US5579429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Laser dye doped fluorescent optical fiber and method of preparation of the same
Assignee: LIGHT BEAM LLC
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Filing: 1995-09-06
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Granted: 1996-11-26
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Expires: 2015-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A fluorescent optical fiber is provided that is prepared from a novel material. The novel material comprises a cross-linked polymer Poly(methyl methacrylate) (MMA) [CH 2 ═C(CH 3 )COOCH 3 ] and allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39), initiated with 2.2'-Azo-bis (2 Methylpropionitrile) [(CH 3 ) 2 C(CN)N═NC(CH 3 ) 2 CN], in which a laser dye or mixture of dyes is dissolved, and the mixture is then thermoset under pressure into Teflon® tubing. The material exhibits fluorescence when illuminated by various light sources. When the material is formed into a fiber, the result is a fluorescent, large diameter, flexible, light transmitting optical fiber, that emits a lot of side light, presenting a neon-like effect, and can thus be used in illumination applications. Also disclosed is a method of preparation of this novel material into a fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Naum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0003; G02B1/00; G02B1/04; G02B1/045; G02B1/046; G02B6/02; G02B6/02033; G02B6/032; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3855; B; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; G02B6/241; G02B6/3825; G02B6/389; G02B6/3894; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A fluorescent fiber for illumination comprising at least a core, the core being constructed by polymerization of a final mixture, the final mixture being constructed by adding a laser dye and a free radical initiator to an initial mixture, the initial mixture comprising a monomer and a cross-linking agent to cross-link the monomer, the monomer comprising between 35% and 70% by volume of the initial mixture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A fluorescent fiber for illumination comprising at least a core, the core being constructed by polymerization of a final mixture, the final mixture being constructed by adding a laser dye and a free radical initiator to an initial mixture, the initial mixture comprising a monomer and a cross-linking agent to cross-link the monomer, the monomer comprising between 35% and 70% by volume of the initial mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fluorescent fiber of claim 1 further comprising a cladding layer contacting and surrounding the core, the cladding layer being made of Teflon®.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fluorescent fiber for fitting over a cylindrically shaped source of blacklight, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner cladding layer of Teflon®; a cylindrically shaped outer cladding layer of Teflon® arranged concentrically with the inner cladding layer and leaving a cylindrical space therebetween; and a fluorescent material occupying the cylindrical space, operating as a core, the fluorescent material being constructed by polymerization of a final mixture, the final mixture being constructed by adding a laser dye and a free radical initiator to an initial mixture, the initial mixture comprising a monomer and a cross-linking agent to cross-link the monomer, the monomer comprising between 35% and 70% by volume of the initial mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fluorescent fiber for fitting over a cylindrically shaped source of blacklight, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner cladding layer of Teflon®; a cylindrically shaped outer cladding layer of Teflon® arranged concentrically with the inner cladding layer and leaving a cylindrical space therebetween; and a fluorescent material occupying the cylindrical space, operating as a core, the fluorescent material being constructed by polymerization of a final mixture, the final mixture being constructed by adding a laser dye and a free radical initiator to an initial mixture, the initial mixture comprising a monomer and a cross-linking agent to cross-link the monomer, the monomer comprising between 35% and 70% by volume of the initial mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fluorescent fiber of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the monomer is methyl methacrylate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fluorescent fiber of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cross-linking agent is allyl diglycol carbonate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fluorescent fiber of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the free radical initiator is 2.2'-Azo-bis 2-methylpropinonitrile.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fluorescent fiber of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the laser dye belongs in one of the Cyanine, Pyrromethene, Xanthene, Coumarin, Oxazole and Conjugated Hydrocarbons families of laser dyes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fluorescent fiber of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the final mixture further contains a scattering agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fluorescent fiber of claim 8, wherein the scattering agent is one of barium sulfate particles and titanium dioxide particles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fluorescent fiber of claims 1, 2 or 3 further comprising a retro-reflector implemented at a first end of the core in such a way as to cause retro-reflection back into the core of any core light incident upon the first end of the core.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The fluorescent fiber of claim 10 further comprising another retro-reflector implemented at a second end of the core distinct from the first end of the core in such a way as to cause retro-reflection back into the core of any core light incident upon the second end of the core.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
A fluorescent material being constructed by polymerization of a final mixture, the final mixture being constructed by adding a laser dye and a free radical initiator to an initial mixture, the initial mixture comprising a monomer and a cross-linking agent to cross-link the monomer, the monomer comprising between 35% and 70% by volume of the initial mixture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
A fluorescent material being constructed by polymerization of a final mixture, the final mixture being constructed by adding a laser dye and a free radical initiator to an initial mixture, the initial mixture comprising a monomer and a cross-linking agent to cross-link the monomer, the monomer comprising between 35% and 70% by volume of the initial mixture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The fluorescent material of claim 12, wherein the monomer is methyl methacrylate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fluorescent material of claim 12, wherein the cross-linking agent is allyl diglycol carbonate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fluorescent material of claim 12, wherein the free radical initiator is 2.2'-Azo-bis 2-methylpropinonitrile.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fluorescent material of claim 12, wherein the laser dye belongs in one of the Cyanine, Pyrromethene, Xanthene, Coumarin, Oxazole and Conjugated Hydrocarbons families of laser dyes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fluorescent material of claim 12, wherein the final mixture further contains a scattering agent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fluorescent material of claim 17, wherein the scattering agent is one of barium sulfate particles and titanium dioxide particles.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process for making a fluorescent material comprising the steps of: constructing an initial mixture comprising a monomer and a cross-linking agent to cross-link the monomer, the monomer comprising between 35% and 70% by volume; constructing a final mixture by adding a laser dye to the initial mixture and by adding a free radical initiator to the initial mixture to initiate a polymerization reaction; and heating the final mixture.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process for making a fluorescent material comprising the steps of: constructing an initial mixture comprising a monomer and a cross-linking agent to cross-link the monomer, the monomer comprising between 35% and 70% by volume; constructing a final mixture by adding a laser dye to the initial mixture and by adding a free radical initiator to the initial mixture to initiate a polymerization reaction; and heating the final mixture.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 19, wherein the monomer is methyl methacrylate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 19, wherein the cross-linking agent is allyl diglycol carbonate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 19, wherein the free radical initiator is 2.2'-Azo-bis 2-methylpropinonitrile.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 19, wherein the laser dye belongs in one of the Cyanine, Pyrromethene, Xanthene, Coumarin, Oxazole and Conjugated Hydrocarbons families of laser dyes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 19, further comprising the step of adding a scattering agent to the initial mixture.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 24, wherein the scattering agent is one of barium sulfate particles and titanium dioxide particles.
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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) | 1999-11-26 | 2000-05-27 | 2000-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-26 | 2004-05-27 | 2004-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-26 | 2008-05-27 | 2008-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |