Method for forming a decorative furniture panel
The process of forming a decorative panel for furniture by applying a terrazzo layer on a base plate within a frame addresses the challenges of applying decorative patterns to stone, cement, or resin materials, achieving unique aesthetic effects suitable for furniture applications.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023010540
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-10-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing processes for applying decorative patterns to furniture panels, such as painting, engraving, screen printing, or collage, struggle to meet the new aesthetic and functional requirements, particularly when working with stone, cement, or resin materials.
A process involving a base plate surrounded by a frame, with a layer of terrazzo applied on top, formed by a mixture of liquid cement or resin and aggregates, which is then dried, sanded, polished, and protected with a waterproof layer.
This process enables the creation of decorative panels with unique aesthetic effects, suitable for use in furniture, by effectively adhering and shaping the terrazzo layer on the base plate, addressing the challenges of working with stone, cement, or resin materials.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Method for forming a decorative panel for furniture
[0001] The present application relates to a method of forming a decorative panel for furniture, as well as a decorative panel obtained by this method.
[0002] The present invention also relates to an external wall element of furniture comprising such a decorative panel, as well as a piece of furniture comprising such an external wall element. The invention applies for example to a piece of kitchen furniture.
[0003] An external wall element of a piece of furniture, such as a storage unit for example, is usually made up, on the one hand, of uprights which are generally connected at their respective ends by crosspieces and, on the other hand, of a panel permanently mounted in said uprights.
[0004] Each panel is for example intended to form a side wall, a front wall or a back wall of said piece of furniture.
[0005] Consideration has been given to providing these panels with designs or decorative motifs on their external face. These decorative motifs are generally applied to the visible external face of said panels by various processes chosen from painting, engraving, screen printing, or the gluing of decorative paper. However, these known processes do not always meet the new aesthetic and functional requirements of consumers.
[0006] In particular, furniture elements made from these decorative panels are generally made of materials such as wood, plastic, and metal. However, there is a growing demand in the furniture field to offer unique pieces that use other materials, including cement-based, stone-based, or resin-based materials.
[0007] However, applying a decoration to stone, cement or resin panels can be difficult to achieve with the methods mentioned above.
[0008] The present invention therefore aims to propose a method for forming a decorative panel for furniture from stone and / or cement and / or resin materials.
[0009] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for forming a decorative panel for furniture, comprising the following steps:
[0010] - Providing a base plate defined by a bottom wall and a top wall upper and provided with several lateral faces;
[0011] - Providing a frame, said frame defining a central opening of sen shape possibly complementary to that of the base plate;
[0012] - Arrangement of the base plate inside the central opening of the frame, of such that the frame surrounds the side faces of the base plate and defines a filling cavity above the top wall of the base plate;
[0013] - Fixing the frame on the base plate;
[0014] - Application of glue or adhesive to the upper wall of the base plate, the glue or adhesive being capable of ensuring the adhesion of a layer of terrazzo to the base plate;
[0015] - Deposition of a layer of terrazzo formed from a mixture of liquid cement or liquid resin and aggregate materials inside the filling cavity until the terrazzo layer is flush with an upper edge of the frame;
[0016] - Drying the terrazzo layer so as to solidify the cement or resin;
[0017] - Sanding the terrazzo layer and the frame to a smooth surface smooth and a predetermined thickness;
[0018] - Polishing then preferential application of a waterproof protective layer on the top surface of the terrazzo layer.
[0019] Thus configured, the method of the invention makes it possible to form a decorative panel for furniture, the decorative pattern of the panel being obtained by the layer of terrazzo deposited on the base plate. Terrazzo is in fact characterized by the presence of aggregates of materials inside a binder of the cement or resin type. The decorative patterns in terrazzo are created by both the color and the shape of the materials. Thus, by judiciously choosing the nature, quantity and distribution of the materials in the binder, it is possible to obtain a wide variety of aesthetic effects for the decorative panel.
[0020] According to other characteristics, the method of the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or according to all possible combinations: - material aggregates include fragments of natural stone, marble, glass, shells, wood, metal, and / or plastic. - the frame is made of metal. - the base plate is made of a material chosen from wood, a plastic material, and a composite material. - the frame is fixed to the base plate by means of screws. - the frame is fixed to the base plate using adhesive. - the frame is fixed to the base plate by means of a tail fastener fir tree.
[0021] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a decorative panel obtained by the method as defined above, said decorative panel comprising a base plate surrounded by a frame and covered with a layer of terrazzo formed from a mixture of solid cement or solidified resin and aggregates of materials, said layer of terrazzo having a smooth top surface and some thickness.
[0022] According to other characteristics, the decorative panel of the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or in all possible combinations: - the upper surface of the terrazzo layer is covered with a waterproof protective layer. - material aggregates include fragments of natural stone, marble, glass, shells, wood, metal, and / or plastic. - the frame is made of metal. - the base plate is made of a material chosen from wood, a plastic material, and a composite material.
[0023] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to an external wall element of furniture comprising a decorative panel as defined above, and a piece of furniture comprising such an external wall element.
[0024] The invention will be better understood upon reading the non-limiting description which follows, given with reference to the attached figures.
[0025] [Fig-1] illustrates the successive stages of a forming process in accordance with the invention.
[0026] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a kitchen unit fitted with wall elements external integrating decorative panels according to the invention.
[0027] [Fig.3] is a view similar to [Fig.2], after moving some of the external wall elements.
[0028] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a cabinet fitted with front doors incorporating decorative panels according to the invention, the doors being closed.
[0029] [Fig.5] is a view similar to [Fig.4], with one of the front doors open.
[0030] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a storage locker equipped with doors of facade incorporating decorative panels according to the invention, the doors being closed.
[0031] [Fig.7] is a view similar to [Fig.6], with one of the front doors open.
[0032] With reference to [Fig. 1], there is illustrated a method according to the invention intended to form a decorative panel for furniture. [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of several successive steps of the method according to the invention. Each step is numbered and described as follows.
[0033] In a first step 100, a base plate 1 is provided formed from a water-repellent material based on wood, plastic, composite material or having a honeycomb structure. In the variant shown, the base plate 1 is rectangular in shape. It is clear that the invention is not limited to this rectangular shape, other plate shapes being able to be envisaged in alternative embodiments of the invention. The base plate 1 is defined by a lower wall 11, an upper wall 12, and several side faces 13 forming the peripheral contour of the plate. The base plate 1 will preferably have a thickness greater than 12 mm.
[0034] In a second step 200, a frame 2 is provided, preferably made of metal. This frame 2 is defined by a central opening 21 of a shape substantially complementary to that of the base plate 1. This frame 2 is thus formed of several segments 23 arranged in a rectangle. The height of the segments 23 is chosen to be slightly greater than the thickness of the base plate 1.
[0035] In a third step 300, the base plate 1 is positioned inside the central opening 21 of the frame 2, so that each segment 23 of the frame 2 is in contact with one of the lateral faces 13 of the base plate 1. Due to their height, the segments 23 create a filling cavity 22 above the upper wall 12 of the base plate 1.
[0036] In an intermediate step (not shown), the segments 23 of the frame 2 are fixed to the base plate 1, either by means of screws, or by means of a layer of glue, or by means of a fir-tail fixing.
[0037] In an intermediate step (not shown), a layer of glue or adhesive is applied to the upper wall 12 of the base plate 1. This glue or adhesive will ensure the adhesion of the terrazzo to the base plate.
[0038] In a fourth step 400, a layer of terrazzo 3 is poured inside the filling cavity 22. The layer of terrazzo 3 is formed from a mixture of liquid cement or liquid resin and aggregates of materials. The aggregates of materials may include fragments of natural stone, marble, glass, shells, wood, metal, and / or plastic. The layer of terrazzo 3 thus deposited above the upper wall 12 of the base plate 1 may fill the entire filling cavity 22 until it is flush with the upper edge 23 of the frame 2.
[0039] In a fifth step 500, the terrazzo layer 3 is dried to solidify the cement or resin. This drying can be carried out by any means.
[0040] In a sixth step 600, the terrazzo layer 3 is sanded until a smooth upper surface and a predetermined thickness are obtained. This sanding can be carried out by any sanding means.
[0041] In an additional step, polishing will be carried out and then a waterproof protective layer can be applied to the upper surface of the terrazzo layer 3.
[0042] The steps of the method thus described make it possible to produce a decorative panel 10 having a colored pattern due to the presence of the terrazzo layer 3.
[0043] This decorative panel 10 can then be easily integrated into an external wall element of a piece of furniture due to the presence of its external structure, formed from the base plate 1 and frame 2, which is well suited for mounting inside conventional wooden furniture, for example.
[0044] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, decorative panels 10 according to the invention can thus be integrated into elements 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 of the external wall of a kitchen unit 30. The elements 31 to 34 thus define pivoting doors for the unit 30 and the element 35 defines a back wall of the unit 30. In [Fig. 2], the doors 31 to 34 are all shown in their closed position, while, in [Fig. 3], the doors 31, 33 and 34 are shown in their open position and the door 32 is shown in its closed position.
[0045] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, decorative panels 10 according to the invention may also be integrated into front doors 41, 42 of a cabinet 40. In [Fig.4], the two doors 41, 42 are shown in their closed position, while, in [Fig.5], the door 41 is shown in its open position and the door 42 is shown in its closed position.
[0046] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, decorative panels 10 according to the invention may also be integrated into front doors 51, 52, 53 of a storage box 50. In [Fig.6], the three doors 41, 42, 53 are shown in their closed position, while, in [Fig.7], the door 51 is shown in its open position and the doors 52 and 53 are shown in their closed position.
[0047] The invention is, of course, not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
Claims
Claims
1. A method of forming a decorative panel (10) for furniture, comprising the following steps: - Providing (100) a base plate (1) defined by a bottom wall (11) and a top wall (12) and provided with a plurality of side faces (13); - Providing (200) a frame (2), said frame (2) defining a central opening (21) of a shape substantially complementary to that of the base plate (1); - Arranging (300) the base plate (1) inside the central opening (21) of the frame (2), such that the frame (2) surrounds the side faces (13) of the base plate (1) and defines a filling cavity (22) above the top wall (12) of the base plate (1); - Fixing the frame (2) to the base plate (1);- Applying a glue or adhesive to the upper wall (12) of the base plate (1), the glue or adhesive being capable of ensuring the adhesion of a terrazzo layer (3) to the base plate (1); - Depositing (400) a terrazzo layer (3) formed from a mixture of liquid cement or liquid resin and aggregates of materials inside the filling cavity (22) until the terrazzo layer (3) is flush with an upper edge (23) of the frame (2); - Drying (500) the terrazzo layer (3) so as to solidify the cement or resin; - Sanding (600) the terrazzo layer (3) and the frame (2) until a smooth upper surface and a predetermined thickness are obtained; - Polishing then preferential application of a waterproof protective layer on the upper surface of the terrazzo layer (3).;
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the aggregates of materials comprise fragments of natural stone, marble, glass, shells, wood, metal, and / or plastic.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame (2) is made of metal.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate (1) is made of a material chosen from wood, a plastic material, and a composite material.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (2) is fixed to the base plate (1) by means of screws.
6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the frame (2) is fixed to the base plate (1) by means of an adhesive.
7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the frame (2) is fixed to the base plate (1) by means of a fir-tail fixing.
8. Decorative panel (10) obtained by the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a base plate (1) surrounded by a frame (2) and covered with a layer of terrazzo (3) formed from a mixture of solid cement or solidified resin and aggregates of materials, said layer of terrazzo (3) having a smooth upper surface and a certain thickness.
9. Decorative panel (10) according to claim 8, wherein the upper surface of the terrazzo layer (3) is covered with a waterproof protective layer.
10. A decorative panel (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the aggregates of materials comprise fragments of natural stone, marble, glass, shells, wood, metal, and / or plastic.
11. Decorative panel (10) according to one of claims 8 to 10, in which the frame (2) is made of metal.
12. Decorative panel (10) according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the base plate (1) is made of a material selected from wood, a plastic material, and a composite material.
13. Element (31-35) of external wall of furniture comprising a decorative panel (10) according to one of claims 8 to 12.
14. Furniture (30) comprising an external wall element (31-35) according to claim 13.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
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Ornamental pre-cast terrazzo panels with integral inlay design
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