GB2629039A - One-Way Blinds - Google Patents

Abstract

An open and closable one-way blind 20 is defined. The blind is transparent/translucent or opaque based on the position of an observer; so an observer in a first position cannot see through but another in a different position can see through it. The blind may be a roller 30 blind and may have a handle 40 at the opposite end to the roller which may be weighted. The blind may allow an observer to view through it, who is closer than another observer and the blind may have dots or lines. The blind may also have a one-way mirror formed from a thin coating or may be made from a number of thin layers which may be made coupled together using lamination adhesion or a coating of EVA. There may be an antistatic brush and the blind may have a solar panel covering the surface. A blind system that has one or more blinds is also disclosed.

Description

One-Way blinds The present invention relates to a set of blinds configured such that a first observer in a first position can see through the blind while a second observer in a second position cannot see through the same blind.

Background

Buildings and other structures commonly contain openings such as windows to allow airflow and light to travel through the structure, and allow observation between spaces inside and outside of the structure. All, some, or none of these may be desired at any given time due to the ambient changes in the structure's surroundings. To this end the structure opening would include one or more blinds as a means of controllably blocking the structure's opening, preventing light, heat, and airflow from entering the opening. Such blinds may be used to block bright, direct sunlight, reduce the amount of heat inside the structure on hot days, stop drafts from entering the opening, and prevent observers from seeing into the structure. However, the adjustment of one or more of these properties within the structure may change others in an undesired manner, for example using the blind as a means of stopping heat from entering the structure may cause the inside of the structure to become too dark as the blind would also stop light from entering the structure.

It is noted that a blind as described above would most commonly be used to cover a glass door or a window. Wherein these doors and windows are commonly comprised of, frames, glass, curtains, and blinds each serving distinct functions to adjust properties inside the structure. In particular, the use of blinds and/or curtains can be used to block light transmissions through the glass window, thereby reducing the light within the structure and preventing external observers from viewing the inside of the structure. The curtain and blinds may also block airflow and heat from the external environment from entering the structure when the binds and curtains are closed. The problem with this arrangement is that once the blinds or curtains are closed the occupants of the structure cannot see out of the structure which may be undesirable. Additionally, the user will likely want some light to enter the structure to illuminate the interior and so would want a means to allow part of the external light to enter the structure without obscuring their view.

One possible solution currently used for such a problem is a one-way mirror. A one-way mirror is a glass object that appears reflective on one side and transparent on the other. One-way mirrors are most often used in Interrogation rooms and social sciences research observation rooms to allow observers to see into the room, while the occupant of the room cannot see outwards. However, there are two problems with using such a mirror in the cases described above. First, the user may not be able to control the direction of the one-way mirror. In particular, most one-way mirrors to will block the side of the mirror with the more illuminated. This means during the day, when it is sunny outside the occupant of the structure will be able to see outward, while the sight of an external observer will be blocked as desired, however, at night when it is likely darker outside of the structure the mirror will invert, blocking the view of the occupant inside the structure. The other problem is that once installed there is no way to switch off the one-way mirror, to allow light to pass through in both directions at the user's request. Therefore, we require a means of controlling which direction the one-way mirror is blocking the light and possibly a means to remove the reflective property of the mirror in its entirety.

To this end, we seek to provide a means of improving a structure by supplying a means of blocking the transmission of light and heat into a structure through windows, such that the view of an external observer is blocked, while the occupants of the structure can still see outwards. Wherein this means is capable of being switched off such that light and heat can pass through the opening in both directions. And will preferably be suitable for other structural openings such as glass doors and skylights.

The solution to this problem will provide a means of controlling the amount of light transmitted into a given structure through the openings as described above. It is noted that managing the transmission of light is important to control visibility as described above, but can also be used to control thermal radiation and control UV exposure inside the structure. Therefore, the solution would preferably be able to limit the amount of IR radiation and UV radiation entering the structure in addition to limiting the amount of light.

The present invention The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims.

The present invention provides a one-way blind, comprising one or more flexible blinds configured to be controllably opened or closed. These blinds would be mounted to the openings of a structure such as a building or a vehicle and be configured such that in a closed state the blind is configured to cover a window, door, or other opening in the structure that can be seen through When in use the blinds are configured to be transparent/translucent or opaque based on the position of an observer. This means that the blind prevents a first observer from seeing through the blind, and allows a second observer in a different position than the first observer to see through the blind. It is noted that the relative position of these observers may be based on the side of the blind the observer is standing on, or the user's proximity or angle relative to the blind.

More specifically, preferably the claimed invention provides a blind that is configured such that when in use the blind will allow a first observer in a first position can see through the blind, while at the same time, a second observer in a second position cannot see through the same blind. It is noted that the location of the first position and second position may be different for different embodiments of the claimed blind. For example, in some cases, an observer may be able to see through the blind when positioned on one side of the blind, but not able to see through the blind when positioned on the opposite side of the blind. In other cases, the observer may be able to see through the blind when positioned within a certain distance from the blind but would be unable to see through the blind when positioned further away from the blind.

Thereby producing a one-way blind, which in this case refers to a blind that will block transmissions in some directions while allowing transmissions through the blind in other directions, thereby allowing only certain observers to see through the blind. Additionally, such a blind can also limit the amount of light, IR, and UV radiation that enters the structure through the blind. Thereby controlling the amount of such radiation inside the structure by opening, partially opening, and closing the blinds as necessary.

As previously noted, when in use the blind would be configured to be controllably opened or closed. Such that the user may close the blind to cover the opening in the structure, once closed the blind can obscure the view of an observer. Then the user may open the blind, thereby removing the blind from the open such that any observer may see through the opening.

It is noted that the blind can take on different forms such as Venetian blinds, Roman blinds, or roller blinds. Of these options, vertical blinds and roller blinds are preferable as they can be formed from a single continuous piece of the desired blind material, and also allow the user the option to partially open the binds to cover only a portion of the structural opening thereby allowing more light from the surrounding area to enter the structure while still obscuring a portion of the opening from external observers. It is noted that of these options the roller blinds may be preferable over vertical blinds and Roman blinds, as they have a simpler design that has a lower risk of jamming when in user, and is less likely to damage the blind material as the material would not be folded. It is also noted that a roller blind may be replaced more easily should the blind material or blind mechanism be damaged.

Regardless of the type of blind chosen from the present invention, the blind would be made of a material configured to obscure or block the view of a first observer while allowing a second observer from a different position relative to the blind to see through. The type of material chosen for the blind would depend on the position from which an observer's view would be blocked. For, example some blinds may be configured to obscure an observer's view based on their distance from the blind, with observers close to the blind being able to see through the blind, while another observer who is a predetermined distance from the blind or further away would not be able to see through the blind. In other cases, the blind may be designed such that an observer on one side of the blind can see through the blind, while an observer on the opposite blind cannot. In another case, the blind may combine both of the previous cases, creating a blind that can only be seen through from one side, when the observer is close enough to the blind.

In the cases, where the blind can be seen through when the observer is sufficiently close to the blind. The blind would be formed from a transparent, or translucent sheet material, then a pattern would be printed onto the sheet material to create the desired effect. This pattern may come in a range of different shapes such as dots, stripes, or a mixture of different shapes, it is also noted that the shapes of these patterns may have different sizes, and may also have different colors. Regardless of the specific pattern chosen the shapes on the file would be opaque to block the observer's sight through the blind, unless they are sufficiently closed to the blind to see through the spacing between the shapes.

It is noted that in such embodiments, it is preferable to have a regular arrangement of small shapes, which would most likely be dots or stripes, so that the shapes may form a diffusion grating between the shapes. This means that the space between the shapes of the pattern would only allow light at specific angles to pass through the blind. This results in observers at a specific angle relative to the blind or passed a certain distance from the blind would not be able to see through the blind as the diffused light would make the blind appear opaque.

In the cases where the blind blocks the observer's view on one side of the blind, the blind material will be configured to block light passing through the blind in one direction while allowing light to pass through the blind in the opposite direction. In some cases, these blinds would be made from a transparent, or translucent sheet material with a coating on one side of the material to create the desired blocking effect. This coating may be in the form of a thin reflective material, such as a film of aluminium as used in a one-way mirror, in such cases the reflective material would block an observer's view on the side of the blind with the lightest, such that during the day observers outside the structure would not be able to see through the blind, but an observer inside the structure would be able to see outwards through the blinds.

This effect can be achieved by applying a mirror finish to the blind. The mirror finish is preferably configured such that some light is reflected by the blind, some light passes through, and some light is adsorbed by the blind. In these cases, the blind may comprise a thin coating, in particular a thin coating made from a metallic material, wherein the chosen metal would reflect and absorb certain portions of the light spectrum. Further, due to the thin width of the coating, some light would still be able to pass through the coating regardless of the metal chosen. Due to the reduced transmission through the blind, and the reflection caused by the coating, an observer would not be able to see through the coated side of the blind, however, an observer on the other side of the blind would still be able to see through the blind though the image would be less vibrant due to the limited light transmission through the coating resulting in a darker, tinted image being visible to the observer compared to when the blind is open.

It is also noted that the blind may also comprise a combination of the reflective coating and diffraction pattern to help further prevent transmissions through the blind thereby reducing the amount of radiation entering the structure and blocking the view for a wider range of observers. It is noted that these combinations may include a blind which has the diffusion pattern drawn over a reflective coating, or a blind wherein the diffusion pattern is formed from the reflective coating material.

Regardless of the method chosen the blind would still need to comprise a base layer, onto which the various coatings and patterns can be applied. This base of the blind would preferably comprise a flexible sheet material to allow the blind to be actuated easily when the blind is opened or closed. The material would also preferably be non-fade to prevent the blind from degrading over time due to having long periods exposed to bright light and UV radiation, and is preferably scratch resistant preventing the risk of wear to the blind caused by repeated use.

It is noted that in addition to the capabilities described above the claimed blind would also need to be weather resistant, as the blind may be exposed to high winds and precipitation when placed over the opening of a structure, therefore the material of the blind must be capable of withstanding these conditions. Preferably the blind material is an air impermeable film, such that it will block gusts of air from entering the structure. This is another reason why the chosen material needs to be flexible to allow the blind to absorb the impact of the wind on its surface, as well as being strong enough not to break when absorbing this force.

The material used for the blind should also be impervious to water so it is more resistant than other blind types, such as fabric blinds which may absorb water and be damaged by the water over time. To achieve this the blind would preferably be made from a sheet of a suitable film material. Further, the film would be easy to wipe down and clean, unlike other blind types. The blind material can be safely cleaned by being wiped down with a cloth, mild dish soap, and warm water. The blinds quickly dry.

It is also noted that the blind should not stretch. In particular, the film used to form the blind material should not stretch. The deformation caused by the blind stretching may result in tracking problems, wherein the blind becomes unravelled or tangled within the actuating mechanism causing the blind to separate from the mechanism and potentially jam. This problem can be seen in other types of blinds in particular it is found in woven blind materials.

A material that may be used to form the transparent base of the blind is Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or polyester) as this polymer can be easily shaped into the sheets required to form the blind. Additionally, PET has high tensile strength and dimensional stability thereby reducing the risk of the blind breaking after repeated use, has high chemical stability meaning that the blind will not be damaged when exposed to UV rays, and is waterproof so the blind will also be weather resistant and is washable. The material is recyclable, meaning the blinds can be recycled when damaged or when they are no longer required. Further, PET film is classed as Ml fire standard, which means that it is combustible but will not ignite, the blind material just melts and doesn't catch fire it is fine to use. Meaning the blinds do not pose a fire safety hazard to the structure they are mounted to.

Another possible material is polypropylene (PP), although it is flexible does tend to crease. Even at 300 microns it can be punctured and torn so is less preferable for a blind material to be handled forcefully. Polypropylene tends to be less clear to see through than polyester so is generally less preferable a material when visibility is desired. Polypropylene however has greater resistance to chemical degradation so may be preferable in a chemical laboratory or factory environment.

Another choice for the material would be to use biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET). BoPET is a biaxially orientated form of PET which provides all of the benefits of PET as described above, however, BoPET also has the two layers laminated in 2 directions making it stronger when compared to PET. Meaning a blind formed from BoPET would be even more resistant to physical damage, such as stretching or tearing, due to wear after repeated use.

Regardless of which material is chosen for the base of the blind, the blind would further comprise a coating that covers at least a portion of the base layer. Wherein the coating is configured to provide the effect of limiting visibility through the blind to certain observers as described above. This coating may be opaque and create a translucent effect through the shape of the coating, while other coatings may cover the entire blind and instead limit visibility by being reflective, frosted, coloured or tinted, these coatings may be chosen by the user to provide a desired finish to the blind, however, it is noted that each of these finishes provide the same effect of obstructing and/or limiting the transmission of light through the coated blind thereby producing the desired effect. In a preferred embodiment, the blind may comprise a pair of base layers with the coating sandwiched between the transparent base layers. This structure is preferable as the resilient base layers can protect the coating layer from being damaged or otherwise removed from the base layer.

In cases wherein the coating layer comprises a metallic material to provide a suitable reflective surface, the metallic coating can be placed onto the based layer via a metalizing process. The metalizing process requires vaporizing aluminium in a vacuum before condensing at the required concentration. The metalized layer in the film gives a mirrored appearance.

It is also noted that in the cases where a coating is used on the blind, it is preferable that the coating used is very fine, elastic, and/or elastomeric. Such coatings would be more flexible, thereby preventing damage to the coating when the blind is folded, bent, or stretched. Thereby reducing the risk of the coating being damaged or removed from the blind after repeated uses. It is also noted that a finer coating would allow more light to be transmitted through the coating allowing some observers to see through the coating, however, there would need to be a compromised surrounding how much light can pass through the coating to ensure that an observer can still see through the blind while also ensuring the blind prevents some light, IR and UV from entering the structure. This is why a metallic coating can be preferable as the coating would be able to reflect and absorb some portion of the light shining on the blind, ensuring some of the light is blocked by the blind while the reflections block the view of external observers, in the same manner as a one-way mirror.

It is noted that this one-way mirror effect can be created in a variety of colors including Silver, Gold, Blue, Bronze, Red, and Black, based on the type of coating used. Higher reflectivity one-way mirrors like silver can help further reduce the amount of heat entering the building leading to improved energy efficiency and comfort. Better UV-blocking one-way mirrors like blue and bronze can further protect against the harmful effects of UV light. One-way mirrors with reduced glare like gold and bronze reduce the risk of distracting from sunlight or headlights. Particularly visible one-way mirrors like red and blue make it easier to identify if a blind is raised or lowered from a distance, making sure the desired state is present at any given time. Darker one-way mirrors like black and bronze can be harder to identify thus hard to identify if the user doesn't desire third parties to be alerted to the fact that they may be being watched. It is also noted that in some cases, a variety of coating may be used, for example, the blind may comprise a diffusion pattern made up of several of the coatings described above thereby providing the benefits of each type of coating used.

It is also noted that the preferred embodiment of the blind would include a coating that is capable of absorbing and/or reflecting UV radiation. As the blind material reflects or absorbs UV radiation it reduces the harmful effects of UV radiation, for example on the windows of a home giving protection against fading of interior furnishings and protection against skin damage of residence.

Similarly, the blind may include a coating that is capable of absorbing and/or reflecting IR radiation. These blinds can have different effects depending on whether the IR coating is facing into or out of the structure. When the IR coating is facing outward the blind may be used to prevent heat from entering the structure and thereby keep the inside of the structure cool. However, in cases where the IR coating faces inwards, the blind will help insulate the structure by reflecting heat into the structure. When used to insulate the structure the blind can reduce the cost of heating the structure by preventing heat from escaping via the opening.

Current fabric roller blinds are always formed with the warp of the fabric running down the blind and the weft running across. The film blind material is isotropic such that a larger sheet can be cut into more usable pieces such that the wastage of material will be reduced. It is also noted that in cases where the blinds are in the form of vertical blinds, the sheet of film material can be coupled to another sheet material to stiffen the blind, then the sheet material can be cut into stripes to form the sections of the blind.

Once the desired base material and coating are chosen the blind can be formed by creating sheets of the base layer which can then be treated to apply the desired coating to one, or both sides of the blind base. As previously noted, the preferred structure for the blind would comprise two base layers with the desired coating sandwich between the layers. In cases, where the blind comprises multiple base layers the edges of the base layers may be sewn together, thereby coupling the layers while also reinforcing the edges of the blind thereby reducing the risk of damage to the blind itself. However, it is noted that there are other ways of coupling the base blind layers, including using adhesive, or melting the layers together, though the sown edges are preferable over the other methods. This is preferable over the use of an adhesive, as the adhesive may damage the blind's coating and may deteriorate over time causing the layers of the blind to separate. And is preferable over the melting method as the sown edges would be reinforced by the stitching and therefore provide better protection to the blind, especially as the edges are more prone to tearing. Please note that even in cases where there is a single base layer, the edges of the base may be folded over and stitched together, to reinforce the edges of the blind.

Alternatively, the base layers can be laminated together, by placing a laminated layer, or sleeve over the coated base layers. It is noted that even in embodiments where there is only a single base layer, the blind may still be laminated to protect the coating layer and base layer of the blind from scratches, stains, and other damages.

Another method that can be used to fuse the base layers, is to use base layers that further comprise a laminating layer of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA). When forming the blind, the base layer can be coated with the desired finish, then the base layers can be layered over the coating to form the sandwich layer described above. Then the EVA layers can be heated causing the layer to melt, Afterward, the EVA layers can cool and solidify binding the base layers together like a hot-glue adhesive. In some cases, this EVA layer may be on the outside of the base layer such that it forms a laminating layer after it has melted to coat the exterior of the blind. It is also noted that using the laminating layer and/or EVA layers to bind the base layer, the user can have different coatings on the base layer as a coating can be positioned between the base layers and another coating can be positioned between the EVA layers and the base layers. This allows a single blind to have the benefits of different types of coatings.

The blind material can be manufactured at a variety of lengths to correspond with common window sizes like 50cm, 75cm, 152cm, and 290cm. This reduces the amount of work for installation avoiding having to cut down larger sheets on site and reducing wastages and transport costs as less material has to be transported.

The blind preferably needs to both have structural integrity and be able to roll up so is preferable to have between 50 and 500 microns blind material thickness, with more preferably between 100 and 300 microns blind material thickness. The thickness of the material could be varied along and across a sheet in line with a desired non-uniform integrity profile.

A weight may be attached to the bottom of the blind to prevent it from blowing around from air currents and keeping it in tension. This prevents the risk of the blind being pushed or pulled by the airflow through the structure, thereby preventing damage to the blind. This can also prevent the blind from becoming tangled when actuated as the weight keeps the blind level through the tension it provides. In cases, where the blind is a roller blind, this weight may be in the form of a handle which the user can use to actuate the blind when opening or closing the blind.

Blinds can be created at different light penetration values including 0%, 5%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 35%, 50%, 100%. Wherein the type of coating, coating thickness, or the percentage of the blind that is coated can be altered to provide these different values. in some cases, more than one blind can be installed onto the same opening to provide different penetration amounts by using multiple blinds together. it is noted that in these cases the plurality of blinds may include blinds with different light penetration values. Different combinations of blinds on the same window can be raised or lowered to provide a desired level of light penetration. It is also noted that when using a blind comprising layers of polymers, the molecules in the polymer may be axially aligned, for example, the molecules may be aligned vertically or horizontally, thereby allowing the polymer to act as a polarizing filter. This may allow the user to decrease the light penetration value of the blind by using blinds with different orientations, for example, by using blinds with orientations that are perpendicular to each other the blind, the second blind can block all of the light that passes through the first blind. This method can also be used to produce a blind with a light penetration value of 0% by having a blind made of two base layers, wherein the polymer in each layer has a perpendicular orientation relative to each other.

After the base material and coating have been chosen and the blind formed, a user may require the blind to have a specific color or pattern to match the structure or the aesthetic of the structure the blind is to be mounted to. To this end, the blind, or the base layer of the blind may be treated with a corona, which in this case refers to a print priming layer, that can be applied over the surface of the blind. Once the priming layer is in place the blind may be painted or otherwise treated to form a translucent layer in the desired colour. These treatments can also be used to produce a required pattern on the surface of the blind, including a diffusion pattern as described earlier. It should also be noted that there are other ways the blind material may be patterned, for example through stitching, etching, or embossing, these types of patterns may be preferable over the paint, as even a translucent paint would block or absorb some light thereby altering the blinds light penetration value.

Once the blind is formed it may be attached to a suitable actuating mechanism, wherein these mechanisms are configured to controllably open and close the blind.

The mechanism may take various forms but the most preferable is that of a roller, as the roller is the simplest mechanism that can function using a blind comprising a single continuous sheet and therefore does not require additional parts, or for the blind to be shaped to fit the mechanism. The blind material attaches to the roller with either a slotted roller wherein the end of the blind is inserted into a slot within the roller and held in place with friction and/or by folding over the end inserted into the roller, hot glue, or glue tape. It is noted that the blind may also be coupled to the roller using a combination of these methods to provide a more secure attachment between the roller and the blind.

In cases wherein the blind comprises a roller blind, the system may further include a 30 conductive brush coupled to the actuating mechanism, wherein the conductive brush comprises a piece of conductive material arranged as a wire, coil, or bristles configured to discharge any static electricity that builds up in the blind. Wherein in use the conductive brush is positioned such that the polymer layers of the blind contact the brush as the blind moves as the blind opens and closes. This is necessary as the base layer of the blind would likely comprise a transparent polymer, which would build static electricity through friction with itself, the other layers of the blind, and even the actuating apparatus when the blind is actuated to open and close the blind. In cases where the blind comprises a single continuous sheet of such a polymer the amount of static electricity that builds up in the blind may be sufficient to produce a spark that could result in a fire starting within the structure. It should be noted that such conductive brushes are not needed in other types of blinds such as cloth blinds as they would not hold static electricity in the same manner as the polymers in the claimed blind. Therefore, the blind should provide a means to safely discharge the static within the blind.

It is also noted that the blind may include additional systems as part of the actuating mechanism. For example, the blind may include a solar panel configured to power an actuating means within the actuating system, such as a small motor, and/or a receiver for receiving control signals which can be used to open or close the blind on command. In some cases, this solar panel may be separate from the blind, configured to be coupled to the outside of the structure the blind is mounted to. In some cases, the solar panel may also charge a battery which is used to power the actuating means, instead of powering the means directly.

In some cases, the solar panel may comprise a thin flexible panel that can be coupled to the surface of the blind, wherein the panel will cover at least a portion of the blind surface, such that the solar panel can absorb a portion of the light shining on the blind, while still allowing some light to pass through the blind. In such, cases the solar panel may be shaped to form a diffusion pattern as described above over the surface of the blind.

It is also noted that in cases, wherein the blind uses a reflecting, or semi-reflective layer, such as a metallic layer to produce a one-way mirror effect, the blind may include a light source, such as a strip of LEDs or similar light elements, which are coupled to the blind actuating or configured to be coupled to the edge of the opening in the structure the blind is mounted to. When in use the light source would shine a light on the outward-facing surface of the blind, which in this case refers to the surface of the blind facing outwards from the structure the blind is mounted to so that the user can control the one-way mirror effect produced by the blind to ensure the occupant of the structure can see outwards regardless of the ambient conditions outside of the structure. The previously mentioned solar panel and battery may also be used to power this light source.

It is also noted that in cases, where the blind is used not only to light but also to block gusts of wind and IR radiation to regulate the ambient conditions within the structure. The blind's solar panel and/or battery may be coupled to devices such as heater or cooling fans that can be used to control the ambient conditions inside the structure to ensure the blind when closed does not negatively affect the conditions inside the structure.

Potential applications for the claimed blind are numerous as they include all homes as well as vehicles and public buildings. All public buildings including hospitals and schools could benefit from the invention. At the moment if blackout blinds or curtains are used it would become dark inside and would require electric lights turning on.

Reflective blinds will save on power as well as maintain a view and keep sunlight and heat out.

The blind is preferably able to serve as a private and blackout blind and preferably able to serve as a heat reflector and preferably able to serve as a light reflector.

Drawings The present invention is illustrated using the following drawings wherein like features are designated with like numerals. The figures provide Figure 1 A perspective projection of a one-way blind and roller zs Figure 2 An orthographic projection side view of a one-way blind, roller, and window frame.

Figure 3 Example blinds with different diffusion patterns Figure 4 An example of a blind with a tinted finish Figure 5 A cross-section of the preferred embodiment of the claimed blind The features of the drawings are listed as follows: 10-window frame 20-blind sheet 30-roller s 40-Weight/handle 50-first diffusion pattern 52-second diffusion pattern 60-tinted finish coating 70,70'-polymer (base) layer 72-coating layer

Detailed description

The present invention provides a blind configured to be attached to the opening in a structure such as a building or a vehicle. Wherein the blind is configured to controllably open and close over the opening and may be partially opened to leave a section of the opening exposed. By using the blind, a user can limit the amount of light, airflow, inferred (IR), and ultraviolet (UV) radiation that enters the structure. In particular, the claimed blind would provide a means to partially block the light entering the structure such that airflow, IR, and UV radiation can be blocked by the blind while still allowing the user to see out of the structure. Such a blind allows a user to control the ambient conditions inside the structure, such as illumination and heat, while still allowing the user to see out of the opening.

In the preferred embodiment, this effect would be achieved such that the blind would only allow certain observers to see through the blind when closed. In particular, the blind would be configured to allow a first observer in a first position to see through the blind, while a second observer in a second position different from the first position cannot see through the same blind. These different positions can be based on the observer's proximity to the blind or which side of the blind the observer is viewing through, based on the effective coating used on the blind. In some cases, the effect may be based on both proximity and position of the observer by combining different coatings on the same blind.

Figures 1 and 2 depict the preferred embodiment of the claimed blind wherein the blind comprises a roller blind, as this is the simplest form of blind to manufacture and allows the blind to be closed, or partially closed easily. In these cases, the blind would comprise a single sheet of treated blind material coupled to a simple roller. The roller acts as the actuating mechanism that opens and closes the blind. In use, the roller may be mounted to the top edge of a window frame, door frame, or the edge of the structure opening to allow the blind to cover the window, door, or opening as the roller rotates and unravels the blind.

In the depicted example, the blind comprises a handle on the bottom edge of the sheet blind material, in these cases the user can open and close the blind by pulling on the handle. However, there may be other means to actuate the roller, such as a pull string coupled to the roller, or a motor coupled to the roller which can be operated by a control coupled to the roller or remotely via a remote control or mobile device. In cases where there is a different control means, the blind may include a weight in place of the handle to ensure that the blind remains under tension to stop the sheet material from becoming tangled and also prevent the blind from being moved by gusts of wind entering the opening.

The blind material may be coupled to the roller with either a slotted roller wherein the end of the blind is inserted into a slot within the roller and held in place with friction and/or by folding over the end inserted into the roller, hot glue, or glue tape. It is noted that the blind may also be coupled to the roller using a combination of these methods to provide a more secure attachment between the roller and the blind.

It is noted that such a roller blind may also comprise a conductive brush as part of the roller. Wherein in use the conductive brush is positioned such that the polymer layers of the blind contact the brush as the blind moves as the blind opens and closes. This is necessary as the base layer of the blind would likely comprise a transparent polymer, which would build static electricity through friction with itself, the other layers of the blind, and even the actuating apparatus when the blind is actuated to open and close the blind. In cases where the blind comprises a single continuous sheet of such a polymer the amount of static electricity that builds up in the blind may be sufficient to produce a spark that could result in a fire starting within the structure.

It should also be noted that a user may couple multiple blinds to the same opening. In these cases, the user can use multiple blinds to further limit the amount of light entering the structure. Especially, as the blind can be formed from different types of polymers to give each blind a different light penetration value. By using blinds with different values, the user can create a range of different light penetration values by combining different blinds. It is also noted that the blinds can be configured such that the polymer molecules within the bind are axially aligned, thereby allowing the blind to act as a polarizing filter depending on the direction of the polymer's orientation.

Then by using a pair of blinds wherein the polymers are aligned perpendicular to each other thereby ensuring that the second blind blocks all of the light that passes through the first blind.

Figures 3 and 4 provide different examples of coating that can be applied to the blind to produce the effect described above. Figure 3 provides two examples of blinds that comprise a diffusion pattern. Wherein the pattern comprises a series of lines and or shapes that act as a diffraction grating, or otherwise prevent some of the light passing through the blind, while allowing light to pass through certain portions of the blind. This way the blind would allow a limited amount of light through the blind so an observer can still see through the blind, though with such a pattern the user may need to be closer to the blind to see through it. It is noted that the pattern may also be configured to completely block an observer's view based on their viewing angle. For example, in cases where the pattern comprises lines that form a diffraction grating, the edges of the blind may comprise a plurality of perpendicular lines preventing an observer from viewing through the edges of the blind. This may also result in an observer's view being blocked when they are at an angle relative to the blind. In any case, such patterns can be easily applied to the blind via a suitable coating. It should be noted that Figure 3 only provides 2 examples of such a diffusion pattern though many other types of patterns are also possible.

Figure 4 depicts an alternative method to the diffusion pattern described above, specifically, the figure depicts a blind wherein the entire blind is covered in a partially reflected coating. These coatings are configured to absorb and/or reflect portions of the light shining on the coating thereby creating a finish on the blind that produces a tinted, frosted or mirror finish on the illuminated side of the blind blocking an observer's view. While the coating would still allow some light to pass through allowing observers on the other side of the blind to see through the coated blind.

It is noted that this tinted coating can be in a variety of colors including Silver, Gold, Blue, Bronze, Red, and Black, based on the type of coating used. Higher reflectivity coatings like silver can help further reduce the amount of heat entering the building leading to improved energy efficiency and comfort. Better UV-blocking coatings like blue and bronze can further protect against the harmful effects of UV light. Coatings with reduced glare like gold and bronze reduce the risk of distracting from sunlight or headlights. Particularly visible one-way mirrors like red and blue make it easier to identify if a blind is raised or lowered from a distance, making sure the desired state is present at any given time. Darker coatings like black and bronze can be harder to identify thus hard to identify if the user doesn't desire third parties to be alerted to the fact that they may be being watched.

It is also noted that in some cases, a blind may combine both patterns from Figure 3 and the coating from Figure 4. In these cases, the pattern may be formed from the desired coating material, and in other cases, the diffusion pattern may be formed from one material over a blind that has been completely coated in a different coating.

It is also noted that in some cases, a variety of coating may be used, for example, the blind may comprise a diffusion pattern made up of several of the coatings described above thereby providing the benefits of each type of coating used.

Figure 5 provides an example of the preferred structure for the blind. The blind comprises two sheets of the desired polymer material with the chosen coating positioned between the layers. This way the polymer layers protect the coating preventing the coating from being scratched or otherwise separating from the blind. In cases, where the blind comprises multiple base layers the edges of the base layers may be sewn together, thereby coupling the layers while also reinforcing the edges of the blind thereby reducing the risk of damage to the blind itself. However, it is noted that there are other ways of coupling the base blind layers, including using adhesive, or melting the layers together, though the sown edges are preferable over the other methods. This is preferable over the use of an adhesive, as the adhesive may damage the blind's coating and may deteriorate over time causing the layers of the blind to separate. And is preferable over the melting method as the sown edges would be reinforced by the stitching and therefore provide better protection to the blind, especially as the edges are more prone to tearing. Please note that even in cases where there is a single base layer, the edges of the base may be folded over and stitched together, to reinforce the edges of the blind.

Claims (24)

1. Claims 1. A one-way blind, comprising one or more blinds configured to be controllably opened or closed, such that in a closed state the blind is configured to cover a window, door, or other fixture which can be seen through; wherein the blind is configured to be transparent/translucent or opaque based on the position of an observer; such that the blind prevents a first observer from seeing through the blind; and allows a second observer in a different position than the first observer to see through the blind.
2. 2. The one-way blind of any preceding claim, wherein the set of blinds are roller blinds. 15
3. 3. The one-way blind of any preceding claim, wherein the end of the blind remote from the roller comprises a weight coupled to the edge of the blind remote from the roller.
4. 4. The one-way blind of claim 3 wherein the weight comprises a handle.
5. 5. The one-way blind of any preceding claim, wherein the blind comprises a seam along one or more edges of the blind.
6. 6. The one-way blind of any preceding claim, wherein the blind is configured such that the position of the second observer to see through the blind is closer to the blind than the position of the first observer
7. 7. The one-way blind of claim 6, wherein the blind comprises a transparent material with at least one side of the transparent material covered in a plurality of polka dots.
8. 8. The one-way blind of claim 6, wherein the blind comprises a transparent material with at least one side of the blind being covered by a plurality of lines with a predetermined spacing between each of the plurality of lines such that the lines form a diffraction grating over the surface of the blind.
9. 9. The one-way blind of claims 1 to 5, wherein the material of the blind comprises a one-way mirror comprising a thin reflective coating over the surface of the blind.
10. 10. The one-way blind of claim 9, wherein the one-way mirror comprises at least one of a silver, gold, blue, bronze, red or black coating.
11. 11. The one-way blind of any preceding claim where the blind further comprises a light emitting element coupled to the blind or the opening covered by the blind or both.
12. 12. The one-way blind of any prior claim where the blind comprises two or more layers where at least one is a transparent layer and at least one other is a reflective coating layer or a patterned layer.
13. 13. The one-way blind of claim 12, wherein the blind comprises a reflective and/or patterned layer sandwiched between two transparent layers.
14. 14. The one-way blind of claim 13, wherein the transparent layers are coupled together using an adhesive, lamination, or a coating of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA).
15. 15. The one-way blind of any prior claim where the blind is a flexible sheet material.
16. 16. The one-way blind of any preceding claim wherein the base/transparent layer of the blind is made from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET).
17. 17. The one-way blind of any preceding claim where the blind has banding.
18. 18. The one-way blind of any preceding claim further comprises an anti-static brush coupled to the roller or equivalent of the blind.
19. 19. The one-way blind of any preceding claim further comprises a wire or mesh solar panel over the surface of the blind.
20. 20. The one-way blind of claim 17 where the solar panel forms a diffusion grating.
21. 21. A blind system comprising one or more blinds as disclosed in claims 1 to 18.
22. 22. The blind system of claim 19 wherein two or more blinds can be coupled to the same opening.
23. 23. The blind system of claim 20 wherein the blinds coupled to the same opening comprise blinds with different light penetration values.
24. 24. The blind system of claims 20 or 21, wherein the polymers within the blinds are configured to be axially aligned perpendicular to the polymer in the adjacent blind, coupled to the same opening.