Methods for manufacturing panels and panel obtained thereby

Abstract

A method for manufacturing coated panels of the type including at least a substrate and a top layer with a motif, the top layer being provided on the substrate, the method may involve at least two steps. A first step may involve providing a synthetic material layer on the substrate. And a second subsequent step, may involve providing a relief on the surface of the synthetic material layer. The relief may include a pattern of recesses and/or projections. The pattern may be at least partially determined by one or more prints.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing coated panels of the type including at least a substrate and a top layer with a motif, the top layer being provided on the substrate, the method comprising:
 providing a synthetic material layer on the substrate; and   providing a relief on the surface of the synthetic material layer provided on the substrate;   wherein the relief includes a pattern of at least one of recesses and projections; and   wherein the pattern is at least partially determined by at least one print.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the print is situated underneath the synthetic material layer; and
 wherein the print is provided before providing the synthetic material layer on the substrate.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the print is situated above the synthetic material layer; and
 wherein the print is provided after providing the synthetic material layer on the substrate.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the print includes an expansible or expansion-preventing agent. 
     
     
         5 . A method for manufacturing coated panels of the type including at least a substrate and a top layer with a motif, the top layer being provided on the substrate, the method comprising:
 providing a synthetic material layer on the substrate; and   providing a relief on the surface of said synthetic material layer provided on the substrate;   wherein the relief includes a pattern of at least one of recesses and projections; and   wherein the relief is at least partially obtained by at least one of a local increase and a local decrease in volume of at least one of the top layer and the substrate.   
     
     
         6 . A method for manufacturing coated panels of the type including at least a substrate and a top layer with a motif, the top layer being provided on the substrate, the method comprising:
 providing a synthetic material layer on the substrate; and   providing a relief on the surface of the synthetic material layer provided on the substrate;   wherein the relief includes a pattern of at least one of recesses and projections; and   wherein the relief is obtained by providing a mask on the synthetic material layer and subsequently performing a material-removing treatment or a material-depositing treatment on the synthetic material layer, wherein the mask at least partially determines the pattern.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mask includes masking portions, which are realized by a print;
 wherein the synthetic material layer is selectively solidified via the mask provided thereon; and   wherein the not or less solidified portions of the synthetic material layer are removed by performing a material-removing treatment on the synthetic material layer.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mask is performed as an independently existing entity. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mask is realized directly on the synthetic material layer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mask includes masking portions; and
 wherein the synthetic material situated underneath the masking portions is exposed to a larger extent to the material-removing treatment.   
     
     
         11 . A method for manufacturing coated panels of the type including at least a substrate and a top layer with a motif, the top layer being provided on the substrate, the method comprising:
 providing a synthetic material layer on the substrate; and   providing a relief in the synthetic material using a structured mechanical press element;   wherein the structure of the press element is formed one of in line with and at the same time as providing the relief in the synthetic material.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the press element is a belt, a cylinder or a flat plate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein for forming the structure of the press element, a print with wax or lacquer is applied. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, when providing the relief in the synthetic material, a structure portion of the press element is applied other than the one formed at the same moment on the press element.