Patent EP0443868A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4849039A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4849039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for manufacturing blind material
Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc
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Filing: 1988-05-16
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Granted: 1989-07-18
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Expires: 2008-05-16
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for manufacturing cellular blind material and in particular honeycomb blind material. A material feeding means moves along and parallel to a stack supporting means. The material feeding means feeds a layer of blind material onto the stack and a hot melt adhesive attaches the layer to the stack.
Inventors
- 👤 Wendell Colson
- 👤 Paul Swiszcz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:10
CPC Classifications
B; B31; B31D; B31D3/00; B31D3/02; B31D3/0207; B31D3/0215; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1003; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1062; Y10T156/1075; Y10T156/12; Y10T156/13; Y10T156/1348; Y10T156/1352; Y10T156/1361; Y10T156/1378; Y10T156/1383; Y10T156/1387; Y10T156/1391; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149; Y10T428/24165; Y10T428/24744
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
Method of manufacturing an expandable integral blind mat having a plurality of longitudinally extending superimposed cells of predetermined length, from a supply of strip-like material, by stacking of subsequent layers of the material in direct face-to-face contact and adhering said layers comprising the steps of: (a) applying a first layer of said strip-like material to a stack supporting means; (b) applying a second layer of said strip-like material to the first layer by: (i) positioning and holding a first portion of said second layer onto a first portion of the first layer at an end of the stack; and (ii) applying the remainder of said second layer on face-to-face contact with the remainder of the first layer by relative movement between a supply means for the strip-like material and said stack supporting means in a direction extending parallel to the length of said first layer; (c) adhering the first layer to the second layer; (d) repeating the steps to produce a required member of subsequent layers; and (e) cutting individually the second and each subsequent layer to length after each said layer is applied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
Method of manufacturing an expandable integral blind mat having a plurality of longitudinally extending superimposed cells of predetermined length, from a supply of strip-like material, by stacking of subsequent layers of the material in direct face-to-face contact and adhering said layers comprising the steps of: (a) applying a first layer of said strip-like material to a stack supporting means; (b) applying a second layer of said strip-like material to the first layer by: (i) positioning and holding a first portion of said second layer onto a first portion of the first layer at an end of the stack; and (ii) applying the remainder of said second layer on face-to-face contact with the remainder of the first layer by relative movement between a supply means for the strip-like material and said stack supporting means in a direction extending parallel to the length of said first layer; (c) adhering the first layer to the second layer; (d) repeating the steps to produce a required member of subsequent layers; and (e) cutting individually the second and each subsequent layer to length after each said layer is applied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
184 words
Method of manufacturing an expandable integral blind mat having a plurality of longitudinally extending superimposed cells of predetermined length, from a supply of strip-like material having folded over portions extending longitudinally of the strip-like material to form the cells of said mat by stacking of subsequent layers of the material in direct face-to-face contact and adhering said layers comprising the steps of: (a) applying a first layer of said strip-like material to a stack supporting means; (b) applying a second layer of said strip-like material to the first layer by: (i) positioning and holding a first portion of said second layer onto a first portion of the first layer at an end of the stack; and (ii) applying the remainder of said second layer in face-to-face contact with the remainder of the first layer by relative movement between a supply means for the strip-like material and said stack supporting means in a direction extending parallel to the length of said first layer; (c) adhering the first layer to the second layer; and (d) repeating the steps to produce a required number of subsequent layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
184 words
Method of manufacturing an expandable integral blind mat having a plurality of longitudinally extending superimposed cells of predetermined length, from a supply of strip-like material having folded over portions extending longitudinally of the strip-like material to form the cells of said mat by stacking of subsequent layers of the material in direct face-to-face contact and adhering said layers comprising the steps of: (a) applying a first layer of said strip-like material to a stack supporting means; (b) applying a second layer of said strip-like material to the first layer by: (i) positioning and holding a first portion of said second layer onto a first portion of the first layer at an end of the stack; and (ii) applying the remainder of said second layer in face-to-face contact with the remainder of the first layer by relative movement between a supply means for the strip-like material and said stack supporting means in a direction extending parallel to the length of said first layer; (c) adhering the first layer to the second layer; and (d) repeating the steps to produce a required number of subsequent layers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 2 further comprising cutting the second and each subsequent layer to length individually after said layer is applied.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: (a) adhering the first layer to the second layer includes applying hot melt glue to at least one of the first and second layers immediately before the second layer is applied to the first layer to adhere the first and second layers upon cooling of the hot melt glue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein: (a) said hot melt glue is applied to said first layer as at least one bead running substantially the length of the first layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: (a) the material supply means applies the material upon relative movement between said supply means and said first layer in a first direction along the stack but not when moving in a second direction opposite to said first direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: (a) the material supply means applies the material upon relative movement between said supply means and said first layer in both a first direction parallel to said first layer and a second direction opposite said first direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein: (a) the material supply means has a single source of strip-like material for application in both the first and second directions.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for fabricating expandable blind material comprising: (a) supporting means for supporting a first layer of expandable blind material having an upper surface and first and second ends separated by a predetermined length; (b) material supply means for laying a second layer of blind material on said first layer including: (i) material feeding means mounted for movement relative to said supporting means in a direction extending along the length of the first layer and parallel thereto; (ii) guiding means on said material feeding means for guiding said second layer onto said first layer; and (iii) adhesive applying means on said material feeding means for adhering said first and second layer in face-to-face contact; and (c) cutting means for cutting said second layer of expandable blind material to a length compatible with said predetermined length.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for fabricating expandable blind material comprising: (a) supporting means for supporting a first layer of expandable blind material having an upper surface and first and second ends separated by a predetermined length; (b) material supply means for laying a second layer of blind material on said first layer including: (i) material feeding means mounted for movement relative to said supporting means in a direction extending along the length of the first layer and parallel thereto; (ii) guiding means on said material feeding means for guiding said second layer onto said first layer; and (iii) adhesive applying means on said material feeding means for adhering said first and second layer in face-to-face contact; and (c) cutting means for cutting said second layer of expandable blind material to a length compatible with said predetermined length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising: (a) a pair of supporting members extending in spaced relation above said first layer, said supporting members defining a slot therebetween extending along said upper surface to thereby permit contact of a central portion of said second layer with said upper surface while supporting said second layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein: (a) the supporting members are movable between a first position for supporting said second layer and a second position which permits passage of the second layer therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: (a) said material feeding means includes a driven roller and a second parallel roller which form a nip to hold and feed said second layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising: (a) vacuum means for providing suction on the surface of said driven roller to hold said second layer in contact with said driven roller until said second layer is laid on said first layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: (a) said supporting means comprises a pair of spaced walls having face-to-face parallel inner surfaces defining an elongated slot therebetween for guiding a stack blind material therethrough and a constriction at a lower part of said slot narrowing the spacing of said inner surfaces to restrict movement of blind material therethrough.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein: (a) said constriction prevents movement of blind material therethrough.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
248 words
An apparatus for fabricating expandable blind material of predetermined length comprising: (a) a pair of spaced walls having face-to-face parallel inner surfaces defining an elongated slot therebetween for guiding a stack of blind material therethrough; (b) a construction at a lower part of said slot narrowing the spacing of said inner surfaces to provide restriction of movement of said blind material therethrough; (c) a pair of movable flaps extending perpendicularly to said inner surfaces above said slot in spaced relation to define an elongated opening above said slot, said elongated opening being narrower than said layer of blind material when said flaps are in a first position to support said layer of blind material along side portions of a bottom surface of said layer of blind material and means for moving said flaps to a second position; (d) material supply means for guiding and positioning said layer of blind material onto an upper surface of said flaps in said first position while a central portion of said bottom surface contacts the top of the stack of blind material; (e) an applicator for applying adhesive material to at least one of the top of the stack and the layer of blind material as said layer of blind material is guided and positioned by said material supply means to thereby adhere said layer of blind material to the top of said stack of blind material; and (f) a cutter to cut the layer of blind material to said predetermined length.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
248 words
An apparatus for fabricating expandable blind material of predetermined length comprising: (a) a pair of spaced walls having face-to-face parallel inner surfaces defining an elongated slot therebetween for guiding a stack of blind material therethrough; (b) a construction at a lower part of said slot narrowing the spacing of said inner surfaces to provide restriction of movement of said blind material therethrough; (c) a pair of movable flaps extending perpendicularly to said inner surfaces above said slot in spaced relation to define an elongated opening above said slot, said elongated opening being narrower than said layer of blind material when said flaps are in a first position to support said layer of blind material along side portions of a bottom surface of said layer of blind material and means for moving said flaps to a second position; (d) material supply means for guiding and positioning said layer of blind material onto an upper surface of said flaps in said first position while a central portion of said bottom surface contacts the top of the stack of blind material; (e) an applicator for applying adhesive material to at least one of the top of the stack and the layer of blind material as said layer of blind material is guided and positioned by said material supply means to thereby adhere said layer of blind material to the top of said stack of blind material; and (f) a cutter to cut the layer of blind material to said predetermined length.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
Method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second layer of strip-like material being applied to the first layer of strip-like material by moving a material supply means along the length of the first layer, which first layer is held stationary, to position said second layer on said first layer as said material supply means moves along the length of said first layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second layer of strip-like material being applied to the first layer of strip-like material by a stationary material supply means and said first layer is moved beneath said material supply means to effect relative movement between said material supply means and said first layer along the length of said first layer to thereby position said second layer on said first layer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
207 words
Method of manufacturing an expandable integral blind mat having a plurality of longitudinally extending superimposed cells of predetermined length, from a supply of strip-like material, by stacking of subsequent layers of the material in direct face-to-face contact and adhering said layers comprising the steps of: (a) applying a first layer of said strip-like material to a stack supporting means; (b) applying a second layer of said strip-like material to the first layer by: (i) positioning and holding a first portion of said second layer onto a first portion of the first layer at an end of the stack; and (ii) applying the remainder of said second layer in face-to-face contact with the remainder of the first layer by relative movement between a supply means for the strip-like material and said stack supporting means in a direction extending parallel to the length of said first layer; (c) material supply means supplying material from two sources of strip-like material and a first source is used for applying in a first direction along the first layer and a second source is used for applying in a second direction; (d) adhering the first layer to the second layer; and (e) repeating the steps to produce a required number of subsequent layers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
207 words
Method of manufacturing an expandable integral blind mat having a plurality of longitudinally extending superimposed cells of predetermined length, from a supply of strip-like material, by stacking of subsequent layers of the material in direct face-to-face contact and adhering said layers comprising the steps of: (a) applying a first layer of said strip-like material to a stack supporting means; (b) applying a second layer of said strip-like material to the first layer by: (i) positioning and holding a first portion of said second layer onto a first portion of the first layer at an end of the stack; and (ii) applying the remainder of said second layer in face-to-face contact with the remainder of the first layer by relative movement between a supply means for the strip-like material and said stack supporting means in a direction extending parallel to the length of said first layer; (c) material supply means supplying material from two sources of strip-like material and a first source is used for applying in a first direction along the first layer and a second source is used for applying in a second direction; (d) adhering the first layer to the second layer; and (e) repeating the steps to produce a required number of subsequent layers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: (a) the strip-like material has folded over portions extending longitudinally of the strip-like material to form the cells of said mat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-01-16 | 1993-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |