Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120117896 | ARCHITECTURAL PANELS WITH ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAIC INTERLAYERS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A method of making a photovoltaic panel includes previously preparing one or more pre-formed substrates with a first temperature and pressure to be non-planar, textured, embossed, colored, or combinations thereof. A manufacturer can then prepare a laminate assembly comprising one or more organic photovoltaic components one or more pre-formed substrates, and a barrier layer with one or more thermally-activated thermoplastic tie layers there between. The manufacturer can then finish the photovoltaic panel lamination by subjecting the assembly to a second set of temperatures and pressures sufficient to activate and bond the pre-formed substrate, barrier layer, and photovoltaic components without significantly softening the pre-formed substrates or otherwise degrading/damaging the organic photovoltaic components. A non-planar panel made by this method can be used in both exterior and interior decorative and/or structural applications where electrical generation is desired. | 05-17-2012 |
20130061913 | ARCHITECTURAL PANELS WITH ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAIC INTERLAYERS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A method of making a photovoltaic panel includes previously preparing one or more pre-formed substrates with a first temperature and pressure to be non-planar, textured, embossed, colored, or combinations thereof. A manufacturer can then prepare a laminate assembly comprising one or more organic photovoltaic components one or more pre-formed substrates, and a barrier layer with one or more thermally-activated thermoplastic tie layers there between. The manufacturer can then finish the photovoltaic panel lamination by subjecting the assembly to a second set of temperatures and pressures sufficient to activate and bond the pre-formed substrate, barrier layer, and photovoltaic components without significantly softening the pre-formed substrates or otherwise degrading/damaging the organic photovoltaic components. A non-planar panel made by this method can be used in both exterior and interior decorative and/or structural applications where electrical generation is desired. | 03-14-2013 |
20130149484 | PANELS WITH DECORATIVE OBJECTS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for embedding objects within thermoplastic resin material and decorative thermoplastic panels resulting therefrom. Implementations include fusing thermoplastic resin particles together to form a decorative resin panel. Furthermore, a manufacturer can place decorative objects within the bed of thermoplastic resin particles to fabricate a decorative resin panel that encapsulates the decorative objects therein. | 06-13-2013 |
20140013691 | STRUCTURED-CORE LAMINATE PANELS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A structured-core laminate panel can be made in an efficient, structurally sound manner without the use of adhesives (film or liquid forms) using materials with different melt or glass transition temperatures. In one implementation, a manufacturer positions one or more resin substrates about a structured core, which comprises a relatively high melt or glass transition temperature compared with that of the one or more resin substrates. The manufacturer heats the assembly to at least the glass transition temperature of the resin substrates, but not to the melt or glass transition temperature of the structured core. This allows the one or more resin substrates to melt and bond (mechanically, chemically, or both) to the structured core on one side (or inner surface), while maintaining a substantially planar or original conformation on an opposing side (or outer surface). | 01-16-2014 |
20140199525 | STRUCTURED-CORE LAMINATE PANELS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A structured-core laminate panel can be made in an efficient, structurally sound manner, even without the use of adhesives (film or liquid forms) using materials with different melt or glass transition temperatures. In one implementation, a manufacturer positions one or more resin substrates about a structured core member, which comprises a relatively high melt or glass transition temperature compared with that of the one or more resin substrates. The manufacturer heats the assembly to at least the glass transition temperature of the resin substrates, but not to the melt or glass transition temperature of the structured core member. This allows the one or more resin substrates to melt and bond (mechanically, chemically, or both) to the structured core member on one side (or inner surface), while maintaining a substantially planar or original conformation on an opposing side (or outer surface). | 07-17-2014 |
20140215964 | STRUCTURED-CORE LAMINATE PANELS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A structured-core laminate panel can be made in an efficient, structurally sound manner without the use of adhesives (film or liquid forms) using materials with different melt or glass transition temperatures. In one implementation, a manufacturer positions one or more resin substrates about a structured core, which comprises a relatively high melt or glass transition temperature compared with that of the one or more resin substrates. The manufacturer heats the assembly to at least the glass transition temperature of the resin substrates, but not to the melt or glass transition temperature of the structured core. This allows the one or more resin substrates to melt and bond (mechanically, chemically, or both) to the structured core on one side (or inner surface), while maintaining a substantially planar or original conformation on an opposing side (or outer surface). | 08-07-2014 |
20140314896 | PRINTED MOLD AND TEXTURED PANELS FORMED USING THE SAME - Implementations of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for finishing polymer products and producing one or more designs, textures, and/or embossment patterns on the surface thereof. At least one implementation includes a printed mold that a manufacturer can produce quickly and inexpensively by producing a three-dimensional representation of a two-dimensional image on the surface of a substrate material. The printed mold also can allow the manufacturer to customize designs, textures, and/or embossment patterns on polymer products, while reducing manufacturing costs. | 10-23-2014 |
20150183264 | Decorative Panels with Recessed Patterns and Methods of Making the Same with a Flexible Die - Implementations of the present invention relate to decorative thermoplastic resin panels, which can include one or more recesses. The recess of the thermoplastic resin panels can have texture or texture patterns that differ from the texture or texture patterns of non-recessed portions or other recesses of the decorative thermoplastic resin panel. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method for forming recesses in thermoplastic panels with a flexible die. | 07-02-2015 |