Apparatus for fabricating a light control window covering

• US 6,112,797 A
• Filed: 02/09/1998
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hunter Douglas Incorporated (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Hunter Douglas Incorporated (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Inventors: Colson, Wendell B., Swiszcz, Paul G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Purol, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/020,736
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 160/121.1, 160/84.01, 160/166.1 R, 160/89, 160/DIG. 7
• US Class Current: 160/121.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/10 using hot gases (e.g. combustion gases) or flames coming in contact with at least one of the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4815 Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/524 by applying the adhesive from an outlet device in contact with, or almost in contact with, the surface of the part to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/7847 using vacuum to hold at least one of the parts to be joined vacuum work holders in general B25B11/005
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/0342 Cooling, e.g. transporting through welding and cooling zone
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43 Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles B29C66/45 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/437 Joining plastics plates for making venetian blinds making venetian blinds in general E06B9/266
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/729 Textile or other fibrous material made from plastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8161 said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8242 Pneumatic or hydraulic drives using fluid pressure directly acting on the parts to be joined B29C66/8266
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8266 using fluid pressure directly acting on the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83423 cooperating bands or belts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83433 the contact angle between said rollers, cylinders or drums and said bands or belts being a non-zero angle
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91421 of the joining tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91431 the temperature being kept constant over time
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91645 by steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/919 : characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges specific electrical resistance values B29C66/81262
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 : Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/003 : PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7192 : Venetian blinds
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2435 : Two vertical sheets and slats in-between
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 : Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/26 : Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds for vehicles B60J1/2088
• 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: G11C 16/08 : Address circuits; Decoders; Word-line control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/789 : using non-volatile cells or latches
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/83 : with reduced power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 160/07 : Fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1077 : Applying plural cut laminae to single face of additional lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1093 : with covering of discrete laminae with additional lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1095 : Opposed laminae are running length webs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1722 : Means applying fluent adhesive or adhesive activator material between layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1724 : At spaced areas
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1741 : Progressive continuous bonding press [e.g., roll couples]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1746 : Plural lines and/or separate means assembling separate sandwiches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1798 : with liquid adhesive or adhesive activator applying means

Abstract

A fabric light control window covering in which fabric vanes are adhesively bonded between two sheer fabric sheets such that relative movement between the sheer fabric sheets in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fabric vanes changes the angle of the fabric vanes and, thus, controls the amount of light admitted through the shade. The vanes are bonded to the sheer fabric sheets in a manner which tends to bias the sheer fabric sheets together to the nonlight admitting position. Also, disclosed are methods and apparatus for manufacturing the above window covering. The method features linear application of adhesive to the vane material which provides for a uniform appearance in the finished product. A heat setting process and apparatus is disclosed in which the bonded layers of sheer fabrics and vanes are fed between belts over hot and cool surfaces, under uniform tension and pressure. This provides for heat setting of the layers of the window covering to a uniform temperature-size relationship without inducing wrinkles or distortion into the fabric during heat setting.

Claims

1. A window covering comprising a first side comprised of a relatively translucent material, a second side comprised of a relatively translucent material and disposed substantially parallel to the first side, and a plurality of vanes extending between the sides,

wherein the vanes are angularly controllable and change shape by relative movement of the first and second sides between a first position whereby the vanes are substantially planar and extend substantially parallel to the first and second sides, and a second open position whereby the vanes have smooth curving portions and are of generally S-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

2. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein the first and second sides are each formed of a single, continuous, unjointed piece of material.

3. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein at least one side comprises a plurality of strips joined together.

4. The window covering according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of strips are formed from the same material.

5. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein the relatively translucent material is cut from a roll of knit cloth.

6. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein at least one side comprises a sheer fabric.

7. The window covering according to claim 6 wherein each side comprises a sheer fabric.

8. The window covering according to claim 7 wherein the first side comprises the same sheer fabric as the second side.

9. The window covering according to claim 6 wherein the sheer fabric is knitted.

10. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein the first and second sides in the open position comprise substantially flat, straight, planar surfaces.

11. The window covering according to claim 1 further comprising a weight member and wherein the first and second sides each have edge portions, each side having at least one edge portion attached to the weight member.

12. The window covering according to claim 11 wherein the weight member comprises a bottom rail.

13. The window covering according to claim 6 further comprising a roller and wherein the first and second sides have edge portions, each side having at least one edge portion attached to the roller whereby rotation of the roller causes relative movement of the two sides.

14. The window covering according to claim 13 wherein the roller comprises a generally cylindrical tube.

15. The window covering according to claim 11 further comprising a generally cylindrical tube and wherein the edge portion of each side opposite the edge portion attached to the weight member is attached to the generally cylindrical tube.

16. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein the vanes comprise a material which is more opaque than the first or second side.

17. The window covering according to claim 7 wherein the vanes comprise semi-opaque material.

18. The window covering according to claim 17 wherein the vanes consist essentially of semi-opaque material.

19. The window covering according to claim 16 wherein the vane is formed of a non-woven material.

20. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein the vanes in the closed position effectively block the transmission of light through the window covering.

21. The window covering according to claim 20 wherein portions of adjacent vanes overlap in the closed position.

22. The window covering according to claim 16 wherein the vanes comprise relatively opaque material.

23. The window covering according to claim 22 wherein the vanes consist essentially of relatively opaque material.

24. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein the vanes comprise at least one strip of material which is different from the material comprising the first side.

25. The window covering according to claim 24 wherein the window covering is assembled using adhesive.

26. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein the vanes have opposite faces with one face of each vane attached to the first side and the other face of each vane attached to the second side.

27. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein the vanes are configured and adapted to bias the sides toward the first closed position.

28. The window covering according to claim 27 wherein the vanes comprise a relatively flexible material and are configured and adapted to bias the sides toward the first closed position.

29. The window covering according to claim 1 wherein the vanes comprise a relatively flexible material and have opposite faces with one face of each vane attached to one side and the other face of each vane attached to the other side, the vanes retaining their resiliency and being biased toward a flat, uncurved shape.

30. The window covering according to claim 1 further comprising a roller and wherein the first and second sides are each comprised of a sheer material and each side has at least one edge portion attached to the roller, and the vanes comprise a material which is more opaque than at least one of the sides, each vane having opposite faces with one face of each vane attached to one side and the opposite face of each vane attached to the other side.

31. The window covering according to claim 30 wherein the vanes in the closed position have central portions effective to block the transmission of light through the window covering.

32. The window covering according to claim 31 wherein the vanes in the open position have the ability to transmit light through the window covering.

33. The window covering according to claim 32 wherein the vanes are angularly controllable by rotation of the roller.

34. The window covering according to claim 33 wherein portions of adjacent vanes overlap in the closed position.

35. The window covering according to claim 34 wherein at least one side is comprised of a plurality of parallel sheer strips.

36. The window covering according to claim 34 wherein the vanes comprise a plurality of materials.

37. The window covering according to claim 36 wherein the vanes have longitudinal margins adjacent the sides which comprise a different material than the central portions.

38. The window covering according to claim 36 wherein at least one side is comprised of a plurality of parallel sheer strips.

39. The window covering according to claim 38 wherein the side forms a sheet of material.

49. The window covering according to claim 12 wherein the front panel is formed of a sheer fabric.

50. The window covering according to claim 49 wherein the back panel is formed of the same sheer fabric as the front panel.

51. The window covering according to claim 49 wherein the vane is formed of a non-woven fabric.

52. The window covering according to claim 49 wherein the vane comprises a plurality of materials.

53. The window covering according to claim 49 wherein at least one panel comprises a plurality of parallel strips.

40. A window covering comprising a first side comprised of relatively translucent material, a second side comprised of relatively translucent material and disposed substantially parallel to the first side, and a plurality of vanes extending between the sides, wherein the vanes are angularly controllable and are formed of relatively flexible material such that the vanes change cross-sectional shape upon relative movement of the first and second sides between a first closed position whereby the vanes are substantially planar and extend substantially parallel to the first and second sides and a second open position whereby the vanes have smoothly-curving portions and are of generally S-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

41. A window covering comprising a first side comprised of a relatively translucent material, a second side comprised of a relatively translucent material disposed substantially parallel to the first side, and a plurality of vanes extending between the first and second sides, the vanes being angularly controllable by relative movement of the sides between a first closed position whereby the vanes are substantially parallel to the sides and a second open position whereby the vanes extend generally transverse to the first and second sides,

wherein the vanes are comprised of a relatively flexible material which changes shape upon relative movement of the sides from a substantially planar shape having a straight cross-section in the closed position to smoothly curving and having a generally S-shaped cross-section in the open position.

42. A window covering comprising a first side comprised of relatively translucent material, a second side comprised of relatively translucent material and disposed substantially parallel to the first side, and a plurality of vanes extending between the sides, the vanes being angularly controllable by relative movement of the first and second sides between a first closed position whereby the vanes are substantially planar and extend substantially parallel to the first and second sides and a second open position whereby the vanes extend generally transverse to the first and second sides, wherein each vane has opposite faces with one face of each vane attached to the first side and the other face of each vane attached to the second side, the vanes forming smoothly curving portions so that the vanes are of generally S-shaped cross-sectional configuration when the vanes are in the second open position.

43. A window covering comprising a first side comprised of a relatively translucent sheer material, a second side comprised of a relatively translucent sheer material and disposed substantially parallel to the first side, and a plurality of vanes extending between the sheer sides, the vanes being angularly controllable and change shape by relative movement of the sheer sides between a first closed position whereby the vanes are substantially planar and extend substantially parallel to the sheer sides effective to at least partially block transmission of light and a second open position whereby the vanes extend generally transversely to the sheer sides so as to allow the transmission of light between the vanes, wherein each vane has opposite faces with one face of each vane secured to the first sheer side and the other face of the vane secured to the other sheer side, the vanes forming smoothly curving portions so that the vanes are of generally S-shaped cross-sectional configuration when the vanes are in the second open position.

44. A window covering having a flexible fabric assembly comprising:

a first side comprised of relatively translucent material;

a second side comprised of relatively translucent material and disposed substantially parallel to said first side; and

a plurality of vanes extending between the first and second sides, the sides of the window covering being movable between a first closed position whereby the vanes are substantially planar and extend substantially parallel to the first and second sides, and a second open po ition whereby the sides are moved apart and the vanes extend generally transverse tc the sides wherein the flexible fabric assembly is biased to the first closed position.

45. A window covering comprising:

(1) a front panel comprised of a relatively translucent material;

(2) a back panel comprised of a relatively translucent material, the back panel configured and adapted to be substantially parallel to the front panel; and

(3) a plurality of vanes extending between the front and back panels and angularly controllable by relative movement of the front and back panels between a first closed position whereby the panels are generally together and the vanes are substantially planar and substantially parallel to the front and back panels, and a second position wherein the panels are generally spaced a distance apart and the vanes extend generally transverse to the panels,

wherein the vanes are configured and adapted to bias the front and back panels together to the first closed position.

46. The window covering according to claim 45 wherein the vanes comprise a relatively flexible material such that the vanes change shape upon relative movement of the panels.

47. The window covering according to claim 46 wherein the vanes in the second open position have smoothly-curving portions so that the vanes are of generally S-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

48. The window covering according to claim 47 wherein the vanes are formed of a material which is more opaque than either the front or back panels.

54. An expandable cellular light control assembly comprised of a plurality of elongated cells for use in a window covering, the assembly having a front comprised of a relatively translucent material, a back comprised of a relatively translucent material and a plurality of vanes extending between the front and back, the assembly being formed such that the elongated cells are biased toward a collapsed position with the front, back and vanes being substantially parallel to each other and in overlapping relationship to form a generally flat sandwich of fabric.

55. The cellular light control assembly according to claim 54 wherein the assembly is formed using adhesive.

56. The cellular light control assembly according to claim 55 wherein the adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive.

57. The cellular light control assembly according to claim 55 wherein the front comprises a sheer fabric.

58. The cellular light control assembly according to claim 57 wherein the back comprises a sheer fabric.

59. The cellular light control assembly according to claim 58 wherein at least the front or back is knitted.

60. The cellular light control assembly according to claim 59 wherein at least the front or back comprises a plurality of parallel strips.

61. The cellular light control assembly according to claim 60 wherein the vanes are more opaque than the front or back.

62. The cellular light control assembly according to claim 61 wherein the vanes have smoothly-curving portions and a generally S-shaped cross-sectional configuration when the cells are in the expanded position.

63. The cellular light control assembly according to claim 62 wherein the vanes have opposite faces with one face of each vane attached to the front and the other face of each vane attached to the back.

64. The expandable light control assembly according to claim 63 wherein the vanes partially overlap when in the collapsed position.

65. The expandable light control assembly according to claim 64 wherein the assembly is effective to substantially block transmission of light through the assembly when the cells are in the collapsed position.

66. An expandable cellular light control fabric assembly for use in a window covering having a plurality of collapsible cells which control the transmission of light through the assembly, the assembly having a front generally flat planar panel comprised of a relatively translucent material, a back generally flat planar panel comprised of a relatively translucent material configured and adapted to substantially overlap and be substantially parallel to the front panel, and a plurality of vanes extending between the front and back panels, the shape of the cells being controllable by relative movement of the front and back panels between a collapsed position whereby the panels are generally together and the vanes are substantially planar and substantially parallel to the front and back panels and an expanded position whereby the panels are generally spaced a distance apart and the vanes extend generally transverse to the front and back panels and have smoothly-curving portions and a generally S-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

67. An expandable cellular light control fabric assembly for use in a window covering comprising:

a first side comprised of a relatively translucent sheer material;

a second side comprised of a relatively translucent sheer material configured and adapted to substantially overlap and be substantially parallel to the first side, at least one of the sides being formed of a plurality of substantially parallel sheer strips; and

a plurality of vanes comprised of relatively opaque material and extending between the first and second sides, the vanes being angularly controllable and change shape by relative movement of the first and second sides between a closed position whereby the sides are generally together and the vanes are substantially planar and substantially parallel to the first and second sides so as to effectively block the transmission of light through the assembly and an open position whereby the sides are generally spaced a distance apart and the vanes extend generally transverse to the front and back panels to allow the transmission of light through the assembly, the vanes having opposite faces with one face of each vane attached to one side and the other face of each vane attached to the other side wherein in the open position the vanes have smoothly-curving portions and a generally S-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

68. An expandable cellular light control fabric assembly for use in a window covering, said assembly being comprised of a plurality of superimposed and interconnected cellular units with each unit comprising:

a first side of a relatively translucent material having a bottom edge portion,

a second side of a relatively translucent material having a bottom edge portion, said second side being disposed substantially parallel to said first side, and

a vane interconnecting said first and second sides along said bottom edge portions, said vanes assuming a generally S-shaped configuration in cross-section when said first and second sides are spaced from each other.