Patent Description:
The detrimental effects of UV radiation are a problem in, for example, the brewing industry where beer becomes 'light-struck' upon exposure of a substantially transparent or transparent bottle to sunlight or fluorescent lighting. The radiation can degrade isohumulones - organic molecules present in the beer which are derived from hops - and the photo degradation products combine with sulphur to yield obnoxious compounds, particularly <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-butene-<NUM>-thiol (3MBT). Even in very small quantities (parts per trillion), these sulphur containing compounds can spoil the taste or smell of the beer. This effect is also known as skunking.

This problem has been partially addressed by use of dark coloured bottles, typically green or brown, with varying degrees of success. Brown bottles in particular offer significant blocking of UV radiation but their use brings about other problems, particularly in continuous production processes where, for example, transitions between different glass compositions give rise to lost production, energy and materials.

The manufacture of glass bottles or jars by modern methods is well known (see for example "<NPL>). Typically, a blank shape is first formed by blowing or pressing a slug or 'gob' of molten glass against the walls of a blank mould. The 'blank' so formed is transferred to a 'blow' mould where the final shape of the article is imparted by blowing against the interior of the latter. Variations on this process may occur but modern production methods typically give rise to a shaped glass container emerging from a mould, the container still bearing significant residual heat from the shaping process.

<CIT> describes a coating on the external surface of a glass container. <CIT> describes a process whereby a solution having a composition including a silane, a solvent, a catalyst and water is applied to an exterior surface of a glass container, at a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM>. The glass container is then heated at a temperature greater than <NUM> to produce Si-O-Si bonds with the exterior surface of the container. The solution may be doped with a UV blocking material.

However it would be desirable to provide a coated glass substrate that both counteracts the negative effects of electromagnetic radiation and has improved durability to humidity.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a coated glass substrate as set out in claim <NUM>.

The inventors have surprisingly found that the composition of the blocking layer affords the coated glass substrate with improved durability to humidity, exemplified by a reduced tendency for the blocking layer to delaminate.

In the context of the present invention, where a layer is said to be "based on" a particular material or materials, this means that the layer predominantly consists of the corresponding said material or materials, which means typically that it comprises at least about <NUM> at. % of said material or materials.

In the following discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of other components. The term "consisting essentially of" or "consists essentially of" means including the components specified but excluding other components except for materials present as impurities, unavoidable materials present as a result of processes used to provide the components, and components added for a purpose other than achieving the technical effect of the invention. Typically, when referring to compositions, a composition consisting essentially of a set of components will comprise less than <NUM>% by weight, typically less than <NUM>% by weight, more typically less than <NUM>% by weight of non-specified components.

The term "consisting of" or "consists of" means including the components specified but excluding other components.

Whenever appropriate, depending upon the context, the use of the term "comprises" or "comprising" may also be taken to include the meaning "consists essentially of" or "consisting essentially of", and also may also be taken to include the meaning "consists of" or "consisting of".

References herein such as "in the range x to y" are meant to include the interpretation "from x to y" and so include the values x and y.

In the context of the present invention a transparent material or a transparent substrate is a material or a substrate that is capable of transmitting visible light so that objects or images situated beyond or behind said material can be distinctly seen through said material or substrate.

In the context of the present invention the "thickness" of a layer is, for any given location at a surface of the layer, represented by the distance through the layer, in the direction of the smallest dimension of the layer, from said location at a surface of the layer to a location at an opposing surface of said layer.

In the context of the present invention a "derivative" is a chemical substance related structurally to another chemical substance and theoretically derivable from it.

In the context of the present invention a "container" is a device suitable for containing, amongst other things, liquids, powders and gels.

When a container is completely filled with e.g. a liquid, only part of its surface is in contact with said liquid. In the context of the present invention, the "inner surface" of the container denotes the part of the surface of the container that is in contact with the liquid when the container is completely filled. By contrast, the remainder of the surface of the container, which is not in contact with the liquid when the container is filled completely, is referred to as the "external surface".

The transparent glass substrate is a glass container. Preferably the glass container is a bottle, vial, tube, canister or jar.

The blocking layer is located on the external surface of the container. In some embodiments the blocking layer may coat the entire external surface of the container. In alternative embodiments the blocking layer may coat part of the external surface of the container. Preferably the blocking layer coats at least <NUM>%, more preferably at least <NUM>%, even more preferably at least <NUM>%, most preferably at least <NUM>% of the external surface of the container.

The glass container preferably comprises a closed base located at a first end of the glass container. Preferably the glass container further comprises a body extending from the closed base and being circumferentially closed. Preferably the glass container further comprises an open mouth (commonly called "the finish"). Preferably the open mouth is located at a second end of the glass container. Said second end of the glass container is preferably an end that is opposite (i.e. farthest from) said first end of the glass container. Preferably the body extends axially from the base.

Preferably the glass container further comprises a neck that extends from the body and terminates at the open mouth. Preferably the neck extends axially from the body. Preferably the neck is generally conical in shape.

Preferably the blocking layer does not coat the open mouth. This arrangement reduces the likelihood of issues arising from filling the glass container with a substance which then contacts the blocking layer. Preferably the blocking layer coats the entire external surface of the container apart from a region at least <NUM> from the open mouth, more preferably at least <NUM> from the open mouth, even more preferably at least <NUM> from the open mouth, most preferably at least <NUM> from the open mouth, but preferably at most <NUM> from the open mouth, more preferably at most <NUM> from the open mouth, even more preferably at most <NUM> from the open mouth.

Preferably the blocking layer is obtained by a sol-gel process. In the context of the present invention the term "sol-gel process" denotes a process wherein a medium comprising at least one silicon coupling agent (e.g. an alkoxide of formula Si(OR)<NUM> wherein each R group is an organic group that may be identical or different from one or more of the other R groups) is hydrolysed. As it hydrolyses, the silicon coupling agent is converted into hydroxylated species (e.g. of formula Si(OH)<NUM>) which condense together to form mineral oxide particles by a process which is comparable to a polymerisation of the silicon coupling agent. Typically, those hydrolysis and condensation reactions first yield a sol (a suspension of oxide particles) which gradually becomes concentrated, the particles that are forming occupying an ever larger volume fraction, whereby a gel is obtained; hence the generic expression "sol-gel" given to processes of this type.

Preferably the material having Si-O-Si bonds comprises a material having a crosslinked network of Si-O-Si bonds. Preferably the material having Si-O-Si bonds comprises a material bonded to the transparent glass substrate via Si-O-Si bonds. The Si-O-Si bonds of the material of the blocking layer may be ionic or covalent.

Preferably the material having Si-O-Si bonds further comprises one or more organic functional groups. Preferably said one or more organic functional group each comprises between <NUM> and <NUM> carbon atoms, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> carbon atoms, even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> carbon atoms. Preferably said one or more organic functional group further comprises at least one alkyl moiety. Preferably said one or more organic functional group further comprises at least one ether moiety. Preferably said one or more organic functional group comprises at least one glycidoxyalkyl group and/or derivatives, more preferably at least one glycidoxypropyl group and/or derivatives.

The blocking layer may comprise a material having one or more silicate ester functional group. Said silicate ester functional group may be obtained via a reaction between i) said polyol and/or diol and ii) a silanol. Said silanol may be derived from a silane or silane coupling agent as defined below.

Said polyol comprises one or more of polyether polyols such as polyoxyalkylene triols e.g. polyoxypropylene triol; glycerol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol, isomalt, erythritol, polyvinyl alcohol; and cyclitols such as bornesitol, conduritol, inositol, ononitol, pinitol, pinpollitol, quebrachitol, quinic acid, shikimic acid, valienol, viscumitol and ciceritol. Preferably said polyol comprises glycerol.

Said diol comprises one or more of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediol, propane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, propane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-propyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol, bisphenol A, propylene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, beta propylene glycol, resorcinol, methanediol, cyclohexanediol and <NUM>,<NUM>-pentanediol.

Preferably the blocking component is a material that is capable of blocking, preferably absorbing, electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range <NUM>-<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, most preferably <NUM>-<NUM>. These preferred wavelength ranges are of interest since they are ranges at which the skunking of beer may occur.

Preferably the blocking component comprises one or more of benzotriazole compounds such as <NUM>-(<NUM>'-hydroxy-<NUM>'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole and <NUM>-(<NUM>'-hydroxy-<NUM>',<NUM>'-di-t-butylphenyl)benzotriazole; benzophenone compounds such as <NUM>,<NUM>',<NUM>,<NUM>'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, <NUM>,<NUM>-dihydroxybenzophenone, <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-methoxybenzophenone, <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-octoxybenzophenone, and <NUM>,<NUM>'-methylenebis(<NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-methoxybenzophenone); hydroxyphenyltriazine compounds such as <NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-octoxyphenyl)-<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>,<NUM>-di-t-butylphenyl)-s-triazine, <NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-methoxyphenyl)-<NUM>,<NUM>-diphenyl-s-triazine, and <NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-propoxy-<NUM>-methylphenyl)-<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>,<NUM>-di-t-butylphenyl)-s-triazine; and cyanoacrylate compounds such as ethyl-α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate and methyl-<NUM>-cyano-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-(p-methoxyphenyl)acrylate and derivatives. Alternatively or additionally the blocking component may comprise one or more polymethine compound, imidazoline compound, coumarin compound, naphthalimide compound, perylene compound, azo compound, isoindolinone compound, quinophthalone compound, quinoline compound and derivatives. A preferred blocking component comprises one or more of a benzotriazole compound, a benzophenone compound, a hydroxyphenyltriazine compound, and a cyanoacrylate compound. More preferably the blocking component comprises, preferably consists essentially of, more preferably consists of, a benzophenone compound, even more preferably <NUM>,<NUM>',<NUM>,<NUM>'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone.

Preferably the blocking layer comprises at least <NUM>%wt of the blocking component, more preferably at least <NUM>%wt, even more preferably at least <NUM>%wt, most preferably at least <NUM>%wt, but preferably at most <NUM>%wt, more preferably at most <NUM>%wt, even more preferably at most <NUM>%wt, most preferably at most <NUM>%wt. These preferred ranges provide advantages in terms of improved blocking of electromagnetic radiation whilst avoiding the leaching out of excess blocking component. Preferably the blocking component is dispersed and/or trapped within the blocking layer.

The blocking layer may preferably have a physical thickness of at least <NUM> micrometre, more preferably at least <NUM> micrometres, even more preferably at least <NUM> micrometres, most preferably at least <NUM> micrometres, but preferably at most <NUM> micrometres, more preferably at most <NUM> micrometres, even more preferably at most <NUM> micrometres, most preferably at most <NUM> micrometres.

Preferably the coated glass substrate comprises:.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for preparing a coated glass substrate in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention,
said process as set out in claim <NUM>.

It has surprisingly been found that this process can be used to apply a coating that can block electromagnetic radiation to a glass substrate that is at a higher temperature than has previously been possible. This enables coating of a glass substrate, e.g. a glass container, shortly after manufacture, without the necessity to cool the glass substrate in order to allow coating. The incumbent processes require the glass substrate to be cooled before coating otherwise the blocking layer is hazy and does not adhere sufficiently to the substrate.

Preferably steps a), b) and c) are carried out in sequence.

Preferably, in step a) the mixing occurs by stirring. Preferably the stirring is carried out for at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, even more preferably at least <NUM>, most preferably at least <NUM>. Preferably, in step a) following the mixing the solution or mixture is aged (i.e. the solution is allowed to stand). Preferably, in step a) following the mixing the solution or mixture is aged for at least <NUM> hr, more preferably at least <NUM> hr, even more preferably at least <NUM> hr, most preferably at least <NUM> hr. Aging the solution or mixture is advantageous since it facilitates the formation of Si-O-Si bonds. Preferably the mixing and/or aging is carried out at a temperature of between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Preferably, in step b), when the solution or mixture is applied to the surface of the transparent glass substrate, said transparent glass substrate is at a temperature of greater than <NUM>, more preferably greater than <NUM>, even more preferably greater than <NUM>, most preferably greater than <NUM>, but preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably less than <NUM>, even more preferably less than <NUM>, most preferably less than <NUM>.

Preferably, in step c), the applied solution or mixture is cured for at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, even more preferably at least <NUM>, most preferably at least <NUM>, but preferably at most <NUM> hr, more preferably at most <NUM> hr, even more preferably at most <NUM> hr, most preferably at most <NUM> hr. These preferred durations enable better formation of the required Si-O-Si bonds, improving durability.

Preferably, in step c), the applied solution or mixture is cured at a temperature of greater than <NUM>, more preferably greater than <NUM>, even more preferably greater than <NUM>, most preferably greater than <NUM>, but preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably less than <NUM>, even more preferably less than <NUM>, most preferably less than <NUM>. These preferred curing temperatures enable better formation of the required Si-O-Si bonds, improving durability.

It is preferred that the silane is represented by the formula (<NUM>):.

wherein X is a hydrolysable functional group or a halogen atom.

The hydrolyzable functional group is, for example, at least one selected from an alkoxy group, an acetoxy group, and an alkenyloxy group. Examples of the alkoxy group include an alkoxy group having <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms (such as a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, and a butoxy group). A preferred hydrolyzable functional group is an alkoxy group. The halogen atom is, for example, chlorine or bromine, and is preferably chlorine. Preferably the silane is a tetraalkoxysilane such as tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The alkoxy group is preferably an alkoxy group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms.

The solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a molar percentage (mol%) of the silane of at least <NUM> mol%, preferably at least <NUM> mol%, more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, most preferably at least <NUM> mol%, but at most <NUM> mol%, preferably at most <NUM> mol%, most preferably at most <NUM> mol%. The mol% of the silane in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the number of moles of the silane in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total number of moles in the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a weight percentage (wt%) of the silane of at least <NUM> wt%, more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, most preferably at least <NUM> wt%, but preferably at most <NUM> wt%, more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, most preferably at most <NUM> wt%. The wt% of the silane in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the mass of the silane in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total mass of the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the components mixed in step a) further comprise a silane coupling agent represented by the formula (<NUM>):.

wherein R<NUM> is an organic group having a reactive functional group, R<NUM> is an organic group having no reactive functional group, X is a hydrolysable functional group or a halogen atom, m is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>, n is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>, and m+n is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The reactive functional group is, for example, at least one selected from a vinyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, an isocyanurate group, a ureido group, a mercapto group, a sulfide group, an isocyanate group, an epoxy group, and an amino group. The epoxy group may be a part of a glycidyl group, particularly an oxyglycidyl group. The amino group may be any of a primary amino group, a secondary amino group, and a tertiary amino group. Preferred reactive functional groups are an epoxy group and an amino group, and an epoxy group is particularly preferable. The organic group having a reactive functional group may be, for example, an organic group that acts as a reactive functional group by itself (e.g., a vinyl group) or may be, for example, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted by a reactive functional group. Examples of the aliphatic hydrocarbon group include a linear alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and a branched alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group include a phenyl group.

The organic group having no reactive functional group is, for example, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group. Examples of the aliphatic hydrocarbon group include a linear alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and a branched alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon include a phenyl group.

Examples of X, the hydrolysable functional group or halogen atom, for formula (<NUM>) are the same as the examples set out above in relation to formula (<NUM>).

The integer m is preferably <NUM> or <NUM>, the integer n is preferably <NUM> or <NUM>, and the integer m+n is preferably <NUM> or <NUM>.

Examples of the silane coupling agent include vinyltriethoxysilane, p-styryltrimethoxysilane, <NUM>-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), <NUM>-glycidoxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane, <NUM>-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, <NUM>-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, <NUM>-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-phenyl-<NUM>-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, tris-(trimethoxysilylpropyl)isocyanurate, <NUM>-ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane, <NUM>-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane and derivatives.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a molar percentage (mol%) of the silane coupling agent of at least <NUM> mol%, more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, most preferably at least <NUM> mol%, but preferably at most <NUM> mol%, more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, most preferably at most <NUM> mol%. The mol% of the silane coupling agent in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the number of moles of the silane coupling agent in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total number of moles in the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a weight percentage (wt%) of the silane coupling agent of at least <NUM> wt%, more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, most preferably at least <NUM> wt%, but preferably at most <NUM> wt%, more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, most preferably at most <NUM> wt%. The wt% of the silane coupling agent in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the mass of the silane coupling agent in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total mass of the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Examples of the polyol and/or diol and the blocking component are the same as the examples set out above in relation to the first aspect of the present invention.

The solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a molar percentage (mol%) of the polyol and/or diol of at least <NUM> mol%, preferably at least <NUM> mol%, more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, most preferably at least <NUM> mol%, but preferably at most <NUM> mol%, more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, most preferably at most <NUM> mol%. The mol% of the polyol and/or diol in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the number of moles of the polyol and/or diol in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total number of moles in the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a weight percentage (wt%) of the polyol and/or diol of at least <NUM> wt%, more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, most preferably at least <NUM> wt%, but preferably at most <NUM> wt%, more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, most preferably at most <NUM> wt%. The wt% of the polyol and/or diol in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the mass of the polyol and/or diol in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total mass of the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a molar percentage (mol%) of the blocking component of at least <NUM> mol%, more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, most preferably at least <NUM> mol%, but preferably at most <NUM> mol%, more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, most preferably at most <NUM> mol%. The mol% of the blocking component in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the number of moles of the blocking component in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total number of moles in the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a weight percentage (wt%) of the blocking component of at least <NUM> wt%, more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, most preferably at least <NUM> wt%, but preferably at most <NUM> wt%, more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, most preferably at most <NUM> wt%. The wt% of the blocking component in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the mass of the blocking component in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total mass of the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

The solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a molar percentage (mol%) of water of at least <NUM> mol%, preferably at least <NUM> mol%, more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, most preferably at least <NUM> mol%, but preferably at most <NUM> mol%, more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, most preferably at most <NUM> mol%. The mol% of water in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the number of moles of water in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total number of moles in the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a weight percentage (wt%) of water of at least <NUM> wt%, more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, most preferably at least <NUM> wt%, but preferably at most <NUM> wt%, more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, most preferably at most <NUM> wt%. The wt% of water in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the mass of water in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total mass of the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the acid comprises one or more of nitric acid, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid. Preferably the acid comprises nitric acid.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a molar percentage (mol%) of acid of at least <NUM> mol%, more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, most preferably at least <NUM> mol%, but preferably at most <NUM> mol%, more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, most preferably at most <NUM> mol%. The mol% of acid in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the number of moles of acid in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total number of moles in the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a weight percentage (wt%) of acid of at least <NUM> wt%, more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, most preferably at least <NUM> wt%, but preferably at most <NUM> wt%, more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, most preferably at most <NUM> wt%. The wt% of acid in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the mass of acid in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total mass of the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the components mixed in step a) further comprise an additional solvent such as one or more of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, butanol, diethylene glycol, acetone, methylethylketones, triethylene glycols, vinylpyrrolidones, toluene, phenol, benzyl alcohol, dioxane and derivatives. Preferably the additional solvent is an alcohol, more preferably ethanol.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a molar percentage (mol%) of the additional solvent of at least <NUM> mol%, more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at least <NUM> mol%, most preferably at least <NUM> mol%, but preferably at most <NUM> mol%, more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, even more preferably at most <NUM> mol%, most preferably at most <NUM> mol%. The mol% of the additional solvent in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the number of moles of the additional solvent in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total number of moles in the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a weight percentage (wt%) of the additional solvent of at least <NUM> wt%, more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, most preferably at least <NUM> wt%, but preferably at most <NUM> wt%, more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, most preferably at most <NUM> wt%. The wt% of the additional solvent in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the mass of the additional solvent in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total mass of the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

Preferably the components mixed in step a) further comprise a surfactant such as a polysiloxane. Preferably the polysiloxane comprises an organically modified polysiloxane, more preferably one or more of a polyether modified polysiloxane and a polymethylalkylsiloxane.

Preferably the solution or mixture prepared in step a) has a weight percentage (wt%) of the surfactant of at least <NUM> wt%, more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt%, most preferably at least <NUM> wt%, but preferably at most <NUM> wt%, more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt%, most preferably at most <NUM> wt%. The wt% of the surfactant in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) is defined as: (the mass of the surfactant in the solution or mixture prepared in step a) / the total mass of the solution or mixture prepared in step a)) x <NUM>%.

In step b) the solution or mixture is preferably applied to the surface of the transparent glass substrate by spraying, flow coating, roller coating or a slot die, most preferably by spraying. Preferably the spraying is carried out using at least two nozzles. Preferably said nozzles are directed towards opposing sides of the transparent glass substrate.

Preferably, wherein in step a) following the mixing the solution or mixture is aged (i.e. the solution or mixture is allowed to stand) for at least <NUM> hr;.

Preferably, in the embodiment of the preceding paragraph, the components mixed in step a) further comprise an additional solvent, more preferably an alcohol.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a polyol and/or diol as set out in claim <NUM>.

The invention will now be further described by way of the following specific embodiments, which are given by way of illustration and not of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
<FIG> is a graph of percentage transmission vs wavelength for an uncoated colourless bottle (light grey curve), a coated bottle outside the scope of the present invention (dark grey curve) and a coated bottle according to the present invention (asterisked curve).

Uvinul ™ <NUM> was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich ™. BYK ™ -<NUM> was obtained from BYK ™. The GPTMS was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich. The TEOS was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich.

A solution/mixture was prepared by stirring the components shown below in Table <NUM> for <NUM>.

Following stirring, the solution/mixture was aged by allowing it to stand for <NUM> hr at <NUM>. A clear (flint) bottle at a temperature of <NUM> was then spray coated with the solution/mixture. The spray coating was carried out using two nozzles, PTFE tubing and syringe drivers. The applied solution/mixture was then cured at <NUM> for <NUM> hr.

The light transmission characteristics of the resultant coated bottle were tested using a PerkinElmer ™ Lambda <NUM> spectrometer. The results are shown in <FIG> and discussed below.

A solution/mixture was prepared using the components shown below in Table <NUM> and the same approach as Comparative Example <NUM>.

Following stirring, the solution/mixture was aged by allowing it to stand for <NUM> hr at <NUM>. A clear (flint) bottle at a temperature of <NUM> was then spray coated with the solution/mixture using the same approach as Comparative Example <NUM>. The applied solution/mixture was then cured at <NUM> for <NUM> hr.

The light transmission characteristics of the resultant coated bottle were tested as in Comparative Example <NUM>. The results are shown in <FIG> and discussed below.

<FIG> shows a graph of percentage transmission vs wavelength for an uncoated colourless bottle (light grey curve), the coated bottle prepared in Comparative Example <NUM> (dark grey curve) and the coated bottle prepared in Example <NUM> (asterisked curve). As will be noted, both the bottles of Comparative Example <NUM> and of Example <NUM> exhibit UV blocking capability in comparison with an uncoated colourless bottle. Indeed, the bottle of Example <NUM> performs slightly better than the bottle of Comparative Example <NUM> in this regard.

Two clear (flint) bottles were coated: one according to Comparative Example <NUM> and one according to Example <NUM>. A sample with dimensions of approximately <NUM> x <NUM> and a thickness the same as the thickness of the bottle was cut from the body of each bottle.

These samples were assessed via humidity testing to investigate their resistance to harsh environments. The machine used was a Thermotron ™ <NUM> Environmental Chamber and the conditions were <NUM>% humidity and <NUM>. The samples were checked after <NUM> hours and after <NUM> hours.

Claim 1:
A coated glass substrate comprising:
a transparent glass substrate coated with
a blocking layer comprising a material having Si-O-Si bonds, a polyol and/or diol and a blocking component,
wherein the blocking component is a material that is capable of blocking electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range <NUM>-<NUM>,
wherein the transparent glass substrate is a glass container and wherein the blocking layer is located on the external surface of the container,
wherein said polyol comprises one or more of polyether polyols such as polyoxyalkylene triols e.g. polyoxypropylene triol; glycerol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol, isomalt, erythritol, polyvinyl alcohol; and cyclitols such as bornesitol, conduritol, inositol, ononitol, pinitol, pinpollitol, quebrachitol, quinic acid, shikimic acid, valienol, viscumitol and ciceritol,
wherein said diol comprises one or more of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediol, propane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, propane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-propyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol, bisphenol A, propylene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, beta propylene glycol, resorcinol, methanediol, cyclohexanediol and <NUM>,<NUM>-pentanediol.