US4965118A — Flexible optical information recording medium and…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 130 words

An adapter for use in reproduction of a flexible optical information recording medium, on which digital information is recorded as an uneven pattern corresponding thereto, said adapter being used when a read beam is irradiated to said medium, characterized by the provision of a lower surface adapter (511; 521; 531; 541; 551; 561; 571; 581) for supporting the lower surface of said flexible optical information recording medium, an upper surface adapter (512; 522; 532; 542; 552; 562; 572; 582) for supporting the upper surface thereof, and connection means (516, 517; 526, 527; 535, 539; 546; 555, 556; 565, 566; 576, 577; 586, 587) for connecting said both adapter so as to enable said upper surface adapter and said lower surface adapter to hold said flexible optical information recording medium therebetween.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 130 words

An adapter for use in reproduction of a flexible optical information recording medium, on which digital information is recorded as an uneven pattern corresponding thereto, said adapter being used when a read beam is irradiated to said medium, characterized by the provision of a lower surface adapter (511; 521; 531; 541; 551; 561; 571; 581) for supporting the lower surface of said flexible optical information recording medium, an upper surface adapter (512; 522; 532; 542; 552; 562; 572; 582) for supporting the upper surface thereof, and connection means (516, 517; 526, 527; 535, 539; 546; 555, 556; 565, 566; 576, 577; 586, 587) for connecting said both adapter so as to enable said upper surface adapter and said lower surface adapter to hold said flexible optical information recording medium therebetween.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

An adapter for use in reproduction of a flexible optical information recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connection means is comprised of a holding pawl (516a, 517a), and a cut groove (516c, 517c) into which said holding pawl is fitted.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

An adapter for use in reproduction of a flexible optical information recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connection means is comprised of a hinge (527).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

An adapter for use in reproduction of a flexible optical, information recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connection means is comprised of a screw (535; 555; 576, 577).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 43 words

An adapter for use in reproduction of a flexible optical information recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connection means is comprised of a resilient holding pawl (546a), and a fitting groove (546b) into which said holding pawl is fitted.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 44 words

An adapter for use in reproduction of a flexible optical, information recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connection means is comprised of a fitting pin (565a, 566a), and a fitting hole (565b, 566b) into which said fitting pin is fitted.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 30 words

An adapter for use in reproduction of a flexible optical, information recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connection means is comprised of a magnet (586, 587).

Claim 9

Independent Claim 149 words

A method utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium, the method comprising the steps of: filling a resin liquid, which can be hardened by irradiation of ultraviolet or electron rays, between a base film, through which said rays are transmissible, and the original block at a position immediately in front of a carrying roller guiding said base film, wherein a surface of said base film and a surface of the original block face each other; irradiating said rays through said base film to harden and give form to said resin liquid on said base film; and exfoliating said base film and a resin layer, formed by said hardened resin liquid on said base film, from the original block.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 149 words

A method utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium, the method comprising the steps of: filling a resin liquid, which can be hardened by irradiation of ultraviolet or electron rays, between a base film, through which said rays are transmissible, and the original block at a position immediately in front of a carrying roller guiding said base film, wherein a surface of said base film and a surface of the original block face each other; irradiating said rays through said base film to harden and give form to said resin liquid on said base film; and exfoliating said base film and a resin layer, formed by said hardened resin liquid on said base film, from the original block.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 8, wherein said resin liquid comprises a prepolymer or oligomer monomer having an unsaturated molecular bond.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 8, wherein the original block is formed by an exposure process using a photoresist.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 8, wherein the original block is a mold comprised of resin.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 8, wherein said base film comprises a polymerized film.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 274 words

An apparatus utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium, the apparatus comprising: film supply means for supplying a wound base film through which ultraviolet or electron rays are transmissible; a replica cylinder on which the original block is fitted such that the uneven pattern is exposed at an outer circumferential surface thereof; pressing means for pressing said base film supplied from said film supply means onto said outer circumferential surface with a pressure of more than 1 kg/cm 2 ; resin liquid adhesion means provided at a position spaced in a direction opposite to a revolving direction of said replica cylinder with respect to a pressing position of said pressing means, for allowing a resin liquid, which can be hardened by irradiation of said rays, to be adhered onto the uneven pattern surface of the original block; irradiation means provided at a position spaced int he revolving direction of said replica cylinder with respect to said pressing position, for irradiating said rays to said resin liquid through said base film; exfoliation means for exfoliating said base film and a resin layer hardened thereon from the original block, said base film and said resin layer being exfoliated after form is given to said resin liquid and said resin liquid is hardened on said base film by irradiation emitted by said irradiation means, to thereby form said resin layer; and winding means for winding said base film and said resin layer which have been exfoliated.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 274 words

An apparatus utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium, the apparatus comprising: film supply means for supplying a wound base film through which ultraviolet or electron rays are transmissible; a replica cylinder on which the original block is fitted such that the uneven pattern is exposed at an outer circumferential surface thereof; pressing means for pressing said base film supplied from said film supply means onto said outer circumferential surface with a pressure of more than 1 kg/cm 2 ; resin liquid adhesion means provided at a position spaced in a direction opposite to a revolving direction of said replica cylinder with respect to a pressing position of said pressing means, for allowing a resin liquid, which can be hardened by irradiation of said rays, to be adhered onto the uneven pattern surface of the original block; irradiation means provided at a position spaced int he revolving direction of said replica cylinder with respect to said pressing position, for irradiating said rays to said resin liquid through said base film; exfoliation means for exfoliating said base film and a resin layer hardened thereon from the original block, said base film and said resin layer being exfoliated after form is given to said resin liquid and said resin liquid is hardened on said base film by irradiation emitted by said irradiation means, to thereby form said resin layer; and winding means for winding said base film and said resin layer which have been exfoliated.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said film supply means comprises a winding roll and a feed roller.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said pressing means comprises a nip roller.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said irradiation means is movable is a forward and a backward position with respect to said exfoliation means, along a pass of said base film.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said exfoliation means comprises a feed roller for introducing said base film in a direction different from a revolving direction of said replica cylinder.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 166 words

A method utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium the method comprising the steps of; forming a resin layer onto a roller base film through which ultraviolet or electron rays are transmissible, thus forming a rolled transfer film, wherein said resin of said layer is hardenable by irradiation o f said rays and has thermal moldability; pressure-welding a surface of said resin layer of said transfer film onto a surface of the original block on which the uneven pattern is formed, while softening said resin layer by heating, so as to transfer the uneven pattern from the original block to said resin layer; irradiating said rays through said base film to thereby harden said softened resin layer; and exfoliating said transfer film, into which the uneven pattern has been completely transferred, from the original block.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 166 words

A method utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium the method comprising the steps of; forming a resin layer onto a roller base film through which ultraviolet or electron rays are transmissible, thus forming a rolled transfer film, wherein said resin of said layer is hardenable by irradiation o f said rays and has thermal moldability; pressure-welding a surface of said resin layer of said transfer film onto a surface of the original block on which the uneven pattern is formed, while softening said resin layer by heating, so as to transfer the uneven pattern from the original block to said resin layer; irradiating said rays through said base film to thereby harden said softened resin layer; and exfoliating said transfer film, into which the uneven pattern has been completely transferred, from the original block.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 18, wherein said resin layer comprises a compound having a radical polymerization unsaturated group in a polymer of which the glass transition temperature is 0 to 260° C.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 18, wherein said resin layer comprises a compound having a melting point of 0 to 250° C. and a radical polymerization unsaturated group.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 18, wherein the original block is formed by an exposure process using a photoresist.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 18, wherein the original block is a mold comprised of resin.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 18, wherein said base film is comprised of a polymerized film.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 18, wherein said rolled transfer film comprises a base film, a resin layer and a reflection layer formed thereon.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 231 words

An apparatus utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium, the apparatus comprising: film supply means for supplying a wound transfer film which comprises a base film through which ultraviolet or electron rays are transmissible and a resin layer formed thereon, said resin layer consisting of a resin which can be hardened by irradiation of said rays and has thermal moldability; a replica cylinder on which the original block is fitted so that the uneven pattern is exposed at an outer circumferential surface thereof, said replica cylinder rotationally moving in a predetermined direction; transfer means for pressure-welding said transfer film supplied from said film supply means onto the uneven pattern surface of the original block fitted on said replica cylinder, so that a resin layer surface of said transfer film is in contact with a surface of the uneven pattern, and transferring the uneven pattern while heating said resin layer to thereby soften said resin layer; irradiation means for irradiating said rays through said base film to harden said softened resin layer; exfoliation means for exfoliating said transfer film, to which the uneven pattern has been completely transferred, from the original block; and winding means for winding said exfoliated transfer film.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 231 words

An apparatus utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium, the apparatus comprising: film supply means for supplying a wound transfer film which comprises a base film through which ultraviolet or electron rays are transmissible and a resin layer formed thereon, said resin layer consisting of a resin which can be hardened by irradiation of said rays and has thermal moldability; a replica cylinder on which the original block is fitted so that the uneven pattern is exposed at an outer circumferential surface thereof, said replica cylinder rotationally moving in a predetermined direction; transfer means for pressure-welding said transfer film supplied from said film supply means onto the uneven pattern surface of the original block fitted on said replica cylinder, so that a resin layer surface of said transfer film is in contact with a surface of the uneven pattern, and transferring the uneven pattern while heating said resin layer to thereby soften said resin layer; irradiation means for irradiating said rays through said base film to harden said softened resin layer; exfoliation means for exfoliating said transfer film, to which the uneven pattern has been completely transferred, from the original block; and winding means for winding said exfoliated transfer film.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said film supply means comprises a rotatable winding roller and a power brake for controlling the revolution of said winding roller.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 40 words

The apparatus of claim 26, said transfer means further comprising a pressing roller for pressing said transfer film onto said replica cylinder, a pressure application means for engaging said pressing roller, and a heating unit for heating said transfer film.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said heating unit is incorporated into said pressing roller.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said heating unit is incorporate into said replica cylinder.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 25, said exfoliation means further comprising a guide roller for guiding said base film in a different revolving direction than that of said replica cylinder.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 71 words

A method of reproducing a flexible optical information recording medium on which digital information is recorded as an uneven pattern corresponding thereto, by irradiating a read beam to the medium, comprising: contacting a flat plate-like adapter of a transparent rigid material with a surface of a flexible recording medium to which at least the read beam is irradiated, to thereby irradiate the read beam to said flexible medium through said adapter.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 71 words

A method of reproducing a flexible optical information recording medium on which digital information is recorded as an uneven pattern corresponding thereto, by irradiating a read beam to the medium, comprising: contacting a flat plate-like adapter of a transparent rigid material with a surface of a flexible recording medium to which at least the read beam is irradiated, to thereby irradiate the read beam to said flexible medium through said adapter.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 31, wherein said adapter and the medium have substantially the same shape.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 32, wherein the thickness of the medium is 1.2 to 1.5 mm.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 99 words

A method utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium final product, the method comprising the steps of: manufacturing a medium which is flexible and much thinner than the final product thickness; and adhering a transparent, rigid flat plate having a thickness approximately the same as the final product, to at least a surface of said flexible medium on which information is read, to thereby form the final product.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 99 words

A method utilizing an original block on which an uneven pattern corresponding to digital information to be recorded is formed, the uneven pattern of the original block being transferred and molded to thereby manufacture a flexible optical information recording medium final product, the method comprising the steps of: manufacturing a medium which is flexible and much thinner than the final product thickness; and adhering a transparent, rigid flat plate having a thickness approximately the same as the final product, to at least a surface of said flexible medium on which information is read, to thereby form the final product.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 34, wherein the thickness of the final product is 1.2 to 1.5 mm.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 34, wherein said flexible medium and said flat plate are adhered together by an adhesive layer.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-10-22	1994-04-23	1994-10-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-10-22	1998-04-23	1998-10-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-10-22	2002-04-23	2002-10-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Flexible optical information recording medium and method of manufacturing the same

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