EP1262609A1 - Floor covering element with sealing strip - Google Patents

Abstract

Laminated floor covering material, comprises compressible and optionally adhesive seal between interlocking sections. The floor covering material is in sections (1, 3) with interlocking joints (15, 17), each section comprising a first rigid layer (5) with a visible surface and protective layer (7) e.g. of varnish, oil or wax, a second rigid and mechanically-resistant layer (9) with the interlocking joint members and a compressible seal (21) and a solid counterbalancing layer (11). The seal can be of a malleable polyolefin adhesive that sticks repeatedly to adjacent surfaces at ambient temperature.

Description

The invention relates to a floor covering element, multilayer, laid floating, that is to say not secured to the slab or the structure to be clad with the building that we want to equip.

• d'un "vrai parquet" dont la couche de surface est (essentiellement) en bois et se présente sous la forme d'une ou plusieurs lame(s) (également appelées planches, frises, lattes, ...),
• ou d'un "similiparquet" (appelé également "faux parquet" ou "laminé", c'est-à-dire un revêtement ayant l'aspect d'un parquet mais contenant beaucoup moins de bois qu'un "vrai parquet"), tant le parquet que le similiparquet étant à poser flottant.

In particular, the invention relates to a coating consisting of an element, or a set of elements:

• a "real parquet" whose surface layer is (essentially) wooden and is in the form of one or more plank (s) (also called boards, friezes, slats, ...),
• or a "similiparquet" (also called "false parquet" or "laminate", that is to say a coating having the appearance of a parquet but containing much less wood than a "real parquet") , both the parquet and the faux-parquet being floating.

• les poses flottantes,
• les poses collées.

In the field of these coatings, two installation techniques are preferred:

• floating poses,
• the poses glued.

As will be understood, the invention relates to the field of floating poses in which typically a underlay (felt, carpet, ...) or a foam sheet is interposed between the covering and the floor.

In the other technique, the covering is fixed (typically glued) on the ground on a slab (often a patched slab covered with a fluid coating forming a bonding bed).

In the present case, an object of the invention is to improve the resistance to the humidity of the coating and more generally, the resistance over time of the element once installed, the risk being that substances will flow or pile up between two joined elements, risking damage.

• une première couche rigide dure, présentant une face supérieure visible,
• et au moins une deuxième couche sous-jacente mécaniquement résistante, rigide, de support de la première couche, cette deuxième couche sous-jacente comprenant des moyens d'interverrouillage adaptés pour coopérer mécaniquement avec des moyens complémentaires d'interverrouillage dont est pourvu un deuxième élément adapté pour coopérer avec le premier et qui comprend les mêmes dites première et seconde couches, la deuxième couche du premier ou du deuxième élément comprenant en outre un joint déformable fixé à elle , sur au moins l'un de ses côtés à l'écart des moyens d'interverrouillage qui y sont prévus et en regard de l'autre élément, le joint étant adapté pour assurer, dans une position en saillie sur la tranche, une étanchéité aux liquides lorsqu'il est écrasé contre ledit côté en regard de l'autre élément par rapprochement des premier et deuxième éléments et verrouillage mutuel entre eux.

In the general field of floating floor coverings, there are already known multilayer elements having several sides, a slice, extending in a general plane and comprising:

• a first hard rigid layer, having a visible upper face,
• and at least one second mechanically strong, rigid underlying second layer for supporting the first layer, this second underlying layer comprising interlocking means adapted to mechanically cooperate with complementary interlocking means which is provided with a second element adapted to cooperate with the first and which comprises the same said first and second layers, the second layer of the first or of the second element further comprising a deformable seal fixed to it, on at least one of its sides away from the interlocking means provided therein and facing the other element, the seal being adapted to ensure, in a projecting position on the edge, a liquid tightness when it is crushed against said side facing the another element by bringing together the first and second elements and mutual locking between them.

A problem arises in connection with the manner of carrying out and / or to set up the seal to increase the effectiveness of the seal, the ease implementation of the seal, reducing costs.

To this end, an important characteristic of the invention provides the seal has an adhesive front face to stick against the side in look of the other element, in the mutually locked position of the first and second elements.

Defining the nature of the joint proved to be important for strengthening the above criteria.

• le joint est une colle polyoléfine malléable, ayant un pouvoir collant supérieur à une température proche de sa température de ramollissement qu'à température ambiante,
• le joint est collé plus solidement au premier élément qu'au second élément, et est collable et décollable de façon répétitive à ce second élément, à température ambiante,
• le joint est un cordon malléable collant thermoplastique, en particulier en polypropylène, pouvant coller de façon répétitive à température ambiante.

We therefore recommend alternative or combined reproduction of the following characteristics:

• the seal is a malleable polyolefin adhesive, having a higher tack at a temperature close to its softening temperature than at room temperature,
• the seal is stuck more securely to the first element than to the second element, and is repeatedly stickable and peelable from this second element, at room temperature,
• the joint is a malleable, adhesive thermoplastic bead, in particular made of polypropylene, which can bond repeatedly at room temperature.

Another object of the invention is to ensure positioning also perfect as possible of the two adjacent elements, while promoting the holding and joint control.

• l'un au moins des éléments présente sur au moins un de ses côtés, une forme en creux où est disposé le joint,
• et l'autre élément présente en regard de la forme en creux une excroissance adaptée pour qu'une partie au moins du joint soit déformée par cette excroissance lors de l'interverrouillage des éléments.

It is therefore advised that:

• at least one of the elements present on at least one of its sides, a hollow shape where the seal is placed,
• and the other element has, opposite the hollow form, a protuberance adapted so that at least part of the joint is deformed by this protrusion during the interlocking of the elements.

In the invention, it is further noted that an attention particular attention was paid to the position of the seal, to the efficiency of its function vis-à-vis of the structural constitution of each element and vis-à-vis the how they are brought together by their means interlock.

• le joint soit disposé, sur l'un desdits éléments, exclusivement au-dessus des moyens d'interverrouillage, au niveau de la deuxième couche,
• et que les moyens d'interverrouillage de ces éléments, eux-mêmes situés au niveau de cette deuxième couche, se verrouillent mutuellement par emboítement, dans une première position de blocage relatif des éléments suivant une direction parallèle ou sensiblement parallèle au plan général alors commun desdits éléments, lesquels sont déverrouillables à partir de leur dite première position de blocage, par décalage en hauteur d'un élément par rapport à l'autre, tel par exemple qu'une inclinaison d'un élément par rapport à l'autre,
• et le joint, lié fixement au premier élément, adhère à l'autre élément sous une pression créée par l'interverrouillage des deux éléments comprise entre 1,5 kg/cm et 7 kg/cm, environ (à 10 % près).

Also, a characteristic of the invention advises that:

• the seal is disposed, on one of said elements, exclusively above the interlocking means, at the level of the second layer,
• and that the means for interlocking these elements, themselves located at the level of this second layer, interlock with each other by interlocking, in a first position of relative locking of the elements in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the general then common plane of said elements, which are unlockable from their said first locking position, by offset in height of one element with respect to the other, such as for example an inclination of one element with respect to the other,
• and the seal, fixedly linked to the first element, adheres to the other element under a pressure created by the interlocking of the two elements of between 1.5 kg / cm and 7 kg / cm, approximately (to within 10%).

• que l'excroissance présente une face supérieure globalement oblique par rapport au plan général de l'(des) élément(s) considéré(s), cette face se terminant par un apex libre situé en regard d'une partie de la cavité qui lui fait face, en position de blocage, pour solliciter le joint à se déformer au moins partiellement vers le haut,
• et, dans ce cas, que l'excroissance, à l'endroit de son apex, puisse présenter une saillie qui définisse un obstacle interdisant une sortie du joint vers le bas.

Also to promote a particularly effective positioning of the joint in the active position, we also recommend:

• that the protrusion has a generally oblique upper face with respect to the general plane of the element (s) considered, this face ending in a free apex situated opposite a part of the cavity which faces, in the locked position, to urge the seal to deform at least partially upwards,
• and, in this case, that the protuberance, at the place of its apex, can present a projection which defines an obstacle preventing an exit of the joint downwards.

This limits the risk of interference (jamming, ...) with the zone where the interlocking means are made up and the effect is favored protector assured against the seal.

To also encourage the consideration of dilations and other possible movements within an element or between elements adjacent, we also advise that, according to its general plan, the element provided with the seal has a length with, along this length, a joint made up of a succession of joint sections with a interruption between two successive sections.

In a favorable embodiment, combining good control in deformation and good sealing efficiency, another characteristic of the invention advises that the joint can be presented as a flange having a naturally erect wing along the edge of the element to which it is attached.

• la figure 1 montre, en coupe, deux éléments adjacents de revêtement de sol, dans un état non verrouillé, en regard l'un de l'autre,
• la figure 2 montre une variante de réalisation de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 montre les éléments de la figure 2 dans leur état verrouillé,
• la figure 4 montre le détail IV de la figure 2, en vue agrandie,
• la figure 5 montre le joint de la figure 2 seul, en vue agrandie,
• la figure 6 montre une autre alternative de réalisation, toujours dans l'état face à face, non verrouillé des deux éléments de revêtement,
• la figure 7 montre, en vue agrandie, une perspective locale d'un élément de revêtement pourvu d'un joint d'étanchéité allongé, en forme de ruban discontinu,
• et la figure 8 montre schématiquement, en coupe, un "faux-parquet" ou "laminé".

A more detailed description of the invention will now be provided in relation to the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 shows, in section, two adjacent elements of floor covering, in an unlocked state, facing each other,
• FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 shows the elements of FIG. 2 in their locked state,
• FIG. 4 shows the detail IV of FIG. 2, in an enlarged view,
• FIG. 5 shows the seal of FIG. 2 alone, in enlarged view,
• FIG. 6 shows another alternative embodiment, still in the face to face, unlocked state of the two covering elements,
• FIG. 7 shows, in an enlarged view, a local perspective of a covering element provided with an elongated seal, in the form of a discontinuous tape,
• and Figure 8 shows schematically, in section, a "false parquet" or "laminate".

In Figure 1, we see two adjacent elements of coating of floor 1, 3, of the "real parquet" type.

• une couche supérieure (ou couche d'usure) rigide, dure et pleine 5, contenant du bois (typiquement constituée de bois), présentant une face supérieure d'aspect visible et continu 5a, cette couche supérieure (typiquement d'une épaisseur comprise entre 1,5 mm et 10 mm) pouvant être recouverte d'une couche protectrice, telle que du vernis, de l'huile ou une cire, 7,
• une deuxième couche sous-jacente, 9, de support de la couche supérieure, située immédiatement sous elle, cette deuxième couche qui est en un matériau rigide contenant du bois (y compris les particules agglomérées) pouvant être continue ou discontinue (en présentant alors une série de fentes susceptibles d'être formées par des tasseaux espacés les uns des autres), cette deuxième couche ayant typiquement une épaisseur comprise entre 0,3 mm et 8 mm,
• avantageusement, une couche pleine de contrebalancement 11, dure, contenant du bois (y compris les particules agglomérées) et s'étendant alors (lorsqu'elle existe) immédiatement sous la seconde couche 9, pour la tenue mécanique du parquet dans son ensemble, et tout particulièrement de la couche supérieure 5 (épaisseur comprise entre 0,1 mm et 5 mm),
• et/ou une couche d'insonorisation 13 (voir figure 2), en un matériau acoustiquement absorbant (mousse, masse lourde, ...) située soit directement sous la couche de contrebalancement 11, soit directement sous la seconde couche 9 (étant précisé que, hormis cette couche d'insonorisation 13, qui peut être rapportée après fabrication, les autres sont liées ensemble au moment de la fabrication du parquet, typiquement par collage sous pression).

Thus, each element includes:

• a rigid, hard and solid upper layer (or wear layer) 5, containing wood (typically made of wood), having an upper face of visible and continuous appearance 5a, this upper layer (typically of a thickness between 1.5 mm and 10 mm) which can be covered with a protective layer, such as varnish, oil or wax, 7,
• a second underlying layer, 9, for supporting the upper layer, located immediately beneath it, this second layer which is made of a rigid material containing wood (including agglomerated particles) can be continuous or discontinuous (thus presenting a series of slots capable of being formed by battens spaced apart from each other), this second layer typically having a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 8 mm,
• advantageously, a solid counterbalancing layer 11, hard, containing wood (including agglomerated particles) and then extending (when it exists) immediately under the second layer 9, for the mechanical strength of the parquet as a whole, and most particularly of the upper layer 5 (thickness between 0.1 mm and 5 mm),
• and / or a soundproofing layer 13 (see FIG. 2), made of an acoustically absorbent material (foam, heavy mass, etc.) situated either directly under the counterbalancing layer 11, or directly under the second layer 9 (being specified that, apart from this soundproofing layer 13, which can be added after manufacture, the others are linked together at the time of manufacture of the parquet, typically by pressure bonding).

Two such elements, 1, 3, typically called boards or slats, are linked together during installation, by interlocking means materialized here by a male element 15 for element 3 and one per element complementary female 17, for element 1.

The two means 15, 17, are located on at least one of the sides, such as 19a and 19'a of the elements concerned, at the location of at least one of their edge (vertical).

They are more particularly spared at the level of the second layer 9 for better efficiency.

These are interlocking means known by the name "system clip" acting by interlocking and elastic wedging.

Different types of such means already exist. In each case, there has mutual locking by fitting the protuberance 15 into the cavity 17, after the element carrying the protuberance 15 has been presented offset in height in relation to cavity 17 (a presentation inclined in relation to the horizontal plane marked 100, in FIG. 5, being particularly favorable), an angular displacement then making it possible to lock elastically the two elements together, by elastic wedging, during folding of the element inclined in the general plane 100.

Either of these interlocking means 15, 17 is (are) topped by at least one seal such as 21.

In this case, it is the female plea 17. In Figure 2, it is the male element 15 of the part 3.

The seal 21 is a seal for liquids which is housed at the level of the second layer 9.

It is a deformable joint which is placed on the edge of the element concerned, and on at least one of its sides, such as in this case the side 19a, above the element interlocking zone 41.

This seal seals when it is pressed against the side in look of the adjacent element, i.e. when the two elements 1, 3, are interlocked, and therefore blocked by fitting 15 into 17, the joint then being in a projecting position, between the elements.

The joint used is a malleable polyolefin adhesive (can be crushed more or less elastic at room temperature) and having a power sticky higher than a temperature close to its temperature of softening (melting) only at room temperature. At this temperature, ambient, it can stick repeatedly. The seal is placed hot on the slice of the slat to which it must adhere. It is therefore placed just above of the interlocking zone 41, at the location of the support layer 9 underlying the wear layer 5. Its temperature at the outlet of the removal is between 160 ° C and 220 ° C (to within 10 ° C). The cord (full) deposited by this nozzle progresses between 15 m / min and 25 m / min (to within 20%) and deposit between 0.1 g and 1.5 g / mL (linear meter). Once glued to this slice, let the cord cool. When assembling the slats together, the interlocking created by the cooperation (snap-in) of male and female elements 15, 17, causes adhesion of the seal to the edge of the adjacent slat which comes to press against it. The pressure exerted during of this contact is between approximately 1.5 kg / cm and 7 kg / cm (typically, approximately 2 to 4 kg / cm for a layer of HDF and approximately 4 to 6 kg / cm for a layer 9 of softwood batten). This is due to this snap pressure that there is crushing and sticking of the cord to the edge of the adjacent slat and thus creation of a sealing bead forming a particularly joint effective, it being specified that this bonding is "separable", that is to say that in case of disassembly of the slats (typically at room temperature), the joint is takes off from the adjacent slat, while remaining glued to the edge of the batten where it was hot deposited. If we lock the slats again together, later, the joint sticks again to the adjacent batten.

Note that this type of seal is known by the names "hot melt polyolefin based glue" (hot melt polyolefin glue) or "pressure sensitive hot melt polyolefin based glue". It will advantageously be a thermoplastic, in particular of polypropylene, for its reliability and ease of installation advantages artwork.

Over its length, the bead forming the joint can be continuous or discontinuous, depending on the degree of tightness desired.

Opposite, on the edge of the adjacent slat, the wall can be plane.

In relation to the joint, and as in Figure 2, a protrusion 25 has been arranged in projection on the edge 19'a, at the level of the second layer 9, opposite said joint, now marked 21 '.

Preferably, this hard, rigid outgrowth (typically based of wood if it was formed from material with layer 9) has been made towards the lower part of the seal when it is in position (or in a state) no active as in FIG. 2, the protuberance 25 having even been here conformed and arranged to block any possible downward movement of the seal when is overwritten in the active position as in Figure 3.

For this, not only the projection 25 shown in view enlarged in FIG. 4 presents an upper face 25a overall oblique to line 100 embodying the general plane in which extend the elements (see Figure 7), but also present, at the place of its free apex 25b a projection which defines an obstacle preventing any exit from the joint downwards, the apex then being located at the end lower joint when the two elements 1, 3, are fitted as on the figure 3.

For its effectiveness in active position and its holding (see its protection), the (each) seal such as 21 'is preferably housed in a cavity 27 formed, in FIG. 2, in hollow relative to the general vertical plane of the section 19a.

As can be seen in an enlarged view in FIG. 5, the seal 21 ' of Figure 2 is a hollow joint (which can typically appear as a tubular tube) mechanically forcibly engaged in an orifice 29 formed in the bottom of the cavity 27. Notches 31 effectively retain the seal which, in this non-active position, protrudes clearly outside the cavity, the empty interior space 33a of its bead portion 33 allowing it to be effectively crushed and deformed when interlocking the elements.

The seal 21 'further has an upright upper wing 35 which extends to the level of the upper layer 5 against which it is supported, favoring an effective positioning of the joint in its active state.

At least the front face 37 of the rod portion of the seal is adhesive so that the seal sticks against the area opposite the edge 19'a.

In FIG. 3, it can be seen that in the flat locking position of the male locking means 15 in the female complementary means 17, the two sections 19a and 19'a of the two elements 1, 3, together, are in contact l 'from each other at the location of the two zones 19a ¹ and 19a ² located immediately adjacent to said means 15,17, respectively just above and just below them.

On the other hand, a gap 39 remains above the zone 19a ¹ , this gap extending, with a reduced width (see d ₂ with respect to d ₁ in FIG. 3) over the entire height of the first layer 5 of each of the elements. Thus, the seal 21, then in the crushed active position, extends essentially above the level of the apex 25b, a marginal part of the seal extending below, but only up to the place of the upper limit of the support area 19a ¹ , thus avoiding any interference between the sealing area of the gap 39 and the interlocking area 41 bordered above and below by the contact areas 19a ¹ and 19a ² .

In the example of FIG. 3, it is the wing 35 which provides a stabilization of the joint during its deformation and increases the tightness at the place of the upper layer 5. This wing 35 extends (at least essentially) to the look of this upper layer 5, while the tubular bead 33 extends at the location of the gap 39, at the second layer 9, this both in the active and inactive state of the seal.

Figure 6 (as indeed Figure 2) shows that the (each) joint element may overflow from this cavity, in the non-active state of said seal.

Thus, in Figure 6, there is again a joint in two parts, 51, 51 ', such as a rubber seal (rubber seal synthetic or butyl, for example).

The front face, respectively 53, 53 ', of each joint part is curved outwards and overflows from the corresponding cavity, 55, 55 'respectively. Each part of the joint is linked to the location of its zone back (for example, by adhesion) to an insert (respectively 57, 57 ') anchored in the thickness of the second layer 9 "of each element 1", 3 ", of covering ready to be assembled.

The anchoring can be carried out by a notched end, respectively 59, 59 ', forcibly engaged.

The two cavities and the two joint parts face each other and are located on the same level.

We can consider that each constitutes an outgrowth "flexible" deformation with respect to the other.

In this case, the control of the upward deformation of the joint is less precise. However, the design of the contact zone 19 "a ¹ is adapted to prevent the seals from descending clearly in the direction of the interlocking zone 41". On the other hand, the gap 61 with a depth of ² (relative to the slightly protruding end of the wall 19 "a ¹ ) reserved above the joint 51 up to the upper surface 5" a allows the two elements to seal 51, 51 ', to naturally take their active compressed position above said zone 19 "to ¹ .

Preferably, the projecting front part 53, 53 ′ of said seals will be coated with a protective film (not shown to avoid overload the figure).

In FIG. 7, the perspective therefore makes it possible to show the plane (in general typically horizontal) 100 in which each covering element, such as that partially shown in this figure and identified 20.

The figure shows the male locking element 115 formed of material, projecting, at the level of the second layer 90. Above the bead interlocking 115 extends the area 119 of contact between the elements of coating, preventing the seal 125 still located above from reaching the area of the bead 115, in the compressed active state of the joint, when the bead 115 is locked.

Still in the height direction, the seal 125 is interrupted (in its non-active state) before having reached the level of the first upper layer 50 of the element 20. The front face 50a of this layer 5, thus that the part of the front face 90a of the second layer 90 which extends it in the same vertical are offset in depth by a distance d ₂₀ relative to the vertical plane in which the wall 119 extends, so as to reserve a gap 610 for deploying the seal 125 when the element 20 is locked to its adjacent complementary element, as shown in FIG. 3.

An additional interest of figure 7 is to show that the joint 125 extends horizontally, parallel to the general plane 100, to the like a housed band (in this case entirely in its inactive state) in the cavity 270 hollowed out on the front surface of the second layer 90.

The joint 125 has a length horizontally, materialized here by the frame L and, along this length, looks like a succession of joint sections, such as 125a, 125b, with an interruption, such as 150a, 150b, between two adjacent sections.

This can favor the passage of the seal in its active state, as well as absorption of stresses and deformations.

Note that the (each) joint can be a sticky putty ("adhesive, hot melt putty ").

In Figure 8, we see another type of coating, typically called "laminate" (or false parquet) capable of being fitted with one of the the above interlocking and sealing systems.

The illustration in Figure 8 partially shows such a laminate spotted 200.

• une couche supérieure rigide, dure et pleine, en résine, 210, présentant une face supérieure d'aspect, visible, continue, 210a, ainsi qu'une face inférieure 210b, également continue ;
• une feuille intermédiaire décorative 230 (papier, bois, ...) donnant au produit son aspect visible à travers la couche supérieure transparente 210,
• une seconde couche sous-jacente 250, rigide, de support de la couche supérieure 210 et située immédiatement sous la couche 230, cette deuxième couche en matériau rigide contenant du bois (particules ou fibres ; HDF) lié par une résine synthétique et présentant une épaisseur comprise entre 0,1 mm et 3 mm,
• et éventuellement, une couche supplémentaire d'insonorisation 290 qui peut être identique à la couche 13 présentée pour le "vrai parquet", c'est-à-dire contenant une matière expansée et/ou un matériau viscoélastique (élastomère), étant toutefois précisé que ladite couche d'insonorisation 290 est alors située immédiatement sous la couche de soutien et de structuration 250.

This laminate includes:

• a rigid, hard and full upper layer, made of resin, 210, having a visible upper face, continuous, 210a, as well as a lower face 210b, also continuous;
• a decorative intermediate sheet 230 (paper, wood, etc.) giving the product its visible appearance through the transparent upper layer 210,
• a second rigid underlying layer 250 supporting the upper layer 210 and located immediately under the layer 230, this second layer made of rigid material containing wood (particles or fibers; HDF) bound by a synthetic resin and having a thickness between 0.1 mm and 3 mm,
• and optionally, an additional soundproofing layer 290 which may be identical to the layer 13 presented for "real parquet", that is to say containing an expanded material and / or a viscoelastic material (elastomer), being however specified. that said soundproofing layer 290 is then located immediately under the support and structuring layer 250.

Claims (10)

Floor covering elements comprising a first multilayer floor covering element (3) to be laid floating, having several sides, a slice, this first element comprising: a first hard rigid layer (5, 5 ′, 50, 21), having a visible upper face, and at least one second underlying layer (9, 9 ', 90, 250) mechanically strong, rigid, for supporting the first layer, this second underlying layer comprising interlocking means (15, 115) suitable for mechanically cooperate with complementary means (17) of interlocking which is provided with a second element (1) adapted to cooperate with the first and which comprises the same said first and second layers, the second layer of the first or second element (1, 3) further comprising a deformable seal (21; 21 '; 45, 45', 51, 51 ', 125) fixed to it (19a), on at least one of its sides away from the means of interlocking therein provided and facing the other element, the seal being adapted to ensure, in a projecting position on the edge, a liquid tightness when it is crushed against said side (19'a) facing the other element by bringing together the first and second elements ts and mutual locking between them, characterized in that the seal (21 ') has an adhesive front face (37) for sticking against the opposite side (19'a) of the other element, in the mutually locked position of the first and second elements (1, 3 ). Elements according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint (21) is a malleable polyolefin adhesive, having an adhesive power greater at a temperature close to its softening temperature than at ambient temperature. Elements according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the seal (21) is glued more firmly to the first element than to the second element, and is repeatedly stickable and peelable from this second element, at room temperature. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint (21) is a malleable, adhesive thermoplastic bead, in particular made of polypropylene, which can bond repeatedly at room temperature. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, in which: at least one of the elements has, on at least one of its sides, a hollow shape (55 ′, 27) where the seal (51, 21 ′) is arranged, and the other element has, opposite the hollow form, a protuberance (25, 53 ′) adapted so that at least part of the joint is deformed by this protrusion when the elements are interlocked. Elements according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: the seal (21; 21 '; 47, 47'; 53, 53 '; 125) is arranged on one of said elements, exclusively above the interlocking means, at the level of the second layer (9, 9' , 9 ", 90), the interlocking means (15, 17; 115) of these elements, also located at the level of this second layer, interlock with each other by interlocking, in a first position for relative locking of the elements, in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the plane general then common of said elements, which are unlockable from their said first locking position, by offset in height of one element relative to the other, such as for example an inclination of an element relative to the other, and the seal (21), fixedly linked to the first element, adheres to the other element under a pressure created by the interlocking of the two elements of between 1.5 kg / cm and 7 kg / cm. Flooring elements according to claim 5, characterized in that the protrusion (25) has an upper face (25a) generally oblique to the general plane of the element (s) considered, this face ending in a free apex (25b) located opposite a part of the hollow shape which faces it, in the locked position, to urge the seal to deform, at least partially upwards. Elements according to claim 7, characterized in that the protuberance (25) at the point of its apex (25b) has a projection which defines an obstacle preventing an exit of the joint downwards. Elements according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that , along its general plane (100), the element provided with the seal has a length (L) and, along this length, said seal consists of a succession of sections of joint (125a, 125b) with an interruption (150a, 150b) between two successive sections. Elements according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (21 ') is in the form of a flange (33) having a wing (35) naturally erected along the edge of the element to which it is fixed.

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