Floorboard, system and method for forming a flooring, and a flooring formed thereof

TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure relates generally to the technical field of locking systems for floorboards. This disclosure relates to a locking system for floorboards that can be mechanically combined into different patterns, especially a herringbone pattern; floorboards and floors provided with such a locking system; and laying methods. More particularly, this disclosure mainly relates to blocking arrangements that allow mainly floating floors to be laid in complex patterns and in different directions.

Field of application of the invention [0002] The present invention is particularly applicable to floating wooden and laminate floors, such as solid wood floors, parquet floors, laminate floors with a surface layer of a high pressure laminate or a direct laminate. The laminate floor has a surface consisting of melamine impregnated paper, which has been compressed under pressure and with the participation of heat.

[0003] The following description of techniques known in the art, problems in known systems and the objects and features of the invention will therefore, as a non-limiting example, primarily aim for this field of application. However, it should be emphasized that the invention can be used with any floor boards designed to be combined into different patterns by means of a mechanical locking system. The invention can thus also be applied to floors with a plastic surface, linoleum, cork, lacquered surface of fibreboard and the like. Mechanically connected floorboards can also be glued to the ground.

Definitions of some terms [0004] In the text below, the visible surface of the mounted floorboard is called the "front side" and the opposite side of the floorboard, facing the ground, is called the "back side". 'Horizontal plane' means a plane extending parallel to the outer part of the surface layer. The upper and outer part of the joint edge defines a "vertical plane" perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0005] "Connector" or "locking system" means inter-connecting connecting means that connect the floorboards vertically and / or horizontally. A "mechanical locking system" means that the joining can take place without glue. Mechanical locking systems can in many cases also be joined by gluing.

"Vertical locking" means locking parallel to the vertical plane and "horizontal locking" means locking parallel to the horizontal plane.

State of the art [0006] Traditional laminate and parquet floors are usually laid as floating, i.e. without gluing, on an existing substrate. Floating floors of this type are usually joined by means of glued tongue and groove joints. The same method is used on both the long side and the short side, and the boards are usually laid in parallel rows, the long side to the long side and the short side to the short side.

the so-called mechanical ones include flooring, i.e. the connection with [0007] In addition to such traditional floors that are joined by means of glued tongue and groove joints, floorboards that do not require glue have recently been developed and instead are mechanically connected by means of such locking systems. Locking systems that lock the boards horizontally and vertically. Mechanical locking systems can be formed as one element by machining the core of the board. Alternatively, the parts of the locking system can be formed from a separate material u that is combined with the board connected to the floorboard even in its manufacturing process at the factory.

The separate material may consist of an already mechanically machined part that is included in the joint system, although it may also be a part which, when attached, is given a suitable shape. The fixing may take place by means of glue or mechanically. The floorboards are joined, i.e. joined together or joined together, using different combinations of angular deflection, latching and insertion along the joint edge into a locked position.

[0008] The main advantages of floating floors with mechanical blocking systems are that they can be easily and quickly installed using preferably various angular deflection and snapping combinations. They can also be easily dismantled again and used again in another place.

Prior art and problems therein All currently existing mechanical locking systems as well as floors to be joined by gluing have vertical locking means that lock the floorboards in the plane of the surface of the boards. These vertical locking means consist of a tongue that engages the groove of the adjacent floorboard. The boards can not therefore connect the groove with a groove or a feather with a pen. Also, the horizontal locking system generally consists of a locking element on one side cooperating with the locking groove on the other side. Thus, the boards can not connect the locking element with the locking element or the locking groove with the locking groove. This means that the laying is practically limited to parallel rows. Using this technique, therefore, it is not possible to arrange traditional parquet patterns, where boards are mechanically joined long side with short side in "herringbone pattern" or other shapes of diamond patterns. It is known that floorboards can be made in sizes corresponding to traditional parquet cubes and in pattern A and B with a mirroring of inverted joint systems and that such floorboards can be mechanically joined in a herringbone pattern (WO 03/025307, owner of Valinge Aluminum AB) different combinations of angling and snapping. Such floorboards can also, if the locking systems are designed in a suitable manner, be connected in parallel rows. The floorboards can also be designed so that arranging them, for example, with a herringbone pattern, joining the long sides with the short sides, could be carried out quickly and easily, only with an angular movement along the long sides. With this arrangement, the short side can be connected to the long side such that the short side is, for example, folded down into the long side strap supporting the locking element. This locking element locks the floorboards horizontally. Vertical locking on such a short side is achieved by joining the boards with a herringbone pattern at a 90-degree angle to each other. The new board laid by angular deflection is locked with the short side of the previous board and prevents angular deflection upwards. However, this unusually simple method of laying can be used when laying a herringbone pattern in only one direction. This is a major inconvenience at the beginning of laying, when the wall space can not be filled with trimmed floorboards that are mounted backwards, i.e. in the opposite direction to the laying direction. Such rear-loading must then be done by snapping the short sides or by removing the locking elements so that the boards can be pushed together and glued together. Otherwise, the installation must start with cut boards that are difficult to measure and time-consuming to assemble. Laying a continuous floor surface covering several rooms requires extensive preparation and measurements, since the laying can take place only in one direction. Disassembly takes place in the reverse order and you have to disassemble virtually the entire floor if some boards laid at the beginning of laying are damaged. Such damage is easily caused by laying and is not noticed until the entire floor is laid and cleaned. Therefore, it would be a great advantage

[0010] WO 02/092342 discloses a method for manufacturing a building panel comprising the steps of dividing surface material in the form of a roll into surface strips, gluing the surface strips to the core with the spacing between the surface strips and sawing the core at the spacing point.

[0011] Document DE 103 16 695 discloses a method for manufacturing a building panel comprising the steps of dividing a surface material in the form of a roll into surface strips and gluing the surface strips to the core with the spacing between the surface strips.

[0012] Document WO 01/53628 discloses a building panel with a locking system and a method for manufacturing a locking system.

Summary of the invention [0013] Sawing and shaping of the protruding part and the tongue of the floor panels generates a lot of waste. The purpose of this invention is to reduce this waste. This object is achieved by a method for manufacturing floor panels as defined in the claims.

[0014] The present disclosure relates to locking systems, floorboards, floors and laying methods allowing faster and easier assembly of floating floors into complex patterns than is known today, preferably a herringbone pattern, a long side to a short side, only angular movement towards substrate. Disassembly can also take place faster and easier in the opposite way.

[0015] The first object of the present disclosure is to provide rectangular floorboards and locking systems meeting the above requirements and enabling, in connection with assembly and disassembly, a change of direction in which the floorboards can be joined and removed.

[0016] A second object is to provide a laying method that facilitates laying in different directions.

[0017] A third object is to provide a floor that consists of three types of floorboards and which can be arranged in complex patterns in different directions, preferably only angular or vertical movement to the ground.

[0018] The terms long side and short side are used to facilitate understanding. According to the disclosure, the boards may also be square or alternatively square and rectangular, and optionally they may have different patterns or other decorative features in different directions. For example, they may have short sides that are non-parallel.

[0019] It should be emphasized in particular that the blocking systems appearing in this specification are only examples of suitable standards. Blocking geometries and active horizontal and vertical locking means can be designed in many different ways according to the prior art and can be formed by chip machining of the floorboard edge or by separate shaped or alternatively chipped materials before or after attachment to the part of the floorboard joint edge .

[0020] This object is achieved in whole or in part by means of a floorboard, a system and a method according to the disclosure. Embodiments are illustrated in the appended dependent claims, in the following description and in the drawings.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a rectangular floorboard designed to mechanically connect said floorboard to similar or identical adjacent floorboards, said mechanical connection being achieved by means of a first locking means having a locking groove and a second locking means having a portion protruding beyond the vertical plane defined by the upper connecting edge and perpendicular to the plane of the main floorboard and supporting blocking element designed to cooperate with said locking groove when said floorboard is connected to a similar or identical to said adjacent floorboards. In the floorboard, the first locking means is provided on the first short side of the floorboard,

[0022] Such a floorboard, hereinafter referred to as "bidirectional board", has, in contrast to the known technique, three sides, one short side and two long sides having the same type of mechanical locking system. This bi-directional board can be connected to the floor together with other types of floorboards and it allows you to change the direction of laying, which greatly facilitates laying, especially when the floor consists of floor boards joined in a herringbone pattern.

[0023] By the term "similar floorboard" is meant a floorboard, the locking system of which is compatible, i.e. connectable, with the locking system of the floorboard defined herein, but which may have a different configuration in this respect, which locking means are arranged on which long side or short side of the floorboard. In addition, such a similar floorboard may have additional locking means, e.g. to also provide vertical locking.

[0024] In a first embodiment of this first aspect, the mechanical joining can be carried out in a vertical movement towards the previously laid floorboard. In a second embodiment, the protruding part consists of a strap with a locking element. In a third embodiment, the protruding part consists of an extension of the tongue groove in the joint edge of the floorboard.

[0025] According to a second aspect, there is provided a floor forming system comprising rectangular floorboards formed to provide mechanical joining of adjacent joint edges of the floorboards forming part of the system. In this arrangement, the floorboards are designed to allow said mechanical joining in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the respective joint edges and parallel to the main plane of the floorboards between two adjacent short sides, between one of the short sides and the adjacent long side and between the two adjacent long sides. In this arrangement a mechanical connection in said horizontal direction is provided by a first locking means provided on the first of said adjacent connecting edges and comprising a locking groove and a second locking means provided on the other of said adjacent connecting edges and including a portion extending beyond the vertical plane determined by an upper joint edge and perpendicular to said main plane of the floorboard blocking a designed and supportive element for cooperating with said locking groove. The arrangement comprises first and second type of floorboards on which said first and second locking means are arranged in pairs on opposite short and long edges, respectively, wherein the locking means of the first type of floorboard along one pair of opposing joint edges is a mirror image of a respective locking means along the same pair of opposite joint edges of the second type of floorboard. The system includes a third type floorboard that is designed such that the first of its two short edges has said first locking means and both its long edges and its second short edge have said second locking means.

[0026] Thus, the present disclosure includes a locking system and a floor made of rectangular, mechanically locked floorboards of the first, second and third types.

[0027] The first and the second type have, along their long sides, a pair of opposed connecting means for locking together similar adjoining floorboards in a horizontal direction parallel to the main plane of the floorboards and in a vertical direction perpendicular to the main plane and along their short sides of the pair. opposite connecting means that allow locking together similar similar floor boards in a horizontal direction. The connecting means of the floorboards on the long side are designed to allow locking together with the angular movement along the upper joint edge, and the connecting means of the floorboards on the short side are designed to allow blocking together in a substantially vertical movement.

The third type floorboard has a short side that can be locked at least in a horizontal direction with an adjacent short side and two long sides of another floorboard of the same third type and furthermore with a short side and a long side of the first and second type of floorboards. In addition, this third type has a short side and two long sides that can be locked with the adjacent short side of the floorboard of the same third type and with a long side and short side of the first and second type. The third type of floor boards, which is therefore a bidirectional board, allow laying in different directions and the floor can also be removed again from two different directions.

[0028] In a first embodiment of this second aspect, the bi-directional board has on one short side and on two long sides a mechanical locking system consisting of a protruding part.

[0029] In a second embodiment of this second aspect, the bidirectional board has one short side and two long sides that can be connected with an angular movement with at least one long side of the first and second kind. In addition, the floorboards are combined with a herringbone pattern, a long side with a short side.

wherein said mechanical connection in said horizontal direction is provided by a first locking means provided on a first of said adjacent joint edges and comprising a locking groove and a second locking means provided on a second of said adjacent joint edges and having a portion protruding beyond the vertical plane defined by the upper edge connector and which is perpendicular to said main plane of the floorboard and a support locking element designed to cooperate with said locking groove. This system comprises first and second type of floorboards on which said first and second locking means are arranged in pairs on opposite short and long edges, respectively, wherein the locking means of the first type of floorboard along one pair of opposing joint edges is a mirror image of a respective locking means along the same pair of opposite joint edges of the second type of floorboard. The method includes connecting floorboards in different directions in the main plane of the floorboards by angling inward, in which the first row is formed by joining, the long side with the short side, the third type of floor boards that are designed so that the first of their two short the edge has said first locking means, and both their long edges and their second short edge d have said second locking means, in which at least one second row is formed by joining, the long side with the short side,

[0031] According to this disclosure, only one type of bidirectional board is used, which is mounted in different directions, in order to change the direction of stacking two types of mirrors of inverted floorboards. This is advantageous because the number of variants produced and stored can be reduced.

Brief description of the drawings [0032]

Figs. 1a-c show floorboards according to an embodiment not forming part of the presently claimed invention.

Figs. 2a-2h show the locking systems on the long and short sides.

Figs. 3a-3c show joining a herringbone pattern. Figs. 4a-4b show the laying of the floor.

Figs. 5a-5b show the arrangement in different directions.

Figs. 6a-6d show an embodiment with a flexible tongue.

Figures 7a-7c show low cost production with separated strips of surface layer.

Description of Embodiments [0033] Fig. 1a shows in plan view three rectangular floorboards which are of the first type A, the second type B and the third type C according to an embodiment not forming part of the currently claimed invention. Fig. 1a also shows these floorboards viewed from the side towards the long side and towards the short sides. The floorboards of types A and B have, in this embodiment, long sides 4a, 4b, which have vertical and horizontal connecting means and short sides 5a, 5b, which have horizontal connecting means. These connecting means are integrally formed with the floorboard. The two types are identical in this embodiment, except that the position of the locking means is the inverted mirror. The locking means allow to connect the long side 4a with the long side 4b at least by angling inwards and a long side 4a with short side 5a by angling inward, and also by short side 5b with long side 4b by vertical movement. In this embodiment, joining the two long sides 4a, 4b and the short sides 5a, 5b into a herringbone pattern, i.e. so that the boards A and B are mutually connected perpendicular to each other, the long side with the short side can only be angular along the long sides 4a, 4b. The long sides 4a and 4b of the floorboards have connection means, which in this embodiment consist of a protruding part P in one long side 4b. The protruding part P is located outside the upper joint edge and consists of a strip 6 and a groove 9. The second long side 4a has a tongue 10.

The third type C has short sides 5a and 5b, which in terms of the locking function are substantially identical to the first type A and the second type B. The opposite long sides 4a and 4b are, however, differently shaped. They are characterized in that the short sides 5a, 5b of the two such floorboards 1, 1 'can be joined together and locked horizontally in a vertical movement, and one short side 5b of one board 1 can be combined in the same way with two long sides 4a , 4b of the second board 1 '. The mechanical connection consists of a first locking means in one short side

5b, having a locking groove 12, and a second locking means in a second short side 5a, having a portion P that projects beyond the vertical plane VP perpendicular to the main plane of the floorboard and defined by the upper joint edge. The floorboards are characterized in that the second locking means with the protruding part P is arranged on one short side 5 a and on two long sides 4 a, 4 b. The long sides 4a and 4b can not be locked together in this embodiment, and one short side 5a can not be interlocked with any long side.

[0035] In a flooring system comprising floorboards of all three types A, B, C, such an embodiment the floorboards according to not forming part of the presently claimed invention can be combined as follows: The third type C floorboard 1 has a short side 5b, which preferably can be locking in horizontal direction with adjacent short side 5a and two long sides 4a, 4b of floorboard 1 'of the same type C, also with short side 5a and one long side 4b of first floor boards A and second type B. In addition, floor board C has one short side 5a and two long sides 4a, 4b, which can be locked with short side 5b of floorboard type 1 'of type C, and with long side 4a side 5b of first A and second type B. Joining the above-mentioned three substantially identical sides 4a,4b and 5a of the third type C with long sides 4a, the two mirrors of the inverted boards of the first A and the second type B can be provided with an angular movement adjacent to the same and with a short one, which may take place in both vertical and horizontal directions.

The panels A and B may be joined together as follows: The long sides 4a can be locked to the adjacent long sides 4b vertically and horizontally by an angular deflection. The joining of the short sides 5b with the long and short sides 4b and 5a, which have a protruding part P, can take place in a vertical movement, and the blocking is preferably only horizontal.

[0037] Fig. 1b shows how the long side 4a of two floorboards of type A and B is connected in angular movement with the protruding parts P of the third kind of floorboard C. After joining, the protruding parts P of boards A and B are oriented in the opposite direction . This then allows the angular movement to be arranged in these two directions when the new plank is connected to the previously laid plank by placing it on it and angling downwards towards the protruding part. Such laying is easier to make than if the protruding part P has to be inserted under the previously laid floorboard prior to the angular deflection inwards. Changing the direction of laying by means of a special bidirectional board according to an embodiment not forming part of the presently claimed invention may therefore also be beneficial if

[0038] Fig. 1c shows how the short side 5b is placed on the short side 5a which has a protruding part P. Such vertical movement resulting in horizontal locking can be made only by placing 5b into 5a. Thus, it is not possible to lock the floorboards according to this embodiment by placing 5a with the protruding part P on 5b.

[0039] There may be several variants. These two types of floorboards do not have to be of the same size, and the locking means can also be differently shaped. Connecting means on different sides can be made of the same material or different materials or be made of the same material but have different material properties. For example, the connecting means can be of plastic, metal, a material based on the base material and the like. They may also be made of the same material as the floorboard, but may be subjected to a modification-modifying treatment such as impregnation or the like.

[0040] Figures 2a-2h show two embodiments of a locking system that can be used to connect floorboards according to an embodiment not forming part of the presently claimed invention. In particular, it should be pointed out that several other locking systems with analogous or similar functions can also be used. There is also no need for the locking function to be in the protruding part. Blocking can take place on the vertical plane VP or within it. As an alternative to connecting with an angular movement, horizontal or angled latching to the horizontal plane can be used. Fig. 2a-2d blocking according to Figs.

show detail in arrangement 1. Fig. 2a shows connecting means in two boards 1, 1 'which are connected to each other with side 4b.

that the long side 4a is connected to the long one The vertical blocking consists of a groove 9 which interacts with the tongue 10. The horizontal blocking comprises the protruding part P with the strip 6, the locking element 8 cooperating with the locking groove 12. This coupling system can be joined by tilting angularly inward along the upper edges in one upper 133, substantially fasteners. The floorboards have a connecting edge groove parallel to the floor surface. Fig. 2b shows connecting means on the short side. They consist of a strip 6 with a locking element 8 which cooperates with the locking groove 12 and only provides horizontal locking of the floorboards 1, 1 '. The short side 5a has a groove 9 which is adapted to cooperate with the tongue 10 of the long side 4a when the long sides and short sides are locked together. The short side 5b however does not have a tongue 10. Fig. 2c shows how the short side 5b is locked with the long side 4b. The locking system highlighted in Fig. 2c can only be locked vertically with a vertical movement such that the short side 5b is placed with its locking groove 12 on the long side or short side with the protruding part P. Fig. 2d shows how the short side 5a can be locked with long side 4a vertically and horizontally by means of a locking system allowing angular deflection inwards.

[0041] Figs. 2e-2h show examples of a locking system in which the protruding part P consists in exchange of a tongue 10 having a locking element 8 in its outer and upper part at the floor surface in one joint edge of the floorboard 1. The locking system further has groove 9 with upper lip 21 and lower lip 22, and undercut groove 12 in the second joint edge of the floorboard 1 '. Such a locking system can be made compact, and this reduces material losses in the production of the tongue 10 by machining the joint edge of the floorboard. Material losses are very important for narrow and short floorboards. Fig. 2f-2h show how such a locking system can be adapted to be connected only by angular deflection, a herringbone pattern and parallel rows. In this embodiment, the short side 5b does not have a lower lip preventing vertical locking. The long sides can be joined by angular deflection, and the long sides can be locked with short sides by angular deflection and vertical folding. Blocking using vertical movement also requires in this case placing one side on the protruding part P.

[0042] Figs. 3a-3c show the laying of the floor in a herringbone pattern using only angular movement along the long sides and in different laying directions using a special type of floorboard of the third type C. Fig. 3a shows how one can start laying the floor in a pattern in a herringbone by arranging the first row R1 from floor boards of type C. The dashed line means the part protruding P. The identical new board C2 is added to the first stack C1 in the first row and is rotated by 90 degrees and connected by its long side 4a with short side 5b first arranged board. Then the remaining boards C3, C4 are laid in the same way. All boards are joined together with a long side with short sideways vertical movement. The boards are only horizontal. You can now attach a new R2 row to the first row.

They can now be joined with an angular movement with protruding parts B in the first row. A5 and A6 are laid by angular deflection. B7 and B8 can then also be connected by angular deflection, the short side 5b of the board B7 is folded down to the protruding part of the board A6. In the same way, the selected number of rows can be connected in the direction of ID1. The floor boards in the second row R2 block the bidirectional boards C in a vertical direction after joining these boards. Fig. 3c shows that the laying direction can now be changed to the opposite direction ID2. The boards B9 and B10, which have been rotated 180 degrees with respect to the boards B7 and B8 in the second row, can now be mounted in the third row R3 to the boards C in the first row R1 with an angular movement. Boards A11 and A12 can be mounted in the same way and laying can be continued in the direction of laying ID2.

[0043] Fig. 4a shows how a change in the laying direction can be applied to achieve a simple and quick laying. Laying starts with laying the first row R2 from planking boards of the third type C1-C4. Then, bidirectional boards C are combined with A5, A5, A6 and B7, B8 in the second row R2. The distance from the wall W can now be filled with trimmed floorboards A11, A14, A16 and B9, B13 and B15, which can be laid in the ID2 direction and adapted to the shape of the wall W. The laying can then be continued in the original direction ID1. Fig. 4b shows how bidirectional boards C can be used to simplify the laying of a continuous floor covering several rooms FL1 and FL2. Laying starts appropriately from the first row arrangement R1 using bidirectional boards C. The row is then blocked by laying the second row R2 from the boards A and B. Now the row R3 can be laid and the distance from the wall to the floorboards can be covered. Then the stacking can be continued in the direction of ID1 until the row R5 is laid. The new bidirectional C boards are now installed in row R6 in the FL2 room. Then the row R7 is laid, which is locked to the two-way boards C. Now you can mount the row R9 and arrange the rest of the floor in two rooms FL1 and FL2 in the direction ID1. Laying the floor can be completed after laying the rest of the FL2, arranging the row R8 and the remaining rows in the direction of ID2. The new bidirectional C boards are now installed in row R6 in the FL2 room. Then the row R7 is laid, which is locked to the two-way boards C. Now you can mount the row R9 and arrange the rest of the floor in two rooms FL1 and FL2 in the direction ID1. Laying the floor can be completed after laying the rest of the FL2, arranging the row R8 and the remaining rows in the direction of ID2. The new bidirectional C boards are now installed in row R6 in the FL2 room. Then the row R7 is laid, which is locked to the two-way boards C. Now you can mount the row R9 and arrange the rest of the floor in two rooms FL1 and FL2 in the direction ID1. Laying the floor can be completed after laying the rest of the FL2, arranging the row R8 and the remaining rows in the direction of ID2.

[0044] Two-way boards may also be used to facilitate disassembly. If a row of bidirectional boards is mounted, for example, in the middle of a room, then the disassembly can be done from two directions by angling upwards. By means of the prior art method, it is necessary to dismantle virtually the entire floor to replace the boards mounted at the beginning of the laying operation.

[0045] Fig. 5a shows how the bidirectional board C according to the embodiment of fig. 1 can be combined in a cross. Such joining can be done by vertical movement. Several alternatives are possible. For example, the short sides 5a, 5b can be formed according to Figs. 2a or 2e. In this case, they have a tongue enabling angular movement along the upper joint edges and / or substantially horizontal snapping. Other types of angular and / or latch connections can also be used. Alternatively, the short sides can also be joined by insertion along the joint edge. Fig. 5b shows how cross joining can be used to provide a floor of two types dfloorboards A, B, which have mirrored inverted locking systems and which mechanically combine a long side with a long side and a short side with a short side only an angular movement. The whole arrangement starts conveniently in the middle of the cross, and then can take place in four directions ID1, ID2, ID3 and ID4. The four parts of the cross are connected to the boards A and B. This connection is characterized by the fact that each two-directional board C is connected to a different bidirectional board and, accordingly, to the boards A and B. The dismantling can be done in the opposite direction, and therefore each the floor can be disassembled in separate parts from four directions. A suitable pattern of the arrangement can of course be provided by angling the long sides and snapping the short sides together.

[0046] Figures 6a-6c show an embodiment with a flexible tongue 30 in a keyway 40 preferably formed in the edge of the first panel 1. The flexible tongue is designed to cooperate with the keyway 41 of a second similar floor panel 1 'in such a way that the second tongue the panel can be locked with the first floor panel in the vertical and horizontal direction by simple vertical folding. The flexible tongue 30 and the keyway 40 may be formed in the edge of the first panel 1 or - as shown in figure 6d - in the edge of the second panel 1 '. The groove 41 on the tongue is formed in the adjacent edge. The flexible tongue is moved twice in the keyway during vertical folding. The first displacement is realized by vertical folding of the second floor panel. The second displacement of the flexible tongue towards its initial position is realized essentially due to the elasticity of the flexible tongue and / or to any other flexible device preferably located in the groove. The locking system according to this embodiment can be used, for example, on the short sides of the panels A, B and C described above with reference to Fig. 1a. The flexible tongue and groove are preferably formed on the short sides 5b. Such an embodiment with a flexible tongue allowing vertical and horizontal mechanical locking by angular deflection can be used to form a stronger joint in the panels, where the edges can be deformed vertically when the humidity changes or, for example, when the floor is exposed to high loads and stresses . A floor consisting of panels A,

[0047] The floor panels manufactured according to the invention are particularly well suited for use on floors composed of quite small and narrow panels. When such floor panels have a surface of e.g. linoleum, fabric, high pressure laminate and similar surfaces which according to known technology are produced in rolls or sheets and adhered to board material such as HDF, chipboard and similar wood-based panels, the cost production is quite high. The main reason is that a lot of waste is generated by sawing the blank sheet material 1 and shaping the locking system, especially on the long sides. This is shown in figure 7a. Semi-finished sheet material 1, surface composition 51, core 50 and compensation 52. Sawing and shaping of the protruding part P and the blade 10 generates a lot of W waste. The object of the invention is to reduce this waste. This object is achieved by means of a manufacturing method and a semi-finished sheet or panel. The surface material 51 in the form of a sheet or roll is divided into surface strips 53 which are glued to the core 50 with a space 54 between the surface strips 53. These surface strips preferably have a width that is substantially the same as the visible surface of the floor panels.

from a layer preferably a layer

Of course, in most cases, a small amount of allowance is needed for the final trimming of the edges. The length of the surface stripes can be similar to the length of one or more floor panels. The gap 54 mainly consists of a board material 50 without a surface layer 51. In most cases, the gap 54 will consist of a core coated with an adhesive layer. The same method can be used to save material on the back. Even the compensation layer 52 can be adhered to the core 50 with a space between the strips 53. The surface layer and the compensation layer 52 are preferably horizontally offset by distance D to save costs. Figure 7c shows that the compensation layer 52 does not have to cover the protruding part P. The compensation layer can be displaced inwards on both sides of the surface layer by the distance D, D '. This can provide additional cost savings, especially if the compensation layer is an expensive material such as a stopper, wood veneer or a fiber-based material, foam or the like, which can also serve, for example, to suppress sounds. This method of dividing the surface layer into strips before gluing offers, in particular, the advantage that the surface layer can be cut or cut into surface strips using, for example, a knife, a jet of water or the like. Such methods do not generate the same waste as for example a 2-3 mm saw blade, currently used to cut a blank sheet 1 on individual panels. Saw cutting and shaping of the blocking system causes a loss of surface material, so it is difficult to create a pattern that maintains continuity at the joint of two panels. Figure 7a shows that the pattern 56 will be different when the edge is machined. Cutting with a knife will not cause a significant loss of surface material and it will be possible to keep the pattern 56 of figure 7b. When machining the edge of the floor panel, the edge 55 of the surface strip 53 can be used as a reference surface. By means of this technique, the panels can be manufactured in a low cost manner and even with patterns that are substantially continuous at the junction between the two panels. As an alternative, there is of course the possibility of sticking the strips of the surface layer and / or the compensation layer to individual panels,

[0048] All embodiments described above may be combined with each other in whole or in part. The technique with separate surface strips can also be used in connection with production by directly compressing the laminate, where the melamine impregnated paper is laminated to the core material. In this case, impregnated paper should be divided into individual strips before lamination.

Valinge Innovation AB

Proxy:

76P39362PL00

EP 2 415 947 B1