Adhesive stacking for multiple optical films

• US 7,413,336 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Kotchick, Keith M., Freking, Anthony J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; Jacob Y
• Application Number:
  US10/652,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20050046767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,817 Days
• Field of Search: 362/601, 362/606, 362/615, 362/620, 362/622, 362/624, 362/627, 362/633, 349/115, 349/112
• US Class Current: 362/627
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 43/006 Delaminating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/00 Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1335 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133507 Films for enhancing the luminance
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/28 Adhesive materials or arrangements

Abstract

In a new packaging method for light management films in displays, such as liquid crystal displays, a stack of two or more optical films is held together before insertion into the display frame. The stack includes at least two of the films that are adhered together using adhesive positioned outside the viewing area of the films. In some embodiments, the adhesive is provided at one or more tabs provided around the periphery of the film stack.

Claims

1. A light management film package for managing light within

a display, comprising:

a stack of at least first and second optical films, each of the at least first and second optical films having at least one peripheral tab, the at least one peripheral tabs of the at least first and second optical films being in relative alignment, and a layer of adhesive disposed between the at least one peripheral tabs of the at least first and second optical films to adhere the at least first and second optical films to each other.

2. A film package as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second optical films each have respective peripheral edges in registration, at least a portion of at least one peripheral edge of the first optical film being adhered together with at least one peripheral edge of the second optical film by adhesive.

3. A film package as recited in claim 1, wherein the first optical film is a prismatic, light directing film having a prismatically structured surface towards the second optical film.

4. A film package as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least a third optical film having a third viewing area registered with the first and second viewing areas, the third optical film having at least one peripheral tab adhered to the at least one peripheral tab of the second optical film.

5. A film package as recited in claim 4, wherein the first and second optical films are prismatic, light directing films, and the third optical film is a reflecting polarizer film.

6. A film package as recited in claim 1, further comprising a display element, the stack of at least first and second optical films being attached to the display element.

7. A film package as recited in claim 1, further comprising a backlight unit, the stack of at least first and second optical films being attached to the backlight unit.

8. A film package as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral tab on the first and second optical films are disposed around the respective optical films in a non-symmetric pattern.

9. A film package as recited in claim 1, further comprising a lower protective layer on one side of the stack and an upper protective layer on the other side of the stack.

10. A film package as recited in claim 1, wherein the stack has a viewing area, the layer of adhesive being outside the viewing area.

11. A light management film package for managing light within a display, comprising:

a first optical film having a first peripheral edge, at least one first peripheral tab disposed on the first peripheral edge; and

a second optical film disposed over the first optical film, the second optical film having a second peripheral edge, at least one second peripheral tab disposed on the second peripheral edge, the at least one second peripheral tab aligned with the at least one first peripheral tab, the at least one second peripheral tab being adhered to the at least one first peripheral tab with an adhesive to form a film stack.

12. A film package as recited in claim 11, further comprising a third optical film attached to the second optical film.

13. A film package as recited in claim 12, wherein the third optical film includes a third peripheral edge having at least one third peripheral tab aligned with the at least one first and second peripheral tabs, and adhered to the at least one second peripheral tab.

14. A film package as recited in claim 12, wherein the first and second optical films are prismatic, light directing films, and the third optical film is a reflecting polarizer.

15. A film package as recited in claim 11, wherein the first and second optical films each have respective peripheral edges in registration, at least a portion of the first peripheral edge being adhered to a corresponding portion of the second peripheral edge.

16. A film package as recited in claim 11, wherein the first optical film is a prismatic, light directing film having a prismatically structured surface oriented towards the second optical film.

17. A film package as recited in claim 11, further comprising a display element, the film being attached to the display element.

18. A film package as recited in claim 11, further comprising a backlight unit, the film stack being attached to the backlight unit.

19. A film package as recited in claim 11, further comprising a lower protective layer on one side of the stack and an upper protective layer on the other side of the stack.

20. A film package as recited in claim 11, wherein the stack has a viewing area, the layer of adhesive being outside the viewing area.