Patents by Inventor Alison Linda May

Alison Linda May 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).

  • Patent number: 8481130
    Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: MERCK PATENT GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Harding, Alison Linda May, Simon Greenfield, Johan Lub, Ciska Doornkamp, Rene Theodorus Wegh
  • Patent number: 8455563
    Abstract: The invention relates to new reactive mesogenic compounds (RM), polymerisable liquid crystal (LC) mixtures and polymers comprising them, and the use of the compounds, mixtures and polymers in optical, electrooptical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices, in decorative, security or cosmetic applications, especially for use in polymer films having high optical dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Owain Llyr Parri, Donald Gordon Graham, Alison Linda May
  • Patent number: 8414983
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of aligning reactive mesogens (RM) on a substrate subjected to particle beam treatment, to RM's oriented by said method, especially in form of thin layers, to oriented polymers and polymer films obtained from such oriented RM's and RM layers, and to the use of the RM's, layers, polymers and films in optical, electronic and electrooptical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit Beschränkter Haftung
    Inventors: Owain Llyr Parri, Alison Linda May, Julian Vaughan-Spickers, Karl Skjonnemand, Oleg Yaroshchuck
  • Patent number: 8409674
    Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer for aligning liquid crystal molecules, with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a composition containing a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Harding, Alison Linda May, Simon Greenfield, Johan Lub, Ciska Doornkamp, René Theodorus Wegh
  • Publication number: 20130012654
    Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicants: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V., MERCK PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Richard HARDING, Alison Linda MAY, Simon GREENFIELD, Johan LUB, Ciska DOORNKAMP, René Theodorus WEGH
  • Patent number: 8021571
    Abstract: The invention relates to chiral reactive mesogen (RM) mixtures, polymer films obtained thereof, and the use of the mixtures and polymer films in optical, electrooptical or electronic components or devices, in decorative, security or cosmetic applications, especially for use in broadband reflective polarizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Alison Linda May, Owain Llyr Parri
  • Publication number: 20110178200
    Abstract: The invention relates to new reactive mesogenic compounds (RM), polymerisable liquid crystal (LC) mixtures and polymers comprising them, and the use of the compounds, mixtures and polymers in optical, electrooptical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices, in decorative, security or cosmetic applications, especially for use in polymer films having high optical dispersion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: MERCK PATENT GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTUNG
    Inventors: Owain Llyr Parri, Donald Gordon Graham, Alison Linda May
  • Publication number: 20100208191
    Abstract: The invention relates to chiral reactive mesogen (RM) mixtures, polymer films obtained thereof, and the use of the mixtures and polymer films in optical, electrooptical or electronic components or devices, in decorative, security or cosmetic applications, especially for use in broadband reflective polarizers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MERCK PATENT GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTUNG
    Inventors: Alison Linda MAY, Owain Llyr Parri
  • Publication number: 20100020284
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of aligning reactive mesogens (RM) on a substrate subjected to particle beam treatment, to RM's oriented by said method, especially in form of thin layers, to oriented polymers and polymer films obtained from such oriented RM's and RM layers, and to the use of the RM's, layers, polymers and films in optical, electronic and electrooptical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Owain Llyr Parri, Alison Linda May, Julian Vaughan-Spickers, Karl Skjonnemand, Oleg Yaroshchuck
  • Patent number: 7597942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerisable liquid crystal (LC) material, to optically biaxial films prepared thereof, to novel polymerisable compounds used therein and to the use of the material and films in optical devices like compensators and LC displays (LCDs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Alison Linda May, Peter (Fangyun) Hsu, Tara Perrett, Ashley Nathan Smith, Owain Llyr Parri
  • Publication number: 20080160222
    Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Harding, Alison Linda May, Simon Greenfield, Johan Lub, Ciska Doornkamp, Rene Theodorus Wegh
  • Publication number: 20080143943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerisable liquid crystal (LC) material, to optically biaxial films prepared thereof, to novel polymerisable compounds used therein and to the use of the material and films in optical devices like compensators and LC displays (LCDs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Alison Linda May, Peter (Fangyun) Hsu, Tara Perrett, Ashley Smith, Owain Parri
  • Patent number: 7029728
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerizable liquid crystal material containing at least one polymerizable surface-active compound, its use for the preparation of anisotropic polymer films, and the use of the liquid crystal material and the polymer films in optical and electrooptical devices, and for decorative and security applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dunn, Simon Greenfield, Richard Harding, Ian Victor Edward Hassall, Alison Linda May, Julian Frederick Samuel Vaughan-Spickers
  • Patent number: 6953611
    Abstract: An anisotropic polymer film comprising a polymeriZed chiral liquid crystal material with helically twisted structure and having areas with different helical twist sense is useful for decorative or security applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Hammond-Smith, John Patrick, Alison Linda May
  • Patent number: 6723395
    Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula I, to liquid crystal mixtures comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I, to chiral linear or crosslinked liquid crystal polymers obtainable by polymerizing a polymerizable mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I, to the use of chiral compound of formula I and mixtures and polymers obtained thereof in liquid crystal displays, active and passive optical elements, adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostics, liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, nonlinear optics, optical information storage or as chiral dopants, and to a liquid crystal display comprising a mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Alison Linda May, Simon Greenfield, Mark John Goulding, Owain Llyr Parri
  • Publication number: 20040026660
    Abstract: The invention relates to chiral photoisomerizable compounds of formula (I) wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6 have the meanings given in claim 1, to liquid crystalline mixtures and polymers containing them, and to the use of chiral photoisomerizable compounds, liquid crystalline mixtures and polymers containing them in optical and electrooptical devices like liquid crystal displays or projection systems, in optical elements like polarizers, retardation films, compensators, colour filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal pigments and coloured films or coatings for decorative or security applications, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, in nonlinear optics and optical information storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Julian Vaughan-Spickers, Simon Greenfield, Ian Victor Edward Hassall, Christopher J. Dunn, Richard Harding, Tony Jenkins, Alison Linda May
  • Publication number: 20030104144
    Abstract: An anisotropic polymer film comprising a polymerised chiral liquid crystal material with helically twisted structure and having areas with different helical twist sense is useful for decorative or security applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Hammond-Smith, John Patrick, Alison Linda May
  • Publication number: 20030085377
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerizable liquid crystal material containing at least one polymerizable surface-active compound, its use for the preparation of anisotropic polymer films, and the use of the liquid crystal material and the polymer films in optical and electrooptical devices, and for decorative and security applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: MERCK PAPTENTGESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTUNG
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dunn, Simon Greenfield, Richard Harding, Ian Victor Edward Hassall, Alison Linda May, Julian Frederick Samuel Vaughan-Spickers
  • Publication number: 20030026922
    Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula I, 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Alison Linda May, Simon Greenfield, Mark John Goulding, Owain Llyr Parri
  • Patent number: 6421107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing a multilayer cholesteric film comprising two or more layers of polymerized cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material with planar orientation, with the cholesteric helix axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the layer, wherein that the cholesteric helical pitch of adjacent layers is varied by controlled migration of a non-polymerized chiral material between the layers, to a multilayer cholesteric film obtainable by such a process, and to the use of the process and a multilayer cholesteric film thereby prepared in optical elements such as polarizers, compensators, alignment layers, color filters or holographic elements, in cosmetics and liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellaschaft
    Inventors: Simon Greenfield, Alison Linda May