Patents by Inventor Akiko Shimizu

Akiko Shimizu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20030219549
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a laminated phase retarder film that is superior in evenness, exhibits a biaxial optical property as a whole, and makes it possible to set the biaxial optical property over a wide range. This object is achieved by a laminated phase retarder film comprising a transparent resin film as a substrate and at least one coat layer having a refractive-index anisotropy laminated on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein a in-plane retardation value (R0) is not less than 20 nm, a retardation value (R′) in the film-thickness direction, which is calculated from a retardation value (R40) measured by inclining by 40 degrees around the slow axis of the film and the in-plane retardation value (R0), is greater than 40 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Akiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6208396
    Abstract: A normally white mode twisted nematic liquid crystal display devices having significantly improved viewing angle characteristics of display contrast and gray scale inversion comprising an about 90° twisted nematic liquid crystal cell and a first and a second light polarizing film separately disposed on two sides of said liquid crystal cell, a first and a second optical compensation layer which each comprises at least one optical compensation layer and has almost no refractive index anisotropy in-plane of the optical compensation layer A and has a characteristic wherein a refractive index in the thickness direction of the optical compensation layer A is lower than that in-plane of the optical compensation layer A, and a first and second optical compensation layer B, which each comprises at least one optical compensation layer and has optically positive refractive index anisotropy and has a characteristic wherein a principal optic axis of the optical compensation layer B is tilted 20 to 70° from the nor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Akiko Shimizu, Takahiro Hishinuma, Koji Higashi
  • Patent number: 6187888
    Abstract: A cast-molding material for a plastic lens which is almost free from causing defective dyeing when dyed, and a process for producing plastic lenses almost free from causing defective dyeing, the cast-molding material containing, as essential components, a combination of (A) diethylene glycol bisallylcarbonate or a mixture of diethylene glycol bisallylcarbonate and a monomer copolymerizable therewith, with (B) a polyether-modified silicone compound, and the process comprising cast-molding the above cast-molding material in a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Akiko Shimizu, Yukio Kageyama, Shigeo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6097460
    Abstract: A phase retarder film is provided wherein at least one oblique evaporation layer comprising an inorganic dielectric mainly containing TiO.sub.2 is formed on at least one surface of a transparent polymer film with an intermediate layer between, the evaporation layer having positive refractive index anisotropy and a principal optic axis tilted 20 degrees to 70 degrees from a normal direction to said transparent polymer film. The phase retarder film is suitable for improving viewing angle characteristics of the TN-LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Akiko Shimizu, Koji Higashi, Takahiro Hishinuma
  • Patent number: 6060183
    Abstract: A phase retarder film comprising a layer of polyvinyl alcohol or a derivative thereof and a water-swellable layered inorganic compound, wherein the in-plane retardation value is smaller than the retardation value in the thickness direction, sometimes causes durability failures, that is, the layer is peeled off from a transparent resin substrate in high temperature and high humidity environment. Therefore, the present invention provides a phase retarder film which is superior in durability.With respect to a phase retarder film comprising at least one layer containing at least one organic clay compound which can be dispersed in an organic solvent, wherein the in-plane retardation value is smaller than the retardation value in the thickness direction, the durability is remarkably improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Koji Higashi, Akiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6056900
    Abstract: A cast-molding material for a plastic lens which is almost free from causing defective dyeing when dyed, and a process for producing plastic lenses almost free from causing defective dyeing, the cast-molding material containing, as essential components, a combination of (A) diethylene glycol bisallylcarbonate or a mixture of diethylene glycol bisallylcarbonate and a monomer copolymerizable therewith, with (B) a polyether-modified silicone compound, and the process including cast-molding the above cast-molding material in a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Akiko Shimizu, Yukio Kageyama, Shigeo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5926313
    Abstract: As a phase retarder film in which at least one oblique evaporation layer of an inorganic dielectric having positive refractive index anisotropy and having its principal optic axis tilted 20 degrees to 70 degrees from the direction of the normal to the film is formed on at least one surface of a transparent polymer film with an intermediate layer between, a large area film is easily and inexpensivly obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Hishinuma, Akiko Shimizu, Koji Higashi
  • Patent number: 5888634
    Abstract: Disclosed is a phase retarder film made of a thermoplastic resin having an in-plane retardation of 50 to 300 nm and a ratio of the in-plane retardation to the retardation normal to the plane of not less than 0.5, but not more than 1.8, a process for the production thereof and a laminate phase retarder film using said phase retarder film above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Akiko Shimizu, Koji Higashi
  • Patent number: 5886760
    Abstract: A microlens-array containing a mesh-like sheet and an optically-transparent resin formed at apertures of the mesh-like sheet, wherein the resin formed at each aperture has a concave lens shape; and method for production thereof. A liquid crystal display device using the aforementioned microlens-array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kayoko Ueda, Akiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5693253
    Abstract: By using an optically anisotropic film having the optical axis substantially parallel to the normal line of the film and comprising a polymer of a liquid crystal oligomerhaving positive anisotropy of refractive index and showing nematic or smectic phase, or by lamining the optically anisotropic film and a transparent or semitransparent polymer film, or by combining the optically anisotropic film with a uniaxially oriented retardation film, it is possible to obtain a composite retardation plate with a large viewing angle, and this retardation plate can be applied to a liquid crystal display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ohnishi, Takanobu Noguchi, Masato Kuwabara, Koji Higashi, Makoto Namioka, Akiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5688436
    Abstract: By using an optically anisotropic film having the optical axis substantially parallel to the normal line of the film and comprising a polymer of a liquid crystal oligomerhaving positive anisotropy of refractive index and showing nematic or smectic phase, or by lamining the optically anisotropic film and a transparent or semitransparent polymer film, or by combining the optically anisotropic film with a uniaxially oriented retardation film, it is possible to obtain a composite retardation plate with a large viewing angle, and this retardation plate can be applied to a liquid crystal display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ohnishi, Takanobu Noguchi, Masato Kuwabara, Koji Higashi, Makoto Namioka, Akiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5658505
    Abstract: A phase retarder film made of a thermoplastic resin having an in-plane retardation of 50 to 300 nm and a ratio of the in-plane retardation to the retardation normal to the plane of not less than 0.5 but not more than 1.8, a process for the production thereof and a laminate phase retarder film using said phase retarder film above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Akiko Shimizu, Koji Higashi
  • Patent number: 5631755
    Abstract: A phase retarder including a layered inorganic compound-containing sheet or layered inorganic compound-containing film, the inorganic compound being selected from the group consisting of a clay mineral, a chalcogen compound, a zirconium phosphate compound, an oxyacid salt of a transition metal, a layered polysilicate, a metal oxyhalogenide, and an intercalary decoration thereof intercalated with ions or molecules between crystalline layer units, the inorganic compound having a mean particle size of 5000 nm or less and a stratified structure with a plurality of crystalline layer units wherein the phase retarder has a refractive index in the plane of the phase retarder that is different from a refractive index in the thickness direction of the phase retarder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Taiichi Sakaya, Toshiya Kuroda, Koji Higashi, Tadashi Shindo, Akiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5529906
    Abstract: A system or kit for analysis of phosphatase comprising a reagent I containing NADP or NADPH as a main component, and a reagent II containing components for color-development signal amplification utilizing NAD-NADH interconversion, wherein at least one of the hydrogen donors participating in the NAD-NADH interconversion is included in reagent I, but not in reagent II, which eliminates the necessity that the reagent II is further separated into two parts. This enables the preparation of reagent II as a mixture which can be readily used and which can be preserved for a long period of time without "reagent blank" occurring. Additionally, the present kit eliminates the necessity of mixing reagents I and II immediately before actual use and thus permits periodical analysis of samples with a reagent having the same components for long time periods with reliable and uniform sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiko Shimizu, Akihiro Shinzaki, Tadao Suzuki, Miwa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5430566
    Abstract: A liquid crystal device with a compensator made of a layered inorganic compound sheet or film in which a refractive index in the plane and a refractive index in the thickness direction are different from each other. The layered inorganic compound may be smectite group minerals. The layered inorganic compound has a mean particle size of 500 nm or less. The phase retarder is employed in a liquid crystal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Taiichi Sakaya, Toshiya Kuroda, Koji Higashi, Tadashi Shindo, Akiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5405873
    Abstract: There are provided substituted acetamide derivatives represented by general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, n and Z are defined in the specification. The substituted acetamide derivatives strongly inhibit acylcoenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase (ACTA) and are expected to be effective for the treatment and prevention of hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipemia and arteriosclerosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Banyu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Iwasawa, Hiromi Hattori, Yasufumi Nagata, Akiko Shimizu, Yoshio Sawasaki
  • Patent number: 5285303
    Abstract: A phase retarder and a process for producing the same are disclosed. The phase retarder is obtained by shrinking a uniaxially stretched thermoplastic high polymer film in the direction perpendicular to the stretching direction at a lengthwise shrink of at least 2%. The phase retarder has a ratio of a retardation value (R.sub.30) measured on the phase retarder being inclined at a angle of 30.degree. with respect to the orientation axis as an axis of rotation to a retardation value (R.sub.0) measured on the phase retarder being held horizontally, each measured with a polarizing microscope, (R.sub.30 /R.sub.0) of not more than 1.10, and preferably not more than 1.07. A liquid crystal display fitted with the phase retarder exhibits broad viewing angle characteristics while achieving a satisfactory B/W display level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Okada, Kazuaki Sakakura, Koji Higashi, Akiko Shimizu