Abstract: An economical method of manufacturing a plastic glazing panel having an encapsulation for aesthetic purposes and to enhance the sealing of the glazing panel to the vehicle is presented. This method includes the steps of forming a plastic panel having an A-side and B-side; printing an opaque border from an ink with the border being in contact with the B-side of the panel and substantially encircling the perimeter of the panel; curing the ink of the opaque border; applying a weatherable layer on the printed border and the plastic panel; curing the weatherable layer; depositing an abrasion resistant layer on the weatherable layer; placing the plastic panel into a mold having a soft gasket; injecting an elastomeric material to form an encapsulation that substantially encircles the perimeter of the plastic panel and encompasses the A-side; B-side and edge of the plastic panel; and removing the plastic panel from the mold.

Abstract: Described are processes for repairing plastic glazing and for the local application of a plasma coating using a plasma depositing device to an edge created by the removal of excess or unwanted plastic from plastic.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for making an infrared radiation absorbing coating mixture comprises: forming an ITO coating mixture comprising ITO and a first coating matrix, wherein the first coating matrix comprises the partial condensate of a silanol, wherein the ITO coating mixture is free of colloidal silica; forming a colloidal silica coating mixture comprising colloidal silica and a second coating matrix, wherein the second coating matrix comprises the partial condensate of a silanol; and mixing the ITO coating mixture with the colloidal silica coating mixture to form a combined mixture. The combined mixture does not comprise a precipitate visible to the unaided eye after 2 weeks without stirring.

Abstract: A window defroster assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes a transparent panel and a defroster grid integrally formed with the transparent panel by means of a robotic dispensing mechanism. The defroster includes conductive first and second busbars and a plurality of conductive grid lines extending between and connected to the first and second busbars.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating a substrate moved along a path of travel through the apparatus. A plasma source issues a plasma jet into which a first reagent is injected from a discharge orifice located upstream of the jet. A second reagent is injected into the jet from a discharge orifice located downstream of the jet. A controller is configured to regulate the flow of the first reagent according to a first set of parameters and regulate the flow of the second reagent according to a second set of parameters. As a result, the first and second reagents are applied to the substrate to form at least one layer of a coating on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are optically transparent super-hydrophobic materials, and methods for making and using the same, that can include an optically transparent polymeric layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. At least a portion of the first surface has been plasma-treated with oxygen and a fluorine containing compound. The treated surface includes nano- or micro-structures that are etched into the first surface and that are chemically modified with the fluorine containing compound. The nano- or micro-structures have a height to width aspect ratio of greater than 1, and a water contact angle of at least 150°. The optically transparent polymeric layer retains its optical transparency after said plasma-treatment. Due to their optical transparency, chemical and thermal robustness, weatherability, and self-cleaning performance, the super-hydrophobic materials disclosed are useful in high performing solar cell units in harsh semi-arid environments.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a silicone coating composition, comprises a coating matrix comprising a partial condensate of a silanol of the formula RnSi(OH)4-n, where n equals 1 or 2, and wherein R is selected from a C1-3 alkyl radical, a vinyl radical, a 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl radical, a gamma-glycidoxypropyl radical, and a gamma-methacryloxypropyl radical; and ITO having a mean particle size of less than or equal to 60 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering; and wherein the silicone coating composition is free of colloidal silica. In another embodiment, a coated glazing, comprises a plastic substrate; and a cured silicone coating on the substrate.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a silicone coating composition, comprises a coating matrix, comprising the partial condensate of a silanol of the formula RnSi(OH)4?n, where n equals 1 or 2, and wherein R is selected from a C1-3 alkyl radical, a vinyl radical, a 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl radical, a gamma-glycidoxypropyl radical, and a gamma-methacryloxypropyl radical; colloidal silica; and ITO having a mean particle size of less than or equal to 60 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering. In another embodiment, a coated glazing, comprises a plastic substrate; and a cured silicone coating on the substrate; wherein the coated glazing has a haze of less than or equal to 3% as measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-11, procedure A with CIE standard illuminant C.

Abstract: An economical method of manufacturing a plastic glazing panel having an encapsulation for aesthetic purposes and to enhance the sealing of the glazing panel to the vehicle is presented. This method includes the steps of forming a plastic panel having an A-side and B-side; printing an opaque border from an ink with the border being in contact with the B-side of the panel and substantially encircling the perimeter of the panel; curing the ink of the opaque border; applying a weatherable layer on the printed border and the plastic panel; curing the weatherable layer; depositing an abrasion resistant layer on the weatherable layer; placing the plastic panel into a mold having a soft gasket; injecting an elastomeric material to form an encapsulation that substantially encircles the perimeter of the plastic panel and encompasses the A-side; B-side and edge of the plastic panel; and removing the plastic panel from the mold.

Abstract: An economical method of manufacturing a plastic glazing panel having an encapsulation to enhance the sealing of the glazing panel to the vehicle is presented. This economical method includes the steps of forming a plastic panel having an A-side and B-side; printing an opaque border from an ink with the border being in contact with the B-side of the panel and substantially encircling the perimeter of the panel; curing the ink of the opaque border; applying a weatherable layer on the printed border and the plastic panel; curing the weatherable layer; depositing an abrasion resistant layer on the weatherable layer; placing the plastic panel into a mold having a soft gasket; injecting an elastomeric material to form an encapsulation that substantially encircles the perimeter of the plastic panel and encompasses the A-side; B-side and edge of the plastic panel; and removing the plastic panel from the mold.

Abstract: A system for coating a side surface of a moving substrate. The system includes an array of plasma sources, a first plurality of orifices located upstream of the array and a second plurality of orifices located downstream of the array. A coating reagent is injected from each orifice into a plasma jet issuing from plasma source associated with that orifice. A controller modulates the flow of coating reagent and the flow flush gas to the orifices according to the contours of the substrate and to the position of the substrate relative to the array. An additional plasma array and set of orifices may be employed to coat the opposite side surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An economical method of manufacturing a plastic glazing panel having an encapsulation to enhance the sealing of the glazing panel to the vehicle is presented. This economical method includes the steps of forming a plastic panel having an A-side and B-side; printing an opaque border from an ink with the border being in contact with the B-side of the panel and substantially encircling the perimeter of the panel; curing the ink of the opaque border; applying a weatherable layer on the printed border and the plastic panel; curing the weatherable layer; depositing an abrasion resistant layer on the weatherable layer; placing the plastic panel into a mold having a soft gasket; injecting an elastomeric material to form an encapsulation that substantially encircles the perimeter of the plastic panel and encompasses the A-side; B-side and edge of the plastic panel; and removing the plastic panel from the mold.

Abstract: A plastic panel assembly having a permanent mark therein at a subsurface location and formed after substantial manufacture of the panel assembly. The plastic panel includes a substrate and a coating over the substrate, the coating including a surface that defines an exterior surface of the panel assembly. A mark is located beneath the exterior surface of the panel assembly. In making the panel assembly, a plastic substrate is provided and a protective coating is applied to the substrate. After the step of applying the protective coating, a subsurface portion of panel assembly is exposed to a laser light. The laser light opacifies a subsurface portion of the panel assembly, thereby rendering the mark within the panel assembly.

Abstract: A plasma coating system includes at least one coating station with a first side and a second side defining a pathway with at least one bend. The coating station also includes a first plasma arc that provides a plasma jet directed towards a substrate. The first plasma arc is positioned on either the first side or the second side of the bend.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for making an infrared radiation absorbing coating comprises: forming an ITO coating mixture comprising ITO and a first coating matrix, wherein the first coating matrix comprises the partial condensate of a silanol of the formula RnSi(OH)4-n, where n equals 1 or 2, and wherein R is selected from a C1-3 alkyl radical, a vinyl radical, a 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl radical, a gamma-glycidoxypropyl radical, and a gamma-methacryloxypropyl radical, wherein the ITO coating mixture is free of colloidal silica; forming a colloidal silica coating mixture comprising colloidal silica and a second coating matrix, wherein the second coating matrix comprises the partial condensate of a silanol of the formula RnSi(OH)4-n, where n equals 1 or 2, and wherein R is selected from an alkyl radical of 1 to 3 inclusive carbon atoms, a vinyl radical, a 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl radical, a gamma-glycidoxypropyl radical, and a gamma-methacryloxypropyl radical; and mixing the ITO coating mixture with the colloidal sili

Abstract: This invention relates to plastic glazing assemblies for vehicle tops, windows, headlamps, and taillights, as well as residential and commercial glazing, aircraft glazing, and sunglasses. More specifically, a method of manufacturing a plastic glazing assembly exhibiting a high level of weatherability and abrasion resistance is disclosed which integrates the in-mold application of a coating and the subsequent deposition of an abrasion resistant layer to a molded plastic part.

Abstract: A glazing system and method for vehicle tops and windows is described therein. The system includes a panel having a top side and a bottom side, a first protective coating deposited on the top side and second protective coating deposited on the bottom side. The protective coatings provide protection from weathering and abrasion.

Abstract: In an embodiment an apparatus for coating a substrate comprises: an array of plasma arcs; a first plurality of reagent manifolds located upstream of the array of plasma arcs and a second plurality of reagent manifolds located downstream of the array of plasma arcs, each manifold having at least one orifice through which a reagent is ejected into a plasma jet issuing from a respective plasma arc; and a controller which modulates the flow of reagent to each manifold according to the contours of the substrate and to the substrate position relative to the plasma arcs and the manifolds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing an incidental coating in a substrate coating apparatus is provided. The method includes defining interior surfaces of a coating zone in the substrate coating apparatus. The method may include preheating interior surfaces to a local preheat temperature that is approximately equal to a local coating temperature attained by the surfaces during coating of a substrate, at least partially defining the interior surfaces with a compliant fabric, or at least partially defining the interior surfaces with a compliant fabric and preheating the interior surfaces.

Abstract: A system for coating a substrate includes a heater that heats the substrate. The heater includes a two-dimensional array of a plurality of heat sources which supply heat to the substrate when the substrate is in the presence of the array of heat sources. The heater further includes a controller that controls the operation of each heat source to heat a localized area of the surface of the substrate according to a predetermined temperature profile for the substrate.