Phenyl Benzoate Derivative Patents (Class 252/299.67)
  • Publication number: 20040140452
    Abstract: A liquid-crystalline mediums which contain one or more compounds of the formula A 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Harald Hirschmann, Eike Poetsch, Peer Kirsch, Sabine Schoen
  • Publication number: 20040135118
    Abstract: Liquid crystalline polymers (LCP) with relatively high melting points are prepared by a process which includes solid state polymerization of a (pre)polymer, which contains alkali metal cations, to raise the LCP molecular weight. The presence of the alkali metal cations in the (pre)polymer usually results in a final polymer with less color and/or a higher melting point. The LCPs are useful as molding resins and for films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Marion G. Waggoner
  • Patent number: 6761938
    Abstract: A liquid-crystalline medium of positive dielectric anisotropy suitable for use in an electro-optical liquid-crystal display having a realignment layer, for realigning the liquid crystals, whose field has a component parallel to the liquid-crystal layer which is crucial for the realignment, comprises at least one mesogenic compound and at least one compound of the formula I in which the substituents are as defined herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Marcus Reuter, Volker Reiffenrath
  • Patent number: 6759103
    Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) and also liquid-crystal mixtures comprising these compounds, and their use in liquid-crystal displays: in which R1 is H, F, CF3, OCF3, OCF2H, OCFH2, an alkyl radical or alkyloxy radical or an alkenyl radical or alkenyloxy radical, R2 is H, an alkyl radical or alkyloxy radical or an alkenyl radical or alkenyloxy radical, M1 and M2 are —C(═O)O—, —OC(═O)—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —OCF2—, —CF2O—, —C≡C—, —CH2CH2—, —CF2CF2—, —CF═CF—C(═O)O— or a single bond A1 and A2 are &agr;-1,4-diyl, unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F; where &agr; is: phenylene cyclohexane, 1-cyclohexene, or 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl m and n are zero or 1; m+n=0 or 1 L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 are H or F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Clariant Financi (BVI) Limited
    Inventors: Barbara Hornung, Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen
  • Patent number: 6759101
    Abstract: Compounds that are useful as components in liquid crystal compositions, particularly in ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions. Compounds of the invention are rod-like molecules with a mesogenic (generally linear) core to which an alkene tail and an alkyl or alkoxy tail with a perfluoroalkyl terminal portion are bonded. Compounds of the invention can contain a variety of one, two or three ring cores, wherein the rings maybe aromatic or alicyclic. Alkenes of the invention are useful as components to improve LC properties of mixtures, for example, to lower melting point of lower freezing point, of LC compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Displaytech, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Gough, Rohini Vohra, Michael Wand, Kundalika More, William N. Thurmes
  • Patent number: 6755992
    Abstract: The present invention provide a liquid crystalline polyester that can be used in production of a molded article having sufficient mechanical strengths in which the melted liquid crystalline polyester has sufficient fluidity in thin-walled portions when the thin-walled molded article is manufactured, and to provide a method for producing the liquid crystalline polyester. A liquid crystalline polyester obtained by copolymerizing 4-acyloxybenzoic acids (I) and 2-acyloxy-6-naphthoic acids (II) in the presence of an imidazole (V) can be used in production of a molded article in which the melted liquid crystalline polyester has sufficient fluidity in thin-walled portions when the thin-walled molded article is manufactured, and which has sufficient mechanical strengths as well, thereby completing the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Okamoto, Manabu Hirakawa, Shinji Ootomo
  • Patent number: 6755991
    Abstract: An aromatic dicarboxylic acid composition, essentially consisting of (a) at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid; (b) 1-3000 ppm of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 6-formyl-2-naphthoic acid, 6-methoxycarbonyl-2-naphthoic acid and trimellitic acid; (c) 1-1000 ppm of at least one alkali metal and (d) 0-3000 ppm of at least one transition metal is provided. By employing the composition in manufacturing liquid crystalline polyester, LPCs with good coloring property and improved heat resistance as well as excellent mechanical property can be obtained. The present invention also provides a liquid crystalline polyester resin prepared by using the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ueno Seiyaku Oyo Kenkyujo
    Inventors: Kiichi Kometani, Hiroyuki Kato, Kazunori Ueda
  • Publication number: 20040119051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition having a high-speed response property and a liquid crystal display using the same, more particularly to a liquid crystal composition, wherein the liquid crystal has a high phase transition temperature, large birefringence index and modulus of elasticity, and a wide operable nematic temperature range, so that a high-speed response can be obtained to be useful for many liquid crystal devices including LCDs, and a liquid crystal display using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Kuk Yun, Bong-Hee Kim, Bong-Sung Seo, Byeong-Seob Ban
  • Patent number: 6753045
    Abstract: The invention relates to TN and STN liquid-crystal displays and to the novel nematic liquid-crystal mixtures used therein, characterized in that they comprise one or more compounds of the formula I and at least one compound of the formula II and at least one compound of the formula III in which R1, R2, R3, R4, L1, L2 and X are as defined in claim 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Juliane Suermann
  • Patent number: 6749907
    Abstract: An electro-optical liquid-crystal display having a realignment layer for realigning the liquid crystals whose field has a component, which is crucial for the realignment, parallel to the liquid-crystal layer, containing a liquid-crystalline medium of positive dielectric anisotropy, where the medium comprises at least one mesogenic compound and at least one compound of the formula I in which the substituents are as defined herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschränkter Haftung
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Marcus Reuter, Matthias Bremer, Eike Poetsch
  • Publication number: 20040108489
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound selected from the compounds represented by each of formulas (1) to (5) as set forth in the specification. The invention further provides a liquid crystal display element comprising the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Eiji Okabe, Yoshitaka Tomi
  • Patent number: 6746731
    Abstract: The active-matrix display contains a chiral smectic liquid-crystal mixture comprising at least one compound of the formula (I) R1—(A1—M1)a—(A2—M2)b—A3—X—B1—(B2)c—R2  (I). where the symbols are as defined in the description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Clariant GmbH
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nonaka, Hans-Rolf Dübal, Rainer Wingen
  • Patent number: 6746729
    Abstract: Compounds of formula I: wherein the variables are defined as explained in the disclosure. The invention also provides liquid crystalline mixtures and optical or electro-optical devices including compounds of formula (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Rolic AG
    Inventors: Zoubair Mohammed Cherkaoui, Carsten Benecke, Klaus Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6743377
    Abstract: A polymeric compound has a hexagonal system order (as its crystal system) in a higher order smectic phase, such as smectic B phase, smectic L phase, smectic E phase, etc. The polymeric compound is produced through polymerization of a liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable functional group, such as an acrylic group or a methacrylic group, in a state of assuming a hexagonal system order. An electronic device, preferably an electroluminescence device, using a layer of the polymeric compound disposed between a pair of electrodes exhibits good luminescence and carrier transport performances while retaining excellent reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Sato, Akira Tsuboyama, Yukio Hanyu
  • Patent number: 6740369
    Abstract: Liquid-crystalline mediums based on a mixture of polar compounds of negative dielectric anisotropy, comprising one or more compounds of the general formula I, in which R11 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and R12 is an alkenyl group having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, are useful for electro-optical display elements such as active matrix addressed displays which operate on the ECB and/or VA principles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Malgorzata Rillich, Volker Reiffenrath
  • Patent number: 6737125
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I), liquid-crystal mixtures comprising these compounds, and their use in liquid-crystal displays: in which R1 is H, F, CF3, OCF3, OCF2H, OCFH2, an alkyl radical or alkyloxy radical or an alkenyl radical or alkenyloxy radical; R2 is H, an alkyl radical or alkyloxy radical or an alkenyl radical or alkenyloxy radical M1 is —C(═O)O—, —OC(═O)—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —OCF2—, —CF2O—, —C≡C—, —CH2CH2—, —CF2CF2—, —CF═CFC(═O)O— or a single bond M2 is —C(═O)O—, —OC(═O)—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CF2CF2— or a single bond; A1 and A2 are &agr;-1,4-diyl, unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F; where &agr; is: phenylene, cyclohexane, 1-cyclohexene or 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl; m and n are zero or 1; m+n=0 or 1 L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 are H or F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Clariant Finance (BVI) Limited
    Inventors: Barbara Hornung, Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen
  • Publication number: 20040089844
    Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising; as a first component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by Formula (1); as a second component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by Formula (2); as a third component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by Formula (3); as a forth component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by Formula (4); and as a fifth component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by Formulas (5-1) and (5-2), in which each compound represented by the Formula (1) to (5-2) is defined in the specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Masayuki Saito
  • Patent number: 6733691
    Abstract: A liquid crystal polyester resin composition having an apparent melt viscosity of 10 to 100 Pa ·sec at a shearing rate of 1000 sec−1 and at a flow temperature +40° C., obtained by compounding 10 to 100 parts by weight of an inorganic filler in the form of fiber and 10 to 100 parts by weight of an inorganic filler in the form of plate based on 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystal polyester resin, wherein the liquid crystal polyester resin contains at least 30% mol of a repeating structural unit of the following formula A1 and has a flow temperature of 270° C. to 400° C., the inorganic filler in the form of fiber has an average fiber diameter of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Nagano, Hiroyasu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6733690
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) wherein G1 and G2 independently represent a polymerisable mesogenic residue, X and Sp are as defined herein and M represents an achiral group of formula (II) as defined herein. The compounds of the invention may, for example, be useful as curable liquid crystals and for preparing liquid crystal films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Rolic AG
    Inventors: Teodor Lukac, Carsten Benecke, Richard Buchecker
  • Patent number: 6730372
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium which is characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the formula A and at least one compound of the formula B in which Ra, Rb, Y, Z1, Z2, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7 and L8 are as defined in claim 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit Beschränkter Haftung
    Inventors: Harald Hirschmann, Dagmar Zimmermann, Ursula Patwal, Antje Mühlfeld, Sabine Schoen, Martina Weidner
  • Patent number: 6730371
    Abstract: An optically active compound of the following general formula (1) useful as a chiral dopant, and use thereof, wherein each of X and Y is independently a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, R is (C2H5)2CHCH2C*H(CH3)— or Ph—C*H(CH3)—, A is —Ph(W)—COO—Ph—, —Ph—Ph—COO—, —Cy—COO—Ph—, —Ph(W)—OOC—Ph—COO—, —Ph(W)—OOC—Cy—COO—, —Ph(W)—OOC—Np—COO— or —Np—OOC—, in which Ph— is a phenyl group, —Ph— is a 1,4-phenylene group, —Ph(W)— is —Ph— or monofluoro substituted —Ph—, Cy— is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group and —Np— is a 2,6-naphthylene group, and C* is an asymmetric carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasumasa Norisue, Takakiyo Mine, Masahiro Johno
  • Patent number: 6730242
    Abstract: A glass-forming liquid crystal composition comprises a compound having a molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to 5000 grams per mole and having the formula (NEM)x—CYC—(CHI)y wherein CYC is a substituted cycloaliphatic core moiety containing about 24 to about 60 carbon atoms or a substituted aromatic core moiety containing about 6 to about 36 carbon atoms, NEM is a nematogenic pendant moiety, CHI is a chiral pendant moiety, x is 3 to 9, and y is 0 to 4. An optical device is formed from the liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Rochester
    Inventors: Shaw H. Chen, Fred Y. Fan
  • Publication number: 20040079922
    Abstract: It is to provide a liquid crystal composition containing at least one type of optically active compounds of the following formulae (1) to (4), and a liquid crystal electro-optical element excellent in display quality. In each formula, C* is asymmetric carbon, and the respective symbols are as defined in description.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Osamu Yokokouji, Tamon Tachibana, Masaki Oiwa, Kanetha Shimizu, Takeshi Koike
  • Publication number: 20040076769
    Abstract: A chiral nematic liquid crystal composition has minimal temperature dependency of the natural pitch and temperature dependency of the wavelength selective reflection and low temperature storage stability thereof is excellent. A chiral nematic liquid crystal composition with a broad liquid crystal temperature range is used in a bistable liquid crystal display element, and a bistable liquid crystal display element comprising the liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: DAINIPPON INK AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Nakata, Kiyofumi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20040075081
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I and to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the general formula I 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Peer Kirsch, Marc Lenges, Michael Heckmeier
  • Patent number: 6716491
    Abstract: A liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy, which comprises one or more compounds of the formula I where R1, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, L1, L2 and n are as defined herein, is suitable for use in, for example, MLC, TN and STN displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Kazuaki Tarumi, Brigitte Schuler, Matthias Bremer, Ulrich Finkenzeller, Eike Poetsch, Heike Kniel
  • Publication number: 20040058092
    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: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Robert Sameuls, Marion G. Waggoner, Julius Uradnisheck
  • Patent number: 6706338
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one compound of the formula I and to electro-optical displays containing such a liquid-crystalline medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Peer Kirsch, Florian Huber, Joachim Krause, Michael Heckmeier, Detlef Pauluth
  • Patent number: 6703083
    Abstract: Silicon compounds having a low viscosity and a low threshold voltage and improved mutual solubility, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same and a liquid crystal display using the liquid crystal composition. The silicon compound is represented by formula (1): wherein Y1 is, for example, alkylene having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, Y2 is, for example, hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —C≡C—CN, or alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; A1, A2, A3, and A4 each are, for example, independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexenylene, 1,4-phenylene, or 1,4-phenylene; Z1, Z2 and Z3 each are independently a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —OCH2—, —CH2O—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —(CH2)4—, —O(CH2)3—, —(CH2)3O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF2—, or —CF2O—; and p and q each are independently 0 or 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kato, Yasuyuki Koizumi, Yasuhiro Kubo, Kanetsugu Terashima
  • Patent number: 6702956
    Abstract: A liquid crystal polyester resin mixture having a stabilized plastication time and accordingly possible to be molded in constant cycles and giving a molded article excellent in mechanical properties and thermal stability is provided. The liquid crystal polyester resin mixture comprises 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystal polyester resin composition which comprises 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystal polyester and from 0 to 150 parts by weight of a filler, and either from 0.001 to 5 parts by weight of a fatty acid amide having a formula; R1—CO—NH2 (wherein R1 denotes a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon of 10 to 30 carbons) or from 0.001 to 2 parts by weight of a high molecular weight polyethylene with a molecular weight of 10,000 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Mituo Maeda, Satoshi Nagano, Manabu Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 6703082
    Abstract: Liquid crystal materials that exhibit bookshelf structures are provided. When these bookshelf materials are incorporated into a bistable host material, the mixture exhibits a higher switching angle and increased A to C phase transition than bistable hosts without the bookshelf material. These bookshelf materials and bistable compositions are useful in liquid crystal displays, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Displaytech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wand, Kundalika M. More, Xin-Hua Chen, William Thurmes
  • Patent number: 6699405
    Abstract: Disclosed are polymerizable liquid-crystalline compounds of the general formula (I) where A1 and A2 are identical or different and are each a crosslinkable group; the radicals X are identical or different and are each a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C═N—, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—O—, —CO—NR—, —NR—CO—, —NR—, —O—CO—NR, —NR—CO—O—, —CH2—O— or —NR—CO—NR, in which R is H or C1-C4-alkyl; and M is a mesogenic group, a process for their preparation and their use for preparing cholesteric phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Prechtl, Robert Parker, Peter Schuhmacher, Norbert Schneider, Sylke Haremza, Hans-Werner Schmidt, Gerold Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6696111
    Abstract: A liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the general formula IA and/or IB in which Ra, Rb, Ya, Yb, Za, Zb, La, Lb, c and d are as defined herein, is suitable for use in MLC, TN and STN displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Matthias Bremer
  • Patent number: 6692658
    Abstract: An electrolyte comprises a liquid-crystal compound, a straight-chain or branched polyether compound and a metal salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Satoshi Igawa
  • Publication number: 20040021128
    Abstract: A method of increasing helical twisting power (HTP) in an optically active compound used in a liquid crystal material is provided. An optically active compound which exhibits a large HTP value is also provided. Furthermore, a liquid crystal composition which exhibits a high upper temperature limit of the liquid crystal after the addition of the optically active compound, and a liquid crystal display device using the same are provided. In a method, an HTP of a compound having a partial structure represented by formula (A), which has an asymmetric carbon atom, is increased by replacing the partial structure represented by formula (A) by a partial structure represented by formula (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Nakata, Makoto Sasaki, Kiyofumi Takeuchi, Haruyoshi Takatsu
  • Patent number: 6685995
    Abstract: Liquid crystalline compounds suitable for driving at a low voltage and at a wide temperature range, and suitable for high speed response, liquid crystal compositions comprising the compound, and liquid crystal display devices comprising the liquid crystal composition. The crystalline compounds are ester compounds expressed by the general formula (1) wherein R1 represents e.g. a hydrogen atom; A1 to A5 each independently represent e.g. 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1-cyclohexene-1,4-diyl, 3-cyclohexene-1,4-diyl, 1-sila-1,4-cyclohexylene, or 4-sila-1,4-cyclohexylene; bonding groups Za to Zd each independently represent e.g. a single bond, —CH2—, —O—, —C≡C—, or an alkylene group or alkenylene group having 2 to 4 carbon; bonding group Ze represents e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Chisso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Haseba, Shuichi Matsui, Hiroyuki Takeuchi, Yoshitaka Yagi, Fusayuki Takeshita, Etsuo Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20040016905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the formula I 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Brigitte Schuler, Izumi Saito, Volker Reiffenrath, Georg Luessem, Christian Hock
  • Patent number: 6682784
    Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions having board nematic phase range, low viscosity, low threshold voltage and large pre-tilt angle, while meeting the general properties required for AM-LCD. The compositions contain at least one of the compounds of the formulas (I-1) to (I-3), at least one of the compounds of the formulas (II-1) to (II-4), at least one of the compounds of the formulas (III-1) and (III-2), at least one of the compounds of the formulas (IV-1) to (IV-3), and optionally at least one of the compounds of the formulas (V-1) and (V-2), as described in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kubo, Kanetsugu Terashima
  • Patent number: 6682661
    Abstract: To improve switching times, especially at low temperatures, one or more reactive liquid crystalline compounds is added to a liquid crystal mixture used in an electroptical system. The electroptical system comprises a PDLC film comprising a liquid crystal mixture forming micro-droplets in an optically isotropic, transparent polymer matrix between 2 electrode layers. The liquid crystal mixture comprises one or more compounds of the formula I wherein R, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, X1, X2, Q, Y and n are as defined herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft
    Inventors: David Coates, Owain Llyr Parri, Simon Greenfield, Martin David Tillin, Mark John Goulding, Patrick Nolan
  • Patent number: 6676851
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) wherein G1 and G2 independently represent a polymerizable mesogenic residue, and X, Sp, and Q are as defined herein. The compounds of the invention may, for example, be useful as curable liquid crystals and for preparing liquid crystal films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Rolic AG
    Inventors: Richard Buchecker, Teodor Lukac, Carsten Benecke
  • Publication number: 20040000661
    Abstract: A composite material for piezoelectric transduction which exhibits a sufficient piezoelectricity, can be suitably utilized in various fields as a damping material and the like, and can be suitably utilized in the fields that require heat resistance. The composite material for piezoelectric transduction of the present invention absorbs external vibration or the like as strain energy, efficiently transforms the strain energy into electricity, and is capable of dissipating the electricity as heat, by using a material for piezoelectric transduction which is excellent in mass production at low cost and handlings. One of the preferable aspect of the composite material for piezoelectric transduction is to include a domain which exhibits piezoelectricity in a matrix material of the composite material for piezoelectric transduction, in which the domain is formed of a material for piezoelectric transduction which contains a main chain liquid crystal polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Sato
  • Patent number: 6669865
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device containing a liquid crystal cell and at least one reflective polarizer or a polarizer combination having at least one reflective polarizer as a means to generate circular polarized light. The reflective polarizer includes an optically active layer of an anisotropic polymer material with a helically twisted planar molecular orientation. The material is oriented so that the axis of the molecular helix extends transversely to the layer, and the pitch of the molecular helix is varied in such a manner that the difference between the maximum pitch and the minimum pitch is at least 100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: David Coates, Simon Greenfield, Mark Goulding, James Hanmer, Shirley Marden, Owain Llyr Parri
  • Publication number: 20030234384
    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 ester compounds of the formula I 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Sabine Schoen, Peer Kirsch, Brigitte Schuler, Izumi Saito
  • Publication number: 20030230737
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I, 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Merck GmbH
    Inventors: Peer Kirsch, Florian Huber, Joachim Krause, Michael Heckmeier, Detlef Pauluth
  • Patent number: 6664341
    Abstract: A liquid crystal polyester resin composition which suppresses the formation of a blister caused by a heat treatment at a high temperature and has excellent moldability. This composition comprises (A) a liquid crystal polyester comprising at least two aromatic oxycarbonyl recurring units and (B) a liquid crystal polyester comprising at least two aromatic oxycarbonyl recurring units, at least one aromatic dioxy recurring unit and at least one aromatic dicarbonyl recurring unit. The weight ratio of the liquid crystal polyester (A) to the liquid crystal polyester (B) is 90/10 to 30/70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ueno Seiyaku Oyo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Masaya Kitayama, Kiichi Kometani, Naoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 6660345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium comprising a liquid crystalline host component and an active component, to a thermochromic ink comprising such a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium encapsulated in a light transmissive polymeric material, to the use of a thermochromic medium or ink in decorative applications like pigments, inks and paints, cosmetics, thermodiagnostic applications like medical thermography, thermometry, optical and electrooptical applications, and security applications and devices, to a security marking or device comprising a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium or thermochromic ink and to a document of value comprising such a security marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschränkter Haftung
    Inventors: David Coates, David Bishop, Robert Hammond-Smith
  • Patent number: 6660344
    Abstract: New photopolymerizable liquid crystalline dioxetane compounds are provided having the general formula I: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from straight or branched C1-C4 alkyl and hydrogen; X and X′ are independently selected from oxygen, sulfur, a single covalent bond, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, and —O—CO—O—; Y and Y′ are spacer groups having each independently 1 to 30 carbon atoms (linear or branched), in which the carbon chain may be interrupted by oxygen in the ether function or by sulfur in the thioether function; Z and Z′ are independently selected from oxygen, sulfur, a single covalent bond, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, and —O—CO—O—; and M is any suitable mesogenic group. Also, compositions are provided containing one or more compounds of formula I, as well as methods of preparing said compounds and compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Johan Lub
  • Publication number: 20030224125
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-optical liquid-crystal display having a realignment layer, for realigning the liquid crystals, whose field has a component parallel to the liquid-crystal layer which is crucial for the realignment, containing a liquid-crystalline medium of positive dielectric anisotropy, where the medium comprises at least one mesogenic compound and at least one compound of the formula I 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Marcus Reuter, Volker Reiffenrath
  • Patent number: 6656386
    Abstract: A wholly aromatic liquid crystalline polyester resin composition comprising about 97-60 parts by weight of a wholly aromatic polyester resin (A) having melting peak determined by DSC equal to or higher than 310° C.; and about 3-40 parts by weight of a wholly aromatic polyester resin (B) having melting peak determined by DSC equal to or lower than 300° C. is provided. The novel liquid crystalline polyester resin composition of the present invention exhibits an improved melt flowability and can provide a molded article having reflow-soldering heat resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ueno Seiyaku Oyo Kenkujo
    Inventors: Jun-ichi Suenaga, Takamasa Owaki, Masaru Egawa
  • Patent number: 6649228
    Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid-crystalline media which comprise at least one compound of the formula I and at least one compound of the formula II in which the parameters are as defined herein, to the use of these liquid-crystal media in electro-optical displays, and to these displays, in particular STN-LCDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit Beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Juliane Suermann, Bernhard Rieger