WO2017160176A1

WO2017160176A1 - System for displaying ceramic tiles

Info

Publication number: WO2017160176A1
Application number: PCT/RO2016/000011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrei Şerban Constantinescu
Original assignee: Andrei Şerban Constantinescu
Priority date: 2016-03-17
Filing date: 2016-03-22
Publication date: 2017-09-21
Also published as: RO131258A0; EP3429434B1; RO131258B1; EP3429434A1; RO131258A3

Abstract

A fully customizable modular magnetic independent panel system is provided for displaying ceramic tiles. The system is composed by a panel with magnetic properties and an updating magnetic kit. The system is delivered completely for the first set up, and for the future updates, only the updating magnetic kit is delivered. The panel is composed by a thin sheet of metal applied on to a base plate. The updating kit is composed by personalized a magnetic branding in the shape the customer requires, a magnetic template for arranging the ceramic tiles onto panel, the "cut-to-dimension" magnetic pads, a tool for the removal of the old tiles and instructions.

Description

SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING CERAMIC TILES

The invention relates to ceramic tiles display panels and, more specifically, to a customizable modular magnetic display system.

The ceramic tiles market is very competitive and changes continuously. The producers develop each year new models of ceramic tiles to be exposed in specialized showrooms. The ceramic tile displays are usually represented by metal structures that hold chipboard or medium density fiberboards or ultralight panels, branded with the manufacturer's logo, a sample image and an indication of the ceramic tile collection and some physical samples of ceramic tiles.

In the art panel there are displays made of medium density fiberboards, chipboard, light board, cardboard or other similar panel based products designated for exhibit purposes. The branding for these types of panels is made by sticking a printed foil onto the panel and the ceramic tiles or products designated for exhibition are glued usually using glue guns or self adhesive tape.

Whenever a collection of ceramic tiles or even a single tile of the collection has to be changed, the manufacturer shall update all the panels previously delivered to various points of sale in the market, meaning that the old panels having the ceramic collection glued on them are withdrawn, for instance, from the showrooms, and new wood-based panels wearing the manufacturer's brand are purchased, meaning that ceramic tiles are applied on the panels with permanent glue, fragile packages are prepared and shipped to the distribution channels. This process is a very expensive one, representing one of the major costs of a ceramic tile manufacturer's marketing budget, as it involves not only the costs for purchasing the new panels, but also adjacent costs for storage, transportation, logistics, packaging, recycling of the dismantled panels, and so on. Also, the panel mounting process affects the normal activity at the points of sale as it involves a difficult manipulation procedure in which some of the ceramic tiles might broke.

From the prior art document EP2853179 A1 there is known a fast-change display for planar elements and setting, namely a surface equipped to easily display planar l elements of interest where the display surface provided with a distributed magnetic field and made with a rubber or plastic synthetic material layer provided with a ferromagnetic material dispersion activated as to create the above said magnetic field; each planar element or the like is equipped with at least one mean of clinging applied by means of an adhesive layer on the support face of the interested planar element, and including a dispersion or a ferromagnetic material continuity.

The disclosed panel presents the disadvantage that it is too heavy itself, even in the absence of the ceramic tiles glued on it, which makes it unusable for the classical metal frame expositors, which are not normally designed to hold such supplementary weight. Furthermore, ceramic tiles are particularly heavy items and require significant magnetic force to vertically hold these items on the panel. Another significant drawback of the application EP2853179 A1 is that the system is provided with a layer of thin material between the items to be uphold, for instance tiles, and the magnetic rubber layer. This significantly reduces friction between metal and rubber and slightly reduces the magnetic field. Therefore, it cannot sustain heavy ceramic tiles usually having over 20 kg/m² on this system because the heavy tiles will interact directly with the photographic thin sheet of material resulting in a reduction in the friction.

Moreover, the method used in the art for the personalization, namely printing directly onto a roll which completely covers the panel is not economical compared to the solution presented in this application.

Also, the prior art does not offer solutions for complete set-up or removal. The removal of magnetized tiles is not easy after they are displayed for an extended period of time. Furthermore, the arrangement of new ceramic tiles is difficult if a dedicated template is not conceived.

The aim of the present invention is directed to providing a system for displaying ceramic tiles that offers a versatile solution, is quickly and easily updatable, i.e. a fast-change display system for ceramic tiles, is able to resist the stresses and shocks associated with normal use. The ceramic tiles adhere to the panel with sufficient strength to keep them from falling when the panel is in vertical position. Therefore, the present invention provides a system for displaying ceramic tiles, comprising:

- a base panel having a thin metal sheet applied on one of its sides or both sides by means of an adhesive layer that collates the thin metal sheet, said metal sheet being provided on the side opposed to the panel with an anti-adherent paint coating, and

- a replacement kit, which contains at least one self adhesive magnetic sheet for each item to be displayed and optionally a dismantling tool.

The anti-adherent paint coating is characterized by a sequence of layers such as polyethylene as a protective layer, acrylic as a top coat, polyester as a primer, chromium as a chemical layer, and a back coating on element 4, usually polyethylene.

If the base panel has the adhesive layer on only one side, a balancing layer of melamine may be optionally attached to the other side of the panel, to release the tensions caused by attaching a supplementary element on just one side of the base panel.

Also, the updating kit may also comprise a printed magnetic branding, produced according to customer's requirements and/or a modular intuitive template along with instructions for a quick and precise arrangement of the updated tiles. The printed magnetic branding may be for example an isotropic or anisotropic magnetic foil with a self adhesive printable foil or sticker attached or directly printed on, and having a thickness between 0.2 and 0.8 mm. The self adhesive magnetic sheet for each item to be displayed may be isotropic and may have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

The dismantling tool is a metallic tool, with its upper part being "u" shaped and able to sustain an item, the wings of the "u" profile being thin so that one of the wings can easily reach under said item, and detach it with a short move upward.

The updating kit may include several branding positions, several shapes and the self adhesive magnetic sheets are also dimensioned (as pull strength and as surface) to be able to hold particularly any type of tile the customer needs. Furthermore the base panel is provided in various thicknesses, shapes and dimensions, able to fit, as presented before, to any existing metal frame expositor. This translates into a major economical and logistic advantage for the customer in the implementation of such product as it removes the pressure to change the metal frame expositors already placed in the points of sale.

The panel system can be upgraded with the addition of other appealing features such a magnetic prospect holder, magnetic label indicators for each ceramic tile, detachable promotional messages. Other various features, uses and designs of the panel system may be implemented in order to satisfy the utility or aesthetic needs of the user. For example, if the baseboard of the panel will be a weather resistant one, such as compact HPL, the panel can be exposed outdoors to display the ceramic tiles intended for outdoor use (wall claddings, clinker, pool side tiles).

The ceramic tiles applied in an innovative way take advantage not only of the magnetism created between the ferromagnetic base board and ceramic tiles' magnetic support but also of the friction created between the two surfaces. Friction has been improved by using the special adherent paint coating on the base panel.

Another problem to which the present solution responds is creating a more sustainable recyclable product, reducing the wood consumption involved in the panel update process by more than 80 %. This waste reduction comes from the fact that the panels will no longer be changed every time a collection is updated, but first the panels will be installed and only afterwards the ceramic tiles and various graphics are changed. The replaced materials are fully recyclable.

The replacement of wall decorative elements with other ones in order to change the presentation by clinging them with magnetic material applied with adhesives to the decorative element itself is a method known in the art and can serve as the base for the present invention. However, the present invention does not refer to an universal fixing system but to a complete solution conceived and designed for ceramic display process onto panels, and keeps account of the particularities specific to this process - as panel branding, correct laying of the ceramic tiles onto panel by using a dedicated innovative template, various ceramic tiles types and backing, shocks endured by the panels during manufacturing, transportation and life cycle, methods of production, and so on.

The solution of the present invention provides not only the change of the updated ceramic tiles, but also the complete update of the display panel with new graphics along with the new ceramic tiles.

Moreover, the present solution solves various issues originating from the panel production process itself. For example, when the supplier is requested to update a large collection of ceramic tiles and it uses the known art technique, a process that can take months, some of the items (stock keeping units) can be delisted by the manufacturer due to various reasons (raw material supply, weak product performance on test markets, etc.) In this case, if only one stock keeping units is delisted from a collection, the whole panel has to be changed, even if the other boards are still available. Also, if for any reason one panel built using known art reaches the market with a mismatched composition, the solution to correct this mistake is to change the entire whole panel. Also, another limit of the known art is that a seller cannot create a dedicated composition with a collection made out of season's best sellers and rotate it, but has to order dedicated panel composition from the supplier. It is also known that the display panels are manufactured and delivered to points of sale by the ceramic tiles manufacturers directly. Therefore, a seller has at present a limit of exposing on a single panel a composition of ceramic tiles supplied by different manufacturers. Moreover, the seller cannot present spot offers limited in time on a panel display as he desires, as he has to order a dedicated panel from the factory.

The system according to the invention is an alternative to the classical panel display system, according to which, for updating a collection or changing in any way the displayed ceramic tiles on the panel there is no longer the need to change the entire ceramic display panel. The customer initially receives the system composed of one panel cut-to-size according to its existing metal structure, which comes blank, and the first updating kit that he will fix onto the ceramic tiles. This way, the ceramic tiles can be magnetically fixed onto the blank panel. The system's particularity is underlined by the extremely heavy products it is designed to keep immobile in a vertical position. One ceramic tile can be as heavy as 20 kg.

As stated before, the panel replacement process at the points of sale is a major cost that affects the marketing budget of ceramic tiles manufacturers. Therefore, there is an obvious need for a solution that saves costs, time, and storage space and causes minimal stress to the points of sale when updating. There is also a need for the ceramic manufacturers and for the points of sale to replace even one tile of a displayed collection if that tile does not perform or does not sell. Moreover, there is a need to display promotional messages onto the panel in an uncomplicated manner in such way that reverting to the initial stage of the panel to be possible with ease. For example "new arrival" or "on sale items". All these drawback are solved by the system of the present invention. Also the system is eco-friendly because reduces the consumption of the base chipboard or MDF panel with more than 80 %.

The system according to the invention is preferably utilized in specialized stores for displaying ceramic tiles, but also in DIY stores, showrooms, etc. The system may also be utilized in the exhibition of products at trade shows, when a trade show booth recreates the setup of a ceramic tile showroom.

In addition to providing improved utility and ease of use, the system may also be capably used in variously configured showrooms as a self-standing panel, partition wall, or as a cladding to which later different ceramic ambient (scale 1 :1 ) can be applied.

The system may also be suited to the tastes and aesthetic needs of the user. In this regard, the panel's coating can be in different colors, or a permanent screen printing (or equivalent) can be added. These beneficial aspects including in embodiments of the present invention, as well as other beneficial features, will be further described below.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for obtaining a panel ready to be used during an exhibition, comprising the following steps: a) feeding the base panel having an adhesive layer on one side into a feeding device provided with means for unrolling the metal sheet, with a speed that is between the speed of unrolling the metal sheet roll and the speed of curing the adhesive, b) unrolling the metal sheet over the base panel, wherein the base panel and the metal sheet roll are centered by means of guiding rollers c) pressing the metal sheet over the base panel at room temperature d) optionally applying steps a)-c) on the second surface of the base panel

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of arranging ceramic tiles onto a base panel as obtained above, comprising the steps of:

- fixing a template on the panel starting from the bottom by centering it by means of a the metal frame supporting the panel

- arranging the first row of tiles by guiding them into said templates

- removing the template from the first row

- fixing the template above the last row of tiles formed by centering it by means of the upper border of the last row of tiles

-arranging the tiles by guiding them into said templates

- removing the templates

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention and of the advantages of its various embodiments, there will be a further description by way of non-limitative examples of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference being made in the description to the accompanying drawings. Thus, the drawings illustrate a system for displaying ceramic tiles, as well as the schematic view of the laminating solid panel machinery. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a classical panel system known in the field of ceramic display industry, whereby Fig 1 a is a perspective view of the panel, Fig 2a is a cross- sectional view of the panel and Fig 1 c shows a detail of the cross-sectional view of the system fixing the ceramic tiles.

FIG 2 shows a classical metal frame exhibitor known in the field of the ceramic display industry and illustrates the necessary steps for replacing a display panel.

FIG 3 shows a perspective view of a display panel system according to the invention

FIG 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel; Fig. 4a shows a cross-sectional view of a single sided metal face panel and Fig 4 b shows a cross-sectional view of a double sided metal face panel

FIG 5a shows, by way of non-limitative examples, various sizes of the magnetic foil.

FIG 5b shows a cross-sectional view of a display panel provided with a ceramic tile and magnetic foil.

FIG 6 is a perspective view of a display panel according to the invention

FIGs 7a, 7b and 7c show the content of an updating kit according to the invention

FIGs 8a to 8j show how a collection update is made and schematically show the steps of arranging the ceramic tiles on the display panel using the updating kit according to the invention, the schematic arrangement being a non-limitative one.

FIG 8k shows, by way of a non-limitative example, a final arrangement of the ceramic tiles on the display panel after updating,

FIG 8I schematically shows the removal of the ceramic tiles from the display panel FIG 9 schematically shows the laminating solid panel machinery FIG 10 shows the abstract theoretical representation of the interaction forces between the display panel and the ceramic tiles

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 shows a panel 1 of a classical display known in the art having the ceramic tiles 10 glued on it with a ceramic adhesive 1 1 , as it can be observed in section A-A, detail B. Section A presents a section through the finished panel. Also, FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b show the display of the panel branding (graphic / photography) 15. The graphic 15 is either printed on a sticker and then laminated onto panel, or is printed directly onto the panel. FIG.1 is provided for a better understanding of the technological challenges to which the present invention responds. The panel built in the classical method is practically a block of materials held together through permanent adhesives and it lacks any type of modularity.

Furthermore, for a better understanding, in FIG. 2 there is presented the process of replacing a classically built panel onto an existing metal frame expositor. FIG. 2a is a classical metal frame expositor; FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c and FIG. 2d present the mounting of a classical panel onto the metal frame. The dismantling of the panel from the expositor's frame is also clear from FIGs 2, operation usually performed by minimum two skilled persons with tools.

FIG. 3 represents a panel P according to the invention that will be used in conjunction to the updating kit. The panel P comprises the base panel 2, usually made from chipboard or medium density fibers, the adhesive layer 3 used for bonding the thin metal sheet 4 to the base panel 2, on the thin metal sheet 4 being applied a special adherent paint layer 5.

FIG. 4 is a cross section through the panel according to the invention. The panel according to the invention shows two embodiments. FIG 4a shows a single face panel wherein the thin metal sheet 4 is applied only on one of the panel sides. FIG 4b shows a double face panel wherein the thin metal sheet 4 is applied on both sides of the base panel 2The embodiment representing the single face panel comprises a base panel 2, an adhesive layer 3, a thin metal sheet 4, an adherent paint layer 5 and a melamine layer or balance paper or other similar material 6 provided on the opposite side of the thin metal sheet 5. The embodiment representing the two face panel does not comprise the layer 6, but only two sequences of layers 3, 4 and 5, defined above.

FIG. 5 presents an example of laying the magnetic sheets 12 onto the ceramic tiles 10. Depending of the particulars of the ceramic tiles, especially thickness, weight, back pattern, various combinations, setups and magnetic foil types can be used.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the new panel system P with all components installed, namely the base panel 2 , the adhesive layer 3 used for attaching the thin metal sheet 4 coated with adherent paint layer 5, the ready laid up ceramic tiles 10 and an example of fixing the customer's brand printed on a magnetic foil 16.

As shown in FIG. 7, components 10 and 16 are part of the updating kit, which also contains a custom-made special mounting template 14 for easily laying up the ceramic tiles 10 onto the panel and the. tile dismantling tool 13. The updating kit is delivered in a box. In one embodiment, the kit does not contain the ceramic tiles, as the tiles can be delivered separately. Furthermore, in FIGs 7 it is represented the backside of the ceramic boards after the self adhesive magnetic foil 12 from the updating kit has been mounted. The magnet foil has a self-adhesive side which, depending on the ceramic tile back side, can be self leveling or not (thick self-adhesive / spongeous).

The laying of the said ceramic tiles 10 on to panel P is described in FIG. 8 the modular intuitive template 14 is used for a quick and correct arrangement of the ceramic tiles. The updating kit provides instructions so as a non-skilled person can assemble the ceramic tiles 10 and the printed magnetic branding 16 onto the panel P. The modular template 14 is magnetic and FIG 8 a shows that the starting point is always chosen from the bottom of the panel. As said, the modular template 14 is designed and cut to fit the ceramic tiles. In FIG 8b, the modular template 14 is centered with the help of the metallic frame and first ceramic tile 10 is laid. The first row of tiles will use as a support for laying the upper tiles as presented in FIGs 8d , 8e and 8f. FIGs 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g and 8 present various types of ceramic tiles 10 being laid with the help of the modular intuitive template 14. This example shows the easiness of using this laying method for ceramic tiles. FIG 8I shows how the printed magnetic branding 16 provided in the box with the rest of the kit is applied on the panel P. The branding is simply rolled in the dedicated part of the panel. FIG 8j presents the dismantling of the printed magnetic branding 16 and FIG 8k shows the panel after the printed magnetic branding 16 has been removed. The tiles are dismantled from the said panel P using a specific tool which sticks under the ceramic tile 10 and insures a good grip.

FIG. 9 presents the technological process for manufacturing the wood-based panel with thin metal sheet 4. It is known that high productivity or good quality may be achieved by using other production method and not only the method of pressing directly from the coil roll. Thus, in FIG. 9 it is presented a wooden base panel 2 (it can be made from chipboard or medium density fiberboards), which is manually or automated loaded on to the transporting roller 20. The boards are aligned by the guiding rollers 22, and they are moved by the advance rollers 21. On the upper and lower part of the drawing there are presented the previously coated with special adherent coating coils of thin metal sheet 4, which are mounted on to a coil feeder. While the metal thin sheet is fed, it is covered with a bi-component adhesive 3 through an oscillation glue spreader system 24. When the panel and the thin metal sheet meet together on the rolling table, they are aligned and pre-pressed by the align rollers 23, and afterwards pressed by the pressing rollers 25. Further, the panels are cut to the desired length by a moving saw 26. The final result is the panel P which is ready to be used for ceramic tiles display. The lower part of the FIG 9 present the production method of a two faced panel describing the same system for feeding and the glue spreader as it is shown in the upper part. For a two faced panel it is activated the installation represented on under the base panel 2 (4 and 24 lower part of the figure).

SISTEM COMPONENTS PARTICULARITIES

First we underline that panel P can be delivered in a range of thickness, usually from 3 mm to 40 mm, depending on the application. Usually, on the metal frame expositors, the preferred embodiments have a thickness of 10 mm, 16 mm and 18 mm. The panel P contains as shown in FIGs. 3 and 4 a sequence of layers all of them being important. The base panel 2 is usually made out from a wooden base board, such as chipboard, medium density fiber, or oriented strand board - the most common used being chipboard. Other types of rigid boards can be used, for example polystyrene or cardboard or honeycomb cardboard, light board and so on. The base panel 2 has a length ranging from 400 mm to 3000 mm, a width ranging from 150 mm to 2100 mm and a thicknesses ranging from 3 mm to 40 mm. The preferred embodiment to be used in the metal frame expositors is a base panel 2 having a thickness between 6 mm to 20 mm, a width between 600 mm to 1100 mm and a length between 1300 mm to 2200 mm. In other embodiments, panel P can also be produced as a flexible panel, in order to support mosaic tiles.

The adhesive layer 3 is the glue applied for the fixation of the thin metal sheet 4. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive layer 3 is a bi-component glue with fast curing time which starts the hardening process when the base panel 2 is connected to the thin metal sheet 4. Other mono-component glues can also be used. The particularity of this adhesive is that it is able to bond a metal sheet onto the base panel 2 having the characteristics described above. The thin galvanized metal sheet 4 is characterized especially by a thickness ranging from 0.1 mm to 2 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the thin metal sheet 4 ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm depending especially on the base support and the envisaged application. Best embodiment shows that the thin metal sheet 4 ranges from 0.18 mm to 0.4 mm with optimal weight/performance results on a 0.25 mm sheet. Usually, the thin metal sheet 4 has the same width as the base panel 2 in any of the embodiment. The length of thin metal sheet 4 is cut to size from a roll by the circular moving saw carriage 26.

A key element of the panel P is the anti-adherent paint coating 5 which is characterized by a sequence of layers such as polyethylene as a protective layer, acrylic as a top coat, polyester as a primer, chromium as a chemical layer, and a back coating on element 4, usually polyethylene. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-adherent paint coating 5 has the following layer thicknesses: 50 μιτι polyethylene as a protect film, 7±2 pm acrylic paint, 15±2 pm polyester paint, 1 pm chromium as a chemical layer, 5±2 pm PE backing. Glossiness of the anti-adherent paint coating 5 in a preferred embodiment is 85 ± 10, but also matt (under 40±10) can be available due to adherent properties of the film.

Element 6 is a balancing material on the backside of the base panel 2 in order to release the tensions caused by attaching a supplementary element on just one side of the base panel 2. The balancing material layer 6 has the same surface with the thin metal sheet 4 and it is characteristic to the single side metal face panel. An anti-adherent paint coating 5 will be automatically added in the case a two side metal face panel P.

Layer 16 represents the customer's characteristics, namely its brand laid on the panel, called in the description of the present invention the printed magnetic branding. It is not characterized by dimensions, as the branding is made according customer's design / layout, in any shape or color desired. Element 16 is a magnetic foil with a self adhesive printable foil or sticker attached. The sticker can be printed separately on a classical printing machine and then laminated by using a classical laminating machine onto the magnetic foil. The magnetic foil does not have to be self adhesive. The other option for element 16 is to be produced from a magnetic foil delivered with printable foil attached, and printed directly onto the magnetic roll. The printed magnetic branding 16 is characterized by the fact that is an isotropic or anisotropic magnet foil with a thickness between 0.2 and 0.8 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the foil is between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. The printed magnetic branding 16 can be cut on a laser cutting machine or on a machine with oscillating knife. Simple cuts are to be made even manually or by guillotine. In one embodiment the printed magnetic branding 16 has to completely cover panel P, while in other embodiments in the positions where ceramic tiles 10 with self adhesive magnetic sheet 12 will meet the panel P, it is recommended that hidden cutouts to be made in the printed magnetic branding 16 so as the self adhesive magnetic sheet 12 to have a direct contact to panel P. The ceramic tiles 10 are attached to the panel P with a self adhesive magnetic sheet 12. The dimensions of the self adhesive magnetic sheet 12 depend on the characteristics of the ceramic tiles 10. The two major influence factors of the self adhesive magnetic sheet 12 in relation with the ceramic tiles 10 are weight and dimensions of said ceramic tiles 10 and the pattern on the back of said ceramic tiles 10. Depending on the back of ceramic tile10, a proper self-adhesive solution will be used for element 12. Thus, if the back of the ceramic tile 10 presents irregularities and high pattern model, then a spongious self-leveling self adhesive foil will be applied on the back of the self adhesive magnetic sheet 12. If the back of ceramic tile 10 is smoother, then, a self adhesive foil without spongious material will be applied. This is an important issue because in case the relief of the pattern on the back of ceramic tile 10 is high, the self adhesive magnetic sheet 12 will copy this pattern and thus the force of said element 12 will decrease by touching the panel P only where the relief is high and will not touch it where the relief is low. It is known that the attraction field between panel P and the self adhesive magnetic sheet 12 has maximum effect only when the elements are in direct contact. The attraction is lost when said element 12 is separated even by few millimeters from panel P. Considering this attraction rule and the fact that said element 12 has to support the heavy load of element 10, it is important that said element 12 is leveled in a parallel plan to panel P. As said before, said element 12 is influenced also by the weight of element 10. Element 12 is characterized by thickness and isotropy. For a lighter ceramic tile 10, self adhesive magnetic sheet 12 can be isotropic, and for heavier ceramic tile 10, said element 12 shall be anisotropic. The thickness of said element 12 ranges from 0.5 mm to 2 mm. In a preferred embodiment, said element 12 is isotropic and in thickness of 0.75-1 mm. The dimensioning of said element 12 and the choice of isotropic or anisotropic material takes into account the surface of the element 10 and its weight. It is possible to decrease the thickness of the element 12 and obviously its magnetic attraction by increasing its friction force, which can be achieved by increasing its surface. There is a direct relationship between the mass and dimensions of the ceramic tiles 10 and thickness isotropy and magnetic force of the self adhesive magnetic sheet 12. Therefore, the only correct dimension and setup of the said element 12 can be found only if the ceramic tile 10 is known. After a long period of time attached to panel P, the ceramic tile 10 attached to the panel using said element 12 is difficult to remove, as the magnetic field increases proportionally to contact period. Therefore, the dismantling tool 13 is provided for a safe removal of the ceramic tiles 10. Element 13 is important, because it is mandatory that the presented system to be safe when updating a collection. Ceramic tiles 10 are heavy items, and detaching those from the said panel P, considering the difficult body position and the insufficient grip to the tiles, can result in accidents. The dismantling tool 13 is a metallic tool, designed and built for this purpose characterized in that in its upper part it is "u" shaped and it is able to sustain a ceramic tile. The wings of the "u" profile are thin so that one of the wings can easily reach under element 10, and detach is with a short move up, as presented in FIG 8I. Also, this tool is characterized by a handle that makes manipulation easy. As a detaching procedure, the tool is used with one hand, while with the other hand, the ceramic tile 10 is held on the opposite corner.

It is not enough to only magnetically attach the tiles onto a panel. The spacing and alignment of the tiles must also be respected in order to have a good looking display panel. Therefore, the need for a practical, cost effective, intuitive template arises.

The modular intuitive template 14 is characterized as being magnetic as well and made out of a thin wood based panel with a magnetic foil attached onto it. The thickness of the modular intuitive template 14, ranges from 2 mm to 20 mm. In a preferred embodiment, modular intuitive template 14 is no thicker than 6 mm to 12 mm. The modular intuitive template 14 is also cut according to the desired panel layout and can be produced in any shape necessary in order to fulfill its primary function - the correct setting up and spacing of the said ceramic tiles 10 onto the panel P. The production of element 14 is simple - the piece of wood based panel and magnetic foil are glued together, and afterwards lasered or CNC cut in a desired shape. Each part of the modular intuitive template 14 is engraved with a position code, so as in the instruction paper which is included in the updating kit. When updating, it is enough to position each part of said element 14 on the panel P according to the instructions found in the updating kit. FIG. 9 describes the production process for panel P. The raw material is the sheet of metal which comes pre-painted as presented above and at the desired width. The thin metal sheet 4 is suspended on a feeding device which unrolls the metal sheet. The speed of the line is an interpolation between the speed of unrolling the metal sheet roll and the speed of curing the adhesive - element 3. In a preferred scenario, the velocity of the line is 3 to 9m/min. The greater the curing speed of the adhesive and the speed of unrolling are, the greater the production is. The glue is spread with an oscillating glue spreader, element 24 which also dosages the quantity of adhesive poured. In a preferred scenario, the adhesive consumption should not be more than 100-150 grams/m². The base panels 2 are fed manually or automatically. The automated feeding solution refers to a floor elevator on which the base panels 2 are loaded and a push bar which feeds the roller table, element 20. As presented above, the panels are centered and aligned on the left and on the right by guiding rollers, element 22 and pushed further on the line by the advance rollers, element 21. Also , the metal sheet is centered with a set of guidance rollers, element 23. At this point also a pre-pressing procedure takes place. At all times there is synchronization between the base panel 2 feeding rollers, element 21 , the metal sheet feeder and the glue spreader element 24. Finally, the pressing is made with the set of pressing rollers 25. The pressing is done cold, no heating required. Also, the panels are cut to length, considering that width cut is not necessary since the metal sheet comes cut to dimension and pre-painted and raw baseboard comes also cut in width to dimension. The element 26 which executes the length cutting is synchronized with the panel feeder so as to cut only the over dimension of the base panel 2. So, if the final length of said panel P will be for instance 2000 mm, than the said base panel 2 will have a length of 2010 mm from which the element 26 will cut 5 mm at the entrance and 5 mm at the exit, sizing the panel with metal sheet applied to 2000 mm. After sizing, there is the possibility to add a device for attaching protective foil onto panel P, as it normally should not support other interventions and could be delivered as it is. Protective foil can be applied even if panel P requires other operations such as edge banding. As said before, in the detailed drawings description chapter, the application of a thin sheet of metal on the other face is possible by starting the other side of the line (the lower side).

Claims

1. System for displaying ceramic tiles (10), comprising

- a base panel (2) having a thin metal sheet (4) applied on one of its sides or on both sides by means of an adhesive layer (3) that collates the thin metal sheet (4), said metal sheet (4) being provided on the side opposed to the panel with an anti-adherent paint coating (5), and

- a updating kit, which contains at least one self adhesive magnetic sheet (12) for each item to be displayed and optionally a dismantling tool (13).

2. System according to claim 1 wherein the anti-adherent paint coating (5) is characterized by a sequence of layers such as polyethylene as a protective layer, acrylic as a top coat, polyester as a primer, chromium as a chemical layer, and a back coating on element 4, usually polyethylene.

3. System according to any of the claims 1 or 2 wherein the base panel (2) has the adhesive layer (3) on only one side and further contains a balancing layer (6) of melamine provided opposite to the anti-adherent paint coating (5).

4. System according to claims 1 to 3 wherein the updating kit further comprises a printed magnetic branding (16), produced according to customer's requirements and/or a modular intuitive template (14).

5. System according to claim 4 wherein the printed magnetic branding (16) is an isotropic or anisotropic magnetic foil with a self adhesive printable foil or sticker attached or directly printed on, and having a thickness between 0.2 and 0.8 mm.

6. System according to any of the claims 1 to 5 wherein the self adhesive magnetic sheet (12) for each item to be displayed may be isotropic and may have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

7. System according to any of the claims 1 to 6 wherein the dismantling tool (13) is a metallic tool, with its upper part being "u" shaped and able to sustain an item, the wings of the "u" profile being thin so that one of the wings can easily reach under said item, and detach it with a short move upwards.

8. Method for obtaining a panel ready to be used during an exhibition, comprised of the following steps: a) feeding the base panel (2) having an adhesive layer (3) on one side into a feeding device provided with means for unrolling the metal sheet, with a speed that is between the speed of unrolling the metal sheet roll and the speed of curing the adhesive, b) unrolling the metal sheet over the base panel, wherein the base panel and the metal sheet roll are centered by means of guiding rollers c) pressing the metal sheet over the base panel at room temperature d) optionally applying steps a)-c) on the second surface of the base panel

9. Method of arranging ceramic tiles onto a base panel (2) as obtained above, comprising the steps of:

- arranging the first row of tiles by guiding them into said templates

- removing the template from the first row

- fixing the template above last row of tiles formed by centering it by means of the upper border of last row of tiles

-arranging the tiles by guiding them into said templates

- removing the templates.