Abstract:
A veneer panel is provided. The panel may comprise a face veneer, a metal mesh proximate the veneer, a backing layer proximate the metal mesh, and a thermoset adhesive bonding the wood veneer to the metal mesh and the backing layer. A method of making a veneer panel is also provided. The method may comprise the steps of forming a veneer assembly by stacking a face veneer, a metal mesh, and a backing layer, applying an adhesive material between a back surface of the face veneer and the metal mesh, and pressing the veneer assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to decorative and structural panels, and, more specifically, to a flexible veneer panel with a metal mesh layer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Current veneer panels may include paper-backed veneer panels, fleece-backed veneer panels, and two-ply veneer panels. In some instances, paper-backed veneer panels and fleece-backed veneer panels may tear or wrinkle. Each of the existing panels may also experience delamination in some applications. In other instances, these flexible panels may not be useable in vehicular applications due to limitations such as flammability of the panels. The two-ply veneer panel may provide flexibility but is also susceptible to being cracked and/or broken. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A panel may comprise a wood veneer, a metal mesh proximate the veneer, a backing layer proximate the metal mesh, and a thermoset adhesive bonding the wood veneer to the metal mesh and the backing layer. 
         [0004]    In various embodiments, the adhesive material may comprise at least one of a phenolic glue film or a phenolic surface film. The wood veneer may comprise a thickness from 0.015 inches to 0.030 inches. The thermoset adhesive may have penetrated into the wood veneer and the metal mesh. The metal mesh may comprise at least one of stainless steel or aluminum. The metal mesh may metal wires with a diameter from 0.0009 inches to 0.0019 inches. The metal mesh may comprise a 400 wire-per-inch wire mesh. The backing layer may comprise a second wood veneer. 
         [0005]    A method of making a veneer panel may comprise the steps of forming a veneer assembly by stacking a face veneer, a metal mesh, and a backing layer, applying an adhesive material between a back surface of the face veneer and the metal mesh, and pressing the veneer assembly. 
         [0006]    In various embodiments, the adhesive material may comprise at least one of a phenolic glue film or a phenolic surface film. The pressing the veneer assembly may further comprise heating the veneer assembly. The veneer panel may be flexed using a flex machine. The metal mesh may comprise at least one of stainless steel or aluminum. The metal mesh may also comprise metal wires with a diameter from 0.0009 inches to 0.0019 inches. The metal mesh may further comprise a 400 wire-per-inch mesh. 
         [0007]    The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a 3-ply veneer panel with an adhesive material disposed between the plies, in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a 3-ply veneer panel with the layers used to make the panel spread staggered for clarity, in accordance with various embodiments; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a 3-ply veneer with adhesive material propagated into the metal material, in accordance with various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation. The steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. 
         [0014]    A 3-ply wood veneer panel may comprise a metal mesh and/or metal fabric layer disposed between two wooden layers. Adhesive material may bond the three layers together with each layer having a thickness substantially less than the thickness of the other 2 dimensions. The resulting 3-ply panel may display flexibility relative to the plane formed by the two larger dimensions. 
         [0015]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a veneer panel  100  is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Veneer panel  100  may be a veneer assembly with three or more layers stacked in the y-direction relative to the axes provided for reference. Veneer panel  100  may have a face veneer  102  that may comprise a thin layer of walnut, cherry, birch, rosewood, oak, maple, mahogany, hemlock, teak, walnut, or any other wood species. Face veneer  102  of veneer panel  100  may have a thickness T 1  ranging from 0.015 inches to 0.030 inches (0.38 mm to 0.76 mm) For example, face veneer  102  may comprise a thickness T 1  of 0.02 inches (0.508 mm) Face veneer  102  may further be sanded to provide a smooth, decorative surface for finishing. Veneer panel may be a flexible veneer panel. Veneer panel  100  may be formed in any dimensions, and readily be made into rectangular 4 foot by 8 foot (1.2 m to 2.4 m) panels. Veneer panels may also be cut into smaller sizes or varied shapes. 
         [0016]    In various embodiments, an adhesive material  104  may be applied to a back surface of face veneer  102 . The adhesive material may be in the form of a thermoset adhesive, such as a phenolic glue film or a phenolic surface film, or any other suitable adhesive. Adhesive material  104  may have a thickness T 2  of 0.005 inches (0.13 mm), for example. A phenolic glue film may allow the glue to be cut in a sheet form and disposed between a back surface face veneer  102  and metal mesh  106  during the layup process. 
         [0017]    In various embodiments, a metal mesh  106  may act as a core material for veneer panel  100 . Metal mesh  106  may be a woven metal material similar to a fabric. Metal mesh  106  may be woven on high-speed looms in various weaves (e.g., twill weave or square weave). The diameter of the wire in a metal mesh contributes more to the strength of a veneer panel than the type of weave of the mesh being. The metal mesh may range from 325 wire-per-inch mesh to 500 wire-per-inch (325 wire-per-2.54-cm to 500 wire-per-2.54-cm) mesh. For example, the metal mesh may be a 400 wire-per-inch (400 wire-per-2.54-cm) mesh or other fabric-like metal woven mesh. 
         [0018]    In various embodiments, metal mesh  106  may be woven from metal wires, the metal wires having a diameter from 0.0009 inches (0.023 mm) to 0.0019 inches (0.048 mm) For example, a veneer panel may be made from a metal weave of wires with 0.0012 inch (0.0305 mm) diameter. Higher diameter wires may show through thin cuts of face veneer  102  or otherwise telegraph the presence of the woven wires behind face veneer  102 . Metal mesh  106  may thus have a thickness T 3  less than 0.05 inches (1.27 mm). 
         [0019]    In various embodiments, metal mesh  106  may be made from any metallic material (e.g., aluminum, steel, or any other suitable metal). A corrosion resistant stainless steel such as T-316 stainless steel (16-18% chromium, 10-14% nickel, 0.8% max carbon, 2% max magnesium, 0.75% max silicon, 2-3% molybdenum) or T-304 stainless steel (18-20% chromium, 8-10.5% nickel, 0.8% max carbon, 2% max magnesium, 0.75% max silicon) may be suitable for its corrosion resistance. In that regard, the material for metal mesh  106  may be selected to resist reacting chemicals such as tannins in the wood and/or fire retardant surface treatments, depending on the desired application. Aluminum mesh may also be used and is of relatively light weight with generally low melting point. Thus, aluminum may be less fire resistant than steel but provides weight savings compared to steel. In that regard, various metals may be compared and selected for metal mesh  106  based on suitability to the final application of veneer panel  100 . 
         [0020]    In various embodiments, an adhesive material  108  may be applied to a surface of metal mesh  106  on the opposite side of metal mesh  106  from adhesive material  104 . Thus, metal mesh  106  may be sandwiched between adhesive material  104  and adhesive material  108 . Adhesive material  108  may be in the form of a thermoset adhesive (e.g., a phenolic glue film or a phenolic surface film). Adhesive material  108  may have a thickness T 4  of 0.005 inches (0.13 mm), for example. A phenolic glue film may allow the glue to be cut in a sheet form and located between backing layer  110  and metal mesh  106  during the layup process. 
         [0021]    In various embodiments, backing layer  110  may form the back surface of veneer panel  100 . Backing layer  110  may thus be hidden from sight in applications where only one side of veneer panel  100  is visible. Thus, backing layer  110  may be made from a less visually appealing and or mismatched material. Backing layer  110  may be a thin layer of walnut, cherry, birch, rosewood, oak, maple, mahogany, hemlock, teak, walnut, poplar, or any other wood species. Using a wood material for backing layer  110 , and particularly the same wood species as face veneer  102 , may result a more balanced coefficient of thermal expansion than other backing materials. Backing layer  110  may be a wooden layer with a thickness T 5  ranging from 0.015 inches to 0.030 inches (0.38 mm to 0.76 mm) For example, backing layer  110  may comprise a poplar layer with thickness T 5  of 0.02 inches (0.508 mm). 
         [0022]    In various embodiments, the grain of the wood on backing layer  110  may be aligned with the grain of face veneer  102  for flexibility, or the grain of the wood on backing layer  110  may be disposed roughly orthogonal to the grain of face veneer  102  for increased stiffness. Backing layer  110  may further be sanded to provide a smooth surface with a consistent thickness. In various embodiments, backing layer  110  may be made from non-wood materials such as fiber-reinforced composite, paper, felt, or another suitable material. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , veneer panel  100  is shown in a 3-ply configuration with each layer fanned out for visibility. The layup for veneer panel  100  comprises face veneer  102  on a top surface. Adhesive material  104  may be a continuous sheet cut into a shape to mirror the shape of face veneer  102  and the other layers of veneer panel  100 . Metal mesh  106  may be disposed between adhesive material  104  and adhesive material  108 . A backing layer  110  may be disposed adjacent adhesive material  108  to form the bottom surface of veneer panel  100 . In that regard, backing layer  110  may provide support for veneer panel  100 . Face veneer  102 , adhesive material  104 , metal mesh  106 , adhesive material  108 , and backing layer  110  may each be a separate layer cut into the same shape and be aligned prior to a heat pressing treatment to form the veneer panel  100 . 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a veneer panel  100  is shown with a heat and/or pressure treatment (e.g., by pressing veneer panel  100  inside a press machine), in accordance with various embodiments. Pressure P may be a compressive force applied uniformly and/or substantially uniformly across the outer surfaces of veneer panel  100  through face veneer  102  and backing layer  110 . Veneer panel  100  may also be heated to reach the thermal threshold to set thermosetting adhesive materials. 
         [0025]    In various embodiments, and in response to the increased temperature and pressure, adhesive material  104  may penetrate (in the y-direction) into fibers of the wood used for face veneer  102  as well as into metal mesh  106 . Metal mesh  106  and face veneer  102  may press together and contact one another or have a thin layer of adhesive remaining between one another. Similarly, in response to the increased temperature and pressure, adhesive material  108  may penetrate into the material (e.g., wood) used for backing layer  110  as well as into metal mesh  106 . Metal mesh  106  and backing layer  110  may press together and contact one another or have a thin layer of adhesive remaining between one another. Adhesive material  104  and adhesive material  108  may then thermoset and initiate cross-linking bonds. Adhesive material that has invaded into face veneer  102 , metal mesh  106 , and backing layer  110  may provide a strong adhesion and resist delamination. 
         [0026]    In various embodiments, veneer panel  100  may be sanded after going through the press process to create more uniform surfaces. Veneer panel  100  may then be run through a flex machine to introduce small micro cracks into the panel by flexing the panel. The micro-cracks may not be visible to the naked eye but nonetheless may improve flexibility of the panel. The 3-ply sandwich construction of veneer panel  100  may resist breaking in the flex machine. 
         [0027]    Benefits and other advantages have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, and any elements that may cause any benefit or advantage to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. 
         [0028]    Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “various embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.