Technical field

The present invention relates to a tile, that is, an element employed in the building field to obtain surface coverings. In particular, a tile according to the present invention may be employed to cover floors, walls, window borders and so on.

Background art

A type of tile known in the prior art comprises a transparent layer and a reflecting layer coupled to each other. In particular, the transparent layer has an outer surface and an inner surface, which are opposite to each other. Similarly, the reflecting layer also has an outer surface and an inner surface, which are opposite to each other.

In detail, the outer surface of the reflecting layer adheres to the inner surface of the transparent layer. Moreover, in known tiles, the reflecting layer is made of metal.

Once the tile is installed, the reflecting layer is located between the transparent layer and the surface of application (for example, the floor screed) . Thus, the reflecting layer may reflect the light coming from the environment, which hits it after having crossed the transparent layer. Disadvantageously, to install the tile described above, mortars or adhesives are employed which, due to their nature, are aggressive on the material which the reflecting layer is made of. Thus, the tile tends to deteriorate quickly once set.

Aim of the invention.

In this context, the present invention is based on the aim of proposing a tile which overcomes the drawbacks described above from the known art.

In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a tile which is more resistant against aggressive environmental agents.

The aim specified is substantially achieved by a tile comprising the technical features stated in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of a tile by way of example and in which:

- figure 1 is a perspective view of a tile according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is a perspective view of the inner side of the tile of figure 1; - figure 3 is a sectional side view of the tile of figures 1 and 2; and

- figure 3a is a sectional view of a detail of the tile of figures 1 and 2.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a tile according to the present invention. The tile 1 comprises a transparent layer 2 and a reflecting layer 3, which are coupled to each other.

In particular, the transparent layer 2 has a substantially parallelepiped shape, and has an outer surface 2a and an inner surface 2b, which are opposite to each other. The transparent layer 2 also has side walls 2c. The outer surface 2a of the transparent layer 2 is exposed to the outside environment once the tile 1 is set.

In detail, the transparent layer 2 is square, and can be made in dimensions preferably of 190 mm x 190 mm and 10 mm thick.

Naturally, the transparent layer 2 may be made in any shape or size. Advantageously, it is also possible to make the transparent layer using moulds which were previously used for transparent blocks (not illustrated) .

According to the present invention, the transparent layer 2 may be made of any material with adequate optical and physical-mechanical properties. Preferably, the transparent layer 2 is made of glass, which may optionally be coloured.

The aforementioned reflecting layer 3 also has an outer surface 3a and an inner surface 3b, which are opposite to each other. In detail, the outer surface 3a of the reflecting layer 3 adheres to the inner surface 2b of the transparent layer 2. In greater detail, the reflecting layer 3 completely covers the inner surface 2b of the transparent layer 2. In other words, the reflecting layer 3 is a film of uniform thickness applied to the transparent layer 2 at the inner surface 2b of it. The reflecting layer 3 also has a peripheral edge 3c which delimits it at the top. Moreover, the top surface area of the reflecting layer 3 is equal to that of the transparent layer 2. Once the tile 1 is installed, the reflecting layer 3 is located between the transparent layer 2 and the surface of application (not illustrated) of the tile 1. Thus, the reflecting layer 3 may reflect the light coming from the outside environment, which hits it after having crossed the transparent layer 2. By way of example, the reflecting layer 3 may be made of metal. In particular, it is possible to coat the inner surface 2b of the transparent layer 2 with aluminium, gold, copper, stainless steel, bronze or other suitable materials, so as to best adapt the reflecting layer 3 to requirements. According to the material selected, the reflecting layer 3 may be made by deposition or by painting the transparent layer 2. The tile 1 also comprises a coating 4 applied to the reflecting layer 3, which in particular is opposite to the transparent layer 2. The coating 4 serves the purpose of protecting the reflecting layer 3 from the outside environment. In detail, the coating 4 is applied to the inner surface 3b of the reflecting layer 3. Preferably, the coating 4 comprises a protective paint which is resistant to aggressive agents such as for example, mortar or adhesives used to set and to grout the tiles 1.

According to the present invention, the coating 4 at least partly extends along the edge 3b of the reflecting layer 3, so as to cover it. In particular, the coating 4 extends along the entire perimeter of the edge 3b of the reflecting layer 3.

Advantageously, the reflecting layer 3 is thus completely isolated from the outside environment. In other words, the reflecting layer 3 is completely enclosed between the reflecting layer 2 and the coating 4. In other words again, the contact is thus prevented between the reflecting layer 3 and outside agents, such as adhesives, mortars or simply atmospheric agents, which might otherwise damage it or deteriorate it.

In detail, as shown in particular in figures 3 and 3a, the coating 4 extends along the edge 3b of the reflecting layer 3 in a direction transversal to a plane which the reflecting layer 3 lies in. In particular, the coating 4 at least partly overlaps the side walls 2c of the transparent layer 2. Even more particularly, the coating 4 extends in a direction transversal to the plane for a length between 0.8 and 1.6 mm, in particular for a length of 1 mm. Advantageously, the complete insulation of the reflecting layer 3 is thus ensured and at the same time, the coating 4 is not visible when looking at the tile at an angle greater than 45°.

According to the present invention, the tile 1 also comprises a relief feature 5 applied to the inner surface 2b of the transparent layer 2. The relief feature 5 is also transparent and is in particular made of the same material as the transparent layer 2. Even more particularly, the relief feature 5 is made in one piece with the transparent layer 2. In particular, this relief feature 5 has the shape of a frame and has a uniform distance from the side walls 2c of the transparent layer 2. In other words, the perimeter of the relief feature 5 is positioned parallel and inwards relative to the outer perimeter of the transparent layer 2. In particular, the relief feature 5 serves the purpose of improving the grip of the adhesive or of the mortar on the tile 1.

Moreover, the reflecting layer 3 and the coating 4 also cover the surface of the relief feature 5, as shown in particular in figures 3 and 3a. Advantageously, this solution makes the tile 1 aesthetically compatible with the glass blocks mentioned above. It is therefore possible to close an opening in a wall with these glass blocks and to place, along the perimeter, a row of tiles 1, so as to increase the perception of brightness in the environment .

The present invention achieves the aim proposed. Indeed, the presence of the coating applied to the reflecting layer isolates the latter from the outer environment. Accordingly, the tile acquires high resistance against aggressive environmental agents.