Patterned gradient polymer film and method

• US 10,302,823 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2016
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Kolb, William Blake, Free, Michael Benton, Kolb, Brant U., Lu, Fei, Wheatley, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Victor S
• Application Number:
  US15/223,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20160334551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 2490/50 compositions varying with a gradient perpendicular to the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 2490/60 compositions varying with a gradient parallel to the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 3/067 Curing or cross-linking the coating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0827 using UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/24 for making articles of indefinite length
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0018 having particular optical properties, e.g. fluorescent or phosphorescent
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/04 made of organic materials, e.g. plastics G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0247 by means of voids or pores
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0263 with positional variation of the diffusing properties, e.g. gradient or patterned diffuser
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133631 with a spatial distribution of the retardation value
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249961 With gradual property change within a component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2933 Coated or with bond, impregnation or core

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to patterned gradient polymer films and methods for making the same, and more particularly to patterned gradient optical films that have regions that include variations in optical properties such as refractive index, haze, transmission, clarity, or a combination thereof. The variation in optical properties can occur across a transverse plane of the film as well as through a thickness direction of the film.

Claims

1. A gradient polymer film, comprising:

a binder; and

a plurality of nanovoids, wherein a local volume fraction of the plurality of nanovoids varies across a transverse plane of the gradient polymer film and varies along a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, across the transverse plane.

2. The gradient polymer film of claim 1, wherein the local volume fraction varies in a pattern across the transverse plane.

3. An optical construction, comprising:

a substrate;

the gradient polymer film of claim 1 disposed on the substrate; and

an optical adhesive layer disposed on an opposing surface of the gradient polymer film or the substrate.

4. The optical construction of claim 3 further comprising an optical adhesive layer disposed between the substrate and the gradient polymer film.

5. A gradient polymer film, comprising:

a binder; and

a plurality of nanovoids, wherein a first local volume fraction of the plurality of nanovoids proximate a first region of the gradient polymer film is greater than a second local volume fraction of the plurality of nanovoids proximate a second region adjacent the first region, along a transverse plane of the gradient polymer film, wherein the first local volume fraction of the plurality of nanovoids decreases in a step-wise manner to the second local volume fraction of the plurality of nanovoids, along the transverse plane of the gradient polymer film.

6. An optical construction, comprising:

a substrate;

the gradient polymer film of claim 5 disposed on the substrate; and

an optical adhesive layer disposed on an opposing surface of the gradient polymer film or the substrate.

7. The optical construction of claim 6 further comprising an optical adhesive layer disposed between the substrate and the gradient polymer film.