Melamine counter

Abstract

This product offers a melamine counter that is expected to significantly improve the quality and breadth of design, without negatively impacting durability or shape, can accommodate a variety of shapes, and is expected to be used for counters with excellent design, such as workbench tops. [Solution] The counter is constructed by combining a surface material 3 and a frame material 5 on a plate-shaped base material 2, and adding a back material 4 as needed. At the edges of the entire circumference of the surface material covering the base material, an extension is provided with a protrusion corresponding to the thickness of the frame material attached to the side of the base material, and a frame material with the same thickness as the extension is placed on the side. In other words, the necessary extension is secured at the edge of the melamine decorative laminate covering the surface of the particle board to account for the thickness of the frame material attached to the entire circumference of the side of the particle board, and the melamine counter 1 is made by aligning the surfaces so that there is no step on the outer surface. The counter must be able to withstand harsh usage environments with external loads such as impact, friction, heat, and water, and safety is required. At the same time, since it is always easily visible, there is also an importance on design. In conventional counters, the gap between the base material and the frame material is visible on the surface, so there were issues that needed to be solved regarding water resistance and design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a counter that serves as a top plate of a workbench or the like.

Background Art

[0002] The counter as a top plate is one of the main components constituting a workbench or the like, and often requires special functions and roles beyond the meaning of mere plate materials or panel materials. In addition to differences in structure such as single plates or plywood, their sizes and shapes are also highly diverse. By the way, the term "counter" is polysemous as a general term. For example, consider the case where it can be divided into the counter itself, which is the top plate where people work, eat, and various items are placed, and the legs that can hold the top plate at a predetermined height and also enable storage. In that case, the entire stand composed of those parts may be referred to as a counter, such as a kitchen counter or a reception counter. On the other hand, as described at the beginning, it may also be called a counter or a worktop, referring only to the plate-like part at the top of the stand. In the following, the term "counter" is used as a term to indicate the member that becomes the top plate. This is a choice of term based on the relevance to the multi-tier shelf type counter developed by applying the present invention. Also, from the relevance to the business that the applicant has been engaged in so far, the name of the present invention is a melamine counter. The counter of the cooking table in each household is a place where the operator directly touches food ingredients, cooking utensils, etc. and handles them daily. Therefore, it is required to have suitable properties and a shape and structure suitable for such a place. And the fulfillment of those requirements may also affect aspects such as hygiene, ease of cooking, and reduction of the operator's physical burden. Also, the counter may be used for a long time in a harsh environment where physical loads such as impact and friction are constant and it is exposed to high heat, moisture, etc. Furthermore, in addition to functioning as a workspace or storage area, counters are also expected to incorporate power supplies and wiring to provide and transmit electricity and information required for those uses, resulting in a wide variety of counter structures and shapes. Particleboard, a wood-based board molded primarily from small pieces of wood, is widely used as a material for such countertops, and the applicant has a history of providing numerous products to society. Currently, melamine decorative laminates, which are particleboard coated with highly durable melamine decorative material, are widely used worldwide. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-70816 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-105407 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-102578 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] Safety and workability are paramount considerations not only for the workbench itself, but also for the counter, which is a key component of it. Safety means that the shape and structure do not pose a danger to workers, and that work can be completed with peace of mind. Workability, on the other hand, means that the posture during work is appropriate, reducing worker fatigue, and that work can be carried out efficiently, effectively, and without interruption. As mentioned earlier, melamine decorative laminates possess sufficient rigidity for countertops, as the particleboard base material has minimal deflection and is resistant to warping and twisting over time. This is an advantage that directly contributes to ensuring the strength necessary for impact resistance during work and for placing tools and other equipment. In addition, the melamine decorative material covering its outer surface has resistance to harsh usage environments where external loads such as impact, friction, heat, water, and oil are constantly present, thus contributing to improved durability as a countertop. As a result, the improved rigidity and durability of melamine decorative laminates greatly contribute to the safety and workability of the equipment using them. On the other hand, counters are always in highly visible locations, and their aesthetic appeal is often emphasized to highlight their beauty. In addition, expandability is sometimes required, such as the ability to securely and easily fix necessary fixtures and other components in place, including built-in power supplies and wiring for connecting peripheral devices. Inventions related to countertops such as melamine decorative laminates have been proposed before, and the applicant was able to confirm the following patent documents. The decorative panel manufactured according to Patent Document 1 involves adjusting the shape of a portion of the inner edge material corresponding to the four corners of the core, integrating the core and edge material while accommodating changes in the curvature of the corners without significantly changing the overall thickness of the edge material, and then laminating a melamine decorative material on top. The shapes of both the core and edge material of this decorative panel are distinctive, and it is believed that integrating them ensures strength and improves aesthetics. The laminate described in Patent Document 2 has a structure in which a portion of the edge of the base material is cut, a decorative material in the cut area is curved and attached to the side end surface, and a synthetic resin is filled into the void between the base material and the decorative material and then hardened. The tabletop with a skirting board described in Patent Document 3, like that described in Patent Document 2, is made by continuously covering the surface of the tabletop with a melamine decorative material from the surface of the tabletop to the core material of the skirting board on the side. However, the corner structure of the core and edge material in Patent Document 1 remains complex, and its versatility for accommodating various counter shapes is not necessarily high. Furthermore, while the laminated boards and apron-attached countertops in Patent Documents 2 and 3 offer excellent integrated aesthetics because the melamine decorative material continuously covers the surface and sides of the counter, they also have the disadvantage of limiting the range of design choices because they are limited to a single material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The melamine counter according to this invention has the following form. The most basic configuration is a decorative panel in which the outer surface of a base material such as particleboard is covered with a decorative material such as melamine decorative material. The base material here refers to the main body material of the melamine counter, and the outer surface of that base material refers to the front, back, and sides. Note that the term "front surface" is used in contrast to "back surface" and is used to distinguish it from the "outer surface," which refers to the outside surface. In melamine countertops, both the top and bottom surfaces may be covered with corresponding decorative materials, or only the easily visible surface may be decorated. The sides are covered with elongated side panels. Therefore, a melamine countertop is composed of a base material, combined with decorative surface and side panels, and sometimes with a back panel. While the surface, back, and side panels are collectively referred to as decorative materials, the side panels are also sometimes called frame materials due to their shape and function. These decorative materials are primarily melamine decorative materials, but other materials can be used if they meet the necessary requirements. Furthermore, extensions are provided at the edges of the surface material covering the base material, with a projection corresponding to the thickness of the frame material attached to the side of the base material. The frame material, having the same thickness as the extensions, is then placed on the side. In other words, the melamine counter is constructed by securing the necessary extensions at the edges of the melamine decorative laminate covering the surface of the particleboard to accommodate the thickness of the frame material attached to the entire perimeter of the particleboard's side, and ensuring that there are no steps or unevenness on their outer surfaces. Hereafter, the thickness of the frame material will be referred to as the frame thickness. Furthermore, this melamine counter is intended for use in a multi-tiered shelf-type counter provided by the applicant of this invention. This multi-tiered shelf-type counter is used in conjunction with an open-type kitchen unit. When viewed from above in this configuration, the melamine counter will have an L-shape, an inverted L-shape, or a U-shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The surface material covering the base material protrudes outward by an amount equivalent to the frame thickness, causing the frame material attached to the sides of the base material to tuck beneath the surface material. As a result, when viewing the melamine counter from above, the continuous line representing the thickness of the frame material and the minute gaps remaining at the edges of the surface are hidden and invisible, making the counter surface appear smooth all the way to the edges. Furthermore, because the surface material and frame material can be combined with decorative materials of different designs and textures, allowing for a free and diverse range of choices, it is expected that the quality and breadth of the melamine counter design can be greatly improved. Furthermore, because the minute gaps between the melamine counter base material and the frame material are covered by the extension of the surface material, water accidentally spilled on the surface cannot penetrate into the interior through these gaps, and the base material will not swell due to moisture, thus preventing adverse effects on the durability and shape of the melamine counter. Furthermore, the curved sections of the melamine counter do not require the unique shape described in Patent Document 1, and can accommodate smooth and complex curvatures, making it possible to accommodate a variety of shapes such as L-shapes, inverted L-shapes, or U-shapes. Therefore, it can be expected to be used in multi-tiered shelving counters that feature aesthetically pleasing designs such as L-shapes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an overall view of the melamine counter. [Figure 2] This is a magnified view of a melamine counter. [Figure 3] This is a magnified view of the conventional product. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a melamine counter that forms an inverted L-shape when viewed from above. [Figure 5] Perspective view of a multi-section shelf counter. [Figure 6] Enlarged view of a melamine counter with a receiving part provided on the side. [Figure 7] Enlarged view of a melamine counter using auxiliary materials. [Figure 8] Perspective view of a melamine counter that is L-shaped when viewed from the side.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a melamine counter 1. The front side part is shown in a sectional state, but it does not faithfully reproduce the cross section of the particle board. The melamine counter 1 composed of a plurality of parts is formed by combining a surface material 3, which is a decorative material, and a frame material 5 in addition to a base material 2 that serves as the main body material. Depending on its specifications, a back material 4 may be further added and these are integrated. In the specification shown in FIG. 1, each surface of the front, back, and side of the base material 2 is covered by a corresponding decorative material, namely, a surface material 3, a back material 4, and a frame material 5. Finally, the front side surface is also covered with the frame material 5, and the melamine counter 1 is completed.

[0009] Next, each part will be explained individually. As the base material 2, it is possible to use a material that meets the following requirements. In terms of its shape, it is generally a plate-like member with a wide width and having a predetermined area and thickness. That is, it often has a shape like a shelf board obtained by expanding the melamine counter 1 in FIG. 1 wider or longer. On the other hand, regarding the properties it should possess, it should not be easily bent or broken by its own weight or load. It should also be difficult to deflect or deform under external forces and needs to have self-supporting properties and bending rigidity. The applicant assumes that particle board is a typical board material for the base material 2 of such a melamine counter 1. However, there is no intention to exclude the use of alternatives.

[0010] This Figure 1 is a perspective view drawn based on a prototype of the melamine counter 1. In that prototype, the thickness of the base material 2 was 20 mm, the width was 180 mm, and the depth length was 300 mm. Also, the front of the figure is the side facing the front of the base material 2, and the state before coating with the decorative material is shown so that the structure of the melamine counter 1 can be understood. And on the left side of the figure, the same side as the front has already been covered with the frame material 5. Note that the description of each of the above numerical values and the like is merely one example explicitly shown for reference regarding the settings in the prototype.

[0011] In Figure 1, both the front and back of the base material 2 are covered with the decorative material. However, depending on the specifications of the melamine counter 1, it may not necessarily be coated with the decorative material on both sides, and in some cases, only the front surface may use the decorative material and the back surface may not use the decorative material. Note that the decorative material in the melamine counter 1 is a thin or thick molded product that covers the outer surface of the base material 2. For example, the melamine decorative material assumed to be used is cured with a thermosetting resin to impart resistance to physical loads from the outside, has at least one decorative layer, and also has visual design properties. In order to cover the base material 2 that may also have curved surface parts, it is often a flexible multi-layer functional sheet.

[0012] The surface material 3 that covers the upper side of the base material 2 can be easily visually recognized in Figure 1. The width is 184 mm and the length is 304 mm, and it has a rectangular shape that is 2 mm larger in the front, back, left, and right than the size of the base material 2. The back surface of the base material 2 is also covered with the back surface material 4 in the same way as the front surface, but it is hidden and the entire surface cannot be visually recognized, and only the end of the back surface material 4 can be confirmed under the front lower part. The size of the back surface material 4 is the same area as the surface material 3. In the prototype, the thickness of both the surface material 3 and the backing material 4 was set to 1 mm, but these values ​​are merely examples.

[0013] Similar to the surface material 3 and backing material 4, various decorative materials are available on the market for frame material 5, with melamine decorative material being a representative example. Both surface material 3 and frame material 5 have a single-color, plain decorative layer, as shown in surface material 3 in Figure 1. In addition, there are many decorative materials that reproduce the textures of various materials such as wood grain, stone, leather, ceramic, metal, and matte, and their colors and patterns are also very diverse. The wide variety of decorative materials and the diverse combinations of these materials have a significant effect on improving the design aesthetics of melamine countertop 1.

[0014] In the prototype, the thickness of frame material 5 was set to 2 mm, which is slightly thicker than the upper and lower surface materials 3. Also, the width of frame material 5, which is in the vertical direction in Figure 1, is 20 mm, the same as the thickness of base material 2. Whether the frame material 5 is applied as a single continuous piece along the side, or as multiple pieces are combined as needed, it must be long enough to cover the entire circumference of the side of the base material 2. In Figure 1, since the frame material 5 has already been installed on the left, right, and back sides, applying the frame material 5 to the remaining front side will complete the melamine counter 1.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, both the top and bottom surfaces of the melamine counter 1 are covered with melamine decorative material, but the size of the surface material 3 is slightly larger than the area of ​​the base material 2. As mentioned above, in this prototype, an extension 6 with a projection A of 2 mm, corresponding to the frame thickness B of the frame material 5 installed on the side surface of the base material 2, extends equally around the entire circumference of the surface material 3 to the outside of the base material 2. However, for the sake of drawing convenience, such an extension 6 is not shown in the cross-section shown in the foreground. Since the detailed structure of the melamine counter 1 is difficult to understand from Figure 1 alone, we will continue the explanation below using Figure 2.

[0016] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the melamine counter 1. This is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 1, from the left to the right. The upper side of the base material 2 is covered with the surface material 3, and the lower side is also covered with the backing material 4. Figure 2 is a magnified view of a portion of the base material 2, so the entire circumference cannot be seen. However, at the top and bottom of its edges, the surface material 3 has extensions 6 around its entire circumference, corresponding to the thickness of the frame material 5 that covers the sides. The frame material 5, which has a frame thickness B equal to the projection A of the extensions 6, is attached to the side of the base material 2. Note that the extensions 6 are merely a part of the surface material 3, and the two are a continuous, integrated unit. Furthermore, the upper edge of the surface material 3 in Figure 2 is shown as having been lightly chamfered.

[0017] In other words, an extension 6 with a projection A equal to the frame thickness B of the frame material 5 is secured at the ends of the surface material 3 and back material 4, which cover the surface of the base material 2, or, depending on the specifications, cover both the front and back surfaces as shown in Figure 2. The melamine counter 1 has a three-layer structure on the side composed of the surface material 3, frame material 5, and back material 4, and these layers are aligned so that no steps or gaps occur between them. As mentioned above, depending on the specifications of the melamine counter 1, the backing material 4 may be omitted. Even if it is present, it is not always necessary to provide an extension 6 to the backing material 4. Instead, it can be attached to the base material 2 by stopping it at the end and covering the base material 2 and backing material 4 from the side, and then the frame material 5 is attached.

[0018] Figure 3 shows the cross-sectional structure of a conventional decorative panel, which was created for comparison with the prototype. In this prototype, the base material 2 is particleboard, just like in melamine counter 1 in Figure 2. The size of base material 2 is also the same as in the melamine counter 1 prototype in Figure 1. However, there are slight differences in size between the surface material 3, back material 4, and frame material 5 due to the presence or absence of the extension 6. After attaching a surface material 3 and a back material 4 of equal area to both sides of the base material 2, a frame material 5 is attached to the side of the base material 2 so as to cover the edges of the surface material 3 and the cross-section of the base material 2.

[0019] Therefore, in conventional decorative panels, there is no extension 6 of the surface material 3 corresponding to the frame thickness B of the frame material 5 as shown in Figure 2. The edge of the surface material 3 coincides with the edge of the base material 2, and the surface material 3 stops there, not extending outwards from the base material 2 as an overhang. Furthermore, the frame material 5 is attached to the base material 2 on its own as a side decorative material that covers the cross-section of the base material 2 and the edges of the decorative materials above and below it, and does not have the structure shown in Figure 2 where the base material 2, surface material 3, and back material 4 are vertically combined in three layers. As a result, the frame material 5 gives a strong impression of being an afterthought, and there is a lack of unity at its edges.

[0020] Thus, the cross-sectional views in Figures 2 and 3 show structural differences in the side portion of the base material 2, which is shown on the left side of the figure. These differences lie in the way the surface and sides are covered, specifically in the combination of the surface material 3, the frame material 5, and the back material 4. These differences contribute to the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the melamine counter 1 in Figure 2, as well as improving water resistance in various situations. This also leads to the maintenance of a stable shape over a long period, thus contributing to improved safety during use.

[0021] In the case of a melamine counter 1 where the base material 2 is particleboard and the surface material 3 etc. is a melamine decorative material, the specific effects on aesthetics are as follows: The melamine decorative material covering the surface of the particleboard has an extension 6 that extends outward by an amount equivalent to the frame thickness B of the frame material 5. As a result, the frame material 5 attached around the base material 2 is tucked under the surface material 3, which is the top layer of the melamine counter 1. Therefore, the frame thickness B of the frame material 5 that would normally be visible on the outer perimeter of the melamine counter 1 is covered, and the minute gap C between the base material 2 and the frame material 5 is covered. This ensures that the surface continues smoothly to every corner and does not interfere with the aesthetic effect of decorative materials such as the surface material 3.

[0022] Furthermore, there is a wide variety of decorative materials used here. Even limiting ourselves to the melamine decorative materials currently available, there are many that precisely reproduce the textures of wood, stone, leather, metal, ceramic, matte, and more, and each comes in a very rich array of patterns and colors. The same decorative material may be used for the surface material 3, the frame material 5, and, if necessary, the back material 4. However, by optimally arranging different types of decorative materials on each surface as shown in Figure 1, the aesthetic appearance of the melamine counter 1 is improved, and the design options available to consumers are greatly expanded.

[0023] Regarding water resistance, at the edges of the melamine counter 1, the melamine decorative material (surface material 3) covers the joint between the base material 2 and the frame material 5, making it difficult for water spilled on the surface to seep into the gap C. Therefore, the particleboard (base material 2) inside does not absorb moisture and expand, which is detrimental. This is particularly useful as a waterproofing effect on the surface by the surface material 3 compared to the back surface. Furthermore, the surface material 3 and back material 4 sandwich the frame material 5, which increases the adhesion between the base material 2 and the frame material 5, and also has the effect of preventing the frame material 5 from peeling off from the base material 2 due to unexpected impacts or deterioration over time.

[0024] Figure 4 shows one specific example of melamine counter 1. This is an inverted L-shaped melamine counter 1 provided by the applicant. The term "inverted L-shape" refers to a shape where the letter L is reversed along its vertical axis. The surface material 3 is plain, but the frame material 5 has a stone-like pattern. In counters with such elegant shapes, aesthetic improvements are required even in the smallest details. Therefore, in conventional counters like the one shown in Figure 3, the lines that appear as gaps C between the base material 2 and the frame material 5 on its outer perimeter, even if they are minute, are likely to be noticeable and become an issue that needs to be resolved in terms of design. Furthermore, such counters are intended for use in kitchens and other similar environments, and the multi-tiered shelf counter 9 by the applicant is also intended for use in conjunction with a system kitchen. By using the melamine counter 1 of the present invention in these applications, it becomes possible to provide counters and multi-tiered shelf counters 9 that are aesthetically pleasing and have excellent water resistance.

[0025] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the multi-tiered shelf counter 9 using the melamine counter 1 shown in Figure 4. The topmost inverted L-shaped plate-like member uses melamine counter 1. However, adopting the melamine counter 1 of this invention for the other shelves is also very useful from the standpoint of aesthetics and durability. Furthermore, the melamine counter 1 can be supplied not only in L-shapes and inverted L-shapes, but also in U-shapes and other shapes, and can be used for various purposes as a component other than a base.

[0026] Incidentally, the surface material 3 may be thin. Also, the projection A of the extension 6 provided at the end of the surface material 3 may be a minute value, such as the 2 mm extension 6 in the prototype, which was matched to the frame thickness B of the frame material 5. For such reasons, it is conceivable that the surface material 3 may be soft and flexible, requiring some kind of support during the manufacturing of the melamine counter 1. In such cases, the following configuration can be adopted for the base material 2. A small projection, or receiving portion 7, corresponding to the extension portion 6 of the surface material 3, is provided on the outer circumference of the surface side of the base material 2. Figure 6 illustrates the cross-sectional shape of the melamine counter 1 in this configuration.

[0027] On the side of the base material 2, a receiving portion 7 is left on the surface material 3 side, encircling its entire circumference, and the rest is cut to a predetermined depth. That is, in the example of the prototype in Figure 6, a portion of the upper end of the base material 2 protrudes slightly beyond the center of the side by an amount corresponding to the protrusion A of the extension portion 6 of the surface material 3, i.e., by the amount of the frame thickness B of the frame material 5. In addition, the end of the receiving portion 7 is adjusted so that it does not protrude from the outer surface of the frame material 5. Then, after attaching the surface material 3 to the surface of the base material 2, which has the receiving portion 7 provided around its entire circumference, a frame material 5 that conforms to the shape of its side is attached to the entire circumference of the side of the base material 2. Note that Figure 6 also illustrates a specification where the receiving portion 7 is provided on the base material 2 on the reverse side. The shape of the receiving portion 7 is also just one example.

[0028] Figure 7 shows an example of a cross-section of a melamine counter 1 that differs from the specification with a receiving portion 7 as shown in Figure 6. In this specification, the base material 2 is sandwiched between auxiliary members 8, which have receiving portions 7 at their ends, and then a surface material 3 and a back material 4 are placed on top of them. The upper surface of the auxiliary member 8 is approximately the same area as the surface material 3. Therefore, the enlarged side section appears to have a structure with five vertical layers. However, the back surface does not necessarily require the auxiliary material 8, and if unnecessary, the back surface material 4 itself can be omitted. The shape of the receiving portion 7 is not limited to that shown in Figure 7. Alternatively, it is possible to integrate the surface material 3 and the auxiliary material 8 into a single unit. That is, by using a material in which the necessary processing has been applied to the lower layer of the surface material 3 in advance, the same effect as the specifications in Figures 6 and 7 can be obtained.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, this melamine counter 1 can be designed not only to have an L-shape when viewed from above, but also to have an L-shape when viewed from the side, either left or right. An example of this is shown in Figure 8. This unit comprises a back panel section 10, which is a back plate extending vertically upward from the bottom end, and a counter section 11 that extends horizontally at its upper end. The width and height of the back panel section 10 can be adjusted as needed, as can the width and depth of the counter section 11. Furthermore, the counter section 11 does not necessarily have to be present across the entire width of the upper end. The back panel section 10 and the counter section 11 may also be separate components. This melamine counter 1 is used when repurposing a typical I-shaped kitchen unit into an open-plan kitchen layout. The back panel 10 is a decorative panel that fits the back of the kitchen unit, and the counter 11 is at the same height as or slightly higher than the worktop, and has the function of extending it. Thus, the melamine counter 1 can be used in a variety of situations and configurations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 1 Melamine counter 2 Base material 3 Surface material 4. Backing material 5 Frame material 6 Extension 7 Receiving part 8 Auxiliary materials 9. Multi-tiered counter 10. Back panel section 11 Counter section A. Projection B Frame thickness C Gap

Claims

1. It has a base material, a surface material and a frame material, The aforementioned base material is a rigid, plate-shaped main body material. The aforementioned surface material is a decorative material that covers the surface of the substrate, possessing both aesthetic appeal and water resistance. The frame material is a decorative material that covers the sides of the base material, possessing both aesthetic appeal and water resistance. The ends of the surface material around its entire circumference are extended to be equal in length to the frame thickness of the frame material. When covering the substrate with the surface material and the frame material, the side portion of the frame material is covered with the extension portion of the surface material. A melamine counter characterized by having the surface material and the frame material aligned on their sides.

2. It has a base material, a surface material and a frame material, The aforementioned base material is a rigid, plate-shaped main body material. The aforementioned surface material is a decorative material that covers the surface of the substrate, possessing both aesthetic appeal and water resistance. The frame material is a decorative material that covers the sides of the base material, possessing both aesthetic appeal and water resistance. The ends of the surface material around its entire circumference are extended to be equal in length to the frame thickness of the frame material. The substrate is provided with a receiving portion of equal length corresponding to the extension portion of the surface material, When covering the substrate with the surface material and the frame material, the receiving portion of the substrate is covered with the extension portion of the surface material. A melamine counter characterized by having the surface material and the frame material aligned on their sides.

3. It comprises a base material, a surface material, a frame material, and an auxiliary material, The aforementioned base material is a rigid, plate-shaped main body material. The surface material is a decorative material that has aesthetic appeal and water resistance, and covers the surface of the substrate with the auxiliary material in between. The frame material is a decorative material that covers the sides of the base material, possessing both aesthetic appeal and water resistance. The auxiliary material has approximately the same area as the surface material, is located between the substrate and the surface material, does not appear on the sides, and covers the surface of the substrate. The ends of the surface material around its entire circumference are extended to be equal in length to the frame thickness of the frame material. The auxiliary material is provided with a receiving portion of equal length corresponding to the extension portion of the surface material, When covering the substrate with the surface material, the frame material and the auxiliary material, the receiving portion of the auxiliary material is covered with the extension portion of the surface material. A melamine counter characterized by having the surface material and the frame material aligned on their sides.

4. A melamine counter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base material is particleboard and the decorative material is melamine decorative material.

5. A melamine counter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that its shape when viewed from above is either L-shaped, inverted L-shaped, or U-shaped.

6. A melamine counter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a back panel portion extending vertically upward and a counter portion extending horizontally at its upper end, and its shape when viewed from the side is L-shaped.

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