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: 8549807
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing floor panels that have at least a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate, the top layer including a thermoplastic layer that is translucent or transparent, the method may involve providing the top layer, including the thermoplastic layer, on the substrate. The method may also involve heating at least the thermoplastic layer, and structuring the thermoplastic layer using a mechanical press element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventors: Laurent Meersseman, Martin Segaert, Bernard Thiers, Benjamin Clement, Christophe Maesen
  • Patent number: 8500230
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a laminate product comprising at least a laminate layer with a decor sheet, wherein, for forming the laminate layer, at least a decor sheet is formed by providing in a decor application process a decor in the form of a motif on a decor carrier, wherein this decor carrier consists of a continuous material web, wherein the decor is applied by means of one or more digital printers and wherein the global decor during the processing of the material web is controlled in a varying manner, by means of controlling the one or more printers, as a function of varying external data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Laurent Meersseman
  • Patent number: 8499519
    Abstract: Floor panel, more particularly a laminate floor panel, wherein this floor panel comprises a decor, a top layer on the basis of synthetic material, and an underlying substrate (13), whether or not composed of several layers or parts, wherein the floor panel (1), in the surface over which the decor (10) extends, is provided with embossed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Ltd
    Inventors: Laurent Meersseman, Christian Vandevoorde, Bernard Thiers
  • Publication number: 20130104478
    Abstract: A panel for forming a floor covering includes a substrate and a top layer, and is provided with coupling means defined at the edges. The substrate at the respective edges defines a profile, and a moisture-repellent or sealing covering layer is provided on the profiles. The covering layer extends over the profiles at least up to a lateral surface of the top layer. The covering layer, at least at one of the edges, is at least partially provided in an undercut performed in the lateral surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Laurent Meersseman, Martin Segaert, Bernard Thiers
  • Publication number: 20130067842
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing floor panels that have at least a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate, the top layer including a thermoplastic layer that is translucent or transparent, the method may involve providing the top layer, including the thermoplastic layer, on the substrate. The method may also involve heating at least the thermoplastic layer, and structuring the thermoplastic layer using a mechanical press element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Laurent Meersseman, Martin Segaert, Bernard Thiers, Benjamin Clement, Christophe Maesen
  • Publication number: 20130062006
    Abstract: A panel may include at least a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate. The top layer may include a vinyl-based synthetic material layer. The substrate may be a wood-based substrate. A primer may be provided between the substrate and the vinyl-based synthetic material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Laurent Meersseman, Martin Segaert, Bernard Thiers, Benjamin Clement, Christophe Maesen
  • Patent number: 8316604
    Abstract: Floor panel, said floor panel (1) comprising a decor (2), as well as a top layer (8) based on synthetic material (9), and wherein the decor (2) represents a pattern with several wood parts (3) per floor panel (1), characterized in that in the upper surface (14) of the floor panel (1) one or more height differences are present in that the upper surface (14), at the location of one of more of the wood parts (3), shows an individualized global surface level (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventor: Bernard Thiers
  • Publication number: 20120266556
    Abstract: Floor panel of the type comprising a hard top layer forming a decorative surface, from which, together with other identical or similar floor panels, a floor covering can be formed, wherein this floor panel includes at least one sound-absorbing layer which is integrated into the floor panel and is located between other layers of this floor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Peter HOCHEPIED
  • Publication number: 20120260486
    Abstract: Floor panel of the type comprising a hard top layer forming a decorative surface, from which, together with other identical or similar floor panels, a floor covering can be formed, wherein this floor panel includes at least one sound-absorbing layer which is integrated into the floor panel and is located between other layers of this floor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Peter HOCHEPIED
  • Patent number: 8272187
    Abstract: Floor panel, more particularly a laminate floor panel, wherein this floor panel comprises a decor, a top layer on the basis of synthetic material, and an underlying substrate (13), whether or not composed of several layers or parts, wherein the floor panel (1), in the surface over which the decor (10) extends, is provided with embossed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventors: Laurent Meersseman, Christian Vandevoorde, Bernard Thiers
  • Patent number: 8196366
    Abstract: Floor panel of the type comprising a hard top layer (3) forming a decorative surface, from which, together with other identical or similar floor panels (1), a floor covering can be formed, wherein this floor panel (1) includes at least one sound-absorbing layer (4) which is integrated into the floor panel (1) and is located between other layers of this floor panel (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Unilin Beheer B.V. Besloten Vennootschap
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Peter Hochepied
  • Publication number: 20120096792
    Abstract: Floor panel of the type comprising a hard top layer forming a decorative surface, from which, together with other identical or similar floor panels, a floor covering can be formed, wherein this floor panel includes at least one sound-absorbing layer which is integrated into the floor panel and is located between other layers of this floor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Peter HOCHEPIED
  • Patent number: 8056295
    Abstract: Floor covering, consisting of floor panels (2), which, at least at two opposite sides (3-4), comprise coupling parts (5-6), which, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels (2), provide for a vertical as well as for a horizontal locking, characterized in that in coupled condition, at least at the location of the aforementioned two sides (3-4) of at least two mutually coupled floor panels (2), a strip (11), more particularly a prefabricated strip (11), is present in the floor covering (1), said strip extending up to the visible side of the floor covering (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventors: Mark Cappelle, Bernard Thiers, Luc Vanhastel
  • Publication number: 20110120634
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a laminate product comprising at least a laminate layer with a decor sheet, wherein, for forming the laminate layer, at least a decor sheet is formed by providing in a decor application process a decor in the form of a motif on a decor carrier, wherein this decor carrier consists of a continuous material web, wherein the decor is applied by means of one or more digital printers and wherein the global decor during the processing of the material web is controlled in a varying manner, by means of controlling the one or more printers, as a function of varying external data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Laurent Meersseman
  • Publication number: 20110011026
    Abstract: Floor panel comprising coupling parts enabling two floor panels to adopt two or more different mutually locked positions (P1-P2) when coupled, wherein the two or more mutual positions (P1-P2) differ from each other in that they, at the coupled sides, define two or more different distances (S) between the upper side edges of the floor panels, and adapter elements are provided with the coupling parts, so that the use or non-use of these adapter elements enables setting the mutually locked position (P1-P2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Mark Cappelle, Bernard Thiers
  • Publication number: 20100311854
    Abstract: Board, wherein this board substantially consists of a material mass which is pressed and which comprises at least two components, namely a first component consisting of organic material, and a second component functioning as a binding agent for said first component, with the characteristic that said material mass is composed differently in the plane of the board. The invention also relates to methods by which such board can be manufactured, as well as to panels comprising such board material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Lode De Boe, Peter Hochepied
  • Publication number: 20100242391
    Abstract: Floor panel, more particularly a laminate floor panel, wherein this floor panel comprises a decor, a top layer on the basis of synthetic material, and an underlying substrate (13), whether or not composed of several layers or parts, wherein the floor panel (1), in the surface over which the decor (10) extends, is provided with embossed portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Laurent MEERSSEMAN, Christian Vandevoode, Bernard Thiers
  • Publication number: 20090260307
    Abstract: Floor panel, said floor panel (1) comprising a decor (2), as well as a top layer (8) based on synthetic material (9), and wherein the decor (2) represents a pattern with several wood parts (3) per floor panel (1), characterized in that in the upper surface (14) of the floor panel (1) one or more height differences are present in that the upper surface (14), at the location of one of more of the wood parts (3), shows an individualized global surface level (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Bernard Thiers
  • Publication number: 20090139170
    Abstract: Floor covering that is composed of a plurality of hard floor panels (2), wherein, on the one hand, the floor panels (2) show a common general decor (3), however, on the other hand, among the floor panels (2) showing the common general decor (3), also floor panels (2) are present that differ from each other in respect to their appearance and/or on their own have zones of a differing appearance, wherein these floor panels (2), at least at two opposite sides or edges thereof, are provided with coupling parts (6-7) allowing that two of such floor panels (2) can cooperate with each other at these sides, and wherein at least some of the floor panels (2) possess at least one chamfer (8-28), such as a beveled edge or the like, wherein the surfaces of these chamfers (8-28) are provided, at least partially, with a separately applied decorative covering (10, 10A-10B) consisting at least of a decorative layer (11), characterized in that the appearance of said decorative covering (10, 10A-10B) is realized in a manner vary
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Bernard Thiers
  • Publication number: 20090000232
    Abstract: Floor covering, consisting of floor panels (2), which, at least at two opposite sides (3-4), comprise coupling parts (5-6), which, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels (2), provide for a vertical as well as for a horizontal locking, characterized in that in coupled condition, at least at the location of the aforementioned two sides (3-4) of at least two mutually coupled floor panels (2), a strip (11), more particularly a prefabricated strip (11), is present in the floor covering (1), said strip extending up to the visible side of the floor covering (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel