Electrochromic Elements Patents (Class 345/49)
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Patent number: 7586663Abstract: An electrochromic cell is disclosed which can include a first electrically conducting transparent electrode bonded to an electrochemically formed first electrochromic electrode on the surface of the electrode; a second electrically conducting transparent electrode bonded to an electrochemically formed second electrochromic electrode on the surface of the second electrode and a transparent gel polymer electrolyte formed from one or more macromomoners mixed with a plasticizer and an electrolyte salt, the gel polymer electrolyte in contact with both the first and second electrochromic electrodes; the first and second electrochromic electrodes are separated from each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2006Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Triton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Bijan Radmard, Gregory A. Sotzing
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Patent number: 7586667Abstract: A solid-state electronic electrochromic device (ECD) operates electronically rather than relying on the ionic motion that is common in electrochromic devices. The electronic ECD has at least one active layer sandwiched between two electrodes. The active layer is made of mixed metal oxides and may be made of a mixture of tungsten and praseodymium oxides. The electronic ECD may have only a single active layer, or may have multiple layers that have the same composition and that are separated by thin transparent metal films. Some versions of the electronic ECD incorporate a distribution of small metal particles within the active layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Eclipse Energy Systems, Inc.Inventor: Hulya Demiryont
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Patent number: 7535615Abstract: An electrochromic element includes a transparent carrier on which a multilayer system is disposed, the multilayer system including an ion storage layer, a transparent solid-state electrolyte layer), an electrochromic electrode layer, and a reflector layer. The reflector layer has a porosity which is sufficient for the penetration of water or water vapour.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Flabeg GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus Appelfeller, Thomas Hoeing, Franz Jungbauer, Christian Zilker
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Patent number: 7532383Abstract: An electrochromic device which includes a display electrode including a conductive layer disposed on a transparent substrate, a counter electrode disposed to face the display electrode, the counter electrode including a white reflective layer, an electrolyte interposed between the display electrode and the counter electrode, a first electrochromic material layer disposed on the display electrode and a second electrochromic material layer disposed on the counter electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae Eun Jang, Jae Eun Jung, Seung Nam Cha, Chang Ho Noh
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Patent number: 7489432Abstract: To provide an electrochromic display device which includes a display electrode formed of a substrate having a transparent conductive film; a counter electrode formed of a substrate having a transparent conductive film; and a metal oxide layer which contains a metal oxide and is disposed on the display electrode, the metal oxide layer having an organic electrochromic compound attached, wherein the metal oxide is a long fibrous metal oxide.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Shibuya, Shigenobu Hirano, Satoshi Uchida, Yoshitaka Sanehira
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Patent number: 7457027Abstract: This invention discloses methods to dispense adhesives for fabricating electrooptic devices. In addition the invention also discloses on how the cavities of these electrooptic devices may be filled using detachable tabs. The Electrooptic devices of this invention may comprise liquid or solid electrolytes.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: ElectroChromix, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. LeCompte, Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi
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Publication number: 20080258999Abstract: A color coordinating personal use device including a color detector (16) to detect a color of an object of personal use and a color changing material (18) of the personal use item that color changes to a color based on the detected color.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventor: Markus Gerardus Leonardus Maria Van Doorn
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Patent number: 7420727Abstract: The present invention is an active matrix electrochromic display architecture where the active components are placed on the backplane of the display, thereby maximizing the viewable pixel area. The cathode of the electrochromic pixel is placed on top of the active components, with respect to the viewer, thereby allowing the active components to be as large as desired while not interfering with the viewable area of the pixel.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: NTERA LimitedInventor: Micheal Cassidy
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Patent number: 7375871Abstract: A light control system having a full range of dimming for smart-glass by providing an interface between an off-the-shelf dimmer and a electrochromic glass device is disclosed herein. The light control system or electrochromic glass control device acts as an interface that converts an asymmetric alternating current (AC) power signal from the dimmer device into a symmetric, amplitude controlled AC output signal for controlling the tint of the smart-glass device. The electrochromic glass control device includes a powerline interface circuit that receives the asymmetric AC power signal from the dimmer. A controller connects to the powerline interface circuit to generate a control signal responsive to the asymmetric AC power signal. Connecting between the dimmer and the controller, an output stage generates the symmetrical AC output signal responsive to the control signal to control the electrochromic glass device.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: John Libretto, Michael Ostrovsky, Eugene Frid, Edward Uftring
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Patent number: 7342708Abstract: The present invention relates to complementary electrochromic devices comprising poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and derivatives thereof as a cathodically coloring layer and an indium hexacyanometallate or transition metal hexacyanometallate as an anodically coloring layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Tropics Enterprise Co. Ltd.Inventors: Kuo-Chuan Ho, Tsai-Shih Tung, Bih-Ya Chen
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Patent number: 7336410Abstract: A display of an electrochromic type, including an active matrix substrate on which a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to pixels are arranged in a matrix form; a counter substrate which is provided with a transparent electrode that is common with respect to a plurality of the pixel electrodes; and an electrochromic material which is sandwiched between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, and is colored in a boundary either between itself and the pixel electrode or between itself and the transparent electrode; wherein the pixel electrode other than an electrode-exposed part which contacts with the electrochromic material is covered with a transparent protective film; and the electrode-exposed part has a different area from the area of the part onto which a current generated between the transparent electrode and the pixel electrode concentrates, out of the transparent electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.Inventors: Shoichi Hirota, Tetsuya Ohshima, Tatsuya Sugita
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Patent number: 7312914Abstract: Between each transparent pixel electrode driven by TFT as a drive device and a common electrode, a polymer layer located in contact with the transparent pixel electrode and electrically active to change in color by electrochemical oxidization or reduction and a polymeric solid electrolytic layer located in contact with the polymer layer and containing a coloring agent are interposed. Since electrochemical oxidization or reduction brings about a color change, the contrast and the black concentration can be enhanced, and bronzing after long-time use does not occur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony International (Europe) GmbHInventors: Kenji Shinozaki, Akio Yasuda, Kazuhiro Noda, Toru Udaka, Mieko Kuwahara
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Patent number: 7310080Abstract: Methods and related devices for manipulating ambient light and various light sources for applications including colour displays, screen displays and colored coverings for a multitude of items is disclosed. Methods and related devices for manipulating light for decorative, signaling and other purposes are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Inventor: Richard V. Jessop
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Patent number: 7306833Abstract: Structure comprising at least two glass substrates (10, 11) separated by a distance (i), at least one substance (12) at least partly filling the space between the two substrates, and spacers (13) placed between the two substrates in order to maintain their spacing, characterized in that the spacers (13) are fastened to at least one of the substrates.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventors: Dorothee Martin, Frank Marandon, Yves Lehmann, Jean-Louis Bonnet, Rino Messere
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Publication number: 20070171148Abstract: The present invention is an active matrix electrochromic display architecture where the active components are placed on the backplane of the display, thereby maximizing the viewable pixel area. The cathode of the electrochromic pixel is placed on top of the active components, with respect to the viewer, thereby allowing the active components to be as large as desired while not interfering with the viewable area of the pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: July 26, 2007Inventor: Micheal Cassidy
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Patent number: 7236364Abstract: A case for a portable terminal using a color liquid crystal uses a Peltier device to vary the color of the case by means of electrical heating and cooling the interior of the case. The case includes a temperature control apparatus for emitting electrical heat, when an electrical current is applied thereto, and simultaneously cooling the opposite side; a liquid crystal application agent positioned on the upper portion of the temperature control apparatus and adapted to vary the color by means of the electrical heat; and a cooling unit positioned opposite to an upper portion of the temperature control apparatus to cool heat-generating devices inside the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sang-Min Lee
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Patent number: 7215318Abstract: A drive control circuit for controlling an electrochromic element is substantially integrated into an integrated circuit, with the exception of resistive elements for dissipating heat away from the integrated circuit. The drive control circuit includes a current regulator for generating a select one of at least two discrete amounts of current to drive the electrochromic element. Further, a control system individually controls a plurality of electrochromic elements and includes shunts coupled in parallel with the individual electrochromic elements. The control system controls the ratio of the reflectance of the individual electrochromic elements as a function of sensed glare.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, David J. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7142190Abstract: A wireless communication handset (100), or other electrical device, having a housing disposed about electrical communications circuitry. At least a portion of the housing, for example a bezel (144) or keypad area (148) comprising a variable input responsive variable appearance portion, for example an electro-chromic material. A user operable control circuit coupled to the electro-chromic material portion of the housing, whereby a color of the electro-chromic material portion of the housing is variable by the color control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventor: Nelson F. Martinez
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Patent number: 7116309Abstract: A photowriting display device which is capable of performing bright full color display and a photowriting display apparatus which incorporates the photowriting display device and on which the pen moving operation is directly reflected as information to be displayed. A photowriting display device is disclosed which incorporates: an electrochromic display member incorporating a photoconductor in which only regions irradiated with writing light generate carriers to realize conductivity; an electrochromic layer in which light absorption of the regions are reversibly changed owing to electrochemical oxidation and reduction reactions caused to occur due to the conductivity; an electrolyte in which the electrochromic layers are laminated or an electrochromic material is dissolved; and a pair of electrodes laminated through the photoconductor, the electrochromic layer and the electrolyte. A plurality of the electrochromic display members are laminated.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Kimura, Mitsuru Sawano
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Patent number: 6924792Abstract: Methods and related devices for manipulating ambient light and various light sources for applications including colour displays, screen displays and colored coverings for a multitude of items is disclosed. Methods and related devices for manipulating light for decorative, signaling and other purposes are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Inventor: Richard V. Jessop
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Publication number: 20030234752Abstract: A drive control circuit for controlling an electrochromic element is substantially integrated into an integrated circuit, with the exception of resistive elements for dissipating heat away from the integrated circuit. The drive control circuit includes a current regulator for generating a select one of at least two discrete amounts of current to drive the electrochromic element. Further, a control system individually controls a plurality of electrochromic elements and includes shunts coupled in parallel with the individual electrochromic elements. The control system controls the ratio of the reflectance of the individual electrochromic elements as a function of sensed glare.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2002Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, David J. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20030160741Abstract: A wireless communication handset (100), or other electrical device, having a housing disposed about electrical communications circuitry. At least a portion of the housing, for example a bezel (144) or keypad area (148) comprising a variable input responsive variable appearance portion, for example an electro-chromic material. A user operable control circuit coupled to the electro-chromic material portion of the housing, whereby a color of the electro-chromic material portion of the housing is variable by the color control circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventor: Nelson F. Martinez
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Patent number: 6449082Abstract: Edge busbars on a substantial perimeter of an electrochromic device are disclosed having electrical paths wrapping over the perimeter edge. Internal busbars interior from the perimeter are disclosed which lower the conductivity of the conductive layer of an electrochromic device. Signals supplied to the busbars to control the electrochromic device are controlled by a switching power supply that allows the maintaining of the color of the electrochromic device without application of continuous power.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Anoop Agrawal, Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi, Robert LeCompte, John Cronin, Steve Kennedy, Kevin McCarthy, Matthew Denesuk, Gimtong Teowee
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Patent number: 6381346Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) facial imaging system is disclosed for generating facial images, indexing those images by composite codes and for searching for similar two-dimensional (2-D) facial images. The 3-D images of human faces are generated from a data repository of 3-D facial feature surface shapes. These shapes are organized by facial feature parts. By assembling a shape for each facial part is assembled, a 3-D facial image is formed. Human facial images may be represented with a composite code (facial feature part code and shape code). A 3-D image of any face may be generated using the code to select the proper facial feature shapes from the stored repository of shapes.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Wheeling Jesuit UniversityInventor: Arsev H. Eraslan
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Patent number: 6369934Abstract: A photoelectrochemical-electrochromic device comprising a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode in parallel, spaced relation to each other. The first transparent electrode is electrically connected to the second transparent electrode. An electrochromic material is applied to the first transparent electrode and a nanoporous semiconductor film having a dye adsorbed therein is applied to the second transparent electrode. An electrolyte layer contacts the electrochromic material and the nanoporous semiconductor film. The electrolyte layer has a redox couple whereby upon application of light, the nanoporous semiconductor layer dye absorbs the light and the redox couple oxidizes producing an electric field across the device modulating the effective light transmittance through the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Clemens S. Bechinger, Brian A. Gregg
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Patent number: 6365068Abstract: The invention relates to ionic compounds in which the anionic load has been displaced, and the uses of these compounds. A compound disclosed by the invention comprises an anionic portion combined with at least one cationic portion M+m in sufficient numbers to ensure overall electronic neutrality. The anionic portion is comprised of one of the groups (A) and (B): wherein Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 represent a carbonyl group, a sulfonyl group, a thiocarbonyl group, a thionyl group, a —C(═NCN)— or a —C(═C(CN)2)— group; Z represents an electroattractive radical; each of the substituents, RA, RB, RC and RD represents independently of one another a monovalent or divalent organic radical or is part of a polymer chain, with at least one of the substituents RC and RD being a perfluorinated radical. The compounds can be used especially for ionic conducting materials, electronic conducting materials, colorants, and the catalysis of various chemical reactions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignees: Hydro-Quebec, Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueInventors: Christophe Michot, Michel Armand, Michel Gauthier, Yves Choquette
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Patent number: 6330101Abstract: An EC panel drive unit for a rear-view mirror comprising a timer circuit 2 in which a drive signal is output for a fixed period of time when either a colored state switch SW1 or a colorless state switch SW2 is in the ON position; a D-type flip-flop circuit 9 that sends different output signals, depending on whether the colored state switch SW1 is in the ON position or the colorless state switch SW2 is in the ON position, and a colored/colorless state switching circuit 6 which switches the polarity of DC voltage that is output from a lithium battery based on the output from the D-type flip-flop circuit 9 and then applies the voltage to input terminals Ta and Tb of the EC panel 7. A contact SW2-3 is installed between the two input terminals, Ta and Tb, of the EC panel 7 for providing a short circuit between the two terminals when the colorless state switch SW2 is turned to the ON position.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Murakami CorporationInventors: Tetsuya Yamamoto, Mitsuyoshi Nagao, Hidenori Sato, Yoshihiro Fujikawa
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Publication number: 20010023194Abstract: A portable communication apparatus (1) has a movable cover (16) with a liquid crystal display (19, 20) mounted thereon. The liquid crystal display (19, 20) is double-sided in at least one part (20), hence showing the information both from a front side and from a back side (21). This part of the display (20) is transmissive, and the rest of the display (19) is either reflective or transflective. The information is viewable through a window (22) in the cover (16) when the cover (16) is closed. As soon as the cover (16) changes positions from closed to opened, or from opened to closed, the information will be rotated 180°, so that the information will appear correctly. The portable communication apparatus has means (30, 31) and steps for the rotation of information, which automatically will be initiated, when the position of the cover (16) is detected by a controller (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2001Publication date: September 20, 2001Inventors: Mats Pettersson, Erik Heded
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Patent number: 6241916Abstract: The novel electrochromic system comprises at least one reducible and at least one oxidizable substance OX2 and RED1 respectively, which are linked with one another via a bridge member, and is outstandingly suitable for use in an electrochromic device.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Uwe Claussen, Horst Berneth, Dietrich Haarer, Jürgen Simmerer, Jochen Schaller
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Patent number: 6171522Abstract: The invention relates to ionic compounds in which the anionic load has been displaced, and the uses of these compounds. A compound disclosed by the invention comprises an anionic portion combined with at least one cationic portion M+m in sufficient numbers to ensure overall electronic neutrality. The anionic portion is comprised of one of the groups (A) and (B): wherein Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 represent a carbonyl group, a sulfonyl group, a thiocarbonyl group, a thionyl group, a —C(═NCN)— or a —C(═C(CN)2)— group; Z represents an electroattractive radical; each of the substituents, RA, RB, RC and RD represents independently of one another a monovalent or divalent organic radical or is part of a polymer chain, with at least one of the substituents RC and RD being a perfluorinated radical. The compounds can be used especially for ionic conducting materials, electronic conducting materials, colorants, and the catalysis of various chemical reactions.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignees: Hydro-Qu{acute over (e)}bec, Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueInventors: Christophe Michot, Michel Armand, Michel Gauthier, Yves Choquette
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Patent number: 5956012Abstract: A series drive circuit for driving a plurality of serially-connected electronic elements, such as electrochromic elements. The series drive circuit maintains a accurately controlled voltage across each of the electronic elements, while reducing power consumption and current consumption. A constant voltage is applied to the serially-connected electronic elements that is the sum of the required voltage for each of the electronic elements. In order to prevent excess voltage across any of the elements, shunts are connected in parallel with each of the elements. In order to reduce excess voltage across any of the elements, the voltage across each of the elements is monitored and used to control the shunts to maintain a accurately controlled voltage across each of the serially-connected electronic elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert Ralph Turnbull, Frederick Thomas Bauer, Peter William Vanderwel
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Patent number: 5808711Abstract: A liquid crystal display assembly (10) can function in either a transparent or reflective mode. The assembly consists of a reflective-type liquid crystal display cell (12) placed in front of an electrochromic panel (14). When a display driver (16) activates the electrochromic panel, it absorbs light. When the driver energizes segments (15) of the reflective-type liquid crystal display cell, they become reflective, providing a visual image to an observer. When the electrochromic panel is not activated by the driver, it is transparent or translucent, allowing the observer to see completely through the liquid crystal display assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Anthony J. Suppelsa, Michael F. Shaw, Thomas J. Swirbel
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Patent number: 5694144Abstract: Electrochromic systems having a material, whose coloration state and/or the transmission in certain electromagnetic radiation wavelengths varies by performing an electrochemical reaction involving the passage of an electric current. The electric current is generated by an intensity generator able to supply a current, whose intensity obeys a reference value determined as a function of the number of charges to be transferred for switching from the initial coloration state to the desired coloration state and as a function of the time chosen for the switching. The system also relates to using a power supply in an electrochromic glazing process.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1995Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: Saint-Gobain VitrageInventors: Christine Lefrou, Marc Ast