Abstract: Embossed polymer sheets and interlayers having at least one tapered zone are provided. The roughness of the embossed portion of the sheets and interlayers may be substantially uniform. Methods and systems for producing such interlayers are also described herein and may utilize at least one pair of rollers oriented substantially parallel to one another. When used in multiple layer panels, such as safety glass laminates, the embossed tapered interlayers described herein exhibit excellent optical performance, as indicated by the low haze and high clarity of the resulting panels.

Abstract: Resin compositions, layers, and interlayers comprising a poly(vinyl acetal) resin that includes residues of an aldehyde other than n-butyraldehyde are provided. Such compositions, layers, and interlayers can exhibit enhanced or optimized properties as compared to those formulated with comparable poly(vinyl n-butyral) resins.

Abstract: A multilayer interlayer structure having a first and second polyvinyl acetal (poly(vinyl acetal)) layer and a cellulose ester layer having a thickness of at least 10 mils disposed between the first and second poly(vinyl acetal) layers. The cellulose ester layer can have a higher storage modulus and/or higher Tg than at least one of the poly(vinyl acetal) layers. The interlayer structure is useful to make glass panels having high stiffness and which possess good optical clarity for a variety of applications, including outdoor structural applications.

Abstract: A multilayer interlayer structure having a low Mw/high Tg layer and a high Mw layer, the interlayer having a high E? modulus and a higher Tg. The high Tg layer has a Tg of at least 50° C. and a weight average molecular weight of not more than 160,000. The high Mw layer has a molecular weight greater than 160,000. The interlayer structure has increased stiffness without having to increase its thickness, and has an increased Tg to enable the structure to be used in applications that require good modulus at outdoor temperatures.

Abstract: A polyvinyl acetal poly(vinyl acetal), such as polyvinyl butyral, resin formulation, a method of extruding poly(vinyl acetal) resins, and related materials and products that provide for monolithic poly(vinyl acetal) sheets and glass panes having high Tg of at least 50° C. and high modulus at acceptable rates as indicated by their high melt flow index. This is made possible by a reduction in the amount of plasticizer while using a low molecular weight resin not to exceed 160,000 to obtain a thermoplastic resin having a high melt flow index and high Tg. The articles made with these monolithic interlayer sheets can be used in applications that require good modulus at outdoor temperatures.

Abstract: An monolithic interlayer with high stiffness and when laminated into a glass panel, the glass panel exhibits good clarity, while maintaining the processability of a polyvinyl acetal, such as polyvinyl butyral resin used to make the monolithic interlayer. The monolithic interlayer comprising a polymer blend of: (A) polyvinyl acetal (e.g. PVB); and (B) one or more cellulose esters. The polymer blend increases the structural strength to the monolithic interlayer by increasing the E? modulus of the monolithic interlayer while optionally maintaining good optical clarity.

Abstract: A multilayer interlayer structure having a first and second polyvinyl acetal (poly(vinyl acetal)) layer and a cellulose ester layer having a thickness of at least 10 mils disposed between the first and second poly(vinyl acetal) layers. The cellulose ester layer can have a higher storage modulus and/or higher Tg than at least one of the poly(vinyl acetal) layers. The interlayer structure is useful to make glass panels having high stiffness and which possess good optical clarity for a variety of applications, including outdoor structural applications.

Abstract: Multiple poly(vinyl butyral) layer interlayers that can be used in multiple layer glass panel type applications that require a high level of impact protection, for example in hurricane protection applications or in bullet proof glass applications. This effect is achieved by forming a poly(vinyl butyral) interlayer that has a relatively stiff poly(vinyl butyral) inner layer disposed between two relatively soft outer poly(vinyl butyral) layers, where the stiffness difference is achieved by a plasticizer differential that is achieved at least in substantial part by a residual hydroxyl content difference among the poly(vinyl butyral) layers.

Abstract: Multiple poly(vinyl butyral) layer interlayers that can be used in multiple layer glass panel type applications that require a high level of impact protection, for example in hurricane protection applications or in bullet proof glass applications. This effect is achieved by forming a poly(vinyl butyral) interlayer that has a relatively stiff poly(vinyl butyral) inner layer disposed between two relatively soft outer poly(vinyl butyral) layers, where the stiffness difference is achieved by a plasticizer differential that is achieved at least in substantial part by a residual hydroxyl content difference among the poly(vinyl butyral) layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of injection molding to form polymeric interlayers directly between two rigid substrates that are positioned so that after injection of the melted polymeric material and after cooling, the resulting multiple layer panel functions as a safety panel that can be used in any appropriate conventional safety glazing application. Methods of the present invention utilize a relatively low molecular weight polymer, multiple injection points, mold compression, and/or a heated substrate in order to facilitate the injection of polymer into the relatively narrow space between glazing substrates that is typically found in safety glazings.

Abstract: A continuous single-stage embossing station comprised of two (2) temperature controlled engraved rollers which is located immediately after the extrusion die in the manufacturing process for multi-layer laminated glass panels and allows for dual simultaneous embossment of both sides of a polymer melt sheet and produces a polymer interlayer sheet with increased permanence, embossed retention values and decreased incidence of mottle and stack sticking peel force values. Also disclosed herein is an embossed polymer interlayer sheet with a first side, a second side and an embossed surface on at least one of the sides, with a surface roughness Rz of 10 to 90 microns on the embossed surface, a permanence of greater than 95% when tested at 100° C. for five (5) minutes and an embossed surface retention of greater than 70% when tested at 140° C. for five (5) minutes.

Abstract: It has now been discovered, according to the present invention, that interlayers comprising a blend of plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) and poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene terephthalate) copolyester can be used to form interlayers having a pearly white appearance. Such interlayers are useful in applications in which a colored multiple layer glass interlayer is desirable.

Abstract: The present invention provides multiple layer interlayers that can be used in multiple layer glass panel type applications to reduce the amount of sound transmitted through the panel while also providing a colored region within a gradient region. The acoustic effect can be achieved by using two or more polymer sheets having differing compositions that have been combined into a single multiple layer interlayer, and the gradient region effect is achieved by forming a colored region in one or more gradient regions of the individual layers.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of polymer interlayers used in multiple layer glass panels having one or more glass layers, and specifically the present invention is in the field of polymer interlayers comprising a layer of poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene terephthalate) copolyester (PETG).

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of thermoplastic polymeric compositions, and, specifically, the present invention is in the field of poly(vinyl butyral) formation, storage, and use in multiple layer glazing panel interlayers, among other uses.

Abstract: It has now been discovered, according to the present invention, that interlayers comprising a blend of plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) and poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene terephthalate) copolyester can be used to form interlayers having a pearly white appearance. Such interlayers are useful in applications in which a colored multiple layer glass interlayer is desirable.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plasma display panel filters, and more specifically the present invention is in the field of multiple layer plasma display panel filters that can be effectively mounted directly to the front glass surface of a plasma display panel module.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of thermoplastic polymeric compositions, and, specifically, the present invention is in the field of poly(vinyl butyral) formation, storage, and use in multiple layer glazing panel interlayers, among other uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides multiple poly(vinyl butyral) layer interlayers that can be used in multiple layer glass panel type applications that require a high level of impact protection, for example in hurricane protection applications or in bullet proof glass applications. This effect is achieved by forming a poly(vinyl butyral) interlayer that has a relatively stiff poly(vinyl butyral) inner layer disposed between two relatively soft outer poly(vinyl butyral) layers, where the stiffness difference is achieved by a plasticizer differential that is achieved at least in substantial part by a residual hydroxyl content difference among the poly(vinyl butyral) layers.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of thermoplastic polymeric compositions, and, specifically, the present invention is in the field of poly(vinyl butyral) formation, storage, and use in multiple layer glazing panel interlayers, among other uses.