The field of the present disclosure relates to fenestration systems and more particularly to doors assembled from a pair of door skins (aka door facings) attached to an internal perimeter frame surrounding a central core, and to cores for such doors and methods of manufacturing such doors.
A known method of assembling doors involves applying adhesive to an inside surface of two door skins; laying up a door assembly by stacking an internal frame and lightweight core material between the door skins; and pressing the door assembly to bring the adhesive into contact with the frame. Various core materials have been proposed for such doors. Some such door skins include recessed panel regions or inwardly-contoured channels that simulate the sticking regions of a traditional solid wood paneled door.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,556,413, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes systems and methods for pressing a door assembly in a die that includes raised sections supporting recessed panel portions of a door skin during the pressing operation to assist with crushing portions of a compressible core of the door assembly underlying the recessed panel portion of the door skin. This patent describes a core made of an expanded paper honeycomb material having a compressive strength in the range of 1.0 kg force per square centimeter (kgf/cm2) to about 15 kgf/cm2. It also suggests the use of other compressible materials for the core, such as expanded plastic film honeycomb, corrugated cardboard, and low density foam board, but provides no further details of such materials.
Preferably, these doors have high strength and are robust while also meeting weight, dimensional, sound insulation, heat transfer, and/or other requirements. Moreover, these doors are preferably made in a highly efficient and repeatable manufacturing process.
Thus, it is desirable to provide robust and strong door configurations that can be manufactured in highly efficient and repeatable processes. Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
This is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further embodiments are included in the dependent claims.
In one embodiment, a door is disclosed that includes a first skin, a second skin, and a core. The core is disposed between the first skin and the second skin in a thickness direction of the door and spans between the first and second skins. The core includes a corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin as the corrugated medium spans between the first and second skins. The door also includes a compressed section where at least one of the first skin and the second skin is compressed into the core toward the other of the first skin and the second skin in the thickness direction.
In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a door is disclosed. The method includes providing a first skin and a second skin of the door. The method also includes disposing a core between the first skin and the second skin in a thickness direction of the door with the core spanning between the first and second skins. The core includes a corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin as the corrugated medium spans between the first and second skins. The method also includes forming a compressed section where at least one of the first skin and the second skin is compressed into the core toward the other of the first skin and the second skin in the thickness direction.
In a further embodiment, a door is disclosed that includes a first skin, a second skin, and a frame that is disposed between the first skin and the second skin. The door further includes a core that is disposed within the frame and between the first skin and the second skin in a thickness direction of the door. The core spans across the door between the first and second skins. The core includes a corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin as the corrugated medium spans between the first and second skins. The door further includes a compressed section where at least one of the first skin and the second skin is compressed into the core toward the other of the first skin and the second skin in the thickness direction. The core includes a plurality of walls, and one of the plurality of walls includes the corrugated medium that is supported by at least one linerboard. Another of the plurality of walls includes another corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin. The other corrugated medium is supported by another linerboard. The corrugated medium and the other corrugated medium have different periodicity.
The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.
With reference to
Each of the door skins 32, 34 preferably includes at least one recessed portion. In the embodiment illustrated, door skins 32, 34 includes a single recessed flat panel portion 60 (i.e., a compressed section) that is bordered by a pair of vertically-extending simulated stile regions 64 and a pair of simulated header and footer rail regions 68 extending horizontally between the stile regions 64. The stile regions 64 and rail regions 68 of each door skin 32, 34 lies in a first plane, and the recessed panel portion 60 lies in a second plane that is parallel but spaced apart from the first plane, thereby defining a depth 44 of the recess. In other embodiments, multiple recessed panels may be utilized, as illustrated in the various other styles of doors 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 illustrated in
Turning now particularly to
As shown in
The linerboard 90 may be individual flat and smooth sheets of fiberboard material. The corrugated medium 80, however, may be fluted so as to define a pattern of flutes 82 (i.e., waves, corrugations, etc.) that rise and fall relative to the linerboard 90. The flutes 82 of the corrugated medium 80 may, thus, alternate back and forth in the thickness direction between opposite layers of the linerboard 90 as shown in
As seen, for example, in the embodiment illustrated in
There may be at least three walls 46 in the core 40. For example, as shown in
The corrugations or flutes of the corrugated medium 80 may define a fluting direction (i.e., a longitudinal direction of the flutes of the corrugated medium 80). In the embodiment illustrated, the fluting of the core 40 runs horizontally with each flute extending substantially parallel to rail regions 68. However, in another embodiment, the fluting may be arranged to run vertically so that the flutes are extending parallel to stile regions 64. The fluting direction may be chosen, for example, to provide structural support and rigidity, for resisting bending and/other loads, to support the weight of the door, to align along a particular loading direction, etc. The fluting direction may also be chosen to increase manufacturability. For example, the fluting direction may be chosen to improve the flatness of core 40 in its longest dimension and/or to reduce the tendency of core 40 to curl when passed between the rollers of a glue spreader machine.
The corrugated medium 80 may also define a corrugation periodicity, which may be measured in “flutes per unit of length” measured along the same direction as the flute distance 84. As mentioned above, the core 40 may be compressed in at least some areas of the door 10 during manufacture. Thus, the corrugation periodicity of the corrugated medium 80 may be chosen to provide certain characteristics during compression of the skins 32, 34 into the core 40.
For example, to allow sufficient compressibility, at least one wall 46 of the multi-wall core 40 preferably has a corrugation periodicity coarser than about forty-two (42) flutes per foot (i.e., forty-two or fewer flutes per foot; or 137.8 or fewer flutes per meter) and a wall thickness 86 of greater than about 5/32 inch (about 4 mm). Accordingly, at least one wall 46 may be characteristic of a so-called “C-flute” corrugation, which has a nominal periodicity of 39+/−3 flutes per foot (about 128+/−10 flutes per meter). Moreover, in some embodiments, at least one wall 46 of core 40 has a corrugation periodicity coarser than about thirty-six (36) flutes per foot (i.e., thirty-six (36) or fewer flutes per foot; or one hundred eighteen (118) or fewer flutes per meter) and a wall thickness of greater than about 3/16 inch (about 4.7 mm). Accordingly, at least one wall 46 may be characteristic of a so-called “A-flute” configuration, which has a nominal periodicity of 33+/−3 flutes per foot (108+/−10 flutes per meter).
At least two adjacent walls 46 of the multi-wall corrugated fiberboard core 40 may have different types of fluting having different periodicity. As shown in
In another embodiment, core 40 is made of CCA corrugated fiberboard, having two layers of C-flute corrugated medium 80 and one layer of A-flute corrugated medium 80 interposed between linerboard layers 90. CCA-fluted corrugated fiberboard may be selected for its thinner profile, for example when a gap between the closest points on door skins 32, 34 is smaller. In some embodiments (not shown) a thinner core of two-wall AA or CA or CC corrugated fiberboard may be utilized, while in other embodiments a thicker core of four- or five-walled corrugated fiberboard may be utilized.
In some embodiments, two or more of the walls 46 of core 40 may have the same or similar periodicity or fluting type, and adjacent walls may have their flutes aligned and in-phase to improve compressibility of the core 40. In other embodiments two or more walls may be positioned with their similarly-fluted mediums shifted half of a flute (½ a period) so that adjacent flutes are 180-degrees out of phase. This latter arrangement is shown, for example, in
A press 510 is illustrated schematically in
Then, the first and second dies 512, 514 may actuate toward the stack up to compress and mold the recessed flat panel portion 60 into the door while also attaching the first door skin 32 to the core 40, attaching the second door skin 34 to the other side of the core 40, and attaching the skins 32, 34 to the frame 20 and lock blocks 50. In particular, compression applied by the dies 512, 514 may form the recessed flat panel portion 60 (i.e., the compressed section) of the door 10 wherein the first and second skins 32, 34 are compressed into the core 40 in the thickness direction. As represented in
In some embodiments, the core 40 may compressed in the range of about 5% to about 30% during assembly (e.g., to a thickness that is about 95% to 70% of its original thickness) in the region of recessed panel portions 60 and/or sticking 70 when less than about 70 pounds force per square inch (482 kN/m2) is applied to the outer sides of door skins 32, 34. In other embodiments, core 40 may be compressed in the range of 5% to 25%, or 10% to 30%, or 5% to 20%, or 10% to 25%, or 10% to 20%. Such compressibility characteristics may facilitate door assembly, improve structural integrity and bonding of the components of door 10, and inhibit bowing or cracking of door skins 32, 34 or pillowing of panel(s) 60. Doors made according to the present disclosure may be assembled and pressed using the methods and systems described in Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 10,556,413, for example, to thereby further improve door quality.
The first and second dies 512, 514 and/or other dies of the press 510 may be configured for attaching the skins 32, 34 to the frame 20 and/or to the lock block 50. Once formed, the dies 512, 514 may be withdrawn and the door 10 may be removed from the press 510.
The multi-walled corrugated fiberboard core 40 may help to stabilize the door 10 and provide structural integrity that resists warping, twisting, and other deformation of the door 10 or door skins 32, 34, and that inhibits the effects of humidity and temperature changes that may otherwise impart deformation to the door 10. At the same time, corrugated fiberboard core 40 adds little cost to the door relative to a hollow door without a core. The corrugated fiberboard core 40 also has the advantage of being lighter than solid fiberboard cores and some foam core materials, which reduces shipping costs and facilitates speed and ease of installation, particularly in new construction applications.
Doors are preferably assembled at room temperature or ambient temperature above 65° F., or in the range of about 65° F. to 90° F., and at a relative humidity below about 55% RH, or preferably in the range of 15-55% RH, to achieve desired compressibility/deformability of the fiberboard core 40.
Corrugated fiberboard core 40 is preferably made up of recycled 23 #paper, but may alternatively be assembled from various papers, such as, virgin kraft, test 2, test 3, and others. The paper may be selected according to its impact on compressibility of the core 40.
Furthermore, the following examples are provided:
In an example, a door includes a first skin, a second skin, and a core. The core is disposed between the first skin and the second skin in a thickness direction of the door and spans between the first and second skins. The core includes a corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin as the corrugated medium spans between the first and second skins. The door also includes a compressed section where at least one of the first skin and the second skin is compressed into the core toward the other of the first skin and the second skin in the thickness direction.
As an option, the door further includes a vertical rail region and a horizontal stile region, wherein the fluting extends longitudinally and substantially parallel to one of the vertical rail region and the horizontal stile region.
As an additional option, the fluting extends longitudinally and substantially parallel to horizontal stile region.
As an option, the core includes fiberboard materials.
As an option, the core includes a plurality of walls, one of the plurality of walls including the corrugated medium that is supported by at least one linerboard, and another of the plurality of walls including another corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin, the other corrugated medium supported by another linerboard.
As an option, the one of the plurality of walls and the other of the plurality of walls share a common linerboard.
In an additional option, the corrugated medium and the other corrugated medium have different periodicity.
In a further option, the corrugated medium and the other corrugated medium are arranged out-of-phase.
In another option, the corrugated medium has arcuate fluting.
In another example, a method of manufacturing a door includes providing a first skin and a second skin of the door. The method also includes disposing a core between the first skin and the second skin in a thickness direction of the door with the core spanning between the first and second skins. The core includes a corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin as the corrugated medium spans between the first and second skins. The method also includes forming a compressed section where at least one of the first skin and the second skin is compressed into the core toward the other of the first skin and the second skin in the thickness direction.
As an option, forming the compressed section includes disposing the core, the first skin, and the second skin between a first die and a second die. Also, the method includes pressing the first die toward the second die to form the compressed section.
In another option, the method includes adhesively attaching the first skin, the core, and the second skin.
As an option, the method includes forming a vertical rail region and a horizontal stile region of the door. The fluting extends longitudinally and substantially parallel to one of the vertical rail region and the horizontal stile region.
In another option, the fluting extends longitudinally and substantially parallel to horizontal stile region.
Furthermore, in an option, the core includes fiberboard materials.
In an option, the core includes a plurality of walls, one of the plurality of walls including the corrugated medium that is supported by at least one linerboard, and another of the plurality of walls including another corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin. The other corrugated medium is supported by another linerboard.
In another option, the one of the plurality of walls and the other of the plurality of walls share a common linerboard.
Furthermore, in an option, the corrugated medium and the other corrugated medium have different periodicity.
Moreover, in an option, the corrugated medium and the other corrugated medium are arranged out-of-phase.
In a further example, a door includes a first skin, a second skin, and a frame that is disposed between the first skin and the second skin. The door further includes a core that is disposed within the frame and between the first skin and the second skin in a thickness direction of the door. The core spans across the door between the first and second skins. The core includes a corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin as the corrugated medium spans between the first and second skins. The door further includes a compressed section where at least one of the first skin and the second skin is compressed into the core toward the other of the first skin and the second skin in the thickness direction. The core includes a plurality of walls, and one of the plurality of walls includes the corrugated medium that is supported by at least one linerboard. Another of the plurality of walls includes another corrugated medium that is fluted with fluting running back and forth in the thickness direction between the first skin and the second skin. The other corrugated medium is supported by another linerboard. The corrugated medium and the other corrugated medium have different periodicity.
It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the claims. While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/134,959, filed Jan. 8, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2022/070084 | 1/7/2022 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63134959 | Jan 2021 | US |