US3578844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radiation sensitive display device containing encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystals
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1968-02-23
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1988-02-23
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to articles of manufacture, chiefly display devices, containing encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystals which change color or shade of color not only upon application of an electric potential but also upon removal of the field. The image produced has a comparable outline to that of the path of the electric field. Three chromatic states are evident, the normal color (before the electric potential is applied), the color given off when the electric field is applied, and the color observed when the electric field is removed. All three chromatic states are readily discernible from one another. The encapsulation of the cholesteric liquid crystal provides an unusual advantage regarding electric field behavior because the third chromatic state (electric potential removed) has a much greater longevity with the encapsulated material versus unencapsulated material of identical composition. Other advantages are also discussed.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Churchill
- 👤 James V Cartmell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/28; C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/52; C09K19/54; C09K19/542; C09K19/544; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1334; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/001; H01J29/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249994; Y10T428/249995; Y10T428/249997; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2984; Y10T428/2985; Y10T428/2987
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
29 words
An article as in claim 1 wherein said electric field ranges from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000 volts per centimeter of thickness of the encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystalline member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
An article as in claim 1 wherein one of said electrodes is substantially transparent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article as in claim 3 which includes an opaque contrasting background located behind said encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An article as in claim 4 which includes a substantially transparent protective covering for said substantially transparent electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An article of manufacture as in claim 1 wherein said encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystalline member comprises a profusion of individual capsules each containing cholesteric liquid crystal material intimately associated with a substantially transparent polymeric matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article as in claim 6 wherein said capsules are uniformly distributed within said polymeric matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article as in claim 6 wherein said capsules have diameters ranging from about 5 to about 100 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article as in claim 6 wherein said capsules contain from about 50 to about 99 weight percent cholesteric liquid crystal material, based on total capsule weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An article as in claim 6 wherein the average thickness of said encapsulated liquid crystalline member ranges from about 10 to about 500 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A display device for chromatically representing a configuration established by an electric field comprising a first electrode and a second electrode spaced therefrom, said first electrode being closer to a viewing agency than said second electrode, and an encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystalline member located between said electrodes and chromatically responsive to said electric field said member comprised of a profusion of individual capsules each containing cholesteric liquid crystal material intimately associated with an insulating polymeric matrix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A dIsplay device as in claim 11 wherein said first electrode is substantially transparent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A display device as in claim 12 wherein said substantially transparent first electrode has a substantially transparent protective covering.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A display device as in claim 11 which includes an opaque contrasting background located between said encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystalline member and said second electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A display device as in claim 14 wherein said capsules are uniformly distributed within said polymeric matrix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
A display device having polychromatic capability for chromatically representing an optionally comparatively permanent yet thermally erasable configuration established by an electric field in optional conjunction with an independently operable yet thermally erasable transient, thermally operable, separate display means, said device comprising a transparent support; a transparent electroconductive coating on said support; conductive electrodes in contact with said coating and operatively connected by leads to an electric field source; an insulator film having an encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal member in intimate proximity to said film and said coating; at least one electrically conductive resistive element in thermally responsive association with said member, each said resistive element having a separate pair of conductive leads connected to a current source operable independently from said electric field source and wherein said encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal member is chromatically responsive to both an electric field and thermally energy applied thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A display device as in claim 16 wherein said insulator film is opaque.
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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) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |