Abstract:
A shade product is described that is made at least in part with a sheer material. Sheer materials are highly porous materials that allow significant amounts of light to pass through the material. When placed in an architectural opening, such as a window, sheer materials can provide a soft and elegant appearance while still providing privacy. When using sheer materials to construct shade products, one layer of the sheer material typically needs to be bonded to an adjacent material, such as another layer of the sheer material. In accordance with the present disclosure, an adhesive receptive coating is applied to the sheer material at the bond sites in order to prevent against adhesive migration. In one embodiment, the adhesive receptive coating is substantially transparent and therefore does not interfere with the overall look and aesthetic appeal of the product.
Abstract:
In a method for making a window covering the user selects a first segment of cellular material in which there is a top cell having a top surface, at least one glue line on the top surface and a strip of fabric on the at least one glue line. The strip of fabric and at least a portion of the glue line are removed from the top surface of the top cell and a second glue line is applied to that top surface. A second segment of cellular material is place over the second glue line on the top surface of the top cell of the first segment. The glue line cures and bonds the second segment of cellular material to the first segment of cellular material. If the cellular material has tabbed cells the processes can be used to join the tabs of the two segments together.
Abstract:
A light control window covering includes a plurality of cells attached one atop the other. Each cell has a substantially opaque top strip at the top of the cell and a substantially opaque bottom strip at the bottom of the cell. Each cell also includes a substantially transparent front sheer member extending vertically at a front of the window covering having an upper end folded inwardly toward a front edge of the top strip and a lower end folded inwardly toward a front edge of the bottom strip, and a substantially transparent rear sheer member extending vertically at a rear of the window covering having an upper end folded inwardly toward a rear edge of the top strip and a lower end folded inwardly toward a rear edge of the second strip. An individual cell is formed by flexibly connecting the end portions of the front and rear sheer members to adjacent ends of the top and bottom strips to form a generally rectangular-shaped loop. The window covering includes an operating element in contact with the plurality of cells for causing relative vertical movement of the front and rear sheer members which, in turn, causes the top and bottom substantially opaque strips to rotate between a first substantially horizontal position which allows light to flow through the sheer members and a second position in which the opaque strips at least partially obstruct the flow of light through the sheer members. In certain embodiments, the ends of the front and rear sheer strips overlap the ends of the opaque strips and the adhesive is provided between the overlapped ends. Also disclosed are preferred methods of making light controlling window coverings.
Abstract:
An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed D-shaped cell structures aligned vertically one above another with juncture lines defined between adjacent structures. Each closed cell structure includes a front face and a separate back face that are attached to one another at top and bottom tabs. The front face of one cell structure is attached but non-continuous to the front face of an adjacent cell structure. Accordingly the horizontal width of the shade assembly is not limited by the width of the materials forming the individual cell structures. Upon collapse, the back face folds toward the front of the shade such that the back face and the front face are nested within one another, leading to a narrow depth profile for the collapsed shade.
Abstract:
An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed D-shaped cell structures aligned vertically one above another with juncture lines defined between adjacent structures. Each closed cell structure includes a front face and a separate back face that are attached to one another at top and bottom tabs. The front face of one cell structure is attached but non-continuous to the front face of an adjacent cell structure. Accordingly the horizontal width of the shade assembly is not limited by the width of the materials forming the individual cell structures. Upon collapse, the back face folds toward the front of the shade such that the back face and the front face are nested within one another, leading to a narrow depth profile for the collapsed shade.
Abstract:
In a material structure formed by a plurality of interconnected cells, each cell has a front section and a rear section. These sections are configured to form a V-shape or C-shape and are positioned so that the free edges are opposite one another. A section of swirled strands is connected between one free edge of the front section and one free edge of the rear section. If desired a second section of swirled strands can be connected between the second edge of the front section and the second edge of the rear section to form a closed cell. The cells are connected to one another by an adhesive. The front section and the rear section may be either a woven, non-woven or knit fabric or a film. The same fabric or different fabrics can be used for the front section and the rear section. Air guns can be used to direct the strands between the webs when the cells are being formed.
Abstract:
In a method for making a window covering the user selects a first segment of cellular material in which there is a top cell having a top surface, at least one glue line on the top surface and a strip of fabric on the at least one glue line. The strip of fabric and at least a portion of the glue line are removed from the top surface of the top cell. and a second glue line is applied to that top surface. A second segment of cellular material is place over the second glue line on the top surface of the top cell of the first segment. The glue line cures and bonds the second segment of cellular material to the first segment of cellular material. If the cellular material has tabbed cells the processes can be used to join the tabs of the two segments together.
Abstract:
Expandable and collapsible window coverings are disclosed including a web of non-rigid material and a stiffener intermittently applied to the web to provide stiffened regions along the web separated by regions of the non-rigid material. In this manner, the regions of non-rigid material can act as hinges between the stiffened regions. Methods for forming these window coverings are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Expandable and collapsible window coverings are disclosed including a web of non-rigid material and a stiffener intermittently applied to the web to provide stiffened regions along the web separated by regions of the non-rigid material. In this manner, the regions of non-rigid material can act as hinges between the stiffened regions. Methods for forming these window coverings are also disclosed.