Abstract: Special effect films are disclosed that comprise a polymeric substrate and a composite coating. The composite coating is provided with a first layer comprising a polyionic binder and a second layer comprising interference particles having at least one highly refractive layer and at least one lower refractive layer, and a difference in refractive index between the highly refractive layer and the at least one lower refractive layer is at least 0.1 units.

Abstract: Optical products are disclosed that include a polymer substrate; a composite coating, deposited on the polymer substrate; a permeating adhesive, which permeates the composite coating and is in contact with the polymer substrate; and a protective layer, secured to the composite coating by the permeating adhesive. The composite coating includes at least a first layer and a second layer, each of which is provided with a binding group component which together form a complementary binding group pair. The optical products exhibit improved resistance to delamination during storage and use.

Abstract: Optical products and methods of making them are disclosed, the optical products comprising a polymeric substrate and a composite coating. The composite coating, in turn, comprises: a first layer comprising a polyionic binder, and a second layer comprising insoluble particles that absorb electromagnetic energy and insoluble particles that absorb relatively little visible light. Each of the first layer and the second layer includes a binding group component which together form a complimentary binding group pair.

Abstract: Optical products that include a composite coating, deposited on a substrate, provided with at least one bilayer having a first layer and a second layer, each provided with a binding group component which together form a complementary binding group pair. The at least one bilayer comprises a pigment blend that includes: a) at least two pigments that, when mixed together and formed into a bilayer, exhibit a color reflection value that is less than about 2.5; and b) one or more pigments that when mixed and formed into a bilayer selectively block visible light in a wavelength range of interest.

Abstract: Optical products that comprise a composite coating having multiple bilayers of a first layer and a second layer, each provided with a binding group component which together form a complementary binding group pair, the multiple bilayers comprising: at least one bilayer a) comprised of a first pigment or pigment blend that exhibits a color reflection value that is less than about 2.5; at least one bilayer b) comprised of a pigment or pigment blend that selectively blocks visible light in a wavelength range of interest; and at least one bilayer c) comprised of a second pigment or pigment blend that exhibits a color reflection value that is less than about 2.5, wherein the optical product selectively blocks visible light in the wavelength range of interest, while exhibiting a color reflection value that is less than about 2.5.

Abstract: An electroactive package is disclosed that includes an active film and a pair of transparent conductive layers positioned on opposite sides of the active film. The transparent conductive layers each include an overhang section that extends beyond an edge of the active film, with the overhang sections being located at a periphery of the electroactive package. A bus bar is disclosed that comprises a pair of electrically-conductive layers and an insulative layer positioned between the electrically-conductive layers. The bus bar extends along at least a portion of the periphery of the electroactive package and is positioned between the overhang sections of the transparent conductive layers. Also disclosed are electroactive windows, and methods of making them.

Abstract: Optical products that comprise a composite coating having multiple bilayers of a first layer and a second layer, each provided with a binding group component which together form a complementary binding group pair, the multiple bilayers comprising: at least one bilayer a) comprised of a first pigment or pigment blend that exhibits a color reflection value that is less than about 2.5; at least one bilayer b) comprised of a pigment or pigment blend that selectively blocks visible light in a wavelength range of interest; and at least one bilayer c) comprised of a second pigment or pigment blend that exhibits a color reflection value that is less than about 2.5, wherein the optical product selectively blocks visible light in the wavelength range of interest, while exhibiting a color reflection value that is less than about 2.5.

Abstract: Optical products that include a composite coating, deposited on a substrate, provided with at least one bilayer having a first layer and a second layer, each provided with a binding group component which together form a complementary binding group pair. The at least one bilayer comprises a pigment blend that includes: a) at least two pigments that, when mixed together and formed into a bilayer, exhibit a color reflection value that is less than about 2.5; and b) one or more pigments that when mixed and formed into a bilayer selectively block visible light in a wavelength range of interest.

Abstract: Optical products are disclosed that include a polymeric substrate, provided with an infrared-reflective metal layer on an outer surface thereof that is subject to oxidation. The optical products are further provided with a protective coating, comprising one or more of a metal oxide or a metal nitride, deposited directly on the infrared-reflective metal layer using chemical vapor deposition. The optical products are further provided with a composite pigment coating, deposited on the protective coating, that include at least a first layer and a second layer, at least one of which layers comprises a first pigment, wherein each of the first layer and the second layer includes a binding group component, each of which binding group components together form a complementary binding group pair.

Abstract: Optical products are disclosed that include a polymer substrate; a composite coating, deposited on the polymer substrate; a permeating adhesive, which permeates the composite coating and is in contact with the polymer substrate; and a protective layer, secured to the composite coating by the permeating adhesive. The composite coating includes at least a first layer and a second layer, each of which is provided with a binding group component which together form a complementary binding group pair. The optical products exhibit improved resistance to delamination during storage and use.

Abstract: Optical products are disclosed that include a polymeric substrate, provided with an infrared-reflective metal layer on an outer surface thereof that is subject to oxidation. The optical products are further provided with a protective coating, comprising one or more of a metal oxide or a metal nitride, deposited directly on the infrared-reflective metal layer using chemical vapor deposition. The optical products are further provided with a composite pigment coating, deposited on the protective coating, that include at least a first layer and a second layer, at least one of which layers comprises a first pigment, wherein each of the first layer and the second layer includes a binding group component, each of which binding group components together form a complementary binding group pair.

Abstract: An electroactive package is disclosed that includes an active film and a pair of transparent conductive layers positioned on opposite sides of the active film. The transparent conductive layers each include an overhang section that extends beyond an edge of the active film, with the overhang sections being located at a periphery of the electroactive package. A bus bar is disclosed that comprises a pair of electrically-conductive layers and an insulative layer positioned between the electrically-conductive layers. The bus bar extends along at least a portion of the periphery of the electroactive package and is positioned between the overhang sections of the transparent conductive layers. Also disclosed are electroactive windows, and methods of making them.

Abstract: A method of automatically mounting a sheet from a cutting table onto a spacer frame of an insulating glass unit begins with identifying a position and orientation of a specified sheet on the cutting table and moving a robotic sheet pickup apparatus to a corresponding position to that identified for the sheet. An edge of the specified sheet is lifted off of the table, beginning with mechanical suction that brings a corner of the sheet to within proximity of a primary vacuum suction of the pickup apparatus. In particular, the pickup apparatus may have a substantially planar platen with a set of channels coupled to a vacuum source. Once the sheet is fully picked up by vacuum suction, the sheet is laid upon a top surface of a tilt table, which can be simply the platen inverted. The table (or platen) is tilted to bring a corner of the sheet to abut against physical fences. Once the position and orientation of the sheet is so known, the sheet is oriented to correspond to a frame, and attached thereto.

Abstract: A thermal treatment method for insulating glass units or IGUs having one or more suspended polymer films includes first curing a sealant at a first elevated temperature for a specified duration, then shrinking the suspended film at a second, higher, elevated temperature for a specified duration, and then cooling the IGUs back to ambient temperature. The various heating and cooling stages may be performed in a tunnel oven having different length sections at the desired temperatures, while the IGUs are conveyed from one section to the next.

Abstract: The invention relates to an laminated glass for use in vehicles or in architecture, having a selective reflection of electromagnetic radiation from the wavelength spectrum of sunlight. According to the invention, an optical multi-layer system having a total solar transmission of TTS<40%, a transmission Tvis in the wavelength range of visible light >70% and a reflection Rvis in the wavelength range of visible light <12% is present on said laminated glass. For reflection upon vertical light incidence, it has a reflection colour according to ASTM 308 (illumination source D65 and standard observer 10°) within a colour space that is limited by the values Ra* from ?5 to 5 and Rb* from ?25 to ?40. Alone or in addition, the laminated glass has a reflection colour according to ASTM 308 for transmission and reflection upon verticle light incidence within a colour space (colour box) that is limited by the values Ra* from ?5 to 5 and Rb* from ?25 to ?40.

Abstract: A method for laminating glass, a laminate assembly, and an adhesive-coated plastic material used in a laminate assembly. Specifically an adhesive, once applied to a plastic layer is grooved or textured to allow formerly trapped air to escape from between layers of a laminate assembly during a laminate process. This can allow for the adhesive layer to be thinner, while still providing for a final product that is relatively air bubble-free and optically pleasing or substantially free of optical defects caused by waviness of the plastic layer between two PVB sheets and/or wrinkles of the plastic sheet.

Abstract: A thermal treatment method for insulating glass units or IGUs having one or more suspended polymer films includes first curing a sealant at a first elevated temperature for a specified duration, then shrinking the suspended film at a second, higher, elevated temperature for a specified duration, and then cooling the IGUs back to ambient temperature. The various heating and cooling stages may be performed in a tunnel oven having different length sections at the desired temperatures, while the IGUs are conveyed from one section to the next.

Abstract: A method of automatically mounting a sheet from a cutting table onto a spacer frame of an insulating glass unit begins with identifying a position and orientation of a specified sheet on the cutting table and moving a robotic sheet pickup apparatus to a corresponding position to that identified for the sheet. An edge of the specified sheet is lifted off of the table, beginning with mechanical suction that brings a corner of the sheet to within proximity of a primary vacuum suction of the pickup apparatus. In particular, the pickup apparatus may have a substantially planar platen with a set of channels coupled to a vacuum source. Once the sheet is fully picked up by vacuum suction, the sheet is laid upon a top surface of a tilt table, which can be simply the platen inverted. The table (or platen) is tilted to bring a corner of the sheet to abut against physical fences. Once the position and orientation of the sheet is so known, the sheet is oriented to correspond to a frame, and attached thereto.

Abstract: A method for laminating glass, a laminate assembly, and an adhesive-coated plastic material used in a laminate assembly. Specifically an adhesive, once applied to a plastic layer is grooved or textured to allow formerly trapped air to escape from between layers of a laminate assembly during a laminate process. This can allow for the adhesive layer to be thinner, while still providing for a final product that is relatively air bubble-free and optically pleasing or substantially free of optical defects caused by waviness of the plastic layer between two PVB sheets and/or wrinkles of the plastic sheet.

Abstract: A low-e insulating glass unit has a suspended, coated IR reflecting polymer sheet under tension, e.g. from heat shrinkage. The polymer sheet is coated with a multilayer stack of dielectric and metallic layers, including at least one silver layer deposited upon a zinc oxide seed layer that is at most 15 nm thickness. The use of zinc oxide ensures good seeding for high quality silver layer growth, thereby providing low emissivity. The thinness of the zinc oxide ensures that it resists cracking when the polymer sheet is tensioned.