EP0728542B1 - Decorated structure of deformed metal, in particular of expanded metal, and method for its production - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally deformed metal structures according to the preamble of claim 1, that is to say the structures which, essentially formed from a single sheet, projecting a mesh network of deformations.

More specifically, it does not necessarily exclusively, the case where, being metal deployed, the deformations form open mesh delimited by strips inclined on the general plane of the initial sheet, these meshes being obtained by "unfolding" of the latter, that is to say by cutting and stretching of this initial sheet.

Expanded metal structures of this type have many uses, and, in particular, they are commonly used, for example in the form of panels, then generally plans, for the constitution of ceilings, of isolation partitions, or fencing, or protective grilles.

When they work in supermarkets and that they are split into panels, it is already possible to draw a particular aesthetic effect, in checkerboard, in alternating from one panel to another the orientation of their meshes.

The present invention generally has for object a provision allowing to draw an aesthetic effect from it different, or additional, to increase it, again, the attractive effect, and thus break a possible monotony of all.

This object is achieved, according to the present invention, by a deformed metal structure, such as comprising a projecting mesh network of deformations, and characterized in that, a pattern applied to it, this pattern affects only a limited portion of at least some of these deformations, which for at least one group is oriented on the same side for all the deformations of a such group.

So this pattern, which can for example be a simple decor, purely arbitrary, and / or include any mention of information intended for the passer-by, is not clearly apparent to such a passerby only when the angle observation of it is done in a direction substantially perpendicular to the affected portions of deformations bearing this motif.

When the passerby's viewing angle deviates from this direction, the pattern is more or less dimmed.

It is also completely invisible when the angle observation of the passer-by is done in an opposite direction the one according to which the portions are oriented concerned with the deformations which carry it.

So, overall, a passerby who travels along of a deformed metal structure according to the invention has a changing or fleeting vision of the pattern applied to it, which, successively, appears or disappears, or vice versa.

The attention of the passerby can therefore only be advantageously retained by such a variable vision of this pattern.

When, for example, the deformed metal structure concerned is made of expanded metal, it is possible, for obtaining a structure according to the invention, applying, flat, on the initial sheet, an initial pattern whose pattern sought will be, by a kind of anamorphosis, derivative, and of then subject this initial sheet to operations usual cutting and stretching necessary for its "deployment".

It turns out, surprisingly, that, despite the deformation of the metal, the pattern applied to the sheet initial remains after the "deployment" of it.

The present invention therefore also relates to such a production process as defined in claim 5.

la figure 1 est une vue partielle en plan d'une structure en métal déformé suivant un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;

la figure 2 reprend, à échelle supérieure, le détail de la figure 1 repéré par un encart II sur cette figure 1 ;

la figure 3 est, à échelle également supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe transversale de la structure en métal déformé suivant l'invention, suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 1 ;

la figure 4 est une vue en plan de la tôle initiale dont est issue cette structure en métal déformé, après application d'un motif initial à cette tôle ;

la figure 5 en est une vue en coupe transversale, suivant la ligne V-V de la figure 4 ;

les figures 6A, 6B, 6C sont des vues en perspective illustrant de manière schématique la vision changeante, obtenue suivant divers angles d'observation, de la structure en métal déformé suivant l'invention.

The objects of the invention, their characteristics and their advantages will also emerge from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a partial plan view of a deformed metal structure according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 1 identified by an insert II in this Figure 1;

Figure 3 is, also on a larger scale, a partial cross-sectional view of the deformed metal structure according to the invention, along the line III-III of Figure 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the initial sheet from which this deformed metal structure comes, after application of an initial pattern to this sheet;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line VV of Figure 4;

Figures 6A, 6B, 6C are perspective views schematically illustrating the changing vision, obtained from various angles of observation, of the deformed metal structure according to the invention.

These figures illustrate as an example the application of the invention to a deformed metal structure 10 in the general form of a simple flat panel of generally rectangular outline.

Let P, as schematized by its trace in lines interrupted in Figure 3, the general plan of this structure deformed metal 10.

Overall, the deformed metal structure 10 comprises, projecting from this general plane P, on one and the other of the faces thereof, deformations 11.

The figures illustrate more particularly the case where, in the case of expanded metal, the deformations 11 of the deformed metal structure 10 form perforated meshes 12 delimited by strips 13, which, running over the entire width l of this metal structure deformed 10, while being offset from each other along the length L thereof, are all generally inclined on its general plane P.

The strips 13 are generally wavy.

In the embodiment shown, they are generally wavy in festoons.

As a result, in this embodiment, the mesh outline 12 is that of a curvilinear triangle isosceles, with concave lateral sides and a convex base.

But, of course, any other outline is possible for these meshes 12.

The process for obtaining a metal structure deformed 10 thus formed of expanded metal being also well known by itself, it will not be described in detail here.

It will suffice to indicate that, starting from an initial sheet 10 ′, which, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, has the same width l as the final deformed metal structure 10 but has a length L ′ less than that of this one, this initial sheet 10 'is subjected to cutting and drawing operations, which are successive or simultaneous, the cutting operation taking place generally along the width l and the drawing operation taking place on the contrary overall along the length L '.

The deformations 11 are formed by the scallops, arched in a chain, formed by the straps 13.

For each face of the initial sheet 10 ', these strips 13 each have two sides, both inclined on the general plane P, namely a flank 14, which comes from the surface corresponding to this sheet 10 ', and a side 15, which comes from the thickness of the latter, and the updating of which results from "deployment" to which it was subjected.

In the direction of stretching, that is to say in the direction of the length L ′, L, the flank 14 extends downstream, and the flank 15 upstream.

In what follows, and for simplicity, only one of the faces of the initial sheet 10 'is taken in consideration, and the same goes for the metal structure distorted 10 which results therefrom.

According to the invention, a pattern 16 is applied, on such a face, with the deformed metal structure 10, this pattern 16 affects only a limited portion of at least some its deformations 11, which, for at least one group of these, is oriented on the same side for all the deformations 11 of such a group.

For simplicity, motif 16 has been assumed be constituted by a simple letter O, of circular outline, in the embodiment shown.

But it goes without saying that any other more elaborate can be considered.

It can be for example any decor, and / or any other mention of information.

For simplicity, too, only a group of distortions 11 was assumed to be affected by reason 16 in the embodiment shown.

But it stands to reason that two distinct groups of deformations 11 can be each respectively concerned by separate, identical or different patterns, 16 and / or according to orientations which are themselves identical or different.

When, as in the present case, as regards metal deployed, the deformations 11 belong to straps 13 forming between them openwork 12 meshes, the pattern 16 affects only one of the sides of these strips 13, in this case their side 14, which, located downstream in the direction of stretching, comes from the corresponding surface of the initial sheet 10 '.

It results from the obliquity of this flank 14 relative to in general P that the vision that motif 16 has of any observer depends on the observation angle from which its view embraces the deformed metal structure 10.

It therefore depends on its scroll in relation to this last.

In FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, we have substituted, for more clarity, with such scrolling, a gradual inclination of the deformed metal structure 10.

In FIG. 6A, the observation is supposed to be made at an angle which, as indicated by arrow A at the Figure 3, is oblique in a first direction relative to the plane general P and mainly concerns the side 15 of the straps 13: for such an angle of observation, the motif 16 is not obviously not apparent.

In FIG. 6B, the observation is supposed to be made at an angle which, as indicated by arrow B at the Figure 3, is substantially perpendicular to the general plane P and allows you to see both, but at an angle, the side 15 of strips 13 and their side 14, as in the plan view of the Figure 1: for such an angle of observation, the pattern 16 is apparent, but, due to its fragmentation, on the one hand, and the biased observation that is made of it, on the other hand, it is barely visible.

In FIG. 6C, the observation is supposed to be made at an angle which, as indicated by arrow C at the Figure 3, is oblique to the general plane P, in a opposite direction to that corresponding to the viewing angle marked with the previous arrow A, and mainly concerns the flank 14 of the straps 13, being substantially perpendicular to it: for such an angle of observation, the pattern 16 appears in all its fullness, the flanks 14 of strips 13 reconstructing, by projection on a plane perpendicular to this angle of observation, the face corresponding to the initial sheet 10 '.

So, overall, according to its angle of observation, the observer has a changing vision when scrolling, or receding, from the motif 16.

To obtain a deformed metal structure 10 thus presenting a pattern 16, it is in practice proceeded as follows.

As shown schematically in Figures 4, 5, we apply first flat on the initial sheet 10 'an initial 16' pattern, of which, by a kind of anamorphosis, due to stretching, the motif 16 sought will be derived.

In the case where, as in the present case, ground 16 is a O with a circular outline, the 16 'pattern is a slightly O flattened into an ellipse.

For example, applying the initial 16 'pattern on the initial 10 'sheet can be done using sublimable inks, following a process generally falling under the decal.

The 16 'motif composed of such sublimable inks is initially printed on any medium, and, by example, a paper backing.

It is then transferred by heat and pressure from this support to the initial sheet 10 '.

For example, a temperature on the order of 200 ° C, applied for a time of the order of 2 minutes, and under a pressure of the order of 2 to 4 bars may suffice.

If the initial 10 'sheet is an aluminum sheet, we preferably provides anodization of this initial sheet 10 ' before applying the initial 16 'pattern, so that it is duly protected and that the 16 'motif penetrates better.

The anodized layer thus obtained can extend over 6 at 20 microns, depending on the quality of protection sought.

After applying the initial 16 'pattern to the 10' sheet initial, this sheet 10 'is also preferentially subject initial to another operation, called clogging operation, to trap inside the previous anodized layer the inks forming this initial 16 ′ pattern.

In practice, this clogging operation comes down to an initial 10 'sheet immersion operation in a bath demineralized water to which a sealing salt is added, for example example that known under the commercial designation "HARDWALL", at a content of the order of 5 grams of salt clogging per liter of water, and whose pH is preferably set between 4.5 and 5.5.

This clogging operation is in practice carried out at low temperature, that is to say at a temperature of the order from 25 to 30 ° C, and its duration is for example of the order of 20 minutes.

Whether aluminum or any other material, and for example in stainless steel, the initial sheet 10 'is then subjected to a "deployment", that is to say to operations usual cutting and stretching necessary for such "deployment".

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and implementation described and represented, but includes any variant, which does not depart from the scope of the invention as claimed.

In particular, if, in the foregoing, it has been assumed, for simplicity, that the original sheet is not finds it deployed in one direction, it goes without saying that can be deployed in two or more directions different, for example, in two directions at 90 ° one with respect to the other, with equal amplitudes or possibly different according to the directions, to vary still the visual effect due to the pattern that was previously given to him applied, this reason thus being concerning groups distinct from deformations, at least one group per direction.

Furthermore, if in the above, it has been assumed that only one of the faces of the initial sheet, and therefore of the deformed metal structure obtained, is concerned, it goes without saying as for obtaining a decorated expanded metal structure on its two faces, either of these faces can be concerned, the pattern applied then being the same or not for each of them.

As a corollary, the scope of the invention is not limited to only structures formed of flat panels, but extends on the contrary as well to that volume structures, especially when such panels plans are more or less curved, curved or shaped.

Finally, the scope of the invention is not generally not limited to structures in expanded metal, but extends more generally to deformed metal structures projecting from a network mesh of deformations, let the meshes of this network be unidirectional, the deformations reducing for example in this case to simple parallel ribs, or whether it's of bidirectional meshes, the deformations forming by example in this case of simple local bosses.

Claims (9)

1. A deformed metal structure of the type comprising in relief a meshed network of deformations (11), characterised in that, a pattern (16) having been applied thereto, said pattern (16) only affects a limited portion of at least some of said deformations (11), which, for at least one group thereof, is positioned on the same side for all the deformations (11) of such a group.
2. A structure according to claim 1, characterised in that, since an expanded metal structure is involved, which originates from an initial sheet (10'), and the deformations (11) of which form openwork meshes (12) delimited by strips (13) inclined relative to the general plane (P) of the initial sheet (10'), the pattern (16) only affecting one of the sides (14) of the relevant strips (13).
3. A structure according to claim 2, characterised in that the pattern (16) only affects the side (14) of the relevant strips (13) which is downstream in the direction of drawing.
4. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it is made of aluminium.
5. A process for producing a structure of deformed metal (10) having a pattern (16) on the surface, said structure being an expanded metal structure in which an initial pattern (16') is applied flat to the initial sheet (10'), from which the desired pattern (16) will be derived, and subsequently this initial sheet (10') is subjected to the usual cutting and drawing operations.
6. A process according to claim 5, characterised in that the initial pattern (16') is applied to the initial sheet (10') by a hot-transfer operation using sublimable inks.
7. A process according to either claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that since the initial sheet (10') is of aluminium sheet it is anodised before the initial pattern (16') is applied thereto.
8. A process according to claim 7, characterized in that, after application of the initial pattern (16') to the initial sheet (10'), said initial sheet (10') is subjected to a sealing operation.
9. A process according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing operation is carried out at low temperature for a period of the order of 20 minutes.

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