PATENT
`DON09 P-1462
`
`MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`[0001]
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`The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/709,434, filed
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`May 5, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,420,756, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
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`application, Ser. No. 60/471,872, filed May 20, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by
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`reference in its entirety.
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`[0002]
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`The present invention relates generally to rearview mirror elements for a rearview mirror
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`assembly of a vehicle and, more particularly, to exterior rearview mirror elements comprising
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`multi-radius reflective elements.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`[0003]
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`Typically, mirror reflective elements are formed of glass and have a reflective coating
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`deposited thereon, such as via vacuum deposition or wet chemical silvering or the like, such as
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`on a silver line, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,188, which is hereby incorporated
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`herein by reference. Polymeric reflective elements are also known, such as are described in U.S.
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`Pat. Nos. 6,601,960; 6,409,354; 4,944,581; 4,385,804; 4,193,668; 4,666,264; and 5,483,386,
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`which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. For such polymeric mirror reflective
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`elements, the need exists for a hard coat or surface on the first or outer or exterior surface of the
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`element which is contacted by the exterior elements, such as rain, road debris, or the like, or
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`contacted, for example, by a person scraping ice or wiping snow or condensation off the mirror
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`element outer surface, such as during winter. A variety of hard coats have been proposed in the
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`art, typically applied by dip coating or vacuum deposition techniques. However, a need exists
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`for an automotive mirror reflective element which has the properties of plastic (i.e., a specific
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`gravity roughly half that of glass), and which has a glass-like exterior surface.
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`[0004]
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`Also, exterior rearview mirror reflective elements may be aspheric or multi-radius, and
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`may typically have a less curved or substantially flat (around 2000 mm radius or thereabouts)
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`inboard portion or surface at the inboard side of the reflective element (i.e., closer to the side
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`body of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle), and a more curved
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`multi-radius portion or surface at the outboard side of the reflective element (i.e., further from
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`1
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 001
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`

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`the side body of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle), in order to
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`provide an extended field of view. It is typically desirable to have the reflective elements or
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`substrates of such exterior mirror elements to be formed of a glass material because glass
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`material typically provides an enhanced scratch resistance over conventional optical resins and
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`the like.
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`[0005]
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`Therefore, there is a need in the art for a mirror reflective element that overcomes the
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`shortcomings of the prior art elements and substrates.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`[0006]
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`The present invention provides a molded wide angle or multi-radius substrate for a
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`reflective element. The molded substrate comprises a polymeric optical resin transparent
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`material and has a curved exterior surface, which may have a less curved/flatter or substantially
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`flat inboard portion or surface and a more curved outboard portion or surface. The molded
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`substrate may have an anti-abrasion film or layer, such as an ultrathin glass film, applied over the
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`exterior surface or first surface to provide substantial protection against scratches occurring to
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`the molded substrate. The inner surface or second surface of the reflective element substrate
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`may have a reflective coating or layer, such as a polymeric reflective film, laminated or adhered
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`or otherwise applied thereto.
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`[0007]
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`According to an aspect of the present invention, a wide angle reflective element for a
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`mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a wide angle substrate having an exterior surface and a
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`glass film disposed at the exterior surface. The exterior surface of the substrate has a less curved
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`inboard portion or surface and a more curved outboard portion or surface. The substrate
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`comprises a polymeric resin material. The glass film is adapted to substantially conform to the
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`exterior surface of the wide angle substrate. The glass film comprises a glass material and has a
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`thickness of less than approximately 0.8 mm.
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`[0008]
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`According to another aspect of the present invention, a reflective element for a mirror
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`assembly for a vehicle comprises a substrate having an exterior surface, and an anti-abrasion film
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`applied to the exterior surface. The substrate comprises a polymeric resin material, such as a
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`transparent optical polymeric resin material. The anti-abrasion film preferably comprises a glass
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`material (such as a soda lime glass or a borosilicate or the like) and has a thickness ofless than
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`approximately 0.8 mm, and is flexible to conform to the exterior surface.
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`2
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 002
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`

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`[0009]
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`The substrate may be cut from a strip or sheet of molded or extruded or cast substrate
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`material (or less preferably, may be cut from an injected molded strip or sheet). The flexible
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`glass film may be unrolled from a reel or roll and applied to the exterior surface of the elongated
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`strip or sheet of substrate material. The substrate, including the glass film or layer, may then be
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`cut or otherwise formed from the elongated strip or sheet.
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`[0010]
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`The substrate may comprise a wide angle substrate and/or may comprise a multi-radius
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`exterior surface having a less curved inboard portion or surface and a more curved outboard
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`portion or surface.
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`[0011]
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`A reflective film or layer may be applied to the inner surface or side of the substrate or
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`strip opposite the exterior surface. The reflective film· may comprise a polymeric reflective film
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`laminated or otherwise adhered or applied to the inner side of the substrate or strip. The
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`reflective film may comprise an all polymer-thin-film multilayer, high reflective mirror film
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`comprising multiple coextrusion of many plastic layers to form a highly reflective mirror film.
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`[0012]
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`Optionally, a reflective film or layer may be applied to the exterior surface of the
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`substrate or sheet or strip, and the glass film or layer or sheet may be applied over the reflective
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`film layer. In such an application, the substrate acts as a support or backing plate for the
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`reflective film or layer and the glass film or layer, whereby optical clarity/ transparency of the
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`substrate material is not necessary.
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`[0013]
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`According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a reflective
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`element substrate for a mirror assembly of a vehicle comprises generally continuously forming
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`an elongated strip or sheef of substrate material and applying a substantially transparent
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`functional film, such as an anti-abrasion film or a hydrophilic film or a hydrophobic film or the
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`like, to a surface of the elongated strip sheet. The substrate material may comprise a transparent
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`optical polymeric resin. The functional film is preferably unrolled from a reel or roll of film and
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`applied to the surface of the elongated strip or sheet generally continuously as the strip or sheet is
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`formed or extruded or cast or molded. Preferably, multiple mirror element shapes or mirror
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`element substrates may be cut or otherwise formed from the elongated sheet after the functional
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`film is applied to the surface of the strip or sheet.
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`[0014]
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`The functional or anti-abrasion film may comprise an ultrathin glass material which is
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`sufficiently flexible to be provided in a reel or roll ( or in a sheet that is :flexible and conformable
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`to a bent substrate). The substrates may be formed with a wide angle exterior surface or a multi-
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`3
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 003
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`

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`radius exterior surface. The anti-abrasion film may be sufficiently flexible to conform to the
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`wide angle or multi-radius or curved exterior surface.
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`[0015]
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`A reflective film, such as a polymeric reflective film or the like, may be applied to the
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`opposite surface of the substrate or sheet or strip. The reflective film may be sufficiently flexible
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`to be provided in a reel or roll form ( or in a sheet that is flexible and conformable to a bent
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`substrate) for unrolling the reflective film as the film is generally continuously applied to the
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`surface of the generally continuously formed sheet or strip.
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`[0016]
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`Therefore, the present invention provides a molded wide angle or multi-radius single
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`substrate for a rearview mirror assembly which has an anti-abrasion or anti-scratch film or layer
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`applied to the curved, wide angle or multi-radius exterior surface of the substrate. The anti(cid:173)
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`abrasion film preferably comprises an ultrathin glass film or sheet to provide enhanced scratch
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`resistance. The molded substrate may have a reflective film or layer laminated or applied to the
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`inner surface opposite the exterior surface.
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`[0017]
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`These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will
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`become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[0018]
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`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior rearview mirror assembly in accordance with
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`the present invention;
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`[0019]
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`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wide angle or multi-radius reflective element in
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`accordance with the present invention;
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`[0020]
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`FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the wide angle or multi-radius reflective element taken along
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`the line III-III in FIG. 2;
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`[0021]
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`FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing a wide angle or multi-radius
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`reflective element in accordance with the present invention with a reflective film or layer applied
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`to the exterior surface of the element and an anti-abrasion film or layer applied over the
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`reflective film or layer;
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`[0022]
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`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the extruding, coating and cutting processes for
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`manufacturing a prismatic mirror reflective element in accordance with the present invention;
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`[0023]
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`FIG. 5A is an elevation of the extruder of FIG. 5, showing the wedge shape of the
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`extruded strip and reflective element substrate;
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`4
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 004
`
`

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`[0024]
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`FIG. 6 is a plan view of the extruded strip showing the cut out shapes of the reflective
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`element cut from the extruded strip;
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`[0025]
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`FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the reflective element formed by the process shown in FIG.
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`5;and
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`[0026]
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`FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an alternate process for manufacturing a prismatic mirror
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`reflective element in accordance with the present invention, where a strip of substrate material is
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`cast and formed via a caster and float section.
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`[0027]
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`Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, an
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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`exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 includes a reflective element 12 mounted at a casing 14,
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`which is mounted at an exterior portion of a vehicle 16 (FIG. 1). Reflective element 12 may
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`provide an enhanced field of view or wide angle field of view to a driver or occupant of the
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`vehicle and may comprise a single reflective element substrate 18 having an inner surface 18a
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`and an opposite exterior surface 18b (FIGS. 2 and 3). The exterior surface 18b comprises a less
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`curved or substantially flat inboard portion or surface 18c and a more curved outboard portion or
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`surface 18d, as discussed below. The substrate 18 may have an anti-abrasion coating or layer or
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`film 20, such as an ultrathin glass coating or layer or film, laminated or deposited or otherwise
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`applied to the exterior surface 18b, and may have a reflective coating or layer 22 laminated or
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`applied to the inner surface 18a, as also discussed below. Aspects of the reflective element of
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`the present invention may be suitable for use in a reflective element for an exterior rearview
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`mirror assembly (as shown in FIG. 1) and/or a reflective element for an interior rearview mirror
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`assembly (not shown).
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`[0028]
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`Reflective element 12 may comprise an aspheric or multi-radius or wide angle single
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`element reflective element substrate. The reflective element 12 may provide a field of view
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`similar to the piano-auxiliary reflective element assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,522,451
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`and 6,717,712, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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`[0029]
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`The substrate 18 of the reflective element 12 of the present invention may be formed
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`(such as by casting, extrusion or injection molding) of a polymeric optical resin material, such as
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`an acrylic or polycarbonate resin, a polyolefin, a cyclic olefin copolymer, such as a COC resin
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`known as 11TOPAS 11 and available from Ticona of Summit, NJ (such as a resin of the type
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`described in U.S. pat. application, Ser. No. 09/946,228, filed Sep. 5, 2001 for IMPROVED
`
`5
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 005
`
`

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`PLASTIC SUBSTRATE FOR INFORMATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING
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`SAME, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference) or the like. Because the substrate can
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`be, for example, injection molded from an optical resin, the substrate may be molded or formed
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`to a desired shape having a wide angle or multi-radius surface, which is typically challenging to
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`accomplish with glass sheets. This is because any prescription or form for the substrate can be
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`established in an injection mold by machining, such that when the injection mold is filled with
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`molten injected optical resin material, the optical resin material takes the shape of the mold.
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`Thus, for example, a substrate having a substantially or fully flat inboard region for a multi(cid:173)
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`radius (often referred to as an aspheric) exterior mirror element is fully practical.
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`[0030]
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`As shown in FIGS. 1-3, inboard portion or surface 18c of exterior surface 18b is
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`positioned at or toward the side of the reflective element that is toward the side body of the
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`vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to or attached to the vehicle. The inboard portion
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`18c of surface 18b of substrate 18 may comprise a substantially flat or slightly curved or less
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`curved surface, such as a surface having a radius of curvature of preferably greater than at least
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`approximately 4000 mm, more preferably greater than at least approximately 9000 mm, and
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`most preferably greater than at least approximately 12000 mm. The inboard surface 18c may
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`provide a field of view of up to approximately 10 degrees, preferably up to approximately 15
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`degrees, and more preferably up to approximately 20 degrees.
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`[0031]
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`Outboard portion or surface 18d of exterior surface 18b of substrate 18 is positioned
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`outward from inboard portion and is thus further away from the side body of the vehicle when
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`the mirror assembly is mounted to or attached to the vehicle. Outboard portion 18d of exterior
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`surface 18b may be a more convex or curved surface, such that the substrate comprises a wide
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`angle or multi-radius exterior surface substrate. The more curved outboard surface 18d of the
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`substrate may have radii of curvature in the range of less than about 4000 mm to about 100 mm
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`or lower. The more curved outboard portion or surface 18d may provide an extended field of
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`view when combined with the less curved inboard portion or surface 18c. For example, the
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`combined field of view of the mirror reflective element 12 may be preferably greater than at least
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`approximately 25 degrees, more preferably greater than at least approximately 35 degrees, and
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`most preferably greater than at least approximately 45 degrees. The substrate may be formed to
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`have curves or shapes or to provide other field of views, without affecting the scope of the
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`present invention.
`
`6
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 006
`
`

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`[0032]
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`The exterior surface 18b of substrate 18 may be coated or covered with a substantially
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`transparent functional film or layer 20, such as an anti-abrasion film or layer, such as an ultrathin
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`glass film or layer or sheet having a thickness of preferably less than or equal to approximately
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`0.8 mm, more preferably less than or equal to approximately 0.5 mm, and most preferably less
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`than or equal to approximately 0.3 mm. The ultrathin glass film or layer or sheet 20 provides a
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`flexible glass film which can be conformed to the exterior surface of the molded substrate (for
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`example, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,907, which is hereby incorporated herein by
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`reference) after the substrate is molded. The ultra thin glass film or layer may provide substantial
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`protection against scratches on the outboard surface, such as may occur due to impact by debris
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`at the outside of the vehicle (for exterior mirror assembly applications) or by use of ice scrapers
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`and the like on the glass surface and the like. The ultrathin glass film or layer may be applied to
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`a molded or extruded strip (such as described below with respect to FIGS. 5-8) or may be applied
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`to the surface or surfaces of a formed or cut substrate, without affecting the scope of the present
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`invention. The flexible ultrathin glass film or layer of the present invention allows the wide
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`angle or multi-radius substrate to be molded in the desired shape out of a transparent acrylic resin
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`material, yet may conform to the curved or multi-radius or aspheric shape and provide enhanced
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`protection or scratch resistance to the substrate.
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`[0033]
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`It is envisioned that other functional films or hard coats or anti-abrasion films or the like
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`may be applied to the exterior surface of the molded substrate, such as via adhering or applying a
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`film to the exterior surface or via dip coating or vacuum deposition or the like. Optionally, a
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`hydrophobic film or hydrophilic film or element or property may also or otherwise be applied to
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`the exterior surface 18b of the substrate. Optionally, the functional film may comprise a non(cid:173)
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`glass or polymeric film, such as a polymeric material that is a harder and/or different property
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`material than the substrate itself. Optionally, the anti-abrasion film may be formed of the same
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`resin material as the substrate to match the coefficients of thermal expansion and thus reduce
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`thermal expansion/contraction mismatches between the materials.
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`[0034]
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`Optionally, the inner or rear surface 18a of the substrate 18 may have a reflective layer or
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`coating or film or sheet 22 laminated or otherwise applied thereto. For example, the reflective
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`layer or film 22 may comprise a polymeric reflective film 22 laminated or otherwise adhered or
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`applied to the rear or inner surface 18a of a molded or extruded or cast strip (such as described
`
`below with respect to FIGS. 5-8) or of the molded or formed substrate 18. Reflective film 22
`
`7
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 007
`
`

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`may comprise a polymeric reflective film, such as an all polymer-thin-film multilayer, high
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`reflective mirror film, such as a multilayer, non-metallic reflective film which may comprise
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`multiple coextrusion of many plastic layers to form a highly reflective mirror film, such as
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`described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,773,882; 3,884,606; and 3,759,647, which are hereby incorporated
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`herein by reference. Such a reflective film thus may comprise multilayers of polymer materials
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`to form a highly reflective mirror film, such as a Radiant Light Film, a Radiant Mirror Film or a
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`Radiant Color Film, such as commercially available from 3M of St. Paul, Minn., such as a
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`Radiant Color Film CM590 or CMSOO. Also, a durable metallized polymeric mirror layer can be
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`used, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,172, which is hereby incorporated herein by
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`reference.
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`[0035]
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`As shown in FIG. 4, it is envisioned that a substrate or substrate shape or sheet or strip of
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`substrate material 118 may have a reflective film or layer 122 adhered or laminated or otherwise
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`applied to the exterior surface 118b of the substrate material. An anti-abrasion film or layer 120
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`(which may comprise an ultrathin glass film or layer as described above) may be adhered or
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`laminated or otherwise applied to the reflective film or layer 122. In such an application, with
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`the reflective layer on the front or exterior surface of the substrate, the substrate material may be
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`molded or formed of a polymeric material that does not provide optical clarity and need not be
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`transparent. The substrate material may act only as a support or backing plate for the reflective
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`film or layer and the anti-abrasion film or layer and thus may be opaque or non-transparent. The
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`exterior surface l l8b of substrate material 118 may comprise a wide angle exterior surface or a
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`multi-radius exterior surface having a less curved inboard portion or surface 118c and a more
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`curved outboard portion or surface 118d, such as discussed above with respect to substrate 18.
`
`[0036]
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`Optionally, and such as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the optical resin material may be
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`molded or extruded or cast into a generally continuous strip 19 having the desired curved or
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`multi-radius surfaces, and may be cut to form the substrates. The substrates may be cut from the
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`strip via any known cutting process, such as via a laser cutting process or a water-jet cutting
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`process or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention.
`
`[0037]
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`As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the molding processes and film or layer application processes of
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`the present invention may be used to form a prismatic or wedge-shaped strip for forming
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`prismatic or wedge-shaped substrates 18 1 (FIG. 7) for use in an interior rearview mirror assembly
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`of a vehicle.
`
`8
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 008
`
`

`

`[0038]
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`As also shown in FIGS. 5-8, the substrate material or optical resin material may be
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`extruded or cast to form the continuous strip or sheet 19. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 5
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`and SA, the strip 19 may be extruded by an extruder 24, which, preferably continuously, extrudes
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`the optical resin material through an extrusion nozzle 26. The extruded material may be moved
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`through an annealing lehr 28 to reduce or substantially eliminate birefringence, striation, stress
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`and/or distortion in the strip or substrates. The coatings or layers or films 20 and/or 22 may be
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`applied to one or both surfaces of the strip or substrate after the annealing process. The strip 19
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`may then be cut, such as via laser cutting or water-jet cutting devices or processes 30, or via
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`other forming processes, to form the substrates 18 1 after the films or coatings have been applied
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`thereto.
`
`[0039]
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`Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 8, the strip 19 of optical polymeric resin material may
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`be cast by a caster 32, which deposits the molten polymer or resin material onto a float section
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`34, such as a heated plate or heated melt. The float section 34 may be angled to form the wedge(cid:173)
`
`shaped strip as the strip or ribbon of cast molten polymer solidifies as it passes across the hot
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`float section (it is also envisioned that the float may provide a curved surface to form the curved
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`outboard surface of the substrate). The coatings or layers or films 20, 22 may be applied to the
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`solidified strip and the strip may be cut to form the substrates after the coatings or layers or films
`
`have been applied thereto.
`
`[0040]
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`Because the films or layers are flexible, it is envisioned that the anti-abrasion film or
`
`ultrathin glass film and/or the reflective polymeric film may be unwound or unrolled and applied
`
`along the generally continuously extruded or cast substrate material or strip 19. For example,
`
`and as shown in FIGS. 5-8, the ultrathin glass film (or other outer layer anti-abrasion coating or
`
`film) 20 may be provided in a reel or roll form or strip 20a and may be unwound or unrolled and
`
`laminated or otherwise adhered or applied along the exterior surface 19b of the extruded or cast
`
`strip 19 of substrate material. Likewise, the reflective polymeric film 22 may be provided in a
`
`reel or roll form or strip 22a and may be attached or applied to the inner surface 19a of the
`
`substrate material strip 19, such as via laminating or adhering or otherwise applying the film to
`
`the substrate material, such as by using optical adhesive and/or via rolling or ironing the film or
`
`sheet (preferably at an elevated temperature and with vacuum assist) onto the substrate or strip
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`surface, to secure the reflective film to the substrate or extruded or cast strip or sheet.
`
`9
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 009
`
`

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`[0041]
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`Optionally, the glass film or layer or sheet (or reel or roll of glass sheet or strip) may be
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`coated with a highly reflective metallic layer, such as silver or aluminum or the like, deposited
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`on or applied to its inner surface (i.e., the surface which is adhered to or otherwise applied to the
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`substrate or substrate sheet or strip). The reflective layer or coating may be applied to the glass
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`film or layer with or without transparent overcoats. The glass film thus may provide the
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`reflective layer at the exterior surface of the substrate, such that the reflective layer provides the
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`second layer or surface, with the substrate behind the reflective layer. The glass sheet or film
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`may thus be provided with the reflective mirror coating already applied thereto. The glass layer
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`with reflective layer or coating applied thereto may be provided in a reel or roll form for
`
`applying both the reflective layer and the anti-abrasion layer to the exterior surface of the
`
`substrate or substrate strip or sheet in one application process. In such an application, the
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`substrate material need not comprise a transparent optical resin material, and a separate reflective
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`layer or film or coating would not be necessary at the inner or rear surface of the substrate.
`It is envisioned that other hard coats or films or the like may be applied to one or more
`
`[0042]
`
`surfaces of the molded substrate strip or to the molded and cut substrates, such as via dip coating
`
`or vacuum deposition or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The other
`
`hard coats or films may be substantially flexible and may be applied via unrolling of a reel of an
`
`anti-abrasion film or sheet and applying the film or sheet to a surface of an extruded or cast strip
`
`of transparent acrylic resin or the like, as discussed above. Optionally, a hydrophobic film or
`
`hydrophilic film or element or property may also or otherwise be applied to ( or sprayed on) one
`
`or both surfaces 18a, 18b of the substrate or strip or sheet. Optiona1ly, one or both of the
`
`reflective polymeric film 22 and the anti-abrasion film 20 may be formed of the same resin
`
`material as the substrate 18, 18' or substrate strip 19 to match the coefficients of thermal
`
`expansion and thus reduce thermal expansion/contraction mismatches between the materials.
`
`[0043]
`
`Optionally, it is envisioned that such ultrathin glass films, anti-abrasion films, reflective
`
`films or reflective systems may be used for electrochromic mirror reflective elements or cells as
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`well. For example, the interior or exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention
`
`may comprise an clectrochromic mirror, such as an electrochromic mirror assembly and
`
`electrochromic element utilizing principles disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.
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`5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,690,268; 6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,544; 5,567,360; 5,525,264;
`
`5,610,756; 5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663;
`
`10
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 010
`
`

`

`5,910,854; 5,142,407 and/or 4,712,879, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference,
`
`and/or as disclosed in the following publications: N. R. Lynam, "Electrochromic Automotive
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`Day/Night Mirrors", SAE Technical Paper Series 870636 (1987); N. R. Lynam, "Smart
`
`Windows for Automobiles", SAE Technical Paper Series 900419 (1990); N. R. Lynam and A.
`
`Agrawal, "Automotive Applications of Chromogenic Materials", Large Area Chromogenics:
`
`Materials and Devices for Transmittance Control, C.M. Lampert and C.G. Granquist, EDS.,
`
`Optical Engineering Press, Wash. (1990), which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
`
`The mirror assembly may comprise an interior rearview mirror assembly, and may include an
`
`accessory module or may be mounted to an accessory module, such as an accessory module of
`
`the types disclosed in U.S. pat. application, Ser. No. 10/355,454, filed Jan. 31, 2003 for
`
`VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,281, which is hereby
`
`incorporated herein by reference.
`
`[0044]
`
`Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more displays for displaying
`
`information to a driver of the vehicle at or through the reflective element of the mirror assembly.
`
`For example, the mirror assembly may include one or more displays of the types described in
`
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,329,925; 6,501,387; 6,690,268; 5,910,854; 6,420,036; 5,668,663; and
`
`5,724,187, and/or in U.S. pat. applications, Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et
`
`al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; and Ser. No.
`
`10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM
`
`WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593, and/or in PCT Application No.
`
`PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corporation et al. for ELECTROCHROMIC
`
`MIRROR ASSEMBLY; PCT Application No. PCT/US03/35381, filed Nov. 5, 2003 by
`
`Donnelly Corporation et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY;
`
`and/or PCT AppJication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corporation et
`
`al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and/or in U.S. provisional applications, Ser.
`
`No. 60/508,086, filed Oct. 2, 2003 by Schofield for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT
`
`ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMPONENT; Ser. No. 60/525,952, filed Nov. 26,
`
`2003 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE; Ser. No.
`
`60/471,546, filed May 19, 2003; Ser. No. 60/525,537, filed Nov. 26, 2003; and Ser. No.
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`60/556,259, filed Mar. 25, 2004, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference, without
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`affecting the scope of the present invention.
`
`11
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 011
`
`

`

`[0045]
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`Optionally, the mirror assembly may include or be associated with electronic accessories,
`
`such as, for example, antennas, incJuding global positioning system (GPS) or cellular phone
`
`antennas, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module, such as
`
`disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, a blind spot detection system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
`
`Nos. 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, a high/low headlamp controller, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
`
`Nos. 5,796,094 and/or 5,715,093, transmitters and/or receivers, such as a garage door opener or
`
`the like, a digital network, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a memory mirror
`
`system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phone attachment, a video
`
`device for internal cabin surveillance and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S.
`
`Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and/or 5,877,897, a remote keyless entry receiver or system or circuitry
`
`and/or a universal garage door opening system or circuitry (such as the types disclosed in U.S.
`
`Pat. Nos. 6,396,408; 6,362,771; 5,798,688 and 5,479,155, and/or U.S. pat. application, Ser. No.
`
`10/770,736, filed Feb. 3, 2004 by Baumgardner et al. for GARAGE DOOR OPENING SYSTEM
`
`FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,023,322), lights, such as map reading lights or one or more
`
`other lights or illumination sources, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,938,321;
`
`5,813,745; 5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756; 5,178,448; 5,671,996; 4,646,210; 4,733,336;
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`4,807,096; 6,042,253; and/or 5,669,698, and/or U.S. pat. application, Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed
`
`Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. N_o.
`
`7,195,381, microphones, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and/or
`
`6,420,975, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/30877, filed Oct. 1, 2003, speakers, a
`
`compass or compass system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,924,212; 4,862,594;
`
`4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442; and/or 5,632,092, and/or U.S. pat. application, Ser. No.
`
`10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM
`
`WITH COMPASS, n