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EP-3768105-B1 - LAMINATED ANTI-FOGGING INSERT

EP3768105B1EP 3768105 B1EP3768105 B1EP 3768105B1EP-3768105-B1

Inventors

  • EITE, Jason

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20190319

Claims (10)

  1. A laminated anti-fogging insert for an eye shield, comprising: a) a substrate (1) which is a flexible transparent film; b) a first and second metal strip (2) , which metal strips are applied to respective non-adjacent edges of the substrate; c) at least two electrical connectors (8a, 8b) independently positioned at one end of each of the first and second conductive metal strips; d) a conductive layer (3) which partially overlaps the metal strips; and characterised by e) a first and a second index-matching layer (4), arranged so that the conductive layer (3) is sandwiched between two index matching layers (4).
  2. A laminated anti-fogging insert according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer (3) comprises a transparent conducting oxide (TCO).
  3. A laminated anti-fogging insert according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conductive layer (3) has a thickness of from 80 to 120 nm.
  4. A laminated anti-fogging insert according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second index-matching layer (4) comprise a low refractive index material such as silicon oxide, magnesium fluoride and fluorinated polymers.
  5. A laminated anti-fogging insert according to claim 1, wherein the first index-matching layer comprises a low refractive index material and the second index-matching layer comprises a high refractive index material; or the first index-matching layer comprises a high refractive index material and the second index-matching layer comprises a low refractive index material.
  6. A laminated anti-fogging insert according to any preceding claim, wherein the substrate is formed of a flexible transparent plastic selected from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylic (PMMA), Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) , Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COP), Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), Polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and Polyethylene-naphthalate (PEN) film.
  7. An eye shield comprising a lens; a laminated anti-fogging insert as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6; and a first attachment means (5) for attaching the laminated anti-fogging insert to the lens, thereby defining a sealed air gap between the lens and the insert.
  8. An eye shield according to claim 7, wherein the eye shield is selected from a protective helmet visor and protective goggles.
  9. A process for preparing a laminated anti-fogging insert or eye shield according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: a) providing a substrate (1) which is a flexible transparent film; b) optionally masking parts of the substrate (1); c) applying a first and second metal strip (2); d) applying a conductive layer (3); e) applying a first and a second index-matching layer (4), arranged so that the conductive layer (3) is sandwiched between two index matching layers (4); and f) optionally applying a first attachment (5) means to the periphery of the laminated anti-fogging insert.
  10. A kit comprising: a) a laminated anti-fogging insert according to any one of claims 1 to 6; b) a first attachment means (5); and c) optionally one or more batteries.

Description

The present invention relates to a laminated substrate for use as an anti-fogging insert for an eye shield, more particularly for use as a heated anti-fogging insert for a visor or goggles. BACKGROUND Protective helmets, such as for motorcycle or snowmobile riding, typically have transparent visors, or eye shields, and protective goggles for use when skiing, snowboarding, diving etc, are known to fog in certain weather conditions such as rain or cold weather, reducing visibility for the wearer. Pinlock Fog Free Systems® address the problem of fogging by the provision of a visor insert which comprises a moisture absorbing layer and a silicon seal. However, excessive moisture can cause this system to fail, resulting in visible drops or lines of water on the visor and a corresponding loss of visibility. US2008/0290081A1 discusses the use of a heater element formed of an etched metal form as an anti-fogging device, while US5,351,339 discusses the use of an electroconductive film. These known devices all have a high degree of reflection on the inside of the visor or goggles which can interfere with the user's field of vision. In particular, indium tin oxide (ITO), a commonly used transparent conductive oxide (TCO), has a refractive index of 2, resulting in high reflection for the user of such products. EP 3290965A1 describes a laminated lens that includes an anti-fog layer configured to resist accumulation of condensate on a posterior surface of the lens and an interface layer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The scope of protection is defined by the claims. The invention provides a laminated anti-fogging insert for an eye shield, comprising: a) a substrate which is a flexible transparent film;b) a first and second metal strip, which metal strips are applied to respective non-adjacent edges of the substrate;c) at least two electrical connectors independently positioned at one end of each of the first and second conductive metal strips;d) a conductive layer which partially overlaps the metal strips; ande) a first and a second index-matching layer (4), arranged so that the conductive layer is sandwiched between two index matching layers. The invention further provides an eye shield comprising a lens and a laminated anti-fogging insert, which laminated anti-fogging device comprises: a) a substrate which is a flexible transparent film;b) a first and second metal strip, which metal strips are applied to respective non-adjacent edges of the substrate;c) at least two electrical connectors independently positioned at one end of each of the first and second conductive metal strips;d) a conductive layer which partially overlaps the metal strips;e) a first and a second index-matching layer (4), arranged so that the conductive layer is sandwiched between two index matching layers; andf) a first attachment means for attaching the laminated anti-fogging insert to the lens, thereby defining a sealed air gap between the lens and the insert. The invention further provides a process for preparing a laminated anti-fogging insert or eye shield, comprising: a) providing a substrate which is a flexible transparent film;b) optionally masking parts of the first layer;c) applying a first and second metal strip;d) applying a conductive layer;e) applying a first and a second index-matching layer (4), arranged so that the conductive layer is sandwiched between two index matching layers; andf) optionally applying a first attachment means to the periphery of the laminated anti-fogging insert. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates in cross-section a laminated anti-fogging insert.Figure 2 illustrates in cross-section means for attaching a laminated anti-fogging insert to an eye shield.Figure 3 illustrates in plan-view a preferred positioning of the electrical connectors at opposing ends of the first and second metal strips. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 illustrates a laminated anti-fogging insert for an eye shield comprising a substrate which is a flexible transparent film (1), first and second metal strips (2), a conductive layer (3) which partially overlaps the metal strips, and an index matching layer (4). According to the present invention, the conductive layer (3) is sandwiched between two index-matching layers (4). Figure 2 illustrates a laminated anti-fogging insert for an eye shield which further comprises a first attachment means (5) for attaching the laminated anti-fogging insert to the lens, thereby defining a sealed air gap between the lens and the insert; and formed supports (7) which are attached to the index matching layer (4) by a second attachment means (6) and which hold in place electrical connectors (8a, 8b - not shown) connected to the metal strips (2). Figure 3 illustrates a laminated anti-fogging insert for an eye shield wherein the electrical connectors (8a and 8b) are positioned at opposing ends of the first and second conductive metal strips. The scope of protection is defined by the claims. Accordingly, the fol