US4030997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of aligning liquid crystals
Assignee: Victor Company of Japan Ltd
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Filing: 1975-04-21
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Granted: 1977-06-21
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Expires: 1995-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A method of aligning nematic liquid crystals with their directors in a tilted configuration is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Leroy J. Miller
- 👤 Jan Grinberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1337; G02F1/133711; G02F1/133719; C; C09; C09K; C09K2323/00; C09K2323/02; C09K2323/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of achieving an alignment of liquid crystals or liquid crystalline mixtures such that their directors assume a tilt from the perpendicular of a substrate comprising the steps of: a. overcoating the surfaces of said substrates with a thin layer of materials taken from the group consisting of SiO and SiO 2 , b. ion beam etching said overcoated surfaces at an angle less than 40°, c. treating said etched surfaces with a mixture of a long chain aliphatic alcohol having the formula CH 3 (CH 2 ) n CH 2 OH where n ranges from 2 to about 18 and an aliphatic amine, d. washing said treated surfaces with an inert organic solvent, and e. using said surfaces to construct a device whereby said liquid crystals will be placed in contact with said surfaces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of achieving an alignment of liquid crystals or liquid crystalline mixtures such that their directors assume a tilt from the perpendicular of a substrate comprising the steps of: a. overcoating the surfaces of said substrates with a thin layer of materials taken from the group consisting of SiO and SiO 2 , b. ion beam etching said overcoated surfaces at an angle less than 40°, c. treating said etched surfaces with a mixture of a long chain aliphatic alcohol having the formula CH 3 (CH 2 ) n CH 2 OH where n ranges from 2 to about 18 and an aliphatic amine, d. washing said treated surfaces with an inert organic solvent, and e. using said surfaces to construct a device whereby said liquid crystals will be placed in contact with said surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfaces are coated with a layer of SiO 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfaces are coated with a layer of indium-tin oxide and overcoated with a layer of SiO 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mixture is comprised of equal parts by weight of an alcohol, taken from the group whose formula is CH 3 (CH 2 ) n CH 2 OH where n is equal to or greater than 2, and a primary aliphatic amine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said mixture is an equal molar mixture of said alcohol and said amine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfaces are coated with a layer of SiO 2 and wherein said alcohol-amine mixture consists of a long chain aliphatic alcohol and a primary amine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said etched surface is treated with a long chain aliphatic alcohol taken from the group whose formula is CH 3 (CH 2 ) n CH 2 OH where n is equal to or greater than 3 instead of said alcohol-amine mixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mixture is comprised of a long chain aliphatic alcohol and an amine taken from the group comprised of primary amines, secondary amines and tetriary amines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-06-20 | 1980-12-20 | 1981-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-12-20 | 1985-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-20 | 1988-12-20 | 1989-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |