阅读说明：本技术 具有垂直的拉制线的玻璃制品 (Glass article with vertical draw line ) 是由 T·D·派克 R·M·布洛吉特 于 2019-05-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及具有垂直的拉制线的玻璃制品。该玻璃制品具有基本上垂直的拉制线并且包括具有1.1-4.0mm的厚度的第一最外面的窗格玻璃。该玻璃制品还包括与所述第一最外面的窗格玻璃相对设置并且具有0.3-1.05mm的厚度的第二最外面的窗格玻璃。该玻璃制品进一步包括设置在所述第一最外面的窗格玻璃和第二最外面的窗格玻璃之间的透明中间层。所述第一最外面的窗格玻璃和所述第二最外面的窗格玻璃每个独立地具有长度并且包括沿着所述长度延伸的拉制线。所述第一最外面的窗格玻璃通过所述透明中间层与所述第二最外面的窗格玻璃结合,使得所述第一最外面的窗格玻璃的拉制线与所述第二最外面的窗格玻璃的拉制线基本上垂直设置。(The present invention relates to glass articles having vertical draw lines. The glass article has a substantially vertical draw line and includes a first outermost glass pane having a thickness of 1.1-4.0 mm. The glass article further includes a second outermost glass pane disposed opposite the first outermost glass pane and having a thickness of 0.3-1.05 mm. The glass article further includes a transparent interlayer disposed between the first outermost glass pane and the second outermost glass pane. The first outermost glass pane and the second outermost glass pane each independently have a length and include a draw line extending along the length. The first outermost glass pane is bonded to the second outermost glass pane through the transparent interlayer such that the drawn lines of the first outermost glass pane are disposed substantially perpendicular to the drawn lines of the second outermost glass pane.)

1. A glass article having a substantially vertical draw line and comprising:

A. A first outermost pane comprising soda lime glass and having a thickness of 1.1-4 mm;

B. A second outermost glass pane comprising soda lime glass and/or aluminosilicate glass and having a thickness of 0.3-1.05mm disposed opposite the first outermost glass pane; and

C. A transparent interlayer disposed between the first outermost glass pane and the second outermost glass pane;

Wherein the first outermost glass pane and the second outermost glass pane each independently have a length and comprise a draw line extending along the length; and is

Wherein the first outermost glass pane is bonded to the second outermost glass pane through the transparent interlayer such that the draw line of the first outermost glass pane is disposed substantially perpendicular to the draw line of the second outermost glass pane.

2. A glass article according to claim 1, wherein the draw line of the first outermost glass pane is disposed ± 5 ° perpendicular to the draw line of the second outermost glass pane.

3. The glass article of claim 1, wherein the soda lime glass of the first outermost pane and/or the second outermost pane each independently comprises SiO ₂ in an amount of 65-75 wt%, Al ₂ O ₃ in an amount of 0-3 wt%, CaO in an amount of 5-15 wt%, MgO in an amount of 0-10 wt%, Na ₂ O in an amount of 5-15 wt%, and K ₂ O in an amount of 0-5 wt%, wherein the total amount of Na ₂ O and K ₂ O is 10-15 wt%, each based on the total weight of the soda lime glass.

4. The glass article of claim 1, wherein the second outermost pane comprises an aluminosilicate glass comprising SiO ₂ in an amount ranging from 60 to 70 wt%, B ₂ O ₃ in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, Al ₂ O ₃ in an amount ranging from 1 to 15 wt%, P ₂ O ₅ in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, Li ₂ O in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, Na ₂ O in an amount ranging from 12 to 18 wt%, K ₂ O in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, MgO in an amount ranging from 5 to 12 wt%, CaO in an amount ranging from 0 to 10 wt%, SrO in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, BaO in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, ZnO in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, ZrO ₂ in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, TiO ₂ in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, SnO ₂ in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, and SnO 5 wt%, based on the total weight of the glass.

5. the glass article of any of claims 1 to 4, having a transverse bend dimension of 0.1-50mm and a radius of curvature of 0-50000mm, as determined by LP-150F-C conductive plastic linear sensor and 5200 spring-loaded probe, respectively.

6. The glass article of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first outermost glass pane is soda lime glass.

7. The glass article of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first outermost glass pane has a thickness of 1.6-2.4mm, and wherein the second outermost glass pane has a thickness of 0.5-0.75 mm.

8. The glass article of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second outermost glass pane is soda lime glass.

9. The glass article of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second outermost glass pane is an aluminosilicate glass.

10. The glass article of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second outermost glass pane is a composite of soda lime glass and aluminosilicate glass.

11. A glass article as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4 further defined as a windshield.

12. The glass article of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the first and second outermost glass panes is curved.

13. The glass article of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transparent interlayer is in direct contact with the first and second outermost glass panes.

14. A method of forming a glass article having a substantially vertical draw line, the method comprising the steps of:

A. Forming a first glass pane of soda lime glass by float process, wherein the first glass pane has a thickness of 1.1-4.0mm,

B. Forming a second glass pane of soda lime glass and/or aluminosilicate glass by float process, wherein the second glass pane has a thickness of 0.3-1.05mm,

C. Cutting a first blank from the first glass pane and a second blank from the second glass pane, wherein each blank has a length and comprises a draw line extending along the length;

D. Forming the first and second blanks into a desired shape;

E. Providing an intermediate layer;

F. Aligning the first formed blank, the intermediate layer, and the second formed blank such that the draw line of the first blank is disposed substantially perpendicular to the draw line of the second blank;

G. Combining a first shaped blank, an interlayer, and a second shaped blank thereby forming a glass article comprising: a first outermost glass pane having a thickness of 1.1-4.0mm, a second outermost glass pane disposed opposite the first outermost glass pane and having a thickness of 0.3-1.05mm, and an intermediate layer disposed between the first and second outermost glass panes, wherein the first and second outermost glass panes each have a length and contain a drawn line extending along the length, and the drawn line of the first outermost glass pane is disposed substantially perpendicular to the drawn line of the second outermost glass pane.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the draw line of the first outermost glass pane is disposed ± 5 ° perpendicular to the draw line of the second outermost glass pane.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the soda lime glass of the first outermost pane and/or the second outermost pane each independently comprises SiO ₂ in an amount of 65-75 wt%, Al ₂ O ₃ in an amount of 0-3 wt%, CaO in an amount of 5-15 wt%, MgO in an amount of 0-10 wt%, Na ₂ O in an amount of 5-15 wt%, and K ₂ O in an amount of 0-5 wt%, wherein the total amount of Na ₂ O and K ₂ O is 10-15 wt%, each based on the total weight of the soda lime glass.

17. A method according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the second outermost pane comprises an aluminosilicate glass comprising SiO ₂ in an amount of 60 to 70 wt%, B ₂ O ₃ in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, Al ₂ O ₃ in an amount of 1 to 15 wt%, P ₂ O ₅ in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, Li ₂ O in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, Na ₂ O in an amount of 12 to 18 wt%, K ₂ O in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, MgO in an amount of 5 to 12 wt%, CaO in an amount of 0 to 10 wt%, SrO in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, BaO in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, ZnO in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, ZrO ₂ in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, TiO ₂ in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, SnO ₂ in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%, the total weight of the aluminosilicate glass and SnO 355 wt%, each based on the weight of the glass.

18. A method as set forth in claim 14 or 15 wherein the step of combining is further defined as laminating such that the intermediate layer is further defined as a transparent intermediate layer.

19. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the first outermost glass pane is soda lime glass.

20. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first outermost glass pane has a thickness of 1.6-2.4mm, and wherein the second outermost glass pane has a thickness of 0.5-0.75 mm.

21. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the second outermost pane is a soda lime glass, an aluminosilicate glass, or a composite of soda lime glass and aluminosilicate glass.

22. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the intermediate layer is in direct contact with the first and second outermost glass panes.

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to glass articles having substantially vertical draw lines (draw lines). More particularly, the present disclosure relates to glass articles having two glass panes, wherein the draw lines of the first outermost glass pane and the second outermost glass pane are disposed perpendicular to each other, which results in excellent optical properties.

Background

It is known to manufacture windshields by laminating a first ply of glass, a plastic interlayer and a second ply of glass. The glass layer used in this process was ground and polished flat glass, which was excellently free from distortion (distortion) before 1960. Recently, float glass having a thickness of 1.1 to 4mm is generally used for the first layer and the second layer. Float glass is produced by a process as described in U.S. Pat. nos. 3,083,551 and 3,700,542.

In the float glass process, the glass is drawn in one direction. This process tends to cause optical distortion in the glass, also known as draw lines. These drawn lines are optical distortions that extend parallel to the direction in which the glass floats. Typically, a draw line includes a series of semi-cylindrical lenses (lens) at each surface of the drawn glass relative to the central plane of the glass. The drawn lines are substantially parallel to each other and alternate between convex and concave approximately semi-cylindrical lenses.

When forming windshields, it is desirable to minimize distortion and improve optical quality. To this end, it is conventional practice to align the drawn lines of the first layer with the drawn lines of the second layer to minimize distortion. It is known in the art that crossing the drawn lines or arranging them perpendicular to each other causes severe optical distortion, thereby making the windshield unusable. Thus, there remains an opportunity for improvement.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides glass articles having substantially vertical draw lines. The glass article includes a first outermost glass pane comprising a thickness of 1.1-4.0 mm. The glass article further includes a second outermost glass pane disposed opposite the first outermost glass pane and having a thickness of 0.3-1.05 mm. The glass article further includes a transparent interlayer disposed between the first and second outermost glass panes. The first outermost glass pane and the second outermost glass pane each independently have a length and include a draw line extending along the length. Further, the first outermost glass pane is bonded to the second outermost glass pane through the transparent interlayer such that the drawn line of the first outermost glass pane is disposed substantially perpendicular to the drawn line of the second outermost glass pane. The substantially vertical draw line combines a thicker first outermost glass pane with a thinner second outermost glass pane resulting in unexpectedly superior optical quality.

drawings

Other advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a prior art glazing article comprising first and second outermost glass panes each having a drawn wire and a transparent interlayer disposed between the first and second outermost glass panes, wherein the drawn wire of the first outermost glass pane is disposed parallel to the drawn wire of the second outermost glass pane.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a glass article of the present disclosure comprising first and second outermost glass panes each having a drawn wire and a transparent interlayer disposed between the first and second outermost glass panes, wherein the drawn wire of the first outermost glass pane is disposed substantially perpendicular to the drawn wire of the second outermost glass pane.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a windshield made from the glass article of fig. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the windshield of FIG. 3 taken along line I.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a glass article comprising a first outermost glass pane, a second outermost glass pane, and a transparent interlayer: each being curved and complementary in shape to each other.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the glass article of fig. 5, including thicknesses t ₁, t ₂, and t ₃.

Detailed Description

the present disclosure provides a glass article 10 having a first outermost glass pane 12, a second outermost glass pane 14, and an intermediate layer 16, for example as shown in fig. 2. The type, configuration, or design of the glass article 10 is not particularly limited, except as described herein. For example, the glass article 10 is typically a windshield, such as for an automobile, truck, train, boat, airplane, etc., as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. Most typically, the glass article 10 is a front windshield of an automobile. As described in more detail below, the glass article 10 also has a substantially vertical draw line 18.

The glass article 10 includes a first outermost glass pane 12 and a second outermost glass pane 14. Alternatively, one or both outermost glass panes 12, 14 may be described as layers or sheets. The term "outermost" describes that the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 are disposed on the outside of the article 10 and do not have any other layers on top of themselves. In other words, these outermost glass panes 12, 14 face the environment and are the outermost portions of the article 10. The first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 may alternatively be described as top and bottom glass panes, outside glass panes, front and back glass panes, or exterior glass panes. Typically, the first outermost pane 12 of the article 10, if an automotive windshield, faces the exterior of the automobile, while the second outermost pane 14 faces the interior of the automobile. Thus, in some embodiments, the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 may instead be described as the out-of-plane and in-plane panes of an automotive windshield, respectively.

The first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 may have any shape and size. Typically, the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 are complementary in shape, for example as shown in fig. 5 and 6. In one embodiment, the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 are each curved. The first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 may each independently have a transverse bend (cross) of 0.1 to 100mm at the center. Alternatively, the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 may each independently have a transverse curvature of 0.1 to 50mm at the center. The first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 may also each independently have a radius of curvature of 0 to 100000 mm. Alternatively, the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 may also each independently have a radius of curvature of 0 to 50000 mm. In other embodiments, all values and value ranges including and between those described above are explicitly contemplated. The lateral curvature and radius of curvature at the center can be determined using a CMM table or any other suitable 3D physical measurement device. For example, the lateral bending can be measured using a LP-150F-C Conductive Plastic Linear Sensor (Conductive Plastic Linear Sensor) manufactured by Green Pot, and the radius of curvature can be measured using a 5200 Spring Loaded probe (Spring Loaded Probes) manufactured by Linear Measurement Instruments (LMI), Corp.

The thickness (t ₁) of the first outermost pane 12 is 1.1-4.0mm, for example as shown in fig. 4. in various embodiments, the thickness (t ₁) is 1.1, 1.15, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.35, 1.4, 1.45, 1.5, 1.55, 1.6, 1.65, 1.7, 1.75, 1.8, 1.85, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.05, 2.1, 2.15, 2.2, 2.25, 2.3, 2.35, 2.4, 2.45, 2.5, 2.55, 2.6, 2.65, 2.7, 2.75, 2.8, 2.85, 2.9, 2.95, 3.0, 3.05, 3.1, 3.15, 3.2, 3.25, 3.7, 3.75, 3.8, 2.85, 2.9, 2.95, 3.0, 3.05, 3.1, 3.15, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 3.85, 3.5, 3.0, 3.5, 3.0, 3.5.

the second outermost glass pane 14 is generally described as ultra-thin glass (UTG) and has a thickness (t ₂) of 0.3 to 1.05mm, for example as shown in fig. 6, in various embodiments the thickness (t ₂) is 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, or 1.05mm in other embodiments all values and value ranges including and between those described above are expressly contemplated.

The first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 may have the same or different chemical compositions. For example, as understood in the art, the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 can independently be, include, consist essentially of, or consist of soda lime glass. The term "consisting essentially of describes embodiments in which the soda lime glass is free of elements, reactants, compounds, or additives of other types of glass recognized in the art (e.g., aluminosilicate glass). In various embodiments, the article as a whole and/or the first and second outermost glass panes are free of aluminosilicate glass, ground glass, sheet glass, and the like.

In various embodiments, the first and/or second outermost glass panes 12, 14 comprise, are, consist essentially of, or consist of soda lime glass having the following composition:

compound (I)	Embodiment 1	Embodiment 2
			SiO2	60 to 80% by weight	65 to 75% by weight
Al2O3	0 to 5% by weight	0 to 3% by weight
			CaO	5 to 20% by weight	5 to 15% by weight
MgO	0 to 15% by weight	0 to 10% by weight
			Na2O	5 to 20% by weight	5 to 15% by weight
K2O	0 to 8% by weight	0 to 5% by weight
			Na2O and K2O total	10 to 20% by weight	10 to 15% by weight

In other embodiments, all values and value ranges including and between those described above are explicitly contemplated. For example, all integer values and fractional values to the tenth of a digit (e.g., 0.1, 1.1, etc.) between those described above are expressly contemplated herein in various non-limiting embodiments.

In further embodiments, the first and/or second outermost glass pane 12, 14 comprises, is, consists essentially of, or consists of a soda lime glass having the following elements:

Element(s)	Embodiment 3	embodiment 4
			oxygen gas	45 to 55% by weight	48 to 54% by weight
Sodium salt	0 to 7% by weight	0 to 5% by weight
			magnesium alloy	0 to 7% by weight	0 to 5% by weight
Aluminium	0 to 5% by weight	0 to 3% by weight
			Silicon	20 to 40% by weight	25 to 35% by weight
Potassium salt	0 to 15% by weight	5 to 15% by weight
			Calcium carbonate	3 to 10% by weight	3 to 7% by weight

In other embodiments, all values and value ranges including and between those described above are explicitly contemplated. For example, all integer values and fractional values to the tenth of a digit (e.g., 0.1, 1.1, etc.) between those described above are expressly contemplated herein in various non-limiting embodiments.

In still other embodiments, the second outermost glass pane 14 comprises, is, consists essentially of, or consists of an aluminosilicate glass having a composition of:

In further embodiments, the second outermost glass pane 14 comprises, is, consists essentially of, or consists of an aluminosilicate glass having the following composition:

In other embodiments, all values and value ranges including and between those described above are explicitly contemplated. For example, all integer values and fractional values to the tenth of a digit (e.g., 0.1, 1.1, etc.) between those described above are expressly contemplated herein in various non-limiting embodiments.

In still further embodiments, the second outermost glass pane 14 comprises, is, consists essentially of, or consists of an aluminosilicate glass having the following composition:

In other embodiments, all values and value ranges including and between those described above are explicitly contemplated. For example, all integer values and fractional values to the tenth of a digit (e.g., 0.1, 1.1, etc.) between those described above are expressly contemplated herein in various non-limiting embodiments.

In a further embodiment, the first outermost glass pane 12 is soda lime glass including Al ₂ O ₃: 0 to 2.0 wt%, and Na ₂ O and K ₂ O combined: 13.0 to 15.5 wt%, while the second outermost glass pane is soda lime glass including Al ₂ O ₃: 0 to 3.5 wt%, and Na ₂ O and K ₂ O combined: 12.0 to 14.5 wt%, in another embodiment, the first outermost glass is soda lime glass including SiO ₂: 68.0 to 75.0 wt%, Al ₂ O ₃: 0 to 2.0 wt%, CaO: 7.0 to 13.0 wt%, MgO: 0 to 7.0 wt%, Na ₂ O: 12.0 to 15.0 wt%, K ₂ O: 0 to 3.0 wt%, and Na 5O and K ₂ O combined: 13.0 to 15.5 wt%, while the second outermost glass pane 12.0 to 15.0 wt%, and all other outermost glass panes include values such as specified in the above ranges of 0.5% to 15.5% Na 7.5O, 9 wt%, 27% to 15.5% and K9 wt%, including those specified in the above ranges of values of Na 630 to 15.5O 27% and K27O, including 0 to 7.0% by wt%, and 10.5% by wt%, including ranges of the stated values for example, 2% and 10.0 to 7.0 to 15.0 to 7.0% of the ranges of the total of the values of the ranges of the values for all of the values of the ranges specified above are included between 0 to 7.0% O3.5O and 3.0 to 7.0 wt%, including 0 wt%, and 7.0 to 7.0 wt%, and 3.0 wt%, including the values of the ranges of the values of the ranges of the values of the ranges.

In still other embodiments, the soda lime glass of the first outermost pane and/or the second outermost pane 12, 14 each independently comprises SiO ₂ in an amount of 65 to 75 wt.%, Al ₂ O ₃ in an amount of 0 to 3 wt.%, CaO in an amount of 5 to 15 wt.%, MgO in an amount of 0 to 10 wt.%, Na ₂ O in an amount of 5 to 15 wt.%, and K ₂ O in an amount of 0 to 5 wt.%, wherein the total amount of Na ₂ O and K ₂ O is 10 to 15 wt.%, each based on the total weight of the soda lime glass.

If the second outermost pane 14 comprises an aluminosilicate glass, and also in a separate embodiment, the aluminosilicate glass may comprise SiO ₂ in an amount of 60-70 wt%, B ₂ O ₃ in an amount of 0-5 wt%, Al ₂ O ₃ in an amount of 1-15 wt%, P ₂ O ₅ in an amount of 0-5 wt%, Li ₂ O in an amount of 0-5 wt%, Na ₂ O in an amount of 12-18 wt%, K ₂ O in an amount of 0-5 wt%, MgO in an amount of 5-12 wt%, CaO in an amount of 0-10 wt%, SrO in an amount of 0-5 wt%, BaO in an amount of 0-5 wt%, ZnO in an amount of 0-5 wt%, ZrO ₂ in an amount of 0-5 wt%, TiO 7 in an amount of 0-5 wt%, 5395 wt%, SnO 62 in an amount of 0-5 wt%, and combinations of the above-specified amounts (all of the above non-mixed glass values considered as being limiting), the above-specified combinations of sodium ₂, SnO 2, and SnO 2 in amounts of the above embodiments (see the ranges of the absolute).

The glass article 10 also includes a transparent interlayer 16 disposed between the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14. In other words, the transparent interlayer 16 is sandwiched between the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14. In some embodiments, the transparent interlayer 16 is in direct contact with the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 without any intervening layers, such as tie layers, for example as shown in fig. 4. In other embodiments, a portion of the transparent layer 16 is in direct contact with both the first and second outermost panes 12, 14. For example, when the glass article 10 includes black ceramic edges, heating grid lines, or the like, a portion of the transparent layer 16 may be in direct contact with both the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14. In yet further embodiments, the transparent interlayer 16 may be disposed between the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14, wherein the transparent interlayer 16 is physically isolated from one or both of the first or second outermost glass panes 12, 14, for example, when the glass article comprises a silver layer or other coating. It should be understood that even though the transparent interlayer 16 is physically separated from the first and/or second outermost glass panes 12, 14 (e.g., by a silver coating), the first outermost glass pane 12 is still bonded to the second outermost glass pane 14 by the transparent interlayer because the transparent interlayer is disposed between the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14. The term "transparent" is as understood in the float and windshield art and generally describes light passing through the interlayer 16. The transparent intermediate layer 16 is not opaque.

The size and shape of the transparent interlayer 16 is also not particularly limited and is most often shaped to complement the shape of the first and second outermost panes of glass 12, 14, for example as shown in fig. 5 and 6. the thickness (t ₃) of the transparent interlayer 16 is typically 0.3-2.28mm, for example as shown in fig. 4. in various embodiments, the thickness (t ₃) is 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.76, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.05, 1.1, 1.15, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.35, 1.4, 1.45, 1.5, 1.52, 1.55, 1.6, 1.65, 1.7, 1.75, 1.8, 1.85, 1.2, 2.2, 2.5, 2.55, 1.6, 1.65, 1.7, 2.75, 2.85, 2.2.2, 2.2 mm, 2, 2.15 mm, 2, 2.2, 2.

The composition of the transparent interlayer 16 is not particularly limited, and is typically or includes polyvinyl butyral or ethylene vinyl acetate. The transparent intermediate layer 16 may be utilized in sheet form, in polymer form, or in the form of a separate reactive component that subsequently reacts to form the transparent intermediate layer 16. The transparent intermediate layer 16 may be provided in a cured, partially cured or uncured state. Other non-limiting examples of suitable polymers for the transparent interlayer 16 include plasticized polyvinyl butyral, polyurethane, and the like. The transparent interlayer 16 may be provided in the form of a non-transparent polymer or compound that subsequently becomes transparent upon heating and/or processing.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the first outermost pane 12 (t ₁) is 2.1mm ± 0.05mm in another embodiment, the thickness of the second outermost pane 14 (t ₂) is 0.7mm ± 0.05mm in yet another embodiment, the thickness of the transparent interlayer 16 (t ₃) is 0.76mm ± 0.25 mm.

Each of the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14 has a length (L) and includes a draw line 18 extending along the length, for example as shown in fig. 2. In the float glass process, the glass decays in the direction in which it is drawn. This attenuation tends to cause optical distortion in the glass, also referred to as the draw line 18. These drawn lines 18 are optical distortions that extend perpendicular to the direction in which the glass floats. More specifically, the drawn lines 18 comprise a series of semi-cylindrical lenses at each surface of the drawn glass with respect to the central plane of the glass, wherein the drawn lines are parallel to each other and generally alternate between convex and concave semi-cylindrical lenses. The curvatures at the glass surface are generally opposite to each other at any local area of the glass. The drawn wire 18 may have any dimension, but typically has a height that varies based on the thickness of the particular layer. For example, when the first outermost glass pane 12 has a thickness of 2.1mm, the drawn wire 18 typically has a height of 1-4 μm. As another example, when the second outermost glass pane 14 has a thickness of 0.7mm, the drawn wire 18 typically has a height of 0.5-1 μm.

In the glass article 10, the first outermost glass pane 12 is bonded to the second outermost glass pane 14 through the transparent interlayer 16 such that the draw line 18 of the first outermost glass pane 12 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the draw line 18 of the first outermost glass pane 14. In other words, the drawn wires 18 are oriented or arranged in directions substantially perpendicular to each other. For example, the term "substantially perpendicular" may describe drawn lines disposed perpendicular to each other (i.e., at a 90 ° angle to each other) ± 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 °. In other words, the drawn wires 18 need not be exactly 90 ° from each other and may vary. In other embodiments, all values and value ranges including and between those described above are explicitly contemplated.

The glass article 10 generally has excellent optical and strength properties. In various embodiments, glass article 10 has one or more of the following ISRA values: a center region of less than 160 micro-refractive indices (millidegree), a top region of less than 180 micro-refractive indices (m), and a side pillar of less than 120 micro-refractive indices (m). In one embodiment, glass article 10 has the following ISRA values: a central region of less than 160 micro-refractive indices, a top region of less than 180 micro-refractive indices, and side pillars of less than 120 micro-refractive indices.

A method of forming a glass article:

The present disclosure also provides a method of forming a glass article 10. The method comprises the step of forming a first glass pane of soda lime glass by a float process, wherein the first glass pane has a thickness of 1.1-4.0 mm. The first glass pane may be any glass pane as described above. The method further comprises the step of forming a second glass pane of soda lime glass and/or aluminosilicate glass by float process, wherein the second glass pane has a thickness of 0.3-1.05 mm. The second glass pane may also be any glass pane as described above. Float processes are known in the art, and the present disclosure may utilize any one or more steps of the float process herein.

the method further comprises the steps of cutting a first blank from the first glass pane and cutting a second blank from the second glass pane, wherein each blank has a length (L) and comprises a draw line 18 extending along the length (L). The size and shape of the first and second blanks are not limited and can be selected by one skilled in the art. The draw lines 18 of the first and second blanks are the same draw lines 18 as the first and second outermost glass panes 12, 14, respectively. The blank may have the same thickness as described above.

Generally, there are two different methods for cutting blanks from glass produced by a glass float line. The glass float line produces a continuous "ribbon" of glass that is then cut into blanks using any technique known in the art. For example, blanks for automotive windshields are typically rectangular. The rectangular blanks can be oriented such that the long axis is parallel to the axis of the glass ribbon from the float process, or such that the long axis is perpendicular to the axis of the ribbon. After cutting the blank, it is typically cut using a pattern cutter from a blank block having a suitable contoured shape to produce glass for a particular window of a particular vehicle. Subsequently, edging, chamfering or inspection may be completed.

The method further includes the step of forming the first and second blanks into a desired shape. Again, the desired shape may be any shape selected by one skilled in the art and may be curved, for example for a windshield. Further, the shaping step may be accomplished by any step known in the art. For example, the forming step may be further defined as bending or curving the first and second blanks. To produce a curved blank, the first and second blanks may be slightly different in profile and have differently oriented draw lines 18. The first and second blanks may be mounted on a series of concave convex (convevelation) bending dies with a suitable separating material, such as diatomaceous earth, between the blanks. The glass-loaded mold can then be conveyed through an elongated channel in which the blank is heated to a bending temperature to cause the blank to sag into the concave-convex shape of the mold. The bent blanks may then be cooled at a controlled rate until they are sufficiently cool for processing. Alternative techniques for forming the first and second blanks into the desired shape include cold bending and press bending.

The method further comprises the step of providing an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer may be provided in sheet form, in polymer form or in the form of a reactive component which subsequently reacts to form a transparent intermediate layer. The intermediate layer may be provided in a cured, partially cured or uncured state. For example, the intermediate layer may be opaque or may be non-transparent when provided and may subsequently become transparent upon processing or heating. For example, the intermediate layer may become the transparent intermediate layer 16 upon processing or heating. Typically, the intermediate layer is not transparent prior to processing or heating.

The method further includes the step of aligning the first formed blank, the intermediate layer, and the second formed blank such that the draw line 18 of the first blank is disposed substantially perpendicular to the draw line 18 of the second blank. The alignment step may be any step known in the art. Typically, the first forming blank, the intermediate layer, and the second forming blank are rotated such that the draw line 18 is disposed as described above.

The method further includes the step of combining the first shaped blank, the intermediate layer, and the second shaped blank to form the glass article 10. The combining step may include or may be further defined as laminating the first shaped blank, the intermediate layer, and the second shaped blank such that the intermediate layer changes from opaque or non-transparent to transparent. After lamination, the first shaped blank may be described as a first outermost glass pane 12. Similarly, after lamination, the second shaped blank may be described as the second outermost glass pane 14 and the interlayer may be described as the transparent interlayer 16.

In various embodiments, when laminating first and second shaped blanks to an intermediate ply, a sandwich is assembled having one curved blank of the pair with its draw line 18 extending generally in a first direction disposed on one side of the intermediate ply to form a concave outer surface of the sandwich to face the interior of the vehicle and the other curved blank of the pair with its distortion line extending substantially perpendicular to the first direction disposed on the other side of the intermediate ply 16 to form a convex outer surface of the sandwich to face the exterior of the vehicle.

In other embodiments, the lamination step is performed in two stages. The first stage, e.g. pre-pressing, can be performed using a rubber tube rim channel (i.e. a vacuum ring). The mated curved first and second blank pairs may be assembled with an intermediate layer disposed therebetween to form a sandwich structure. Tubes may then be mounted around the edge perimeter of each sandwich and connected to a vacuum source. The pre-compaction may be performed under vacuum at a set point temperature of about 120 ℃. and 150 ℃ and a target glass temperature of about 95 ℃ for 10-30 minutes. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that alternative methods may also be used for pre-compaction, such as vacuum bag or nip roll (niproller) methods. After pre-pressing, the sandwich may then be autoclaved (autoclave) and allowed to cool to room temperature.