Patents by Inventor Bernard Thiers

Bernard Thiers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9783995
    Abstract: A floor panel may include a substrate having a top side and a bottom side. A top layer may be provided on the substrate. The top layer may consist of a printed thermoplastic film and a thermoplastic transparent or translucent layer provided on the printed thermoplastic film. The top layer may be directly applied to the substrate using a glue layer available between the printed thermoplastic film and the top side of the substrate. The substrate may be an extruded synthetic material board including a filler selected from the group consisting of chalk, wood and sand. The substrate at least at two opposite edges may include coupling means provided in the extruded synthetic material board. The floor panel may have a thickness of 5 to 10 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventors: Laurent Meersseman, Martin Segaert, Bernard Thiers, Benjamin Clement, Christophe Maesen
  • Publication number: 20170218638
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Mark CAPPELLE
  • Publication number: 20170175402
    Abstract: Floor panel, more particularly a laminate floor panel, which, at least at two opposite edges (2-3-4-5), is provided with coupling parts (6-7-8-9), whereby this floor panel (1), at its decorative side, forms an imitation of wood, from which, by means of a tool, wood portions have been removed from the surface, more particularly forms an imitation of so-called scraped wood, and whereby this floor panel (1) comprises a decor (10) representing a wood pattern (18), a top layer (11) on the basis of synthetic material (12), and an underlying substrate (13), whether or not composed of several layers or parts, characterized in that the floor panel (1), in the surface over which the decor (10) extends, is provided with embossed portions (19 and/or 20) continuing up into the aforementioned substrate (13), whereby these embossed portions (19 and/or 20) are at least applied in order to imitate the aforementioned removed wood portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Laurent MEERSSEMAN, Christian VANDEVOORDE, Bernard THIERS
  • Patent number: 9624676
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9611657
    Abstract: Floor panel, more particularly a laminate floor panel, which, at least at two opposite edges (2-3-4-5), is provided with coupling parts (6-7-8-9), whereby this floor panel (1), at its decorative side, forms an imitation of wood, from which, by means of a tool, wood portions have been removed from the surface, more particularly forms an imitation of so-called scraped wood, and whereby this floor panel (1) comprises a decor (10) representing a wood pattern (18), a top layer (11) on the basis of synthetic material (12), and an underlying substrate (13), whether or not composed of several layers or parts, characterized in that the floor panel (1), in the surface over which the decor (10) extends, is provided with embossed portions (19 and/or 20) continuing up into the aforementioned substrate (13), whereby these embossed portions (19 and/or 20) are at least applied in order to imitate the aforementioned removed wood portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Laurent Meersseman, Christian Vandevoorde, Bernard Thiers
  • Publication number: 20170030087
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Mark CAPPELLE
  • Patent number: 9506256
    Abstract: A floor covering is composed of a plurality of hard floor panels wherein the floor panels show a common general decor and may differ from each other in respect to their appearance and/or on their own have zones of a differing appearance. The floor panels, at least at two opposite sides or edges thereof, are provided with coupling parts allowing that two of such floor panels can cooperate with each other at these sides. At least some of the floor panels possess at least one chamfer, such as a beveled edge or the like, wherein the surfaces of these chamfers are provided, at least partially, with a separately applied decorative covering including at least a decorative layer. The appearance of the decorative covering is realized in a manner varying in function of differences occurring in the decor of the floor covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Bernard Thiers
  • Publication number: 20160319554
    Abstract: Ceramic tile having a ceramic base layer and a cover glaze layer comprising a printed pattern, wherein the surface of the ceramic tile comprises a relief having structural features corresponding to said printed pattern. The invention further concerns a method which allows for the manufacturing of such ceramic tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Christine Walmsley-Scott, Bart Van Der Stockt
  • Patent number: 9482013
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9394699
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9388586
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9388585
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Publication number: 20160186445
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Mark CAPPELLE
  • Publication number: 20160186444
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Mark CAPPELLE
  • Publication number: 20160186446
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Mark CAPPELLE
  • Publication number: 20160186448
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Mark CAPPELLE
  • Publication number: 20160186447
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Mark CAPPELLE
  • Patent number: 9376823
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Publication number: 20160160508
    Abstract: A floor panel may include a substrate having a top side and a bottom side. A top layer may be provided on the substrate. The top layer may consist of a printed thermoplastic film and a thermoplastic transparent or translucent layer provided on the printed thermoplastic film. The top layer may be directly applied to the substrate using a glue layer available between the printed thermoplastic film and the top side of the substrate. The substrate may be an extruded synthetic material board including a filler selected from the group consisting of chalk, wood and sand. The substrate at least at two opposite edges may include coupling means provided in the extruded synthetic material board. The floor panel may have a thickness of 5 to 10 millimeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Laurent MEERSSEMAN, Martin SEGAERT, Bernard THIERS, Benjamin CLEMENT, Christophe MAESEN
  • Patent number: 9334657
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMTED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle