Patent Application
20190022987
Plastic polyolefin heat shrink films are used to reduce winter drafts coming through windows and glass doors. However, these plastic films do not yield significant insulation because there are leaky gaps between movable windows and the tracks of sliding glass doors. Additionally, a ½ inch(12.7 mm) space is required to achieve a 1R insulation value. Plastic olefin films are almost never applied optimally. Also, water vapor can enter through these gaps. Only an impervious seal will yield significant insulation. Masking an air draft is not the same as insulating glass. This new design seals out air and water vapor infiltration by mounting an optically clear, siliconized plastic film directly to glass with practically no air space between the architectural glass and the plastic film. Then, almost any plastic foam insulation such as disclosed in Shippen(Ser. No. 14/297,548) fabricated with almost any type of adhesive can be adhered to a glass mounted, siliconized film. The new advantage is that the plastic foam insulation structure can adhere and be removed hundreds of times whenever a clear view through the glass is desired. Also, this mount will comprise a minimally invasive adhesive application to the glass. Therefore, this invention will satisfy the long desire of insulating glass to save energy and to add more comfort in homes and other buildings.
Shippen (U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,811), (Ser. No. 14/297,548) this inventor, specifies a reusable adhesive applied directly to glass and makes no reference to a siliconized, optically clear plastic film for mounting a plastic foam laminate. Just as the plastic foam was heretofore considered a throw away material, so is the siliconized plastic film considered a throw away material. Now, ironically, the foam and the film comprise a much more valuable, reusable insulation material that can mimic stained glass and adds the insulation value of about ten extra layers of glass. It can be removed from the siliconized film easier than a banana is peeled. The clear, siliconized plastic film remains on the glass almost unnoticeable and durable for many years of service.
The base material is optically clear, siliconized on one side, plastic film. Manufactures can mass produce such film in 1 to 5 mil (0.0254 to 0.127 mm) thickness. The specification of thickness is made based upon the best appearance applied upon the glass for both inside and outside views. The siliconization film process allows different compositions to be specified. However, a release bond of (76±25 g/in) works well. The plastic film is comprised of standard siliconized film including uv protected petg, vinyl or polyester. Unlike the disposable heat shrink films currently used for insulation, the siliconized, optically clear plastic films of this invention lay flat and tight and can be cleaned easily with no seasonal replacement. And siliconized film is readily supplied in a kit.
Another embodiment is a water resistant, double sided adhesive tape for direct bonding to glass and to the non-siliconized side of plastic film. A 40/16 ounce per inch differential, solvent based acrylic has been tested for more than four years. It works well and is easily removed from glass with no residual deposit. This double sided tape ½ (12.7 mm) to ¾ (19.05 mm) width is easily applied around the periphery of the non-siliconized plastic film forming an impervious seal and adheres the film to architectural glass. Static cling of the plastic film further helps the bond to glass. Even if an optically clear tape were used and a very small cleanup job resulted after many years of use, its use is justified. A very large, glass clear viewing area is formed with the residual tape having a minimal profile. The film may also be adhered to the glass permanently like a tinting film. Glass clear, aqueous based glue can be used with a squeegee to clear wrinkles and bubbles. The economic value of this invention does make this option a viable glass modification, but using tape is very easy and efficacious.
Another element of this invention is a plastic foam insulation laminate. Such laminates are disclosed in Shippen(U.S. Ser. No. 14/297,548). The plastic foam laminate provides excellent insulation value, privacy, light transmission and decorative lighting effects. Another advantage of using a siliconized mounting film for plastic foam laminates is that minimal adhesive contact with the glass is created. Also, an expanded use of adhesives on the plastic foam laminate is created since adhesive deposits on the glass will not have to be accounted. 100% adhesive coverage on the glass side of the plastic foam laminate is recommended. Uv resistant adhesives are preferred including acrylic, solvent based acrylics and silicones. Optically glass clear adhesives are attractive. However, transfer film adhesives without carrier films are now preferred because these produce the best optical quality by eliminating air pocket bubbles and undesirable, adhesive film reflection in most of the finished products. Acrylics and silicone transfer films work well and are recommended. Further, the plastic siliconized film is presented with the siliconized side down, adhered wrinkle free, and with the adhesive face not exposed to air on the plastic foam laminate. This allows for easy cutting, taping, transferring and glass mounting. For widespread commercial use, optical quality is the key. Conveniently, plastic foam laminates are light weight and easily supplied in a kit box.
Finally, this invention could save many lives lost in home fires due to the desperate use of space heaters in cold extremes. It will also relieve the stress on electrical heaters reducing fires from their overuse. Undoubtedly, a thirty to sixty percent reduction of the heating load in a domicile will save many lives. A financial windfall of utility savings will enrich users of this invention. And less pollution benefits countless people across the Earth, reduces collateral water pollution, improves the condition of our biosphere and cleans the air we all breathe.
