Patent US3307177A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6639637B2
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Field spreading layer for dispersed liquid crystal coatings
Assignee: HKC Co Ltd
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Filing: 2001-12-26
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Granted: 2003-10-28
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Expires: 2021-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A display sheet having polymer dispersed liquid crystals, includes a substrate and a state changing layer disposed over the substrate and defining first and second surfaces, such state changing layer having the polymer dispersed liquid crystals having first and second optical states, which can change state. The display sheet further includes first and second conductors disposed respectively over first and second surfaces of the state changing layer so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state; and a nonconductive, field spreading layer having polymer dispersed sub-micron particles disposed between the state changing layer and the first conductor to provide a change of state in the state changing layer outside of areas between both conductors in response to a field applied between the first and second conductors which changes the state of the liquid crystals.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley W. Stephenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:18
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1337; G02F1/133707; G02F1/1334; G02F1/13345; G02F1/1335; G02F1/133509; G02F1/137; G02F1/13718; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A display sheet having polymer dispersed liquid crystals, comprising: a) a substrate; b) a state changing layer disposed over the substrate and defining first and second surfaces, such state changing layer having the polymer dispersed liquid crystals having first and second optical states, which can change state; c) a first conductor disposed over the first surface of the state changing layer; d) a second conductor on the second surface of the state changing layer so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state; and e) a nonconductive, field spreading layer having polymer dispersed sub-micron particles disposed between the state changing layer and the first conductor to provide a change of state in the state changing layer outside of areas between both conductors in response to a field applied between the first and second conductors which changes the state of the liquid crystals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A display sheet having polymer dispersed liquid crystals, comprising: a) a substrate; b) a state changing layer disposed over the substrate and defining first and second surfaces, such state changing layer having the polymer dispersed liquid crystals having first and second optical states, which can change state; c) a first conductor disposed over the first surface of the state changing layer; d) a second conductor on the second surface of the state changing layer so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state; and e) a nonconductive, field spreading layer having polymer dispersed sub-micron particles disposed between the state changing layer and the first conductor to provide a change of state in the state changing layer outside of areas between both conductors in response to a field applied between the first and second conductors which changes the state of the liquid crystals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display sheet of claim 1 wherein the polymer dispersed sub-micron particles are carbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The display sheet of claim 1 wherein the same polymer is used to disperse the liquid crystals and the sub-micron particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display sheet of claim 2 wherein the same polymer is used to disperse the liquid crystals and the sub-micron carbon particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The display sheet of claim 4 wherein the polymer is gelatin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display sheet of claim 1 wherein the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer and the sub-micron particles are simultaneously deposited.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display sheet of claim 1 wherein the index of refraction of the first conductor and the field spreading layer are substantially the same.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display sheet of claim 1 wherein the liquid crystals are cholesteric nematic liquid crystals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display sheet of claim 1 wherein the first conductor is transparent and includes indium-tin-oxide and the second conductor is substantially opaque.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display sheet of claim 1 wherein the first and second conductors are patterned to produce an addressable matrix.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of making a display sheet having polymer dispersed liquid crystals comprising the steps of: a) providing a transparent substrate; b) coating a state changing layer over the substrate having a first and second surface, such state changing layer having the polymer dispersed liquid crystals having first and second optical states; c) providing a first transparent conductor disposed over the first surface of the state changing layer and a second conductor on the second surface of the state changing layer so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state; and d) coating a nonconductive, field spreading layer having polymer dispersed sub-micron particles disposed between the state changing layer and the first conductor to provide a change of state in the state changing layer outside of areas between both conductors in response to a field applied between the first and second conductors which changes the state of the liquid crystals.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of making a display sheet having polymer dispersed liquid crystals comprising the steps of: a) providing a transparent substrate; b) coating a state changing layer over the substrate having a first and second surface, such state changing layer having the polymer dispersed liquid crystals having first and second optical states; c) providing a first transparent conductor disposed over the first surface of the state changing layer and a second conductor on the second surface of the state changing layer so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state; and d) coating a nonconductive, field spreading layer having polymer dispersed sub-micron particles disposed between the state changing layer and the first conductor to provide a change of state in the state changing layer outside of areas between both conductors in response to a field applied between the first and second conductors which changes the state of the liquid crystals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the display sheet is in the form of a web that is sequentially moved through one or more stations which sequentially or simultaneously deposits the state changing layer or field spreading layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the polymer dispersed submicron particles include sub-micron carbon particles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein indium-tin-oxide is sputtered to form the first transparent conductor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 further including patterning the first and second conductors to produce an addressable matrix.
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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) | 2006-10-27 | 2007-04-28 | 2007-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-27 | 2011-04-28 | 2011-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-27 | 2015-04-28 | 2015-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |