Description

The present invention relates to a strip-shaped sandwich structure comprising two parallel cover plates between which ribs extend for reinforcing the sandwich structure.

The sandwich structure is already known. A sandwich structure containing parallel length ribs which extend in the length direction, between the cover plates, for reinforcing the sandwich structure and parallel width ribs which extend in the width direction, between the cover plates, for reinforcing the sandwich structure, is already known.

An area of application for the above-mentioned sandwich structure relates to pallets. The length ribs and width ribs provide reinforcement to the sandwich structure in such a way that this structure is strong enough to function as a pallet.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a strip-shaped sandwich structure, comprising: strip-shaped sandwich structure, comprising: two parallel cover plates, wherein the cover plates are made of cardboard and/or fibreboard, parallel length ribs which extend in a length direction, between the cover plates, for reinforcing the sandwich structure, wherein the length ribs are made of cardboard and/or fibreboard; parallel width ribs which extend in a width direction, between the cover plates, for reinforcing the sandwich structure, wherein the width ribs are oriented against, or close to, one of the two parallel cover plates and extend towards the second of the two parallel cover plates such that a receiving distance remains between the width ribs and the second of the two parallel cover plates.

It was the insight of the inventor that a sandwich structure may also be suitable for packing worktops. It is possible to place the worktops, via their end face, against a length rib, via the receiving distance between the width rib and the second of the two cover plates. This ensure that the worktop may be transported safe and robust. The risk of damage to the worktop, during transport, is substantially reduced when the worktop is provided, i.e. is packaged with, a sandwich structure in accordance with the present disclosure. The sandwich structure in accordance with the present disclosure does not require the stiffness and the deflection properties of the known sandwich structure, as this one is used in a different manner. The sandwich structure in accordance with the present disclosure is used, preferably, on work tops that are subject to transport.

To provide sufficient support to a work top during transport there is a need for a receiving distance in the sandwich structure. The receiving distance is determined by the width ribs, the second of the two cover plates and one length rib. The work top is thus able to be shoved between the width ribs and the second of the two cover plates against the one length rib. This accomplishes an encapsulation of the work top in the sandwich structure.

It was further an insight of the inventors that the structure of cover plates with ribs enables the use of cardboard and/or fibreboard. Cardboard and/or fibreboard is a material with a relatively low quality. The said structure, however, provides for sufficient stiffness for the cover plates and the ribs to support a worktop during transport.

In the context of the present invention, cardboard and/or fibreboard is seen as a board which is composed of paper consisting of several layers, resulting in a weight of more than 179 grams per square meter.

In the context of the present invention, fibreboard is seen as a board which is composed of fibres to which a binder has been added. In principle, all kinds of fibres may be used, but in practice, wood chips are often used. Alternatively, straw, flax, fibreglass, bagasse, carbon fibres and aramid fibres may be used.

Furthermore, there is a large diversity of binders which are suitable for use in manufacturing a fibreboard, such as thermosets, lignin or resin. Some examples of fibreboard are wood fibreboard, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), chipboard, hardboard, softboard, fibre-reinforced plastic and plywood.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the height of the length ribs is equal to the distance between the cover plates. Because of this, the width ribs have a height which is smaller than the height of the length ribs.

In a simple embodiment, folding box board and/or fibreboard is used. Folding box board and/or fibreboard is manufactured from, for example, waste paper, poplar and pine wood and has a weight of between 200 and 600 grams per square meter. In an example, the width ribs extend towards the second of the two cover plates such that a receiving distance remains between the width ribs and the second of the two cover plates of between 1cm - 12cm.

The inventor has taken note of the renewed trend in worktops that these are becoming thinner ever since. Nowadays, worktops with a thickness of 1 cm are already being sold. Especially with work tops having a large size, for example 3 meter times 2 meter or the like, the risk exists that such thin work tops become damages during transport. This risk is reduced by matching the receiving distance to the thickness of the work tops. The receiving distance is, for example, 1cm, 2cm or 2,5 cm for a work top which is 1 cm thick. This prevents that the work top starts to move during transport, and thus also prevents that any damages occur.

In an example, the width of the strip-shaped sandwich structure is between 3cm - 15cm.

The width relates, indirectly, to the distance with which a work top provides access into the sandwich structure. Preferably, this is a couple of centimetre such that the work top is in a fortified position.

In another example, the length of the sandwich structure is between

20cm - 5m.

Preferably, the sandwich structure is provided to an end face of the work top, along substantially its whole distance. A work top of, for example, 4 meter long shall be provided with a sandwich structure over the whole 4 meter. The sandwich structure may be 4 meters long, but this could also comprise several sandwich structures attached to each other.

Further, the work tops are, preferably, provided, at each edge, with a sandwich structure to reduce the risk to damages even further. This means that not only the edge with which the work top rests on the floor is provided with a sandwich structure, but also the remaining edges are provided with a sandwich structure. As such, almost no edges are in sight anymore.

The advantage of the above is that the work top can be transported vertically, i.e. in an upright manner, and that the work top can be transported horizontally. The sandwich structure in accordance with the present invention reduces the risk to damages in both scenarios.

In an example, the length ribs are attached cover plates by adhesive bonding. Because of this, the length ribs are positioned in a fixed manner relative to the cover plates, such that an even support of the cover plates by the length ribs is guaranteed.

Further, preferably, an adhesive is used and/or a waterproof glue such as melamine glue. Using adhesives, wooden elements can easily be connected securely. Waterproof melamine glue is not sensitive for moisture, such that the sandwich structure can also be used in damped environments.

In an example, the width ribs are attached to the one of the two cover plates by adhesive bonding.

As an alternative, the width ribs may be floating. That means that the length ribs may be provided with recesses so that the width ribs may be shoved to ensure that they are at their position. The width ribs ensure for alignment of the length ribs. The width ribs then do not have, or have limited, influence on the force that is exerted on the cover plates.

In a further example, the width ribs and/or the length ribs are arranged at equal distances from one another.

The advantage hereof is that it leads to an even distribution of the strength of the sandwich structure.

In a further example, the two cover plates extend, at an end surface, in width direction, relative to a length rib.

Herewith, it may be possible that the width ribs extend until the end of the cover plates. The length rib is, for example, 3cm - 10cm positioned away from the edge of the cover plate. This enables that the work top inserts 3cm - 10cm in the sandwich structure.

In a second aspect, there is provided an assembly of a strip-shaped sandwich structure in accordance with any of the previous examples and a worktop.

This aspect is directed to the application of a sandwich structure. That means a sandwich structure that is intended for a work top. This could be a top of a desk, table, or kitchen counter to work on. The work top may be made from stone, plastic, or any other material.

In another example, a thickness of the worktop matches the receiving distance. In yet another example, the worktop has a bottom side and a top side, wherein the sandwich structure is mounted, via one of the two cover plates, to the bottom side of the worktop.

In yet a further example, the worktop is a kitchen worktop.

A work top, for example a kitchen work top, may be, for example, 61cm deep, or for example a maximum of 130 cm, and may have a width of 1 meter, 2 meter, 3 meter, 4 meter, or for example 130cm, or something like thath.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below by means of some preferred embodiments according to the present invention. In the explanation, reference will be made to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a sandwich structure according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows another cross-sectional view of a sandwich construction according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows an assembly of a sandwich structure and a work top, in accordance with the present invention.

Looking at Figure 1, a cross-sectional view 1 of a strip-shaped sandwich structure according to the present invention is shown. The sandwich structure is strip-shaped because the structure is longer than it is wide and because the structure has a small thickness. The structure is therefore elongate and has a small thickness.

The sandwich structure comprises two parallel cover plates 2, 5, wherein the cover plates 2, 5 are made of cardboard and/or fibreboard and wherein the cover plates 2, 5 are not offset with respect to each other in a width direction.

Both cover plates 2, 5 are made of cardboard and/or fibreboard, more specifically, for example, of folding box board and/or fibreboard.

Folding box board and/or fibreboard usually consists of three or more layers of cellulose fibres. Each layer may in this case have its own composition. The layers are pressed onto one another in a cardboard and/or fibreboard machine. The upper side of the folding box board and/or fibreboard is usually white and can be provided with a coating layer. The advantage of a coating layer is that this layer can subsequently be printed using a variety of printing techniques. It is also possible to treat folding box board and/or fibreboard in such a way that it is water-repellent or oil- repellent.

The sandwich structure further comprises parallel length ribs 4 which extend in the length direction, between the cover plates 2, 5, for reinforcing the sandwich structure, wherein the length ribs 4 are made of cardboard and/or fibreboard.

The length direction is defined as the direction at right angles to the figure. That is to say into the figure. Figure 1 shows the head ends of the length ribs 4. The length ribs 4 connect the cover plates 2, 5 to each other. Preferably, the cover plates 2, 5 are connected to the length ribs 4 by adhesive bonding.

The distance 9 between the length ribs 4 is typically between 10 mm - 50 mm. Such a distance provides sufficient rigidity, and stiffness, to the sandwich structure. Preferably, the distance between the length ribs 4 is approximately equal.

The strip-shaped sandwich structure furthermore comprises parallel width ribs which extend in the width direction, between the cover plates 2, 5, for and primary have the function of aligning the length ribs 6, wherein the width ribs are made of cardboard and/or fibreboard and are at a mutual distance from one another of between 10 mm - 150 mm.

According to the present invention, the cover plates 2, 5, the length ribs 4 and the width ribs are formed such that the distance 8 between the cover plates is between 4cm and 20cm. To accomplish this, the thickness 10 of the cover plates 2, 5 is typically between 0,1mm - 10mm, preferably between 0,1mm - 4mm.

The receiving distance 10, that is the distance between the top side of the width ribs 4 and the top cover plate 2, is preferably matched to the work top for which it is intended to be used. This distance is, for example, 1 centimetre but may also run up to 10 centimetre.

Figure 2 shows another cross-sectional view of a sandwich construction according to the present invention.

Elements in all figures having the same reference numeral have the same, or similar, meaning.

In this specific case there is a cross-sectional view made from the end surface of the sandwich structure 21. Here, the length ribs 6 are shown, that are distributed evenly at the same distance from each other. Further, the receiving distance 10 is shown, which receiving distance 10 preferably is matched to the thickness of the work top.

Finally, the insertion depth 22 is shown. This is the depth with which a work top is inserted into the sandwich structure, and against the length rib 6 leans. The insertion depth 22 is, preferably, minimum 4 cm such that the work top is encapsulated well.

Figure 3 shows an assembly 31 of a sandwich structure and a work top 32, in accordance with the present invention.

The work top may be any type of work top 32, for example a kitchen work top a bureau top or something like that. The kitchen work top may be made a plastic kitchen work top, a granite kitchen work top or any other type of material kitchen work top.

The above description and the figures are only shown to clarify the invention and by no means limit the scope of protection of the invention, which is defined by the attached claims. Alternative embodiments and further measures are possible without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Strip shaped sandwich structures according to the present invention are, for example, suitable for use as slats, for example when stiffness in the direction at right angles to the plane of the sandwich structure is important and/or when the weight of a device in which the sandwich structure may be used is an important aspect. Environmental aspects may also play a part when deciding to use a sandwich structure according to the present invention.