US5699188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal-coated multilayer mirror
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 1995-06-26
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Granted: 1997-12-16
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Expires: 2015-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A metal-coated multilayer mirror having high reflectivity and high specularity. The mirror comprises a multilayered polymer film and a reflective metal layer. The multilayered polymer film preferably comprises layers of a crystalline, semi-crystalline, or liquid crystalline material, such as a naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester, having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns and layers of a second polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns. Preferably, the layers of semi-crystalline naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester have a positive stress optical coefficient. The reflective metal layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, aluminum, nickel, copper, and titanium, with silver and aluminum being particularly preferred. The metal-coated multilayer mirrors are useful in applications requiring broad bandwidth reflection, high specularity, low manufacturing costs, and high reflectivity.
Inventors
- 👤 Laurence R. Gilbert
- 👤 Andrew J. Ouderkirk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:44
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/36; B32B15/00; B32B15/04; B32B15/08; B32B27/06; B32B27/08; G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/28; G02B27/283; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G02B5/0816; G02B5/085; G02B5/0858; G02B5/0866; G02B5/30; G02B5/3025; G02B5/3033; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/40; B32B2307/416; B32B2307/50; B32B2307/514; B32B2307/518; B32B2551/00; B32B2551/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A metal-coated multilayer mirror comprising a multilayered polymer film and a metal layer; the multilayered-polymer film comprising: (A) layers of a birefringent semi-crystalline having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; and (B) layers of a selected second polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; and the metal layer comprising a reflective metal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A metal-coated multilayer mirror comprising a multilayered polymer film and a metal layer; the multilayered-polymer film comprising: (A) layers of a birefringent semi-crystalline having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; and (B) layers of a selected second polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; and the metal layer comprising a reflective metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror of claim 1 wherein the birefringent polymer is semi-crystalline naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the reflective metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silver, gold, copper, nickel, and titanium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the metal is silver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror of claim 4 wherein the silver layer has a thickness of at least about 75 nm to about 100 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the metal is aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror of claim 6 wherein the aluminum layer has a thickness of at least about 20 nm to about 100 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the reflective metal is coated on the multilayered polymer film by vapor deposition or cathode sputtering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the reflective metal comprises a metalized polymer or glass sheet that is laminated to the multilayered polymer film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the reflective metal comprises a metal sheet laminated to the multilayered polymer film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein its reflectivity of visible light is greater than 90%.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein its reflectivity of visible light is greater than 95%.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester is more positively birefringent than the second polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the layers of the naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester and the layers of the second polymer are immediately adjacent alternating layers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein there are at least 50 of each of the layers of the naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester and the layers of the second polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the film has been stretched in at least one direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mirror of claim 16 wherein the film has been stretched in at least one direction to at least twice that direction's unstretched dimension.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mirror of claim 17 wherein the layers of the naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester having a higher index of refraction associated with at least one in-plane axis than the layers of the second polymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror of claim 18 wherein the higher index of refraction is at least 0.05 higher.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror of claim 18 wherein the higher index of refraction is at least 0.10 higher.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror of claim 18 wherein the higher index of refraction is at least 0.20 higher.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the film has been stretched in at least two directions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester is a poly(ethylene naphthalate).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester is a copolyester comprising naphthalate units and terephthalate units.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the second polymer is a polyester.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mirror of claim 25 wherein the second polymer includes naphthalene units.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the second polymer is a copolyester comprising naphthalate units and terephthalate units.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror of claim 2 wherein the second polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polystyrene, fluoropolymer, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, and polyolefin.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
80 words
A metal-coated multilayer mirror comprising a multilayered polymer film and a metal layer; the multilayered polymer film comprising: (A) layers of a birefringent semi-crystalline polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; and (B) layers of a selected second polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; wherein the film has been stretched in at least one direction to at least twice that direction's unstretched dimension; and the metal layer comprising a reflective metal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
80 words
A metal-coated multilayer mirror comprising a multilayered polymer film and a metal layer; the multilayered polymer film comprising: (A) layers of a birefringent semi-crystalline polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; and (B) layers of a selected second polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; wherein the film has been stretched in at least one direction to at least twice that direction's unstretched dimension; and the metal layer comprising a reflective metal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein the reflective metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silver, gold, copper, nickel, and titanium.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
10 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein the metal is silver.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror of claim 31 wherein the silver layer has a thickness of at least about 75 nm to about 100 nm.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
10 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein the metal is aluminum.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror of claim 33 wherein the aluminum layer has a thickness of at least about 20 nm to about 30 nm.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein the reflective metal is coated on the multilayered polymer film by vapor deposition or cathode sputtering.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein the reflective metal comprises a metalized polymer or glass sheet that is laminated to the multilayered polymer film.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein the reflective metal comprises a metal sheet laminated to the multilayered polymer film.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein its reflectivity of visible light is greater than 90%.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein its reflectivity of visible light is greater than 95%.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein the polyester is a poly(alkylene terephthalate).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein the second polymer is a polyester.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein the layers of a polyester and the layers of a second polymer are immediately adjacent alternating layers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mirror of claim 29 wherein there are at least 50 of each of the layers of a polyester and the layers of a second polymer.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror of claim 24 wherein the film has been stretched in least two directions.
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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) | 2000-12-15 | 2001-06-16 | 2001-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-15 | 2005-06-16 | 2005-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-15 | 2009-06-16 | 2009-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |