Seal and Seal System for a Layered Device

• US 20180101080A1
• Filed: 09/07/2017
• Published: 04/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solutia Canada, Inc. (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Original Assignee: Switch Materials, Inc.
• Inventors: Gauthier, Simon James, Koutsandreas, Andrew, Lam, Duhane, Sargent, Jonathan Ross, Von Hahn, Peter Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 10,684,525 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/172 wherein at least one of the layers is non-metallic
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/50 Inorganic material, e.g. metals, not provided for in B23K2103/02 – B23K2103/26
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/38 by boring or cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/402 involving non-metallic material, e.g. isolators
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/50 Protective arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/506 Repairing, e.g. with redundant arrangement against defective part

Abstract

The disclosure provides, in part a seal system for sealing a film. The disclosure further provides, in part, a sealed film comprising a first and a second substrate; a first and a second electrode disposed on the surface of at least one of the substrates; a switching material disposed between the first and second substrates; a first seal and a second seal; the first seal disposed along an edge of the switching material, separating the switching material from the second seal.

Claims

1-33. -33. (canceled)

34. An encapsulated switchable film comprising:

a layer of switching material between a pair of substrates, the switching material in contact with a first and a second electrode disposed on first surfaces of the substrates;

a first seal surrounding the layer of switching material;

first and second encapsulating layers affixed to second surfaces of the substrates; and

a second seal disposed between the first and second encapsulating layers and separated from the switching material by the first seal.

35. The switchable film of claim 34, wherein the first seal is adherent to:

the first electrode;

the second electrode;

or the first and second electrodes.

36. The switchable film of claim 34, further comprising a pair of electrical connectors encapsulated with the second seal.

37. The switchable film of claim 34, wherein:

the first seal comprises an elastomeric material;

the second seal comprises an elastomeric material;

or the first and second seals independently comprise an elastomeric material.

38. The switchable film of claim 34, wherein the switching material is photochromic and electrochromic.

39. The switchable film of claim 34, wherein the first and second electrodes comprise a transparent conductive metal oxide.

40. The switchable film of claim 34, wherein:

the first seal comprises;

a thermoplastic polymer;

a thermoset polymer;

or a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoset polymer;

the second seal comprises;

a thermoplastic polymer;

a thermoset polymer;

or a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoset polymer;

or

the first and second seals independently comprise;

a thermoplastic polymer;

a thermoset polymer;

or a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoset polymer.

41. A sealed film comprising:

a first and a second substrate, wherein the first and second substrates are in an offset relationship so as to define an offset area of at least one of the first and second substrates;

a first and a second electrode disposed on a surface of at least one of the substrates;

a switching material disposed between the first and second substrates; and

a seal disposed along an edge of the switching material and disposed upon the offset area of the at least one of the first and second substrates.

42. The sealed film of claim 41, wherein the seal is adherent to:

the first electrode;

the second electrode;

or the first and second electrodes.

43. The sealed film of claim 41, further comprising a pair of electrical connectors encapsulated with the seal.

44. The sealed film of claim 41, wherein the first substrate is offset along at least two adjacent edges relative to the second substrate.

45. The sealed film of claim 41, wherein:

the seal comprises an elastomeric material.

46. The sealed film of claim 41, wherein the switching material is photochromic and electrochromic.

47. The sealed film of claim 41, wherein the first and second electrodes comprise a transparent conductive metal oxide.

48. The sealed film of claim 41, wherein the seal comprises:

a thermoplastic polymer;

a thermoset polymer;

or a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoset polymer.

49. A sealed film comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate;

first and second electrodes disposed on a surface of at least one of the substrates;

a switching material disposed between the first and second substrates; and

a first seal and a second seal, the first seal being disposed along an edge of the switching material and separating the second seal from the switching material, wherein the first and second seals comprise a same material.

50. The sealed film of claim 49, wherein:

the first seal comprises an elastomeric material;

the second seal comprises an elastomeric material;

or the first and second seals independently comprise an elastomeric material.

51. The sealed film of claim 49, wherein the switching material is photochromic and electrochromic.

52. The sealed film of claim 49, wherein:

the first seal comprises;

a thermoplastic polymer;

a thermoset polymer;

or a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoset polymer;

the second seal comprises;

a thermoplastic polymer;

a thermoset polymer;

or a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoset polymer;

or

the first and second seals independently comprise;

a thermoplastic polymer;

a thermoset polymer;

or a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoset polymer.

53. A method of forming sealed film, the method comprising:

providing a first substrate and a second substrate;

providing first and second electrodes on a surface of at least one of the substrates;

providing a switching material between the first and second substrates;

disposing a first seal along an edge of the switching material; and

after disposing the first seal, providing a second seal such that the second seal is separated from the switching material by the first seal, wherein the first and second seals comprise a same material.