CA1114275A - Process for obtaining a decorative modulus - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides a process for producing a decorative tile comprising adhesively attaching a thin, flexible, laminar body onto a semi-rigid body having flat, plain surfaces, subjecting the assembly so formed to the action of a die head having the shape and size of the tile, deforming the material through the pressure exerted by the die head, thus producing rounded marginal edges which produce a quilted effect when the tiles are laid side by side.

Description

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The present invention relates to decorative tile and to a process by which a decorative tile is obtained, which is adapted to be fixed on any flat surface by adhesion and where a plurali-ty of these t~le laid side by side produce an outstanding decorative effect.
According to the present invention there is provided a process for producing a decorative composite tile comprising adhesively attachiny a thin, flexible, laminar body onto a semi-rigid body having flat, plain surfaces, subjecting the assembly lo so formed to the action of a die head having the shape and size of the finished tiles, deforming the tile by means of the pressure exerted by the die head to produce rounded marginal edges on the outer face formed by the laminar body and squared edges as the opposite free face of the semi-rigid laminar body, whereby a quilted effect is produced when the tiles are laid side-by-side.
The present invention also provides a decorative composite tile comprising a thin, flexible, laminar body adhesive-ly bonded to a semi-rigid body having flat plain surfaces, the marginal edges on the outer surface of the tile containing said thin flexible laminar body being rounded and the marginal edges on the opposlte inner surface being squared so that when the tiles are laid side-by-side a quilted effect is produced.
Xn accordance with the process of the present invention the following stages are desirably followed:
In the first place, a thin, flexible laminar sheet body, e.g. leather, cloth, plastified cloth, is attached by an adhesive product onto a second laminar, semi-rigid, flat-faced body made of for example "telgopor". The assembly thus formed is subject to the action of a stamping die having the size and shape of the tile to be obtained, which may vary in shape and size, Pressure exerted by the die deforms the whole contour of the semi-ri~id body, thus producing rounded marginal edges which ~A 1 bring out the eEfect sought after, that is, bulging up the face of the thln and ~lexible decorative laminar body. Upon finishing its action the die cuts the module to the desired shape and size, producing sauarededges by which it is meant that the edges are not rounded so that the edges of adjacent tiles laid side-by-side firmly abut each other on the opposite face of the semi-rigid laminar body.
Present day decoration media have no resemblance to the tile of the present invention, which provides new and varied conditions of lightness, accessibility, easiness of mounting and decorative effect, be this either by the decoration laminate used, or throu~h the cutting pat-tern design thereof. This also complements the decorative effect reached at through the beautiful laminar sheets used. In addition, juxtaposition of these decoration tiles provides the whole with a quilted effect, from the rounded edges of the decorative laminar sheet, while the supporting edges of the opposite face remain as squared edges.
By this procedure a depression of furrow is produced between one module and the next, which gives the guilted effect on the decorative side. Each module may have an assorted group ~-of interlocking geometric shapes.
The die action provides various shapes, but also ~enerates curves on the decorative face when the compression-cut action is produced. It is precisely, this die stamp and cutting action that defines a shape and bulges over marginal edges on the external decorative face. Shapes attained by modules also integrate the decorative "effect" in connection with the laminar body already used, which is decorative by itself. Thus, when the laminar decorattve body is leather, whether plain, or granular, ~ !
or chamois-like, natural or tinted, it will produce an extra-ordinary touch o~ distinction and elegance if stuck onto flat door faces, for instance, or over wall friezes in reception rooms, bedrooms, offices, studios, show windows, show rooms and Z7~

salons. The laminar decoratiye body so descr:ibed mav also be applied over plain or decorative paper, matting, natural or plastified textile cloth, leather imitation, for example and materials of similar nature. Outstanding qualities of thin metal sheets such as aluminium, bronze or copper may also be taken advantage of, owing to their color ancl brightness.
The supporting structure is to be of light construction, of alveolar nature, and always semi-rigid. This supporting body can be made of "telgopor", balsa wood, compressed paper, cardboard, cork sheets or any other suitable light material of similar nature. The above stated characteristics make the "support decor-ation sheet" assembly easily cut, andits deformationis tobe attained ~.
through cutting compression, thus curving marginal edges and pro-ducing the desired quilted effect on panels.
Further, the bonding of a pluralitv of these modules over a light, easily handled base adds practically no weight upon doors or ceilings where -they are to be attached.
The modules of the present invention have enhanced useful-ness, economy and practicality, and the decorative panels fulfill a need in an advanced stage of evolution in the decoration world.
The wide variety of shapes and colors, and of decoration materials used are left to the artist's creative imagination.
The present invention will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings in which similar reference numeral represent similar parts and in which, Figure 1 is a cross section of a decorative tile according to one embodiment of the present invention, where supporting piate and decoration sheet attached thereto are illustrated. The curved profile produced by the die cutting action is also illustrated and the various elements forming the modules are shown in detail on the right and Figure 2 illustrates the assembly tiles and the quilted effect of the composite structure.

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Referring to the drawings the tile comprises a supporting base (1) of semi-rigid material of light composition, such as compressed paper, cork or "telgopor" a decoration sheet (2), made of for example leather, paper, cloth or matting, metal, fixed onto face (3) of supporting base (1), by means of a suitable bond-ing agent (4) adequate to each particular type of decoration material used.
A shape is given to the tile, i.e., a square (5) cut by die (stamping) action, which causes upper marginal edges (6) to be deformed into a curved shape (7), while marginal edges (8) will remain neat on the opposite flat side (9), thus enabling juxta-position of a plurality of modules (10) over any surface (11) thus making the contact between one unit and the next as close as possible.
By this method, a quilted effect is produced from the outer side (12) through curved edges (7), reciprocal borders of which will generate furxows or ruts (13) which may be straight (as the example shown) (5) or a combination of straight and curved designs, according to the shape chosen for each module.

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Claims (10)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A process for producing a decorative composite tile comprising adhesively attaching a thin, flexible, laminar body onto a semi-rigid body having flat, plain surfaces, subjecting the assembly so formed to the action of a die head having the shape and size of the finished tiles, deforming the tile by means of the pressure exerted by the die head to produce rounded marginal edges on the outer face formed by the laminar body and squared edges as the opposite free face of the semi-rigid laminar body whereby a quilted effect is produced when the tiles are laid side-by-side.

2. A process according to claim 1, in which the laminar body is leather.

3. A process according to claim 1, in which the laminar body is cloth.

4. A process according to claim 1, in which the laminar body is plasticated cloth.

5. A process according to claim 1, in which the laminar body is a matting.

6. A process according-to claim 1, in which the laminar body is thin metal sheet.

7. A process as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the semi-rigid body is compressed paper, cork, cardboard or balsa wood.

8. A decorative composite tile comprising a thin, flexible, laminar body adhesively bonded to a semi-rigid body having flat plain surfaces, the marginal edges on the outer surface of the tile containing said thin flexible laminar body being rounded and the marginal edges on the opposite inner surface being squared so that when the tiles are laid side-by-side a quilted effect is produced.

9. A tile as claimed in claim 8, in which the thin, flexible laminar body is leather, cloth, plasticated cloth, matting or thin metal sheet.

10. A tile as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the semi-rigid body is compressed paper, cork, cardboard or balsa wood.