Abstract: A glazing includes at least one transparent substrate comprising a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, wherein said first major surface is coated with an electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive layer is absent in one or more regions of the first major surface. At least a portion of the one or more regions of the first major surface, and/or corresponding regions of the opposing second major surface, bears a low-emissivity material, and the one or more regions permit the passage of electromagnetic radiation through the glazing.

Abstract: A combination of a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coater and at least one capacitive proximity sensor, comprising: a CVD coater, and at least one capacitive proximity sensor attached to the CVD coater, wherein the at least one capacitive proximity sensor is arranged to determine the distance between a glass substrate and the CVD coater.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical device is described. The method comprises the steps: (i) providing a layer of interlayer material having a first major surface and a second opposing major surface; (ii) positioning at least a first electrically operable component on the first major surface of the first layer of interlayer material, the first electrically operable component being mounted on a first circuit board; and (iii) providing a layer of adhesive material, preferably as a liquid, to cover at least a portion of the first major surface of the layer of interlayer material and at least a portion of the first electrically operable component and/or at least a portion of the first circuit board such that following step (iii) the first electrically operable component is fixed on the layer of interlayer material by at least a portion of the layer of adhesive material.

Abstract: A switching device includes at least one (a first) sheet of glazing material having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, a switch attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, and a sensor assembly facing the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material. The switch includes a movable portion operatively coupled with the sensor assembly such that upon operation of the switch, the movable portion moves from a first position to a second position and the movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position is detectable by the sensor assembly. The switching device may be part of a window or door for a building or a vehicle.

Abstract: A glazing includes at least one transparent substrate comprising a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, wherein said first major surface is coated with an electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive layer is absent in one or more regions of the first major surface. At least a portion of the one or more regions of the first major surface, and/or corresponding regions of the opposing second major surface, bears a low-emissivity material, and the one or more regions permit the passage of electromagnetic radiation through the glazing.

Abstract: A combination of a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coater and at least one capacitive proximity sensor, comprising: a CVD coater, and at least one capacitive proximity sensor attached to the CVD coater, wherein the at least one capacitive proximity sensor is arranged to determine the distance between a glass substrate and the CVD coater.

Abstract: A laminated glazing and related detection method is described. The laminated glazing has a detecting device to determine the presence of mist on a surface of the glazing and/or the presence of an object contacting or proximal the glazing. The detecting device including transmitter means for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, detector means for detecting electromagnetic radiation and a target for non-specular reflection of first beam of electromagnetic radiation. The transmitter means is configured to emit the beam of electromagnetic radiation to illuminate the target such that electromagnetic radiation reflects therefrom to illuminate a region of a major surface of the glazing. At least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation reflected off the region is detectable by the detector means to provide a detection signal for detecting mist on the region and/or the presence of an object contacting or proximal the glazing. A detection method is also described.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical device is described. The method comprises the steps: (i) providing a layer of interlayer material having a first major surface and a second opposing major surface; (ii) positioning at least a first electrically operable component on the first major surface of the first layer of interlayer material, the first electrically operable component being mounted on a first circuit board; and (iii) providing a layer of adhesive material, preferably as a liquid, to cover at least a portion of the first major surface of the layer of interlayer material and at least a portion of the first electrically operable component and/or at least a portion of the first circuit board such that following step (iii) the first electrically operable component is fixed on the layer of interlayer material by at least a portion of the layer of adhesive material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching device comprising at least one (a first) sheet of glazing material having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, a switch attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, and a sensor assembly facing the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material. The switch comprises a movable portion operatively coupled with the sensor assembly such that upon operation of the switch, the movable portion moves from a first position to a second position and the movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position is detectable by the sensor assembly. The switching device may be part of a window or door for a building or a vehicle.

Abstract: A laminated glazing and related detection method is described. The laminated glazing has a detecting device to determine the presence of mist on a surface of the glazing and/or the presence of an object contacting or proximal the glazing. The detecting device including transmitter means for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, detector means for detecting electromagnetic radiation and a target for non-specular reflection of first beam of electromagnetic radiation. The transmitter means is configured to emit the beam of electromagnetic radiation to illuminate the target such that electromagnetic radiation reflects therefrom to illuminate a region of a major surface of the glazing. At least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation reflected off the region is detectable by the detector means to provide a detection signal for detecting mist on the region and/or the presence of an object contacting or proximal the glazing. A detection method is also described.

Abstract: A glazing comprising a transparent substrate, a plurality of electrically conductive filaments extending over the transparent substrate, wherein the filaments are shaped into a sequence of portions of the perimeters of ellipses, wherein ellipse axial ratios of the ellipses are in the range 1.1 to 4.0 and are selected so that from a pre-defined viewing position and in corresponding pre-defined viewing directions the ellipses in the plane of substrate are viewed as circles. In a preferred embodiment, major axis angles are selected so that from a pre-defined viewing position and in corresponding pre-defined viewing directions the ellipses in the plane of substrate are viewed as circles. In an example of a heated vehicle window, diffraction patterns caused by oncoming headlights interacting with heating filaments of a vehicle window are thereby minimized.

Abstract: A glazing comprising a transparent substrate, a plurality of electrically conductive filaments extending over the transparent substrate, wherein the filaments are shaped into a sequence of portions of the perimeters of ellipses, wherein ellipse axial ratios of the ellipses are in the range 1.1 to 4.0 and are selected so that from a pre-defined viewing position and in corresponding pre-defined viewing directions the ellipses in the plane of substrate are viewed as circles. In a preferred embodiment, major axis angles are selected so that from a pre-defined viewing position and in corresponding pre-defined viewing directions the ellipses in the plane of substrate are viewed as circles. In an example of a heated vehicle window, diffraction patterns caused by oncoming headlights interacting with heating filaments of a vehicle window are thereby minimised.

Abstract: A vehicle glazing comprising a pane of glazing material having an exposed surface and a light emitting diode device a) other than an auxiliary stop lamp adhesively attached to the exposed surface of the pane of glazing material, or b) in the form of an auxiliary stop lamp adhesively attached to the exposed surface of the pane of glazing material, the lamp comprising a substrate having a functional surface on which a plurality of light emitting diodes is provided, and which is provided with a layer of transparent encapsulant to cover the light emitting diodes is disclosed. A process for the production of such a vehicle glazing comprising applying adhesive to a surface of the vehicle glazing, positioning the light emitting diode device with respect to the pane of glazing material and activating the adhesive is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle glazing comprising a pane of glazing material having an exposed surface and a light emitting diode device a) other than an auxiliary stop lamp adhesively attached to the exposed surface of the pane of glazing material, or b) in the form of an auxiliary stop lamp adhesively attached to the exposed surface of the pane of glazing material, the lamp comprising a substrate having a functional surface on which a plurality of light emitting diodes is provided, and which is provided with a layer of transparent encapsulant to cover the light emitting diodes is disclosed. A process for the production of such a vehicle glazing comprising applying adhesive to a surface of the vehicle glazing, positioning the light emitting diode device with respect to the pane of glazing material and activating the adhesive is also disclosed.

Abstract: Laminated vehicle glazing with a conductive panel defining slot antennas between the conductive panel and the metal surround of the vehicle with connecting leads, and a camera or other device in an area where the device and the antenna do not overlap. Locating the device in a different position to the slot antenna reduces the electromagnetic interference that the slot antenna experiences and prevents malfunction of the device where the slot antenna is used to transmit radio signals.

Abstract: A vehicle glazing comprising a pane of glazing material having an exposed surface and a light emitting diode device a) other than an auxiliary stop lamp adhesively attached to the exposed surface of the pane of glazing material, or b) in the form of an auxiliary stop lamp adhesively attached to the exposed surface of the pane of glazing material, the lamp comprising a substrate having a functional surface on which a plurality of light emitting diodes is provided, and which is provided with a layer of transparent encapsulant to cover the light emitting diodes is disclosed. A process for the production of such a vehicle glazing comprising applying adhesive to a surface of the vehicle glazing, positioning the light emitting diode device with respect to the pane of glazing material and activating the adhesive is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated glazing panel includes two glass plies and a plastic ply having one or more light emitting diodes mounted on a circuit board laminated between the glass plies, forming an LED device. The circuit board is ordinarily a flexible circuit board that includes a substrate and a conductive layer. A plurality of light emitting diodes may be mounted on the flexible circuit board and laminated between the glass plies The resultant glazing panel may further include indicia on at least one ply. Processes for the production of a laminated glazing panel involve positioning an LED device in a cut-out in a plastic ply and interleaving the plastic ply between two glass plies, prior to laminating the plies. One or more plastic plies may be used, and the LED device may be coated in a plastic material.

Abstract: Laminated vehicle glazing with a conductive panel defining slot antennas between the conductive panel and the metal surround of the vehicle with connecting leads, and a camera or other device in an area where the device and the antenna do not overlap. Locating the device in a different position to the slot antenna reduces the electromagnetic interference that the slot antenna experiences and prevents malfunction of the device where the slot antenna is used to transmit radio signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspection of the optical quality of a glazing is provided. A greyscale image is generated digitally, and reflected off or transmitted through a glazing, and captured using an image capture device. Preferably, the generation of the greyscale pattern and the capturing of the reflected or transmitted greyscale pattern are synchronised.

Abstract: A laminated glazing comprising two panes of glazing material joined together by at least one ply of interlayer material, an electrical device (e.g. an electroluminescent lamp, an LCD or an SPD) located between the panes of glazing material and an infrared radiation reflecting means (e.g. reflective film) also located between the panes for reducing the amount of infrared radiation that may otherwise be incident upon the electrical device. One or more of the panes of glazing material and/or the at least one ply of interlayer material may be body-tinted. The glazing may be used as an automotive window, especially as a roof window.