DEVICE COMPRISING A TRANSLUCENT SUPPORT AND ELEMENTS HAVING TRANSLUCIDITY CHARACTERISTICS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE SUPPORT

Abstract

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURED A FURNITURE COMPONENT The invention relates to a device (100) comprising a support panel (102) made of a translucent polymer with a reference face (102a) and a receiving face (102b), boundary walls (104a) made of a translucent polymer, extending from the receiving face (102b) and delimiting cells (104), and for each cell (104), an insert (103) having the same shape as said cell (104), fixed in said cell (104), wherein the insert (103) comprises a base (110) and a coating (112) fixed to the base (110) and wherein the coating (112) has translucency characteristics different from those of the panel (102) and is oriented opposite to the reference face (102a) with respect to the receiving face (102b). Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE COMPRISING A TRANSLUCENT SUPPORT AND ELEMENTS HAVING TRANSLUCIDITY CHARACTERISTICS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE SUPPORT Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device comprising a translucent support and elements having translucency characteristics different from those of the support. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing such a device. PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A piece of furniture such as a table is generally made up of a panel, for example of wood, on which paint or lacquer can be applied to improve the aesthetic appearance of the panel.

[0003] It is also known to produce furniture elements using marquetry. This involves cutting pieces of wood of different sizes and shades and gluing them side by side on a panel to create a design on said panel. Statement of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a device comprising:

[0005] - a support panel made of a translucent polymer with a reference face and a receiving face,

[0006] - boundary walls made of a translucent polymer, extending from of the receiving face and delimiting the cells, and

[0007] - for each cavity, an insert having the same shape as said cavity, fixed in said cell, where the insert comprises a base and a covering fixed to the base and where the covering has translucency characteristics different from those of the panel and is oriented opposite to the reference face relative to the receiving face.

[0008] Such a device makes it possible to obtain varied visual aspects depending on the lighting that the device receives thanks to the use of a translucent polymer and coatings having different translucency characteristics.

[0009] Advantageously, the device comprises a lamp disposed on the side of the face of reference and illuminating the support panel.

[0010] Advantageously, the boundary walls are monobloc and monomaterial with the support panel.

[0011] Advantageously, the boundary walls are made separately from the support panel from a translucent polymer and then fixed to the receiving face.

[0012] Advantageously, the boundary walls are made by casting a translucent polymer between the inserts.

[0013] Advantageously, the receiving face has at least one step and the base of each insert which fits into said cavity has, for each step, a recess corresponding to said step.

[0014] The invention also proposes a method for manufacturing a device according to a prior one, the method comprising:

[0015] - a first supply step during which a support panel in a A translucent polymer is supplied and features a reference face and a machining face.

[0016] - a machining step during which the machining face is machined to achieve boundary walls extending between the machining face and an intermediate receiving face between the reference face and the machining face, and delimiting cells,

[0017] - a second supply step during which, for each cell, a an insert having the same shape as said cell is provided, wherein the insert comprises a base and a covering fixed to the base, and wherein the covering has translucency characteristics different from those of the support panel, and

[0018] - a fixing step during which, for each cell, the associated insert thus provided is introduced and fixed in said cell so that the coating is oriented opposite the reference face relative to the receiving face.

[0019] The invention also proposes a method of manufacturing a device according to a previous one, the method comprising:

[0020] - a first supply step during which a support panel in a A translucent polymer is supplied and has a reference face and a receiving face.

[0021] - an intermediate supply step during which boundary walls a translucent polymer and delimiting cells are provided,

[0022] - an intermediate fixing step during which the boundary walls thus supplied are fixed to the receiving face,

[0023] - a second supply step during which, for each cell, a an insert having the same shape as said cell is provided, wherein the insert comprises a base and a covering fixed to the base, and wherein the covering has translucency characteristics different from those of the support panel, and

[0024] - a fixation step during which, for each alveolus, the associated insert thus provided is introduced and fixed in said cell so that the coating is oriented opposite the reference face relative to the receiving face.

[0025] The invention also proposes a method for manufacturing a device according to a prior one, the method comprising:

[0026] - a first supply step during which a support panel in a A translucent polymer is supplied and has a reference face and a receiving face.

[0027] - a second supply step during which, for each cell to come, An insert having the same shape as that of said alveolus is provided.

[0028] - a fixing step during which each insert thus supplied is fixed to the face receiving surface so that the coating is oriented opposite to the reference face relative to the receiving face, and

[0029] - a casting step during which a translucent polymer is cast around inserts to form the boundary walls. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0031] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a device according to the invention,

[0032] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0033] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of a device according to another embodiment of the invention, and

[0034] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of a device according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0036] [Fig. 1] shows a device 100 according to the invention. This device 100 can be, for example, a piece of furniture such as a tabletop, a decorative panel, etc., or a piece of jewelry such as a pendant, etc., or any other type of device.

[0037] The device 100 comprises a support panel 102 made of a translucent polymer, meaning that it allows at least some light to pass through, which may be natural or artificial light. The support panel 102 has a reference face 102a, which is generally a lower face, and a receiving face 102b, which is generally a upper face. The translucent polymer is, for example, polycarbonate. In the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 1], the support panel 102 is flat and rectangular, but it can be corrugated and have any shape.

[0038] The device 100 comprises at least one cavity 104 delimited by boundary walls 104a extending from the receiving face 102b. In the mode of In the embodiment of the invention presented in [Fig. 1], there are several cells of different shapes. The boundary walls 104a can have any desired shape and thickness.

[0039] The delimiting walls 104a are also made of a translucent polymer.

[0040] Each cell 104 is thus closed at one end by the receiving face 102b and open opposite the receiving face 102b.

[0041] For each cavity 104, the device 100 comprises an insert 103 which is inserted and fixed in said cavity 104. For better understanding, only three inserts 103 have been shown in [Fig. 1]. The fixing of each insert 103 is achieved, for example, by gluing.

[0042] The insert 103 comprises a base 110 and a covering 112 which is fixed to the base 110.

[0043] The base 110 is made of polymer and preferably in the same polymer than the support panel 102.

[0044] The covering 112 is made of a different material such as wood, mother-of-pearl, horn, biscuit, etc. The covering 112 has translucency characteristics different from those of the support panel 102.

[0045] The shape of the cavity 104 is identical to that of the insert 103 so as to allow the insert 103 to be inserted into the cavity 104. The base 110 is housed in the cavity 104, and the coating 112 is oriented on the side opposite the reference face 102a to the receiving face 102b, i.e., outwards. The tolerances between the walls of the cavity 104 and the walls of the insert 103 are such that the insert 103 can be inserted easily without excessive play.

[0046] It is possible to create several cavities 104 so as to position several inserts 103 next to each other. These inserts 103, and more particularly the associated coverings 112, can have different shapes, different colors, different textures, etc. Such an arrangement allows, among other things, the creation of marquetry on the support panel 102.

[0047] Advantageously, the visible face of each coating 112 is flush with the visible face of each boundary wall 104a that surrounds it.

[0048] The device 100 may comprise a lamp 50 arranged at the rear of the support panel 102, that is to say on the side of the reference face 102a, and by illuminating the support panel 102, the presence of the insert(s) 103 makes it possible to create a particular visual effect, in particular because the delimiting walls 104a light up under the effect of the lamp 50. A similar result can be obtained by replacing the lamp 50 with natural light.

[0049] In the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.2], the boundary walls 104a are one piece and one material with the support panel 102.

[0050] In this embodiment, each cavity 104 is a hole made by machining, by For example, by milling, from a machining face 102c of the support panel 102 to the receiving face 102b. The machining face 102c and the reference face 102a constitute the thickness of the support panel 102 before machining, and the receiving face 102b is intermediate between the reference face 102a and the machining face 102c.

[0051] Each cavity 104 is thus milled to the receiving face 102b without opening at the level of the reference face 102a, and is therefore only open at the machining face 102c. The inserts 103 are then put in place and fixed.

[0052] [Fig. 3] shows another embodiment of the invention, in which, in at least one cell 104, the receiving face 102b which is in said cell 104, has at least one step 302. The base 110 of each insert 103 which is inserted into said cell 104 has, for each step 302, a recess 304 corresponding to said step 302.

[0053] The cooperation of these steps 302 and these recesses 304 allows the positioning and orientation of the insert 103 before its fixing, for example when the insert 103 is circular.

[0054] In addition, when provided for, this allows the placement of two different inserts 103a-b in the same cavity 104. The insert 103 is thus made up of two sub-inserts 103a-b which each have a base 110 and a coating 112, potentially different from each other in material and / or thickness.

[0055] Fig. 4 shows another embodiment in which at least some boundary walls 404a have a trapezoidal section with the large base integral with the receiving face 102b and the small base emerging between the coverings 112.

[0056] Such an embodiment can be implemented for example when the thickness of the boundary walls 404a is so small that they are likely to break.

[0057] In the different embodiments described in Figs. 2 to 4, the delimiting walls 104a are made in one piece and in one material with the support panel 102, but they can be made in a different manner.

[0058] For example, according to another embodiment of the invention, the boundary walls 104a are made separately from the support panel 102. For example, the boundary walls 104a are made by machining, molding, 3D printing of a translucent polymer and then fixed, for example by gluing, to the receiving face 102b. The inserts 103 are then put in place and fixed.

[0059] For example, according to another embodiment of the invention, the inserts 103 are first put in place and fixed on the receiving face 102b, then the delimiting walls 104a are produced by casting a translucent polymer between the inserts 103.

[0060] Of course, it is not necessary for all the boundary walls 104a to be carried out in the same way for the same device 100, but they can be carried out in different ways for the same device 100 depending on the constraints.

[0061] In the case where the boundary walls 104a are machined directly from the support panel 102, a manufacturing method for the device 100 comprises:

[0062] - a first supply step during which a support panel 102 in one Translucent polymer is supplied and has a reference face 102a and a machining face 102c,

[0063] - a machining step during which the machining face 102c is machined for to create boundary walls 104a extending between the machining face 102c and a receiving face 102b intermediate between the reference face 102a and the machining face 102c, and delimiting cavities 104,

[0064] - a second supply step during which, for each cell 104, a insert 103 having the same shape as that of said alveolus 104 is provided, and

[0065] - a fixing step during which, for each socket 104, the insert 103 associated thus supplied is introduced and fixed in said cell 104 so that the coating 112 is oriented opposite the reference face 102a with respect to the receiving face 102b.

[0066] In the case where the boundary walls 104a are made separately from the support panel 102, a manufacturing method for the device 100 comprises:

[0067] - a first supply step during which a support panel 102 in a translucent polymer is provided and has a reference face 102a and a receiving face 102b,

[0068] - an intermediate supply step during which boundary walls 104a made of a translucent polymer and delimiting cells 104 are provided,

[0069] - an intermediate fixing step during which the boundary walls 104a thus provided are fixed to the receiving face 102b,

[0070] - a second supply step during which, for each cell 104, a insert 103 having the same shape as that of said alveolus 104 is provided, and

[0071] - a fixing step during which, for each cell 104, the insert 103 associated thus supplied is introduced and fixed in said cell 104 so that the coating 112 is oriented opposite the reference face 102a with respect to the receiving face 102b.

[0072] In the case where the boundary walls 104a are made by casting after the inserts 103 have been put in place, a manufacturing process for the device 100 comprises:

[0073] - a first supply step during which a support panel 102 in one translucent polymer is provided and has a reference face 102a and a receiving face 102b,

[0074] - a second supply step during which, for each cell 104 to to come, an insert 103 having the same shape as that of said socket 104 is provided,

[0075] - a fixing step during which each insert 103 thus provided is fixed to the receiving face 102b so that the coating 112 is oriented opposite to the reference face 102a with respect to the receiving face 102b, and

[0076] - a casting step during which a translucent polymer is cast around inserts 103 to form the boundary walls 104a.

[0077] According to a particular embodiment, the production of the insert 103 consists of taking a plate made of a translucent polymer such as polycarbonate, and gluing to a first face of the plate, a sheet constituting the coating 112. The plate with the sheet are then cut along the entire height, for example by milling, so as to extract the insert 103 where the plate forms the base 110 and the cut sheet forms the coating 112.

[0078] The manufacturing process thus comprises, prior to the second supply step:

[0079] - a first sub-step of supply during which a plate made in a translucent polymer is provided,

[0080] - a second supply sub-step during which a tablecloth is supplied,

[0081] - a gluing step during which the tablecloth thus supplied is glued onto a first side of the plate thus supplied, and

[0082] - a machining substep during which the plate and the sheet thus bonded are cut so as to form an insert 103 where the plate forms the base 110 and where the tablecloth forms the covering 112.

[0083] In the case where the coating 112 is relatively brittle and it is therefore desirable to avoid machining it, the making of the insert 103 consists of taking a coating 112 pre-cut to the shape of the cell 104, then taking a plate made of a translucent polymer such as polycarbonate, cutting the plate over the entire height, for example by milling, so as to extract a base 110 and to glue the coating 112 onto the base 110 thus obtained.

[0084] The manufacturing process thus comprises, prior to the second supply stage:

[0085] - a first sub-step of supply during which a plate made in a translucent polymer is provided,

[0086] - a second sub-step of provision during which the coating 112 is provided,

[0087] - a machining sub-step during which the plate is cut so as to form a base 110 from an insert 103, and

[0088] - a bonding step during which the coating 112 thus provided is bonded onto the base 110 thus machined.

[0089] The step of fixing the insert 103 in the cavity 104 can be carried out by first depositing a translucent glue in the cavity 104 before the introduction of the insert 103.

[0090] When the polymer constituting the panel 102 is identical to the polymer constituting the base 110, the step of fixing the insert 103 in the cavity 104 can be carried out by first depositing a polymer resin identical to the polymer constituting the panel 102 before the introduction of the insert 103.

[0091] To finalize the furniture element 100, the machined face 102c and the coating 112 are sanded to obtain a desired surface finish. A coat of varnish can also be applied afterwards.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (100) comprising: - a support panel (102) made of a translucent polymer with a reference face (102a) and a receiving face (102b), - delimiting walls (104a) made of a translucent polymer, extending from the receiving face (102b) and delimiting cells (104), and - for each cell (104), an insert (103) having the same shape as that of said cell (104), fixed in said cell (104), where the insert (103) comprises a base (110) and a covering (112) fixed to the base (110) and where the covering (112) has translucency characteristics different from those of the panel (102) and is oriented opposite the reference face (102a) relative to the receiving face (102b), said device (100) being characterized in that the receiving face (102b) has at least one step (302) and in that the base (110) of each insert (103) which fits into said cell (104) has,for each step (302), a recess (304) corresponding to said step (302).,

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a lamp (50) arranged on the side of the reference face (102a) and illuminating the support panel (102).

3. Device (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the delimiting walls (104a) are in one piece and in one material with the support panel (102).

4. Device (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the delimiting walls (104a) are produced separately from the support panel (102) from a translucent polymer and then fixed to the receiving face (102b).

5. Device (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the delimiting walls (104a) are made of translucent polymer cast between the inserts (103).

6. A method of manufacturing a device (100) according to claim 1, the method comprising: - a first providing step during which a support panel (102) made of a translucent polymer is provided and has a reference face (102a) and a machining face (102c), - a machining step during which the machining face (102c) is

7. machined to produce delimiting walls (104a) extending between the machining face (102c) and a receiving face (102b) intermediate between the reference face (102a) and the machining face (102c), and delimiting cells (104) where the receiving face (102b) has at least one step (302), - a second supply step during which, for each cell (104), an insert (103) having the same shape as that of said cell (104) is provided, where the insert (103) comprises a base (110) and a covering (112) fixed to the base (110) and where the covering (112) has translucency characteristics different from those of the support panel (102), where the base (110) of each insert (103) which fits into said cell (104) has, for each step (302), a recess (304) corresponding to said step (302), and - a fixing step during which, for each cell (104), the associated insert (103) thus provided is introduced and fixed in said cell (104) so ​​that the coating (112) is oriented opposite the reference face (102a) relative to the receiving face (102b). Method for manufacturing a device (100) according to claim 1, the method comprising: - a first supply step during which a support panel (102) made of a translucent polymer is supplied and has a reference face (102a) and a receiving face (102b) having at least one step (302), - an intermediate supply step during which delimiting walls (104a) made of a translucent polymer and delimiting cells (104) are provided, - an intermediate fixing step during which the delimiting walls (104a) thus provided are fixed to the receiving face (102b), - a second supply step during which, for each cell (104), an insert (103) having the same shape as that of said cell (104) is provided, where the insert (103) comprises a base (110) and a covering (112) fixed to the base (110) and where the covering (112) has translucency characteristics different from those of the support panel (102), where the base (110) of each insert (103) which fits into said cell (104) has, for each step (302), a recess (304) corresponding to said step (302), and - a fixing step during which, for each cell (104),

8. the associated insert (103) thus provided is introduced and fixed in said cell (104) so ​​that the coating (112) is oriented opposite the reference face (102a) relative to the receiving face (102b). A method of manufacturing a device (100) according to claim 1, the method comprising: - a first supply step during which a support panel (102) made of a translucent polymer is supplied and has a reference face (102a) and a receiving face (102b) having at least one step (302), - a second supply step during which, for each cell (104) to come, an insert (103) having the same shape as that of said cell (104) is provided where a base (110) of each insert (103) which fits into said cell (104) has, for each step (302), a recess (304) corresponding to said step (302), - a fixing step during which each insert (103) thus supplied is fixed to the receiving face (102b) so that the covering (112) is oriented opposite the reference face (102a) relative to the receiving face (102b), and - a casting step during which a translucent polymer is cast around the inserts (103) to form the boundary walls (104a).

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