Solutia Incorporated

Other

Gary Matis

John Joseph D'Errico

David Paul Bourcier

Jean-Pierre Etienne

Jun Lu

Vincent James Yacovone

Aristotelis Karagiannis

Wenjie Chen

Bruce Edward Wade

Yalda Farhoudi

Harold H Hopfe

Witold Szydlowski

Lora Lee Spangler

Andrew Neil Smith

Marcin Wardak

Wenlai Feng

Jeffrey B Hurlbut

Sungkyun Sohn

Hans Creytens

Richard F Urban

Michael Lee Strickler

Nicholas Edward Keen

Pratapkumar Nagarajanc

Multiple layer interlayers having enhanced optical and acoustic properties are provided, along with methods of making and using the same. Interlayers as described herein may include at least two outer skin layers and an inner core layer, with one of the outer skin layers having a different thickness than the other at one or more locations along the interlayer. The multi-layer interlayer may also exhibit acoustic properties and, in some cases, may have an overall wedged thickness profile. Additionally, in some aspects, interlayers and laminates formed therefrom may also provide reduced infrared energy transmission, without sacrificing acoustic and/or optical performance.

Wedge-shaped multi-layer interlayer with outer skin layers of varying thickness

Polymer interlayers having improved gradient bands and laminates comprising these interlayers are disclosed. The polymer interlayers and laminates comprising polymer interlayers have a gradient band that has a high level of gradient beauty from the perspective of visible light transmittance spectra.

Interlayer having improved gradient band

The present invention provides multiple layer interlayers having a soft inner polymer layer and relatively stiff outer layers that can be laminated without unacceptable optical distortion and used in various multiple layer glass panel type applications. Multiple layer interlayers of the present invention have surface topography that is formed by controlling the melt fracture that occurs at the exposed surface of the interlayer, or individual layers of the multiple layer interlayer, during formation of the interlayer. By precisely controlling the surface topography of the interlayer, lamination of the interlayer with a rigid substrate does not lead to unacceptable optical distortion caused by the transfer of the surface topography through outer, stiffer layers into softer, internal layers of the interlayer.

Multiple layer polymer interlayers having a melt fractured surface

Multiple layer polymer interlayers having a melt-fractured surface

The present invention provides multiple layer interlayers having a relatively soft inner layer and relatively stiff outer layers that can be laminated without unacceptable optical distortion and used in various multiple layer glass panel type applications. Multiple layer interlayers of the present invention have surface topography that is formed by embossing the exposed surface of the interlayer, or individual layers of the multiple layer interlayer, after formation of the interlayer or layers. The embossing process is carried out under temperature conditions that prevent the transfer of the embossing to inner layers of the interlayer. By precisely controlling the embossing of the interlayer, lamination of the interlayer with a rigid substrate does not lead to unacceptable optical distortion caused by the transfer of the surface topography through outer, stiffer layers into softer, internal layers of the interlayer.

Multiple layer polymer interlayers having an embossed surface

The present invention provides multiple layer interlayers that can be used in multiple layer glass panel type applications to reduce the amount of sound transmitted through the panel while also providing a colored region within a gradient region. The acoustic effect can be achieved by using two or more polymer sheets having differing compositions that have been combined into a single multiple layer interlayer, and the gradient region effect is achieved by forming a colored region in one or more gradient regions of the individual layers.

Multiple layer interlayers having a gradient region

Thermoplastic sheet comprising plasticized polyvinyl butyral has a regular pattern of ridges and channels integrally formed and arranged in each face at an angle of intersection with respect to each other of at least 25 degrees, the ridges tapering to flattened V-shaped peaks of tight radius of less than 0.0034 inch, each face of the sheet having a surface permanence of at least 70%.

Polyvinyl butyral sheet

Growing community of inventors

Wilbraham, MA, United States of America

Gary Matis