Abstract: The invention provides low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coatings. The invention also provides a pane bearing a low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coating. Further, the invention provides an insulating glass unit comprising first and second panes held in a spaced-apart configuration, wherein the panes have confronting inner surfaces oriented toward a between-pane space and opposed outer surfaces oriented away from the between-pane space, and wherein one of these inner surfaces bears a low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coating. Also provided are methods of producing coated substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating for a transparent substrate which exhibits a “neutral” color through a wide range of angles of incidence of light. The coating employs a base coat adjacent the transparent substrate having a thickness of no more than about 275 ? and may include two reflective metal layers having an intermediate layer of an anti-reflective metal oxide therebetween and an outer anti-reflective layer of metal oxide over the second reflective metal layer. If so desired, the coating of the invention may include an abrasive-resistant overcoat as its outermost layer. This overcoat is desirably formed of an abrasive-resistant metal oxide, such as zinc oxide applied at a thickness which does not significantly affect the optical properties of said coated substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides niobium-titanium films, coatings (e.g., low-emissivity coatings) comprising one or more niobium-titanium films, and substrates bearings such coatings. Methods of depositing niobium-titanium films are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for removing coatings from generally opposed first and second major surfaces of a substrate. The method includes providing a table having a surface for slidable receipt of the substrate. First and second grinding apparatuses are provided at a mounting portion of the table, opposite one another. As the substrate moves over the table surface, it contacts the first and second grinding apparatuses. The coatings are simultaneously removed from the first major surface with the first grinding apparatus from the second major surface with the second grinding apparatus.

Abstract: A coated article (e.g., a coated glass article) is provided with a low-emissivity, water-sheeting coating. The coating comprises a sputtered silica layer over a pyrolytically-applied dielectric layer. In certain embodiments, an automobile windscreen is provided with a low-emissivity, water-sheeting coating. Also provided are methods of rendering a surface of a substrate (e.g., a pane of glass) resistant to soiling and staining, such as by depositing on the substrate a low-emissivity, water-sheeting coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for removing coatings from generally opposed first and second major surfaces of a substrate. The method includes providing a table having a surface for slidable receipt of the substrate. First and second grinding apparatuses are provided at a mounting portion of the table, opposite one another. As the substrate moves over the table surface, it contacts the first and second grinding apparatuses. The coatings are simultaneously removed from the first major surface with the first grinding apparatus from the second major surface with the second grinding apparatus.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating and a method of applying coatings to opposed sides of a substrate are described. In one embodiment, a glass sheet is provided bearing a sputtered water-sheeting coating comprising silica on an exterior surface and bearing a reflective coating on an interior surface. The interior surface of a sheet of glass can be coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass can be coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass. Both the reflective coating and the water-sheeting coating can be applied during the same pass through the same sputter coating apparatus.

Abstract: Transparent articles comprising transparent, nonmetallic substrate and a transparent film stack is sputter deposited on the substrate. The film stack is characterized by including at least one infrared reflective metal film, a dielectric film over the metal film, and a protective silicon nitride film of 10 ? to 150 ? in thickness over the said dielectric film. The dielectric film desirably has substantially the same index of refraction as does silicon nitride and is contiguous with the silicon nitride film.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating and a method of applying coatings to opposed sides of a substrate are described. In one embodiment, a water-sheeting coating 20 comprising silica is sputtered directly onto an exterior surface of the glass. The exterior face of this water-sheeting coating is substantially non-porous but has an irregular surface. This water-sheeting coating causes water applied to the coated surface to sheet, making the glass article easier to clean and helping the glass stay clean longer. In one method of the invention, interior and exterior surfaces of a glass sheet are cleaned. Thereafter, the interior surface of the sheet of glass is coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass is coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate has a durable exterior surface bearing a temporary protective cover that protects the durable surface against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the durable surface by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides thin film coatings that have a transparent base layer. For example, the invention provides low-emissivity coatings with a transparent base layer. In certain embodiments, a silicon dioxide base layer is used. Methods of producing thin film coatings having a transparent base layer are provided as well. In one embodiment, sputter deposition is utilized to produce these coatings.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate bears a hydrophilic coating carrying a temporary protective cover that protects the hydrophilic coating against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the hydrophilic coating by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: A stackable, folding transport rack generally including a base, a plurality of supports, at least one foldable A-frame hingedly secured to the base and an optional securing assembly. The base of the transport rack is supported by a plurality of legs bearing supports which are adapted to support the lower edges of objects, such as glass sheets or other sheet materials to be carried by the transport rack. The supports are configured to be as low as possible to the resting surface of the transport rack so as to provide for a minimal lift height for loading and unloading. The low arrangement of the supports also maximizes the size of glass sheets that can be carried and maintains the lowest possible center of gravity. The top of the sheet supports may be cushioned with appropriate resilient material.

Abstract: A stackable, folding transport rack generally including a base, a plurality of supports, at least one foldable A-frame hingedly secured to the base and an optional securing assembly. The base of the transport rack is supported by a plurality of legs bearing supports which are adapted to support the lower edges of objects, such as glass sheets or other sheet materials to be carried by the transport rack. The supports are configured to be as low as possible to the resting surface of the transport rack so as to provide for a minimal lift height for loading and unloading. The low arrangement of the supports also maximizes the size of glass sheets that can be carried and maintains the lowest possible center of gravity. The top of the sheet supports may be cushioned with appropriate resilient material.

Abstract: Transparent articles comprising transparent, nonmetallic substrate and a transparent film stack is sputter deposited on the substrate. The film stack is characterized by including at least one infrared reflective metal film, a dielectric film over the metal film, and a protective silicon nitride film of 10 Å to 150 Å in thickness over the said dielectric film. The dielectric film desirably has substantially the same index of refraction as does silicon nitride and is contiguous with the silicon nitride film.

Abstract: Transparent articles comprising transparent, nonmetallic substrate and a transparent film stack is sputter deposited on the substrate. The film stack is characterized by including at least one infrared reflective metal film, a dielectric film over the metal film, and a protective silicon nitride film of 10 Å to 150 Å in thickness over the said dielectric film. The dielectric film desirably has substantially the same index of refraction as does silicon nitride and is contiguous with the silicon nitride film.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating and a method of applying coatings to opposed sides of a substrate are described. In one embodiment, a water-sheeting coating 20 comprising silica is sputtered directly onto an exterior surface of the glass. The exterior face of this water-sheeting coating is substantially non-porous but has an irregular surface. This water-sheeting coating causes water applied to the coated surface to sheet, making the glass article easier to clean and helping the glass stay clean longer. In one method of the invention, interior and exterior surfaces of a glass sheet are cleaned. Thereafter, the interior surface of the sheet of glass is coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass is coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A shipping container for holding a plurality of parallel panels, the shipping container including a floor, a generally upright rear wall, and a frame supporting the floor and the rear wall at right angles to each other for vertically supporting the parallel panels. The edges of the panels can be supported by the floor and rear wall, with the panels being supported in parallel planes perpendicular to the planes of the rear wall and floor. The floor can have numerous parallel grooves for receiving the panel edges and numerous upwardly protruding holding members slidably disposed along a direction transverse to the floor grooves and received panel edges. The holding members can have a relaxed position for permitting removal of the panels and the gripping position for inhibiting movement of the panels.

Abstract: A heat-formable mirror comprising a flat substrate capable of plastic flow upon application of heat and a sputter-deposited coating formed on the surface of the substrate. From the substrate outwardly, the coating comprises a transparent amorphous layer and a reflective layer comprising contiguous first and second different metal films. The first metal film, positioned nearer the substrate than the second metal film, is a reflective metal film, and the second metal film comprises a protective film that is less reflective than the reflective metal film, the second metal film being of niobium, tungsten, tantalum, iron and nickel and being present in a thickness sufficient to protect the first metal film and avoid significant reduction of reflectance during heat forming of the mirror.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating for a transparent substrate which exhibits a “neutral” color through a wide range of angles of incidence of light. The coating employs a base coat adjacent the transparent substrate having a thickness of no more than about 275 Å and may include two reflective metal layers having an intermediate layer of an anti-reflective metal oxide therebetween and an outer anti-reflective layer of metal oxide over the second reflective metal layer. If so desired, the coating of the invention may include an abrasive-resistant overcoat as its outermost layer. This overcoat is desirably formed of an abrasive-resistant metal oxide, such as zinc oxide, applied at a thickness which does not significantly affect the optical properties of said coated substrate.