US5589280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal on plastic films with adhesion-promoting layer
Assignee: Southwall Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1993-02-05
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Granted: 1996-12-31
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Expires: 2013-02-05
Abstract
Abstract The adhesion to plastic substrates of thick layers of functional metals having an oxide heat of formation that is greater than -40,000 calories/gram atom of metal, such as silver, copper, gold, and the like, is improved if a thin layer of a metal having an oxide heat of formation of less than -50,000 calories/gram atom of metal is present as an adhesion-promoting primer layer. When the primer layer metal has a melting point greater than 1100° C., it should be present as the metal or as a substoichiometric oxide. When the primer layer metal has a melting point less than 1100° C., it may be present as the metal, as a substoichiometric oxide, or as a full stoichiometric oxide. Processes for preparing these materials using sputter-depositing and reflectors incorporating these materials are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin P. Gibbons
- 👤 Louis C. Lau
- 👤 Floyd E. Woodard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:23
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/06; C23C14/14; C23C14/20; C23C14/205; C23C14/02; C23C14/024; H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/03; H05K1/0313; H05K3/00; H05K3/38; H05K3/388; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12535; Y10T428/12556; Y10T428/12569; Y10T428/12583; Y10T428/1259; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12806; Y10T428/12819; Y10T428/12826; Y10T428/12993; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678; Y10T428/31681; Y10T428/31786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A metal-on-plastic material comprising a plastic substrate having a surface, a 3 to 200 Å thick, substantially transparent first layer sputter-deposited upon the surface of the substrate comprising metal selected from the group consisting of hafnium, zirconium, tantalum, titanium, niobium, tungsten, vanadium, molybdenum, chromium, nickel and alloys thereof, the metal in said first layer being deposited in the form of metal or substoichiometric oxide, and a second layer sputter-deposited upon the first layer comprising 100-10,000 Å of metal selected frown the group consisting of copper, silver, gold, palladium, rhodium, iridium and alloys thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A metal-on-plastic material comprising a plastic substrate having a surface, a 3 to 200 Å thick, substantially transparent first layer sputter-deposited upon the surface of the substrate comprising metal selected from the group consisting of hafnium, zirconium, tantalum, titanium, niobium, tungsten, vanadium, molybdenum, chromium, nickel and alloys thereof, the metal in said first layer being deposited in the form of metal or substoichiometric oxide, and a second layer sputter-deposited upon the first layer comprising 100-10,000 Å of metal selected frown the group consisting of copper, silver, gold, palladium, rhodium, iridium and alloys thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The material of claim 1 wherein the second layer comprises silver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The material of claim 1 wherein the first layer is present as metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The material of claim 1 wherein the first layer is present as a substoichiometric oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The material of claim 1 wherein the plastic substrate comprises polyester film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The material of claim 5 wherein the polyester comprises poly(ethyleneterephthalate).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The material of claim 1 wherein the substrate has a surface energy greater than 50 dynes per cm 2 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The material of claim 1 additionally comprising a protective layer upon the surface of the second layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The material of claim 8 wherein the protective layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal sulfides and metal carbides upon the second layer and wherein a coating comprising a material selected form the group consisting of silica and polyolefin is provided upon the protective layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The material of claim 8 wherein the plastic substrate comprises a plastic film having two surfaces, one surface being the surface upon which the first layer is located and additionally comprising a layer of adhesive adhered to the other surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The material of claim 8 additionally comprising a layer of adhesive upon the protective topcoat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The material of claim 10 wherein the second layer is a light-reflective layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The material of claim 12 wherein the second layer comprises silver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The material of claim 11 wherein the second layer is a light-reflective layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The material of claim 14 wherein the second layer comprises silver.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
A metal-on-plastic material comprising a plastic substrate having a surface, a 3 to 200 Å thick, substantially transparent first layer sputter-deposited upon the surface of the substrate comprising metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, tin, antimony, indium, zinc, bismuth, cadmium, and alloys thereof, the metal in said first layer being deposited in the form of metal or substoichiometric oxide, and a light-reflective second layer sputter-deposited upon the first layer comprising 500-3000 Å of metal selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, gold, palladium, rhodium, iridium and alloys thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
91 words
A metal-on-plastic material comprising a plastic substrate having a surface, a 3 to 200 Å thick, substantially transparent first layer sputter-deposited upon the surface of the substrate comprising metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, tin, antimony, indium, zinc, bismuth, cadmium, and alloys thereof, the metal in said first layer being deposited in the form of metal or substoichiometric oxide, and a light-reflective second layer sputter-deposited upon the first layer comprising 500-3000 Å of metal selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, gold, palladium, rhodium, iridium and alloys thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |