Mirror for use in humid environments, and/or method of making the same
First Claim
1. A mirror, comprising:
- a glass substrate;
a multilayer thin film coating supported by the substrate, the multilayer thin film coating comprising, in order moving away from the substrate;
a first dielectric layer,a metallic or substantially metallic layer comprising aluminum, anda second dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer being the outermost layer of the thin film coating and having a contact angle of at least 40 degrees;
and an adhesive tape material disposed directly over and contacting the outermost layer of the multilayer thin film coating, wherein the adhesive tape material is adapted to survive seven day exposure to an 85 degree C. temperature at 85% relative humidity, as well as seven day exposure to a 49 degree C. temperature at 100% relative humidity, without peeling away from the outermost layer of the thin film coating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to sputtered aluminum second surface mirrors with tapes optionally provided thereto, and/or methods of making the same. The tape replaces the paint backing that conventionally is used in the mirror industry to help protect the reflecting member of the mirror from the ingress of moisture. The final layer of the thin film layer stack is selected so as to help make its interface with the tape less sensitive to moisture. Because the safety tape can remain adhered to the layer stack even in high humidity environments, such minors may be used in a potentially broader array of applications and/or environments such as, for example, bathrooms, interior and/or exterior applications in areas where there are humid climates, etc. In one of the example embodiments, the tape is a safety tape.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A mirror, comprising:
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a glass substrate; a multilayer thin film coating supported by the substrate, the multilayer thin film coating comprising, in order moving away from the substrate; a first dielectric layer, a metallic or substantially metallic layer comprising aluminum, and a second dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer being the outermost layer of the thin film coating and having a contact angle of at least 40 degrees; and an adhesive tape material disposed directly over and contacting the outermost layer of the multilayer thin film coating, wherein the adhesive tape material is adapted to survive seven day exposure to an 85 degree C. temperature at 85% relative humidity, as well as seven day exposure to a 49 degree C. temperature at 100% relative humidity, without peeling away from the outermost layer of the thin film coating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A mirror, comprising:
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a substrate; a multilayer thin film coating supported by the substrate, the multilayer thin film coating comprising a metallic or substantially metallic layer comprising aluminum sandwiched between inner and outer dielectric layers, the inner dielectric layer being located between at least the substrate and the metallic or substantially metallic layer comprising aluminum; an adhesive tape directly over and contacting an outermost layer of the multilayer thin film coating, wherein the outermost layer of the multilayer thin film coating has a contact angle of at least 40 degrees; and wherein the adhesive tape is adapted to survive seven day exposure to an 85 degree C. temperature at 85% relative humidity, as well as seven day exposure to a 49 degree C. temperature at 100% relative humidity, without peeling away from the outermost layer of the thin film coating. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of making a mirror, the method comprising:
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sputter-depositing on a glass substrate a coating comprising at least the following layers in the following order; a first dielectric layer, a metallic or substantially metallic layer comprising aluminum, and a second dielectric layer, wherein the second dielectric layer is the outermost layer of the thin film coating and has a contact angle of at least 40 degrees; and applying an adhesive tape material over and contacting the outermost layer of the multilayer thin film coating, wherein the adhesive tape material is safety tape that has an acrylic-based adhesive and is adapted to survive seven day exposure to an 85 degree C. temperature at 85% relative humidity, as well as seven day exposure to a 49 degree C. temperature at 100% relative humidity, with no evidence of delamination of the adhesive material and no evidence of deterioration of the coating. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification