Method for making blind slats and components thereof

Abstract

Abstract Laminates particularly useful in vertical blind slat assemblies, and vertical blind slat assemblies utilizing the laminates are disclosed. The laminates comprise strand material which is not free hanging and in which there are substantial spaces between the strands to allow light to pass through the material, and a sheet-like layer to which the strand material is secured so that the strands of the laminate are fixed. The laminates allow the color or other characteristics of a slat member or insert to be seen. The laminates can have differing surface characteristics, (e.g. texture) and strand colors, sizes and patterns. The sheet-like layer can be transparent or translucent. A laminate can be secured directly, for example by adhesive, to a slat member having light-transmitting properties (e.g. opaque or translucent), surface characteristics (e.g. texture) and/or color which affect the overall appearance of the slat. A laminate can be removably secured to a groover slat member which can have light-transmitting properties, surface characteristics and/or color which affect the overall appearance of the slat. An insert can be disposed between the laminate and the groover slat which itself has light-transmitting properties (e.g. opaque, translucent), surface characteristics and/or color or print which affect the overall appearance of the slat. The laminate allows the insert and/or slat member to be seen, to provide color, etc. to the slat assembly. The laminates allow a vertical blind slat to be assembled easily from a particular laminate and slat member, and insert if used. By stocking a limited number of laminates, slat members and inserts, a wide variety of slat assemblies can be provided. The laminates can have a plastic or fabric second layer to which the strand material is secured.

Inventors

• 👤 Barry I. Goodman

Bibliographic Details