EP3374578B1

EP3374578B1 - Functional upholstery system, method for installation of such upholstery, installation kit of such upholstery

Info

Publication number: EP3374578B1
Application number: EP16794056.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carol MONTICELLI; Alessandra ZANELLI; Gabriele MASERA; Stefano ALIPRANDI
Original assignee: Politecnico di Milano
Current assignee: Politecnico di Milano
Priority date: 2015-11-11
Filing date: 2016-10-19
Publication date: 2020-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-19
Also published as: ITUB20155492A1; CN108291403A; EP3374578A1; CN108291403B; WO2017081568A1

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an upholstery system for covering a surface, for example a wall of a house, to an installing method for installing such an upholstery system, and to an installation kit of such an upholstery system.

Background art

In the field of the upholstery of a surface, for example a wall of a home, the technique is known of fixing a finishing layer, for example a textile layer, onto a frame, for example made of wood, fixed to a wall.
Sometimes, a functional layer, for example a thermal insulating layer, for example a polystyrene or rock wool panel, or panel of similar materials, is interposed between the wall and the finishing layer.
In certain cases, the known art provides the use of rigid fastening devices, such as for example an extruded profiled bar made of rigid plastic, having a seat for a finishing sheet for receiving an end, for example an end side of the finishing sheet. Such an extruded bar is fixed to the wall with screws or other fastening elements and the end of the finishing sheet is inserted into the seat directly or by means of locking elements.
Sometimes the insertion of the end of the finishing sheet into the aforesaid seat of the profiled fastening bar is snappingly carried out, that is by elastic deformation of a portion of the seat which, returning to its position after the insertion, retains the finishing sheet.
These known fastening devices have at least the following disadvantages.
Firstly, the rigidity of the profiled bar in no manner allows the adaptation thereof to a curved wall. Moreover, the rigidity of the bar does not allow it to be adapted to possible geometrical irregularities in the wall or in the floor, thus leaving empty gaps between upholstery and wall or floor. This is not acceptable if between the finishing sheets and the wall there is interposed a thermal insulating layer, which should adhere to the wall to obtain the maximum insulating efficiency.
Sometimes there is a need to improve the insulating features of the walls in a home in order to improve energy-saving.
In order to avoid phenomena of interstitial condensate, there is a need to have breathing upholstery in certain cases and upholstery which only slightly breathes in other cases. Such conditions may vary over time.
For example, an apartment located in a condominium in which an external energy retrofitting intervention is carried out after the internal one.
Here, in order to avoid condensate phenomena, there could be a need to remove the intervention carried out from the inside.
To this end, energy retrofitting interventions on the inside of homes already built require replacing the upholstery with another one having a different permeability to vapor level.
The known art does not allow this replacement to be carried out autonomously by a final user, but requires the intervention by specialized labor, which should remove the old upholstery by detaching it from the wall, thus damaging both the upholstery removed and the wall, restoring the wall, and applying the new upholstery.
Another disadvantage of the known art is that it does not allow adjusting the height of the finishing fabric between the fastening devices either during installation or thereafter. Therefore, the tensioning of the finishing layer is not adjustable and the layer itself could loosen and form ripples. The known art does not allow to recover any dimensional variations over time of the finishing layer, and does not allow to compensate cutting errors of the finishing layer to be installed.
Another disadvantage of known fastening devices is that they do not allow easy and quick autonomous installation by a final user, rather they require the intervention of specialized labor. Indeed, there is a need to cut the fastening bars to size, for example by means of manual cutting or using an electric cutting machine, there is a need to perforate them to insert fastening screws, it is also necessary to force the end of the fabric of the upholstery into the seat, often with specific tools. All these operations require certain experience, in addition to machinery and tools.
In addition to this disadvantage is the one given by the fact that the rigid fastening bars are sold with preset lengths, and therefore result in a certain transport inconvenience to the place of installation, thus requiring the use of a specific means of transport, for example a work van.
Another disadvantage of the known art is given by the fact that the bars of known fastening devices have geometrical discontinuity at the joining points between successive bars, which may form an unpleasant difference in height and cause ripples in the finishing layer.
A further disadvantage of such devices is that they do not allow easy and affordable replacement of the upholstery.
Indeed, the known fastening devices briefly described above are not reversible, that is they do not allow the removal of the upholstery fabric from the seat without damaging it.
Another disadvantage of the known art is the impossibility of replacing/washing the upholstery, unless it is dry-cleaned, and the impossibility of inspecting the functional layer, thus replacing, when required, the damaged portion of functional layer without compromising the finishing layer.
US patent publication US 2007/283656 A1 discloses a fabric wall panel system including wall panels mounted on a wall by means of a releasable hanger. Each fabric wall panel comprises a frame and a flat filler insert covered by a fabric. Each frame member has hanger engaging channel and a fabric clamp. The hanger has a flat base affixed to the wall with two forked tongues extend perpendicularly therefrom. The forked tongues engage the hanger engaging channels to hold the fabric wall panel to the wall. The fabric clamp allows the fabric to be installed or removed with the frame mounted on the wall.
In particular, no known solution proposes an upholstery system capable of adaptation to the geometry of a surface to be covered, which allows quick, easy and frequent replacement of the upholstery fabric and which allows the installation and replacement in autonomy or by unskilled labor.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to devise and make available an upholstery system which allows the aforesaid needs to be met while at least partly obviating the drawbacks indicated above with reference to the known art.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an upholstery system capable of adapting to the geometry of a surface to be covered, which allows quick, easy and frequent replacement of the finishing layer and which allows installation and replacement in autonomy or by unskilled labor.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide an upholstery installation method which allows the aforesaid needs to be met while at least partly obviating the drawbacks indicated above with reference to the known art.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for installing upholstery on a surface, which allows the upholstery system to be in autonomy and easily applied, thus obtaining high quality results due to an increased geometrical adaptability of the upholstery system to the specific surface to be covered.
These and further objects and advantages are achieved by means of an upholstery system, and also by an installation method, and also by an installation kit, according to the independent claims.
Further objects, solutions and advantages are in the embodiments hereinafter described and claimed in the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is disclosed below with the description of certain embodiments thereof, made by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

figure 1 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of an upholstery system according to the invention, applied to a surface to be upholstered;
figure 2 shows a partial perspective view of an upper portion of the upholstery system in figure 1, in which an upper zip is partly open;
figure 3 shows a sectional side view of a detail in figure 2, in which the functional layer is not depicted;
figure 4 shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a lower portion of the upholstery system in figure 1, in which a lower zip is partly open;
figure 5 shows a sectional side view of a detail in figure 4, in which the functional layer is not depicted;
figure 6 shows a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a lower portion of the system according to the invention;
figure 7 shows a sectional side view of a detail in figure 6, in which the functional layer is not depicted;
figure 8 shows a step of fixing to a surface to be upholstered, of a first fastening device and a second fastening device;
figure 9 shows a step of applying removable fastening elements to the first and second fastening device, for removably fixing the functional layer to the first and second fastening device;
figure 10 shows a step of applying the functional layer between the first and second fastening device;
figure 11 shows a step of removably fixing an upper end edge of the finishing layer to the upper fastening device;
figure 12 shows a step of cutting to size a lower end edge opposite to the upper edge, after having stretched the finishing layer along the front face of the functional layer;
figure 13 shows a step of fixing a fourth closing half-band to the lower edge of the finishing layer;
figure 14 shows a step of removably connecting the lower edge of the finishing layer to the second fastening device, by means of the fourth half-band;
figure 15 diagrammatically shows a cross-section view of a lower portion of the upholstery system in figure 1;
figure 16 diagrammatically shows a cross-section view of an upper portion of the upholstery system in figure 1;
figures 17 to 20 diagrammatically show cross sections with a horizontal section plan, of an upholstery system according to the invention, applied to vertical walls of a home, at edges or corners formed by such walls;
figure 21 shows a component of the installation kit according to the invention, formed by the first fastening device completely preassembled;
figure 22 shows a component of the installation kit according to the invention, formed by the second fastening device completely preassembled;
figure 23 shows a component of the kit formed by the finishing layer, comprising a second closing half-band preassembled at an end edge of the finishing layer;
figure 24 shows a component of the kit formed by a fourth closing half-band preassembled with a thermal adhesive tape to be fixed to the finishing layer.

Description of the preferred embodiments

With reference to the figures, an upholstery system according to the invention, for covering a surface, e.g. a wall of a house, is indicated as a whole with numeral 1.
The upholstery system 1 comprises a functional layer 3 having a rear face of functional layer 5 adapted to a face surface 2, along the surface 2 to cover it, and a front face of functional layer 4 opposite to the rear face of functional layer 5.
Surface 2 is for example, a wall of a house or a ceiling of a house. Alternatively, the surface may be any wall which requires upholstering, e.g. a partition wall, a bulkhead on a boat, ship, means of transport such as a train, bus, or the like.
The functional layer 3 is for example, a thermal insulating layer, or an acoustically insulating layer, or an absorbent layer, or an electronic layer, for example comprising a plurality of light points. The electronic layer could for example, comprise a support layer comprising a power supply system and one or more light sources electrically supplied by means of the power supply system.
The functional layer is for example, a panel made of polystyrene or rock wool.
According to certain embodiments, the functional layer is a rigid panel, in other embodiments the functional layer is a flexible panel which may be, for example, collected in a roll before the application thereof.
The upholstery system 1 further comprises a finishing layer 8, or covering layer, or coating layer, adapted to cover the front face of the functional layer 4. The finishing layer 8 is delimited by a first end portion, or first end edge, or upper end edge, of finishing layer 9 and by a second end portion, or second end edge, or lower end edge, of finishing layer 10 opposite to the first end portion of finishing layer 9.
According to an embodiment, the finishing layer 8 is a flexible layer.
According to certain embodiments, the finishing layer 8 is selected from at least one of the following:

a textile layer, e.g. classic upholstery, e.g. a fabric;
a non woven cloth.

According to an embodiment, the finishing layer 8 has preset features of thermal insulation and/or preset features of acoustic insulation and/or preset levels of transpirability.
According to an embodiment, the finishing layer is a thermoformable sheet.
The upholstery system further comprises a first fastening device 30 adapted to removably connect the first end portion of finishing layer 9 to the surface 2, and a second fastening device 50 for removably connecting the second end portion of finishing layer 10 to the surface 2.
The first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50 are arranged to retain, in use, the functional layer 3 in a position interposed between the surface 2 and the finishing layer 8, and between the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50.
The upholstery system comprises a first shape-coupling closing band 31, or upper closing band, formed by a first half-band 32 and a second half-band 33 removably engageable with each other, and a second shape-coupling closing band 51, or lower closing band, formed by a third half-band 52 and a fourth half-band 53 engageable with each other by shape coupling.
According to one embodiment, the first shape-coupling closing band 31 and the second shape-coupling closing band 51 are flexible so as to adapt to the shape of the surface 2 to be covered.
According to one embodiment, the first closing band 31 and/or the second closing band 51 comprise Velcro® elements.
The second half-band 33 is fixed to the first end portion of finishing layer 9 and the fourth half-band 53 is fixed to the second end of finishing layer 10.
The first shape-coupling closing band 31 and the second shape-coupling closing band 51 are configured, or arranged, to be closed or opened by applying a force thereto in a direction orthogonal to the finishing layer 8, and are configured, or arranged, to prevent the opening thereof by applying a force arranged along the finishing layer 8.
In other words, the first shape-coupling closing band 31 and the second shape-coupling closing band 32 are openable/closeable along planes orthogonal to a lying plane of the finishing layer.
The first fastening device 30 comprises a first flexible sheet 34 having a fastening portion 35 adapted to be fixed to surface 2 and an end portion of first flexible sheet 36 opposite to said fastening portion 35 to which said first half-band 32 is fixed.
The second fastening device 50 comprises a second flexible sheet 54 having a fastening portion 55 adapted to be fixed to the surface 2 and an end portion of second flexible sheet 56 opposite to said fastening portion 55 to which said third half-band 52 is fixed.
The first flexible sheet 34 and the second flexible sheet 54 are pliable and easily bent. Thereby, they are capable of easily adapting to a curved or irregular surface without opposing mechanical resistance, e.g. they are sheets of fabric.
According to an embodiment, the first flexible sheet 34 and the second flexible sheet 54 are formed by a textile layer, e.g. a fabric, or by a pliable sheet, e.g. of plastic, e.g. comprising, or formed by, PES/PVC (polyvinyl chloride coated polyester fabric).
According to an embodiment, the first flexible sheet 34 and the second flexible sheet 54 are in the shape of a band delimited by two opposite band edges, said band edges externally delimiting the fastening portion 35, 55 and the end portion 36, 56, respectively.
According to an embodiment, the band edges are rectilinear and parallel.
According to an embodiment, the first end portion of finishing layer 9 ends with a first end edge, for example a substantially straight edge.
The second half-band 33 is fixed along such a first end edge.
According to an embodiment, the second end portion of finishing layer 10 ends with a second end edge, for example a substantially straight edge.
The fourth half-band 53 is fixed along such a second end edge.
The functional layer 3 is delimited by a first end edge of functional layer 6 and by a second end edge of functional layer 7, opposite to the first end edge of functional layer 6.
According to an embodiment, in use, the first flexible sheet 34 and the second flexible sheet 54 embrace and envelop said first end edge of functional layer 6 and said second end edge of functional layer 7, passing from the rear face of functional layer 5 to the front face of functional layer 4.
The flexibility of the first shape-coupling closing band 31, the second shape-coupling closing band 51, the first flexible sheet 34 and the second flexible sheet 54, makes the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50 flexible.
For these reasons, the upholstery system according to the invention is also easy to adapt to surfaces, or walls, which are non-flat or irregular walls.
Moreover, the finishing layer 8 is easily and quickly removable and replaceable in autonomy, or by unskilled personnel and with simple operations. Indeed, it is sufficient to act on the shape- coupling closing bands 31 and 51 without using any specific tool.
Thereby, it may be possible to remove the finishing layer 8 to wash it or to replace it with another one with different physical features, for example upon ambient changes, for example with different transpiration properties.
A first distance is defined between the first half-band 32 and the third half-band 52, and a second distance is defined between the second half-band 33 and the fourth half-band 53, wherein the first distance and the second distance are measured along a same direction which extends between said first fastening device 30 and said second fastening device 50.
According to an embodiment, the first distance is greater than said second distance.
Thereby, the finishing layer 8 is outwardly stretched, in use, by the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50, on opposite sides of the finishing layer 8.
According to an embodiment, the first half-band 32 is fixed by stitching, or by gluing, to said end portion of first flexible sheet 36, and wherein said second half-band 33 is fixed by stitching, or by gluing, to said first end portion of finishing layer 9.
According to an embodiment, the second half-band 33 defines a front face of second half-band 39 and a rear face of second half-band 41 opposite to said front face of second half-band 39, and wherein the finishing layer 8 defines a front face of finishing layer 11 and a rear face of finishing layer 12 opposite to said front face of finishing layer 11.
According to an embodiment, the rear face of finishing layer 12 is arranged facing said front face of second half-band 39.
According to an embodiment, the front face of finishing layer 11 is arranged facing said front face of second half-band 39.
According to an embodiment, the upholstery system comprises a thermal adhesive tape 60 comprising a layer of thermal activated adhesive 61, wherein the third half-band 52 is fixed to said end portion of second flexible sheet 56, the fourth half-band 53 is fixed to said thermal adhesive tape 60, and the thermal adhesive tape 60 is glued to said second end portion of finishing layer 10 by means of said layer of thermal activated adhesive 61.
According to an embodiment, the thermal adhesive tape 60 has a front face of tape 62 and a rear face of tape 63 opposite to said front face of tape 62, and said finishing layer 8 has a front face of finishing layer 11 and a rear face of finishing layer 12 opposite to said front face of finishing layer 11.
According to an embodiment, the layer of thermal activated adhesive 61 is arranged on said rear face of tape 63, and said fourth half-band 53 is fixed to said front face of tape 62, said rear face of tape 63 being fixed to said front face of finishing layer 11.
According to an embodiment, the layer of thermal activated adhesive 61 is arranged on a first portion of said front face of tape 62', and said fourth half-band 53 is fixed to a second portion of said front face of tape 62", said first portion of front face of tape 61' being fixed to said rear face of finishing layer 12.
According to an embodiment, the first shape-coupling closing band 31 is a first pressure zip, wherein the first half-band 32 is a first profile of first zip and wherein the second half-band 33 is a second profile of first zip.
According to one embodiment, the second shape-coupling closing band 51 is a second pressure zip, in which the third half-band 52 is a first profile of second zip and in which the fourth half-band 53 is a second profile of second zip.
The second profile of first zip 33 is fixed to the first end portion of finishing layer 9, and the second profile of second zip 53 is fixed to the second end of finishing layer 10.
In the present description, pressure zip generally means a linear shape-coupling closure, formed by two zip profiles which may be mutually joined to close the closure and may be mutually separated to open the closure. Such zip profiles have a linear shape continuity along a linear direction of extension and have a cross section with respect to the direction of extension which is the same along such a direction.
In other words, the zip profiles are extruded elements.
The first zip 31 and the second zip 51 are flexible to easily adapt to irregular surfaces.
In other words, the first zip 31 and the second zip 51 are made with a pliable material capable of being deformed to easily adapt to curved or irregular surfaces, thus avoiding to oppose mechanical resistance while elastically resisting the normal stresses exchanged during the operations of engagement and disengagement between the first and second profile of zip for closing and opening, respectively, such a zip.
The first zip and the second zip are preferably made of polyethylene.
The first pressure zip 31 and the second pressure zip 51 are configured, or arranged, to be closed or opened by applying a force thereto in a direction orthogonal to the finishing layer 8, and are configured, or arranged, to prevent the opening thereof by applying a force arranged along the finishing layer 8.
In other words, the first pressure zip 31 and the second pressure zip 32 are openable/closeable along planes orthogonal to a lying plane of the finishing layer.
According to an embodiment, the first pressure zip 31 comprises a closing slider 37 adapted to mutually close or open the first profile of first zip 32 and the second profile of first zip 33 by means of a sliding movement of the closing slider 37.
According to an embodiment, the second pressure zip 51 is devoid of closing slider.
According to an embodiment, the first pressure zip 31 is operatively arranged higher than said second pressure zip 51, or in other words, wherein the first pressure zip 31 is arranged above the second pressure zip 51 along a vertical direction.
Thereby, during the installation of the upholstery system, when the finishing layer 8 is removably joined to the first fastening device 30 by means of the first pressure zip 31, the finishing layer 8 automatically extends along the functional layer due to gravity.
Moreover, the first pressure zip 31 with slider 37 allows the whole weight of the finishing layer 8 to be carried from the top because it has an increased mechanical resistance.
According to an embodiment, the first profile of first zip 32 is fixed, for example by stitching, or by gluing, to the end portion of first flexible sheet 36, and the second profile of first zip 33 is fixed, for example by stitching, or by gluing, to said first end portion of finishing layer 9.
According to an embodiment, the second profile of first zip 33 defines a front face of second profile of first zip 39 and a rear face of second profile of first zip 41 opposite to said front face 39, said front face of second profile of first zip 39 and said rear face of second profile of first zip 41 being assessed along an outgoing direction moving away from said surface 2.
The finishing layer 8 has a front face of finishing layer 11 and a rear face of finishing layer 12 opposite to said front face of finishing layer 11, said front face of finishing layer 11 and said rear face of finishing layer 12 being assessed along said outgoing direction moving away from said surface 2.
According to an embodiment, the rear face of finishing layer 12 is arranged facing the front face of second profile of first zip 39.
According to an embodiment, the front face of finishing layer 11 is arranged facing said front face of second profile of first zip 39.
According to an embodiment, the upholstery system comprises a thermal adhesive tape 60 comprising a layer of thermal activated adhesive 61, and the first profile of second zip 52 is fixed to the end portion of second flexible sheet 56; the second profile of second zip 53 is fixed to said thermal adhesive tape 60; and the thermal adhesive tape 60 is glued to said second end portion of finishing layer 10 by means of the layer of thermal activated adhesive 61.
The thermal adhesive tape 60 has a front face of tape 62 and a rear face of tape 63 opposite to said front face of tape 62, which are assessed along an outgoing direction moving away from said surface 2.
The finishing layer 8 has a front face of finishing layer 11 and a rear face of finishing layer 12 opposite to said front face of finishing layer 11, which are assessed along said outgoing direction moving away from said surface 2.
According to an embodiment, the layer of thermal activated adhesive 61 is arranged on said rear face of tape 63, and the second profile of second zip 53 is fixed to the front face of tape 62, the rear face of tape 63 being fixed to the front face of finishing layer 11.
According to an embodiment, the layer of thermal activated adhesive 61 is arranged on a first portion of said front face of tape 62', the second profile of second zip 53 is fixed to a second portion of the front face of tape 62", the first portion of front face of tape 61' is fixed to the rear face of finishing layer 12.
With reference to figures from 8 to 14, an installation method according to the invention, for installing an upholstery system 1 as described above, is hereinbelow described.
The installation method comprises a step of providing a functional layer 3 of the type as described above.
Moreover, the method comprises a step of providing a finishing layer 8 as described above, in which the finishing layer comprises a second half-band 33 as described above, already fixed to said first end portion of finishing layer 9, while the finishing layer 8 is devoid of the fourth half-band 53 described above.
The method further comprises a step of providing a first fastening device 30 as described above, in which the first profile of first zip 32 is already fixed to said end portion of first flexible sheet 36.
The method further comprises a step of providing a second fastening device 50 as described above, in which the second fastening device 50 comprises a second half-band 52 as described above, already fixed to said end portion of second flexible sheet 56.
The method further comprises a step of providing the aforesaid fourth half-band 53 as described above, not fixed to the finishing layer 8.
The installation method further comprises a step of fixing the first fastening device 30 to the surface 2 to be upholstered, by fixing the fastening portion of first flexible sheet 35 to the surface 2, and a step of fixing the second fastening device 50 to the surface 2 to be upholstered, by fixing the fastening portion of second flexible sheet 55 to the surface 2.
The method further provides a step of arranging the functional layer 3 along the surface 2 between the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50.
The method further comprises the step of fixing the fourth half-band 53 at the second end portion of the finishing layer 10, for example along the second end edge of the finishing layer.
The method further comprises a step of removably joining the finishing layer 8 to the first fastening device 30 by removably mutually joining the first half-band 32 and the second half-band 33.
The method comprises a step of removably joining the finishing layer 8 to the second fastening device 50 by removably mutually joining the third half-band 52 and the fourth half-band 53.
According to an embodiment, the method provides a step of cutting to size the finishing layer 8 so as to cover the front face of functional layer 5 between the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50.
This step of cutting to size the finishing layer is carried out at the second end portion 10 of the finishing layer 8 so that such a finishing layer takes on dimensions suitable for covering the space between the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50.
The step of fixing the fourth half-band 53 to the second end portion of finishing layer 10 may be carried out after the step of cutting to size the finishing layer 8.
The aforesaid step of cutting to size may comprises further cutting steps of further sides of the finishing layer 8. For example, in the case of a quadrangular finishing layer 8, a first side of the finishing layer 8 comprises the second half-band 33 fixed thereto, while the remaining three sides may be cut to size in this step.
The above-described method allows an accurate and quick installation of the upholstery to the surface 2 to be upholstered. Such a method indeed allows the upholstery system to be adapted to the exact dimensions and to the specific geometry of the surface to be upholstered, also when such a surface is not flat or regular.
The flexibility and pliability of the whole upholstery system indeed allows it to be installed to curved and irregular surfaces.
The aforesaid installation method may be carried out in autonomy by the final purchaser and does not require any specialized labor.
According to an embodiment of the method, the step of removably joining the finishing layer 8 to the first fastening device 30 is carried out after the step of cutting to size the finishing layer 8.
According to this embodiment, a step may be provided of measuring the dimensions of the surface 2 to be upholstered before the cutting to size step, so as to carry out the cutting to size step based on the dimensions measured.
According to another embodiment of the method, the step of removably joining the finishing layer 8 to the first fastening device 30 is carried out after the step of cutting to size the finishing layer 8.
An embodiment example of this step is shown in figure 11, in which the finishing layer 8 is joined to the first fastening device 30 before the step of cutting to size.
Here, a step may be provided of stretching the finishing layer 8, joined to the first fastening device 30, over the front face 4 of the functional layer 3, towards the second fastening device 50.
At this point, the step of cutting to size may be manually carried out on site, for example by means of scissors, by following the orientation of the second fastening device 50.
This embodiment of the method allows a preceding measuring step of the dimensions of the surface to be upholstered, to be avoided, and a more accurate finishing layer 8 to be obtained more quickly.
According to an embodiment, the step of fixing the first fastening device 30 to surface 2 and the step of fixing the second fastening device 50 to surface 2 are carried out so as to place the fastening portion 35 of the first flexible sheet 34 and the fastening portion 55 of the second flexible sheet 54 mutually facing and closer to each other, so as to remain interposed, in use, between surface 2 and the rear face of functional layer 5.
This provision allows the first flexible sheet 34 and the second flexible sheet 54 to be arranged so as to embrace and envelop the functional layer 7, passing from said rear face of functional layer 5 to said front face of functional layer 4.
According to an embodiment, the step of cutting to size the finishing layer 8 comprises the steps of:

measuring a first distance between the first half-band 32 and the third half-band 52, along a measuring direction which extends between the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50;
defining a second distance between the second half-band 33 and the fourth half-band 53 along said measuring direction, so that said second distance is less than said first distance;
cutting the finishing layer 8 according to said second distance.

Thereby, when the finishing layer 8 is removably joined to the first fastening device 30 and to the second fastening device 50 by means of the first shape-coupling closing band 31 and the second shape-coupling closing band 51, the finishing layer 8 remains outwardly stretched on opposite sides by the first fastening device 30 and by the second fastening device 50.
Thereby, the finishing layer 8, in use, remains stretched uniformly over the front surface 4 of the functional layer 3, thus avoiding any rippling or loosening of the finishing layer 8.
According to an embodiment, the step of fixing the fourth half-band 53 to the second end portion of the finishing layer 10 comprises a step of stitching, or gluing, the fourth half-band 53 directly to the second end portion 10.
This step of fixing the fourth half-band 53 to the second end portion of finishing layer results in a resistant and secure type of fixing. However, it requires arranging a sewing machine close to the surface to be upholstered, and therefore a certain inconvenience of use.
Alternatively, the step of fixing the fourth half-band 53 to the second end portion of finishing layer 10 may comprise a step of providing a thermal adhesive tape 60 comprising a layer of thermal activated adhesive 61, wherein the fourth half-band 53 is fixed to the thermal adhesive tape 60.
The method further comprises a step of gluing the thermal adhesive tape 60 to the second end portion of finishing layer 10 by heating the thermal activated adhesive 61.
For example, the step of gluing the thermal adhesive tape 60 to the second end portion of finishing layer 10 may be manually carried out by means of the use of an iron.
Thereby, the fixing of the fourth half-band 53 to the finishing layer by means of the thermal adhesive tape is more convenient to be achieved on site, because transporting and using an iron on site is clearly less challenging than transporting a sewing machine. Moreover, this type of fixing is also very stable.
According to an embodiment, the step of fixing the first fastening device 30 to the surface 2 comprises the following steps:

positioning the first fastening device in a first preset position of the surface 2 to be upholstered;
stretching the fastening portion of the first flexible sheet 35 along said surface 2;
securely fixing said fastening portion of first flexible sheet 35 to the surface 2 by means of fastening means, for example by means of nails or gluing.

Similarly, the step of fixing the second fastening device 50 to the surface 2 comprises the following steps:

positioning the second fastening device in a second preset position of the surface 2 to be upholstered;
stretching the fastening portion of the first flexible sheet 35 along said surface 2;
securely fixing said fastening portion of first flexible sheet 35 by means of fastening means, for example by means of nails or gluing.

According to one embodiment, the installation method comprises a step of fixing the functional layer 3 to the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50.
For example, the step of fixing the functional layer 3 to the first fastening device 30 and to the second fastening device 50 is carried out after the step of fixing the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50 to surface 2.
Thereby, the installation of the upholstery could be more accurate because in a first step, the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50 would be accurately fixed to the surface, and the functional layer 3 would be arranged therebetween only afterwards. Thereby, the functional layer could be adapted more easily.
According to another embodiment of the method, the step of fixing the functional layer 3 to the first fastening device 30 and to the second fastening device 50 is carried out before the step of fixing the first fastening device 30 and the second fastening device 50 to the surface 2.
Thereby, a unit is obtained formed by functional layer 3 and first and second fastening device 30, 50, fixed thereto, before fixing such a unit to the surface. According to this variant, installation could be quicker because it would allow such a unit to be formed by resting it on a floor, and only afterwards fixing such a unit to the surface 2 to be upholstered, e.g. to a wall.
According to an embodiment, the step of arranging the functional layer 3 comprises a step of cutting the functional layer 3 in a central portion of functional layer 13 and in two adjacent and opposite peripheral portions of functional layer 14, 15, said central portion of functional layer 13 having such dimensions as not to overlap said fastening portion 35 of said first flexible sheet 34 and said fastening portion 55 of said second flexible sheet 54.
Such a step of arranging the functional layer 3 further comprises a step of fixing the central portion 13 to the surface 2 so as to be interposed between the fastening portion of first flexible sheet 35 and the fastening portion of second flexible sheet 55.
The step of arranging the functional layer 3 further comprises a step of arranging, or gluing, the two adjacent and opposite peripheral portions of functional layer 14, 15 on the fastening portion of the first flexible sheet 35 and on the fastening portion of the second flexible sheet 55, respectively.
According to an embodiment, the step of fixing the functional layer to the first fastening device 30 and to the second fastening device 50 may be removably carried out, for example by applying removable fastening elements to the fastening devices and to the functional layer, for example by means of shape- coupling fastening bands 71, 72, for example of Velcro®, as shown in figures 1, 2, 4, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, or by means of self-adhesive bands.
With reference to figures 21 to 24, a kit according to the invention, for installing an upholstery system 1 as described above, is hereinbelow described.
The kit comprises a finishing layer 8 of the type described above, comprising a first end portion of finishing layer 9 and a second end portion of finishing layer 10 opposite to the first end portion of finishing layer 9, wherein the finishing layer 8 comprises a second half-band 33, wherein the second half-band 33 is already fixed in advance to the first end portion of finishing layer 9. The second half-band 33 is part of a first shape-coupling band 31 comprising a first half-band 32 and the aforesaid second half-band 33 which are mutually connectable by shape coupling.
The kit further comprises a first fastening device 30 as described above, comprising a first flexible sheet 34 having a fastening portion 35 and an end portion of first flexible sheet 36 opposite to said fastening portion 35, and comprising the first half-band 32 already fixed in advance to the end portion of first flexible sheet 36.
The kit further comprises a second fastening device 50 as described above, comprising a second flexible sheet 54 having a fastening portion 55 and an end portion of second flexible sheet 56 opposite to said fastening portion 55, and comprising a third half-band 52 of a second shape-coupling closing band 51 as described above, comprising the third half-band 52 and the fourth half-band 53 mutually connectable by shape coupling, in which the third half-band 52 is already fixed to the end portion of second flexible sheet 56.
The kit further comprises the fourth half-band 53 wherein such a fourth half-band 53 is separated from the finishing layer 8.
The kit further comprises a functional layer 3 as described above.
The aforesaid kit according to the invention allows the installation and adaptation of the upholstery system to a surface to be upholstered, to be simplified. Such a kit is indeed formed by a complete group of preassembled components ready for assembly, which allows the final user to autonomously install the upholstery system, thus avoiding specialized labor to be required.
According to an embodiment, the kit further comprises a thermal adhesive tape 60 comprising a layer of thermal activated adhesive 61, wherein the fourth half-band 53 is fixed to said thermal adhesive tape 60.

Claims

Upholstery system (1) for covering a surface (2), comprising:
- a functional layer (3) having a rear face of functional layer (5) adapted to face said surface (2), and a front face of functional layer (4) opposite to said rear face of functional layer (5),

- a finishing layer (8) adapted to cover said front face of said functional layer (4), said finishing layer (8) comprising a first end portion of finishing layer (9) and a second end portion of finishing layer (10) opposite to the first end portion of finishing layer (9);

- a first fastening device (30) adapted to removably connect said first end portion of finishing layer (9) to said surface (2), and a second flexible fastening device (50) adapted to removably connect said second end portion of finishing layer (10) to said surface (2), so as to retain in use said functional layer (3) in a position interposed between said surface (2) and said finishing layer (8) and between the first fastening device (30) and the second fastening device (50);
wherein said upholstery system is characterized in that it comprises:
- a first shape-coupling closing band (31), formed by a first half-band (32) and a second half-band (33) removably engageable with each other;

- a second shape-coupling closing band (51), formed by a third half-band (52) and a fourth half-band (53) removably engageable with each other;

- said second half-band (33) being fixed to the first end portion of finishing layer (9); and said fourth half-band (53) being fixed to the second end portion of finishing layer (10);

- wherein the first fastening device (30) comprises a first flexible sheet (34) having a fastening portion (35) adapted to be fixed to the surface (2) and an end portion of first flexible sheet (36) opposite to said fastening portion (35) to which said first half-band (32) is fixed;

- wherein the second fastening device (50) comprises a second flexible sheet (54) having a fastening portion (55) adapted to be fixed to the surface (2) and an end portion of second flexible sheet (56) opposite to said fastening portion (55) to which said third half-band (52) is fixed.
System according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer (3) is delimited by a first end edge of functional layer (6) and by a second end edge of functional layer (7) opposite to the first end edge of functional layer (6),
and wherein, in use, said first flexible sheet (34) and said second flexible sheet (54) embrace and envelop said first end edge of functional layer (6) and said second end edge of functional layer (7), passing from said rear face of functional layer (5) to said front face of functional layer (4).
System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a first distance is defined between the first half-band (32) and the third half-band (52), and a second distance is defined between the second half-band (33) and the fourth half-band (53), said first distance and said second distance being defined along a same direction which extends between said first fastening device (30) and said second fastening device (50), wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance, so that said finishing layer (8) is stretched in use by said first fastening device (30) and by said second fastening device (50) outwardly from opposite sides of said finishing layer (8).
System according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said first half-band (32) is fixed by stitching, or by gluing, to said end portion of first flexible sheet (36), and/or wherein said second half-band (33) is fixed by stitching, or by gluing, to said first end portion of finishing layer (9).
System according to at least one preceding claim, wherein the second half-band (33) defines a front face of second half-band (39) and a rear face of second half-band (41) opposite to said front face of second half-band (39), and wherein the finishing layer (8) defines a front face of finishing layer (11) and a rear face of finishing layer (12) opposite to said front face of finishing layer (11),
wherein:
- said rear face of finishing layer (12) is arranged facing said front face of second half-band (39), or wherein:

- said front face of finishing layer (11) is arranged facing said front face of second half-band (39).
System according to at least one preceding claim, comprising a thermal adhesive tape (60) comprising a layer of thermal activated adhesive (61), wherein:
- the third half-band (52) is fixed to said end portion of second flexible sheet (56);

- the fourth half-band (53) is fixed to said thermal adhesive tape (60); and

- the thermal adhesive tape (60) is glued to said second end portion of finishing layer (10) by means of said layer of thermal activated adhesive (61).
System according to claim 6, wherein the thermal adhesive tape (60) has a front face of tape (62) and a rear face of tape (63) opposite to said front face of tape (62), and said finishing layer (8) has a front face of finishing layer (11) and a rear face of finishing layer (12) opposite to said front face of finishing layer (11), wherein:
- said layer of thermal activated adhesive(61) is arranged on said rear face of tape (63), and said fourth half-band (53) is fixed to said front face of tape (62), said rear face of tape (63) being fixed to said front face of finishing layer (11); or wherein:

- said layer of thermal activated adhesive(61) is arranged on a first portion of said front face of tape (62'), and said fourth half-band (53) is fixed to a second portion of said front face of tape (62"), said first portion of front face of tape (61') being fixed to said rear face of finishing layer (12).
System according to at least one preceding claim, wherein the first shape-coupling closing band (31) is a first pressure zip, wherein the first half-band (32) is a first profile of first zip and wherein the second half-band (33) is a second profile of first zip.
System according to claim 8, wherein the first pressure zip (31) comprises a closing slider (37) adapted to mutually close or open the first profile of first zip (32) and the second profile of first zip (33) each other by means of a sliding movement of the closing slider (37).
System according to at least one preceding claim, wherein the second shape-coupling closing band (51) is a second pressure zip, wherein the third half-band (52) is a first profile of second zip and wherein the fourth half-band (53) is a second profile of second zip.
System according to claim 10, wherein said second pressure zip (51) is devoid of closing slider.
System according to claim 9 and 11, wherein the first pressure zip (31) is operatively arranged higher than said second pressure zip (51).
Installation method for installing an upholstery system (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, on a surface (2), comprising the steps of:
- providing said functional layer (3);

- providing said finishing layer (8) comprising said second half-band (33) fixed to said first end portion of finishing layer (9), said finishing layer (8) being devoid of said fourth half-band (53);

- providing said first fastening device (30) having said first half-band (32) fixed to said end portion of first flexible sheet (36);

- providing said second fastening device (50) having said third half-band (52) fixed to said end portion of second flexible sheet (56);

- providing said fourth half-band (53) separated from said finishing layer (8);

- fixing said first fastening device (30) to said surface (2) by fixing said fastening portion of first flexible sheet (35) to said surface (2);

- fixing said second fastening device (50) to said surface (2) by fixing said fastening portion of second flexible sheet (55) to said surface (2);

- arranging said functional layer (3) along said surface (2) between said first fastening device (30) and said second fastening device (50);

- fixing said fourth half-band (53) to said second end portion of finishing layer (10);

- removably joining said finishing layer (8) to said first fastening device (30) by removably mutually joining the first half-band (32) and the second half-band (33);

- removably joining said finishing layer (8) to said second fastening device (50) by removably mutually joining the third half-band (52) and the fourth half-band (53).
Method, according to claim 13, comprising a step of cutting to size the finishing layer (8) so as to cover said front face of functional layer (5) between said first fastening device (30) and said second fastening device (50),
wherein the step of fixing the fourth half-band (53) to the second end portion of finishing layer (10) is carried out after the step of cutting to size the finishing layer (8).
Method according to claim 13, wherein the step of removably joining the finishing layer (8) to the first fastening device (30) is carried out after the step of cutting to size the finishing layer (8), or wherein
the step of removably joining the finishing layer (8) to the first fastening device (30) is carried out before the step of cutting to size the finishing layer (8).
Method according to claim 13 or 15, wherein the step of fixing the first fastening device (30) to said surface (2) and the step of fixing the second fastening device (50) to said surface (2) are carried out so as to place the fastening portion (35) of said first flexible sheet (34) and the fastening portion (55) of said second flexible sheet (54) mutually facing and closer to each other, so as to remain interposed in use between the surface (2) and the rear face of functional layer (5).
Method according to at least one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the step of cutting to size the finishing layer (8) comprises the steps of:
- measuring a first distance between the first half-band (32) and the third half-band (52), along a measuring direction that extends between the first fastening device (30) and the second fastening device (50);

- defining a second distance between the second half-band (33) and the fourth half-band (53) along said measuring direction, so that said second distance is less than said first distance;

- cutting the finishing layer (8) according to said second distance.
Method according to at least one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the step of fixing the fourth half-band (53) to the second end portion of finishing layer (10) comprises the step of:
- stitching, or gluing, the fourth half-band (53) directly to the second end portion (10);
or it comprises the following steps of:
- providing a thermal adhesive tape (60) comprising a layer of thermal activated adhesive (61), wherein the fourth half-band (53) is fixed to the thermal adhesive tape (60);

- gluing said thermal adhesive tape (60) to said second end portion of finishing layer (10) by heating said layer of thermal activated adhesive (61).
Method according to at least one of claims 13 to 18, comprising a step of fixing said functional layer (3) to said first fastening device (30) and to said second fastening device (50).
Method according to claim 19, wherein the step of fixing said functional layer (3) to said first fastening device (30) and to said second fastening device (50) is carried out after the step of fixing said first fastening device (30) and said second fastening device (50) to said surface (2), or
wherein the step of fixing said functional layer (3) to said first fastening device (30) and to said second fastening device (50) is carried out before the step of fixing said first fastening device (30) and said second fastening device (50) to said surface (2).
Method according to at least one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the step of arranging the finishing layer (3) comprises the steps of:
- cutting the functional layer (3) in a central portion of functional layer (13) and two adjacent and opposite peripheral portions of functional layer (14, 15), said central portion of functional layer (13) having such dimensions as to not overlap said fastening portion (35) of said first flexible sheet (34) and said fastening portion (55) of said second flexible sheet (54);

- fixing said central portion (13) to said surface (2) interposed between said fastening portion of first flexible sheet (35) and said fastening portion of second flexible sheet (55);

- arranging, or gluing, said two adjacent and opposite peripheral portions of functional layer (14, 15) on said fastening portion of said first flexible sheet (35) and on said fastening portion of second flexible sheet (55), respectively.
Upholstery installation kit for applying upholstery to a surface (2), said kit comprising:
- a finishing layer (8) comprising a first end portion of finishing layer (9) and a second end portion of finishing layer (10) opposite to the first end portion of finishing layer (9), said finishing layer (8) comprising a second half-band (33) of a first shape-coupling closing band (31) comprising a first half-band (32) and said second half-band (33) mutually connectable by shape coupling, said second half-band (33) being fixed to said first end portion of finishing layer (9);

- a first fastening device (30) comprising a first flexible sheet (34) having a fastening portion (35) and an end portion of first flexible sheet (36) opposite to said fastening portion (35), and comprising said first half-band (32) fixed to said end portion of first flexible sheet (36);

- a second fastening device (50) comprising a second flexible sheet (54) having a fastening portion (55) and an end portion of second flexible sheet (56) opposite to said fastening portion (55), and comprising a third half-band (52) of a second shape-coupling closing band (51) comprising a third half-band (52) and a fourth half-band (53) mutually connectable by shape coupling, the third half-band (52) being fixed to said end portion of second flexible sheet (56);

- said fourth half-band (53) being separated from said finishing layer (8);

- a functional layer (3) having a rear face of functional layer (4) and a front face of functional layer (5) opposite to said rear face of functional layer (4).
Kit according to claim 22, further comprising a thermal adhesive tape (60) comprising a layer of thermal activated adhesive (61), wherein the fourth half-band (53) is fixed to said thermal adhesive tape (60).