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 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 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 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: 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 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 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.

Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a method for stretching a membrane (4), arranged between two panes (2, 3), of an insulating glazing unit (1). For effective stretching, it is proposed that the membrane (4) is exposed to a conditioning medium passed through an interspace (6, 7) between the panes (2, 3) and the membrane (4).

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.

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.

Abstract: A solar control member for determining solar control for a window includes an optically massive layer between a gray metal layer and a titanium nitride layer. The optically massive layer has sufficient thickness to retard or prevent constructive and destructive interference of reflected light. The optically massive layer may be an adhesive, but also may be one or more polymeric substrates. The gray metal layer is preferably nickel chromium, but other gray metal materials provide superior results as compared to the prior art. Also in the preferred embodiment, the titanium nitride layer is closer to the window (e.g., glass) than the gray metal layer.

Abstract: “Corrosion” performance of an optical filter is enhanced when a relatively thick zinc-based film functions as a seed layer for a subsequently formed silver-based film. At least two pairs of dielectric and metallic layers are included within the optical filter, where the zinc-based film is a second film of the dielectric layer and where the silver-based film is the metallic layer. The zinc-based film has a zinc content of at least 80 percent and has a thickness of at least 15 nm. In order to further improve the corrosion performance, gold may be incorporated into the silver-based film.

Abstract: An optical filter is formed of a layer stack that includes metallic layers and dielectric layers, with at least one dielectric layer being defined by more than one zinc-based film. These zinc-based films have different percentages of zinc. The selections of the percentages are based upon the positions of the films within the dielectric layer. An unexpectedly low sheet resistance is available if the zinc-based film that immediately precedes forming a metallic layer has a percentage of zinc in the range of 80 percent to next to 100 percent. Process stabilization and manufacturing cost are provided by placing the percentage of the lower zinc-based film closer to 50 percent (25-75). Process stabilization is further enhanced by providing an indium-based film within the dielectric layer adjacent to the metallic layer.

Abstract: In a method of forming micro traces, stamping techniques are employed to define a target pattern of the micro traces. The stamping is applied to electrically conductive material and may be limited to pressure, but a thermal stamping approach may be utilized. Following the stamping, a portion of the conductive material is removed, leaving the target pattern of conductive micro traces. In the pressure-application step, the pressure or the combination of pressure and temperature is sufficient to at least weaken the integrity of the bulk conductive material along the area of contact. Typically, this step causes shearing of the conductive material. Following the pressure-application step, excess conductive material is removed. In some embodiments of the invention, the thickness of the micro traces is not determined in a single step. The original thickness may be formed using a “seed” material. The subsequent material buildup may occur after the target pattern is established.

Abstract: In a titanium nitride-based optical coating, the structural stability of the coating is enhanced by providing a damage-retardation base layer between the titanium nitride layer and a substrate. Where the optical coating is to provide solar control, the titanium nitride layer is selected primarily for achieving desired optical characteristics, while the thickness of the damage-retardation layer is selected primarily for achieving desired mechanical characteristics. The damage-retardation layer is formed of a grey metal, with nickel chromium being the preferred metal. The grey metal layer reduces the likelihood that the titanium nitride layer will crack. The tendency of such a layer to crack and form worm tracks is further reduced by exposing the substrate to a plasma preglow and/or by using a slip agent on the side of the substrate on which the layers are to be formed.

Abstract: Localized heating of a window, such as a vehicle windshield or sidelight, is provided by dividing an optical coating that is electrically conductive into high and low heating zones. While the conductive coating covers substantially the entirety of the window, the coating is patterned to establish a preselected heating power density pattern. In one application, bus-to-bus dimensions are kept short and opposite polarity high heating zones are placed in a side-by-side relationship, so that the major portion of the window is left unheated and the bus connections may be placed along the same window edge. In another application, the bus-to-bus dimensions are significantly larger, but power concentration is provided by a pattern of isolation lines that narrow the dimensions of current flow through a zone in which heating is desired.

Abstract: The defect known as “applesauce” is eliminated from laminated glass structures which include an intermediate plastic film carrying an energy reflective layer by adhering this film to one of the glass sheets of the laminate with an adhesive layer which is less than 5 mils (0.127 mm) thick.