Room Darkening Material And Architectural Covering Made From Same

Abstract

A light blocking or blackout composite material is described. The light blocking material includes at least two metalized layers. In one embodiment, a polymer film is coated on both sides with a first metalized layer and a second metalized layer. The metalized layers may have matching or different optical densities. Other layers can be combined with the metalized layers in order to provide a finished surface and/or to protect the metalized layers.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A light blocking material for use in architectural coverings, the material comprising:
 a polymer film having a first side and a second and opposite side;   a first metalized layer on the first side of the polymer film;   a second metalized layer located on the second side of the polymer film;   a metal protective layer adhered to the first metalized layer, the metal protective layer comprising a cured polymer and having a basis weight of from about 0.5 gsm to about 5 gsm; and   a finishing layer forming an exterior surface of the light blocking material.   
     
     
         22 . The light blocking material of  claim 21 , wherein the first metalized layer is directly adjacent to the first side of the polymer film, and
 the second metalized layer is directly adjacent to the second side of the polymer film.   
     
     
         23 . The light blocking material of  claim 21 , wherein the first metalized layer has a different optical density than the second metalized layer. 
     
     
         24 . The light blocking material of  claim 23 , wherein first metalized layer has an optical density of greater than 2.0 and the second metalized layer has an optical density of less than 2.0. 
     
     
         25 . The light blocking material of  claim 24 , wherein the first metalized layer has an optical density of from about 2.2 to about 3.5 and the second metalized layer has an optical density of from about 0.5 to about 1.8. 
     
     
         26 . The light blocking material of  claim 21 , wherein the first metalized layer comprises aluminum and the second metalized layer comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         27 . The light blocking material of  claim 21 , wherein the cured polymer of the metal protective layer comprises an acrylic polymer, a urethane polymer, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The light blocking material of  claim 27 , wherein the metal protective layer further comprises a pigment, the pigment comprising filler particles. 
     
     
         29 . The light blocking material of  claim 21 , wherein the metal protective layer forms an exterior surface of the light blocking material opposite the finishing layer. 
     
     
         30 . The light blocking material of  claim 21 , wherein the finishing layer comprises a colored polymer sealant layer. 
     
     
         31 . The light blocking material of  claim 30 , wherein the colored polymer sealant layer comprises a melting temperature in a range from about 80° C. to about 170° C. 
     
     
         32 . The light blocking material of  claim 30 , wherein the colored polymer sealant layer comprises polyethylene napthalate. 
     
     
         33 . The light blocking material of  claim 30 , wherein the colored polymer sealant layer is applied directly to the second metalized layer. 
     
     
         34 . The light blocking material of  claim 21 , wherein the finishing layer comprises a fabric material. 
     
     
         35 . The light blocking material of  claim 34 , wherein the fabric material comprises a nonwoven web. 
     
     
         36 . The light blocking material of  claim 35 , wherein the nonwoven web comprises high melt fibers and low melt fibers. 
     
     
         37 . The light blocking material of  claim 36 , wherein the low melt fibers bond the nonwoven web to the second metalized layer. 
     
     
         38 . The light blocking material of  claim 21 , further comprising a second finishing layer forming an exterior surface of the light blocking material. 
     
     
         39 . An architectural covering comprising: a facing layer spaced from a backing layer, the backing layer being configured to face an architectural structure, the backing layer comprising the light blocking material of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         40 . A light blocking material for use in architectural coverings, the material comprising:
 a polymer film having a first side and a second and opposite side;   a first metalized layer directly adjacent to the first side of the polymer film;   a second metalized layer directly adjacent to the second side of the polymer film;   a metal protective layer adhered to the first metalized layer, the metal protective layer comprising a cured polymer, wherein the metal protective layer forms an exterior surface of the light blocking material; and   a finishing layer forming an exterior surface of the light blocking material opposite the exterior surface formed by the metal protective layer.