NASH MATTHEW PAUL (US)
| US20050079330A1 | 2005-04-14 | |||
| US5863632A | 1999-01-26 | |||
| US20040045240A1 | 2004-03-11 | |||
| US6641696B1 | 2003-11-04 | |||
| US6802164B1 | 2004-10-12 | |||
| BE1009214A6 | 1996-12-03 |
DATABASE WPI Week 200471, Derwent World Patents Index; Class Q45, AN 2004-720022
| CLAIMS
1. A method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a preformed flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, complete and suitable for use as flooring, ii) printing a selected photographic image directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the image is printed at step ii) by way of a suitable inkjet printer.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the photographic image is of a real scene from nature or from an urban or rural area.
4. A method according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the image is printed on an area of the vinyl which substantially does not have a sheen finish prior to printing.
5. A method according to claim 1 , substantially as herein described.
6. A floor covering prepared according to any one of the preceding claims.
7. A floor covering according to claim 6, when applied to a floor surface.
8. A method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, ii) printing a selected photographic image chosen by and provided by a customer directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl. |
TITLE
A Floor Covering.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to floor coverings. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to printed vinyl floor coverings.
BACKGROUND
It is known to use vinyl sheets or tiles to cover the internal floor spaces of residential or commercial premises. An object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a vinyl floor covering which incorporates a photographic style image for decorative or other aesthetic purposes, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a preformed flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, complete and suitable for use as flooring, ii) printing a selected photographic image directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.
The vinyl, when printed as above, can be applied as a floor covering on a floor surface.
Preferably the image is printed at step ii) by way of a suitable inkjet printer.
Preferably the photographic image is of a real scene from nature, for example the sky, outer space, the ocean, a desert, a jungle, etc. Optionally the photographic image is of a real scene from an urban or rural area, for example a city, a building, or a farm, etc.
Preferably the image is printed on an area of the vinyl which substantially does not have a sheen finish prior to printing.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a floor covering comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a flexible sheet of flooring vinyl, ii) printing a selected photographic image chosen by and provided by a customer directly onto the vinyl by way of suitable machinery, and iii) applying a transparent protective sealing coating over the image after the image has been printed onto the vinyl.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a sheet of flexible vinyl floor material (for example a polyvinyl chloride based product) is printed with a photographic image to give an interesting life-like flooring effect (optionally three dimensional) within a residential or commercial building. The image is first digitally captured by a suitable high definition camera. The image is then transferred to a suitable flat bed inkjet printer, for example a Durst Rho 600 flat bed printer. The printer prints the photographic image directly onto the vinyl. To enable this it may be necessary to ensure that the printer prints on what would in other circumstances be the underside of the vinyl, ie the side which does not have a sheen finish. In this regard vinyl is normally applied with its sheen finished surface facing upwards so as
to better protect against stains and wear and tear. Printing on the sheen side may make it difficult or even impossible for the colouring agents used by the printer to properly adhere to the vinyl. It is for that reason that printing is preferably to the non-sheen side of the vinyl.
When the photographic image has been printed onto the vinyl it is covered by a suitable transparent sealing coating. This serves to protect the image against wear and fading as people, objects, and light come into contact with the vinyl when in use. The vinyl is then applied to a floor to give an aesthetically pleasing finish to the floor. For example the printed vinyl may give a very realistic scene effect which in a sense gives one the feeling of being drawn into the scene. For example the image may show what one sees standing atop the edge of a famous tall building, looking down onto the street below. Alternatively the image may show a famous desert scene, for example pyramids in Egypt, etc. The options for scenes are virtually limitless.
According to some embodiments of the invention consumers may bring their own photographs to a workman so that they can be printed onto vinyl. Alternatively consumers may select a photographic image from a collection of images provided by the workman.
While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.