FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the connecting pro- file as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and to the method for connecting elements together as defined in the preamble of claim 12.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known from the prior art are different floor, ceiling and wall elements for both interior and exterior use. There exist e.g. wooden, ceramic, stony and plastic surface elements and those formed from a composite to be used as floor, ceiling and wall surfaces. The known surface elements may be used, depending on the material, in interior or exterior locations, e.g. in residential and public spaces, sanitary facilities, balconies, terraces, patios or in equivalent places.

Wood-plastic composite materials have pres- ently become more general in the manufacture of surface elements, thanks to their easy maintenance, tailor-made weather-resistance and new color palette.

Conventionally, the surface elements are linked together by using connecting pieces mainly made from metal or by screwing the elements to the battens. A problem in the known connecting methods has been that gaps remain between the elements. The gaps are problematic in interior spaces because dirt and dust are able to penetrate under the surface elements and cannot be removed therefrom. This weakens the usability of the elements. Especially in using separate connecting pieces in exterior use it has been perceived as a problem that, when the elements and the connecting pieces are made from different materials, they be- have in different ways as the ambient moisture and temperature varies. In such situations unfastening of the elements from each other, dilation/reduction of the gaps between them, rising of the surface made from the elements and breaking of the connecting pieces has taken place.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to disclose a new type of a connecting profile to be used in con- nection with elements formed from a composite material in order to connect them together. In addition, an objective of the invention is to disclose a method for connecting the elements together. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The connecting profile and the method according to the invention are characterized by what has been presented in the claims.

The invention is based on a connecting pro- file to be used in order to connect elements formed from a composite material. According to the invention the connecting profile includes a connector arranged to be compatible with a matching connector of the ele ^¬ ments, and the connecting profile is substantially formed from the same material as the elements to be connected. In one preferred embodiment the connection between the connector of the connecting profile and the matching connector of the element is substantially tight, but not too tight for the sake of stretching and contracting due to heat and moisture of the material. In a preferred embodiment the connection has a small play.

A connecting profile means in this connection an elongated profile or means used for connecting and/or fastening at least two elements or pieces together. The dimensions of the connecting profile, such as the length and the height, and the shape, size and length of the connector may vary depending on the application. Preferably the dimensions of the connector of the connecting profile depend on the dimensions of the matching connector of the element. By the- connecting profile it is possible to fasten, connect and/or support elements and bear the load applied on the ele ^¬ ment .

An element means in this connection an elon- gated element, such as a board-type or plank-type element or one having an equivalent shape, or a slab-type element or an element of another shape. The element may be two- or three-dimensional. The board-type element may have e.g. rectangular, elongated parallelo- gram, square or equivalent shape. The element may have any size, depending on the purpose of use. The element may be a terrace, balcony, patio or an equivalent element. In addition, the element may be a wall, floor or ceiling element.

In one embodiment of the invention ^■ the con ^¬ necting profile includes two projecting tongues as the connector, arranged to be compatible with matching connectors, i.e. grooves, of the elements in order to form a tongue-and-groove joint.

In one embodiment of the invention the con ^¬ necting profile includes two grooves as the connector, arranged to be compatible with matching connectors, i.e. projecting tongues, of the elements in order to form a tongue-and-groove joint.

In one embodiment of the invention the connecting profile includes one projecting tongue and one groove as the connector, arranged to be compatible with matching connectors, i.e. a corresponding groove and tongue, of the elements in order to form a tongue-and- groove joint. In this connection a tongue-and-groove joint means a connection for connecting adjacent elements, pieces and/or equivalent, preferably in this connection the element and the connecting profile, together. The tongue and groove may be situated on one side, multiple sides or each side of the element. In this connection a groove means an edged or a bit wedge-shaped channel in the middle of the edge in the direction of the height of the element or the connecting profile, extending for a desired distance in the lengthwise direction of the element or the connecting profile, and a tongue means the corresponding projection on the connecting profile or the element. In the context of this invention this definition also includes the so-called locking tongue and groove.

In one embodiment of the invention the connectors of the connecting profile are provided on substantially opposed sides of the connecting profile relative to each other on the cross section of the connecting profile, preferably at an angle of approximately 180 degrees to each other. In one embodiment the connectors are provided at an angle of approximately 90 to 180 degrees to each other on the cross section of the connecting profile.

In one embodiment of the invention between two connectors of the connecting profile there is pro ^¬ vided a link part that links them together. In one embodiment the connector is substantially inside the link part, e.g. a groove. In one embodiment the link part is solid in cross section. In one embodiment the link part is hollow.

In one embodiment of the invention the link part is arranged to have a height extending for the entire height of the element when the elements are placed against a base and the connecting profile is placed in connection with the elements, preferably be- tween the elements. In one embodiment the link part is arranged to have a height extending against the base on which the elements are mountable when the connecting profile is placed in connection with the elements. In one embodiment the link part is arranged to extend in the height direction to a level lower than the surface of the element when the connecting profile is placed in connection with the elements. In one embodiment the link part is arranged to have a height extending to the level of the surface of the element. In one embodiment the height of the link part is arranged to be not more than the height extending from the matching connector of the element to the surface of the element when the elements are placed against the base and the connecting profile is provided to link the elements together .

In addition to the connector and/or link part, the connecting profile may include other parts required for the purpose of use, such as parts facilitating the fastening or handling or other suitable and desired parts. Preferably the connecting profile is an elongated profile which can be provided against the edge portion of the element and arranged to be compatible with the edge portion to form a tongue-and-groove joint. The connector of the connecting profile may extend continuously through the entire profile or, alternatively, may be located at one point or several points of the profile.

In one embodiment of the invention the connector is arranged to extend continuously over the entire extent of the connecting profile in the lengthwise direction of the connecting profile.

In one embodiment the connecting profile is provided with at least one fastening point, e.g. a hole or equivalent, for a fastening means, e.g. a screw, nail or equivalent, in order to fasten the connecting profile, e.g. to a base, battens or the element to be connected. The fastening point may be provided in any point of the connecting profile. In one embodiment the fastening points may be provided, e.g. on the link part, at predetermined intervals, e.g. at intervals of 10cm.

In one embodiment of the invention the connecting profile and the elements are formed from a composite material containing fiber based components and/or plastic based components. The composite material is formed from one or more raw stocks or raw stock materials. The raw stock or the raw stock material may contain any fiber based, e.g. plant fiber based, such as wood fiber, straw, reed or flax based, or other fiber based components and/or plastic based components .

In one embodiment the composite material is a wood-plastic composite material. Preferably the wood- plastic composite material is formed from raw stock which contains mainly fiber based, e.g. paper based, material and plastic based material, such as thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic.

In this connection a paper based material means any paper based material preferably mainly for- med from plant fibers. The paper based material may be formed from chemical pulp fibers from which lignin has been removed and/or from fibers that contain lignin. In a preferred embodiment the paper based material contains plant fibers in an amount of more than 50 w-% of the material.

In one embodiment the portion of the fiber based components may vary between 0 and 80 % and the portion of the plastic based components may vary between 0 and 100 % in the composite material. In one embodiment the composite material includes glue matter which preferably comes from the raw stock of the composite material.

In one embodiment the raw stock or raw stocks contain siliconized material, e.g. siliconized film or paper material. The siliconized material may be a silicone based or silicone compound based material, or a silicone containing compound that may be part of another material or provided on the surface of another material, such as plastic based and/or fiber based material .

In one embodiment the composite material is at least partially formed from a recycling material. In one embodiment the composite material is mainly formed from a recycling material.

In one embodiment the composite material is at least partially formed from adhesive laminate waste, in one preferred embodiment mainly, in an amount of more than 50 w-%, from adhesive laminate waste. In one em- bodiment the composite material contains at least one adhesive laminate waste component. In one embodiment the composite material contains more than one adhesive laminate waste component.

In one embodiment the adhesive laminate waste contains adhesive material on which a layer of glue matter has been provided, and fitted on the layer of glue matter as a protective sheet for the layer of glue is release material that can be easily released at the application site of the adhesive item. In one preferred embodiment the adhesive material and/or the release material contains a wood fiber based component and/or plastic or polymer based or other organic component. Also, the use of different inorganic materials is possible. In one embodiment the adhesive and/or release material is wood fiber based paper, paperboard or the like. In one embodiment the wood fiber based paper, pa- perboard or the like contains or is treated with a plastic or polymer based material. In one embodiment the adhesive and/or the release material may substantially be formed from a plastic or polymer based mate- rial. In one embodiment the release material is mainly formed from plastic based material, containing e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate or their mixtures. In one embodiment the release material contains siliconized material, e.g. siliconized film or fiber based material. In one embodiment the release material is coated with a silicone based material or compound.

In one embodiment finished adhesive laminate products, waste material produced from them and/or in their manufacture may be used as adhesive laminate waste in the manufacture of the composite material. In addition, reject material from production and recycling material from the upgrading step or end use applications of adhesive laminate products may be used. In one embodiment the adhesive laminate waste comes from adhesive laminate production which mainly produces production reject waste, edge trimming waste cut off from rolls, and roll ends, from the adhesive laminate printing plant which mainly produces roll ends and adhesive material left over from die-cutting of stickers and labels, and reject waste, and/or from the adhesive laminate end user customer who pastes the printed stickers and labels or the like on products. The waste from the end user encompasses mainly release material, roll ends and waste from the finished product.

In one embodiment the adhesive laminate waste may contain a variable number of different adhesive laminate waste components, such as adhesive material, glue matter and release material. The glue matter may preferably be in connection with the adhesive material and/or release material. In one embodiment the adhesive laminate waste contains 0 to 70 % of adhesive material, 0 to 100 % or release material and 0 to 40 % of glue matter .

In one embodiment the composite material may contain, in addition to fiber based and/or plastic based components, different additives and/or additional plastic to improve the mechanical properties, outdoor durability or processability of the product.

In one embodiment at least one additive is added to the composite material in connection with its manufacturing. Additives which may be used include e.g. coloring agent, lubricant, fire retardant, adhesion promoter, anti-mildew compound, antioxidant and uv stabilizer. Additives which may preferably be added to the composite material include fibrous materials, organic fillers, inorganic fillers, powdery reinforcements, powdery additives, talc, wood fibers, chemical pulp fibers, paper and their combinations.

In one embodiment additional plastic is added to the composite material in connection with its manufacturing. Virgin plastic and/or recycling plastic may be used as the additional plastic. The composite material may be manufactured without additional plastic or with additional plastic. In one embodiment e.g. poly- olefin, polypropylene, polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE) or other suitable plastic or their mixture is added to the adhesive laminate waste material as additional plastic to manufacture the wood composite material.

In one embodiment the connecting profile is formed by extrusion. Alternatively, the connecting profile may be formed by another suitable manufacturing method.

In addition, the invention relates to a method for connecting at least two elements formed from a composite material by one of the connecting profiles described herein. In one embodiment of the invention the connecting profile according to the invention can be used in connection with wall, floor and/or ceiling elements in both interior and exterior applications. ■ Furthermore, the connecting profile can be used in connection with terrace, patio and balcony floor elements. In one embodiment the connecting profile is used to connect board elements together. The dimensions of the elements may vary according to application.

The connecting profile according to the invention may be used in mountable and dismountable structures or in fixed structures, e.g. to be fastened on a base. The connecting profile according to the invention may be used in structures to be disposed on substantially equal levels or in curved structures. Preferably, in curved structures the connecting profile acts as a joint structure.

Preferably, the connecting profile and its connectors are so shaped that the connectors fit in the matching connectors of the elements and the connecting profiles may be easily installed between the elements, e.g. by pushing.

In one embodiment the connecting profiles may be fastened to the elements, battens or equivalent by gluing, screwing or by an equivalent fastening method. In one embodiment the gluing may be performed using polyurethane based glues, but also other glues may be used.

In one embodiment the connecting profile is substantially equally long as the elements. In one other embodiment the connecting profile may be used to connect multiple smaller elements together.

In one embodiment the surface of the connecting profile and/or the element is arranged to be rough in order to provide friction between the connector of the connecting profile and the matching connector of the element. In one embodiment the top surface of the link part of the connecting profile is shaped and/or finished. The top surface of the link part may be for example roughened in order to provide friction and con- trol slipping. The link part of the connecting profile may be shaped so as to be shown between the elements e.g. in a decorative purpose.

The connecting profile and its use in connection with elements according to the invention have many important advantages.

An advantage of the invention is that the elements and the- connecting profiles are made from the same material. In this case, there are no problems due to thermal expansion of the material or variations in ambient moisture. The connecting profile stretches and contracts according to thermal and moisture variations in the same way as the elements.

Thanks to the connecting profile according to the invention, it is possible to form a continuous surface consisting of the elements and the connecting profiles. The invention provides for the formation of a surface where there are substantially no gaps left between the elements. In its uniformity, the obtained surface looks attractive and vivid. By using different colors in the elements and the connecting profiles, various patterns may be created on the surface. Thanks to the invention, a floor area formed from the elements and connecting profiles is even and pleasant to walk on.

An extensive range of connecting profiles having different appearances may be made by the same compression mold.

The connecting profile according to the invention acts as a fastener by which the elements, e.g. the board elements, are connected and fastened together. In addition, the connecting profile acts as a load bearing and balancing structure, reducing point load and harms it may cause on the elements. The connecting profile provides a strong connection. In addition, curved surfaces may be formed from the elements by the connecting profile according to the invention, e.g. for round roadside waste bins.

LIST OF FIGURES

Fig. 1 presents a cross-sectional view of one connecting profile according to the invention, as provided between elements to connect the elements together,

Fig. 2 presents a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the connecting profile according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 presents a cross-sectional view of a second connecting profile according to the invention,

Fig. 4 presents a cross-sectional view of the connecting profile according to Fig. 3, as provided between elements to connect the elements together, and

Fig. 5 presents a cross-sectional view of a third connecting profile according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, the invention will be described by detailed exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures in which the connecting profiles and the elements are not fully on scale.

Example 1

The connecting profile presented in Fig. 1 was formed from a wood-plastic composite material in order to be able to connect the plank-type terrace boards 2 together, wherein the connecting profile and the boards were formed substantially from the same wood-plastic composite material. The wood-plastic composite material was mainly formed from adhesive laminate waste. Polypropylene was added to the adhesive laminate waste.

The connecting profile 1 according to Fig. 1 includes two projecting tongues 3a and a link part 5 between them. The two tongues 3a extend in opposed directions on the cross section of the profile 1,. at an angle of approximately 180 degrees to each other. The tongues 3a are arranged to extend continuously over the entire extent of the profile 1 in the lengthwise direction of the profile. The link part 5 is arranged to have a height extending over the entire height of the board 2 from a base 6 as far as the top surface 2a of the board 2 so that the top surface 5a of the link part 5 is substantially flush with the top surface 2a of the board. The tongues 3a of the connecting profile have a solid cross section. Alternatively, the tongues 3a may be hollow.

The terrace boards 2 include grooves 4a to form a tongue-and-groove joint with the tongues 3a of the connecting profile 1. The terrace boards 2 are placed against the base 6 and the connecting profile 1 is placed between the elements 2 in order to connect them together.

Example 2

Fig. 2 presents one embodiment of the connecting profile according to Fig. 1. The connecting profile 1 of Fig. 2 corresponds to the connecting profile according to Fig. 1 in other respects except that the link part 5 of the connecting profile of Fig. 2 is hollow. Example 3 The connecting profile 1 presented in Fig. 3 and 4 was formed from a wood-plastic composite material in order to be able to connect the plank-type terrace boards 2 formed substantially from the same wood-plastic composite material. The wood-plastic composite material was mainly formed from adhesive laminate waste. Polypropylene was added to the adhesive laminate waste.

The connecting profile 1 according to Fig. 3 includes two grooves 3b and a link part 5 between them. The two grooves 3b are posed in opposed directions on the cross section of the profile 1. The grooves 3b are arranged to extend continuously for the entire extent of the profile 1 in the lengthwise direction of the profile.

The connecting profile 1 according to Fig. 4 corresponds to the connecting profile according to Fig. 3.

The terrace boards 2 presented in Fig. 4 include projecting tongues 4b to form a tongue-and-groove joint with the grooves 3b of the connecting profile 1. The tongues 4b have a solid cross section. The terrace boards 2 are placed against a base 6 and the connecting profile 1 is placed between the elements 2 in order to connect them together. The link part 5 of the connecting profile 1 is arranged to have a height extending over the entire height of the board 2 from the base 6 as far as the top surface 2a of the board 2 so that the top surface 5a of the link part 5 is substantially flush with the top surface 2a of the board.

Example 4

Fig. 5 presents one embodiment of the connecting profile. The connecting profile 1 according to Fig. 5 includes one tongue 3a and one groove 3b and a link part 5 between them. The connecting profile according to the invention is suitable as different embodiments to be used in different applications in connection with most different furnishing, floor, wall and ceiling elements arranged to be. compatible with the connecting profile.

The invention is not limited merely to the examples referred to above; instead, many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.