Abstract: A plastic window system including a transparent plastic panel and an electrically conductive grid provided on the plastic panel. The conductive grid includes at least one conductive mounting location. An electrical terminal is electrically connected to the conductive mounting location, and a connector secures the terminal to the conductive mounting location. The connector includes a portion extending from the panel to a location outboard of the conductive mounting location relative to the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing a conductive ink onto a plastic panel including an articulatable arm having an end that opposes a surface of the panel. A nozzle is mounted via a nozzle height actuator to the end of the arm, and the nozzle is coupled to a source of conductive ink. A flow regulator, coupled to the ink source, regulates the flow rate of ink out of the nozzle and is controlled by the controller. A height sensor is configured to output a height signal relative to the surface and the controller, which is coupled to the arm, the flow regulator, the nozzle height actuator and the sensor, is configured to control the arm, flow regulator, nozzle height actuator, and speed of nozzle movement such that a conductive trace of predetermined height and width is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for printing a conductive trace on a plastic panel comprising: locating a nozzle proximate to a surface of a panel; moving the nozzle relative to the surface of the panel; sensing the surface of the panel relative to the height of the nozzle off of the panel; determining the speed at which the nozzle is being moved across the surface of the panel; adjusting at least one of the height of the nozzle relative to the surface of the panel and a flow rate of conductive ink out of the nozzle; and dispensing a conductive ink from the nozzle onto the surface of the panel to form the conductive trace. The conductive trace is formed with a predetermined width.

Abstract: A plastic window system including a transparent plastic panel and an electrically conductive grid provided on the plastic panel. The conductive grid includes at least one conductive mounting location. An electrical terminal is electrically connected to the conductive mounting location, and a connector secures the terminal to the conductive mounting location. The connector includes a portion extending from the panel to a location outboard of the conductive mounting location relative to the panel.

Abstract: A plastic window assembly includes a substantially transparent plastic panel and an opaque plastic frame adhered to the perimeter of the panel, which bounds and defines an effective viewing area of the panel. A transition step of the frame extends upward from the surface of the panel to a raised surface of the frame. Provided on the surface in the effective viewing area of the panel is an image. In order to print the image such that the outer edges of the image extend to an interfacial area defined by the juncture of the transition step and the second surface of the panel, a MIT printing process and specialized membrane construction is used.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of transferring a membrane image to an article. The method comprises providing a printed decoration to be applied onto a low surface energy membrane. The low surface energy membrane has a hardness level of greater than 70 durometer Shore A and a surface energy of up to 25 mJ/m2. The method further includes applying a predetermined pressure with a pressure device to force the printed decoration through a screen onto the low surface energy membrane. The pressure device has a hardness of up to 70 durometer Shore A. The method further includes forming the low surface energy membrane to the geometry of the surface of the article and applying pressure between the membrane and the article to transfer the membrane image from the membrane to the article.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus for printing images onto a three dimensional surface of a substrate. The apparatus includes a screen formed of a flexible mesh material and having porous image portions that allows passage of a printing medium through it. A shaping assembly including a plurality of shapers that are movable between retracted and extended positions. In their extended positions, the shapers are engaged with the screen assembly and generally cause screen to generally conform to the three dimensional surface of the substrate. A squeegee, that is flexible and conformable to the three dimensional surface, is drawn along screen and forces at least some of the printing medium through the porous portion of the screen and onto the three dimensional surface.