Patent Description:
There are known modular units in the prior art for making box-like modules connected to each other in order to form pieces of furniture, such as kitchen cabinets, bookcases, or display furniture for the home or office. Examples of such pieces of furniture are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> & <CIT>.

Typically, these solutions involve wooden modules which the end user or installation specialist may connect together to form the final piece of furniture.

However, the known solutions have some problems.

First, the composition of an entire piece of furniture requires the transport of heavy and cumbersome modular elements or panels to the installation location and the resulting need to anticipate and plan for the weight and volumes required during transport.

Furthermore, once the type of furniture is defined, it is not possible to rearrange the modular components in order to change the final esthetic appearance.

In addition, the modular compositions of the prior art have large module thicknesses that are poorly suited to making furniture with light and linear esthetic characteristics, and are also particularly heavy to move around.

In addition, with the prior art systems it is not generally possible to vary, as desired, the exterior finishes of the furniture, or even to vary the finishes of each front of the box-like module defining the basic modular element, after final installation of the furniture.

In other words, it is not possible over time to vary the shape and/or color of the walls that constitute the space of the furniture in a simple and immediate way.

Furthermore, assembling the prior art modules is often complicated and difficult due to the various types of attachments between the panels and modules.

There is consequently a strong need to propose a modular unit for making a box-like module for a piece of furniture, a corresponding box-like module, a piece of furniture, a finish element that may be attached to the modular unit, a door for a piece of furniture, and a method for making the modular unit, capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art.

This requirement is met by a modular unit for making a box-like module for a piece of furniture, a corresponding box-like module, a piece of furniture, a finish element that may be attached to the modular unit, a door for a piece of furniture, and a method for making the modular unit, in accordance with the appended independent claims. The dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments.

The features and advantages of the modular unit for making a box-like module for a piece of furniture, the corresponding box-like module of the piece of furniture, the finish element that may be attached to the modular unit, the door for a piece of furniture, and the method for making the modular unit will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiment examples thereof, given as non-limiting examples in reference to the accompanying figures, in which:.

In reference to the aforesaid figures, reference number <NUM> refers to a modular unit <NUM> as a whole for making a box-like module <NUM>, <NUM> for a piece of furniture, for example for a modular kitchen or for a bookcase or for a cabinet or for bathroom furniture and the like.

The modular unit <NUM> comprises a back panel <NUM>, a right panel <NUM>, and a left panel <NUM>, made of thin sheet metal and coupled together so as to define an inner cavity I in the form of an open box.

Each of these right <NUM> and left <NUM> panels comprises an inner panel face <NUM>', <NUM>' facing the inner cavity I and an outer panel face <NUM>" not facing the inner cavity I. In addition, each right panel <NUM> or left panel <NUM> lies primarily along a first direction X and a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X and, much less, along a third direction Z perpendicular to the first direction X and to the second direction Y. In other words, each right panel <NUM> or left panel <NUM> is a panel of small thickness in the third direction Z. Preferably, the thin sheet metal is a thin sheet metal made of steel having a thickness of less than <NUM> millimeters in the Z direction, even more preferably less than <NUM> millimeter.

Each right panel <NUM> and left panel <NUM> comprises at least one upper panel edge <NUM>, <NUM> and a lower panel edge <NUM>, <NUM> delimiting the extent of the panel in the first direction X.

In addition, in the vicinity of said upper edge <NUM>, <NUM> and lower edge <NUM>, <NUM>, each right or left panel <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a fold <NUM>, <NUM> in the sheet metal comprising a blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>' extending along the first direction X much less compared to the extent of the entire panel in the same first direction X and at a distance from the outer panel face <NUM>". In other words, the blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' is a lip distanced from the outer panel face <NUM>''. Preferably, this lip extends in the first direction X by a length of less than <NUM>% compared to the extent of the entire panel along the same direction X, even more preferably by a length of less than <NUM>% compared to the extent of the entire panel along the same first direction X.

Attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM> are made in this blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' in order to removably attach a finish element <NUM> or another modular unit <NUM>.

The back panel <NUM> also comprises an inner panel face <NUM>' facing the inner cavity I and an outer panel face <NUM>" not facing the inner cavity I. In addition, the back panel <NUM> also preferably lies primarily along a first direction X and a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X and, much less, along a third direction Z perpendicular to the first direction X and to the second direction Y.

In other words, each back panel <NUM>, right panel <NUM>, or left panel <NUM> is a panel of small thickness in the third direction Z.

In addition, each panel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has a square or rectangular plan-view shape.

Each back panel <NUM> also comprises at least one upper panel edge <NUM> and one lower panel edge <NUM> delimiting the extent of the panel in the first direction X.

According to the invention, in the vicinity of this upper edge <NUM> and lower edge <NUM>, each back panel <NUM> comprises a fold in the sheet metal comprising a blocking wall <NUM>' lying along the first direction X much less compared to the extent of the entire panel in the same direction X, and being distanced from the outer panel face <NUM>" in entirely the same way as described earlier for the right panel <NUM> or the left panel <NUM>. Consequently, attachment openings <NUM> for removably attaching a finish element <NUM> or another modular unit <NUM> are similarly made in the blocking wall <NUM>' of the back panel <NUM>.

Preferably, the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are through openings.

According to one embodiment not shown in the figures, the modular unit <NUM> comprises a reinforcement panel joined to the back panel <NUM> and/or the right panel <NUM> and/or the left panel <NUM> along the outer panel face <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>", preferably by means of an embedded connection or by an adhesive. Preferably, in this variant the reinforcement panel is secured between the blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>' and the outer panel face <NUM>'', <NUM>", <NUM>''. Preferably, the reinforcement panel is received in the U-shaped seat made between the blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', and <NUM>' and the outer panel face <NUM>", <NUM>'', <NUM>''. Preferably, the reinforcement panel is only secured between the blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' and the outer panel face <NUM>'', <NUM>'', <NUM>" without any additional gluing. Preferably, the reinforcement panel is made of a non-metal material. For example, it is made of a multi-layer material with synthetic resins, such as a laminate or a multi-layer material or melamine particle board, or a plastic resin or melamine resin or honeycomb PET.

According to the invention, the back panel <NUM>, the right panel <NUM>, and the left panel <NUM>, are made as a single part by folding a single piece of sheet metal <NUM>', preferably along weakening lines <NUM>', <NUM>' of the sheet metal <NUM>', as shown, for example, in <FIG>.

Preferably, each said right panel <NUM> and left panel <NUM> comprises at least one left panel edge <NUM>, <NUM> and a right panel edge <NUM>, <NUM> that delimit the extent of the panel in the second direction Y. In the vicinity of at least the left edge <NUM>, <NUM> each right panel and left panel comprises an auxiliary fold <NUM>, <NUM> of the sheet metal comprising an auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>' extending along the second direction Y much less compared to the extent of the entire panel in the same second direction Y. This auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>' is at a distance from the outer panel face <NUM>", <NUM>". In addition, auxiliary attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> are made in this auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>' in order to removably attach a finish element <NUM> or another modular unit <NUM>.

Preferably, the auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>' extends along the second direction Y by a length of less than <NUM>% compared to the extent of the entire panel along the same second direction Y, even more preferably by a length of less than <NUM>% compared to the extent of the entire panel along the same second direction Y.

It is clear that, in an embodiment variant, the back panel <NUM> also comprises an auxiliary fold <NUM> and an auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>', entirely comparable to that described in the preceding paragraph for the right panel <NUM> or the left panel <NUM>.

Preferably, the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the auxiliary attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are holes comprising an area with a reduced section <NUM> compared to an area with a normal section <NUM> to allow the head of a screw or pin <NUM> to pass through the normal section region <NUM> and prevent the screw or pin <NUM> from coming out of the reduced section region <NUM>, as shown for example in <FIG>.

According to one embodiment, at least one elastic element <NUM> capable of undergoing an elastic deformation and securing the screw or pin <NUM> by "snap" connection is positioned behind the blocking wall <NUM>'; <NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>' and/or behind the auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>', that is, on the side of the blocking wall or the auxiliary blocking wall facing the outer panel face <NUM>" in the vicinity of one or more of the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or auxiliary attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown for example in <FIG>. This occurs in such a way that translation of the screw or pin <NUM> in a direction K perpendicular to the insertion direction of the screw/pin into the attachment openings or auxiliary attachment openings is prevented. This insertion direction of the screw is substantially parallel to the third direction Z.

According to one embodiment, such as that shown in <FIG>, the elastic element <NUM> comprises an elastic element hole having a reducedsection region <NUM>' compared to a normal section region <NUM>' to allow the head of a screw or pin <NUM> to pass through the normal section region <NUM>' and prevent the screw or pin <NUM> from coming out of the reduced section region <NUM>'.

According to one embodiment, such as that shown in <FIG>, the right panel <NUM> and/or the left panel <NUM> and/or the back panel <NUM> comprises a horizontal blocking wall <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the vicinity of the upper panel edge <NUM>, <NUM> or the lower panel edge <NUM>, <NUM> that lies along a plane parallel to the third direction Z and possibly perpendicular only to the first direction X.

Attachment openings <NUM>', <NUM>' are made in this horizontal blocking wall <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in order to removably attach a finish element <NUM> or another modular unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in this variant the finish element <NUM>, when held by means of the attachment elements <NUM> in the attachment openings <NUM>', <NUM>', constitutes a covering top finish element <NUM>', for example an upper cabinet for a kitchen or similar room, or a bottom finish element <NUM>''.

As can be gleaned from the above description and the figures, all the finish elements are preferably secured removably by means of attachment elements <NUM> and therefore without the use of permanent attachment elements such as screws or nails or glue which, if removed, would compromise the integrity of the finish element or the modular unit and, in any event, would require more time or assembly/disassembly.

The subject matter of the present invention is also a box-like module <NUM>, <NUM> for a piece of furniture such as that shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>.

The box-like module <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a modular unit <NUM>, described in the preceding sections, and at least one finish element <NUM> to which are secured attachment elements <NUM> inserted into one or more attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> and/or into one or more auxiliary attachment openings <NUM> of the modular unit <NUM>.

The finish element <NUM>, which is also part of the subject matter of the present invention, is shown, for example, in its embodiment variants in <FIG>. Bear in mind that in these figures the finish element <NUM> and a door <NUM>, made by joining the finish element <NUM> to a finish holding frame <NUM>, are shown simultaneously. Consequently, the finish element <NUM> when coupled to the finish holding frame <NUM> forms a door, whereas when it is coupled to a modular unit <NUM>, it serves as a finish element of the modular unit, thus constituting a box-like module <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to one aspect of the present invention, with specific reference, for example, to <FIG> and <FIG>, the finish element <NUM> comprises an outer panel <NUM> made of transparent or translucent material, and a printed sheet <NUM> comprising a portrayal or decoration. The printed sheet <NUM> may be stably secured between the outer panel <NUM> and the blocking wall <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>. In addition, one or more attachment elements <NUM>, such as pins or screws which may be inserted into the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the auxiliary attachment openings <NUM>, are secured to the outer panel <NUM>.

Preferably, the printed sheet <NUM> comprises fastening openings <NUM> through which the attachment elements <NUM> may pass.

Preferably, the printed sheet <NUM> is removably held between the outer panel <NUM> and the blocking wall <NUM>, <NUM> without any additional means of permanent attachment, such as glue or screws, but rather is held only by being sandwiched between the outer panel <NUM> and the blocking wall <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>, and possibly supported by the attachment elements <NUM>.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the outer panel <NUM> comprises a holding frame <NUM> connected to the outer panel <NUM>, preferably by means of a glue layer <NUM>. In this variant, the one or more attachment elements <NUM> are secured to the holding frame <NUM> and the printed sheet <NUM> is secured to the holding frame <NUM> by means of the one or more attachment elements <NUM>. This gives adequate strength to the finish element <NUM> while at the same time ensuring interchangeability of the printed sheet.

It is clear that in the present description, a decoration or portrayal is understood as any figurative element or even a simple solid color or pattern.

According to an advantageous embodiment, a lighting element (not shown), such as an LED strip, is housed on the holding frame <NUM> in the space between the printed sheet <NUM> and the outer panel <NUM>, or on the finish holding frame <NUM>, to provide backlighting to the outer panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment variant, the lighting element is housed behind the blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>' and/or behind the auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>', that is, on the side of the blocking wall or the auxiliary blocking wall facing the outer panel face <NUM>".

Preferably, the finish element <NUM> has a thickness equal to or less than twenty-five millimeters, even more preferably equal to or less than eight millimeters, or equal to or less than five millimeters.

According to another aspect of the present invention, such as that shown in <FIG>, the finish element <NUM> comprises an outer panel <NUM> directly comprising a portrayal or decoration. One or more attachment elements <NUM>, such as pins or screws, are attached to said outer panel <NUM> for removably securing to the blocking wall <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the auxiliary blocking wall <NUM>. In this variant, the outer panel <NUM> has a thickness equal to or less than twenty-five millimeters or more preferably equal to or less than eight millimeters, even more preferably equal to or less than five millimeters.

Preferably, the finish element <NUM> is made of stone or metal or stoneware, or medium-density fiber (MDF), or polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or glass, or HPL (High Pressure Laminate), or polycarbonate.

The subject matter of the present invention also includes a door <NUM> for a piece of furniture, preferably one that may be rotatably secured to a modular unit <NUM> or to a generic piece of furniture.

It is clear that the door <NUM> of the present invention is preferably capable of being secured to a piece of furniture or a modular unit <NUM> described in the present document, but it is also clear that the door <NUM> may be secured to any piece of furniture of the prior art, made for example with wooden modules, for example by means of appropriate hinges. Consequently, the door <NUM> of the present invention is not to be considered strictly required to connect to a modular unit <NUM> described in this document. The door <NUM> comprises a finish element <NUM> according to the variants described earlier and a finish holding frame <NUM> preferably made of thin sheet metal or an aluminum section or a plastic material or fiberglass or carbon fiber. Said finish holding frame <NUM> comprises a finish blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>' and/or an auxiliary finish blocking wall <NUM>'. One or more attachment elements <NUM> for attaching the outer panel <NUM> removably secure the outer panel <NUM> to the finish blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>' and/or to the auxiliary finish blocking wall <NUM>'.

In the variant in which the finish element <NUM> comprises the printed sheet <NUM>, said printed sheet <NUM> may be secured between the outer panel <NUM> and the finish blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>' and/or the auxiliary finish blocking wall <NUM>', preferably with the attachment elements <NUM> passing therethrough, which make it possible to hold it in position and prevent slipping.

It is clear that, similarly to the modular unit <NUM>, at least one elastic element <NUM> capable of undergoing an elastic deformation and securing one or more attachment elements <NUM>, such as a pin or a screw <NUM>, by "snap" connection is positioned behind the finish blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>' and/or the auxiliary finish blocking wall <NUM>' in the vicinity of one or more finish attachment elements 211a, 221a or auxiliary finish attachment openings 231a. This occurs in such a way that translation of the screw or pin <NUM> in a direction K perpendicular to the insertion direction of the screw/pin into the finish attachment openings or auxiliary finish attachment openings is prevented.

Preferably, the features of the blocking walls <NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>' and of the auxiliary blocking walls, as well as of the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and of the auxiliary attachment openings and their interactions with the attachment elements <NUM>, are therefore to be considered included and valid on an equal basis in the finish blocking wall <NUM>', <NUM>', in the auxiliary finish blocking wall <NUM>', and in the finish attachment openings 211a, 221a, or auxiliary finish attachment openings 231a. This ensures full compatibility and interchangeability between the finish elements <NUM> usable on the right, left, bottom, and back panels of the modular unit, as well as on the finish holding frame <NUM> for the door <NUM>.

Preferably, the door <NUM> comprises a release button (not shown) for enabling or disabling the elastic element <NUM>, i.e. for interfering mechanically therewith, in order to release the outer panel <NUM>.

It is also clear that for a person skilled in the art, the term "holding frame" refers to any frame or a simple section or a more complex metal structure.

For example, according to an advantageous embodiment, such as that shown in <FIG>, the finish holding frame <NUM> is merely a metal bar, preferably made of aluminum, extending preferably in the first direction X without additional support elements, i.e. it is not shaped, for example, like a frame, as shown for example in the other embodiment variants. In this variant, preferably, the holding frame <NUM> joined to the outer panel <NUM>, preferably by means of a glue layer <NUM>, is a thin piece of sheet metal in the form of a frame or in the form of an entire thin piece of sheet metal. In addition, in this variant, one or more attachment elements <NUM> are preferably secured to the piece of thin sheet metal, for example by welding or press fitting or gluing. This makes it possible to make a furniture door that is light, extremely thin, and strong with all the advantages provided by the finish element. It is clear that all the previously described variants of the outer panel <NUM> and the printed sheet <NUM> apply to this variant of the holding frame <NUM> and the finish holding frame <NUM>; in addition, all the variants of the finish element <NUM> described in this description apply, with the difference that the holding frame <NUM> is a thin piece of sheet metal in the form of a frame or in the form of an entire piece of thin sheet metal.

Preferably, the finish holding frame <NUM> completely houses or directly supports (i.e. is fastened) one or more hinges for movement of the door <NUM>.

Furthermore, the subject matter of the present invention is a piece of furniture <NUM>, such as that shown in <FIG>, comprising at least two modular units <NUM>, 1A described in the preceding sections, connected together by means of module attachment elements <NUM> inserted into one or more attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> and/or into one or more auxiliary attachment openings <NUM> of each modular unit <NUM>, 1A. The module attachment elements are preferably double-headed pins or pegs such as those shown, for example, in <FIG>. In other words, pins or pegs comprise a left head <NUM> and a right head <NUM> connected to each other by a central connection element <NUM> with a reduced section compared to the cross-section of the head. The left head <NUM> is capable of being inserted into the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the auxiliary attachment openings <NUM> of one <NUM> of the two modular units <NUM>, 1A, whereas the right head <NUM> is capable of being inserted into the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the auxiliary attachment openings <NUM> of the other modular unit 1A of the two modular units <NUM>, 1A, adjacent to the first. In this way the modules are joined together quickly, simply, and effectively without the need to provide for burdensome attachment operations using screws, which would furthermore damage the modular units.

According to an embodiment variant, such as that shown in <FIG>, the module attachment elements <NUM> comprise an attachment frame <NUM> comprising a right frame surface <NUM>' and a left frame surface <NUM>" opposite each other. One or more pins or pegs, preferably with a broadened head and capable of being inserted into the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> and/or auxiliary attachment openings <NUM> of one <NUM> of the two modular units <NUM>, 1A, are attached or made in each right frame surface <NUM>' and left frame surface <NUM>". In particular, when the attachment frame <NUM> is installed between two modular units <NUM>, 1A, the pins or pegs secured to the right frame surface <NUM>' are inserted into the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the auxiliary attachment openings <NUM> of one of the two modular units <NUM>, 1A, whereas the pins or pegs secured to the left frame surface <NUM>" are inserted into the attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> and/or auxiliary attachment openings <NUM> of the other of the two modular units <NUM>, 1A. In this way the modules are joined together quickly, simply, and effectively without the need to provide for burdensome attachment operations using screws, and at the same time it is possible to eliminate any possible need for filler between the modules, thus ensuring greater flexibility in design and filling of the spaces where the piece of furniture is located.

In addition, the subject matter of the present invention also refers to a method for making a modular unit <NUM> described earlier.

The aforementioned method is clearer to understand in reference to <FIG>, and comprises the following operative steps:.

It is clear that if weakening lines, such as incisions, indentations, perforations, microperforations, or similar items, are present in the sheet metal, folding of the sheet metal at the installation location is facilitated. If such weakening lines are absent, however, it is preferable to make the fold or at least a partial fold of the sheet metal at the factory before shipping to the intended installation location.

It is clear that the aforementioned method is for an embodiment variant in which the modular unit <NUM> is made from a piece of sheet metal <NUM>' as a single part.

Furthermore, after making the modular unit <NUM>, the method comprises the step of attaching one or more finish elements <NUM> to the modular unit by inserting attachment elements <NUM> into one or more attachment openings <NUM>, <NUM> or auxiliary attachment openings <NUM>, so as to make a box-like module.

Innovatively, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the modular units of the prior art.

In particular, the presence of a piece of folded sheet metal provided with attachment openings allows for simple and effective coupling between a modular unit and a finish element, as well as between adjacent modular units or between a finish element and a holding frame for making the door.

This moreover makes it possible to proceed with a rapid installation of an entire piece of furniture without the need for burdensome attachment operations using different sizes of screws and dowels.

What's more, thanks to the possibility of easily repositioning the finish elements on the modular unit, it is possible to simultaneously change the exterior finish and the type of decoration of the furniture, with the possibility of obtaining various shapes and different colors.

Furthermore and advantageously, the possibility of only changing the printed sheet of the finish element makes it possible to modify at will the esthetic appearance of the furniture over time, without having to change an entire finish side or the entire piece of furniture. In addition, the same advantage also applies to the door.

Advantageously, making the modular unit out of thin sheet metal allows for easy and agile transport as well as easy assembly, as the modular unit is extremely light compared to wooden modular units of the prior art.

What's more, the modular unit variant made with sheet metal as a single part folded along weakening lines further facilitates the storage and shipping operations of the modular units. Indeed, the pieces of folded sheet metal may be easily stacked and stored in extremely small spaces compared to a preassembled box-like modular unit typical of the prior art. Similarly, it is also possible to collect and assemble numerous panels for making a piece of furniture.

The installer of the modular unit according to the present invention will merely have to transport the unfolded pieces of sheet metal to the module installation location and proceed, on location, to fold along the weakening lines on the sheet metal in order to make the box-like module.

Consequently, in an extremely innovative way the modular unit makes it possible to redesign and personalize manufactured goods according to the particular end purpose, without having to make custom parts or decorations, and allowing the space of the room to be occupied in a simple and optimal way. The extreme modularity and interchangeability of the finish elements, together with a light and thin structure without conventional screws, is unique in the field.

In addition, it is possible at any time to rearrange the layout of the printed sheets without decorating or gluing operations, or without markings or holes remaining in the panels.

In addition, it is possible to make multi-colored modular units, variable at will, in the same furniture. In particular, it is possible for the same box-like module to have surfaces with different colors and/or materials.

It is clear that each finish element <NUM> or door <NUM> may also only partially or totally cover the holding frame or the right panel <NUM>, left panel <NUM>, or back panel <NUM>. This allows for variability in decoration, including on the same door or on the same side of the box-like module.

Furthermore, in a particularly advantageous way, the modular unit according to the present invention is eco-compatible, not flammable, and not sensitive to water, as it is entirely made of sheet metal. In particular, being made of sheet metal, such as steel, it is <NUM>% recyclable as well as strong, durable, easily washable, and quick to clean.

Claim 1:
A modular unit (<NUM>) for forming a box-like module (<NUM>, <NUM>) for a piece of furniture, such as a modular kitchen, said modular unit (<NUM>) comprising:
a bottom panel (<NUM>), a right panel (<NUM>), and a left panel (<NUM>), made of a thin metal sheet and coupled to one another to define an open box-shaped inner cavity (I), each of said right panel (<NUM>) and left panel (<NUM>) comprising an inner panel face (<NUM>', <NUM>'), facing the inner cavity (I), and an outer panel face (<NUM>"), not facing the inner cavity (I) and extending mainly according to a first extension direction (X) and a second extension direction (Y) perpendicular to the first extension direction (X) and extending much less in a third extension direction (Z) perpendicular to the first (X) and to the second (Y) extension directions, i.e. being of a small thickness in the third extension direction (Z),
wherein each of said right (<NUM>) and left (<NUM>) panels comprises at least one upper panel edge (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a lower panel edge (<NUM>, <NUM>) which delimit the extension of the panel along the first extension direction (X),
wherein close to said upper edge (<NUM>, <NUM>) and lower edge (<NUM>, <NUM>), each panel comprises a fold (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the metal sheet comprising a blocking wall (<NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>') extending along the first extension direction (X) much less than the extension of the entire panel along the same first extension direction (X) and being spaced apart from the outer panel face (<NUM>''),
fixing openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) being obtained on said blocking wall (<NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>') for removably fixing a finishing element (<NUM>) or an equal modular unit (<NUM>);
characterized in that the bottom panel (<NUM>), the right panel (<NUM>), and the left panel (<NUM>) are made in a single piece and obtained by folding a single metal sheet (<NUM>') along weakenings (<NUM>', <NUM>') of the metal sheet (<NUM>').