Multi-layer slats for vertical and horizontal blinds

• US 6,015,002 A
• Filed: 11/14/1997
• Issued: 01/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hunter Douglas Incorporated (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Original Assignee: David Swinscoe, Michael Julius Biro
• Inventors: Swinscoe, David, Biro, Michael Julius
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Application Number:
  US08/970,851
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 160/236, 160/168.1 R, 427/424, 264/173.12, 264/173.16, 264/173.18, 264/45.9, 428/121
• US Class Current: 428/121
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/07 Flat, e.g. panels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/08 flexible, e.g. films
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/21 the layers being joined at their surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/307 specially adapted for bringing together components, e.g. melts within the die
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/04 using rollers or endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2009/00 Layered products
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/402 Coloured
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/414 Translucent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/20 using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/02 characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions non-uniform thickness B32B3/263
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/153 at least one layer is extruded and immediately laminated while in semi-molten state
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/266 Devices or accessories for making or mounting lamellar blinds or parts thereof cleaning of lamellar blinds A47L4/00; joining plastics plates for making venetian blinds B29C66/437
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/386 Details of lamellae
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2419 Fold at edge

Abstract

A first version of a multilayer slat for horizontal or vertical blind assemblies includes a translucent inside layer, a first transparent base layer, and a translucent outside layer. This slat may also include a second base layer, which is either transparent or translucent depending on the percentage of light to be transmitted through the slat. The base layer may be of a different color than the inside layer, so that light transmitted through the slat is viewed as being differently colored than light reflected from the surface of the slat. The inside layer of the slat may include a foaming agent producing a matte surface texture. Another version of the multilayer slat includes a laminated inside layer, with a foaming agent in a base layer causing a matte surface texture of the laminated layer.

Claims

1. A translucent slat for a blind assembly, wherein said slat comprises:

a translucent inside layer extending along a first external surface of said slat, with said translucent inside layer including components preventing discoloration thereof by ultraviolet light;

a translucent outside layer extending along an external surface of said slat opposite said first external surface thereof, with said translucent outside layer including components preventing discoloration thereof by ultraviolet light; and

a transparent first base layer extending between said translucent inside layer and said translucent outside layer,

wherein said translucent inside layer, said translucent outside layer, and said transparent first base layer are translucent as held together in said translucent slat said translucent inside layer, said translucent outside layer, and said transparent first base layer are coextruded thermoplastic layers.

2. The translucent slat of claim 1, wherein

said translucent inside layer and said translucent outside layer each include components restricting transmission therethrough of ultraviolet light;

and

said translucent inside layer and said translucent outside layer together encapsulate said transparent first base layer, extending around longitudinal edges of said base layer.

3. The translucent slat of claim 1, wherein said translucent inside layer includes pearlescent pigmentation.

4. The translucent slat of claim 1, wherein

said translucent slat additionally includes a second base layer coextruded with said translucent inside layer, with said translucent outside layer, and with said transparent first base layer to extend between said first base layer and said inside layer;

said second base layer is composed of a material altering characteristics of light transmitted through said translucent slat, and

said translucent inside layer, said translucent outside layer, said transparent first base layer, and said second base layer are translucent as held together in said translucent slat.

5. The translucent slat of claim 4, wherein said second base layer is translucent.

6. The translucent slat of claim 4, wherein said second base layer includes a pigment causing light transmitted through said slat to be of a different color than light reflected from said inside layer thereof.

7. The translucent slat of claim 1, wherein said translucent inside layer has an external matte finish resulting from gas pockets formed by a foaming agent therein.

8. The translucent slat of claim 1, wherein said translucent slat transmits between six and twelve percent of light directed to a flat surface of said slat.

9. The translucent slat of claim 7, wherein material forming said inside layer includes a concentration of said foaming agent insufficient to produce a structural foam product.

10. The translucent slat of claim 7, wherein material forming said inside layer includes a P.20 to P.40 foaming agent, mixed with the PVC material at a ratio of 3 to 6 percent.

11. A blind assembly including a plurality of parallel slats, means for pivoting slats within said plurality thereof, and means for varying distances between adjacent slats within said plurality thereof, wherein each slat within said plurality thereof is translucent, and each slat within said plurality thereof comprises:

a translucent inside layer extending along a first external surface of said slat, with said translucent inside layer including components preventing discoloration thereof by ultraviolet light;

a translucent outside layer extending along an external surface of said slat opposite said first external surface thereof, with said translucent outside layer including components preventing discoloration thereof by ultraviolet light; and

a transparent first base layer extending between said translucent inside layer and said translucent outside layer said translucent inside layer, said translucent outside layer, and said transparent first base layer are coextruded thermoplastic layers.

12. The blind assembly of claim 11, wherein each slat within said plurality thereof additionally comprises a second base layer, with said translucent inside and outside layers, and said first and second base layers being coextruded thermoplastic layers, and with said second base layer including a pigment causing light transmitted through said slat to be of a different color than light reflected from said inside layer.