Counter top structure

Abstract

To provide a top plate structure for a lightweight ceramic counter which has high design and shock resistance.SOLUTION: A top plate structure for a counter 100 has: a ceramic top plate 1; and a frame material 12 which is arranged on a reverse surface of the top plate 1, is composed of an aluminum section, and composes a part of a side surface of the counter. An exposed part of the frame material 12 is decorated in a ceramic-tone. Thus, the frame material 12 has high shock resistance, and the decorated frame material 12 is uniformly in harmony with the top plate 11 and can form the top plate member 1 with high design.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to counter top structures. [Background technology]

[0002] Ceramic countertops such as marble countertops have a high designability and are widely used as countertops for kitchen counters and vanities installed in homes and stores. In general, a reinforcing material is often placed on the back side of a ceramic countertop to reinforce the countertop. The reinforcing material is made of aluminum, for example, and supports the countertop from the back side, thereby improving the impact resistance of the countertop.

[0003] Counters with ceramic tops are widely used in which the front frame is also made of ceramic material in addition to the top to further improve the design. Patent Document 1 discloses a top structure with a frame made of ceramic material and an aluminum frame reinforcement member. This improves the design of the counter when viewed from the side and ensures the impact resistance of the top and frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-023659 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the frame material disclosed in Patent Document 1, a part of the ceramic is exposed on the side surface. Therefore, the impact resistance of the frame material is still low in the ceramic exposed portion of the frame material.

[0006] Furthermore, ceramic materials are generally heavy, and therefore, since transportation and installation are burdensome for workers, it is desirable to reduce the weight of ceramic tabletop members. If the frame material is made of ceramic material, this inevitably leads to an increase in weight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure provides a counter top structure having a ceramic top and a frame member arranged on the underside of the top and made of an aluminum profile, forming part of the side of the counter, the side portion of the frame member being finished in a ceramic look. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a counter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a top plate member according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the counter according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a joining member for a frame according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a mounting structure for a frame member according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a counter according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment A counter 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is an island kitchen counter that is not connected to a wall of a building, and as shown in Fig. 1, is configured to include a countertop member 1, a sink 2, and a cabinet 3. The countertop member 1 has a countertop 11 made of a ceramic material, and has an opening 10 corresponding to the position where the sink 2 is to be formed.

[0010] The tabletop member 1 is composed of a tabletop 11, a frame material 12, a decorative layer 13, and a lightweight reinforcement material 14, and is placed on and fixed to the top of the cabinet 3 with the opening 10 corresponding to the formation position of the sink 2.

[0011] The tabletop 11 is made of ceramic, for example marble. This gives it a high-quality design. The tabletop 11 may have a water-repellent surface, which makes it easier to wash away dirt and improves the cleanliness of the area around the sink.

[0012] The frame material 12 is made of an aluminum profile and is fixed to the underside of the tabletop 11 so as to form part of the side of the counter 100, as shown in Fig. 3. In this embodiment, the counter 100 is an island kitchen counter, and the frame material 12 is arranged all around the four sides of the counter 100. The frame material 12 is configured with a hollow structure inside. This gives the frame material 12 high impact resistance, and allows the tabletop member 1 to be lightweight, reducing the burden on workers during construction.

[0013] The decorative layer 13 is formed on exposed parts such as the sides of the frame material 12, and gives the exposed parts of the frame material 12 a ceramic-like decorative look. It improves the design of the frame material 12. There are no particular limitations on the means for forming the decorative layer 13. For example, the decorative layer 13 can be formed by attaching a decorative sheet or painting the frame material 12.

[0014] In particular, the decorative layer 13 is preferably formed by inkjet printing on the surface of the frame material 12. This allows the ceramic-like design to be reproduced with high precision even for the frame material 12 made of aluminum shaped material, so that the decorative frame material 12 blends in with the tabletop 11 to form a tabletop member 1 with high design quality.

[0015] The lightweight reinforcing material 14 is disposed in contact with the rear surface of the top plate 11, and reinforces the top plate 11 against impacts and loads from the front surface side of the ceramic top plate 11. There are no particular limitations on the material constituting the lightweight reinforcing material 14. Generally used plywood can be used as the lightweight reinforcing material 14, and from the viewpoint of reducing the weight of the top plate member 1, a lightweight board in which a lightweight foam material is disposed between two surface layers made of, for example, glass fiber or resin can be used. The lightweight foam material can be, for example, polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In this embodiment, the lightweight reinforcing material 14 is a foam reinforcing material using a lightweight foam material made of polystyrene.

[0016] The top plate 11 and the lightweight reinforcing member 14 are bonded together, for example, by an adhesive. By appropriately bonding the two together, the impact resistance of the top plate 11 is further improved. As the adhesive, for example, an epoxy adhesive, a urethane adhesive, a silicon adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, or the like can be used.

[0017] Sink 2 is preferably made of metal such as stainless steel or ceramic, and has a design that harmonizes with countertop 11. Sink 2 has a tub portion, a water supply faucet (not shown) that connects to a water supply flow path, and a drain outlet that connects to a drainage flow path. The water supply and drainage flow paths pass through the inside of cabinet 3 (not shown).

[0018] The cabinet 3 is the main body of the counter 100 having a storage space 32 used as a storage space for cooking utensils and the like, and is configured with multiple storage doors 31. The storage doors 31 may be, for example, single-wing doors or drawers.

[0019] 3, it is preferable that the side portion of the storage door 31 is located inside the side portion of the frame 12 or the side end of the tabletop 11. This prevents liquid droplets from running down the side of the counter 100 from above and entering the cabinet 3, allowing the cabinet 3 to be used in a clean state.

[0020] As described above, the counter 100 of this embodiment is an island kitchen counter, and the frames 12 are arranged all around the four sides of the counter 100. That is, the four rectangular frames 12 each having a hollow structure and extending therefrom are fixed to the backside of each of the four sides of the counter 100. The four frames 12 are connected at the four corners of the counter 100 by connecting members 15 shown in FIG.

[0021] The joining member 15 is a substantially L-shaped member made of aluminum etc. The joining member 15 is configured to have a substantially L-shape and includes a main body portion 151 to be inserted into the hollow portions of the two frame members 12, a hole portion 152 formed in the non-inserted main body portion 151 and screwed in after insertion into the frame members 12, a notch portion 153 formed at a protruding corner of the L shape, and a corner member 154 disposed in the notch portion 153.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 5, the two frames 12 are connected by inserting the main body 151 of the joining member 15 into the hollow portions of the two frames 12. In Fig. 5, the two frames 12 are configured with their joint ends inclined at 45 degrees inward. This allows the main body 151 to be completely covered and the design of the tabletop member 1 to be improved. A corner member 154 having a curvature corresponding to the corner of the tabletop 11 is placed in the cutout portion 153 at the protruding corner of the main body 151. This allows the joint portion of the frame 12 to reproduce a curved design that is unified with the tabletop 11, improving the design of the tabletop member 1.

[0023] The corner members 154 may be manufactured separately from the main body 151 and attached later, or may be molded integrally with the main body 151 from the beginning. In this embodiment, the corner members 154 are manufactured separately from the main body 151, and after the main body 151 is inserted into the hollow portions of the two frames 12 and screwed in place, they are joined to the cutouts 153 with an adhesive or the like. This makes it possible to select and apply corner members 154 having a curvature that matches the shape of the corners of the tabletop 11 to be used. Even when it is molded integrally with the main body portion 151 from the beginning, it is sufficient to mold it to a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the tabletop 11 to be used.

[0024] Furthermore, the exposed portion of the corner member 154 may also be decorated with a ceramic-like finish. This allows the decorated corner member 154 to blend in with the tabletop 11 and the frame 12, forming a tabletop member 1 with a higher design quality.

[0025] The counter 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0026] The countertop structure of the counter 100 of this embodiment has a ceramic top 1, and a frame 12 that is arranged on the backside of the top 1 and is made of an aluminum shaped material, constituting part of the side of the counter, with the exposed portion of the frame 12 being decorated with a ceramic-like decorative layer 13. This gives the frame 12 high impact resistance, and the decorated frame 12 blends in seamlessly with the top 11, forming a top member 1 with high design appeal.

[0027] The decorative coating is applied by inkjet printing. This allows the ceramic-like design to be reproduced with high precision on the surface of the frame 12 made of aluminum.

[0028] The aluminum profile has a hollow structure, which allows the top plate member 1 to be lightweight and reduces the burden on workers during construction.

[0029] A reinforcing material including a foam material is provided on the rear surface of the top plate 11. This allows the top plate member 1 to be made even lighter in weight.

[0030] <Second embodiment> Next, a counter 200 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The counter 200 of this embodiment differs from the counter 100 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the table top and frame members.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 6, the tabletop 111 according to this embodiment has inclined surfaces 117, 118 at its side ends, and the frame 112 has in its upper part. Both inclined surfaces 117, 118 are inclined 45° downward toward the inside, i.e., toward the unexposed surfaces of the tabletop 111 and the frame 112. The tabletop 111 and the frame 112 are butted against each other at a right angle at the inclined surfaces 117, 118, respectively.

[0032] The tabletop 111 and the frame 112 are butted together at a right angle at the inclined surfaces 117, 118, allowing both components to contribute to the formation of the right angle. In other words, one component does not become the winning side, and the joint can be placed at the corner. This makes the joint less visible when viewed from the side or above, improving the design of the counter 200. The inclination angles of the inclined surfaces 117, 118 need only total 90°.

[0033] Additionally, since there are no seams on the top or sides, it is possible to finish both the top and sides with a flat surface without any steps, providing a counter 200 with a neater design.

[0034] To join tabletop 111 and frame 112, it is preferable to use adhesive 116 colored to a ceramic tone, corresponding to the design of the ceramic that constitutes tabletop 111 and the design of decorative layer 13 printed on frame 112. In this way, adhesive 116 of a similar color tone to both components is placed in the gap between both components at the joint, making the joint less visible and further improving the design of counter 200.

[0035] The tabletop structure of the counter 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure provides the following advantages.

[0036] In the tabletop structure of the counter 200 of this embodiment, the tabletop 111 and the frame 112 are joined at right angles at their respective joint surfaces 117, 118, and both of the joint surfaces 117, 118 of the tabletop 111 and the frame 112 are inclined surfaces that slope downward toward the inside, and the joint surfaces 117, 118 are joined with an adhesive 116 that is colored to look like ceramic. As a result, the joint between the tabletop 111 and the frame 112 is formed at the corner, and the gap at the joint is filled with the adhesive 116 that is similar in color to both components, making the joint less visible and improving the design of the counter 200. Furthermore, it is possible to finish both the top and side surfaces in a flat surface state without any steps, making it possible to provide a counter 200 with a neater design.

[0037] The above describes the embodiment of the counter top structure of the present disclosure. The counter top structure of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the counter may have a gas or induction stove, or a part of the surface may be in contact with a wall. Furthermore, the counter of the present disclosure may be used for a washstand or an entrance hall, and is not limited to a kitchen counter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 100,200...counter, 1,101...top member, 10...opening, 11,111...top, 12,112...frame, 13,113...decorative layer, 14,114...lightweight reinforcement, 15...joining member, 151...main body, 152...hole, 153...notch, 154, corner member, 116...adhesive, 117,118...inclined surface, 2...sink, 3...cabinet, 31,131...door, 32,132...storage space

Claims

1. A ceramic top is placed on top of the cabinet, A frame member is arranged on the back surface of the tabletop, is made of an aluminum shaped material having a hollow structure, and constitutes a part of the side surface of the counter. The exposed portion of the frame is finished in a ceramic style. The lower end of the frame is located closer to the outer edge of the counter than a door provided on the front surface of the cabinet, A reinforcing material including a foam material is provided on the back surface of the top plate, A countertop structure, wherein the top and the reinforcing member are bonded together with an adhesive.

2. The countertop structure of claim 1 , wherein the finish is inkjet printed.

3. A counter top structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the foam material is formed by placing a lightweight foam material between two surface layers.

4. The frame material has a long, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, The counter top structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a decorative layer is disposed on the surface of the exposed portion that is positioned on the front side during use.

5. A counter top structure described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the frame members are connected by an approximately L-shaped connecting member inserted into hollow portions of two of the frame members arranged along one side of the counter and another side extending in a direction intersecting the one side.

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