The present invention relates to a floor element suitable for realizing a "non-frozen ice-floor" (NFI) . Such ice-floors are for instance used for movement thereon using ice skates and sledges.

Known non-frozen ice-floors make use of a plastic carrier material. In order to enable sliding movement on s-uch—a—f-l-oor—t e-pl-ast-rc—f-toor-i ^~ s ^— provrde-d-during-u ^~ s ^~ e ^~ wxth an oil layer. This oil layer improves the sliding

properties. A drawback of these known ice-floors is the labour involved in applying the oil during use. In addition, users come into contact with the oil layer when they fall.

An object of the invention is to prevent or at least reduce the above stated drawbacks and to provide an

effective floor element suitable for realizing an ice-floor.

This object is achieved with a floor element suitable for realizing a non-frozen ice-floor, the floor element comprising :

- a plastic carrier material;

- a quantity of a component forming an open structure mixed with the carrier material such that additional cavities in which a lubricant can be arranged are created during production of the floor element.

By adding a component, preferably while composing the formulation of the carrier material, this component forms an open structure in which cavities are realized in a type of cross-linking structure during production of the floor element. A lubricant can be arranged in such a structure during production, or in any case before it is taken into use. In a currently preferred embodiment a lubricant is already added during production to the carrier material with the structure-forming component. The carrier material according to the invention is suitable for receiving the lubricant such that the floor element is and remains sufficiently strong for the intended uses.

In a currently preferred embodiment the carrier material comprises polyethylene, and more particularly high- density polyethylene (HDPE) .

In a currently preferred embodiment the structure- forming component comprises a sodium compound. The component more particularly comprises sodium bicarbonate. It has been found that the addition of sodium bicarbonate to a mixture with the plastic carrier material will result during production in a KTindT ^" of-:foam cross-Tiniing whereby a density-reducing effect occurs and additional cavities are created in which lubricant can be arranged. Sodium

bicarbonate is also referred to as sodium hydrogen

carbonate .

Possible alternatives to sodium bicarbonate comprise azodicarbonamide, 5-phenyl tetrazole or BSH (bisphenol sulfa hydrazide) . Another alternative comprises for instance a peroxide, particularly an inorganic peroxide such as sodium peroxide. Other components resulting in a foam cross-linking during production of the floor element in which a lubricant can be arranged can likewise be applied according to the invention. In a possible embodiment the use of peroxide is combined with the use of sodium bicarbonate. It has been found here that the sodium bicarbonate is mainly responsible for the foam cross-linking and the peroxide contributes hereto by breaking chains. This combination of components results in an additional reduced density, thereby enabling a higher degree of filling with a lubricant.

In a currently preferred embodiment an alkyl-modified siloxane is preferably applied in addition to polyethylene. The alkyl "tails" mix here with the polyethylene for the purpose of anchoring the siloxane in the product. A

reduction in friction is further obtained with the siloxane. An open structure is hereby formed in the plastic carrier for the purpose of a lubricating effect. It has been found that the frictional resistance can hereby be almost halved.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the floor element comprises a

lubricant.

Providing the floor element with a lubricant realizes a sliding resistance-reducing effect. The lubricant is preferably added to the floor element during production. This has the additional advantage that, during use of the floor element in a non-frozen ice-floor, it is not necessary to repeatedly arrange a lubricant, for instance in the form o-f—an—o-i-l—-l-a-ye-r-ϊ—T-hi-s—i-ne-reases—the —ttti-±ty ^— o ^" f ^— the oveTa!T ice-floor since in the case of conventional non-frozen ice- floors everyone regularly has to be taken off the ice-floor to enable application of the lubricant. A further additional advantage is that no slimy deposit is present on the skating-rink, so that a possible fall of a user is less unpleasant .

The lubricant preferably comprises an oil, and more particularly for instance polydimethylsiloxane, also

referred to as PDMS. Alternatives comprise for instance teflon and glycerol monostearate .

It has been found that arranging components which improve the sliding properties achieves a sliding

resistance-reducing effect. There will thus be less friction here during sliding movement, whereby less heat is produced and, as a result, there is as extra additional advantage less risk of burn injuries. The general safety of an ice- floor manufactured from the floor elements according to the invention is hereby improved.

A further advantage of arranging the component (s) improving sliding properties is that the inclusion of these components in the floor element itself, instead of being placed on top thereof as separate layer, causes the floor element to have a cleaning effect. This is caused by the gradual egress of the arranged lubricant, whereby dirt particles are, as it were, also pressed out. This makes the floor element easier to clean. There is therefore a self- cleaning effect. In addition, the lifespan is for instance increased.

A currently preferred embodiment comprises the floor element and a quantity of a lubricant in the range of 8-20% by weight, preferably 10-15% by weight and most preferably about 12% by weight. The friction-reducing effect is enhanced by the relatively high content of lubricant in a floor element. An improved quality of the floor element is hereby realized, whereby it corresponds better with the sliding_pr.op-ent-ies—o-f—a—f-r-o-z-e-n—i-ee—r-i-n -k-;

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment

according to the present invention the floor element comprises a fire-retardant component.

Providing a fire-retardant component increases the safety of the floor element. This fire-retardant component is preferably added to the carrier material during

production of the floor element. This means that a fire- retardant and/or flame-extinguishing effect is realized at a determined temperature. In a currently preferred embodiment the fire-retardant component comprises aluminium trihydrate (Al ₂ OH) ₃ . This aluminium trihydrate gives off water as it decomposes, so realizing a flame-extinguishing and smoke- suppressant effect. This increases the safety of the ice- floor manufactured from the floor elements according to the invention. Alternative fire-retardant components comprise for instance melamine and zinc borate.

The invention further relates to a non-frozen ice-floor comprising a number of floor elements as described above.

The non-frozen ice-floor provides the same advantages and effects as described for the floor element.

The invention further also relates to a method for manufacturing a floor element as described above, the method comprising the steps of:

- providing a quantity of plastic carrier material; - adding a component to the carrier material for creating cavities during production in which a lubricant can be arranged; and

- pressing a floor element.

Such a method provides the same advantages and effects as described above for the floor element and/or the non- frozen ice-floor. The floor element is preferably pressed once a mixture of the carrier material and the optional additives has been made. Such additives preferably comprise the lubricant and/or the fire-retardant component. The floor element is realized by pressing the mixture in a mould. The individual—£l-0-ar—alemen-ts—a-re—then—combl-nedâ €”tO ^~ fOT ^~~ a ^~ noi - frozen ice-floor for the purpose of use.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred

embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows a view of a skating-rink according to the invention;

- figure 2 shows a top view of a floor element of the skating-rink of figure 1;

- figure 3 shows a cross-section of the floor element of figure 2; and

- figure 4 shows a view of the manufacture of the floor element of figure 2.

A non-frozen skating-rink 2 (figure 1) is placed on a ground surface 4, for instance a square. Provided on the edge of non-frozen skating-rink 2 is a rim or boarding 6. Ice-floor 2 is suitable for movement thereon with a skate 8. Alternative movement, for instance using a sledge, is also possible.

A floor element 10 (figure 2) is combined with an adjacent floor element 10 to form skating-rink 2. This combination is realized in the shown embodiment by arranging a type of dovetail connection 12 on element 10 with

corresponding recess 14 in an adjacent element 10. A continuous sliding surface 16 is hereby realized on which a user can move. Other connections, or providing rink 2 integrally, are likewise possible.

Floor element 10 is provided with a material 18 in a foam cross-linking, wherein cavities 20 are arranged between material 18. The lubricant and optional other additives are arranged in or around these cavities.

In the manufacture of floor element 10 (figure 4) a mixture 22 is made, in the shown embodiment comprising a plastic carrier material of high-density polyethylene

(HDPE) , to which is added an element in the form of sodium bicarbonate which realizes foam cross-linking. In the shown embodiment a peroxide is also added. Aluminium trihydrate is also added in the shown embodiment for the purpose of increasing the fire safety. A lubricant, in the shown embodiment polydimethylsiloxane, is also added to the mixture. Mixture 22 is carried into a mould 24 and

subsequently compressed in a press 26 under the conditions desired for the mixture. Following pressing 26, the floor element 10 is removed in a removal step 28 and is then ready to be taken into use 30.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. It is for instance possible to apply different carrier materials.