US3789225A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for preparing glassy liquid crystals and method for forming images on same
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-24
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A process for preparing various glassy optically negative liquid crystalline materials and a method for forming images on these materials are described. The glassy liquid crystals are relatively hard films which retain the optical properties of the normally softer liquid crystalline compositions. These liquid crystalline materials are imaged by flash exposure to a burst of imagewise activating radiation followed by relatively rapid cooling. The heat from the energy of the activating radiation typically causes a change in the pitch of the liquid crystal in the exposed areas of the film and the new pitch is retained by the rapid cooling.
Inventors
- 👤 L Leder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/132; B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/28; B41M5/281; G03; G03C; G03C1/00; G03C1/72; G03C1/73
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein step (c) is carried out by applying an electric field to said substance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein step (c) is carried out by applying a shearing force to the surface of said substance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein said cholesteric liquid crystalline substance is chosen from the group consisting of: esters derived from reactions of cholesterol and carboxylic acids; dicholesteryl compounds; double and triple bonded carbonates of cholesterol; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein said cholesteric liquid crystalline substance is Chosen from the group consisting of cholesteryl cinnamate, dicholesteryl carbonate, cholesteryl propynyl carbonate and p-nitro cholesteryl benzoate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein carbon black is added to said cholesteric liquid crystalline substance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process as defined in claim 1 and further including a step (e) of subjecting said glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline material to uniform exposure to radiation which is absorbed by said material, wherein the energy provided by said radiation causes rapid heating of said material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline material prepared by the process of claim 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline material prepared by the process of claim 3.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline material prepared by the process of claim 5.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process as defined in claim 7 wherein said radiation comprises ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein said cholesteric liquid crystalline substance is provided as a film on a substrate, said film having a thickness of from about 1 to about 10 mils.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
An imaging method comprising providing an imaging member comprising a film of glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline material prepared by the process of claim 1 and exposing said imaging member to an imagewise pattern of energy which is absorbed by said material and causes rapid heating of said material whereby an image is formed on the imaging member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The imaging method as defined in claim 13 wherein said imaging member comprises said glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline film disposed on a substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The imaging method as defined in claim 13 wherein said energy is provided by an ultraviolet light source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The imaging method as defined in claim 13 wherein said glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline material is chosen from the group consisting of: esters derived from reactions of cholesterol and carboxylic acids; dicholesteryl compounds; double and triple bonded carbonates of cholesterol; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The imaging method as defined in claim 13 wherein said glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline material is chosen from the group consisting of cholesteryl cinnamate, dicholesteryl carbonate, cholesteryl propynyl carbonate and p-nitro cholesteryl benzoate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The imaging method as defined in claim 13 wherein said glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline film has carbon black particles incorporated therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The imaging method as defined in claim 14 wherein said glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline film has a thickness of from about 1 to about 10 mils.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The imaging method as defined in claim 13 and further including the step of erasing said image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The imaging method as defined in claim 20 wherein said step of erasing is carried out by heating said glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline material above its isotropic transition temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
The imaging method as defined in claim 20 wherein said step of erasing comprises heating said glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline material above its isotropic transition temperature, cooling said material to some critical temperature within its cholesteric mesomorphic temperature range, disturbing said material while it is at said critical temperature, and cooling said material relatively rapidly until it obtains a glassy, or substantially solid state.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |