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Title:
METHOD OF COVERING AND DECORATING, AND KIT OF PANELS FOR COVERING AND DECORATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/005237
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A method of covering and decorating, that consists in stably fixing at least one metallic laminate (2) to at least one supporting element (3), at at least one bonding region; subjecting, in a step b., the metallic laminate (2), fixed stably to the supporting element (3), to at least one dilation stress, which, bucked in the bonding region, causes the corrugation of the metallic laminate (2), with consequent provision of a peculiar decorative effect for surfaces of various types, covered by the laminate (2).

Inventors:
STENTA PAOLO (IT)
BATTAGLIA VINCENZO MICHAEL (IT)
STENTA JESSICA ANGELA (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IT2011/000230
Publication Date:
January 10, 2013
Filing Date:
July 07, 2011
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
STENTA PAOLO (IT)
BATTAGLIA VINCENZO MICHAEL (IT)
STENTA JESSICA ANGELA (IT)
International Classes:
B21D31/06; B44C5/04; B32B38/00; B44D5/10
Foreign References:
DE4312555A11994-10-20
US5526664A1996-06-18
US6584820B12003-07-01
DE102004031240A12005-03-31
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
MODIANO, Micaela (Via Meravigli 16, Milano, IT)
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Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A method of covering and decorating, that consists in:

a. stably fixing at least one metallic laminate (2) to at least one supporting element (3), at at least one bonding region;

b. subjecting said metallic laminate (2), stably fixed to said supporting element (3), to at least one dilation stress, said stress, bucked in at least said bonding region, thus causing the corrugation of said metallic laminate (2) for the provision of a peculiar decorative effect for surfaces of various types, covered by said at least one laminate (2).

2. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said step a. of fixing consists in:

al . laying a layer of adhesive (4) on at least said bonding region of said supporting element (3);

a2. depositing said metallic laminate (2) on said layer (4), for the stable fixing of said laminate (2) to said supporting element (3).

3. The method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said adhesive is preferably of the type of a two-sided adhesive.

4. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said step b. of subjection consists in striking said laminate (2), fixed to said supporting element (3), using at least one impact body, movable along a trajectory to intercept said laminate (2), said dilation stress being substantially determined by the impact of said body against said laminate (2).

5. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said step b. of subjection consists in striking said laminate (2), fixed to said supporting element (3), using a plurality of said impact bodies, movable along corresponding trajectories to intercept said laminate (2).

6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists, before said step b. of subjection, in activating, in a step c, a jet of compressed air inside a pneumatic circuit, inside which each one of said bodies is accommodated and which is facing, with a nozzle thereof, toward said laminate (2), in order to hurl each one of said impact bodies through said nozzle and along said corresponding trajectory to intercept said laminate (2).

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that said jet of compressed air has a pressure that is preferably comprised between 1 bar and 10 bar.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that said jet of compressed air has a pressure equal to 6 bar.

9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said impact bodies is constituted substantially by a sphere, made of a material preferably chosen from among a ceramic material, a metallic material, a vitreous material.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that each one of said impact bodies is constituted substantially by a sphere made of a ceramic material.

1 1. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that each one of said spheres has a diameter that is preferably comprised between 10 microns and 500 microns.

12. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that each one of said spheres has a diameter equal to 100 microns.

13. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists in repeating at least said step a. of fixing and at least said step b. of subjection for a plurality of different laminates (2), stably fixed to corresponding supporting elements (3), at least one process parameter of at least one of said steps a. and b. being variable including randomly, for the corrugation of each one of said laminates (2) according to a corresponding and substantially unique texture, and the provision of a peculiar decorative effect for surfaces of various types covered by said laminates (2).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that said at least one process parameter is preferably chosen from among said pressure of said jet of air, said diameter of each one of said spheres, the exposure time of said laminate (2) to said nozzle, the distance between said laminate (2) and said nozzle, the strength of said adhesive, the mechanical properties of each one of said laminates (2).

15. A kit of panels for covering and decoration, for surfaces of various types characterized in that each one of said panels (5) comprises at least one metallic laminate (2), stably fixed to at least one corresponding supporting element (3), at at least one bonding region, each one of said laminates (2) being corrugated according to a corresponding and substantially unique texture, for the provision of a peculiar decorative effect for surfaces of various types.

Description:
METHOD OF COVERING AND DECORATING, AND KIT OF PANELS FOR COVERING AND DECORATION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method of covering and decorating, and a kit of panels for covering and decoration.

Background Art

As is known, nowadays the necessity of competing in increasingly crowded markets and the need to satisfy the tastes of consumers who are exceptionally attentive and informed requires companies to constantly seek implementation solutions that offer, in addition to significant functionalities and performance levels, an aesthetic and hence an appearance that is pleasant and attractive.

In this context, in the field of construction, architecture and buildings in general, the efforts of designers, architects, and companies are also directed, in addition to offering ever-new and pleasing forms, at seeking interesting and innovative solutions for the covering and decoration of outer surfaces of any type (such as those of walls, floors and ceilings of buildings of any type), and also of means of transport (for example of ships, trains, aircraft etc), as well as of items of furniture, and of objects in general.

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a method that makes it possible to cover and decorate surfaces of various types.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a kit of panels that make it possible to cover and decorate surfaces of various types.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a kit that make it possible to cover and decorate surfaces in an attractive and pleasing manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a kit that make it possible to obtain coatings and decorations of surfaces according to random and unrepeatable textures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method that ensures a high level of reliability in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method that that can be easily implemented using elements and materials that are readily available on the market.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method that can be implemented at low cost.

This aim and these objects are achieved by a method of covering and decorating, that consists in stably fixing at least one metallic laminate to at least one supporting element, at at least one bonding region; subjecting said metallic laminate, fixed stably to said supporting element, to at least one dilation stress, said stress, bucked in at least said bonding region, thus causing the corrugation of said metallic laminate for the provision of a peculiar decorative effect for surfaces of various types, covered by said at least one laminate.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the method and of a panel of the kit, according to the invention, which are illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the method according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation view of a panel of the kit according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a partially sectional view from above of the panel in Figure 2.

Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to the figures, the method according to the invention, shown schematically in Figure 1 and generally designated with the reference numeral 1 , makes it possible to cover and decorate surfaces of various types, such as those of walls, floors and ceilings of buildings of any type, and also of means of transport (for example of ships, trains, aircraft etc), as well as of items of furniture, and of objects in general.

According to the invention, the method 1 consists, in a step a., in stably fixing at least one metallic laminate 2 (preferably, but not exclusively, made of titanium) to at least one supporting element 3, at at least one bonding region. After fixing the laminate 2 to the supporting element 3, the method 1 consists, in a step b., in subjecting the laminate 2 to a dilation stress.

The stress, bucked at least in the above mentioned bonding region, causes (when the stress exceeds a preset value beyond which the bonding is no longer capable of completely resisting the dilation) the corrugation of the metallic laminate 2, which is thus deformed until it forms folds or creases, like those usually formed by cloths and fabrics. This therefore makes it possible to provide and achieve a peculiar, and attractive, decorative effect for surfaces of various types, covered by the laminate 2, and thus to achieve the intended aim.

In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, cited for the non- limiting purpose of illustrating the application of the invention, the step a. of fixing consists, in a step al ., of laying a layer of adhesive 4 on at least the above mentioned bonding region of the supporting element 3 (and in more detail on one face 3a thereof, directed outward and intended to be covered by the laminate 2). Subsequently, the step a. of fixing involves, in a step a2., depositing the laminate 2 on the layer 4, in order to obtain the stable fixing of the metallic laminate 2 to the supporting element 3 at at least the above mentioned bonding region of the supporting element 3.

It should be made clear from this point onward that the region of the supporting element 3 upon which the layer of adhesive 4 is laid can be any and can be contoured in any fashion, and it should also be made clear that the layer di adhesive 4 is laid on the entire face 3 a of the supporting element 3.

It is also advantageous to note that the scope of protection claimed herein covers both the possibility that the supporting element 3 is constituted by the actual surface to be covered (or by a portion thereof), and the possibility that the supporting element 3 is a further component, of the type for example of a plate (preferably, but not exclusively, made of a ceramic material), intended to be deposited rigidly on the surface (or on a portion thereof) in order to cover it.

With further reference to the preferred embodiment, the adhesive that constitutes the layer 4 is preferably, but not exclusively, of the type of a two-sided adhesive (more generally, the use is in any case specified of various different types of glue, including glues that are not two-sided, both in liquid form and in solid form).

Conveniently, the step b. of subjection introduced above consists in striking the laminate 2, previously fixed to the supporting element 3, using at least one impact body, which is movable along a trajectory to intercept the laminate 2. The dilation stress is thus substantially determined by the impact of the body against the laminate 2.

More specifically, the step b. of subjection consists in striking the laminate 2, fixed to the supporting element 3, using a plurality of the above mentioned impact bodies, each one of which is movable along a corresponding trajectory to intercept the laminate 2.

Advantageously, in order to obtain the movement of the bodies along the trajectory until they are brought to strike the laminate 2, the method 1 according to the invention consists, before the step b. of subjection, in activating, in a step c, a jet of compressed air inside a pneumatic circuit, inside which each body is accommodated.

Therefore, following the activation of the jet, it is possible to hurl each body along the corresponding trajectory to intercept the laminate 2, making it exit from a nozzle of the circuit, directed toward the laminate 2, until it strikes the laminate 2 itself, thus subjecting it to the desired stress.

In particular, the jet of compressed air has a pressure that is preferably comprised between 1 bar and 10 bar, and even more preferably it has a pressure of 6 bar.

According to an embodiment of important practical interest, each impact body is constituted substantially by a sphere (or in any case by an object having a substantially spherical/spheroidal shape), made of a material preferably chosen from among a ceramic material, a metallic material (for example tungsten), a vitreous material. Preferably however, each sphere is made of a ceramic material.

Positively, each sphere has a diameter that is preferably comprised between 10 microns and 500 microns and even more preferably each sphere has a diameter equal to 100 microns.

According to an embodiment of considerable practical interest, the method 1 according to the invention consists in repeating at least the step a. of fixing and at least the step b. of subjection (and optionally the step c. of activation) for a plurality of different laminates 2, stably fixed to corresponding supporting elements 3.

At least one process parameter of at least one of the above mentioned steps a. and b. is variable including randomly (in a natural or forced manner), in order to consequently obtain the corrugation of each laminate 2 according to a corresponding and substantially unique texture (precisely as a result of the constant variation of the process parameter).

It is in fact sufficient to vary, even minimally, any parameter relating to at least one of the steps a. and b. disclosed above for each laminate 2 to assume textures (and therefore folds and creases) that are always different (while still substantially simulating pieces of fabric), thus obtaining a peculiar decorative effect for surfaces of various types covered by the laminates 2. In particular (for the purposes of non-limiting example), the process parameter that varies is preferably chosen from among the above mentioned pressure of the jet of air, the diameter of each sphere, the exposure time of the laminate 2 to the nozzle (if the delivery through it of a plurality of spheres is kept constant), the distance between the laminate 2 and the nozzle, the strength of the adhesive or even one of the mechanical properties of each laminate 2. Furthermore it is possible to vary two or more of the parameters listed in the previous paragraph (or others not explicitly mentioned in these pages).

The kit of panels for covering and decoration can be used for surfaces of various types, in order to make them aesthetically attractive and pleasing.

According to the invention, each panel 5 comprises at least one metallic laminate 2, which is stably fixed to at least one corresponding supporting element 3, at at least one bonding region. Each one of the laminates 2 is corrugated according to a corresponding and substantially unique texture (and the corrugation is obtained, preferably but not exclusively, using the method 1 disclosed in the previous pages) for the provision of a peculiar decorative effect for the above mentioned surfaces of various types.

The method 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible, as has been seen in the previous pages, to give a metallic laminate 2, fixed to a supporting element 3, a peculiar texture, which simulates a piece of cloth or fabric with its typical folds or creases.

Such result, as has been seen, is achieved substantially by subjecting in a step b. the laminate 2, previously fixed to the supporting element 3 in a step a., to a "bombardment" using a plurality of impact bodies (for example spheres). The consequent impacts tend to stress and dilate the laminate 2, but this deformation is resisted by the layer of adhesive 4. Beyond a certain stress value, the adhesive is no longer capable of completely resisting the deformation of the laminate 2, which thus corrugates (according to unpredictable forms) and assumes the shape shown in the accompanying figures.

The moment when the folds/creases are formed, and also their shape and arrangement, cannot be predicted with any certainty, and this is the first guarantee of the substantial originality and non-repeatability of the process, which thus makes it possible, at each iteration, to obtain laminates 2 and panels 5 that are always textured differently.

Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the ability to vary or allow to vary the process parameters makes it possible to make each cycle of fixing and subjection absolutely unrepeatable, thereby making it possible to provide laminates 2 and panels 5 that are always textured in a different and unrepeatable manner (unlike what happens with deformation processes of the known type, which instead produce textures of the products obtained that are always identical).

In this way it is possible to cover extensive surfaces at will with a plurality of laminates 2 and panels 5 (and/or with a kit of the type described above) thus obtaining a covering that presents a peculiar and always unique decorative effect, sure to meet with public approval.

As previously mentioned, the surface to be covered and decorated can be any, and for example we cite among the fields of application of the present invention, for the purposes of non-limiting example, architecture, design and art in general, for the covering of objects, furnishings, walls, ceilings (of buildings of every type, but also of means of transport like trains, aircraft, boats, ships etc).

In practice it has been found that the method according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, in that the subjection of a metallic laminate, fixed to a supporting element, to at least one dilation stress, bucked in the bonding region between the laminate and the supporting element, leads to the corrugation of the laminate itself, with consequent provision of a peculiar decorative effect for surfaces of various types, covered by the laminate.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

For example, specific materials can be adopted (or specific additives for the materials mentioned above, relating to the adhesive, the laminate 2 and the supporting element 3) in order to give the various components and panels 5 specific properties, such as acoustic insulation, resistance to bad weather, to chemical attack etc.

Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.