Fabrication apparatus for an assembly of vanes for an architectural covering

Abstract

An apparatus for fabricating tubular vanes and adhering the vanes to a plurality of associated ladder tapes for use in a blind assembly for an architectural opening is described. The apparatus includes a first section for unrolling resin impregnated fabric tape, folding the tape, and cutting the tape to a predetermined length. In a second section of the apparatus, the cut and folded tape is bonded to together along its longitudinal edges to form a tubular vane. In the third and final section, the completed vane is positioned between the vertical cords of a plurality of associated ladder tapes and the vane is adhesively bonded to a cross rung of each. After the vane has been bonded to the cross rungs, the ladder tapes are advanced and prepared for receipt of the next vane. The resulting subassembly of vanes is used to fabricate blind assemblies through the addition of headrails and bottom rails.

1 . An apparatus for fabricating tubular vanes, the apparatus comprising: 
 a forming system for folding a tape along a longitudinal axis of the tape;    a device for softening a thermoplastic resin, the thermoplastic resin being disposed on a portion of the tape proximate a longitudinal edge of the tape; and    a clamp for pressing the portion of the tape with the thermoplastic resin into another portion of the tape proximate another longitudinal edge of the tape.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the device comprises a heater.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the device comprises a sonic welder.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a supply roll of said tape upstream from said forming system and a driven roller downstream from said forming system, said driven roller being engaged with said tape to pull said tape off said supply roll and along said forming system.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said forming system includes a plate having an edge about which the tape is folded as the tape is pulled along said edge.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said forming system further includes a forming guide through which the folded tape is pulled to position the said portions of the tape for being pressed together.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein one longitudinal edge of the tape is adapted to be folded around the other longitudinal edge before being pressed against said other longitudinal edge.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said press comprises a pivotal member for folding said one longitudinal edge around the other longitudinal edge.