Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming cellular or non-cellular window shades directly from raw stock to the final desired window shade color, height and width to fit a particular window size, with essentially no wasted material. The shade is fabricated from a bonded array of a predetermined number of stacked, identically shaped and sized, elements or preforms of uniform length corresponding to one of the height or width dimensions of the desired window covering. The number of preforms is selected so that the length of the fully expanded array will correspond with the other of the height or width dimensions of the window covering. The raw stock is in the form of a continuously fed narrow strip of uncolored fabric to which the necessary coloring, folding, cutting-to-length, stacking and bonding steps are applied within the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of foldable, collapsible window shades from a continuously moving strip of material. The method described herein is directed to a variety of methods of handling and processing preforms generated from the strip of material in order to ensure continuous movement of the strip of material during the process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming cellular or non-cellular window shades directly from raw stock to the final desired window shade color, height and width to fit a particular window size, with essentially no wasted material. The shade is fabricated from a bonded array of a predetermined number of stacked, identically shaped and sized, elements or preforms of uniform length corresponding to one of the height or width dimensions of the desired window covering. The number of preforms is selected so that the length of the fully expanded array will correspond with the other of the height or width dimensions of the window covering. The raw stock is in the form of a continuously fed narrow strip of uncolored fabric to which the necessary coloring, folding, cutting-to-length, stacking and bonding steps are applied within the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of foldable, collapsible window shades from a continuously moving strip of material. The method described herein is directed to a variety of methods of handling and processing preforms generated from the strip of material in order to ensure continuous movement of the strip of material during the process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming cellular or non-cellular window shades directly from raw stock to the final desired window shade color, height and width to fit a particular window size, with essentially no wasted material. The shade is fabricated from a bonded array of a predetermined number of stacked, identically shaped and sized, elements or preforms of uniform length corresponding to one of the height or width dimensions of the desired window covering. The number of preforms is selected so that the length of the fully expanded array will correspond with the other of the height or width dimensions of the window covering. The raw stock is in the form of a continuously fed narrow strip of uncolored fabric to which the necessary coloring, folding, cutting-to-length, stacking and bonding steps are applied within the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming cellular or non-cellular window shades directly from raw stock to the final desired window shade color, height and width to fit a particular window size, with essentially no wasted material. The shade is fabricated from a bonded array of a predetermined number of stacked, identically shaped and sized, elements or preforms of uniform length corresponding to one of the height or width dimensions of the desired window covering. The number of preforms is selected so that the length of the fully expanded array will correspond with the other of the height or width dimensions of the window covering. The raw stock is in the form of a continuously fed narrow strip of uncolored fabric to which the necessary coloring, folding, cutting-to-length, stacking and bonding steps are applied within the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming cellular or non-cellular window shades directly from raw stock to the final desired window shade color, height and width to fit a particular window size, with essentially no wasted material. The shade is fabricated from a bonded array of a predetermined number of stacked, identically shaped and sized, elements or preforms of uniform length corresponding to one of the height or width dimensions of the desired window covering. The number of preforms is selected so that the length of the fully expanded array will correspond with the other of the height or width dimensions of the window covering. The raw stock is in the form of a continuously fed narrow strip of uncolored fabric to which the necessary coloring, folding, cutting-to-length, stacking and bonding steps are applied within the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A window covering includes at least one pair of cell-supporting cords comprising a first support cord supporting an upper portion of each cell and a second support cord supporting a lower portion of each cell. The collapse and expansion of each cell is accomplished by the respective raising and lowering of the second support cord without movement of the first support cord.

Abstract: In the methods described, a treatment method is employed on a flexible substrate forming a multi-layer array. The method includes providing the flexible substrate; placing a material to be treated on a surface of the flexible substrate; and treating the material with a frequency energy.

Abstract: A slat is disclosed that includes a digitally printed pattern upon a surface of the slat. The slat may also include a translucent cap over the pattern where the translucent cap provides the appearance of depth to the digitally printed pattern. Additionally, a method of forming a surface finish is disclosed including digitally printing a pattern on a slat. Another method is disclosed for forming a surface finish that include providing a slat and providing a print head. The method also includes, moving the slat or the print head relative to each other, and digitally printing a pattern on said slat.

Abstract: In a method of making rolls or strips of material having no flaws except joints a supply of material, such as a roll of fabric is inspected for flaws. If any flaws are discovered portions of the material containing the flaws are cut away. The material is attached together after each portion is removed to create a joint for each reattachment. The portions that are cut away are sized so that the joints will be separated by a multiple of a selected distance from one another. The resulting material can then be fabricated into a panel of window covering material in which all the joints are co-linear along a perpendicular to the surface of the material. The joints are positioned so that they will be on a cut line for subsequent processing. In one embodiment the material is wound into a tubular structure that is cut along the joints to form a panel of window covering material.