(51) Int.Cl.⁵

B 29 C 47/00

// B29K 23:00, B29L

31:44

(19) Federal Republic of Germany

[emblem]

German Patent Office

(12) Offenlegungsschrift

[= Published Patent Application]

(10) DE 42 28 254 A1

(21) Application number: P 42 28 254.3

(22) Filing date: August 25, 1992

(43) Disclosure date: March 3, 1994

(71) Applicant: Hummer, Edda, 66740 Saarlouis, DE (74) Representative: At this time no representative has been appointed.

(72) Inventor: Same as the applicant.

A request for an examination has been filed in accordance with § 44 of the German Patent Act.

(54) Machine and Method for Producing 100% Recyclable Synthetic Rattan Furniture, including the Furniture, that is both firm and stable and does not require painting.

(57) In order to produce 100% recyclable synthetic rattan furniture and/or other products, that are both firm and stable and do not require painting, by means of a special mixture of various polyolefins and other products, which are processed homogeneously in a specially designed production line with a special screw at the beginning of the line.

DE 42 28 254 A1

The following information was derived from the documents filed by the applicant.

Federal Government Printing Office 01.94 308 089/128 11/43

Description

The object of the invention is a method and a machine, which is used to carry out this method, for the manufacture of synthetic rattan and/or self-supporting (firm and stable) synthetic rattan furniture and other synthetic products.

Such a method is of high practical interest, because it allows in conjunction with the polyolefins the manufacture of self-supporting synthetic rattan furniture, such as chairs, tables, sofas, etc., and other products, which are self-supporting, do not require painting, and can be recycled, following use, and can be reprocessed immediately into synthetic rattan and other synthetic products. As a result, the natural resources are protected; the plant and animal world is protected from adverse intervention by humans; and the hazard avoidance principle, the principle of marketing and provision and the recycling priority are taken into account.

To date there are no methods or synthetic mixtures for producing self-supporting (firm and stable) synthetic rattan furniture, which is, in addition, 100% recyclable and does not require painting.

The object of the invention is to hold the synthetic plastic material in a self-supporting state that does not require painting and, in addition, is to be able to recycle it 100%.

The method, according to the invention, is based on the idea that the special synthetic mixture is blended together with other constituents (for example, antistatic agents, lubricating agents, ultraviolet light resistant dyeing, weather resistant and abrasion-proof polyolefins etc.) in a variety of different ways as a function of the strength and a secret recipe.

A machine, which can be used for carrying out the method, is depicted in the attached photos and the drawings.

The special design of the production line consists of a special screw at the beginning of the line. This screw processes homogeneously the aforementioned mixture. The result is a synthetic rattan, which is very similar with respect to its processing quality to the natural rattan.

HULARO furniture - Compatible with Nature and Technology

The Philosophy

HULARO furniture was developed for the purpose of providing the option of moving the stylish, high-quality atmosphere, exhibited by rattan furniture, even into areas outside the house.

To date the use of non-rattan furniture - especially in the garden and wet areas - has prevailed predominantly owing to the special material requirement.

Therefore, HULARO furniture has been designed with an absolutely new and hitherto unique combination of materials.

The Basis

The frame of all furniture constitutes a framework made of solid rattan cane. The use of this base material allows the manufacture of rattan-typical, curved shapes and guarantees the especially pleasant sitting comfort of rattan furniture. In contrast to the thin rattan wicker work, rattan cane is absolutely weather-resistant.

The Innovation

The highlight of the furniture is the HULARO fiber.

The rattan wicker work of the furniture, which becomes brittle subject to the influence of weather and would break, is replaced with the novel synthetic plastic fiber.

As a result, the furniture can be used, as compared to conventional rattan furniture, for a universal field of application.

The 100% recyclable synthetic plastic material is produced on the basis of just polyolefins and, therefore, fulfills to a high degree the demand for contemporary, environmentally compatible products.

The Result

The combination of these materials unites in a special way all of the advantages of a natural product and a synthetic plastic material.

Stylish furniture with exquisite elegance and a maximum of functionality.

The fiber that makes dreams come true.

When we developed the Hularo fiber many years ago in France, we were not quite sure whether we had reached our goal. The goal was to put wicker work furniture in its most picturesque surroundings. Hence, the surroundings that enhance the aura of hand-crafted furniture the most and that totally reveal its beauty are nature with its gardens. We wanted to prevent the weathering, the precipitation and solar radiation from bleaching the tender wicker fibers and making them brittle to the point that the wicker fibers become unattractive. The solution was a fiber that radiates the same beauty as natural fibers, yet can withstand the forces of nature. The solution was the Hularo fiber.

At this point the second step commenced. We looked for woodworking shops that would transform our fiber into beautiful furniture. After many trips, talks, and experiments, we stayed finally in Asia. We have teamed up with the best manufacturers and designers and created a collection - the Hularo line. Since the first production series was successful, we are now very excited about our second collection - enjoy it with us! with respect to the beautiful shapes and patterns, the comfort and convenience, the materials and the solid stability.

The Fibers of Which Your Furniture is Made

Naturally we have also taken into consideration the environment during our development phase. Fiber and environment are not in competition with one another. The fiber is environmentally friendly and recyclable. Although the environment is not absolutely fiber friendly, the environment cannot adversely affect the fiber, because our development is resistant to light, moisture, heat and weathering.

We have chosen an elegant white as the color, but we can manufacture in any color.

Neither moisture nor heat nor light can have an adverse effect on this furniture. This furniture will always retain its aesthetic flair.

FINA 5802

FINA 6003

SCREW

Heating: 1 170 deg.

2 180 deg. EXTRUDER BAR: 18

3 190 deg. PUMP BAR: 80

4 195 deg. SETPOINT BAR: 20

5 200 deg.

6 210 deg.

7 220 deg.

8 225 deg.

Heating: FILTER, PUMP, NOZZLE, FLANGE

9 195 deg.

10 200 deg. PUMP VELOCITY: 5 / 70

11 200 deg. DRAW-OFF: 313 / A : 1.1

Pump 200 deg.

up to 11 200 deg.

NOZZLE

12 180 deg.

13 200 deg.

14 200 deg. MATERIAL TEMPERATURE: 135 deg.

15 200 deg.

16 200 deg.

17 200 deg.

18 180 deg.

ROLLERS:

1 42 deg. SPEED: 7 / 40

2 104 deg. MACHINE: 3

3 103 deg.

A / 95

V / 140

MELTING POINT: 130 deg.

PROCESSING TEMPERATURE: 190 deg.

Patent Claims

1. Method for producing 100% recyclable synthetic rattan furniture, which is both firm and stable and does not require painting, characterized in that specially blended polyolefins are processed homogeneously in an extruder line with a special processing screw at the beginning of the production.

2. Machine for carrying out the method, as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the screw at the beginning of the production line.

3. Synthetic rattan furniture, which is produced, according to the method, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the furniture is firm and stable, does not require painting and is 100% recyclable.

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5 sheets of drawings

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- Blank Page -

DRAWINGS PAGE 1 Number: DE 42 28 254 A1

Int. Cl.⁵: B 29 C 47/00

Disclosure date: March 3, 1994

key to figures:

German English

Schnitt cutline

Einzelheit detail

308 069/128

DRAWINGS PAGE 2 Number: DE 42 28 254 A1

Int. Cl.⁵: B 29 C 47/00

Disclosure date: March 3, 1994

key to figures on pages 2 and 3:

German English

Relative Restreissdehnung Relative residual strain at break

Belichtung exposure

Stunden hours

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DRAWINGS PAGE 4 Number: DE 42 28 254 A1

Int. Cl.⁵: B 29 C 47/00

Disclosure date: March 3, 1994

key to figures :

German English

Schlagzugzähigkeit Impact strength

gemäss DIN 53448 in accordance with DIN 53448

Belichtung exposure

Stunden hours

308 069/128

DRAWINGS PAGE 5 Number: DE 42 28 254 A1

Int. Cl.⁵: B 29 C 47/00

Disclosure date: March 3, 1994

key to figures:

German English

Extrusionsrichtung extrusion direction

Massstab scale

Masse ohne Toleranzangabe Dimensions without tolerance data

nach DIN 16 941 2A according to DIN 16 941 2A

theor. Profilgewicht theoretical profile weight:

Dichte density

308 069/128