Patent Description:
As a result, the manufacturers had to replace the plastics - mostly polyurethane which represented, with good functionality but considerable ecological impact at the end of their life cycle, the elements of the interior furnishing of the passenger compartments - with other materials and different manufacturing solutions.

In this context, a material - so-called NFPP (natural fibre and polypropylene) - available on the market as sheet material, or thin mat, non-woven fabric, composite made of natural fibres such as silk, flax, hemp and the like, and thermosetting synthetic thermoplastic fibres, usually polypropylene, have been used successfully.

This material is contingently heated to softening without reaching the liquefaction threshold and with limited CO<NUM> emission, so that the thermoplastic matrix amalgams the natural fibres, and from this condition - with an appropriate thermal rise - it is allowed to cool and then pressed between cold moulds which impart the desired shape thereto, obtaining - therefrom - rigid shaped sheets which, once the perimeter scraps have been removed therefrom and drilled - if required - to create areas of interruption functional to the final intended use, which can be carried out simultaneously with the moulding with the appropriate simultaneous scrap cutting and hole drilling action, directly constitute panels, biodegradable in direct proportion to the relative constituent percentage of natural fibres.

The panels thus obtained can be applied and used to obtain modelling shaped sheets and frame for lining the interior of the passenger compartments, frames for upholstery, frames for uprights, frames for dashboards, luggage compartments, accessories for seats and the like.

For example and particularly, in the specific application of such panels such as shaped moulding portions and frame of the inner lining of doors, but in general in any relative application, the prior art provides for the means for fixing such panels to the bodywork and the accessories associated thereto made of conventional plastic materials, since striving toward reducing CO<NUM> in the manufacturing stage and toward reducing the ecological impact at the end of life cycle is significantly limited and frustrated.

Some known technical solutions are disclosed in the <CIT> and <CIT>.

In this context, the main object of the present invention is to provide composite panels for shaped frames for interior upholstery for motor vehicles, made of natural fibre and polypropylene (so-called NFPP), or similar thermoplastic synthetic fibres, such not to require to be integrated with structural and furnishing accessories as well as fixing elements made of conventional non-biodegradable plastic materials, but self-sufficient and suitable to perform any and all functions without featuring any kind of plastic materials.

Another object of the present invention is to achieve the preceding object and at the same time to provide a panel which - in the specific application of an interior lining for doors - is suitable to carry out any and all fixing and support function, without the need for further applications of plastic materials both on the external front, with reference to the passenger compartment, and on the internal front.

Yet another object of the present invention is to achieve the preceding objects by means of a panel which does not subvert the methods for manufacturing composite panels made of natural fibres and polypropylene (so-called NFPP), or similar thermoplastic resins, according to the prior art, such not to require changes in the production lines but only supplementations.

Another object of the present invention is to achieve the preceding objects through a solution concept that is simple and efficient, safe in use and a relatively economic cost considering the results practically attainable therewith.

These and other objects are all achieved with the polyfunctional self-supporting panel structure for use in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, particularly the interior parts of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle or provide a frame for the upholstery of a motor vehicle or an accessory for the seats of a motor vehicle and the like, according to the present invention as defined by the claims, such panel structure comprising at least one first shaped panel made of natural fibre and polypropylene or other synthetic thermoplastic fibres; in said at least one first panel there being defined a first face and a second face juxtaposed to the first face; and at least one second shaped panel, made of natural fibre and polypropylene or other synthetic thermoplastic fibres; in said at least one second panel there being defined a third face and a fourth face juxtaposed to the third face; said at least one second panel comprising at least one portion shaped so as to form, at the fourth face, at least one protuberance carrying connection means so as to allow to connect, in use, said at least one second panel to a support component of a motor vehicle; wherein the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel are mutually joined at at least one respective peripheral area and/or at least one respective internal area so that the first face and the third face each other, and that the second face is directed, in use, in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and that the fourth face faces, in use, said support component of the motor vehicle.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the present invention, the at least one protuberance can be made as a single piece in the at least one second panel.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the at least one protuberance of the at least one second panel and a corresponding portion of the at least one first panel can form, jointly, an internal cavity between the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel.

Preferably, the at least one protuberance has a substantially frustoconical shape or a shape comprising one or more cylindrical portions.

According to the invention proposed herein, the connection means may comprise at least one through hole.

Conveniently, according to the invention, the connection means can be provided for in an apical position of the at least one protuberance.

Preferably, in the first face of said at least one first panel there is defined at least one first flat surface portion while in the third face of said at least one second panel there is defined at least one second flat surface portion joined to said at least one first flat surface portion.

Advantageously, said at least one first flat surface portion and said at least one second flat surface portion can be mutually joined by means of electrowelding.

Furthermore, the connection means may comprise at least one pin, at least one bushing, at least one clip or at least one similar element.

Preferably, according to the present invention, said at least one pin, at least one bushing, at least one clip or at least one similar element is engaged with said at least one through hole.

Further characteristics and advantages of the composite panel structure according to the present invention shall be more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive relative embodiment, represented - solely by way of non-limiting example - in the eight attached drawings, wherein:.

With reference to these figures and in particular to <FIG>, a first and a second panel made of natural fibre and polypropylene (NFPP), obtained from non-woven fabric composite sheets, for example flax in this case, and a thermosetting synthetic thermoplastic fibre, for example polypropylene in this specific case, are respectively indicated with <NUM> and <NUM>.

Such first <NUM> and second <NUM> panels shell be understood to be made according to the prior art, by means of homogeneous thermo-softening, without reaching thermo-melting, of the sheets they are made of and more specifically of the synthetic fibre which contributes to form them, for the purpose of combining them with the natural fibre which likewise contributes to forming them; subsequent cooling and then cold moulding under a press die and counter-die, with simultaneous or subsequent cutting of the scraps and possible interruptions on the relative extensions, in order to obtain a bas-relief shape, perimeter shape, dimensions and perforations desired to adapt to the shape of the door of the specific vehicle to be contingently fitted therewith as well as to the design - wholly or partly - that the shape shall outline.

In terms of identifying location, in the present description text and in the claims that follow, an orientation criterion will be used, referring to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, such that the first panel <NUM> will be identified as the interior and the second panel <NUM> will be identified as the exterior panel.

The first panel <NUM> or interior panel is structurally similar to the panels forming the frame for accessories and upholstery of the doors of the passenger compartment of motor vehicles according to the prior art; the second panel or exterior panel <NUM>, made using the same implementation technique as the first, but innovatively structured to be twinned with the first panel and to carry out all the functions in terms of assembly and fitting of the elements made of plastic materials according to the prior art, is entirely made of the innovative matter of the present invention.

To this end, the second panel <NUM> tends to have the highest number possible of upper <NUM>, median <NUM> and lower <NUM> extension portions facing each other in complementary adherence, i.e. twinned in contact, with upper <NUM>, median <NUM> and lower <NUM> extension portions of the first panel <NUM>, in order to double in as many points as possible the thickness of the single panel structure <NUM> that the relative joining contributes to form, in order to achieve the greatest possible strength and value of the frame of the panel structure <NUM> obtained by the parallel twinning.

Such parallel twinning is fixed by mutual heat sealing of the panels <NUM> and <NUM> it is made of, preferably carried out through points <NUM> and <NUM>, with mutual joining and fixing by means of heat-sealing having a simple or compound technical morphology, achieved using any type and kind of heat-sealing device suitable for the purpose wherein the two panels <NUM> and <NUM> are in mutual contact, facing each other in a parallel fashion and preferably, for the sake of simplicity of implementation, between the flat parallel portions <NUM>-<NUM> rather than the arched portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, as shown in the figures of the twin-panelled structure <NUM>, where the sealing points are indicated with <NUM>.

Specifically, in the first panel <NUM> or interior panel there are defined a first face 10a and a second face 10b opposite such first face 10a and designed to face, in the configuration of use, toward the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

The second panel or exterior panel <NUM> instead has a third face 20a, which is directed toward the aforementioned first face 10a as a result of the aforementioned twinning, and a fourth face 20b opposite to said third face 20a and designed to face toward the component of the motor vehicle as an anchoring element for the twin-panelled structure <NUM>.

Furthermore, the second panel <NUM> or exterior panel preferably has, where possible, a preferably reticular ribbing <NUM>, which - in any case - are mutually intersected so as to strengthen the panel <NUM> and the panel structure <NUM> in its entirety.

Where it does not adhere to the first panel <NUM>, the extension of the second panel <NUM> or exterior panel is shaped as a bas-relief, in order to obtain outer portions as bas-relief to act as an armrest, slots for the translation of the glass window pane, seats for arranging loudspeakers, seats for lock actuation handles, seats for electric control panels, seats for nozzles for ventilation, heating and air conditioning system, interspaces for housing components and projections <NUM> - <NUM> for the direct support of fixing means <NUM> on the sheet of the bodywork.

In particular, said projections <NUM> - <NUM> are formed by shaping the second panel <NUM> or the exterior panel or they are formed as a single piece with the latter, projecting from the relative fourth face 20b.

These projections may have any shape and structure suitable for the purpose, but they are preferably frusto-conical <NUM> or cylindrical <NUM> (in particular made of one or more cylindrical portions) with apical holes <NUM> for the top insertion of the usual fixing pieces used in the industry consisting of pins <NUM>; all this without the need for adding plastic material according to the prior art and for the functions which are described below.

Thus, having completed the static description of a preferred embodiment of the composite panel structure according to the present invention, following is the dynamic description of the same, i.e. the relative operation.

The first panel or interior panel <NUM> and the second panel or exterior panel <NUM> are manufactured according to the prior art, shaped and dimensioned according to the contingent application;
in the embodiment described, the first panel or interior panel <NUM> is substantially similar to the panels according to the prior art, while the second panel or exterior panel <NUM> differs from that of the prior art in that it does not exist in the embodiments according to the prior art.

As a matter fact, the second panel <NUM> faces toward the outside of the passenger compartment and it has - in the bas-relief configuration thereof and in particular in the projections and protrusions - all the shapes forming the body and frame and/or means for fixing to the sheet of the bodywork and for the accessories embedded therein and/or projecting and fixed thereto.

In this manner, the second panel carry out the functions which, according to the prior art, are currently carried out by plastics fixed to the first and only panel, substantially doubling the recyclability characteristics of the reference parts it is made of.

It is obvious that in further alternative embodiments still falling within the innovation concept subject of the embodiment illustrated above and claimed below, the composite panel structure according to the present invention, may be implemented through equivalent technical and mechanical solutions, i.e. provided with further supplementary solutions, just like - in the claimed scope - all elements they are made of may vary in a manner suitable for the purpose and adapted to the specific conformation and structure.

In particular, though the described embodiment refers to interior accessories for doors, the solution of the twin panels made of NFPP can be used for manufacturing any portion of the interior furniture frame of the interior of passenger compartments of the vehicles entirely eliminating or at least radically reducing pure plastics.

As observable from the preceding detailed description of a preferred embodiment, the composite panel structure according to the present invention, offers advantages corresponding to the attainment of these and other preset objects:
as a matter fact, it achieves a proactive innovation which:.

Claim 1:
Polyfunctional self-supporting panel structure (<NUM>) for use in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, particularly for lining internal parts of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle or for providing a frame for the upholstery of a motor vehicle or an accessory for the seats of a motor vehicle and the like, said panel structure (<NUM>) being characterised in that it comprises:
at least one first panel (<NUM>), which is shaped and made of natural fibres and, polypropylene or other synthetic thermoplastic fibres; in said at least one first panel (<NUM>) there being defined a first face (10a) and a second face (10b) juxtaposed to the first face (10a); and
at least one second panel (<NUM>), which is shaped and made of natural fibres and, polypropylene or other thermoplastic synthetic fibres; in said at least one second panel (<NUM>) there being defined a third face (20a) and a fourth face (20b) juxtaposed to the third face (20a); said at least one second panel (<NUM>) comprising at least one portion shaped so as to form, at the fourth face (20b), at least one protuberance (<NUM>, <NUM>) carrying connection means (<NUM>, <NUM>) to allow to connect, in use, said at least one second panel (<NUM>) to a support component of a motor vehicle;
wherein the at least one first panel (<NUM>) and the at least one second panel (<NUM>) are mutually joined at at least one respective peripheral area and/or at least one respective inner area so that the first face (10a) and the third face (20a) face each other, and that the second face (10b) is directed, in use, towards the internal of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and that the fourth face (20b) faces, in use, said support component of the motor vehicle.