FLEXIBLE ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE FILM

• US 20080257475A1
• Filed: 06/20/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Koster, Brian Leroy, Bright, Clark Ivan, Zelinsky, Maria Lenni, Anderson, Edward John, Lyons, Christopher Stewart, FLEMING, Robert James
• Application Number:
  US12/143,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20080257475A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/60
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10005 laminated safety glass or glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10174 Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10706 being photo-polymerized
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10816 by pressing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2038/0076 Curing, vulcanising, cross-linking
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2038/0092 Metallizing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2309/62 Inert
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2309/68 Vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2310/14 Corona, ionisation, electrical discharge, plasma treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2329/06 PVB, i.e. polyinylbutyral
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/0008 Electrical discharge treatment, e.g. corona, plasma treatment; wave energy or particle radiation heat treatment B32B38/0036
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/10 at least one layer having inter-reactive properties
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/562 for coating elongated substrates
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/86 the heating conductors being embedded in the transparent or reflecting material H05B3/845 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3162 : Cross-linked polyester [e.g., glycerol maleate-styrene, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3163 : Next to acetal of polymerized unsaturated alcohol [e.g., formal butyral, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31649 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31699 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer

Abstract

An electrically conductive film contains electrically connected first and second visible light-transmissive metal or metal alloy layers separated by a visible light-transmissive crosslinked polymeric layer. The film can be joined or laminated into glazing (especially non-planar vehicular safety glazing) with reduced likelihood that the metal or metal alloy layers will be damaged or distorted. The film also can transparently shield a device that can cause or is sensitive to electromagnetic interference with reduced likelihood that the metal or metal alloy layers will fracture.

Claims

1. A process for making an electrically heatable glazing article, comprising:

a) assembling a layer of glazing material and a visible light-transmissive film comprising first and second visible light-transmissive metal or metal alloy layers separated by a visible light-transmissive crosslinked polymeric layer,

b) bonding the glazing material and film together into a unitary article, and

c) connecting one or more electrodes to at least one of the metal or metal alloy layers.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electrodes are connected to the metal or metal alloy layers after bonding.

3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electrodes are connected to the metal or metal alloy layers before bonding.

4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the glazing article comprises architectural glazing and the electrodes are connected to both the first and second metal or metal alloy layers.

5. A process for making an electrically heatable laminate article comprising:

a) assembling a first glazing material layer, a first mechanical energy-absorbing layer, a visible light-transmissive flexible film layer comprising first and second metal or metal alloy layers separated by a crosslinked polymeric layer, electrodes that permit electrical current to be supplied to the metal or metal alloy layers, a second mechanical energy-absorbing layer and a second glazing material layer,

b) removing residual air from between the layers, and

c) heating and applying pressure to the layers to bond the layers and electrodes together into a unitary article.

6. A process according to claim 5 wherein the removal of residual air or the application of pressure to the layers is performed using at least one nip roll.

7. A process according to claim 5 wherein the glazing material layers are non-planar.

8. A process according to claim 5 wherein the layers are bonded together without substantial cracking or creasing of the metal or metal alloy layers and without substantial wrinkling of the film.

9. A process according to claim 5 wherein the film is extensible.

10. A process according to claim 5 wherein the film is stretched without substantial cracking or creasing of the metal or metal alloy layers.

11. A process according to claim 5 wherein the crosslinked polymeric layer comprises an acrylate polymer.