Apparatus and method for making cellular shade material

An apparatus for making an expandable cellular structure suitable for use as a window covering, the apparatus comprising:

• a drive for conveying a continuous ribbon of material to a folder, wherein the folder forms a preform from the continuous ribbon of material;
• the drive further conveying the preform past a cutter positioned downstream of the folder, wherein the cutter at least partially cuts the preform to define a row member;
• an adhesive applicator positioned downstream of the cutter for applying at least one line of adhesive to the row member;
• and
• a conveyor for transporting the row member having at least one line of adhesive to a stacker, wherein the stacker bonds the row member to other row members.

A method for making an expandable honeycomb structure suitable for a window covering, the method comprising:

• providing a continuous preform and conveying the preform a cutter, wherein the cutter at least partially cuts the preform to define a row member;
• applying at least one line of adhesive to the row member at a point downstream of the cutter;
• conveying the row member including the adhesive to a stacker;
• and
• stacking the row member with other row members before conveying a second row member into the stacker, and bonding the row member with the other row members as the row member is stacked