HEATING PANEL, AND METHOD FOR ITS REALISATION

Abstract

 A heating panel (1) comprises at least one support (2) having a surface (3) and at least one portion (4;4a,4b) of a heating fabric (4) associated with the surface (3), wherein the heating fabric (4) is provided with at least one weft (5) comprising at least one continuous wire (5a) made of electrically conductive material, and a warp (6) made of non-electrically conductive material, at least one coupling layer (7), made of polymer material, applied to the surface (3) and around which the portion (4;4a,4b) of the heating fabric (4) is at least partially embedded, such that the material of the coupling layer (7) penetrates between the interstices present between the weft (5) and the warp (6).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating panel.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a heating panel.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] In many different applications, both civil and industrial, in which it is necessary to heat specific environments and/or surfaces, electrically-supplied heating panels are increasingly used, comprising an electric circuit which, when current runs through it, generates thermal energy due to the known "Joule effect".

[0004] Such thermal energy can then be transmitted to the environment/surface of interest by means of the known mechanisms of conduction, convection, irradiation or a combination thereof.

[0005] There are various reasons why these systems are increasingly used: both of economical nature - with regard to the production costs and the energy output in operation - and more design nature, since these are objects with very limited weight and size, and they are extremely flexible and handy as well, and thus can be easily installed even in situations with very limited space and/or difficult access.

[0006] The heating panels of this type normally comprise a heating element made of insulating material, and formed by a weft made of continuous metal wire with electrical conductivity (e.g. copper), with small diameter and considerable length, coated with highly insulating material and with ends provided with electrical contacts.

[0007] The warp is instead obtained by parallel, side-by-side strips, normally made of very thin fiberglass wires.

[0008] Of course, the shape and the configuration of the weft and the warp - as well as the materials used - can be of many different types, in relation to specific needs, and also different from those described above only by way of example. Normally, a panel of this type is provided already complete with external insulating layers, which allow obtaining a so-called "sandwich" structure, ready for installation.

[0009] Also the external insulating layers can be made of many different materials: in a typical example, the external insulating layers are constituted by thin sheets of mica-based material, or in other cases these too are constituted by fabric sheets of suitable material.

[0010] The "sandwich" structure thus obtained is particularly thin and easy to handle.

[0011] For example, in the case of an application for heating a civil use environment, the aforesaid panel can be applied below the floor or below any other covering surface, and in this case the panel mainly works via heat conduction through the material with which the floor or covering surface itself is made.

[0012] In a heating application in an industrial field (e.g. drying of products, surfaces, and the like), the panel can be installed on a suitable support surface which is situated directly facing the zone where the product in question is situated, or where it moves, and in this other case the panel operates mainly via irradiation. The panels already provided with external insulating layers, if possible, are preferably fixed on the respective support surfaces, normally using adhesive materials - e.g. silicone, but also others - spread directly on one or both external layers of the panel itself.

[0013] The panels of this type - and also the manner of fixing the same on the respective support surfaces - do not however lack drawbacks.

[0014] A first drawback, intrinsic with the structure of the product, is constituted by the fact that, as it is obvious to imagine, providing external insulating layers is per se costly, both in terms of materials used and in terms of suitably dedicated production resources.

[0015] In addition, it is observed that normally, both in order to limit installation times and achieve a savings on materials, the panels are fixed to the respective support surfaces by spreading the adhesive material only in specific zones of the coupling surfaces, e.g. only at the edges of the panel, or at specific points thereof distributed more or less randomly or in any case without a precise criterion.

[0016] As is known, adhesive materials - e.g. silicone pastes, or the like - require a sufficient quantity of air in order to reticulate: often, the material application zones, interposed between the support and the external insulating layers, are not sufficiently aerated to obtain a satisfactory reticulation.

[0017] This causes a fixing which can be of poor quality, and which can lead to the localized detachment of the panel from the support surface with consequent formation of air bubbles, or other unpleasant phenomena of this type.

[0018] The latter drawback is troubling not only with regard to the mechanical seal of the connection between the support surface and the panel, but also and above all regarding uniformity in the diffusion of the heat generated by the panel itself.

[0019] Indeed, for example if the use of the panel specifically exploits the transfer of heat via conduction from the panel to its same support, but not only, it is clear that the zones where the adhesive is applied will have a thermal conductivity certainly very different from those where the adhesive is absent, or perhaps is applied with a different thickness, etc..

[0020] Therefore, it follows that the transmission of the heat is far from being uniform, such to make futile one of the main characteristics for which this type of device is selected over others, i.e. the uniformity in heat diffusion.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The technical task of the present invention is to improve the state of the art.

[0022] In the scope of such technical task, one object of the present invention is to implement a heating panel that allows overcoming the above-lamented drawbacks.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to make a heating panel that allows obtaining a more uniform heat diffusion than that of the panels of known type. Still an object of the present invention is to devise a heating panel connected in a safer and more reliable manner to the respective support surface.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to provide a heating panel which allows greater versatility of application with respect to the panels of known type.

[0025] This task and these objects are all attained by the heating panel according to the enclosed claim 1.

[0026] The heating panel according to the invention comprising at least one support having a surface, and at least one portion of a heating fabric associated with such surface.

[0027] The heating fabric is of the type provided with at least one weft, comprising at least one continuous wire made of electrically conductive material, and a warp made of non-electrically conductive material; such wire is provided with ends provided with contacts for connecting to an electrical power supply grid. According to one aspect of the invention, the heating panel comprises at least one coupling layer, made of polymer material, applied to the aforesaid surface of the support and around which the portion of heating fabric is at least partially embedded, such that the material of the coupling layer penetrates between the interstices provided between the weft and the warp of the heating fabric.

[0028] Also forming an object of the invention is a method for producing a heating panel, according to claim 11.

[0029] The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clearer from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a heating panel, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the enclosed drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the heating panel according to the
invention, with some parts removed for greater clarity;

figure 2 is a detailed and sectioned schematic side view of the panel, with some parts removed for greater clarity;

figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the heating fabric of the panel;

figure 4 is a detail of the side section of the panel of figure 2;

figures 5 and 6 are schematic views of two subsequent steps of the method for producing the panel according to the invention;

figure 7 is a schematic and section side view of another embodiment of the panel;

figure 8 is a schematic and section side view of still another embodiment of the panel;

figure 9 is a schematic and section view of a cooking plate made by using the panel according to the invention;

figure 10 is a schematic front view of a cabin for painting/drying manufactured products comprising a plurality of heating panels according to the invention;

figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a disinfection/sterilization device comprising a heating panel according to the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0031] With reference to the enclosed figures, a heating panel according to the present invention is generally indicated with the reference number 1.

[0032] The panel 1 comprising at least one support 2.

[0033] As will be better clarified hereinbelow, the support 2 can be of any shape/size/material in relation to the specific application needs, without limitations.

[0034] The support 2 comprises a surface 3.

[0035] In some embodiments of the invention of particular practical interest, as will be seen, the aforesaid surface 3 is preferably flat or substantially flat.

[0036] Nothing prohibits, in other embodiments of the invention, the surface 3 from also having different shape, e.g. convex, concave or complex and comprising portions of different convexity/concavity.

[0037] The panel 1 also comprises at least one heating resistor, indicated overall with 4.

[0038] More in detail, it is observed that the heating resistor 4 has a substantially reticular structure, in which interstices are present, with the evident advantages that will be clear from the following description.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating resistor 4 is configured as a heating fabric associated with the surface 3 of the support 2 in the manner best described hereinbelow.

[0040] Hereinbelow, reference will therefore be made to a heating resistor configured as a heating fabric 4, given that further similar or technically equivalent embodiments are to be considered as comprised in the protective scope of the present invention.

[0041] More precisely, the panel 1 comprises at least one portion 4a of heating fabric 4.

[0042] The portion 4a of heating fabric 4 has surface extension (possibly plan extended) not greater than that of the surface 3 of the support 2 (this also possibly plan extended), for the reasons set forth hereinbelow.

[0043] Of course, there can be any number of portions 4a of heating fabric 4 associated with one same support 2.

[0044] Naturally, such portions 4a can be made starting from a heating fabric 4 of a same type, or by using different fabrics 4 having different characteristics.

[0045] According to one version of the present invention, the heating fabric 4 is of the type provided with at least one weft 5, comprising at least one continuous wire 5a made of electrically conductive material, and a warp 6 made of non-electrically conductive material.

[0046] The wire 5a is provided with ends provided with contacts 5b in order to allow the electrical connection of the wire 5a itself, for example, to electrical power supply means, to an electrical power supply grid or to a further wire 5a.

[0047] The wire 5a can for example be made of copper or of another electrically conductive material.

[0048] Preferably, the wire 5a can be coated with electrically insulating paint, in order to prevent undesired short circuits.

[0049] The warp 6 can for example be made by using strips or bands of thin fiberglass wires, or wires of another suitable material of electrically insulating type.

[0050] As schematically illustrated in figure 3, the wire 5a traverses the portion 4a of heating fabric 4 first in one direction and then in the other, after a 180° bend: due to the flanking of the sections of the conductive wire 5a traversed by electric current in two opposite directions, the electromagnetic fields generated by the conductor itself are eliminated.

[0051] In any case, it is specified that the heating fabric 4 represented, in detail, in figure 3 is only a non-limiting embodiment of one of the possible fabrics that can be used for making the panel 1.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the panel 1 comprises at least one coupling layer 7, applied to the surface 3 of the support.

[0053] In particular, it is observed that the coupling layer 7 adheres in a uniform manner to the surface 3 of the support 2, in order to ensure, as will be better clarified hereinbelow, a uniform connection between the heating fabric 4 and the support 2.

[0054] The coupling layer 7 can be made of polymer material.

[0055] Within such coupling layer 7, the heating fabric 4 is at least partially embedded, such that the polymer material of the coupling layer 7 penetrates between the interstices provided between the weft 5 and the warp 6 of the heating fabric 4 itself.

[0056] As will be better clarified hereinbelow, this particular expedient allows attaining the double important result of making a coupling that is very strong, safe and stable over time between the support 2 and the heating fabric 4, and simultaneously ensuring a particularly uniform transmission of the heat, for example between the heating fabric 4 and the support 2, or between the heating fabric 4 and any other means (solid, liquid, gaseous) with which it comes into contact.

[0057] More in detail, the coupling between the heating fabric 4 and the support 2 is made uniform and therefore lacks discontinuities.

[0058] The polymer material with which the coupling layer 7 is made comprises silicone and/or the like.

[0059] In one embodiment of the invention, the material with which the coupling layer 7 is made is entirely constituted by silicone.

[0060] Preferably, in some embodiments of the invention, the coupling layer 7 has a surface extension greater than that of the heating fabric 4, such that the heating fabric 4 itself is completely embedded in the coupling layer 7.

[0061] In this manner, the coupling layer 7 comprises, in more detail, a lower layer 7a interposed between the support 2 and the heating fabric 4, and an upper layer 7b that completely covers the heating fabric 4 itself.

[0062] Due to this expedient, in addition to obtaining the abovementioned results of optimal mechanical connection and uniform distribution of the heat generated by the heating fabric 4, it is also possible to obtain an electrical insulation of the fabric 4 itself due to the properties of silicone.

[0063] Therefore, it is no longer necessary to provide for sheets of insulating material that enclose the heating fabric 4, as instead occurs in the heating panels of known type.

[0064] In other embodiments of the invention, some portions of the heating fabric 4 could be purposely left uncovered (i.e. not incorporated in the coupling layer 7), for example in order to facilitate the electrical connections, or for multiple other purposes.

[0065] In figure 4, a section of the panel 1 is illustrated in detail, in which it is shown - schematically, in which some dimensions of the parts have been clearly modified for better clarity - that the heating fabric 4 is completely embedded, or incorporated, in the coupling layer 7, so as to obtain the optimal electrical insulation and, simultaneously, the best conditions for obtaining a transmission and diffusion of the heat that is as uniform as possible.

[0066] According to another aspect of the invention, the support 2 comprises at least one sheet-like or plate-like element, made of a material selected from among a metal material, a ceramic material, plasterboard, glass, a polymer material, a composite material, or a combination of one or more of such materials.

[0067] The above-reported list of materials is in any case not to be deemed exhaustive. This aspect of the invention renders the panel 1 usable for making many different applications.

[0068] For example, the panel 1 can be used for making floor heating, or wall heating, for civil or industrial building environments.

[0069] It is therefore possible to obtain the panel 1 according to the invention starting from, for example, a sheet of plasterboard, or from a ceramic material tile, or the like.

[0070] With particular reference to figure 9, in one embodiment of the invention, a cooking device 8 for foods is attained by using one or more heating panels 1 according to the present invention.

[0071] The cooking device 8, as described hereinbelow, also constitutes the object of the present invention.

[0072] The cooking device 8 according to the invention comprises at least one heating panel 1 having the characteristics described above.

[0073] The cooking device 8 comprises a box-shaped element 9, of any material and/or shape, that can be associated with the at least one heating panel 1. According to one version of the present invention, the box-shaped element 9 is configured for at least partially containing the at least one heating panel 1. According to a further version of the present invention, the box-shaped element 9 is configured for acting as a cover and protection element of at least one portion of the at least one heating panel 1.

[0074] According to a further embodiment illustrated by way of example in figure 9, the lower layer 7a (or upper layer 7b) of the coupling layer 7 can be associated directly in contact with the box-shaped support 9.

[0075] At least one cooking plate 10 is applied on the heating panel 1.

[0076] More in detail, the cooking plate 10 is applied directly on the upper layer 7b (or lower layer 7a) of the coupling layer 7.

[0077] The number (or type) of heating panels 1 interposed between the box-shaped element 9 and the cooking plate 10 can be any; likewise, the number (or type) of cooking plates 10 provided in the device 8 can be any.

[0078] The device 8 could therefore comprise various cooking zones with different characteristics.

[0079] According to one version of the present invention, the cooking plate 10 can comprise a plurality of internal cavities 11, made in its thickness, in which substances are inserted - for example metals - with low melting temperature, which are capable of gradually releasing the previously-taken thermal energy (latent heat).

[0080] The cooking device 8 according to the invention has numerous advantages of use, such as uniformity in the heat diffusion, absence of electromagnetic emissions, easy cleaning, low electrical absorption, speed in making operative, modularity, versatility.

[0081] The heating panel 1 has an overall thickness of limited size, which in turn can allow the attainment of a cooking device 8 with a limited thickness.

[0082] The cooking device 8 according to the invention can also be installed, with considerable advantages, on recreational vehicles, campers, boats or the like. The support 2 of the heating panel 1 can be constituted, in this case, by either the upper surface of the box-shaped element 9 or by the cooking plate 10 without distinction.

[0083] In addition, if the cooking plate 10 is associated with multiple heating panels 1, it is possible to optimize the overall energy consumptions during the operation thereof, as a function of specific use needs, by selectively activating one or more of the heating panels 1.

[0084] With particular reference to figure 10, in one embodiment of the invention, a cabin for painting/drying manufactured products 12 is made by using one or more heating panels 1 according to the present invention.

[0085] The painting/drying cabin 12, as described hereinbelow, also constitutes the object of the present invention.

[0086] According to the invention, the cabin 12 comprises, provided on at least one of its internal walls 13,14, at least one heating panel 1 having the characteristics described above.

[0087] The internal walls 13,14 of the cabin 12 comprise, more in detail, both the lateral walls 13 and the ceiling 14.

[0088] The supports 2 of the heating panels 1 can be constituted, in this case, by the same internal walls 13,14 of the cabin 12, or by further elements, made of suitable material, in turn fixed to the internal walls 13,14.

[0089] With reference now to figure 11, in one embodiment of the invention, a device for disinfecting/sterilizing surfaces 15 is obtained by using one or more heating panels 1 according to the present invention.

[0090] The disinfection/sterilization device 15, as described hereinbelow, also constitutes the object of the present invention.

[0091] According to one version of the present invention, the device 15 can comprise at least one support 16 for the heating panel 1, in order to allow the positioning of the device 15 itself in proximity to a surface to be treated.

[0092] According to a further version of the present invention, the support 16 of the device 15 can be self-moving and comprise transport means 17, associated on the lower part of the self-moving support 16, in order to be moved on floors or other similar surfaces.

[0093] In particular, the heating panel 1 can be associated with the surface of the self-moving support 16 which during use face the surface to be treated.

[0094] The transport means 17 can for example comprise a plurality of wheels, including at least one wheel that can be steered.

[0095] The self-moving support 17 comprises a central processing unit, which autonomously manages the actuation of the transport means 17 and of the heating panel 1.

[0096] The self-moving support 16 can thus be moved, for example, autonomously in any zone of the floor, and the heat diffused by the heating panel 1 has a disinfecting/sterilizing effect on the treated surfaces.

[0097] In a specific application, of particular practical interest, the device 15 can be effectively used for the disinfection of wood parasites (e.g. for parquet floors). Also forming the object of the present invention is a method for producing a heating panel 1.

[0098] In particular, the method allows producing a heating panel 1 having the above-described characteristics.

[0099] The method according to the invention comprises a step of providing a support 2, having a surface 3.

[0100] In general, the support 2 can be of any type; in some preferred embodiments of the invention, the support 2 comprises at least one sheet selected from among a metal material, a ceramic material, plasterboard, glass, a polymer material, a composite material, or a combination of one or more of such materials.

[0101] The support 2 is positioned on an abutment plane adapted to support it during the production of the panel 1, or on a suitable support equipment, or the like. The method also provides for a step of providing at least one portion 4a of a heating fabric 4.

[0102] In particular, the heating fabric 4 is of the type provided with at least one weft 5 comprising at least one continuous wire 5a made of electrically conductive material, and a warp 6 made of non-electrically conductive material; the wire 5a is provided with ends provided with contacts 5b for the connection to an electrical grid.

[0103] The method also comprises a step of distributing a coupling layer 7, made of polymer material, on the surface 3 of the support 2.

[0104] More in detail, the aforesaid distribution step provides for the uniform application of the coupling layer 7 on the surface 3 of the support 2.

[0105] In one embodiment of the invention of particular practical interest, the material with which the coupling layer 7 is made comprises, or is constituted by, silicone or the like.

[0106] The step of distributing the coupling layer 7 on the surface 3 of the support 2 can be made by using, for example a roller or any other means suitable for such purpose.

[0107] The member that distributes the material for obtaining the coupling layer 7 can be manual or with automatic actuation and in any case capable of ensuring a uniform distribution of the coupling layer 7 on the surface 3.

[0108] The coupling layer 7 is distributed in a manner so as to have a surface extension that is greater (or at least slightly greater) than that of the portion 4a of heating fabric 4.

[0109] For example, if the portion 4a of heating fabric 4 has square or rectangular shape, the polymer material for making the coupling layer 7 is distributed on the surface 3 of the support 2 in a manner so as to essentially have the same shape as the portion 4a, and the perimeter edges slightly exceeding those of the heating fabric 4.

[0110] Following the distribution of the coupling layer 7, the method provides for a step of positioning the portion 4a of heating fabric 4 on the coupling layer 7 itself.

[0111] Naturally, the latter step must be executed in due time, before the coupling layer 7 (as stated, preferably constituted by silicone) start reticulating in contact with the air.

[0112] The portion 4a of heating fabric 4 - or possibly one or more portions thereof - must be preferably applied in a manner such that, from a plan viewpoint, its perimeter edge is completely contained within the perimeter edge of the coupling layer 7.

[0113] The portion 4a of the heating fabric 4 must be extended on the coupling layer 7 in a manner so as to obtain the best possible adhesion, eliminating all positioning irregularities, and preventing the formation of air bubbles.

[0114] After this positioning step, the method comprises a step of pressing the portion 4a of heating fabric 4 on the coupling layer 7.

[0115] The aforesaid pressing step provides for exerting a pressing action directed orthogonally, or substantially orthogonally, to the support 2.

[0116] In this manner, the uniform and widespread penetration of the material of the coupling layer 7 is determined between the interstices present between the weft 5 and the warp 6 of the heating fabric 4, so as to obtain the at least partial embedding of the portion 4a of heating fabric 4 in the coupling layer 7.

[0117] More preferably, in some embodiments of the invention the pressing step must determine the complete, or substantially complete, embedding or incorporation of the portion of heating fabric 4a in the coupling layer 7.

[0118] In other words, the objective is to prevent the surface of the portion 4a of heating fabric 4 from being uncovered in any portion thereof actively involved in heat diffusion (except for possible terminal portions that are not directly involved).

[0119] This is obtained by making the polymer material, with which the coupling layer 7 is made, emerge through the interstices present between the weft 5 and the warp 6 of the heating fabric 4, until it reaches above the surface of the heating fabric 4 itself.

[0120] In order to achieve this, the pressure exerted in this step must be suitable calibrated so as to sufficient for determining the flow of the polymer material through the aforesaid interstices, and simultaneously there is no risk of damaging the support 2 and/or the heating fabric 4 itself.

[0121] Optionally, before carrying out the aforesaid pressing step, the method can comprise a step of distributing a further layer of polymer material (with which the coupling layer 7 is made) on the surface of the heating fabric 4.

[0122] This optional step can facilitate - e.g. if the weft 5 and the warp 6 of the heating fabric 4 are particularly dense or interwoven, or if the heating fabric 4 is particularly thick - the complete and optimal embedding or incorporation of the heating fabric 4 itself in the coupling layer 7, at least in the portions of specific interest, i.e. those directly involved in the heat diffusion: in other words, this ensures that the external surface of the heating fabric 4, in the areas of interest, is completely covered with the polymer material.

[0123] According to a further version of the present invention, the heating fabric 4 can be configured in a different manner, while having a substantially reticular or grid structure provided with interstices, in order to ensure the at least partial penetration between the coupling layer 7 and the heating fabric according to the previously-described modes.

[0124] With reference to figures 5,6, the step of pressing the heating fabric 4 can be carried out, for example, by means of a press 18, positioning the support between the fixed bench 19 and the movable element 20 of the same press 18. The press 18 usable for this application can for example be hydraulic, mechanical or of any other suitable type.

[0125] Alternatively, such pressing step can also be executed by means of a pressure roller, or other similar members, even manually actuated.

[0126] One of the considerable advantages of the method according to the invention - particularly, but not exclusively, if the heating panel 1 is produced by using a press 18 - is the ability to assemble, on a same support 2, multiple portions 4a of heating fabric 4.

[0127] For example, with reference to figure 7, it is possible to attain an embodiment of the panel 1 comprising two (or more) portions 4a,4b of heating fabric 4 embedded in a same coupling layer 7.

[0128] For example, the two portions 4a,4b of heating fabric 4 can have different characteristics, for specific application requirements.

[0129] This can be advantageous in specific applications, for example for making a cooking device 8 of the previously-described type, or the like.

[0130] This result can be advantageously obtained in the scope of a single operating step, i.e. in particular a single step of pressing the portions 4a,4b of heating fabric 4 on the previously-applied polymer material.

[0131] The embodiment of the panel 1 illustrated in figure 7 also forms the object of the present invention.

[0132] In another embodiment of the heating panel 1 obtained with the above-described method, and illustrated in particular in the section of figure 8, the panel 1 can comprise two (or more) portions 4a,4b of heating fabric 4, coupled to a same support 2 in a manner such that the thickness of the coupling layer 7 is differentiated between the two portions 4a,4b of heating fabric 4.

[0133] For example, as illustrated in figure 8, it is possible to make a panel 1 with a first portion 4a of heating fabric 4 associated with a first zone 7c of the coupling layer 7 having a lower layer 7a and an upper layer 7b with respective first thicknesses S1,S1' (which can be equal to or different from each other), and a second portion of heating fabric 4b associated with a second zone 7d of the coupling layer 7 having a lower layer 7a' and an upper layer 7b' with respective second thicknesses S2,S2' (which can be equal to or different from each other).

[0134] This embodiment can be advantageous in applications in which it is obtained to obtain, on a same heating panel 1, surface portions with differentiated heat diffusion (i.e. surface portions from which the heat is more quickly diffused, and others from which the heat is more slowly diffused).

[0135] It is thus seen that the invention achieves the pre-established objects.

[0136] First of all, the implemented solution allows obtaining a diffusion of the heat emitted by the heating fabric 4 that is very uniform both towards the support 2 and in the opposite direction, eliminating the typical non-uniformities that negatively affect the panels of known type.

[0137] In addition, together with this result, the mechanical connection between the heating fabric 4 and the respective support 2 is clearly stronger, safer and more reliable than that of the known solutions.

[0138] As can be understood, the advantages offered by the panel 1 according to the invention allow attaining numerous applications in which the following are particularly important: the uniformity of the heat diffusion, the solidity and mechanical seal of the component, the limited weight and thickness, and the versatility in controlling the operation of the panel 1.

[0139] In all the described applications, the panel 1 can be controlled for operating within a wide range of temperatures, due to the properties of optimal thermal resistance of the used polymer coupling material.

[0140] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0141] In addition, all details can be substituted by other technically equivalent elements.

[0142] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and sizes, can be of any type in accordance with the requirements, without departing from the protective scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Heating panel (1), comprising at least one support (2) having a surface (3), and at least one portion (4;4a,4b) of a heating resistor (4) associated with said surface (3), said heating resistor (4) having a substantially reticular structure provided with interstices and comprising at least one continuous wire (5a) made of electrically conductive material, said wire (5a) being provided with ends equipped with contacts (5b) for the connection of said wire (5a) to power supply means, characterized in that it comprises at least one coupling layer (7), in polymeric material, uniformly applied to said surface (3) and inside which said portion (4;4a,4b) of said heating resistor (4) is at least partially embedded, so that the material of said coupling layer (7) is penetrated between said interstices provided in said heating resistor (4).

2. Panel according to claim 1, wherein said heating resistor is a heating fabric (4) of the type provided with a weft (5) comprising at least one wire (5a) and a warp (6), in non-electrically conductive material, said heating fabric (4) being associated with said support (2) by means of said coupling layer (7) at least partially penetrated between the interstices that are present between said weft (5) and said warp (6).

3. Heating panel according to claim 2, wherein said wire (5a) traverses said heating fabric (4) first in one direction and then in the other, so as to present portions of said wire (5a) sided to each other for the annulment of electromagnetic fields that are generated along said wire (5a) when current flows through it.

4. Heating panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said polymeric material of said coupling layer (7) comprises silicone and/or the like.

5. Heating panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling layer (7) has a surface area greater than that of said portion (4;4a,4b) of said heating fabric (4), so that said heating fabric (4) is completely embedded in said coupling layer (7).

6. Heating panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said support (2) comprises at least one sheet-like or plate-like element made of a material selected among a metal material, a ceramic material, plasterboard, glass, a polymeric material, a composite material, or a combination of one or more of such materials.

7. Cooking device (8), characterized in that it comprises at least one heating panel (1) according to one of claims 1-6.

8. Cooking device, according to claim 7, comprising at least one box-shaped element (9) and at least one cooking plate (10) between which at least one coupling layer (7) is interposed which at least partially embeds at least one portion (4;4a,4b) of heating fabric (4).

9. Cabin (12) for painting/drying of products, characterized in that it comprises at least one heating panel according to one of claims 1-6 provided on at least one of its inner walls.

10. Surface disinfection/sterilization device (15), characterized in that it comprises at least one heating panel (1) according to one of claims 1-6.

11. Method for the production of a heating panel (1), characterized in that it comprises the steps of
providing a support (2), having a surface (3);
providing at least one portion (4;4a,4b) of a heating fabric (4) of the type provided with at least one weft (5) comprising at least one continuous wire (5a) made of electrically conductive material, and a warp (6) made of non-electrically conductive material, said wire (5a) being provided with ends equipped with contacts (5b) for the connection to an electrical grid;
uniformly distributing a coupling layer (7) made of polymeric material on said surface (3) of said support (2);
placing said portion (4;4a,4b) of heating fabric (4) on said coupling layer (7); pressing said portion (4;4a,4b) of heating fabric (4) so as to determine the penetration of the polymeric material of said coupling layer (7) between the interstices that are between said weave (5) and said warp (6), so as to obtain the at least partial embedding of said portion (4;4a,4b) in said coupling layer (7) and a uniform and without any discontinuity connection between said heating fabric (4) and said surface (3) of said support (2).

12. Method according to claim 11, comprising a phase of distributing a further layer of polymeric material with which said coupling layer (7) is made on said portion (4;4a,4b) of said heating fabric (4), before performing said phase of pressing said portion (4;4a,4b).

13. Method according to one of claims 11 or 12, wherein said phase of pressing said portion (4;4a,4b) of heating fabric (4) is performed by a press (18), or a roller.

Drawing