RU2790082C2 - Sunscreen coatings with four metal layers - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: sun protection.

SUBSTANCE: invention generally relates to sunscreen coatings including four metal layers. A coated product having a tinted appearance, when reflecting and/or transmitting, includes: substrate; the first dielectric layer containing zinc and having a thickness of 353-446

, located on top of at least part of substrate; the first metal layer containing silver and having a thickness of 78-121

, located on top of at least part of the first dielectric layer; the first primer layer having a thickness of 25-35

, located on top of the first metal layer; the second dielectric layer containing zinc, having a thickness of 504-699

, located on top of at least part of the first primer layer; the second metal layer containing silver, having a thickness of 128-191

, located on top of at least part of the second dielectric layer; the third dielectric layer containing zinc, having a thickness of 299-450

, located on top of at least part of the second primer layer; the third metal layer containing silver, having a thickness of 12-22

, located on top of at least part of the third dielectric layer; the fourth dielectric layer containing zinc, having a thickness of 334-443

, located on top of at least part of the third primer layer; the fourth metal layer containing silver, having a thickness of 181-240

, located on top of at least part of the fourth dielectric layer; and the fifth dielectric layer containing zinc, having a thickness of 260-340

, located on top of at least part of the fourth metal layer. Only the third metal layer is an intermittent layer, and all other metal layers are continuous; and the total thickness of all continuous metal layers is in the range from 396 to 531

.

EFFECT: production of coating with a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of less than 0.22 and visible light transmission (LTA) of more than 34%.

7 cl, 7 dwg, 7 tbl

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/626,332, filed February 5, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

This invention generally relates to sun protection coatings comprising four metallic layers.

State of the art

Sun protection coatings are known in the fields of architectural transparencies and vehicle transparencies. These sunscreens block or filter out select ranges of electromagnetic radiation, such as in the solar infrared or solar ultraviolet, to reduce the amount of solar energy entering a vehicle or building. This reduction in the transmission of solar energy helps to reduce the load on the cooling installations of the vehicle or building. The closest prior art is WO 2016/126758, which relates to a solar control coating having at least four metallic functional layers. The coating of WO 2016/126758 discloses metal layers having different thicknesses, more than one metal layer being discontinuous. As a result, the desired material and optical properties of the coating cannot be achieved.

The essence of the invention

The coating of the invention includes a coating located on top of at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes at least three continuous metal layers and at least one discontinuous metal layer. The discontinuous metal layer increases the absorption of visible light by the coating and, in combination with dielectric layers of appropriate thickness, can also provide a coated article with asymmetric reflectivity.

The coating of the invention includes a coating located on top of at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes at least four metal layers alternating with at least five dielectric layers, where at least one of the metal layers includes a discontinuous metal layer including discontinuous metal regions.

The coated article of the invention includes a substrate and a coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes a first dielectric layer formed over at least a portion of the substrate; a first metal layer formed on top of at least a portion of the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer formed over at least a portion of the first metal layer; a second metal layer formed over at least a portion of the second dielectric layer; a third dielectric layer formed over at least a portion of the second metal layer; a third metal layer formed on top of at least a portion of the third dielectric layer; a fourth dielectric layer formed over at least a portion of the third metal layer; a fourth metal layer formed on top of at least a portion of the fourth dielectric layer; a fifth dielectric layer formed over at least a portion of the fourth metal layer; and an optional protective layer formed over at least a portion of the third metal layer. At least one of the metal layers is a discontinuous layer. For example, the discontinuous layer may be a second metal layer or a third metal layer.

The additional coated product includes a substrate and a coating package located on top of at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes a first dielectric layer formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first dielectric layer includes the first film and the second film located on top of the first film. The first metal layer is placed over the first dielectric layer. An optional first primer layer is placed over the first metal layer. On top of the optional first primer layer or first metal layer, a second dielectric layer is placed. The second dielectric layer includes the first film and the second film located on top of the first film. Optionally, a third film is placed over the second film. A second metal layer is placed over the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is placed over the second metal layer. The third dielectric layer includes the first film and the second film located on top of the first film. Optionally, a third film (of the third dielectric layer) may be placed on top of the second film. A third metal film is placed over the third dielectric layer. On top of the third metal layer, a fourth dielectric layer is placed, including the first film and the second film located on top of the first film. Optionally, a third film (fourth dielectric layer) may be placed over the second film. A fourth metal layer is placed over the fourth dielectric layer. An optional fourth primer layer is placed over the fourth metal layer. On top of the fourth metal layer, a fifth dielectric layer is placed, including the first film and the second film located on top of the first film. At least one of the metal layers is a discontinuous layer including discontinuous areas of metal. For example, the discontinuous layer including discontinuous metal regions is the second metal layer or the third metal layer.

The method of manufacturing a coated article includes obtaining a substrate. A first dielectric layer is applied over at least part of the substrate. A first metal layer is applied over at least a portion of the first dielectric layer. An optional first primer layer is applied over at least a portion of the first metal layer. A second dielectric layer is applied over at least a portion of the optional first primer layer or first metal layer. A second metal layer is applied over at least a portion of the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is applied over at least a portion of the optional second primer layer or second metal layer. A third metal layer is applied over at least a portion of the third dielectric layer. A fourth dielectric layer is applied over at least a portion of the optional third primer layer or third metal layer. A fourth metal layer is applied over at least a portion of the fourth dielectric layer. A fifth dielectric layer is applied over at least a portion of the optional fourth primer layer or fourth metal layer. At least one of the metal layers is a discontinuous layer including discontinuous areas of metal. For example, the second metal layer or the third metal layer is a subcritical metal layer including discontinuous metal regions. The optional primer directly over the discontinuous layer may be omitted.

Another embodiment of the invention is an architectural transparent structure. The transparent construction includes a first layer having a number 1 surface and a number 2 surface, and a second layer having a number 3 surface and a number 4 surface. this document.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method for manufacturing an architectural transparent structure. The method includes obtaining a first layer having a number 1 surface and a number 2 surface, and a second layer having a number 3 surface and a number 4 surface. Either the number 2 surface of the first layer or the number 3 surface of the second layer are coated in accordance with the description of the invention in the present document. The first interlayer and the second interlayer are assembled so that surface number 2 faces surface number three and there is a free space between surface number 2 and surface number 3. The free space is filled with gas.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, where like reference numerals identify like parts throughout the drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view (not to scale) of an insulated glass unit (IGU) having a coating of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional side view (not to scale) of a subcritical metal layer together with a primer layer;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view (not to scale) to further cover the invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view (not to scale) to cover the invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view (not to scale) to cover the invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view (not to scale) to cover the invention.

Figure 7 is a sectional view (not to scale) to cover the invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

As used herein, terms of location or direction in space, such as "left", "right", "inside", "outside", "top", "bottom", and the like, refer to the invention as as shown in the drawings. However, as is to be understood, the invention may be capable of various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be construed as limiting. In addition, as used herein, all numbers expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, processing parameters, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and the like, and used in the description of the invention and the claims, should be understood as modified in all cases by the term "approximately ". Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical values presented in the following description of the invention and the claims may vary depending on the desired properties, which are achieved in the present invention. As a last resort, and not in an attempt to limit the scope of the doctrine of equivalents for the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be read in light of the number of significant numerical digits represented and using normal rounding techniques. In addition, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood as including the start and end values of the range and any and all subranges contained therein. For example, a stated range of "1 to 10" should be considered to include all subranges without exception between (and including) a minimum value of 1 to (and including) a maximum value of 10; that is, all sub-ranges starting with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 3.3, 4.7 to 7.5, 5.5 to 10 etc. In addition, as used herein, the terms "formed on top", "deposited on top" or "obtained on top" means forming, depositing or receiving on the surface, but not necessarily in contact with the surface. For example, a coating layer "formed on top" of a substrate does not preclude the presence of one or more other coating layers or films of the same or different composition located between the formed coating layer and the substrate. The terms “visible region” or “visible light” refer to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of 380 nm to 800 nm. The terms "infrared region" or "infrared radiation" refers to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of more than 800 nm to 100,000 nm. The terms "ultraviolet region" or "ultraviolet radiation" means electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the range from 300 nm to less than 380 nm. In addition, all documents such as, but not limited to, the following: the issued patents and patent applications referred to herein are to be considered "incorporated by reference herein" in their entirety. As used herein, the term "film" refers to a coating area characterized by a desired or selected coating composition. A "layer" may include one or more "films", and a "coating" or "coating package" may include one or more "layers". The term "asymmetric reflectivity" means that the reflection of visible light on one side of the coating is different from that of the coating on the opposite side. The term "critical thickness" means the thickness above which the coating material forms a continuous continuous layer and below which the coating material forms discontinuous regions or islands of the coating material rather than a continuous layer. The term "subcritical thickness" means a thickness less than the critical thickness such that the coating material forms isolated unconnected regions from the coating material. The term "island" does not mean the presence of the coating material in a continuous layer, but rather the deposition of the material to form isolated regions or islands.

For the purposes of the following discussion, the invention will be discussed when referring to use in connection with an architectural transparent structure such as, but not limited to, the following: insulating glass unit (IGU). As used herein, the term "architectural transparent structure" refers to any transparent structure located on a building, such as, but not limited to, windows and skylights. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of such architectural transparencies, but could be practiced in connection with translucent structures in any desired area, such as, but not limited to, laminated or non-laminated windows for residential and/or or commercial premises, insulating glass units and/or transparent structures for land, air, space, surface and underwater vehicles. Therefore, as it should be understood, the specifically disclosed exemplary embodiments are presented merely to clarify the general concepts of the invention, and the invention is not intended to be limited by these specific exemplary embodiments. In addition, while a typical "transparent structure" demonstrates sufficient transmission of visible light such that materials can be seen through the transparent structure, in the practice of the invention, the "transparent structure" need not be transparent to visible light, but may be translucent or opaque.

A non-limiting transparent structure 10 incorporating features of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1. The transparent structure 10 can transmit and/or reflect any desired visible light, infrared radiation, or ultraviolet radiation. For example, the transparent structure 10 may have any desired visible light transmission, for example, in the range of greater than 0% and up to 100%.

A typical transparent structure 10 of figure 1 has the form of an ordinary insulating glass unit and includes a first layer 12 having a first major surface 14 (surface #1) and an opposite second major surface 16 (surface #2). In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the first major surface 14 faces the exterior of the building, ie, the exterior major surface, and the second major surface 16 faces the interior of the building. The transparent structure 10 also includes a second layer 18 having an outer (first) main surface 20 (surface No. 3) and an inner (second) main surface 22 (surface No. 4) and spaced from the first layer 12 in space. This numbering of the surfaces of the layers is consistent with common practice adopted at the present level of technology for the manufacture of window and door products. The first and second layers 12, 18 may be bonded to each other in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive bonding to a conventional spacer 24. A gap or chamber 26 is formed between the two layers 12, 18. Chamber 26 may be filled with a selected atmosphere, such as as air or a non-reactive gas such as gaseous argon or krypton. The sunscreen 30 (or any of the other coatings described below) is formed over at least a portion of one of the substrates 12, 18 in a manner as follows, but not limited to, over at least a portion of the No. 2 surface 16 or at least part of surface No. 3-20. However, the coating could also be applied to surface No. 1 or surface No. 4 if desired. 4,464,874; 5,088,258; and 5,106,663.

In the broad practice of the invention, the interlayers 12, 18 of the transparent structure 10 may be identical or different materials. Interlayers 12, 18 may include any desired material exhibiting any desired characteristics. For example, one or more layers 12, 18 may be transparent or translucent to visible light. The term "transparent" implies the demonstration of visible light transmission ranging from more than 0% up to 100%. Alternatively, one or more layers 12, 18 may be translucent. The term "translucent" refers to demonstrating the possibility of electromagnetic energy (eg, visible light) passing through, but dissipating this energy in such a way that objects on the side opposite to the observer are not clearly visible to him. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, the following: plastic substrates (such as acrylic polymers, such as polyacrylates; polyalkyl methacrylates, such as polymethyl methacrylates, polyethyl methacrylates, polypropyl methacrylates, and the like; polyurethanes; polycarbonates; polyalkyl terephthalates, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). ), polypropylene terephthalates, polybutylene terephthalates, and the like; polysiloxane-containing polymers; or copolymers of any monomers to obtain these materials or any mixtures thereof); ceramic substrates; glass substrates; or mixtures or combinations of any of the aforementioned representatives. For example, one or more interlayers 12, 18 may include ordinary soda lime silicate glass, borosilicate glass or crystal glass. The glass may be colorless glass. The term clear glass refers to untinted or untinted glass. Alternatively, the glass may be tinted or otherwise colored glass. The glass may be annealed or heat treated glass. As used herein, the term "heat treated" is intended to mean "hardened" or "at least partially hardened". The glass may be of any type, such as ordinary float glass, and may be any composition having any optical properties, such as any amount of visible light transmission, ultraviolet radiation transmission, infrared radiation transmission, and/or total solar energy transmission. The term "float glass" refers to glass made using the conventional float process in which molten glass is deposited onto a bath of molten metal and cooled in a controlled manner to form a float glass ribbon. Examples of float glass production processes are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,466,562 and 4,671,155.

Each of the first and second interlayers 12, 18 may be, for example, clear float glass or may be tinted or colored glass, or one interlayer 12, 18 may be clear glass and the other substrate 12, 18 colored glass. While not limiting the invention, examples of glass suitable for use in the first interlayer 12 and/or in the second interlayer 18 are described in US Patent Nos. 4,746,347; 4,792,536; 5,030,593; 5,030,594; 5,240,886; 5,385,872; and 5,393,593. The first and second layers 12, 18 may have any desired dimensions, such as length, width, profile, or thickness. In one typical automotive transparent structure, each of the first and second layers may be 1 mm to 10 mm thick, such as 1 mm to 8 mm thick, such as 2 mm to 8 mm, such as 3 mm to 7 mm. mm, for example, from 5 mm to 7 mm, for example, 6 mm in thickness.

The solar control coating 30 of the invention is deposited over at least a portion of at least one major surface of one of the glass substrates 12, 18. In the example shown in Figure 1, the coating 30 is formed over at least a portion of the inner surface 16 of the outer glass interlayer 12. As used herein, the term "solar control coating" refers to a coating formed from one or more layers or films that affect the solar interaction characteristics of the coated article, such as the following, but not limited to these: the amount of solar radiation, such as visible, infrared, or ultraviolet radiation, reflected from, absorbed by, or transmitted through the coated article; shielding factor; emissivity and the like. The sunscreen 30 may block, absorb, or filter out selected portions of the solar radiation spectrum, such as, but not limited to, the IR, UV, and/or visible spectra.

The solar control coatings 30 may be deposited using any conventional method such as, but not limited to, conventional chemical vapor deposition ("CVD") and/or physical vapor deposition ("PVD") methods. Examples of CVD processes include spray pyrolysis. Examples of PVD processes include electron beam evaporation and vacuum deposition (such as magnetron deposition vacuum deposition (MSVD)). Other coating methods could also be used, such as, but not limited to, the following: sol-gel deposition. In one non-limiting embodiment, the coating 30 may be deposited using the MSVD method. Examples of coaters using the MSVD method should be well understood by those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in US patent No. 4,379,040; 4,861,669; 4,898,789; 4,898,790; 4,900,633; 4,920,006; 4,938,857; 5,328,768; and 5,492,750.

One exemplary non-limiting solar control coating 30 of the invention is shown in Figure 4. This exemplary coating 30 includes a base layer or first dielectric layer 440 deposited over at least a portion of a major substrate surface (e.g., surface #2 416 of first interlayer 12). The first dielectric layer 440 may be a single layer or may include more than one film of anti-reflective materials and/or dielectric materials such as, but not limited to, metal oxides, metal alloy oxides, nitrides, oxynitrides, or mixtures thereof. The first dielectric layer 440 may be transparent to visible light. Examples of metal oxides or metal nitrides suitable for use in the first dielectric layer 440 or any film therein include oxides, nitrides or oxynitrides of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, zinc, bismuth, lead, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, and their mixtures. The metal oxides may contain small amounts of other materials such as manganese in bismuth oxide, tin in indium oxide, and the like. In addition, oxides of metal alloys or metal mixtures can be used, such as oxides containing zinc and tin (for example, zinc stannate, defined below), oxides of tin-indium alloys, silicon nitrides, silicon-aluminum nitrides, or aluminum nitrides. . In addition, doped metal oxides such as antimony or indium doped tin oxides or nickel or boron doped silicon oxides can be used. The first dielectric layer 440 may be a substantially single-phase film, such as a metal alloy oxide film, such as zinc stannate, or may be a mixture of phases formed from zinc and tin oxides, or may be formed from a plurality of films.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first dielectric layer 440 may include a multi-film structure including a first film 442, such as a metal alloy oxide film deposited over at least a portion of a substrate (such as the inner major surface 16 of the first interlayer 12), and a second film 444, such as a metal oxide or mixture of metal oxide film deposited over the first film 442. In one non-limiting embodiment, the first film 442 may be a zinc/tin alloy oxide. The term "zinc/tin alloy oxide" includes both true alloys and mixtures of oxides. The zinc/tin alloy oxide may be a suitable material obtained by vacuum deposition by magnetron sputtering from a zinc-tin cathode. One non-limiting cathode may contain zinc and tin in proportions ranging from 5% (wt.) to 95% (wt.) zinc and from 95% (wt.) to 5% (wt.) tin, thus, as from 10 % (wt.) to 90% (wt.) zinc and from 90% (wt.) to 10% (wt.) tin. However, other ratios between zinc and tin could also be used. One suitable metal alloy oxide that may be present in the first film 442 is zinc stannate. The term "zinc stannate" means the composition Zn _x Sn _{1 - x} O _{2 - x} (formula 1), where "x" ranges from more than 0 to less than 1. For example, "x" may be more than 0 and can be any fraction or decimal in the range between more than 0 and less than 1. For example, at x = 2/3 formula 1 is Zn _2/3 Sn _1/3 O _4/3 the generally accepted version is written as "Zn ₂ SnO ₄ ". The film containing zinc stannate includes one or more forms of formula 1 in a predominant amount in the film.

The second film 444 may be a metal oxide film such as zinc oxide. Zinc oxide can be deposited from the zinc cathode, which contains other materials to improve the deposition characteristics of the cathode. For example, the zinc cathode may contain a small amount (for example, up to 20% (wt.), up to 15% (wt.), up to 10% (wt.) or up to 5% (wt.)) tin to improve spraying. In this case, the resulting zinc oxide film will include a small percentage of tin oxide, eg up to 10 wt % tin oxide, eg up to 5 wt % tin oxide. A coating layer deposited from a zinc cathode containing up to 10 wt % tin (added to improve cathode conductivity) is referred to herein as "zinc oxide film" even though a small amount of tin may be present. It is believed that a small amount of tin in the cathode (for example, less than or equal to 10% (wt.), for example, less than or equal to 5% (wt.)), forms tin oxide in the second film 44, consisting mainly of zinc oxide.

A first metal layer 446 may be deposited over the first dielectric layer 440. The first metal layer 446 may comprise a reflective metal such as, but not limited to, the metallic gold, copper, palladium, aluminum, silver, or mixtures, alloys, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the reflective metal is silver or copper. In another embodiment, the first metal layer 446 contains silver and copper. The first metal layer 446 may be a continuous layer. Alternatively, the first metal layer 446 may be a discontinuous layer. The first metal layer 446 may have a thickness of less than 250 Å, preferably less than 200 Å, more preferably less than 125 Å, most preferably less than 100 Å; and/or more than 50 Å; preferably more than 60 Å; more preferably greater than 65 Å; most preferably greater than 70 Å. In one embodiment, the first metal layer 446 has a thickness in the range of 78 Å to 121 Å. In another embodiment, the first metal layer 446 has a thickness in the range of 70 Å to 99 Å.

An optional first primer layer 448 may be placed over the first metal layer 446. The optional first primer layer 448 may include a single film or multiple films. The optional first primer layer 448 may comprise an oxygen scavenging material that can sacrifice itself during the deposition process to prevent decomposition or oxidation of the first metal layer 446 during the deposition process or subsequent heating processes. Optional first primer 448 can also absorb at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, passing through coating 30. Examples of materials suitable for use in optional first primer 448 include titanium, silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride. , silicon oxynitride, nickel-chromium alloys (such as the product Inconel), zirconium, aluminium, silicon and aluminum alloys, alloys containing cobalt and chromium (such as the product Stellite®) and mixtures thereof. For example, the optional first primer 448 may be titanium or an alloy or mixture of titanium and aluminum.

A second dielectric layer 450 is placed over the first metal layer 446 or over the optional first primer layer 448. The second dielectric layer 450 may include one or more metal oxide or metal alloy oxide containing films, such as the corresponding films described above with respect to the first dielectric layer 440. Referring to, for example, FIG. 5, the second dielectric layer 450 may include a first film 452, such as a zinc oxide film deposited over the first metal layer 446 or optional first primer film 448, and a second film 454, such as a film zinc stannate (Zn ₂ SnO ₄ ) deposited over the first film 452. An optional third film 456, such as a second zinc oxide film, may be deposited over the second film.

On top of the second dielectric layer 450 (for example, on top of the second zinc oxide film 456, if present, or on top of the zinc stannate film, if not present), a second metal layer 458 is placed. The metallic material may be metallic gold, copper, palladium, aluminum , silver or mixtures, alloys or combinations thereof. It may be applied as a continuous layer or as a discontinuous layer such that isolated areas or islands of material are formed rather than a continuous layer of material. The second metal layer 458 may have a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the first metal layer 446. The second metal layer 458 may have a thickness that is at least 70 Å, preferably at least 100 Å, more preferably at least 125 Å, most preferably at least 128 Å; and/or at most 250 Å; preferably at most 225 Å, more preferably at most 200 Å; most preferably, at most 191 Å.

An optional second primer layer 460 may be deposited over the second metal layer 458. The optional second primer layer 460 may be as described above with respect to the optional first primer layer 448. In one example, the optional second primer layer 460 may be titanium. Any of the primers may be sprayed in a non-reactive atmosphere such as a low oxygen or anoxic atmosphere. Thereafter, the coated article could be subjected to further processing, such as the deposition of additional oxide layers in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. During this additional deposition, the primer will oxidize.

A third dielectric layer 462 may be deposited over the second metal layer 458 (eg, over the optional second primer layer 460). The third dielectric layer 462 may also include one or more metal oxide or metal alloy oxide containing films, such as the corresponding films discussed above in relation to the first and second dielectric layers 440, 450. The third dielectric layer 462 may include a first film 464, such as a zinc oxide film, a second film 466, such as a zinc stannate film deposited over the first film 464. Over the second film, an optional third film 468, such as a second layer of zinc oxide.

A third metal layer 470 is deposited over the third dielectric layer 462. The third metal layer 470 can also be any of the materials discussed above with respect to the first metal layer 446. In one non-limiting example, the third metal layer 470 comprises silver, copper, or silver and copper. The third metal layer 470 is a continuous layer. Alternatively, the third metal layer 470 may be a discontinuous layer. The third metal layer 470 may be thinner than the second metal layer 458. The third metal layer may have a thickness of at least a thickness of less than 250 Å, preferably less than 200 Å, more preferably less than 125 Å. Å, most preferably less than 100 Å; and/or more than 50 Å; preferably more than 60 Å; more preferably greater than 65 Å; most preferably greater than 70 Å. In one embodiment, the first metal layer 446 has a thickness in the range of 97 Å to 105 Å. In yet another embodiment, the first metal layer 446 has a thickness in the range of 70 Å to 125 Å.

An optional third primer layer 472 is placed over the third metal layer 470. The optional third primer layer 472 may be as described above with respect to the optional first or second primer layers 448 or 460.

A fourth dielectric layer 474 is placed over the third metal layer 470 (for example, over the optional third primer layer 472). second or third dielectric layers 440, 450, 462. In one non-limiting example, the fourth dielectric layer 474 is a multilayer layer including a first film 476 deposited over a third metal layer 470 or a third primer layer 472 and a second film 478 deposited over the first film 476 An optional third film 479 may be deposited over the second film.

A fourth metal layer 492 is placed over the fourth dielectric layer 474. The fourth metal layer 492 may comprise a reflective metal such as, but not limited to, the metallic gold, copper, palladium, aluminum, silver, or mixtures, alloys, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the reflective metal is silver, copper, or a combination of silver and copper. In one embodiment, the fourth metal layer 492 contains silver and copper. The fourth metal layer 492 may be a continuous layer or a discontinuous layer. The fourth metal layer 492 may be thicker than the first metal layer 446. The fourth metal layer 492 may also be thicker than the third metal layer 470. The fourth metal layer may be at least 100 Å thick. , preferably at least 150 Å, more preferably at least 175 Å, most preferably at least 181 Å; and/or at most 300 Å; preferably at most 275 Å, more preferably 250 Å; most preferably, at most 240 Å.

An optional fourth primer layer 540 may be deposited over the fourth metal layer 492. The fourth primer layer 540 may be as described above with respect to the optional first primer layer 448, the second primer layer 460, or the third primer layer 472. In one example, the optional fourth primer layer 540 may be titanium.

A fifth dielectric layer 550 is placed over the fourth metal layer 492 (for example, over the optional fourth primer layer 540). first, second, third, or fourth dielectric layers 440, 450. 462, 474. In one non-limiting example, fifth dielectric layer 550 is a multifilm layer including a first film 502 deposited over a fourth primer layer 540 or a fourth metal layer 492, and a second film 504 deposited over the first film 502.

In yet another non-limiting example, the fifth dielectric layer 550 includes a first film 502 and a second film 504. The first film contains zinc oxide. The second film contains silicon nitride.

In yet another non-limiting example, the fifth dielectric layer 550 includes a first film 502, a second film 504, and a third film (not shown). The first film 502 contains zinc oxide or zinc stannate. The second film 504 contains zinc stannate, silicon dioxide, or silicon oxynitride. The third film contains silicon nitride. The silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitrides and silicon nitride may contain aluminum, such as alumina or aluminum nitride, in amounts up to 5 mass percent, up to 10 mass percent, up to 15 mass percent, or up to 20 mass percent. In one embodiment, the second film 504 and the third film are a gradient layer from silicon dioxide or silicon oxynitrides to silicon nitride.

An optional overcoat 480 may be placed over the fifth dielectric layer 550. The overcoat 480 may help protect the underlying layers of the coating from mechanical and chemical attack. The liner 480 may be, for example, a layer of metal oxide or metal nitride. For example, the facing coating may be titanium dioxide or a mixture of titanium dioxide and alumina. Other materials suitable for use in the facing include other oxides such as silica, alumina, or a mixture of silica and alumina.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the transparent structure is characterized by a visible light transmission of greater than 20%, thus greater than 30%, thus greater than 34%. The transparent design is characterized by a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of less than 0.3, so less than 0.27, so less than 0.25, so exactly or less than than 0.22, thus less than 0.20, thus less than 0.19; and/or at least 0.10; at least 0.12; at least 0.15; or at least 0.17. The transparent structure is characterized by a Light to Sunlight Gain (LSG) (ratio between visible light transmission and heat gain from solar radiation) of at least 1.7, at least 1.75, at least 1, 8 or at least 1.85; and/or at most 2.25; at most 2.15; at most 2.10; or at most 2.06.

Any one of the first metal layer 446, the second metal layer 458, the third metal layer 470, and the fourth metal layer 492 may be a discontinuous layer. In one embodiment, only the second metal layer or only the third metal layer is a discontinuous layer. In yet another embodiment, only the third metal layer is a discontinuous layer. In yet another embodiment, only the second metal layer is a discontinuous layer.

The coated article may be characterized by the total thickness of all metal layers (eg, the total thickness being the combined thickness of the first, second, third and fourth metal layers). This total thickness may range from 200 Å to 750 Å, preferably from 225 Å to 650 Å, more preferably from 250 Å to 600 Å, most preferably from 252 Å to 582 Å. The coated article may be characterized by the total thickness of all metal layers that are continuous layers (ie, excluding the thickness of the discontinuous layer(s)). The total thickness of all continuous layers may range from 150 Å to 750 Å, preferably from 200 Å to 650 Å, more preferably from 225 Å to 575 Å, most preferably from 237 Å to 563 Å.

The coated article may include a single discontinuous metal layer where all other metal layers are continuous metal layers.

A primer, such as any of the primers described above, may be placed over and in direct contact with any of the metal layers. The primer may be a mixture of titanium and aluminum.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a coated article. The method includes obtaining a substrate. A first dielectric layer is applied over at least part of the substrate. A first metal layer is applied over at least a portion of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is applied over at least part of the first metal layer. A second metal layer is applied over at least a portion of the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is applied over at least part of the second metal layer. A third metal layer is applied over at least a portion of the third dielectric layer. A fourth dielectric layer is applied over at least part of the fourth metal layer. A fifth dielectric layer is applied over at least part of the fourth metal layer. The first metal layer, the second metal layer, the third metal layer or the fourth metal layer are a discontinuous layer. An optional protective overlay may be applied over the fifth dielectric layer. Optionally, a primer may be applied over the first metal layer, the second metal layer, the third metal layer and/or the fourth metal layer. In yet another embodiment, either the second or third metal layers are a discontinuous layer.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method for manufacturing an architectural transparent structure. The method includes obtaining a first layer having a number 1 surface and a number 2 surface, obtaining a second layer having a number 3 surface and a number 4 surface. Either the number 2 surface of the first layer or the number 3 surface of the second layer have the coating described herein. The first interlayer and the second interlayer are assembled so that surface number 2 faces surface number three and there is a free space between surface number 2 and surface number 3. The free space is filled with gas. The gas may be air or argon.

In one embodiment, the discontinuous metal layer is the third metal layer. In such an embodiment, the coating may be characterized by a thickness for each layer, as described in Table 1, or for each film, as described in Table 2. In this embodiment, the third dielectric layer has a thickness greater than the thickness of the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer, a fourth dielectric layer; and/or a fifth dielectric layer. The third dielectric layer also includes a third film.

Table 1: Layer thickness when the discontinuous metal layer is the third metal layer Layer Range (Å) Preferred (Å) More preferably (Å) Most preferred (Å) 1st dielectric 250 - 600 300 - 525 325 - 475 353 - 446 1st metal 50 - 300 60 - 150 70 - 125 70 - 99 or 78 - 121 1st primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 2nd dielectric 300 - 1100 400 - 1000 475 - 900 504 - 824 2nd metal 50 - 300 70 - 250 75 - 200 79 - 191 2nd primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 3rd dielectric 75 - 750 100 - 600 150 - 450 199 - 412 3d metal 5 - 30 10 - 25 12 - 22 15 - 19 3rd primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 17 - 40 20 - 36 4th dielectric 175 - 800 250 - 700 300 - 650 334 - 603 4th metal 50 - 300 60 - 275 75 - 250 80 - 240 4th primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 5th dielectric 125 - 550 175 - 450 225 - 400 260 - 340 Facing coating 25 - 75 30 - 60 35 - 55 40 - 50

Table 2: Film thickness when the discontinuous metal layer is the third metal layer Layer Range (Å) Preferred (Å) More preferably (Å) Most preferred (Å) 1st dielectric: 1st film 200 - 400 225 - 375 250 - 350 262 - 337 1st dielectric: 2nd film 50 - 200 75 - 150 90 - 125 91 - 109 1st metal 50 - 300 60 - 150 70 - 125 70 - 99 or 78 - 121 1st primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 2nd dielectric: 1st film 25 - 150 50 - 125 50 - 100 63 - 90 2nd dielectric: 2nd film 250 - 800 300 - 750 350 - 700 360 - 680 2nd dielectric: 3rd film 25 - 150 50 - 125 75 - 100 81 - 95 2nd metal 50 - 300 70 - 250 75 - 200 79 - 191 2nd primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 3rd dielectric: 1st film 25 - 200 50 - 150 75 - 125 97 - 105 3rd dielectric: 2nd film 50 - 550 50 - 450 75 - 325 100 - 315 3d metal 5 - 30 10 - 25 12 - 22 15 - 19 3rd primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 17 - 40 20 - 36 4th dielectric: 1st film 150 - 650 200 - 550 225 - 525 246 - 500 4th dielectric: 2nd film 25 - 150 50 - 150 75 - 125 88 - 103 4th metal 50 - 300 60 - 275 75 - 250 80 - 240 4th primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 5th dielectric: 1st film 25 - 150 50 - 150 75 - 125 90 - 107 5th dielectric: 2nd film 100 - 400 125 - 300 150 - 275 170 - 250 Facing coating 25 - 75 30 - 60 35 - 55 40 - 50

In another embodiment, the discontinuous metal layer is the second metal layer. In such an embodiment, the coating may be characterized by a thickness for each layer, as described in Table 3, or for each film, in accordance with Table 4. In this embodiment, the fourth dielectric layer has a thickness greater than the thickness of the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer; and/or a fifth dielectric layer. The fourth dielectric layer also includes a third film.

Table 3: Layer thickness when the discontinuous metal layer is the second metal layer Layer Range (Å) Preferred (Å) More preferably (Å) Most preferred (Å) 1st dielectric 250 - 600 300 - 525 325 - 475 353 - 446 1st metal 50 - 250 75 - 200 100 - 175 125 - 150 1st primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 2nd dielectric 225 - 775 300 - 650 350 - 525 400 - 450 2nd metal 5 - 30 10 - 25 12 - 22 15 - 19 2nd primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 17 - 40 20 - 36 3rd dielectric 175 - 600 225 - 500 260 - 425 300 - 350 3d metal 50 - 300 70 - 250 75 - 200 79 - 191 3rd primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 4th dielectric 350 - 1125 475 - 975 615 - 875 690 - 785 4th metal 50 - 300 60 - 275 75 - 250 80 - 240 4th primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 5th dielectric 125 - 550 175 - 450 225 - 400 260 - 340 Facing coating 25 - 75 30 - 60 35 - 55 40 - 50

Table 4: Film thickness when the discontinuous metal layer is the second metal layer Layer Range (Å) Preferred (Å) More preferably (Å) Most preferred (Å) 1st dielectric: 1st film 200 - 400 225 - 375 250 - 350 262 - 337 1st dielectric: 2nd film 50 - 200 75 - 150 90 - 125 91 - 109 1st metal 50 - 250 75 - 200 100 - 175 125 - 150 1st primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 2nd dielectric: 1st film 25 - 175 50 - 150 50 - 125 75 - 100 2nd dielectric: 2nd film 200 - 600 250 - 500 300 - 400 325 - 350 2nd metal 5 - 30 10 - 25 12 - 22 15 - 19 2nd primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 17 - 40 20 - 36 3rd dielectric: 1st film 150 - 400 175 - 350 200 - 300 225 - 250 3rd dielectric: 2nd film 25 - 200 50 - 150 60 - 125 75 - 100 3d metal 50 - 300 70 - 250 75 - 200 79 - 191 3rd primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 4th dielectric: 1st film 25 - 175 50 - 150 75 - 125 90 - 110 4th dielectric: 2nd film 300 - 800 400 - 700 500 - 650 550 - 600 4th dielectric: 3rd film 25 - 150 25 - 125 40 - 100 50 - 75 4th metal 50 - 300 60 - 275 75 - 250 80 - 240 4th primer 5 - 50 15 - 45 20 - 40 25 - 36 5th dielectric: 1st film 25 - 150 50 - 150 75 - 125 90 - 107 5th dielectric: 2nd film 100 - 400 125 - 300 150 - 275 170 - 250 Facing coating 25 - 75 30 - 60 35 - 55 40 - 50

The following examples illustrate various embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments.

EXAMPLES

Examples 1-4 were obtained by applying the coating packages described in Table 5 to glass.

Table 5: Examples 1 - 4 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Material Thickness (Å) Thickness (Å) Thickness (Å) Thickness (Å) Glass _{Zn2SnO4 _} 312 301 262 307 ZnO 109 109 91 109 Ag 78 81 121 78 Ti 35 35 35 35 ZnO 63 63 71 63 e _{Zn2SnO4 _} 524 551 463 490 ZnO 81 85 95 84 Ag 182 191 128 154 Ti 35 36 36 36 ZnO 99 97 105 99 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 296 315 292 200 Ag 18.8 17.1 15.75 17 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 296 300 246 340 ZnO 103 102 88 103 Ag 188 197 240 181 Ti 28 28 28 28 ZnO 90 90 107 90 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 172 170 205 170 TiO ₂ 44 44 44 44

In Example 1, the LTA (visible light transmission) value was 34.0, the SHGC value was 0.183, and the LSG value was 1.86. In Example 2, the LTA value was 34.3, the SHGC value was 0.178, and the LSG value was 1.93. In Example 3, the LTA value was 37.3, the SHGC value was 0.182, and the LSG value was 2.05. In Example 4, the LTA value was 40.1, the SHGC value was 0.22, and the LSG value was 1.82.

Examples 5-7 were obtained by applying the coating packages described in Table 6 to glass.

Table 6: Examples 5 - 7 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Material Thickness (nm) Thickness (nm) Thickness (nm) Glass _{Zn2SnO4 _} 30.7 33.7 31.7 ZnO 10.9 10.9 10.9 Ag 11.2 10.7 10.7 Ti 3.5 3.5 3.5 ZnO 6.3 6.3 6.3 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 42.0 36.0 68.0 ZnO 8.1 8.1 8.1 Ag 12.4 7.9 16.4 Ti 3.6 3.6 3.6 ZnO 9.9 9.9 9.9 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 20.0 10.0 20.0 Ag 1.5 1.9 1.7 Ti 2.0 3.0 3.5 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 34.0 50.0 35.0 ZnO 10.3 10.3 10.3 Ag 23.8 19.5 10.0 Ti 2.8 2.8 2.8

Example 8 was obtained by applying the coating package described in Table 7 to glass.

Table 7: Example 8 Example 8 Material Thickness (nm) Glass _{Zn2SnO4 _} 31.7 ZnO 10.9 Ag 13.2 Ti 3.5 ZnO 9.0 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 33.0 Ag 1.7 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 24.0 ZnO 8.0 Ag 16.4 Ti 3.6 ZnO 9.9 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 57.0 ZnO 5.4 Ag 8.0 Ti 2.8 ZnO 9.0 _{Zn2SnO4 _} 21.0 _TiO2 4.4

The present invention is further described in the following numbered paragraphs.

Item 1: A coated article, including: a substrate; the first dielectric layer located on top of at least part of the substrate; the first metal layer located on top of at least part of the first dielectric layer; an optional first primer layer over at least a portion of the first metal layer; a second dielectric layer on top of at least a portion of the first primer layer; a second metal layer on top of at least a portion of the second dielectric layer; an optional second primer layer over at least a portion of the second metal layer; a third dielectric layer on top of at least a portion of the second primer layer; a third metal layer on top of at least a portion of the third dielectric layer; an optional third primer layer on top of at least a portion of the third metal layer; a fourth dielectric layer on top of at least a portion of the third primer layer; a fourth metal layer on top of at least a portion of the fourth dielectric layer; and an optional fourth primer layer on top of at least a portion of the fourth metal layer; a fifth dielectric layer on top of at least a portion of the fourth metal layer; where the first metal layer, the second metal layer, the third metal layer or the fourth metal layer is a discontinuous layer.

Item 2: The article of item 1, wherein the optional first primer, second primer, optional third primer, or optional fourth primer is selected from titanium, aluminium-silicon alloys, nickel alloys, alloys containing nickel and chromium, alloys of cobalt, alloys containing cobalt and chromium, copper, aluminium, silicon, nickel-chromium alloy, zirconium, their mixtures and their alloys.

Item 3: The article of item 1 or 2, wherein an optional first primer, an optional second primer, an optional third primer, or a fourth primer is deposited as a metal and subsequently oxidized.

Item 4: An article according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the discontinuous layer contains silver or copper.

Item 5: An article according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the discontinuous layer contains silver and copper.

Item 6: An article according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the second dielectric layer or the third dielectric layer includes a zinc oxide layer and a zinc stannate layer on top of the zinc oxide layer.

Claim 7: An article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a protective coating overlying the fifth dielectric layer.

Item 8: An article according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the first dielectric layer contains oxide, nitride or oxynitrides of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, zinc, bismuth, lead, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, or mixtures thereof.

Item 9: An article according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the second dielectric layer comprises an oxide, nitride or oxynitride of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, zinc, bismuth, lead, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, or mixtures thereof.

Item 10: An article according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the third dielectric layer comprises an oxide, nitride or oxynitride of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, zinc, bismuth, lead, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, or mixtures thereof.

Claim 11: An article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fourth dielectric layer comprises an oxide, nitride or oxynitride of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, zinc, bismuth, lead, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, or mixtures thereof.

Item 12: An article according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the fifth dielectric layer comprises an oxide, nitride or oxynitride of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, zinc, bismuth, lead, indium, tin, silicon, aluminum, or mixtures thereof.

Item 13: An article according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer and/or the fourth dielectric layer comprise zinc oxide.

Item 14: An article according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer and/or the fourth dielectric layer comprise zinc stannate.

Item 15: An article according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the fifth dielectric layer comprises zinc oxide or zinc stannate.

Item 16: An article according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein the fifth dielectric layer comprises silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitrides, or a mixture thereof.

Item 17: An article according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the first dielectric layer includes a first film containing zinc stannate on top of the substrate and a second film containing zinc oxide on top of the first film.

Item 18: An article according to any one of items 1 to 17, wherein the second dielectric layer includes a first film containing zinc oxide and a second film containing zinc stannate.

Item 19: An article according to any one of items 1 to 18, wherein the third dielectric layer includes a first film containing zinc oxide, a second film containing zinc stannate, and an optional third film containing zinc oxide.

Item 20: An article according to any one of items 1 to 19, wherein the fourth dielectric layer includes a first zinc stannate film and a second zinc oxide film.

Item 21: An article according to any one of items 1 to 20, wherein the fifth dielectric layer includes a first film containing zinc oxide or zinc stannate.

Item 22: An article according to any one of items 1 to 21, wherein the fifth dielectric layer further comprises a second film containing silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, silicon nitride, or a mixture thereof.

Item 23: The article of item 22, wherein the second film is a gradient layer from silicon dioxide to silicon nitride.

Item 24: The article of item 22, wherein the second film is a silicon oxynitride to silicon nitride gradient layer.

Item 25: The article according to any one of items 1 to 24, wherein the first metallic film contains metallic gold, copper, palladium, aluminium, silver, or mixtures, alloys or combinations thereof.

Item 26: An article according to any one of items 1 to 25, wherein the second metallic film contains metallic gold, copper, palladium, aluminium, silver, or mixtures, alloys or combinations thereof.

Item 27: The article according to any one of items 1 to 26, wherein the third metallic film contains metallic gold, copper, palladium, aluminium, silver, or mixtures, alloys or combinations thereof.

Item 28: The article according to any one of items 1 to 27, wherein the fourth metallic film contains metallic gold, copper, palladium, aluminium, silver, or mixtures, alloys or combinations thereof.

Item 29: An article according to any one of items 1 to 28, wherein the first metallic film contains copper, silver, or a mixture thereof.

Item 30: An article according to any one of items 1 to 29, wherein the second metal film contains copper, silver, or a mixture thereof.

Item 31: The article according to any one of items 1 to 30, wherein the third metal film contains copper, silver, or a mixture thereof.

Item 32: An article according to any one of items 1 to 31, wherein the fourth metal film contains copper, silver, or a mixture thereof.

Item 33: An article according to any one of items 1 to 34, wherein the first primer, second primer, third primer, and/or fourth primer comprise titanium, aluminum, or a mixture thereof, wherein the primer is deposited as a metal and at least partially oxidized as a result deposition of the next layer located on top of the primer.

Item 34: An article according to any one of items 1 to 33, wherein the second metal layer or the third metal layer is a discontinuous layer.

Item 35: The article of item 34, wherein the discontinuous layer has a thickness of at most 36 Å; preferably at most 26 Å; more preferably, at most 20 Å; most preferably, at most 19 Å; and at least 5 Å; preferably at least 7 Å; more preferably at least 10 Å; most preferably at least 15 Å.

Item 36: The article according to items 34 or 35, where the second metal layer is a discontinuous layer.

Item 37: The article of item 34 or 35, where the third metal layer is a discontinuous layer.

Item 38: An article according to any one of items 34, 35, 36 or 37, wherein at least two of the metal layers are continuous metal layers.

Item 39: An article according to any one of items 34, 35 or 36, wherein the first metal layer and the fourth metal layer are continuous metal layers, where the first metal layer has a thickness of less than 250 Å, preferably less than 200 Å, more preferably less than 125 Å, most preferably less than 100 Å; and/or more than 50 Å; preferably more than 60 Å; more preferably greater than 65 Å; most preferably greater than 70 Å; and where the fourth metal layer has a thickness of at least 100 Å, preferably at least 150 Å, more preferably at least 175 Å, most preferably at least 181 Å; and/or at most 300 Å; preferably at most 275 Å, more preferably 250 Å; most preferably, at most 240 Å.

Item 40: An article according to any one of items 34, 35 or 36, wherein three of the metal layers are continuous metal layers.

Item 41: The article of item 40, wherein the continuous metal layers are the first metal layer, the second metal layer, and the fourth metal layer, where the first metal layer has a thickness of less than 250 Å, preferably less than 200 Å, more preferably less than, than 125 Å, most preferably less than 100 Å; and/or more than 50 Å; preferably more than 60 Å; more preferably greater than 65 Å; most preferably greater than 70 Å; where the fourth metal layer has a thickness of at least 100 Å, preferably at least 150 Å, more preferably at least 175 Å, most preferably at least 181 Å; and/or at most 300 Å, preferably at most 275 Å, more preferably 250 Å; most preferably, at most 240 Å; and where the second metal layer has a thickness that is at least 70 Å, preferably at least 100 Å, more preferably at least 125 Å, most preferably at least 128 Å; and/or at most 250 Å; preferably at most 225 Å, more preferably at most 200 Å; most preferably, at most 191 Å.

Item 42: The article of item 40, wherein the continuous metal layers are the first metal layer, the third metal layer, and the fourth metal layer, where the first metal layer has a thickness of less than 250 Å, preferably less than 200 Å, more preferably less than, than 125 Å, most preferably less than 100 Å; and/or more than 50 Å; preferably more than 60 Å; more preferably greater than 65 Å; most preferably greater than 70 Å; and where the fourth metal layer has a thickness of at least 100 Å, preferably at least 150 Å, more preferably at least 175 Å, most preferably at least 181 Å; and/or at most 300 Å, preferably at most 275 Å, more preferably 250 Å; most preferably, at most 240 Å.

Item 43: An article according to any one of items 34-42, wherein the continuous metal layer has a thickness in the range of 50 Å to 300 Å, preferably 60 Å to 250 Å, more preferably 65 Å to 225 Å, most preferably 71 Å to 205 Å.

Item 44: An article according to any one of items 1 to 43, wherein the article has an LTA value in the range between 30 and 45, preferably between 32 and 43; more preferably between 33 and 43; most preferably between 34 and 41.

Item 45: An article according to any one of items 1 to 44, wherein the article has an SHGC value in the range between 0.170 and 0.200, preferably between 0.174 and 0.250; more preferably between 0.175 and 0.230; most preferably between 0.178 and 0.220.

Item 46: The product according to any one of items 1 to 45, where the product is characterized by an LSG value in the range between 1.50 and 2.50; preferably between 1.70 and 2.25; more preferably between 1.75 and 2.15; most preferably between 1.82 and 2.05.

Item 47: A coated article comprising: a substrate; the first dielectric film; a second dielectric film located on top of the first dielectric film; the first metal film located on top of the second dielectric film and containing silver; a third dielectric film placed on top of the first metal film; a fourth dielectric film placed on top of the third dielectric film; a second metal layer located on top of the fourth dielectric film, where the second metal film contains silver; a fifth dielectric film placed on top of the second metal film; a sixth dielectric film placed on top of the fifth dielectric film; a third metal layer located on top of the sixth dielectric film, where the third metal film contains silver; a seventh dielectric film placed on top of the third metal film; an eighth dielectric film placed on top of the seventh dielectric film; a fourth metal film placed on top of the eighth dielectric film, where the fourth metal film contains silver; and a ninth dielectric film located on top of the fourth metal film; where the first metal film, the second metal film, the third metal film or the fourth metal film is a discontinuous film.

Item 48: The coated article of item 47, wherein the first dielectric film contains zinc stannate.

Item 49: A coated article according to any one of items 47-48, wherein a plurality of primers are placed over and in direct contact with each metal film.

Item 51: The coated article according to any one of items 47 to 50, wherein the second metal film is a discontinuous layer.

Item 52: The coated article according to any one of items 47 to 50, wherein the third metal film is a discontinuous layer.

Item 53: The coated article according to any one of items 47 to 52, wherein at least two of the metal films are continuous layers.

Item 54: The coated article according to any one of items 47 to 52, wherein at least three of the metal films are continuous layers.

Item 55: A coated article according to any one of items 47 to 54, further comprising a protective layer overlying the ninth dielectric film.

Item 56: An article according to any one of items 47 to 55, wherein the article has an LTA value in the range between 30 and 45, preferably between 32 and 43; more preferably between 33 and 43; most preferably between 34 and 41.

Item 57: An article according to any one of items 47 to 56, wherein the article has an SHGC value in the range between 0.170 and 0.200, preferably between 0.174 and 0.250; more preferably between 0.175 and 0.230; most preferably between 0.178 and 0.220.

Item 58: An article according to any one of items 47 to 57, wherein the article has an LSG value in the range between 1.50 and 2.50; preferably between 1.70 and 2.25; more preferably between 1.75 and 2.15; most preferably between 1.82 and 2.05.

Item 59: A method of manufacturing a coated article, including obtaining a substrate, applying a first dielectric layer over at least a portion of the substrate, applying a first metal layer over at least a portion of the first dielectric layer, applying a first metal layer over at least a portion the first metal layer of the second dielectric layer, applying over at least part of the second dielectric layer of the second metal layer, applying over at least part of the second metal layer of the third dielectric layer, applying over at least part of the third dielectric layer of the third metal layer, applying over at least part of the fourth metal layer of the fourth dielectric layer, applying over at least part of the fourth metal layer of the fifth dielectric layer; where the first metal layer, the second metal layer, the third metal layer or the fourth metal layer is a discontinuous layer.

Item 60: The method of item 59 further comprising applying a protective coating over at least a portion of the fifth dielectric layer.

Item 61: The method according to items 59 or 60, further comprising applying a primer layer located on top of at least a part of the first metal layer, the second metal layer of the third metal layer and/or the fourth metal layer, where the primer layer is applied in the form metal and subsequently oxidized by applying the next layer.

Item 62: The method of any one of items 59-61, wherein at least the first metal layer is a continuous metal layer.

Item 63: The method of any one of items 59 to 62, wherein at least the fourth metal layer is a continuous metal layer.

Item 64: The method of any one of items 59 to 63, wherein the third metal layer is a discontinuous metal layer.

Item 65: The method of any one of items 59 to 63, wherein the second metal layer is a discontinuous metal layer.

Item 66: An architectural transparent structure including a first layer having a number 1 surface and a number 2 surface, and a second layer having a number 3 surface and a number 4 surface, and a coating position located on top of at least a portion of the number 2 surface and the surface number 3, where coverage includes coverage provided in any of items 1 through 58.

Item 67: An architectural transparent structure, in accordance with item 66, and including, in addition, the free space between the number 2 surface and the number 3 surface, where the free space is filled with gas.

Item 68: Architectural transparent design, in accordance with item 67, where the gas is argon.

69: Architectural transparent structure, in accordance with any one of paragraphs 66-68, where the number 1 surface is configured to face the outer space of the structure, where the architectural transparent structure is installed.

Item 70: Architectural transparent structure, in accordance with any one of paragraphs 66-69, where the number 4 surface is configured to face the interior of the structure where the architectural transparent structure is to be installed.

Position 71: A method for manufacturing an architectural transparent structure, including obtaining a first layer having a number 1 surface and a number 2 surface, and obtaining a second layer having a number 3 surface and a number 4 surface, where either the surface number 2 of the first layer or the surface number 3 of the second the interlayers are coated according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 58; assembling the first interlayer and the second interlayer such that the number 2 surface faces the number three surface and that there is a free space between the number 2 surface and the number 3 surface, where the free space is filled with gas.

Position 72: The method according to item 71, where the gas is argon.

As will readily be understood by those skilled in the art, modifications may be made without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description of the invention. Accordingly, the specific embodiments detailed herein are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention, to which the full width of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof should be taken.

Claims (21)

1. A coated article having a tinted appearance in reflection and/or transmission, comprising: substrate; first dielectric layer containing zinc and having a thickness of 353-446

located on top of at least part of the substrate; the first metal layer containing silver and having a thickness of 78-121

located on top of at least part of the first dielectric layer; the first primer layer having a thickness of 25-35

located on top of the first metal layer; a second dielectric layer containing zinc, having a thickness of 504-699

located on top of at least part of the first primer layer; a second metal layer containing silver having a thickness of 128-191

located on top of at least part of the second dielectric layer; a third dielectric layer containing zinc, having a thickness of 299-450

located on top of at least part of the second primer layer; a third metal layer containing silver having a thickness of 12-22

located on top of at least part of the third dielectric layer; a fourth dielectric layer containing zinc, having a thickness of 334-443

located on top of at least part of the third primer layer; a fourth metal layer containing silver, having a thickness of 181-240

located on top of at least part of the fourth dielectric layer; And fifth dielectric layer containing zinc, having a thickness of 260-340

located on top of at least part of the fourth metal layer; moreover, only the third metal layer is a discontinuous layer, and all other metal layers are continuous; and the total thickness of all continuous metal layers is in the range from 396 to 531

; moreover, the product is characterized by a coefficient of heat gain from solar radiation (SHGC), constituting less than 0.22; And the product has a visible light transmission (LTA) of more than 34%. 2. The product according to claim 1, where the first primer is selected from titanium, aluminum-silicon alloys, nickel alloys, alloys containing nickel and chromium, cobalt alloys, alloys containing cobalt and chromium, copper, aluminum, silicon, nickel-chromium alloy , zirconium, their mixtures and their alloys. 3. The product according to claim 1 or 2, where the first primer is deposited in the form of a metal, and subsequently oxidized. 4. The product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, where the second dielectric layer or the third dielectric layer includes a zinc oxide layer and a zinc stannate layer located on top of the zinc oxide layer. 5. The product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, including, in addition, a protective coating located on top of the fifth dielectric layer. 6. The product according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, where the third metal layer is a discontinuous layer having a thickness of less than 20

. 7. The product according to claim 1, characterized by an LTA value in the range between 30 and 45; an SHGC value between 0.170 and 0.200; and a light to sunlight gain (LSG) value in the range between 1.50 and 2.50; preferably between 1.70 and 2.25; more preferably between 1.75 and 2.15; most preferably between 1.82 and 2.05.

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