Process for preparing polymeric films useful for blocking the transmission of near infra red light

Abstract

The present invention is an infra red (IR)-blocking coating and a process for applying the IR-blocking coating onto the surface of a polymer. The process comprises the steps of dispersing an IR-blocking material in a mixture of solvent comprising a dissolved polymer and using standard printing processes to coat at least a portion of the surface of a bulk polymer, preferably a sheet or film. The present invention also provides safety glass laminates whose polymer interlayers have improved adhesion to glass in addition to light blocking properties.

1 . A polymer having a surface that is at least partially covered with a coating comprising infra red blocking particles, wherein the polymer is in the form of a film or sheet.  
     
     
         2 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the infra red blocking particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), lanthanum hexaboride, and iron oxides.  
     
     
         3 . A composition which is a dispersion comprising Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and polyvinylbutyral in dimethyl formamide (DMF).  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , comprising 8 wt % of 23% free hydroxyl polyvinylbutyral.  
     
     
         5 . A process for preparing a polymeric film or sheet having at least one surface that is at least partially covered with an infra red blocking coating comprising the step of applying the infra red blocking coating to the polymeric film or sheet by printing.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the infra red blocking coating is applied as an ink comprising an infra red blocking material, polyvinylbutyral, and dimethyl formamide.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the infra red blocking coating comprises an infra red blocking material selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), lanthanum hexaboride, and iron oxides.  
     
     
         8 . A process for preparing a polymeric film or sheet having at least one surface that is at least partially covered with a coating comprising infra red blocking particles, wherein the IR blocking coating comprises IR blocking particles dispersed in PVB, the process comprising the steps: passing the IR blocking particles through a grinding apparatus to disperse the IR blocking particles and obtain an IR blocking ink; and printing the ink onto the surface of the polymer film or sheet.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the IR blocking particles are passed through the grinding apparatus with dimethyl formamide, polyvinylbutyral, or both dimethyl formamide and polyvinylbutyral.  
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the IR blocking particles comprise an infra red blocking material selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), lanthanum hexaboride, and iron oxides.  
     
     
         11 . A laminate comprising a polymeric film or sheet wherein the film or sheet comprises at least one surface that is at least partially covered with an IR blocking coating comprising IR blocking particles and PVB.  
     
     
         12 . The laminate of  claim 11  wherein the IR blocking particles comprise an infra red blocking material selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), lanthanum hexaboride, and iron oxides.  
     
     
         13 . A laminate comprising at least two layers of a polymeric film or sheet, at least one of said two layers having at least one surface that is at least partially covered with an IR blocking coating comprising IR blocking particles and PVB.  
     
     
         14 . The laminate of  claim 13 , wherein the IR blocking particles comprise an infra red blocking material selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), lanthanum hexaboride, and iron oxides.