Including Fused Or Bridged Rings Patents (Class 252/299.62)
  • Patent number: 7341675
    Abstract: Liquid crystalline polymers containing specified ratios of repeat units derived from hydroquinone, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and optionally terephthalic acid have exceptionally high heat distortion temperatures, making especially useful for service at high temperatures. Compositions containing reinforcing agents, especially fibrous or platy reinforcing agents are particularly useful. These polymers and compositions are useful for electrical and electronic connectors, and as films for the electronics industry, and for other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Richard Alan Jackson, Marion G. Waggoner
  • Patent number: 7335403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy, which comprises at least one compound of the formula (I) in which R0, R1, A1, Z1 and m have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display based on the ECB, PALC or IPS effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Matthias Bremer, Lars Lietzau
  • Patent number: 7326447
    Abstract: The present invention relates to benzochromene derivatives of the formula I in which the various parameters are as defined in the text, and to liquid-crystal media which comprise these compounds, and to the use of the media in electro-optical displays, in particular in VAN LCDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Andreas Taugerbeck, Melanie Klasen-Memmer
  • Publication number: 20080014374
    Abstract: The invention is to provide such a polymerizable liquid crystal composition that is excellent in stability in a solution state, shows good coating property on a supporting substrate, and has uniform homeotropic alignment property. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition of the invention contains an acrylate compound and a bisphenol fluorene compound. The bisphenol fluorene compound is effective for controlling uniform homeotropic alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Hirai
  • Patent number: 7316830
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline phenol esters of the formula I in which R, A1, Z1, m, L and Y are as defined in Claim 1, to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one phenol ester of the formula I, and to electro-optical displays containing such a liquid-crystalline medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Michael Heckmeier, Eike Poetsch, Joachim Krause, Werner Binder, Brigitte Schuler, Achim Götz
  • Patent number: 7314654
    Abstract: An optically anisotropic element comprises a discotic compound. The discotic compound has an oriented discotic plane. The discotic compound has a molecular structure including a discotic core and 3 to 20 combinations of ester bonds (—O—CO—) and 1- or 2-alkenyl groups. The alkenyl group can have a polymerizable group as a substituent group positioned at the terminal. A polymerizable discotic compound having an oriented discotic plane can be polymerized to form an optically anisotropic element. Alignment of the oriented discotic plane is fixed by polymerization. A new triphenylene compound is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Uehira, Michitaka Matsuumi, Atsuhiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 7303791
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium comprising at least one compound of the formula I in which X, Z1, Z2, Z3, a, b and c are as defined in Claim 1, and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Brigitte Schuler, Martin Engel, Peer Kirsch, Matthias Bremer
  • Publication number: 20070272897
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid crystal composition having a first class compound including a fluorine-containing compound, and a second class compound including a neutral liquid crystal compound, where each terminal group of the neutral crystal compound includes an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or an alkenyl group. If the neutral liquid crystal compound includes an alkenyl group at the terminal group, the liquid crystal composition includes less than 7 wt % of the neutral crystal compound including the alkenyl group. The present invention also discloses a liquid crystal display including the aforementioned liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-Ho SON, Fusayuki TAKESHITA, Jae-Jin LYU, Yong-Kuk YUN, Hyun-Wuk KIM, Jang-Hyun KIM, Min-Goo SEOK
  • Patent number: 7297379
    Abstract: A compound of the formula (I) is described where R1 and R2 are defined in the specification and p=q=r=0 or 1 with p+q+r?0. The compound of formula (I) has high dielectric anisotropy, thermally stable, fast response time and high voltage holding ratio, which is used as a liquid crystal medium for the liquid-crystal displays such as ECB, in-plane-switching (IPS) and VA display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen, Barbara Hornung
  • Patent number: 7297378
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, p, q, G and X are each as defined in the description, use of compounds of the formula (I) in liquid-crystal mixtures, liquid-crystal mixture comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I), and a liquid-crystal display comprising an inventive liquid-crystal mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen, Barbara Hornung
  • Patent number: 7294369
    Abstract: The invention relates to new polymerisable mesogenic or liquid crystalline compounds comprising a laterally substituted cinnamate group, to polymerisable mesogenic or liquid crystalline mixtures and anisotropic polymers prepared thereof, and to the use of the new compounds and the mixtures and polymers prepared thereof in optical and electrooptical devices, adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetics, diagnostics, liquid crystal pigments, decorative and security applications, nonlinear optics, optical information storage, electronic devices like organic field effect transistors (FET or OFET), electroluminescent devices, or as chiral dopants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Richard Harding, Ian Victor Edward Hassall, Shirley Ann Marden, Darren Brown
  • Patent number: 7291727
    Abstract: Novel discotic liquid crystalline porphyrins and discotic liquid crystalline metal complexes, methods for their preparation, and device fabrication are disclosed. Materials with partially perfluorinated alkyl group in the peripheral chains show a strong tendency towards the formation of homeotropic alignment. These compounds are capable of being used as high-efficiency photovoltaic materials, organic semiconducting materials, and organic light emitting materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Quan Li, Xiaoli Zhou
  • Patent number: 7291366
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cyclopenta[b]naphthalene derivatives of the general formula (I) in which Z, A, n, R, L5 and L8 as (II) and (III) are as defined in Claim 1, to the use thereof in liquid-crystalline or mesogenic media, to liquid-crystalline or mesogenic media comprising at least one of these cyclopenta[b]naphthalene derivatives, and to electro-optical display elements containing these liquid-crystalline or mesogenic media
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Lietzau, Matthias Bremer, Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Michael Heckmeier
  • Patent number: 7282246
    Abstract: Concerning the compound of the formula (I) R1, R3 are each independently, for example, H R2, R4 are each independently, for example, H X1, X2 are each independently H or F M1 is —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CH2—O—, —O—CH2—, —CF2—O—, —O—CF2—, —CH?CH—, —CF?CF—, —C?C—, —CH2—CH2—CO—O—, —O—CO—CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, —CF2—CF2—, —(CH2)4—, —OC(?O)CF?CF— or a single bond A1 is, for example, 1,4-phenylene, and R5 has the same possible definitions as specified for R2 and R4, with the exception of —M1-A1-R5, but independently of the particular definitions of R2 and R4 with the following provisos: 1) at least one of X1, X2 has to be F 2) R1, R2, R3 and R4 must not at the same time be H 3) at most two of R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmidt, Barbara Hornung, Rainer Wingen
  • Publication number: 20070221881
    Abstract: A liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy and including a first component, which is a liquid crystal compound having a chroman ring, in which two hydrogens are replaced by fluorine, a second component, which is a liquid crystal compound having phenylene in which two hydrogens are replaced by fluorine and chlorine, and a particular third component, and a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Atsuko Fujita, Hiroaki Fujita, Norikatsu Hattori
  • Patent number: 7273641
    Abstract: An optically anisotropic element comprises a discotic compound. The discotic compound has an oriented discotic plane. The discotic compound has a molecular structure represented by the formula (I) of D(—O—CO—CR1?CR2—X—R3)n. In the formula (I), D is a discotic core, n is an integer of 3 to 20, each of R1 and R2 is hydrogen, a halogen atom or an alkyl group, X is —O—, —S— or —NR—, and R3 is an alkyl group or an aryl group. A polymerizable discotic compound having an oriented discotic plane can be polymerized to form an optically anisotropic element. Alignment of the oriented discotic plane is fixed by polymerization. A new discotic compound is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Michitaka Matsuumi, Shigeki Uehira, Atsuhiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 7270856
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel cyclobutane derivatives of the formula (I), in which R1, R2, A, Z, m, n and o have the meaning indicated in claim 1, to the use thereof as components of liquid-crystalline media, and to liquid-crystal and electro-optical display elements which contain the liquid-crystalline media according to the invention
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Taugerbeck, Michael Heckmeier, Peer Kirsch, Georg Luessem, Eike Poetsch
  • Patent number: 7265163
    Abstract: There is provided a process for forming a light emitting polymer comprising photopolymerization of a reactive mesogen having an endgroup which is susceptible to photopolymerization e.g. by a radical polymerization process. Also provided are methods for using the light emitter in displays, backlights, electronic apparatus and security viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: University of Hull
    Inventors: Mary O'Neill, Stephen Malcolm Kelly, Adam Edward Alexander Contoret, Gary James Richards
  • Publication number: 20070187644
    Abstract: The invention is to provide such a liquid crystal compound that has general properties required for a liquid crystal compound, stability to heat, light and the like, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, and favorable compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and a liquid crystal composition containing the compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Sasada
  • Patent number: 7255900
    Abstract: In the compound of the formula (I), where: R1, R2 are each independently, for example, H or a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical p, q are each independently 0 or 1, i.e. at the value zero, —H is present at the appropriate position instead of —F M1 is —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CH2—O—, —O—CH2—, —CF2—O—, —O—CF2—, —CH?CH—, —CF?CF—, —C?C—, —CH2—CH2—CO——O—, —O—CO—CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, —CF2—CF2—, —(CH2)4—, —OC(?O)CF?CF— or a single bond A1 is, for example, 1,4-phenylene R5 has the same possible definitions as specified for R1 and R2, with the exception of —M1—A1—R5, but independently of the definition of R1 and R2 X is H, F, OF3, CF3, OCF2H with the following provisos: a) at least one of p, q has to be 1 b) R1 and R2 must not at the same time be H c) R2 and X must not at the same time be H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen, Barbara Hornung
  • Patent number: 7250198
    Abstract: Liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I in which R1, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, X, a, b, L1, L2 and L3 are as defined herein, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one compound of the formula I and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Peer Kirsch, Joachim Krause, Alexander Hahn, Andreas Ruhl
  • Patent number: 7247355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound having a chroman ring, which has good thermal and optical stability, adequate optical anisotropy, adequate dielectric anisotropy and superior compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, a liquid crystal composition comprising the compound, and a liquid crystal device comprising the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: Kouki Sagou, Atsuko Fujita
  • Publication number: 20070152189
    Abstract: Novel discotic liquid crystalline porphyrins and discotic liquid crystalline metal complexes, methods for their preparation, and device fabrication are disclosed. Materials with partially perfluorinated alkyl group in the peripheral chains show a strong tendency towards the formation of homeotropic alignment. These compounds are capable of being used as high-efficiency photovoltaic materials, organic semiconducting materials, and organic light emitting materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Quan Li, Xiaoli Zhou
  • Patent number: 7232592
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nematic liquid crystal composition using a 4,6-difluoroindane-based compound that has a low lower limit temperature (T?N) of the liquid crystal phase, high upper limit temperature (TN-I) of the liquid crystal phase, and wide liquid crystal phase temperature range without impairing response speed, threshold voltage and other liquid crystal characteristics within a the range of the optimal ?n as a nematic liquid crystal, and a 4,6-difluoroindane-based compound that is used in said liquid crystal composition. The nematic liquid crystal composition contains at least one type of compound having a 4,6-difluoroindan-2,5-diyl group, and the refractive index anisotropy is within the range of 0.08 to 0.15, the liquid crystal phase upper limit temperature is 70° C. or higher, the liquid crystal phase lower limit temperature is ?20° C. or lower, and the difference between the liquid crystal phase upper limit temperature and liquid crystal phase lower limit temperature is 90° C. or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuo Umezu, Shotaro Kawakami, Kiyofumi Takeuchi, Tetsuo Kusumoto, Shinji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7226644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal compound which has negative dielectric anisotropy and a large absolute value thereof; and a liquid crystal display element which contains the compound as a constituent element and has a negative value of dielectric anisotropy in the vertical alignment mode, IPS, or the like. The liquid-crystal display element has a structure including a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween, and includes at least an alignment control layer, a transparent electrode, and a polarizing plate, in which the liquid crystal includes at least one compound having a partial structure represented by general formula (A): (wherein W1 and W2 each independently represents fluorine, chlorine, —CF3, —CF2H, —OCF3, or —OCF2H) and has negative dielectric anistropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Matsumoto, Tetsuo Kusumoto, Shotaro Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7223450
    Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula I wherein X1,X2,X1,X2,x1,x2,y1,y2,B,C,U1,U2,V1,V2,W1 and W2 have the meaning given in claim 1, 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 polymerizade 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 display, 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: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Merck GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Taugerbeck, Peer Kirsch, Detlef Pauluth, Joachim Krause, Juliane Suermann, Michael Heckmeier
  • Patent number: 7201950
    Abstract: A novel optical compensatory sheet is disclosed. The sheet comprises an optically anisotropic layer comprising at least one compound selected from the group represented by Formula (I): where L1, L2 and L3 respectively represent a single bond, NRa, where Ra is a hydrogen atom (H), an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group, oxygen atom (O) or sulfur atom (S); A1, A2 and A3 respectively represent an alkylene group; R1, R2 and R3 respectively represent a substituent group; m1, m2 and m3 respectively represent an integer not less than 0, at least one of m1, m2 and m3 is not 0, when m1 and m2 are 0, L3 represents NH or S; and when m1, m2 and m3 are respectively not less than 2, plural A1, A2 or A3 may be same or different each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Uehira, Shinichi Morishima, Minoru Uchida
  • Patent number: 7198827
    Abstract: A nematic liquid crystal composition comprising compounds of the general formulas (I-1) to (I-5) each having naphthalene-2,6-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, and a liquid display device using the same. This nematic liquid crystal composition broadens the operating temperature range of liquid crystal display characteristics due to an improvement in co-solubility and storage at low temperature, thereby making it possible to improve a reduction in driving voltage and a change in temperature and to attain comparatively fast response characteristics for a predetermined driving voltage. Accordingly, the nematic liquid crystal composition is best suited for use as TN, STN, TFT, IPS, MVA, OCB, ECB, PC, PNLC, PDLC, PSCT or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyofumi Takeuchi, Haruyoshi Takatsu, Hirokazu Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 7199167
    Abstract: There is provided a process for forming a light emitting polymer comprising photopolymerization of a reactive mesogen having an endgroup which is susceptible to photopolymerization e.g. by a radical polymerization process. Also provided are methods for using the light emitter in displays, backlights, electronic apparatus and security viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: University of Hull
    Inventors: Mary O'Neill, Stephen Malcolm Kelly, Adam Edward Alexander Contoret, Gary James Richards
  • Patent number: 7182885
    Abstract: Fluorinated indenes and 1,7-dihydroindacenes of the general formulae (I) and (II) of negative dielectric anisotropy (??<0) in which T, A, R, L, X, Y, U, W, Z, n, m, p and q are as defined herein are suitable for use in liquid crystal display elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Lietzau, Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Matthias Bremer
  • Patent number: 7179511
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline phenol esters of the formula I in which R, A1, Z1, m, L and Y are as defined in Claim 1, to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one phenol ester of the formula I, and to electro-optical displays containing such a liquid-crystalline medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Michael Heckmeier, Eike Poetsch, Joachim Krause, Werner Binder, Brigitte Schuler, Achim Götz
  • Patent number: 7169449
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device produced through the steps of injecting a polymerizable monomer-containing liquid crystal composition between two substrates and, while applying a voltage between opposing transparent electrodes of the substrates, polymerizing the monomer, wherein the polymerizable monomer contained in the liquid crystal composition has one or more ring or condensed ring structures and functional groups bonded directly to the ring or condensed ring structure. The monomer is preferably represented by the following general formula: P1-A1-(Z1-A2)n-P2 wherein P1 and P2 are acrylates or the like, A1 and A2 are 1,4-phenylenes or the like, Z1 is —COO— or the like, and n is 0 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Yohei Nakanishi, Masakazu Shibasaki, Kazutaka Hanaoka, Yuichi Inoue, Kazuaki Tarumi, Matthias Bremer, Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Simon Greenfield, Richard Harding
  • Patent number: 7166239
    Abstract: There is provided a process for forming a light emitting polymer comprising photopolymerization of a reactive mesogen having an endgroup which is susceptible to photopolymerization e.g. by a radical polymerization process. Also provided are methods for using the light emitter in displays, backlights, electronic apparatus and security viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: University of Hull
    Inventors: Mary O'Neill, Stephen Malcolm Kelly, Adam Edward Alexander Contoret, Gary James Richards
  • Patent number: 7157124
    Abstract: A compound represented by formula (1) or (2) and a polymer obtained by polymerizing the compound are provided: wherein Ra is one of the groups represented by Formulas (3-1) to (3-5); Rb is hydrogen, halogen, or a side chain such as —CN, —NCO, —NCS or alkyl having a carbon number of 1 to 20; A is a cyclic diyl group such as 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexenylene, 1,4-phenylene, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, fluorene-2,7-diyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-1,4-diyl or bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3,6-diyl, wherein at least one A is substituted 1,4-phenylene represented by Formula (4-1) or (4-2); Z is a single bond or a bonding group such as alkylene having a carbon number of 1 to 20; Rc is hydrogen, halogen, —CF3 or alkyl having a carbon number of 1 to 5; m is an integer of 1 to 6, and q is 0 or 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Chisso Petrochemical Corporation, Chisso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sasada, Kazuhiko Saigusa
  • Patent number: 7153548
    Abstract: A retardation plate having a high film strength and having an optical property is provided by using a biaxial liquid crystal compound, in which the direction having a minimum refractive index of the optically anisotropic thin layer almost coincides with the normal direction in the film plane of the retardation plate, and the retardation plate comprises a transparent support and at least one optically anisotropic layer containing a liquid crystal compound capable of expressing a biaxial liquid crystal phase, wherein the liquid crystal compound is a polymerizable compound and/or a polymer compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nishikawa, Atsuhiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 7145047
    Abstract: Disclosed in a novel liquid-crystalline compound which is a naphthalene derivative useful as an electro-optical liquid crystal display material, a liquid crystal composition containing such naphthalene derivatives and a liquid crystal display device comprising the same. The naphthalene derivative provided by the present invention exhibits an excellent liquid-crystallinity and miscibility with currently widely used liquid crystal compositions or compositions. The addition of the naphthalene derivative makes it possible to drastically lower the threshold voltage of the liquid crystal composition while maintaining its high response. The naphthalene derivative of the present invention is characterized by a large birefringence index. Further, most of the naphthalene derivative of the present invention has no strongly polar group in its molecule and thus can also be used for active matrix driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadao Takehara, Masashi Osawa, Haruyoshi Takatsu, Makoto Negishi
  • Patent number: 7144608
    Abstract: A color-correcting polarizer is provided comprising a polarizer layer and at least one discotic film layer. The discotic film layer is optically transparent within the range of visible wavelength. The discotic film layer works as a polarizer in the wavelength ranges at least from 380 to 500 nm and/or from 600 to 780 nm. A liquid crystal cell comprising the color correcting polarizer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Michael V. Paukshto, Louis D. Silverstein
  • Patent number: 7128953
    Abstract: An optical film comprises a transparent support and a polarizing layer. The polarizing layer selectively transmits polarized light, and selectively reflects or scatters other polarized light. The polarizing layer contains a compound represented by the formula (I) of Ar1—C?C—Ar3—C?C—Ar2. In the formula (I), each of Ar1 and Ar2 independently is a monovalent aromatic group, and Ar3 is a divalent aromatic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Ohkawa, Hiroki Sasaki, Kensuke Morita, Ichiro Amimori
  • Patent number: 7125589
    Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (1), a composition comprising the composition and an element comprising the composition: Ra is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons and so forth; A1, A2 and A3 are 1,4-cyclohexylene and so forth; Z1, Z2 and Z3 are a single bond and so forth; n and m are 0 or 1; and phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Kimura, Shuichi Matsui
  • Patent number: 7122228
    Abstract: The invention relates to indanes having negative ?? of the formula Ia or Ib in which R, A, Z, X, Y, V, W, n and m are as defined in claim 1. The compounds are particularly suitable for producing VA-TFT displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Reiffenrath, Michael Heckmeier, Matthias Bremer
  • Patent number: 7122227
    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, color filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal pigments and colored films or coatings for decorative or security applications, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, in nonlinear optics and optical information storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft
    Inventors: Julian Vaughn-Spickers, Simon Greenfield, Ian Victor Edward Hassall, Christopher Dunn, Richard Harding, Tony Jenkins, Alison May
  • Patent number: 7118786
    Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent support and an optically anisotropic layer. The optically anisotropic layer is formed from liquid crystal molecules. Three principal refractive indices of the optically anisotropic layer are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichiro Aminaka, Hideyuki Nishikawa, Ken Kawata
  • Patent number: 7105106
    Abstract: Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers are produced by the reaction of a polyester made from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a diol, one or more hydroxycarboxylic acids, a stoichiometric excess of an aromatic diol, and a carboxylic acid anhydride. Also disclosed are novel liquid crystalline polymers that may be produced by this process. These liquid crystalline polymers are useful as molding resins and shaped articles thereof are produced. In particular, the articles include films, sheets, containers and portions thereof comprising these LCPs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemour and Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Samuels, Marion Glen Waggoner, Julius Uradnisheck
  • Patent number: 7105210
    Abstract: A liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy, which contains one or more compounds of the formula I and one or more compounds of the formula IA in which R1, R2, ring A, L1-8, Z1, X1 and X2 are as defined in claim 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Brigitte Schuler, Izumi Saito, Sabine Schoen, Peer Kirsch
  • Patent number: 7101595
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by formula (1) defined in the specification. The invention further provides a liquid crystal composition comprising at least two compounds, which at least one compound out of them is the above compound. The invention still further provides a polymer obtained by polymerizing the above composition, and uses of the polymer such as a molded article having an optical anisotropy, an optical compensation element, a wavelength functional plate, an optical element, and a liquid crystal display element comprising the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: Ryushi Shundo, Hiromichi Inoue, Tomohiro Etou
  • Patent number: 7094359
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a micro powder capable of producing a thin film with precision thickness. This object is achieved by a micro powder having an average particle size of from 0.5 to 50 ?m, obtained by grinding a liquid crystalline polyester having a flow beginning temperature of from 200° C. to 270° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Okamoto, Manabu Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 7087272
    Abstract: The invention relates to fluorinated fluorene derivatives of negative DC anisotropy, of the formula I R1—(—A1—Z1—)k1—(—A2—Z2—)k2—W—(—Z3—A3—)k3—(—Z4—A4—)k4—R2I in which W denotes the sub-formula L1 and L2, independently of one another, are H, F, Cl, —CH2F, —CHF2 or —CF3, with the proviso that L1 and L2 are not both H, L3 and L4, independently of one another, are H or F, and R1, R2, A1, A2, A3, A4, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, k1, k2, k3 and k4 are as defined above. The invention furthermore relates to liquid-crystalline media and to optical and electro-optical display elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Bremer, Detlef Pauluth, Melanie Klasen-Memmer
  • Patent number: 7081279
    Abstract: Liquid crystalline compounds having a large negative ?? low viscosity, a large K33/K11 value, a small ??/?? and mutually excellent solubility even at low temperature, compositions containing at least one of the compounds and liquid crystal display devices containing such a liquid crystal compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Chisso Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kato, Tomoyuki Kondo, Henry Bernhardt, Shuichi Matsui, Hiroyuki Takeuchi, Yasuhiro Kubo, Fusayuki Takeshita, Etsuo Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7078078
    Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent support and an optically anisotropic layer. The optically anisotropic layer is formed from liquid crystal molecules and monomers having four or more double bonds. The monomers are polymerized to form a polymer in the optically anisotropic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoji Ito
  • Patent number: 7078079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy, characterised in that it comprises one or more compounds of the general formula I in which R1, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, Z1, Z2, X, v and u are as defined in claim 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Brigitte Schuler, Achim Goetz, Peer Kirsch, Detlef Pauluth, Matthias Bremer, Sabine Schoen, Georg Lüssem, Christian Hock