GB2465344A

GB2465344A - Blackout blind

Info

Publication number: GB2465344A
Application number: GB0820693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Audrey Buck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-12
Filing date: 2008-11-12
Publication date: 2010-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-12
Also published as: GB0820693D0; GB2465344B

Abstract

A blind, preferably a blackout blind having a hook receptive (loop) material on side to be fixed to a hook material 37 which is mounted on a suction cup 36, the suction cup 36 secured to a window or window surround. Also claimed is a roller blind with a hook receptive material on one side to be attached to a hook material attached to the window surround. Also claimed is a roller blind, wherein the window surround has a series of magnets secured to it and the blind material has a magnetic attractive substance attached to it such that the blind material is sealed to the wall due to the interaction of the magnets (Figs 4-6). Also claimed is a roller blind with primary and secondary repositionable attachment portions, preferably one of the first and second portions being an adhesive section. The adhesive is preferably a repositionable, double sided adhesive portion. Also claimed in a blackout blind formed from a material folded at intervals to form a pleated configuration, the blind secured using repositionable adhesive strips 122 124. The attachment means prevents unwanted light from entering around the edges of the blind.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN BLACKOUT BLINDS

Field of the Invention

This present invention relates to window treatments. Particularly this invention relates to blackout blinds. More particularly the invention relates to temporary and/or portable blackout blinds and roller blinds.

Review of art known to the Applicant and problems to be solved The circumstances in which it is desirable to block the entrance of light through a window or other similar light allowing opening are well known. Parents with young children are fully aware of how difficult it can sometimes be to travel to visit friends or relatives and a major factor determining whether an overnight visit will be pleasant for everyone involved is whether those travelling will be able to sleep restfully. Sleeping time is critical to young children to rejuvenate themselves both emotionally and physically, and the parents of sleeping children often need that time to attend to various needs and errands. Moreover, a good night's sleep often helps both parents and children to be at their best when staying with others. The importance of restful sleep on the road is not limited to children and those travelling with them -businessmen and women may have early morning presentations at which it is important to be well rested. In situations of international travel, where sleep is often desired during daylight hours due to the discrepancy between body clocks and time zones, the importance of blocking out light in order to facilitate sleep is often a concern.

However, many children and even some adults find it difficult to sleep in unfamiliar surroundings or in rooms where the light from the outside is not adequately blocked. Light coming through a window at bedtime may prevent some people from being able to get to sleep and light coming through a window at dawn may wake some people prematurely.

Some people find it difficult to take sleep during the daytime if they are aware there is a sunny day outside. This stems partly from the fact that melatonin, which is a natural hormone which aids sleep, is suppressed by daylight.

Hoteliers are generally aware of the high importance placed by their guests on being able to sleep well outside of the hours of darkness and they may provide blackout curtains, for example, which are heavy and opaque, to block passage of most of the ambient outside light. These curtains can become misaligned and permit too much light to pass into the hotel room. The problem can be even more critical in private homes, because these homes do not usually have blackout curtains.

A known method for creating a make-shift blind involves the hanging or placing of large pieces of fabric, such as towels or blankets, across a window by whatever means are available. This can cause problems if there is no curtain rail or other support member close to the window from which the fabric may be hung, attached to or propped up against.

Even if a curtain rail or support member is present it is usually the case that the fabric cannot be fitted and secured closely around all the edges of the window. This means that light can pass through the edges of the fabric into the room or vehicle. Further, depending upon the size of the window, the piece of fabric to hand may not be large enough to cover the whole window and further pieces may be needed. The joining together or overlapping of two or more pieces of fabric across the window may be problematic and may lead to gaps between the fabrics, which are not desired. Further still, since the make-shift blind consists of a fabric or fabrics which are not intended to be blinds, the fabric may not be suitable for blocking out the sunlight and may allow the light to penetrate. Even if the material of the make-shift blind is suitable for blocking out light, the material is often too heavy for it to be easily secured to a window.

There are roller blinds on the market which comprise a roller and a length of blind material.

The rollers of these devices are provided with releasable attachment means for the temporary attachment to a window or support member. An example of such a blind would be a roller sunshade used in a vehicle, wherein the releasable attachment means is one or more suction cups. The disadvantage of these devices is that the sides of the roller and the width of the blind material cannot be adjusted to fit the width of the window.

Therefore, if the roller is smaller than the width of the window, the window will not be fully covered by the blind material. Further still, this type of blind does not account for the various shapes of windows which are found in buildings and vehicles and therefore may not cover the whole of the window. Often, the blind material is usually too stiff to allow it to be folded. This means that, unless it is the correct size for the window, it is difficult for it to be fitted, shaped or secured closely to the sides of the window.

In cases where the roller blind is the property of another, it is often the case that it will not have been designed to maximise the blockage of light. Those who are particularly light sensitive are therefore particularly likely to suffer when staying away from home.

There are also known shade devices for use in cars and other vehicles, including camper vans, caravans, and so on, which may comprise attachment means for directly attaching a shade to a window. There are also shade devices for use with car windscreens which are propped up against the windscreen by the steering wheel and dashboard. Both types of shades come in set sizes and do not usually correspond to the exact dimensions of the window concerned. They therefore provide only a partial shade from the light outside, rather than a total blackout. Further, they are fairly rigid and so cannot be moulded or otherwise shaped to the exact dimensions of the window which means they cannot be fitted and secured to the edges of the window. This means that light can pass through the edges of the window into the car.

It is amongst the objects of the present invention to provide a solution to at least some of the problems discussed above.

Summary of the invention

In a first broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises a roller blind, comprising flexible, blackout material, sized to cover a window and having a first side and a second side and one or more repositionable attachment portions comprising primary attachment means for releasable attachment on or adjacent a window, and secondary attachment means for releasable attachment to the roller blind wherein at least one of the primary attachment means and the secondary attachment means has an adhesive section and at least one of the first side and the second side are of a material to which the adhesive section may be adhered.

The use of an adhesive attachment between the roller blind and the window is advantageous, because it is a means of ensuring the material of the roller blind is brought into extremely close collocation with the window when the blind is, in use, in the "down" position, either partially or completely. This has the effect of militating against the leakage of light through the gap, by minimising said gap.

In a first subsidiary aspect, the first and second sides are of a material to which the adhesive section may be adhered.

This allows for the attachment of either side of the material to the window. This allows not only for the minimising of the aforementioned gaps between the blind and the window, but also for the blind to be folded and stuck in that folded position, via the use of adhesion means.

In a second subsidiary aspect, the attachment means comprises a double-sided, repositionable adhesive portion.

The provision of double-sided adhesive attachment means further facilitates the minimising of the gap between blind and surround, because the provision of a single piece attachment means with two sides allows for the production of thinner attachment means, thus minimising the gaps. A favoured embodiment of this aspect of the invention means is one where the attachment means resembles one or more rectangular cards or a long strip, although it may be made of any appropriate material to which a given adhesive will adhere.

Being repositionable further aids the attachment means in that it allows for fine adjustment of the blinds; wrinkles in the blinds which may otherwise let in light can be readily rectified.

In a third subsidiary aspect, the attachment means is less than 0.75mm thick.

This is advantageous in that the thinness of the attachment means allows for a good "seal" against the light, because it brings parts of the blind attached to the attachment means, or in proximity to those parts attached by the attachment means into very close collocation with the window surround or similar.

In a second broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises a roller blind comprising a portion of material for covering a window, said material comprising blackout material and magnetic material.

The blind with a single piece of magnetic material such as a magnet which may attach directly to a metallic window surround such as a steel framed window or a frame or window surround with magnetic or ferrous material applied to it, for example by way of magnetic or ferrous strips, is another means of attaching a blind to a window while minimising the gap between the blind and the window or surround. The bnd tsef may Edso be made from flexbe magnetic sheet rnateraL In a third broad, independent aspect the invention comprises a roller blind comprising a portion of material for covering a window, said material comprising blackout material and a first piece of substance attracted to a magnet; and one or more fixtures comprising attachment means for attachment on or adjacent a window the fixtures further comprising a second piece of substance attracted to a magnet, at least one of the first and second pieces of substance comprising magnetic material.

The use of both magnets and magnetic material allows for a magnetic attachment to be formed between a roller blind and a window or surround. Because magnets and magnetic material can form a powerful attachment, but do not have to be particularly large in order to do so, they provide another advantageous means of solving the stated problem of light leakage.

In a fourth broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises a roller blind comprising flexible, hook receptive, blackout material, sized to cover a window and having in use a first side and a second side, the first side facing a window and one or more fixtures comprising means for attachment to a window or its surround, and a portion of hook material, the hook material being of a type suitable for releasable attachment to at least a portion of the first side whereby the fixture is attached to the window or its surround in such a position that when, in use, the hook receptive material is attached to the fixture, the roller blind is extended in such a way that the opening is covered and the amount of light which might otherwise pass through the opening is reduced.

The hook material in tandem with a hook receptive material, provides another solution to the problem of light leakage, with the added advantage of being freely adjustable, so one may even be able to control the amount of light let in, rather than simply eradicate it.

Another key advantage over, for example adhesive means, is that hook material can be reused a large number of times.

The attachment to the blind of the hook or loop material layer produces the unexpected advantage of stiffening the blind. This is particularly advantageous when the blind is a roller blind, since such blinds have a tendency to curl when they are kept in a rolled up state for a long period of time, and this curling can be detrimental to the ability of the blinds to block out light.

In a first subsidiary aspect of the fourth broad independent aspect, the hook receptive material is loop material.

Loop material is a particularly effective partner for hook material.

In a second subsidiary aspect of the fourth broad independent aspect, the hook receptive material is fleece.

Fleece is another particularly effective material for hook material, with the added advantage that it is an economical alternative to loop material and is furthermore more desirable from both aesthetic and tactile points of view.

In a third subsidiary aspect of the fourth broad independent aspect, only one side of the roller blind comprises hook receptive material.

In a fourth subsidiary aspect of the fourth broad independent aspect only a portion of the opening facing side of the roller blind comprises loop material. By limiting the amount of loop material, the designer is able to suggest best placement of the hook and loop attachment.

In a fifth subsidiary aspect of the fourth broad independent aspect, the roller blind comprises a layer of blackout material and a layer of hook receptive material.

Such layering enhances the blackout properties of the material.

In a sixth subsidiary aspect of the fourth broad independent aspect, the hook elements of the hook material measure no more than 0.75mm in height.

More preferably, the hook elements of the hook material measure no more than 0.5mm in height.

This is advantageous because again it allows for a closer, light leak reducing fit between hook material and loop material.

In a fifth broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises a kit for the modification of a roller blind, comprising at least one first piece of material with a first side comprising at least a portion of hook receptive material and a second side comprising an adhesive suitable for attaching it to either a roller blind or window and at least one second piece of material with a first side comprising at least a portion of hook material and a second side comprising an adhesive suitable for attaching it to either a roller blind or window whereby in use at least one first or second piece of material may be attached to a roller blind and at least one first or second piece of material may be attached to a window, the latter piece of material being so positioned in relation to the roller blind that when the roLler blind is being used to block or reduce light, the material attached to the roller blind and the material attached to a window or its surround may also be attached to one another, thus substantially blocking the passage of light between the roller blind and the window where the attachment is made. Preferably, said hook receptive material comprises loop material, and most preferably loop nylon or loop velvet. These materials are particularly flexible, and, when attached to a roller blind, allow the blind to be rolled up in its closed configuration.

The kit form allows the advantages of hook and loop attachment to be bestowed upon conventional blinds.

In a first subsidiary aspect of the fifth broad, independent aspect the hook material has hook elements of not more than 0.75mm in height.

The light blocking advantages of a low attachment profile may be shared by this invention.

In a second subsidiary aspect of the fifth broad, independent aspect there are provided four first pieces of material and four second pieces of material.

The provision of four such pieces of material provides effective coverage for most conventional blinds, which are of a rectilinear shape, with the top, in use, end of the blind being already joined to the roller mechanism, or other wall attachment.

In a third subsidiary aspect of the fifth broad, independent aspect, the first pieces of material are wider than the second pieces of material.

The provision of elongate strips allows for the pieces of material to be laid along the blinds, parallel and close to the edges of most shaped blinds.

In a fourth subsidiary aspect of the fifth broad, independent aspect the pieces of material are strips.

The provision of elongate strips, allows for the pieces of material to be laid along the blinds, parallel and close to the edges of most shaped blinds.

In a sixth broad independent aspect, the invention comprises a portable blind apparatus comprising flexible, blackout, hook receptive material suitable for covering a window, said material comprising a first side and a second side, one or more primary fixtures comprising suction means for attachment to a window or its surround and at least a portion of hook material, the hook material being of a type suitable for releasable attachment to the hook receptive material; wherein substantially the whole of at least the first side of the blind is made of hook receptive material.

The provision of suction means is another alternative solution to the near sealing of gaps between blinds and windows.

In a first subsidiary aspect of the sixth broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises a portable blind apparatus further comprising one or more secondary fixtures comprising a first side and a second side, each side having at least a portion of hook material.

The provision of double sided fixtures allows for the blind to be folded in on itself and attached to itself, thereby allowing the folding of the blind to correctly fit inside an aperture.

Such fixtures also serve to stiffen the bUnd, which s prtcuary advantageous when for exarnpe, a window s open because it makes the bUnd tess ikeNi o move or part1cutary change shape under condtons of convection.

In a second subsidiary aspect of the sixth broad, independent aspect only a part of each side of the secondary fixtures comprises hook material.

The provision of parts only of hook material here allows the secondary fixtures to be attached, positioned and detached with additional ease.

In a third subsidiary aspect of the sixth broad, independent aspect, the hook receptive material is loop material.

Loop material makes a particularly effective partner for hook material.

In a fourth subsidiary aspect of the sixth broad, independent aspect, the hook receptive material is fleece material.

Likewise, fleece material is an effective and cost effective partner for hook material.

In a fifth subsidiary aspect of the sixth broad, independent aspect, the blackout material comprises a central, substantially lightproof layer with a first face and a second face, the two faces being entirely overlaid with hook receptive material.

In a seventh broad independent aspect, the invention comprises a roller blind, comprising flexible, blackout material, sized to cover a window and having a first side and a second side; and one or more double-sided repositionable attachment portions substantially permanently attached to the blind comprising attachment means for releasable attachment on or adjacent a window, wherein the attachment means has an adhesive section.

Also included within the scope of the invention is a blackout blind comprising: a sheet of blackout material folded at intervals to form a pleated configuration, and repositionable adhesive, disposed adjacent edge regions of said blackout material. Preferably, said repositionable adhesive is disposed along substantially the complete edge of said blackout material. In an alternative preferred embodiment, said repositionable adhesive is disposed substantially along those complete edges of the blackout material parallel to the folds, and only on alternate pleats on those edges perpendicular to the folds.

The invention also comprises a blind substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the figures.

The invention also comprises a kit substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the figures.

This specification serves to offer a number of solutions to a single problem, namely the difficulty of providing blinds that effectively block out most or all of the light coming from a window or similar. More specifically, these inventions seek to stop the leakage of light around the sides of a blackout blind, by offering means that allow for the blind to be brought into close contact with the surround of a window or similar, thereby blocking that leakage. Therefore, although different means are used to solve this problem through the course of the application, and the invention is variously embodied as a portable blind, a permanent blind or a roller blind, the ideas are so linked as to form a single inventive concept.

Brief description of the diagrams

The invention will be illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a roller blind and adhesive attachment means; Figure 2 is a side elevation view of adhesive attachment means; Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a roller blind; Figure 4 is a cross sectional side view of a portion of roller blind material; Figure 5 is a cross sectional side view of a portion of roller blind material.; Figure 6 is a side elevation view of a roller blind and a window with magnetic attachment means attached to the window; Figure 6a is a cross sectional side view of a suction cup; Figure 7 is a side elevation view of a window with hook and attachment means attached to the window; Figure 8 is a side elevation view of a roller blind; Figure 9 is a side elevation view of a roller blind; Figure 10 is a side elevation view of a kit for the modification of a roller blind; Figure 11 is a front elevation view of a kit for the modification of a roller blind; Figure 12 is a front elevation view of a part of a kit for the modification of a roller blind; Figure 13 is a side elevation view of a portable blind apparatus; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional side view of some blind material for use with a portable blind apparatus; Figure 15 is a plan view of a roller blind and a window surround; and Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view of a concertina blackout blind of the present invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

In the embodiment of figure 1, the invention comprises a roller blind 2. The blind is of flexible blackout material 4 and this material is sized to cover or substantially block the light coming through a window (not shown). The roller blind 2 has a first side 6 and a second side 8. The roller blind 2 has a rolling and unrolling action, in use, of a conventional sort known to the man skilled in the art, and the skilled man will have selected appropriate means to allow movement of the blind 2.

In this embodiment, the invention further comprises a repositionable attachment portion shown in schematic cross-section, which in this embodiment is a double-sided, repositionable adhesive portion. Although only a single repositionable attachment portion is shown, preferred embodiments may comprise a plurality of such portions 10. The repositionable attachment portion 10 comprises primary attachment means 12 for releasable attachment on or adjacent the window, and secondary attachment means 14 for releasable attachment to the roller blind 2. It may be that primary and second attachment means 12 14 are alike -for example, in this embodiment both primary and secondary attachment means 12 14 comprise a repositionable adhesive. The means of applying the adhesive and it remaining attached to the attachment portion 10 will be known to the skilled man. Notably, the repositionable attachment portion 10 is a thin, elongate shape and this thinness (i.e. the distance between the operational faces of the attachment means 12 and 14) is most desirable as in use it helps to minimise the leakage of light between blind and window.

In preferred embodiments the attachment portion 10 will be less than 0.75mm thick, and preferably less than 0.5mm thick. In some preferred embodiments, the adhesive used will be similar or the same as that used in well-known repositionable memo pads such as those sold under the trademark Post-it �. Indeed, advantageously, the repositionable attachment portions 10 may be made of paper or card; thus imbuing attachment portion 10 with the dual advantages of being light and disposable. That said, the repositionable attachment portions 10 may be made of any material or plurality of materials suitable for the taking of such an adhesive. Alternatively, the adhesive portions are envisaged to be long strips.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a variant of the repositionable attachment portion 10 with a double-sided adhesive portion 16 and a non-adhesive handle portion 18. This variant provides the advantage of prolonging the useful life of the adhesive portion 16, because by incorporating handle 18, the number of surfaces to which the adhesive portion 16 is brought into contact with during installation or repositioning is reduced.

Returning to figure 1, in use, the repositionable attachment portion 10 is attached to the roller blind 2 by way of either the first side 12 or the second side 14. The other of the two sides 12, 14 is attached to or adjacent a window or other such opening (not shown). This provides a very close contact between the roller blind 2 and the window, with the result that the leakage of light between the roller blind and the window is minimised.

At Figure 3 there is shown a further embodiment of the invention; a roller blind 20 comprising a portion of flexible blackout material 22 suitable for covering a window (not shown).

Figure 4 shows a close-up of a cross-section of a portion of the roller blind 20 of figure 3.

The roller blind 20 in this case comprises both magnetic material 26 and blackout material 24. Notably in this embodiment the blackout material 24 and magnetic material 26 comprise the two sides of the portion of material for covering a window. They are attached to each other in a manner known to the man skilled in the art. Although the blackout material will provide substantial if not total coverage of the window, the portion of magnetic material 26 need not provide similarly complete coverage. Indeed it may be advantageous simply to have a portion of magnetic material 26 at the end of the portion of material for covering a window 22 nearest the ground and/or the edge regions of the material. Where the window (not shown) which the roller blind 20 is intended to cover, comprises a metal portion (e.g. a steel framed window), the magnetic end portion may be sufficient to secure the portion of material covering a window 22. Alternatively the window may have magnetic ferrous portions or strips attached to it.

A further alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment a part of the roller blind 20 is shown, again in cross-section, comprising a laminate made of two sides of blackout material 24 with a central sheet or portion of magnetic material 26. Clearly this could equally well be reversed with magnetic material 26 on the outer surfaces of the roller blind 20 and blackout material 24 in the centre.

At Figure 6 we see a further embodiment of a roller blind 20 comprising a portion of material 22 for covering a window, said material comprising blackout material 24 and a first piece of substance attracted to a magnet 28. Such a substance may be a ferrous metal. Said substance attracted to a magnet 28 may itself be a magnet. In particularly preferred embodiments, the blackout material has a strip of flexible magnetic material disposed along each side and bottom edge regions of the blackout material. Also present in this figure is a portion of a window surround 30 with a plurality of fixtures 32 comprising an attachment means 34, for attaching the fixture to a window or window surround, and a second piece of substance attracted to a magnet 36, which may again be a magnet. The attachment means 34 might comprise a suction cup, or, more preferably, a self-adhesive portion.

Figure 7 shows a part of window 30 upon which is mounted a fixture 46. The fixture comprises means for attachment to the window 47 which may be adhesive or repositionable adhesive for example, and a portion of hook material 48. In use, the roller blind 38 will be brought into a "down" position and the window facing side 50 will be brought into contact with the portion of material 48 thus forming an attachment between that and the loop material 50. This attachment facilitates the close location of roller blind 38 and window 30.

At Figure 8 there is a roller blind 38 with a window facing side 50 made of loop material and a second side 52 made of blackout material. The window facing side 50 can be made of another hook receptive material as a substitute to the loop material, such as fleece. At Figure 9 there is also a roller blind 38 with a sheet of blackout material and a portion of loop material.

At Figure 10 there is shown generally a kit 54 for the modification of a roller blind, comprising a first piece of material 56 with two sides (illustrated in cross-section). The first side comprises a portion of hook receptive material 58 which here is loop material and a second side 60 comprises an adhesive coating suitable for attaching it to a roller blind or a window or its surround. In particularly preferred embodiments, the hook receptive material 58 comprises loop nylon material. The Figure also shows a second piece of material 64 comprising a first side of hook material 66 and a second side of adhesive 68 suitable for attaching it to either a roller blind or a window or its surround. In use, either of the first piece 56 or second piece 64 may be attached to either a roller blind (or indeed other blind) or a window or its surround. The first piece 56 and the second piece 64 should be arranged in such a way that when the roller blind or other such blind is employed in a "down" position or otherwise to block or significantly reduce the ingress of light through a window or similar, the first piece 56 and second piece 64 will be brought into contact and thus the portion of loop material 58 and the portion of hook material 66 will form an attachment. Preferably these two portions 58, 66 will be of a low profile i.e. the distance between the respective sides 66, 68 and 58, 60 is small, preferably less than 0.75mm and more preferably less than 0.5mm in width, enabling the attachment between blind and window to be close and thus maximise the reduction of the ingress of light through the window or similar. The Kit may also feature instructions of an appropriate type (not shown).

Figure 11 shows, in schematic plan view, an arrangement of portions of hook material 66 to be fitted to a window surround. Figure 12 shows, also in schematic plan view, portions of hook-receptive material also arranged as they might be fitted to the window-facing surface of a roller blind. It is particularly preferred that both hook and hook-receptive material are fitted in a continuous path around the blind, to match a similar arrangement of hook portions 66 fixed around or adjacent a window, to maximise the blockage of light.

In preferred embodiments, the hook-receptive material comprises loop nylon, or loop velvet. Also in preferred embodiments, the portions of hook-receptive material are wider than the portions of hook material, to allow some leeway when engaging the hook receptive portions with the hook material.

At Figure 13 we see a portable blind apparatus indicated, in cross-section, generally as 68.

The blind apparatus 68 comprises flexible blackout hook receptive material which here is loop material such as loop nylon, but may also be fleece material. The portable blind apparatus has a first side 72 and a second side 74. It further has primary fixtures 76 comprising suction means 78 which here is a suction cup. The primary fixture 76 comprises a portion of hook material 80 that in use will attach to the hook receptive material 70 of the blind apparatus 68. The suction means may be used for attachment to a window or surround so that in use, the blind apparatus 68 may be used to cover a window. Advantageously a multiplicity of these primary attachment fixtures 76 may be provided. Also shown at Figure 13 is secondary fixture 82 comprising a first side 84 and a second side 86, each having a portion of hook material 88, 90. This hook material is also designed to interface with hook receiving material 70. In use the secondary fixture may be used to aid the folding of the blackout hook receptive material 70 in on itself in order that it may be configured to fit windows of different sizes, or alternatively to allow the blackout material to be secured in a partially opened configuration over a window (not shown) in a manner corresponding with the user's desired conditions of light reduction or blockage.

On the primary fixture, the suction means 78 and hook features 80 may be advantageously arranged such that, when in use, the hook material holds the blackout material close to, or preferably touching, the face of the window, or window surround.

Preferably, the suction means and hook feature may be advantageously arranged such that the distance between the operative face of the suction means and at least a portion of the hook material is less than 0.75mm and more preferably less than 0.5 mm. In this way, when in use, the hook material holds the blackout material close to the face of the window, or window surround, thereby increasing the effectiveness of light blockage. The portable blind apparatus or "travel blind" may also comprise decorative attachments. As the face of the blind is made from hook-receptive material, such decorative elements fitted with hook material may be attached directly to the face of the blind.

Figure 6a illustrates, in cross-sectional view, a suction cup 36 carrying hook material 37, and being particularly suitable as a primary fixture for the travel blind. Notably, the suction cup 36 has a low profile and in this embodiment carries a plurality of portions of hook material 37, of which two are visible. In preferred embodiments, each suction cup may carry a single piece of hook material of a disc or rectangular shape. The hook material may be provided with a central cut-out that can be engaged with a corresponding protrusion on the non-operative face of the suction cup, thereby holding it in position.

Said portions 37 can either be flat as shown, or can be curved, preferably substantially following the curve of the suction cup 36 itself. In this way, the hook elements can be brought in close proximity to the operative face of the suction cup, so minimising the gap between the blackout material and window, in use.

At Figure 14 is shown a portion of a portable blind apparatus 92 comprising a multiplicity of layers, namely a central substantially light proof layer 94 with a first face 96 and a second face 98, both of which are entirely overlaid with hook receptive material such as loop nylon. In the alternative, the faces need not be entirely overlaid with said material but it is considered advantageous to overlay faces 96, 98 with said material because this allows more flexibility in folding.

Advantageously, a combination of attachment means may be utilised -in particular, a combination of hook and loop and magnetic means of attachment is considered suitable.

At Fig 15, there is shown a roller blind 100 and a window 102. The blind 100 is made substantially of loop material 104. The blind also has two lateral ferrous or magnetic strips 106 108. The first 106 is adjacent the roller 1 10, and the second 108 is adjacent the end of the roller blind 100. The window 102 is fitted with two ferrous or magnetic strips 112 114, so configured as to form a magnetic attachment when brought into contact with ferrous or magnetic strips 106 108 and two hook material strips 116 118, so configured as to form an attachment with the loop material 104, thus effectively blocking out light which would otherwise come through the window into the room.

Figure 16 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in the form of a "concertina" blackout blind. The blind comprises opaque blackout material, folded at intervals to form a pleated configuration. Particularly suitable material is black paper, or thin card, although a plastics construction is also envisaged. At each end of the blind, a portion of repositionable adhesive is disposed adjacent an edge region of the blind, illustrated schematically by the hatched area 126. Preferably a stripe of such adhesive is applied substantially along the whole of each edge, although the adhesive could equally be applied at intervals, facilitating the "unpeeling" of the end pleats prior to installation. The important feature is that, in use, the adhesive region is sufficient to hold the blind firmly adjacent a window, or window surround. Also, repositionable adhesive is also disposed along the edge regions of the side of the blind, illustrated by the hatched portions 122 and 124. The hatched portion 122 illustrates one configuration (that may be used on both edges) in which the adhesive runs substantially along the compete edge of the blind. The hatched portion 124 illustrates an alternative configuration in which the repositionable adhesive is applied only to edge regions of alternate pleats. In this way, when the blind is in its folded-up configuration, e.g. for storage, or prior to first use, the adhesive portions do not contact each other, leading to potential problems of a semi-permanent bond being formed, with consequent risk of tearing the blind when preparing it for installation.

Particularly suitable materials for the blackout material in any embodiment of the invention are PVC, polythene and aluminium coated plastic. Such metallicisation has the added advantage of increasing heat resistance. "3 pass blackout material" is a particularly suitable material. Such materials all have the added advantage of being susceptible to cutting. This is advantageous because it allows the user to cut the blind in order that it might fit a window appropriately In this specification, the word "window" refers to any opening or openings or light source or sources which may be covered by a blind, and especially those associated with architectural structures and vehicles. As such, it does not limit the use of the blind to windows only.

With regard to the arrangement of hook material, loop material, adhesive, fleece, suction cups, magnetic material and/or magnets on a given blackout blind or window, various configurations are envisaged, including continuous and discontinuous strips running at or close to the edge of the material, strips parallel, perpendicular, or at an angle to the material, strips close to the middle of the material, strips so arranged as to be close to the edge of the window, leaving a hem of material which may be curved slightly towards the material, thus advantageously providing a secondary means of preventing the undesirable leakage of light into a given space. Shapes other than strips running close to the hem of the material, or significantly inset from the hem are also envisaged.

By "hook material" we refer to the hooked portion of material used in "touch and close" fastenings, such as that sold under the registered trade mark VELCRO.

By "loop material, we refer to material capable of forming a releasable engagement with such hook material, and having looped fibres extending from the plane of the material.

Thus, loop material encompasses the looped portion of material used in "touch and close" fastenings, such as that sold under the registered trade mark VELCRO, and also other fabrics having a looped pile structure, such as loop nylon and loop velvet. Fabrics such as loop nylon and loop velvet are particularly preferred embodiments of loop material, as they exhibit considerably more flexibility than the form of loop material used in "touch and close" fastenings, such as that sold under the registered trade mark VELCRO, thereby enabling a roller blind embodying portions of the material to be rolled up into the closed position more easily.

The word "fleece" is used in this specification to mean material capable of forming a releasable attachment to hook material by virtue of having relatively long fibres extending from the plane of the material and which, although not having a looped structure (i.e. both ends of a fibre being attached to the body of the material) can form a releasable attachment by entanglement of hooks with these relatively long fibres. Such fleece materials are typically of non-woven construction.

Hook-receptive material in its broadest sense comprises either loop material or fleece.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A portable blind apparatus comprising: flexible, blackout, hook receptive material suitable for covering a window, said material comprising a first side and a second side; and one or more primary fixtures comprising suction means for attachment to a window or its surround and at least a portion of hook material, the hook material being of a type suitable for releasable attachment to the hook receptive material; wherein substantially the whole of at least the first side of the blind is made of hook receptive material.
2. A portable blind apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising one or more secondary fixtures comprising a first side and a second side, each side having at least a portion of hook material.
3. A portable blind apparatus according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein only a part of each side of the secondary fixtures comprises hook material.
4. A portable blind apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hook receptive material is loop material.
5. A portable blind apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hook receptive material is fleece material.
6. A portable blind apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the blackout material comprises a central, substantially lightproof layer with a first face and a second face, the two faces being entirely overlaid with hook receptive material.
7. A roller blind comprising: flexible, hook receptive, blackout material, sized to cover a window and having a first side and a second side, the first side, in use, facing a window; and one or more fixtures comprising means for releasable attachment to a window or its surround, and a portion of hook material, the hook material being of a type suitable for releasable attachment to at least a portion of the first side; whereby the fixture may be attached to a window or its surround in such a position that when, in use, the hook receptive material is attached to the fixture, the roller blind is extended in such a way that the opening is covered and the amount of light which might otherwise pass through the opening is reduced.
8. A roller blind according to claim 7 wherein the hook receptive material is loop material.
9. A roller blind according to either claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the hook receptive material is fleece.
10. A roller blind according to any of claims 7 to 9 wherein only one side of the roller blind comprises hook receptive material.
11. A roller blind according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein only a portion of the window facing side of the roller blind comprises loop material.
12. A roller blind according to any of claims 7 to 11 wherein the roller blind comprises a layer of blackout material and a layer of hook receptive material.
13. A roller blind according to any of claims 7 to 12 wherein the hook elements of the hook material measure no more than 0.75mm in height.
14. A roller blind comprising a portion of material for covering a window, said material comprising blackout material and magnetic material.
1 5. A roller blind comprising: a portion of material for covering a window, said material comprising blackout material and a first piece of substance attracted to a magnet; and one or more fixtures comprising attachment means for attachment on or adjacent a window the fixtures further comprising a second piece of substance attracted to a magnet, at least one of the first and second pieces of substance comprising magnetic material.
16. A roller blind according to either claim 14 or 1 5, wherein the magnetic material is adjacent the edges of the blackout material.
1 7. A kit for the modification of a roller blind, comprising; at least one first piece of material with a first side comprising at least a portion of hook receptive material and a second side comprising an adhesive suitable for attaching it to either a roller blind or window; and at least one second piece of material with a first side comprising at least a portion of hook material and a second side comprising an adhesive suitable for attaching it to either a roller blind or window; whereby in use at least one first or second piece of material may be attached to a roller blind and at least one first or second piece of material may be attached to a window or its surround, the latter piece of material being so positioned in relation to the roller blind that when the roller blind is being used to block or reduce light, the material attached to the roller blind and the material attached to a window may also be attached to one another, thus substantially blocking the passage of light between the roller blind and the window where the attachment is made.
18. A kit according to claim 1 7 wherein the hook material has hook elements of not more than 0.75mm in height.
19. A kit according to either of claims 17 or 18 wherein there are provided four first pieces of material and four second pieces of material
20. A kit according to any of claims 17 to 19 wherein the first pieces of material are wider than the second pieces of material.
21. A kit according to any of claims 17 to 20 wherein the pieces of material are strips.
22. A roller blind, comprising flexible, blackout material, sized to cover a window and having a first side and a second side; and one or more repositionable attachment portions comprising primary attachment means for releasable attachment on or adjacent a window, and secondary attachment means for releasable attachment to the roller blind; wherein at least one of the primary attachment means and the secondary attachment means has an adhesive section and at least one of the first side and the second side are of a material to which the adhesive section may be adhered.
23. A roller blind according to claim 22 wherein both the first and second sides are of a material to which the adhesive section may be adhered.
24. A roller blind according to either of claims 22 or 23 wherein the attachment means comprises a double-sided, repositionable adhesive portion.
25. A roller blind according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the or each adhesive portion is less than 0.75mm thick.
26. A roller blind, comprising flexible, blackout material, sized to cover a window and having a first side and a second side; and one or more regions of repositionable adhesive disposed on the surface of the blackout material.
27. A blackout blind comprising: a sheet of blackout material folded at intervals to form a pleated configuration, and repositionable adhesive, disposed adjacent edge regions of said blackout material.
28. A blind according to claim 27 wherein said repositionable adhesive is disposed along substantially the complete edge of said blackout material.
29. A blind according to claim 27 wherein said repositionable adhesive is disposed substantially along those complete edges of the blackout material parallel to the folds, and only on alternate pleats on those edges perpendicular to the folds.
30. A blind substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the figures.
31. A kit substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the figures.