DIGITALLY PRINTED SLATS

Abstract

A slat is disclosed that includes a digitally printed pattern upon a surface of the slat. The slat may also include a translucent cap over the pattern where the translucent cap provides the appearance of depth to the digitally printed pattern. Additionally, a method of forming a surface finish is disclosed including digitally printing a pattern on a slat. Another method is disclosed for forming a surface finish that include providing a slat and providing a print head. The method also includes, moving the slat or the print head relative to each other, and digitally printing a pattern on said slat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, of which the following is a brief description:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a blank slat;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the blank slat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a digitally printed slat showing a woodgrain finish;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a blank slat;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the blank slat of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a digitally printed slat showing a woodgrain finish;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a first shutter component showing a contoured surface; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a second shutter component showing a contoured surface.

Claims

1. A slat adapted for use in a window-covering system, comprising: at least one exterior surface; anda digitally printed pattern printed directly on said at least one exterior surface of said slat.

2. The slat of claim 1, further comprising: a translucent cap over said digitally printed pattern, said translucent cap providing the appearance of depth to said digitally printed pattern.

3. The slat of claim 1, wherein said digitally printed pattern is a woodgrain.

4. The slat of claim 1, wherein said pattern is digitally printed by at least one of an inkjet and a laser.

5. The slat of claim 1, wherein said surface is uneven or curved.

6. The slat of claim 1, wherein said slat is extruded.

7. A method of forming a surface finish on a slat adapted for use in a window-covering system, the method comprising: digitally printing a pattern directly on a surface of said slat.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: providing a translucent cap over said digitally printed pattern, said translucent cap providing the appearance of depth to said digitally printed pattern.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said pattern simulates woodgrain.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: moving a print head or said slat relative to the other to create said pattern from said print head.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: sequencing said print head to digitally print upon said slat at predetermined locations as said print head and slat are moving relative to each other.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein said digitally printing is performed by at least one of an inkjet and a laser.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein said digital printing is performed on a first surface and a second surface of said slat.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein said slat comprises a first generally flat surface and a second generally flat surface connected by a first generally rounded edge and a second generally rounded edge, said digital printing extending over said first and second generally flat surfaces and said first and second generally rounded edges.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein said slat comprises an uneven or curved surface.

16. A method of forming a surface finish comprising: providing a slat;providing at least one print head;moving said slat or said print head relative to the other; anddigitally printing a pattern on said slat.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: providing a translucent cap over said pattern.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: conveying said slat past said at least one print head to facilitate printing along the length of said slat.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said slat has at least two sides, said at least one print head is located to print on a first side of said slat, and a second print head is located to print on a second side of said slat.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said pattern is a woodgrain.