Patent ID: 6287383
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: E06B

Abstract:
Apparatus for producing a visibly enhanced textured surface on slat material extruded to form a slat for a blind assembly, wherein said apparatus comprises:a texturing station through which said slat material is moved, wherein said texturing station includes a first texturing roll turning in contact with a first surface of said slat material and a first back-up roll turning in contact with a second surface of said slat material, said second surface being opposite said first surface, with a peripheral surface of said first texturing roll having a surface pattern forming, on said first surface of said slat material, a texture pattern having raised areas and adjacent lower areas; anda painting station through which said slat material is moved after being moved through said texturing station, wherein said painting station includes a first nozzle spraying a mixture of air and paint droplets onto said first side of said slat material in a painting process configured to apply a substantially thicker coating of paint to said raised areas than to said adjacent lower areas, and wherein said texturing station and said painting station are sufficiently close to a die through which said extruded slat material is extruded that said extruded slat material is hot enough to dry said paint within said painting station.