Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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TITLE: VERICAL BLIND DECORATION AND ASSOCIATED METHOD AND
MANUFACTURING SYSTEM
FIELD
[0001] Example embodiments described herein relate generally to window
dressings such as blind systems. More particularly, example embodiments relate
to
a decoration system for such blinds systems.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A blind system is typically installed at a window or desired coverage
area of a room in a building complex, and includes a number of elongate and
flat
louvers configured in a generally parallel configuration and which are
individually or
collectively controllable, as would be understood in the art. For example, the
louvers may be controlled so as to expose their flat edges, providing partial
or full
shading of light entering or exiting at the window. Similarly, the louvers may
be
controlled so as to expose their narrow edges, permitting some light to enter
or exit
at the window. In many systems, the louvers may also be retracted or moved to
one end of the window so as to permit maximum light to enter or exit at the
window.
[0003] Many louvers are finished and may be coloured (if at all) at the
manufacturer level. The colour or design of the louver may be difficult to
modify at
the manufacturer level or once manufactured.
SUMMARY
[0004] Present example embodiments relate to a decoration system for
attachment to a blind system. The decoration system includes at least one
sheet
having an exterior face including thereon a design image. The sheet may be
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.
attached or adhered to a louver of the blind system. The sheet may be
generally
dimensioned to a size of the louver face.
[0005] In an example embodiment, there is provided a decoration system for
attachment to a blind system, for example a vertical blind system. The blind
system includes a number louvers installed in a generally parallel
configuration,
wherein the face of each louvers collectively form a collective face when
installed.
The decoration system includes a number of sheets corresponding to each louver
in
the blind system, each sheet having an exterior face including thereon a
design
image, and an interior face for example having an adhesive surface or static
film.
Each of the design images on each of the plurality of sheets form a composite
design image at or on the collective face when each of the plurality of sheets
are
attached to each of the plurality of louvers when installed, respectively.
[0006] In another embodiment, there is provided a decorative blind system,
including a blind system including a plurality of louvers each having at least
one
louver face, wherein the plurality of louvers are installable in a generally
parallel
configuration, and wherein the at least one face of each of the plurality of
louvers
collectively define a collective face when installed in said generally
parallel
configuration, each at least one face including thereon a design image,
wherein
each of the design images form a composite design image at the collective face
when the plurality of louvers are installed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] Embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to
indicate similar features, and in which:
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[0008] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an installed decorative blind
system in accordance with an example embodiment, including a decoration system
and a vertical blind system;
[0009] Figure 2 shows a front side view of a composite sheet having a
composite design image for attaching to the decorative blind system of Figure
1 in
accordance with an example embodiment;
[0010] Figure 3 shows the composite sheet of Figure 2 separated into
individual sheets;
[0011] Figure 4 shows perspective view of another composite sheet having a
composite design image for attaching to the decorative blind system of Figure
1 in
accordance with another example embodiment;
[0012] Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of a manufacturing system for
producing the decorative blind system of Figure 1 in accordance with an
example
embodiment;
[0013] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another example embodiment of
a decoration system, illustrating an overlap feature between two sheets
attached
onto adjacent louvers when installed;
[0014] Figure 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the two sheets
attached to the adjacent louvers of Figure 6;
[0015] Figure 8 shows a front side view of a composite sheet including the
two sheets of Figure 6;
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[0016] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of another example embodiment of
an installed decorative blind system, illustrating installed louvers having
various
installed lengths; and
[0017] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of another example embodiment
of a decorative blind system including a horizontal blind system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Blind systems may be present in windows of many residential or
commercial units within building complexes. In such building complexes,
certain
policies or_ by-laws may impose restrictions on such blind systems, in that
owners
are restricted from removing or replacing the blinds in their unit. These
blinds are
typically to remain a consistent colour when viewed from an exterior, e.g.,
outside
of a window or glass doorway. Often, the colour is a neutral colour such as
gray,
white, etc.
[0019] It is recognized herein that, in some instances, a user or contractor
may wish to provide a design onto the louvers, and in particular onto a face
of the
louvers. It would be advantageous to provide customization of such a design
without having to modify the manufacturing process of the louvers, which could
be
costly and cumbersome.
[0020] In another example, many blind systems are installed by first
providing standard-sized louvers which are available in a standard length, and
which require further cutting or re-sizing for installation. Such cutting may
be used
to accommodate variations in window sizes and obstructions such as bulkheads,
HVAC systems, plumbing, etc. It would be cumbersome to accommodate such
variations in installation at the manufacturing level of the louvers.
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[0021] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a decoration system
which addresses at least some of the above-noted difficulties.
[0022] Present example embodiments relate to a decoration system for
attachment to a blind system. The decoration system includes at least one
sheet
having an exterior face including thereon a design image, and a louver
engaging
face for attaching to a louver of the blind system.
[0023] In an example embodiment, there is generally provided a decoration
system for attachment to a blind system, for example a vertical blind system.
The
blind system includes a number louvers installed in a generally parallel
configuration, wherein the face of each louvers collectively form a collective
face
when installed. The decoration system includes a number of sheets
corresponding
to each louver in the blind system, each sheet having an exterior face
including
thereon a design image, and an interior face for example having an adhesive
surface or static film. Each of the design images on each of the plurality of
sheets
form a composite design image at the collective face when each of the
plurality of
sheets are attached to each of the plurality of louvers when installed,
respectively.
[0024] Reference is first made to Figure 1, which shows a decorative blind
system 20 in accordance with an example embodiment, as installed within a room
22 of a building structure. Generally, the decorative blind system 20 includes
a
decoration system 24 and a vertical blind system 26, wherein the decoration
system 24 generally includes a number of sheets (collectively or individually
28) for
attaching to the vertical blind system 26, for displaying a composite design
image
thereon.
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[0025] As in many typical rooms, the room 22 may include at least one wall
30 separating an interior from an exterior environment of the room 22, and a
window 32 (shown partially covered by the blind system 26 in Figure 1) of a
height
H and including a transparent or semi-transparent glass (covered by the blind
system 26 in Figure 1), which for example permits light to enter and exit the
room
22.
[0026] The vertical blind system 26 includes a blind housing 34 which is
coupled to a number of elongate and louvers (individually or collectively 36)
generally installed in a vertically parallel configuration. The louvers 36 may
for
example be formed of plastic, wood, etc. A number of mounting members 38 are
used to connect the louvers 36 to the blind housing 34. The mounting members
38
may for example include clip members 40 which engage a top of each of the
louvers 36. The louvers 36 may also have defined therein an aperture 42 for
receiving of the clip members 40.
[0027] The blind housing 34 may include or house a blind control mechanism
(not shown), which for example may be used to individually or collectively
control
the louvers 36. Such blind control mechanisms are known in the art and not
described in detail herein. For example, the blind control mechanism (not
shown)
may rotate the louvers 36 along an axis defined by the respective mounting
members 38. In many blind systems, the louvers 36 are restricted to be
rotated,
for example from 0 to about 90 degrees or 0 to about 180 degrees. The louvers
36
may be controlled to be in a mode of operation so as to expose their flat
edges (as
shown), providing privacy or partial or full shading of light entering or
exiting at the
window 32. In such a mode, an exterior face (one indicated as 37) of the
louvers
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36 may collectively define a collective face. Similarly, the louvers 36 may be
controlled to be in another mode of operation, so as to expose their narrow
edges,
permitting some light to enter or exit at the window 32. In many systems, the
louvers 36 may also be retracted or moved to one end 44 of the window 32 so as
to
permit maximum light to enter or exit at the window 32. As would be readily
understood by those skilled in the art, the blind control mechanism (not
shown)
may be coupled to a chain loop mechanism 46 for controlling of the rotation of
the
louvers 36, and may be coupled to a string loop mechanism 48 for controlling
of
retracting of the louvers 36. Other variations of blind systems are also
possible in
some example embodiments. For example, some blind systems include louvers
which are fixed in rotation or are not capable of retraction.
[0028] For installation of the louvers 36, in many instances the louvers 36
are
originally provided in a standard length (typically longer than the height H
of the
window 32), for example so that they may be mass produced at the manufacturer
level. The louvers 36 are required to be cut or trimmed for installation, for
example
by cutting to a length which is generally in proportion to the height H of the
window
32.
[0029] The decoration system 24 includes a plurality of sheets 28a, 28b, ...,
28h which generally correspond to each louver 36a, 36b, ..., 36h,
respectively,
when attached. Generally, each sheet 28 may be initially provided separately
to
the louvers 36 and thereafter attached to a face (one indicated as 37) of each
louver 36, for displaying a composite design image thereon. For purposes of
illustration and ease of understanding only, sheet 28a is shown as being
lifted
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slightly upwards so as to expose the louver 36a. The sheets 28 may for example
be formed of a paper-based or plastic material.
[0030] Reference is now made to Figure 3, which shows the decoration
system 24 in greater detail. Each sheet 28 is separate to the louvers 36 prior
to
attachment. Each sheet 28 includes an exterior face 50 and an interior face 52
(also referred to as a louver engaging face). As shown, each exterior face 50
includes thereon a design image. The design images collectively form a
composite
design image. In some instances, the composite design image includes a
continuous image which spans.the various louvers 36, for example, as shown, an
image of a baby holding balloons. The interior face 52 of each sheet 28
includes an
attachment mechanism, such as an adhesive surface, for corresponding
attachment
to each of the faces (one indicated as 37) of the louvers 36. To facilitate
packaging
and transport of the sheets 28, another sheet of wax paper 70 (shown partially
removed) of a similar size may be provided on the interior face in order to
preserve
the adhesive surface. The wax paper 70 is removed by peeling away prior to
adhering of the sheets 28 to the louvers 36. As shown, the design images on
each
of the sheets 28 form a continuous design image at the collective face of the
louvers 36 when each of the sheets 28 are attached thereto.
[0031] Referring now to Figure 2, the sheets 28 may comprise part of a larger
composite sheet 60. The composite sheet 60 includes the sheets 28 being
connected at connection edges 62 at the long edges of each of the sheets 28.
As
shown, the composite sheet 60 may include an exterior border 68 which is
formed
slightly larger than the size of the individual sheets 28. The connection
edges 62
are showed by way of dashed lines (for illustration), which may be printed
thereon
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in a lighter tone in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the dashed lines
are printed onto the interior face 52 of the sheets 28 (or the wax paper 70),
so as
not to obstruct the composite image when displayed. In other embodiments, the
dashed lines are not actually printed thereon, but rather cut-line indicators
64 are
included in the exterior border 68 and exterior to the sheets 28 for
indicating where
cuts are to be made. In addition, the exterior border 68 may further include
crop
lines 66 for cutting around a border of the sheets 28. This for example allows
for
"bleeding" of the composite design image, as would be understood in the art.
[0032] Referring again to Figures 2 and 3, the composite sheet 60 may
therefore be cut at the cut line indicators 64 to arrive at the individual
sheets 28,
shown separated in Figure 3.
[0033] Reference is now made to Figure 4, which shows another composite
sheet 80 in the form of a rolled configuration in accordance with another
example
embodiment of the decoration system 24. Similar reference numbers may be used
for convenience and ease of reference. In the example shown in Figure 4, the
sheets 28 may comprise part of a larger composite sheet 80, in this example
configured in a rolled configuration. The composite sheet 60 includes the
sheets 28
being connected at detachable connection edges 82 located at the short edges
of
each of the sheets 28. The connection edges 82 are showed by way of dashed
lines
(for illustration), which may for example represent a perforation or scoring
for ease
of separation. For example, scoring may assist in separating the sheets 28 by
bending back-and-forth at the scoring mark. In other embodiments, the dashed
lines are printed thereon as cut-lines. Again, the plurality of sheets 28a,
28b, ...,
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28h generally correspond to each louver 36a, 36b, ..., 36h, respectively, when
attached thereto.
[0034] A tubular cardboard insert 86 may also be used to assist in rolling of
the composite sheet 80 and maintaining the shape thereof. Wax paper 84 may
also
cover the interior face 52, for protecting of the adhesive surface prior to
attachment
(as described above).
[0035] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the composite sheet 80 may
therefore be separated at the connection edges 82 to arrive at the individual
sheets
28, shown as separated in Figure 3.
[0036] Referring again to Figure 1, the end result of attachment of the sheets
28 to the louvers 36 is a design image on the exterior face of the louvers 36,
wherein each of the design images form a composite design image when the
louvers 36 are installed.
[0037] Reference is now made to Figure 5, which shows a manufacturing
system 100 for producing of the decoration system 24. The manufacturing system
100 includes a computer device 102 including a processor for processing of an
image file 104 stored in a memory of the computer device 102. In some example
embodiments, the computer device 102 includes a general purpose computer
having a suitable application being stored and executed thereon. The processor
is
configured for dividing the image file 104 into a plurality of design images,
for
printing onto the composite sheet 60, 80. For example, the image file 104 may
be
separated into the separate design images by specifying a desired height and
width
of the sheet 28 to be derived from the composite sheet 60, 80 (e.g., a
measured
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width and height of the corresponding louver 36). The processor may also scale
the image file 104 to dimensions of the collective face of the louvers 36
(e.g.,
measured collective height and width), if necessary. The manufacturing system
100 further includes a printer system 106 in communication with and under
control
of the computer device 102. The printer system 106 receives instructions from
the
computer device 102, for printing of the design images onto the composite
sheet 60,
80. As can be appreciated from the above-described embodiments, each of the
design images on each of the sheets 28 form the composite design image
corresponding to the image file 104, for displaying at the collective face of
the
louvers 36 when installed. The printer system 106 may also be configured to
print
cut line indicators as appropriate (discussed above).
[0038] In some example embodiments, a cutter system 108 is also provided
which may be used to cut the composite sheet 60 into the individual sheets 28,
and
to cut perforations or scoring as appropriate (discussed above). The cutter
system
108 may also be used to cut a length of the sheets 28 to match a length of the
target louver 36. Referring briefly to Figure 1, the cutter system 108 may
also for
example be used to create perforations or scoring on the sheets 28 to
accommodate the obstruction created by the attachment of the clip members 40
(or other obstructions). In some instances, the cutter system 108 may be used
to
cut the louvers 36 themselves (for example to accommodate the window height H
(Figure 1)). The cutter system 108 may be controlled by the computer device
102,
or may be a manually operated system.
[0039] In some example embodiments, it can be appreciated that the printer
system 106 may for example include suitable printings systems such as toner-
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based printing, offset-printing, screen-based printing, etc., as would be
understood
in the art.
[0040] Accordingly, an installation process or method will now be described in
accordance with some example embodiments, referring to Figures 1 to 5. The
louvers 36 may be provided as a standard size, and the process includes
cutting a
len.gth of the louvers 36 to the height H of the window 32. Next, the process
includes inputting and/or storing the desired image file 104 into memory of
the
computer system 102 and accessing the desired image file 104 from the computer
system 102. The process includes processing the image file 104 by dividing
said
image file 104 into a plurality of design images and scaling if necessary. The
process includes printing the design images onto the exterior faces 50 of each
of
the sheets 28 corresponding to each louver 36, by printing onto the composite
sheet 60, 80. The printing may also include printing cut-line indicators as
discussed
above. The sheet may also be cut to create perforations, scoring, etc., if
necessary.
The composite sheet 60, 80 may then be separated or cut in order to provide
the
separate individual sheets 28. Each sheet 28 may then be adhered to the
corresponding faces of each of the louvers 36. After which, the louvers 36 may
be
installed or mounted by attaching to the clip members 40. Accordingly, as
shown in
Figure 1, each of the design images on each of the sheets 28 form the
composite
design image at or on the collective face of the louvers 36 when installed.
[0041] In other example embodiments, the louvers 36 are first installed onto
the clip members 36, and after which the sheets 28 are adhered to the louvers
36.
[0042] While the operations have been described as occurring in a particular
order, it will be appreciated to persons skilled in the art that some of the
steps or
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processes may be performed in a different order provided that the result of
the
changed order of any given step will not prevent or impair the occurrence of
subsequent steps. Furthermore, some of the steps or processes described above
may be removed or combined in other embodiments, and some of the steps
described above may be separated into a number of sub-steps in other
embodiments. Even further, some or all of the steps or processes may be
repeated,
as necessary.
[0043] Reference is now made to Figures 6 to 8, which shows part of an
installed decorative blind system 120 illustrating an overlapping feature in
accordance with an example embodiment. The decorative blind system 120 (only
partially shown) may include a first louver 122 and a second louver 124, each
having attached thereon a first sheet 126 and a second sheet 128. Note that in
some embodiments, the louvers 122, 124 may be slightly arced or curved, as
shown, as is known in the art. As shown, the first louver 122 and the second
louver 124 define an overlap region 130 at their respective edges when
installed.
The overlap region 130 may for example be about 5 millimetres, depending on
the
particular installation or blind control mechanism (not shown). The first
sheet 126
has printed thereon a first design image, while the second sheet 128 has
printed
thereon a second design image. In example embodiments, the first design image
and the second design image of the sheets 126, 128 include an identical design
image portion 132 at the overlap region 130 for each of the first design image
and
the second design image. In the example shown, which shows a happy face, the
nose 134 of the happy face is for example shown on both sheets 126, 128.
However, when installed (as shown in Figure 6), only one nose 134 is
displayed.
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Such an embodiment may therefore prevent undesired "white space" or undesired
overlapping of the composite image at the overlapping region 130 of adjacent
louvers 122, 124.
[0044] Referring now to Figure 8, the first sheet 126 and the second sheet
128 may comprise part of a larger composite sheet 140. As in the composite
sheet
of Figure 2, cut lines 142 and crop lines 144 may be provided. As shown, the
identical design image portion 132 is intentionally printed onto both sheets
126,
128 at the overlapping region 130. This for example includes the nose 134
being
printed on both sheets 126, 128. Although the design image portion 132 is
repeated, the end result when attached to the installed louvers 36 is what may
be
viewed (e.g.,,by people) to be a continuous design image, as best shown in
Figure
6.
[0045] Reference is now made to Figure 9, which shows another example
embodiment of an installed decorative blind system 200. As shown, the window
202 may in fact have varying heights H1 and H2, which may be due to various
obstructions such as bulkheads, HVAC systems, plumbing, etc. (or may for
example
be two adjacent windows of varying heights). As shown, the sheets 204 are
attached to the installed louvers 206 which having various installed lengths
which
may be cut to correspond to the window heights H1 and H2. For example, louvers
206a - 206e have a longer installed length than 206f - 206h. Similarly, The
sheets
204a - 206e have a longer length than 204f - 204h, when attached to the
respective louvers 206. Referring briefly to Figure 5, the image file 104 may
for
example be readily processed by the computer device 102 in order to
accommodate
such variances in height. Configuration of the printer system 106 onto a paper-
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based sheet is for example relatively easier to configure than, say, a louver
mass
production system. For example, the computer device 102 may be adjusted to
reduce the size or shift the composite image when printing onto the sheets
204.
Thus, it is recognized herein that it may be cumbersome to accommodate such
variances at the manufacturing level for installation of the blind system 200.
[0046] In other example embodiments, the sheets may be sized or
customized to accommodate different louver widths as well as the heights.
[0047] Reference is now made to Figure 10, which shows another example
embodiment of a decorative blind system 220. In the example embodiment shown,
the blind system includes a horizontal blind system 230. Within the horizontal
blind
system 230, a number of string systems 232, 234 may be interwoven through the
louvers 236 in order to control the operation thereof, for example for
rotating or
retracting the louvers. The string systems 232, 234 may provide some
obstruction
to the sheets. However, the sheets may have suitable cut-outs, perforations,
or
score lines, in order to accommodate such obstructions, which may be provided
in a
manner as described above.
[0048] Referring again to Figure 1, it can be appreciated from the above that
vertically oriented louvers have relatively few obstructions (save perhaps the
clip
members 40), which may provide a relatively unobstructed coilective face for
displaying of the design images.
[0049] Referring again to Figure 1, in example embodiments, each sheet 28
may include an indicator (not shown) as to which corresponding louver 36 it is
to be
attached. For example, the indicator may be printed onto the interior face 52
of
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each sheet 28, or for example in relatively small or light font on the
exterior faces
50. An example indicator system may include numbering each sheet in order,
e.g.,
1, 2, 3, ..., n, corresponding to left-to-right of each installed louver.
Other
appropriate indication systems may be used as appropriate, for example using
lines,
letters, separate instruction manuals, etc. In other example embodiments,
visual
inspection of the design images may be sufficient to ascertain the specific
order of
the sheets or the corresponding louvers.
[0050] In some example embodiments, a kit of parts may be provided for
decorating of a blind system. The kit of parts may include any combination or
sub-
combination of the aforementioned decoration systems, blind systems,
manufacturing systems, computer-implemented systems (including software
applications), attachment mechanisms (e.g., glue) and associated instruction
manuals.
[0051] Variations may be made to some example embodiments, which may
include combinations and sub-combinations of any of the above. While some
embodiments are described in terms of systems, those embodiments may similarly
apply to methods, and vice versa. In particular, some processes described as
being
implemented by a computer may also be performed manually, for example by a
user or contractor who installs the blind systems. Similarly, some manual
processes may be automated by the computer system.
[0052] While an adhesive has been illustrated as the attachment mechanism
of the sheets 28, other attachment mechanisms are possible in some
embodiments.
For example, the adhesive may be provided separately to the sheets 28 (e.g.,
glue).
In another example, the sheets 28 may be formed of plastic film formed of PVC
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(polyvinylchloride), which may for example be electrostatic for static
attachment to
the louvers 36. The printing process may be modified as appropriate for such
materials, and may include such processes as screen printing, UV (ultraviolet)
offset, UV flexography (with primer ink as the first color), and thermal
transfer.
[0053] In some example embodiments, installation of the decorative blind
system 10 may not be limited to windows, but in some example embodiments may
for example be installed at glass doorways, entranceways, room dividers, etc.,
as
appropriate
[0054] In some example embodiments, a single design image may be
provided for every sheet. The single design may be repeated for each sheet
when
attached to the louvers, thereby displaying a repetitive pattern on each
louver. The
patterns may be aligned by way of appropriate markings or for example aligning
at
the top of each louver. Other repetitive patterns may be provided, for example
a
repeating pattern of two sheets, or three sheets, etc.
[0055] In some example embodiments, the composite design image or
corresponding image file may for example be any appropriate image, which may
be
standardized or customized, depending on the particular application. In some
example embodiments, the composite design image is a copyrighted or other
design image, and the production or associated marketing of the design system
includes licensing of the copyrighted image. In another example embodiment,
the
composite design image is a custom image or photograph provided by the
customer
to be printed onto the sheets.
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[0056] In one example, the composite design image is only provided on the
interior face of the louvers, for example to remain compliant with policies or
by-
laws which 'require that the external face be consistent and unmodified. In
another
example, the composite design image may be provided on the external of the
louvers, for example on a storefront window of a commercial business. The
composite design image may for example be a commercial advertisement for that
business, and displayed at appropriate times such as during business hours. In
other example embodiments, the sheets are attached to both the external and
the
internal faces of the louvers.
[0057] In some example embodiments, it can be appreciated that reference to
a "continuous design image" may in fact be an intentionally disjointed design
choice
as between different louvers when installed. For example, the louvers may
intentionally alternate colours by having every other louver be a different
colour.
In another example, every other louver may be in a striped pattern while the
remaining louvers may be in a polka dot pattern, should this be the design
choice.
Other variations are also possible.
[0058] In some example embodiments, the design image may include the
sheets being formed of or including fabrics, textures, faux textures, and the
like. In
other embodiments, the printer system may be configured to provide a textural
design by way of varying the thicknesses, ink depths, etc., of the design
images as
would be understood in the art.
[0059] Reference to image files herein include but are not limited to bmp
(Bitmap Image File), eps (Encapsulated PostScript File), gif (Graphical
Interchange Format File), .jpg (JPEG Image File) and .tif (Tagged Image File).
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Image files may also include vector based formats such as SVG (Scalable Vector
Graphics), CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and Microsoft Office VISIO (TM), which
may for example be particularly suitable when increasing the scale of an image
to
the size of the composite sheet.
[0060] In one aspect, there is provided a decoration system for attachment to
a blind system, the blind system including a louver having at least one louver
face.
The decoration system includes a sheet having a louver engaging face and an
exterior face, the exterior face including thereon a first design image, and
an
attachment mechanism for attaching the louver engaging face to the louver face
of
the louver. A size of the sheet is generally dimensioned to a size of the
louver face.
[0061] In another aspect, there is provided a method for decorating a blind
system. The blind system includes a plurality of louvers, each of the
plurality of
louvers having at least one louver face, wherein the plurality of louvers are
installable in a generally parallel configuration, and wherein the at least
one face of
each of the plurality of louvers collectively define a collective face when
installed in
said generally parallel configuration. The method includes: printing a design
image
on each of a plurality of sheets corresponding to each louver, each sheet
having an
exterior face for printing thereon and a louver engaging face for
corresponding
attachment to each of the louver faces of each of the plurality of louvers,
wherein
each of the design images on each of the plurality of sheets form a composite
design image at the collective face when each of the plurality of sheets are
attached
to each of the plurality of louvers when installed, respectively.
[0062] In another aspect, there is provided a manufacturing system for
producing a decoration system for attachment to a blind system, the blind
system
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including a plurality of louvers each having at least one louver face, wherein
the
plurality of louvers are installable in a generally parallel configuration,
and wherein
the at least one face of each of the plurality of louvers collectively define
a
collective face when installed in said generally parallel configuration. The
manufacturing system includes: a computer device including a processor for
processing of an image file, the processor configured for dividing said image
file
into a plurality of design images; and a printer system controllable by the
computer
device for printing the design images on each of a plurality of sheets
corresponding
to each louver, each sheet having an exterior face for printing thereon and a
louver
engaging face for corresponding attachment to each of the louver faces of each
of
the plurality of louvers, wherein each of the design images on each of the
plurality
of sheets form a composite design image corresponding to said image fiie at
the
collective face when each of the plurality of sheets are attached to each of
the
plurality of louvers when installed, respectively.
[0063] In yet another aspect, there is provided a decoration system for
attachment to a blind system, the blind system including a first louver and a
second
louver, each having at least one louver face. The decoration system includes:
a
first sheet having a first louver engaging face and a first exterior face
including
thereon a first design image; a second sheet having a second louver engaging
face
and a second exterior face including thereon a second design image; an
attachment
mechanism for attaching the first and second louver engaging faces to the
first and
second louver faces of the first and second louvers, respectively.
[0064] In yet another aspect, there is provided a decoration system for a
blind system, the blind system includes a plurality of louvers, each of the
plurality
CA 02671808 2009-07-10
of louvers having at least one louver face, wherein the plurality of louvers
are
installable in a generally parallel configuration, and wherein the at least
one face of
each of the plurality of louvers collectively define a collective face when
installed in
said generally parallel configuration. The decoration system includes: a
plurality of
sheets corresponding to each louver, each sheet having an exterior face
including
thereon a design image, and each sheet having a louver engaging face for
corresponding attachment to each of the louver faces of each of the plurality
of
louvers, wherein each of the design images on each of the plurality of sheets
form a
composite design image at the collective face when each of the plurality of
sheets
are attached to each of the plurality of louvers when installed, respectively.
[0065] In yet another aspect, there is provided a decorative blind system,
including a blind system including a louver having at least one louver face,
and a
sheet having a louver engaging face and an exterior face, the exterior face
having
thereon a first design image, the louver engaging face being attached to the
louver
face of the louver.
[0066] In yet another aspect, there is provided a decorative blind system,
including a blind system including a plurality of louvers each having at least
one
louver face, wherein the plurality of louvers are installable in a generally
parallel
configuration, and wherein the at least one face of each of the plurality of
louvers
collectively define a collective face when installed in said generally
parallel
configuration, each at least one face including thereon a design image,
wherein
each of the design images form a composite design image at the collective face
when the plurality of louvers are installed.
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[0067] In yet another aspect, there is provided a decoration system for
attachment to a blind system, the blind system including a louver having at
least
one louver face. The decoration system includes a sheet having a louver
engaging
face and an exterior face, the exterior face having thereon a first design
image, and
attachment means for attaching the louver engaging face to the louver face of
the
louver.
[0068] While example embodiments have been described in detail in the
foregoing, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations
may be
made.
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