A fabric for the confection of roller blinds

Abstract: The improvements consist in that, during the actual phase of the weaving of a fabric (1), from which the roller blind is going to be obtained, the weaving of bands (2) which determine the housings for the transversal rods of a roller blind is likewise carried out, said bands (2) being provided in the proximity of the ends of small interruptions (6) which possibilitate the introduction of the corresponding rod, whilst, on the pair of cords (7), simultaneously woven with the actual bands (2), sections (8) of said cords (7) exist, which define eyes for the passage of the threads for rolling/unrolling. The fabric (1) may also incorporate a wide band (10) which determines the housing for the lower flat bar of the roller blind, and in correspondence with an upper zone, narrow strips (11) of pileous thread for the attachment of the roller blind to the corresponding attachment support, in such a manner, that both the lower band (10) and said narrow strips (11) are equally woven during the same weaving stage of the fabric (1).

Description: OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a woven fabric to be used in the production or confection of roller blinds, which permit the confection of a roller blind in a rapid and simple manner, with the subsequent cost savings and with an improved finish and presentation as regards that offered with conventional roller blinds. The object of the invention is to offer the Market and the public in general, a fabric which incorporates the classical transveral strips for the housing of the rods of the roller blind, equally incorporating the lower hem for the flat bar and the upper strip for the attachment of the roller blind on the tiedown support and carrier of the corresponding mechanisms of the roller blind, with the particularity, that all said elements (strips for the housing of the rods, lower hem for the housing of the flat bar and upper attachment strip of the roller blind), are obtained during the same weaving process of the fabric, forming an integral part of the same, equally obtaining in said weaving process, the hooking means for the rings for passage of the rolling/unrolling threads of the roller blind, as well as the openings or mouths for the introduction of the rods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is known, the confection of the roller blinds is enormously complex and slow, additionally requiring specialized personnel, since on the contrary, not even an acceptable finish would be offered by the roller blind. The complexity of the confection of the roller blind is derived from the fact that it parts from a fabric on which a plurality of strips must be transversally attached, and at regular intervals, and which must logically be sown through their longitudinal edges, to the fabric, on the rear face of the same, in order to define a housing for the transversal rods between the actual strip and the fabric on which it is sown, which the roller blinds incorporate at generally regular intervals. Likewise, during the confection of the roller blind, it is necessary to perform a hem at the lower edge where a flat bar, which acts as counterweight of-the actual roller blind shall be attached. It is equally necessary to attach on the strips for the passage of the rods, kinds of loops which determine hooks or eyelets for the passage of the threads for rolling/unrolling the roller blind. Another operation which shall be performed in the confection of the roller blind is the transversal attachment on the upper part, of an adhesive strip, preferably "velcro", to attach the roller blind assembly to another complementary strip attached on the support which is tied down to the wall or roof for the suspension of the roller blind, and the support of which, incorporates the corresponding mechanisms to carry out the corresponding rolling/unrolling. Addtionally, it is finally necessary to perform a hem along the sides to finish the confection of the roller blind, for which in the totality of the operations, the time employed is great, being also necessary to suitably attach, correctly parallel,the strips for the passage of the rods as well as the formation of a parallel lower hem. Finally, the roller blinds result expensive, as a consequence of the cost involved in the confection of the same, to which must be added, a finish which is never completely perfect, since the seams for the attachment of the strips and for the performance of the hem always cause small wrinkles, which are clearly seen when the roller blind is unrolled. A woven fabric according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE-A-4 320 007. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The confection of the roller blinds according to the improvements of the invention, permit the obtention of a roller blind in a simple and rapid manner, with an optimum finish. These advantages are obtained by a woven fabric according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are set out in claims 2-6. According to the invention both the housing strips for the rods and the lower hem for the flat bar and the actual upper attachment strip of the roller blind, and even the leases or eyelets for the rolling/unrolling threads of the roller blind, are obtained during the actual stage of the weaving of the fabric, that is to say, that they come out woven with the actual fabric, not constituting additional elements or items, as happens in the traditional confection of roller blinds. In this sense, the housing strips or pockets for the rods, obtained during the actual weaving stage of the fabric, are determined by two plies, forming bands in continuity with the actual fabric, between which plies, is accurately determined the housing for the rod, with the particularity that in proximity to the ends, one of said plies forming the band or strip, specifically the one considered as rear, are affected with an interruption for constituting the respective mouth or opening through which is inserted the end of the rod for the introduction of the same, transversally in the pocket determined by the two plies of the band or strip. Moreover, during the actual confection of said transversal bands, and woven on the actual fabric is formed, also on the ply considered as rear, the weaving of two cords which are logically woven with the corresponding ply and which, at regular intervals or at suitable distances, present small sections not woven with the ply, originating the eyelets for the passage of the threads for rolling/unrolling the roller blind. Another novel characteristic presented by the fabric parting from which the actual roller blind is obtained, consists in that the lower hem is similarly obtained during the actual process of confection of the fabric, since similarly to the bands or strips for housing the rods, said lower hem also forms a woven band, of greater width, to receive the corresponding flat bar used as couterweight in the roller blinds. A last novel characteristic consists in that in correspondence with the upper part, instead of attaching a "velcro" strip, as is traditionally done, what is performed is the confection of small cords of pileous thread in proximity and parallel to each other, which are perfectly attachable by adhesion to the traditional "velcro" strip which is attached to the suspension support of the roller blind. It is obvious to say that the fabric may be confectioned with an undefined length, in which an undefined number of sections exist with the previously indicated characteristics, so that each one of said sections shall constitute the portion from which the final roller blind is obtained, since the same includes all its components with the exception of the hems which shall generally be formed along the flanks or sides. The fact that the confection of the roller blind is practically carried out during the actual weaving stage of the corresponding fabric, supposes a series of advantages among which, the following may be quoted: Since the strips, hems and actual small cords of pileous threads are woven, no seams nor of couse, roughness or small bends exist which are normally caused by the seams of a fabric, with which the roller blind, in its unrolling, remains perfectly smooth, and on which, the strips may be of the same color or of different colour to the fabric, or may be a combination of colours, etc., though always forming a totally smooth surface without the least, minimum wrinkle, and, what is more important, with a perfect positioning of the strips, whereby the rods always remain parallel to each other as well as the lower flat bar, thus allowing the obtention of a roller blind having an improved finish. Another advantage consists in the time saving which the confection of the roller blind supposes, since the same comes out practically confectioned from the loom having only to introduce the rods, and of course, form the hems of the sides. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the following description and with the object of helping to a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is accompanied by a set of drawings, based on which, the innovations and advantages of the invention shall be more easily understood. Figure 1 shows a view of the face considered as rear face of a portion of the fabric equipped with transversal strips for housing the corresponding rods of a roller blind, as well as the cords on which the eyelets for the passage of the threads for rolling/unrolling the roller blind are determined, all this, woven with the actual fabric forming an integral part of the same. Figure 2 shows the same portion of fabric of the previous figures, viewed on the face considered as front face. Figure 3 shows another portion of the fabric on the rear face, which includes the transversal bands of figure 1, and additionally, a lower band of greater width which determines the hem for the flat bar of a roller blind, and the small cords of pileous thread situated on the upper part for the attachment of the roller blind which shall be obtained from the portion of fabric represented in this figure. Figure 4 shows an enlarged detail of a section of one of the transversal bands. Figure 5 shows a sectional detail corresponding to the cut line A-B of the previous figure, leaving on view, the lease or pocket determined by each one of the bands transversally woven in the actual fabric, as well as the eyelet which is determined at regular intervals in the pair of cords woven on one of the plies of the actual band it forms part of. Figure 6 shows a lateral detail of the eyelet which, at regular intervals, is determined by the cords woven on the actual transversal band represented in the previous figure. Figure 7 shows a sectional view corresponding to the cut line C-D of figure 4, where the formation of the lease or pocket corresponding to the lower band for housing the corresponding flat bar of the roller blind may be observed. Figure 8 shows a sectional detail corresponding to the cut line E-F of figure 4, where the small cords of pileous thread, woven on the actual fabric for the attachment of the roller blind to be obtained on the corresponding suspension support of the same, is observed. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In view of the described figures, the confection of a roller blind, according the the improvements of the invention, is attained, as is conventionally the case, parting form a fabric 1, which in its own weaving process is similarly woven with a series of components of the roller blind. According to the invention, fabric 1, of undefined length, shall present successively, and without solution of continuity, a series of sections, from each one of which, a roller blind shall be obtained. Thus, each corresponding section or portion of fabric 1 includes at regular intervals, and in a transverse direction, a series of bands 2 obtained during the actual weaving of fabric 1, and said bands 2 of which, may be of the same type of thread as for fabric 1 or may be of different type, or even of the same or different colour, or else be formed by a combination of colours. In any case, each band 2 comprises two plies 3 and 4, determining between them, a lease or pocket 5 for housing the corresponding rod which a roller blind carries at regular intervals and logically at each one of the pockets 5 determined in the different bands 2. Ply 3 of band 2 remains situated on the face considered as front face, whilst ply 4 of said band 2 remains situated on that considered as rear face. In any case, said band 2, and specifically, the ply considered as rear ply, includes in proximity to its ends, an interruption or cut 6 which determines the corresponding mouth or opening for the introduction of the end of the respective rod and housing of the same in pocket 5 of the actual band 2. Likewise, it has been provided that during the actual stage of the weaving of band 2 and equally woven with ply 4 of the rear face, two cords 7 are woven, which, at regular intervals,considerably spaced from each other, present sections 8 which are not woven with the actual band 2, that is to say, with the rear ply 4, determining eyelets 9 for the passage of the threads for rolling/unrolling the roller blind to be obtained. Another novel characteristic presented by fabric 1, consists in that the part which is considered as lower part of the portion or section from which the actual roller blind is to be obtained, includes a band 10 of considerable width, said band being equally woven similarly to the narrower bands 2, to determine the housing for the corresponding flat bars which the roller blinds carry on their lower part. On the other hand, in correspondence with what is considered as upper zone of the portion of fabric 1 from which the roller blind is to be obtained, and equally obtained during the actual weaving process, narrow strips 11 of pileous thread are materialized, which are going to determine the attachment means of the roller blind to the corresponding adhesive strip, "velcro" type, provided on the corresponding suspension support the roller blind, and carrier of the mechanisms for the activation of the rolling/unrolling of the actual roller blind. As may be observed in figures 1 and 3, cuts 6 of bands 2 for the introduction of the rods of the roller blind, as well as sections 8 which determine the eyelets for the passage of the rolling/unrolling threads, and even the narrow strips 11 for the attachment of the roller blind, are provided on the face considered as rear face of fabric 1, whilst on the front face only the actual strips 2 are observed on the surface, without the fabric projecting at all, since all the above is woven with the actual fabric 1, forming an integral part of the same, with which the onview surface of the roller blind does not offer any seams, roughness, or anomaly of any type, since the only thing to be observed on the same shall be a totally flat surface on which bands 2 and even the lower band 10 may be of the same or of different material, of the same or different colour, or may be a combination of colours, but always forming a surface without solution of continuity with the actual surface of fabric 1.

Claims: A woven fabric for the confection of roller blinds, which transversally presents a plurality of bands (2) woven jointly and simultaneously with said fabric (1), forming integral part of the same, each band (2) being formed by two plies (3 and 4) between which a pocket (5) is determined for housing the respective rod of the various ones which the roller blinds incorporate; characterized in that each band (2) includes, centered and longitudinally in the rear face (4), a pair of cords (7), woven with the rear one of said plies (4), the linking of said cords (7) with the respective ply (4) of the band (2) being interrupted in specific spaced sections (8) to form eyelets (9) for the passage of the threads for the tension of the rolling/unrolling of the actual roller blind; further being characterized in that lateral interruptions (6) of the fabric in the rear ply (4) of each band (2) are provided in proximity to one or both ends of the bands (2), the lateral interruptions determining an opening for the introduction through the same of the end of the rod into the interior of the pocket (5) determined by the band (2). A woven fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that the fabric, in addition to the bands (2) for the housing of the rod of the roller blind, incorporates in the lower transversal zone which delimits the length of each roller blind, a band (10) of considerably greater width than the rest, said band (10) equally being woven in simultaneous manner with the weaving of the fabric (1), said band (10) being formed by two plies between which a wide passage is determined for the housing of the flat bar incorporated in the roller blinds at their lower part. A woven fabric according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fabric, in addition to the bands (2) for housing the rods of the roller blind, incorporates on the upper transversal zone which delimits the length of the roller blind, a plurality of small cords or narrow strips (11) of pileous thread, equally woven in simultaneous manner with the weaving of the fabric (1), said small cords or narrow strips (11) of pileous thread being situated on the rear face of the fabric (1), to determine the attachment means of the roller blind to the corresponding adhesive strip attached on the respective carrier and suspension support of the actual roller blind. A woven fabric according to the previous claims, characterized in that the fabric (1) for the obtention of the roller blinds, simultaneously incorporates the transversal bands (2) for the housing of the rods, the cords (7) on which the eyelets (7) are determined for the passage of the rolling/unrolling threads, the wide bands (10) for the housing of the flat bars which each roller blind shall incorporate on its lower part, and the narrow strips or small cords (11) of pileous thread for attachment of the roller blind. A woven fabric according to the previous claims, characterized in that the fabric (1) has an undefined length on which are successively repeated, without solution of continuity, multiple equal sections, corresponding each one of them to the portion of fabric from which a roller blind is obtained, each one of said sections or portions of fabric being equipped with all the means mentioned in the previous claims. A woven fabric according to claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the fabric (1) presents an equal length to that of the roller blind to be obtained, said portion of fabric (1) including all the means mentioned in the fourth claim.

Inventors: FERNANDEZ LOPEZ RAIMOND, FERNANDEZ LOPEZ, RAIMOND
Applicants: ESTOR S L L, L'ESTOR, S.L.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: D03D11
IPC codes: D03D11, E06B9