Light dispersive insulated glazing unit

• US 6,259,541 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thinking Lightly, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Thinking Lightly, Inc.
• Inventors: Town, Michael Hayden
• Primary Examiner(s): HENRY, JON W
• Application Number:
  US09/460,266
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 359/900, 359/1, 359/13, 359/14, 359/15, 359/615, 359/599, 359/566, 359/567, 359/591, 359/592, 359/593, 359/569, 428/34, 428/430, 428/69
• US Class Current: 359/1
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6604 comprising false glazing bars or similar decorations between the panes connectors therefor E06B3/6675
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6715 specially adapted for increased thermal insulation or for controlled passage of light E06B3/66323 takes precedence; coating of glass pains C03C17/00; devices or arrangements for controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/264 Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/4233 having a diffractive element [DOE] contributing to a non-imaging application diffusers having a diffractive element G02B5/0252; filters having a diffractive element G02B5/203; systems for controlling the direction of light having diffractive elements G02B26/0808; scanning systems having diffractive elements G02B26/106; beam shaping systems using diffractive optical elements G02B27/0944; beam splitting or combining systems operating by diffraction G02B27/1086
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/32 Holograms used as optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A method for fabricating light dispersive insulated glazing units is provided. According to this method a substantially sealed integral unit comprising a pair of spaced glazing lites and a heat-shrinkable light dispersive film interposed between the glazing lites and spaced apart from the glazing lites is formed, the light dispersive film being fixed along at least two of its edges with respect to the edges of the glazing lites. The assembled structure is then subjected to a heat treatment for a time and at a temperature sufficient to heat shrink the light dispersive film and cause it to become taut and wrinkle-free.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit, comprising the following steps:

(a) forming a substantially sealed integral unit comprising a pair of spaced glazing lites and a heat-shrinkable light dispersive film interposed between said glazing lites and spaced apart from said glazing lites, said light dispersive film being fixed along at least two of its edges with respect to the edges of said glazing lites; and

(b) heating the sealed unit to cause the light dispersive film to shrink and become taut and substantially wrinkle free between said glazing lites.

2. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a perforation through aid light dispersive film prior to heating.

3. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film is suspended midway between opposing surfaces of said first and second glazing lites.

4. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film is etched or printed with a light dispersive pattern selected from the group consisting of an imaging hologram, non-imaging hologram, and diffraction grating.

5. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein the entire perimeter of said light dispersive film is attached to said support structure.

6. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said first glazing lite is parallel to said second glazing lite.

7. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film is substantially parallel to said first glazing lite and said second glazing lite.

8. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film is polyester.

9. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film is at least 3 mm thick.

10. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film has a light transmitting quality selected from the group consisting of transparent and translucent.

11. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film has a light transmitting quality selected from the group consisting of partially reflective and fully reflective.

12. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film is opaque.

13. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said first glazing lite and said second glazing lite are made from a material selected from the group consisting of glass, laminated glass, tempered glass, acrylic, and polycarbonate.

14. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film contains at least one non-focusing unidirectional diffraction grating having a line spacing of at least 400 lines/mm.

15. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film contains a plurality of articulated non-focusing unidirectional diffraction gratings having a line spacing of at least 400 lines/mm.

16. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film contains at least one non-focusing bidirectional diffraction grating having a line spacing of at least 400 lines/mm.

17. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film contains a plurality of articulated non-focusing bidirectional diffraction gratings having a line spacing of at least 400 lines/nun.

18. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film contains at least one diffraction grating having a line spacing of at least 1,000 lines/mm.

19. A method for manufacturing a light dispersive insulated glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein said light dispersive film contains at least one diffraction grating having a line spacing of at least 1,600 lines/mm.