Ceiling tiles made of rigid pvc

Abstract

A ceiling tile and back panel combination is comprised of PVC plastic preferably made from UV Stabilized 0.013 thick vinyl plastic and formed into the desired shapes. The ceiling tiles and back panel provide all the functionality of conventional drop ceiling tiles and ceiling panels, but at a fraction of the weight. A thin wall construction uses fewer raw materials, and makes the tiles more efficient to ship than conventional mineral fiber ceiling tiles. Additionally, the tiles of the invention do not negatively impact indoor air quality or encourage microbial growth. Also, the tiles are 100% recyclable. Acoustical performance is enhanced by formed surface features, and both thermal and acoustical performance is greatly improved when tiles are used in combination with back panels and intermediate panels, creating isolated air baffles. When installed under fire suppression sprinkler heads, tiles drop out of the way in the event of a fire so sprinklers can do their job. No special tools are required for installation.

1 . A ceiling tile assembly, comprising:
 a main body portion formed of rigid PVC defining a planar surface with ridges and troughs to define ornamental features on said planar surface;   an edge portion around the periphery of said main body portion, said edge portion being angled at about 90 degrees with respect to said planar surface to add stability and rigidity to said main body portion; and   a back panel formed to seat onto said main body portion, said back panel being nested within a depression defined by said edge portion.   
   
   
       2 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein main body portion and said edge portion have a thickness of about 0.13 inches. 
   
   
       3 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said ridges and troughs are disposed in a symmetric pattern on said planar surface. 
   
   
       4 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said back panel is formed with a peripheral edge around the periphery of said back panel, said peripheral edge being angled at about 90 degrees with respect to said planar surface to add stability and rigidity to said back panel and to nest within the edge portion of said main body portion. 
   
   
       5 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said back panel is cup-shaped to define an air pocket between the back panel and said main body portion to improve acoustic and insulation properties of said ceiling tile assembly. 
   
   
       6 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said back panel is formed of rigid PVC having a thickness of about 0.13 inches. 
   
   
       7 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate panel disposed between said main body portion and said back panel to further enhance acoustic and insulation properties of said ceiling tile assembly. 
   
   
       8 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said ceiling tile assembly is formed and sized to deform and shrink when heated to about 165 degrees Fahrenheit to thereby fall out of a ceiling grid support system to enable a fire suppression sprinkler system to distribute water from above said ceiling tile assembly to an area below said ceiling grid support system. 
   
   
       9 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said main body portion is formed of rigid PVC without phthalates. 
   
   
       10 . A ceiling tile assembly, comprising:
 a main tile body formed of rigid PVC defining a planar surface with ridges and troughs to define ornamental features on said planar surface and an edge portion around the periphery of said planar surface;   a back panel formed to seat onto said main body portion, said back panel being coextensive with said main tile body,   wherein said back panel is cup-shaped to define an air pocket between the back panel and said main body portion to improve acoustic and insulation properties of said ceiling tile assembly.   
   
   
       11 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said main tile body and said back panel is formed and sized to deform and shrink when heated to about 165 degrees Fahrenheit to thereby fall out of a ceiling grid support system to enable a fire suppression sprinkler system to distribute water from above said ceiling tile assembly to an area below said ceiling grid support system. 
   
   
       12 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 10 , further comprising an intermediate panel disposed between said main body portion and said back panel to further enhance acoustic and insulation properties of said ceiling tile assembly. 
   
   
       13 . The ceiling tile assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said main body portion and said back panel is formed of rigid PVC without phthalates.