Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Structurally defined web or sheet – Including components having same physical characteristic in...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2001-11-20
Chen, Vivian (Department: 1773)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Structurally defined web or sheet
Including components having same physical characteristic in...
C428S216000, C428S219000, C428S340000, C428S421000, C428S422000, C428S480000, C428S483000, C428S515000, C428S516000, C428S518000, C428S520000, C428S523000, C136S243000, C136S244000, C136S256000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319596
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to laminates, and more particularly to thin film laminates. Thin film laminates are useful in many applications, particularly where the properties of one layer of the laminate complement the properties of another layer, providing the laminate with properties or qualities that cannot be obtained in a single layer film. Previous laminates provided only one of the two qualities desirable for laminates for use in electronic devices. A need remains for a laminate that provides an effective barrier to moisture while also providing low dielectric strength.
With the advent of sophisticated equipment in the electrical and electronic fields, it has become necessary that the components of the various pieces of equipment be protected from the effects of moisture and the like. For example, photovoltaic cells and solar panels comprising photovoltaic cells must be protected from the elements, especially moisture, which can negatively impact the function of the cells. In addition, circuit boards used in relatively complicated pieces of equipment such as computers, televisions, radios, telephones, and other electronic devices should be protected from the effects of moisture. Previous solutions to the problem of moisture utilized metal foils as a vapor or moisture barrier. Metal foils, however, must be insulated from the electronic component to avoid interfering with performance. Previous laminates using metal foils typically displayed a higher level of dielectric strength than was desirable, while other laminates using a metal foil layer were also susceptible to other environmental conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a laminate that can be used in electronic devices such as photovoltaic cells, solar panels and circuit boards that combines a high degree of resistance to the passage of moisture while also providing low dielectric strength. Because it combines such properties, the laminates of the present invention are especially useful in applications where the electronic components are exposed to the elements, such as in a photovoltaic cell in a solar panel, which is exposed to sunlight and usually is used in an outdoor environment. Accordingly, such photovoltaic cells should be protected from moisture and other environmental effects.
Specifically, the present invention provides a laminate comprising (a) a first outer layer of polyvinyl fluoride; (b) at least one mid-layer selected from at least one of the group consisting of (i) poly(chlorotrifluoro ethylene), (ii) polymeric film coated on one or both surfaces with polyvinylidene chloride, (iii) polymeric film coated on one or both surfaces with liquid crystal polymer, and (iv) liquid crystal polymers; and (c) a second outer layer selected from at least one of the group consisting of (i) polyvinyl fluoride, (ii) ethylene vinyl acetate and (iii) polyolefin film with a surface of ionomer resin.
The present invention also provides articles comprising laminates as described above.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4095760 (1978-06-01), Sommer et al.
patent: 4442162 (1984-04-01), Kuester
patent: 4659625 (1987-04-01), Decroly et al.
patent: WO 93/06159 (1993-04-01), None
Whelan, Tony, Polymer Technology Dictionary, pp. 137, 340-341, 1994.
Davis Robert F.
Kernander Carl P.
Chen Vivian
Huntley & Associates
Madico, Inc.
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