System and method for installation of solid edge banding for cabinetry

Abstract

A system and method for installation of “solid edge banding” for the exposed edges of kitchen and bath cabinetry to provide a finished look and aesthetic appeal is disclosed. The solid edge banding can be used on framed cabinets, frameless cabinets, cabinets with end skin-panels and shelves. The disclosed system and method can also be used to reface cabinetry without the use of tools, adhesives or specialized labor, and further without the need for replacement of the base, wall and tall cabinet boxes, and while keeping countertops and appliances intact and untouched. The solid edge banding can also be used in conjunction with ready-to-assemble furniture and closet organizers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cabinet having a solid edge banding detail, comprising:
 at least one vertical panel, the vertical panel comprising an inner vertical surface, an outer vertical surface, a vertical exposed edge disposed between the inner vertical surface and the outer vertical surface, and an elongated groove disposed in the vertical exposed edge;   at least one horizontal panel, the horizontal panel comprising an inner horizontal surface, an outer horizontal surface, a horizontal exposed edge disposed between the inner horizontal surface and the outer horizontal surface, and an elongated groove disposed in the horizontal exposed edge;   a vertical solid edge banding detail, the vertical solid edge banding detail comprising an outer face, a left face, a right face and a back face, wherein the vertical solid edge banding detail further comprises an integral flange extending from the back face; and   a horizontal solid edge banding detail, the horizontal solid edge banding detail comprising an outer face, a left face, a right face and a back face, wherein the horizontal solid edge banding detail further comprises an integral flange extending from the back face,   wherein the integral flange of the vertical solid edge banding detail is releasably attached to the vertical panel by an engagement consisting of a frictional engagement between the integral flange of the vertical solid edge banding detail and the elongated groove of the vertical panel,   wherein the integral flange of the horizontal solid edge banding detail is releasably attached to the horizontal panel by an engagement consisting of a frictional engagement between the integral flange of the horizontal solid edge banding detail and the elongated groove of the horizontal panel,   wherein further the outer face, left face and right face of the vertical solid edge banding detail and the horizontal solid edge banding detail are finished to substantially match the finish of the outer vertical surface and the outer horizontal surface,   wherein further the vertical solid edge banding covers the vertical exposed edge upon engagement with the vertical panel and the horizontal solid edge banding covers the horizontal exposed edge upon engagement with the horizontal panel.   
     
     
         2 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical solid edge banding further comprises a recess disposed at the upper end of the integral flange. 
     
     
         3 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 2 , wherein the horizontal solid edge banding further comprises a recess disposed at the upper end of the integral flange. 
     
     
         4 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical solid edge banding detail, the horizontal edge banding detail, the vertical panel and the horizontal panel comprise the same material. 
     
     
         5 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 4 , where the vertical solid edge banding detail, the horizontal edge banding detail, the vertical panel and the horizontal panel comprise wood, plywood, MDF, plastic or rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 1 , where the vertical solid edge banding detail and the horizontal edge banding detail comprise wood, plywood, MDF, plastic or rubber. 
     
     
         7 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 1 , comprising an aesthetic effect of a framed cabinet. 
     
     
         8 . A cabinet having a solid edge banding detail, comprising:
 at least one vertical panel, the vertical panel comprising an inner vertical surface, an outer vertical surface, a vertical exposed edge disposed between the inner vertical surface and the outer vertical surface, and an elongated groove disposed in the vertical exposed edge;   at least one horizontal panel, the horizontal panel comprising an inner horizontal surface, an outer horizontal surface, a horizontal exposed edge disposed between the inner horizontal surface and the outer horizontal surface, and an elongated groove disposed in the horizontal exposed edge;   a vertical solid edge banding detail, the vertical solid edge banding detail comprising an outer face, a left face, a right face and a back face, wherein the vertical solid edge banding detail further comprises an integral flange extending from the back face;   a horizontal solid edge banding detail, the horizontal solid edge banding detail comprising an outer face, a left face, a right face and a back face, wherein the horizontal solid edge banding detail further comprises an integral flange extending from the back face; and   a finished skin panel disposed on the outer surface of the vertical panel, wherein the finished skin panel comprises an inner vertical surface, an outer vertical surface, a vertical exposed edge disposed between the inner vertical surface and the outer vertical surface,   wherein the integral flange of the vertical solid edge banding detail is releasably attached to the vertical panel by an engagement consisting of a frictional engagement between the integral flange of the vertical solid edge banding detail and the elongated groove of the vertical panel,   wherein the integral flange of the horizontal solid edge banding detail is releasably attached to the horizontal panel by an engagement consisting of a frictional engagement between the integral flange of the horizontal solid edge banding detail and the elongated groove of the horizontal panel,   wherein further the outer face, left face and right face of the vertical solid edge banding detail and the horizontal solid edge banding detail are finished to substantially match the finish of the outer vertical surface and the outer horizontal surface,   wherein further the vertical solid edge banding covers the vertical exposed edges of the vertical panel and the finished skin panel upon engagement with the vertical panel and the horizontal solid edge banding covers the horizontal exposed edge upon engagement with the horizontal panel.   
     
     
         9 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 8 , wherein the vertical solid edge banding detail, the horizontal edge banding detail, the vertical panel, the horizontal panel and the finished skin panel comprise the same material. 
     
     
         10 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 9 , where the vertical solid edge banding detail, the horizontal edge banding detail, the vertical panel, the horizontal panel and the finished skin panel comprise wood, plywood or MDF. 
     
     
         11 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 8 , where the vertical solid edge banding detail and the horizontal edge banding detail comprise wood, plywood, MDF, plastic or rubber. 
     
     
         12 . The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of  claim 8 , comprising an aesthetic effect of a framed cabinet. 
     
     
         13 . A item having a solid edge banding detail, comprising:
 at least one vertical panel, the vertical panel comprising an inner vertical surface, an outer vertical surface, a vertical exposed edge disposed between the inner vertical surface and the outer vertical surface, and an elongated groove disposed in the vertical exposed edge;   at least one horizontal panel, the horizontal panel comprising an inner horizontal surface, an outer horizontal surface, a horizontal exposed edge disposed between the inner horizontal surface and the outer horizontal surface, and an elongated groove disposed in the horizontal exposed edge;   a vertical solid edge banding detail, the vertical solid edge banding detail comprising an outer face, a left face, a right face and a back face, wherein the vertical solid edge banding detail further comprises an integral flange extending from the back face; and   a horizontal solid edge banding detail, the horizontal solid edge banding detail comprising an outer face, a left face, a right face and a back face, wherein the horizontal solid edge banding detail further comprises an integral flange extending from the back face,   wherein the integral flange of the vertical solid edge banding detail is releasably attached to the vertical panel by an engagement consisting of a frictional engagement between the integral flange of the vertical solid edge banding detail and the elongated groove of the vertical panel,   wherein the integral flange of the horizontal solid edge banding detail is releasably attached to the horizontal panel by an engagement consisting of a frictional engagement between the integral flange of the horizontal solid edge banding detail and the elongated groove of the horizontal panel,   wherein further the outer face, left face and right face of the vertical solid edge banding detail and the horizontal solid edge banding detail are finished to substantially match the finish of the outer vertical surface and the outer horizontal surface,   wherein further the vertical solid edge banding covers the vertical exposed edge upon engagement with the vertical panel and the horizontal solid edge banding covers the horizontal exposed edge upon engagement with the horizontal panel.   
     
     
         14 . The item of  claim 13 , wherein the item comprises a cabinet, a shelf, a piece of furniture or an element of a closet organizer system. 
     
     
         15 . The item of  claim 14 , wherein the furniture comprises ready-to-assemble furniture.