Abstract: An extendable and retractable cellular shade may include a plurality of vertically aligned shade cells and one or more divider webs extending within each shade cells to as to divide the shade cell into two or more cell structures. By adjusting one or more design parameters associated with the cellular shade, the configuration of the shade cells, such as the size and/or shape of the cell structures, and/or the illumination or lighting effects associated with the cellular shade may be specifically tailored to provide a desired aesthetic look or feel for the shade.

Abstract: An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed 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. The front face and the back face are offset from one another in relation to a vertical axis. In one embodiment, for instance, the front face of a higher cell is connected to both the front face and back face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is only connected to the back face of the lower cell. In an alternative embodiment, the front face of a higher cell is only connected to the front face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is connected to both the front face and the back face of the lower cell. The above configuration can increase strength and dimensional stability of the interconnected cells.

Abstract: An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes at least a first column of cell structures aligned vertically one above another and a second column of cell structures also aligned vertically one above the other. The second column of cell structures can be positioned offset and nested with the first cell structures such that each second cell structure may be positioned in between two adjacent of the first cell structures. One or more lift cords may be encased or contained within the first cell structures. The first cell structures not only have lift cords but also provide the product with added integrity.

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: An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed 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. The front face and the back face are offset from one another in relation to a vertical axis. In one embodiment, for instance, the front face of a higher cell is connected to both the front face and back face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is only connected to the back face of the lower cell. In an alternative embodiment, the front face of a higher cell is only connected to the front face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is connected to both the front face and the back face of the lower cell. The above configuration can increase strength and dimensional stability of the interconnected cells.

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 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. The front face and the back face are offset from one another in relation to a vertical axis. In one embodiment, for instance, the front face of a higher cell is connected to both the front face and back face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is only connected to the back face of the lower cell. In an alternative embodiment, the front face of a higher cell is only connected to the front face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is connected to both the front face and the back face of the lower cell. The above configuration can increase strength and dimensional stability of the interconnected cells.

Abstract: An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed 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. The front face and the back face are offset from one another in relation to a vertical axis. In one embodiment, for instance, the front face of a higher cell is connected to both the front face and back face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is only connected to the back face of the lower cell. In an alternative embodiment, the front face of a higher cell is only connected to the front face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is connected to both the front face and the back face of the lower cell. The above configuration can increase strength and dimensional stability of the interconnected cells.

Abstract: An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes at least a first column of cell structures aligned vertically one above another and a second column of cell structures also aligned vertically one above the other. The second column of cell structures can be positioned offset and nested with the first cell structures such that each second cell structure may be positioned in between two adjacent of the first cell structures. One or more lift cords may be encased or contained within the first cell structures. The first cell structures not only have lift cords but also provide the product with added integrity.

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: A cellular structure is formed on a wheel from an elongated tubular structure. At least one longitudinal line of a slow cure adhesive is applied to the exterior surface of the elongated tubular material. Then the material is wrapped around a collector in a manner to cause the adhesive to be positioned between overlying surfaces of the elongated tubular material and to form a cellular structure on the collector. The cellular structure is cut from the collector before the adhesive has fully cured and is placed on a flat surface where the adhesive has fully cured.

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 machine for making collapsible cellular structures folds two fabric webs into a V-shape or C-shape, connects the webs together with strands of adhesive, applies glue lines and collects the webs on a wheel. A variable speed motor, a fabric drive system which enables glue to be applied when the fabric is not stretched and a lay-on wheel assembly with movable arm that directs the fabric onto the collector can be provided in the machine.

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: 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: 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: A method for producing an expandable and collapsible product for use in a window covering includes the steps of pleating a continuous length of material, bonding together opposing faces that face one side of the product to form a series of enclosed cells, bonding together opposed faces facing the other side of the product to form another series of enclosed cells, and removing creases from one side of the product to open one of the series of enclosed cells so that the other series of enclosed cells remains intact and connected to one another. The creases may be removed by abrading the material along the creases. The opposed faces may be bonded by applying a bead of adhesive to one of the faces and compressing the faces together. Also provided is a window covering having a multi-cellular expandable and collapsible body. The body has a number of strips of material that are creased in the center parallel to the long edges. The long edges are joined together to form a tab.

Abstract: A method of making a light controlling window covering having a plurality of cells includes providing first and second continuous webs of substantially opaque material, providing first and second continuous webs of sheer material adapted to permit light to pass therethrough and forming an individual cell by connecting a first end of the first sheer web to a first end of the first substantially opaque web, connecting the second end of the first substantially opaque web to a first end of the second sheer web, connecting the second end of the second sheer web to a first end of the second substantially opaque web and connecting the second end of the second substantially opaque web to the second end of the first sheer web so as to form a continuous loop of material having alternating sheer and substantially opaque portions.

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.

Abstract: A cellular structure for window coverings has a plurality of cells formed by an upper vane and a lower vane each having a front edge and a rear edge. A C-shaped front wall has an upper end attached to the front edge of the upper vane and a lower end attached to the front edge of the lower vane to form an outwardly extending front tab at each end of the C-shaped front wall. The opposite end of each vane is attached to a rear wall. A C-shaped rear wall could be used for each cell. This structure is made by placing an edge of the vane between a pleat which is bonded to form each front tab and then preferably trimming the tab to a uniform width.