Cladding panel

Abstract

A cladding panel comprising a top multi-film layer and a base layer configured for connection to a substrate, the top multi-film layer including at least an external substantially transparent film and a granular film adjacent to the external substantially transparent film. Disclosed are also methods of producing the cladding panel and kits of cladding panels.

1 . A cladding panel comprising a top multi-film layer and a base layer configured for connection to a substrate, the top multi-film layer including at least an external substantially transparent film and a granular film adjacent to the external substantially transparent film. 
     
     
         2 . The cladding panel of  claim 1 , wherein the top multi-film layer further includes a support film of background color adjacent to the granular film. 
     
     
         3 . The cladding panel of  claim 1 , wherein the cladding panel further comprises a middle layer connecting the top multi-film layer to the base layer. 
     
     
         4 . The cladding panel of  claim 1 , wherein the granular film is a composition comprising one or more additives of an inorganic filler, a cross-linking agent, a cross-linking accelerator and one or more color pigments. 
     
     
         5 . The cladding panel of  claim 1 , wherein the granular film includes dust of a natural rock, including marble, and granite. 
     
     
         6 . The cladding panel of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises an insulating material. 
     
     
         7 . The cladding panel of  claim 1 , wherein the cladding panel includes sides having an attachment mechanism that frictionally interlocks with the attachment mechanism of another complementary cladding panel. 
     
     
         8 . The cladding panel of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer has sides with dovetail shapes for connection to another cladding panel. 
     
     
         9 . The cladding panel of  claim 1 , wherein interior layer includes ventilation channels. 
     
     
         10 . The cladding panel of  claim 1 , wherein the top multi-film layer is configured to simulate stones, tiles or bricks separated by grout. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a cladding panel for cladding a surface of a structure, wherein the method comprises:
 (a) layering a substantially transparent polymer so as to form a substantially transparent film; and   (b) disposing onto the substantially transparent film a layer of natural granules thereby forming a granular film,   wherein the substantially transparent layer and the layer of natural granules form a multi-film external layer of the cladding panel.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises:
 (c) disposing onto the granular film, a film of mechanical support having one or more binders, fillers and dyes,   wherein the substantially transparent layer, the layer of natural granules and the mechanical support layer form the multi-film top layer of the cladding panel.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein step (b) comprises disposing the natural granules as clusters of different colors and sizes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method comprises creating clusters of natural granules of different colors, laying the clusters on top of each other to form a mass, and cutting the mass in slices, and wherein step (b) comprises disposing the slices onto the substantially transparent layer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 ,  13  or H, wherein the method further comprises filling gaps in the granular film with a liquid mixture of substantially clear epoxy and color pigments to simulate veins. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the films are layered or disposed on a base of a mold's cavity, and wherein the base of the mold's cavity includes protruding ribs having a top surface, and wherein the method further comprises disposing on the top surface of the ribs a composition that simulates grout. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises:
 (c) disposing a foaming binder on the film of mechanical support, and   (d) disposing a base insulating layer onto the foaming binder thereby attaching the base insulating layer to the multi-film top layer.   
     
     
         18 . A kit of cladding panels for covering a surface having a length x, wherein said kit includes a first panel having a width equal to a, a second panel having a width equal to a+1, a third panel having a width a+2 and a fourth panel having a width a+3, wherein x is greater or equal to three times a, and wherein x and a are positive integers.