Optical: systems and elements – Holographic system or element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-13
2001-07-10
Henry, Jon (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Holographic system or element
C359S566000, C359S900000, C359S615000, C428S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259541
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to multiple-lite insulated glazing units. More particularly, the invention relates to multiple-lite insulated glazing units containing a light dispersive film, such as a film having a hologram, diffraction grating or light refracting pattern thereon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Over the last two decades, there has been an increased emphasis on the use of multiple-lite insulated glazing units in architectural design. One of the primary motivations behind this increased emphasis has been the advent of numerous governmental regulations which mandate the installation of such constructions due to their high energy efficiency. At the same time, rising energy prices have made the high cost of such multiple-lite glazing units, when compared to conventional single-lite glazing units, a prudent long-term investment.
The conventional multiple-lite insulated glazing unit has traditionally employed two or more lites of glass, the faces of which were in a parallel, spaced relationship. This spaced relationship provided one or more dead air spaces between the lites which, in turn, imparted insulating properties to the structure. In the most common arrangement, two parallel lites of glass were held in a spaced relationship by a metallic or plastic standard glazing frame positioned around the perimeter of the lites. When a triple-lite glazing unit was desired for more energy efficiency, one common approach was to use three parallel lites of glass. However, this structure can be extremely heavy.
In an attempt to reduce this weight detriment, while at the same time maintaining the improved energy efficiency of the triple-lite construction, a triple-lite glazing unit was developed which employed two glass lites and an intermediate plastic film interposed between the glazing lites in a parallel, spaced relationship as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,166 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,264, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. In a further attempt to exploit the energy efficiency of such a unit, it has been suggested to coat the intermediate plastic film with a material, such as metal, which is highly reflective of long wave infrared radiation. These coatings are typically referred to as heat reflective coatings.
In no instance has the intermediate plastic film been used to disperse visible light into its constituent frequencies by diffraction and/or refraction, nor has a holographic pattern been incorporated into the intermediate plastic film. In fact, one of the prime objectives of these prior art insulated glazing units has been to prevent dispersion of visible light, light dispersion being generally considered deleterious to the desired function of the device.
If architectural designers or artists desired to disperse visible light by diffraction or refraction in connection with an insulated glazing unit, it was known by those skilled in the art that a transparent film etched with a holographic pattern or containing a diffraction grating could be laminated to one of the outer surfaces of the glazing lites. However, as such a construction was generally considered unsatisfactory, there has been a tendency to stay away from the application of light dispersive films to insulated glazing units. This construction was generally considered inadequate due to the recognized potential for bubbling, warping, and peeling of the film, which would result from the failure of the film to adhere to the lites after repeated thermal expansion and contraction cycles and exposure of the film to moisture. The above construction was also avoided due to the knowledge that prolonged exposure of the polyester film, which is typically used in the construction of transparent holographic films and diffraction gratings, to UV light would cause the film to become brittle and peel or crack. The exposed polyester film would also be susceptible to being marred and scratched, thereby degrading the holographic image or diffraction grating contained on the film. Accordingly, a need exists for an insulated glazing unit capable of dispersing light, but which eliminates or reduces the foregoing problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the general object of the present invention to provide a light dispersive insulated glazing unit having a light dispersive film, such as a film having a hologram, diffraction grating, or light refracting pattern thereon, interposed between two spaced lites of glazing material.
The light dispersive film employed in the present invention has a light dispersive pattern such as an imaging hologram, non-imaging hologram, or diffraction grating thereon, and thus light dispersive insulated glazing units according to the present invention provide a desirable visual effect when impinged with a beam of light from the sun or an artificial source. Specifically, the glazing units of the present invention separate the impinging beam of sunlight or artificial light into colors by diffraction and/or refraction with the concomitant formation of one or more spectrum. The glazing units of the present invention can also provide the enhanced energy efficiency and sound control associated with multi-lite insulated glazing units.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a light dispersive insulated glazing unit is provided, comprising a support structure; a first glazing lite attached to the support structure; a second glazing lite attached to the support structure so that the second glazing lite is opposing the first glazing lite and is spaced apart from the first glazing lite; and a light dispersive film interposed between, and spaced apart from the opposing surfaces of the first glazing lite and the second glazing lite. In addition, at least a portion of the perimeter of the light dispersive film is attached to the support structure to hold the light dispersive film in suspension between, and spaced apart from, the first glazing lite and the second glazing lite.
As the light dispersive film is suspended between the glazing lites in the present embodiment, concern with the film bubbling or peeling from the outer lite surface is completely eliminated. Embrittlement of the light dispersive film from UV exposure is also minimized, and the light dispersive film is not susceptible to being scratched during routine cleaning of the unit or from environmental forces such as wind, rain, hail, dust, and the like. Further, as the resulting unit will have a dead air space between each of the lites and the film, the light dispersive insulated glazing unit will have energy efficiencies comparable to a conventional triple-lite glazing unit.
In an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, a light dispersive insulated glazing unit is provided, comprising a support structure; a first glazing lite attached to the support structure; a second glazing lite attached to the support structure so that the second glazing lite is opposing the first glazing lite and is spaced apart from the first glazing lite; and a light dispersive film laminated to the opposing surface of the first or second glazing lite so that the light dispersive film is interposed between the first and second glazing lites.
Even though the light dispersive film is laminated to the glazing lite in the present embodiment, because it is interposed between the glazing lites of the glazing unit, rather than being laminated to an outer surface of the glazing lites, improved resistance to bubbling and peeling of the film is achieved. Also, the potential for UV damage to the film is reduced and the hologram or diffraction grating on the film will not become marred or scratched during routine cleaning of the insulated glazing unit or from environmental forces, such as wind, rain, hail, dust and the like. As a result, the light dispersive insulated glazing units of the present embodiment have increased life expectancies. Further, the glazing unit will exhibit energy efficiencies comparable to conventional double-lite glazing units.
Applications for the light dispersive insulat
Henry Jon
Lyon & Lyon LLP
Thinking Lightly, Inc.
LandOfFree
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