Web-type floor covering and method for its manufacture

Abstract

A web-type floor covering made of vulcanized rubber that includes an elastic rubber web, the top side of which forms a decorative surface, first decorative particles being at least partially embedded in the rubber web so that the first decorative particles are visible from the top side, a transparent coating, in particular made of epoxy resin, being applied to the first decorative particles on at least part of their contact surface with the rubber web, the first decorative particles being preferably made of a different material from that used for the rubber web.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A web-type floor covering comprising: 
 a vulcanized rubber web having a top side that provides a decorative surface;    a plurality of first decorative particles that are at least partially embedded in the rubber web along contact surfaces with the rubber web, the first decorative particles being visible from the top side;    wherein a transparent coating, in particular made of epoxy resin, coats the first decorative particles on at least part of the contact surface between the rubber web and the decorative particles, the first decorative particles being preferably made of a different material from that used for the rubber web.    
     
     
         2 . The floor covering according to  claim 1 , wherein the first decorative particles are at least partly made of a highly light-reflective material.  
     
     
         3 . The floor covering according to  claim 2 , wherein the first decorative particles are made of a material selected from the group consisting of corundum, silicon carbide and aluminum.  
     
     
         4 . The floor covering according to  claim 1 , wherein the first decorative particles are irregularly shaped.  
     
     
         5 . The floor covering according to  claim 3 , wherein the first decorative particles are irregularly shaped.  
     
     
         6 . The floor covering according to  claim 1 , wherein the first decorative particles have a height as well as transverse and longitudinal dimensions, and the height of at least part of the first decorative particles is not as great as their longitudinal and transverse dimensions.  
     
     
         7 . The floor covering according to  claim 1 , wherein the size of the first decorative particles  5  is between 0.05 and 5 mm, and preferably between 0.25 mm and 0.70 mm.  
     
     
         8 . The floor covering according to  claim 6 , wherein the size of the first decorative particles  5  is between 0.05 and 5 mm, and preferably between 0.25 mm and 0.70 mm.  
     
     
         9 . The floor covering according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating, in particular the epoxy resin, is applied to the first decorative particles and cured, and these are then applied to the top side of an uncured rubber web, and the rubber web is then vulcanized.  
     
     
         10 . The floor covering according to  claim 3 , wherein the coating, in particular the epoxy resin, is applied to the first decorative particles and cured, and these are then applied to the top side of an uncured rubber web, and the rubber web is then vulcanized.  
     
     
         11 . Floor covering according to  claim 1 , wherein second decorative particles made of rubber and having no coating are provided.  
     
     
         12 . Floor covering according to  claim 8 , wherein second decorative particles made of rubber and having no coating are provided.  
     
     
         13 . A method for manufacturing a web-type floor covering comprising the steps of: 
 preparing a quantity of first decorative particles, a coating, in particular made of epoxy resin, having being applied in advance to at least part of the particles;    preparing an uncured rubber web having a top side;    applying the decorative particles to the top side of the rubber web;    attaching the decorative particles to the rubber web via application of pressure;    vulcanizing the rubber web having the decorative particles.    
     
     
         14 . An elastic rubber floor covering comprising decorative particles coated with epoxy resin manufactured by the method set forth in  claim 13.