Method for manufacturing a panel including a reinforcement sheet

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a panel, the panel having a thickness in a range of 1.5 to 6.5 mm and including at least one substrate layer and a printed decoration layer covered by a protection layer. The method includes the steps of providing a granulate containing PVC and fillers, and having a cylindrical shape with a cylinder diameter in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 mm and a cylinder height in the range of 0.2-2.0 mm, melting the granulates and forming the substrate layer by means of molten granulates. The layer have a thickness of 1 to 3.5 mm. The method also includes forming a laminated complex by applying the printed decoration layer and the protection layer to at least the substrate layer by laminating or coating.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for manufacturing a panel, said panel having a thickness in a range of 1.5 to 6.5 mm and comprises at least one substrate layer, a printed decoration layer covered by a protection layer, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
 providing a granulate containing PVC and fillers, and having a cylindrical shape with a cylinder diameter in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 mm and a cylinder height in the range of 0.2-2.0 mm;   melting said granulates and forming said substrate layer by means of molten granulates, said layer having a thickness of 1 to 3.5 mm;   forming a laminated complex by applying said printed decoration layer and said protection layer to at least said substrate layer by laminating or coating.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said granulate comprises at least 35% of inorganic fillers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein granulate is provided by melting a mixture of PVC and fillers, extruding the mixture through a perforated plate, and cutting the extrudate every 0.2 to 2.0 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the panel further comprises a reinforcement sheet positioned on top of said substrate layer 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said substrate layer is provided in the form of said granulates which are spread and subsequently at least partially melted. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said substrate layer is provided in molten condition on a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said PVC is semi-rigid PVC. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said method is a continuous process in which at least said substrate layer is formed as a continuous sheet 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , said method further comprising the step of embossing said laminated complex. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , said method further comprising the step of applying a UV lacquer on the top side of the laminated complex. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , said method further comprising the step of cutting the laminated complex in slabs for further converting to finished modular floor elements.