within a corresponding first female element (8) of an article (1) that is adjacent thereto. There are second shape mating means (11), which comprise at least one second male element (12), which is associated with the backing layer (3) at the at least one second perimeter portion (9) and protrudes in plan view from the outline of the cladding layer (2), and at least one second female element (13) associated with the backing layer (3) at the at least one first perimeter portion (7), the second male element (12) of an article (1) being adapted, in use, to be arranged within a corresponding second female element (13) of an article (1) that is adjacent thereto.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a multilayer article for paving.

[0002] Various types of articles for the provision of paving are known in the paving construction industry.

[0003] In particular, multilayer articles composed of a cladding layer made of ceramic, wood or plastic material, paired by adhesive bonding with an underlying backing layer made of wood material, are known from Italian Patent No. 1,406,037 in the name of this same Applicant.

[0004] The backing layer constitutes the laying face of the article and is designed to be made to adhere to the screed on which the paving is to be provided. The cladding layer instead constitutes the exposed face of the article and is designed to remain exposed in use.

[0005] The backing layer is provided, along the peripheral region, with interlocking elements of the male-female type for mating with one or more adjacent articles. Typically, the article has a quadrangular plan shape and male-type interlocking elements are provided along two consecutive sides and corresponding female-type interlocking elements are provided along the other two consecutive sides.

[0006] The backing layer has a smaller extension in plan view than the cladding layer, except for the regions where the male-type interlocking elements are present, so that when two or more articles are placed side by side gaps remain between the respective backing layers to compensate for any expansions of said layers.

[0007] Although this type of article is practical in application and allows the provision of aesthetically pleasing paving, it does not allow to hinder the seepage of liquids toward the screed in the event of leakage or spillage of liquids on the obtained floor, since at the regions of intersection between adjacent articles there remain gaps below the cladding layer which are not occupied by the backing layer and through which the liquid that penetrates between the edges of the adjacent articles can seep until it reaches the screed.

[0008] In this case, the liquid that has seeped below the cladding layer cannot be removed and remains stagnant until it has completely evaporated, with the risk of damaging the structure of the screed and of the articles that remain in contact with the liquid for some time and of producing unhygienic environmental conditions if molds and / or foul odors spread.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to provide a multilayer article for paving that is capable of improving the background art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0010] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a multilayer article for paving that allows to prevent the infiltration of water through the paving obtained with said articles until it reaches the underlying screed, so that its integrity is preserved and the proliferation of molds and foul odors is avoided.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a multilayer article for paving that is easy to apply and does not require special interventions during laying.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a multilayer article for paving that allows to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

[0013] Not least object of the invention is to provide a multilayer article for paving that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide and at competitive costs.

[0014] This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a multilayer article for paving according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0015] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a multilayer article for paving according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a multilayer article for paving according to the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are respective perspective views, from different angles, of the article of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the article of the preceding figures in an upside-down position; Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken along the plane V-V of Figure 2; Figure 5a is a view, similar to the preceding one, of a variation of the first embodiment of the article according to the invention; Figure 6 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the article according to the invention, with the cladding layer partially removed; Figure 7 is a perspective view of two articles according to the first embodiment of the invention during assembly; Figures 8 and 9 are respective top plan views of a plurality of articles in the first embodiment during the assembly of paving and after assembly is completed, respectively; Figures 10 and 11 are enlarged-scale sectional views of respective portions of Figures 8 and 9 at the coupling region between two adjacent articles; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the article according to the invention; Figure 13 is a transverse sectional view of the article of Figure 12; Figure 13a is a transverse sectional view of a variation of the second embodiment of the article according to the invention; Figures 14 and 15 are partial sectional views of two articles in the second embodiment during assembly and after assembly is completed, respectively; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the article according to the invention; Figure 17 is a transverse sectional view of the article of Figure 16; Figure 17a is a transverse sectional view of a variation of the third embodiment of the article according to the invention; Figures 18 and 19 are partial sectional views of two articles in the third embodiment during assembly and after assembly is completed, respectively.

[0016] With reference to the figures, the multilayer article for paving according to the invention has been generally designated by the reference numeral 1.

[0017] The article 1 comprises a cladding layer 2, which is substantially slab-like and polygonal in plan view and is provided with two mutually opposite main faces 2a and 2b, of which one is an exposed face 2a designed to remain exposed in use and one is an adhesion face 2b.

[0018] In the present description, the term "substantially" means within usual machining and / or assembly tolerances of the component parts.

[0019] Moreover, the term "slab-like" means a three-dimensional body that has an extension along two mutually perpendicular directions (generally width and length) that is much greater than its extension along a third dimension which is perpendicular to the plane comprising the first two (generally thickness). Such two mutually perpendicular dimensions define a main orientation of such a three-dimensional body. The term "main faces" is understood to refer to the faces of said three-dimensional body that have the greatest surface extent, which are substantially parallel to the main orientation of said body.

[0020] Preferably, the cladding layer 2 has a quadrangular shape in plan view. Therefore, the main faces 2a and 2b have a quadrangular shape.

[0021] Moreover, the cladding layer 2 is made of a material chosen from ceramic, wooden or plastic materials. Preferably, the cladding layer 2 is constituted by a ceramic tile or slab.

[0022] Preferably, the cladding layer 2 is made of materials that do not undergo substantial expansions due to temperature fluctuations and / or the presence of moisture, so that each article 1 can be laid with its cladding layer 2 in contact with those of articles 1 that are adjacent to it so as to obtain pavings without dividing gaps.

[0023] Moreover, the article 1 comprises a backing layer 3, which also is substantially slab-like and polygonal in plan view and is provided with two mutually opposite main faces 3a and 3b, of which one is an adhesion face 3a and one is a laying face 3b, which is designed to be directed toward a screed M to be covered to obtain a paving 100 composed of a plurality of juxtaposed articles 1.

[0024] Preferably, the backing layer 3 has a quadrangular shape in plan view. Therefore, the main faces 3a and 3b have a quadrangular shape.

[0025] Moreover, the backing layer 3 is made of a material chosen from the group comprising wood and its derivatives, polymers, SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) or WPC (Wood Plastic Composite). Preferably, the backing layer 3 is monolithic, but it is not excluded that it may in turn have a multilayer composition.

[0026] The adhesion faces 2b and 3a, respectively, of the cladding layer 2 and of the backing layer 3 are stably mutually associated by means of the interposition of suitable adhesive materials, which are not described in greater detail since they are of a conventional type.

[0027] Usefully, the perimetric in plan view of the backing layer 3 is contained within the perimetric in plan view of the cladding layer 2, so that when the article 1 is laid, an interspace 4 remains between the corresponding backing layer 3 and the one of the articles 1 adjacent to it, in order to compensate for any expansions of the backing layers themselves due to temperature fluctuations or to the presence of moisture.

[0028] The interspace 4 runs along the perimetric in plan view of each article 1 that constitutes the paving 100.

[0029] Moreover, the article 1 comprises first shape mating means 5 for coupling in use with one or more adjacent articles 1 that comprise at least one first male element 6, which is associated with the backing layer 3 along at least one first perimeter portion 7 and protrudes in plan view from the outline of the cladding layer 2, and at least one first female element 8, which is associated with the backing layer 3 along at least one second perimetric portion 9. In use, the first male element 6 of an article 1 is adapted to be arranged within a corresponding first female element 8 of an article 1 that is adjacent thereto.

[0030] The at least one first male element 6 and the at least one first female element 8 extend so as to protrude from / be recessed within the backing layer 3 and are substantially parallel to the main orientation of the layer itself.

[0031] Moreover, the at least one first male element 6 protrudes from the first perimeter portion 7 by an extent that is substantially less than the depth of the corresponding at least one first female element 8 with respect to the second perimeter portion 9. In this way, when the articles 1 are juxtaposed to form a paving 100 a first clearance 10 remains between the free end of each first male element 6 and the bottom of the corresponding first female element 8 to compensate for any expansions of the backing layer 3.

[0032] Preferably, the first mating means 5 are arranged at the central region of the thickness of the backing layer 3.

[0033] The thickness of the at least one first male element 6 and of the at least one first female element 8 may be sized to achieve a loose coupling or a coupling with a slight degree of interference.

[0034] Usefully, the article 1 also comprises second shape mating means 11, which comprise at least one second male element 12, which is associated with the backing layer 3 at the at least one second perimeter portion 9 and protrudes in plan view from the outline of the cladding layer 2, and at least one second female element 13, which is associated with the backing layer 3 at the at least one first perimeter portion 7. In use, the second male element 12 of an article 1 is adapted to be arranged in a corresponding second female element 13 of an article 1 that is adjacent thereto.

[0035] The at least one second male element 12 and the at least one second female element 13 extend so as to protrude from / be recessed within the backing layer 3 and are substantially parallel to the main orientation of said layer.

[0036] Moreover, the at least one second male element 12 protrudes from the second perimeter portion 9 by an extent that is substantially smaller than the depth of the corresponding at least one second female element 13 with respect to the first perimeter portion 7. In this way, when the articles 1 are juxtaposed to form a paving 100 a second clearance 14 remains between the free end of each second male element 12 and the bottom of the corresponding second female element 13 to compensate for any expansions of the backing layer 3.

[0037] The at least one first male element 6 with the at least one second female element 13 at the first perimeter portion 7 and the at least one first female element 8 with the at least one second male element 12 at the second perimeter portion 9 are staggered at right angles to the main orientation of the article 1.

[0038] Preferably, the second mating means 11 are arranged at the laying face 3b of the backing layer 3. In this case, the at least one female element 13 is open at the laying face 3a, interrupting it proximate to the first perimeter portion 7.

[0039] The at least one second male element 12 and the at least one second female element 13 are preferably sized to obtain a loose mating.

[0040] The article 1 typically has a substantially quadrangular shape in plan view, for example a square or rectangular one. Preferably, in this case the first perimeter portion 7 comprises two consecutive sides of the peripheral region of the backing layer 3, and the second perimeter portion 9 comprises the other two consecutive sides of the peripheral region of said backing layer. In the preferred embodiment form, the first mating means 5 comprise a single continuous first male element 6, which extends along the two consecutive sides that form the first perimeter portion 7, and a single continuous first female element 8, which extends along said other two consecutive sides that form the second perimeter portion 9. It is not excluded, however, that the first mating means 11 may be shaped differently, for example by providing a plurality of first male elements 6 distributed along the first perimeter portion 7 and a plurality of corresponding female elements 8 distributed along the second perimeter portion 9. In the preferred embodiment, the second mating means 11 comprise a single continuous first male element 12, which is extended along the two consecutive sides that form the second perimeter portion 9, and a single continuous second female element 13, which extends along the other two consecutive sides that form the first perimeter portion 7.

[0041] In this way, when the paving 100 obtained with the articles 1 is assembled, the second mating means 11 allow to obtain a barrier to the seepage of any liquids dispersed on said paving toward the underlying screed M, since at the laying surfaces 3b there are no gaps that directly communicate with the interspaces 4 immediately below the cladding layers 2. In particular, the second mating means 11 allow to obtain a substantially continuous infilling surface that prevents the passage of liquid below the obtained paving 100.

[0042] In one variation, the article 1 may have at least one functional layer 15, which is stably associated with the laying face 3b of the backing layer 3. Such functional layer 15 may be provided, for example, with a material having sound-absorbing and / or heat-insulating properties, for example of the type of EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), IXPE foam (irradiation crosslinked polyethylene foam), or cork. Typically, the functional layer 15 has a substantially slab-like shape. The functional layer 15 preferably fully covers the laying surface 3b of the backing layer 3. The functional layer 15 can be fixed to the laying surface 3b of the backing layer 3 by adhesive bonding.

[0043] The articles 1 can be laid on the screed M that lies below the paving 10 to be provided by means of the interposition of suitable adhesives of a known type, with or without an interposed separation mat.

[0044] Figures 1-11 show a first embodiment of the article 1 as described above, and Figure 5a shows the corresponding variant provided with a functional layer 15.

[0045] Figures 12-15 show a second embodiment of the article 1 that differs from the previous one in the different shape of the first mating means 5. In this case, in fact, the first male element 6 has a substantially wedge-shaped shape, having a diverging portion 6a in the direction away from the peripheral region of the backing layer 3, and the first female element 8 has a corresponding converging surface 8a in the direction toward the peripheral region of said backing layer. Usefully, the first male element 6 also has a terminal guiding portion 6b which converges in the direction away from the peripheral region of the backing layer 3. Interference mating can be achieved between the diverging portion 6a of the male element 6 of an article 1 and the converging surface 8a of the corresponding female element 8 of an adjacent article 1.

[0046] Figure 13a shows the corresponding variation provided with a functional layer 15.

[0047] Figures 16-19 show a third embodiment of the article 1 that has a different shape of the second mating means 11.

[0048] In this case, the second male element 12 is shaped so as to form a beak-like profile 12a at its free end and the second female element 13 has a corresponding shape adapted to contain said beak-like profile 12a.

[0049] Figure 17a shows the corresponding variation provided with the functional layer 15.

[0050] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a multilayer article for paving that allows to avoid the seepage of liquids toward the underlying screed, without increasing the complexity of the processes required to provide the paving.

[0051] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the accompanying claims; all the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0052] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0053] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. 102024000009841, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0054] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A multilayer article (1) for paving, comprising a cladding layer (2), which is substantially slab-like and polygonal in plan view and is provided with two mutually opposite main faces (2a, 2b), of which one is an exposed face (2a) designed to remain exposed in use and one is an adhesion face (2b), a backing layer (3), which is substantially slab-like and polygonal in plan view and is provided with two mutually opposite main faces (3a, 3b), of which one is an adhesion face (3a) and one is a laying face (3b) designed to face, in use, a screed (M) to be covered, the adhesion faces (2b, 3a) of the cladding layer (2) and of the backing layer (3) being stably associated with each other and the plan perimetric of the backing layer (3) being contained within the perimetric in plan view of the cladding layer (2), and first shape mating means (5) for coupling in use with one or more adjacent articles (1), which comprise at least one first male element (6) which is associated with said backing layer (3) along at least one first perimeter portion (7) and protrudes in plan view from the outline of said cladding layer (2), and at least one first female element (8) associated with said backing layer along at least one second perimeter portion (9), the first male element (6) of an article (1) being adapted, in use, to be arranged within a corresponding first female element (8) of an article (1) that is adjacent thereto, characterized in that it comprises second shape mating means (11), comprising at least one second male element (12), which is associated with said backing layer (3) at said at least one second perimeter portion (9) and protrudes in plan view from the outline of said cladding layer (2), and at least one second female element (13) associated with said backing layer (3) at said at least one first perimeter portion (7), the second male element (12) of an article (1) being adapted, in use, to be arranged within a corresponding second female element (13) of an article (1) that is adjacent thereto.

2. The article (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first male element (6) with said second female element (13) at said first perimeter portion (7) and said first female element (8) with said second male element (12) at said second perimeter portion (9) are staggered at right angles to the main orientation of said article.

3. The article (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first female element (8) and said first male element (6) and said second female element (13) and said second male element (12) extend so as to be recessed in / protrude from said backing layer (3) substantially parallel to the main orientation of said article.

4. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said first and second male elements (6, 12) protrudes from the respective perimeter portion (7, 9) by an extent that is substantially less than the depth of the corresponding first or second female element (8, 13).

5. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second mating means (11) are arranged at the laying face (3b) of said backing layer (3).

6. The article (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said second female element (13) is open at the laying face (3b) of said backing layer (3).

7. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first mating means (5) are arranged at the central region of the thickness of said backing layer (3).

8. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second male element (12) is contoured so as to form a beak-like profile (12a) at the corresponding free end.

9. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first male element (6) has a substantially wedge-like shape, having a portion (6a) which diverges in the direction away from the peripheral region of said backing layer (3), the first female element (8) having a corresponding surface (8a) which converges in the direction toward the peripheral region of said backing layer.

10. The article (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said first male element (6) has a terminal guiding portion (6b) which converges in the direction away from the peripheral region of said backing layer (3).

11. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a substantially quadrangular shape in plan view, in that said first perimeter portion (7) comprises two consecutive sides of the peripheral region of said backing layer (3), and in that said second perimeter portion (9) comprises the other two consecutive sides of the peripheral region of said backing layer.

12. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cladding layer (2) is made of a ceramic, wooden or plastic material.

13. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said backing layer (3) is monolithic.

14. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said backing layer (3) is made of a material chosen in the group that comprises wood or its derivatives, polymers, SPC (Stone Polymer Composite), WPC (Wood Plastic Composite).

15. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a functional layer (15) associated with the laying face (3b) of said backing layer (3).

16. The article (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said functional layer (15) is provided by means of a material having sound-absorbing and / or heat-insulating properties.

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