US4998239A — Optical information recording medium containing a…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 186 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media which comprises: (a) applying a thin film of a soft metal alloy coating on a surface of a substrate material, said metal alloy coating being securely bonded to the surface of said substrate and comprising a highly reflective soft metal alloy selected from the group consisting of, based on percent by weight of each alloy: Sn (70-75), Bi (20-25) and Cu (about 0-5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Mg (0-10); Bi (5-95) Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Sn (40-94), Sb (b3-30), Bi (3-37) and Cu (0-40); Sn (at least 8), Bi (at least 8), and at least one of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni (at least 1) wherein Bi is present in an amount greater than any of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni; and Sn (25-90), Bi (8-60) and Cu (1-25) and thereafter (b) encoding information onto the metal coating, said encoded information being in the form of an alteration to the surface of said coating in a form which is optically readable.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 186 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media which comprises: (a) applying a thin film of a soft metal alloy coating on a surface of a substrate material, said metal alloy coating being securely bonded to the surface of said substrate and comprising a highly reflective soft metal alloy selected from the group consisting of, based on percent by weight of each alloy: Sn (70-75), Bi (20-25) and Cu (about 0-5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Mg (0-10); Bi (5-95) Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Sn (40-94), Sb (b3-30), Bi (3-37) and Cu (0-40); Sn (at least 8), Bi (at least 8), and at least one of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni (at least 1) wherein Bi is present in an amount greater than any of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni; and Sn (25-90), Bi (8-60) and Cu (1-25) and thereafter (b) encoding information onto the metal coating, said encoded information being in the form of an alteration to the surface of said coating in a form which is optically readable.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 1 wherein said coating is of a thickness in the range of 20 to 10,000 Angstroms.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method of fabricating optical memory media as set forth in claim 1 wherein said encoding comprises laser alteration of said metal alloy.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 59 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 1 wherein said encoding comprises thermally forming tracks on said coated surface and forming alternating raised and depressed surface portions within said tracks, said alternating raised and depressed surface portions providing a difference in optical signal whereby said encode information may be read from said media.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 4 wherein said tracks and said alternating raised and depressed surface portions are formed simultaneously by means of a thermoforming operation.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 1 further comprising applying a protective layer to said metal alloy coating.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 1 wherein said encoding comprises embossing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 62 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramic, epoxy, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, metal and composites thereof and the soft metal alloy comprises about 5 to about 95 percent by weight of tin, about 5 to about 95 percent by weight of bismuth and 0 to about 40 percent by weight of copper.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method of fabricating the optical memory storage media of claim 1 wherein said substrate is a film.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 9 wherein said substrate is a thermoplastic film and said thermoplastic film is laminated to another substrate subsequent to embossing of the thermoplastic film.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 1 wherein said substrate is a thermoplastic disc, tape, or card which is metallized and encoded.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method of fabricating optical memory media as set forth in claim 11 further comprising applying a protective layer to said metal alloy coating.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method of fabricating optical memory media as set forth in claim 1 wherein said substrate comprises an essentially non-deformable material and said encoding comprises laser alteration of said metal alloy.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 204 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media comprising: forming a substrate in sheet form from a polymeric material; applying a uniform thin film metal alloy coating on one surface of said sheet form substrate, said metal alloy coating providing a highly reflective uniform surface firmly bonded to said substrate, said metal alloy coating selected from the group consisting of, based on percent by weight of each alloy; Sn (70-75), Bi (20-25) and Cu (about 0-5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Mg (0-10); Bi (5-95) Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Sn (40-94), Sb (b3-30), Bi (3-37) and Cu (0-40); Sn (at least 8), Bi (at least 8), and at least one of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni (at least 1) wherein Bi is present in an amount greater than any of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni; and Sn (25-90), Bi (8-60) and Cu (1-25); thereafter continuously thermally forming portions of said coated sheet from substrate so as to emboss thereon tracks of a predetermined contour, severing said embossed portions from said sheet form substrate; and applying a protective layer to the surface of said thin film metal alloy coating.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 204 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media comprising: forming a substrate in sheet form from a polymeric material; applying a uniform thin film metal alloy coating on one surface of said sheet form substrate, said metal alloy coating providing a highly reflective uniform surface firmly bonded to said substrate, said metal alloy coating selected from the group consisting of, based on percent by weight of each alloy; Sn (70-75), Bi (20-25) and Cu (about 0-5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Mg (0-10); Bi (5-95) Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Sn (40-94), Sb (b3-30), Bi (3-37) and Cu (0-40); Sn (at least 8), Bi (at least 8), and at least one of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni (at least 1) wherein Bi is present in an amount greater than any of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni; and Sn (25-90), Bi (8-60) and Cu (1-25); thereafter continuously thermally forming portions of said coated sheet from substrate so as to emboss thereon tracks of a predetermined contour, severing said embossed portions from said sheet form substrate; and applying a protective layer to the surface of said thin film metal alloy coating.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 35 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 14 further comprising recording coded information on said tracks by forming discontinuities in said thin film metal alloy coating along said tracks.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 15 wherein said discontinuities are formed after applying said protective layer by an ablative process.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media as set forth in claim 16 wherein said discontinuities are formed by a highly focused light beam.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 28 words

A method of fabricating optical memory storage media of claims 1 or 14 wherein said alloy is further secured to said substrates by an intervening contiguous copper layer.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 or 14 wherein said coating is of a thickness in the range of 80 Angstroms to 320 Angstroms.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 or 14 wherein said coating is of a thickness in the range of 200 Angstroms to 320 Angstroms.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 or 14 wherein said coating is of a thickness in the range of 260 Angstroms to 320 Angstroms.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 158 words

A medium for storage of information that can be optically read comprising a substrate layer and a highly reflective soft metal alloy layer adhered to at least one surface of the substrate layer, said soft metal alloy selected from the groups consisting of, based on percent by weight of each alloy: Sn (70-75), Bi (20-25) and Cu (about 0-5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Mg (0-10); Bi (5-95) Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Sn (40-94), Sb (b3-30), Bi (3-37) and Cu (0-40); Sn (at least 8), Bi (at least 8), and at least one of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni (at least 1) wherein Bi is present in an amount greater than any of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni; and Sn (25-90), Bi (8-60) and Cu (1-25) and at least said soft metal layer having data contained thereon which can be optically read.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 158 words

A medium for storage of information that can be optically read comprising a substrate layer and a highly reflective soft metal alloy layer adhered to at least one surface of the substrate layer, said soft metal alloy selected from the groups consisting of, based on percent by weight of each alloy: Sn (70-75), Bi (20-25) and Cu (about 0-5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Mg (0-10); Bi (5-95) Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Sn (40-94), Sb (b3-30), Bi (3-37) and Cu (0-40); Sn (at least 8), Bi (at least 8), and at least one of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni (at least 1) wherein Bi is present in an amount greater than any of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni; and Sn (25-90), Bi (8-60) and Cu (1-25) and at least said soft metal layer having data contained thereon which can be optically read.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 48 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said substrate layer is a material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyester, acrylic, monovinylidene aromatic polymer, a polymer of a vinyl halide, a polymer of vinylidene halide, polyacetal, polyolefin, glass, ceramic, epoxy, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, metal, and composites thereof.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 15 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein the medium is in the form of a disc.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 13 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein the medium is in a tape format.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 15 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein the medium is in the form of a card.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 22 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said soft metal layer is of a thickness in the range of 20 to 10,000 Angstroms.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said soft metal layer is substantially contiguous over the surface of the medium.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 22 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said substrate has a thickness of from about 1×10 -6 meters to about 1×10 -1 meters.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 25 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said information is encoded on a surface of said medium, said information being represented by a non-uniform surface topography.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 26 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said information is encoded on only a portion of said media whereby other portions remain for encoding of additional information.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 133 words

An optical memory storage media comprising: a substrate: a thin highly reflective soft metal alloy film coating firmly bonded to one surface of said substrate said metal alloy selected from the group consisting of, based on percent by weight of each alloy: Sn (70-75), Bi (20-25) and Cu (about 0-5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5) Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Mg (0-10); Bi (5-95) Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Sn (40-94), Sb (b3-30), Bi (3-37) and Cu (0-40) Sn (at least 8), Bi (at least 8), and at least one of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni (at least 1) wherein Bi is present in an amount greater than any of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni; and Sn (25-90), Bi (8-60) and Cu (1-25).

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 133 words

An optical memory storage media comprising: a substrate: a thin highly reflective soft metal alloy film coating firmly bonded to one surface of said substrate said metal alloy selected from the group consisting of, based on percent by weight of each alloy: Sn (70-75), Bi (20-25) and Cu (about 0-5); Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5) Zn (5-95), Cd (5-95) and Mg (0-10); Bi (5-95) Cd (5-95) and Ag (0-49.5); Sn (40-94), Sb (b3-30), Bi (3-37) and Cu (0-40) Sn (at least 8), Bi (at least 8), and at least one of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni (at least 1) wherein Bi is present in an amount greater than any of Mg, Au, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ag, and Ni; and Sn (25-90), Bi (8-60) and Cu (1-25).

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 21 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said alloy layer is further secured to said substrate by an intervening contiguous copper layer.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said alloy layer is both active and reflective.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 1 or 14 wherein said thin film is both active and reflective.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 15 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said alloy layer is coated with a protective coating.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 15 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said thin metal alloy is substantially contiguous film coating.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 23 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said soft metal layer is of a thickness in the range of 80 Angstroms to 320 Angstroms.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 23 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said soft metal layer is of a thickness in the range of 200 Angstroms to 320 Angstroms.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 23 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said soft metal layer is of a thickness in the range of 260 Angstroms to 320 Angstroms.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 1 or 14 wherein said optical memory storage media is selected from the group consisting of ROM, WORM, recordable compact disc memory and any combination thereof.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 25 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said medium is selected from the group consisting of ROM, WORM, recordable compact disc memory and any combination thereof.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 23 words

The medium of claim 22 wherein said soft metal layer is of a thickness in the range of 100 Angstroms to 2000 Angstroms.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1 or 14 wherein said coating is of a thickness of 100 Angstroms to 2000 Angstroms.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 82 words

An optical medium comprising a substrate layer and a reflective soft metal alloy layer adhered to at least one surface of the substrate layer, wherein the metal alloy layer comprises at least about 8 weight percent of tine and bismuth and at least about one weight percent of a higher melting metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, gold, iron, chromium, manganese, copper, silver, nickel and combinations thereof wherein bismuth is present in an amount greater than the higher melting metal.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 82 words

An optical medium comprising a substrate layer and a reflective soft metal alloy layer adhered to at least one surface of the substrate layer, wherein the metal alloy layer comprises at least about 8 weight percent of tine and bismuth and at least about one weight percent of a higher melting metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, gold, iron, chromium, manganese, copper, silver, nickel and combinations thereof wherein bismuth is present in an amount greater than the higher melting metal.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-03-04	1994-09-03	1995-03-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-03-04	1998-09-03	1999-03-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-03-04	2002-09-03	2003-03-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Optical information recording medium containing a metal alloy as a reflective material

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