Hoechest Celanese Corporation

Samuel M Inman

Grover L Farrar

Stephen J Gust

Jack M Lazar

H Wayne Swofford

A substantially wrinkle-free, high modulus, thermoplastic film having at least one compound curve is disclosed. The substantially wrinkle-free film may form a part of a laminate which itself has utility in automotive glazing applications. An improved lamination process is also disclosed for the production of non-planar laminates from planar sheets of heat-shrinkable films through the use of a negative image mold of the non-planar article to be laminated. Heat-shrinkable films which may be used in the practice of the invention include polyester films, polyolefin films, polyamide films, polyurethane films, polycarbonate films, polyvinylchloride films, and polystyrenic films. The method is applicable to a wide range of non-planar articles and is particularly suitable to articles having at least one compound curve forming at least part of its surface. The improved lamination process of the present invention has specific utility in the manufacture of automotive glazing products such as windshields and rear windows.

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Greenville, SC, United States of America

Samuel M Inman