Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material that provides controlled transition between a privacy or scattering state and a visible or transmittance state. To make electrical connections with electrode layers that control the optically active material, the privacy glazing structure may include electrode engagement regions. In some examples, the electrode engagement regions are formed as notches in peripheral edges of opposed panes bounding the optically active material. The notches may or may not overlap to provide a through conduit in the region of overlap for wiring. In either case, the notches may allow the remainder of the structure to have a flush edge surface for ease of downstream processing.

Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material that provides controlled transition between a privacy or scattering state and a visible or transmittance state. To make electrical connections with electrode layers that control the optically active material, the privacy glazing structure may include an offset pane arrangement. The structure may include first and second panes that contain an optically active material. The two panes may be sandwiched by two laminated outer panes. In some examples, the first and second panes are recessed relative to the laminated outer panes along their side edges to define recesses in which electrical connection features are positioned. While the side edges may be recessed, the bottom edges of all the panes may be positioned flush with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glazing used as projection screen operating in reflection, comprising a front face, onto which the image is projected, and a rear face. The glazing comprises a variable light scattering system comprising a functional film capable of switching between a transparent state and a scattering state and a coating comprising at least one mirror layer, said coating being separated from the front face at least by the functional film. The invention also relates to the use of a glazing as projection screen, to a projection system and to a projection method using said glazing.

Abstract: A muntin bar fabrication system can be used to efficiency produce a wide variety of different types of muntin bars, allowing the fabrication of both standard and custom muntin bar assemblies for doors, windows, and other fenestration products. In some examples, the fabrication system includes a muntin bar stock storage assembly that holds multiple different types of muntin bar stock. The system also includes a muntin bar stock extraction device that extracts one of the different types of muntin bar stock from the storage assembly and conveys the extracted muntin bar stock to a feed device. The feed device feeds the extracted piece of muntin bar stock into a cutting system that includes a multi-axis cutter. The cutting system that performs one or more cutting operations on the extracted muntin bar stock so as to fabricate one or more individual muntin bars from the extracted muntin bar stock.

Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may be fabricated from multiple panes of transparent material that hold an optically active material and also define a between-pane space that is separated from a surrounding environment for thermal insulating properties. The privacy glazing structure may include various functional coatings and intermediate films to enhance the performance and/or life span of the structure. For example, the privacy glazing structure may include a low emissivity coating and a laminate layer positioned between an optically active layer and an exterior environment exposed to sunlight. The low emissivity coating and laminate layer may work in combination to effectively protect the optically active layer from sunlight degradation. Additionally or alternatively, the laminate layer may impart safety and impact resistance properties to the structure.

Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material that provides controlled transition between a privacy or scattering state and a visible or transmittance state. To make electrical connections with electrode layers that control the optically active material, the privacy glazing structure may include electrode engagement regions. In some examples, the electrode engagement regions are formed as notches in peripheral edges of opposed panes bounding the optically active material. The notches may or may not overlap to provide a through conduit in the region of overlap for wiring. In either case, the notches may allow the remainder of the structure to have a flush edge surface for ease of downstream processing.

Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material, such as a liquid crystal material, sandwiched between a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate. The flexible substrate and the rigid substrate may each have a conductive layer deposited on the surface facing the optically active material. The flexible substrate may be bonded about its perimeter to the rigid substrate and may be sufficiently flexible to conform to non-planarity of the rigid substrate. As a result, the flexible substrate may adopt the surface contour of the rigid substrate to maintain a uniform thickness of optically active material between the flexible substrate and the rigid substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glazing unit comprising a substrate coated with a variable light scattering system switching between a transparent state and a translucent state comprising a scattering layer able to scatter the incident light along scattering angles greater than the critical total internal reflection angle at the interface between the substrate and the air and at least one pair of elements absorbing visible light separated from one another at least by the scattering layer. The invention also relates to the use of said glazing unit as a projection or back-projection screen.

Abstract: A muntin bar fabrication system can be used to efficiency produce a wide variety of different types of muntin bars, allowing the fabrication of both standard and custom muntin bar assemblies for doors, windows, and other fenestration products. In some examples, the fabrication system includes a muntin bar stock storage assembly that holds multiple different types of muntin bar stock. The system also includes a muntin bar stock extraction device that extracts one of the different types of muntin bar stock from the storage assembly and conveys the extracted muntin bar stock to a feed device. The feed device feeds the extracted piece of muntin bar stock into a cutting system that includes a multi-axis cutter. The cutting system that performs one or more cutting operations on the extracted muntin bar stock so as to fabricate one or more individual muntin bars from the extracted muntin bar stock.

Abstract: A drop batch builder is provided for organizing a plurality of glass sheets into a desired batch arrangement on a conveyor. The drop batch builder includes an upper conveyor line and a lower conveyor line. The upper conveyor has a drop region configured to drop a first glass sheet from the upper conveyor line downwardly onto the lower conveyor line, whereupon the lower conveyor line is configured to convey the first glass sheet along the lower path of substrate travel to the overpass region where the first glass sheet is positioned under the upper conveyor line. Methods of using a drop batch builder are also provided.

Abstract: Multilayer film (1) with electrically switchable optical properties, comprising, arranged sheet-wise in order, at least: —a first carrier film (5), —a first electrically conductive layer (3), —an active layer (2), —a second electrically conductive layer (4) and—a second carrier film (6), wherein—the multilayer film (1) has at least two circumferential separating lines (16), which separate an insulated edge region (18) from the first electrically conductive layer (3) and the second electrically conductive layer (4), —the first carrier film (5) and the second carrier film (6) are welded in at least a part of the insulated edge region (18) to form a sealed region (7), and—the separating lines (16) have a width of 10 ?m to 500 ?m.

Abstract: A spacer formation cell usable in configuration of a window assembly, wherein the cell includes a plurality of stages through which a spacer work piece is routed, and the stages include a holding stage, a cutting stage, a bending stage, and a connecting stage. The stages can be arranged in interlinked configuration, enabling spacers to be fabricated in a direct and time-efficient manner. The stages can be interlinked to form a framework, forming an exterior enclosure for the stages of the cell, and enabling at least of the majority of the cell's operations to be readily overseen by an operator from single vantage points around the cell. The configuration of the formation cell enables a wide variety of spacer types and/or sizes to be readily processed, with such processing to be readily alternated.

Abstract: A system for producing multiple-pane insulating glazing units can include a conveyor and a plurality of laterally spaced-apart processing stations that are movable transversely relative to the longitudinally extending conveyor line. Each processing station may assemble glazing panes and a glazing spacer into a partially fabricated glazing unit, deliver insulative gas to a between-pane space between the glazing panes, and press the partially fabricated glazing unit together to seal the insulative gas in the between-pane space and form the multiple-pane insulating glazing unit. In some examples, each processing station moves to an alignment position with the conveyor to load glazing panes and a glazing spacer and then performs individual fabrication steps while offset from the conveyor. During this time, a different processing station can be aligned with the conveyor to unload a fabricated multiple-pane insulating glazing units and/or load unassembled glazing panes and a glazing spacer.

Abstract: A seaming station and method of seaming utilizing two robot arms with seaming heads coupled thereto to seam a large lite by working in conjunction with one another or simultaneously seaming two lites independently of one another.

Abstract: A multiple glazing with variable scattering by liquid crystals can have first and second flat float glass sheets held on the edge of their internal faces by a joint made of a given joint material. In some examples, the glazing also includes first and second electrodes and a layer of liquid crystals with an average thickness E between 5 and 15 ?m. The thickness of each of the first and second glass sheets may be less than or equal to 6.5 mm and each of the internal faces coated with the first and second electrodes may have a dioptric defect score, expressed in millidiopters, of less than or equal to 2+2E/3, where the thickness E of the liquid crystals is in ?m.

Abstract: The invention provides machines for removing strips of masking from glazing panes. Also provided are methods of removing strips of masking from glazing panes. One embodiment of a machine for removing strips of masking material from a glazing pane includes a cutting head and a processing station. The processing station can be constructed to retain the glazing pane in a processing position with a first surface of the glazing pane oriented toward the cutting head. The cutting head can be movable in various directions across the masked glazing pane and include cutters to cut strips from the masking material.

Abstract: A multiple glazing with variable scattering by liquid crystals includes first and second flat float glass sheets sealed on the edge of their internal faces by a sealing joint, in particular made of a given sealing material, in particular essentially organic, first and second electrodes, and a layer of liquid crystals with an average thickness E between 15 and 60 ?m inclusive of these values and incorporating spacers. The thickness A of each of the first and second glass sheets is less than or equal to 5.5 mm, and each of the internal faces coated with the first and second electrodes has a dioptric defect score, expressed in millidioptres, of less than 12E/15 where the thickness E of the liquid crystals is in ?m.

Abstract: A method for producing a multiple glazing unit with variable diffusion by liquid crystals can include applying a pre-seal on an internal face of a first substrate to form a strip delimiting a space. The method can further include depositing a liquid crystal composition containing liquid crystals in a polymer matrix on the delimited space. In some examples, the first substrate is assembled with a second substrate and calendared or pressed. Thereafter, the resulting assembly is irradiated and/or heated to simultaneously cross-link the pre-seal and polymerize the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A laminated glazing with variable liquid-crystal-induced scattering, includes a first glass sheet; a first interlayer film for laminating the first glass sheet, made from a first plastic material; an electrically controllable, variable scattering system including the liquid crystals between a first support for a first electrode and a second support for a second electrode, the electrodes making contact with the liquid crystals; a second interlayer film, made from a second plastic material for laminating a second glass sheet; links to the electrodes; electrical wiring with two wiring inputs; a polymer material, for protecting the wiring inputs, which makes contact with the glass sheets; and a seal for sealing the liquid crystals and the electrodes from water. The protective polymer material forms a seal for sealing the electrode links and the wiring inputs from liquid water.

Abstract: An electrically conductive support for a glazing unit having liquid crystal scattering properties may include a multilayer of thin films. In one example, the thin films include an electrode comprising a TCO film, a silicon-nitride-based first barrier film having a thickness e1 of at least 5 nm, and a silicon-oxide-based second barrier film having a thickness e2 of at least 30 nm. The thickness e1 may be smaller than or equal to e2 and/or smaller than 80 nm. Further, the cumulative thickness of the first and second barrier films may be larger than or equal to 50 nm and smaller than 150 nm.