Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes adjacent floor panels connected together along edges thereof with a locking element extending between the edges. The locking element has a first locking surface; a locking portion at one end; a control portion near another end; and a connecting portion connecting the locking portion to the control portion. The connecting portion is slidably accommodated in a channel of one of the panels and pushed towards a first end of the channel when the locking element is moved or deformed from a first position to a second position by the control portion, the front position being when the panels are disconnected and movable relative to each other and the second position being when the panels are fixedly connected to each other.

Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes adjacent floor panels connected together along edges thereof with a looking element extending between the edges. The locking element has a first locking surface; a locking portion at one end; a control portion near another end; and a connecting portion connecting the locking portion to the control portion. The connecting portion is slidably accommodated in a channel of one of the panels and pushed towards a first end of the channel when the locking element is moved or deformed from a first position to a second position by the control portion, the front position being when the panels are disconnected and movable relative to each other and the second position being when the panels are fixedly connected to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing laminate floor panels comprising at least a core containing wood/plastic composite (WPC) and a top layer of laminate. It includes the step of providing a granulate of WPC in which natural fibers are encapsulated in polymer plastics. There is provided a layer of granulate which is melted. The melted layer is pressed for forming the core of the panels. The top laminate is attached onto the core to form a sheet (S), and the sheet is finished to form one or more panels. The laminate panel comprises a core made of WPC, a basic layer melted to the core and a top laminate comprising at least one paper layer impregnated with impregnation material, such as melamine resin, and being attached to the basic layer through this impregnation material, or a plastic layer melted to a glass fiber basic layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling panels and locking elements comprises a feeding conveyor for substantially continuously supplying a panel, a processing assembly including a magazine for receiving the continuously supplied panels, the processing assembly being provided with an indexing system for taking the panels from the magazine in a substantially discontinuous manner to a plurality of processing stations, including a machining station for making a recess into a panel, an inserting station for inserting a locking element into a recess of a panel, and a discharge station for discharging the assembled panel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a panel including a wear resistant layer comprises providing a substantially rigid substrate, providing wear-resistant particles, providing an ionomer, applying the wear-resistant particles and the ionomer onto the substrate, and pressing and/or melting the substrate, the wear-resistant particles and the ionomer together. A resulting panel is provided with locking elements configured to lock the panel to an adjacent panel.

Abstract: A panel coupling assembly includes a panel having a side edge with an activating portion. An intermediate coupling member is displaceable with respect to the panel and a base coupling and is provided with a sleeve portion facing the activating portion of the panel. A guide guides the intermediate coupling member from a non-assembled condition to an assembled condition. The guide is configured such that upon displacing the panel with respect to the base coupling member in the panel fixing direction, the activating portion of the panel presses onto the sleeve portion and the intermediate coupling member is displaced in at least a direction extending transversely to the panel fixing direction. A fixing element is engageable to the intermediate coupling member to form a locking member that couples the panel and the base coupling member.

Abstract: A panel comprises a polymeric composite layer and a cover layer which is laminated to the polymeric composite layer, wherein the cover layer comprises a polymeric film.

Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes adjacent floor panels connected together along edges thereof with a locking element extending between the edges. The locking element has a first locking surface; a locking portion at one end; a control portion near another end; and a connecting portion connecting the locking portion to the control portion. The connecting portion is slidably accommodated in a channel of one of the panels and pushed towards a first end of the channel when the locking element is moved or deformed from a first position to a second position by the control portion, the front position being when the panels are disconnected and movable relative to each other and the second position being when the panels are fixedly connected to each other.

Abstract: A set of panels comprises a first panel having a first edge including an undercut which accommodates a fastening member, and a second panel having a second edge including a locking region. The first and second edges are positioned adjacent to each other when the panels are fastened to each other by means of the fastening member. The fastening member comprises a displaceable activating portion and a locking portion which is displaceable with respect to the first panel upon displacement of the activating portion in opposite direction of the displacement of the activating portion such that the locking portion engages the locking region of the second panel when the panels are fastened to each other by means of the fastening member.

Abstract: A panel comprises a polymeric composite layer and at least a reinforcement layer for reinforcing the polymeric composite layer at least in the plane of the panel. The reinforcement layer is made of a material which is different from that of the polymeric composite layer.

Abstract: A panel coupling assembly includes a panel having a side edge with an activating portion. An intermediate coupling member is displaceable with respect to the panel and a base coupling and is provided with a sleeve portion facing the activating portion of the panel. A guide guides the intermediate coupling member from a non-assembled condition to an assembled condition. The guide is configured such that upon displacing the panel with respect to the base coupling member in the panel fixing direction, the activating portion of the panel presses onto the sleeve portion and the intermediate coupling member is displaced in at least a direction extending transversely to the panel fixing direction. A fixing element is engageable to the intermediate coupling member to form a locking member that couples the panel and the base coupling member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a floor panel with insulating properties comprises the steps of supplying a panel having an upper side and a back side, applying a curable substance to the back side of the panel and curing the substance for forming a layer with insulating properties.

Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes adjacent floor panels connected together along edges thereof with a locking element extending between the edges. The locking element has a first locking surface; a locking portion at one end; a control portion near another end; and a connecting portion connecting the locking portion to the control portion. The connecting portion is slidably accommodated in a channel of one of the panels and pushed towards a first end of the channel when the locking element is moved or deformed from a first position to a second position by the control portion, the front position being when the panels are disconnected and movable relative to each other and the second position being when the panels are fixedly connected to each other.

Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes sheet-shaped floor panels joinable by joining members, each panel being provided on a first edge with a first joining member and, on a second edge, with a second joining member. The first and second joining members of two panels are configured to be joined by a movement of the panels towards to each other. The joining members lock the panels vertically and horizontally. The joining members are provided with a locking element which is deformable, during said joining, from a first position allowing the joining members to be joined, to a second position in which it locks the joining members to each other at least horizontally.

Abstract: A panel for use in an assembly of panels is attached to each other to form a covering. The panel comprises an upper surface and a lower surface each extending within a different main plane, and at least an edge between these surfaces comprising a coupling to couple the panel to a coupling of another panel. The upper surface includes a lowered part at said edge and the cross-section of the lowered part, perpendicular to the edge of the panel, varies along the edge. Such a panel provides a good imitation of a panel made of natural materials. The invention also provides an appropriate method and apparatus to make such a panel.

Abstract: A method and system of manufacturing a panel, such as a vinyl floor tile, with one or more profiled edges, wherein the edge is moved along one or more machining tools to form the profiled edge wherein the panel is cooled at least in an area containing the edge, wherein the cooling takes place before and/or during machining of the edge. Covering element manufactured this way, comprising at least one profiled edge at least partly within a thermoplastic section, the edge being profiled to form a tongue-in-groove interlocking connection with a matching profiled edge of a corresponding covering element.

Abstract: A panel for use in an assembly of panels is attached to each other to form a covering. The panel comprises an upper surface and a lower surface each extending within a different main plane, and at least an edge between these surfaces comprising a coupling to couple the panel to a coupling of another panel. The upper surface includes a lowered part at said edge and the cross-section of the lowered part, perpendicular to the edge of the panel, varies along the edge. Such a panel provides a good imitation of a panel made of natural materials. The invention also provides an appropriate method to make such a panel.

Abstract: A set of panels comprises a first panel having a first edge including an undercut which accommodates a fastening member, and a second panel having a second edge including a locking region. The first and second edges are positioned adjacent to each other when the panels are fastened to each other by means of the fastening member. The fastening member comprises a displaceable activating portion and a locking portion which is displaceable with respect to the first panel upon displacement of the activating portion in opposite direction of the displacement of the activating portion such that the locking portion engages the locking region of the second panel when the panels are fastened to each other by means of the fastening member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing floor panels comprising at least one layer containing wood/plastic composite (WPC) adjacent an upper surface of the panels includes the step of providing a granulate of WPC in which natural fibers are encapsulated in polymer plastics which has been colored to a desired color for the upper surface. To form a sheet, a layer of granulate is melted and pressed. If several layers are used, only the upper layer is colored. The sheet is finished to form one or more panels. The coloring is done to imitate natural materials at least on the upper surface of the panel. Additional features can be taken to improve the appearance of the upper surface.

Abstract: A panel, such as a floor panel, comprises at least a decorated side, which is provided with a pigment for creating a lustrous effect to the appearance of the decorated side. The decorated side may comprise a decoration surface and a substantially transparent protective top layer covering the decoration surface. The top layer can be provided with at least wear-resistant particles having limited or non-translucent properties, wherein the pigment is embedded in the top layer.