Floor panel for forming a floor covering

Abstract

A floor panel is of synthetic material and forms a layer-shaped substrate with first and second pairs of opposite edges. The first pair of opposite edges has coupling parts forming a first mechanical locking system, which, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels, effects a locking in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the respective edges, and forms a second mechanical locking system, which, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels, effects a locking transverse to the plane of the panels. The coupling parts on the first pair of opposite edges are realized substantially in the material of the floor panel itself. The floor panel is provided with an edge configuration on the second pair of edges allowing two of such floor panels to be positioned with their respective edge alongside each other and free from mechanical horizontally active locking systems.

1 . A panel for forming a covering, wherein the panel substantially is realized on the basis of a synthetic material substrate;
 wherein the panel is rectangular, either oblong or square, and comprises a first pair of opposite edges and a second pair of opposite edges;   wherein the panel, on the second pair of opposite edges, is provided with an edge configuration which allows that two of such panels can be positioned with their respective edges alongside each other;   wherein the floor panel, on the second pair of opposite edges, has an edge configuration which provides for that the actual panels extend along the second pair of opposite edges alongside each other in an overlapping manner;   wherein the configuration of the second pair of opposite edges is free from mechanical vertically active locking systems; and   wherein in the normal mounted condition, there is a space between the floor panels at the bottom side at the overlapping edges.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the overlapping manner is an overlapping by means of a lower flange and upper flange at the second pair of opposite edges. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is bonded by means of adhesive means to an underlying surface. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 3 , wherein the adhesive means show one or more of the following characteristics:
 it is self-adhesive by a pressure-sensitive adhesive;   it relates to a two-component glue;   the adhesive means is present in the form of glue strips;   the adhesive means is present as a strip which is provided on the floor panel and is provided with adhesive means on the turned-away side;   the adhesive means is sprayed on;   the adhesive means is provided with a removable protection layer.   
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 2 , wherein the panel shows one or more of the following characteristics:
 the lower flange and the upper flange are substantially flat;   each of the lower flange and the upper flange has a thickness larger than ⅓ of the overall thickness of the floor panel;   the lower flange and the upper flange are realized in one piece with the floor panel;   the overlapping extends over a distance which is larger than the thickness of the floor panel;   the overlapping allows contact at the upper edge between the respective floor panels;   
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein it shows one or more of the following characteristics:
 an adhesive means is present on one of the edges only;   an adhesive means is present on both edges;   an adhesive means are present on both edges and, in installed condition, in contact with each other;   an adhesive means is present between vertical or substantially vertical and/or between horizontally and/or substantially horizontally directed surfaces;   an adhesive means provides at least for a vertical connection;   an adhesive means provides at least for a horizontal connection;   an adhesive means is provided in a seat.   
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the overlapping manner is an overlapping by means of a lower flange and upper flange at the second pair of opposite edges and wherein the adhesive means are present on the lower flange. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a floor panel. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is layer-shaped, either single-layer or multi-layer. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein it shows one or more of the following characteristics:
 the substrate comprises at least a thermoplastic material;   the substrate is realized at least on the basis of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene or PIR, or a combination of the preceding;   the substrate is a filled synthetic material composite;   the substrate is foamed;   the substrate comprises one or more plasticizers;   the substrate comprises fillers, such as chalk and/or limestone and/or talc;   the substrate is provided with at least one reinforcement layer;   that the floor panel comprises a backing layer, which is situated directly underneath the substrate;   that the floor panel comprises a top layer, whether or not consisting of a plurality of layers, which preferably is situated directly above the substrate;   that the aforementioned top layer comprises at least a decorative layer;   that the aforementioned top layer comprises at least a translucent or transparent wear layer;   the floor panel is provided with hard particles in order to increase the wear resistance, such as corundum.   
     
     
         11 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is less than  5  mm thick. 
     
     
         12 . A panel for forming a covering, wherein the panel substantially is realized on the basis of a synthetic material substrate;
 wherein the panel is rectangular, either oblong or square, and comprises a first pair of opposite edges and a second pair of opposite edges;   wherein the panel, on the second pair of opposite edges, is provided with an edge configuration which allows that two of such panels can be positioned with their respective edges alongside each other;   wherein the floor panel, on the second pair of opposite edges, has an edge configuration which provides for that the actual panels extend along the second pair of opposite edges alongside each other in an overlapping manner;   wherein on one of the edges of the second pair of edges a protruding flap is provided as a separate part, which is attached to the lower side of the floor panel;   wherein the protruding flap is formed as a strip of a foil-like or film-like material.   
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 12 , wherein the protruding flap is attached to the lower side of the floor panel by an adhesive means. 
     
     
         14 . The panel of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive means is provided with a removable protection layer. 
     
     
         15 . The panel of  claim 12 , wherein the overlapping extends over a distance which is larger than a thickness of the panel. 
     
     
         16 . The panel of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive means provides for a horizontal and vertical connection. 
     
     
         17 . The panel of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive means is present in the form of glue strips. 
     
     
         18 . The panel of  claim 12 , wherein the configuration of the second pair of opposite edges is free from mechanical vertically active locking systems. 
     
     
         19 . The panel of  claim 12 , wherein the configuration of the second pair of opposite edges is free from mechanical horizontally active locking systems. 
     
     
         20 . The floor panel of  claim 12 , wherein the panel has a thickness of at least 3 mm. 
     
     
         21 . The floor panel of  claim 12 , wherein the panel at a first pair of opposite edges comprises coupling parts, which allow that a plurality of such floor panels can be coupled to each other.