U.S. patent application number 12/593762 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for laminar magnetic covering tiles.
This patent application is currently assigned to ANTHEM LEATHER, INC.. Invention is credited to Aldo Ruben Esposito.
Application Number | 20120000156 12/593762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39456269 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120000156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Esposito; Aldo Ruben |
January 5, 2012 |
LAMINAR MAGNETIC COVERING TILES
Abstract
A magnetic covering tile comprised of laminar materials covering
surfaces such as floors, walls, ceilings, columns and furniture
having a surface provided with a plate made of magnetic material
for receiving the magnetic covering tile, wherein the magnetic tile
comprises a top layer exposed to the users and a bottom magnetic
layer affixed to the top layer, with an intermediate layer to
provide structural stability to the tile.
Inventors: |
Esposito; Aldo Ruben;
(Avellaneda-Buenos Aires, AR) |
Assignee: |
ANTHEM LEATHER, INC.
HIGH POINT
NC
|
Family ID: |
39456269 |
Appl. No.: |
12/593762 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
March 28, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US08/58632 |
371 Date: |
April 5, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/309.13 ;
52/578 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/02144 20130101;
E04F 15/02188 20130101; E04F 13/0883 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/309.13 ;
52/578 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/30 20060101
E04F013/30; E04C 2/20 20060101 E04C002/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 29, 2007 |
AR |
P-070101314 |
Claims
1. A magnetic tile for covering surfaces, the tile being of the
type for fixing onto a ferromagnetic substrate which is arranged in
the surfaces to be covered, the tile comprising: a top layer, a
bottom magnetic flexible layer, and at least one intermediate
textile lamina with adhesive means to affix to both the top layer
and the bottom magnetic flexible layer, wherein the top layer has
peripheral edges extending downwardly around corresponding edges of
the bottom magnetic flexible layer.
2. The magnetic tile of claim 1, wherein the at least one
intermediate textile lamina is a fabric lamina covering at least an
inner surface of the bottom magnetic flexible layer.
3. The magnetic tile of claim 1, wherein the at least one
intermediate textile lamina is a fabric lamina extending to
laterally cover the periphery of the bottom magnetic flexible
layer.
4. The magnetic tile of claim 1, wherein the top layer comprises a
flexible material selected from the group consisting of natural
leather, synthetic leather, furs, plastics, resins and natural and
synthetic lining.
5. The magnetic tile of claim 1, wherein the top layer comprises a
flexible material selected from the group consisting of glass,
ceramics, building materials, cementitious materials, plastics,
resins and metals.
6. The magnetic tile of claim 1, wherein the top layer and the
bottom magnetic flexible layer are impervious whereby the
peripheral edges of the top layer extending downwardly around the
corresponding edges of the bottom magnetic flexible layer form an
impervious sealing perimeter.
7. The magnetic tile of claim 1, wherein the adhesive means is a
resin.
8. The magnetic tile of claim 1, wherein the at least one
intermediate textile lamina is a hydrophilic lamina selected from
the group consisting of a woven and non-woven fabrics.
9. The magnetic tile of claim 1, wherein the top layer is natural
leather.
10. A magnetic covering assembly comprising a plurality
side-by-side arranged magnetic tiles of claim 1, wherein downwardly
extending peripheral edges of the top layer of a tile is in contact
with corresponding downwardly extending peripheral edges of the top
layers of adjacent tiles in a manner to form an impervious sealing
perimeter for each tile.
11. The magnetic covering assembly of claim 10, the at least one
intermediate textile lamina with adhesive means comprises one
continuous lamina for at least a plurality of tiles, the continuous
lamina extending below the impervious sealing perimeter for the
tiles, formed by the downwardly extending peripheral edges of the
top layer of each tile of the plurality of tiles.
12. The magnetic covering assembly of claim 10, wherein the at
least one intermediate textile lamina is a fabric lamina covering
at least an inner surface of the bottom magnetic flexible
layer.
13. The magnetic tile of claim 10, wherein the at least one
intermediate textile lamina is a fabric lamina extending to
laterally cover the periphery of the bottom magnetic flexible
layer.
14. The magnetic tile of claim 10, wherein the top layer comprises
a flexible material selected from the group consisting of natural
leather, synthetic leather, furs, plastics, resins and natural and
synthetic lining.
15. The magnetic tile of claim 10, wherein the top layer comprises
a flexible material selected from the group consisting of glass,
ceramics, building materials, cementitious materials, plastics,
resins and metals.
16. The magnetic tile of claim 10, wherein the top layer and the
bottom magnetic flexible layer are impervious whereby the
peripheral edges of the top layer extending downwardly around the
corresponding edges of the top layer and the bottom magnetic
flexible layer and the contact between the top layers of adjacent
tiles form the impervious sealing perimeter.
17. The magnetic covering assembly of claim 10, wherein the
adhesive means is a resin.
18. The magnetic covering assembly of claim 10, wherein the at
least one intermediate textile lamina is selected from the group
consisting of a woven and non-woven fabrics.
19. The magnetic covering assembly of claim 10, wherein the top
layer is natural leather.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of the
construction, architecture and decoration activities by use of
devices, apparatuses and assemblies for covering, coating, lining,
dressing and the like, any kind of surfaces such as ceilings,
floors, walls, columns, counters, furniture, including swimming
pools and, more particularly the invention refers to a covering
system in the form of plates, rolls, tiles, either of regular or
irregular shapes, which are capable of being adhered by magnetic
force to the desired surface wherein the installation and removal
thereof is an easy and quick task and wherein the coatings or
coverings of the invention may be flexible or not and made of
materials like leather, wood, plastics, ceramics, which are applied
onto several surfaces and under conditions in outer or visible
surfaces including under water surfaces.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is well known in the art the use of tiles for covering or
coating or lining floors in houses, offices, apartments, or in any
other places where individuals have to walk and stay with safety
and comfort. Generally such tiles are manufactured from rigid
materials like cement, ceramics, glass and even wood and generally
has a square or rectangular shape in a manner to cover an entire
surface in a continuous basis.
[0005] It is also known that these tiles are applied and affixed
onto the desired surface by means of construction materials such as
wet cements and adhesives for which purpose the surface must be
plain and even to guarantee that, once the cement or adhesive is
set, the tiles remain permanently affixed. Care must be taken to
install the tiles correctly, particularly when a decorative pattern
is pursued because if an error is detected later the already
affixed tiles can not be removed except by destroying the same.
[0006] Similar situations are faced when covering or coating such
"wet" rooms, such as bathrooms, toilets, laundry rooms and
kitchens. These rooms are generally covered by ceramic tiles in the
floor, walls and, including ceilings, some times with tiles of
different colors or textures in order to form decorative patterns.
This installation is even more difficult because the wet adhesives
that are employed must set properly and quickly in order to prevent
the weight of the several tiles causes the coating of a wall, for
example, to fall down while the adhesive is not set yet. The use of
coatings in walls also requires the use of wood strips, papers and
fabric in rolls with repetitive patterns including resembling
textures of other materials.
[0007] In all the above cases the coatings are based in
installations by using adhesives guarantying a permanent fixation
of the tiles in the floor, walls and the like. Any decorative
pattern can not be modified except by removing the coating through
destruction thereof.
[0008] Other "warm", soft and flexible materials are more and more
employed in coverings, particularly in in-door applications, even
for improving acoustical and thermal insulations, and comfort.
However, since these materials are not rigid the same are applied
in a manner like the wall papers and carpets, however, this kind of
installation does not allow to form decorative patterns like the
tiles and to change easily the pattern of the decorative
arrangement.
[0009] One attempt to install such kind of coverings in walls and
floors is disclosed in US 2005/0276982 to Manchee, which discloses
a covering comprised of a leather layer affixed, by an adhesive, to
a flexible lamina with magnetic properties. These tiles require of
a magnetic substrate, such as a metal plate placed onto the floor
or affixed to the walls or ceiling to be coated, in order that the
magnetic flexible lamina of the tile keeps the tile removably
affixed to the plate and hence to the surface under covering.
However the tiles like the one of Manchee, made of flexible
materials like leather, fails to comply with the needs of a coating
as it will be explained below.
[0010] The leather lamina is adhered to the magnetic layer by an
adhesive fixing both lamina and layer together. If the leather has
not been treated to be impervious the adhesive migrates through the
leather outside the tile resulting in spoiled visual surfaces of
the tiles. Even when the leather is treated fluids coming from
humidity in the surface under covering may pass through cracks and
fissures in the adhesive layer and through the leather, affecting
the adherence between the leather and the magnetic layer.
[0011] Direct union between the leather and the magnetic layer is
subject to high shear forces from the individuals transit and
movements of furniture and other elements over the covering. These
forces even peel or remove the adhesive from the magnetic layer
because both materials, namely the magnetic layer and the leather,
have different and flat surfaces wherein the adhesive can fail in
retaining both surfaces together. This peeling may be produced also
under some conditions of high temperatures and humidity, etc.
[0012] As it is disclosed in Manchee the covering and/or tile has a
finishing at the edges thereof wherein the leather, the magnetic
layer and the adhesive terminates together in an open edge thus
offering a side exposed to whether conditions, dust and the like.
Once installed and after some time when the properties of the
adhesive have decay, what is accelerated by the environment
conditions, the edges of the upper layer or leather peels up and
detaches from the magnetic layer. The appearance of the covering is
markedly affected. The humidity increases and accelerates this
peeling and detaching by expanding and/or decreasing the volume of
the leather. This effect is increased when recycled materials are
employed. Thus, the contraction of the leather is capable of
bending the magnetic layer and even detaching the tile from the
ferromagnetic plate arranged onto the floor, wall or any
corresponding surface.
[0013] These magnetic coverings are convenient as long as they are
easily removable and re-installable however the people are somewhat
reluctant to use these systems because the above mentioned
drawbacks. The damage and impairment of the leather edges and
adherence thereof onto the magnetic layer, particularly when the
leather layer is directly adhered by adhesive to the magnetic
layer, get worse and the tiles must be replaced. One of the several
reasons is the break down and fissures in the adhesive layer due to
the mentioned decay under natural conditions and aging of the
product. While Manchee makes particular reference to the leather,
these effects may appear in any material employed for the upper
layer, such as any laminar flexible covering material.
[0014] Other attempts like the one disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No.
5,271,200 comprise a floor covering system having a part of the
floor covered by stationary ad permanently affixed tiles and a
central sector covered by removable magnetic tiles for advertising
purposes, wherein the magnetic tiles have their edges cut and open
in direct contact with the environment and therefore exposed to
humidity, dust, etc. with the results that the edges of the upper
layer, particularly leather, are affected in a short time by
detaching of the layers from the tile assembly.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,996 to William H. Jones et al. discloses
vinylic floor structures comprising a plurality of tiles with a
lower magnetic surface to form floor structures, however there is
not disclosure of any flexible laminar material, like leather, that
could be affixed as an outer or upper layer in an effective manner,
by having protected edges, for example, in order to prevent the
assembly from being detached, stripped or peeled.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,304 discloses the installation of
panels, fabrics or papers for covering walls, which are placed and
maintained in their position by magnetic and ferrous stripes. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,397,900 discloses a carpet that is adhered to a metal
surface by magnetic tapes included into a substrate of components
serving to support the fibers comprised in the outer surface of the
carpet.
[0017] According to the above it is well known in the art the
provision of several types of coverings, linings and decorations
that may be removably affixed to a surface by means of
ferromagnetic means but all of them are affected, as indicated, by
detachment, stripping, peeling, crumpling, creasing, etc. due to
the natural use of the floor, walls, humidity, dust, heat, cold,
etc. which coverings are not capable of being installed in several
more aggressive environments such us under water, particularly when
soft, delicate materials, like leather, are employed.
[0018] In view of the foregoing, it would be very convenient to
have a new covering, lining, decorative coating, and the like, for
installation onto floors, walls, ceilings, furniture for decoration
and any other surfaces, capable of resisting a heavy transit of
persons, including for use under water in covering swimming pools,
and which are prevented from being altered, detached, peeled,
stripped, crumpled, etc., with no failures in the edges or
periphery, with a highest resistance to shear forces in the
adhesive layer, between the upper layer and the magnetic bottom
layer, thus preventing the appearing of bubbles, peelings,
crumples, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
flexible and/or rigid covering for affixing to a surface,
preferably a plain and flat surface, or any other surface including
irregular surfaces, curved surfaces, columns of small diameters,
floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, furniture ornaments, the
covering including an outer or upper laminar material such
plastics, wood sheets, leather, glass, ceramics and other well
known linings and materials.
[0020] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a rigid and/or flexible coating or covering that may be
affixed to a floor, wall or ceiling or other surfaces by a magnetic
force, wherein the covering includes a flexible layer with magnetic
properties capable of being magnetically and removably adhered to
the floor, wall or ceiling wherein a ferromagnetic substrate is
previously arranged.
[0021] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
flexible and/or rigid covering, coating or lining having the
periphery or edges thereof protected to prevent damages therein
particularly when it is installed.
[0022] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
flexible and/or rigid covering, coating or lining having an
excellent structural stability when subject to mechanical stresses
and shear forces between the upper or top layer, preferably made of
leather, and the bottom magnetic layer, this stability and
resistance being provided by a construction having at least one
intermediate stabilizing laminar material such as a textile layer
or lamina.
[0023] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
flexible and/or rigid covering, coating or lining having at least
one intermediate stabilizing layer or lamina, preferably a textile
lamina, which actuates preferably as an hydrophilic material and
also forms a support to enhance the uniform, entire and correct
distribution or spreading of a adhesive material between the top
layer and the magnetic bottom layer.
[0024] It is even a further object of the present invention to
provide a flexible and/or rigid covering, coating or lining,
preferably in the form of a tile having a flexible top layer which
is to remain exposed to the view of the users, for decorative
purposes, made of several materials such as natural leather,
synthetic leather, furs, plastics, resins, natural and synthetic
lining, glass, ceramics, building materials, cementitious materials
and metals.
[0025] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a magnetic tile for covering surfaces, the tile being of
the type for fixing onto a ferromagnetic substrate which is
arranged in the surfaces to be covered, wherein the tile comprises
a top layer, a bottom magnetic flexible layer, and at least one
intermediate textile lamina with adhesive means to affix to both
the top layer and the bottom magnetic flexible layer, wherein the
top layer has peripheral edges extending downwardly around
corresponding edges of the bottom magnetic flexible layer.
[0026] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this
invention will be better understood when taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings and description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The present invention is illustrated by way of example in
the following drawings wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 shows is perspective and exploded view of a tile
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the
three layer of the tile and the magnetic substrate to be installed
in a surface where the tile is to be installed;
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view and partially cross section
of the tile of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a cross section view of two tiles installed one
adjacent the other onto the magnetic substrate with the edges of
the tiles being in intimate contact to prevent the edges from being
exposed to the environmental conditions, and also preventing the
edges form moving up to peel or strip from the assembly, and
[0031] FIG. 4 shows is a cross section view similar to that one of
FIG. 3 but of another embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Now referring in detail to the invention, the same refers to
a new lining, coating or covering comprising decorative or lining
materials such as leather, fabric and the like. The use of leather
and fabric, as well as other synthetic flexible materials for
covering several surfaces such as walls, floors and ceilings is
associated to many difficulties coming from the laminar and
flexible nature of these materials, particularly the leather which
is a natural material. The present invention facilitates the use of
these materials by providing a new cover system, preferably
comprised of tiles having a natural, flexible and soft surface
appearance and finishing such as the properties of the leather,
also permitting the easy installation and removal of the cover
system in walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, columns and other
surfaces by means of a magnetic force. The coverings of the
invention even may be used in applications under wet conditions and
water such as in swimming pools, shower spaces, bathrooms,
kitchens.
[0033] The covering of the invention, preferably in the form of a
tile, comprises a multi-layer construction having and enhanced
resistance and stability as compared to the prior art, particularly
because of the stability provided by the new adhesive and
construction properties of the multi-layer system and because of
the way the periphery and edges of the tile are preserved against
the surrounding aggressive conditions. Thus, the invention permits
to conform coverings in floors, for example, wherein a high transit
of individuals must be expected. The multi-layer covering is also
apt for installation in walls, ceilings, furniture and many
surfaces, therefore, while the description is oriented to the
covering of floors and the tile is described with leather, the
invention must not be construed as restricted to these
applications.
[0034] Now making reference to FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view
of a covering of the invention is shown, more particularly a
multi-layer tile indicated by general reference 1, comprising at
least one intermediate textile lamina 2 interposed between a bottom
magnetic flexible layer 3 and a flexible top layer 4 made of any
decorative, lining material, such as leather, with the intermediate
textile lamina 2 having adhesive to affix to both top layer 4 and
bottom magnetic flexible layer 3. Top layer 4 has peripheral edges
extending downwardly around corresponding edges 6 of the bottom
magnetic flexible layer. The leather flexible layer 4 has a lip 5
extending around the entire periphery or perimeter covering the
side edges 6 of magnetic layer 3. The closed periphery of the tile
is conformed by the union between top layer 4 and magnetic layer 3
irrespective of how many intermediate layer are arranged between
them.
[0035] Bottom magnetic layer 3 is comprised of a support material
such as rubber or thermoplastic material within which a plurality
of small magnetic particles are provided to conform a magnetic
flexible layer with the property of adhering to ferromagnetic
surfaces.
[0036] Top layer 4 is comprised of a covering layer that may
comprise any appropriate cover or decorative material, either
flexible or not, which in this description will be described as
natural leather for a preferred embodiment of the invention.
However, this material may be any other synthetic material such as
synthetic leather or any other natural material preferably capable
of "copying" the shape of the surfaces to which the covering is
adhered. For example, the tiles of the invention may comprise also
ceramic materials, glass, metals and others that are capable of
being adhered to the magnetic layer by the intermediate lamina of
the invention.
[0037] As mentioned above, the direct adherence between two
materials with different properties, such as the leather layer 4
and the magnetic layer 3, by a known adhesive leads to the
generation of shear stresses and skidding between the layers due to
different dilatation index, surface textures, flexibility, etc. All
these factors cause the adhesive to behave in different manners in
connection to each of the layers. The humidity conditions and cold
and heat variations, transit of pedestrians, form of the surface to
which the covering is installed, generate stresses causing the
stripping of the layers and/or appearing of air or gas bubbles and
bending of the top layer respect of the magnetic layer.
[0038] To overcame the above mentioned problems and any other
related to the structural stability of a tile, the present
invention provides at least one textile lamina 2 that may be
impregnated in an adhesive, such as a resin, or any other gum or
adhesive that is spread properly between the top layer and the
magnetic layer in a manner that a very cohesive multi-laminar
construction is obtained wherein top layer 4 is affixed to magnetic
layer 3 through the adhesive-impregnated textile lamina 2. As a
result, the tile assembly of the invention has an enhanced
resistance because the textile lamina, preferably a fabric,
actuates as a resistant structure, providing cohesion, absorbing
tensions and resisting the relative movements of the layers. In
other words, the texture of the fabric, or the warp and weft
thereof, is conveniently complemented with the random fiber of the
inner surface of the leather and the plain and smooth surface of
the magnetic layer. The fabric defines an effective transition
between the both different surfaces to enhance the adherent effect
of the adhesive. The fabric also provides the assembly with a
tension resistance as well as it permits a high flexibility wherein
the tile may accompany several shapes including different curve
degrees and irregularities in the surface to be covered.
[0039] The affixing of two materials having different
characteristics, such as the top layer having an inner surface with
fibers, pores, etc. typical from natural leather and wood, and
other materials having smooth surfaces, such as the rubber and
plastics for the magnetic layer, is based in a very complex
mechanism that fails in a short time causing the collapse of the
assembly. According to the invention, an additional textile
material, namely lamina 2, has been provided to form a transition
between the top layer and the magnetic layer enhancing the cohesion
or adherence between the involved layers.
[0040] The fabric improves the spreading or distributions of the
adhesive in order to reach a uniform bonding. The warp and weft of
the fabric forms a structure for the adhesive preventing the same
from cracking and fissures generally appearing in common assemblies
because of aging, shocks, humidity, temperature variations, etc. In
addition, the fabric enhances the resistance and resiliency of the
multi-layer assembly also providing tenacity to the inner or lower
surface of the leather, resisting compression forces and preventing
deformation of the top layer.
[0041] As it is shown in FIG. 2, the multi-layer covering 1 is
conformed of the at least three layers affixed one to the other
with edges 5 of top layer 4 extending downwardly around
corresponding edges of the fabric 2 and bottom magnetic flexible
layer 3. Layer 2 covers at least an inner surface of the bottom
magnetic flexible layer and extends to laterally cover the
periphery of the bottom magnetic flexible layer. This structure
conforms a flexible resistant tile with the periphery thereof duly
closed and sealed to prevent humidity and dust from entering the
multi-layer assembly. Layer or lamina 2 may be a woven or non-woven
fabric that permits the adhesive to pass through the fabric in
order to impregnate the same and adhere to layers 3 and 4. Fabric 2
should have hydrophilic and oleophilic properties with the capacity
of trapping and retaining liquids flowing through the leather by
natural or migration or accidental spilling. This prevents that the
liquid may pass through any cracks or fissures in the adhesive and
reach the magnetic layer thus preserving the adhesiveness between
leather 4 and magnetic layer 3.
[0042] The hydrophilic property of the fabric defines a humidity
reservoir within the system that compensates the environmental
variations. In conventional tiles, these variations and changes
cause the tile structural deformations that spoil the leather
appearance. Preferably, the top layer and the bottom magnetic
flexible layer are impervious whereby the peripheral edges of the
top layer extending downwardly around the corresponding edges of
the bottom magnetic flexible layer form an impervious sealing
perimeter.
[0043] Figure shows two tiles 1, 1', in cross section, magnetically
adhered onto a substrate, surface or ferromagnetic plate 7 which in
turn is arranged, adhered to, or form part of, a wall, a floor, a
ceiling, furniture or ornament. Lips 5, 5' are arranged one against
the other and preserve the periphery of both tiles and hence of the
entire assemblies. Intermediate fabric laminas 2, 2', arranged
between top layer 4 and magnetic layer 3 are also preserved against
the outer environment. Magnetic layer 3 is firmly retained onto
substrate 7 by a convenient magnetic force.
[0044] Lips 5, 5', forming the perimeter edges of the tiles,
entirely cover the periphery of the underlying layers and are also
adhered to the edges of the layers to guaranty an excellent
cohesion and sealing. Considering that, also according to the
invention, the leather is subject to a treatment to make it
impervious, the free edge of the closing perimeter of the leather
may be also impervious, by impregnation with proper agents, without
affecting the appearance of the visible main upper surface.
[0045] Once the leather has been treated to be impervious as
described above, and considering that the bottom magnetic layer is
already impervious, the tile assembly will be entirely impervious
and it is capable of being installed in under water surfaces. The
inventive tiles have been successfully tested, and showed a high
resistance, under water containing up to 3.5 grams of salt per
liter of water, as in the sea water, what makes the tile to be
capable of being used in boats also.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein the
same reference numbers have been maintained because the general
multi-layer structure of the tiles are the same except for the
provision of a continuous fabric lamina 2 that extends all along
several tiles in order to manufacture the tiles t form larger
sheets or plates comprising a plurality of tiles to facilitate
installation in large surfaces. These sheets or plates may be
commercialized in rolls and the like and arranged according to
pre-designed decorative patterns. The impregnation of edges 5, 5'
to make them impervious may be carried out like in the previous
described embodiment, or as an additional step in the continuous
manufacture line.
[0047] In any of the above embodiments, the downwardly extending
peripheral edges of the top layer of a tile is in contact with
corresponding downwardly extending peripheral edges of the top
layers of adjacent tiles in a manner to form an impervious sealing
perimeter for each tile.
[0048] The multi-layer tile of the present invention, having a
flexible or rigid layer 4 and depending of the size thereof, may
accommodate to any surface, uniform or irregular, flat or curved,
and will remain firm and resistant. These properties are kept also
when the intermediate fabric is arranged, as shown in the
embodiment of FIG. 4, continuous along several tiles.
[0049] The enhanced flexibility and resistance of the tiles of the
present invention permits the easy and quick installation and
removal of the coverings with minimum, if any, deleterious effects
from environmental conditions and with enhanced adherence between
the layers of the tile.
[0050] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled
in the art that various changes and modifications may be made
therein without departing from the scope of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *