Self-adhering joints for wood substrate flooring

Abstract

An improved wood or engineered wood substrate panel, with one edge of each panel forming a first joint element and the opposing edge forming a complementary second joint element, wherein the first joint element from one panel is configured to mate and form a joint with the second joint element on an adjacent panel. Each panel is provided with complementary sealants or adhesives pre-installed on each joint element, so that the first joint element is joined with the second joint element to form the joint, an adhesive bond is automatically formed by the sealants on contact, or shortly thereafter, and no adhesive need be applied during installation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An improved flooring system, comprising:
 a first flooring panel with a first edge and a second edge, the first edge comprising a first joint element, and the second edge comprising a second joint element;   a second flooring panel with a first edge and a second edge, the first edge comprising a first joint element, and the second edge comprising a second joint element;   wherein the first joint element of one of said panels is configured to mate with the second joint element of the other of said panels to form a joint between said panels when placed adjacent to one another;   further wherein the respective first joint element is covered, at least in part, with a first sealant.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the respective second joint element is covered, at least in part, with a second sealant. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first sealant and second sealant are operative to form an adhesive bond when placed in contact. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a first liner covering the first sealant, and a second liner covering the second sealant. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first joint element is a tongue, and the second joint element is a groove. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the panels comprise engineered wood. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first liner covering the first sealant. 
     
     
         8 . A flooring substrate, comprising:
 a panel with a first edge and a second edge, the first edge comprising a first joint element, and the second edge comprising a second joint element, wherein the first joint element in one half of a joint and the second joint element is the other half of the joint;   further wherein the respective first joint element is covered, at least in part, with a first sealant.   
     
     
         9 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein the respective second joint element is covered, at least in part, with a second sealant. 
     
     
         10 . The substrate of  claim 9 , wherein the first sealant and second sealant are operative to form an adhesive bond if placed in contact. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a first liner covering the first sealant, and a second liner covering the second sealant.