Thermocell, Ltd.

Hunter Douglas,inc.

John T Schnebly

Wendell B Colson

Richard S Steele

A process and apparatus for fabricating expandable honeycomb materials disclosed. The continuous length of material is folded along opposite side portions thereof into a generally flat tubular form having upper lower layers. Adhesive is then applied along the length of the continuous material by first heating the material, applying the adhesive in a liquid state to the heated material, and then cooling the material to solidify the adhesive. The folded tubular material with solidified adhesive lines thereon is then wound about a rack in such a manner that the tubular material is deposited in a plurality of continuous layers one on another with the lines of adhesive being disposed between adjacent layers. The wound layers are then radially cut and placed in a vertically aligned stack while they are removed the rack. The vertically stacked layers are then heated to a temperature sufficient to activate the lines of adhesive and bond the layers together. Finally, the stacked tubular material is cooled to form a unitary stack of tubular, expandable honeycomb material. A device for performing the process as described above is also disclosed.

Apparatus for producing expandable honeycomb material

A process and apparatus for fabricating expandable honeycomb materials disclosed. The continuous length of material is folded along opposite side portions thereof into a generally flat tubular form having upper lower layers. Adhesive is then applied along the length of the continuous material by first heating the material, applying the adhesive in a liquid state to the heated material, and then cooling the material to solidify the adhesive. The folded tubular material with solidified adhesive lines thereon is then wound about a rack in such a manner that the tubular material is deposited in a plurality of continuous layers one on another with the lines of adhesive being disposed between adjacent layers. The wound layers are then radially cut and placed in a vertically aligned stack while they are removed from the rack. The vertically stacked layers are then heated to a temperature sufficient to activate the lines of adhesive and bond the layers together. Finally, the stacked tubular material is cooled to form a unitary stack of tubular, expandable honeycomb material. A device for performing the process as described above is also disclosed.

Method for producing expandable honeycomb material

A process and apparatus for fabricating expandable honeycomb materials disclosed. The continuous length of material is folded along opposite side portions thereof into a generally flat tubular form having upper lower layers. Adhesive is then applied along the length of the continuous material by first heating the material, applying the adhesive in a liquid state to the heated material, and then cooling the material to solidify the adhesive. The folded tubular material with solified adhesive lines thereon is then wound about a rack in such a manner that the tubular material is deposited in a plurality of continuous layers one on another with the lines of adhesive being disposed between adjacent layers. The wound layers are then radially cut and placed in a vertically aligned stack while they are removed from the rack. The vertically stacked layers are then heated to a temperature sufficient to activate the lines of adhesive and bond the layers together. Finally, the stacked tubular material is cooled to form a unitary stack of tubular, expandable honeycomb material. A device for performing the process as described above is also disclosed.

Mounting apparatus for expandable honeycomb insulation panels includes a head rail for anchoring the panel to a window jamb or wall and a sill rail at the opposite end of the honeycomb panel for contracting and expanding the honeycomb panel to move it upwardly and downwardly over the window surface. Lift mechanisms for the sill rail include a vertical drop cord lift system, a parallel bar cord guided system, and a continuous loop cord system. Edge seals for closing and sealing the end of the honeycomb insulation panel include a biased, elongated seal element positioned in side tracks for slideably guiding the honeycomb panel along a prescribed track while sealing the ends thereof. In an alternate embodiment, notched bearing edges are provided to accommodate a web track protruding therein. Other features include adjustable panel mounting, bracket, and cord lock roller.

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

John T Schnebly