Phenyl Benzoate Derivative Patents (Class 252/299.67)
  • Patent number: 7371437
    Abstract: A liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds having at least one compound of the formula I in which R11, R12 and have the meanings indicated in claim 1, is described. Also described is the use thereof for an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Melanie Klasen-Memmer, Matthias Bremer, Barbara Hornung, Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen
  • Patent number: 7371438
    Abstract: To provide a novel compound which satisfies characteristics required for an optical anisotropic material and which is excellent in durability against blue laser light, a liquid crystal composition containing the compound and an optical anisotropic material employing the liquid crystal composition. A compound represented by the following formula (1): CH2?CR1—COO-(E1)m-Cy-Y-Cy-E2-R2??(1) provided that the symbols in the formula have the following meanings. R1: a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2: a C1-8 alkyl group; Y: —OCO— or —COO—; m: 0 or 1; E1 and E2: each independently a 1,4-phenylene group or a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group; and Cy: a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group; provided that the above 1,4-phenylene group and the trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group may be such that a hydrogen atom in each group may be substituted by a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or a methyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuriko Kaida, Hiromichi Nagayama, Hiroshi Kumai
  • Patent number: 7357964
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid-crystalline, polymerizable vinyl ketone compound of formula (1): Preferably, R1 is hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —CF3, —CF2H, —CFH2, —OCF3, —OCF2H, or alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or alkenyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R2, R3 and R5 are hydrogen; A1 to A4 are independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexenylene or 1,4-phenylene where any hydrogen may be substituted with halogen; Z1 to Z3 are independently a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH?CH—, —CF?CF—, —OCF2— or —CF2O—; Z4 is a single bond, —(CH2)3— or —(CH2)4—; m, n and q are independently 0, 1 or 2. The uppermost temperature of the liquid crystalline phase of the compound is high, and the compound has good compatibility with other compounds and has the necessary characteristics such as optical anisotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Inoue, Ryushi Syundo, Kazutoshi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7344762
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a printable polymerisable liquid crystal material as printable system for the preparation of polymers and pigments, to printable polymerisable liquid crystal materials and pigments and polymers prepared thereof, and to the use of the printable materials, pigments and polymers in optical, electrooptical, semiconductor and electronic applications and as birefringent and optically variable markings for decorative, security, authentification or identification applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Hammond-Smith, John Patrick, Rodney Riddle
  • 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: 7335404
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a liquid crystal composition in a bistable liquid crystal device and especially in a single polariser reflective or transflective zenithal bistable nematic liquid crystal device as well as a bistable liquid crystal device comprising the liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Mark John Goulding, Matthew Francis, John Clifford Jones, Stephen Beldon
  • Patent number: 7335318
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a wholly aromatic liquid-crystalline polyester resin comprising the steps of: 1) acylating the hydroxy group of major monomer components selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, aromatic diol and aromatic dicarboxylic acid, with an acylating agent, provided that said major monomer components comprise at least one of aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid and aromatic diol; and 2) polycondensing said major monomer components of which hydroxy group is acylated, wherein, the polycondensation reaction is carried out in the presence of a metal dihydrogen phosphate in an amount of 1-5000 ppm based on the total monomer components, and a liquid-crystalline polyester resin manufactured by the method and a composition comprising said resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ueno Seiyaku Oyo Kenkyujo
    Inventors: Motoki Asahara, Toshiki Nishino
  • Patent number: 7335405
    Abstract: A method of using a liquid crystal composition in a bistable liquid crystal device having a weak zenithal anchoring comprising at least 40% by weight of compounds with strong molecular polarisability and strong dipole moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: NEMOPTIC
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Dubois, Didier Gallaire, Stephane Joly, Ivan N. Dozov, Philippe Martinot-Lagarde, Daniel N. Stoenescu
  • Patent number: 7326450
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-speed high-temperature nematic liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal display comprising the same, particularly to a high-speed high-temperature nematic liquid crystal composition which comprises a nematic liquid crystal compound having an isothionate group on the end aromatic ring and having one or more kinds of fluorine atoms, and thus satisfies a high response speed property and has a high phase transition temperature of liquid crystal, a low operating voltage, and a broad nematic phase temperature range, and a liquid crystal cell comprising the same, and a liquid crystal display using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Kuk Yun, Bong-Hee Kim, Bong-Sung Seo, Byeong-Seob Ban
  • 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: 7314580
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid-crystal composition capable of providing a functional film that exhibits useful optical properties. The composition comprises a compound of the following formula (1) that exhibits a smectic liquid-crystal phase. R1—(Ar1)p—C?C—(Ar2)m—C?C—(Ar3)n—R2??(1) wherein R1 and R2 represent alkyl; R3, R4, R5 and R6 represent hydrogen or alkyl; Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 represent divalent aromatic hydrocarbon or aromatic heterocyclic group; and p, m and n are 1 or 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Okawa, Masaki Noro
  • Patent number: 7314653
    Abstract: Disclosed are nematic liquid-crystal media which have an initial current density of 0.05 ?A/cm2 or less and a threshold voltage of 1.0 V or less and their use in liquid-crystal displays, preferably TN or STN displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Harald Hirschmann, Sabine Schoen
  • Patent number: 7306831
    Abstract: Liquid crystal composition having negative dielectric anisotropy include a first component having at least two compounds represented by at least two formulas selected from formulas (1-1) to (1-6) in the range of 20 to 75% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition, and a second component having at least one compound selected from the group of the compounds represented by formulas (2-1) to (2-3) in the range of 25 to 75% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition:
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yamamoto
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7303695
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing efficiently an optically active liquid crystalline polymer compound excellent in mechanical strength or optical characteristics at low cost, in which in that a liquid crystal polymer compound having in its main chain or side chain an ester bond is reacted with an optically active low molecular weight compound having a hydroxyl group so as to introduce the low molecular weight compound in the polymer compound as a unit having an optically active group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Mazaki, Hirofumi Aizono
  • Patent number: 7300604
    Abstract: The invention includes compounds represented by Formula (1): wherein R1 is an alkyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; A1 and A2 are a 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; X is a single bond, —C?C—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH?CH—COO— or —OCO—CH?CH—; P is an alkylene having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and p and q are 0, 1 or 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignees: Chisso Corporation, Chisso Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventor: Ryushi Shundo
  • 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: 7294368
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a liquid crystal composition in a bistable liquid crystal device and especially in a zenithal bistable nematic liquid crystal device, a nematic liquid crystal medium, and a bistable liquid crystal device comprising the liquid crystal composition whereby said liquid crystal composition comprises at least 30 weight % (based on the total weight of the composition) of a component (?) containing one or more compounds having a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 25, whereby at least 25 weight % (based on the total weight of the composition) of said compounds have a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 40; and at least 5 weight % of a component (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthew Francis, Marc John Goulding, Doina Ionescu, Cecile Schott, John Clifford Jones, Steve Beldon
  • Patent number: 7264748
    Abstract: A storage-stable aqueous miniemulsion whose disperse phase comprises a cholesteric mixture is prepared and is used for coating and printing on suitable substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhold J. Leyrer, Dhruva Ramkumar, Holger Schoepke
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7261836
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a phenylethanediol derivative having at least one polymerizable group, characterized in that the phenylethanediol derivative further comprises at least one photo-convertible group for adjusting the helical twisting power of the phenylethanediol derivative. According to a preferred embodiment the phenylethanediol has the formula wherein A stands for a bond or a p-phenylene group; B and B? are independently (O)p—CoH2o—O—CO—CR??CH2, o being 2-12, p being 0 or 1, and R? being H or CH3; P stands for a CH2 or a C?O group; Q and Q? are independently selected from H, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C3 alkoxy, halogen, and CN; n is an integer from 1 to 3; and m is an integer from 0 to 2; and: wherein A stands for a bond or a p-phenylene group; B is (O)p—CoH2o—O—CO—CR??CH2, o being 2-12, p is 1, and R? being H or CH3; P stands for a CH2 or a C?O group; Q is selected from H, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C3 alkoxy, halogen, and CN; and m is an integer from 0 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Lub, Rene Theodorus Wegh
  • Patent number: 7258903
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a fast switching liquid crystal composition said composition comprising at least 30 weight % of a component (?) containing one or more compounds having a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 25, whereby at least 25 weight % of said compounds have a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 40; and at least 5 weight % of a component (?) containing one or more compounds having a ratio of ?1/TNIK of 0.51 mPa·s/K or less, a clearing point TNI of at least 100° C. and a rotational viscosity ?1 of not more than 190 mPa·s (wherein ?1 is the rotational viscosity at 20° C. in mPa·s and TNIK is the clearing point in degrees Kelvin); in a bistable liquid crystal device and especially in a zenithal bistable nematic liquid crystal device, a nematic liquid crystal medium, and a bistable liquid crystal device comprising said fast switching liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthew Francis, Marc John Goulding, John Clifford Jones, Steve Beldon
  • 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: 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: 7247590
    Abstract: The composite dielectric of the present invention contains an aromatic liquid crystal polyester and a dielectric ceramic powder arranged in the aromatic liquid crystal polyester, wherein the dielectric ceramic powder exhibits a Q value greater than 650 at a frequency of 1 GHz by perturbation. A wiring board comprising a composite dielectric sheet made of a composite dielectric having such a characteristic exhibits a high dielectric constant and a low dielectric dissipation factor, thereby yielding less transmission loss, and thus can favorably be used in electronic instruments driven in high-frequency regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kawabata, Takaaki Morita
  • 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: 7220464
    Abstract: A nematic liquid-crystal mixture contains a compound of formula I in which R11 and R12 are as defined in the specification, and a liquid-crystal displays containing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Hirschmann, Volker Reiffenrath
  • Patent number: 7220368
    Abstract: A nematic liquid crystal composition includes a compound of formula (1) and a host mixture: wherein ‘R’ is chosen from CnH2n+1O, CnH2n+1, CnH2n+1S or CnH2n?1; ‘n’ is an integer of 1 to 15; ‘A’ is ‘a’ is 0 or 1; ‘B’ is —CH2CH2—, —C?C—, —C?C— or b’ is 0 or 1; ‘D’ is —CH2CH2—, —C?C— or —C?C—; ‘d’ is 0 or 1; ‘X’ is H, F, Cl, Br, NCS or CN; and ‘Y’ is from NCS, SCN or F. A liquid crystal display apparatus employing the nematic liquid crystal composition has a high response speed and a high phase transition temperature. In addition, the nematic liquid crystal composition has an augmented birefringence and a dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal display apparatus using the nematic liquid crystal composition may have an enhanced brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byeong-Seob Ban
  • Patent number: 7211201
    Abstract: Rod-like molecules (1) are admixed into a smectic C liquid crystal (2). According to the least-energy principle for electrostatic energy each rod-like molecule (1) has its permanent dipole moment aligned in a direction along a boundary layer between adjacent molecular layers of the liquid crystal and such permanent dipoles in adjacent boundary layers are aligned with their dipole moments opposed to each other in the direction of orientation. The character “<” bar regions of rod-like molecules (1) cause liquid crystal molecules inclined along their major axes to be axially inclined in an opposite direction every other layer whereby a smectic CA phase is formed in which the layer of liquid crystal molecules inclined in one direction and the layer of those inclined in the other direction alternate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Keiki Kishikawa, Makoto Yamamoto, Shigeo Kohmoto
  • Patent number: 7211302
    Abstract: The invention relates to a photostable liquid-crystalline medium comprising at least one compound of the formula I and at least one compound of the formula II and to the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, and to displays containing this medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Atsutaka Manabe, Ulrich Heywang, Detlef Pauluth, Michael Heckmeier, Peer Kirsch, Elvira Montenegro
  • Patent number: 7201951
    Abstract: Described are media for liquid-crystal applications where the media include a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy. The mixtures include one or more compounds of the formula I in which: R1 is a halogenated or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy radical having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, where one or more CH2 groups in these radicals are optionally, independently of one another, replaced by —C?C—, —CH?CH—, —O—, —CO—O—or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another; X is F, Cl, CN, a halogenated alkyl radical, a halogenated alkenyl radical, a halogenated alkoxy radical or a halogenated alkenyloxy radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and L1 and L2 are each, independently of one another, H or F. It being provided that the media exhibit a TN threshold of below 1.3V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Brigitte Schuler, Izumi Saito, Volker Reiffenrath, Georg Luessem, Christian Hock
  • 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: 7198828
    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, L8 and L9 are as defined in Claim 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Hirschmann, Peer Kirsch
  • Patent number: 7195719
    Abstract: The invention relates to chiral nonracemic liquid crystal compounds having achiral tails comprising a perfluoroalkyl terminal portion which are useful as components in liquid crystal to impart high polarization to the mixture. The materials of this invention can be combined with known liquid crystal host materials to impart improved properties. 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: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Displaytech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wand, Xin Hua Chen, William N. Thurmes
  • Patent number: 7189440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium comprising at least one pyran compound of the formula I and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of the compounds C-1 to C-5 in which the R, R1, the rings A, B and P, L1-6, X, X1, Z1, Z2, m and n are as defined above and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Atsutaka Manabe, Peer Kirsch, Eike Poetsch, Georg Luessem, Michael Heckmeier, Melanie Klasen-Memmer
  • 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: 7175891
    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 and one or more compounds of the formula IA in which R1, R2, ring A, ring B, L1-4, Z1, Z2, X1 and X2 are as defined in claim 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Sabine Schoen, Peer Kirsch
  • Patent number: 7175779
    Abstract: A thermotropic main-chain liquid crystalline homo- or copolymer forming a liquid crystalline phase and containing an aromatic monomer with functional groups in ortho- or meta-position. The polymer exhibits both isotropic and anisotropic properties. The present invention also provides a method for the preparation of the present polymers as well as a method of increasing the melt-processibility of polyester-based liquid crystalline polymers comprising the step of incorporating into the polymers 1 to 30 mol-% of, e.g., a ortho-substituted monomer with hydroxyl and/or carboxylic groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Optatech Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Kricheldorf, Andreas Gerken
  • Patent number: 7169325
    Abstract: To provide a liquid crystalline compound capable of exhibiting a biaxial liquid crystal phase, provide a trifunctional or greater functional polymerizable liquid crystalline compound having polymerizable groups, and also to provide a liquid crystalline composition and a retardation film which are using the liquid crystalline compound, a compound and a liquid crystalline compound each are represented by formula (I) defined in the specification; a liquid crystalline composition contains the compound; and a retardation film has an optically anisotropic layer formed from the compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nishikawa, Atsuhiro Ohkawa
  • 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: 7153550
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to liquid crystalline media comprising a dielectrically positive component, component A, consisting of dielectrically positive compounds, comprising one or more compounds of formula I and one or more compounds of formula II wherein the parameters have the meaning given in the specification and to liquid crystal displays comprising these media, especially to active matrix displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Sabine Schoen, Peer Kirsch, Matthias Bremer, Volker Reiffenrath
  • 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: 7153549
    Abstract: The invention provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor, and at least one non-liquid crystalline additive that is a non-liquid crystalline compound of formula I The invention also provides cholesteric liquid crystal films and optical bodies formed from cholesteric liquid crystal compositions of the invention. The invention further provides an optical display that includes a display medium, and a reflective polarizer including a cholesteric liquid crystal composition in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terence D. Spawn, Marc D. Radcliffe, Richard J. Pokorny
  • Patent number: 7147800
    Abstract: A method for making platform molecules comprising: reacting 4-alkoxy benzoyl chloride with R2-hydroquinone under first conditions effective to produce bis 1,4[4-alkoxy-benzoyloxy]-R2-phenylene comprising bis terminal alkoxy groups wherein R2 is a bulky organic group; and, subjecting the bis 1,4[4-alkoxy-benzoyloxy]-R2-phenylene to second conditions effective to selectively cleave the bis terminal alkoxy groups to produce a solution comprising complexes comprising diphenolic platform molecules comprising bis terminal hydroxyl groups, the second conditions also being effective to precipitate the complexes out of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Stephen T. Wellinghoff, Douglas P. Hanson
  • Patent number: 7135210
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid crystal compounds of formula (I), where X1, X2, X3, Z1, Z2, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, L11 and a have the meanings given in claim 1, and liquid crystal media containing at least one compound of formula (I) and electro-optical displays comprising such a liquid crystal medium
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Peer Kirsch, Detlef Pauluth, Andreas Ruhl, Joachim Krause, Kazuaki Tarumi, Michael Heckmeier
  • Patent number: 7125500
    Abstract: The invention relates to multireactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds of formula I R1—MG—R2 I wherein R1, R2 and MG have the meaning given in claim 1, to a polymerizable mesogenic composition comprising at least two components, at least one which is a compound of formula I, to a linear or crosslinked polymer obtainable by polymerization of one or more compounds of formula I or of a polymerizable composition comprising one or more compounds of formula I and to the use of a compound of formula I, or a polymerizable composition or polymer obtainable thereof, in optical elements such as polarizers, optical retardation or compensation films, alignment layers, colour filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal displays such as PDLC, polymer gel or polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (PSCT) displays, in adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetics, diagnostics or liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, and for nonlinear optics or optical info
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Louise Farrand, David Coates
  • 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: 7125590
    Abstract: Liquid crystal films with excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Matsumoto, Hitoshi Mazaki, Toru Nakamura, Takashi Seki