Panel for forming a floor covering

Abstract

A panel for forming a floor covering includes a substrate and a top layer, and is provided with coupling means defined at the edges. The substrate at the respective edges defines a profile, and a moisture-repellent or sealing covering layer is provided on the profiles. The covering layer extends over the profiles at least up to a lateral surface of the top layer. The covering layer, at least at one of the edges, is at least partially provided in an undercut performed in the lateral surface.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A panel for forming a floor covering comprising:
 a substrate;   a top layer provided on the substrate;   wherein the panel, at least at two opposite edges thereof, is provided with coupling means arranged to couple two of such panels to each other at the respective edges, such that in the coupled condition, the panels are locked in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the respective edge and in the plane of the coupled panels, and in a vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels;   wherein the substrate defines a profile at both of said respective edges and a moisture-repellent or sealing covering layer is provided on the profile of said respective edges, said covering layer extends over said profiles at least up to a lateral surface of said top layer, said covering layer, at least at one of said respective edges, is at least partially provided in an undercut defined along said lateral surface.   
     
     
         17 . Panel for forming a floor covering comprising:
 a substrate;   a top layer provided on the substrate;   wherein the panel, at least at two opposite edges thereof, is provided with coupling means arranged to couple two of such panels to each other at the respective edges, such that in the coupled condition, the panels are locked in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the respective edge and in the plane of the coupled panels, and in a vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels;   wherein the substrate defines a profile at both of said respective edges and a moisture-repellent or sealing covering layer is provided on the profile of said respective edges, said covering layer extends over said profiles at least up to a lateral surface of said top layer;   wherein said top layer has a thickness of at least 0.3 millimeters.   
     
     
         18 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein said covering layer extends maximally up to a distance from the upper edge. 
     
     
         19 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein the lateral surfaces at the upper edges of the top layers of two of such panels are arranged to touch each other in the coupled condition or are 0.2 millimeters or less apart from each other. 
     
     
         20 . The panel of  claim 19 , wherein the lateral surfaces at the upper edges of the top layers of two of such panels are pressed against each other in the coupled condition. 
     
     
         21 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein said covering layer has a global thickness of at least 100 micrometers. 
     
     
         22 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein said top layer is compressible. 
     
     
         23 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein said top layer is based on thermoplastic synthetic material. 
     
     
         24 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein a backing layer is provided on the lower side of the substrate. 
     
     
         25 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein said covering layer extends over at least 75% of the profile of the substrate. 
     
     
         26 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein for said covering layer, use is made of a hot-melt glue. 
     
     
         27 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein in said coupled condition, cooperating contact surfaces are formed between the coupled edges, wherein at least one pair of cooperating contact surfaces is formed by said covering layers. 
     
     
         28 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein on the lower side of said substrate, a backing layer is provided and wherein said covering layer extends in one piece up to a lateral surface of said backing layer. 
     
     
         29 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein the panel is rectangular and wherein on the other pair of opposite edges other measures are made for obtaining a certain water-repellent effect. 
     
     
         30 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein the top layer comprises a transparent wear layer, a synthetic material film including a printed decor, and a back layer formed from thermoplastic synthetic material and situated underneath the printed decor. 
     
     
         31 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein said covering layer extends over the entire profile of the substrate.