EP2570052B1 - Foldable board - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a foldable plate, in particular consisting of a wood material or wood, with two separate plate parts, each having a visible side and a back, and with a hinge element consisting of a band-shaped material, wherein the hinge element in each case two plate parts pivotable with each other connects, wherein the hinge element is formed as an adhesive tape, the hinge element is arranged on the back sides of the plate parts, wherein the adjacent plate parts form a joint and wherein at least one of the plate parts at the rear edge facing along the joint has a recess.

From the prior art, the use of such plates as furniture back wall in particular of cabinets is known. The advantage of the foldability of these plates is that the plates in the folded state have a smaller dimension and so a space savings in the storage and transport of the plates is achieved. The plates usually have a fold, but there are also known folding plates, which can be folded at two or more locations.

From the EP 1 792 551 B1 For example, there is known a foldable plate having an adhesive member hinge member having a recess for receiving the adhesive layer on the sides the forming fugue of the adjacent plates has.

By the DE 198 04 787 A1 , the EP 0 759 839 B1 and the DE 103 54 460 B3 Foldable plates are known which have at the edges of forming between the plates joint profile which is provided with the adhesive layer, wherein the three pamphlets differ only by the shape of the profiles. The DE 103 54 460 B3 includes perpendicular side edges, while the DE 198 04 787 A1 a V-profile from the back to the visible side and the EP 0 759 839 B1 has a trapezoidal profile.

Furthermore, the disclosure US 3,741,843 a method for pivotally connecting two plates whose side edges adjoin one another in the contact area with a glue hinge.

Generic foldable plates are still from the EP 2 177 130 A2 . US 2005/0229531 A1 . WO 2006/087008 A1 . DE 297 15 787 U1 , and DE 299 24 176 U1 known.

A disadvantage of these embodiments that the production is quite complex and that in the case of plates which are stacked in the folded state, too great pressure is exerted on the provided with an adhesive layer edge. Thus, the adhesive layer is damaged and the adhesive layer thus has only a limited durability. Furthermore, the adhesive layer, when firmly connected to the profile of the side edges, is subjected to tension in the folded state, which in addition constitutes a stress for the adhesive layer.

The present invention is therefore based on the technical problem of providing a foldable plate of two plate parts, which is easy to manufacture and a has stable and durable connection of the two plate parts.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a foldable plate having the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. For this purpose, according to the invention, the hinge element spans the at least one recess in the unfolded state.

Due to the fact that at least one of the plate parts has a recess on the edge facing the rear side along the joint, in the stacked state, no pressure is exerted on the bent part of the adhesive tape forming the folded-up state by the plate parts resting on top. Furthermore, the adhesive tape within the recess in the folded state has enough room for a rounding without too small rounding radius. As a result, the durability of the adhesive tape can be extended because repeated kinking does not damage the hinge element.

Due to their high tear resistance, which is also present in previous damage, fabric-coated adhesive tapes have proven to be advantageous for use as hinge elements in foldable panels. The high tensile strength of the fibers and filaments used to reinforce such bands is lost under high compressive load in a bent state, that is to say when these ribbons are greatly overturned, and sometimes fractures occur. By the relief according to the invention by means of the recess in this area, this problem can be effectively counteracted.

Preferably, the at least one recess has an at least partially oblique edge. The depth of the slope is chosen so that the stability of the plate is not affected in the unfolded state.
In the unfolded state touching at least the front facing edges of the joint, so that sufficient stability of the plate in the unfolded state and thus can be granted as a furniture back wall during use of the plate.

Alternatively, the at least one recess may have a rounded edge. This results in the same advantages as by an oblique edge as a recess profile.

In a preferred manner, in each case a depression in the rear sides of the plate parts is formed on both sides of the joint for receiving the hinge element. As a result, the hinge element introduced into the recess does not protrude beyond the rear side, resulting in a flat rear side. As a result, in particular the stacking of both the unfolded and the folded plates is facilitated, since a raised area does not arise in the case of a plurality of plates arranged one above the other.

According to the invention, the hinge element in the unfolded state spans the at least one recess. The hinge element has in this embodiment, no firm connection with the oblique and / or rounded edges of the recess. In particular, the hinge element is not stretched in this configuration in the folded state of the plate.

The foldable plate described above can thus be pivoted between a first position, in which the plate parts are arranged substantially in one plane, and a second position, in which the back sides abut one another. For storage or transport, the plates can thus be folded, while in use, for example, as a foldable furniture back wall, the plate is folded apart. Furthermore, the foldable plate described above may consist of more than two separate plate parts. In this embodiment, a hinge element connects two plate parts. In the folded state, the plate, depending on the number of plate parts, folded several times. As a result, further space savings during storage and transport of the plates can be achieved.

The fact that the hinge element is arranged on the backs of the plate parts, it is achieved that the plate parts need only be placed together in the production, and then apply the tape. The adhesive tape then serves as a rear hinge, while the side edges abut each other in the unfolded state. As a result, a visible side divided only by a little visible joint is formed by both plate parts. At the same time, the adhesive tape is permanently bonded to the material of the plate members because it is applied during the manufacturing process and sets in contact with the surface of the plate members and forms a strong bond with the material.

In a further preferred refinement of the foldable plate, the edge regions of the plate parts adjoining one another in the unfolded state are dyed with a coloring agent to suit the design of the visible side. In particular, this coloration can be carried out by dyeing and / or painting and / or pickling and / or transfer finish. This coloring adapted to the visible side is particularly advantageous in the case of a dark design of the visible side, since the observer is thus prevented from having disturbing color differences between the visible side and the region of the side edge. But it is not limited to dark designs of the visuals.

In addition, can be compensated by the appropriate choice of the layer thickness, such as an applied paint or paint, manufacturing tolerances in the manufacture of the plate parts. This additionally improves the optical quality of the folding plate for the viewer.

In particular, printing techniques and / or rolling techniques and / or spraying techniques and / or transfer printing techniques and / or other techniques disclosed in the art may be used to apply the paint, varnish, stain or transfer finish.

Because of the cost-effective manufacturing method, the plate described can be used in particular as a product in the low cost segment, so that the folding on the visible sides have no significant disadvantage over the other known from the prior art more expensive plates.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer faltbaren Platte aus dem Stand der Technik im auseinander gefalteten Zustand,

Fig. 2

das in Fig. 1 dargestellte Ausführungsbeispiel aus dem Stand der Technik im zusammengefalteten Zustand,

Fig. 3

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen faltbaren Platte im auseinander gefalteten Zustand,

Fig. 4

das in Fig. 4 dargestellte Ausführungsbeispiel im zusammengefalteten Zustand,

Fig. 5

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen faltbaren Platte im auseinander gefalteten Zustand,

Fig. 6

das in Fig. 5 dargestellte Ausführungsbeispiel im zusammengefalteten Zustand,

Fig. 7

ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen faltbaren Platte im auseinander gefalteten Zustand,

Fig. 8

das in Fig. 7 dargestellte Ausführungsbeispiel im zusammengefalteten Zustand.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of a foldable plate of the prior art in the unfolded state,

Fig. 2

this in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment of the prior art in the folded state,

Fig. 3

An embodiment of a foldable plate according to the invention in the unfolded state,

Fig. 4

this in Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment in the folded state,

Fig. 5

A second embodiment of a foldable plate according to the invention in the unfolded state,

Fig. 6

this in Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment in the folded state,

Fig. 7

A third embodiment of a foldable plate according to the invention in the unfolded state,

Fig. 8

this in Fig. 7 illustrated embodiment in the folded state.

In the Fig. 1 and 2 For example, one embodiment of a foldable plate 2 of the prior art is shown having two separate plate parts 2a and 2b.

The plate parts 2a and 2b consist in particular of a wood material, such as medium-density fiber material (MDF), high-density fiber material (HDF), hard fiber material, chipboard material or Oriented Strand Board Material (OSB material), made of natural wood, a plastic, a wood / Kunsstoff mixture or from a metal.

The plate parts 2a, 2b each have a visible side 4a, 4b and a back 6a, 6b. The visible sides 4a, 4b can be formed by a laminate coating with decorative paper, a foil coating or by a direct application of paint or varnish. The two plate parts 2 a, 2 b are connected to a hinge element 8 consisting of a band-shaped material, so that the hinge element 8 connects the two plate parts 2 a, 2 b so that they can pivot together.

The hinge element 8 is preferably formed as a fabric-reinforced adhesive tape 10 on the backs 6a, 6b of the plate parts 2a, 2b. For this purpose, the adhesive tape 10 is located in the region of the joint 14 formed between the adjoining side edges 12a, 12b. Thus, the adhesive tape 10 is arranged on both sides of the joint 14 and can exert the intended hinge function. In the folded state, the hinge element 8 has a kink 11.

Instead of the fabric-reinforced adhesive tape 10, an adhesive tape without reinforcement can also be used.

The adhesive tape can have different types of adhesives. During use, there must be sufficient strength for joining the plate parts 2a, 2b, on the one hand, and sufficient elasticity for folding the plate parts 2a, 2b, on the other hand. Adhesive tapes are in particular those which have a net-like band and / or those with fibers are reinforced.

In the 3 and 4 a first embodiment of a plate 2 according to the invention is shown, wherein like reference numerals the same elements of the plate 2 as in the Fig. 1 and 2 mark.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment from the prior art, the plate parts 2a, 2b at the rear side 6a, 6b facing edge of the joint 14 has a recess 15, in particular an inclined edge 16a, 16b. This leads to the fact that in the folded state, as in Fig. 4 represented, and in particular in the stacked state, no pressure on the kink 11 of the hinge member 8 can be exercised by one of the plate parts 2a or by the top resting plates.

In the FIGS. 5 and 6 a second embodiment of a plate 2 according to the invention is shown, wherein the same elements of the plate 2 as in the Fig. 1 to 4 mark. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the oblique edge 16a, 16b is smaller at the edge of the gap 14 facing the rear side 6a, 6b. This causes the unfolded state, as in Fig. 5 shown, a better stability is ensured, since the side edges 12a, 12b have a larger contact surface. In the folded state, as in Fig. 6 represents the kink 11 is still relieved. Furthermore, in each case one depression 18 a, 18 b is formed in the plate parts 2 a, 2 b on both sides of the joint 14 for receiving the tissue-armored adhesive tape 10. As a result, the adhesive tape 10 does not project beyond the rear sides 6a, 6b, so that in each case a flat rear side 6a, 6b results. As a result, the stacking of the plates in both the unfolded state, as in Fig. 5 shown as well as in the folded state, as in Fig. 6 shown, relieved because no excessive areas arise.

The FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of a plate 2 according to the invention, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements of the plate 2 as in FIGS Fig. 1 to 6 mark.

In contrast to the first two embodiments, the recess 15 has a rounded edge 17a, 17b. This leads to the same advantages that can be achieved by a recess 15 in the form of an oblique edge 16 a, 16 b in the Fig. 3 to 6 result. In the folded state in Fig. 8 Thus, no pressure on the kink 11 of the hinge member 8 is exercised.

In all embodiments of the Fig. 1 to 8 The hinge element 8 spans the gap 14 forming between the adjoining side edges 12a, 12b. In particular, the hinge element 8 spans the recess 15 into the groove Fig. 3 to 8 in that the hinge element 8 is not connected to the oblique edges 16a, 16b and / or the rounded edges 17a, 17b. This results in that the hinge element 8 in the folded state in the Fig. 4 . 6 and 8 especially at the kink 11 is exposed to any voltage.

Claims (5)

1. Foldable panel

   - having two panel portions (2a, 2b) separated from each other which respectively comprise a visible side (4a, 4b) and a rear side (6a, 6b) and

   - having a hinge element (8) consisting of a band-shaped material,

   - wherein the hinge element (8) pivotably connects the two panel portions (2a, 2b) to each other,

   - wherein the hinge element (8) is formed as an adhesive tape (10),

   - wherein the hinge element (8) is arranged on the rear sides (6a, 6b) of the panel portions (2a, 2b),

   - wherein the panel portions (2a, 2b) adjoining each other form a joint (14) and

   - wherein at least one of the panel portions (2a, 2b) comprises a recess (15) on the edge facing the rear side (6a, 6b) along the joint (14),

   - wherein the hinge element (8) spans the at least one recess (15) in the folded apart state,

   characterised in that

   - the panel portions (2a, 2b) abut against each other in the folded apart state in the region of the visible sides (4a, 4b) along the joint (14) and

   - the at least one recess (15) is configured in a tapered manner starting from the hinge element (8) in the direction of the visible side (4a, 4b).
2. Panel according to Claim 1, characterised in that the hinge element (8) consisting of a band-shaped material is configured as a fabric-reinforced adhesive tape (10).
3. Panel according to Claim 1, characterised in that the at least one recess (15) comprises at least partially an inclined edge (16a, 16b).
4. Panel according to Claim 2, characterised in that the at least one recess (15) comprises a rounded edge (17a,17b).
5. Panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a depression (18a, 18b) is respectively formed in the rear sides (6a, 6b) of the panel portions (2a, 2b) at both sides of the joint (14) for receiving the hinge element (8).

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