US 2,009,155,612 · Filed 2008-11-13
The Patent That Made Cheap Laminate Flooring Actually Last
Imagine a floor that looks beautiful but also scratches way less easily than regular laminate. This patent protects a clever sandwich of fibers, glue, and ultra-hard particles layered on top of wood-based panels to create a tougher, prettier surface that stands up to years of foot traffic and spills.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a composite building panel with a decorative surface layer made from a specific combination of fibers, binding materials, and wear-resistant particles fused together. What's protected here is both the material composition itself and the structure of how those layers bond—essentially, someone can't copy the formula or manufacturing method to create a competing wear-resistant surface without licensing the patent.
Why it matters
This patent matters because laminate and engineered wood products are mass-market building materials used in millions of homes. A genuinely durable, scratch-resistant surface directly addresses a major consumer complaint and warranty cost. By locking down this material science approach, Valinge Innovation created a competitive advantage in a category where durability claims drive purchase decisions and repeat business.
Real-world use
Every time you drop a fork on a laminate kitchen countertop or drag a chair across a laminate floor and it doesn't leave a visible scratch, you're likely encountering the kind of wear-resistant technology this patent protects.
Original USPTO abstract
Building panels with a homogenous decorative surface having a wear layer comprising fibres, binders and wear resistant particles.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 2,009,155,612
- Filing date
- 2008-11-13
- Grant date
- Application — not yet granted
- Assignee
- Valinge Innovation Belgium Bvba
- Inventor(s)
- PERVAN DARKO, LINDGREN KENT, JACOBSSON JAN, HAKANSSON NICLAS, BOUCKE EDDY, ZIEGLER GORAN
- CPC class
- E04F15/042
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