GB2369148A

GB2369148A - Forming embossed patterns on wooden Venetian blind slats

Info

Publication number: GB2369148A
Application number: GB0028160A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ming Nien
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-20
Filing date: 2000-11-20
Publication date: 2002-05-22
Also published as: GB0028160D0

Abstract

A method of forming embossed wood patterns on the slats (1) of Venetian blinds involves the steps of selecting and cutting wood into appropriate shape for slats (1); sandblasting the slats (1) so that the harder portions (10) of the wood grain become exposed and coating or painting the slats (1). Paper (3, fig 5) of appropriate harness may be used to cover parts of the slats (1), prior to sandblasting to obtain a variation in pattern. The appearance of the pattern may also be adjusted by altering the blasting pressure of the sand blasting machine.

Description

TITLE : A METHOD OF FORMING EMBOSSED WOOD THREADS ON SLATS OF VENETIAN BLINDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of forming embossed wood threads on slat of venetian blinds, and in particular, a method to cause the wood threads on the wood material to become obvious and hence an aesthetic effect is formed on the surface of the slat.

(b) Description of the Prior Art Embossed designs and patterns on slats of conventional Venetian blinds are made on the surface of the slats and are usually without aesthetic decoration. In order to overcome these shortcomings, some slats are made from plastic material or PU material, and on the surface of these slats, various types of embossed designs are made. A convention method to make such design is made by the molding process, and this molding method can actually provide the embossed decoration which enhances aesthetic appearance of the slats. However, the sizes of windows are numerous and are different from one another, and therefore a plurality of molds have to be designed in order to provide these embossed decoration to the slats of various length. As a result, the cost of manufacturing these slats increases, and in addition, these plastic

materials are not easily decayed, they will prone to cause pollution when they are discarded after sometime of use. The vision effect provided by these embossed designs normally cannot match with the interior decoration (in particular, with classical interior decoration). Besides, these plastic made or PU made slats may deform after long period of exposure under strong sunlight.

In order to overcome the above drawbacks, some slats made from wood materials have been designed. Normally, for such wood materials slats, appropriate size, and thickness of slats are first prepared, polished the surface thereof, and then coated with paint. This design is more suitable and appropriate to match with classical interior decoration than those made from aluminum or plastic materials, but the smooth surface of the slats does not contribute an aesthetic appearance for the entire blind. Therefore, if embossed decoration is to be made to the smooth surface of the slats, additional cost will be incurred.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of forming embossed wood threads on slat of venetian blinds, wherein the drawbacks and shortcoming of conventional methods can be mitigated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming embossed wood threads on slat of venetian blind, wherein the surface of the slat is embossed to provide an aesthetic effect and the quality of the slats are improved by the following steps: First, the type of wood material is selected and is then cut into appropriate shape and size. Next, a sand blast machine is used to treat the slat to provide an embossed pattern on the surface thereon.

These slats with embossed pattern are cleaned, for instance, cleaning away the sawdust or other particles. Finally, the slats are coated or painted to enhance aesthetic effect and the quality of the slats. Thus, the surface of the slat is provided with a significant pattern of wood threads.

Other object and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a method of forming embossed wood threads on slat of venetian blinds in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a sand blast machine used in the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the action of sand blasting in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a product in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the action of sand blasting of another preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, there is shown a method of forming embossed wood threads on slats of Venetian blinds so as to provide an aesthetic appearance. In accordance with the present invention, the manufacturing processes are as follows: 1) Selection of Type of Wood Material As a result of change of weather and time, a plurality of circular rings are formed within the cross-sectional area of a tree. However, for trees grown in equatorial climate country or trees grown on level ground, these trees experience a less significant change of weather and therefore the rings of the tree are not significant. Whereas for tree grow on hilly area or in cool weather country, the weather change is significant and therefore the rings within the trees are significant. As a result, woods from equatorial climate country or flat land country are not commonly used to make into slats. In other words, for the making of slats, woods with significant rings are selected and therefore these woods are mostly grown in cool weather or hilly area.

2) Cutting Treatment As window sizes are different from one another, the slats 1 of the Venetian blind have to be appropriately cut and allowed stacking and

tilting. Thus, the woods have to be cut into appropriate size, thickness and in thin elongated shape.

3) Sand blasting treatment The appropriately cut slats 1 with respect to size and thickness are treated in a sandblast machine 2. By means of the blasting of sand (aluminum oxide) onto the surface of the slat 1 by the blasting heads within the sand blast machine 2, the soft rings shape 11 on the slat 1 will be eroded by the aluminum oxide and the hard rings 10 on the slats 1 will be polished by the aluminum oxide. Thus, the surface of the slats 1 forms a smooth embossed wood threads. In accordance with the present invention, the sand blasting pressure can be adjusted based on the type of wood materials.

4) Cleaning Treatment Next, the embossed wood ring slats are proceeded to a cleaning treatment so as to clean away the sawdust or other particles on the surface of the slats.

5) Coating and Painting Treatment Finally, the slats are proceeded with a paint coating or a painting treatment so that the slat 1 is provided with patterns of different colorings. Thus, product of slats 1 for Venetian blind is obtained (as

shown in Fig. 4).

Referring to Fig. 5, before the sand blasting process of the slats 1, the surface of the slats 1 is adhered with paper 3 with various patterns and is then proceeded to the sand blasting treatment by the sand blast machine 2. In this case, the soft rings 11 on the slat surface 1 without the patterned paper 3 will form a deeper groove. After the removal of the patterned paper 3 and the cleaning of the surface of the slat 1, the surface with the patterned paper 3 will form a plurality of embossed patterns 12, and in combination with the originally protruded wood threads, the slats 1 are provided with variation of patterns thereon. After the slats 1 are coated or painted, an aesthetic decoration is obtained.

In accordance with the present invention, the surface of the slats 1 is formed into a plurality of natural embossed wood threads which enhance the quality and aesthetic effect of the slats.

While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrative embodiment, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A method of forming embossed wood threads on slats of Venetian blinds comprising the steps of (a) selecting a suitable wood material for manufacturing a plurality of slats; (b) cutting the selected wood material into appropriate shape and size for use as slats for Venetian blinds; (c) sand blasting the wood material slats of appropriate shape and size to form embossed wood threads; (d) cleaning the surface of the embossed slats having being sand blasted; and (e) coating and/or painting the slats to provide an aesthetic decoration to the surface, thereby the wood threads on the surface of the slats are formed.

2. A method of forming embossed wood threads on slats of Venetian blinds as set forth in Claim 1, wherein before the sand blasting step, the surface of the slat is temporarily covered with paper of different pattern to obtain an appropriate depth of grooves on the surface thereof after the sand blasting step.

3. A method of forming embossed wood threads on slats of Venetian blinds as set forth in Claim 3, wherein the paper is provided with a suitable hardness capable of withstanding the pressure of the aluminum oxide in the sand blasting step and the patterned paper is prepared based on the design of the wood threads or various types of patterns.

4. A method of forming embossed wood threads on slats of Venetian blinds as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the obvious appearance of the wood threads is adjusted by the blasting pressure of the sand blast machine.

5. A method of forming embossed wood threads on slats of Venetian blinds as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the number of wood threads on the slats depends on the selection of wood material.