Screens, microstructure templates, and methods of forming the same

Abstract

A front projection screen can include a microstructure on an upper surface of a substrate. The microstructure can include a surface that is inclined relative to the upper surface the substrate. A conformal reflective layer that conforms to the surface of the microstructure, can include discrete reflective microscopic objects that are substantially aligned to respective opposing portions of the inclined surface of the microstructure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-1C are cross-sectional views that illustrate orientations of flake-type pigment particles during drying on a planar surface according to the prior art.

FIGS. 2A-2C are cross-sectional views that illustrate methods of forming front projection screens including concave microstructures with inclined surfaces having conformal reflective layers thereon according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view that illustrates convex microreflectors tilted toward a projection source for redirection of light toward a viewer in some embodiments according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view that illustrates a microreflector outer surface configured to provide horizontal and vertical divergence of reflected light in some embodiments according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view that illustrates semi-diffuse reflectance produced by reflective flake-type pigments in some embodiments according to the invention.

FIG. 6A-6C are cross sectional views that illustrate methods of forming front projection screens including convex microstructures with inclined surfaces with conformal reflective layers thereon according to some embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A front projection screen comprising: a microstructure on an upper surface of a substrate, the microstructure including a surface that is inclined relative to the upper surface; anda conformal reflective layer, conforming to the surface of the microstructure, including discrete reflective microscopic objects, a respective one of which is substantially aligned to a respective opposing portion of the inclined surface of the microstructure.

2. A screen according to claim 1 wherein the surface of the microstructure is a curved or planar surface.

3. A screen according to claim 2 wherein the curved surface comprises a first curved surface curved in a first dimension of the microstructure, wherein the microstructure further comprises: a second surface in a second dimension of the microstructure.

4. A screen according to claim 3 wherein the second surface comprises a curved or a planar surface.

5. A screen according to claim 3 wherein the first curved surface comprises a first convex shaped surface that is curved in the first dimension; and wherein the second surface comprises a second convex shaped surface that is curved in the second dimension, wherein the first and second dimensions are substantially orthogonal to one another.

6. A screen according to claim 2 wherein the curved surface comprises a concave shaped surface that is curved in a first dimension to provide a recess having an opening that is about 80 microns wide and about 40 microns deep and that extends in a second dimension, substantially orthogonal to the first dimension, to provide a lenticular shape for the curved surface.

7. A screen according to claim 2 wherein a major dimension of the respective one of the discrete reflective microscopic objects is substantially aligned to the curved surface.

8. A screen according to claim 7 wherein the major dimension of the discrete reflective microscopic objects measures about 1 micron to about 20 microns.

9. A screen according to claim 7 wherein the major dimension of the discrete reflective microscopic objects is substantially parallel to opposing portions of the curved surface.

10. A screen according to claim 2 wherein the discrete reflective microscopic objects are self-aligned to respective opposing portions of the curved or planar surface.

11. A screen according to claim 2 wherein some of the discrete reflective microscopic objects overlap one another.

12. A screen according to claim 2 wherein the discrete reflective microscopic objects comprise a reflective material.

13. A screen according to claim 2 wherein the discrete reflective microscopic objects comprise reflective pigment or a reflective ink.

14. A screen according to claim 13 wherein the reflective pigment comprises aluminum pigment.

15. A screen according to claim 14 wherein the aluminum pigment comprises ATA 737 aluminum leafing pigment.

16. A screen according to claim 1 wherein the substrate has a thickness of about 3 mm to about 7 mm.

17. A method of forming a front projection screen comprising: forming a conformal reflective layer on an inclined surface of a microstructure, including discrete reflective microscopic objects, a respective one of which is substantially self-aligned to an opposing portion of the inclined surface of the microstructure.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the inclined surface of the microstructure is inclined relative to an upper surface of a substrate on which the microstructure in located.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein forming a conformal reflective layer comprises: applying a liquid or a powder including the discrete reflective microscopic objects on the surface of the microstructure; andcuring the liquid or powder to provide the conformal reflective layer.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the inclined surface of the microstructure comprises a curved surface.

21. A method according to claim 19 wherein the microscopic objects comprise ferromagnetic or dielectric objects, the method further comprising: applying an electric or magnetic force to the liquid or powder prior to curing.

22. A method according to claim 17 wherein the inclined surface of a microstructure comprises a convex or concave shaped surface.

23. A method according to claim 20 wherein major dimensions of the discrete reflective microscopic objects are substantially parallel to respective opposing portions of the non-planar surface.

24. A method according to claim 20 wherein the discrete reflective microscopic objects are formed self-aligned to respective opposing portions of the curved surface.

25. A method according to claim 20 wherein some of the discrete reflective microscopic objects overlap one another.

26. A method according to claim 20 wherein the discrete reflective microscopic objects comprise aluminum pigment.

27. A method according to claim 20 wherein the discrete reflective microscopic objects comprise ATA 737 aluminum leafing pigment.

28. A method according to claim 17 further comprising: forming the microstructure on a substrate having an initial thickness of about 3 mm to about 7 mm.

29. A method of forming a front projection screen comprising: forming a plurality of lenticular concave microstructures having asperical shapes with openings of about 80 microns and depths of about 40 microns;applying, to the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures, a liquid mixture including aluminum flake pigment having an average particle size of about 14 microns; andheating the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures having the liquid applied thereto at a temperature of about 200° F.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein applying, to the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures, a liquid mixture comprises: spreading the liquid over the microstructures in a direction parallel to a direction in which ridges between the microstructures extend.

31. A method according to claim 29 wherein forming a plurality of lenticular concave microstructures comprises forming the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures in a polyester sheet having an initial thickness of about 7 mm.

32. A method according to claim 29 wherein the aluminum flake pigment comprises ATA 737 aluminum leafing pigment.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein the liquid mixture further comprises: 2 parts by weight air-cure polyurethane resin in a solvent, 1 part by weight of the aluminum flake pigment, and 1 part by weight organic solvent.

34. A method of forming a front projection screen comprising: forming a plurality of lenticular concave microstructures having asperical shapes with openings of about 80 microns and depths of about 40 microns, separated from one another by 5 micron wide planar ridges;applying, to the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures, a liquid mixture including metalized flake pigment; andcuring the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures having the liquid applied thereto at about 60° F. to about 75° F. for about five hours.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein applying, to the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures, a liquid mixture comprises: applying the liquid mixture using a gavure roll having about 55 lines per inch.

36. A method of forming a front projection screen comprising: forming a plurality of lenticular concave microstructures having asperical shapes with openings of about 80 microns and depths of about 40 microns;applying, to the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures, a liquid mixture including metalized flake pigment; andcuring the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures having the liquid applied thereto at about 60 to about 75° F. for about one hour and then heating to about 120° F. for about 10 minutes.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein applying, to the plurality of lenticular concave microstructures, a liquid mixture comprises: screen printing the microstructures with the liquid mixture and drawing a squeegee across the microstructures while maintaining a separation of about one-sixteenth of an inch between the squeegee and the microstructures.

38. A microstructure template comprising: a microstructure on an upper surface of a substrate, the microstructure including a surface that is inclined relative to the upper surface; anda conformal reflective layer, conforming to the surface of the microstructure, including discrete reflective microscopic objects substantially aligned to respective opposing portions of the inclined surface of the microstructure.