| (19) |
 |
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(11) |
EP 1 331 319 A1 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (43) |
Date of publication: |
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30.07.2003 Bulletin 2003/31 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 29.01.2002 |
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| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E04C 2/292 |
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
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Designated Extension States: |
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AL LT LV MK RO SI |
| (71) |
Applicant: Paroc Group Oy Ab |
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01300 Vantaa (FI) |
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| (72) |
Inventor: |
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- Lynderup, John
2670 Greve Strand (DK)
|
| (74) |
Representative: LEITZINGER OY |
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Tammasaarenkatu 1
00180 Helsinki
00180 Helsinki (FI) |
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| |
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| (54) |
Method for making a sandwich element |
(57) The invention relates to a method for making a sandwich element, comprising blankets
of steel plate and therebetween a core member of an insulation material which is joined
with the blankets for producing an integral sandwich element. In the method the blankets
of steel plate are profiled as desired prior to joining the same with the core member.
The method comprises supplying a production line with a roll of coiled steel plate,
which is uncoiled and cut for blanket sections of a certain length which are carried
to a profiling mechanism to be profiled as desired prior to mating the same with a
core member. The method also comprises supplying the production line with one or more
surface films different from each other in terms of colour and/or other properties,
which are attached to the external surface of a blanket section for coating the same
with a surface film of a desired colour prior to its passage to the profiling mechanism.
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for making a sandwich element, comprising
blankets of steel plate and therebetween a core member of an insulation material which
is joined with the blankets for producing an integral sandwich element, in which method
the blankets of steel plate are profiled as desired prior to joining the same with
the core member.
[0002] At present, sandwich elements are made from previously colour-coated pieces of sheet
metal, which are mated with a core member for a sandwich element. The core member
material can be e.g. mineral wool, polyurethane or some other suitable thermal insulation
material. One problem with the existing method is a limited range of colours due to
relatively high manufacturing and storage costs of previously colour-coated metal
sheets. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method,
which enables the use of a colour spectrum substantially more extensive than at present
and facilitates correction of discolourations, scratches and the like, as well provides
cost savings.
[0003] In order to fulfil this object, a method of the invention is characterized in that
the method comprises supplying a production line with a roll of coiled steel plate,
which is uncoiled and cut for blanket sections of a certain length which are carried
to a profiling mechanism to be profiled as desired prior to mating the same with a
core member, and that the method comprises supplying the production line with one
or more surface films different from each other in terms of colour and/or other properties,
which are attached to the external surface of a blanket section for coating the same
with a surface film of a desired colour prior to its passage to the profiling mechanism.
[0004] The coiled steel plate can be uncoated, in which case it is preferably pretreated
with a primer and/or a paint prior to the attachment of a film thereto, or it can
be supplied as pretreated.
[0005] The colour film, which is preferably supplied as provided with a bonding agent, is
applied automatically to the surface of a steel plate prior to the profiling process,
this being relatively simple to arrange. This type of colour film can have more thickness
and/or elasticity than a plastic coating normally used for coating steel plates, which
contributes to avoiding surface damage in production and shipping, as well as on installation
site. Damages like scratches and dents occurring in a building can be fixed with relative
ease by taping the damaged spot or the entire panel with a repair tape made of the
same colour film. In addition to colour, the film can be chosen on the basis of other
features as well, such as resistance to UV radiation, climatic stresses, etc.
[0006] The inventive solution allows for a reduction of steel plate stock, as just one type
is required. This reduces the amount of storage-tied capital as it is more economical
to stockpile colour films than steel plates.
1. A method for making a sandwich element, comprising blankets of steel plate and therebetween
a core member of an insulation material which is joined with the blankets for producing
an integral sandwich element, in which method the blankets of steel plate are profiled
as desired prior to joining the same with the core member, characterized in that the method comprises supplying a production line with a roll of coiled steel plate,
which is uncoiled and cut for blanket sections of a certain length which are carried
to a profiling mechanism to be profiled as desired prior to mating the same with a
core member, and that the method comprises supplying the production line with one
or more surface films different from each other in terms of colour and/or other properties,
which are attached to the external surface of a blanket section for coating the same
with a surface film of a desired colour prior to its passage to the profiling mechanism.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the coiled steel plate is uncoated and it is treated with a primer prior to the attachment
of a surface film thereto.
3. A method as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the coiled steel plate is treated with a primer and/or a first coat of paint.
