Abstract: A fabric for use in an architectural covering device includes a plurality of elongated vanes preferably of tubular configuration having a pair of flaps extending longitudinally along the entire length of the vane. A continuous face sheet material has elongated folds at spaced intervals that are secured along the flaps of the vanes so as to pivotally connect the vanes to the face sheet material at predetermined spaced intervals. The fabric is adapted to be supported with an operational system in an architectural opening so that if the vanes are suspended vertically they are slidably movable laterally of the window opening and pivotally movable about vertical longitudinal axes to extend and retract as well as open and close the covering. An apparatus and method for forming the fabric is also disclosed as well as systems for finishing the endmost vanes in the fabric.

Abstract: A control system for a vertical vane covering for use in an architectural opening includes a headrail having an upwardly opening channel in which a plurality of carriers are disposed for sliding movement along the length of the headrail. The headrail is of a thin profile with only a minority portion of the carriers being positioned within the hollow interior of the headrail. The carriers are interconnected by a scissors-type linkage to effect uniform separation of the vanes when the covering is expanded across an architectural opening and each carrier includes a rack and pinion system for rotating the vanes suspended thereby. Unique mountings for the endmost vanes allow the endmost vanes to cover the ends of the headrail.

Abstract: A vane for an architectural covering, such as of the type used in a window openings, is designed for vertical suspension so as to resist twisting along its length. The vane is constructed in a tubular configuration and may have one or more internal hollow cells. The external configuration of the vane may simulate an air foil or have other related configurations. The vanes are preferably made of a material having diagonal, dimensional stability or memory, i.e. the ability to resist stretching in a direction diagonal to the length or width of the material. A reinforcing strip can be inserted into an open end of the vane to provide a positive and durable attachment for suspending the vane from an operating system.

Abstract: A fabric light control window covering in which fabric vanes are adhesively bonded between two sheer fabric sheets such that relative movement between the sheer fabric sheets in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fabric vanes changes the angle of the fabric vanes and, thus, controls the amount of light admitted through the shade. The vanes are bonded to the sheer fabric sheets in a manner which tends to bias the sheer fabric sheets together to the nonlight admitting position. Also, disclosed are methods and apparatus for manufacturing the above window covering. The method features linear application of adhesive to the vane material which provides for a uniform appearance in the finished product. A heat setting process and apparatus is disclosed in which the bonded layers of sheer fabrics and vanes are fed between belts over hot and cool surfaces, under uniform tension and pressure.

Abstract: A cellular panel defines a plurality of adjoining longitudinally extending cells and is formed of sheets of textile material adhesively secured together along spaced adhesive lines. The textile material is coated with a fabric treatment composition coating on discrete areas. The textile material has a stiffness in its lengthwise direction significantly greater than its stiffness in its widthwise direction.

Abstract: A method of making a treated fabric, treated expandable and retractable window coverings, partitions and the like made from treated fabric having at least one area thereof treated with a fabric treatment composition and at least one area thereof left untreated, and a method of making treated expandable and retractable window coverings, partitions and the like.

Abstract: A treated fabric panel for use in fabricating expandable and retractable window coverings, partitions and the like, particularly honeycomb panels. The treated fabric panel is a textile material having at least one area thereof treated with a fabric treatment composition and at least one area thereof left untreated.

Abstract: A window covering is described wherein at least one translucent or transparent sheet is suspended vertically and has a plurality of parallel vertically extending vanes projecting rearwardly therefrom. The vanes are formed from fabric material which has either been rigidified with a rigidifying compound or rigidified by the formation of a pocket into which a rigid slat is inserted. Variations are provided for varying the flexibility of a hinge defined along a juncture line between the vanes and the fabric sheet.

Abstract: A window covering is described wherein at least one translucent or transparent sheet is suspended vertically and has a plurality of parallel vanes projecting rearwardly therefrom. The vanes are formed from fabric material which has either been rigidified with a rigidifying compound or rigidified by the formation of a pocket into which a rigid slat is inserted. Variations are provided for varying the flexibility of a hinge defined along a juncture line between the vanes and the fabric sheet.

Abstract: A panel is provided including multiple rows of parallel cells extending transversely of the rows and with the cells of adjacent rows of cells staggered longitudinally of the rows relative to each other, two, three, four and five cell row panels being disclosed. The panels are formed by folded film strips stacked one upon the other with each film strip having portions thereof glued together and adjacent film strips in each stack of strips glued together such that each film strip forms at least one complete cell of one row of cells and at least three-quarters of an adjacent cell in an adjacent row of cells. Also, a support system is provided for supporting the upper margin of a vertically disposed multi cell row panel wherein an upper cell or cells has one or two horizontal stiffening strips disposed therein and spaced beneath a stationery support strip.

Abstract: A window covering includes at least one piece of sheer material and a spaced but parallel support system in the form of a second sheet of sheer material, strips of similar material or strings, with a plurality of spaced flexible vanes extending therebetween. The vanes are attached to at least the sheer sheet of material by an adhesive line that penetrates the sheer material so as to protrude through an opposite side thereof and encapsulate the fibers of the sheer material. The surface of the adhesive on the opposite side of the sheer material from the vane is roughened to create a dull appearance. Strips of fabric material which can be used as vanes are also disclosed as being formable from elongated strips of material which are lengthwise tensioned prior to applying a bonding composition to the material so as to render the strip of material more stiff in its lengthwise direction than in a cross direction.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening such as a window or door is in the form of a vertically oriented fabric assembly having front and rear sheer fabrics interconnected by vertically extending vanes. The vanes can be tilted through a series of carriers mounted on a track rail from which the covering is suspended in order to adjust the spacing between the fabrics between open and closed positions and adjust the light transmitting characteristics of the covering. The covering can be extended across the opening by separating the carriers on the track rail and can be contracted by stacking the carriers toward one end of the track rail. A unique design of carrier allows the covering to fold on itself in the contracted state, in the manner of a conventional drape.

Abstract: An expandable and contractible tubular cell window covering includes a plurality of contiguous cells which have been bonded together to form a wavy or undulating pattern along the length of the cells. The undulating or wavy patterns can be created by initially stretching the cells before bonding adjacent cells and subsequently releasing the stretch so that the fibers engaged with the bonding medium remain in a stretched or separated condition while the remaining fibers are relaxed. The cells can also be bonded with an adhesive that expands on curing to create the same effect without having to prestretch the fabric before applying the bonding medium. In a third embodiment of the invention, adjacent tubular cells are bonded together with curved lines of adhesive which again create an undulating or wavy configuration along the length of each tubular cell. The methods for forming the window covering is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fabric light control window covering in which fabric vanes are adhesively bonded between two sheer fabric sheets such that relative movement between the sheer fabric sheets in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fabric vanes changes the angle of the fabric vanes and, thus, controls the amount of light admitted through the shade. The vanes are bonded to the sheer fabric sheets in a manner which tends to bias the sheer fabric sheets together to the nonlight admitting position. Also, disclosed are methods and apparatus for manufacturing the above window covering. The method features linear application of adhesive to the vane material which provides for a uniform appearance in the finished product. A heat setting process and apparatus is disclosed in which the bonded layers of sheer fabrics and vanes are fed between belts over hot and cool surfaces, under uniform tension and pressure.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible window covering is disclosed in which an unpleated facing fabric is attached to a pleated panel to provide a Roman shade type window covering. Transverse cells are formed by the attachment of the pleated panel and unpleated fabric which provide excellent insulation properties. A method for making such a shade is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible window covering is disclosed in which an unpleated facing fabric is attached to a pleated panel to provide a Roman shade type window covering. Transverse cells are formed by the attachment of the pleated panel and unpleated fabric which provide excellent insulation properties. A method for making such a shade is also disclosed.

Abstract: Non-woven fabrics produced from spunbonded web of the thermally bonded type suitable for use in folding window blinds are disclosed. To provide an opaque fabric with a weave-like finish a metalized blackout film and the spunbonded web substrate are laminated together while simultaneously embossing the substrate. Non-opaque fabrics may be made by using a film without metalization. Binder material is added to provide corrosion protection for the metalized film and additional bonding to the substrate. Difficulties in embossing this type of web are overcome by using steel embossing rollers and narrow widths of web. Using this basic process opaque fabrics may be made without embossing by creating a temporary bond between the layers with the surface tension of water, or non-opaque fabric made by not adding any film in the embossing step.