Patent Publication Number: US-11382425-B2

Title: Wall for a piece of furniture, method for producing such a wall, and furniture body or piece of furniture having such a wall

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a wall, in particular a side wall, for a piece of furniture, having an integrated fitting that guides a movable furniture part. Exemplary embodiments of the invention further relate to a method for producing such a wall as well as a furniture body or a piece of furniture having such a wall. 
     Furniture, in particular kitchen furniture such as base units or wall units, usually have a furniture body open to the front, to which movable furniture parts guided by fittings are mounted. The movably guided furniture parts can be drawers with a drawer front or doors or flaps, which can be used individually or in various combinations in a furniture body. The present application relates, in particular, to the use of doors and flaps as movable furniture parts. In the context of this application, doors and flaps are distinguished by the orientation of their pivot axis, which is vertical in the case of doors and horizontal in the case of flaps. 
     The doors and flaps can be formed integrally here or consist of several individual parts, such as a folding flap, in which different parts of the flap move relative to each other in the course of movement. 
     Door hinges are usually used to guide doors, which are arranged on the side of the pivot axis between furniture body and door. A comparable arrangement of hinges can also principally be used for flaps. These hinges are then arranged along an upper side edge of the flap. However, it is often desired to open the flaps in a combined pivoting and sliding movement in order to obtain the greatest possible access to the cabinet interior, e.g., in a wall cabinet, without having to pivot the flap to a horizontal position in which it cannot be reached by the user for closing, or only with difficulty. For this reason, special flap fittings have become established that are not arranged along the pivot axis between the furniture body and the flap, but rather laterally at (usually both) side edges between the flap and the side wall. 
     Such door hinges or flap fittings for mounting on an inner side of the side wall or side walls of the furniture body are well-known. However, the fittings inevitably protrude into the interior of the furniture body, which on the one hand reduces the usable storage space within the furniture body and on the other hand also impairs the structuring of the interior of the furniture body. The mounted fittings also make it more difficult to clean the interior, in particular the inside of the side wall of the furniture body. Particularly for optical reasons, a side wall on which no fittings are mounted is desirable. 
     For the assembly of door hinges it is known to mill a pocket into one end surface of a side wall, into which the door hinge can be inserted from the front. In this way the inside of the side wall remains free. A hinge suitable for use in such a milled pocket is known from the publication DE 1 559 963 A, for example. 
     However, this procedure is only suitable for door hinges with a very small installation depth. This is due to the limited milling depth with which such a pocket can be economically milled into the side wall from the end surface during the production process. The installation thickness of the door hinge inserted into such a milled pocket is also very limited, as side walls in the furniture sector only have a wall thickness of around 16-20 mm (millimeters). During the milling process, a certain minimum wall thickness must remain to the side of the milled pockets, as a wall that is too thin would tear or break already during the milling process or would be so deformed that it no longer has a perfect surface. 
     Even the use of larger and more complex door hinges is not possible in this way. Flap hinges usually have a large installation depth in the range of more than 10 or 15 cm (centimeters), which cannot be achieved by milling from the end surface. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a wall and a method for the production of a wall for a piece of furniture as well as a piece of furniture or furniture body having a wall, wherein larger fittings, in particular flap fittings but also door hinges with a greater installation depth are accommodated in the wall and the wall has a uniform surface finish. In this case, it should be possible to realize a uniform, continuous and even surface on both the outside and the inside of the wall. In addition, it shall be possible to also provide an end surface, also called a narrow surface, in which an opening for parts of the fitting is formed, with a surface of even and uniform, continuous surface finish in sections outside the opening. 
     A method according to the invention for producing a wall for a piece of furniture comprises the following steps: providing two panel-form core halves, of which at least one has at least one recess extending only along a portion of a side surface of the core half. A fitting or a fitting housing is inserted into the at least one recess and the two core halves are joined together to form a composite element enclosing the fitting or fitting housing, wherein the side surfaces of both core halves rest on each other. A narrow-surface coating is then applied to at least one end surface of the composite element oriented transversely to the side surface. Finally, an opening reaching up to the fitting or fitting housing is made in a section of the at least one end surface. 
     The wall according to the invention is thus a composite element consisting of two core halves, wherein either the fitting itself or a housing to accommodate the fitting is already inserted during the production of the wall. Thus, there are no restrictions for the size of the recess, as they are present with the insertion of the recess for the fitting with an already completely prefabricated wall. This means that even large fittings can be used, for example, which in their depth take up the entire or almost entire width of the wall. At the same time, the wall has a preferably integral, continuous top layer on both side surfaces. 
     During production, the composite element completely surrounds the fitting (or fitting housing), so that the end surfaces of the composite element can be provided with a narrow-surface coating, which can be applied advantageously by known, conventional edge-banding techniques. The opening, which is only made afterwards, then allows fitting components, e.g., a lever mechanism, to still extend out of the wall. Due to this narrow-surface coating, which covers the width of the end surfaces of both core halves, it is no longer visible that the composite element is composed of two separate core halves. Rather, it has the appearance of a single panel, whose side surfaces or end surfaces are each coated continuously and uniformly. 
     If the fitting itself is not already inserted in the production process, but, for example, a cassette-shaped fitting housing, the actual movement fitting is inserted through this opening into the fitting housing after the opening has been produced. Preferably, the fitting housing and the then inserted fitting have interacting, e.g., latching, mounting elements, so that the fitting can be easily mounted. Different fittings can then be inserted into a composite element prepared with the fitting housing. Furthermore, the fitting can be optionally removed for repair or replacement. 
     The at least one recess can be milled out of the corresponding core half or core halves, preferably from one of the side surfaces. Alternatively, the core halves, which can be made of a fiber material, for example, can also be produced directly with the at least one recess in a master molding process. 
     In an advantageous design of the method, the at least one recess, before the step of introducing the opening, protrudes to the at least one end surface except for a material web. The outer side of the material web or the outer sides of two adjacent material webs of the two core halves then provides or provide a continuous surface for the application of the narrow-surface coating. Preferably, the at least one material web and the narrow-surface coating applied to it are then removed for introducing the opening. 
     In another advantageous design of the method, the opening is milled, lasered, cut, and/or punched out. In this case, as a protection for the integrated fitting, a cover can be inserted between the fitting or the fitting housing and the remaining web on the side of the opening to be made, which cover can be removed after production of the opening on the end surface. 
     In another advantageous design of the method, the fitting or the fitting housing is bonded to at least one of the two core halves within the at least one recess. In addition or alternatively, the fitting can engage, for example, with staples or claws for its fastening into the core halves. In another alternative type of connection, which is also particularly simple in the production process of the wall, connecting elements are formed from the core halves adjacent to the at least one recess, which engage in the fitting or the fitting housing. The fitting or the fitting housing then has side panels with recesses, wherein the recesses form mating contours in which the connecting elements engage. Core halves and fitting or fitting housing are accordingly placed one inside the other like pieces of a puzzle and are positively connected to each other. The role of connecting elements and recesses as contour and mating contour can of course also be interchanged in such a way that the recess is formed in the core halves and the engaging connecting element in the fitting or the fitting housing. 
     The two core halves can be glued together and/or joined by means of further joining agents. This creates a wall for a furniture body with a firmly integrated fitting or a firmly integrated fitting housing to accommodate the fitting, which simplifies the production of the furniture body. 
     In another advantageous design of the method, before applying the narrow-surface coating, the at least one end surface of the composite element oriented transversely to the side surface is formatted to obtain a flat end surface. This can be carried out e.g., by sawing or milling. Due to tolerances in the dimensions of the core halves and/or due to processing tolerances, a step may occur between the end surfaces of the two core halves when the core halves are joined together. By formatting, a flat surface is obtained to which a high-quality narrow-surface coating can be applied. 
     In another advantageous design of the method, a flat coating is applied to an outer side surface of the core halves opposite the recess before or after joining. It is also preferred to apply the narrow-surface coating to other end surfaces of the composite element in which no opening is made. The result is a furniture wall with a homogeneous, high-quality coating on all sides and with an integrated fitting or integrated fitting holder. 
     A wall for a piece of furniture according to the invention with an integrated fitting that guides a movable furniture part or an integrated fitting housing to accommodate the fitting is characterized in that the wall is produced as a composite element in a previously described method. This results in the advantages described in connection with the method. 
     In another advantageous design of the wall, the fitting has a lever mechanism that guides the movable furniture part. Preferably, when the movable furniture part is closed, the lever mechanism is located between outer side surfaces of the wall. The fitting is then so completely integrated into the furniture body that—unavoidably—only the lever mechanism is visible, and also this only occurs when the movable furniture part is open. 
     Preferably, the wall has a thickness between 15 mm and 20 mm (millimeters). Due to its small dimensions, it corresponds to the thickness of normal furniture walls and, despite the integrated fittings, is in no way inferior in appearance. 
     A piece of furniture or a furniture body according to the invention has at least one such wall, which is produced according to a previously described method. This results in the advantages described in connection with the wall or the method. 
     In an advantageous design of the piece of furniture or furniture body, at least one wall is a side wall and/or a partition. The fitting can be a flap fitting or a door fitting. 
     Within the scope of the application, the wall according to the invention can be placed on any side of the furniture body, regardless of its orientation. In particular, the wall may be arranged in any orientation within the furniture body, in particular vertically, horizontally or diagonally, for example diagonally within the furniture body. In this respect, the wall according to the invention can also be used, for example, as a floor, bottom panel or top panel of a basic structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The invention is explained in more detail in the following by means of exemplary embodiments by reference to the figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows an example of a piece of furniture with a wall according to the application; and 
         FIGS. 2 to 6  each show an isometric representation of a wall in accordance with the application at different stages of its production process. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an isometric representation of a wall unit, e.g., of a kitchen, as the first exemplary embodiment of a piece of furniture with a (side) wall according to the application. 
     The wall unit comprises a furniture body  10  with bottom panel  11  and top panel  12  as well as two side walls  13 . A rear panel is preferably provided for reasons of stability, among others, but is not shown in this exemplary embodiment. 
     The furniture body  10  is open to the front to gain access to the interior of the furniture body  10 . In the context of the application, “front” is understood to be the direction of the furniture body pointing into the room. A flap arrangement  20  with an integral flap  21  is provided to be able to close the opening of the furniture body  10 . The integral flap  21  is pivoted around an (imaginary) horizontal axis. Fittings  30  are provided for this purpose, which are connected to the integral flap  21  with a lever mechanism  31  in the upper area of the integral flap  21 . 
     In this case, the fittings  30  are arranged within the respective side wall  13  (except for the lever mechanism  31 , which is extended in the opening position shown). When the flap  21  is closed, the lever mechanism  31  is completely retracted into the side wall  13 , except optionally for mounting elements for connection to the flap  21 . The area inside the side wall  13  where the fitting  30  is located is indicated by a dashed line in  FIG. 1 . 
     The side wall  13  is characterized by side surfaces  131 , which are ideally integral and can have the same surface finish over the entire surface. The surface of the integral side walls  131  can create design effects through different patterns, surface finishes, or different colors. This preferably applies to an outer of the side walls  131  as well as to an inner of the side walls  131  facing the interior of the furniture body  10 . The side walls  13  also have an end surface  132  (also called narrow surface), which has an opening  133  in the area of fitting  30 , into which the lever mechanism  31  of the fitting  30  enters or from which the lever mechanism  31  exits. In the closed state of the flap arrangement  20 , the lever mechanism  31  is completely immersed in the opening  133 , except for possible fastening means with which it is connected to the integral flap  21 . 
     According to the application, the side walls are 13 composite elements  40 , which are explained in more detail in connection with  FIGS. 2 to 6 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of a piece of furniture shown in  FIG. 1 , the composite elements  40 , which form the side walls  13 , are characterized by continuous side surfaces with a uniform surface appearance and haptics over the entire surface. In addition, the end surfaces are provided with a narrow-surface coating, which is also uniform and continuous. In particular, the front end surface, which has the opening  133  from which the lever mechanism  31  of the fitting  30  pivots out, is also provided with a continuous narrow-surface coating except for the opening  133 . 
     An exemplary embodiment of a composite element  40 , with which this is achieved, is shown in  FIGS. 2 to 6  at various stages of its production. 
     As  FIG. 2  shows in an isometric diagram, in a first production step two core halves  41   a ,  41   b  are provided, which later together form the basic element of the composite element  40 . In the example shown, the two core halves  41   a .  41   b  are mirror images of each other. 
     The core halves  41   a ,  41   b , for example, are made of a chipboard or a medium or high density fiberboard (MDF—Medium Density Fiberboard or HDF—High Density Fiberboard). The core halves  41   a ,  41   b  each have a rectangular allowance of the size that will later have the side or partition wall in the furniture body to be produced (cf., e.g., side wall  13  of the furniture body  10  according to the example in  FIG. 1 ). A respective outer side surface (also called wide surface)  411  of each core half  41   a ,  41   b  in the joined composite element  40  can already be provided with a coating which will later form the surface of the composite element  40 . The coating may comprise a thin layer of wood, paper, plastic or paint. For example, the coating can already be applied to a large area of panel material from which the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  are sawn. Preferably, this coating is already provided with a decorative surface. Its thickness ranges from a few tenths of a millimeter to around 1 or 2 millimeters (mm). 
     An inner side surface  412  of the core halves  41   a ,  41   b , i.e., the surface with which the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  lie on top of each other in the composite element  40 , can be uncoated. However, there may also be a coating, e.g., with melamine resin paper, which prevents the core half from warping. In addition, the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  each have a front end surface  413  and (in the figures only partially visible) further end surfaces  414 . The other end surfaces  414  face up, down and back. The end surfaces  413 ,  414  are preferably not coated at this stage of the method. 
     Both core halves  41   a ,  41   b  are each provided with a recess  42 , which are as symbolically indicated, milled out of the panel material of the core halves  41   a ,  41   b , for example, with the aid of a milling tool  1 . The contours of the recess  42  of core half  41   a , which is not visible in  FIG. 2 , are shown as dashed lines for clarity. 
     After later joining the two core halves  41   a ,  41   b , the two recesses  42  form a continuous cavity into which a fitting not yet shown in  FIG. 2  is inserted. The recesses  42  have the same geometry in the example shown. They can also be designed differently and in particular have different depths. The shape of the recesses  42  depends on the fitting to be inserted and its outer geometry. For example, the contour of the recesses  42  corresponds to the outer contour of a fitting to be inserted, in this case an approximately rectangular contour. In a special case it is also conceivable that a recess  42  is only inserted into one of the two core halves  41   a ,  41   b , while the other of the two core halves  41   a ,  41   b  does not have a recess  42 . 
     Even if the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  are of the same thickness in the example shown, the term “core halves” in the context of the application also includes core halves  41   a ,  41   b  of different thicknesses. 
     The recesses  42  can, for example, each be milled into the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  with the symbolically displayed milling tool  1 . Other machining techniques can also be used to create the recesses  42 . As an alternative to the machining or ablative process for producing the recess  42 , a master molding process (e.g., according to the DIN 8580 standard) can also be used to produce the core halves  41   a ,  41   b , by means of which the respective core half  41   a ,  41   b  at least partially already obtains its finished shape including the recess  42 . With an appropriate forming tool, the recess  42  can also be pressed during the production of the panel. 
     It needs to be noted that machining can be performed from the inner side surface  412  of the respective core half  41   a ,  41   b . Thus, the recess can easily assume any depth (as seen from the front end surface  413 ) and is suitable to accommodate also fittings with a large installation depth. In addition, shapes such as undercuts can be created which are not possible when machining a panel from the end surface. 
     The recesses  42  are each inserted in such a way that they are disposed completely inside the composite element  40  when the composite element  40  is joined and do not reach the outer surface at any point after the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  have been joined. 
     This applies to the outer side surfaces  411  opposite the recess  42 , of which only the outer side surface  411  of the core half  41   a  is visible in  FIG. 2 . The recesses  42  thus each have a bottom  421 , which may be flat or stepped, adapted to the fitting to be used. In this case, the remaining material thickness of the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  in the area of the bottom can be in the range of several millimeters. 
     Furthermore, this also applies to all end surfaces  413 ,  414  of the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  and in particular to the front end surface  413 . The lever mechanism  31  of the fitting visible in  FIG. 1  will later extend from this front end surface  413 . In the first production step of the composite element  40 , material respectively remains in the area of the recess  42  along the entire front end surface  413 . 
     A corresponding remaining material web  415  is visible in  FIG. 2 . The recess  42  adjoins the material web  415  with a front side edge  422 . To the rear, top and bottom, the recess is limited by further side edges  423 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a next processing step, in which a fitting  30  is inserted into the recess  42  and the two core halves  41   a ,  41   b  are joined together with the accommodated fitting  30 . For this purpose, the fitting  30  can, for example, be inserted between the two core halves  41   a ,  41   b  in one step, and both core halves  41   a ,  41   b  can be closed and joined together in a next step in the manner of a shell around the fitting  30 . 
     Alternatively, the fitting  30  can first be inserted into one of the recesses  42 . Then the second core half  41   a ,  41   b  with its recess  42  is placed over the fitting  30  and the two core halves  41   a ,  41   b  are joined together and connected to each other. To connect fitting  30  to the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  and also to connect the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  to each other, different connecting techniques can be used individually or in combination. For example, it is possible to glue the fitting  30  to the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  over as large an area as possible. In addition, tabs or claws can be formed on the fitting  30  which engage in the material of one or both core halves  41   a ,  41   b . For example, tabs can be provided all around the center of fitting  30  (with the exception of the front side where the lever mechanism  31  is arranged), which in principle protrude beyond the recess and are located between the two core halves  41   a ,  41   b . At the edge of the recess  42 , corresponding depressions are made in the remaining material of the core halves  41   a ,  41   b , in particular also milled in, in which the tabs are inserted. 
     It is also conceivable that along the edge of the recess  42 , the extending further side edges  423  are not exclusively formed by angularly adjoining straight sections, but instead, preferably at several points, undercut connecting elements are formed, wherein side panels of the fitting  30  have corresponding mating contours. 
     A particularly flat gluing of side surfaces of the fitting  30  with the bottom  421  of the recesses  42  has the advantage that in the area of the recess  42 , the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  can be recessed except for a particularly thin layer of material, for example only a few millimeters thick, since this thin layer of material of the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  is stabilized by the fitting  30 . In this way, a composite element  40  can be created that is only slightly thicker than the installation height of the fitting  30 . In the example shown, the fitting  30  has side panels  32  on which the lever mechanism  31  is mounted and between which the lever mechanism  31  enters. These side panels  32  can be used in whole or in part as adhesive surfaces. 
       FIG. 4  shows the joined composite element  40 , which contains the fitting  30  without being accessible from one of the side surfaces  411  or the end surfaces  413 ,  414 . 
     In a following processing step, the result of which is shown in  FIG. 5 , a narrow-surface coating  43  is applied to preferably all end surfaces  413 ,  414  of the core halves  41   a ,  41   b . Due to this narrow-surface coating  43 , which respectively covers the width of the end surfaces  413  and  414  of both core halves  41   a ,  41   b , it is no longer visible that the composite element  40  is composed of two separate core halves  41   a ,  41   b . Rather, it has the appearance of a single panel, the side surfaces or end surfaces of which are each coated continuously and uniformly. 
     Plastic, for example, is used as the material for the narrow-surface coating  43 . This narrow-surface coating  43  is also preferably already provided with a decorative surface or is painted after application. Its thickness ranges from a few tenths of a millimeter to about 1 or 2 millimeters (mm). Standard industry methods can be used to apply the narrow-surface coating  43 . For example, the narrow-surface coating  43  can be formed by an edge band that is fixed, for example, with hot-melt adhesive or by means of an adhesive activated by laser radiation, wherein a lateral projection is removed and trimmed after application by milling and/or peeling with a peeler blade. 
     Due to tolerances in the dimensions of the core halves  41   a, b  and/or due to processing tolerances, a step may occur between the end surfaces  413 ,  414  when the core halves  41   a ,  41   b  are joined together. In order to achieve a high-quality narrow-surface coating  43 , end surfaces  413 ,  414  lying on top of each other are advantageously formatted before the narrow-surface coating  43  is applied, wherein the step is removed and a common, flat surface is created, to which the narrow-surface coating  43  is applied. This can be done e.g., by a saw cut performed perpendicularly to the outer side surface  411  or by milling off the end of the end surfaces  413 ,  414 , for example. 
     In a last processing step, shown in  FIG. 6 , a further milling tool  2  is used to mill the composite element  40  on the end surface in the area of fitting  30 . In this way, an opening  44  is created through which the lever mechanism  31  of the fitting  30  is accessible. The height of the resulting opening  44  extends over an area of the fitting  30  where the lever mechanism  31  extends. Accordingly, the material webs  415  that delimit the recesses  42  to the front, including the sections of the narrow-surface coating  43  located on them, are essentially removed in this step. The narrow-surface coating  43  remains above and below the opening  44 , but optionally also laterally from the opening  44 , thus achieving the uniform surface finish of the composite element  40  also on the front end surface. 
     In order to prevent damage to the fitting  30  and in particular to the lever mechanism  31  during the milling step, the fitting  30  is preferably inserted into the recesses  42  in such a way that a small gap remains between the fitting  30  and the front side edges  422  of the recesses  42 , i.e., the material webs  415 . 
     The opening  44  can also be created by alternative methods to milling. The material webs  415  delimiting the recesses  42  to the front, including the sections of the narrow-surface coating  43  located on them, can also be removed by a laser process or another cutting/punching process, for example. 
     In the example described, the fitting  30  is directly integrated into the composite element  40 . However, it can also be provided that during the production of the composite element  40 , instead of the complete fitting  30 , initially only a fitting housing is inserted into the composite element  40 . After production of the opening  44 , the actual movement fitting can be inserted into the fitting housing through the opening  44 . Preferably, the fitting housing and the then inserted fitting have interacting, e.g., latching, mounting elements, so that the fitting can be mounted easily. It is advantageous in this case that the actual movement fitting is not yet included in the composite element when creating the opening  44  and therefore there is basically no risk of damage or direct contamination of the fitting (e.g., by chips) during the insertion of the opening  44 . Another advantage of the two-part design is that different fittings can be inserted into a composite element prepared with the fitting housing and that the fitting can be removed again for repair or replacement if necessary. 
     Alternatively or additionally, as additional protection for the integrated fitting  30 , a cover can be inserted on the side of the opening  44  to be cut out, between the fitting  30  or the fitting housing and the remaining web  415 , which cover can be removed after the production of the opening  44  on the end surface. In case of an already inserted fitting  30 , this cover is preferably thin. In the case of a fitting housing inserted in the composite element, this cover can also be more solid so that it supports the material webs  415  during the insertion of the opening  44 . 
     Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived from these by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a plurality of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments stated by way of example are only really examples that are not to be seen as limiting the scope, application possibilities or configuration of the invention in any way. In fact, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete manner, wherein, with the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art is able to undertake various changes, for example, with regard to the functioning or arrangement of individual elements stated in an exemplary embodiment without leaving the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           1  Milling tool 
           2  Further milling tool 
           10  Furniture body 
           11  Bottom panel 
           12  Top panel 
           13  Side wall 
           131  Side surface 
           132  End surface 
           133  Opening in end surface 
           20  Flap arrangement 
           21  Flap 
           30  Fitting 
           31  Lever mechanism 
           32  Side panel 
           40  Composite element 
           41   a ,  41   b  Core half 
           411  Outer side surface 
           412  Inner side surface 
           413  Front end surface 
           414  Further end surface 
           415  Remaining web 
           42  Recess 
           421  Bottom 
           422  Front side edge 
           423  Further side edge 
           43  Narrow-surface coating 
           44  Opening in end surface