The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 28, 1998
Joseph Soltys, London, CA;
Lilly Industries, (USA), Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US);
Abstract
A method is provided for making mirrors having enhanced reflective layer resistance to corrosion. The reflective layer of the mirror, typically silver, is contacted, preferably simultaneously, with a first solution containing a specific cation and a second solution containing a specific anion, or alkaline material which forms hydroxyl ions, the specific cation and specific anion or hydroxyl ion reacting to form a water insoluble precipitate on the silver surface. The mirror may then be painted to provide additional corrosion resistance to the mirror. The method eliminates the need for a copper layer on the silver surface and the method may be incorporated into existing mirror production lines as a replacement for the copper layering step. Also provided are an apparatus for making the mirrors and the mirrors made using the method and apparatus of the invention. A preferred cation containing solution contains tin (e.g., SnCl.sub.2) and a preferred anion containing solution contains hydroxyl ions (e.g., NaOH).