Producing Polarized Light Patents (Class 252/585)
  • Patent number: 7163649
    Abstract: A composition formed from Group II fluorides in which the composition has little or no intrinsic birefringence at a selected wavelength. The composition is a mixed solid solution of CaF2 with a second crystal of SrF2 or BaF2. The resulting composition is in the form of Ca1?xSrxF2 or Ca1?xBaxF2, or a combination of SrF2 and BaF2, in the form of Ca1?x?ySrxBayF2. The specific form of the composition that effectively nulls out the intrinsic birefringence at a selected wavelength within the UV range is determined in one preferred method from the magnitudes of the intrinsic birefringences of the components, CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: John H. Burnett, Zachary H. Levine, Eric L. Shirley
  • Patent number: 7128953
    Abstract: An optical film comprises a transparent support and a polarizing layer. The polarizing layer selectively transmits polarized light, and selectively reflects or scatters other polarized light. The polarizing layer contains a compound represented by the formula (I) of Ar1—C?C—Ar3—C?C—Ar2. In the formula (I), each of Ar1 and Ar2 independently is a monovalent aromatic group, and Ar3 is a divalent aromatic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Ohkawa, Hiroki Sasaki, Kensuke Morita, Ichiro Amimori
  • Patent number: 7101498
    Abstract: An optical film is provided, which displays a positive wavelength dependency across the entire wavelength region from 400 to 800 nm, and is capable of imparting a specified retardation to transmitted light with a single sheet of film. The optical film particularly, includes a thermoplastic norbornene-based resin with a specified structure formed of a structural unit (I) which imparts a positive birefringence and a structural unit (II) which imparts a negative birefringence, and which satisfies particular conditions with respect to ?NI(?), ?NII(?), ?NI(800) and ?NII(800) wherein ?NI(?) and ?NII(?) represent the difference between a refractive index Nx(?) in an x axis direction at a wavelength ?, and a refractive index Ny(?) in a y axis direction, and ?NI(800) and ?NII(800) represent the difference in refractive indexes at a wavelength of 800 nm, and the x axis represents the stretching direction and the y axis represents the in-plane direction perpendicular to the x direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Sekiguchi, Yasuhiro Sakakura, Hiraku Shibata
  • Patent number: 7101496
    Abstract: A thermoplastic norbornene resin which displays a high degree of toughness, and for which the exhibited retardation and the wavelength dependency of that retardation can be controlled is provided, which is formed from a copolymer with a structural unit represented by a general formula (1) and a structural unit represented by a general formula (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Sekiguchi, Yasuhiro Sakakura, Hiraku Shibata
  • Patent number: 7087194
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polarizer is described whereby a pre-polarizing article comprising an oriented, vinylalcohol polymer film layer, and an acid donor layer comprising a thermal acid generator, is exposed to radiant energy at a temperature sufficient to effect a partial dehydration of the vinylalcohol polymer to a vinylalcohol/poly(acetylene) copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Duane D. Fansler, Robert T. Fitzsimons, Jr., Wayne S. Mahoney, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Michael S. Wendland, Babu N. Gaddam
  • Patent number: 7074351
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions containing transparent thermoplastic polymer, surface-modified oxide particles with a particle size of less than 200 nm, and organic NIR absorbers. The compositions of the present invention may find use in reducing diathermancy in sheets, films, glazing systems and roofing systems which may be incorporated into automobiles and buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Leibniz-Institut fur Neue Materialien gem. GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Döbler, Werner Hoheisel, Helmut Schmidt, Ralph Nonninger, Martin Schichtel, Martin Jost
  • Patent number: 7070715
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disazo compound of the formula (I) or a salt thereof wherein A represents 4-sulfophenyl or 6,8-disulfo-2-naphtyl, one of R1 and R2 represents hydrogen or methyl. The present invention also provides a dye-based polarizing film comprising a base material and the disazo compound of the formula (I) or the salt thereof contained in the base material. The disazo compound of the present invention provides a polarizing film, which is excellent in light resistance and initial polarizing performance, particularly light resistance when used as a polarizing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toru Ashida, Yoshiteru Ohta, Narutoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7057816
    Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Allen, Arthur L. Kotz, Lockwood W. Carlson, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover, Michael F. Weber, Biswaroop Majumdar
  • Patent number: 7031053
    Abstract: The invention pertains to thermo-resistant and light-resistant dichroic polarizers based on thin films of dichroic matters, in particular organic dyestuffs, in which molecules are ordered in a crystalline structure and applied on the surface of the substrate. The dichroic polarizer is characterized by the fact that it contains at least one anisotropically absorbing film comprised of oriented molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yuri A. Bobrov, Leonid Y. Ignatov, Pavel I. Lazarev, Alla Y. Sakharova
  • Patent number: 7008569
    Abstract: Optical films are provided for which the retardation generated, and the wavelength dispersion of that retardation, are able to be controlled. (1) An optical film containing a thermoplastic norbornene resin with a photoelastic coefficient (CP) within a range from 0 to 100 (×10?12 Pa?1), and a stress optical coefficient (CR) within a range from 1500 to 4000 (×10?12 Pa?1). (2) An optical film containing a thermoplastic norbornene resin either with a group represented by the general formula (2), shown below, or with at least one group selected from the general formulas (3) and (4) shown below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Sekiguchi, Yasuhiro Sakakura, Hiraku Shibata
  • Patent number: 6949207
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polarizer is described whereby a pre-polarizing article comprising an oriented, vinylalcohol polymer film layer, and an acid donor layer comprising a thermal acid generator, is exposed to radiant energy at a temperature sufficient to effect a partial dehydration of the vinylalcohol polymer to a vinylalcohol/poly(acetylene) copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Duane D. Fansler, Robert T. Fitzsimons, Jr., Wayne S. Mahoney, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Michael S. Wendland, Babu N. Gaddam
  • Patent number: 6900937
    Abstract: A polarizing plate comprising a polarizer and a transparent protective film at least one surface of the polarizer via an adhesive layer, wherein an applied layer comprising a polymer having a hydroxyl group is formed on a surface of the transparent protective film that is adhered to the polarizer, and the adhesive layer is formed by an adhesive comprising an isocyanate adhesive, has no problem concerning saponification processing and has a good adhesive property between a polarizer and a transparent protective film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuji Saiki, Hiroe Maeda, Shuuji Yano
  • Patent number: 6858164
    Abstract: An image display medium including: a pair of electroconductive layers, at least one of which is light-transmissive and which are opposed to each other to form a cell; and a dispersion contained in the cell and including a silicone oil; a colored particulate material dispersed in the silicone oil; and a polymer soluble in the silicone oil. The polymer preferably includes units obtained from a monomer having an acidic group or a basic group and a monomer having the following formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; n is an integer; and x is an integer of from 1 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventor: Masahiro Yanagisawa
  • Publication number: 20040232394
    Abstract: The invention relates to optical devices for producing and/or transforming polarised electromagnetic emission by means of anisotropic absorption and/or optical rotation effects and/or birefringence and can be used as different polarizers (dichroic, reflecting), lagging layers (retarders), liquid-crystal displays and indicators and also for producing polarising glass for building construction and for sun and antiglare glasses, masks, aprons and faceplates. The inventive optical device is based on at least one molecularly oriented layer of a low-molecular or oligomeric dichroic material which can form a stable lyotropic liquid crystal structure. The projection of at least one anisotropically absorbing fragment of a molecule of the dichroic material on the surface of the molecularly oriented layer of a dipole moment of optical transition is disposed in a parallel position to the optical axis of the molecularly oriented layer at least within several ranges of wavelength of the electromagnetic emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Ir Gvon Khan, Sergej Vasilievich Belyaev, Gregory Nikolaevich Vorozhtsov, Maria Leonardovna Kukushkina, Nikolai Valdimirovich Malimonenko, Nataliya Nikolaevna Masanova, Elena Yurievna Moscow, Olga Akhmatovna Tambieva
  • Patent number: 6805925
    Abstract: A transmittable light-scattering sheet (a transmitting type light-scattering sheet) of the present invention comprises a plurality of layers, each having a bicontinuous structure composed of a plurality of polymers. The layers differ from each other in average period size of the bicontinuous structure. The sheet may comprise, for example, a first layer having a bicontinuous structure (e.g., the average period size of the bicontinuous structure of 1.5 to 4 &mgr;m) and a second layer each having a bicontinuous structure (e.g., the larger average period size of the bicontinuous structure than that of the first layer by 0.5 to 8 &mgr;m). In the sheet, the first layer may be next to the second layer. The ratio of the period size of the first layer to that of the second layer may be the first layer/the second layer=1.3/1 to 4/1. Such a sheet can impart a directionality to a reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignees: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Uchida, Hiroyuki Takemoto
  • Patent number: 6803411
    Abstract: Difference in retardation between two points separated by 1 cm along the TD direction of a polyvinyl alcohol polymer film 6 is 5 nm or less. The length of a surface for drying a polyvinyl alcohol polymer film 6 is 3 m to 200 m, and the water content of the polyvinyl alcohol polymer film 6 when peeled after passing through the drying surface is 50% by weight or less, in film formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Harita, Takanori Isozaki
  • Patent number: 6774961
    Abstract: Disclosed are super broadband circularly polarizing film materials and novels methods of fabricating and using the same. The circularly polarizing materials are made from a film of material, such as a CLC polymer having a cholesteric order, in which a liquid crystal material, such as a nematic liquid crystal material, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the CLC polymer. The pitch of the helices of the CLC molecules in the polyermized CLC material varies in a non-linear (e.g. exponential) manner along the depth dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. The resulting circularly polarizing materials have reflection and transmission characteristics over bands of operation approaching 2000 nm. Depending on the final spiral structure of the materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Le Li, Yingqiu Jiang
  • Patent number: 6757102
    Abstract: A polarizer comprising a polyvinyl alcohol based film being dyed by iodine and treated with potassium iodide, wherein an element content ratio (K/I) of iodine (I) and potassium (K) is 0.05 through 0.24, show an effect controlling coloring and satisfying high durability under conditions of high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Nishida, Kazuki Tsuchimoto, Seiji Kondo
  • Publication number: 20040069976
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disazo compound of the formula (I) or a salt thereof 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Toru Ashida, Yoshiteru Ohta, Narutoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6716373
    Abstract: There is disclosed an optically active polysilane represented by the following general formula: wherein R1 and R2 are a combination of (R)-3,7-dimethyloctyl group and (S)-3-methylpentyl group, R3 is an alkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and formed of a branched structure which is branched at any one of the first to fourth carbon atoms positioned away from the backbone chain, R4 is a straight-chain alkyl ether group having 2 to 22 carbon atoms, or a straight-chain alkyl group having 2 to 22 carbon atoms, x is a number ranging from 0.01 to 0.99, and n is a number ranging from 10 to 100,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Michiya Fujiki, Masashi Kunitake, Akihiro Ohira
  • Patent number: 6706339
    Abstract: A laminate polarizer has a dichroic polarizing sheet and a polarizing and scattering sheet showing anisotropy in scattering properties depending on a direction of polarization and being laminated on the dichroic polarizing sheet. An absorption axis of the dichroic polarizing sheet and an optical axis of the polarizing and scattering sheet in which polarized light is intensely scattered are in parallel to each other. A liquid crystal display is provided so that this laminate polarizer is disposed on a light source side of a liquid crystal panel as a polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Miyatake, Takafumi Sakuramoto
  • Patent number: 6699976
    Abstract: A polyazo compound or salt thereof covering the region of from 500 to 580 nm and manifesting high initial polarization ability and represented by the following formulae (I) or (II): wherein, A represents a phenyl having sulfo and/or carboxyl and optionally having a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, or a naphthyl having 1 to 3 sulfos, R1 to R6 represent hydrogen, lower alkyl or alkoxy, m and n each independently represent 0 or 1, R7 represents hydrogen or sulfo, D and E each independently represents —NHCO— or —N═N—, G represents —CH2—, alkylene having 2-4 carbon atoms, phenylene or —CH═CH—, and R8 represents sulfo, carboxyl or lower alkoxycarbonyl; is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toru Ashida, Yoshiteru Ohta, Narutoshi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20030178608
    Abstract: The invention is a polyvinyl alcohol film having an YI value of at most 20, which is formed of a modified polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of polymerization of from 1500 to 5000, an ethylene unit content of from 1 to 4 mol % and a 1,2-glycol bond content of at most 1.4 mol %. The polyvinyl alcohol film gives polarizing films that contain no impurities and have good polarization performance, durability and hue stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Isozaki, Tetsushi Hayashi, Toshio Nakai, Naoki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6624859
    Abstract: A polarizing apparatus extracts light amount of which is increased by incidence of light (10, 12) having a plurality of planes of polarization, and by aligning the planes of polarization. This polarizing apparatus can be used as a polarizer for a liquid crystal display device (optical transducer), or can be disposed as a preliminary stage before a polarizer. Molecules of an optically active material (1) rotates the plane of polarization through an optical rotation angle &thgr;1 when a first vector component 10 of light having a horizontal plane of polarization passes, and rotates the plane of polarization through an optical rotation angle &thgr;2 (>&thgr;1) when a second vector component of light having a vertical plane of polarization passes. Therefore, light having a horizontal plane of polarization is amplified, and light having a vertical plane of polarization is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Sugiyama, Yuji Fujimori
  • Patent number: 6610356
    Abstract: A dichroic polarizing film is made, for example, by, first combining polyvinyl alcohol and a second polymer, such as, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a sulfonated polyester, in a solvent. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to second polymer is between about 5:1 to 100:1 by weight. The film is coated on a substrate, dried, and then stretched to orient at least a portion of the film. The film incorporates a dichroic dye material, such as iodine, to form a dichroic polarizer. This polarizer may be used in conjunction with a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer, to form an optical polarizer. The multilayer optical film may contain two or more sets of polyester films, where at least one of the sets is birefringent and orientable by stretching. The polyvinyl alcohol/second polymer film and the multilayer optical film may be simultaneously stretched to orient both polymer films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William L. Kausch, Brian H. Williams, William W. Merrill
  • Publication number: 20030155558
    Abstract: A solution film-forming method for obtaining the polymer film includes discharging a pressurized polymer solution having a specific temperature from a casting die, casting the polymer solution on a support, solidifying the polymer solution to form a film, peeling and drying the film, wherein the polymer solution to be cast on the support is mixed with a specific solvent such that E1/n is larger than 0.1 (l/second) and smaller than 3.0 (l/second) when the dynamic modulus of rigidity and dynamic coefficient of viscosity of the polymer solution immediately after discharged on the support from the casting die are E1 (Pascal) and n (Pascal·second), respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20030141490
    Abstract: Described is a photochromic polymer composition including the reaction product of at least one polymerizable photochromic material and at least one other copolymerizable material having a glass transition temperature of less than 23° C. upon polymerization. The photochromic polymer composition is adapted to provide an increased Fade Half Life in the Photochromic Polymer Performance Test as compared to the same photochromic compound used in the reaction product, but free of polymerizable groups. Also described are photochromic articles including the photochromic polymer composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Robert W. Walters, Anil Kumar, Forrest R. Blackburn, Kevin J. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6596201
    Abstract: A method for patterning an optical property on a optical element that includes selectively applying an energy source to an optical element to pattern an optical property thereon. A method is disclosed where the optical element includes metal halide particles dispersed in the optical element. A method is also disclosed where localized heating includes pre-heating the optical element and heating a small region of the optical element with sufficient energy for metal halide particles to relax in shape. An additional method is disclosed for patterning an optical property on an optical element that includes fusing pieces of optical element containing the optical property with pieces of optical element without the optical property by heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas F. Borrelli, Donald M. Trotter, Jr., Ljerka Ukrainczyk
  • Patent number: 6590705
    Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Allen, Arthur L. Kotz, Lockwood W. Carlson, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover, Michael F. Weber, Biswaroop Majumdar
  • Patent number: 6583929
    Abstract: A light-polarizing film is provided which possesses a light transmittance of not more than 0.3% wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with a linearly polarized light with a vibration plane parallel to an absorption axis of said film, and a light transmittance of not less than 77% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with a linearly polarized light with a vibration plane perpendicular to the absorption axis of said film. When a light-polarizing plate comprising the light polarizing film is applied to the liquid crystal panel for blue of a liquid crystal projector, the obtained liquid crystal projector displays images featuring bright and 15 natural color tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventor: Narutoshi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20030098447
    Abstract: A polyazo compound or salt thereof covering the region of from 500 to 580 nm and manifesting high initial polarization ability and represented by the following formulae (I) or (II): 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Toru Ashida, Yoshiteru Ohta, Narutoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6551529
    Abstract: A dichromatic polarizing element comprising a water-soluble organic dichromatic dye selected from the group consisting of a bisazo compound of a specific structure, the tautomer thereof, and the salts of them, wherein the dichromatic dye comprises the aggregates thereof oriented to a definite direction such that the dye can polarize a light passed therethrough, and a method of producing the polarizing element orienting the aggregates by a specific method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Taguchi, Naoyuki Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 6544605
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of optical elements comprising at least one optical retardation film and at least one broadband reflective polarizer, characterized in that the optical retardation film is comprising at least one layer of an anisotropic polymer material having an optical symmetry axis substantially parallel to the plane of the layer, said optical retardation film being obtainable by polymerization of a mixture of a polymerizable mesogenic material comprising: a) at least one reactive mesogen having at least one polymerizable functional group; b) an initiator, c) optionally a non-mesogenic compound having two or more polymerizable functional groups; and d) optionally a stabilizer; and relates to an optical retardation film used in said combination of optical elements and to a liquid crystal display comprising said combination of optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Mark Verrall, Jeremy Ward, James Hanmer, David Coates
  • Patent number: 6532049
    Abstract: Disclosed are super broadband circularly polarizing film materials and novels methods of fabricating and using the same. The circularly polarizing materials are made from polymerizable CLC film material having a cholesteric order, in which a liquid crystal material, such as a nematic liquid crystal material, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the CLC polymer. The pitch of the helices of the CLC molecules in the polyermized CLC material varies in a non-linear (e.g. exponential) manner along the depth dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. The resulting circularly polarizing materials have reflection and transmission characteristics over bands of operation approaching 2000 nm. Depending on the final spiral structure of the polymeriable CLC materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Le Li, Yingqiu Jiang, Sadeg M. Faris
  • Patent number: 6522446
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of anisometrically shaped metal particles in liquid light valve suspensions, light valve films and light valves. The anisometric metal particles may have various geometric shapes including, for example, fibrils, and an average length in the range between about 1 micron and 50 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Research Frontiers Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert L. Saxe
  • Patent number: 6522468
    Abstract: A light-polarizing film is provided which possesses a light transmittance of not more than 0.3% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with a linearly polarized light with a vibration plane parallel to an absorption axis of said film, and a light transmittance of not less than 77% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with a linearly polarized light with a vibration plane perpendicular to the absorption axis of said film. When a light-polarizing plate comprising the light-polarizing film is applied to the liquid crystal panel for blue of a liquid crystal projector, the obtained liquid crystal projector displays images featuring bright and 15 natural color tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventor: Narutoshi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20030030040
    Abstract: Disclosed are a reversibly variable color patterning composition for articles made of synthetic resin that include a granulated material containing 1.) at least one reversibly variable photochromic material which is any one of the following or any combination of the following: encapsulated, microencapsulated, or non-encapsulated photochromic dye and 2.) an olefin polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer, the granulated materials not having been subject to a crosslinking reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: John Joseph Luthern, Victor W. Lee
  • Patent number: 6517746
    Abstract: A polyhalide light-polarizing material comprising a complex obtained by reacting: (a) elemental iodine; (b) a hydrohalide acid or an ammonium halide, alkali metal halide or alkaline earth metal halide; (c) a first compound capable of chelating hydrogen, ammonium or metal ions; and (d) a second compound comprising at least one chelating group present in the first compound and either (1) at least one group of the first compound is changed to a different group or (2) the second compound comprises at least one additional group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Research Frontiers Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert L. Saxe, Barry Fanning, Steven M. Slovak, Robert I. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6466297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a broadband reflective polarizer comprising the blending a first mixture A comprising at least one achiral polymerizable mesogenic compound with a second mixture B comprising at least one chiral polymerizable mesogenic compound; and coating a layer of the blended mixture onto a first substrate and aligning the chiral mesogenic material in a planar orientation so that the axis of the molecular helix extends transversely to the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Merck Patent Geselleschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Mark Goulding, David Coates, John Patrick, Mark Verrall, John Argent
  • Patent number: 6461541
    Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer film for smart window which can optionally modulate the intensity of light passing through a window on the part of users and more particularly, to the polymer film for smart window, prepared in a manner such that a polyalkylacrylate dispersion polymer containing dispersed dichroic particles, so synthesized via reaction between nickel picolinate and polyiodide, are dispersed in a polymethylphenyl-dimethylsiloxane copolymer as a film medium polymer, using dichlorodimethylsilane and dichloromethylphenylsilane as starting monomers where their molar ratios can be modulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co.
    Inventors: Seung Hwa Lee, Do Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 6449093
    Abstract: A optical body has at least two polymeric materials forming a reflective interface for at least one polarization of light. One optical body is a multilayer optical film that includes birefringent first optical layers and second optical layers interleaved with the first optical layers. Each first optical layer is formed using a polymer, such as a copolymer of polyethylene naphthalate. The second optical layers are formed so that they have a lower in-plane birefringence than the first optical layers for 632.8 nm light. Optical bodies can be used as, for example, polarizers and mirrors. The optical bodies can be formed using polymers that provide better index matching and are more easily protected from UV light without coloring the optical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Peter D. Condo, William W. Merrill
  • Publication number: 20020113922
    Abstract: A polarizing film comprising a stretched film containing iodine, wherein an absorbance characteristics ratio of ((an absorption peak A in a wavelength range of 550 to 650 nm)/(an absorption peak B in a wavelength range of 450 to 520 nm)) is no more than 1.5 when the polarizing film is arranged in a crossed Nicol, form a liquid crystal display for color display that provides as neutral hue as possible, and gives good black color display, and as a result gives an outstanding reproducibility of color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Seiichi Kusumoto, Takashi Shouda
  • Patent number: 6416827
    Abstract: A film suitable for use as the light-modulating unit of an SPD light valve, the film comprising a cross-linked polymer matrix and having droplets of a liquid light valve suspension distributed in the cross-linked polymer matrix, the liquid light valve suspension comprising particles suspended in a liquid suspending medium, wherein the matrix and the droplets each have a refractive index within a range of from about 1.455 to 1.463 and wherein the refractive index of the droplet and the matrix components of the film are preferably matched as closely as possible within RI 0.005 of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Research Frontiers Incorporated
    Inventors: Srinivasan Chakrapani, Steven M. Slovak, Robert L. Saxe, Barry Fanning
  • Publication number: 20020080489
    Abstract: There is provided a polarizer constituted by a polarizing element, and at least one transparent protective film constituted by two layers of retardation films with an in-plane retardation in a range of from 190 to 320 nm with respect to light having a wavelength of 550 nm. The transparent protective film is bonded onto one of opposite surfaces of the polarizing element so that a slow axis of each of the retardation films is parallel with an absorption axis of the polarizing element. The two layers of retardation films are constituted by a combination of a retardation film with Nz of from 0.8 to 0.95 and a retardation film with Nz of from 0.55 to 0.7 in the condition of nx>ny and Nz=(nx−nz)/(nx−ny) in which nx and ny are in-plane refractive indices of the retardation films respectively, and nz is a refractive index in a direction of thickness of each of the retardation films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Umemoto
  • Publication number: 20020075564
    Abstract: There is provided a polarizer constituted by a polarizing element, and at least one transparent protective film constituted by two layers of retardation films with an in-plane retardation in a range of from 190 to 320 nm with respect to light having a wavelength of 550 nm. The transparent protective film is bonded onto one of opposite surfaces of the polarizing element so that a fast axis of each of the retardation films is parallel with an absorption axis of the polarizing element. The two layers of retardation films are constituted by a combination of a retardation film with Nz of from 0.05 to 0.2 and a retardation film with Nz of from 0.3 to 0.45 in the condition of nx>ny and Nz=(nx−nz)/(nx−ny) in which nx and ny are in-plane refractive indices of the retardation films respectively, and nz is a refractive index in a direction of thickness of each of the retardation films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Umemoto
  • Patent number: 6404472
    Abstract: Films containing oriented dye, methods of manufacturing such films, and polarizers and liquid crystal display devices utilizing the films are disclosed. The film contains at least one dichroic dye which is uniaxially oriented. A film has a thickness of not less than 1 nanometer and not greater than 5 micrometer and contains the dichroic dye of not less than 1 percent by weight and not greater than 100 percent by weight. The film has a peak of absorption at 400 nm through 800 nm and a dichroic ratio of not less than 25 at the peak of absorption. The film may include a micro-pattern having a minimum width in a film plane of not less than 1 micrometer and not greater than 200 micrometer. In such a case, the dichroic dye has a dichroic ratio of not less than 10 at the peak of absorption. A method of manufacturing such a film according to the invention includes the step of forming a dye-containing film on a substrate having a fluororesin alignment layer on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventors: Alejandro Andreatta, Shuji Doi
  • Patent number: 6402994
    Abstract: Disclosed are fused ring bridge, ring-locked dyes that form thermally stable photorefractive compositions. The fused ring bridge structures are &pgr;-conjugated bonds in benzene-, naphthalene- or anthracene-derived fused ring systems that connect donor and acceptor groups. The donor and acceptor groups contribute to a high molecular dipole moment and linear polarizability anisotropy. The polarization characteristics of the dye molecules are stabilized since the bonds in the fused ring bridge are not susceptible to rotation, reducing the opportunity for photoisomerization. The dyes are compatible with polymeric compositions, including thermoplastics. The dyes are electrically neutral but have charge transport, electronic and orientational properties such that upon illumination of a composition containing the dye, the dye facilitates refractive index modulation and a photorefractive effect that can be utilized advantageously in numerous applications such as in optical quality devices and biological imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Seth R. Marder, Nasser Peyghambarian, Bernard Kippelen, Boris Volodin, Eric Hendrickx
  • Patent number: 6399752
    Abstract: A polyazo compound or salt thereof of the following formula (I): wherein, A represents a naphthyl having 1 to 3 sulfos or a phenyl having 1 to 2 hydrophilic groups selected from sulfo and carboxyl and optionally having a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, B represents —NHCO— or —N═N—, n represents 0 or 1, R1 to R6 represent hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, R7 represents hydrogen or sulfo, D represents —N═N— when B is —N═N— and represents —NHCO—, —N═N— or —NH— when E is —NHCO—, and E represents a phenyl optionally having 1 to 3 groups selected from hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfo, carboxyl, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy; and a dye-based polarization film which manifests high polarization ability, is excellent in durability and light resistant to exposure for a long period of time and is obtainable by adding the above polyazo compound or salt thereof; are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Ohta, Narutoshi Hayashi, Toru Ashida
  • Publication number: 20020063243
    Abstract: A polarizing plate comprising a uniaxial stretched polyvinyl alcohol resin film with iodine adsorbed thereto in an oriented state and a protection film bonded to at least one surface of the resin film. The polarizing plate has a single transmittance of about 42.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Koji Matsumoto, Narutoshi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20020044352
    Abstract: A polarizing optical composite equipped with a polarizing plate holding a polarizer sheet layer between two protective sheet layers, wherein the polarizing sheet layer has on one side thereof at least two layers, in a body, constructed of materials different each other. The polarizing optical composite has high impact resistance and high degree of polarization, and is used as, for example, goggles, sunglasses, and spectacles, which have high impact resistance, has more safety, and can prevent dazzling light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: YAMAMOTO KOGAKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tamenobu Yamamoto, Masahiko Okamoto, Koichiro Oka