Patents by Inventor Thomas Geelhaar

Thomas Geelhaar 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: 5837162
    Abstract: Liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I ##STR1## R is H, an alkyl or alkylene radical, Z.sup.1 and Z are each, independently of one another, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--,--C.tbd.C-- or a single bond, and one of the radicals Z.sup.1 and Z is alternatively --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 -- or --CH.dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --,A is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups may be replaced by --O--,A.sup.1 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups may be replaced by --O--, or is 1,4-phenylene which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by fluorine and/or Cl atoms and in which, in addition, one or two CH groups may be replaced by N,W is --O--,Q is a single bond,m, o, s, r and t are as defined below,Y is F, Cl, OCF.sub.3, CHF.sub.2, OCHF.sub.2 or OCHF, and can be CF.sub.3,are suitable as components for liquid-crystalline media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Herbert Plach, Detlef Pauluth, Reinhard Hittich, Eike Poetsch, Thomas Geelhaar, Georg Weber, Ekkehard Bartmann
  • Patent number: 5811029
    Abstract: Benzene derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which n is 1 to 7, Q is --CO or --(CH.sub.2).sub.r -- where r is 1 to 5, s is 0, 1 or 2, t is 0 or 1, where s+t.gtoreq.1, X is F, Cl, --CF.sub.3, --CN, --OCF.sub.3 or --OCHF.sub.2, and Y, L and Z are each, independently of one another, H or F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Andreas Wachtler, Reinhard Hittich, Eike Poetsch, Herbert Plach, David Coates, Ulrich Finkenzeller, Thomas Geelhaar, Volker Reiffenrath, Bernhard Rieger
  • Patent number: 5626793
    Abstract: A nematic liquid crystalline medium having at least two liquid crystalline components with at least one being of formula I ##STR1## wherein R is H, a straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl radical having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, it also being possible to replace one or more CH.sub.2 groups in these radicals, independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, ##STR2## --CO--, --CO--O--, --O--CO-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a way that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another,Z.sub.1 and Z are each, independently of one another, --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or a single bond, and one of the radicals Z.sup.1 and Z is alternatively --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 -- or --CH.dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --,A and A.sup.1 are each, independently of one another, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent CH.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Herbert Plach, Detlef Pauluth, Reinhard Hittich, Eike Poetsch, Thomas Geelhaar, Georg Weber, Ekkehard Bartmann
  • Patent number: 5478496
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of chiral and/or achiral compounds, containing at least one structural element from the group comprisingthiazole-2,4-diylthiazole-2,5-diyl1,2,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl1,2,4-thiadiazole-3,5-diylas components of media having a smectic liquid-crystalline phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: George W. Gray, Richard M. Scrowston, Kenneth J. Toyne, David Lacey, Adam Jackson, Joachim Krause, Eike Poetsch, Thomas Geelhaar, Georg Weber, Andreas Wachtler
  • Patent number: 5393459
    Abstract: The invention relates to optically active compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which R is an alkyl or alkenyl radical having up to 15 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by --CN or at least monosubstituted by fluorine or chlorine, it also being possible for a CH.sub.2 group in these radicals to be replaced by --O--, --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O--,A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are each, independently of one another, a 1,4-phenylene radical, pyridine-2,5-diyl radical, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl radical, pyrazine-2,5-diyl radical, pyridazine-3,6-diyl radical, 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl radical, 1,2,4-thiadiazole-3,5-diyl radical or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene radical, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two fluorine atoms, and in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups may be replaced by --O-- and/or --S--, and/or a CH group,Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 are each, independently of one another, --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Andreas Wachtler, Thomas Geelhaar, Reinhard Hittich, Ekkehard Bartmann, Joachim Krause, Eike Poetsch
  • Patent number: 5389290
    Abstract: Optically active nitrogen-containing heterocycles of the formula I according to claim 1 are suitable as components for ferroelectric liquid crystalline materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Joachim Krause, Rudolf Eidenschink, Klaus Bofinger, Reinhard Hopf, Volker Reiffenrath, Eike Poetsch, Bernhard Scheuble, Thomas Geelhaar
  • Patent number: 5389291
    Abstract: The invention relates to halopyridines of the formula I ##STR1## in which L is Cl or F, andR.sup.1, R.sup.2, A.sup.1, A.sup.2, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, m and n are as defined in patent claim 1, and the use thereof as components of liquid-crystalline, in particular ferroelectric, media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Thomas Geelhaar
  • Patent number: 5389295
    Abstract: Benzene derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which n is 1 to 7, Q is --CO or --(CH.sub.2).sub.r --, where r is 1 to 5, s is 0, 1 or 2, t is 0 or 1, where s+t.gtoreq.1, X is F, Cl, --CF.sub.3, --CN, --OCF.sub.3 or --OCHF.sub.2, and Y, L and Z are each, independently of one another, H or F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Andreas Wachtler, Reinhard Hittich, Eike Poetsch, Herbert Plach, David Coates, Ulrich Finkenzeller, Thomas Geelhaar, Volker Reiffenrath, Bernhard Rieger
  • Patent number: 5384065
    Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix liquid-crystal display based on the principle of electrically controlled birefringence, havingtwo plane-parallel outer plates, which, together with a frame, form a cell,integrated nonlinear elements for switching individual pixels on the outer plates,a nematic liquid-crystal mixture of negative dielectric anisotropy and high specific resistance which is located in the cell,electrode layers covered by alignment layers on the insides of the outer plates, anda tilt angle between the longitudinal axis of the molecules at the surface of the outer plates and the outer plates of from about 85 degrees to 95 degrees,in which the nematic liquid-crystal mixture contains at least one compound which contains a structural element of the formula 1, 2 or 3 ##STR1## and to a process for the production thereof and to the nematic liquid-crystal mixture it contains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Thomas Geelhaar, Bernhard Rieger, Volker Reiffenrath, Ekkehard Bartmann, David Coates
  • Patent number: 5384072
    Abstract: The invention relates to methylenecyclobutane derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, A.sup.1, A.sup.2, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, X, Y and m are as defined in claim 1, and to the use thereof as a component of liquid-crystalline media for electrooptical displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Eike Poetsch, Werner Binder, Thomas Geelhaar
  • Patent number: 5340497
    Abstract: The invention relates to fluorophenylpyrimidines of the formula I: ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, A.sup.1,A.sup.2, Q.sup.1, Q.sup.2 and n have the meaning specified in patent claim 1, and to their use as components of liquid-crystalline, in particular ferroelectric, media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Andreas Wachtler, Hans-Michael Kompter, Eike Poetsch, Thomas Geelhaar, Reinhard Hittich, Joachim Krause
  • Patent number: 5330679
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nematic liquid-crystal composition for active matrix displays with high voltage holding ratio and extremely good low temperature stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignees: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Sharp Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Sasaki, Masako Okada, Shuichi Kohzaki, Fumiaki Funada, Bernhard Rieger, Hiroshi Numata, Reinhard Hittich, Herbert Plach, Thomas Geelhaar, Eike Poetsch, Volker Reiffenrath
  • Patent number: 5318721
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of trifluorotoluene derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms in which, in addition, one or more non-neighboring CH.sub.2 groups may be replaced by --O--, --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --O--CO--O--, --CH-halogen, --CH--CN-- and/or --CH.dbd.CH--,A.sup.1 and A.sup.2, in each case independently of one another, are 1,4-phenylene in which, in addition, one or more CH groups may be replaced by N, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene in which, in addition, one or two non-neighboring CH.sub.2 groups may be replaced by --O-- and/or --S--, or 1,4-bicyclo(2,2,2)octylene, each of which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by halogen, nitrile and/or CH.sub.3,Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2, in each case independently of one another, are --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- or a single bond, andn is 0 or 1,as components of chiral tilted smectic phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Joachim Krause, Thomas Geelhaar, Rudolf Eidenschink, Hans-Adolf Kurmeier, Eike Poetsch, Bernhard Scheuble, Georg Weber
  • Patent number: 5308543
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nematic liquid-crystal composition for active matrix displays with high voltage holding ratio and extremely good low temperature stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignees: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit besrankter Haftung, Sharp Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Sasaki, Masako Okada, Shuichi Kohzaki, Fumiaki Funada, Bernhard Rieger, Hiroshi Numata, Reinhard Hittich, Herbert Plach, Thomas Geelhaar, Eike Poetsch, Volker Reiffenrath
  • Patent number: 5300254
    Abstract: The invention relates to ferroelectric liquid-crystal displays having improved multiplexing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Thomas Geelhaar, Axel Pausch, Michael Kompter, Bernhard Scheuble
  • Patent number: 5279764
    Abstract: The invention relates to dihalogenobenzene derivatives of the formula IR.sup.1 --A.sup.1 --Z.sup.1 --A.sup.2 --(Z.sup.2 --A.sup.3).sub.n --R.sup.2wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and n are as defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Joachim Krause, Georg Weber, Ulrich Finkenzeller, Andreas Wachtler, Thomas Geelhaar, David Coates, Ian C. Sage, Simon Greenfield
  • Patent number: 5279762
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula IR.sup.1 --A.sup.1 --A.sup.2 --R.sup.2 IwhereinR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each alkyl with 1-15 C atoms, and wherein one or two non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups can also be replaced by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CHHalogen--, --CHCN-- and/or --CH.dbd.CH--,A.sup.1 is 1,4-phenylene, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or a single bond andA.sup.2 is ##STR1## in which Z is --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --S--CO--, --CO--S--, CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, with the proviso that, if A.sup.1 is a single bond, A.sup.2 is ##STR2## are suitable as components of chirally tilted smectic liquid crystal phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Reinhard Hopf, Bernhard Scheuble, Reinhard Hittich, Joachim Krause, Volker Reiffenrath, Eike Poetsch, Thomas Geelhaar, Rudolf Eidenschink
  • Patent number: 5273680
    Abstract: This invention relates to fluorinated oligophenyls of formula (I), in which a is 0 or 1 and in which the terminal substituents R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently an alkyl or alkenyl residue each with up to 15 C atoms, optionally substituted by CN or by at least one halogen atom, and wherein one or more non adjacent CH.sub.2 groups of these residues may be replaced by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --O--CO--O-- or --C.tbd.C--, one of the residues R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may also denote a group of formula (II), any one of the following pairs of lateral substituents are both fluorine: (A, B), (C, D), (D, E), (C, E), (B, C), (D, J), (D, K), (A, C), (C, J), (C', D'), (D', E), (D', A), (C', E), (C', A), (D', J'), (D', K'), (C', J'), (B, G), (A, G), all of the other lateral substituents being hydrogen or fluorine, and to their use as components of liquid crystalline compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: George W. Gray, Michael Hird, David Lacey, Kenneth J. Toyne, Volker Reiffenrath, Andreas Wachtler, Joachim Krause, Ulrich Finkenzeller, Thomas Geelhaar
  • Patent number: 5248447
    Abstract: 2,3-difluorohydroquinone compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, in each case independently of one another, are alkyl having 1 to 15 C atoms or alkenyl having 3 to 15 C atoms which are unsubstituted, monosubstituted by cyano or at least monosubstituted by fluorine or chlorine, it also being possible for one CH.sub.2 group in these radicals to be replaced by --O--, --CO--, --CO--O--, --O--CO-- or --O--CO--O--,A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3, in each case independently of one another, are(a) trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent CH.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Joachim Krause, Andreas Wachtler, Georg Weber, Thomas Geelhaar, David Coates, Ian C. Sage, Simon Greenfield
  • Patent number: 5236620
    Abstract: Derivatives of difluorobenzene of the formula IR.sup.1 --(--A.sup.o --).sub.m --Z.sup.1 --A.sup.1 --Z.sup.2 --A.sup.2 --R.sup.2 Iwherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, A.sup.o, A.sup.1, A.sup.2, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and m have the meaning indicated in patent claim 1, their preparation and their use as components of liquid-crystal media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Joachim Krause, Andreas Wachtler, Georg Weber, Thomas Geelhaar