Decorative laminated glazing

Abstract

The invention relates to a laminated glazing (10) comprising a first glass sheet (11) and a second glass sheet (12) adhesively bonded together by a lamination interlayer (14), said lamination interlayer (14) comprising a polymeric sheet, called carrier sheet (140), which is coated with a decorative coating (16) comprising a plurality of superimposed organic ink layers (161, 162, 163), including a first ink layer (161) which is the ink layer closest to the first glass sheet (11) and a second ink layer (162) which is the ink layer closest to the second glass sheet (12). Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Decorative laminated glazing

[0001] The invention relates to the field of laminated glazing, in particular, but not exclusively, for motor vehicles. It relates more particularly to decorative glazing.

[0002] Today there is an ever-increasing need to personalize the appearance, both interior and exterior, of motor vehicles, in particular by modifying the appearance of their glazing, without however harming the safety and comfort, in particular thermal or acoustic, of the people occupying the passenger compartment. However, advanced personalization represents a challenge, because it is often difficult to reconcile with industrial tools designed for large series, which can also lead to a significant increase in production costs.

[0003] The aim of the invention is to propose decorative glazing and a method of manufacturing such glazing, which meet these different contradictory requirements.

[0004] For this purpose, the invention relates to a laminated glazing comprising a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet adhesively bonded together by a lamination interlayer, said lamination interlayer comprising a polymeric sheet, called a carrier sheet, which is coated with a decorative coating comprising a plurality of superimposed organic ink layers, including a first ink layer which is the ink layer closest to the first glass sheet and a second ink layer which is the ink layer closest to the second glass sheet.

[0005] The invention also relates to a lamination interlayer comprising a polymeric sheet, called a carrier sheet, which is coated with a decorative coating comprising a plurality of superimposed layers of organic ink.

[0006] The invention also relates to a method for obtaining laminated glazing according to the invention, comprising the printing of a decorative coating comprising a plurality of layers of organic ink superimposed on a polymeric sheet and the lamination of a first sheet of glass and a second sheet of glass by means of a lamination interlayer comprising said polymeric sheet.

[0007] The glazing according to the invention is a laminated glazing, that is to say a glazing comprising two sheets of glass adhesively bonded together by a lamination interlayer. Such glazing makes it possible to improve the security, resistance to burglary as well as the acoustic insulation properties of vehicles. If in the present text, the applications of glazing for vehicles are highlighted, the glazing according to the invention can also be used in other applications, for example in construction or household appliances. Any reference to a vehicle can therefore be understood also as a reference to a building or household appliance.

[0008] The glass sheets are typically made of soda-lime glass (also called soda-lime silico), but may be made of other types of glass, for example borosilicate or aluminosilicate. Preferably, the first and second glass sheets are made of soda-lime glass. The glazing may alternatively be hybrid, in the sense that the glass sheets are of two different types. For example, the first sheet may be made of borosilicate glass and the second sheet of soda-lime glass, or the first sheet may be made of soda-lime glass and the second sheet of aluminosilicate glass.

[0009] The thickness of the glass sheets is preferably between 0.5 and 6.0 mm, in particular between 1.0 and 4.0 mm, or even between 1.1 and 3.0 mm. At least one dimension of the glazing is preferably at least 1 m.

[0010] Each sheet of glass can independently be clear or tinted, for example green, gray or blue. To do this, the composition of the glass comprises colorants, in particular iron oxide, in a total weight content (expressed in the form Fe 2O3) of between 0.05 and 1.5%, in particular between 0.1 and 1.2%. Other colorants are, for example, selenium and oxides of cobalt, chromium, copper or rare earths. Preferably, the outer sheet of the glazing (i.e. the one intended to be located outside the vehicle) is tinted. This will be the case, for example, when the glazing must appear black or at least dark when seen from outside the vehicle. The inner sheet of the glazing is preferably clear (or extra-clear), so as to allow good viewing of the decorative coating, when it is intended to be seen from inside the vehicle.

[0011] At least one of the glass sheets may be coated with a functional thin layer or a stack of thin layers comprising at least one functional layer. A thin layer is understood to mean a layer whose physical thickness is preferably between 1 nm and 10 μm, in particular between 2 nm and 1 μm. These may in particular be functional layers having infrared radiation reflection properties, in particular low-emissivity layers, with the aim of giving the glazing solar control and / or thermal insulation properties. By way of example, a stack of thin layers comprising at least one (and in particular two, three or four) silver layer may be deposited on face 2 or face 3 of the laminated glazing, therefore a face located in contact with the lamination interlayer.In the art, the faces of the glass sheets are usually numbered starting from the face of the glazing facing the outside of the vehicle, which is therefore face 1. Alternatively or cumulatively, a stack of thin layers comprising at least one layer of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) such as an indium tin oxide (ITO) or a zinc oxide doped with aluminum or . gallium, or a tin oxide doped with fluorine or antimony, can be deposited on face 4 of the laminated glazing. In the stack, the functional layers are preferably surrounded by dielectric layers, in particular based on oxides, nitrides or oxynitrides. The stacks of layers are preferably deposited by cathode sputtering, in particular assisted by a magnetic field (so-called "magnetron" process). Other deposition processes such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or sol-gel processes are also possible.

[0012] At least one of the glass sheets may be coated on part of its surface with a layer of enamel, in particular an opaque and black enamel in the form of a strip located at the periphery of the glazing, intended to protect and conceal the joints for fixing the glazing to the bodywork opening. The enamel layer is preferably present on face 2 or 3 of the glazing, or even on face 4. The clarity L* of the enamel layer, measured in reflection on the glass side, is preferably less than 5. The method of the invention may therefore comprise a step of depositing such a layer of enamel on the first and / or the second glass sheet, in particular by screen printing or digital printing of a fluid enamel composition. The enamel composition comprises in particular a glass frit, pigments and an organic medium. The enamel may advantageously be replaced by a silicate paint.A black peripheral band having the same functions can alternatively be obtained by printing a black ink on at least one of the polymeric sheets of the lamination interlayer.

[0013] The decorative coating may occupy all or part of the surface of the glazing. According to one embodiment, it occupies the entire surface of the glazing, or at least its entire useful surface. By "useful surface" is meant the surface of the glazing in which the glass sheets are transparent. This area, also called "clear view", excludes in particular areas provided with opaque enamel. According to another embodiment, the decorative coating only occupies part of the surface of the glazing, for example between 10 and 80%, or between 20 and 60%.

[0014] The glazing is preferably opaque, at least in the area where the decorative coating is present. Its light transmission is preferably less than 1%, even 0.1%. In the present text, the light transmissions are calculated by taking into account the illuminant D65 and the CIE-1964 reference observer. Its optical density is preferably at least 2, or even at least 3. Even when opacified by the decoration, the glass is always of interest, in particular for its appearance in reflection, which is distinguished from that of metal.

[0015] The lamination interlayer comprises at least one polymeric sheet. Preferably, it comprises at least two, and even at least three, in particular between two and five, or even three or four.

[0016] The carrier sheet is coated with a decorative coating comprising a plurality of superimposed layers of organic ink. Using a decoration printed on a sheet of the lamination interlayer rather than on one of the glass sheets, for example by means of an enamel or a mineral paint, makes it possible to bring more flexibility to the process, and therefore to allow greater customization of the decoration without too much impact on production costs. This also makes it possible to create more complex decorations without negatively impacting the mechanical strength of the glazing.

[0017] The decorative coating comprises at least two superimposed layers of organic ink, namely a first layer of ink which is the layer of ink closest to the first sheet of glass and a second layer of ink which is the layer of ink closest to the second sheet of glass. The presence of two superimposed layers of ink makes it possible in particular to create two different decorations, one visible from the outside of the vehicle, the other from the inside of the vehicle..

[0018] According to one embodiment, the decorative coating consists of two superimposed layers of organic ink. Alternatively, and according to a preferred embodiment, the decorative coating comprises more than two superimposed layers of organic ink, in particular consists of three superimposed layers of organic ink.

[0019] Preferably, the second layer of organic ink is a decorative layer, polychromatic or monochromatic, and the first layer of organic ink is a monochromatic layer, in particular black. In this case, if the first sheet of glass is intended to be the outer sheet, the glazing appears monochromatic, in particular black, from the outside of the vehicle. Colors other than black can also be chosen, for example to match the color of the glazing to the color of the bodywork or on the contrary choose a different color, which can be repeated on other parts of the vehicle, such as for example the rearview mirrors. On the other side, therefore in this hypothesis from the inside of the vehicle, the decoration is visible, monochromatic or polychromatic. This decoration can be any, for example based on a photograph. It can for example represent a landscape.In such a case, it is preferable that the glass sheets and polymer sheets located between the interior of the vehicle and the decoration are clear (in particular untinted and with high light transmission, in particular at least 80%, or even at least 85% or 90%) in order to allow good viewing of the decoration. The resolution of the decoration is preferably at least 360 dpi (dots per inch, also called by their English acronym "dpi").

[0020] According to a variant, the two layers of organic ink may be decorative layers, monochromatic or polychromatic. Preferably, the decoration represented by each of the layers will be different.

[0021] Preferably, the decorative coating comprises a third organic ink layer disposed between the first ink layer and the second ink layer. This third layer of ink is advantageously opaque, particularly white. White inks have the advantage of having a high opacity (with in particular a light transmission of less than 1%, or even less than 0.1%, and / or an optical density of at least 2, or even at least 3). It is thus possible to completely separate the decorations carried by each of the ink layers, avoiding any superposition of decorations which would be detrimental to the aesthetics of the glazing.

[0022] The decorative coating preferably comprises at most three layers of ink, so as not to unnecessarily complicate the printing step.

[0023] Preferably, the decorative coating is printed by an inkjet printing technique, in particular using an ink that is polymerizable or crosslinkable under the effect of ultraviolet radiation. This technique is advantageous in terms of speed and productivity, thanks to almost instantaneous drying of the ink, and makes it possible to obtain, with very good print quality, durable and scratch-resistant decorations.

[0024] Preferably, the plurality of superimposed organic ink layers are printed simultaneously in a single pass. The UV inkjet printing technique in fact makes it possible to print several superimposed layers simultaneously, which constitutes a great advantage in terms of productivity.

[0025] The ink preferably comprises one or more pigments and a binder. It advantageously comprises a photoinitiator, notably chosen from benzophenones, phosphine oxide derivatives, acetophenones and isopropylthioxanthone. By "organic ink" is meant that the binder is organic, as opposed to enamels or mineral paints where the binder is inorganic (for example based on mineral glass or silicates). The pigments can be both organic and mineral. For example, the white ink can comprise titanium oxide. The binder is for example of the acrylate, epoxy or polyester type. The binder can notably comprise monomers and / or oligomers of the (meth)acrylate, polyether-acrylate, polyester-acrylate, polyurethane-acrylate, epoxy-acrylate, silicone-acrylates type. The ink may further include additives, such as viscosity or surface tension regulating agents, stabilizers, etc.

[0026] The lamination interlayer preferably comprises at least two polymeric sheets, including a first polymeric sheet which is closest to the first glass sheet, and a second polymeric sheet which is closest to the second glass sheet, and the decorative coating is arranged between the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet. In such a case, the second polymeric sheet is preferably clear, so as to allow good viewing of the decoration, when it is to be seen from inside the vehicle. The first polymeric sheet is preferably tinted, in particular when the glazing is to appear black or at least dark from outside the vehicle. vehicle (here we are in a configuration where the first sheet of glass is the outer sheet of the glazing).

[0027] The first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet are preferably made of a polymer chosen from poly(vinyl butyral) - also called PVB, ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymers and thermoplastic polyurethanes. This ensures good adhesion to the glass sheets, making it possible to meet the regulatory requirements in terms of safety of laminated glass.

[0028] According to a first embodiment, the carrier sheet is the first polymeric sheet or the second polymeric sheet. Preferably, the decorative coating is located on one face of the polymeric sheet (first or second) facing another polymeric sheet of the lamination interlayer. This prevents the decorative coating from being in contact with the glass and being degraded during lamination.

[0029] According to a second embodiment, the lamination interlayer further comprises a third polymeric sheet located between the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet, and the carrier sheet is the third polymeric sheet. In this case, the third polymeric sheet is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate - also called PET. This material has the advantage of being optically clear while being compatible with the plasticizers commonly used for polyvinyl butyral.

[0030] At least one of the polymeric sheets of the lamination interlayer may have an infrared radiation reflection function and thus contribute to giving the glazing a solar control and / or thermal insulation function. This function may in particular be obtained by dispersing infrared-reflecting particles, in particular metal or metal oxide particles, in the polymeric sheet or by coating the polymeric sheet with an infrared-reflecting coating.

[0031] The lamination interlayer can be obtained in particular by stacking the polymer sheets that compose it (for example a PET sheet between two PVB sheets), then by carrying out local welding of the PVB sheets at the edges of the interlayer. It is also possible to pre-assemble two polymer sheets to form a bi-layer sheet. For example, the carrier sheet, in particular PET, can be bonded by heating to a PVB sheet, before being assembled to the other PVB sheet.

[0032] The glazing is preferably a motor vehicle roof. Other applications are of course possible, particularly in the fields of transport, construction or household appliances, as indicated above.

[0033] The glazing, in particular the roof of a motor vehicle, is preferably curved, the first sheet of glass being the outer sheet of the glazing, and the second sheet of glass being the inner sheet of the glazing. The outer sheet is understood to be the sheet intended to be located outside the vehicle, which will be on the convex side of the glazing, and the inner sheet is understood to be the sheet intended to be located inside the vehicle, and which will be on the concave side.

[0034] The method therefore preferably comprises, before the lamination step, a bending step. Preferably, the two glass sheets are bent together, the second sheet above the first sheet. The bending can in particular be carried out by gravity (the glass deforming under its own weight) or by pressing, at temperatures typically ranging from 550 to 720°C. The pressing can optionally be followed by rapid cooling in order to provide surface reinforcement (tempering or hardening). During the bending, the glass sheets can be kept at a distance by placing between them an interlayer powder ensuring a space of a few tens of micrometers, typically 20 to 50 μm. The interlayer powder is for example based on calcium and / or magnesium carbonate.

[0035] The lamination step can in particular be carried out by autoclave treatment, for example at temperatures of 110 to 160°C and under a pressure of 10 to 15 bars. Prior to the autoclave treatment, the air trapped between the glass sheets and the lamination interlayer can be eliminated by calendering or by vacuum.

[0036] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the invention in a non-limiting manner.

[0037] [Fig-1] is an exploded view of a glazing according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0038] [Fig.2] is an exploded view of a glazing according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0039] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of a glazing according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0040] Figures 1 to 3 are schematic and exploded views of glazings according to the invention. The views are exploded so as to be able to visualize on which sheets (glass or polymer) the various elements are deposited. The figures are obviously not to scale, the thickness of certain elements being greatly enlarged in order to be able to visualize them. The glazings are shown flat for simplicity, but in most applications for motor vehicles, they will be curved. The figures indicate the faces 1 to 4 of the glass sheets, respectively named F1, F2, F3 and F4. In these examples, the first glass sheet is therefore the outer sheet of the glazing, that is to say the one intended to be on the outside of the vehicle.The glazing will be described here in relation to an application such as motor vehicle roofs, but other applications are of course possible, both in the fields of transport and construction (facades, partitions, etc.) or household appliances.

[0041] In the embodiment of [Fig.l], the glazing 10 comprises a first glass sheet 11 and a second glass sheet 12 bonded together by means of a lamination interlayer 14. As indicated previously, the first glass sheet 11 is preferably tinted. The second glass sheet 12 is preferably clear, to allow good viewing of the decoration. The lamination interlayer 14 is made up of two polymeric sheets, a first sheet 141 and a second sheet 142. These two sheets are in particular made of a polymer chosen from poly(vinyl butyral), also called PVB, ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU). As for the glass sheets, the second polymeric sheet 142 is preferably clear to allow good viewing of the decoration from inside the vehicle. The first polymeric sheet 141 may be tinted.The first sheet of glass 11 is here coated on face 2, denoted F2, with a peripheral black enamel strip 17 intended to protect and conceal the glazing fixing joints in the bodywork bay. This optional enamel layer could alternatively be deposited on face 3 or 4.

[0042] In this example, the decorative coating 16 is arranged between the two polymeric sheets 141 and 142, which is preferable to avoid damaging it during lamination. The decorative coating 16 is here printed on the carrier sheet 140 and which is the second polymeric sheet 142, but it could also be printed on the first polymeric sheet 141. The order of deposition of the ink layers would then be reversed, the first ink layer 161 then being in contact with the carrier sheet.

[0043] The decorative coating 16 is in this example made up of three superimposed layers of organic ink: a first layer 161, closest to the first glass sheet 11, a second layer 162, closest to the second glass sheet 12, and a third layer 163, located between the first and second layers. In the example shown here, the first layer 161 is a layer of black ink, the second layer 162 is a polychromatic decorative layer and the third layer 163 is a white opaque layer. It is thus possible to obtain an opaque automobile roof having a black appearance seen from the outside and an appearance determined by the chosen decoration seen from the inside. The third layer 163, which is optional, makes it possible to provide good opacity and to clearly separate the decoration seen from the outside from that seen from the inside. Other configurations are of course possible.For example, the first layer 161 may be a polychromatic decoration, or even be monochromatic but in a color other than black, for example matching the color of the bodywork or that of other elements of the vehicle.

[0044] The organic ink layers are preferably deposited on the carrier sheet 140 by UV inkjet printing. They are preferably simultaneously deposited in a single pass.

[0045] The glazing 20 of [Fig.2] has many elements in common with the glazing 10 described above: a first sheet of glass 21 coated on face 2 with a layer of enamel rim 27 and bonded to a second glass sheet 22 by means of a lamination interlayer 24 comprising a first polymeric sheet 241 and a second polymeric sheet 242. A decorative coating 26 comprising three superimposed ink layers 261, 262, 263 is printed on a carrier polymeric sheet 240. What has been described in detail in connection with the glazing 10 concerning the corresponding elements applies in the same way here.

[0046] The main difference with the glazing 10 is that the lamination interlayer 24 further comprises a third polymeric sheet 243 arranged between the first and second polymeric sheets 241 and 242, and that the carrier sheet 240 is this third polymeric sheet 243. This third polymeric sheet 243 is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The lamination interlayer 24 is therefore, for example, made of a PET sheet surrounded by two PVB sheets. Such an assembly can be obtained, for example, by stacking the three polymeric sheets and carrying out a weld at the edges of the interlayer.

[0047] The glazing 30 of [Fig. 3] is close to the glazing 20: there is a first sheet of glass 31 coated on face 2 with a peripheral layer of enamel 37 and bonded to a second sheet of glass 32 by means of a lamination interlayer 34 comprising a first polymeric sheet 341, a second polymeric sheet 342 and a third polymeric sheet 343, the latter being the carrier sheet 340 for a decorative coating 36 comprising three superimposed layers of ink 361, 362, 363. What has been described in detail in connection with the glazings 10 and 20 concerning the corresponding elements applies in the same way here.

[0048] The main difference with the glazing 20 lies in that the decorative coating 36 is in contact with the first polymeric sheet 341 while it was in contact with the second polymeric sheet 242 in the case of the glazing 20. The order of the ink layers is then reversed, the ink layer closest to the carrier sheet being the first layer 261 in the case of the glazing 20 and the second layer 362 in the case of the glazing 30. This configuration may be more advantageous when the first polymeric sheet 341 is tinted, so as to avoid possible interactions between the ink of the decoration and the pigments of the tinted polymeric sheet. In this respect, a PET sheet is a good barrier to the migration of the components of the ink of the decoration.

Claims

Claims

1. Laminated glazing (10, 20, 30) comprising a first glass sheet (11, 21, 31) and a second glass sheet (12, 22, 32) adhesively bonded together by a lamination interlayer (14, 24, 34), said lamination interlayer (14, 24, 34) comprising a polymeric sheet, called carrier sheet (140, 240, 340), which is coated with a decorative coating (16, 26, 36) comprising a plurality of superimposed organic ink layers (161, 162, 163, 261, 262, 263, 361, 362, 363), including a first ink layer (161, 261, 361) which is the ink layer closest to the first glass sheet (11, 21, 31) and a second ink layer (162, 262, 362) which is the ink layer closest to the second glass sheet (12, 22, 32).

2. Laminated glazing (10, 20, 30) according to claim 1, in which the second layer of organic ink (162, 262, 362) is a decorative layer, polychromatic or monochromatic, and the first layer of organic ink (161, 261, 361) is a monochromatic layer, in particular black.

3. Laminated glazing (10, 20, 30) one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative coating (16, 26, 36) comprises a third layer of organic ink (163, 263, 363) arranged between the first layer of ink and the second layer of ink, said third layer of ink (163, 263, 363) being opaque, in particular white.

4. Laminated glazing (10, 20, 30) one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamination interlayer (14, 24, 34) comprises at least two polymeric sheets, including a first polymeric sheet (141, 241, 341) which is closest to the first glass sheet (11, 21, 31), and a second polymeric sheet (142, 242, 342) which is closest to the second glass sheet (12, 22, 32), and the decorative coating (16, 26, 36) is arranged between the first polymeric sheet (141, 241, 341) and the second polymeric sheet (142, 242, 342).

5. Laminated glazing (10, 20, 30) according to the preceding claim, in which the first polymeric sheet (141, 241, 341) and the second polymeric sheet (142, 242, 342) are made of a polymer chosen from poly(vinyl butyral), ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymers and thermoplastic polyurethanes.

6. Laminated glazing (10, 20, 30) according to one of claims 4 or 5, in which the carrier sheet (140, 240, 340) is the first sheet po- polymeric (141, 241, 341) or the second polymeric sheet (142, 242, 342).

7. Laminated glazing (20, 30) according to one of claims 4 or 5, in which the lamination interlayer (24, 34) further comprises a third polymeric sheet (243, 343) located between the first polymeric sheet (241, 341) and the second polymeric sheet (242, 342), and the carrier sheet (240, 340) is the third polymeric sheet (243, 343).

8. Laminated glazing (20, 30) according to the preceding claim, in which the third polymeric sheet (243, 343) is made of polyethylene terephthalate.

9. Laminated glazing (10, 20, 30) according to one of the preceding claims, which is a motor vehicle roof, said glazing being further curved, the first glass sheet (11, 21, 31) being the outer sheet of the glazing, and the second glass sheet (12, 22, 32) being the inner sheet of the glazing.

10. Lamination interlayer (14, 24, 34) comprising a polymeric sheet, called carrier sheet (140, 240, 340), which is coated with a decorative coating (16, 26, 36) comprising a plurality of superimposed organic ink layers (161, 261, 262, 162, 262, 363, 361, 362, 363).

11. Method for obtaining a laminated glazing (10, 20, 30) according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising printing a decorative coating (16, 26, 36) comprising a plurality of organic ink layers (161, 162, 163, 261, 262, 263, 361, 362, 363) superimposed on a polymeric sheet (140, 240, 340) and laminating a first glass sheet (11, 21, 31) and a second glass sheet (12, 22, 32) by means of a lamination interlayer (14, 24, 34) comprising said polymeric sheet (140, 240, 340).

12. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the decorative coating (16, 26, 36) is printed by an inkjet printing technique, in particular using an ink which can be polymerized or crosslinked under the effect of ultraviolet radiation.

13. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the plurality of superimposed organic ink layers (161, 162, 163, 261, 262, 263, 361, 362, 363) are simultaneously printed in a single pass.

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