Abstract: A film contains an electrically actuated liquid having variable optical opacity under the influence of an electric field. The film comprises first and second spaced apart substrates defining a first cavity therebetween in which some or all of the liquid is contained. The film also comprises a liquid trap in fluid communication with the first cavity via a first opening. The liquid trap contains liquid that may flow from the first cavity through the first opening due to the volume of first cavity decreasing. The film may be included in a laminated glazing. A method of preparing a cell for a liquid is also described, and such a cell may be part of a film having variable optical opacity.

Abstract: A laminated glazing pane is described comprising first and second sheets of glazing material joined by an interlayer structure comprising at least one sheet of adhesive interlayer material. Each sheet of glazing material has respective first and second major surfaces and the laminated glazing is arranged such that the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material faces the first major surface of the second sheet of glazing material. An illumination device is arranged relative to the first sheet of glazing material to emit light towards the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material. The first and/or second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material has an array of dots thereon for diffusing light emitted by the illumination device that is transmitted through the first sheet of glazing material and out from the first major surface thereof.

Abstract: A switchable device for changing the opacity of at least a portion of a glazing is described. The switchable device comprises at least two (a first and a second) switchable regions in electrical communication with at least two (a first and a second) electrical connector regions. Each switchable region comprises an electrically actuated variable opacity layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first switchable region being arranged relative to the second switchable region such that upon connecting the first and second electrical connector regions to a suitable power supply, the opacity of the first and second switchable region changes such that at least two (a first and a second) portions of the switchable device have a change of opacity, the first portion of the switchable device having a different opacity to the second portion of the switchable device.

Abstract: A laminated glazing is described comprising a first pane of glazing material having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, there being an obscuration band on the second major surface extending around a portion of the periphery of the first pane such that the second major surface is not smooth. A first adhesive layer having a thickness of between 6 ?m and 100 ?m contacts a portion of the second major surface of the first pane of glazing material and a portion of the obscuration band. The laminated glazing also has a carrier ply carrying an infra red reflecting coating wherein the first adhesive layer is between the first pane of glazing material and the carrier ply.

Abstract: A switchable device for changing the opacity of at least a portion of a glazing is described. The switchable device comprises at least two (a first and a second) switchable regions in electrical communication with at least two (a first and a second) electrical connector regions. Each switchable region comprises an electrically actuated variable opacity layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first switchable region being arranged relative to the second switchable region such that upon connecting the first and second electrical connector regions to a suitable power supply, the opacity of the first and second switchable region changes such that at least two (a first and a second) portions of the switchable device have a change of opacity, the first portion of the switchable device having a different opacity to the second portion of the switchable device.

Abstract: An improved process for fabrication of laminated glazings incorporating conductors such as heating elements is described. During assembly of the glazing, a solution comprising the same polymer material as the interlayer is applied to the conductors and allowed to dry prior to fitting a glazing sheet on top. This gives rise to a thin coating of polymer around the conductors and subsequent heat treatment causes the this coating and the main polymer interlayer to soften and fuse. The resulting structure shows improved encapsulation of the conductors (wires and busbars) with greater resistance to water ingress at the edge of the glazing.

Abstract: A laminated glazing is described comprising a first pane of glazing material having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, there being an obscuration band on the second major surface extending around a portion of the periphery of the first pane such that the second major surface is not smooth. A first adhesive layer having a thickness of between 6 ?m and 100 ?m contacts a portion of the second major surface of the first pane of glazing material and a portion of the obscuration band. The laminated glazing also has a carrier ply carrying an infra red reflecting coating wherein the first adhesive layer is between the first pane of glazing material and the carrier ply.

Abstract: A heatable glazing is disclosed in which electrical heating elements such as fine wires are connected to a busbar. The resistance of the busbar is chosen such that, at the supply voltage of the installation, the busbar provides heating of a portion of the glazing in which it is located.

Abstract: An improved process for fabrication of laminated glazings incorporating conductors such as heating elements is described. During assembly of the glazing, a solution comprising the same polymer material as the interlayer is applied to the conductors and allowed to dry prior to fitting a glazing sheet on top. This gives rise to a thin coating of polymer around the conductors and subsequent heat treatment causes the this coating and the main polymer interlayer to soften and fuse. The resulting structure shows improved encapsulation of the conductors (wires and busbars) with greater resistance to water ingress at the edge of the glazing.

Abstract: A heatable glazing is disclosed in which electrical heating elements such as fine wires are connected to a busbar.

Abstract: The invention discloses an electrically heated window having minimised hot spots. The window comprises at least two plies of a glazing material having a ply of an interlayer material laminated therebetween. An array of heating wires is carried by one of the plies, the heating wires extending between a first electrical connection means and a second electrical connection means for supplying current through the wires, the first and second electrical connection means being substantially parallel to each other. The first electrical connection means is shaped so as to define a wire-free area to allow a data signal to be transmitted through the window to a device positioned in the vicinity of the wire-free area. The second electrical connection means is shaped to correspond to the first electrical connection means, such that the heating wires in the array have a substantially constant length.

Abstract: A laminated glazing comprising two panes of glazing material, a sheet of interlayer material extending therebetween, and an electrically conductive member formed (possibly etched) from a sheet of electrically conductive material also positioned between the panes. The electrically conductive member may function as one or more of: an antenna element, a capacitive sensor, an electromagnetic shield, part of alarm circuitry, a resistance thermometer, a busbar. Also a method of manufacturing such a glazing involving locating a pre-formed electrically conductive member and a sheet of interlayer material on a first pane of glazing material, placing a second pane of glazing material in register with the first so that the electrically conductive member and the interlayer material are between the two panes, and laminating in an autoclave.

Abstract: A vehicle glazing comprising a pane of glazing material, e.g. glass, and a heatable coating layer provided on a surface of the glazing, in electrical contact with first and second electrically conductive busbars, each busbar having a length, a width and first and second ends, the width of at least one of the busbars being gradually reduced towards at least one of its ends. The glazing may be a laminate, having a further pane of glazing material joined to the pane of glazing material by a ply of interlayer material.

Abstract: A laminated glazing comprising two panes of glazing material, a sheet of interlayer material extending therebetween, and an electrically conductive member formed (possibly etched) from a sheet of electrically conductive material also positioned between the panes. The electrically conductive member may function as one or more of: an antenna element, a capacitive sensor, an electromagnetic shield, part of alarm circuitry, a resistance thermometer, a busbar. Also a method of manufacturing such a glazing involving locating a pre-formed electrically conductive member and a sheet of interlayer material on a first pane of glazing material, placing a second pane of glazing material in register with the first so that the electrically conductive member and the interlayer material are between the two panes, and laminating in an autoclave.