Stone Worktop Joint Structure for Seamless Slab Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for joining stone slabs to create larger worktops result in visible bonding lines, affecting the aesthetic appearance.
Innovation Solution
The use of recesses in the head surfaces of adjacent stone slabs to confine the bonding substance within the slabs' thickness, eliminating the need for beveling and creating a continuous surface, combined with reinforcing elements and grooves for enhanced stability and resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If beveling is performed on the external corners of slabs to create a slit for bonding substance, then the slabs can be joined together, but the bonding substance appears as a visible line of discontinuity on the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding substance is moved from a surface-level application (in the bevelled slit) to a subsurface location (within recesses created by removing material down to a specific depth). This dimensional transition from surface to subsurface allows the bonding substance to remain hidden while still providing the necessary joining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The visible bonding substance line is extracted from the surface by removing it from the bevelled corner slit and relocating it to hidden recesses. The harmful visual effect (visible bonding line) is separated from the functional requirement (bonding strength) by placing the bonding substance in concealed locations.
2Shape
If recesses are created in the head surfaces of slabs to confine bonding substance, then surface continuity is maintained, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are created in advance before the bonding operation. By pre-preparing the recesses in the head surfaces of the slabs, the bonding substance can be directly applied into these pre-formed cavities during assembly, eliminating the need for complex real-time application techniques and simplifying the overall process.
3Ease of manufacture
If slabs are joined without recesses using traditional beveling, then the process is simpler, but the bonding substance creates visible discontinuities on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying bonding substance at the surface level (in the bevelled corner), the solution moves the bonding substance to a subsurface dimension (within recesses). This maintains the simplicity of the joining process while eliminating the visual defect by confining the bonding substance to hidden locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for seamless jointing of stone slabs, maintaining surface continuity and enhancing the mechanical strength and aesthetic appeal of the worktop.
Implementation Method 1
The slabs (3, 4) are stably connected at the level of said head surfaces (5, 6) through joining means (7) so as to define a work surface (2) intended to be visible in the finished product. In particular, said joining means (7) comprise a bonding substance (8) confined to recesses (9) obtained in the head surface (5, 6) of each slab (3, 4).
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention is a worktop (1) for pieces of furniture comprising: two slabs (3, 4) made of stone, arranged so that they are adjacent to each other at the level of corresponding head surfaces (5, 6) in order to define a work surface (2) exposed to the outside; joining means (7) suited to stably connect the slabs (3, 4), comprising a first bonding substance (8) interposed between the head surfaces (5, 6) and comprising recesses (9) obtained on the head surfaces (5, 6) of each slab (3, 4), mutually facing each other and configured in such a way as to define corresponding housings completely delimited in the direction of the thickness of the slabs (3, 4), the first bonding substance (8) being spread mainly in the housings.