Including Fused Or Bridged Rings Patents (Class 252/299.62)
  • Patent number: 7070838
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by formula (1) defined in the specification and a liquid crystal composition comprising the compound. The invention further provides a polymer obtained by polymerization of compound or composition above, and further the present invention provides a film, an optical anisotropic material, A ¼ or ½ wavelength functional plate, an optical compensation element, an optical element and a liquid crystal display element employing the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignees: Chisso Petrochemical Corporation, Chisso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sasada, Motoki Yanai
  • Patent number: 7067179
    Abstract: A novel compound represented by the general formula (I), and a nematic liquid crystal composition incorporating the same. A compound represented by the general formula (I) can be produced industrially extremely easily, as shown in the examples, displays superior compatibility with current general purpose host liquid crystals as a nematic phase, and also shows little crystal precipitation at low temperatures. Moreover, by addition of a small amount of such a compound to a host liquid crystal, the liquid crystal temperature range at low temperatures can be effectively widened without any significant worsening of the various characteristics of the liquid crystal material. Consequently, a compound of the present invention is an extremely useful liquid crystal material which is suitable for various liquid crystal display elements which require a broad operating temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinji Ogawa, Tatsuo Kawara, Sadao Takehara, Hiroyuki Ohnishi, Kiyofumi Takeuchi, Haruyoshi Takatsu, Gerwald Grahe, Rainer Bruno Frings, Christine Fugger, Cornelia Pithart
  • Patent number: 7026021
    Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (I) where: R1, R2 are each independently a) H b) -M1-A1-R5 c) a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to 16 carbon atoms or a straight-chain or branched alkenyl radical having from 2 to 16 carbon atoms, where c1) one or more nonadjacent and nonterminal CH2 groups may be replaced by —O—, —C(?O)O—, —O—C(?O)—, —O—C(?O)—O—, —C(?O)— or —Si(CH3)2—, and/or c2) one CH2 group may be replaced by —C?C—, cyclopropane-1,2-diyl, cyclobutane-1,3-diyl, cyclohexane-1,4-diyl or phenylene-1,4-diyl, and/or c3) one or more hydrogen atoms may be replaced by F and/or Cl, p, q are each independently 0 or 1 G1-G2 is —CH2CH—, —CH?C—, —CH2CH2CH— or —CH?CH—CH— 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 1,4-phenylene where one or two hydrogen atoms may be replaced by F, Cl, CN and/or OCF3, or up to three hydrogen atoms may be replaced by
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Wingen, Barbara Hornung, Wolfgang Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7022259
    Abstract: A liquid crystal compound with high helical twisting power, a method for preparing the same, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same. The liquid crystal compounds include cyclic group chain structures similar to the liquid crystal to serve as the core structure, and multi-ring structures of natural alcohol with optical activity, such as alcoholates of terpenol, borneol, cinchonidine, quinine, or derivatives thereof. As a result, the liquid crystal composition containing the liquid crystal compounds can filter out light of specific wavelengths from incident light due to optical activity and high helical twisting power thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Dao-Hung Lee, Ding-Jen Chen, Kung-Lung Cheng
  • Patent number: 7018685
    Abstract: The invention relates to fluorinated aromatics of the formula (I) where X is CH2, C?O, CF2, O or S, Y is H or F, with the proviso that Y has to be F when X is CH2, and where the other parameters are as defined in claim 1, and also to their use in liquid-crystal mixtures, and also to liquid-crystal mixtures comprising these compounds and to liquid-crystal displays comprising these mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen, Barbara Hornung
  • Patent number: 7014791
    Abstract: Liquid crystalline polymer having repeat units derived from 4,4?-biphenol, terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in a limited compositional range have melting points of 400° C. or more, and are useful for molded articles and for films, particularly for uses where good high temperature resistance is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Marion G. Waggoner, Michael Robert Samuels
  • Patent number: 7014890
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) in which the parameters are as defined herein, are suitable for use in liquid-crystal media and liquid-crystal displays which contain these media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Bremer, Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Barbara Hornung, Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen
  • Patent number: 7001648
    Abstract: A glassy chiral-nematic liquid crystal composition includes a compound having the structural formula wherein each N represents a nematic group connected to the 1, 3, 5-benzenetricarbonyl central moiety by a carboxylic ester linkage and Ch represents a chiral group connected to the central moiety by a carboxylic ester linkage. An optical device is formed from at least one of the glassy chiral-nematic liquid crystal compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Shaw H. Chen, Huang-Ming Philip Chen
  • Patent number: 6984712
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid-crystalline polyester resin which comprises monomer units derived from 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid and/or 2-hydroxynaphthalene-3,6-dicarboxylic acid in an amount of 1-5000 mmol % based on the total monomer components of the resin and an alkaline metal compound in an amount of 10-3000 ppm as alkaline metal based on the total monomer components of the resin. The liquid-crystalline polyester resin of the present invention has good colorability, improved heat resistance and good mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ueno Seiyaku Oyo Kenkyujo
    Inventors: Ryuzo Ueno, Masaya Kitayama, Kiichi Kometani, Hiroyuki Kato, Kazunori Ueda
  • Patent number: 6962734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to organic chemistry, in particular, to synthesis of sulfoderivatives of the polycyclic compounds and fabrication of optically anisotropic coatings on their base. The indanthrone sulfoderivatives of the general structural formulas I or II capable of forming LLC phase are disclosed. The disclosed compounds could be used, in particular, for producing optically isotropic or anisotropic and at least partially crystalline films. The application also includes the liquid crystal systems based on the disclosed compounds, and anisotropic films. wherein n is 3 or 4, R?CH3, C2H5, OCH3, OC2H5, Cl, Br, OH, NH2, z is the value selected from the list including 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, M—counterion, and j—number of counterions in a dye molecule, and which can be fractional in case of one counterion belonging to several molecules, and in case n>1, counterions may be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Victor V. Nazarov, Elena N. Sidorenko
  • Patent number: 6955838
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) where: R1, R2 are each independently a) H b) -M1-A1-R5 c) a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to 16 carbon atoms or a straight-chain or branched alkenyl radical having from 2 to 16 carbon atoms, where c1) one or more nonadjacent and nonterminal CH2 groups may be replaced by —O—, —C(?O)O—, —O—C(?O)—, —O—C(?O)—O—, —C(?O)— or —Si(CH3)2—, and/or c2) one CH2 group may be replaced by —C?C—, cyclopropane-1,2-diyl, cyclobutane-1,3-diyl, cyclohexane-1,4-diyl or phenylene-1,4-diyl, and/or c3) one or more hydrogen atoms may be replaced by F and/or Cl, p, q, r are each independently 0 or 1 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 1,4-phenylene where one or two hydrogen atoms may be replaced by F, Cl, CN and/or OCF3, or up to three hydrogen atoms may be replaced by fluorine, 1,4-cyclohexylene where one or two hydrogen at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Clariant International Ltd.
    Inventors: Rainer Wingen, Barbara Hornung, Wolfgang Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6939940
    Abstract: Main chain thermotropic liquid crystal esters, ester-imides, and ester-amides were prepared from AA, BB, and AB type monomeric materials and were end-capped with phenylacetylene, phenylmaleimide, or nadimide reactive end-groups. The resulting reactive end-capped liquid crystal oligomers exhibit a variety of improved and preferred physical properties. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are thermotropic and have, preferably, molecular weights in the range of approximately 1000-15,000 grams per mole. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers have broad liquid crystalline melting ranges and exhibit high melt stability and very low melt viscosities at accessible temperatures. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are stable for up to an hour in the melt phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Theodorous J. Dingemans, Erik S. Weiser, Terry L. St. Clair
  • Patent number: 6936312
    Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising a first component consisting of at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by Formula (I) and a second component consisting of at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by Formulas (II-1) to (II-8): in which each symbols of Formula (I) are defined in the specification and Formulas (II-1) to (II-8) and their symbols are also defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: Yuzuru Torii, Hitoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6929834
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of negative dielectric anisotropy which comprises at least one compound of the formula I in which R11 and R12, ring A, Z, a, L1 and L2 are as defined in claim 1, and the use thereof for an active-matrix display based on the ECB effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Melaine Klasen-Memmer, Clarissa Weller, Matthias Bremer, Detlef Pauluth, Hans-Rolf Duebal, Barbara Hornung, Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen
  • Patent number: 6916513
    Abstract: The invention relates to 2,4?-substituted 6-cyclohexyl-trans-decalins of the general formula I in which R1, R2 and Z are as defined in Claim 1, to the use thereof as components of liquid-crystalline media, and to a liquid-crystal display element and an electro-optical display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Bremer, Detlef Pauluth, Georg Lüssem
  • Patent number: 6913710
    Abstract: The invention relates to new reactive mesogenic benzodithiophene derivatives, their use as semiconductors or charge transport materials, in optical, electro-optical or electronic devices like for example liquid crystal displays, optical films, organic field effect transistors (FET or OFET) for thin film transistor liquid crystal displays and integrated circuit devices such as RFID tags, electroluminescent devices in flat panel displays, and in photovoltaic and sensor devices, and to a field effect transistor, light emitting device or ID tag comprising the reactive mesogenic benzodithiophenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Louise Farrand, Martin Heeney, Steven Tierney, Mark Giles, Marcus Thompson, Maxim Shkunov, David Sparrowe, Iain McCulloch
  • Patent number: 6905739
    Abstract: A compound is of formula (I), in which: A1 to A4, E1 and E2 each independently represent hydrogen or an optionally-substituted hydrocarbon group; B1 and B2 each independently represent a single bond, an oxygen atom or an optionally-substituted hydrocarbon group; MG1 and MG2 each independently represent an optionally-substituted ring system; CG is a divalent or polyvalent chiral group. The optically active compound may be used as a doping agent for liquid crystals for a wide range of applications including solid state cholesteric filters for projection displays, circular polarisers, optical filters, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Rolic AG
    Inventors: Zoubair Mohammed Cherkaoui, Klaus Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6899823
    Abstract: A compound or a polymer thereof promises an advantageous use for an ink-jet ink or a polymer dispersion liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Sato, Jun Kamatani
  • Patent number: 6887533
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) where: X1 is H or F G1-G2 is —CH2—CH— or CH?C— R1, R2 are a) H b) the M2-A2-R5 moiety c) for example, a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to 16 carbon atoms R3 and R4 are each, for example, H, the M2-A2-R5 moiety or a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkyloxy radical having from 1 to 16 carbon atoms A2 is, for example, 1,4-phenylene, with the provisos that a) when R2 is not H, R1 and R3 have to be H, b) when R2 is H, R4 must not have the definitions c) or d), c) R1, R2, R3 and R4 must not at the same time be H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Clariant International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmidt, Barbara Hornung, Rainer Wingen
  • Patent number: 6884477
    Abstract: An electroluminescence device contains a carrier transporting layer comprising a liquid crystal compound represented by R—X—A—B—X?—R???(I), wherein A and B denote a naphthalene-2,6-diyl skeleton optionally substituted with one or two of F, Cl, Br, CH3 and CF3, at least one of A and B comprising a naphthalene-2,6-diyl skeleton having one to four CH groups replaced with N; X and X? denote —O—, —S—, —OOC— or —COO—; and one of R and R? denotes H, F, Cl, Br, CF3 or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms, and the other one of R and R? denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 3-20 carbon atoms, said alkyl groups being independently capable of including one methylene group which can be replaced with —O—, —S—, —CH?CH— or —C?C— so long as heteroatoms are not adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Takiguchi, Shinjiro Okada, Akira Tsuboyama, Takashi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6878421
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystalline medium, based on a mixture of polar compounds with a positive dielectric anisotropy. Said medium is characterised in that it contains one or more compounds of formula (I) wherein R, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, X1, X2, n and o are defined as per claim 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Martin Engel, Brigitte Schuler, Matthias Bremer, Detlef Pauluth
  • Patent number: 6867243
    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: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: University of Hull
    Inventors: Mary O'Neill, Stephen Malcolm Kelly, Adam Edward Alexander Contoret, Gary James Richards
  • Patent number: 6863841
    Abstract: New oxadiazole derivatives comprising one or more identical or different recurring units of formula I wherein W, M, w, m1, m2, p1, p2, and Y1 to Y4 are as defined herein are suitable for use in liquid crystalline mixtures, polymerizable and polymer materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Peer Kirsch, Alexander Hahn
  • Patent number: 6858271
    Abstract: A conductive organic compound device structure suitable for constituting an electronic device, such as an organic EL device, is formed by including a pair of oppositely spaced electrodes, and a carrier transporting layer disposed between the electrodes and in contact with one of the electrodes. The carrier transporting layer comprises a conductive organic compound having a ?-electron resonance structure in its molecule. In the device, the ?-electron resonance structure plane of the conductive organic compound in the carrier transporting layer is aligned substantially parallel to surfaces of the electrodes. The conductive organic compound is preferably a conductive liquid crystal, such as a discotic liquid crystal or a smectic liquid crystal, and a layer thereof is included in the device, preferably by vacuum deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinjiro Okada, Akira Tsuboyama, Naoya Nishida, Takashi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6849203
    Abstract: The invention relates to photoisomerizable compounds of formula I wherein A, Z, L, R, R1, k, m and r are defined herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Louise Diane Farrand, Christopher Worrall, Owain Llyr Parri
  • Patent number: 6849202
    Abstract: There are disclosed novel compounds, liquid crystal compositions, polymers, optically anisotropic products, and optical or liquid crystal elements that have large refractive index anisotropy, mix easily with other liquid crystals, have advantageous stability against light, and exhibit absorption at practically short wavelength in the ultraviolet region. The compounds are represented by the formula (1) and have a phenylacetylene structure, wherein difference ?E in energy of HOMO of parts (1-1), (1-2) and (1-3) calculated by the method of molecular orbitals is not less than 0.3 electronvolt, and the polarizability anisotropy ?? of a molecule represented by the formula (1) calculated in the same way is not lower than 500 A.U.: (A1 to A4: H, F, alkyl or alkoxy group of C1 to C10 optionally substituted with F; P1, P2: structure fulfilling the conditions of HOMO energy and polarizability).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Chizu Sekine, Masamitsu Ishitobi, Koichi Fujisawa, Kazunori Iwakura, Masayoshi Minai
  • Patent number: 6838128
    Abstract: The invention relates to chiral nonracemic liquid crystal compounds which are useful as components in liquid crystal compositions to impart high polarization to the mixture. The materials of this invention can be combined with liquid crystal host materials to impart improved properties to mixtures. Chiral nonracemic compounds of this invention can function as additives or dopants in host materials to impart chirality into an LC material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Displaytech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wand, Xin Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20040256599
    Abstract: A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, which is obtainable by copolymerizing a trifunctional hydroxynaphthalene carboxylic acid represented by the general formula (I) and/or reactive derivative thereof with other polymerizing monomer(s) 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Ryuzo Ueno, Masaya Kitayama, Kiichi Kometani, Hiroyuki Kato, Motoki Asahara
  • Publication number: 20040245499
    Abstract: An optically anisotropic sheet comprises an optically anisotropic layer, an orientation layer and a transparent support in this order. The optically anisotropic layer is formed from discotic liquid crystal molecules. The orientation layer is subjected to rubbing treatment. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are aligned with the orientation layer. An average inclined angle of discotic planes of the discotic liquid crystal molecules is in the range of 50° to 90°. An average direction of optical axes of the discotic liquid crystal molecules is essentially parallel to a rubbing direction of the orientation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Negoro, Jiro Yamaguchi, Ken Kawata
  • Patent number: 6824709
    Abstract: Provided are a fluorene derivative represented by Formula (1) and a polymer thereof: wherein at least one of A1, A2 and A3 is a group represented by Formula (2), and the others are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexenylene, 1,4-phenylene, pyridine-2,5-diyl, pyridazine-3,6-diyl, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl or dioxane-2,5-diyl; m, n and p are independently 0 or 1; R1 is —CN, —CF3, —CF2H, —CFH2, —OCF3, —OCF2H, —N═C═O, —N═C═S, —F, —Cl, or alkyl in which one hydrogen may be replaced by (meth)acryloyloxy or vinyloxy and optional —CH2— may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CF2—, —CH═CH—, —COO—, —OCO— or —CO—; R2 is hydrogen or methyl; Z1 to Z3 are independently a single bond, —O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CH2CH2—, —(C
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventor: Ryushi Shundo
  • Publication number: 20040232382
    Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one liquid crystal compound and at least one anthraquinone compound represented by formula (1) below: Formula (1) (wherein R2 to R8 each independently represents a hydrogen or substituent; Het is a sulfur or oxygen; B1 and B2 each independently represents an optionally substituted arylene, heteroarylene, cycloalkan-diyl or cycloalken-diyl; Q1 is a bivalent linking group; C1 is an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkokycarbonyl or acyloxy; p, q and r each represents a number from 0 to 5 and n is a number from 1 to 3 satisfying 3≦(p+r)×n≦10; when plural {(B1)p-(Q1)q-(B2)r} are present, these may be the same or different) was disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Hisashi Okamura, Takashi Katoh
  • Patent number: 6821581
    Abstract: An optically active compound of the general formula (1) useful as a chiral dopant and use thereof, wherein each of m and n is independently an integer of 4 to 8, A is —Ph—COO—Ph—, —Ph—Ph—COO—, —Cy—COO—Ph—, —Ph—OOC—Ph—COO—, —Ph—OOC—Cy—COO—, —Ph—OOC—Np—COO— or —Np—OOC— in which —Ph— is a 1,4-phenylene group, —Cy— is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group and —Np— is a 2,6-naphtylene group, and C* is an asymmetric carbon atom. Having a helical twisting power (HTP) of at least 9 and having a property that the helical pitch induced decreases with an increase in temperature, the optically active compound of the present invention has an excellent value as a chiral dopant for a nematic liquid crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yasumasa Norisue, Yasue Ogi, Masahiro Johno
  • Publication number: 20040227128
    Abstract: The invention relates to new 3,4-alkylenedioxythiophenes which are substituted with mesogenic groups, if desired via a bridging group, and their polymeric derivatives (poly-(3,4-alkylenedioxythiophenes)).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Knud Reuter, Alexander Karbach, Helmut Ritter, Noelle Wrubbel
  • Patent number: 6818260
    Abstract: The invention relates to new thienothiophene derivatives, their use as semiconductors or charge transport materials, in optical, electrooptical or electronic devices like for example organic field effect transistors (FET or OFET) for thin film transistor liquid crystal displays and integrated circuit devices such as RFID tags, electroluminescent devices in flat panel displays, and in photovoltaic and sensor devices, and to a field effect transistor, light emitting device or ID tag comprising the thienothiophene derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Louise Farrand, Marcus Thompson, Mark Giles, Martin Heeney, Steven Tierney, Maxim Shkunov, David Sparrowe, Iain McCulloch
  • Publication number: 20040222403
    Abstract: A compound represented by formula (1) or (2) and a polymer obtained by polymerizing the compound are provided: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sasada, Kazuhiko Saigusa
  • Patent number: 6811832
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I): in which X1=H or F, X2=H or F, and Y=Cl, Br or I, are prepared by reacting, in a solvent or solvent mixture at a temperature below −60° C., a halobenzene of the formula (II) with an organic lithium compound and then with a formyl equivalent of the formula (III): and may be used as starting materials for preparing agrochemicals, electronic materials and pharmaceuticals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Clariant GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Wingen, Wolfgang Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6808762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to oxabicyclooctanes of the general formula I. in which R1, R2, A1, A2, A3, A4, L1, L2, n1, n2 and n3 have the meanings specified in claim 1, and to their use in liquid-crystalline media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Bremer, Michael Heckmeier, Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Harald Lannert
  • Patent number: 6805923
    Abstract: A liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds having positive dielectric anisotropy, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the general formula I in which R, A, L1, L2 and Y are as defined herein are suitable for use in liquid crystal displays such as MLC, TN or STN displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patentgesellschaft Mit
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Brigitte Schuler, Peer Kirsch, Eike Poetsch
  • Patent number: 6805922
    Abstract: Conjugated mono-, oligo- and polyalkylidenefluorenes are suitable for use as semiconductors or charge transport materials in optical, electrooptical or electronic devices including field effect transistors, electroluminescent, photovoltaic and sensor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Heeney, Steven Tierney, Mark Giles, Louise Diane Farrand, Maxim Shkunov, David Sparrowe, Iain McCulloch
  • Patent number: 6805817
    Abstract: An electric field activated molecular system, preferably bi-stable, configured within an electric field generated by a pair of electrodes is provided for use, e.g., as electronic ink or other visual displays. The molecular system has an electric field induced band gap change that occurs via a change (reversible or irreversible) of the extent of the electron conjugation via chemical bonding change to change the band gap, wherein in a first state, there is substantial conjugation throughout the molecular system, resulting in a relatively smaller band gap, and wherein in a second state, the substantial conjugation is destroyed, resulting in a relatively larger band gap. The changing of substantial conjugation may be accomplished in one of the following ways: (1) charge separation or recombination accompanied by increasing or decreasing electron localization in the molecule; or (2) change of substantial conjugation via charge separation or recombination and&pgr;-bond breaking or making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Xiao-An Zhang, Alexandre Bratkovski, Yong Chen, R. Stanley Williams, Kent D. Vincent
  • Patent number: 6800220
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an optically active polyester comprising at least constituent units represented by the general formula (I) and the general formula (II): wherein Ar1 and Ar2 each independently represents a bivalent aromatic group or a bivalent heteroaromatic group, and X1 and X2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an electron-withdrawing group, wherein A represents a bivalent substituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yumoto, Mitsuyoshi Ichihashi, Kouya Kawabata
  • Patent number: 6793984
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline (dihydro)phenanthrene derivatives of the formula I in which R, G, A1, Z1, m, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and Y are as defined in claim 1, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one (dihydro)phenanthrene derivative of the formula I, and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent Beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Matthias Bremer, Detlef Pauluth, Michael Heckmeier, Hans-Rolf Dübal, Barbara Hornung, Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen
  • Patent number: 6790489
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of negative dielectric anisotropy which comprises at least one compound of the formula I in which R11, R12, A1, Z1, ring A and m are as defined in claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active matrix display based on the ECB or IPS effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Eike Poetsch, Volker Reiffenrath
  • Publication number: 20040173773
    Abstract: A novel liquid crystalline compound by the formula:
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Matsumoto, Hitoshi Mazaki
  • Patent number: 6783812
    Abstract: Compounds useful as components of LC and FLC compositions which in turn are useful in the manufacture of optical devices. Compounds of this invention have a silane tail, which can contain more than one Si. Compounds of this invention can include those with disilane tails. The invention provides LC compositions containing one or more of the silanes of this invention. Addition of one or more of the compounds of this invention to LC compositions can result in significant improvement in optical or LC properties. In particular, the compounds of this invention can significantly lower the melting point, freezing point or both of an LC composition resulting in significant improvement in device stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Displaytech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wand, Neil Gough, Kundalika More, William N. Thurmes, Xin-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20040164272
    Abstract: A mesogenic, crosslinkable mixture comprising at least one polymerisable liquid crystal and at least one polymerisable dichroic dye of the general formula (I) wherein A represents a dichroic residue exhibiting at least partial absorption in the visible region >400 nm: n1, n2, n3, n4 signifies 0 or 1 whereby the sum of n1, n2, n3, n4 is >0, and B1 to B4 represent a group of substructure II wherein the broken line symbolizes the linkage to said dichroic residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Zoubair M. Cherkaoui, Thomas Peglow, Franco Moia
  • Patent number: 6780477
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I in which R1, R2, A1, A2, A3, A4, Z1, Z2, a, b and c are as defined in claim 1, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least compound of the formula I and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Peer Kirsch, Detlef Pauluth, Joachim Krause, Michael Heckmeier, Georg Lüssem, Dagmar Klement
  • Publication number: 20040140450
    Abstract: Liquid crystalline polymer having repeat units derived from 4,4′-biphenol, terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in a limited compositional range have melting points of 400° C. or more, and are useful for molded articles and for films, particularly for uses where good high temperature resistance is needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Marion G. Waggoner, Michael Robert Samuels
  • Publication number: 20040142116
    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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nishikawa, Atsuhiro Ohkawa
  • Publication number: 20040140451
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline composition which comprises, as components
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: BASF Drucksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Meyer, Hiroki Ishida, Peter Schuhmacher, Horst Neumann