Abstract: A method of making a fabric Venetian blind comprises helical winding of a narrow, elongated strip, which, when properly overlapped and bonded along longitudinal glue lines, will form the vanes and front and rear facings of the blind. The strips may be formed of a single, uniform material, or of adjacent, longitudinally extending portions of relatively opaque and relatively translucent fabric. An alternative embodiment uses the same winding technique to similarly form a structure of only translucent fabric, but with pockets for subsequent insertion of opaque vanes. Several alternative strip configurations and assembly arrangements are disclosed. The disclosed method and structure may also be used to form products for other applications.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric Venetian blind comprises helical winding of a narrow, elongated strip, which, when properly overlapped and bonded along longitudinal glue lines, will form the vanes and front and rear facings of the blind. The strips may be formed of a single, uniform material, or of adjacent, longitudinally extending portions of relatively opaque and relatively translucent fabric. An alternative embodiment uses the same winding technique to similarly form a structure of only translucent fabric, but with pockets for subsequent insertion of opaque vanes. Several alternative strip configurations and assembly arrangements are disclosed. The disclosed method and structure may also be used to form products for other applications.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric Venetian blind comprises helical winding of a narrow, elongated strip, which, when properly overlapped and bonded along longitudinal glue lines, will form the vanes and front and rear facings of the blind. The strips may be formed of a single, uniform material, or of adjacent, longitudinally extending portions of relatively opaque and relatively translucent fabric. An alternative embodiment uses the same winding technique to similarly form a structure of only translucent fabric, but with pockets for subsequent insertion of opaque vanes. Several alternative strip configurations and assembly arrangements are disclosed. The disclosed method and structure may also be used to form products for other applications.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a filter cartridge which includes the steps of providing a cylindrical filter element having a plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats, engaging an outer periphery of the cylindrical filter element along a substantial portion of the length thereof, and simultaneously moving the plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats into a laid-over spiraled configuration along the entire length of the cylindrical filter element to form a spiral pleated filter element. An apparatus is also disclosed for effectuating the disclosed method.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric Venetian blind comprises helical winding of a narrow, elongated strip, which, when properly overlapped and bonded along longitudinal glue lines, will form the vanes and front and rear facings of the blind. The strips may be formed of a single, uniform material, or of adjacent, longitudinally extending portions of relatively opaque and relatively translucent fabric. An alternative embodiment uses the same winding technique to similarly form a structure of only translucent fabric, but with pockets for subsequent insertion of opaque vanes. The disclosed method and structure may also be used to form products for other applications.

Abstract: A window covering includes a plurality of wide strips arranged parallel to one another in a common plane. The plurality of strips are divided into a first set of strips and a second set of strips, wherein the first set of strips are moveable in a direction opposite to the second set of strips. A plurality of panels are transversely attached to the plurality of strips, and more specifically, the upper edges of the panels are attached to the first set of strips and the lower edges of the panels are attached to the second set of strips. Upon longitudinally moving at least one of the plurality of strips from a first position to a second position, each of the plurality of panels can be altered from a first cross-sectional configuration to a second cross-sectional configuration. By altering the panels in the manner, the window treatment can provide adjustable light-control, modulatable view-through, light diffusion, all in an aesthetically pleasing presentation.

Abstract: A view-through cellular window covering includes a plurality of cells arranged parallel to one another. Each cell has at least one side, and a joint unites adjacent sides of each cell. The adjacent sides of each cell are pivotable about the joint such that each cell is variably adjustable between a collapsed position and an opened position. A first cord includes a plurality of elements positioned there along, and each of the elements is engaged to or otherwise attached to one of the upper sides of a corresponding one of the plurality of cells. A second cord includes a plurality of members positioned there along, and each of the members is engaged to or otherwise attached to one of the lower sides of a corresponding one of the plurality of cells. By longitudinally moving the cords, the plurality of cells can be adjusted between the collapsed position, where adjacent cells are separated, and the opened positioned, where adjacent cells contact one another.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a filter cartridge which includes the steps of providing a cylindrical filter element having a plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats, engaging an outer periphery of the cylindrical filter element along a substantial portion of the length thereof, and simultaneously moving the plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats into a laid-over spiraled configuration along the entire length of the cylindrical filter element to form a spiral pleated filter element. An apparatus is also disclosed for effectuating the disclosed method.

Abstract: A linear electrodynamic machine is disclosed having non-axisymmetric, interdigitating interfaces between moving and fixed magnetic circuit elements. The moving magnet elements may be of permanent magnet or electromagnetic construction, and in one embodiment constitute low reluctance elements moving relative to fixed energizing and output coils. Magnetic elements on a reciprocating plunger couple to fixed elements of a magnetic circuit in an interdigitating manner. Alternators and motors with non-axisymmetric, interdigitating interfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll counter for stamp strips formed in rolls which includes a head assembly with a vacuum/pressure drum drive, a perforation sensor and a cutting device for separating the strip at the sensed perforation, and further includes an automatic self-loader on a take-up reel, an automatic wind-up device and an automatic release after take-up.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product-(110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product. Screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product (110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400 or 800) and an optional folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product. Screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400 or 800) and, through the optional use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product (110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product. Screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product (110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product, screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: Manual deployment apparatus for specialty, pleated or multi-cellular window covering treatments including uniquely hinged mounting rails and single and/or continuous strand pull cords. The invention consists of apparatus that is used to acquire two modes of pleated or multi-cellular shade fabric deployment over generally curvilinear window openings, but particularly over window openings having circular and segmented shapes. A translational deployment, known as the "Blossom Mode" moves as culptured shade from its rest positon by actuation of a continuous cord that is under constant tension. The shade may be deployed to any extent from the mere movement from the completely stowed position to the fully extended. The second modality, known as the "Fan Mode" contemplates deployment of the multi-cellular shade by commencing with the stowed shade marginally secured between a pair of superimposed, and hingably connected rails.

Abstract: A window covering (10) having the appearance of a pleated curtain of the expansible-collapsible type and containing therein, and discretely postured within at least one plane of cells, an array of slats (30) capable of arcuate movement by a cord ladder (18, 19, 22) apparatus. The preferred embodiment of the invention (10) uses a multicellular curtain of the pleated type (14), and especially one having a continuous web-like ligature connecting the internal acute vertices of the cells. A Venetian blind apparatus is interposed between the outside pleated faces of the cell network so that a blind slat (30) may be rotated from a rest position on one cell ligament (28) and into contact with an adjoining cell ligament (31). Through an array of reflectively coated or opacified slats (26) or ligaments (28), in combination with the rotatable Venetian blind slats (30), light diffusing through the curtain (14) is readily controlled.

Abstract: An Ericsson cycle machine is disclosed which can be used for refrigeration, liquefaction of nitrogen or as an engine. The invention includes a liquid ring compressor linked to a liquid ring expander by a gas loop that includes a recuperator. As a refrigeration unit, the liquid ring in the compressor is channeled through a heat exchanger to reject waste heat and liquid is tapped from the expander liquid ring and used as a refrigerant.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for mean pressure control of a Stirling engine without the need for a compressor. The invention includes a multi-tank system in which there is at least one high pressure level tank and one low pressure level tank wherein gas flows through a maximum pressure and supply line from the engine to the high pressure tank when a first valve is opened until the maximum pressure of the engine drops below that of the high pressure tank opening an inlet regulator to permit gas flow from the engine to the low pressure tank. When gas flows toward the engine it flows through the minimum pressure supply line 2 when a second valve is opened from the low pressure tank until the tank reaches the engine's minimum pressure level at which time the outlet regulator opens permitting gas to be supplied from the high pressure tank to the engine. Check valves between the two tanks prevent any backflow of gas from occurring.

Abstract: An extensible and collapsible covering (10) for framed openings. A shade, having periodically emplaced elastic rod stiffeners (28), is motivated over parallel tracks (20) by a movable sill (26). During shade manufacture, stiffeners (26) are inserted into shade pockets by a machine (100) which examines the fabric, excises flaws and creates pockets for the envelopment therein of the stiffeners. The process for flaw removal uses a single pass technique that cuts fabric around a stiffener, reforms it and bonds the cut ends so as to capture the stiffener in a pocket formed thereby.

Abstract: Manual deployment apparatus for specialty, pleated or multi-cellular window covering treatments including uniquely hinged mounting rails and single and/or continuous strand pull cords. The invention consists of apparatus that is used to acquire two modes of pleated or multi-cellular shade fabric deployment over generally curvillinear window openings, but particularly over window openings having circular and segmented shapes. A translational deployment, known as the "Blossom Mode" moves a sculptured shade from its rest position by actuation of a continuous cord that is under constant tension. The shade may be deployed to any extent from the mere movement from the completely stowed position to the fully extended. The second modality, known as the "Fan Mode" contemplates deployment of the multi-cellular shade by commencing with the stowed shade marginally secured between a pair of superimposed, and hingably connected rails.