Cupboards, cabinets and other furniture constructions for use in medical, dental or laboratory environments are usually of the type known as"built- in"floor or wall units that are constructed from a combination of wooden structural pieces with panels, doors and drawers as required by the user.

These types of furniture units are very common and are used, with some variations, in a very wide variety of situations from domestic to health and scientific environments. There are a number of problems associated with commonly used types of furniture unit. For example, in medical, dental or laboratory environments it is important that units can be cleaned effectively and this can be difficult with conventional furniture units. A further problem occurs if there is a change of use of the room, as, in that case, it is usually necessary for the furniture units to be removed and for new furniture to be put in.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile furniture unit which can be changed easily from one use or configuration to another without having to remove the whole furniture unit. It is a further object of the invention to provide a furniture unit with a removable interior liner.

The invention provides a furniture unit comprising a frame and a liner, wherein:

the frame comprises two side panels, at least one base panel and at least one top rail; and the liner comprises a base and two side pieces, the two side pieces being made to a preselected standard height and being cut if necessary to a required height corresponding to the height of the frame, and the liner forming an insert for mounting between the two side panels of the frame.

Preferably the frame side panels and base panel are made of medium density fibreboard (MDF), light density fibreboard (LDF), wood, metal or plastics material. Advantageously the frame panels are made of plastic coated MDF or LDF.

Advantageously the side panels are similar and are fixed to a base panel of a desired width. The side panels may comprise a solid panel or may alternatively have part of the panel removed to reduce the weight of the panel, though the panel must retain sufficient strength and rigidity for the structure of the frame to be supported. Advantageously the panel may have a void in its centre section or may have two voids, leaving a central pillar portion in the panel.

Advantageously two base panels are used, one towards the front of the unit and one towards the rear. Advantageously two parallel base pieces are used to provide sufficient support from a minimum of material. Alternatively a single solid width base may be provided, which may be provided with one or more optional cut-out voids to reduce weight.

Advantageously the top rail comprises a single solid panel. This can provide support for a worktop or similar that can be fixed to the top of the frame. Alternatively the top rail may comprise two rails.

Preferably the frame is provided with at least one back rail to which the liner may be attached.

Advantageously the furniture unit is provided with a removable back panel. The removable back panel may be attached to the side panels and/or the back rails of the frame. Alternatively or additionally the liner may be provided with a back panel.

The width of the frame of the unit is selected by using preselected length base pieces.

The height of the unit is selected by using preselected height side panels.

Advantageously, a plurality of similar side panels are used to create a carcass for a desired furniture arrangement of a plurality of furniture units. Advantageously the carcass may be attached securely to a wall by means of known fixings such as screw fittings or may be attached to a worktop.

Advantageously a fascia panel is fitted to the carcass at the end of a"run" of units where the end of the carcass is not fitted against a wall.

Advantageously the fascia panel has a cushion fitted to its rear edge for contact with the wall. The cushion may be of rubber or similar deformable material and is attached to the edge of the fascia panel by adhesive means or expansion groove. The cushion allows the fascia panel to be fitted against an uneven wall surface without requiring scribing of the fascia panel or the carcass.

Advantageously the height and configuration of the furniture units are selected by a customer and a carcass of frame units is assembled from selected side panels and base panels to correspond to the required frame size.

The furniture units can be free-standing but are advantageously wall or floor mounted.

Advantageously the side panels of the frame include holes for hinge fittings to be mounted thereto for hanging doors on such that a door can be fitted on any of the units as required. Alternatively drawers may be fitted into the unit, as required.

For floor mounted units, legs can be fitted to the base panels of the frame.

Such legs are advantageously adjustable in height to allow for variations in floor level. Additionally, a worksurface may be fitted over the top of the frames forming the carcass. For use in a medical environment, for example, such a worksurface is advantageously made of or coated with an antibacterial material.

Preferably the liner is made from injection moulded or vacuum formed plastics material. Advantageously the liner may comprise a one piece moulding comprising a U-shape which can be slidably inserted into the frame.

In a preferred embodiment the liner comprises a three piece liner comprising a base piece and two side pieces. Advantageously the base of the liner has slightly upcurved edges for fitting against the side pieces.

Advantageously the base piece is clipped or fastened in a suitable manner

to the side pieces. Advantageously the joint between the base piece and the side pieces forms a seal.

Advantageously the side pieces of the insert are formed with an outwardly extending lip along the lower edge. Advantageously the base piece is formed with a corresponding outwardly extending lip on the upcurved side edges. Preferably the side pieces are sealed to the base piece by means of a seal which extends over the two adjacent lips of a side piece and one side of the base piece to hold the two pieces in sealing engagement.

Preferably the seals provide moisture resistance to prevent ingress or egress of liquids between the side and base pieces. Preferably the seals are inserted into a groove in the side panel of the frame and the corresponding side and base pieces of the insert are inserted into the seal.

This has an advantage in that the lower edges of the side pieces and the base piece are held in position with respect to the frame by the seals.

Advantageously the insert and the seals are arranged such that the side pieces and the base piece can be inserted and removed independently of one another.

Preferably the seal comprises an"E"shaped moulding of resilient material such as silicone, rubber, co-extruded PVC or other suitable material.

The"E"seal is inserted in a groove in the side panel of the frame and the two adjacent lips of the side piece and the base piece of the liner are inserted into the recesses at the front of the"E"seal and are retained therebetween. Advantageously the central pillar at the front of the"E"is formed with a slightly bulbous end to form a dust and moisture seal between the two adjacent lips to prevent ingress of dust or moisture into the seal itself.

Advantageously the base piece further comprises a lip at the front and/or the back of the base piece to enable spilt liquids to be retained within the liner and not to seep through into the frame area. Preferably if a lip is provided at the front of the base piece it has a shallow slope to enable easy cleaning of the base piece.

Preferably the one piece liner is moulded in a series of preferred widths corresponding to certain preselected preferred furniture unit widths.

Preferably each width of liner is moulded at a single maximum standard height and it is cut to the required height for the frame before use. This enables fewer moulds to be required to produce the liners.

The one piece liner is very simple to use, easy to clean and easy to remove and change. The integral moulding of the base and sides of the liner ensures that there is no possibility of any liquids leaking through any cracks. The liner may advantageously include a bar integrally moulded with the sides and base across the back of the liner to prevent liquids leaking out behind the unit. The bar may extend partly up the back of the liner or may form a back panel, being integrally moulded with the side panels to the full height of the liner.

For a three piece liner, the side pieces are preferably moulded or vacuum formed in a single preferred size having a maximum height and are then cut to a desired height before use. Advantageously the base piece is supplied in a series of preferred widths.

The three piece liner is simpler and cheaper to make than the one piece liner as each piece has only a small depth of, for example, a few millimetres. It is also easier to transport as it can be packed flat.

The side pieces of the liner, in either the one piece or three piece configuration, are preferably fastened to the side panels of the frame by screw fittings, clip fittings or any suitable arrangement. If a back panel is provided on the frame the liner may also, or alternatively, be fastened to the back panel.

Preferably the liner is provided with a back panel. The back panel is formed separately from the liner and is preferably attached to the rear edges of the side pieces and/or the base of the liner. Advantageously the back panel may be provided with grooves into which the side pieces and/or the base of the liner may be inserted. Advantageously the grooves may be provided with gripping means to hold the side pieces and/or base in the grooves. The gripping means may advantageously comprise a material such as Velcro T". Preferably the side pieces and/or base may be provided with a tab to enable a user to pull the side piece or base piece away from the back panel. Alternatively the side or base piece may be removed using a suction grip or similar if one or more of the panels of the liner are to be removed.

Alternatively the side pieces may be formed with an inwardly extending lip along the side rear edges and the back panel sits against the inwardly extending lips of the two side panels. Advantageously some attachment means such as a gripping means may be provided to retain the back panel securely in position in relation to the side pieces. In this arrangement, the back panel is advantageously provided with a tab means to enable the back panel to be removed. Alternatively the back panel may be removed using a suction grip or similar.

Advantageously the liner side pieces have runners for shelves, racks or drawers. Advantageously each liner has a plurality of runners in the side pieces to accommodate different drawer heights and shelf positions. The runners may be in the form of recessed grooves in the side pieces which may be moulded in or cut out but preferably they comprise moulded ridges in the side pieces. In one embodiment, they may be in the form of two parallel moulded ridges, which is a secure and effective runner and in another embodiment, the runners may comprise a moulded ridge and a row of pimples parallel to the ridge moulded in the side piece, which provides an arrangement that is particularly easy to clean. The side pieces of the liner may alternatively be formed with angled ridges therein to enable shelves and racks to be positioned at angles other than horizontal within the unit.

For drawers and heavy shelves, it may be advantageous to have runners attached to the frame side panels through the liner side pieces.

In an alternative arrangement, particularly suitable for environments in which corrosive chemicals are used, the liner may advantageously be made of metal such as stainless steel and be formed into shape, either as a one piece liner or a three piece liner, for sliding into position in the frame.

Advantageously the side pieces of adjacent liners are held together by sealing means. Preferably the front edge of the side pieces is formed with an extending lip and a double sealing strip is provided that fits over the each of the extending lips of corresponding side pieces for adjacent inserts.

Preferably the double sealing strip comprises an"H"shaped seal with the extending lips of adjacent inserts being inserted into the opposing recesses of the seal. Advantageously if there is no adjacent frame and liner, the liner is sealed with a cup-shaped seal to a fascia panel at the end of the frame.

Preferably the seals are formed of resilient material such as silicone, rubber or co-extruded PVC. Advantageously the seals are formed of PVC with softer PVC interfaces to improve the sealing grip of the seals.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame and a liner for a furniture unit according to invention; Figures 2a and 2b show alternative side panels for the frame shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a three piece liner for a furniture unit according to invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of furniture units according to invention fitted as floor mounted units; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a wall mounted furniture unit in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 shows a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and Figures 7a, b, 8a, b and 9a, b show cross-section views of preferred seals.

As shown in Figure 1, the frame 1 of the furniture unit according to the invention comprises two side panels 2,3, a base panel 4 and two top rails

6,7 to ensure the rigidity of frame. The side panels 2,3 are made of medium density fibreboard (MDF) or may be made of light density fibreboard (LDF), metal, aluminium, wood or plastics material. If they are made of MDF, LDF or wood, they may be coated with a layer of plastics material. In the alternative side panels shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the side panels 2,3 have cut out areas 8,9 to allow easy access through the side panels 2,3 and to reduce the weight of the side panels 2,3. The side panels 2,3 also include holes 10 for the attachment of hinges (see Figures 4 and 5). The base panels 4 are supplied in a series of selected widths, W, for use and may include an optional hole 5 to reduce weight.

It also includes mounting points 11 for legs (not shown) for a floor mounted unit. The depth, D, of the unit is a preselected standard depth for simplicity of manufacture and storage prior to fitting of the units.

Such preselected depths may, for example, be 480 mm for a floor mounted unit and 280 mm, 330 mm or 380 mm for a wall mounted unit.

Thus, the side panels 2,3 can be provided in a series of standard heights, H, for example 550 mm, 600 mm, 630 nun, 700mm, 720 mm, 750 mm or 800 mm, for each standard depth, D, and the base panels 4 can be provided in a series of standard widths, W, for example 300 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm and 800 mm. By combining selected side panels 2,3 and base panels 4, furniture unit frames 1 can be constructed in a plurality of sizes whilst only requiring the supplier to stock a limited variety of size of panels.

Adjacent frames can be joined together by clips (not shown) fastened to clip points 2a, 3a in the side panels 2,3. Locating points 35a are provided in the side panels 2,3 for fitting of fascia panels 35 (see Figures 4 and 5) to the frame 1.

A one piece liner 12 is shown for fitting into frame 1 in the direction of Arrow A. The liner 12 is either injection moulded from plastics material or formed from metal such as steel, in a plurality of widths, WL, to correspond to the selected widths of the base panels 4,5 of the frame 1 and of a depth, DL, to correspond to the selected depth of the frame 1. The liner 12 has two side pieces 13,14 and a base 15. The liner 12 is moulded in a single height, HL, and the side pieces 13,14 are cut to the required height prior to fitting in the frame 1. For example, if the maximum height frame size supplied is 800 mm, then the liner 12 is manufactured to fit the 800 mm high frame and the side pieces 13,14 are cut off to fit all the smaller frame sizes, as required. The liner 12 also has a flange 16 which fits around the front of the frame 1 to provide a secure fitting and to help seal the unit so that liquids cannot reach the frame 1.

The base 15 curves into the side pieces 13,14 to provide a surface that is easy to clean and in which dirt cannot remain trapped. A back piece 17 may also be integrally moulded with the liner 12 to provide a seal to the rear of the base 15 of the liner 12 to prevent spillages leaking from the back of the liner 12.

The liner 12 may be fixed into the furniture unit is a number of ways. It may be clipped or screwed directly to the side panels 3,4 of the frame 1 or may be attached to a back panel (see Figure 4) at the rear of the frame 1.

The rear top rail 7 of the frame 1 is positioned to the rear of the panels 2,3 to form a back rail and a lower back rail 7a is positioned at the base of the frame and the liner 12 may be attached to these back rails 7,7a. The rear top rail 7 thus forms both a top rail for supporting a worktop, for example, and a rear rail for positioning and attachment of the liner 12. In

this arrangement, the liner 12 may be attached to the rear rails 7,7a via screw fittings through tabs (not shown) or a flange 18 integrally moulded to the side pieces 13,14 of the liner 12. Runners 19 are integrally moulded in the sides of the liner 12.

Figure 3 shows a three piece liner 25 having a base piece 26 and two side pieces 27,28. The base 26 has curved up edges 29,30 and a curved up back piece 31 and is clipped to the side pieces 27,28 by clip means (not shown).

Two alternative runner arrangements 19,20 are shown for fitting drawers, shelves, racks and so on (see Figures 4 and 5) in the liner 12 or 25. The two alternatives are shown together for illustration purposes only. The runner 19 illustrated in the bottom position comprises two parallel ridges 21,22 moulded in the side piece 27,28 which provides a secure drawer or shelf runner that is easy to clean. An alternative to the runner 19 is the runner 20 illustrated in the top position. This arrangement is the easiest to clean and comprises a ridge 23 and a plurality of pimples 24 moulded in the side pieces 27,28.

Figure 4 shows a whole furniture arrangement of a plurality of units 32a, b, c in position as a floor mounted built-in unit. A plurality of frames 1 as shown in Figure 1 are arranged to form a carcass 33. A worktop 34 is mounted on top of the frames 1 and is attached to top panels 6,7 of the frame 1. A fascia panel 35 with a cushion seal 36 on its back edge 37 is mounted at the end of the carcass 33 to provide a leasing finish. The cushion seal 36 is a resilient material attached by adhesive or by expansion groove to the edge 37 of the fascia panel 35 to form a close fitting against the wall 38 even if the wall 38 is uneven. This avoids the need for the

rear edge of the fascia panel 35 to be scribed to accommodate variations in the surface of the wall 38. A plinth 39 is arranged around the base of the frames 1. Each unit 32 is arranged as a cupboard or drawer unit as required. As illustrated for unit 32a, a one piece liner 12 is inserted into each frame 1. The cupboard units 32a, b have doors 40a, b mounted on hinges 41 fitted to the holes 10 in side panels 2,3 through the side pieces 13,14 of the liner 12.

The liner 12 is attached to a back panel 42 which is fitted to the rear of the frame 1 by screws 43 through flange 18.

Figure 5 shows a whole furniture arrangement of a plurality of units 45a, b in position as a built-in unit wall mounted unit. The frames 1 form a carcass 46 that is attached to the wall 38. A fascia panel 35 with a cushion seal 36 is mounted to the sides of the units 45 which are visible and a pelmet 47 is mounted below the units 45 to cover the frames 1. An optional sloping canopy 48 is mounted on the top of the carcass 46. The sloping canopy 48 is particularly advantageous in clean room environments as it is easier to keep clean than a flat top. As illustrated for unit 45a, a three piece liner 25 is inserted into each frame 1. The cupboard units 45a, b have doors 40a, b mounted on hinges 41 fitted to the holes 10 in side panels 2,3 through the side pieces 27,28 of the liner 25.

The base piece 26 of the liner 25 is clipped to the side pieces 27,28 by clip means (not shown) and the side pieces 27,28 are attached to the side pieces 2,3 of the frame 1. A shelf 44 is shown mounted in runners 20 integrally moulded in the sides 27,28 of the liner 25.

Figure 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 1, the frame 1 comprises two side panels 2,3. The base panel 4 comprises two rails 4a, 4b, which has the advantage of enabling a user to see below the furniture unit when the liner 25 is removed and also to allow access for cleaning below the frame 1. The top rail comprises a single solid rail 6a which provides a broad base for supporting a worktop or similar which may be added to the top of the frame 1. As shown in Figure 3, the liner 25 has a base piece 26 and two side pieces 27,28. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 6, the side pieces 27,28 have an extending lip 60,61 at their respective lower edges. The base piece 26 has an extending lip 62,63 at the upper edge of each of its respective curved up edges 29,30.

An"E"seal 64a is inserted in a groove 65a in one side panel 2 of the frame 1 and a second"E"seal 64b is inserted in a groove 65b in the other side panel 3. Each side piece 27,28 is inserted into the frame 1 such that the extending lips 60,61 slide through the upper recesses 70 (Figures 7a, b) of the"E"seals 64a, 64b until the side pieces 27,28 are fully inserted within the frame 1. The base piece 26 is also inserted into the frame 1 such that the extending lips 62,63 slide through the lower recesses 71 of the"E"seals 64a, 64b.

Once the side pieces 27,28 and the base piece 26 have been inserted into the frame 1, a back panel 66 is positioned within the liner 25. Each of the side pieces 27,28 are formed with an inwardly extending lip 67,68 on its rear edge and the back panel 66 rests against the inwardly extending lips 67,68. Retaining means such as a Velcro'strip (not shown) may be provided along the inwardly extending lips 67,68. The base piece 26 is

provided with an upwardly extending lip 69 against which the back panel 66 also rests.

The base piece 26 may be formed with an upwardly extending lip 72 at the front edge to retain spilt liquids within the base piece 26.

Liners 25 in adjacent frames 1 can be attached together by means of"H" shaped seals 73,74 (Figures 8a, b). Each side piece 27,28 of the liner 25 is formed with an outwardly extending lip 75,76. One seal 73 is arranged between the extending lip 75 of one liner 25 and the adjacent lip 76a of the side piece 28a of an adjacent liner 25a. The lips 75,76a are retained within recesses 77,78 of the"H"shape and the adjacent side pieces 27,28a of the adjacent liners 25,25a are thus retained in position with respect to adjacent frames 1, la.

At the end of a row of units as shown in Figure 4, the liner 25 of the end frame unit 1 is attached to the fascia panel 35 by a cup shaped seal 79 (Figures 9a, b). The extending lip 76 of the side piece 28 is retained within a recess 80 and an extension arm 81 of the seal 79 is held between the side panel 3 of the end frame unit 1 and the fascia panel 35.

The preferred seals are shown in Figures 7a, b, 8a, b and 9a, b. Figure 7a shows an"E"seal 64a for attaching a side piece 27 to a base piece 26 and Figure 7b shows the seal 64a in position within the liner 25 and frame 1.

The seal 64a is inserted in a groove 65a in the side panel 2 of the frame 1.

The seal 64a comprises an"E"shape having two recesses 70,71 into which the extending lips 60,62 of the side piece 27 and the base piece 26, respectively, are inserted. The central projection 82 of the"E"has a

slightly bulbous end 83 and forms a dust and moisture seal between the side piece 27 and the base piece 26.

Figure 8a shows an"H"seal 73 for attaching two adjacent side pieces 27,28a together and Figure 8b shows the seal 73 in position between two adjacent liners 25,25a. The seal 73 comprises an"H"shape having two recesses 77,78 into which the extending lips 75,76a of adjacent side pieces 27,28a are inserted. The side panels 2,3a of adjacent frame units 1 are thus held between the side pieces 27,28a of the adjacent liners 25,25a.

Figure 9a shows a cup shaped seal 79 for attaching an end liner 25 to a fascia panel 35 and Figure 9b shows the seal 79 in position between the liner 25 and the fascia panel 35. The seal 79 comprises a recess 80 into which the extending lip 76 of the side piece 28 is inserted. The seal 79 further comprises an extension arm 81 which is held between the side panel 3 of the end frame unit 1 and the fascia panel 35.

The seals 64a, 73,79 shown in Figures 7a, b, 8a, b and 9a, b comprise two part seals formed with a body of PVC 84 and gripping portions of softer PVC 85.

In all of the embodiments of the invention, the liner can easily be removed from the frame whether for cleaning or replacement. If a user wishes to change the arrangement of a combination of furniture units it is easy to alter the arrangement of the units within the frames simply and effectively by changing the liners. The liners can be changed within the frames to alter the use of individual units within a carcass and, additionally, if the use of a room is changed, then the furniture can be adapted to suit the new requirements of the room without having to remove all the old furniture.

The frames can be fitted with different liners depending on requirements, and can even be changed to stainless steel liners if necessary, such as if the unit will be used for the storage of corrosive chemicals. If a liner is damaged, it can simply be replaced without having to dismantle the furniture or replace the frame.

The furniture unit of the invention has the advantage that the liner is readily removable from the frame for cleaning. A cleaned liner can easily be replaced within the frame or it can be replaced with a new liner if it has been damaged, for example. Thus, the units can be cleaned effectively and contaminated or damaged units can be replaced without having to replace the whole of the furniture unit. If the use of the furniture is to be changed, this can also be achieved easily and quickly. A frame of a unit can receive different types of liner depending on the requirements of the user.

The furniture unit of the invention has the further advantage that it is easy to assemble and install.

As well as being particularly suitable for use in environments which need to be kept particularly clean, such as medical, dental or laboratory environments, the furniture unit of the invention is also very useful for domestic environments such as kitchens.