The present disclosure is directed generally to a light directing film, and particularly to a film that reduces and/or hides defects and optical coupling in a display while improving the brightness of the display.
In backlit displays, brightness enhancement films use structures to direct light along the viewing axis, thus enhancing the brightness of the light perceived by the viewer. A representative example of a light directing film is illustrated in
A second sheet of light directing film may be placed closely adjacent the first sheet with the prism elements crossed at approximately 90 degrees to further increase the amount of light directed along the viewing axis.
However, if the displays are viewed closely for long periods of time, even very small defects may be detected by the naked eye, and cause distraction for the viewer. For example, “wet-out” occurs when two surfaces optically contact each other, which causes a variation in light intensity across the display surface area. Brighter areas correspond to areas where there is optical coupling and the less bright areas correspond to less optical coupling, and this variation causes a display to have a non-uniform appearance.
Advances in technology, particularly for the small displays utilized in hand-held devices, require further development of optical films to more effectively hide display defects while substantially maintaining display brightness. For example, increased LCD panel transmission, reduced diffusion in the LCD panel and backlight, as well as small spacing tolerances and extremely thin backlight structures in hand held devices, can cause smaller scale display defects that conventional patterned films cannot effectively prevent and/or mask.
The light directing films described in the present disclosure include a microstructured surface with an arrangement of microstructures thereon. Each microstructure on the surface includes a first region with a substantially constant height and a second region with a non-constant height. The maximum height of the second region is greater than the constant height of the first region, and the first regions and the second regions have the same cross-sectional shape.
The height of the second regions is selected to reduce optical coupling between the microstructured surface and another display component, which prevents large areas of wet out and reduces the occurrence of visible lines in a display incorporating the optical film. The period between the second regions on each microstructure and/or the density of the second regions on the microstructured surface are selected to provide this reduction in optical coupling while substantially preserving the optical gain of the film. Since the first regions and the second regions have the same cross-sectional shape, the microstructured surface is readily reproducible, which makes the films less expensive to manufacture than films with more complex randomized patterns.
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a light directing film including a structured major surface. The structured major surface includes a plurality of microstructures extending along a first direction. A microstructure includes a first region with a constant height, and a second region adjacent to the first region, wherein the second region has a non-constant height and a maximum height greater than the constant height of the first region. The first region and the second region have the same lateral cross sectional shape.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a light directing article including a first sheet of light directing film. The first sheet of light directing film includes a structured major surface, wherein the structured major surface includes a plurality of microstructures extending along a first direction. A microstructure includes a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is different from and adjacent to the first region. A microstructure has a substantially constant height in the first region and a maximum, non-constant height in the second region about 0.5 to about 3 microns greater than the constant height in the first region. The first region and the second region have the same lateral cross sectional shape.
The light directing article further includes a second sheet of light directing film having a substantially planar surface and a structured surface opposite the substantially planar surface. The substantially planar surface is adjacent the structured surface of the first sheet of light directing film. The structured surface of the second sheet of light directing film includes a plurality of microstructures extending along a second major axis approximately perpendicular to the first major axis. Any optical coupling between the first and second sheets occurs predominantly in the second regions.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an optical display including a light source; a viewing screen; and a light directing film that directs light from the light source to the viewing screen. The light directing film has a first major surface; and a structured second major surface including a plurality of microstructures. A microstructure has a repeating pattern that includes a first region and an adjacent second region. The first region has a constant height; and the second region has a non-constant, maximum height greater than the substantially constant height of the first regions. The maximum height of the second regions is about 0.5 μm to about 3 μm greater than the constant height of the first regions. The repeating pattern has a feature density of at least 200 second regions per cm2; and the first region and the second region have a same lateral cross sectional shape.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of making a light directing film, including cutting a tool with a structured major surface, wherein the structured major surface includes a plurality of grooves extending along a first direction. A groove includes a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is different from and adjacent to the first region. The first regions have a substantially constant height, and the second regions have a maximum height greater than the substantially constant height in the first region. The first region and the second region have the same lateral cross sectional shape. The method further includes applying a polymeric material to the tool to form a film, wherein the film including an arrangement of microstructures corresponding to the grooves in the tool.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The structured surface 304 includes a substantially continuous pattern of microstructures 306 that extend along a first axial direction designated x in
Referring again to the embodiment shown in
Each of the plurality of microstructures 306 in the pattern includes at least one first region 305 and at least one second region 307, and may optionally include other regions as necessary for a particular application (other regions are not shown in
The cross-sectional shape of the microstructures in the first region 305 can vary widely depending on the intended application of the film 300, and is not limited to prismatic shapes. The cross-sectional shape of the first regions 305 can include, but are not limited to, triangles, circles, lenticular shapes, ellipses, cones, or asymmetric shapes having a curved portion. However, to maximize optical gain of the film 300 a generally triangular cross-sectional shape is preferred, and a right isosceles triangular cross sectional shape is particularly preferred. The apexes of the triangles in the cross sections in the first regions 305 or the intersecting regions between the microstructures 306 may be smoothed or curved to alter the shapes of the microstructures or the adjacent grooves and provide desired optical effects, although such shapes generally reduce the gain provided by the microstructures. As shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The first regions 305 have a substantially constant height h1. The height h1 can vary from of about 1 μm to about 175 μm as measured from a plane between the structured surface 304 and the opposed major surface 302 and closest to the structured surface 304 (for example, reference plane 320 in
A second region 307 of each microstructure 306 is adjacent to the first region 305. In some embodiments, the second regions are dis-contiguous with respect to the first regions 305, which in this application means that the second regions 307 do not contact or overlap with one another on a microstructure 306. The second regions 307 may be arranged on the surface 304 in a wide variety of patterns, depending on the intended application. For example, the second regions 307 may be randomly distributed on the surface 304, or the distribution may be semi-random (some areas of random distribution, and some areas of regular distribution with some limitations such as a minimum period between microstructures). The second regions 307 may also be regularly distributed on the surface 304, and the regular distributions may be periodic (repeat at a constant interval) or aperiodic (follows a pattern that is not random). An exemplary regular distribution is shown in the film 400 of
The second regions 307 have an average density of about 200 per cm2 up to about 6000 per cm2 of the structured surface 304. In some embodiments, the second regions have an average density of about 200 per cm2 to about 3500 per cm2 of the structured surface 304. In other embodiments, the second regions 307 have an average density of about 200 per cm2 to about 2500 per cm2 of the structured surface 304.
The second regions 307 have an average period P2 (see, for example,
Referring to the cross-sectional view of a single microstructure 306 in
This similarity in cross-sectional shape, along with the difference in apex height, causes the side surfaces 311, 312 on the second regions 307 to appear on overhead views to extend or bulge outward in they direction along the microstructures 306 (
Referring again to
In use, when a second surface, such as a sheet of light directing film, is placed adjacent the structured surface 304, its physical proximity to sheet 300 is limited by the second regions 307 of the microstructures 306. The second regions 307 prevent the second surface from contacting the first regions 305 of the microstructures 306, which can reduce optical coupling. For example, one or all of properties such as the average density, average period, and the maximum height of the second regions 307 on the surface 304, as well as the material making up the film carrying the structured surface 304, can be selected such that the second sheet of film is not allowed to sag and contact the first regions 305. Thus, utilizing randomly occurring second regions on each microstructure to physically control the proximity of an adjacent surface dramatically reduces the surface area of the structured surface 304 that is susceptible to undesired optical coupling. Instead, optical coupling occurs primarily within the second regions 307.
In another embodiment shown in
The first sheet of light directing film 918 is exemplary of the embodiment illustrated in
Conventional light directing films, as depicted in
Although the particular material used for the light directing film may vary widely depending on the intended application, the material should be substantially transparent to ensure high optical transmission. Useful polymeric materials for this purpose are commercially available, and include, for example, acrylics and polycarbonates having nominal indices of refraction of about 1.493 and 1.586, respectively. Other useful polymers include polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and the like. Materials having higher indices of refraction will generally be preferred.
A smooth polyester film that may be used as a substrate for the light directing film is commercially available from ICI Americas Inc. Hopewell, Va. under the trade designation Melinex 617. A matte finish coating that may be applied on a film to be used as a substrate is commercially available from Tekra Corporation of New Berlin, Wis., under the trade designation Marnot 75 GU. Other films could be used as well. These films could be chosen for their optical, mechanical, or other properties. For example, a substrate could be a multi-layer optical film as described in published PCT patent application WO97/01774. Examples of other films that could be used are wavelength selective multi-layer optical films and reflective polarizers. Reflective polarizers could be multi-layer films, cholesteric materials, or materials of the type disclosed in published PCT patent application WO-97/32227.
Masters for the tools used for manufacturing the light directing films described herein, whether by extrusion or by a cast and cure process, may be made by known diamond turning techniques. Suitable diamond turning apparatus are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,322,236, 6,354,709, 7,328,638, and WO/00/48037.
The apparatus used in methods and for making the light directing films typically includes a fast servo tool. The fast tool servo (FTS) is a solid state piezoelectric (PZT) device, referred to as a PZT stack, which rapidly adjusts the position of a cutting tool attached to the PZT stack. The FTS allows for highly precise and high speed movement of the cutting tool in directions within a coordinate system as further described below.
The cutting of a work piece 1054 is performed by a tool tip 1044. An actuator 1038 controls movement of tool tip 1044 as work piece 1054 is rotated by a drive unit and encoder 1056, such as an electric motor controlled by computer 1012. In this example, work piece 1054 is shown in roll form; however, it can be implemented in planar form. Any machineable materials could be used; for example, the work piece can be implemented with aluminum, nickel, copper, brass, steel, or plastics (e.g., acrylics). The particular material to be used may depend, for example, upon a particular desired application such as various films made using the machined work piece. Actuator 1038 can be implemented with stainless steel, for example, or other materials, and suitable actuators are shown and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,638.
Actuator 1038 is removably connected to a tool post 1036, which is in turn located on a track 1032. The tool post 1036 and actuator 1038 are configured on track 1032 to move in both an x-direction and a z-direction as shown by arrows 1040 and 1042. Computer 1012 is in electrical connection with tool post 1036 and actuator 1038 via one or more amplifiers 1030.
When functioning as a controller, computer 1012 controls movement of tool post 1036 along track 1032 and movement of tool tip 1044 via actuator 1038 for machining work piece 1054. If an actuator has multiple PZT stacks, it can use separate amplifiers to independently control each PZT stack for use in independently controlling movement of a tool tip attached to the stacks. Computer 1012 can make use of a function generator 1028 to provide waveforms to actuator 1038 in order to machine various microstructures in work piece 1054, as further explained below.
The machining of work piece 1054 is accomplished by coordinated movements of various components. In particular, the system, under control of computer 1012, can coordinate and control movement of actuator 1038, via movement of tool post 1036, along with movement of the work piece in the c-direction (rotational movement as represented by the line 1053 in FIG. 14) and movement of tool tip 1044 in one or more of the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction, those coordinates being explained below. The system typically moves tool post 1036 at a constant speed in the z-direction, although a varying speed may be used. The movements of tool post 1036 and tool tip 1044 are typically synchronized with the movement of work piece 1054 in the c-direction. All of these movements can be controlled using, for example, numerical control techniques or a numerical controller (NC) implemented in software, firmware, or a combination in computer 1012.
The cutting of the work piece can include continuous and discontinuous cutting motion. For a work piece in roll form, the cutting can include a helix-type cutting (sometimes referred to as thread cutting) or individual circles around or about the roll. For a work piece in planar form, the cutting can include a spiral-type cutting or individual circles on or about the work piece. An X-cut can also be used, which involves a nearly straight cutting format where the diamond tool tip can traverse in and out of the work piece but the overall motion of the tool post is rectilinear. The cutting can also include a combination of these types of motions.
Work piece 1054, after having been machined, can be used to make films having the corresponding microstructures for use in a variety of applications. The films are typically made using a coating process in which a polymeric material in a viscous state is applied to the work piece, allowed to at least partially cure, and then removed. The film composed of the cured polymer material will have substantially the opposite structures than those in the work piece. For example, an indentation in the work piece results in a protrusion in the resulting film. Work piece 1054, after having been machined, can also be used to make other articles having discrete elements or microstructures corresponding with those in the tool.
Cooling fluid 1046 is used to control the temperature of tool post 1036 and actuator 1038 via lines 1048 and 1050. A temperature control unit 1052 can maintain a substantially constant temperature of the cooling fluid as it is circulated through tool post 1036 and actuator 1038. Temperature control unit 1052 can be implemented with any device for providing temperature control of a fluid. The cooling fluid can be implemented with an oil product, for example a low viscosity oil. The temperature control unit 1052 and reservoir for cooling fluid 1046 can include pumps to circulate the fluid through tool post 1036 and actuator 1038, and they also typically include a refrigeration system to remove heat from the fluid in order to maintain it at a substantially constant temperature. In certain embodiments, the cooling fluid can also be applied to work piece 54 to maintain a substantially constant surface temperature of the material to be machined in the work piece.
In one embodiment, to produce the first and the second regions on the microstructures in a single pass on the diamond turning machine, a fast tool servo actuator is added to the diamond turning apparatus. In another embodiment, the first regions of the microstructures on the light directing film may be produced in a first pass on the diamond turning machine in which the tool is set to make a cut of substantially constant depth in the roll. Then, in a second pass on the diamond turning machine, the same tool is used to cut the second regions of the microstructures in a regular, random or pseudo-random pattern.
Selection of a single pass or a multi-pass cutting process can have an impact on the shape of the second regions on the microstructures. For example, a single pass cutting process produces a microstructure having substantially continuous second regions with a smooth, more slowly varying slope (
The invention will now be further explained with reference to the following non-limiting examples.
Light directing films having microstructures with first and second regions were made from rolls whose surfaces were prepared using a diamond turning process. The rolls included patterned grooves produced in a single pass using a fast tool servo actuator as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,322,709 and 7,328,638. A polymeric material was then cast onto the rolls to form films with microstructured surfaces replicating the diamond cut patterns in the grooves. The characteristics of the patterns in the films are shown in Table 1 below.
In Table 1 the maximum period and the average period are evaluated along a microstructure. The period along a microstructure is measured from the start of one second region to the start of an adjacent second region on that microstructure.
To determine wetout ratings in Table 1, the microstructured side of each sample was placed next to the smooth side of another microstructured film such as that shown in
0—No Wetout Visible
1—Wetout very light, somewhat difficult to see
2—Wetout is dim, but still visible
3—Wetout easily visible
4—Wetout bright, but lacking pattern of lines
5—Bright wetout with pattern of lines
To determine the cosmetic ratings in Table 1, a single film sample was placed on the light table and its appearance was subjectively assessed relative to the appearance of conventional light directing films available from 3M, St. Paul, Minn., under the trade designations BEF 2 and BEF 3. A value of 1 was assigned to BEF 2 and a value of 5 was assigned to BEF 3.
To determine gain change in Table 1, the samples were compared to a light directing film including linear prismatic structures with a substantially constant height, and without any second regions (see, for example, The method of
In addition to the results shown in Table 1, the performance of the films is summarized in
As noted above, the present invention is applicable to display systems and is believed to be particularly useful in reducing cosmetic defects in displays and screens having multiple light management films, such as backlit displays and rear projection screens. Accordingly, the present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present specification. The claims are intended to cover such modifications and devices.
This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/934,835, filed on Mar. 25, 2011, which is a National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT/US2009/039077, filed on Apr. 1, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/041,751, filed on Apr. 2, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1348115 | Hutchinson | Jul 1920 | A |
2404222 | Doner | Jul 1946 | A |
2733730 | Boyajean | Mar 1956 | A |
2738730 | Boyajean | Mar 1956 | A |
3293727 | Simms | Dec 1966 | A |
3417959 | Schultz | Dec 1968 | A |
3680213 | Reichert | Aug 1972 | A |
3780409 | Bartoszevicz | Dec 1973 | A |
3813970 | Mitchell | Jun 1974 | A |
3893356 | Atzberger | Jul 1975 | A |
4012843 | Harada | Mar 1977 | A |
4035590 | Halter | Jul 1977 | A |
4044379 | Halter | Aug 1977 | A |
4111083 | Carter | Sep 1978 | A |
4113266 | Alexandrovich | Sep 1978 | A |
4113267 | Wittenberg | Sep 1978 | A |
4287689 | Mindel | Sep 1981 | A |
4355382 | Dholakia | Oct 1982 | A |
4417489 | Liu | Nov 1983 | A |
4488840 | Pollington | Dec 1984 | A |
4504940 | Nishiguchi | Mar 1985 | A |
4525751 | Freeman | Jun 1985 | A |
4863321 | Lieser | Sep 1989 | A |
4984642 | Renard | Jan 1991 | A |
4986150 | Okazaki | Jan 1991 | A |
5007709 | Iida | Apr 1991 | A |
5193014 | Takenouchi | Mar 1993 | A |
5216843 | Breivogel | Jun 1993 | A |
5239736 | Sliwa, Jr. | Aug 1993 | A |
5291812 | Yen | Mar 1994 | A |
5394255 | Yokota | Feb 1995 | A |
5467675 | Dow | Nov 1995 | A |
5552907 | Yokota | Sep 1996 | A |
5555473 | Seitz | Sep 1996 | A |
5600455 | Ishikawa | Feb 1997 | A |
5663802 | Beckett | Sep 1997 | A |
5719339 | Hartman | Feb 1998 | A |
5771328 | Wortman | Jun 1998 | A |
5801889 | Meyers | Sep 1998 | A |
5814355 | Shusta | Sep 1998 | A |
5877431 | Hirano | Mar 1999 | A |
5877432 | Hartman | Mar 1999 | A |
5919551 | Cobb, Jr. | Jul 1999 | A |
5958799 | Russell | Sep 1999 | A |
6029349 | Berkhout | Feb 2000 | A |
6040653 | O'Neill | Mar 2000 | A |
6080467 | Weber | Jun 2000 | A |
6110030 | Hashimoto | Aug 2000 | A |
6140655 | Russell | Oct 2000 | A |
6147804 | Kashima et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6170367 | Keller | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6237452 | Ludwick | May 2001 | B1 |
6253422 | Zipp | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6253442 | Benson | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6277471 | Tang | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6322236 | Campbell | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6322709 | Krasnoff et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6328504 | Kinukawa | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6337281 | James | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6354709 | Campbell | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6356391 | Gardiner | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6379592 | Lundin | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6386855 | Luttrell | May 2002 | B1 |
6487017 | Gunn | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6560026 | Gardiner | May 2003 | B2 |
6570710 | Nilsen | May 2003 | B1 |
6578254 | Adams | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6581286 | Campbell | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6585461 | Saito | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6597968 | Marsumoto | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6618106 | Gunn | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6655654 | Cotton, III | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6665027 | Gunn | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6707611 | Gardiner | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6739575 | Cotton, III | May 2004 | B2 |
6752505 | Parker | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6791764 | Hosoe | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6811274 | Olczak | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6839173 | Shimmo | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6844950 | Ja Chisholm | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6845212 | Gardiner | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6861649 | Massie | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6862141 | Olczak | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6909482 | Olczak | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6925915 | Claesson | Aug 2005 | B1 |
6951400 | Chisholm | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6952627 | Olczak | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6965476 | Sato | Nov 2005 | B2 |
7009771 | Bourdelais | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7009774 | Yoshikawa | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7107694 | Yang | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7140812 | Bryan | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7142767 | Gardiner | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7145282 | Oakley | Dec 2006 | B2 |
7180672 | Olczak | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7248412 | Olczak | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7265907 | Hasei | Sep 2007 | B2 |
7290471 | Ehnes | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7293487 | Campbell | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7298554 | Cho | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7328638 | Gardiner | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7330315 | Nilson | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7350441 | Campbell | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7350442 | Ehnes | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7364314 | Nilson | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7397605 | Mai | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7618164 | Wang | Nov 2009 | B2 |
7653234 | Warren | Jan 2010 | B2 |
7852570 | Gardiner | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7950838 | Johnson | May 2011 | B2 |
8436960 | Teragawa | May 2013 | B2 |
8517573 | Wang et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
9810817 | Campbell | Nov 2017 | B2 |
20010053075 | Parker | Dec 2001 | A1 |
20020035231 | Whitehouse | Mar 2002 | A1 |
20020051866 | Mullen | May 2002 | A1 |
20020154669 | Spangler | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20030035231 | Epstein | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030108710 | Coyle | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030112521 | Gardiner | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030223830 | Bryan | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20030226991 | Cotton, III | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040035266 | Montesanti | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040045419 | Bryan | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040061959 | Kim | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040069944 | Massie | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040109663 | Olczak | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040120136 | Olczak | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040135273 | Parker | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040190102 | Mullen | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040246599 | Nilsen | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050018307 | Kamijima | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050024849 | Parker | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050025423 | Hanaoka | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050073220 | Moler | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050141243 | Mullen | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050223858 | Lu | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050280752 | Kim | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060055627 | Wilson | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060120816 | Morimoto | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060126327 | Parker | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060204676 | Jones | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060226583 | Marushin | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060234605 | Bryan | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060256444 | Olczak | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060262667 | Lah | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20070010594 | Wang et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070039433 | Bryan | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070084316 | Trice | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070097492 | Takasu | May 2007 | A1 |
20070101836 | Ostendarp | May 2007 | A1 |
20070206298 | Lin | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070221019 | Ethington | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070279773 | Johnson | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080055732 | Lin | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20090038450 | Campbell | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090041553 | Burke | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090135335 | Lee | May 2009 | A1 |
20090147361 | Gardiner | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090292549 | Ma | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20110032623 | Ehnes | Feb 2011 | A1 |
20110181971 | Campbell | Jul 2011 | A1 |
20130163256 | Hunt | Jun 2013 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
359899 | Mar 1962 | CH |
1655920 | Aug 2005 | CN |
885163 | Jul 1949 | DE |
830946 | Mar 1998 | EP |
1092515 | Apr 2001 | EP |
967169 | Oct 1950 | FR |
62-198004 | Dec 1987 | JP |
63-180401 | Jul 1988 | JP |
3-280342 | Dec 1991 | JP |
6-277905 | Oct 1994 | JP |
6-299373 | Oct 1994 | JP |
H08-304608 | Nov 1996 | JP |
9-275689 | Oct 1997 | JP |
10-044140 | Feb 1998 | JP |
10-086370 | Apr 1998 | JP |
10-197423 | Jul 1998 | JP |
10-277832 | Oct 1998 | JP |
11-503574 | Mar 1999 | JP |
11-267902 | Oct 1999 | JP |
2000-020915 | Jan 2000 | JP |
2001-161701 | Jun 2001 | JP |
2001-522729 | Nov 2001 | JP |
2002-507944 | Mar 2002 | JP |
2004-004970 | Jan 2004 | JP |
2004-098230 | Apr 2004 | JP |
2005-078005 | Mar 2005 | JP |
100211930 | May 1999 | KR |
10-2004-096676 | Nov 2004 | KR |
10-2008-0112846 | Dec 2008 | KR |
10-2009-0050283 | May 2009 | KR |
10-2009-0058679 | Jun 2009 | KR |
1989-004052 | May 1989 | WO |
1996-032741 | Oct 1996 | WO |
1997-001774 | Jan 1997 | WO |
1997-032227 | Sep 1997 | WO |
WO 1997-048521 | Dec 1997 | WO |
WO 2000-025963 | May 2000 | WO |
WO 2000-048037 | Aug 2000 | WO |
WO 2000-050201 | Aug 2000 | WO |
WO 2002-04858 | Jan 2002 | WO |
WO 2002-006005 | Jan 2002 | WO |
WO 2002-037168 | May 2002 | WO |
WO 2003-086688 | Oct 2003 | WO |
WO 2005-003851 | Jan 2005 | WO |
WO 2005-043266 | May 2005 | WO |
WO 2005-119351 | Dec 2005 | WO |
WO 2007-027521 | Mar 2007 | WO |
WO 2009-146055 | Dec 2009 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Adams, “Focused Ion Beam Shaped Micro-Cutting Tools for Fabricating Curvilinear Features”; Proceedings of the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the American Society for Precision Engineering; 2000, vol. 22, pp. 176-179. |
Adams, “Microgrooving and Microthreading Tools for Fabricating Curvlinear Features”; Precision Engineering, Oct. 2000, vol. 24, issue 4, pp. 347-356. |
Information Disclosure Statement—Declaration by Applicant William J. Bryan, dated Aug. 28, 2002, pp. 1. |
Ketsu, “Ultra Precision Machining Center and Micro Processing”, Chapter 5, Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Ltd., Jun. 1998, pp. 1-14 (Translation), pp. 73-83. |
Krueger, “New Technology in Metalworking Fluids and Grinding Wheels Achieves Tenfold Improvement in Grinding Performance,” Coolants/Lubricants for Metal Cutting and Grinding Conference, Chicago, Illinois, Milacron, Inc. and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Jun. 7, 2000, pp. 1-14. |
Marui, “Ultra Precision Cutting Mechanism,” Ultra Precision Machining, Sep. 1997, pp. 1-4 (Translation) and pp. 96-99. |
Miyamoto, “Ultra fine finishing of diamond tools by ion beams,” Precision Engineering, vol. 9, No. 2, Apr. 1987, pp. 71-78. |
Picard, “Focused Ion Beam-Shaped Microtools for Ultra-Precision Machining of Cylindrical Components”; Precision Engineering, Jan. 2003, vol. 27, Issue 1, pp. 59-69. |
Trent, “Copper, Brass and Other Copper Alloys,” Metal Cutting, 4th ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000, pp. 258-260. |
UltraMill Research@PEC,NCSU, “Vibration Assisted Machining: Ultramill,” North Carolina State University, Precision Engineering Center, Raleigh, NC 27695, [http://airy.pec.ncsu.edu/PEC/research/projects/ultramill/index.html], Spring 2000, pp. 2. |
Vasile, “Microfabrication by Ion Milling: The Lathe Technique”; J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B., vol. 12, No. 4, Jul./Aug. 1994, pp. 2388-2393. |
Vasile, “Focused Ion Beam Technology Applied to Microstructure Fabrication”; J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B. vol. 16, No. 4, Jul./Aug. 1998, pp. 2499-2505. |
Vasile, “Microfabrication Techniques Using Focused Ion Beams and Emergent Applications”; Micron, Jun. 1999, vol. 30, issue 3, pp. 235-244. |
Zhang, “Nature of Cutting Force Variation in Precision Cutting”, Theory and Technique of Precision Cutting, 1991, Chap. 2, pp. 18-31. |
Int'l Search Report for PCT/US2009/039077, dated Jun. 30, 2009, 3 pages. |
Written Opinion for PCT/US2009/039077, 5 pages. |
Int'l Search Report for PCT/US2009/039072, dated Nov. 17, 2009, 3 pages. |
Written Opinion for PCT/US2009/039072, 4 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180059294 A1 | Mar 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61041751 | Apr 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12934855 | US | |
Child | 15804883 | US |