Method for localized annealing of chemically strengthened glass

Abstract

A method for making a laminate structure comprising a first glass layer, a second glass layer, and at least one polymer interlayer intermediate the first and second glass layers. The first glass layer can be comprised of a strengthened glass having a first portion with a first surface compressive stress and a first depth of layer of compressive stress and a second portion with a second surface compressive stress and a second depth of layer of compressive stress. In other embodiments, the second glass layer can be comprised of a strengthened glass having a third portion with a third surface compressive stress and a third depth of layer of compressive stress and a fourth portion with a fourth surface compressive stress and a fourth depth of layer of compressive stress.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method of providing locally annealed regions for a glass article comprising:
 (a) providing a strengthened glass article having a first surface compressive stress and a first depth of layer of compressive stress;   (b) targeting first portions of the glass article on a first side thereof;   (c) annealing the targeted first portions to a second surface compressive stress and a second depth of layer of compressive stress; and   (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) to create a pattern of annealed portions of the glass article on the first side thereof.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the second surface compressive stress and the second depth of layer of compressive stress are less than the first surface compressive stress and the first depth of layer of compressive stress, respectively. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the step of annealing further comprises focusing a laser on the targeted first portions for a predetermined energy density and dwell time to avoid inducing damage to the glass article. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the step of annealing further comprises selectively heating the targeted first portions using microwave energy. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the step of annealing further comprises selectively heating the targeted first portions using an induction source. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising the steps of:
 (i) targeting third portions of the glass article on a second side thereof;   (ii) annealing the targeted third portions to a third surface compressive stress and a third depth of layer of compressive stress; and   (iii) repeating steps (i) and (ii) to create a pattern of annealed portions of the glass article on the second side thereof.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the second surface compressive stress and the third surface compressive stress are different. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the second depth of layer of compressive stress and the third depth of layer of compressive stress are different. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the strengthened glass article includes one or more glass layers and an interlayer.