Panel

Abstract

A panel has at least one first pair of opposite edges with coupling parts that allow two such panels to be couplable together. The coupling parts include a horizontally acting locking system that in a coupled state of two such panels achieves locking in the plane of the panels and perpendicular to the respective edges. The horizontally acting locking system includes a projecting lip with an upward directed locking element on the underside of the panel. The upward directed locking element abuts against the proximally located upper side of the aforementioned projecting lip at least by means of a concave surface.

1 . A panel having a substrate and a decorative top layer applied thereon, wherein this panel has at least one first pair of opposite edges with coupling parts,
 wherein the aforementioned coupling parts allow two such panels to be couplable together,   wherein in a coupled state locking is obtained on the respective edges both in a horizontal direction in the plane of the panels and perpendicular to the respective edges and in a vertical direction transverse to the plane of the panels,   wherein the coupling parts are configured substantially as a tongue and a groove delimited by means of a lower lip and an upper lip,   wherein the aforementioned tongue and groove are provided with locking elements that prevent the tongue and groove moving apart and   wherein the aforementioned locking elements comprise an upright locking element on the aforementioned lower lip and, interacting therewith, a downward directed locking element on the underside of the tongue,   wherein in the aforementioned coupled state a contact surface is formed between the upper side of the aforementioned tongue and the underside of the aforementioned upper lip, wherein   the smallest thickness of the portion of the lower lip, proximal to the upright locking portion, is located at a distal position of the upper lip, or, in other words, in the portion of the lower lip that extends beyond the upper lip or, in yet other words, in the projecting portion of the lower lip;   the horizontal distance of the position with the aforementioned smallest thickness of the lower lip from the distal end of the upper lip is at least 50% or more of the distance by which the lower lip projects beyond the upper lip;   wherein in the aforementioned coupled state there is a space between the upper side of the lower lip and the underside of the tongue, wherein said space is present continuously from a position vertically under the distal end of the upper lip at least up to the position with the aforementioned smallest thickness;   wherein the substrate comprises a wood fiberboard having an internal bond strength measured according to EN 319:1996 of 1.2 N/mm 2  or more, and has a density of more than 800 kg/m 3 ;   wherein the decorative top layer comprises a layer of paper impregnated with resin.   
     
     
         2 . The panel as in  claim 1 , wherein the sum of the aforementioned largest thickness of the upper lip, the smallest thickness of the lower lip and the largest thickness of the tongue at the location of the aforementioned contact surface differs less than 10% of the thickness of the panel, excluding an optional glued-on sublayer. 
     
     
         3 . The panel as in  claim 1 , wherein the aforementioned smallest thickness of the lower lip is manifested at or just before the abutment of the upper side of the lower lip with the aforementioned upright locking element. 
     
     
         4 . The panel as in  claim 1 , wherein in the aforementioned coupled state a contact surface is formed between the aforementioned upright locking element and the aforementioned downward directed locking element,
 wherein this contact surface has a tangent increasing in the distal direction of the lower lip, said tangent making an angle from 47.5 to 65° with the horizontal.   
     
     
         5 . The panel as in  claim 4 , wherein the distal position with the aforementioned smallest thickness is located at a distance from the center of the aforementioned contact surface,
 wherein this distance is less than 20% of the thickness of the panel.   
     
     
         6 . The panel as in  claim 1 , wherein the center of the aforementioned contact surface is located at a horizontal distance from the distal end of the upper lip that is greater than 50% of the thickness of the panel. 
     
     
         7 . The panel as in  claim 1 , wherein the substrate has a thickness of 8 mm or more. 
     
     
         8 . The panel as in clam  1 , wherein the wood fiberboard has an internal bond strength measured according to EN 319:1996 of 1.5 N/mm 2  or more. 
     
     
         9 . The panel as in  claim 1 , wherein the decorative top layer comprises a varnish coat. 
     
     
         10 . The panel as in  claim 1 , wherein the lower lip in the aforementioned coupled state is bent out downward. 
     
     
         11 . The panel as in  claim 1 , wherein the resin is a melamine resin or an acrylate resin. 
     
     
         12 . The panels as in  claim 1 , wherein the decorative top layer comprises particles that increase the abrasion resistance. 
     
     
         13 . A panel having a substrate and a decorative top layer applied thereon, wherein this panel has at least one first pair of opposite edges with coupling parts,
 wherein the aforementioned coupling parts allow two such panels to be couplable together,   wherein in a coupled state locking is obtained on the respective edges both in a horizontal direction in the plane of the panels and perpendicular to the respective edges and in a vertical direction transverse to the plane of the panels,   wherein the coupling parts are configured substantially as a tongue and a groove delimited by means of a lower lip and an upper lip,   wherein the aforementioned tongue and groove are provided with locking elements that prevent the tongue and groove moving apart and   wherein the aforementioned locking elements comprise an upright locking element on the aforementioned lower lip and, interacting therewith, a downward directed locking element on the underside of the tongue,   wherein in the aforementioned coupled state a contact surface is formed between the upper side of the aforementioned tongue and the underside of the aforementioned upper lip, wherein   the smallest thickness of the portion of the lower lip, proximal to the upright locking portion, is located at a distal position of the upper lip, or, in other words, in the portion of the lower lip that extends beyond the upper lip or, in yet other words, in the projecting portion of the lower lip;   the horizontal distance of the position with the aforementioned smallest thickness of the lower lip from the distal end of the upper lip is at least 50% or more of the distance by which the lower lip projects beyond the upper lip;   wherein in the aforementioned coupled state there is a space between the upper side of the lower lip and the underside of the tongue, wherein said space is present continuously from a position vertically under the distal end of the upper lip at least up to the position with the aforementioned smallest thickness;   the substrate comprises a wood fiberboard having an internal bond strength measured according to EN 319:1996 of 1.2 N/mm 2  or more, and having a density of more than 800 kg/m 3 ;   the decorative top layer comprises a layer of paper impregnated with resin;   wherein the aforementioned smallest thickness of the lower lip is manifested at or just before the abutment of the upper side of the lower lip with the aforementioned upright locking element.   
     
     
         14 . The panel as in  claim 13 , wherein in the aforementioned coupled state a contact surface is formed between the aforementioned upright locking element and the aforementioned downward directed locking element,
 wherein this contact surface has a tangent increasing in the distal direction of the lower lip, said tangent making an angle from 47.5 to 65° with the horizontal.   
     
     
         15 . The panel as in  claim 14 , wherein the distal position with the aforementioned smallest thickness is located at a distance from the center of the aforementioned contact surface,
 wherein this distance is less than 20% of the thickness of the panel.   
     
     
         16 . The panel as in  claim 15 , wherein the center of the aforementioned contact surface is located at a horizontal distance from the distal end of the upper lip that is greater than 50% of the thickness of the panel. 
     
     
         17 . The panel as in  claim 16 , wherein the substrate has a thickness of 8 mm or more. 
     
     
         18 . The panel as in clam  17 , wherein the wood fiberboard has an internal bond strength measured according to EN 319:1996 of 1.5 N/mm 2  or more. 
     
     
         19 . The panel as in  claim 18 , wherein the lower lip in the aforementioned coupled state is bent out downward. 
     
     
         20 . The panel as in  claim 19 , wherein the resin is a melamine resin or an acrylate resin.