EP2088255B1 - Block of glass for decorative purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

The block (1) has two hollow modules (2, 3) made by separately molding, and fixedly joined with respect to each other by peripheral edges to form a void volume (4) between internal faces (2a, 3a). The internal faces of the modules forming the block are smooth, and one of external surfaces (2b, 3b) of the modules includes an external circular concave pattern cavity (6) obtained during the molding of the external surfaces and receiving a decoration element (5) e.g. mirror, whose base (7) corresponds to the cavity. The decoration element has a shape of hemispherical, polygonal and pyramid.

Description

The present invention relates to a decorative glass block for the total or partial elevation of a wall, of the type consisting of two hollow modules made by molding separately and contiguous then fixed against each other by their peripheral edges, to form an empty volume between their internal faces, characterized in that said inner faces of the modules forming the block are smooth, and in that at least one of their outer faces comprises a decorative element, obtained by molding with said external face, or attached to it.

In known glass blocks of this type, the decorative effect is obtained by producing reliefs, generally streaks, on the internal face of the modules to be assembled.

Indeed, the use in this field teaches that the bottom of the molding die is flat and that it is the punch which comprises the pattern to be obtained by stamping on the inner face of the module, during the molding operation.

Such a method naturally limits the choice of reasons and that is why, according to a first phase of the inventive step responding to a vanquished bias, it has been sought, on the contrary, to achieve a smooth inner face and an outer face of the module including the decorative element (s).

Thus, any type of pattern is allowed, with no limit in thickness because it is free of the internal volume of the block which is defined according to imposed dimensions.

In addition, it should be considered that it is recommended, and more particularly in the molding of glass, to respect a relatively constant thickness of the finished product because it is preferable, to avoid any problem of internal tension, to obtain a short cooling and constant in all its areas.

Finally, according to the traditional technique, it could only be obtained patterns of the same color and the same material as the basic modules constituting the glass block.

Otherwise, WO2006106218 describes a construction element, of the brick or block type, to participate in the construction of walls, partitions, slabs, closure devices such as shutters or doors, especially for buildings, comprising at least one volume, in particular prismatic or cylindrical, limited by first and second parallel faces of transparent material and side walls presented as particularly suitable for architectural decoration. The purpose of the invention is, above all, to provide a device that allows to have a clear image of the outside without being seen and to bring light inside the building.

The present invention aims to overcome all these constraints and restrictive in the realization of new patterns, all shapes and all colors.

For this purpose, it relates to a glass block (1) with decorative effect for the total or partial elevation of a wall, of the type consisting of two hollow modules (2, 3) made by molding separately and contiguous thereafter. against each other by their peripheral edges, to form an empty volume (4) between their internal faces (2a, 3a), characterized in that said internal faces (2a, 3a) of the modules (2, 3) forming the block (1) are smooth, and in that at least one of their outer faces (2b, 3b) has a recess (6) concave obtained during molding thereof and capable of receiving a decorative element (5). ), whose base (7) is substantially corresponding to the cavity (6) and in that the smooth inner face (2a, 3a) of the module (2, 3) having the concave cavity (6) intended for receiving the decorative element (5), comprises a corresponding convex zone (8), so as to obtain a module of constant thickness (e).

The present invention also relates to the features which will emerge during the following description, which should be considered in isolation or in all their possible technical combinations.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un bloc de verre selon un premier exemple de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un bloc de verre selon un second exemple de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 3 est une vue frontale d'un bloc de verre selon l'exemple de réalisation de la figure 2.

This description given by way of nonlimiting example, will better understand how the invention can be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• The figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a glass block according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a glass block according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 3 is a front view of a glass block according to the embodiment of the figure 2 .

The glass block globally designated on the figure 1 is of decorative effect and is intended for the total or partial elevation of a wall, of the type consisting of two hollow modules 2, 3 made by molding separately and then fixedly attached one against the other by their peripheral edges, for forming an empty volume 4 between their internal faces 2a, 3a.

The glass blocks are, in known manner, assembled together by means of cement joints or infill profiles having profiles complementary to those of the edges of the blocks, to be glued on them.

The glass block 1 according to the invention differs from the traditional glass blocks in that said inner faces 2a, 3a of the modules 2, 3 forming the block 1 are smooth, and in that at least one of their external faces 2b, 3b comprises a decorative element 5, obtained by molding with said external face 2b, 3b, or attached thereto.

According to a preferred embodiment represented on the figure 1 , the external face 2b, 3b of at least one of the modules 2, 3 forming it comprises a concave recess 6 obtained during the molding thereof and capable of receiving a decorative element 5 reported, whose base 7 is substantially corresponding to the impression 6.

Moreover, the smooth inner face 2a, 3a of the module 2, 3 having the concave impression 6, intended to receive the decorative element 5, comprises a corresponding convex zone 8, so as to obtain a module of thickness "e Constant.

According to the present embodiment, and as shown in the figures, the decorative element 5 is attached in the cavity 6 of the external face of the module by gluing.

But it is also possible that the decorative element 5 is reported in the cavity 6 of the outer face of the module by overmolding.

Also, according to the same example of figure 1 , the external cavity 6 of the module 2,3 receiving the decorative element 5 is circular in shape and comprises an internal peripheral chamfer 9 forming a flare fitting to a corresponding base 7 of the decorative element 5, of shape globally hemispheric.

But it is of course conceivable that the external cavity 6 of the module 2, 3 receiving the decorative element 5 is of polygonal shape and has an internal peripheral chamfer 9 forming a flaring fitting to a corresponding base 7 of the element decor 5, of generally pyramidal shape.

Whatever the shape of the decorative element 5 housed in the concave footprint 6, it may be made of glass or in any other material, different in color or not from that of the module 2,3 of the block 1 supporting.

Also, not shown, the decorative element 5 housed in the concave recess 6 may be a mirror.

According to an alternative embodiment, the decorative element housed in the concave external cavity 6 of the module 2, 3 is constituted by a plurality of light-emitting diodes 10, attached to a support 5A intended to be housed by its base in the cavity 6 of corresponding shape, said diodes 10 being powered by photovoltaic cells 11 arranged on the same outer face 2b, 3b of the module 2,3, around or inside the decorative element 5A.

Claims (9)

1. Glass block (1) for decorative purposes for the full or partial erection of a wall, of the type constituted by two hollow modules (2, 3) separately produced by moulding and then fixedly joined against each other by their peripheral edges, in order to form a void (4) between their inner faces (2a, 3a), characterized in that said inner faces (2a, 3a) of the modules (2, 3) forming the block (1) are smooth, and in that at least one of their outer faces (2b, 3b) comprises a concave cast (6) produced during the moulding thereof and capable of receiving an inset decorative fitting (5), the base of which (7) corresponds substantially to the cast (6) and in that the smooth inner face (2a, 3a) of the module (2, 3) comprising the concave cast (6), intended to receive the decorative fitting (5), comprises a corresponding convex zone (8), so as to obtain a module of constant thickness (e).
2. Glass block according to claim 1, characterized in that there is a single void (4).
3. Glass block according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the decorative fitting (5) is inset into the cast (6) in the outer face of the module by adhesive bonding.
4. Glass block according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the decorative fitting (5) is inset into the cast (6) in the outer face of the module by overmoulding.
5. Glass block according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer cast (6) of the module (2, 3) receiving the decorative fitting (5) is circular in shape and comprises an inner peripheral chamfer (9) forming a flare matching a corresponding base (7) of the decorative fitting (5), with an overall hemispherical shape.
6. Glass block according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer cast (6) in the module (2, 3) receiving the decorative fitting (5) is polygonal in shape and comprises an inner peripheral chamfer (9) forming a flare matching a corresponding base (7) of the decorative fitting (5), with an overall pyramidal shape.
7. Glass block according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the decorative fitting (5) accommodated in the concave cast (6) is made of glass, of a colour different from that of the module (2, 3) of the block (1) supporting it.
8. Glass block according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the decorative fitting (5) accommodated in the concave cast(6) is a mirror.
9. Glass block according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the decorative fitting accommodated in the outer concave cast (6) of the module (2, 3) is constituted by a plurality of light-emitting diodes (10), fitted on a support (5A) intended to be accommodated by its base in the cast (6) of corresponding shape, said diodes (10) being supplied by photovoltaic cells (11) arranged on the same outer face (2b,3b) of the module (2, 3), around or inside the decorative fitting (5A).

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