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USRE34605E Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Infrared reflective optical interference film

Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
•
Filing: 1992-12-11
•
Granted: 1994-05-10
•
Expires: 2012-12-11
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Abstract

Abstract The present invention provides an optical interference film, made of multiple layers of polymers, which reflects wavelengths of light in the infrared region of the spectrum while being substantially transparent to wavelengths of light in the visible spectrum. The optical interference film includes multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third diverse, substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, and C, with the layers being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers. Each of the polymeric materials has a different index of refraction, n i , and the refractive index of the second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of the first and third polymeric materials.

Inventors

  • 👤 Walter J. Schrenk
  • 👤 John A. Wheatley

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 06:39
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/28; G02B5/281; G02B5/282; G02B1/00; G02B1/04; G02B5/30; G02B5/3025; G02B5/3033; G02B5/3041; G02B5/305

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim 98 words
An optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum comprising multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third "diverse", substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, and C, each of said layers being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 98 words
An optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum comprising multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third "diverse", substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, and C, each of said layers being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which there is a layer thickness gradient across the thickness of said film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The optical interference film of claim 2 in which said layer thicknesses increase monotonically across the thickness of said film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which the polymeric materials form a repeating unit ABCB.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which said second polymeric material is a copolymer of said first and third polymeric materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which said second polymeric material is a miscible blend of said first and third polymeric materials.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
The optical interference film of claim 6 in which said first polymeric material is polyvinylidene fluoride, said third polymeric material is polymethyl methacrylate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
The optical interference film of claim 6 in which said first polymeric material is a polycarbonate and said third polymeric material is a copolyester based on 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which said first polymeric material is polystyrene, said second polymeric material is a copolymer of styrene and methyl methacrylate, and said third polymeric material is polymethyl methacrylate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which one of said polymeric materials is a copolymer of thiodiphenol and bisphenol A.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which one of said polymeric materials is polyethylene 2,6 naphthalate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 22 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which one of said polymeric materials is a copolymer of gluterimide and methyl methacrylate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 47 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which the optical thickness ratio of material A, f A , is 1/3, the optical thickness ratio of material B, f B , is 1/6, the optical thickness ratio of material C, f C , is 1/3, and ##EQU11##
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 27 words
The optical interference film of claim 1 in which said first polymeric material differs in refractive index from said second polymeric material by at least about 0.03.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 27 words
The optical interference film of claim 14 in which said second polymeric material differs in refractive index from said third polymeric material by at least about 0.03.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 104 words
A laminate comprising an optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum, including multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third diverse, substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, and C, said layers being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials, laminated to a glass substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 104 words
A laminate comprising an optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum, including multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third diverse, substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, and C, said layers being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials, laminated to a glass substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 46 words
The laminate of claim 16 in which the optical thickness ratio of material A, f A , is 1/3, the optical thickness ratio of material B, f B , is .[.1/3.]. .Iadd.1/6, the optical thickness ratio of material C, f C , is 1/3, and ##EQU12##
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 105 words
A laminate comprising an optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum, including multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third diverse, substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, and C, said layers being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials, laminated to a polymeric resin substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 105 words
A laminate comprising an optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum, including multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third diverse, substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, and C, said layers being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials, laminated to a polymeric resin substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 46 words
The laminate of claim 18 in which the optical thickness ratio of material A, f A , is 1/3, the optical thickness ratio of material B, f B , is .[.1/3.]. .Iadd.1/6, the optical thickness ratio of material C, f C , is 1/3, and ##EQU13##
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 17 words
The laminate of claim 18 in which said laminate is in the form of a profile. .Iadd.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 326 words
An optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum comprising multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third "diverse", substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, and C, said layers of first and third polymeric materials being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A laminate comprising an optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum, including multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third diverse, substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, C, said layers of first and third polymeric materials being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials, laminated to a glass substrate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A laminate comprising an optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum, including multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third diverse, substantially transparent polymeric materials, A, B, C, said layers of first and third polymeric materials being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials, laminated to a polymeric resin substrate. .Iaddend.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 326 words
An optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum comprising multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third "diverse", substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, and C, said layers of first and third polymeric materials being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A laminate comprising an optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum, including multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third diverse, substantially transparent polymeric materials A, B, C, said layers of first and third polymeric materials being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials, laminated to a glass substrate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A laminate comprising an optical interference film which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum, including multiple alternating layers of at least first, second, and third diverse, substantially transparent polymeric materials, A, B, C, said layers of first and third polymeric materials being of an optical thickness of between about 0.09 and 0.45 micrometers and each of said polymeric materials having a different index of refraction, n i , and wherein the refractive index of said second polymeric material is intermediate the respective refractive indices of said first and third polymeric materials, laminated to a polymeric resin substrate. .Iaddend.

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3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-05-09 1997-11-08 1998-05-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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