Abstract
The hidden grommet panel includes a panel body having a front side and a back side; a grommet strip coupled to the backside of the panel body and having a plurality of grommets formed therein; and a sleeve formed by the panel body and the grommet strip, wherein each of the sleeve and the plurality of grommets in the grommet strip have the size and shape for select slide through reception of a rod. The panel body extends above the grommet strip, concealing the grommets from view when observed from the front.
Claims
1. A hidden grommet panel comprising: a panel body having a front side and a back side, and a grommet strip coupled to the back side of the panel body and having a plurality of grommets formed therein; and a sleeve formed by the panel body and the grommet strip, wherein each of the sleeve and the plurality of grommets in the grommet strip have the size and shape for select slide through reception of a rod.
2. The hidden grommet panel of claim 1 wherein the panel body extends above the grommet strip concealing the grommets from the front side.
3. The hidden grommet panel of claim 2, wherein the sleeve includes a first opening and a second opening, the first opening having a size and shape for select slide in reception of the rod and the second opening having a size and shape for select at least partial removal of the rod out from within the sleeve.
4. The hidden grommet curtain panel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of grommets comprises a first grommet, a final grommet, and at least one intermediate grommet pair positioned between the first grommet and the final grommet.
5. The hidden grommet panel of claim 1, wherein the grommet strip comprises a multi-layer strip at least partially formed from an extension of the panel body folded over itself.
6. The hidden grommet panel of claim 1, wherein the grommet strip comprises a separate piece of material than the panel body having one or more layers secured to the back side of the panel body.
7. The hidden grommet panel of claim 1, including a liner positioned between the grommet strip and the panel body visible only from the back side.
8. The hidden grommet panel of claim 1, wherein the panel body includes at least one decorative pleat comprising a pinched pleat or an inverted pleat.
9. A method of hanging a hidden grommet panel, comprising the steps of: inserting a first end of a rod into a first opening of a sleeve defined by a grommet strip coupled to a panel body; threading the first end of the rod through at least two grommets in the grommet strip; and removing the first end of the rod through a second opening of the sleeve.
10. A method of manufacturing a hidden grommet curtain panel, comprising the steps of: providing a panel body having a front side and a back side; forming a grommet strip having a plurality of spaced-apart grommets therein; and securing the grommet strip to the back side of the panel body to define a sleeve.
11. The method of claim 10, including the steps of: folding an extension of the panel body to create a two-layer strip; and inserting the plurality of grommets through the two-layer strip.
12. The method of claim 10, including the step of stitching the two-layer strip along at least one edge.
13. The method of claim 12, further including the steps of: folding the grommet strip toward the back side of the panel body; and stitching an edge of the grommet strip to the panel body.
14. The method of claim 13, including the step of further positioning a liner between the between the grommet strip and the panel body.
15. The method of claim 10, further including the step of forming the grommet strip by folding a rectangular piece of fabric separate from the panel body in half to form a two-layer strip.
16. The method of claim 15, including the step of inserting the plurality of grommets through the two-layer strip.
17. The method of claim 16, including the step of positioning a liner between the grommet strip and the panel body.
18. The method of claim 17, including the step of securing the grommet strip by stitching around but not over a decorative pleat, thereby allowing the decorative pleat to remain visible when the hidden grommet curtain panel is viewed from the front.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1A is a front view of a hidden grommet panel;
[0019] FIG. 1B is a rear view of the hidden grommet panel;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 1 in FIG. 1A;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 2 in FIG. 1B;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of the hidden grommet panel with the top right corner folded back;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for suspending the hidden grommet panel on a curtain rod;
[0024] FIGS. 6A-E are views of the steps shown in FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a partial rear view of the hidden grommet panel when it is expanded;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a partial rear view of another embodiment of the hidden grommet panel when it is compressed;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a front view of the hidden grommet panel when it is compressed;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a front view of the hidden grommet panel when it is expanded;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a is a flowchart showing a process for manufacturing the hidden grommet panel;
[0030] FIGS. 12A-H are views of the steps shown in FIG. 11;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a is a flowchart showing another process for manufacturing the hidden grommet panel;
[0032] FIGS. 14A-H are views of the steps shown in FIG. 13;
[0033] FIG. 15A is a front view of a hidden grommet panel incorporating a liner;
[0034] FIG. 15B is a rear view of the hidden grommet panel incorporating a liner;
[0035] FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 3 in FIG. 15A;
[0036] FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 4 in FIG. 15B;
[0037] FIG. 18 is a partial rear view of the hidden grommet panel incorporating a liner with the top right corner folded back;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a process for manufacturing the hidden grommet panel incorporating a liner;
[0039] FIGS. 20A-H are views of the steps shown in FIG. 19;
[0040] FIG. 21A is a front view of a hidden grommet panel incorporating pinched pleats;
[0041] FIG. 21B is a rear view of the hidden grommet panel incorporating pinched pleats;
[0042] FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 5 in FIG. 21A;
[0043] FIG. 23 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 6 in FIG. 21A;
[0044] FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 7 in FIG. 21B;
[0045] FIG. 25 is a partial rear view of the hidden grommet panel incorporating pinched pleats with the top right corner folded back;
[0046] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a process for manufacturing the hidden grommet panel incorporating pinched pleats;
[0047] FIGS. 27A-I are views of the steps shown in FIG. 26;
[0048] FIG. 28A is a front view of a hidden grommet panel incorporating inverted pleats;
[0049] FIG. 28B is a rear view of the hidden grommet panel incorporating inverted pleats;
[0050] FIG. 29 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 8 in FIG. 28A;
[0051] FIG. 30 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 9 in FIG. 28A;
[0052] FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 11 in FIG. 28B;
[0053] FIG. 32 is a partial rear view of the hidden grommet panel incorporating inverted pleats with the top right corner folded back;
[0054] FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a process for manufacturing the hidden grommet panel incorporating inverted pleats;
[0055] FIGS. 34A-H are views of the steps shown in FIG. 33.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0056] As shown in the exemplary drawings, the present disclosure is for a hidden grommet panel.
[0057] FIG. 1A is a front view of a hidden grommet panel 10. A panel body 14 having a top section 14T is visible. The top section 14T covers the grommets so that no grommets are visible from the front.
[0058] FIG. 1B is a rear view of hidden grommet panel 10. A grommet section 12 overlaps the top section 14T of panel body 14. Grommet section 12 contains a first grommet 16; three intermediate grommet pairs 18, each comprising first grommet 18-1 and second grommet 18-2 (not separately delineated); and a final grommet 20, at spaced intervals. However, grommet strip 12 can have zero, or any number of intermediate grommet pairs. The top section 14T of panel body 14 is visible through the grommet openings. In the embodiment shown, grommet strip 12 is the same width as hidden grommet panel 10. However, grommet strip 12 can also be of a shorter width. Similarly, in the embodiment shown, grommet section 12 is precisely lined up with the top edge of the top edge of panel body 14. However, grommet strip 12 can also be aligned slightly lower than the top edge.
[0059] With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a hem assembly 22 is formed by grommet section 12 overlaid and attached behind the top section 14T of panel body 14. In the embodiment shown, hem assembly 22 is shown as a single tubular sleeve formed by continuous stitching. However, hem assembly 22 can involve breaks in the stitching so that it constitutes more than one sleeve, for example, as shown in FIGS. 21A, 21B, 28A, and 28B discussed below. FIGS. 1A and 1B further show side hems and a bottom hem for the hidden grommet panel 10.
[0060] FIG. 2 (front view) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 1 of FIG. 1A further delineating the top section 14T of the panel body and the panel body 14. FIG. 3 (rearview) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 2 further delineating grommet strip 12, panel body 14, first grommet 16 and a first grommet 18-1 of an intermediate grommet pair 18. FIG. 4 shows a side opening of hem assembly 22.
[0061] FIG. 5 shows a process for suspending the hidden grommet panel on a curtain rod 40. In a first step 502, insert the curtain rod into a first side opening of a hem assembly 22. At step 504, thread curtain rod 40 through the back and out the face of a first grommet 16 so that curtain rod 40 exits hem assembly 22. Steps 502 and 504 are shown in FIG. 6A (rear view).
[0062] At step 506, for each intermediate grommet pair 18 (if any): a) thread curtain rod 40 through the face and out the back of a first grommet 18-1 of the intermediate grommet pair 18 so that curtain rod 40 re-enters hem assembly 22 as illustrated in FIG. 6B (rear view), and b) remove curtain rod 40 through the back and out the face of a second grommet 18-2 of the grommet pair 18 so that curtain rod 40 exits hem assembly 22, as illustrated in FIG. 6C (rear view). If there are no intermediate grommet pairs 18, skip step 506.
[0063] At step 508, thread curtain rod 40 through the front of and out the back of final grommet 20 back into hem assembly 22, as shown in FIG. 6D (rear view).
[0064] At step 510 remove the curtain rod out of a second side opening of the hem assembly 22 as shown in FIG. 6E.
[0065] FIG. 7 is a rear view of one embodiment of hidden grommet panel 10 having three intermediate grommet pairs suspended on the rod when the hidden grommet panel 10 is expanded. The hidden grommet panel has an S configuration when the grommets are aligned based upon the rod alternating between being inside the hem assembly and behind the hem assembly.
[0066] FIG. 8 is a rear view of another embodiment of hidden grommet panel 10 having one intermediate grommet pair suspended on the rod when the hidden grommet panel is compressed.
[0067] FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of the hidden grommet panel 10 having three intermediate grommet pairs when it is compressed. FIG. 10 is a front view of another embodiment of the hidden grommet panel 10 having three intermediate grommet pairs when it is expanded.
[0068] Aesthetically, when compared to traditional grommet panels, the hidden grommet panel 10 provides a new look that might be described as sleek, seamless, and refined. When viewed from the front, one cannot see the rod, or the grommets, providing a less structured look. The panel body blocks the view of the grommets and provides light reduction by blocking the opening of the grommets.
[0069] FIG. 11 illustrates a process for manufacturing hidden grommet panel 10. Any dimensions provided are for illustrative purposes and are not limiting.
[0070] At step 1100, provide a fabric panel that will become the panel body 14.
[0071] At step 1102, fold a portion of the fabric panel down toward the back to form a two-layer strip with a height h1 (e.g., 4 inches in one embodiment), as illustrated in FIG. 12A (rear view).
[0072] At step 1104, stitch the two-layer strip together, as shown in FIG. 12B (rear view).
[0073] At step 1106, insert grommets through the two-layer strip, positioning the grommets so that the front-facing side of each grommet aligns with the visible side of the fabric, as shown in FIG. 12C (front view). The distance between the outer edge of the grommet and the seam is e1 (e.g. inch).
[0074] At step 1108, stitch the side openings closed to form the grommet strip 12, as shown in FIG. 12D (front view). The remaining fabric panel serves as the panel body 14.
[0075] At step 1110, fold the grommet strip 12 down toward the back of the panel body 14, as shown in FIG. 12E (rear view). The back of the grommets are visible here.
[0076] At step 1112, stitch the grommet strip 12 to the panel body 14 to create the hem assembly 22, as shown in FIG. 12F (rear view). The face of the grommets are visible here.
[0077] Optionally, at step 1114, topstitch along the hem assembly 22 (e.g. at 1/16 inch from the top edge) for added stability, as shown in FIG. 12G (front view). The completed hem assembly 22 is shown in FIG. 12H (rear view). The distance between the top edge of the hem assembly 22 and the grommets is e1 (e.g. inches).
[0078] FIG. 13 illustrates another process for manufacturing the hidden grommet panel, involving a panel body and a separate piece of fabric used to make the grommet strip. The panel body may be a pre-manufactured panel purchased on the market with predetermined dimensions common in the industry. Any dimensions provided herein are for illustrative purposes and are not limiting.
[0079] At the first step 1300, provide a panel body, in one embodiment having a width of 50 inches and any desired or commonly used height. Also provide a separate piece of fabric with a width w1 (e.g. 52 inches) and height h1 (e.g, 9 inches).
[0080] At step 1302, fold the separate piece of fabric in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides together to form a two-layer strip, as shown in FIG. 14A (rear view). The resulting height of the two layer strip has height h2 (e.g 4.5 inches).
[0081] At step 1304, stitch the two-layer strip together along the raw edge (e.g. inches from the edge) and stitch side hems (e.g. 1 inch wide) to close the side openings, as shown in FIG. 14B (front view).
[0082] At step 1306, insert grommets through the two-layer strip to complete grommet strip 12, as shown in FIG. 14C (front view). The distance between the edge of the fabric and the nearest grommet edge is e1 (e.g., 1 inches).
[0083] At step 1308, place the grommet strip 12 on top of the panel body 14, right sides together, with the stitched edge of the grommet strip 12 aligned with the top edge of the panel body 14, as shown in FIG. 14D (front view). The back of the grommets are visible here. Stitch the grommet strip 12 and panel body 14 together (e.g. at inch from the top edge).
[0084] At step 1310, fold the grommet strip 12 now at height h3 (e.g. 4 inches) down toward the back of the panel body 14, as shown in FIG. 14E (rear view).
[0085] At step 1312, stitch the bottom edge of the grommet strip to the panel body 14 to create a hem assembly 22 (e.g., having a height of 4 inches), as shown in FIG. 14F (rear view). The face of the grommets are visible here.
[0086] At an optional step 1314, topstitch along the hem assembly 22 (e.g. at 1/16 inch from the edge) for added stability, as shown in FIG. 14G (front view). The completed hem assembly 22 is shown in FIG. 14H (rear view). The distance between the top edge of the hem assembly 22 and the grommets is e1 (e.g. inches).
[0087] FIGS. 15A (front view), 15B (rear view), and 16-18 show a hidden grommet panel incorporating a liner, such as a blackout liner.
[0088] In FIG. 15B a liner 24 overlays the backside of panel body 14, and top section 14T of panel body 14. Liner 24 is visible through the grommets from the rear and. In other embodiments, liner 24 overlays only panel body 14 and does not overlay top section 14T.
[0089] FIG. 16 (front view) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 3 of FIG. 15A further delineating liner 24. FIG. 17 (rear view) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 4. FIG. 18 shows a side opening of hem assembly 22. The liner 24 is between grommet strip 12 and top section 14T of panel body 14.
[0090] FIG. 19 illustrates a process for manufacturing the hidden grommet panel 10 incorporating a liner. Any dimensions provided herein are for illustrative purposes and are not limiting.
[0091] At first step 1900, provide a fabric panel that will become the panel body 14 and the liner 24.
[0092] At step 1902, fold a portion of the fabric toward the back, to form a two-layer strip with a height of h1 (e.g., 4 inches in one embodiment), as illustrated in FIG. 20A (rear view).
[0093] At step 1904, stitch the two-layer strip together, with the top edge of the liner 24 inserted into the two-layer strip, as illustrated in FIG. 20B (rear view). The liner 24 does not extend beyond the seam.
[0094] At step 1906, insert grommets through the two-layer strip, positioning them so that the face of the grommets aligns with the visible side of the fabric to form the grommet strip 12, as illustrated in FIG. 20C (front view). The distance between the outer edge of each grommet and the seam is e1 (e.g. inch). The remaining fabric panel serves as the panel body 14.
[0095] At step 1908, stitch one inch side hems to close the openings of the grommet strip 12 and further attach the liner to grommet strip 12, as shown in FIG. 20D (front view).
[0096] At step 1910, fold grommet strip 12 down toward the back of the panel body 14, as shown in FIG. 20E (rear view). The back of the grommets are visible here.
[0097] At step 1912, stitch the grommet section 12 to panel body 14 to form hem assembly 22, as shown in FIG. 20F (rear view). The face of the grommets are visible here.
[0098] Optionally, at step 1914, topstitch along the hem assembly 22 (e.g. at 1/16 inch from the top edge) for added stability, as shown in FIG. 20G (front view). The completed hem assembly 22 is shown in FIG. 20H (rear view). The distance between the top edge of the hem assembly 22 and the grommets is e1 (e.g. inches).
[0099] One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the grommet panel with a liner can also be manufactured using a separate piece of fabric to create the grommet strip, and a panel body with liner pr pre-attached as discussed in the embodiments above and below.
[0100] FIGS. 21A (front view), 21B (rear view), and 22-25 show another embodiment of the hidden grommet panel incorporating pinched pleats 26.
[0101] FIG. 21A shows the pinched pleats 26 on the top section 14T of panel body 14 when viewed from the front. With reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B, pinched pleats 26 are located between the first grommet 16 and a first intermediate grommet pair 18; between the first intermediate grommet pair 18 and a second intermediate grommet pair 18; between the second intermediate grommet pair 18 and a third intermediate grommet pair 18; and between the third intermediate grommet pair 18 and the final grommet 20. The seams joining grommet panel 12 to body panel 14 go right up to but not over each pinched pleat. As such, in this embodiment hem assembly 22 comprises separate tubular pockets rather than a singular tubular pocket as in the other embodiments.
[0102] FIG. 22 (front view) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 5 of FIG. 21A further showing pinched pleats 26. FIG. 23 (front view) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 6 of FIG. 21A. In the embodiment shown, each pinched pleat is made up of -inch-wide pleats and stitched down with L tack or other known tack styles for pinched pleats. The height h is 1 inch. Although specific dimensions are provided above and throughout this disclosure, they are for illustrative purposes and are not limiting.
[0103] FIG. 24 (rear view) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 7 of FIG. 21B. FIG. 25 shows a first side opening of hem assembly 22.
[0104] FIG. 26 is a flowchart that shows the process for manufacturing hidden grommet panel 10 incorporating pinched pleats. any dimensions provided herein are for illustrative purposes and are not limiting.
[0105] At a first step 2600, provide a panel body incorporating pinched pleats having a width of 32 inches (in one embodiment) and any desired or commonly used height. Also provide a separate piece of fabric with a width w1 (e.g. 34 inches) and a height h1 (e.g., 9 inches).
[0106] At step 2602, fold the piece of fabric in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together to form a two-layer strip, as shown in FIG. 27A (rear view). The resulting height of the 2-layer strip has height h2 (e.g. 4.5 inches).
[0107] At step 2604, stitch one inch side hems to close the side openings of the two-layer strip, as shown in FIG. 27B (front view).
[0108] At step 2606, insert grommets through the two-layer strip to complete grommet strip 12 as shown in FIG. 27C (front view). The distance between top edge of grommet and the folded edge is e1 (e.g. inch).
[0109] At step 2608, place grommet strip 12 on top of the panel body 14, wrong sides together, with the folded edge of the grommet strip aligned with the top edge of the panel body 14, as shown in FIG. 27D (rear view). The face of the grommets are visible here. Stitch the grommet strip 12 and panel body 14 together (e.g. at 1/16 inch from the top edge) stopping the seam before each pinch pleat and continuing it after each pinch pleat. Optionally backstitch before and after each pinched pleat so the seam is secure, as shown in FIG. 27E (front view) and F (front view). This seam also acts as a topstitch for added stability when the panel is hanging. the seams go right up to but not over the pinched pleats and are backstitched wherever they start or stop.
[0110] At step 2610, fold the bottom edge of the grommet strip under to create a -inch seam allowance, as shown in FIG. 27G (rear view) and H (front view). The bottom edge of the grommet section 12 is stitched down to the panel body 14 to create a four-inch hem assembly 22, stopping and starting the seam before and after each pleat. Optionally, backstitch before and after each pinched pleat for added stability. The hem assembly now has a height of h3 (4 inches). The completed hem assembly 22 is shown in FIG. 27I (rear view). The distance between the top edge of the hem assembly 22 and the grommets is e1 (e.g., inch).
[0111] FIGS. 28A (front view), 28B (rear view) and 29-31 show another embodiment of the hidden grommet panel incorporating inverted pleats 28. FIG. 28A shows the inverted pleats 28 on the top section 14T of panel body 14. With reference to FIGS. 28A and 28B, the inverted pleats 28 are located between the first grommet 16 and the first intermediate grommet pair 18; between the first intermediate grommet pair 18 and the second intermediate grommet pair 18; between the second intermediate grommet pair 18 and the third intermediate grommet pair 18; and between the third intermediate grommet pair and the final grommet 20.
[0112] FIG. 29 (front view) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 8 of FIG. 28A. FIG. 30 (you) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 9 of FIG. 28A. In the embodiment shown, the total width of the inverted pleat is 4 inches. The dimension s1 is 2 inches and the dimension s2 is 1 inch. Although specific dimensions are provided above and throughout this disclosure, they are for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. FIG. 31 (rear view) is an enlarged perspective view taken about rectangle 11 of FIG. 28B. FIG. 32 shows a first side opening of hem assembly 22.
[0113] FIG. 33 illustrates the process to manufacture hidden grommet panel 10 incorporating inverted pleats. Any dimensions provided herein are for illustrative purposes and are not limiting.
[0114] At a first step 3300, provide a panel body 14 incorporating inverted pleats with a width of 34 inches (in one embodiment) and any desired height. Also provide a separate piece of fabric with a width w1 (e.g. 36 inches) and a height h1 (e.g., 9 inches).
[0115] At step 3302, fold the piece of fabric in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together to form a two-layer strip, as illustrated in FIG. 34A (rear view). The resulting 2-layer strip has a height h2 (e.g. 4.5 inches).
[0116] At step 3304, stitch the two layers together along the raw edges (e.g. inch from the edge and stitch the side openings closed as shown in FIG. 34B (front view).
[0117] At step 3306, insert grommets through the two-layer strip to form grommet strip 12, as shown in FIG. 34C (front view). The distance between the topmost edge of the grommets and the edge of the fabric is e1 (e.g. 1 inches).
[0118] At step 3308, place the grommet strip on top of the panel body 14, with right sides together and the stitched edge of the grommet section aligned with the top edge of the panel body 14, as shown in FIG. 34D (front view). Stitch the grommet strip 12 and panel body 14 together at inch from the top edge.
[0119] At step 3310, fold the grommet strip 12 downward toward the back of panel body 14, as shown in FIG. 34E (rear view). The back of the grommets are visible here. The resulting height of grommet strip 12 is h3 (e.g. 4 inches).
[0120] At step 3312, stitch the bottom edge of the grommet strip to the panel body 14 to create the hem assembly 22, as shown in FIG. 34F (rear view). The base of the grommets are visible here. In the embodiment shown, the hem assembly 22 has a height of h3 (e.g., 4 inches). The faces of the grommets are visible.
[0121] At an optional step 3314, topstitch the hem assembly along the top edge of the panel (e.g. at 1/16 inch) for added stability, as shown in FIG. 34G (front view). The completed hem assembly 22 is shown in FIG. 34H (rear view). The distance between the top edge of the hem assembly 22 and the grommets is e1 (e.g. inches).
[0122] Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
