US5552927A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
All-polymeric cold mirror
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
•
Filing: 1994-04-04
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Granted: 1996-09-03
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Expires: 2014-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An all-polymeric cold mirror which reflects visible wavelengths while transmitting a substantial portion of infrared wavelengths is provided. The mirror includes a sufficient number of alternating layers of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials such that at least 50% of peak reflecting visible light of a wavelength of between about 380-680 nm incident on the mirror is reflected and at least 50% of infrared light between about 680-2000 nm is transmitted or absorbed. The mirror may be designed so that it either reflects or absorbs ultraviolet light.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Wheatly
- 👤 Gregg A. Motter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G02B5/20; G02B5/206; G02B1/00; G02B1/04; G02B5/0891; G02B5/208; G02B5/26; G02B5/28; G02B5/285; G02B5/287; G02B5/0816; G02B5/0825; G02B5/0841
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An all polymeric cold mirror of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials, the mirror comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials such that at least 50% of light across the visible range of wavelengths between about 380-680 nm incident on said polyemric cold mirror is reflected and at least 80% of infrared light of wavelengths of between about 680-2000 nm is transmitted or absorbed, said alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials having a layer thickness gradient across the thickness of said mirror.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An all polymeric cold mirror of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials, the mirror comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials such that at least 50% of light across the visible range of wavelengths between about 380-680 nm incident on said polyemric cold mirror is reflected and at least 80% of infrared light of wavelengths of between about 680-2000 nm is transmitted or absorbed, said alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials having a layer thickness gradient across the thickness of said mirror.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein at least 50% of ultraviolet light between about 300-380 nm incident on said polymeric cold mirror is reflected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein at least 50% of ultraviolet light between about 300-380 nm incident on said polymeric cold mirror is absorbed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein a substantial majority of the individual layers of said mirror have optical thicknesses in the range where the sum of the optical thicknesses in a repeating unit of said polymeric materials is between about 190 nm to about 340 nm, and wherein said polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03 in the wavelength range of from about 380-680 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein said first polymeric material is polystyrene and said second polymeric material is polyethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein said first polymeric material is polycarbonate and said second polymeric material is polymethyl methacrylate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein said polymeric cold mirror comprises at least 200 layers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein at least 80% of peak reflecting visible light of a wavelength of between about 380-680 nm incident on said polymeric cold mirror is reflected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein at least 80% of infrared light between about 680-2000 nm incident on said polymeric cold mirror is transmitted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein said mirror is laminated to or coextruded with a substrate material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 10 where said substrate material is selected from the group consisting of glass, metal, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyetherimide, and copolymers of gluterimide and methyl methacrylate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein said mirror includes a protective skin layer on at least one major surface thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 12 wherein said protective skin layer is removable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein said mirror is extruded as a profile.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein said mirror is post formed into a profile.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 in which a coloring agent is incorporated into at least one layer of said mirror.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 in which said coloring agent is selected from the group consisting of pigments and dyes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 in which said coloring agent is incorporated into at least one surface layer of said mirror.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 in which said coloring agent is incorporated into at least one interior layer of said mirror.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 in which said mirror is formed as a coatable composition from a multiplicity of mirror platelets in a liquid dispersion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 in which said mirror is formed from a multiplicity of mirror platelets which are embossed into the surface of a substrate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 in which said mirror is formed from a multiplicity of mirror platelets which are spread onto the surface of an adhesive substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 22 in which said mirror is formed from a multiplicity of mirror platelets which are spread onto the surface of a substrate and a transparent sheet is laminated over said mirror platelets.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 in which said polymeric materials are elastomers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 in which at least one of the surfaces of said mirror is embossed or textured to diffuse light reflected or transmitted from said mirror.
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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) | 1999-09-03 | 2000-03-04 | 2000-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-03 | 2004-03-04 | 2004-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-03 | 2008-03-04 | 2008-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |