Optical laminated bodies, lighting equipment and area luminescence equipment

• US 6,972,813 B1
• Filed: 06/08/2000
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Toyooka, Kazuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Chowdhury, Tarifur R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOAN C
• Application Number:
  US09/980,911
• Time in Patent Office: 2,007 Days
• Field of Search: 349/62, 349/96, 349/112, 349/115, 349/175
• US Class Current: 349/96
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0056 for producing polarisation effects, e.g. by a surface with polarizing properties or by an additional polarizing elements

Abstract

Lighting devices are disclosed that include optical laminated bodies. An exemplary optical laminated body includes a polarizing layer, a first transparent film disposed closely to a front surface of the polarizing layer and a second transparent film disposed closely to a back surface of the polarizing layer. The polarizing layer includes a reflective polarizing film, and both of the first transparent film and the second transparent film are diffusive films. The lighting devices further include a light source supplying light to the optical laminated body through a light entry surface of the first transparent film of the optical laminated body and a lens film disposed between the light source and the optical laminated body. The lighting device provides diffused-polarized light emitted from a light emitting surface of the second transparent film of the laminated body.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

(A) An optical laminated body comprising

(i) a polarizing layer,

(ii) a first transparent film disposed closely to a front surface of the polarizing layer, and

(iii) a second transparent film disposed closely to a back surface of the polarizing layer, wherein the polarizing layer comprises a reflective polarizing film, and both of the first transparent film and the second transparent film are diffusive films,

(B) a light source supplying light to the optical laminated body through a light entry surface of the first transparent film of the optical laminated body, and

(C) a lens film disposed between the light source and the optical laminated body,

the lighting device providing diffused-polarized light emitted from a light emitting surface of the second transparent film of the laminated body.

2. An area luminescence device comprising the lighting device of claim 1 and a transparent optical body illuminated by the lighting device from a back surface of the optical body.

3. The area luminescence device of claim 2, wherein the optical body comprises a LCD panel.

4. The area luminescence device of claim 2, wherein there is no diffusive plate disposed between the lighting device aid the optical body.