Patent Publication Number: US-2017349395-A1

Title: Glass webs and methods of splicing

Description:
This application is a divisional application and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/437,625 filed on Apr. 22, 2015, which in turn claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US13/66005, filed on Oct. 22, 2013, which in turn, claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/716685 filed on Oct. 22, 2012 the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to glass webs and methods of splicing and, more particularly, to glass webs and methods of splicing a first glass-web portion to a second portion. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is interest in using glass in roll-to-roll fabrication of flexible electronic or other devices. Flexible glass web can have several beneficial properties related to either the fabrication or performance of electronic devices, for example, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPD), organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), touch sensors, photovoltaics, etc. A critical component in the use of spooled flexible glass in roll-to-roll processes is the ability to splice web segments together (either be it one glass portion to another, or a glass portion to a leader/trailer material). The splice technology for the plastic, metal, and paper industry is mature, and techniques are known. Glass web, however, has a unique set of properties and requires unique splice designs and processes. 
     To enable use at higher temperatures that a glass web enables, recently wider splice tape with increased surface area has been used. This wider splice tape enables more adhesion between the leader/trailer and the glass web. The wider splice tape, however, also allows an increased chance for entrapped gas between the tape and the web. This entrapped gas under the tape can expand to form gas blisters, for example, when the spliced web is put into a vacuum deposition system. The expansion may become even more significant when heat is introduced. Mechanical failures of the splice and also fracturing of the glass web have been observed and attributed to these entrapped gas blisters under the splice tape. Accordingly, there is a need for practical solutions for splicing glass web portions to one another or to other web materials, for example leader/trailer material, that reduce the potential for entrapped gas blisters and the probability of splice failure. 
     SUMMARY 
     There are set forth various structures and methods for splicing glass web portions to one another as well as to other web materials, for example, leader/trailer materials. Throughout the disclosure the term “glass” is used for the sake of convenience, but is representative of other like brittle materials. For example, glass can refer to transparent glass (e.g., display-quality glass), glass ceramics, ceramics, and other materials that may be formed into flexible web or ribbon. The structures and methods disclosed herein provide a manner of achieving with glass, functions similar to those to which manufacturers are accustomed to for polymer, paper, and metal web material systems. These structures and methods also provide a splice that is less susceptible to forming gas blisters and/or more capable of slowing down growth, preventing growth, reducing the size, or even removing formed gas blisters entirely. As such, the structures and methods can help prevent failing of a splice joint due to blister formation. 
     The inventors have found various aspects of the splice joint itself, as well as of the manner of preparing the splice joint, that lead to a more durable glass web, i.e., one that will not form gas blisters when placed into a vacuum deposition system. For example, the inventors found that the portions of a splice member that attach to web portions can be gas-permeable. Gas permeability can be provided by either using materials to make the splice member that are gas permeable or by providing perforations that extend through the splice member. Thus, as the splice member is applied to the web portions, gas can escape through the gas-permeable splice member as opposed to becoming entrapped between the splice member and the web portions. Additionally, heat or pressure can be applied to the splice member to further remove any gas that may collect between the splice member and the web portions. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the invention as exemplified in the written description and the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. By way of non-limiting example the various features of the invention may be combined with one another in various aspects as follows: 
     In a first aspect, a glass web includes a first glass-web portion, a second portion, and a splice joint coupling the first glass-web portion to the second portion, wherein the splice joint includes a splice member including at least one gas-permeable attachment portion. 
     In one example of the first aspect, the second portion includes a second glass-web portion. 
     In another example of the first aspect, a thickness of the first glass-web is from about 10 microns to about 300 microns. 
     In another example of the first aspect, the splice member includes a first surface facing the first glass-web portion and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the gas-permeable attachment portion extends all the way through the splice member from the first surface to the second surface. 
     In another example of the first aspect, the splice member includes a flexible membrane. 
     In another example of the first aspect, the flexible membrane is gas-permeable. 
     In another example of the first aspect, the attachment portion includes at least one vent aperture configured to provide gas permeability to the attachment portion. For instance, the splice member can include a first surface facing the first glass-web portion and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the at least one vent aperture extends all the way through the splice member from the first surface to the second surface. In another example, the at least one vent aperture includes a plurality of vent apertures arranged in a pattern to provide gas permeability to the attachment portion. In yet another example, the vent aperture includes a transverse dimension of less than or equal to about 2 mm. 
     In another example of the first aspect, the gas-permeable attachment portion includes a carrier layer and an adhesive layer attaching the carrier layer to the first glass-web portion. 
     In another example of the first aspect, the gas-permeable attachment portion includes an end portion of the second portion. 
     In another example of the first aspect, the splice joint is a butt joint including a gap between the first glass-web portion and the second portion. For example, the first glass-web portion can include a longitudinal axis and a width, and the gap is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis across the width. 
     In another example of the first aspect, the first glass-web portion includes a first longitudinal axis, the splice member includes a longitudinal axis that is disposed substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. 
     The first aspect may be provided alone or in combination with any one or more of the examples of the first aspect discussed above. 
     In a second aspect, a method of splicing a first glass-web portion to a second portion includes the step (I) of splicing the first glass-web portion to the second portion with a splice member, wherein the step of splicing includes attaching a gas-permeable attachment portion of the splice member to the first glass-web portion. 
     In one example of the second aspect, the splice member includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and the gas-permeable attachment portion extends all the way through the splice member from the first surface to the second surface, wherein step (I), the first surface is attached to the first glass-web portion. 
     In another example of the second aspect, step (I) further includes attaching another gas-permeable attachment portion of the splice member to the second portion. 
     In another example of the second aspect, prior to step (I), the method includes the step of providing a gap between an end of the first glass-web portion and an end of the second portion, wherein step (I) provides a splice joint including a gap between the end of the first glass-web portion and the end of the second portion. 
     In another example of the second aspect, each of the first glass-web portion and the second portion include a first major surface and a second major surface with a thickness defined between the first and second major surface, and step (I) attaches the splice member to the first major surface of the first glass-web portion and the first major surface of the second portion. For instance, step (I) can provide a splice joint with the first major surface of the first glass-web portion configured to be oriented substantially coplanar with the first major surface of the second portion. 
     In another example of the second aspect, step (I) includes applying pressure to the splice member to attach the gas-permeable attachment portion of the splice member to the first glass-web portion. 
     In another example of the second aspect, step (I) includes applying heat to the splice member to attach the gas-permeable attachment portion of the splice member to the first glass-web portion. 
     The second aspect may be provided alone or in combination with any one or more of the examples of the second aspect discussed above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a glass web having a splice joint; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a glass web as seen along the direction of arrow  2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a splice joint as taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a glass web having a splice joint according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a splice joint as taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a glass web having a splice joint according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a glass web as seen along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a splice joint as taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a glass web having a splice joint according to a fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a glass web as seen along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a splice joint as taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a splice member in accordance with a method as described in the specification; 
         FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIG. 12 , demonstrating the step of attaching a first web portion to the splice member; 
         FIG. 14  is a view similar to  FIG. 13 , demonstrating the step of attaching a second web portion to the splice member; 
         FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 14 , demonstrating the step of attaching a second splice member to the first and second web portions using a roller; and 
         FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 15 , demonstrating the step of applying pressure and/or energy to the second splice member once the second splice member is attached to the web portions to remove gas entrapped between the web portions and splice members. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which example embodiments of the claimed invention are shown. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, the claimed invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the claimed invention to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a glass web  20  which includes a splice joint  50  that couples a first glass-web portion  30  to a second portion  40 . The first glass-web portion  30  may comprise a flexible glass web that can include glass (e.g., transparent glass for example display quality transparent glass), glass ceramic, and ceramic materials and can also include multiple layers of inorganic and organic material. The glass web can also include additional layered materials on one or both surfaces including inorganic and organic films, coatings, and laminates. The first glass-web portion  30  can be produced by way of a down-drawn, up-draw, float, fusion, press rolling, or slot draw, glass forming process or other techniques. The second portion  40  may be glass web that includes similar materials to the first glass-web portion  30 , or the second portion  40  may be a leader or trailer made of a material other than glass, for example, polymer, paper, or metal (e.g., metal foil). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first glass-web portion  30  includes a length  32 , a width  33 , and a thickness  34 . The first glass-web portion  30  includes a longitudinal axis  36  and an end  37  and, similarly, the second portion  40  includes a longitudinal axis  46  and an end  47 . The first glass-web portion includes a first major surface  38  and a second major surface  39 . Similarly, the second portion  40  includes a first major surface  48  and a second major surface  49 . In just some examples, the length  32  of the first glass-web portion  30  can range from about 30 cm to about 1000 m and the width  33  can range from about 5 cm to about 1 m. In just some examples, the thickness  34  can range from about 10 microns to about 300 microns (for example, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, or 300 microns), or, for example, from about 50 microns to about 200 microns. The dimensions of the second portion  40  can be the same or different from the first glass-web portion  30 . 
     The splice joint  50  couples the first glass-web portion  30  to the second portion  40 . There may be various different embodiments of the splice joint  50  itself. For example, a first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  shows a one-sided butt joint with a gap  52  between the two portions  30 ,  40 . In the example embodiment, ends  37 ,  47  are placed adjacent to one another so that longitudinal axis  36  may be coaxial with longitudinal axis  46 , though, there may be embodiments where axis  36  and axis  46  are not coaxial. Additionally, ends  37 ,  47  are spaced apart by a gap  52  having a width  54 . The gap  52  extends along a longitudinal axis  53  that may be optionally substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  36 . The width  54  of the gap  52  can between about 0.1 mm and about 5 mm (for example. 0.1, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, or 5.0 mm) although other width sizes may be incorporated in alternative examples. The width  54  may be sized so that the ends  37 ,  47  do not rub against one another as the portions  30 ,  40  rotate about the axis  53  (or an axis parallel therewith within the width  54 ) as when, for example, bending around a roller in a downstream process through which the web  20  is conveyed. However, it should be appreciated that other widths may be used for the gap without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, there may be instances when the two portions  30 ,  40  are directly adjacent without any gap there between. 
     The splice joint  50  includes a splice member  60 . The splice member  60  may be a self-adhesive tape, a film to which adhesive is applied, or a film which is laid over adhesive on the first glass-web portion  30  and the second portion  40 . Alternatively, the splice member  60  may be a non-metallic member to which an electrostatic charge may be applied so as to electrostatically couple it to the first glass-web portion  30  and the second portion  40 . 
     As shown, the splice member  60  in the example embodiment can optionally include a carrier layer  62 , an adhesive layer  64 , and a longitudinal axis  57 . The splice member  60  can further include attachment portions  65 ,  66 . These attachment portions  65 ,  66  connect the web portions  30 ,  40  through the splice member  60 . The carrier layer  62  can comprise a film made of a flexible membrane for example a polymer, metal, or other material. The adhesive layer  64  can comprise, in some examples, a pressure sensitive or curable adhesive. The adhesive layer  64  of the splice member  60  may be applied to the portions  30 ,  40  and arranged so attachment portion  65  attaches to the first glass-web portion  30  and attachment portion  66  attaches to the second portion  40 . Additionally, the splice member  60  may be arranged so that longitudinal axis  57  may be substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis  36 . In this embodiment, the splice member  60  is shown coupled to the first major surfaces  38 ,  48 . However, alternatively, the splice member  60  may be coupled to one or both of the second major surfaces  39 ,  49  in further examples. 
     One or both of the attachment portions  65 ,  66  may be gas permeable. This can be accomplished in various ways. For example, the splice member  60 , or portions of the splice member  60 , may be gas permeable. In further examples, one or more apertures (e.g., perforations) may be provided through the splice member at the attachment portions  65 ,  66 . For example,  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of attachment portion  65  which shows a plurality of vent apertures  68  that extend through the splice member  60  from a first surface  71  to second surface  72  opposing the first surface  71 . The vent apertures  68  can provide gas permeability to the carrier layer  62  and/or the adhesive layer  64  that may not, in some examples, be gas permeable without the apertures  68 . In some examples, the carrier layer  62  and/or the adhesive layer  64  may be gas permeable while also including the apertures  68 . In such examples, the apertures  68  may enhance the gas permeability of the otherwise gas permeable layer. The vent apertures  68  can be any shape, though circular shapes may provide the highest strength and least resistance to tearing for the splice member. Each vent aperture  68  can include a transverse dimension of between about 1 micron and about 2 mm (for example, from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, or 300, microns to 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, or 2 mm). Thus, as the attachment portion  65  is applied to the first glass-web portion  30 , gas can escape through the vent apertures  68  rather than collecting between the attachment portion  65  and the first glass-web portion  30 . 
     The plurality of vent apertures  68 , if provided, can optionally be arranged in a pattern to provide gas permeability to the attachment portions  65 ,  66 . For example, the vent apertures  68  may be arranged in the form of an array, as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, the vent apertures  68  may also be randomly positioned across the splice member  60 . Moreover, the apertures  68  may be positioned partially across surface  71 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or the apertures  68  may be positioned across the entire surface  71 . 
     A second embodiment of the splice joint  50  will be explained in connection with  FIGS. 4-5 . In this embodiment, mainly the differences from the first embodiment will be described, with the understanding that the remaining elements are similar, for example identical, to those described in connection with the first embodiment, and wherein like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the embodiments. The second embodiment similarly has a first glass-web portion  30 , a second portion  40 , and a splice member  60 ; all of which are arranged and have similar, for example identical, characteristics as in the first embodiment set forth above. However, the second embodiment further includes a second splice member  80  coupled to the second major surfaces  39 ,  49  to form a double-sided splice joint. 
     The second splice member  80  may have similar, for example the same, characteristics as set forth above in connection with the splice member  60  of the first embodiment. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the second splice member  80  can include a carrier layer  82 , adhesive layer  84 , attachment portion  85 , and attachment portion  86 . The adhesive layer  84  of the second splice member  80  may be applied to the portions  30 ,  40  and arranged so attachment portion  85  attaches to the first glass-web portion  30  and attachment portion  86  attaches to the second portion  40 . 
     In some examples, both attachment portions  85 ,  86  are gas permeable similar to the attachment portions  65 ,  66  of the first splice member  60 . This can be accomplished either by using materials for the splice member  60  that are gas permeable and/or by providing perforations that extend through the attachment portions  85 ,  86 . For example,  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of attachment portion  85  which shows a plurality of vent apertures  88  that extend through the second splice member  80  from a first surface  91  to second surface  92  opposed to the first surface  91 . The vent apertures  88  can facilitate making the carrier layer  82  and adhesive layer  84  gas permeable. Alternatively, the vent apertures  88  could only extend through the carrier layer  82 . Each vent aperture  88  can include a transverse dimension of between about 1 micron and about 2 mm although other size apertures may be used in further examples. Thus, as the attachment portion  85  is applied to the first glass-web portion  30 , gas can escape through the vent apertures  88  rather than collecting between the attachment portion  85  and the first glass-web portion  30 . 
     As with the first splice member  60 , the plurality of vent apertures  88  can be arranged in a pattern to provide gas permeability to the attachment portions  85 ,  86 . However, the vent apertures  88  may also be randomly positioned across the splice member  80 . Moreover, the apertures  88  may be positioned partially across surface  91 , or the apertures may be positioned across the entire surface  91 . 
     A third embodiment of the splice joint  50  will now be explained in connection with  FIGS. 6-8 . In this embodiment, mainly the differences from the other embodiments will be described, with the understanding that the remaining elements are similar, for example identical, to those described in connection with the other embodiments, and wherein like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the embodiments. In this embodiment, the splice member  60  may be part of the second portion  40 . The splice member  60  can similarly have a carrier layer  62  and an adhesive layer  64 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, the splice member  60  may be a non-metallic member to which an electrostatic charge may be applied so as to electrostatically couple it to the first glass-web portion  30 . 
     In the example embodiment, the adhesive layer  64  of the splice member  60  is arranged and applied to the first glass-web portion  30  so that the second portion  40  overlaps the first glass-web portion  30 . Longitudinal axis  36  may be coaxial with longitudinal axis  46 , although there may be embodiments wherein axis  36  and axis  46  are not coaxial. Additionally, although the splice member  60  is shown in  FIGS. 7-8  as being coupled to the first major surface  38 , alternatively, the splice member  60  may be coupled to the second major surface  39  instead. 
     Similar to the first embodiment, the splice member  60  can be gas permeable, particularly in the vicinity of the portion that attaches to the first glass-web portion  30 . This can be accomplished either by using materials for the splice member  60  that are gas permeable or by providing apertures (e.g., perforations) that extend through the splice member  60 . For example,  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the splice member  60  which shows a plurality of vent apertures  68  that extend through the splice member  60  from surface  71  to surface  72 , making the carrier layer  62  and adhesive layer  64  gas permeable. Each vent aperture can include various transverse dimensions, for example, between about 1 micron and about 2 mm. Thus, as the splice member  60  is applied to the first glass-web portion  30 , gas can escape through the vent apertures  68  rather than collecting between the splice member  60  and the first glass-web portion  30 . 
     Also similar to the first embodiment, the plurality of vent apertures  68  can optionally be arranged in a pattern to provide gas permeability to the splice member  60 . For example, the vent apertures  68  may be arranged in the form of an array, as shown in  FIG. 6 . However, the vent apertures  68  may also be randomly positioned across the splice member  60 . 
     A fourth embodiment of the splice joint  50  will now be explained in connection with  FIGS. 9-11 . In this embodiment, mainly the differences from the other embodiments will be described, with the understanding that the remaining elements are similar, for example identical, to those described in connection with the other embodiments, and wherein like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the embodiments. In this embodiment, attachment portions  65 ,  66  of the first splice member  60  are coupled to the first major surface  38  and the second major surface  49  respectively. Meanwhile, attachment portions  85 ,  86  of a second splice member  80  are coupled to the first major surface  48  and second major surface  39  respectively. The splice members  60 ,  80  are shown as being disposed side-by-side across the width  33 , however, in some circumstances this need not be the case. Instead, the second splice member  80  may include an aperture through its middle portion and the first splice member  60  may be inserted therethough (or vice versa). Further, the splice members  60 ,  80  may be disposed across less than the entire width  33 . 
     For the example embodiment, in order to couple the first splice member  60  to the first major surface  38  and the second major surface  49  as described above, adhesive layer  64  may be provided on surface  74  and adhesive layer  69  may be provided on surface  73 . Similarly, in order to couple the second splice member  80  to the first major surface  48  and the second major surface  39 , adhesive layer  84  may be provided on surface  93  and adhesive layer  89  may be provided on surface  94 . As with the other embodiments, the adhesive layer  64 ,  69 ,  84 ,  89  can comprise a pressure sensitive or curable adhesive. Moreover, there may be embodiments wherein splice members  60 ,  80  do not have an adhesive layer. For example, splice members  60 ,  80  can be non-metallic members to which an electrostatic charge may be applied so as to electrostatically couple the splice members  60 ,  80  to portions  30 ,  40 . 
     Attachment portions  65 ,  66 ,  85 ,  86  may be gas-permeable. Similar to other embodiments, this can be accomplished using gas-permeable materials for the splice members  60 ,  80 . In addition or alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the attachment portions  65 ,  66 ,  85 ,  86  can include apertures (e.g., perforations).  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of splice member  60 ,  80 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , a plurality of vent apertures  68  extend through the first splice member  60  from the first surface  71  to the second surface  72  and a plurality of vent apertures  88  extend through the second splice member  80  from first surface  91  to the second surface  92 . Each vent aperture  68 ,  88  may include a transverse dimension of between about 1 micron and about 2 mm although other sized apertures may be used in further examples. Thus, as the splice members  60 ,  80  are applied to the first glass-web portion  30 , gas can escape through the vent apertures  68 ,  88  rather than collecting between the splice members  60 ,  80  and the first glass-web portion  30 . 
       FIGS. 12-16  demonstrate an example method for splicing a first glass-web portion  130  to a second portion  140  for the representative splicing configuration shown in  FIG. 16 . Any of the aspects, for example all of the aspects of splicing illustrated in  FIGS. 12-16  may be applied to any of the embodiments of the disclosure, for example, as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1-11  above. As shown in  FIG. 12 , a first splice member  160  may be placed on a surface  100  so that surface  171  of the first splice member  160  faces support surface  100 . The first splice member  160  may be a self-adhesive tape or a tape to which adhesive is applied. Alternatively, the splice member  160  may be a non-metallic member to which an electrostatic charge may be applied. The first splice member  160  in the example embodiment includes carrier layer  162 , adhesive layer  164 , attachment portion  165 , and attachment portion  166 . The carrier layer  162  can comprise a tape made of a flexible membrane. The adhesive layer  164  may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive, curable adhesive (with thermal, UV, or other energy source) or other adhesive type. Attachment portions  165 ,  166  may be gas-permeable. As discussed above, this can be accomplished for example either by using materials for the splice member  160  that are gas permeable or by providing apertures (e.g., perforations) that extend fully or partially through the attachment portions  165 ,  166  from surface  171  to surface  172 . 
     Next, a first glass-web portion  130  is provided, as shown in  FIG. 13 . The first glass-web portion  130  may comprise a glass web that can include glass (e.g., transparent glass for example display quality transparent glass), glass ceramic, and ceramic materials and can also include multiple layers of continuous or patterned inorganic and organic material. The first glass-web portion  130  can be produced by way of a down-drawn, up-draw, float, fusion, press rolling, or slot draw, glass forming process or other techniques. The first glass-web portion  130  includes an end  137 , a first major surface  138 , and a second major surface  139 . The length  132  of the first glass-web portion  130  can range from about 30 cm to about 1000 m and the width  133  can range from about 5 cm to about 1 m. The thickness  134  can range from about 10 microns to about 300 microns, for example from about 50 microns to about 200 microns. The first glass-web portion  130  may be applied to the first splice member  160  so that attachment portion  165  is coupled to the first major surface  138 . 
     Next, a second portion  140  is provided, as shown in  FIG. 14 . The second portion  140  may be glass web that includes similar materials to the first glass-web portion  130 , or the second portion  140  may be a leader or trailer made of a material other than glass, for example, polymer, paper, or metal. The dimensions of the second portion  140  can be the same or different from the first glass-web portion  130 . Similar to the first glass-web portion  130 , the second portion  140  includes an end  147 , a first major surface  148 , and a second major surface  149 . The second portion  140  may be applied to the first splice member  160  so that attachment portion  166  is coupled to first major surface  148  and ends  137 ,  147  are spaced apart by a gap having a width  154 . Additionally, the first major surface  138  of the first glass-web portion  130  may be oriented to be substantially coplanar with the first major surface  148  of the second portion  140 . The width  154  of the gap may be between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm although other sizes may be provided in further examples. 
     According to the method just described, a single-sided splice joint can be formed similar to the first embodiment described above. However, a double-sided splice joint can be formed with the additional step of providing a second splice member  180 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . The second splice member  180  can have the same characteristics as the first splice member  160 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the second splice member  80  can include a carrier layer  182 , adhesive layer  184 , attachment portion  185 , and attachment portion  186 . The second splice member  180  may be optionally rolled onto the portions  130 ,  140  (e.g., by roller  200 ) so attachment portion  185  attaches to the second major surface  139  of the first glass-web portion  130  and attachment portion  186  attaches to the second major surface  149  of the second portion  140 . The rolling process for adhering splice member  180  can adhere the splice member  180  to web portions  130 ,  140  concurrently or sequentially. This rolling process can be used for application of either or both splice members  160 ,  180 . Alternatively, a rolling process can be used to apply the web portion  130  or  140  to a stationary splice member  160  or  180 . In some examples, both attachment portions  185 ,  186  may be gas permeable similar to the attachment portions  165 ,  166  of the first splice member  160 . 
     Once the second splice member  180  is applied to the portions  130 ,  140 , heat or pressure or some other energy source can be applied to the splice members  160 ,  180  to perform any required adhesive curing, bond strengthening or remove any gas that is entrapped between the splice members  160 ,  180  and portions  130 ,  140 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a roller  200  can apply pressure to surface  191  of the second splice member  180 . As pressure is applied, gas can escape through the gas-permeable attachment portions  165 ,  166 ,  185 ,  186 . Additionally, heat or light or other energy can be applied to the splice members  160 ,  180  to cure the adhesive materials. For example, as schematically shown in  FIG. 16 , the roller  200  may include an optional heating mechanism  202  such that pressure and heat may optionally be provided simultaneously. Alternatively, the heat light or other energy can be applied to the splice members as the roller  200  is attaching the splice member to the web portions. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of various principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and various principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims. 
     For example, the application of the splice member(s) may be performed in a vacuum in order to further facilitate the removal of gas entrapped between the web portions and the splice member.