Patents by Inventor Alois Villiger

Alois Villiger 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: 6120859
    Abstract: Polymerisable optically active compounds have the general formula: ##STR1## where: W.sup.1 denotes a polymerisable residue,S.sup.1 denotes a spacer unit,Y.sup.1 denotes a single bond, or one of the groups --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --OCOO--, --S--, --CONH-- or --NHCO--,M denotes a divalent mesogenic group, andR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 denote straight chain, branched or cyclic alkyl groups with up to 8 carbon atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Rolic AG
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Teodor Lukac, Klaus Schmitt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5759443
    Abstract: Objects of this invention are cyclopentyl compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein k signifies a whole number of 4 to 18;n signifies 0 or 1;Y.sup.1, Y.sup.2 signify a single bond, --O--, --COO-- or --OOC--;rings A, B, C each independently signify optionally mono- or difluorinated 1,4-phenylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl, pyrazine-2,5-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, quinoline-2,6-diyl, thiophene-2,5-diyl, thiazole-2,5-diyl or 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl and ring C also signifies trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or trans-1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl;Z.sup.1 signifies a single bond, --COO--,--OOC-- or --C.tbd.C--;Z.sup.2 signifies --COO--, --OOC--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Rolic AG
    Inventors: Jurg Funfschilling, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5667721
    Abstract: Liquid crystalline compounds having two dioxane rings, the dipole moments of which are unidirectional. These are compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein A and B each independently is cyclic or acyclic hydrophobic residues; andn is 0, 1 or 2.as well as liquid crystalline mixtures which contain such compounds and the use of such compounds and, respectively, mixtures for electro-optical display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Rolic AG
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Guy Marck, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5478497
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein rings A, B and C, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, Z.sup.3, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are defined in the specification, their manufacture, liquid crystalline mixtures which contain such compounds and the use of these compounds for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5454974
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 denotes fluorine or chlorine and X.sup.2 denotes hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; R.sup.1 is 3E-alkenyl, 4-alkenyl, 2E-alkenyloxy or 3-alkenyloxy; n stands for the number 0 or 1; one of the groups Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is a single covalent bond, --COO--, --OOC--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 -- and the other of the groups Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is a single covalent bond; and rings A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 each individually are substituted or unsubstituted trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which optionally 2 non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups are replaced by oxygen, or substituted or unsubstituted 1,4-phenylene, in which optionally 1 CH group or 2 CH groups is/are replaced by nitrogen; with the proviso that X.sup.2 denotes fluorine or chlorine and/or Y.sup.1 or Y.sup.2 denotes --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 -- when simultaneously X.sup.1 is fluorine and R.sup.1 is 3E-alkenyl,and their use for liquid crystalline mixtures and electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Boller, Richard Buchecker, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5447658
    Abstract: Compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents vinyl or straight-chain alkenyl with 3 to 7 carbon atoms,the manufacture of such compounds, liquid crystalline mixtures which contain such compounds as well as the use of such compounds for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignees: Hoffman-La Roche Inc., Dainipppon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Teodor Lukac, Martin Schadt, Haruyoshi Takatsu, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5447657
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a group of the formula ##STR2## Ring A.sup.1 is 1,4-phenylene, which is unsubstituted or substituted with fluorine, pyridine-2,5-diyl or pyrimidine-2,5-diyl;Ring A.sup.2 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or trans-1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl;R.sup.1 is an alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxyalkyl group with 1 to 12 and, respectively, 2 to 12 carbon atoms;X.sup.1 is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or difluoromethoxy; andX.sup.2, X.sup.3 each independently are hydrogen or fluorine.The invention is also concerned with liquid crystal mixtures which contain these compounds and with the use of these compounds and mixtures for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5371230
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 signifies a straight-chain alkyl group with 7 to 9 carbon atoms; and R.sup.2 represents a straight-chain alkyl group with 6 to 11 carbon atoms.their manufacture, liquid crystalline mixtures which contain these compounds and their use for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Jurg Funfschilling, Stephen Kelly, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5322638
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein A.sup.1 denotes a single covalent bond and A.sup.2 denotes 1,4-phenylene or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or A.sup.1 denotes trans-1,4-cyclohexylene and A.sup.2 denotes a single covalent bond; X.sup.1 signifies fluorine or chlorine; X.sup.2 represents fluorine or, when X.sup.1 signifies chlorine, also hydrogen or chlorine; and R.sup.1 signifies 1E-alkenyl with 2 to 12 carbon atoms,their manufacture, liquid crystalline mixtures which contain such compounds and their use for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5302317
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 denotes fluorine or chlorine and X.sup.2 denotes hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; R.sup.1 is 3E-alkenyl, 4-alkenyl, 2E-alkenyloxy or 3-alkenyloxy; n stands for the number 0 or 1; one of the groups Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is a single covalent bond, --COO--, --OOC--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 -- and the other of the groups Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is a single covalent bond; and rings A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 each individually are substituted or unsubstituted trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which optionally 2 non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups are replaced by oxygen, or substituted or unsubstituted 1,4-phenylene, in which optionally 1 CH group or 2 CH groups is/are replaced by nitrogen; with the proviso that X.sup.2 denotes fluorine or chlorine and/or Y.sup.1 or Y.sup.2 denotes --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 -- when simultaneously X.sup.1 is fluorine and R.sup.1 is 3E-alkenyl,and their use for liquid crystalline mixtures and electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Boller, Richard Buchecker, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5292452
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z.sup.1 denotes a single covalent bond or --CH.sub.2 Ch.sub.2 --; ring A.sup.1 represents 1,4-phenylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl or, when Z.sup.1 stands for --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, also trans-1,4-cyclohexylene; X.sup.1 stands for fluorine or chlorine; X.sup.2 signifies fluorine, chlorine or hydrogen, with the proviso that X.sup.2 only signifies hydrogen when X.sup.1 is chlorine or when ring A.sup.1 signifies pyridine-2,5-diyl and Z.sup.1 signifies --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --; and R.sup.1 signifies 1E-alkenyl with 2 to 12 carbon atoms,their manufacture, liquid crystalline mixtures which contain these compounds and their use for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Alfred Germann, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5250222
    Abstract: Optically active compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each are alkyl with at least 2 carbon atoms; A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 each are unsubstituted, cyano-, halogen- or methyl-substituted 1,4-phenylene, optionally having one or two CH groups replaced by nitrogen, unsubstituted, cyano- or methyl-substituted trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, the cyclohexylene optionally having one or two CH.sub.2 groups replaced by oxygen; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 each are a single covalent bond, --COO--, --OOC--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --OCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O--, --C.tbd.C--, --COS-- or --SOC--; m stands for the number 0 or 1; n is an integer of 0 to 4; X is oxygen or a methylene group; and each C* represents a chiral carbon atom, one of the chiral carbon atoms has the R-configuration while the other has the S-configuration.The compounds are used in liquid crystalline mixtures to compensate the temperature dependence of the threshold potential of liquid crystal cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Kelly, Frans Leenhouts, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5230826
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 denotes fluorine or chlorine and X.sup.2 denotes hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; R.sup.1 is 3E-alkenyl, 4-alkenyl, 2E-alkenyloxy or 3-alkenyloxy; n stands for the number 0 or 1; one of the groups Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is a single covalent bond, --COO--, --OOC--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 -- and the other of the groups Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is a single covalent bond; and rings A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 each individually are substituted or unsubstituted trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which optionally 2 non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups are replaced by oxygen, or substituted or unsubstituted 1,4-phenylene, in which optionally 1 CH group or 2 CH groups is/are replaced by nitrogen; with the proviso that X.sup.2 denotes fluorine or chlorine and/or Y.sup.1 or Y.sup.2 denotes --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 -- when simultaneously X.sup.1 is fluorine and R.sup.1 is 3E-alkenyl,and their use for liquid crystalline mixtures and electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Boller, Richard Buchecker, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5185098
    Abstract: Compounds of formula ##STR1## wherein Z is a single covalent bond or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, and R.sup.1 is 1E-alkenyl with 2-12 carbon atoms, liquid crystalline mixtures containing them and their use for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5174921
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z.sup.1 is a single covalent bond or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, X.sup.1 is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine and R.sup.1 is 1E-alkenyl with 2 to 12 carbon atoms,their preparation, liquid crystalline mixtures which contain these compounds and their use for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Alfred Germann, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5160661
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 represents fluorine or chlorine; X.sup.2 denotes hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; and R.sup.1 signifies an alkyl group in which optionally a >CH--CH< group is replaced by >C.dbd.C< and/or a methylene group is replaced by oxygen,their manufacture, liquid crystalline mixtures which contain such compounds and their use for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5104569
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl or alkenyl; Z.sup.1 denotes a single covalent bond or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --; ring A represents unsubstituted or halogen- and/or methyl-substituted 1,4-phenylene; Z.sup.2 denotes a single covalent bond, oxygen or --CH.sub.2 O--; and R.sup.2 is an unsubstituted or halogen-substituted alkyl or alkenyl group,their preparation as well as liquid crystalline mixtures and their use for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Frans Leenhouts, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5102578
    Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z represents a single covalent bond or --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --; R.sup.1 denotes alkyl or 2-alkenyl andR.sup.2 is 1E-alkenyl, 3E-alkenyl, 4-alkenyl, (2-alkenyl)oxymethyl or, when R.sup.1 denotes 2-alkenyl and/or Z represents --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, R.sup.2 also is alkyl, cyano or alkoxymethyl,as well as the manufacture of the compounds of formula I. Also disclosed is the use of the compounds in liquid crystalline mixtures and for electro-optical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5100577
    Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystalline mixture containing at least one optically active compound of the general formula ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 denotes a single covalent bond, --COO--, --OOC--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --OCH.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 O--; one of rings A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 represents trans-m-dioxan-2,5-diyl and the other two of rings A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 each independently represent unsubstituted 1,4-phenylene or 1,4-phenylene substituted with cyano, halogen or lower alkyl; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently signify an optionally halogen-substituted alkyl group with up to 18 carbon atoms in which optionally 1 CH.sub.2 group or 2 non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups is/are replaced by --O--, --CO--, --COO-- and/or --OOC--,as well as novel compounds falling under formula I and ferroelectric electrode-optical indicating devices including same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Hoffman-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Hans-Jurgen Fromm, Stephen Kelly, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger
  • Patent number: 5013476
    Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture containing at least one compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein n stands for the number 0 or 1; X.sup.1 represents a single covalent bond, --COO-- or --OOC-- and X.sup.2 represents a single covalent bond, --COO--, --OOC--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --OCH.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 O--; rings A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 each independently signify 1,4-phenylene optionally substituted with cyano, halogen or lower alkyl or pyrimidin-2,5-diyl, pyrazin-2,5-diyl, when n is 1, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or trans-m-dioxan-2,5-diyl; with the proviso that one of the rings present stands for pyrimidin-2,5-diyl or pyrazin-2,5-diyl when a further ring signifies trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or when n stands for the number 0 and X.sup.1 stands for a single covalent bond; and R.sup.1 signifies an optionally halogen-substituted alkenyl group with up to 18 carbon atoms in which optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups are replaced by --O-- and/or a C.dbd.C double bond; with the proviso that R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Boller, Richard Buchecker, Hans-Jurgen Fromm, Stephen Kelly, Martin Schadt, Alois Villiger