TODAY’S PATENT – THERMOPLASTIC PLANKS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME

The Thermoplastic planks and methods for making the same was invented by Hao A. Chen and Richard Judd. which is been patented by USPTO on 2nd September 2008 bearing patent no. US7419717B2. This patent has been assigned to Valinge Innovation AB.

This laminate plank for a surface covering system is better at resisting moisture, being cost-effective, being easy to install, being flexible, being easy on the feet, being good for ergonomics, blocking sound, and letting less sound through. The surface covering system is an easy-to-use and foolproof way to cover floors. It can be made in different shapes, sizes, angles, and directions.

The invention also refers to a thermoplastic laminate plank with a thermoplastic core, a print layer, an overlay layer, and an underlay layer. A thermoplastic laminate plank is made by extruding the material into the shape of the core and attaching a laminate to it. The design is printed on the plank’s top surface using gravure, transfer, digital, or Flexo printing.

With co-extrusion, at least one thermoplastic material is pushed into the shape of the core, and a pigmented compound layer is pushed on top to make the wood grain look real. The idea also includes planks made of thermoplastic.