Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
  • G02B1/10—Optical coatings produced by application to, or surface treatment of, optical elements
  • G02B1/11—Anti-reflection coatings
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
  • G02B1/10—Optical coatings produced by application to, or surface treatment of, optical elements
  • G02B1/11—Anti-reflection coatings
  • G02B1/111—Anti-reflection coatings using layers comprising organic materials
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
  • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
  • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
  • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
  • B32B17/10018—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising only one glass sheet
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
  • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
  • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
  • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
  • B32B17/10761—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing vinyl acetal
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
  • B32B27/08—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
  • B32B27/306—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/36—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyesters
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/40—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyurethanes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/42—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising condensation resins of aldehydes, e.g. with phenols, ureas or melamines
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
  • G02B5/20—Filters
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
  • H01J11/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with alternating current induction of the discharge, e.g. alternating current plasma display panels [AC-PDP]; Gas-filled discharge tubes without any main electrode inside the vessel; Gas-filled discharge tubes with at least one main electrode outside the vessel
  • H01J11/20—Constructional details
  • H01J11/34—Vessels, containers or parts thereof, e.g. substrates
  • H01J11/44—Optical arrangements or shielding arrangements, e.g. filters, black matrices, light reflecting means or electromagnetic shielding means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
  • B32B2250/03—3 layers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
  • B32B2250/40—Symmetrical or sandwich layers, e.g. ABA, ABCBA, ABCCBA
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2255/00—Coating on the layer surface
  • B32B2255/10—Coating on the layer surface on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2255/00—Coating on the layer surface
  • B32B2255/20—Inorganic coating
  • B32B2255/205—Metallic coating
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/40—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular optical properties
  • B32B2307/42—Polarizing, birefringent, filtering
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2457/00—Electrical equipment
  • B32B2457/20—Displays, e.g. liquid crystal displays, plasma displays
  • B32B2457/204—Plasma displays
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
  • H01J2211/00—Plasma display panels with alternate current induction of the discharge, e.g. AC-PDPs
  • H01J2211/20—Constructional details
  • H01J2211/34—Vessels, containers or parts thereof, e.g. substrates
  • H01J2211/44—Optical arrangements or shielding arrangements, e.g. filters or lenses
  • H01J2211/442—Light reflecting means; Anti-reflection means
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
  • H01J2211/00—Plasma display panels with alternate current induction of the discharge, e.g. AC-PDPs
  • H01J2211/20—Constructional details
  • H01J2211/34—Vessels, containers or parts thereof, e.g. substrates
  • H01J2211/44—Optical arrangements or shielding arrangements, e.g. filters or lenses
  • H01J2211/446—Electromagnetic shielding means; Antistatic means

Definitions

• the present invention is in the field of plasma display panel filters, and more specifically the present invention is in the field of multiple layer plasma display panel filters that can be effectively mounted directly to the front glass surface of a plasma display panel module.
• Plasma display panels for televisions and other applications create an image by discharging gas plasma, which, in combination with coated phosphorous layers, generates light having desirable characteristics.
• gas plasma which, in combination with coated phosphorous layers, generates light having desirable characteristics.
• plasma display panels can have superior display capacity, luminance, and contrast.
• application of a voltage between electrodes creates a discharge of gas plasma, resulting in the emission of ultraviolet (UV) light.
• UV emission excites adjacent phosphor materials, resulting in electromagnetic emission of visible light.
• Plasma display panels emit electromagnetic radiation having different emission spectra that need to be modified prior to viewing.
• Optical filters have been used for this purpose.
• Optical filters can include, for example, a transparent substrate, an antireflective layer on the front surface of the transparent substrate for preventing ambient light reflections, and an electromagnetic wave shield on the rear surface of the transparent substrate.
• the present invention provides plasma display panel filters that can be disposed directly on a plasma display panel module and that comprise at least one impact resistant viscoelastic polymer sheet disposed between two polymer film layers. Also included are plasma display panel devices utilizing plasma display panel filters of the present invention, methods of manufacturing plasma panel filters and devices, and methods of filtering plasma display panel radiation.
• Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a plasma display panel filter of the present invention.
• Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a method for manufacturing a plasma display panel filter of the present invention.
• the present invention provides a plasma display panel filter that can be directly disposed on the front of a plasma display panel module. This positioning both reduces potential reflected images at the back of the filter that could impede viewing and eliminates the need for an additional glass filter mounting substrate, thereby reducing the overall weight of the plasma display panel.
• the plasma display panel filters disclosed herein can also be used in place of conventional filters mounted on a glass substrate that is not physically disposed against a plasma display panel module.
• a plasma display panel module is the unit in which the gas plasma discharges occur, and a plasma display panel module typically comprises phosphor layers, cell structures, and gas plasma disposed between two panes of glass.
• a polymer sheet stack 14 is disposed between a first polymer film 12 and a second polymer film 16.
• the polymer sheet stack 14 can comprise a single polymer sheet, or more than one polymer sheet.
• polymer sheets of the present invention can comprise any suitable, impact-resistant polymer, and in various embodiments a polymer sheet will comprise poly(vinyl butyral), polyurethane, or ethylene vinyl acetate.
• Polymer sheets of the present invention can also comprise various agents, and specifically infrared absorbing agents.
• polymer films of the present invention can comprise any suitable performance film-type polymer, and in various embodiments a polymer film will comprise poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(ethylene napthalate)(PEN), cellulose acetate, or poly(ethylene terephthalate)- glycol modified (PETG).
• PET poly(ethylene terephthalate)
• PEN poly(ethylene napthalate)
• PETG poly(ethylene terephthalate)- glycol modified
• the first polymer film 12 and the second polymer film 16 can be the same or different. As shown in Figure 1, the second polymer film 16 is positioned toward the viewing space 18, and this orientation will generally determine the choice of materials for the first polymer film 12 and the second polymer film 16.
• the second polymer film can include a hard coat and/or antireflective coating, as will be described in detail elsewhere herein, on its surface that faces the viewing space 18.
• the first polymer film 12 can include an electromagnetic shielding component.
• either or both the first polymer film and the second polymer film can include dyes, pigments, or other additives as are known in the art to be useful in plasma display panel filters.
• the polymer sheet stack can be a single polymer sheet, or can be a combination of polymer sheets or polymer sheets and other layers.
• Various examples of the layers that can be combined to form the polymer sheet stack include, but are not limited to:
• Plasma display panel filters of the present invention can be disposed on a pane of glass or other rigid substrate for use as a conventional plasma display panel filter that is not in contact with a plasma display panel module by using an adhesive to bond the plasma display panel filter to the glass layer. Further, plasma display panel filters of the present invention can be disposed between two panes of glass to form a plasma display panel filter.
• a plasma display panel filter of the present invention can advantageously be disposed directly on a plasma display panel module by utilizing an adhesive between the plasma display panel module and the plasma display panel filter.
• the adhesive can be any conventionally used adhesive composition, and it can be sprayed, applied as a separate layer or film, or otherwise directly applied to the first polymer film, shown as element 12 in Figure 1.
• the adhesive can be applied to the plasma display panel module and a plasma display panel filter of the present invention can then be applied to the adhesive.
• a pressure sensitive adhesive is used.
• a plasma display panel filter can be formed with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the first polymer sheet and a release film disposed on the adhesive layer.
• Plasma display panel filters of the present invention preferably have an overall thickness of less than 2 millimeters, less than 1.5 millimeters, or less than 1 millimeter.
• plasma display panel filters are able to absorb a shock of greater than 0.5 Joules, greater than 0.75 Joules, or greater than 1.0 Joules without allowing breakage of an adhered layer, and, for illustrative purposes, a layer of adhered, annealed glass.
• the plasma display panel filters of the present invention can be fabricated through any method known in the art.
• a polymer film//polymer sheet//polymer film construct such as the one shown in Figure 1 can be formed as a stack of associated layers, positioned between two panes of glass, and then laminated. After lamination, the glass layers can be removed, leaving the plasma display panel filter embodiment shown in Figure 1.
• Another method uses melt extrusion of two polymer sheets onto two separate polymer films to form two separate two layer constructs, followed by a lamination step during which the two polymer sheets are disposed in contact with each other and the entire stack is laminated.
• a further method involves applying a solution coating on a surface of two polymer films, wherein the solution coating comprises a crosslinkable system, disposing a polymer sheet in contact with the coated surfaces of the two polymer films, and starting the crosslinking reaction by means of heat and ultraviolet radiation.
• Another technique involves the coating of both separate polymer films using a polymeric dispersion. This coated dispersion will form a viscoelastic layer on the surface of the polymer film upon drying.
• the present invention also includes methods of manufacturing a plasma display panel filter of the present invention by forming the multiple layer construct immediately after extrusion of the polymer sheet stack. As shown in Figure 2, a polymer sheet 22 is extruded from an extruder 20.
• a first polymer film roll 24 and a second polymer film roll 26 feed a first polymer film 27 and a second polymer film 28 over a first roller 32 and second roller 34, respectively.
• the first roller 32 and second roller 34 are held in fixed relative position or are configured to apply an inward pressure.
• the first polymer film 27, the polymer sheet 22, and the second polymer film 28 are forced together between the first roller 32 and second roller 34 while the polymer sheet 22 is in the hot melt phase, thereby laminating the three into a single plasma display panel filter 20.
• the rollers 32, 34 can be any suitable rollers, and in various embodiments the rollers are polished, cooled or heated, rollers.
• a coextruded polymer sheet can be used, hi yet other embodiments, multiple polymer sheets can be extruded separately and directed through the first roller 32 and second roller 34 to form a plasma display panel filter with a multiple polymer sheet polymer sheet stack.
• a plasticized poly (vinyl butyral) polymer sheet as element 22 in Figure 2.
• the poly( vinyl butyral) sheet in various embodiments, will be produced with a relatively smooth surface topology so as to permit proper lamination with the polymer films 26, 28 under high temperature conditions.
• a surface roughness (R z ) of less than 20 microns, less than 15 microns, or less than 10 microns can be employed.
• a very smooth polymer sheet can be produced by, for example, increasing the die lip temperature on the extruder or using a smooth coated surface on the die lip, as well as any other methods conventionally used in the art.
• Methods of the present invention include application of any of the plasma display panel filters of the present invention to a plasma display panel module using little or no heat and added pressure. Such a low heat, low pressure application is particularly useful for plasma display panel module that can be damaged or ruined if high heat and pressure are used to laminate one or more layers onto the plasma display panel module.
• a plasma display panel filter of the present invention is adhered to a plasma display panel module with an adhesive and the use of less than 60°C, 50°C, or 45°C and a pressure of less than 2 bars, and preferably less than l bar.
• Polymer sheets of the present invention can comprise any suitable thermoplastic polymer, for example poly(vinyl butyral), polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, acrylates, and silicones.
• suitable polymers for use in polymer sheets of the present invention can be formed into sheets, can function to carry pigments and other additives, have acceptable optical properties, are stable, and can be readily adhered to glass, polymer films, and other media.
• polymer sheets function as impact resistant layers and agent carrying layers.
• the thickness and composition of one or more polymer sheets can be readily controlled to yield a sheet of the desired thickness that has the desired impact resistant characteristics.
• two or more sheets can be combined to yield a desired net effect.
• a polymer sheet stack can consist of a first polymer sheet that comprises a particular dye or pigment, while a second, adjacent polymer sheet can comprise a different dye or pigment, for example one that is not readily compatible with the first dye or pigment.
• Such polymer sheet combinations offer a simple and efficient method of combining polymer sheets to yield a desirable finished laminate without having to formulate and manufacture a sheet that would offer the combined benefits.
• a polymer sheet comprises poly(vinyl butyral).
• poly(vinyl butyral) resin used to form any one or more polyvinyl butyral) sheets comprises 2 to 50 weight percent, 5 to 40, 8 to 35, or 10 to 30 weight percent hydroxyl groups expressed as polyvinyl alcohol, and 0 to 5 weight percent, 0 to 4, 0 to 3, or 0 to 2.5 weight percent acetate expressed as polyvinyl acetate, with the balance being butyral expressed as poly(vinyl butyral).
• Poly(vinyl butyral) sheets are commercially available from Solutia Inc., (Springfield, MA) as Saflex ® and E. I. Dupont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, DE) as Butacite ® .
• a poly (vinyl butyral) layer can contain 10 to 90, 20 to 80, 20 to 60, or 25 to 45 parts of plasticizer per 100 parts of polyvinyl butyral) resin.
• plasticizers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,179.
• dihexyl adipate and/or triethylene glycol di-2 ethylhexanoate are used.
• Polymer sheets of the present invention can additionally comprise additives to improve performance such as dyes, pigment colorants, UV stabilizers, antioxidants, glass adhesion control agents, and the like.
• Polymer sheets of the present invention can comprise an optical filter agent absorbing at 590 nanometers, which preferably is compatible with the base polymer sheet polymer.
• the agent absorbing at 590 nanometers selectively absorbs at 590 nanometers, which means the agent absorbs light in a very narrow band around 590 nanometers.
• This optical filter serves as an absorber of the light specifically emitted by the excited neon gas, which typically is part of the gas of the plasma display unit. This wavelength preferably is absorbed in order to obtain an improved color balance.
• Examples of potential optical filter agents include, but are not limited to, cyanine-based dye, azulenium-based dye, squalium-based dye, diphenylmethane-based dye, triphenylmethane-based dye, oxazine-based dye, azine- based dye, thiopyrylium-based dye, viologen-based dye, azo-based dye, metal azo-based complex dye, bisazo-based dye, naphthoquinone-based dye, anthraquinone-based dye, perylene-based dye, indanthrone-based dye, phthalocyanine-based dye, napthalocyanine based dye, nitroso-based dye, metal dithiol-based dye, indoaniline-based dye, quinoline- based dye.
• Examples of useful dyes include Gentex Filtron Al 78 (Gentex Corp., Carbondale, PA), Gentex Filtron A193, Pyrromethene 650 (Lambda Physik, Gottingen, Germany), and DQOCI (Lambda Physik), among others.
• Polymer sheets of the present invention can comprise one or more near infrared (NIR) absorbers.
• NIR near infrared
• the main purpose of a near infrared absorber is to absorb radiation in the wavelength range of 800 nanometers to 1,200 nanometers, which facilitates the use of remote control devices operating within this frequency range.
• Examples of useful near infrared absorber agents include, but are not limited to, cyanine-based dye, azulenium- based dye, squarylium-based dye, diphenylmethane-based dye, triphenylmethane-based dye, oxazine-based dye, azine-based dye, thiopyrylium-based dye, viologen-based dye, azo-based dye, metal azo-based complex dye, bisazo-based dye, naphthoquinone-based dye, anthraquinone-based dye, perylene-based dye, indanthrone-based dye, phthalocyanine-based dye, napthalocyanine based dye, nitroso-based dye, metal dithiol- based dye, indoaniline-based dye, quinoline-based dye.
• useful dyes include Gentex Filtron AlOl, Gentex Filtron A195, Keystone TB225 (Keystone Aniline Corp., Chicago IL), Keysorb 975 nanometers, TN228 Keysorb 993 nanometers, IR5, IR26, IRl 32 from Lambda Physik, or quaterrylenetetracarboxylic diimides such as those disclosed in published U.S. patent application 20020182422.
• Near infrared absorption can also be accomplished using nanoparticle technology and may include the incorporation of antimony tin oxide (ATO), indium tin oxide (ITO) (see U.S. Patent 5,830,568), LaB 6 (lanthanum hexaboride, U.S. patent application 200200086926), or semiconductor nanoparticles, among others.
• ATO antimony tin oxide
• ITO indium tin oxide
• LaB 6 lanthanum hexaboride
• semiconductor nanoparticles among others.
• one or more polymer sheets of a plasma display panel filter of the present invention comprises a near infrared absorber, and, in specific embodiments, the additional near infrared absorber is selected from the group consisting OfLaB 6 , Gentex Filtron AlOl, Gentex Filtron Al 95, Gentex Filtron A208, and quaterrylenetetracarboxylic diimides.
• Phthalocyanine dyes and dithiol metal complex dyes are particularly suitable for use as near infrared absorbing agents in the polymer sheet layers of the present invention. These dyes offer surprisingly good thermal stability and near infrared absorption, without also excessively negatively impacting the color properties and light transmission properties of the layer.
• one or more of the polymer sheets comprises a phthalocyanine dye, a dithiol metal complex dye, LaB 6 , or combinations thereof.
• one or more of the polymer sheet layers comprises a phthalocyanine dye.
• the phthalocyanine dye can be combined with any of the other agents disclosed herein.
• Preferred phthalocyanine dyes include Excolor IR12, Excolor IR14, TX-Ex 906B, TX-Ex 910, and Excolor IRlOA (available from Nippon Shokubai (Osaka, Japan)), Pro-jet 900NP and Pro-jet 830NP (available from Avecia, Manchester, United Kingdom), and YKR-3070, YKR-3080, and YKR-3081 (available from Yamamoto Chemicals, Inc. Osaka, Japan).
• Other phthalocyanine dyes that can be used include those disclosed in U.S. Patent 6,323,340 and those available from Mitsui Chemicals, Incorporated, Tokyo, Japan, and Keystone Aniline Corporation, Chicago, Illinois.
• phthalocyanine dyes can be incorporated into the polymer sheets of the present invention in any suitable concentration, depending on the application, as will be readily determinable by those of skill in the art.
• phthalocyanine dyes are incorporated into a polymer sheet of 0.5 millimeters thickness at a weight/weight concentration of 0.01 to 0.20, 0.015 to 0.15, or 0.05 to 0.10.
• sheets of greater thickness can have lower concentrations of phthalocyanine dyes
• sheets of lesser thickness can have greater concentrations of phthalocyanine dyes to achieve the desired results.
• the phthalocyanine dye comprises one or more NHR- side groups, one or more SR- side groups, and, optionally, a halogen group, where the R is a substituted or non-substituted phenyl, alkyl, or aryl group.
• the phthalocyanine dye is complexed with antimony.
• the phthalocyanine dye comprises one or more NHR- side groups and, optionally, a halogen group, where the R is a substituted or non-substituted phenyl, alkyl, or aryl group.
• the phthalocyanine dye comprises one or more SR- side groups, and, optionally, a halogen group, where the R is a substituted or non-substituted phenyl, alkyl, or aryl group.
• one or more of the polymer sheets comprises a dithiol metal complex dye.
• Any compatible dithiol metal complex dye as is known in the art can be used, and examples include those disclosed in U.S. Patent 6,522,463 and EP 1385024.
• the dithiol metal complex dye is MIR-101 (available from Midori Kagaku Company, Tokyo, Japan).
• the dithiol metal complex dye is Gentex Filtron A208 (available from Gentex Corporation, Carbondale, Pennsylvania).
• one or more of the polymer sheet layers comprises LaB 6 .
• the dye used can be chosen because it provides a high visible/near infrared transmission ratio and provides a relatively flat transmission across the visible spectrum.
• one or more polymer sheets having one or more of the agents described herein will have the following optical characteristics when produced at a thickness of 450 microns laminated between two sheets of 2 mm thick glass:
• a polymer sheet comprising a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyvinyl butyral), ethylene vinyl acetate, or polyurethane, having the optical properties just described and a functional additive system.
• the polymer resin and plasticizer, where appropriate
• the functional additive system constituting 0.01 to 2%, 0.2 to 1%, or 0.2 to 1.5% by weight of the sheet.
• the functional additive system can comprise, on a weight basis, 0 to 50% of an ultraviolet stabilizer as disclosed herein and as known in the art, 1 to 10% or 2 to 6% of a porphyrin dye, for example Gentex Filtron Al 78 and Al 93 (available from Gentex Corp., Carbondale, PA) and those manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals
• a color correction preferably can be achieved by adding colorants to one or more polymer sheets, and, further, such colorants can be added to polymer sheets in polymer sheet stacks that lack any absorbing agents.
• Such colorants can include pigments or dyes absorbing in a particular wavelength region that are specifically chosen to change the color of the spectrum as is known in the art.
• one or more colorants may be admixed with or printed on the surface of a polymer sheet, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,922,456 and 3,982,984.
• copper phthalocyanine pigment blue can be used as a colorant (Sigma-Aldrich Corp., St. Louis, MO).
• C.I. solvent blue 102 which is available as "KEYSTONE BLUE RC" (Keystone Aniline Corp., Chicago IL), can be used as a colorant.
• Plasticized polyvinyl butyral sheet at a thickness of about 0.13 millimeters to 1.3 millimeters can be formed by extruding the mixed formulation through a sheet die, for example by forcing molten, plasticized polyvinyl butyral) through a horizontally long vertically narrow die opening substantially conforming in size to the sheet being formed, or by casting molten polymer issuing from an extrusion die onto a die roll in close proximity to the die exit to impart the desired surface characteristics to one side of the polymer.
• Polymer sheets of the present invention can have a thickness of more than 100 or 500 microns. In embodiments having more than one polymer sheet, the polymer sheets can total the thicknesses just given, and each individual polymer sheet can be as thin as about 50 microns.
• a "polymer film” means a relatively thin and rigid polymer layer that functions as a performance enhancing layer and which corresponds to elements 12 and 16 of Figure 1.
• Poly(ethylene terephthalate) or cellulose acetate are most commonly used as a polymer film.
• the polymer film can be any suitable film that is sufficiently rigid to provide a relatively flat, stable surface, for example those polymer films conventionally used as a performance enhancing layer in multiple layer glass panels.
• the polymer film is preferably optically transparent (i.e. objects adjacent one side of the layer can be comfortably seen by the eye of a particular observer looking through the layer from the other side), and usually has a greater, in some embodiments significantly greater, tensile modulus regardless of composition than that of the adjacent polymer sheet, hi various embodiments, the polymer film comprises a thermoplastic material.
• thermoplastic materials having suitable properties are nylons, polyurethanes, acrylics, polycarbonates, polyolefins such as polypropylene, cellulose acetates and triacetates, vinyl chloride polymers and copolymers and the like.
• a polymer film comprises poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene napthalate)(PEN), or cellulose acetate.
• the polymer film comprises materials such as re-stretched thermoplastic films having the noted properties, which include polyesters.
• the polymer film comprises or consists of poly(ethylene terephthalate), and, in various embodiments, the poly(ethylene terephthalate) has been biaxially stretched to improve strength, and/or has been heat stabilized to provide low shrinkage characteristics when subjected to elevated temperatures (e.g. less than 2% shrinkage in both directions after 30 minutes at 150°C).
• the polymer film can have a thickness of 0.013 millimeters to 0.20 millimeters, 0.025 millimeters to 0.1 millimeters, or 0.04 to 0.06 millimeters.
• the polymer film can optionally be surface treated or coated with a functional performance layer to improve one or more properties, such as adhesion or infrared radiation reflection.
• Polymer films can be treated or coated to impart desirable characteristics.
• polymer films can comprise antireflective layers (such as a coated titanium dioxide or silicon oxide layer) and electromagnetic shielding layers (such as a copper grid or an equivalent material, such as silver, palladium, platinum, and gold — see, for example, U.S. patents 6,197,408; 6,086,979; and 6,207,266).
• the shielding component comprises copper wires or a copper mesh, which can be, for example, applied to a polymer film through a photo-lithographic technique.
• the first polymer film 12, as shown in Figure 1 can have an antireflective layer on the surface facing the viewing area and/or a hardcoat disposed on the antireflective layer.
• Hardcoats that can be used with the present invention include any that are compatible with the second polymer film and that achieve the desired physical and optical properties.
• Thermoplastic, thermoset, or cross linked polymer materials that function as a protective layer, such as a acrylate and urethane hardcoats can be used as the hardcoat material.
• Further examples of useful hardcoat materials that can be used as hardcoats for the present invention include radiation cured products, such as ultraviolet or infrared cured products, and cured products resulting from heat or plasma treatment of (a) a hydrolysis and condensation product of methyltriethoxysilane; or (b) mixtures of poly(silicic acid) and copolymers of fluorinated monomers with compounds containing primary and secondary alcohol groups.
• Hardcoat materials that are useful with the present invention further include acrylate functional groups, such as a polyester, polyether, acrylic, epoxy, urethane, alkyd, spiroacetal, polybutadiene or polythiol polyene resin having a relatively low molecular weight; a (meth)acrylate oligomer or prepolymer of a polyfunctional compound such as a polyhydric alcohol; or a resin containing, as a reactive diluent, a relatively large amount of a monofunctional monomer such as ethyl (meth)acrylate, ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, styrene, methylstyrene or N-vinylpyrrolidone, or a polyfunctional monomer such as trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, hexanediol (meth)acrylate, tripropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, diethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate,
• Adhesives are chosen based on compatibility with the module and polymer film layers, optical performance, stability, economy, and other relevant factors. Adhesives that can be used without the requirement for high temperatures or high pressure are particularly preferred.
• PSAs are the pressure sensitive adhesives, or PSAs.
• PSAs Several common technologies are used for manufacturing PSAs, including solvent-based, hot-melt, and emulsion processes.
• PSAs Four main varieties of PSAs are derived from rubber-based, acrylic, modified acrylic, and silicone formulations. Each of these types exhibits distinct performance characteristics. Acrylic, modified acrylic, and silicone formulations are preferred.
• Acrylic PSAs offer resistance to solvents, UV light, elevated temperatures, plasticizers, chemical reagents, and sterilization methods, and provide good long-term aging and environmental resistance.
• Modified acrylics include additives to achieve various desirable results.
• PSAs of the present invention can be applied directly to either the module or the plasma display panel filter.
• a plasma display panel filter can be formed having a pressure sensitive adhesive formed on one surface and protected with a release liner. The liner can be removed when application to a module is desired.
• agents described herein as useful in a plasma display panel filter can, where compatible, also be added to the adhesive rather than, or in addition to, the polymer sheet or polymer film layers. Agents can generally be mixed directly into the adhesive prior to application of the adhesive to the plasma display panel module or the plasma display panel filter.
• coated glass In various embodiments of the present invention, coated glass, a coated polymer structure (typically poly(ethylene terephthalate)), or a multilayer film, such as the those available from 3M and described in U.S. Patent 6,498,683, among others, can be used to absorb infrared radiation.
• a coated polymer structure typically poly(ethylene terephthalate)
• a multilayer film such as the those available from 3M and described in U.S. Patent 6,498,683, among others, can be used to absorb infrared radiation.
• near infrared absorbers with coated glass, coated polymer, or multilayer films in order to achieve the desired result.
• a combination of near infrared absorbers in poly(vinyl butyral) with infrared reflecting films is reported in U.S. Patent application 20030054160, which also reports near infrared absorbers coated on poly(ethylene terephthalate) and combined with poly(vinyl butyral).
• any of the embodiments of the present invention in which an agent is added to a polymer sheet to impart desired characteristics it is generally possible and will be appreciated by those with skill in the art that some or all of the added agents can be applied to a polymer film layer or glass layer instead of or in addition to the agent's inclusion in the polymer sheet.
• a polymer film can be coated with LaB 6 and then laminated between two polymer sheets to form a polymer sheet stack having two polymer sheets with no pigment or a reduced level of pigment.
• Some of the agents contemplated herein can also be directly applied to a glass layer, for example the viewing side of a plasma display panel module. Any of the agents of the present invention referred to herein can be used in this manner, where appropriate.
• Plasma display panel filters of the present invention as described elsewhere herein employing one or more polymer sheets include filters that preferably have the following qualities when the plasma display panel filter is disposed between two layers of glass each having a thickness of 2 millimeters: transmission in the visual range of 20 to 60 percent, 30 to 50 percent, or 35 to 45 percent, transmission at 590 nanometers of 0 to 65 percent, 5 to 50 percent, 10 to 40 percent, or 20 to 30 percent; transmission at 800 nanometers of less than 30 percent, 25 percent, or 20 percent, transmission at 850 nanometers of less than 25 percent, less than 20 percent, or less than 15 percent, transmission in the 900 to 1100 nanometer range of less than 15 percent, less than 12 percent, less than 10 percent, or less than 6 percent; transmission in the 1100 to 1200 nanometers of less than 15 percent or less than 10 percent. Any of the above given ranges can be combined with each other in any combination in any of the various embodiments of the present invention
• a* and b* factor (as based on the L*a*b* calorimetric system) values are -15 and +15, -10 and +10, -5 and +5, and -2 and +2.
• a plasma display panel filter can comprise any suitable glazing type material other than glass, such as rigid plastics having a high glass transition temperature, for example above 6O 0 C or 7O 0 C, for example polycarbonates and polyalkyl methacrylates, and specifically those having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.
• suitable glazing type material other than glass such as rigid plastics having a high glass transition temperature, for example above 6O 0 C or 7O 0 C, for example polycarbonates and polyalkyl methacrylates, and specifically those having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.
• the present invention also includes methods for filtering the electromagnetic radiation produced by a plasma display panel, comprising passing said radiation through any of the plasma display panel filters disclosed herein.
• the present invention further includes devices that use plasma display panels in which a plasma display panel filter of the present invention is used. Examples include, but are not limited to monitors or televisions.
• the present invention includes a plasma display panel comprising a plasma display panel filter of the present invention.
• the present invention includes the composite structure of a plasma display panel filter of the present invention disposed in position on the viewing surface of a plasma display panel module.
• the present invention includes methods of making plasma display panel filters including those described herein throughout.
• the present invention also includes methods of making plasma display panels and composite plasma display panel filter/plasma display panel module units as disclosed elsewhere herein.
• a set of dimensionless coordinates L*, a*, b* are used to define a color's hue and intensity. These coordinates are measured according to instructions provided in the publication "Standard Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by Using the CIE System," ASTM E 308-01. The wavelength range is between 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers, at a wavelength interval of 20 nanometers.
• the coordinate a* measures the level of green or red color in the object, and the coordinate b* measures the level of blue or yellow in the object.
• a plasma display panel filter for direct lamination is produced having the following layers:
• NOF Realook 8200 (NOF Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) as an antireflective triacetyl cellulose layer, having a thickness of 80 microns.
• the Filtron dye is available from Gentex and the Excolor dyes are available by Nippon Shokubai (Japan).
• the plasticizer content (Methylene glycol di-2 ethylhexanoate) of the polyvinyl butyral) layer is 27.5%.
• the three layers are applied to a layer of 2.1 millimeter clear annealed glass.
• the following optical properties are obtained: Tl at 590 nm: 30.0%
• the thickness of the poly(vinyl butyral) in this configuration was 44.6%, the color coordinates as expressed by a* and b* were -3.0 and -4.5, respectively, giving a rather bluish aspect to the system, which is generally desirable for plasma display panels.
• Example 1 Impact testing of filters of the type given in Example 1 is carried out using a ball impact tester: a 200 gram steel ball is dropped onto the filter in 5 centimeter increments until breakage of the glass occurs. For annealed glass with no poly(ethylene terephthalate) or polyvinyl butyral) adhered to the glass pane, the glass is broken at a drop height of 5 cm.
• a maximum drop height of 20 centimeters is obtained before breakage occurred.
• a maximum drop height of 45 centimeters is obtained.
• a maximum drop height of 95 cm is achieved, corresponding to an absorbed energy of approximately 1.95 Joules.

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• 2006
  • 2006-06-29 JP JP2008519741A patent/JP2009500664A/ja not_active Withdrawn
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