Method of Applying an Anti-Freeze Film to a Transparent Substrate

Abstract

The invention relates to: a method of adhering a flexible film to a substrate, in which a sufficient quantity of a liquid is disposed between the film and the substrate such that no bubbles are trapped therebetween once the film has been applied to the substrate with the aid of a scraper, said method being characterised in that the liquid does not freeze at a substrate temperature of less than 0° C.; the mutually-adhered substrate and flexible film which is characterised by the continued absence of frost in the event of the substrate and film being moved into an atmosphere in which the temperature thereof is less than 0° C., from an atmosphere having a temperature that is at least equal to 0° C. and residual moisture of at least 25 %; glazing comprising same; and the applications of said glazing, including for example exposure to temperatures of less than 0° C.

1 . Process for adhering a flexible film to a substrate, comprising the interposition between film and substrate of a sufficient amount of a liquid, so that no bubbles are trapped between film and substrate after the film has been applied to the substrate using a scraper, characterized in that the liquid does not freeze at a substrate temperature below 0° C. 
     
     
         2 . Process according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the liquid does not freeze at a substrate temperature of at most −5° C. 
     
     
         3 . Process according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the liquid does not freeze at a substrate temperature of at most −10° C. 
     
     
         4 . Process according to  claim 1 , characterized in that prior to the interposition between film and substrate of a sufficient amount of a liquid, the substrate is cleared of any particles that are bonded thereto, cleaned and dried. 
     
     
         5 . Process according to one of  claim 1 , characterized in that the side of the flexible film to be adhered to the substrate is wetted with said sufficient amount of a liquid. 
     
     
         6 . Process according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the side of the flexible film to be adhered to the substrate comprises an adhesive layer optionally equipped with a protective film to be removed before adhesion to the substrate. 
     
     
         7 . Process according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the side of the flexible film opposite to that to be adhered to the substrate is wetted with an effective amount of liquid so that the scraper slides easily over the film during the operation that consists in applying the film to the substrate. 
     
     
         8 . Process according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the side of the flexible film opposite to that to be adhered to the substrate is equipped with a protective film to be removed after the adhesion of the flexible film to the substrate. 
     
     
         9 . Process according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the liquid interposed between film and substrate comprises an effective amount of an antifreeze compound that lowers the crystallization temperature, such as a salt, especially KCl, NaCl or equivalent in solution and/or alcohol, and/or a suitable hydrophilic polymer, copolymer, prepolymer or oligomer, optionally in water, and optionally one or more surfactants. 
     
     
         10 . Mutually adhered substrate and flexible film obtained with interposition of a sufficient amount of a liquid in the absence of any trapped bubbles, characterized by the persistent absence of frost in the event of moving the substrate and film into an atmosphere where their temperature will be below 0° C., from an atmosphere having a temperature at least equal to 0° C. and residual humidity of at least 25%. 
     
     
         11 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 10 , characterized by the persistent absence of frost in the event of moving the substrate and film into an atmosphere where their temperature will be at most −5° C., from an atmosphere having a temperature at least equal to 0° C. and residual humidity of at least 25%. 
     
     
         12 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 11 , characterized by the persistent absence of frost in the event of moving the substrate and film into an atmosphere where their temperature will be at most −10° C., from an atmosphere having a temperature at least equal to 0° C. and residual humidity of at least 25%. 
     
     
         13 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 10 , characterized in that said atmosphere is at a temperature between 10 and 35, especially 15 and 30 and in particular 23 and 27° C. 
     
     
         14 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 10 , characterized in that they form a transparent assembly. 
     
     
         15 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the film is an anti-frost film and/or is hydrophobic and/or is hydrophilic and/or anti-soiling/self-cleaning (photocatalytic) and/or reflects light or thermal radiation, is a solar protection film, is a low-emissivity film and/or is coloured at least partly and/or is electrically conducting/heating and/or is semiconductive and/or antistatic and/or electroluminescent. 
     
     
         16 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the film is an anti-frost film and that when at a temperature of at most −10° C., it is placed in an atmosphere having a temperature at least equal to 0° C. and at least 25% residual humidity, no frost forms for at least 12 s. 
     
     
         17 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 16 , characterized in that the film is an anti-frost film and that when at a temperature of at most −15° C., it is placed in an atmosphere at a temperature at least equal to 0° C. and at least 25% residual humidity, no frost is formed for at least 12 s. 
     
     
         18 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 17 , characterized in that the film is an anti-frost film and that when at a temperature of at most −20 20° C., it is placed in an atmosphere at a temperature at least equal to 0° C. and at least 25% residual humidity, no frost is formed for at least 12 s. 
     
     
         19 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 16 , characterized in that said atmosphere is at a temperature between 10 and 35, especially 15 and 30 and in particular 23 and 27° C. 
     
     
         20 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 16 , characterized in that no frost is formed for at least 1 min. 
     
     
         21 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 20 , characterized in that no frost is formed for at least 2 min. 
     
     
         22 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 21 , characterized in that no frost is formed for at least 3 min. 
     
     
         23 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the film is based on a support made of polyamide, polyester, polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, of cellulose, polystyrene, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polyurethane, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl-pyridine, polyacrylate of the poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) type, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrolein, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, or a copolymer or blend of at least one of these polymers. 
     
     
         24 . Substrate and flexible film according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the film is an anti-frost film due to the fact that it comprises an antifreeze compound that lowers the crystallization temperature. 
     
     
         25 . Glazing comprising a substrate and flexible film according to  claim 10 , and also optionally other transparent sheets to which they are connected via intermediate adhesive layer(s) or gas-filled cavity or cavities. 
     
     
         26 . Glazing according to  claim 25 , of which said flexible film forms an outer side. 
     
     
         27 . Glazing according to  claim 25 , of which the thermal conductivity of the barrier is at most 1.46 W/m.K. 
     
     
         28 . Application of glazing according to  claim 25  as a door of a refrigerated cabinet. 
     
     
         29 . Application of glazing according to  claim 25  for the building industry, street furniture or poster panels, traffic mirrors and the elements of a refrigerated cabinet other than the door. 
     
     
         30 . Application of glazing according to  claim 25  for a terrestrial, airborne or waterborne transport vehicle. 
     
     
         31 . Application of glazing according to  claim 25  for a viewing element.