Shock absorption flooring

Abstract

The invention discloses a shock-absorbing flooring which is comprised of: a base layer based on a polymer foam; and an top layer based on an elastomeric material, the top layer being bonded to the base layer by an intermediate bonding layer, wherein the flooring possesses a shock absorbance of 20 to 40% (as measured according to EN 14808) and a residual indentation of less than 0.3 mm (as measured according to EN 433) and a density of 400 to 500 kg/m 3 ). It further describes a process for its manufacture and a use thereof as a ready-to-use single floorcovering.

1 . A shock-absorbing flooring which is comprised of:
 a base layer based on a polymer foam; and   an top layer based on an elastomeric material, the top layer being bonded to the base layer by an intermediate bonding layer,   
       wherein the flooring possesses a shock absorbance of 20 to 40% (as measured according to EN 14808) and a residual indentation of less than 0.3 mm (as measured according to EN 433) and a density of 400 to 500 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         2 . The shock absorbing flooring according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer foam comprises PVC. 
     
     
         3 . The shock absorbing flooring according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer foam has an open cell foam structure. 
     
     
         4 . The shock absorbing flooring according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material in the top layer is chosen from natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber or EPDM. 
     
     
         5 . The shock absorbing flooring according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material in the top layer is vulcanized rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The shock absorbing flooring according to  claim 5 , having a thickness of 8 mm or less. 
     
     
         7 . The shock absorbing flooring according to  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbance is comprised between 25 and 35% (as measured according to EN 14808). 
     
     
         8 . The shock absorbing flooring according to  claim 1 , wherein the mean indentation is less than 0.1 mm (as measured according to EN 433). 
     
     
         9 . Process for the manufacture of a shock absorbing flooring according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 (i) providing a sheet of elastomeric material;   (ii) providing a sheet of polymer foam; and   (iii) bonding the sheet of polymer foam onto the surface of elastomeric material by means of a suitable adhesive.   
     
     
         10 . A process according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 (iv) packaging the resulting shock absorbing flooring in the form of a roll.   
     
     
         11 . Ready-to-use single floorcoverinq comprising shock absorbing flooring according to  claim 1 .