US5147716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-directional light control film
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1989-06-16
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Granted: 1992-09-15
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Expires: 2009-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A light control film includes a light transmissive matrix sheet and a plurality of opaque aciculae disposed throughout the sheet and oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each of the acicula is generally perpendicular to the face of the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Bellus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:26
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F19/00; G09F19/12; G09F19/14; B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/58; B29C70/62; B29D; B29D11/00; B29C39/00; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/12; B29K2105/126; B29K2105/16; B29K2105/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/256; Y10T428/257; Y10T428/258
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A light control film having a sharp cutoff angle comprising a plurality of magnetically alignable aciculae having aspect ratios in the range of 2,500 to 100,000:1 fixedly disposed within a solidified resin matrix, said resin matrix being light transmissive material and thermoplastic or thermoset, said aciculae having their major axes generally aligned in parallel within said matrix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A light control film having a sharp cutoff angle comprising a plurality of magnetically alignable aciculae having aspect ratios in the range of 2,500 to 100,000:1 fixedly disposed within a solidified resin matrix, said resin matrix being light transmissive material and thermoplastic or thermoset, said aciculae having their major axes generally aligned in parallel within said matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The light control film of claim 1 wherein said article is a sheet having a pair of planar major surfaces and said aciculae are aligned with their major axes generally normal to the surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The light control film of claim 2 wherein the article is a sheet with a thickness of about 1.25 mm. and the aciculae are about 0.2 micron in diameter and about 500 micron in length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light control film of claim 1 wherein the matrix comprises ethylenically unsaturated resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The light control film of claim 1 wherein the matrix comprises polyethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light control film of claim 1 wherein the matrix comprises an epoxy resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light control film of claim 1 wherein the matrix comprises a polyester polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The light control film of claim 1 wherein the aciculae are selected form the group consisting of iron, cobalt, gamma iron oxide, magnetite, barium ferrite and chromium (IV) dioxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The light control film of claim 1 wherein the aciculae have a minor diameter of less than about 2 microns and a major axis of greater than about 10 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light control film of claim 1 wherein the article is a sheet with a thickness of from about 2 microns to about 3 millimeters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
A multi-directional light control film having a sharp cutoff angle comprising: a matrix of generally light transmissive material; a plurality of magnetically alignable aciculae having aspect ratios in the range of 2,500 to 100,000:1 fixedly disposed within said matrix; and wherein the film comprises a first region, having aciculae oriented in a generally parallel arrangement with each other and at a first angle to a plane of the film; and a second region having aciculae oriented in a generally parallel arrangement with each other and at a second angle to the plane of the film, said second angle being different from said first angle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
A multi-directional light control film having a sharp cutoff angle comprising: a matrix of generally light transmissive material; a plurality of magnetically alignable aciculae having aspect ratios in the range of 2,500 to 100,000:1 fixedly disposed within said matrix; and wherein the film comprises a first region, having aciculae oriented in a generally parallel arrangement with each other and at a first angle to a plane of the film; and a second region having aciculae oriented in a generally parallel arrangement with each other and at a second angle to the plane of the film, said second angle being different from said first angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The film of claim 11 wherein the aciculae are selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, gamma iron oxide, magnetite, barium ferrite, and chromium (IV) dioxide.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-15 | 1996-03-16 | 1996-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-15 | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-15 | 2004-03-16 | 2004-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |