Abstract: A mask article and method of coating are provided whereby coating is deleted from one or more portions of a substrate like transparencies during a coating operation. The mask is a semi-rigid device having two major generally opposing surfaces and one or more sides between such surfaces with at least one one-piece edge. The side(s) slope inward toward the interior of the solid part of the mask at an angle from the horizontal plane of the larger major surface of the mask up to the slope of the side from greater than 0° to less than 90°. This inward slope is somewhere along the side between the larger major surface and the smaller major surface. The sloping segment of the side should extend a distance sufficient to provide an adequate edge at the mask-coating-substrate interface to reduce the ghosting effect. The surface area of the larger area surface has the configuration of the shape of a deletion for the coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector assembly for electrically connecting to an electroconductive element having an electroconductive connector with a generally flat pad portion, a terminal portion capable of connecting the assembly to an external device and connecting portion interconnecting the pad and terminal portions, and a preformed plug member sized to a predetermined configuration and overlaying the pad portion such that a major surface of said pad portion is exposed along a first surface of the plug member. The exposed surface may be covered with an adhesive and in one embodiment of the invention, the connecting portion extends through the plug member. The plug member is preferably an electrically nonconductive and moisture impervious material.

Abstract: The present method includes an apparatus for filling and sealing an opening in a laminate and in particular sealing the cut-out notch area of a vehicle windshield. A mold fixture includes a mold, a backing plate, a sealant inlet and a vent. The mold has resilient sealant contacting surfaces that provide a smooth surface for forming the surface of the sealant filling the opening. The mold fixture is clamped to the laminate such that selected portions of the mold overlay the opening and remaining portions of the mold overlay selected portions of the laminate immediately adjacent the opening. Sealant is injected into a cavity formed by the laminate and the mold fixture to seal the opening. The sealant is allowed to cure to achieve a desired hardness and the mold fixture is then removed from the laminate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a glass antenna and connection arrangement. The antenna includes a first glass sheet having a notch area cut out along a portion of an edge of the first sheet, a second glass sheet secured in overlaying relation to the first sheet, and at least one electroconductive antenna element supported on the second sheet between the first and second sheets. The antenna element includes a portion that extends into the notch area. A connector is positioned within the notch area and filler material fills the notch area to secure the connector within the notch area and seal the notch area. The connector includes a first section which overlays the portion of the electroconductive antenna element extending within the notch area, a second section with selected portions which extend along and are secured to an outer major surface of the first sheet, and a third section which interconnects the first and second sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reusable mask to be used in a coating operation to cover selected portions of a substrate from being coated and minimize ghosting about the periphery of the coating. The mask includes first member having a configuration which generally approximates the area of the substrate to be covered and an edge portion which closely follows the desired peripheral shape of said coating, and a second member underlying at least a portion of the first member and having an edge portion which precisely corresponds to the desired peripheral shape of the coating. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the edge portion of the second member is no greater than 0.030 inches thick, and preferably no greater than 0.010 inches thick to minimize any ghosting of the coating about its periphery caused by the second member. In addition, the distance between the edge portions is sufficient to eliminate any shading of the coating about its periphery caused by the first member.

Abstract: The number of bent laminated glass windshields having bull's-eyes that adversely affect its optical properties is reduced by using amorphous precipitated silica particles such as is used as flatting agents for paints, as a parting material between a pair of glass sheets during bending. The particles form relatively soft agglomerates that are milled and classified to produce a narrow distribution of particle sizes as compared to the distribution found in untreated silica, such as diatomaceous earths previously used as a parting material.