Digital color-design composite for use in laminated glass

• US 20030203214A1
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solutia Incorporated (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Original Assignee: Solutia Incorporated (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Inventors: Bell, William P., Moran, James R., Yacovone, Vincent J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,824,868 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/426
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10005 laminated safety glass or glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10018 comprising only one glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10247 Laminated safety glass or glazing containing decorations or patterns for aesthetic reasons containing metal wires for aesthetic reasons B32B17/10422
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10275 on interlayer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10284 on intermediate layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10339 Specific parts of the laminated safety glass or glazing being colored or tinted tinted glass sheet B32B17/1011; tinted interlayer B32B17/10651
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10577 Surface roughness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10788 containing ethylene vinylacetate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10935 as a preformed layer, e.g. formed by extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10981 Pre-treatment of the layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2495 Thickness [relative or absolute]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/264 Up to 3 mils
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/28 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2813 Heat or solvent activated or sealable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2848 Three or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2874 : including aldehyde or ketone condensation polymer [e.g., urea formaldehyde polymer, melamine formaldehyde polymer, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31616 : Next to polyester [e.g., alkyd]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31623 : Next to polyamide or polyimide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31627 : Next to aldehyde or ketone condensation product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3163 : Next to acetal of polymerized unsaturated alcohol [e.g., formal butyral, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31645 : Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31725 : Of polyamide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31786 : Of polyester [e.g., alkyd, etc.]

Abstract

This invention is directed to a plastic composite comprising color images printed onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate using thermal transfer (TT) printing technology. The PET layer is then bonded to a second PET layer using a thermally activated adhesive, preferably ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). The bonded PET layers are then disposed between two layers of plasticized PVB, forming the plastic composite. The plastic composite can then be placed between two sheets of glass forming the final laminated glass product.

Claims

1. An interlayer for laminated glass, the interlayer comprising a polymeric support film containing at least one color image;

a polymeric film bonded to the polymeric support film, such that the color image is between the polymeric support film and the polymeric film;

a first adhesive layer bonded to the polymeric support film; and

a second adhesive layer bonded to the polymeric film.

2. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the polymeric support film and the polymeric film are individually selected from the group consisting of nylons, epoxies, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, cellulose acetates, cellulose triacetates, vinyl chloride polymers, vinyl chloride copolymers and polyesters.

3. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein both the polymeric support film and the polymeric film are biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate.

4. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the polymeric film is provided by coating the polymeric support film with a reactive mixture and then curing the reactive mixture using ultraviolet light or heat.

5. The interlayer of claim 4, wherein the reactive mixture is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, epoxy, polyester or polyurethane chemistries.

6. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the polymeric film is provided by coating the polymeric support film with an aqueous emulsion or a solvent based polymer solution and then removing the water or solvent component by evaporation.

7. The interlayer of claim 6, wherein the polymer used with the aqueous emulsion or solvent based solution is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, epoxy, polyester or polyurethane chemistries.

8. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the color image is printed on the polymeric support film using thermal transfer printing technology.

9. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the polymeric support film is bonded to the polymeric film using a thermally activated adhesive

10. The interlayer of claim 9, wherein the thermally activated adhesive is ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

11. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the polymeric support film and polymeric film are bonded together with a minimum bond strength of 4 N/cm.

12. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the polymeric support film and polymeric film are bonded together with a preferred bond strength of at least 8 N/cm.

13. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the polymeric support film is between about 25 to 125 micrometers and the polymeric film is between about 10 to 125 micrometers.

14. The interlayer of claim 13, wherein the thickness of the polymeric support film is about 75 micrometers.

15. The interlayer of claim 13, wherein the thickness of the polymeric film is about 75 micrometers.

16. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, plasticized polyvinyl chloride and plasticized polyvinyl butyral.

17. The interlayer of claim 16, wherein the adhesive layer is plasticized polyvinyl butyral.

18. The interlayer of claim 17, wherein the plasticized polyvinyl butyral is plasticized with a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of triethylene glycol di-(2-ethylbutyrate), triethyleneglycol di-(2-ethylhexanoate), tetraethyleneglycol diheptanoate, dihexyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, mixtures of heptyl and nonyl adipates, dibutyl sebacate, polymeric plasticizers, and mixtures of phosphates and adipates, mixtures of adipates and alkyl benzyl phthalates, mixed adipates made from C₄ to C₉ alkyl alcohols and cyclo C₄ to C₁₀ alcohols, C₆ to C₈ adipate esters, and mixtures thereof.

19. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein one or both of the adhesive layers comprise an ultra-violet light absorber.

20. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein one or both of the polymeric support film or the polymeric film comprise an ultra-violet light absorber.

21. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein one or both of the adhesive layers are colored.

22. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the first and the second adhesive layers have a thickness of about 0.38 to 1.5 mm.

23. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the polymeric support film and the polymeric film in contact with the adhesive layers are chemically modified using a process selected from the group consisting of flame treatment, chemical oxidation, corona discharge, carbon sputtering, plasma treatment in vacuum, and plasma treatment in air.

24. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein an adhesive is applied to the surfaces of the polymeric support film and polymeric film in contact with the adhesive layers.

25. The interlayer of claim 1, wherein the color image is selected from the group consisting of a logo, symbol, geometric pattern, photograph, alphanumeric characters and combinations thereof.

26. A laminated glass composite comprising an interlayer disposed between two glass sheets, the interlayer comprising a polymeric support film containing at least one color image;

a polymeric film bonded to the polymeric support film, such that the color image is between the polymeric support film and the polymeric film;

a first adhesive layer bonded to the polymeric support film; and

a second adhesive layer bonded to the polymeric film.

27. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the two glass sheets are a pair of matching float glass sheets.

28. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the two glass sheets are individually selected from the group consisting of clear glass, tinted glass, annealed glass, heat strengthened glass, and tempered glass.

29. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the polymeric support film and the polymeric film are individually selected from the group consisting of nylons, epoxies, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, cellulose acetates, cellulose triacetates, vinyl chloride polymers, vinyl chloride copolymers and polyesters.

30. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein both the polymeric support film and the polymeric film are biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate.

31. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the polymeric film is provided by coating the polymeric support film with a reactive mixture and then curing the reactive mixture using ultraviolet light or heat.

32. The laminated glass composite of claim 31, wherein the reactive mixture is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, epoxy, polyester or polyurethane chemistries.

33. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the polymeric film is provided by coating the polymeric support film with an aqueous emulsion or a solvent based polymer solution and then removing the water or solvent component by evaporation.

34. The interlayer of claim 33, wherein the polymer used with the aqueous emulsion or solvent based solution is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, epoxy, polyester or polyurethane chemistries.

35. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the color image is printed on the polymeric support film using thermal transfer printing technology.

36. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the polymeric support film is bonded to the polymeric film using a thermally activated adhesive

37. The laminated glass composite of claim 36, wherein the thermally activated adhesive is ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

38. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the polymeric support film and polymeric film are bonded together with a minimum bond strength of 4 N/cm.

39. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the polymeric support film and polymeric film are bonded together with a preferred bond strength of at least 8 N/cm.

40. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the thickness of the polymeric support film is between about 25 to 125 micrometers and the polymeric film is between about 10 to 125 micrometers.

41. The laminated glass composite of claim 40, wherein the thickness of the polymeric support film is about 75 micrometers.

42. The laminated glass composite of claim 40, wherein the thickness of the polymeric film is about 75 micrometers.

43. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the adhesive layer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, plasticized polyvinyl chloride and plasticized polyvinyl butyral.

44. The laminated glass composite of claim 43, wherein the adhesive layer is plasticized polyvinyl butyral.

45. The laminated glass composite of claim 44, wherein the plasticized polyvinyl butyral is plasticized with a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of triethylene glycol di-(2-ethylbutyrate), triethyleneglycol di-(2-ethylhexanoate), tetraethyleneglycol diheptanoate, dihexyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, mixtures of heptyl and nonyl adipates, dibutyl sebacate, polymeric plasticizers, and mixtures of phosphates and adipates, mixtures of adipates and alkyl benzyl phthalates, mixed adipates made from C₄ to C₉ alkyl alcohols and cyclo C₄ to C₁₀ alcohols, C₆ to C₈ adipate esters, and mixtures thereof.

46. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein one or both of the adhesive layers comprise an ultra-violet light absorber.

47. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein one or both of the polymeric support film or the polymeric film comprise an ultra-violet light absorber.

48. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein one or both of the adhesive layers are colored.

49. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the first and the second adhesive layers have a thickness of about 0.38 to 1.5 mm.

50. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the surfaces of the polymeric support film and the polymeric film in contact with the adhesive layers are chemically modified using a process selected from the group consisting of flame treatment, chemical oxidation, corona discharge, carbon sputtering, plasma treatment in vacuum, and plasma treatment in air.

51. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein an adhesive is applied to the surfaces of the polymeric support film and polymeric film in contact with the adhesive layers.

52. The laminated glass composite of claim 26, wherein the color image is selected from the group consisting of a logo, symbol, geometric pattern, photograph, alphanumeric characters and combinations thereof.

53. An interlayer comprising a polymeric support film containing at least one color image;

a polymeric film bonded to the polymeric support film, such that the color image is between the polymeric support film and the polymeric film;

wherein the interlayer is used in a glass laminate.

54. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein the polymeric support film and the polymeric film are individually selected from the group consisting of nylons, epoxies, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, cellulose acetates, cellulose triacetates, vinyl chloride polymers, vinyl chloride copolymers and polyesters.

55. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein both the polymeric support film and the polymeric film are biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate.

56. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein the polymeric film is provided by coating the polymeric support film with a reactive mixture and then curing the reactive mixture using ultraviolet light or heat.

57. The interlayer of claim 56, wherein the reactive mixture is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, epoxy, polyester or polyurethane chemistries.

58. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein the polymeric film is provided by coating the polymeric support film with an aqueous emulsion or a solvent based polymer solution and then removing the water or solvent component by evaporation.

59. The interlayer of claim 58, wherein the polymer used with the aqueous emulsion or solvent based solution is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, epoxy, polyester or polyurethane chemistries.

60. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein the color image is printed on the polymeric support film using thermal transfer printing technology.

61. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein the polymeric support film is bonded to the polymeric film using a thermally activated adhesive

62. The interlayer of claim 61, wherein the thermally activated adhesive is ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

63. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein the polymeric support film and polymeric film are bonded together with a minimum bond strength of 4 N/cm.

64. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein the polymeric support film and polymeric film are bonded together with a preferred bond strength of at least 8 N/cm.

65. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein the thickness of the polymeric support film is between about 25 to 125 micrometers and the polymeric film is between about 10 to 125 micrometers.

66. The interlayer of claim 65, wherein the thickness of the polymeric support film is about 75 micrometers.

67. The interlayer of claim 66, wherein the thickness of the polymeric film is about 75 micrometers.

68. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein one or both of the polymeric support film and the polymeric film comprise an ultra-violet light absorber.

69. The interlayer of claim 53, wherein the color image is selected from the group consisting of a logo, symbol, geometric pattern, photograph, alphanumeric characters and combinations thereof.