US5246747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-assembled optical media
Assignee: CNA Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1991-12-23
•
Granted: 1993-09-21
•
Expires: 2011-12-23
Abstract
Abstract Optical media formed from a water soluble polymer and liquid crystal forming amphiphile are disclosed and claimed. The polymer and amphiphile are cast into a film which exhibits an optical axis of symmetry perpendicular to the film surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunilla E. Gillberg-LaForce
- 👤 Hartmann Leube
- 👤 Leroy McKenzie
- 👤 Elizabeth A. Reeder
- 👤 Josefina Pruksarnukul
- 👤 Bettina E. Bonsall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:28
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/241; G11B7/242; G11B7/244; G11B7/245; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0126; G03; G03H; G03H1/00; G03H1/02; G11B7/25; G03H2001/026; G03H2001/0264; G03H2250/00; G03H2250/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31971
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An ordered multi-layer optical film medium exhibiting optical symmetry substantially perpendicular to its surface formed by preparing a solution of a means for defining a smectic liquid crystal amphiphile component and a means for defining a non-ionic water soluble polymer component followed by casting said solution into a film wherein the weight ratio of said polymer component to said amphiphile component is from about 2 parts by weight polymer component to 7 parts by weight amphiphile component to about 4 parts by weight polymer component to 3 parts by weight amphiphile component such that said film exhibits a substantially centrosymmetric conoscopic pattern upon rotation when observed along a direction perpendicular to the film surface and is substantially transparent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An ordered multi-layer optical film medium exhibiting optical symmetry substantially perpendicular to its surface formed by preparing a solution of a means for defining a smectic liquid crystal amphiphile component and a means for defining a non-ionic water soluble polymer component followed by casting said solution into a film wherein the weight ratio of said polymer component to said amphiphile component is from about 2 parts by weight polymer component to 7 parts by weight amphiphile component to about 4 parts by weight polymer component to 3 parts by weight amphiphile component such that said film exhibits a substantially centrosymmetric conoscopic pattern upon rotation when observed along a direction perpendicular to the film surface and is substantially transparent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein said film is cast under mechanical stress.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein said film is cast from a water solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The film according to claim 2, wherein said film is cast by spin-coating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein said water soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyalkylcellulose polymer and polyvinylpyrrolidone and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein said film includes a mixture of amphiphiles including at least a first and at least a second species.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein said amphiphile exhibits lyotropic smectic liquid crystal properties.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein said amphiphile exhibits thermotropic smectic liquid crystal properties.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein said film is optically uniaxial.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein said water soluble polymer has a molecular weight of at least about 300,000.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The film according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said film has been treated with light to induce birefringence which is observable along a direction perpendicular to the film surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
The thin film optical medium according to claim 1 wherein said means for defining said smectic liquid crystal polymer component includes a compound of the formula: ##STR6## where R is an aliphatic substituent having a chain length of about 6-18 atoms; R 1 is a divalent aliphatic substituent having a chain length of about 2-12 atoms; X is a divalent electrondonating substituent; Y is a hydrophilic substituent; and each Z is independently hydrogen, alkyl, halogen, electron donating or an electron-withdrawing substituent
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical medium in accordance with claim 12 which has a content of at least two different amphiphilic compounds corresponding to the formula of claim 13.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical medium in accordance with claim 12 wherein the water-soluble polymer content is between about 20-50 weight percent of the composite.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical medium in accordance with claim 12 wherein the water-soluble polymer is hydroxyalkyl cellulose or polyvinylpyrrolidone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5072234A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-20 | 1997-03-22 | 1997-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-20 | 2001-03-22 | 2001-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-20 | 2005-03-22 | 2005-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |