PANEL FOR A FURNITURE ELEMENT WITH A LAYER OF FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIAL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a panel (30) for a furniture element (13, 14, 28) comprising: a cover plate (31), a layer of flexible material (32), and a layer of fire-resistant material (33). Figure 2a

Description

Title of the invention: PANEL FOR A FURNITURE ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH A LAYER OF FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIAL

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel, in particular a noise attenuating panel, for a piece of furniture provided with a layer of fire-resistant material.

[0002] The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the aeronautical field, in particular for "business class" and "first class" type seating units in an aircraft cabin.

[0003] Such a seat unit comprises a seat and a shell extending at least partly around the seat so as to delimit a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of the passenger.

[0004] Noise that may disturb passengers is an important environmental concern to consider when developing a seating unit.

[0005] There is therefore a need to reduce the perception of noise inside an aircraft cabin in order to optimize the acoustic comfort of passengers.

[0006] In this context, noise attenuating panels can be attached to the seat unit. Such noise attenuating panels comprise a layer of flexible material and therefore have good noise reduction performance.

[0007] However, they are not suitable for aeronautical use, in particular due to fire regulations.

[0008] The invention aims to effectively remedy this drawback by proposing a panel for a piece of furniture comprising at least: - a dressing cap, - a layer of soft material, and - a layer of fire-resistant material.

[0009] The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the integration of a layer of fire-resistant material, to make panels made from a flammable material compatible with an aeronautical application.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of fire-resistant material is arranged inside the layer of flexible material.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of fire-resistant material is arranged between the covering cap and the layer of flexible material.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of fire-resistant material is intended to be fixed directly to one face of the furniture element.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the panel further comprises a structure of support.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure comprises removable fixing means for fixing the noise barrier to one face of the furniture element.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of fire-resistant material is arranged between the support structure and the layer of flexible material.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of flexible material is made of a material chosen from a foam, a fibrous material, a non-woven material, felt, a wadding-based material and / or a mixture of such materials.

[0017] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a furniture element and a panel as previously defined which is fixed to one face of the furniture element.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the furniture element is chosen from: - a console, - a shell, intended to extend at least partly around a seat, - a footrest, and / or - a monument of an airplane cabin.

[0019] The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a seating unit comprising a panel according to the present invention;

[0021] [Fig.2a][Fig.2b][Fig.2c] Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c are cross-sectional views of variants of a first embodiment of a panel according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.3a][Fig.3b][Fig.3c] Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c are cross-sectional views of variants of a second embodiment of a panel according to the invention.

[0023] It should be noted that the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0024] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a seat unit 10 having a panel 30 according to the present invention.

[0025] In particular, [Fig.l] shows the seat unit 10 comprising a seat 12, which can be associated with a side console 13 extending along one side of the seat 12.

[0026] Furthermore, the seat unit 10 may comprise a shell 14, also referred to as a “privacy shell”, extending at least partly around the seat 12, so as to delimit a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. Such a configuration guarantees the privacy of the passenger sitting on seat 12.

[0027] The shell 14 is made for example from a composite material or from a plastic material.

[0028] A video screen 16 of a multimedia system, also designated by the acronym “IFE” for “InFlight Entertainment” in English, can be installed on a rear part of the hull 14, so as to be usable by a passenger seated behind the seat unit 10.

[0029] The console 13 may include an upper wall 17 forming a table, on which the passenger can place objects, as well as a storage space 18 comprising one or more elements from a literature pocket, a bottle holder, or a minibar. The choice of storage is configurable according to the wishes of the airline. The console 13 may also include a reading light 19 intended to direct lighting towards the seat 12.

[0030] A recess 21 may be arranged under the upper wall 17. The recess 21 is open laterally towards the seat 12. In addition, a horizontal face 22 of the console 13 may in particular provide an armrest function. For this purpose, the horizontal face 22 may locally have the shape of a curved cuff 23 matching the shape of a part of the passenger's arm.

[0031] The console 13 may also comprise a control unit 25 for the seat 12 and its ancillary components, also designated by the acronym “PCU” for “Passenger Control Unit” in English. The control unit 25 allows the passenger in particular to control a selection of a position of the seat 12, as well as the ancillary components, such as a multimedia system, a heating device, a lighting ambiance system and / or any other ancillary component that can be integrated into the seat 12.

[0032] The seat unit 10 may also conventionally comprise a tablet 26, in particular movable between: a stored position, as shown in [Fig.l], in which the tablet 26 is located inside a housing, in particular arranged in the console 13, and a deployed position, in which the tablet 26 is located outside the housing, to allow the passenger to place an object there, such as a meal tray.

[0033] In addition, the console 13 comprises a housing 27, seen through transparency in [Fig.l], in which a footrest 28 is arranged. The footrest 28 comprises a horizontal face on which a passenger seated behind the seat unit 10 can place his feet.

[0034] According to the invention, the panel 30, in particular a noise attenuating panel 30, is fixed to one face of the shell 14. The panel 30 can be fixed to a front face of the shell 14, located on the side of the seat 12. As a variant or in addition, the panel 30 can be fixed on a rear face of the shell 14. The panel 30 can also be fixed on a face of the side console 13, located on the side of the seat 12 or around the footrest 28.

[0035] Thus, the panel 30 can be fixed to one or more furniture elements of the seat 12, notably chosen from the console 13, the shell 14 and / or the footrest 28.

[0036] Alternatively, the furniture element on which the panel 30 is fixed may consist of a furniture element of an aircraft cabin, such as a monument, in particular a first-row monument and / or a last-row monument of an aircraft cabin. In particular, such a monument may comprise storage, housings for on-board devices and / or a footrest.

[0037] In the various embodiments shown in the figures, the panel 30 comprises at least one covering cap 31, a layer of flexible material 32 and a layer of fire-resistant material 33.

[0038] According to a particular embodiment, a thickness E of the panel 30 can be between 1 mm and 50 mm and is preferably between 12 mm and 15 mm inclusive.

[0039] The covering cap 31 is chosen to give an aesthetic finish to the assembly. The covering cap 31 may, for example, be made of a material chosen from; a textile material, leather, imitation leather, alcantara and / or any other flexible material suitable for finishing the panel 30.

[0040] The trim cover 31 may have decorative patterns on its visible parts, when the panel 30 is placed on the furniture element, such as in particular the console 13, the shell 14 and / or the footrest 28 of the seat 12. Such decorative patterns may be personalized, in particular according to the wishes of an airline.

[0041] The layer of flexible material 32 is made of a material chosen from a foam, a fibrous material, a non-woven material, felt and / or a wadding-based material.

[0042] The flexible material layer 32 may also comprise several layers of different materials (among those mentioned above) and not just a single material. One of the layers of the complex of materials of the flexible material layer 32 may be high-density foam which may or may not be perforated.

[0043] Alternatively, the layer of flexible material 32 can be made in any other soft material suitable for use.

[0044] The layer of flexible material 32 has a thickness of the order of 1 mm to 25 mm.

[0045] The layer of fire-resistant material 33 is a solid layer. Advantageously, the layer of fire resistant material 33 may be a nonwoven material, a woven material and / or a knit.

[0046] The layer of fire-resistant material 33 may be made from fire-resistant fibers or yarns, for example FR acrylic, FR viscose, FR polyester, meta & para-aramids (mAR & pAR), poly(p-phenyleneterephthalamide) (PPD-T), poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) (MPD-I), pre-oxidized (OxPAN) or oxidized polyacrylonitrile, etc. Such materials may be obtained in particular by weaving, needling, rolling, quilting, stitching and / or pressing.

[0047] Alternatively, the layer of fire-resistant material 33 may be made of an intumescent material. Such an intumescent material has the property of being expandable, that is to say that it swells or expands above a threshold temperature.

[0048] The layer of fire-resistant material 33 is, for example, a thermoplastic material whose threshold temperature is between 250°C and 300°C.

[0049] The thickness of the layer of fire-resistant material 33 subjected to a heat flow, such as a flame, can increase by at least fifteen times its initial thickness when its temperature exceeds the threshold temperature.

[0050] The layer of fire-resistant material 33 has a thickness of the order of 0.1 mm to 10 mm, in particular between 0.8 mm and 2 mm, in particular between 1.14 mm (i.e. 0.030”) and 1.778 mm (i.e. 0.070”).

[0051] Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c are cross-sectional views of variants of a first embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention;

[0052] More particularly, according to the first embodiment, the panel 30 is devoid of a support structure.

[0053] In the embodiment of Figure 2a, the layer of fire-resistant material 33 is arranged inside the layer of flexible material 32. Thus, the layer of fire-resistant material 33 is arranged between two sub-layers 32.1, 32.2 of the layer of flexible material 32.

[0054] In the variant of [Fig.2b], the layer of fire-resistant material 33 is arranged between the covering cap 31 and the layer of flexible material 32.

[0055] In the variants of figures 2a and 2b, the layer of flexible material 32 is fixed directly to one face of the furniture element, that is to say without an intermediate support structure.

[0056] Preferably, the fixing of the layer of flexible material 32 on the face of the furniture element is carried out by gluing.

[0057] In the variant of [Fig.2c], the layer of fire-resistant material 33 is arranged between the furniture element and the layer of flexible material 32. In such a case, the layer of flexible material 32 is fixed, in particular by gluing, directly onto the layer of fire-resistant material 33, which is fixed, in particular by gluing, directly onto one face of the furniture element.

[0058] Primarily, the layer of fire-resistant material 33 makes it possible to improve the certification process of the panel 30 by making it possible to delay the spread of fire and by limiting heat dissipation.

[0059] However, the layer of fire-resistant material 33 also makes it possible to improve the acoustic performance of the panel 30.

[0060] The positioning of the layer of fire-resistant material 33 has an impact on the type of frequencies absorbed.

[0061] The variant of [Fig.2b] offers the best performance in terms of acoustic absorption with a widened absorbed frequency range, notably between 500Hz and 6000Hz, and smoothing of peaks between 1000Hz and 2500Hz.

[0062] Comparatively, the variant of figures 2a and 2c propose positions of the layer of fire-resistant material 33 offering a more reduced acoustic absorption in frequencies, between 100Hz and 4000Hz, with more marked peaks.

[0063] Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c are cross-sectional views of variants of a second embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention.

[0064] More particularly, according to the second embodiment, the panel 30 comprises a support structure 35.

[0065] In the variants of figures 3a-3c, the support structure 35 is further provided to be fixed to the face of the furniture element.

[0066] In the second embodiment, the covering cap 31 may be provided with a flap fixed against an edge of the support structure 35. The fixing of the flap on the support structure 35 may be carried out by gluing, riveting, insertion into a retaining groove, or any other fixing technique adapted to the application with or without gluing.

[0067] The support structure 35 may be made of a plastic material, in particular thermoformed, a metallic material, such as aluminum, or a very high density foam material.

[0068] The support structure 35 has a low thickness, for example between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

[0069] According to an exemplary implementation, the support structure 35 is constituted by a plate made of a thermoplastic material. For this purpose, the plate is heated then shaped using a die. Once cooled, the thermoformed plate retains the shape printed by the die.

[0070] Furthermore, the support structure 35 comprises fixing means 36 removable for fixing the assembly consisting of the covering cap 31, the layer of flexible material 32, the layer of fire-resistant material 33 and the support structure 35 on one face of the furniture element.

[0071] The fixing means 36 can be arranged at the feet of the support structure 35.

[0072] The choice of the fixing means 36 depends in particular on the integration constraints and a positioning of the assembly in the seat unit 10. In the case where the assembly is arranged in a visible zone of the seat unit 10, the fixing means 36 are preferably removable, in particular removable without the aid of a tool, such as for example snap-on devices, textile fasteners formed by complementary loops and hooks, press studs, magnetic fasteners and / or any other fixing device adapted to the application.

[0073] In the case where the assembly is arranged in a non-visible area of ​​the seat unit 10, in particular a technical area, for example located in the lower part of the seat unit 10, the fixing means 36 may be screws for fixing the support structure 35 to the furniture element. Alternatively, it is also possible to use fir-tree pins or any other fixing means suitable for the application.

[0074] The type of fixing means 36 makes it possible to guarantee the retention of the panel 30 in the context of certification tests during which significant decelerations are applied to the seat unit 10.

[0075] A clearance 38, in particular of a few millimeters, in particular between 1mm and 15mm and more specifically preferably 3mm, is provided between the support structure 35 and the furniture element, outside the fixing zones. Such a clearance makes it possible to certify the parts independently of one another.

[0076] In the variant of Figure 3a, the layer of fire-resistant material 33 is arranged inside the layer of flexible material 32. Thus, the layer of fire-resistant material 33 is arranged between two sub-layers 32.1, 32.2 of the layer of flexible material 32.

[0077] In the variant of [Fig.3b], the layer of fire-resistant material 33 is arranged between the covering cap 31 and the layer of flexible material 32.

[0078] In the variants of figures 3a and 3b, the layer of flexible material 32 is fixed directly to the support structure 35 which is fixed to one face of the furniture element 13, 14, 28 using the fixing means 36. Preferably, the fixing of the layer of flexible material 32 to the support structure 35 is carried out by gluing.

[0079] In the variant of [Fig.3c], the layer of fire-resistant material 33 is arranged between the support structure 35 and the layer of flexible material 32. In such a case, the layer of flexible material 32 is fixed, in particular by gluing, to the layer of fire-resistant material 33, which is fixed, in particular by gluing, directly to the support structure 35.

[0080] Of course, the various features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0081] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different operating modes described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

Claims

Claims

1. Panel (30) for a piece of furniture (13, 14, 28), characterized in that the panel (30) comprises at least: a covering cap (31), a layer of flexible material (32), and a layer of fire-resistant material (33).

2. Panel (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of fire-resistant material (33) is arranged inside the layer of flexible material (32).

3. Panel (30) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the layer of fire-resistant material (33) is arranged between the covering cap (31) and the layer of flexible material (32).

4. Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer of fire-resistant material (33) is intended to be fixed directly to one face of the furniture element (13, 14, 28).

5. Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panel (30) further comprises a support structure (35).

6. Panel (30) according to claim 5, characterized in that the support structure (35) comprises removable fixing means (36) for fixing the noise (30) on a face of the furniture element (13, 14, 28).

7. Panel (30) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the layer of fire-resistant material (33) is arranged between the support structure (35) and the layer of flexible material (32).

8. Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer of flexible material (32) is made of a material chosen from a foam, a fibrous material, a non-woven material, felt, a wadding-based material and / or a mixture of such materials.

9. Assembly comprising a furniture element (13, 14, 28) and a panel (30) defined according to any one of the preceding claims fixed on a face of the furniture element (13, 14, 28).

10. Assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the furniture element is chosen from: a console (13), a shell (14), intended to extend at least partly around a seat (12), a footrest (28), and / or a monument of an airplane cabin.

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