Thermoplastic slats for blinds and the manufacturing thereof

Abstract

A method of applying a decorative color to a thermoplastic strip suited for use to produce slats for blinds is characterized by the use of a heat sensitive printing paper of the type normally used to color the fabric material from which valances are generally made. By using that type of color transferring medium to color the thermoplastic slats it becomes possible, for instance, to manufacture blind slats having the same color as the fabric valance to be hung decoratively from the window for which the blind is to be installed. There is also disclosed a blind structure for attenuating the flapping noise produced when the slats enter in contact with each other.

1 . A method of reproducing the color of a given fabric product on a thermoplastic substrate, comprising the steps of: providing a color transfer medium of a same type as the one used for coloring the fabric product, said color transfer medium including a continuous web of heat sensitive printing paper having a colorant thereon corresponding to the color of the fabric product; providing a pair of lamination rollers defining a nip therebetween; advancing a continuous thermoplastic substrate and said continuous web of heat sensitive printing paper through said nip to press said heat sensitive printing paper against a first surface of said thermoplastic substrate at a sufficiently elevated temperature to cause transfer of said colorant from said heat sensitive printing paper to said thermoplastic substrate, wherein said web of heat sensitive printing paper supplied to said nip has only a slight tension therein; and separating said thermoplastic substrate from said web of heat sensitive printing paper.  
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of selecting a width of the web of the heat sensitive printing paper so that said width is slightly greater than that of said thermoplastic substrate.  
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising the step of cutting the web of heat sensitive printing paper to have the selected width.  
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of setting an angle of incidence of said web of heat sensitive printing paper so that said angle is comprised in a range extending from about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees.  
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said web of heat sensitive printing paper is rolled on a supply reel, and wherein the tension in the web of heat sensitive printing paper between the supply reel and the lamination rollers is controlled by adjusting an unwinding speed of the supply reel to compensate for a pulling action of the lamination rollers on the printing paper.  
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of heating said lamination rollers to a temperature comprised in a range of about 275° F. to about 350° F.  
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic substrate is obtained by forcing a hot thermoplastic material through a die located upstream of said lamination rollers.  
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further including the step of embossing a pattern on at least one surface of said thermoplastic substrate once said colorant has been transferred thereto.  
     
     
         9 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of advancing a second web of heat sensitive printing paper through said nip to press said second heat sensitive printing paper against a second surface of said thermoplastic substrate opposite said first surface thereof to cause transfer of colorant from said second heat sensitive printing paper to said second surface of said thermoplastic substrate.  
     
     
         10 . A blind comprising a succession of slats, each said slat comprising a structural strip and a layer of soft material applied at a location thereon to act as a damper to reduce the noise resulting from collisions between adjacent ones of said slats.  
     
     
         11 . A blind as defined in  claim 10 , wherein one side of said structural strip is co-extruded with said soft material so that said side is completely covered by said layer of soft material.  
     
     
         12 . A blind as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said layer of soft material includes a pair of lateral lips co-extruded with one surface of said structural strip so as to extend over opposed longitudinal sides thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A blind as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said structural strip is co-extruded with said layer of soft material, and wherein said structural strip is surrounded on all sides thereof by said layer of soft material.  
     
     
         14 . A blind as defined in  claim 12 , wherein a pattern is embossed in said structural strip between said lateral lips.  
     
     
         15 . A blind as defined in  claim 12 , wherein a decorative layer is co-extruded on said surface, said lateral lips being co-extruded with said decorative layer so as to partly extend thereover.  
     
     
         16 . A blind as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said decorative layer is textured to emulate the appearance of a strip of fabric material.  
     
     
         17 . A blind slat comprising a structural base layer, a decorative layer applied on one side of said structural base layer, and a pair of lateral lips secured on said decorative layer so as to extend over opposed longitudinal sides thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A blind slat as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said decorative layer has a pattern embossed thereon.  
     
     
         19 . A blind slat as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said structural base layer, said decorative layer, and said lateral lips consist of a triple extrusion.  
     
     
         20 . A blind slat as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said lateral lips are made from a soft thermoplastic material to act as a bumper to absorb shocks between adjacent slats of a blind.