Optical film assembly and display device

• US 7,763,331 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2009
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Cowher, John T., Goenner, Emily S., Jones, Clinton L., Kolb, Brant U., Hart, Shandon D., Olson, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): WU, SHEAN CHIU
• Application Number:
  US12/481,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20090246417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 428/1.1, 428/1.3, 428/1.31, 428/141, 428/143, 349/62, 349/96, 264/1.34
• US Class Current: 428/1.31
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2/44 Polymerisation in the presence of compounding ingredients, e.g. plasticisers, dyestuffs, fillers
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 222/1025 of aromatic dialcohols
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 222/103 of trialcohols, e.g. trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2323/00 Functional layers of liquid crystal optical display excluding electroactive liquid crystal layer characterised by chemical composition
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2323/03 Viewing layer characterised by chemical composition
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2323/031 Polarizer or dye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/02 Diffusing elements; Afocal elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/045 Prism arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/124 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0053 Prismatic sheet or layer; Brightness enhancement element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0065 Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/913 Material designed to be responsive to temperature, light, moisture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/773 Nanoparticle, i.e. structure having three dimensions of 100 nm or less
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/778 within specified host or matrix material, e.g. nanocomposite films
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/84 Manufacture, treatment, or detection of nanostructure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/932 for electronic or optoelectronic application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/939 Electron emitter, e.g. spindt emitter tip coated with nanoparticles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24355 Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24372 : Particulate matter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 : Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31855 : Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers

Abstract

Microstructured optical films, assemblies of films including at least one microstructured optical film, and (e.g. illuminated) display devices including a single microstructured optical film or assembly.

Claims

1. An optical film comprised of a light transmissible polymeric material having a microstructured surface wherein the film is a reflective polarizing film having a single sheet relative gain of at least 2.46.

2. The optical film of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface comprises a pattern of substantially parallel prisms coupled to a reflective polarizing base layer having a pass axis wherein the prisms are orthogonal to the pass axis of the reflective polarizing film.

3. An assembly comprising the microstructured optical film of claim 1 proximate a second optical film.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the second optical film is a turning film, a polarizing film, a diffuser film, or combination thereof.

5. A device comprising:

(a) a lighting device having a light-emitting surface; and

(b) the optical film of claim 1 disposed proximate the light-emitting surface.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the lighting device is a back-lit display device.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the lighting device is a back-lit liquid crystal display device.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the device is a handheld device, a computer display or a television.

9. The device of claim 5 wherein the device comprises an absorbing polarizer having a pass axis proximate a microstructured optical film comprising a pattern of substantially parallel prisms and the prisms are substantially orthogonal to the pass axis of the absorbing polarizer.