US5805245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multilayered dispersed thermochromic liquid crystal
Assignee: LCR HALLCREST LLC
•
Filing: 1997-09-29
•
Granted: 1998-09-08
•
Expires: 2017-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A multilayered thermochromic display system is provided, wherein a thermochromic substance is applied to inert films in stacked layers with a non-invasive barrier between each layer of thermochromic substance. The thermochromic substance in each layer responds in a different temperature range so that as the temperature changes, the display exhibits repeated sequences of colors. The use of multiple layers with different temperature sensitivities enables the use of the displays over a broad range of temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/132; B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/28; B41M5/282
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A stacked thermochromic display system comprising a substrate and a stack of at least two thermochromic displays wherein each display comprises: (i) a thermochromic film layer; and (ii) a transparent barrier overlaying the thermochromic film layer; wherein the displays are stacked upon each other defining upper displays and lower displays, and; (iii) wherein the thermochromic film layer of each display is selected to have different temperature sensitivity ranges with the proviso that the transparent barriers are not configured in such a manner as to permit visual observation of the stacked nature of the displays.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A stacked thermochromic display system comprising a substrate and a stack of at least two thermochromic displays wherein each display comprises: (i) a thermochromic film layer; and (ii) a transparent barrier overlaying the thermochromic film layer; wherein the displays are stacked upon each other defining upper displays and lower displays, and; (iii) wherein the thermochromic film layer of each display is selected to have different temperature sensitivity ranges with the proviso that the transparent barriers are not configured in such a manner as to permit visual observation of the stacked nature of the displays.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the displays are generally planar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic film layer comprises a thermochromic liquid crystal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stacked display system of claim 3 wherein the liquid crystal is a nematic liquid crystal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stacked display system of claim 3 wherein the liquid crystal is a cholesteric liquid crystal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stacked display system of claim 3 wherein the liquid crystals are dispersed in a water based emulsion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A stacked display system of claim 3 wherein the liquid crystals are microencapsulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stacked display system of claim 3 wherein the liquid crystals are mixed with a film-forming polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic film layer comprises a thermochromic substance selected from the group consisting of anthraquinone functional dyes, 3d metal compounds, samarium sulfide compounds, di-β-naphthospiropyran, poly(xylylviologen dibromide) and urethane-substituted ETCD polydiacetylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the barrier of a lower display forms the support of an upper display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the displays are selected to display color at temperature ranges between 0° to 100° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the substrate is opaque.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the substrate is black.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic film layer is a liquid crystal ink comprising an emulsion and the thermochromic liquid crystals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stacked display system of claim 14 wherein the emulsion is a film-forming polymer and water emulsion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A stacked display system of claim 15 wherein the ink comprises a wetting agent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A stacked display system of claim 15 wherein the ink comprises a thickening agent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the barrier is a water-based acrylic copolymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stacked display system of claim 1 wherein the substrate is an opaque water-based acrylic copolymer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3619254A
Cited
US3831165A
Cited
US3969264A
Cited
US4022706A
Cited
US4425161A
Cited
US4435047A
Cited
US4834500A
Cited
US4741859A
Cited
US5525430A
Cited
US4952033A
Cited
US5124819A
Cited
US5058999A
Cited
US5223958A
Cited
US5202677A
Cited
US5491420A
Cited
US5597361A
Cited
US5526148A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-07 | 2002-03-09 | 2002-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-07 | 2006-03-09 | 2006-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-07 | 2010-03-09 | 2010-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |