US5328580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrodeposition method of applying encapsulated liquid crystal material to electrodes
Assignee: Tyco International Ltd Bermuda
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Filing: 1993-08-12
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Granted: 1994-07-12
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Expires: 2013-08-12
Abstract
Abstract Encapsulated liquid crystal is deposited onto an electrode by providing a substrate having an electrode pattern thereon; placing the substrate and the electrode pattern in contact with an electrodeposition medium comprising a liquid crystal composition, a containment medium or precursor therefor, and optionally a carrier medium; and depositing encapsulated liquid crystal material comprising the liquid crystal composition dispersed in the containment medium onto the electrode pattern or selected portions thereof by applying a voltage to the electrode pattern or selected portions thereof. The coated substrate-electrode combination can then be made into displays, privacy screens, signs, architectural partitions, and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Reamey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1334; C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/52; C09K19/54; C09K19/542; C09K19/544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of applying encapsulated liquid crystal material to an electrode material, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having an electrode pattern thereon; placing the substrate and the electrode pattern in contact with an electrodeposition medium comprising a liquid crystal composition, a containment medium or precursor therefor, and optionally a carrier medium; and depositing encapsulated liquid crystal material comprising discrete volumes of the liquid crystal composition encapsulated, dispersed, embedded, or otherwise contained in the containment medium onto the electrode pattern or selected portions thereof by applying a voltage to the electrode pattern or selected portions thereof; the encapsulated liquid crystal structure being capable of switching from a highly light scattering state to a highly non-scattering and substantially transparent state upon the application of a sufficient electric field.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of applying encapsulated liquid crystal material to an electrode material, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having an electrode pattern thereon; placing the substrate and the electrode pattern in contact with an electrodeposition medium comprising a liquid crystal composition, a containment medium or precursor therefor, and optionally a carrier medium; and depositing encapsulated liquid crystal material comprising discrete volumes of the liquid crystal composition encapsulated, dispersed, embedded, or otherwise contained in the containment medium onto the electrode pattern or selected portions thereof by applying a voltage to the electrode pattern or selected portions thereof; the encapsulated liquid crystal structure being capable of switching from a highly light scattering state to a highly non-scattering and substantially transparent state upon the application of a sufficient electric field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the electrodeposition medium comprises a liquid crystal composition emulsified in a latex containment medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the latex is a polyurethane latex.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal composition is operationally nematic and has a positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal composition is operationally smectic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal composition is chiral nematic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein a positive voltage is applied to the electrode pattern or selected portions thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein a negative voltage is applied to the electrode pattern or selected portions thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the emulsion further comprises a dye dissolved in the liquid crystal composition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the dye is a pleochroic dye.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the dye is an isotropic dye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the dye is a combination of a pleochroic dye and an isotropic dye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the sequence of immersing and depositing steps is repeated at least once with an electrodeposition medium containing a different dye and a voltage is applied to different portions of the electrode pattern in the repeated immersingdepositing sequence, to deposit at least two encapsulated liquid crystal materials of different colors to different portions of the electrode pattern.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein pixel arrays of red, green, and blue encapsulated liquid crystal material are deposited.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated liquid crystal material is deposited by an electroprecipitation process.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated liquid crystal material is deposited by an electropolymerization process.
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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) | 1997-07-11 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-11 | 2002-01-10 | 2002-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-01-10 | 2006-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |