DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of furniture and similar. In particular, the object of the invention is a covering for the door of a piece of furniture.

State of the Art

As known, techniques exist that allow to change the aesthetic appearance of a piece of furniture, in particular of its doors, in order to customize it.

One of the above mentioned techniques consists in making furniture having standardized dimensions as well as furniture doors having different appearances and mutually interchangeable when needed.

The above mentioned technique has the drawback that it needs several types of door to be provided for each possible dimension of the piece of furniture, with a clear disadvantage on the production and stocking costs point of view.

The above mentioned technique has the further drawback that a customer willing to change the aesthetic appearance of a furniture door after purchasing the piece of furniture, needs to buy a new door that is equivalent to the first one except for having a different appearance, and bear the corresponding costs.

Furthermore, in order to obtain the new door, the above mentioned customer is required to go to a shop or to request delivery at home. In the latter case, the customer must bear the corresponding delivery costs, that are relatively high due to the dimensions and weight of the door.

A further known technique that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks envisages using a sheet to be secured to the outward face of the door through an adhesive substance so as to cover the said face. The sheet displays specific colors and aesthetic effects suitable to change the appearance of the door.

The above mentioned technique has the drawback that it is not reversible. In particular, the adhesive substance needs to be sufficiently strong to prevent the sheet from becoming accidentally detached from the door, hence it makes it difficult to remove the sheet after it has been secured to the door without altering the appearance of the outward face of the door, or damaging the face itself.

The above mentioned technique has a further drawback that it makes relatively complex to apply the sheet in the correct position. In fact, once the sheet is laid on the door's face, the adhesive substance prevents correction of possible position errors.

As a consequence, a further drawback arises, namely the operation of applying the above mentioned sheet requires a certain ability, hence the sheet is unsuited to be applied directly by the user of the piece of furniture.

The above mentioned sheet brings the further drawback that it only covers the outward face of the door, not the inward face, and this negatively affects the overall aesthetic appearance of the furniture during use.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is aimed at overcoming at least in part the above mentioned drawbacks of the known art.

In particular, it is an aim of the invention to provide a device for covering a furniture door, allowing to change the aesthetic appearance of the door without the need to replace the door.

It is a further aim of the invention to allow removal of the covering device from the door without damaging it.

Another aim of the invention is to render the assembling and disassembling operations of the covering device within the reach of a user, without the need of specific technical skills.

It is a further aim of the invention that the covering device be applicable to the door without removing the door from the piece of furniture.

It is also an aim of the invention to reduce the costs to deliver the covering device from the manufacturer to the user.

The above mentioned aims are reached by a covering device according to the main claim.

The above mentioned aims are reached as well by a covering kit according to claim 13.

The above mentioned aims are reached as well by a covering method according to claim 14.

Further detail features of the invention are specified in the corresponding dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the covering device of the invention comprises a laminar element suited to cover a first side of the door and that can be firmly, yet removably, associated to the door through two or more mutually opposite end portions of the laminar element, the end portions being suited to be arranged around respective edges of the door and in contact with the opposite side of the door so as to define corresponding pockets that house the above mentioned edges of the door and prevent separation of the covering device from the door.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a first one of the above mentioned end portions can be raised in order to open the corresponding pocket to allow separating the covering device from the door, retaining means being present that are operable to prevent the above mentioned raising of the first end portion so as to prevent the above mentioned separation, the retaining means being releasable.

In some embodiments of the invention, the laminar element may be made in a stiff material, for example metal sheet.

In further embodiments of the invention, the laminar element may be made in a flexible material, for example fabric.

Advantageously, the possibility to use the covering device of the invention to cover a door and change the door's aesthetic appearance prevents the need to buy a new door, hence limiting the relating costs for modification.

Still advantageously, the ease of application to the door, and removal of the covering device from the door, allow the above operations to be performed directly at home by the user of the piece of furniture, and, together with the limited cost for transporting the device, renders the device particularly suited to be delivered by mail. The ease of application and removal brings the further advantage to allow to easily change the aesthetic appearance of the door, even for short periods of time, by simply replacing the covering device with a different one.

The above mentioned aims and advantages, together with others that will be mentioned hereinafter, will appear more evidently from the following disclosure of some preferred embodiments of the invention, that are explained for exemplary and non-limiting purpose with the help of the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figs. 1 and 2 schematically show the device of the invention, in axonometric view according to respective orientations.

Fig. 3 shows the device of Fig. 1 in a first operating configuration, in axonometric and partially broken view.

Figs. 4 and 5 show the device of Fig. 1 , respectively in a second and a third operating configurations, in axonometric view.

Fig. 6 shows a detail of the device of Fig. 1 in the same operating configuration as shown in Fig. 4, in lateral view, sectioned according to plane VI-VI.

Fig. 7 shows the device of Fig. 1 in a developed plan view.

Fig. 8 schematically shows a second embodiment of the device of the invention, in axonometric view.

Fig. 9 shows the device of Fig. 8, in lateral view, sectioned according to plane IX-IX of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows a development view of the device of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 schematically shows a third embodiment of the device of the invention, in axonometric view.

Fig. 12 schematically shows a fourth embodiment of the device of the invention, in axonometric view.

Fig. 13 shows the device of Fig. 12 in a development view.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

According to a first embodiment of the invention, that is shown in the Figures from 1 to 7, the covering device, thereto referred to on the whole as 1, is intended to be constrained to a door A of a piece of furniture F, that is schematically shown in dashed line in Fig. 5 in an operating configuration in which the covering device 1 covers a first side B of the door A, preferably but not necessarily the side facing outside of the piece of furniture F.

It is noted that, in the present specification, the term "door" is generally used to indicate an element in the form of a panel, that is removably constrained - e.g. rotatably or slidably - to a piece of furniture in order to close an opening providing access to the inner compartment of the piece of furniture, and that can be opened to allow accessing the above mentioned inner compartment.

Clearly, the door A may have any shape and dimensions, though its planform is commonly generally quadrangular and, even more frequently, generally rectangular. It is noted that, for more clarity, the door A is shown in the drawings by a dashed surface, in order to better distinguish it from the covering device 1.

The covering device 1 comprises a first laminar element 2 intended to cover, partially or, more preferably, completely, a first side B of the door A. Clearly, the shape and the dimensions of the first laminar element 2 are such as to allow constraining it to a door A with given shape and dimensions, as it will be disclosed in the following. Still preferably, the shape and dimensions of the first laminar element 2 are substantially corresponding to those of the first side B to be covered.

The first laminar element 2 is constrained to the door A through a connecting unit 3 that comprises a second laminar element 4 and a third laminar element 5 associated to respective opposite edges of the first laminar element 2, as can be seen particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. As can be seen in Fig. 5, the second laminar element 4 and the third laminar element 5 are superimposed to the first laminar element 2 to define, respectively, a first pocket 8 and a second pocket 9 that allow to constrain the first laminar element 2 to corresponding opposite edges D, E of the door A.

It is noted that, in the present specification, the term "pocket" is used generally to indicate a unit comprising two laminar elements mutually superimposed and interconnected to a corresponding end of a connecting portion so as to delimit a housing, the housing being delimited by a bottom wall defined by the above mentioned connecting portion, the housing being open on the side opposite to the bottom wall, in such a way as to allow that a body be inserted into the housing until it becomes arranged in contact with the bottom wall. It is further noted that the term "pocket" is not to be meant as to establish any limitation about the housing being open or closed at the sides that laterally delimit the housing, namely the sides developing from the bottom wall to the side opposite thereto.

Pockets 8 and 9 are provided with corresponding, mutually facing openings 8a and 9a, through which it is possible to removably insert in the pockets corresponding opposite edges D and E of the door A. The edge D can be seen in Fig. 3, where a part of pocket 9 has been removed to allow to see the door A arranged inside it. Pockets 8, 9 are further provided with corresponding closed ends 8b, 9b, each one of which delimits the corresponding pocket 8, 9 on the side of it that is opposite to the respective opening 8a, 9a. When the door A is housed in the pockets 8, 9, the above mentioned closed ends prevent movement of the door according to the direction oriented from a pocket to the other one, as it can be seen from Fig. 5.

Clearly, pockets 8 and 9 are configured in such a way that, when they are coupled to the opposite edges D and E of the door A, they keep the laminar element 2 stretched so as to ensure that they are effectively constrained to the door, at the same time preventing possible unaesthetic deformations of the laminar element 2.

In particular, at least one among the first laminar element 2, the second laminar element 4, and the third laminar element 5 can be deformed in such a way as to allow releasing the pockets 8, 9 from the furniture door A.

Retaining means 10 are further present, operable to prevent deformation of the above mentioned deformable laminar element in order to prevent the above mentioned release, so that the covering device 1 be stably secured to the door A. The retaining means 10 are releasable as well, so as to allow subsequent release of the pockets 8, 9 from the door A.

It is understood that the above disclosed covering device 1 , since it covers the first side B of the door A with the laminar element 2, reaches the aim to allow customizing the aesthetic appearance of the door A. Clearly, the laminar element 2 may achieve any required aesthetic effect, e.g. any combination of colors, graphic patterns, materials. Additionally, the pattern and color of the laminar element 2 may be such as to imitate a material that is different from that of the door A.

Furthermore, thanks to pockets 8 and 9 it is possible to have the covering device 1 constrained to the door A, while the deformability of one or more of the laminar elements 2, 4, 5 allow the subsequent release without damaging the door A, so as to reach a further aim of the invention.

It is also understood that the application of covering device 1 to the door A, and its subsequent removal from the door, are easy and quick operations that do not require particular technical skills, hence they can be performed directly by the user of the piece of furniture, thus reaching a further aim of the invention.

Furthermore, since the covering device 1 simply covers an existing door A instead of replacing the door, its weight is considerably lower compared to that of the door A, hence reaching the aim of being deliverable by the manufacturer to the user at a reduced cost.

Preferably, the above disclosed deformability of a laminar element is achieved by configuring the second laminar element 4 so that it can be moved apart from the first laminar element 2 in order to widen the opening 8a that belongs to the corresponding first pocket 8, as shown in the Figs from 1 to 4.

It is noted that, in the present specification, the movement apart of a first laminar element, faced to a second laminar element and having a first edge connected to the latter, is to be meant as a movement through which a second edge belonging to the first laminar element opposite to the above mentioned first edge is moved away from the second laminar element, and is achieved e.g. by rotating the first laminar element around the first edge, so as to increase the angle of divergence between the two laminar elements.

The above mentioned widening of opening 8a allows to release the first laminar element 2 from the door A, thus allowing to extract the covering device 1 from the second pocket 9. Preferably, the covering device 1 is configured in such a way that its shape and dimensions in operating configuration correspond to those of the door A, in order to ensure complete interchangeability between uncovered door A and covered door

A

Preferably, the laminar elements 2, 4 and 5 are made in a flexible material. Still preferably, the above mentioned flexible material comprises a fabric or an equivalent material.

The use of the above mentioned flexible material, in particular, allows to perform the said movement apart of the second laminar element 4 from the first laminar element 2. Furthermore, advantageously, the flexible material renders the delivery of the covering device 1 cheaper, since the covering device may be folded to make it occupy an extremely limited space.

Preferably, the second laminar element 4 is connected to the first laminar element 2 only at the closed end 8a of the first pocket 8, while the two lateral edges of the second laminar element 4 that delimit the first pocket 8 at the corresponding opposite ends are separable from the first laminar element 2.

As regards the third laminar element 5, preferably the opposite ends of the corresponding opening 9a are fixedly connected to the first laminar element 2 through unreleasable join elements, such as stitching, adhesive substances, or material continuity. Advantageously, the configuration just disclosed allows to keep the first laminar element 2 constrained to the door A not only in a direction perpendicular to the direction of development of the openings 8a and 9a, but also in a direction parallel to it.

It is understood that the same advantage can be achieved as well by providing releasable join elements, such as buttons, velcro ®, pegs, clips, zippers, or whatever connecting means of known kind suitable to removably connecting the above mentioned opposite ends of the opening 9a to the first laminar element 2.

Still preferably, the second laminar element 4 and the third laminar element 5 are integrally connected to the first laminar element 2 so as to define a single laminar element 14, that may be possibly developed as shown in Fig. 7. Advantageously, the use of a single laminar element 14 allows to simplify the manufacture of the covering device 1 , which can be obtained through folds like those that are shown in Fig. 7 in dash-dot lines, in order to limit the use of the join elements between the laminar elements 2, 4 and 5.

In the case just mentioned, preferably the single laminar element 14 comprises two wings 6 and 7 projecting from corresponding opposite sides of the first laminar element 2 and that, when folded, allow to mutually connect the two elements at the above mentioned opposite sides through stitching or through one of the other join elements previously mentioned. Clearly, in variant embodiments of the invention one or both wings 6 and 7 may project from the third laminar element 5 instead of from the first laminar element 2. It is also evident that the single laminar element 14 may be configured in a different way compared to that shown in Fig. 7, yet allowing to obtain a functionally equivalent covering device 1.

As regards the retaining means 10, preferably they comprise one or more reversible join elements 11 , for example of the above disclosed kinds, to stably connect the second laminar element 4 to the first laminar element 2.

Furthermore, preferably, the second laminar element 4 and the third laminar element 5 can be mutually superimposed at corresponding superimposition zones 4a and 5a, as can be seen in particular in Fig. 6 in sectioned view. The configuration just mentioned allows to cover also the second side C of the door A opposite to the first side B, that can be seen when the door A is open, for the benefit of the aesthetic result.

Furthermore, one or more of the above mentioned reversible join elements 11 , for example a velcro ® band 11a, may be arranged so as to mutually connect the superimposition zones 4a, 5a. Advantageously, the configuration just disclosed allows very effectively to prevent the accidental movement of the second laminar element 4 apart from the first laminar element 2. Still advantageously, the connection between the two laminar elements 4 and 5 renders even more stable the constraint of the covering device 1 to the door A.

Preferably, the reversible join elements 11 are arranged on the side of the second laminar element 4 facing opposite from the first laminar element 2 when the covering device 1 is in a configuration suited to constrain the door A, and on the side of the third laminar element 5 facing towards the first laminar element 2. In this way, the connection between the two laminar elements 4 and 5 occurs by arranging the superimposition zone 4a of the second laminar element 4 so as to be interposed between the first laminar element 2 and the third laminar element 5, as it can be seen in Fig. 6.

Preferably, the second laminar element 4 also comprises one or more windows 12 that define corresponding through holes in the first pocket 8. The above mentioned through holes are configured in such a way that, when the covering device 1 is in operating configuration, they are aligned to respective hinges G connecting the door A to the piece of furniture F in order to house the hinges, as can be seen in Figs from 3 to 5. Advantageously, the above mentioned windows 12 allow to keep the covering device 1 on the door A with no need to either drill the covering device 1 or remove the hinges G from the door, bringing further advantage for the ease of use of the device.

Still preferably, the above mentioned windows 12 develops until the edge of the second laminar element 4 that, in operating configuration, faces towards the second pocket 9. In such a way, each window 12 has a corresponding end open at the above mentioned edge, the open end allowing to associate the covering device 1 to the door A with no need to disassemble the door A from the piece of furniture F. In fact, after coupling the second pocket 9 to the door A, the windows 12 allow to insert the second laminar element 4 between the first edge D of the door A and the piece of furniture F.

Operatively, the covering device 1 is associated to the door A by inserting the second edge E of the door in the pocket 9, as shown in Fig. 3. Then, the second laminar element 4 is folded around the other edge D of the door A and inserted in the pocket 9 so that a portion 4a of it is superimposed on a portion 5a of the third laminar element 5. Fig. 4 shows an intermediate stage of the operation just disclosed, in which the second laminar element 4 is folded only in part. In the above mentioned folded configuration, the reversible join elements 11 of the two laminar elements 4 and 5 may be coupled to stably connect the latter two elements to one another, as shown in Fig. 6.

According to a variant embodiment of the invention, the laminar elements 2, 4 and 5 may be made in a rigid material, and the movement of the second laminar element 4 apart from the first laminar element 2 may be achieved, for example, by a plastically deformable portion connecting the second laminar element 4 to the first laminar element 2.

In the latter variant embodiment, the retaining means 10 may comprise the resistance of the above mentioned plastically deformable portion to plastic deformation, which can be sufficient to prevent the above movement apart of the second laminar element 4 from accidentally occurring.

Advantageously, the covering device 1 in a rigid material renders it particularly suited to the use on a door A belonging to a piece of kitchen furniture, because the rigid material may be cleaned without removing it from the door A. Preferably, the rigid material is a metal, that advantageously may be chosen to resist to food and other chemically aggressive substances that may be used in cooking.

A second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figs. 8 and 9, displays a covering device 100 comprising a first laminar element 102 and a connecting unit 103 that are functionally similar to the respective elements in the first embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment substantially in that the corresponding retaining means 110 comprise threadlike elements 111 associated to the second laminar element 104 and to the third laminar element 105 in such a way that a pulling action exerted on the threadlike elements 111 causes a shrinkage of the corresponding pockets 8, 9. It is understood that, when the covering device 100 is associated to the door A, the above mentioned shrinkage leads to a tension in the corresponding laminar elements 104, 105 around the opposite edges D, E of the door A, the tension allowing to achieve the above mentioned constraint.

Preferably, the threadlike element 111 is slidingly associated to the corresponding laminar elements 104, 105. This may be achieved, for example, by providing in the laminar elements 104, 105 corresponding housings that develop along the edges of the laminar elements, each of which slidingly receives a corresponding threadlike element 111. Each housing may be obtained, for example, by folding an edge portion of each laminar element 104, 105 so as to arrange it facing the remaining portion of the corresponding laminar element, then fixing the edge of the above mentioned edge portion to the laminar element.

Still preferably, each housing may be accessed through a hole in order to reach the threadlike element 111 so as to subject it to the above mentioned pulling action. Still more preferably, a portion of the threadlike element 111 , preferably shaped like an eyelet, projects from the above mentioned hole to facilitate the user in applying the pulling action.

Preferably, each laminar element 104 and 105 is associated to a corresponding one of the above mentioned threadlike elements 111. Each laminar element 104 and 105 may has also a plurality of the above mentioned holes and/or threadlike elements 111 , advantageously allowing to achieve a uniform tension on particularly long laminar elements 104, 105.

According to a variant embodiment, a single threadlike element 111 is provided to connect the above mentioned laminar elements 104, 105 to one another. In this way, the pulling of the threadlike element 111 causes a mutual approach between the laminar elements 104, 105, hence constraining the covering device 100 to the door A.

Still preferably, the second laminar element 104 and the third laminar element 105 are made in one piece and develop on corresponding mutually adjacent portions of the perimeter of the first laminar element 102. Advantageously, this allows to achieve a particularly effective constraint of the covering device 100 to the door A. Still preferably, the laminar elements 104 and 105 develop on the entire perimeter of the first laminar element 102.

Preferably, the first laminar element 102, the second laminar element 104, and the third laminar element 105 belong to a single laminar element 114, as in the covering device 1 according to the first embodiment. The single laminar element 114 develops as shown in Fig. 10, and the same considerations and advantages as already explained in relation to the covering device 1 are applicable to that element 114 as well.

Preferably, the embodiment above mentioned lacks any windows similar to windows 12 of the first embodiment, and it is particularly suited for a piece of furniture F where the hinges G connecting the door A to the piece of furniture F are fixed to the door A at a distance from the door's edge D facing the piece of furniture F, in order that the hinges G do not extend on a portion having a given width of the second side C of the door adjacent to the edge D. In that case, the coupling of the covering device 100 to the door A can be achieved with no need for removing hinges G from the door A, or removing the door A from the piece of furniture F, even if the above mentioned windows are not provided. In fact, if the laminar element 104, 105 superimposed on edge D of the door extends towards the inside of the door A for a distance that is not greater than the width of the above mentioned portion of the second side C, that will suffice.

The above embodiment is also particularly suited for a door A that is being connected to the piece of furniture F through sliding guides, not shown in the drawings but per-se known, the sliding guides being fixed at a certain distance from the above mentioned edge D of the door in order to fulfill the same condition as those just disclosed for the hinges G.

Clearly, all the considerations already made in relation to the first embodiment are applicable as well, by analogy, to the second embodiment just disclosed, provided due account is taken of the obvious necessary adaptations.

Operatively, in the embodiment just disclosed, the second edge E of the door A is inserted in the pocket 9, and the first edge D is inserted in the end 8a of the pocket 8 after widening. Subsequently, pulling the threadlike elements 111 allows to shrink the pocket 8 around the first edge D, so as to stably constrain the covering device 100 to the door A, as shown in Fig. 8.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 11. The covering device 200 according to the third embodiment is a combination of the two previous embodiments. In particular, the embodiment comprises a first laminar element 202 and a connecting unit 203, that are functionally similar to those already disclosed in relation to the previous embodiments. The connecting unit 203 comprises a second laminar element 204 and a third laminar element 205, that correspond to the second laminar element 4 and third laminar element 5 of the above disclosed first embodiment and that, preferably, comprise corresponding superimposition zones 204a and 205a. Fig. 11 shows in continuous lines the above mentioned laminar elements 204 and 205 when in widened position, and in dashed lines when in contact to the door A in a constrain position.

The above embodiment differs from the previous ones substantially in that the connecting unit 203 comprises a further second laminar element 204' and a further third laminar element 205', that are associated to corresponding opposite edges belonging to the first laminar element 202, the opposite edges defining corresponding pockets completely similar to those defined by the laminar elements 204 and 205.

As regards the retaining means 210, they are similar to the retaining means 10 disclosed in the first embodiment. Retaining means 210 further comprise one or more threadlike elements 111 associated to the above mentioned further second laminar element 204' and/or to the above mentioned further third laminar element 205'. The functions of the threadlike elements 111 in relation to the further laminar elements 204' and 205' are similar to the functions discussed for the above disclosed second embodiment.

Preferably, the third embodiment comprises windows 212 belonging to one of the laminar elements 204, 205, that are functionally similar to the windows 12 of the first embodiment.

Clearly, all the considerations already made for the first embodiment and for the second embodiment are applicable as well, by analogy, to the third embodiment just disclosed, provided due account is taken of the obvious necessary adaptations.

Advantageously, the embodiment just disclosed allows to cover the second side C of the door A more completely compared to the previous embodiment.

Operatively, initially the covering device 200 is constrained to the door A in the same way as disclosed for the previous embodiment, through constraining the door A to the further laminar elements 204' and 205' by acting on the threadlike elements 111. Subsequently, the laminar elements 204 and 205, that are initially moved apart as shown in Fig. 11 , are then arranged in contact with the door A so that they take a configuration like the one indicated in dashed lines in Fig. 11 , so that their corresponding zones 204a, 205a are being superimposed on one another, and are then stably connected mutually through retaining means 210 similar to those of the first embodiment above disclosed. In this case as well, the first laminar element 204 is preferably inserted below the second laminar element 205.

In Fig. 11 , the laminar elements 204, 205 are shown as being distinct with respect of the further laminar elements 204', 205'. Nevertheless, in a variant embodiment of the invention, that is not shown in the drawings, one or both laminar elements 204, 205 may also belong to the further laminar elements 204', 205', for example they may be corresponding extensions belonging to the further laminar elements 204', 205'.

In a further variant embodiment, that is not shown in the drawings, one of the laminar elements 204, 205 may be directly superimposed on one of the further laminar elements 204', 205' and may be connected to it through the retaining means 210. In this case, the other one of the two laminar elements 204, 205 may be omitted.

According to a variant embodiment of the invention, not shown in the drawings, and that is applicable to any one of the three embodiments above disclosed, the deformability of one or more of the first laminar element 2, 102, 202, the second laminar element 4, 104, 204, and the third laminar element 5, 105, 205, may be achieved by making the first laminar element in an elastically-yeldable material, so that the two pockets 8, 9 can be moved mutually apart by exerting a pulling action on the edges of the first laminar element, until releasing the pockets from the door A. This implies that the retaining means 10, 110, 210 comprise the elastic springback of the first laminar element 2. Clearly, the feature just disclosed may also be used in addition to the embodiments already disclosed, in order to confer elasticity to the covering device so as to facilitate assembling on the door. A fourth embodiment of the invention, shown in Fig. 12, includes a covering device 300 that comprises a first laminar element 302 and a connecting unit 303, the connecting unit 303 comprising a second laminar element 304 and a third laminar element 305. The above mentioned elements are functionally similar to those already disclosed in the previous embodiments. The second laminar element 304 may comprise windows 312 functionally similar to the windows 12 belonging to the first embodiment.

The above embodiment differs from the previous ones substantially because the first laminar element 302, the second laminar element 304 and the third laminar element 305 belong to a single sheet 314 in a rigid material, for example a metal sheet, whose development is schematically shown in Fig. 13. The rigid material, and, in particular, the metal sheet, brings the same advantages already mentioned during the disclosure of the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the retaining means 310 comprise a plastically deformable folding zone 311 belonging to the sheet 314, that connects the second laminar element 304 to the first laminar element 302. By moving the second laminar element 304 apart from the first laminar element 302, and by superimposing it to the latter, the covering device 300 can be, respectively, released from- and constrained to- the door A. The plasticity of the folding zone 311 is such as to allow, on the one hand, to move the second laminar element 304 apart from the first laminar element 302, and, on the other hand, to stably keep the second laminar element 304 in the non-moved-apart configuration.

Preferably, the folding zone 311 is defined by a corresponding zone of the sheet 314 having a reduced thickness, the zone 314 facilitating folding the second laminar element 304 along a preset folding line shown in dash-dot lines in Fig. 13. The reduced-thickness zone may be obtained for example by stamping or by compression of the sheet 314.

Preferably, the first laminar element 302 has a generally rectangular shape, and the second laminar element 304 and third laminar element 305 are associated, respectively, to two mutually opposite first edges belonging to the first laminar element 302.

Still preferably, the connecting unit 303 comprises another second laminar element 304' and another third laminar element 305' belonging to, respectively, the other two edges of the first laminar element 302. Hence, the constraint of the covering device 300 to the door A is achieved on all of the four sides of the door A, to advantage of the stability of the constraint.

Operatively, the covering device 300 according to the fourth embodiment is operated by arranging the first laminar element 302 in contact with the first side B of the door A. Subsequently, the laminar elements 304, 304', 305, 305' are being folded around the edges of the door as shown in Fig. 12, in order to constrain the covering device 300 to the door A.

The present invention also concerns a covering kit for a piece of furniture, that, for the sake of simplicity, is referred to as a whole in the drawings using the same reference 13. The kit 13 comprises a furniture door A and a covering device 1 , 100, 200, 300 according to any one of the embodiments above disclosed.

In particular, the covering device 1 , 100, 200, 300 is configured so that the corresponding first laminar element 2, 102, 202, 302 of the covering device 1 , 100, 200, 300 can be positioned in contact with the first side B of the door A, and that the connecting unit 3, 103, 203, 303 of the covering device can be positioned in contact with the second side C of the door A, in such a way as to constrain the covering device 1 , 100, 200, 300 to the furniture door A.

The present invention also concerns a method for covering a furniture door A, the method comprising covering the first side B of the door A with a first laminar element 2, 102, 202, 302 and associating a second laminar element 4, 104, 204, 304 and a third laminar element 5, 105, 205, 305 to, respectively, two opposite edges of the first laminar element 2, 102, 202, 302.

The method also comprises arranging the second laminar element 4, 104, 204, 304 and the third laminar element 5, 105, 205, 305 in contact with the second side C of the door A to define the two corresponding pockets 8, 9 to house the corresponding opposite edges D, E of the door A, in order to constrain the first laminar element 2, 102, 202, 302 to the door A.

Preferably, the arrangement of the second laminar element 4, 104, 204, 304 and third laminar element 5, 105, 205, 305 in contact with the second side C is achieved by moving the second laminar element 4, 104, 204, 304 apart from the first laminar element 2, 102, 202, 302, then by inserting the edge E of the door A in the second pocket 9 corresponding to the third laminar element 5, 105, 205, 305, then by arranging the first laminar element 2, 102, 202, 202 in contact with the first side B, and the second laminar element 4, 104, 204, 304 in contact with second side C, then by operating the retaining means 10, 110, 210, 310 in order to shrink the first pocket 8 corresponding to the second laminar element 4, 104, 204, 304 around the other edge D of the door A to prevent the release of the first laminar element 2, 102, 202, 302 from the door A.

A variant embodiment of the method of the invention is applicable in case the first laminar element 1, 101, 201 , 301 can be elastically deformed. In that case, the arrangement of the second laminar element 4, 104, 204, 304 and third laminar element 5, 105, 205, 305 in contact with the second side C may be achieved by exerting a pulling action on the two opposite edges of the first laminar element 1 , 101 , 201, 301 to cause the two pockets 8 and 9 to move away from each other, in order to allow their coupling to the two opposite edges D and E of the door A.

In light of the above disclosure, it is understood that the covering device of the invention reaches the preset aims.

In particular, the covering device of the invention can be associated to the door of a piece of furniture, thus allowing to change the aesthetic appearance of the piece of furniture with no need to replace the door.

Furthermore, the pockets of the covering device allow to connect the latter to the door in a releasable way, thus allowing to remove it from the door without damaging the door.

Furthermore, when achieving the above connection through the deformable pockets, the operations of applying, and removing, the covering device to the door do not require special tools or technical skills, hence they are within the means of the average user.

Furthermore, the limited weight of the covering device, possibly combined with the possibility to fold it, allow to deliver the covering device from the manufacturer to the user with limited delivery costs.

The invention is susceptible of changes and variant embodiments, all falling within the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims. In particular, the elements of the invention may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

Furthermore, the materials may be chosen according to the needs among materials that are functionally equivalent to those disclosed, yet without departing from the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, one or more elements of one specific embodiment of the invention that are technically compatible with another specific embodiment of the invention may be used in the latter in addition to, or in replacement of, elements of the latter.

When technical elements specified in the claims are followed by reference signs, those reference signs are included for the sole purpose of improving intelligibility of the invention, hence they do not imply any limitation of the claimed scope of protection.