Ultraviolet (uv) absorbing inks and films for glass

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) absorbing inks and films for surfaces such as glass and/or plastic are provided that include patterns visible to avian eyes, but invisible to a human at least ten feet away. Such invention is aimed at reducing the number of window strikes that result in bird deaths. A formulation may include a binder, a carrier. A formulation may include a base configured to dissolve and solubilize the binder such that it can be applied to the carrier. A formulation may include at least one of an ultraviolet (UV)/visible (VIS) absorbing (UAC) component and a UV/VIS reflective (URC) component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A formulation applied to a surface that is visible to avian eyes, the formulation comprising:
 a binder;   a carrier;   a base configured to dissolve and solubilize the binder such that it can be applied to the carrier; and   at least one of an ultraviolet (UV)/visible (VIS) absorbing (UAC) component and a UV/VIS reflective (URC) component.   
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of: an acrylic, a polyurethane, a polyester, a polyether, a silicone, a fluoropolymer, a polyisobutylene (PIB), an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), an ethylene acrylic acid (EAA), a natural rubber, and a synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of: a monomer, a solvent, a solid system, a solventless system, and an aqueous system. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier contributes to at least one of optical quality, UV light transmission, VIS light transmission, and a physical appearance of the formulation on surface. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the carrier is a substrate; and   wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of: an acetate, an acrylic, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a polyester, and a polyurethane film.   
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one additive component.   
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one additive component is selected from the group consisting of: a wetting aid, a defoamer, a rheology modifier, a humectant, a plasticizer, a tackifier, a filler, a pigment, a dye, a matting agent, an inhibitors, and a stabilizer. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 6 , wherein the binder is configured to hold the at least one additive component in place. 
     
     
         9 . The formulation of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a crosslinking component.   
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the crosslinking component is selected from the group consisting of: a peroxide, an azo, an aziridine, an isocyanate, a polyol, a thiol, a titanate, a zirconate, a metal oxide, and a metal acetylacetonate. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is applied to a surface by a method selected from the group consisting of: a gravure method, an offset-gravure method, an enclosed doctor blade method, a multi-roll method, a dip method, a spray method, a Mayer rod method, and a knife over roll method. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the UAC component comprises an organic component, an inorganic component, or a blend of organic and inorganic components. 
     
     
         13 . The formulation of  claim 12 , wherein the UAC component provides absorption in a range of about 400 nm to about 450 nm. 
     
     
         14 . The formulation of  claim 12 , wherein the UAC component is selected from the group consisting of: metal oxides, metal nanoparticles, organic nanoparticles, organometallic nanoparticles, benzotriazoles, triazines, benzophenones, hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), primary antioxidants, dyes, metal complex absorbing dyes, Tinuvin® CarboProtect®, Tinuvin® 477, Tinuvin® 1030, Tinuvin® 292, and Tinuvin® 123. 
     
     
         15 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the URC component comprises nanoparticles having a size in a range of about 0.50 nm to about 1000 nm. 
     
     
         16 . The formulation of  claim 15 , wherein the nanoparticles make up about 0.25 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based on a total coating or adhesive solids. 
     
     
         17 . A formulation applied to a surface in a pattern that is visible to avian eyes, the formulation comprising:
 a base film or an ink that is optically clear;   an optically clear ultraviolet (UV) reflective ink at a wavelength of about 350 nm and above; and   a matrix pattern of absorbing and reflective dots.   
     
     
         18 . The formulation of  claim 17 , wherein the base film or the ink comprises a min of 410 nm or above and absorption at about 50% transmission. 
     
     
         19 . The formulation of  claim 17 , wherein the optically clear UV reflective ink is an inorganic ink. 
     
     
         20 . The formulation of  claim 17 , wherein the matrix pattern of the absorbing and reflective dots are separated by about 2 inches or less from one another. 
     
     
         21 . The formulation of  claim 17 , wherein a UV absorbing transmission is between about 410 and 420 nm at about 50% light transmission. 
     
     
         22 . A coating composition comprising:
 a hollow silicon oxide nanoparticle;   a fluorescent pigment or dye; and   a scratch resistant coating.