ANTI-FOG REFRIGERATION DOOR AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

• US 20110165399A1
• Filed: 01/03/2011
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AGC Flat Glass North America Incorporated (AGC, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AGC Flat Glass North America Incorporated (AGC, Inc.)
• Inventors: CORDING, Christopher R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,613,179 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/220
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0434 Glass or transparent panels
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/322 Polyurethanes or polyisocyanates
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/34 with at least two coatings having different compositions C03C17/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/75 Hydrophilic and oleophilic coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 175/04 Polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 3/18 for application to surfaces to minimize adherence of ice, mist or water thereto rendering particulate materials free flowing, in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic B01J2/30; Thawing or antifreeze materials for application to surfaces used in liquids for heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage or for the production of heat or cold other than by combustion, e.g. radiator liquids, C09K5/00

Abstract

The energy-free refrigeration door of the present application provides a way to control condensation when the door of a refrigeration unit is opened by providing thermal insulation to the door with glass panels which have a low emissivity coating. The door includes a door frame housing and an insulating glass unit comprising inner, middle and outer sheets of glass. A first sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the inner and middle sheets of glass forms a first chamber between the inner and middle sheets of glass. A second sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the middle and outer sheets of glass forms a second chamber between the middle and outer sheets of glass. A gas, such as krypton, air, or argon is held in the first and second chambers. The outer sheet of glass and inner sheet of glass each have an unexposed surface that faces the middle sheet of glass. A low emissivity coating is disposed on the unexposed surfaces of the inner and outer sheets of glass so that the glass door as a whole avoids formation of condensation on the outer surface of the outer sheet of the glass door, without the application of electricity to heat the door, while also providing the desired evaporation rate of condensation from the inner side of the inner sheet of the glass door. An anti-fog or anti-frost coating is included on a surface of one of the sheets of glass.

Claims

1. An anti-fog or anti-frost coating comprising a mixture of:

i) a first component comprising about 46% diacetone alcohol, about 4% N-methyl Pyrrolidone, about 4% t-butanol, about 8% Cyclohexane, about 6% 2,4-pentanedione, and about 2% Aromatic 150; and

ii) a second component comprising about 66% polyisocyanate, about 1% free monomeric isocyanates, about 11% xylene, about 11% n-butyl acetate, and about 11% toluene;

wherein the mixture ratio of the first component to the second component is about 100;

about 30-33.

2. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 1, wherein the mixture ratio of the first component to the second component is about 100:

about 30.

3. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 1, wherein the mixture further comprises a silane.

4. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 3, wherein the silane comprises 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane.

5. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 4, wherein the silane is present in an amount of about 1% to about 8%.

6. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 5, wherein the silane is present in an amount of about 6%.

7. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 1, wherein the anti-fog or anti-frost coating has a thickness of about 4 microns to about 20 microns.

8. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 7, wherein the anti-fog or anti-frost coating has a thickness of about 10 microns to about 20 microns.

9. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 8, wherein the anti-fog or anti-frost coating has a thickness of about 12 microns to about 15 microns.

22. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 1, wherein the coating is applied on a mirror.

23. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 1, wherein the coating is applied on a mirror configured for use in a sauna or steam room.

24. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 1, wherein the coating is applied on a transparent or semi-transparent substrate configured for use in a bathroom.

25. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 1, wherein the coating is applied on a window configured for use on the exterior of a building.

26. The anti-fog or anti-frost coating of claim 1, wherein the coating is applied on a mirror configured for use in an automobile.

10. A method of forming an anti-fog or anti-frost coating on at least a portion of a substrate, the method comprising:

treating, prior to application of the anti-fog or anti-frost coating, at least a portion of the substrate with a solution comprising a first silane;

preparing a mixture of;

i) a first component comprising about 46% diacetone alcohol, about 4% N-methyl Pyrrolidone, about 4% t-butanol, about 8% Cyclohexane, about 6% 2,4-pentanedione, and about 2% Aromatic 150; and

ii) a second component comprising about 66% polyisocyanate, about 1% free monomeric isocyanates, about 11% xylene, about 11% n-butyl acetate, and about 11% toluene;

wherein the mixture ratio of the first component to the second component is about 100;

about 30-33;

applying the mixture to the substrate; and

curing the substrate.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mixture does not contain additional solvents.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the mixture ratio of the first component to the second component is about 100:

about 30.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the mixture is applied with a single coating step.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the curing is achieved in a single curing cycle.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising adding a second silane to the mixture, wherein the second silane is different than the first silane.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second silane comprises 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second silane is present in an amount of about 1% to about 8%.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second silane is present in an amount of about 6%.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the first silane comprises amino alkyl silicone.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein the treating comprises preparing a rinse water mixture comprising about 1% or less of the first silane and applying said mixture to said portion of the substrate.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the rinse water mixture comprises about 0.031% of the first silane.

27. The method of claim 10, wherein the substrate is cured using radiant energy.

28. The method of claim 10, wherein the mixture is applied with a curtain coater.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the a curtain coater that is modified such that a laminar flow of the mixture is achieved as it is applied to the substrate.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the curtain coater is a weir-type curtain coater and the size of the weir lip is modified such that a semi-turbulent flow of the mixture is avoided as it is applied to the substrate.