Abstract: An electrically heatable transparency has at least one substrate, a first bus bar spaced from a second bus bar, and a conductive coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first and second bus bars are in electrical contact with the coating. At least one of the bus bars has an end region in electrical contact with the coating. The end region is tapered such that the coating is of substantially uniform thickness on the end region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a desired pattern with a coating on a substrate. The method includes the steps of applying a water soluble resist material in a predetermined pattern to a surface of a substrate, drying the resist material, depositing a coating on the surface of the substrate to form a coated substrate, wherein a portion of the coating overlays the resist material, and dissolving the resist material on the coated substrate with water to remove the resist material and corresponding overlaying coating and form a desired coating pattern on the substrate surface. The dissolving step preferably includes the step of directing high temperature and high pressure water sprays at the surface of the coated substrate to wash off the resist and corresponding overlaying coating. The removal of the resist material may include a prewash operation wherein the surface of the substrate is wetted with water and coating is allowed to soak.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent antenna for an automobile. The antenna includes a glass substrate a first electroconductive antenna element positioned on a central portion of a major surface of said substrate, a second electroconductive antenna element positioned on the major surface of the substrate, spaced from the first element, and at least one electroconductive connector extending between the antenna elements and overlaying and electrically interconnected with a portion of both the first and second antenna elements. A portion of the connector extends beyond the periphery of the glass substrate to be connected to an external connector. The first element and preferably both elements are a transparent, electroconductive coating. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the first element is spaced from the peripheral edge of the substrate and the second element is positioned between the first element and the substrate edge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector for interconnecting electroconductive elements within a laminate. The connector includes a flat electroconductive member having a first portion with at least one connecting segment which overlays an electroconductive element within the laminate, and a second portion extending from the first portion. One end of the second portion of the connector includes a rigid, integral connection terminal which includes multiple plies of the member. Selected portions of the first portion, and preferably at least the connecting segment, are coated with an adhesive. The adhesive may be electrically conductive or non-electrically conductive. In one particular embodiment of the invention the maximum thickness of the first portion of the connector is about 0.10 mm and the maximum width of the first portion, other than the connection segment, is about 6.4 mm.