EP0507642B1 - Wooden panel with mounted edges and household machine with such a panel - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wooden panel with dressed edges.

Wood panels for decoration, presentation of goods or construction of furniture or appliances often include cut edges dressed aesthetically. A covering of the cut edges of these panels usually consists in giving them either a particular shape, or a chosen color, or a matched shape and color. This covering most often results in fitting these edges into profiles added by gluing, stapling or fixing by dowels, tenons or screws.

In their application or use as worktops, for example kitchen furniture or household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, these wooden panels are practically permanently exposed to environmental agents which they are hostile to them, namely water, steam and humidity.

Since their edges covered by glued, stapled or fixed by dowels, tenons or screws are not waterproof, these wooden panels are vulnerable to water vapor, humidity and water which can s '' infiltrate, penetrate their mass and cause their deformation or destruction.

One might think that a cover profile overmolded on their edges can ensure a good seal of the latter. However, this profile remains undemountable. To change the covering of these panels, it would first be necessary to be able to remove this overmolded profile without damaging their edges and then overmold on them another covering profile. A new form of overmolding requires expensive manufacturing of a mold and results in a manufacturing delay of this new mold. As a result, a change of dressing of an on-board wooden panel dressed by an overmolded covering profile is costly and time consuming. Document DE-A-3 919 856 discloses a device for protecting the edge of plates against thermal attack and chemicals, using a layer of resin injected or molded on these plates, which n is therefore not removable either.

Document FR-A-2 620 321 discloses a removable rail for protecting furniture against impact, but this rail cannot provide any protection against humidity.

The present invention aimed at avoiding these drawbacks makes it possible to produce a wooden panel with dressed edges, a change of dressing of which is easy, economical and achievable without delay.

The invention also relates to a household appliance provided with such a panel.

According to the invention, a wooden panel with dressed edges comprising along its edges an external covering assembly fixed on support means themselves fixed by overmolding on the edges of the panel, is characterized in that the means of support include an inner profile for protection and holding this inner profile being overmolded on the edges of the panel, and comprising over its length several spaced transverse sliding guides, and ensuring a watertightness of these edges, to humidity and / or water vapor, and that the outer covering assembly is constituted by a profile, comprising over its length spaced transverse slides cooperating with said sliding guides, the guides comprising means for locking of the slides, this external profile being removable and mounted by interlocking on the internal profile and giving these edges shapes and / or colors s chosen and / or presenting particular indications or information.

Modifications of the panel according to the independent claim are defined including dependent claims.

• la figure 1 représente une vue de dessus schématique d'une partie d'un panneau de bois a bords habillés, montrant un angle frontal ABC de ce panneau dont les bords sont munis d'un profilé intérieur de protection étanche à l'eau, la vapeur d'eau et l'humidité, destiné au maintien d'un profilé extérieur d'habillage ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en élévation partielle et schématique du tronçon AB du profilé intérieur de protection et de maintien, recouvrant le côté AB de l'angle ABC du panneau de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en élévation partielle et schématique du tronçon BC du profité intérieur de protection et de maintien, recouvrant le côté BC de l'angle ABC du panneau de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 représente, à une autre échelle, une vue en coupe suivant IV-IV de la figure 1 ou 2, du tronçon AB du profilé intérieur de protection et de maintien recouvrant le côté AB de l'angle ABC du panneau de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 représente à une autre échelle une vue en coupe suivant V-V de la figure 1 ou 3 du tronçon BC du profilé de protection et de maintien recouvrant le côté BC de l'angle ABC du panneau de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 6 représente une vue de dessous partielle et schématique d'une partie ABC d'un ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage associé au profilé intérieur de protection et de maintien recouvrant l'angle ABC du panneau de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 7 représente une vue partielle et schématique du tronçon AB de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage, recouvrant le côté AB de l'angle ABC du panneau de la figure 1, en coupe suivant VII-VII ;
• la figure 8 représente à une autre échelle, une vue partielle et schématique en coupe suivant VIII-VIII du tronçon AB de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9 représente une vue à une autre échelle en coupe suivant IV-IV du tronçon AB de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 10 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle et schématique en coupe suivant X-X du tronçon AB de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 11 représente une vue partielle et schématique du tronçon BC de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage de la figure 6 recouvrant le côté BC de l'angle ABC du panneau de la figure 1, en coupe suivant XI-XI ;
• la figure 12 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle et schématique en coupe suivant XII-XII du tronçon BC de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage de la figure 11 ;
• la figure 13 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle et schématique en coupe suivant XIII-XIII du tronçon BC de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage de la figure 11 ;
• la figure 14 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle et schématique en coupe suivant XIV-XIV du tronçon BC de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage de la figure 11 ;
• la figure 15 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle. et schématique du panneau de la figure 1 en coupe suivant V-V montrant le tronçon BC du profilé intérieur de protection et de maintien recouvrant le côté BC de l'angle ABC du panneau (figures 1, 3, 5) en assemblage avec le tronçon BC de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage recouvrant le même côté BC de l'angle ABC de ce panneau (figures 1, 11, 12) ;
• la figure 16 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle et schématique du panneau de la figure 1 en coupe suivant XIII-XIII montrant le tronçon BC du profilé intérieur de protection et de maintien recouvrant le côté BC de l'angle ABC du panneau (figures 1, 3) en assemblage avec le tronçon BC de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage, recouvrant le même côté BC de l'angle ABC de ce panneau (figures 1, 11, 13) ;
• la figure 17 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle et schématique du panneau de la figure 1, en coupe suivant XIV-XIV montrant le tronçon BC du profilé intérieur de protection et de maintien recouvrant le côté BC de l'angle ABC du panneau (figures 1, 3) en assemblage avec le tronçon BC de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage recouvrant le même côté BC de l'angle ABC de ce panneau (figures 1, 11, 14) ;
• la figure 18 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle et schématique du panneau de la figure 1, en coupe suivant VIII-VIII montrant le tronçon AB du profilé intérieur de protection et de maintien recouvrant le côté AB de l'angle ABC du panneau (figures 1, 2) en assemblage avec le tronçon AB de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage recouvrant le même côté AB de l'angle ABC de ce panneau (figures 6, 7, 8) ;
• la figure 19 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle et schématique du panneau de la figure 1, en coupe suivant IV-IV montrant le tronçon AB du profilé intérieur de protection et de maintien recouvrant le côté AB de l'angle ABC du panneau (figures 1, 2, 4) en assemblage avec le tronçon AB de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage recouvrant le même côté AB de l'angle ABC de ce panneau (figures 1, 6, 7, 9) ;
• la figure 20 représente à une autre échelle une vue partielle et schématique du panneau de la figure 1 en coupe suivant X-X montrant le tronçon AB du profilé intérieur de protection et de maintien recouvrant le côté AB de l'angle ABC du panneau (figures 1, 2) en assemblage avec le tronçon AB de l'ensemble extérieur amovible d'habillage recouvrant le même côté AB de l'angle ABC de ce panneau (figures 1, 7, 10).

To better understand the invention, an embodiment is illustrated below, illustrated by the appended drawings, of which:

• Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of part of a wooden panel with dressed edges, showing a frontal angle ABC of this panel, the edges of which are provided with an interior profile which is waterproof, water vapor and humidity protection, intended to maintain an exterior trim profile;
• 2 shows a partial and schematic view in elevation of the section AB of the inner protection and retaining section, covering the side AB of the angle ABC of the panel of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 represents a partial and schematic view in elevation of the section BC of the interior protection and maintenance benefit, covering the side BC of the angle ABC of the panel of FIG. 1;
• Figure 4 shows, on another scale, a sectional view according to IV-IV of FIG. 1 or 2, of the section AB of the internal protection and maintenance profile covering the side AB of the angle ABC of the panel of FIG. 1;
• 5 shows on another scale a sectional view along VV of Figure 1 or 3 of the section BC of the protection and retaining section covering the side BC of the angle ABC of the panel of Figure 1;
• FIG. 6 represents a partial and schematic bottom view of a part ABC of a removable external covering assembly associated with the internal protection and holding profile covering the angle ABC of the panel of FIG. 1;
• 7 shows a partial and schematic view of the section AB of the removable outer covering assembly, covering the side AB of the angle ABC of the panel of Figure 1, in section along VII-VII;
• Figure 8 shows on another scale, a partial and schematic sectional view along VIII-VIII of the section AB of the removable outer covering assembly of Figure 7;
• FIG. 9 shows a view on another scale in section along IV-IV of the section AB of the removable external covering assembly of FIG. 7;
• 10 shows on another scale a partial and schematic view in section along XX of the section AB of the removable exterior covering assembly of FIG. 7;
• FIG. 11 represents a partial and schematic view of the section BC of the removable exterior covering assembly of FIG. 6 covering the side BC of the angle ABC of the panel of FIG. 1, in section along XI-XI;
• Figure 12 shows on another scale a partial and schematic sectional view along XII-XII of the section BC of the removable outer covering assembly of Figure 11;
• Figure 13 shows on another scale a partial and schematic sectional view along XIII-XIII of the section BC of the removable outer covering assembly of Figure 11;
• Figure 14 shows on another scale a partial view and diagrammatic in section along XIV-XIV of the section BC of the removable exterior covering assembly of FIG. 11;
• FIG. 15 shows a partial view on another scale. and schematic of the panel of FIG. 1 in section along VV showing the section BC of the internal protection and retaining section covering the side BC of the angle ABC of the panel (FIGS. 1, 3, 5) in assembly with the section BC of the removable exterior covering assembly covering the same side BC of the angle ABC of this panel (FIGS. 1, 11, 12);
• FIG. 16 shows on another scale a partial and schematic view of the panel of FIG. 1 in section along XIII-XIII showing the section BC of the internal protection and retaining section covering the side BC of the angle ABC of the panel (FIGS. 1, 3) in assembly with the section BC of the removable outer covering assembly, covering the same side BC of the angle ABC of this panel (Figures 1, 11, 13);
• FIG. 17 shows on another scale a partial and schematic view of the panel of FIG. 1, in section along XIV-XIV showing the section BC of the internal protection and holding profile covering the side BC of the angle ABC of the panel ( Figures 1, 3) in assembly with the section BC of the removable outer covering assembly covering the same side BC of the angle ABC of this panel (Figures 1, 11, 14);
• FIG. 18 shows on another scale a partial and schematic view of the panel of FIG. 1, in section along VIII-VIII showing the section AB of the internal protection and holding profile covering the side AB of the angle ABC of the panel ( Figures 1, 2) in assembly with the section AB of the removable outer covering assembly covering the same side AB of the angle ABC of this panel (Figures 6, 7, 8);
• FIG. 19 shows on another scale a partial and schematic view of the panel of FIG. 1, in section along IV-IV showing the section AB of the internal protection and holding profile covering the side AB of the angle ABC of the panel ( Figures 1, 2, 4) in assembly with the section AB of the removable exterior covering assembly covering the same side AB of the angle ABC of this panel (FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 9);
• FIG. 20 shows on another scale a partial and schematic view of the panel of FIG. 1 in section along XX showing the section AB of the internal protection and retaining section covering the side AB of the angle ABC of the panel (FIGS. 1, 2) in assembly with the section AB of the removable outer covering assembly covering the same side AB of the angle ABC of this panel (Figures 1, 7, 10).

The invention is applicable to solid wood or reconstituted wood panels in the form of agglomerate, plywood, laminate and in particular to these panels covered on both sides by a protective coating which is itself waterproof. and moisture and / or water vapor. These wooden panels can have any geometric shape, that is to say a polygonal shape, a circular shape or an oval shape. These wooden panels intended for a decoration, a presentation of goods or a construction of furniture or household appliances have according to the invention, dressed edges aesthetically waterproof to water, moisture and / or steam d 'water. In a presentation of goods these wooden panels have aesthetically dressed edges, waterproof, water and / or water vapor possibly bearing inscriptions giving information or commercial indications on these goods.

To simplify the presentation of the invention, a rectangular wooden panel with dressed edges 1 serving as a worktop for a dishwasher is described in detail below. A front part of this panel 1 delimited by a front angle ABC is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. This panel 1 of reconstituted wood having its two faces covered with a synthetic coating impermeable to water, humidity and / or water vapor, includes dressed front, rear and side edges, waterproof, moisture and / or water vapor proof.

According to the invention, the wooden panel 1 with edges dressed includes along these edges, a fixed inner profile for protection and maintenance ensuring a seal thereof to water, moisture and / or steam, and a removable exterior assembly of covering mounted on the interior profile and giving these edges selected shapes and / or colors and / or having particular indications. The fixed internal protection and holding profile is a profile made of a moldable or injectable material, obtained by a sealed and permanently overmolding on the edges of this wooden panel.

The removable outer covering assembly is formed by one or more removable interchangeable assemblable parts, made of a moldable, moldable or injectable material.

The fixed internal protection and holding profile and the removable external covering assembly comprise a common assembly system constituted by a sliding system and with elastic lugs for locking at the end of the sliding stroke.

The fixed internal protection and holding profile and the removable external covering assembly comprise, as component elements of their common assembly system, one, along its length on the one hand several spaced transverse sliding guides defining respectively sliding tracks, and on the other hand in an end zone of the sliding track of each of these sliding guides, an elastic lug locking at the end of the sliding stroke, protruding into this sliding track, and the other, along its length, on the one hand spaced transverse slides corresponding to these sliding guides, and on the other hand at the free front end of each of these slides, a blocking bar cooperating with this elastic locking lug for immobilize the assembly.

In the example partially illustrated in Figures 1 and 6, the rectangular panel 1 of reconstituted wood covered in its two faces by a coating impermeable to water and humidity or water vapor comprises on the one hand along its periphery a fixed interior profile for protection and maintenance 2, molded on its edges (figure 1) so as to ensure not only a great tightness of these but also a solid anchoring to these edges and on the other hand a removable exterior covering assembly 3 constituted by a profile forming a frame (FIG. 6) intended to cover by interlocking the fixed internal protection and holding profile 2.

In the example illustrated, the wooden panel 1 comprises a covering of the edges having a greater thickness on its front edge partially indicated by BC in FIGS. 1 and 6, than that on its lateral edges partially indicated by AB in FIGS. 1 and 6 and its rear edge not shown. The fixed overmolded internal protection and holding profile 2 is for example made with a polypropylene polymer while the removable exterior covering assembly 3 is formed from a solid and aesthetic profile made of a synthetic material such as Acrylacitrile Butadiene Styrene or ABS, Polymetacrylate, Polycarbonate.

The fixed, overmolded internal protection and holding profile 2 comprises, along its length as component elements of the joint assembly system with the external covering assembly 3 on the one hand, several spaced apart transverse sliding guides 5 each formed of two transverse ramps face to face symmetrical parallel 6 and 7 defining with the body 9 of the inner profile 2 two parallel transverse grooves defining a sliding track and on the other hand in a terminal area of the sliding track of each of the sliding guides 5, a lug elastic locking at the end of the sliding stroke 10 protruding in this sliding path.

The fixed overmolded internal protection and holding profile 2 further comprises, between the sliding guides transverse 5, spaced transverse reinforcing fins 15.

The removable exterior covering assembly 3 constituted by a profile forming a frame which gives the edges of the wooden panel 1 one or more selected shapes and / or colors therefore comprises over its length either a homogeneous cross-section in shape and in color, either cross sections with different shapes and colors. In the example illustrated, FIGS. 6 to 10 represent L-shaped cross sections of the removable exterior covering assembly 3 made in sections covering the lateral and rear edges of the wooden panel 1 and FIGS. 6 and 11 to 14 represent L-shaped cross sections of this removable exterior covering assembly 3 made in sections covering the front edge of the wooden panel 1. The L-shaped cross sections shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 have a rounded and more radiused curvature weaker than those of the rounding and the curvature of the L-shaped cross-sections shown in Figures 6 and 11 to 14.

The removable external covering assembly 3 comprises over its length, as component elements of the joint assembly system with the internal protection and holding profile 2, on the one hand spaced transverse slides 20 each formed of a central core flat extended laterally by soft symmetrical parallel strips 21 and 22 allowing their sliding in the sliding guides 5 during assembly of this covering assembly 3 on the inner profile 2, and on the other hand at the free end before each of the sliders 20, a locking bar 24 intended to elastically spread the locking lug 10 in its path during the advancement of the slider 20 and to leave after it has crossed this locking lug 10 at the end of the sliding stroke of the slider 20, this locking pin 10 resiliently return to its initial position, block the path back to this blocking bar 24, prevent the withdrawal of u slide 20 and consequently immobilize the assembly or hold in place the external covering assembly 3 on the internal profile 2.

In a disassembly of the removable outer covering assembly 3, the locking lug 10 is elastically released so as to leave the locking bar 24 a free return path, which allows the slide 20 to be withdrawn and consequently a withdrawal of the exterior trim assembly 3.

In the example illustrated, the removable exterior covering assembly 3 further comprises, in its section BC covering the front edge BC of the panel 1, a longitudinal reinforcing fin 25 which supports the slides 20.

According to a variant embodiment not shown, the removable exterior covering assembly 3 is produced in two or more pieces for dressing the edges of the wooden panel 1. These pieces include spaced slides 20 and locking bars 24 described in previous paragraphs for their attachment to the fixed internal protection and holding profile 2 of the panel 1. These parts may have a shape representing a drawing, a letter, a number, a group of letters, numbers, signs or symbols.

The removable outer covering assembly 3 is removable and interchangeable, which allows an easy and rapid change of the shape and / or the color of the covering of the edges of the wooden panel 1 while retaining a tight seal intact. water, humidity or water vapor from these edges, thanks to the existence of the fixed overmolded interior profile for protection and maintenance 2.

Since the dimensions of the wood panel with dressed edges are generally relatively large, overmolding of a profile on its edges requires a mold of equally large dimensions which is consequently expensive. If a change of dressing of the edges of this panel results in a change of overmolding mold, this change of dressing becomes expensive.

Thanks to the present invention, a change of dressing of the edges of a wooden panel with dressed edges 1 which consists of a simple change of a removable exterior covering assembly 3 which is capable of being economically produced in two or several parts of smaller dimensions than those of this panel, becomes an inexpensive or economical change.

In a dishwasher production line, the wooden panels with dressed edges 1 produced according to the invention make it possible to quickly and economically get out of worktop devices with differently dressed edges without compromising the water tightness, humidity or water vapor from this plane. In addition, a change of these wooden panels for the shape or color of the covering of their edges can thus be easily done in service after sale or just before packaging the dishwasher.

Furthermore, the fixed internal protection and holding profile 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, thanks to its structure described above, does not cause deformation of the wooden panel 1 due to a shrinkage consecutive to its cooling after its overmolding on the edges of this panel.

Claims (10)

1. Wooden panel (1) with trimmed edges, comprising, along its edges, an outer trim assembly (3) fixed onto support means which are themselves fixed onto the edges of the panel (1) by overmoulding, characterized in that the support means include a fixed inner profiled section (2) for protection and retention, this inner profiled section (2) being overmoulded in leaktight fashion over the edges of the panel (1) and including, over its length, a plurality of spaced transverse sliding guides (5), and sealing these edges against water, moisture and/or water vapour, and in that the outer trim assembly (3) consists of a profiled section, comprising over its length spaced transverse slides (20) which interact with the said sliding guides (5), the guides (5) comprising means (10, 24) for locking the slides (20), this outer profiled section (3) being removable and mounted on the inner profiled section (2) by interlocking, and giving these edges chosen shapes and/or colours and/or presenting particular indications or information
2. Panel according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fixed inner profiled section (2) for protection and retention is a profiled section made of a mouldable or injectable material, obtained by leaktight and permanent overmoulding over the edges of this panel.
3. Panel according to Claim 1, characterized in that the removable outer trim assembly (3) consists of one or more removable and interchangeable assemblable parts, made of a modelable, mouldable or injectable material.
4. Panel according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said means for locking the fixed inner profiled section (2) for protection and retention and for locking the removable outer trim assembly (3) comprise a known assembly system, consisting of a system with a slide and with elastic lugs constituting a stop for the end of the sliding travel.
5. Panel according to Claim 4, characterized in that the spaced transverse sliding guides (5) respectively define slideways and comprise, in an end region of the slideway of each of these sliding guides (5), an elastic lug (10) for locking at the end of sliding travel, which projects into this slideway, the front free end of each of the slides (20) including a stop bar (24) which interacts with this elastic locking lug (10) to immobilize the assembly.
6. Panel according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the fixed inner profiled section (2) for protection and retention is made with a polypropylene polymer.
7. Panel according to one of Claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the removable outer trim assembly (3) is a profiled section made of a synthetic material known by a brand name ABS.
8. Panel according to Claim 5, characterized in that, in the fixed inner profiled section (2) for protection and retention, the transverse sliding guides (5) are each formed by two parallel and symmetrical opposing transverse ramps (6, 7) which define, with a body (9) of this inner profiled section (2), two parallel transverse grooves which delimit a slideway for a slide (20), and in the removable outer trim assembly (3), the transverse slides (20) are each formed by a flat central core, laterally extended by two symmetrical parallel strips (21, 22), allowing them to slide in the sliding guides (5).
9. Panel according to Claim 5, characterized in that the fixed inner profiled section (2) for protection and retention and the removable outer trim assembly (3) comprise reinforcing flanges (15, 25).
10. Household electrical appliance or article of furniture, characterized in that it comprises a work-surface consisting of a wooden panel according to one of Claims 1 to 9.

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