Field of the Disclosure
[0001] The present disclosure relates to vinyl flooring systems in general, and more particularly
to an improved vinyl tile having enhanced acoustical properties coupled with improved
long term stability.
Background of the Disclosure
[0002] Vinyl flooring has been a popular floor covering material for many years. Vinyl flooring
is typically available in either tile or sheet form for both commercial and residential
use. As finished flooring material, vinyl tile has been used extensively in commercial,
institutional and public building applications, such as, for example, malls, schools,
healthcare facilities, convention and exposition centers, civic buildings, private
office buildings, sports facilities, and so forth. Vinyl flooring is durable, easy
to maintain and is often more moisture-resistant than many alternative flooring materials.
Vinyl flooring can also have limited acoustical properties, in that the material offers
some rebound or resilience upon compression (i.e., when walked on).
[0003] Vinyl tiles can be composed of colored vinyl formed into generally planar solid sheets
by heat and pressure, and cut into squares or other shapes. Manufacturers have created
vinyl tiles that very closely resemble wood, stone, terrazzo, and concrete. Tiles
are typically applied to a smooth, leveled bare floor or sub-floor usually using a
suitable adhesive.
[0004] Conventional vinyl tiles are often installed over an acoustical base layer such as
rubber or cork. The acoustical layer can serve one or more of a variety of different
functions in a given installation. In some installations, the function of this underlayment
material is to provide a cushioning effect to the floor system. In other situations,
the function of the underlayment material is to compensate for imperfections in the
surface of the sub-floor, which can be concrete, plywood, or a number of other different
materials that are commonly used and known. Another function of the underlayment,
which is particularly pertinent to the present invention, is to reduce the transmission
of sound through the floor to a room below, such as in the case of a multi-floor building.
This is particularly significant where the maximum allowable level of sound transmission
is controlled by local building codes, which is increasingly common.
[0005] In such cases, a single acoustical base layer is adhered to the sub-floor, and the
vinyl tiles are installed over the acoustical base layer, again using an adhesive.
The base layer and vinyl tiles are standard elements that are used without regard
for the particular sub-floor structure upon which the sub-floor is laid.
[0006] Different building structures can transmit sound differently, depending upon the
materials of construction as well as the construction arrangement (e.g., wooden floor/ceiling
beams, poured concrete, and the like). Because current vinyl tile systems employ a
standard base layer, they are incapable of dampening sound optimally across a variety
of floor/ceiling structure types. For example, while a typical tile may provide reasonable
acoustical dampening when applied over a poured concrete floor, it may not provide
acceptable dampening when applied over a wood beam-supported floor.
[0007] US2010319282 A1 discloses a vinyl floor panel for a flooring system prepared from a blend of a polymer
and cork granules. The floor panel includes top and bottom surfaces with a first layer
between both surfaces.
[0008] DE202004014160U1 discloses a flooring element including a wear layer including a foamed PVC core arranged
between two vinyl panels.
[0009] WO2012/045343A1 discloses a floor covering, comprising loosely laid floor panels having an upper
cover layer, a plaster layer arranged below the cover layer, and an insulating layer.
Summary of the Disclosure
[0010] In view of the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art, an improved vinyl tile
system is disclosed whose structure can be customized to provide a desired acoustical
dampening for any of a variety of different flooring structures. The improved vinyl
tile system includes sound dampening properties that meet applicable acoustical limitations
associated with multi-family dwellings. The improved vinyl tile also provides a desired
resilience, and is easy to manufacture and install. These and a number of additional
objectives are met by the disclosed vinyl tile.
[0011] The disclosed system and method include an improved vinyl tile having enhanced stability,
resilience and acoustical properties. The disclosed vinyl tile incorporates an acoustical
layer made up of a plurality of individual sub-layers. The composition and arrangement
of the sub-layers can be adjusted to provide desired sound dampening properties that
are customized to a particular flooring structure.
[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention a vinyl tile is disclosed. The vinyl
tile includes a vinyl portion and an acoustical portion comprising a plurality of
individual acoustical sub-layers. The plurality of individual acoustical sub-layers
includes first and second sub-layers, the first sub-layer being bonded to the vinyl
portion, the second sub-layer being bonded to the first sub-layer. The first and second
sub-layers of the plurality of individual sub-layers comprise material compositions
that are different from each other. The plurality of individual sub-layers comprises
materials selected from the list consisting of rubber, a combination of cork and rubber,
a combination of rubber and polyurethane foam (PU), and a combination of PU foam and
cork.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention a method is disclosed for designing
a flooring system to suit a particular flooring application. The method includes:
determining a type of a sub-floor system that includes the floor/ceiling assembly
to which a vinyl tile which comprises a vinyl portion will be applied; selecting an
acoustical portion of said vinyl tile to include "n" sub-layers, where "n" is a number
greater than 1 and is based on the type of said sub-floor; and selecting a material
composition for each of said "n" sub-layers, where the material composition for each
of said "n" sub-layers is based on the type of said sub-floor system and the number
"n" of sub-layers. The acoustical portion includes at least first and second sub-layers.
The first and second sub-layers comprise material compositions that are different
from each other. The first and second sub-layers comprise materials selected from
the list consisting of rubber, a combination of cork and rubber, a combination of
rubber and polyurethane foam (PU), and a combination of PU foam and cork.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0014] By way of example, a specific embodiment of the disclosed vinyl tile will now be
described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of an exemplary vinyl tile according
to the disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the vinyl tile of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows the vinyl tile of FIG. 2 applied over a truss-based sub-floor;
FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of an alternative exemplary vinyl tile according to
the disclosure;
FIG. 5 shows the vinyl tile of FIG. 4 applied over a concrete sub-floor; and
FIG. 6 is a logic diagram illustrating a method according to the disclosure.
Detailed Description
[0015] The disclosed vinyl tile comprises a vinyl layer with an integrated sound reducing
underlayment permanently attached thereto. The resulting floor/ceiling assembly including
the tile meets one or more of ASTM E 2179, ASTM E 989, ASTM E 492, and ASTM E1007
IIC sound requirements. The disclosed vinyl tile includes a customizable sound reducing
underlayment (referred to as an "acoustical layer" or "acoustical portion") that is
selected for the particular sub-floor system that includes the floor/ceiling assembly
design with this which the tile will be used. The disclosed tile thus provides a desired
level of sound dampening that is not achievable with prior standard tiles. The acoustical
layer includes a plurality of sub-layers that can be formulated from different materials,
and provided in different thicknesses, to provide superior sound dampening characteristics
based on the associated sub-floor system that includes the floor/ceiling assembly
design. In some embodiments, the disclosed vinyl tile includes recycled content. In
other embodiments, the disclosed vinyl tile includes an antifungal compound to inhibit
the growth of fungus.
[0016] Referring to
FIG. 1, an exemplary vinyl tile 1 includes an upper vinyl portion 2 and a lower acoustical
portion 4. Although the vinyl tile 1 is shown as having a rectangular plank shape,
it will be appreciated that tiles according to the disclosure can be manufactured
in any of a variety of desired geometric and non-geometric shapes. Non-limiting examples
of such shapes include rectangular planks with a width of 4-inches (101,3 mm) and
a length of 36-inches (914,4 mm), rectangular planks with a width of 6-inches (152,4
mm) and a length of 36-inches (914,4 mm), and 18-inch (457,2 mm) by 18-inch (457,2
mm) square shapes.
[0017] The vinyl portion 2 may include a surface wear layer 6 to enhance the wear life of
the vinyl portion. The surface wear layer 6 may have a thickness of about 0.005-inches
(5 mils or 0,127 mm) to about 40 mils (1,016 mm). In one embodiment, the surface wear
layer may be about 8 mils (0,2032 mm). The surface wear layer 6 may comprise polyvinyl
chloride (PVC). In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the surface wear layer 6
includes at least 90% PVC. The vinyl portion 2 may comprise a polyvinylchloride (PVC)
material. The acoustical portion 4 may comprise a plurality of layers including a
variety of different sound dampening materials, as will be described in greater detail
later. The vinyl portion 2 may be bonded to the acoustical portion 4 using a suitable
adhesive 8.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the vinyl tile 1. This exemplary embodiment includes
a vinyl portion 2 (with surface wear layer 6) and an acoustical portion 4 that includes
first and second sub-layers 4a, 4b. The vinyl portion 2 is bonded to the first sub-layer
4a by adhesive layer 8, while the first and second sub-layers 4a, 4b are bonded together
by adhesive layer 10. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the layers may
be bonded to each other without adhesive, such as by heat bonding or the like.
[0019] The acoustical portion 4 (including its sub-layers) can be permanently bonded to
the vinyl portion 2 using an adhesive layer 8 material that is highly compatible both
with the vinyl portion 2 and the first sub-layer 4a. Likewise, the material making
up the first sub-layer 4a may be highly compatible with the vinyl portion 2 to reduce
the chances for de-lamination and/or degradation of the vinyl portion from the acoustical
portion during extended use. The same may be true of the compatibility of the adhesive
layer 10 and the first and second sub-layers 4a, b to ensure long term durability
of the resulting tile 1.
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the vinyl portion 2 has a thickness of about 2 millimeters
(mm), while the acoustical portion 4 has a combined thickness of about 4 mm. The sub-layers
4a, 4b are shown as having thicknesses of 2 mm each. It will be understood that these
thicknesses are merely exemplary, and that different individual layer thicknesses
can be used to suit a particular application, as will be explained.
[0021] As previously noted, it is desirable that the actual composition of layers within
the tile 1 be variable so as to be customizable to the particular flooring application.
That is to say that different sub-floor structures can require different combinations
of acoustical portion sub-layer gauges, thicknesses and materials in order to achieve
specific construction demands of a particular building. It will be appreciated that
modern construction methods include the manufacture of buildings having concrete sub-flooring
(six-inch (152,4mm) concrete, light concrete, etc.), and a wide variety of different
truss-based sub-floor systems (metal trusses, wooden trusses, and combinations thereof).
In addition, a single building may include multiple different sub-floor types, each
of which can have a different acoustical "response." As will be appreciated, in vinyl
tiles 1 used with each of these different sub-flooring types may need to include a
customized acoustical portion 4 in order to provide desired sound dampening in such
buildings.
[0022] Thus, to accommodate these applications, the acoustical portion 4 may include a plurality
of sub-layers 4a - 4n of sound dampening material. Although the illustrated embodiments
include two sub-layers (4a, 4b) it will be appreciated that more than two sub-layers
(i.e., up to "n" sub-layers) as desired to suit the application. In addition, although
the illustrated embodiments show individual sub-layers 4a, 4b having respective thicknesses
of 2 mm, that other thicknesses may also be used. The individual materials used to
form the sub-layers 4a-4n may be formulated to minimize sound impact transmissions
at specific frequencies. Likewise, the thicknesses of the sub-layers 4a-4n may be
selected to work in combination with the individual sub-layer material types to minimize
sound impact transmissions at specific frequencies. By structuring the acoustical
layers according to the particular type of sub-floor assembly, sound reduction can
be fine-tuned for a particular structure.
[0023] As can be seen in
FIG. 2, sound (represented by arrows "A") is transmitted through the vinyl portion 2. The
sound (represented by arrows "B") is then transmitted through the first sub-layer
4a. The sound (represented by arrows "C") is finally transmitted through the second
sub-layer 4b at a third frequency and magnitude. The resulting tile 1 meets ASTM E
2179 IIC sound requirements. As the sound moves through each layer 2, 4a, 4b, sound
at various frequencies is reduced and absorbed.
[0024] A non-limiting exemplary listing of of appropriate sub-layer materials include the
following:
- 1) Rubber layers;
- 2) Rubber and cork formulated together;
- 3) Rubber and polyurethane (PU) foam formulated together;
- 4) PU Foam and cork formulated together; and the like.
[0025] The above, and other, materials can be provided in a variety of different densities,
multiple thicknesses, and may include one or more fiber components.
[0026] Each of the sub-layers 4a-4n may have a thickness in the range of about 0.5mm to
about 5.5mm. The thickness of the assembled layers (i.e., total thickness of the acoustical
portion 4) may be between about 2.5mm to about 6mm. As previously noted, the number
of sub-layers can be as few as two, but is not limited to several as the requirements
are met for a particular need. The layers are bonded together with specific adhesives
in various ways depending on the composition of the layers. A non-limiting exemplary
listing of such adhesives includes cyanoacrylate, latex, acrylic, epoxy and the like.
[0027] In some embodiments, incorporating polyurethane into one or more of the sub-layers
4a-4n can enhance compatibility between the acoustical portion 4 and the vinyl portion
2. In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the acoustical portion comprises about
10-40% crumb rubber, about 60-90% polyurethane foam, and a resin binder. In some embodiments
the crumb rubber component is obtained from recycled tires or sneaker rubber. The
polyurethane foam may be an appropriate open cell or closed cell foam, while the resin
binder may be a polyurethane binder.
[0028] As noted, different sub-floor systems that includes the floor/ceiling assembly structures
transmit sound differently, and thus it can be desirable to customize the individual
sub-layers 4a-4n of a vinyl tile 1 to suit the application.
FIG. 3 shows the tile 1 of
FIG. 2 applied over a wood truss sub-floor assembly 12. As can be seen, a wood truss sub-floor
assembly 12 might be made of a variety of different burling materials, including plywood
sheathing 14, wood beams 16, metal fastening plates 18, gypsum board 20 (where the
sub-floor forms part of an adjoining ceiling, as in the illustrated embodiment), resilient
channels 22, etc. As will be appreciated, wood trusses tend to deflect and require
backings that take such flexure into account. Thus, in the
FIG. 3 embodiment, the acoustical portion 4 includes a first sub-layer 4a comprising a rubber
material, and a second sub-layer 4b comprising a combination of rubber and cork. Each
of the sub-layers 4a, 4b of this embodiment are about 2 mm thick, and are adhered
together using any of a variety of appropriate adhesives, as previously described.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary alternative floor tile 24 that includes a vinyl portion 26, and
an acoustical portion 28 adhered thereto using an adhesive layer 30. In this embodiment,
the acoustical portion 4 again includes first and second sub-layers 4a, 4b. By contrast
to the prior embodiment, however, the first sub-layer 4a comprises a cork and rubber
combination, while the second sub-layer 4b comprises a rubber layer. As shown in
FIG. 5, this alternative tile may be appropriate for use with a concrete sub-floor 32. Since
concrete is more homogenous and rigid than the previously described wooden truss floor
assembly 12, it can transmit more sound at some frequencies than others.
[0030] Referring now to
FIG. 6, a method for designing, manufacturing, and applying a vinyl tile 1 to suit a particular
flooring application will now be described. At step 100, the design of a particular
sub-floor system that includes the floor/ceiling assembly to which the vinyl tile
1 will be applied is determined. At step 110, an acoustical portion is designed to
include "n" individual sub-layers where "n" is a number greater than 1. The number
"n" of individual sub-layers is selected based on the design of the sub-floor. At
step 120 each the "n" sub-layers are selected to comprise a particular material. The
particular material selected for each individual sub-layer is based on the design
of the sub-floor system that includes the floor/ceiling assembly and the number "n"
of sub-layers. At step 130, each of the "n" sub-layers are selected to have a particular
thickness, where the thickness of each sub-layer is selected based on the design of
the sub-floor, the number "n" of sub-layers and the material of each of the sub-layers.
At step 140, the "n" individual sub-layers are bonded together. At step 150, the bonded
sub-layers are bonded to a vinyl tile portion. At step 160, the vinyl tile is applied
to the sub-floor.
[0031] While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein, it is not
intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure
be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.
Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as
exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision
additional modifications, features, and advantages within the scope of the claims
appended hereto.
1. A vinyl tile (1), comprising:
a vinyl portion (2); and
an acoustical portion (4) comprising a plurality of individual acoustical sub-layers
(4a-4n), and the individual sub-layers including first and second sub-layers (4a,
4b), the first sub-layer (4a) being bonded to the vinyl portion (2), the second sub-layer
(4b) being bonded to the first sub-layer (4a),
wherein the first and second sub-layers (4a, 4b) of the plurality of individual sub-layers
(4a - 4n) comprise material compositions that are different from each other, characterized in that the plurality of individual sub-layers (4a - 4n) comprising materials selected from
a list consisting of rubber, a combination of cork and rubber, a combination of rubber
and polyurethane foam (PU), and a combination of PU foam and cork.
2. The vinyl tile (1) of claim 1, wherein the first and second sub-layers (4a, 4b) have
thicknesses that are different from each other.
3. The vinyl tile (1) of claim 1, wherein the first and second sub-layers (4a, 4b) have
thicknesses that are the same.
4. The vinyl tile (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the first sub-layer (4a) comprises
rubber and the second sub-layer (4b) comprises a mixture of rubber and cork.
5. The vinyl tile (1) of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first sub-layer (4a) comprises
a mixture of rubber and cork and the second sub-layer (4b) comprises rubber.
6. The vinyl tile (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of individual sub-layers
(4a-4n) comprise three individual sub-layers.
7. The vinyl tile (1) of claim 6, wherein the three individual sub-layers (4a-4n) each
comprises a material composition that is different from the other individual sub-layers
(4a-4n).
8. The vinyl tile (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of individual sub-layers
(4a-4n) comprise greater than three individual sub-layers.
9. A method of designing a flooring system to suit a particular flooring application,
comprising:
determining a type of a sub-floor system that includes a floor/ceiling assembly to
which a vinyl tile (1) which comprises a vinyl portion (2), will be applied;
selecting an acoustical portion (4) of said vinyl tile (1) to include "n" sub-layers
(4a-4n), wherein the method is characterised in that: in the selecting an acoustical portion step "n" is a number greater than 1 and is
based on the type of said sub-floor; and in that: the method includes the step of:
selecting a material composition for each of said "n" sub-layers (4a-4n), where the
material composition for each of said "n" sub-layers (4a-4n) is based on the type
of said sub-floor system that includes the floor/ceiling assembly and the number "n"
of sub-layers (4a-4n), and
wherein the acoustical portion (4) includes at least first and second sub-layers (4a,
4b), the first and second sub-layers (4a, 4b) comprise material compositions that
are different from each other and wherein the first and second sub-layers (4a, 4b)
comprise materials selected from the list consisting of rubber, a combination of cork
and rubber, a combination of rubber and polyurethane foam (PU), and a combination
of PU foam and cork.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising selecting a thickness for each of said "n"
sub-layers (4a-4n), where the thickness for each of said "n" sub-layers (4a-4n) is
based on the type of said sub-floor system that includes the floor/ceiling assembly,
the number "n" of sub-layers (4a-4n), and the material composition of each of said
"n" sub-layers (4a-4n).
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising bonding the "n" individual sub-layers (4a-4n)
together to form an acoustical portion (4).
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising bonding the acoustical portion (4) to a
vinyl tile portion (2) of said vinyl tile (1).
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising applying the vinyl tile (1) to the subfloor
system, that that includes the floor/ceiling assembly.
1. Eine Vinylfliese (1), die Folgendes beinhaltet:
einen Vinylabschnitt (2); und
einen Schalldämpfungsabschnitt (4), der eine Vielzahl einzelner schalldämpfender Unterschichten
(4a-4n) beinhaltet, und wobei die einzelnen Unterschichten erste und zweite Unterschichten
(4a, 4b) umfassen, wobei die erste Unterschicht (4a) mit dem Vinylabschnitt (2) verbunden
ist, die zweite Unterschicht (4b) mit der ersten Unterschicht (4a) verbunden ist,
wobei die ersten und zweiten Unterschichten (4a, 4b) der Vielzahl einzelner Unterschichten
(4a-4n) Materialzusammensetzungen beinhalten, die voneinander verschieden sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vielzahl einzelner Unterschichten (4a-4n) Materialien beinhaltet, ausgewählt
aus einer Liste bestehend aus Gummi, einer Kombination aus Kork und Gummi, einer Kombination
aus Gummi und Polyurethanschaum (PU) und einer Kombination aus PU-Schaum und Kork.
2. Vinylfliese (1) gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die ersten und zweiten Unterschichten (4a,
4b) voneinander verschiedene Dicken aufweisen.
3. Vinylfliese (1) gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die ersten und zweiten Unterschichten (4a,
4b) gleiche Dicken aufweisen.
4. Vinylfliese (1) gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die erste Unterschicht
(4a) Gummi beinhaltet und die zweite Unterschicht (4b) eine Mischung aus Gummi und
Kork beinhaltet.
5. Vinylfliese (1) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die erste Unterschicht (4a)
eine Mischung aus Gummi und Kork beinhaltet und die zweite Unterschicht (4b) Gummi
beinhaltet.
6. Vinylfliese (1) gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Vielzahl einzelner
Unterschichten (4a-4n) drei einzelne Unterschichten beinhaltet.
7. Vinylfliese (1) gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei die drei einzelnen Unterschichten (4a-4n)
jede eine Materialzusammensetzung beinhaltet, die verschieden von den anderen einzelnen
Unterschichten (4a-4n) ist.
8. Vinylfliese (1) gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Vielzahl einzelner
Unterschichten (4a-4n) mehr als drei einzelne Unterschichten beinhaltet.
9. Ein Verfahren zum Gestalten eines auf eine bestimmte Fußbodenbelagsanwendung abgestimmten
Fußbodenbelagssystems, das Folgendes beinhaltet:
Bestimmen eines Unterbodensystemtyps, der eine Fußboden/Deckenanordnung umfasst, an
die eine Vinylfliese (1), die einen Vinylabschnitt (2) beinhaltet, angebracht wird;
Auswählen eines Schalldämpfungsabschnitts (4) der Vinylfliese (1), um "n" Unterschichten
(4a-4n) zu umfassen, wobei das Verfahren dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass: in dem Schritt des Auswählens eines Schalldämpfungsabschnitts eine Zahl "n" größer
als 1 ist und sich nach dem Unterbodensystemtyp richtet; und dadurch, dass: das Verfahren
den folgenden Schritt umfasst:
Auswählen einer Materialzusammensetzung für jede der "n" Unterschichten (4a-4n), wobei
die Materialzusammensetzung für jede der "n" Unterschichten (4a-4n) sich nach dem
Unterbodensystemtyp, der die Fußboden/Deckenanordnung umfasst, und der Zahl "n" der
Unterschichten (4a-4n) richtet, und
wobei der Schalldämpfungsabschnitt (4) mindestens erste und zweite Unterschichten
(4a, 4b) umfasst, wobei die ersten und zweiten Unterschichten (4a, 4b) Materialzusammensetzungen
beinhalten, die voneinander verschieden sind, und wobei die ersten und zweiten Unterschichten
(4a, 4b) Materialien beinhalten, ausgewählt aus der Liste bestehend aus Gummi, einer
Kombination aus Kork und Gummi, einer Kombination aus Gummi und Polyurethanschaum
(PU) und einer Kombination aus PU-Schaum und Kork.
10. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9, das ferner das Auswählen einer Dicke für jede der "n"
Unterschichten (4a-4n) beinhaltet, wobei die Dicke für jede der "n" Unterschichten
(4a-4n) sich nach dem Unterbodensystemtyp, der die Fußboden/Deckenanordnung umfasst,
der Zahl "n" der Unterschichten (4a-4n) und der Materialzusammensetzung jeder der
"n" Unterschichten (4a-4n) richtet.
11. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 10, das ferner das Verbinden der "n" einzelnen Unterschichten
(4a-4n) miteinander beinhaltet, um einen Schalldämpfungsabschnitt (4) zu bilden.
12. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 11, das ferner das Verbinden des Schalldämpfungsabschnitts
(4) mit einem Vinylfliesenabschnitt (2) der Vinylfliese (1) beinhaltet.
13. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 12, das ferner das Anbringen der Vinylfliese (1) an dem Unterbodensystem,
das die Fußboden/Deckenanordnung umfasst, beinhaltet.
1. Un carreau de vinyle (1), comprenant :
une portion de vinyle (2) ; et
une portion acoustique (4) comprenant une pluralité de sous-couches acoustiques individuelles
(4a-4n), et les sous-couches individuelles incluant des première et deuxième sous-couches
(4a, 4b), la première sous-couche (4a) étant collée à la portion de vinyle (2), la
deuxième sous-couche (4b) étant collée à la première sous-couche (4a),
dans lequel les première et deuxième sous-couches (4a, 4b) de la pluralité de sous-couches
individuelles (4a-4n) comprennent des compositions de matériaux qui sont différentes
l'une de l'autre, caractérisé en ce que la pluralité de sous-couches individuelles (4a-4n) comprend des matériaux sélectionnés
dans une liste constituée du caoutchouc, d'une combinaison de liège et de caoutchouc,
d'une combinaison de caoutchouc et de mousse de polyuréthane (PU), et d'une combinaison
de mousse de PU et de liège.
2. Le carreau de vinyle (1) de la revendication 1, dans lequel les première et deuxième
sous-couches (4a, 4b) ont des épaisseurs qui sont différentes l'une de l'autre.
3. Le carreau de vinyle (1) de la revendication 1, dans lequel les première et deuxième
sous-couches (4a, 4b) ont des épaisseurs qui sont identiques.
4. Le carreau de vinyle (1) de n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel
la première sous-couche (4a) comprend du caoutchouc et la deuxième sous-couche (4b)
comprend un mélange de caoutchouc et de liège.
5. Le carreau de vinyle (1) de n'importe lesquelles des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel
la première sous-couche (4a) comprend un mélange de caoutchouc et de liège et la deuxième
sous-couche (4b) comprend du caoutchouc.
6. Le carreau de vinyle (1) de n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel
la pluralité de sous-couches individuelles (4a-4n) comprennent trois sous-couches
individuelles.
7. Le carreau de vinyle (1) de la revendication 6, dans lequel chacune des trois sous-couches
individuelles (4a-4n) comprend une composition de matériaux qui est différente des
autres sous-couches individuelles (4a-4n).
8. Le carreau de vinyle (1) de n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel
la pluralité de sous-couches individuelles (4a-4n) comprennent plus de trois sous-couches
individuelles.
9. Un procédé de conception d'un système de revêtement de sol pour s'adapter à une utilisation
de revêtement de sol particulière, comprenant :
la détermination d'un type de système de support pour revêtement de sol qui inclut
un ensemble sol/plafond sur lequel un carreau de vinyle (1), qui comprend une portion
de vinyle (2), sera appliqué ;
la sélection d'une portion acoustique (4) dudit carreau de vinyle (1) afin d'inclure
« n » sous-couches (4a-4n), le procédé étant caractérisé en ce que: à l'étape de sélection d'une portion acoustique, « n » est un nombre supérieur à
1 et est basé sur le type dudit support pour revêtement de sol ; et en ce que: le procédé inclut l'étape de : sélection d'une composition de matériaux pour chacune
desdites « n » sous-couches (4a-4n), où la composition de matériaux pour chacune desdites
« n » sous-couches (4a-4n) est basée sur le type dudit système de support pour revêtement
de sol qui inclut l'ensemble sol/plafond et le nombre « n » de sous-couches (4a-4n),
et
dans lequel la portion acoustique (4) inclut au moins des première et deuxième sous-couches
(4a, 4b), les première et deuxième sous-couches (4a, 4b) comprennent des compositions
de matériaux qui sont différentes l'une de l'autre et dans lequel les première et
deuxième sous-couches (4a, 4b) comprennent des matériaux sélectionnés dans la liste
constituée du caoutchouc, d'une combinaison de liège et de caoutchouc, d'une combinaison
de caoutchouc et de mousse de polyuréthane (PU), et d'une combinaison de mousse de
PU et de liège.
10. Le procédé de la revendication 9, comprenant en outre la sélection d'une épaisseur
pour chacune desdites « n » sous-couches (4a-4n), où l'épaisseur pour chacune desdites
« n » sous-couches (4a-4n) est basée sur le type dudit système de support pour revêtement
de sol qui inclut l'ensemble sol/plafond, le nombre « n » de sous-couches (4a-4n),
et la composition de matériaux de chacune desdites « n » sous-couches (4a-4n).
11. Le procédé de la revendication 10, comprenant en outre le collage des « n » sous-couches
individuelles (4a-4n) ensemble afin de former une portion acoustique (4).
12. Le procédé de la revendication 11, comprenant en outre le collage de la portion acoustique
(4) à une portion de carreau de vinyle (2) dudit carreau de vinyle (1).
13. Le procédé de la revendication 12, comprenant en outre l'application du carreau de
vinyle (1) sur le système de support pour revêtement de sol, qui inclut l'ensemble
sol/plafond.