Patent Description:
It is known that many types of furniture, such as the modules of modular kitchens, are frontally buffered, at floor level, by plinths in extruded plastic or wood or metal based material (generally aluminum). In particular, these plinths are hooked from the front to the support feet of the piece of furniture while their visible surface is suitably treated and coated in such a way as to be aesthetically pleasing.

To date, plinths are generally made of plastic by extrusion, in order to contain costs and production times while guaranteeing the creation of a quality product, especially if combined with a coating in more valuable material. In particular, polymers such as PolyVinyl-Chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), both pure, i.e. as homo-polymers, and in combination, and therefore as co-polymers, or co-polymers such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) are currently used for the realization of plastic plinths. However, plinths made of these materials are expensive and, above all, they are complicated to recycle.

Furthermore, traditional plinths are not optimal as there are localized shrinkages in the areas of the bridges or joints of the raw material and which, in the presence of certain conditions, can also be particularly evident and thus compromise the quality of the plinths themselves.

<CIT> shows a plinth consisting of a section bar that develops longitudinally along the X axis and comprising two walls which are mutually facing and spaced along a Z axis, perpendicular to the X axis, and which are connected together by bridges so as to delimit at least two cavities superimposed on each other along a Y axis which is perpendicular to the X and Z axes.

The purpose of the invention is to propose a covering element for a piece of furniture or the like which allows to overcome, at least in part, the drawbacks of known solutions.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element which is highly eco-compatible.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element of limited weight.

Another object of the invention is to propose a cover element of low cost.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element which allows to obtain an overall pleasant aesthetic effect and which provides the observer with the sensation of being in front of a high quality product, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element which allows a simple, easy, quick and precise assembly and junction to a piece of furniture, without the need to carry out continuous corrections.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element that can be made, at least partially, with recycled materials.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element which has an alternative characterization, both in constructive and functional terms, with respect to the traditional ones.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element which can be obtained in a simple and rapid way.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element that can be mass-produced and quickly and efficiently.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element which is mostly or completely recyclable.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element which guarantees high mechanical properties, in particular in terms of rigidity.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element that can be made in different formats, thus allowing its use in different furniture.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element that can have a high longitudinal development, even of <NUM>-<NUM> meters, and this without excessively bending.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element that allows to limit the accumulation of dust and / or dirt under the piece of furniture to which it is associated.

Another object of the invention is to propose a covering element that has high standards, both functional and aesthetic, and at the same time of accessible cost, thus allowing the possibility of its diffusion on a large scale.

All these objects, considered both individually and in any combination thereof, as well as others that will result from the following description, are achieved, according to the invention, with a covering element with the characteristics indicated in claim <NUM>.

The present invention is further clarified hereinafter in some of its preferred embodiments reported for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawings, in which:.

As can be seen from the figures, the covering element <NUM> according to the invention comprises a section bar <NUM> which is made of polymeric material. Conveniently, the section bar <NUM> is internally hollow.

The covering element <NUM> is suitable to be used for the front covering of areas surrounding a piece of furniture, or of parts of furniture or spaces between pieces of furniture.

Preferably, the covering element <NUM> is of the plinth type and is suitable for being installed substantially horizontally at floor level. Conveniently, the covering element <NUM> could also be installed vertically, for example to cover a space between two pieces of furniture.

The section bar <NUM> has an elongated development along a longitudinal development direction X and has a transverse section (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) comprising two walls, respectively <NUM> and <NUM> facing each other and mutually spaced along a direction Z corresponding to the thickness of the section bar <NUM>. In particular, a front wall <NUM> is provided, configured to be, in use conditions, facing outwards, and a rear wall <NUM> configured to be, in use conditions, facing the inside of the mobile. Preferably, the two walls <NUM> and <NUM> are parallel to each other.

Conveniently, the cross section of the section bar <NUM> remains substantially the same in terms of shape and dimensions along the entire longitudinal extension X of the section itself.

Conveniently, the front wall <NUM> comprises a front face <NUM>' which, in conditions of use, is intended to be visible, and a second face <NUM>" which faces inwards and faces a corresponding internal face <NUM>" of the rear wall <NUM>.

Conveniently, the development of each wall <NUM> and <NUM> along a direction Y, which is perpendicular to the directions X and Z, is greater - preferably much greater - than the distance that the two walls <NUM> and <NUM> have along direction Z.

The two walls <NUM> and <NUM> are joined together by at least a bridge <NUM> which departs from the corresponding internal faces <NUM>" and <NUM>" and mutually facing each other of said two walls. Conveniently, the bridges <NUM> define connecting sections, preferably straight and with development parallel to the Z direction, between the walls <NUM> and <NUM>. Conveniently the two walls <NUM>, <NUM> can be connected to each other by a plurality of bridges <NUM> spaced apart along the Y direction, in order to ensure stability and strength to the section bar <NUM>.

Conveniently, a first bridge <NUM>' is provided which connects the two walls <NUM> and <NUM> together at respective first ends of the walls themselves.

Conveniently, the front wall <NUM> can have a greater development along the Y axis than the rear wall <NUM>. Preferably, for this purpose, the first bridge <NUM>' can comprise a first section <NUM>' parallel to the axis Z and a second section <NUM>" which is angled with respect to the Z axis, or possibly even stepped.

Preferably, the second section <NUM>" defines a protrusion which is configured to cooperate, in particular by abutting, with the upper flanged edge of a foot <NUM> so as to be flush with the lower surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Conveniently, it is also a second bridge <NUM>" is provided which connects the two walls <NUM> and <NUM> to each other at respective second ends of the walls themselves.

Preferably, said first bridge <NUM>' and said second bridge <NUM>" have a continuous development, ie without interruptions or openings.

Conveniently, a plurality of intermediate bridges <NUM>‴ are provided which connect the two walls <NUM> and <NUM> together in correspondence with intermediate zones (along the extension Y) of said walls.

The section bar <NUM> comprises at least two cavities <NUM>, and preferably a plurality of cavities <NUM>, each of which is closed and laterally delimited by the walls <NUM> and <NUM> and by two respective bridges <NUM>.

Preferably, two extremal cavities <NUM>' and <NUM>" can be provided and at least two intermediate cavities <NUM>"'. More in detail, a first extremal cavity <NUM>' is provided which is defined between the two walls <NUM> and <NUM> and between the first bridge <NUM>' and an intermediate bridge <NUM>‴, and a second extremal cavity <NUM>" which is defined between the two walls <NUM> and <NUM> and between the second bridge <NUM>" and an intermediate bridge <NUM>‴. Conveniently, each intermediate cavity <NUM>‴ is defined between the two walls <NUM> and <NUM> and between two distinct and facing intermediate bridges <NUM>‴. Preferably, all the cavities <NUM> of the section have the same development along the Z axis.

The section bar <NUM> comprises at least one groove <NUM> which, preferably, is defined along the entire longitudinal development of the section bar itself along the X axis. Preferably, the section bar <NUM> comprises a single and only groove <NUM>. Conveniently, the groove <NUM> is defined so as to be open at the rear wall <NUM>. In particular, the groove <NUM> defines a longitudinal channel for insertion and engagement, preferably of shape, of a shaped male member of a traditional element <NUM> for attachment to a support foot <NUM> of a piece of furniture <NUM>.

Preferably, the groove <NUM> is defined substantially in the center of the extension of the rear wall <NUM> along the Y axis.

Preferably, the groove <NUM> has a development along the Y axis of about <NUM> - <NUM>.

Preferably, the groove <NUM> comprises counter-shaped edges <NUM> which delimit the connection opening of the groove with the outside.

In particular, the engagement of the hooking element <NUM> of the foot <NUM> within the groove <NUM> takes place according to traditional methods by inserting inside the channel of the groove <NUM> a protrusion <NUM>, shaped like a hammer, of said hooking element so that the part outermost of said protrusion is initially parallel to the direction of development of the groove. Subsequently, the hooking element <NUM> is made to rotate by about <NUM>° - in particular it is made to rotate by about <NUM>° around the axis of development of the neck of the protrusion - so that the hammer-like undercut portions of the protrusion abut on the corresponding counter-shaped edges <NUM> of the groove, thus preventing / blocking the extraction of the hooking element <NUM> from the covering element <NUM>.

Advantageously, once the covering element <NUM> is associated with the foot <NUM> by means of the hooking element <NUM> , at least one area of the rear wall <NUM> - preferably the two extreme areas of the rear wall itself - comes into contact with / rests on the foot <NUM>.

Conveniently, a further internal cavity <NUM> is also provided in correspondence with the groove <NUM>, which thus completes the thickness of the section bar <NUM> along the Z axis. In particular, said further internal cavity <NUM> is defined and delimited between two intermediate bridges <NUM>‴ and by a small internal wall which delimits the groove <NUM> and the front wall <NUM>. Conveniently, the development of the internal cavity <NUM> and of the groove <NUM> along the axis Z corresponds to the development of each cavity <NUM> along the axis Z itself.

Conveniently, the cross section of the cavities <NUM> - possibly with the exception of the first extremal cavity <NUM>' - is substantially rectangular, preferably rectangular with rounded corners, and this in order to ensure greater ease of processing of the section bar <NUM> and a section bar better redistribution of the forces within the section bar itself.

Conveniently, the cavities <NUM> are configured so that the ratio between the development along the Z axis and the development along the Y axis varies between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Preferably, the intermediate cavities <NUM>‴ have cross sections with the same shape and the same dimensions, both along the Y axis and along the Z axis. Conveniently, the extremal cavities <NUM>' and <NUM>" can have a cross section with development along the Y axis which is lower than that of the <NUM>" intermediate cavities.

Preferably, the section bar <NUM> is configured in such a way as to have at least two cavities <NUM> which are superimposed on each other along the direction of development Y of the section.

Preferably, the section bar <NUM> is configured so that the groove <NUM> is positioned between two cavities <NUM>, in particular between two intermediate cavities <NUM>"'.

Preferably, the section bar <NUM> is configured so that the number of cavities <NUM>, superimposed on each other along the Y axis, defined in correspondence with one side of the groove <NUM>, is equal to the number of cavities <NUM>, superimposed on each other along the Y axis, defined at the other side of the groove <NUM>.

Preferably, the section bar <NUM> is configured so as to have at least two cavities <NUM>, superimposed on each other along the Y axis, defined at one side of the groove <NUM> and at least two cavities <NUM>, superimposed on each other along the Y axis, defined at the other side of the groove <NUM>.

More in detail, in a possible embodiment (see <FIG>), the section bar <NUM> comprises three cavities <NUM> superimposed along the Y axis, of which two intermediate cavities <NUM>‴ and the first extremal cavity <NUM>', defined at one side of the groove <NUM> and three other cavities <NUM>, superimposed on each other along the Y axis, of which two intermediate cavities <NUM>‴ and the second extremal cavity <NUM>", which are positioned at the other side of the groove <NUM>.

More in detail, in a possible embodiment (cf. <FIG>), the section bar <NUM> comprises four cavities <NUM> superimposed along the Y axis, of which three intermediate cavities <NUM>‴ and the first extremal cavity <NUM>', defined at one side of the groove <NUM> and four other cavities <NUM>, between them superimposed along the Y axis, of which three intermediate cavities <NUM>‴ and the second extremal cavity <NUM>", which are positioned at the other side of the groove <NUM>.

More in detail, in a possible embodiment (see <FIG>), the section bar <NUM> comprises five cavities <NUM> superimposed along the Y axis, of which four intermediate cavities <NUM>'" and the first extremal cavity <NUM>', defined at one side of the groove <NUM> and five others cavities <NUM>, superimposed on each other along the Y axis, of which four intermediate cavities <NUM>‴ and the second extremal cavity <NUM>", which are positioned at the other side of the groove <NUM>.

The walls <NUM> and <NUM> and also all bridges <NUM> have a thickness of less than about <NUM>. Preferably, the walls <NUM> and <NUM> and the bridges <NUM> have a thickness of between <NUM> - <NUM>.

According to the invention, the front wall <NUM> has a thickness S1 greater than the thickness S2 of the bridges <NUM>, and in particular it can have a thickness of about <NUM> - <NUM>, while the bridges <NUM> can have a thickness of about <NUM> - <NUM>. Preferably, the front wall <NUM> has a greater thickness than the rear wall <NUM>, however the walls <NUM> and <NUM> could have a thickness substantially equal to each other. Preferably, all the bridges <NUM> can have a thickness substantially equal to each other.

Conveniently, the thickness S of the section bar <NUM> (ie the development along the axis Z) can be about <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably it is about <NUM>-<NUM>.

Conveniently, the section bar <NUM> can have a length, ie development along the X axis, which can be about <NUM> meters and even reach <NUM> or <NUM> meters.

Conveniently, the section bar <NUM> can have a development along the Y axis which is approximately <NUM> - <NUM>.

Conveniently, the section bar <NUM> can be made by extrusion. Conveniently, the section bar <NUM> is configured so that the bridges <NUM> are connected to both walls <NUM> and <NUM> already during the extrusion.

The section bar <NUM> is made at least in part with a recycled polymeric material.

The section bar <NUM> can be made of a material based on at least one poly-olefin, and preferably a homo-polymer of a poly-olefin. Preferably, the section bar <NUM> is made entirely and only of poly-olefins. Preferably, the section bar <NUM> can be made entirely and only of a polymeric compound based on poly-propylene. Preferably, the section bar <NUM> can be made by extrusion in a polymeric compound based on poly-propylene with a mineral part, for example talc, which acts as a nucleating and stabilizing agent during the extrusion process. Advantageously, at least <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the polymeric compound based on poly-propylene is obtained from regenerated / recycled material.

Preferably, the polypropylene can be isotactic, and in particular it can not be syndiotactic and / or atactic polypropylene. Advantageously, the section bar <NUM> can be made of a material based on a homo-polymer, preferably of polypropylene. Conveniently, the material - and in particular the polypropylene - with which the section bar <NUM> is made can be composed in part of recycled material, and preferably it can comprise at least <NUM>% of recycled material, and more preferably it can comprise between <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight of recycled material.

Conveniently, the section bar <NUM> can be made of a material containing suitable fillers configured to guarantee the material itself the desired mechanical properties both during the production process of the section bar <NUM> and during its use. For example, the material may comprise talc, and preferably a percentage of talc comprised substantially between <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight.

Advantageously, the covering element <NUM> can also comprise an appendage <NUM> which, in one of its parts, is associated - preferably is fixed - to the section bar <NUM>. Conveniently, the appendix <NUM> is configured to come into contact with the floor on which the piece of furniture is supported, or with another structure or part (including the piece of furniture itself or another piece of furniture). Conveniently, the appendix <NUM> acts as a seal. Conveniently, the appendix <NUM> covers the whole, or in any case most of, the longitudinal extension of the section bar <NUM>.

Advantageously, the appendix <NUM> can be associated in a stable and permanent manner with the section bar <NUM>. Preferably, the appendage <NUM> is glued to the section bar <NUM> by / during the co-extrusion process carried out to make the covering element <NUM>, thus obtaining an excellent mechanical hold.

Preferably, the appendix <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM>' which is fixed to the section bar <NUM> and, in particular, is fixed to the external surface of the second bridge <NUM>", and a second portion <NUM>" which is inclined with respect to said first portion <NUM>' so that its termination, possibly shaped, comes into contact with the floor, or with other structure.

Conveniently, the appendix <NUM> is made of a soft and flexible material or in any case of a less rigid material than that with which the section bar <NUM> is made.

Conveniently, the appendix <NUM> can be made of a thermoplastic material, preferably a copolymer. Preferably, the appendix <NUM> can be made of a Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene (SEBS) copolymer. Preferably, the material for making the appendix <NUM> can have a hardness lower than <NUM> Shore A, and preferably equal to about <NUM> Shore A.

Conveniently, the appendix <NUM> can be made by extrusion.

In a preferred embodiment, the covering element <NUM> can be made by extrusion and, in particular, the section bar <NUM> and the appendix <NUM> can be co-extruded in order to make the covering element <NUM>.

Conveniently, the external face, intended to be visible, of the section bar <NUM> can be suitably treated or coated so as to customize or improve the aesthetic effect of the covering element <NUM>, once installed / assembled.

Conveniently, the covering element <NUM> can have an overall development (i.e. given by the section bar <NUM> only or by the assembly of the section bar <NUM> with the appendix <NUM> applied) along the Y axis of about <NUM> - <NUM>, for example of <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

Conveniently, the covering element <NUM> - both in the case in which it consists of the section bar <NUM> only and in the case in which it comprises the section bar <NUM> and the appendix <NUM> - is highly recyclable, and in particular the section bar <NUM> can be ground (possibly also with the appendix <NUM>) to obtain other polymeric material to be used for the realization of other covering elements or for other purposes.

As is clear from the above, the covering element according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that:.

Unlike the solution of <CIT>, the covering element according to the invention comprises a section which is made, at least in part or preferably entirely, of a material comprising polyolefin, and in which said two walls and said bridges have a thickness of less than <NUM>. This is particularly advantageous since it allows to have a covering element which is recyclable and, at the same time, of low weight and cost.

Claim 1:
Cover element (<NUM>) for furniture or the like, preferably of the plinth type to be associated by means of a hooking element (<NUM>) to a support foot (<NUM>) of a piece of furniture (<NUM>) for the front cover of said foot (<NUM>) , wherein it comprises a section bar (<NUM>) which extends longitudinally along an X axis and which comprises two walls (<NUM>, <NUM>) which are mutually facing and spaced along a Z axis, perpendicular to the X axis, and which are connected to each other by bridges (<NUM>) so as to delimit at least two cavities (<NUM>) superimposed on each other along a Y axis which is perpendicular to the X and Z axes, and wherein:
- said section bar (<NUM>) is made, at least in part or preferably entirely, of a material comprising polyolefin, characterized in that,
- said two walls (<NUM>, <NUM>) and said bridges (<NUM>) have a thickness of less than <NUM>,
- the thickness (S1) of one (<NUM>) of said two walls, preferably the one which in use is intended to have an exposed face (<NUM>'), is greater with respect to the thickness (S2) of said bridges (<NUM>).