Anti-fog film assemblies, method of manufacture, and articles made thereof

• US 20070077399A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: Borowiec, Matthew, Laurin, Michael, Vignovic, David
• Application Number:
  US11/241,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20070077399A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/195.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0434 Glass or transparent panels
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/10 Prepolymer processes involving reaction of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen in a first reaction step
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/48 Polyethers
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 2290/00 Compositions for creating anti-fogging
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2475/00 Characterised by the use of polyureas or polyurethanes; Derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/0427 with only one layer of a composition containing a polymer binder with more layers C08J7/042
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/043 Improving the adhesiveness of the coatings per se, e.g. forming primers adhesives in the form of films or foils characterised by the primer layers between the polymer carriers and the adhesives C09J7/50
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/046 Forming abrasion-resistant coatings; Forming surface-hardening coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/054 Forming anti-misting or drip-proofing coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/056 Forming hydrophilic coatings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]

Abstract

A repositionable and substantially transparent multi-layer anti-fog film assembly comprising a film and an anti-fog layer formed from a polyurethane-film forming composition effective to provide the layer with anti-fog properties at temperatures that alternate between −23° C. and 65° C. Optionally, an anti-fog film assembly comprises an adhesive layer. The anti-fog film assembly to be applied with any of a variety of substantially transparent substrates to provide condensation-resistant articles, including refrigerator doors and panels.

Claims

1. An anti-fog film assembly comprising:

a substantially transparent film having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; and

a substantially transparent anti-fog layer formed from a polyurethane-film forming composition effective to provide the layer with anti-fog properties at temperatures that alternate between −

23°

C. and 65°

C., wherein the anti-fog layer is disposed on an area of the first surface of the film.

2. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 1, wherein the film is selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyester, a poly(cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate)-co-poly(ethylene terephthalate), an acrylic, a polyvinylchloride, a polybisallyl carbonate, a polyethylene naphthenate, a polycarbonate/PCCD blend, and a blend comprising at least one of the foregoing polymers.

3. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 1, wherein the polyurethane-forming film composition further comprises a surfactant having an isocyanate-reactive moiety and a hydrophobic region and a hydrophilic region.

4. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 3, wherein the surfactant comprises a combination of a cationic surfactant and an anionic surfactant.

5. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 3, wherein isocyanate-reactive moiety of the surfactant is a hydroxyl group.

6. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 1, wherein the polyurethane-forming film composition comprises a polyisocyanate prepolymer having reactive isocyanate groups, a hydrophilic polyol, and a hydroxyl-bearing surfactant having a hydrophilic region and a hydrophobic region.

7. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 6, wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant having the hydroxyl group covalently bound to the surfactant.

8. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 6, wherein the surfactant is an anionic surfactant associated with a countercation, and wherein the hydroxyl group is covalently bound to the countercation.

9. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 1, further comprising a graphic component.

10. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 9, wherein the graphic component is disposed on an area of the anti-fog layer, between the anti-fog layer and the first surface of the film, on an area of the first surface of the film, or on an area of the second surface of the film.

11. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is repositionable on a substrate.

12. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive disposed on an area of the second surface of the film.

13. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 12, wherein the adhesive allows the assembly to be repositioned on a substrate.

15. A condensation-resistant article comprising:

a substantially transparent substrate having a first surface; and

the anti-fog film assembly of claim 1, wherein the second surface of the film is disposed on an area of the substrate.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the anti-fog film assembly further comprises a graphic component.

17. The article of claim 15, wherein the article is a refrigerator panel, a building window, a windshield, a reflective surface, an instrument surface, or a face shield.

18. The article of claim 17, wherein the substrate is a refrigerator door or a refrigerator window.

19. The article of claim 17, wherein the substrate is a mirror or a vehicle windshield.

14. The anti-fog film assembly of claim 14, further comprising a graphic disposed between the second surface of the film and the adhesive.