Laminate flooring panel bevel and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A laminate panel with a beveled edge in the clear covering over the decorative layer. The bevel in the clear covering is produced by heating a roller and bringing it into operable contact with the clear covering adjacent the edge of the laminate panel. The heated roller melts the clear covering and produces the bevel as the laminate panel is moved past the roller while the roller rotates about its axis.

1 . A method of forming a bevel in the top surface of a panel of laminate flooring comprising a covering over a layer of said panel and a clear top layer over said covering, said method comprising melting said clear top layer along an edge of said panel so as to form a beveled edge extending upwardly and inwardly from said edge towards said top surface of panel of laminate flooring.  
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said clear top layer is melted using a heated roller applied to said clear top layer and moving said panel of laminate flooring past said heated roller while said heated roller rotates in operable contact with said clear top layer.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said clear top layer is melted by a heated roller having an axis of rotation, said roller rotating about said axis and being in operable contact with said clear top layer, said axis of said roller being held stationery and said panel of laminate flooring being moved past said roller.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said clear top layer is melted by a heated die brought into contact with said clear top layer while relative movement occurs between said panel of laminate flooring and said heated die.  
   
   
       5 . A panel of laminate flooring which has at least one beveled edge along an edge of said panel, said laminate flooring having a top surface which includes a covering of a layer of said laminate flooring and a clear top layer over said covering, said beveled edge being formed in said clear top layer, said beveled edge extending upwardly and inwardly from said edge of said panel to said top surface of said panel of laminate flooring.  
   
   
       6 . A piece of laminate flooring as in  claim 5  wherein said clear top layer is melted by a heated roller.  
   
   
       7 . A piece of laminate flooring as in  claim 5  wherein said clear top layer is melted by a heated die.