Laminate comprising a thin borosilicate glass substrate as a constituting layer

• US 6,287,674 B1
• Filed: 09/14/1998
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: InnoLux Corporation
• Original Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
• Inventors: Verlinden, Bart, Leenders, Luc, Tahon, Jean-Pierre, Vermeulen, Leo
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Vivian
• Application Number:
  US09/152,682
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 428/195, 428/201, 428/203, 428/210, 428/209, 428/332, 428/337, 428/412, 428/426, 428/430, 428/432, 428/441, 428/480, 428/458, 428/461, 156/297
• US Class Current: 428/210
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10018 comprising only one glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10165 Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
• 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 17/1033 Laminated safety glass or glazing containing temporary protective coatings or layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/10 Optical coatings produced by application to, or surface treatment of, optical elements G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/116 including electrically conducting layers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133305 Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133502 Antiglare, refractive index matching layers
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 1/76 Photosensitive materials characterised by the base or auxiliary layers
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 1/795 the base being of macromolecular substances G03C1/775 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 1/7954 Polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 1/853 Inorganic compounds, e.g. metals
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 1/91 characterised by subbing layers or subbing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/02 characterised by the selection of materials, e.g. to avoid wear during transport through the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06009 with optically detectable marking G06K19/063, G06K19/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/49855 for flat-cards, e.g. credit cards cards per se G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/562 : Protection against mechanical damage H01L23/02, H01L23/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/564 : Details not otherwise provided for, e.g. protection against moisture getters H01L23/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/573 : using passive means
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/585 : comprising conductive layers or plates or strips or rods or rings H01L23/60, H01L23/62, H01L23/64, H01L23/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 : Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 : Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12044 : OLED
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 : Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24851 : Intermediate layer is discontinuous or differential
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24868 : Translucent outer layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24917 : including metal layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24926 : including ceramic, glass, porcelain or quartz layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/26 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31507 : Of polycarbonate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31616 : Next to polyester [e.g., alkyd]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31645 : Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31681 : Next to polyester, polyamide or polyimide [e.g., alkyd, glue, or nylon, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31692 : Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31786 : Of polyester [e.g., alkyd, etc.]

Abstract

A flexible laminate is disclosed wherein a thin borosilicate glass substrate is bonded to a support, which is preferably a transparent plastic support. The glass substrate protects the support from scratches, moisture, solvents and gases, and improves the dimensional and thermal stability of the support, whereas the support protects the glass from breakage. The use of borosilicate significantly reduces the chance of breakage compared to e.g. sodium or chemically hardened glass. The laminate can be used for carrying a functional layer such as an image recording layer. The laminate is especially suitable for carrying color filters and electroconductive layers in flat panel displays.

Claims

1. A flexible laminate comprising a glass substrate and a support, said glass substrate being a borosilicate glass having a thickness in the range from 10 to 450 μ

m.

2. The flexible laminate according to claim 1 wherein said glass substrate has a thickness in the range from 30 to 300 μ

m.

3. The flexible laminate according to claim 1 wherein said glass substrate has a thickness in the range from 50 to 200 μ

m.

4. The flexible laminate according to claim 1 wherein an intermediate adhesive layer is present between said glass substrate and said support.

5. The flexible laminate according to claim 1 wherein said support is a transparent plastic support.

6. The flexible laminate according to claim 5 wherein said transparent plastic is poly(ethylene terephthalate), polycarbonate, polyether-sulfone or polydicyclopentadiene.

7. The flexible laminate according to claim 1 further comprising a functional layer.

8. The flexible laminate according to claim 7 wherein said functional layer is applied on the glass.

9. The flexible laminate according to claim 7 wherein said functional layer is applied on the support.

10. The flexible laminate according to claim 7 wherein said functional layer is an image recording layer.

11. The flexible laminate according to claim 7 wherein said functional layer is a color filter.

12. The flexible laminate according to claim 7 wherein said functional layer is an electroconductive layer.

13. The flexible laminate according to claim 12 wherein said electroconductive layer consists essentially of indium-tin oxide.

14. The flexible laminate according to claim 7 wherein said functional layer is a non-continuous layer.

15. The flexible laminate according to claim 7 wherein said functional layer is applied by using a printing method.

16. The flexible laminate according to claim 1, wherein said flexible laminate is capable of being wound around a cylindrical core having a radius of 1.5 m without breaking.

17. A method of producing a flexible laminate comprising steps of

making a coated support by applying a functional layer on a support;

laminating the coated support to a borosilicate glass having a thickness in the range from 10 to 450 μ

m.

18. A method of producing a flexible laminate comprising steps of

making a coated support by applying a functional layer on a support;

laminating the coated support to a laminate comprising a glass substrate and a support, said glass substrate being a borosilicate glass having a thickness in the range from 10 to 450 μ

m.

19. A process of manufacturing a flat panel display comprising providing a flexible laminate which comprises a glass substrate and a support, said glass substrate being a borosilicate glass having a thickness in a range from 10 to 450 μ

m; and

making a flat panel display with said flexible laminate.

20. A process of coating a web material comprising applying a functional layer on a flexible laminate, wherein said flexible laminate comprises a glass substrate and a support, said glass substrate being a borosilicate glass having a thickness in a range from 10 to 450 μ

m.