Transparent molded plastic article having a surfactant layer

• US 6,827,991 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Hiraiwa, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): ZACHARIA, RAMSEY E
• Application Number:
  US10/270,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20030072944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 428/31, 428/411.1, 428/922, 428/924
• US Class Current: 428/31
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/922 Static electricity metal bleed-off metallic stock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/924 Composite
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 Composite [nonstructural laminate]

Abstract

A transparent molded plastic article, which is used for, for example, a component of an auto instrument, includes a transparent molded plastic body and a surfactant layer, which is located on a surface of the plastic body. The surfactant layer contains a quaternary ammonium salt having a mean molecular weight of 260 to 385 to eliminate static electricity of the plastic body. Therefore, the transparent molded plastic article is substantially static-electricity-free while the deterioration in transparency of the surfactant is prevented.

Claims

1. A transparent molded plastic article comprising:

a transparent molded plastic body; and

a surfactant layer, which is located on a surface of the transparent molded plastic body, wherein the surfactant layer contains a quaternary ammonium salt having a mean molecular weight of 260 to 385 to eliminate static electricity of the plastic body, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt is one of the following;

a) dialkyldimethylammonium salt;

b) monoalkyltrimethylammonium salt;

c) a mixture of n-alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salt and n-alkyldimethylammonium salt; and

d) a combination of any of the salts of a, b and c.

2. The transparent molded plastic article in claim 1, wherein the transparent molded plastic article is a meter display-panel cover of an auto instrument.

3. The transparent molded plastic article in claim 1, wherein the transparent molded plastic article is a meter dial of an auto instrument.

4. The transparent molded plastic article in claim 1, wherein the transparent molded plastic article is a meter display panel of an auto instrument.

5. A transparent molded plastic article comprising:

a transparent molded plastic body; and

a surfactant layer, which is located on a surface of the transparent molded plastic body, wherein the surfactant layer contains a quaternary ammonium salt having a mean molecular weight of 260 to 385 to eliminate static electricity of the plastic body, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt includes dialkyldimethylammonium salt.

6. A transparent molded plastic article comprising:

a transparent molded plastic body; and

a surfactant layer, which is located on a surface of the transparent molded plastic body, wherein the surfactant layer contains a quaternary ammonium salt having a mean molecular weight of 260 to 385 to eliminate static electricity of the plastic body, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt includes monoalkyltrimethylammonium salt.

7. A transparent molded plastic article comprising:

a transparent molded plastic body; and

a surfactant layer, which is located on a surface of the transparent molded plastic body, wherein the surfactant layer contains a quaternary ammonium salt having a mean molecular weight of 260 to 385 to eliminate static electricity of the plastic body, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt includes a mixture of n-alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salt and n-alkyldimethylammonium salt.

8. A transparent part for a vehicle instrument, wherein the transparent part comprises:

a transparent plastic body;

a surfactant layer, which is located on a surface of the transparent molded plastic body, wherein the surfactant layer includes a quaternary ammonium salt that has a mean molecular weight of 260 to 385 to reduce the effect of static electricity on the plastic body, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt is one of the following;

a) dialkyldimethylammonium salt;

b) monoalkyltrimethylammonium salt;

c) a mixture of n-alkyldimethylbenzylaminoniuin salt and n-alkyldimethylammonium salt; and

d) a combination of any of the salts of a, b and c.

9. The transparent part according to claim 8, wherein the transparent part is a meter display-panel cover of an auto instrument.

10. The transparent part according to claim 8, wherein the transparent part is a meter dial of an auto instrument.

11. The transparent part according to claim 8, wherein the transparent part is a meter display panel of an auto instrument.

12. A transparent part for a vehicle instrument, wherein the transparent part comprises:

a transparent plastic body;

a surfactant layer, which is located on a surface of the transparent molded plastic body, wherein the surfactant layer includes a quaternary ammonium salt that has a mean molecular weight of 260 to 385 to reduce the effect of static electricity on the plastic body, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt includes dialkyldimethylammonium salt.

13. A transparent part for a vehicle instrument, wherein the transparent part comprises:

a transparent plastic body;

a surfactant layer, which is located on a surface of the transparent molded plastic body, wherein the surfactant layer includes a quaternary ammonium salt that has a mean molecular weight of 260 to 385 to reduce the effect of static electricity on the plastic body, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt includes monoalkyltrimethylammonium salt.