Abstract: A method of forming a polymer backing on a glass substrate through the use of a pre-polymer powder applied onto the surface of the substrate. The backing is applied on-line in an existing substrate manufacturing or fabricating process while the substrate is at a high enough temperature to polymerize the powder. The resulting backed substrate is durable and abrasion resistant and exhibits excellent opacification and adhesion properties.

Abstract: Fluorine doped tin oxide coatings on glass are prepared by providing a uniform, vaporized reactant mixture containing an organotin compound, HF, water and oxygen, and delivering the reactant mixture to the surface of the hot ribbon of glass, where the compounds react to form the fluorine doped tin oxide coating. The fluorine doped tin oxide coatings applied in accordance with the invention exhibit lower sheet resistance, and improved uniformity in sheet resistance over the coated surface of the glass.

Abstract: Indicia is affixed to an enamel band on a substrate. An ink suitable for use in known ink jet printers containing inorganic pigments and no frits is applied in a predetermined, easily changeable, pattern to the surface of an enamel band found on a substrate such as plastic or glass. Subsequently the substrate having the enamel band and ink thereon may be heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the frits in the enamel band to adhere to the inorganic pigment in the ink to form permanent opaque indicia on the enamel band in the form of a separate and distinct layer.

Abstract: A method for producing organo metal chlorides directly from molten metal. The organo metal chlorides are formed by contacting an organo chloride directly with a metal melt. The preferred method includes the use of indium as the metal and methyl chloride as the organo chloride. The direct contact of the methyl chloride with the indium metal results in the production of dimethyl indium chloride or methyl indium dichloride depending on the contacting time and efficiency of the process. The resulting products are suitable for use as a precursor gas for chemical vapor deposition processes. Additionally, activator compounds such as oxides or halides are optionally added to the metal melt to enhance the reaction rate.

Abstract: A compact rain sensor for mounting on the inner surface of a windshield includes collimator lenses and a detachable prismatic coupler to facilitate the mounting of emitters and detectors on a circuit board which is positioned parallel to the inner surface of the windshield. A thin optical coupler is adhesively secured to the windshield. A sensor housing is detachably secured about the outer edges of the coupler. Within the sensor housing, surface-mounted infrared emitters and detectors, as well as signal processing circuitry, are all mounted on a single printed circuit board secured in the housing. When the sensor housing is mounted on the coupler, the printed circuit board is parallel to the inner surface of the windshield and in close proximity thereto.

Abstract: A neutral, generally green-gray low transmittance (no more than 50 percent luminous transmittance) soda-lime-silica glass has reduced solar energy transmittance and reduced ultra violet radiation transmittance when provided with the following colorant constituents in percent by weight:______________________________________ Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 (total iron) 1.3-2 NiO 0.01-0.05 CoO 0.02-0.04 Se 0.0002-0.003 TiO.sub.2 0.09-3 ______________________________________The glass has a ferrous value in the range of 18 to 30.

Abstract: A neutral, generally green colored, infrared energy and ultraviolet radiation absorbing glass composition comprises conventional soda-lime-silica float glass ingredients, a relatively high concentration of moderately reduced iron, and titanium oxide(s). The resultant glass exhibits an Illuminant A visible light transmittance of at least 70%, a total solar energy transmittance not greater than about 46%, and an ultraviolet radiation transmittance not greater than approximately 38%, at selected glass thicknesses in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm. The titanium oxide(s) as well as at least a portion of the iron in the glass is provided by the inclusion of the mineral ilmenite in the glass batch formulation.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for copolymerizing vinyl chloride with allyl glycidyl ether and a vinyl ester. The copolymers so formed include 70-99 weight % of vinyl chloride, 0.05-15 weight % of allyl glycidyl ether, and 0.05-15 weight % of a vinyl ester, preferably vinyl acetate. The copolymers of this invention can be compounded to provide films exhibiting improved heat stability, low haze, and good adhesion to solid surfaces such as glass and metal. The compounded resins thus obtained may be especially advantageously used in forming the interlayer of laminated safety glazings, such as vehicle windshields and architectural glazings.

Abstract: A method and material is disclosed for protecting glass surfaces in a stack of glass sheets by applying an interleaving material comprised of polyethylene having a number average molecular weight of at least 150,000 to one or both major surfaces of the glass sheets. The glass sheets are then stacked in face-to-face relation for shipment or storage.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating to a substrate comprises a gas distributor having an outlet disposed adjacent to the substrate for directing a gaseous reactant mixture to the surface of the substrate. A plurality of drop tubes are provided which communicate with and are spaced along the length of the distributor for supplying the gaseous reactant mixture to the distributor. The uniformity of the thickness of the coating which is applied to the substrate along its width is determined. Finally, one or more of the reactants or an inert gas is supplied to one or more of the drop tubes to alter the concentration of one or more of the reactants in the gaseous reactant mixture flowing through one or more drop tubes. The rate of deposition of the coating in the proximity of such drop tubes is thereby altered to improve the uniformity of the coating deposited.

Abstract: A method of producing mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a coating comprising at least one pyrolytic reflecting layer and at least one color modifying layer whereby the mirrors exhibit color in reflectance and have a visible light reflection of at least 35% and less than 70%. There is also provided a mirror having such a coating.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic windshield wiper control system which responds to sensed moisture in a manner which is responsive to changes in conditions, yet subjectively smooth. Moisture and noise sensitive signals from a sensor are digitized, and a functional block detects the reversals of the moisture sensing signal towards a quiescent level. These reversals are considered rain events and a method is disclosed for producing an ongoing measure of the frequency of these events. The resulting signal is representative of the flow rate of the raindrops impinging upon the moisture sensor. Another functional block with a logarithmic characteristic converts this quantity into an intensity value, in a manner which mimics human perception. A multiple time-constant averaging means maintains a value representative of the long-range prevailing conditions under which the device is operating.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the mounting of an optical sensor on a windshield glass using a clear adhesive tape is disclosed. The device holds the sensor, with tape exposed, in a vacuum chamber which is sealed against the glass. The chamber is evacuated, and the sensor is then pressed against the glass by the longitudinal movement of a drive shaft. The sensor may be installed with consistent force and with no trapped air pockets or air bubbles. Air pockets are a special concern because air pockets adversely effect the optical performance of the sensor. The vacuum chamber device may be controlled by a computer, and features a latching mechanism which prevents the sensor from making contact with the glass until the chamber is evacuated.

Abstract: A method of producing mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a coating comprising at least one pyrolytic reflecting layer and at least one color modifying layer whereby the mirrors exhibit color in reflectance and have a visible light reflection of at least 35% and less than 70%. There is also a provided a mirror having such a coating.

Abstract: A neutral, generally green colored, infrared energy and ultraviolet radiation absorbing glass composition comprises conventional soda-lime-silica float glass ingredients, a relatively high concentration of moderately reduced iron, and titanium oxide(s). The resultant glass exhibits an Illuminant A visible light transmittance of at least 70%, a total solar energy transmittance not greater than about 46%, and an ultraviolet radiation transmittance not greater than approximately 38%, at selected glass thicknesses in the range of 3mm to 5mm. The titanium oxide(s) as well as at least a portion of the iron in the glass is provided by the inclusion of the mineral ilmenite in the glass batch formulation.

Abstract: A window frame assembly is provided with a sliding glass mechanism and seal system for vehicular backlites. The assembly includes a pair of fixed side windows secured in a frame in spaced-apart relationship, and one or more sliding windows positioned in channel brackets to close and open the aperture between the fixed window panes. A single gasket formed by a reaction injection molding process is formed around the periphery of the window assembly for mounting the window assembly in the opening of a body panel of a pickup truck. The gasket is integrally formed about the aperture during the reaction injection molding process and includes a flexible lip to engage the sliding window. The sliding window slides in the channels of the channel brackets and is positioned to engage the lip of the gasket to seal the aperture. The required sliding force to open and close the sliding window may be reduced by spring loading the sliding window in the channel.

Abstract: An infrared and ultraviolet absorbing soda-lime-silica glass of a neutral tint containing 0.3% to 0.7% by weight total iron expressed as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, together with amounts of Se, Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 and a ferrous iron content to provide a ratio of ferrous iron to total iron in the range of 21 to 34. NiO and TiO.sub.2 may be added to the glass. The resultant glass, in a nominal 4 mm thickness, has a visible light transmission of at least 70% and a direct solar heat transmission at least 12 percentage points below the visible light transmission. The iron in the glass is preferably provided by the inclusion of the mineral wuestite in the glass batch formulation.

Abstract: A window frame assembly is provided with a sliding glass mechanism and seal system for vehicular backlites. The assembly includes a pair of fixed side windows secured in a frame in spaced-apart relationship, and one or more sliding windows positioned in channel brackets to close and open the aperture between the fixed window panes. A single gasket formed by a reaction injection molding process is formed around the periphery of the window assembly for mounting the window assembly in the opening of a body panel of a pickup truck. The gasket is integrally formed about the aperture during the reaction injection molding process and includes a flexible lip to engage the sliding window. The sliding window slides in the channels of the channel brackets and is positioned to engage the sealing lip of the gasket to seal the aperture. A channel liner continuously engages the horizontal edges of the sliding window to maintain the sliding window in tension in the channels.

Abstract: A method and material is disclosed for protecting glass surfaces in a stack of glass sheets by applying an interleaving material comprised of polyethylene having a number average molecular weight of at least 100,000 to one or both major surfaces of the glass sheets. The glass sheets are then stacked in face-to-face relation for shipment or storage.

Abstract: A system is provided for transporting large glass sheets or blanks. A-frame stanchions are removably secured to a base section to form a rack for carrying stacks of sheets supported on edge upon the base. The base section is supported above the floor or supporting surface by spacer sections which define a corridor beneath the base for removably receiving a transport dolly. The transport dolly includes lift platforms positionable beneath frame members of the base section. Inflatable air bags are adapted to raise and lower the lift platforms for selectively raising the rack to permit it to be moved about on the transport dolly. A steerable wheel arrangement is provided at the forward end of the transport dolly. Stacking posts are provided at the corners of the base whereby when empty, the A-frame stanchions can be disassembled and the racks stacked in nested relationship for return shipment and storage.