Multiple and single layers liquid crystal dispersion devices for common and direct glazing applications and methods thereof

Abstract

Means and methods for manufacturing a multilayer of liquid crystal dispersion film using releasable supporting films and means and methods for manufacturing a haze-free and low-cost multi liquid crystal-layer PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network using reliable supporting films.

1 .- 131 . (canceled) 
     
     
         132 . A haze-free liquid crystal selected from a group consisting of a multilayer of liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix film, a haze-free direct-glazing liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix, and a layer of liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix; said haze-free liquid crystal is prepared by a method selected from a group consisting of method for manufacturing a haze-free multilayer of liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix film; a method for manufacturing a haze-free direct-glazing liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix; and a method for manufacturing a layer of liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix; wherein said method for manufacturing a haze-free multilayer of liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix film, comprising the steps of:
 a. providing materials for producing a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film, comprising:
 i. at least one first releasable supporting film; 
 ii. at least one liquid crystal dispersion; 
 iii. at least one second supporting film; 
   b. allocating said liquid crystal dispersion between said at least one first releasable supporting film and said at least one second supporting film, thereby forming a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film;   c. curing said PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film by means of UV light, electron beam light or heat;   d. detaching said at least one releasable supporting film;   e. providing materials for producing at least one second layer of liquid crystal in said PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film, comprising:
 i. a third supporting film; 
 ii. a second liquid crystal dispersion; 
   f. allocating said second liquid crystal dispersion between said third supporting film and said PDLC film, thereby forming a multilayer PDLC film;   g. curing said multilayer PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film by means of UV or electron beam light;   any of said supporting films can be releasable supporting films; said steps of curing are partially completed in order to achieve a semi-rigid layer of liquid crystal; and a final step of detaching said releasable supporting films and enclosing the remaining said liquid crystal layers in two metallized supporting glasses, thereby making a low-cost haze free direct-glazing PDLC; and   wherein said method for manufacturing a haze-free direct-glazing liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix, comprising the steps of:   h. providing materials for producing a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film, comprising:
 i. at least two releasable supporting films; and 
 ii. at least one liquid crystal dispersion; 
 i. allocating said liquid crystal dispersion between said at least two releasable supporting films, thereby forming a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film; 
   j. curing said PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film by means of UV light, electron beam light or heat;   k. detaching said at least two releasable supporting films;   l. providing at least two metallized coated glasses;   m. enclosing said liquid crystal dispersion between said at least two metallized coated glasses, thereby making a low-cost haze free direct-glazing PDLC;   n. adapting said low-cost haze free direct-glazing PDLC to the desired thickness;   said step of curing is partially completed in order to achieve a semi-rigid layer of liquid crystal;   and wherein said method for manufacturing a layer of liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix, comprising the steps of:   o. providing materials for producing a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film, comprising:
 i. at least two releasable supporting films; and 
 ii. at least one liquid crystal dispersion; 
   p. allocating said liquid crystal dispersion between said at least two releasable supporting films, thereby forming a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film;   q. curing said PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film by means of UV light, electron beam light or heat;   r. detaching said at least two releasable supporting films;   said step of curing is partially completed in order to achieve a semi-rigid layer of liquid crystal.   
     
     
         133 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said liquid crystal device selected from a group consisting of PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network. 
     
     
         134 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said liquid crystal type is nematic, cholesteric (chiral nematic or smectic). 
     
     
         135 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said liquid crystal is characterized by a morphology in polymer matrix of nano-droplets, micro-droplets or macro-droplets. 
     
     
         136 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said liquid crystal could be made by phase separation methods. 
     
     
         137 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said liquid crystal could be made by micro-encapsulation methods. 
     
     
         138 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said liquid crystal dispersion comprises highly adhesive and cross-linkable elastomer or composites of elastomer/plastic materials. 
     
     
         139 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said liquid crystal dispersion comprises comprise acrylic, urethane, epoxy or their composite types. 
     
     
         140 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said step of providing liquid crystal dispersion further comprises a step of introducing dichroic organic and metal-organic dye into said liquid crystal dispersion. 
     
     
         141 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said releasable supporting are about 10-50 micron thick. 
     
     
         142 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said step of providing liquid crystal dispersion further comprises a step of introducing nematic mixtures for static solar-reflection mode into said liquid crystal dispersion. 
     
     
         143 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said step of providing liquid crystal dispersion further comprises a step of introducing broad-band cholesteric materials for dynamic solar-reflection mode into said liquid crystal dispersion. 
     
     
         144 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said step of providing liquid crystal dispersion further comprises a step of introducing metal-organic mesogens into said liquid crystal dispersion. 
     
     
         145 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , further comprising a step of providing a dimmer and switch adapted for driving a capacitive or complex capacitive-resistive load. 
     
     
         146 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said supporting films can be coated with an enhanced reflective film. 
     
     
         147 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said multilayer PDLC film comprises a pattern. 
     
     
         148 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said multilayer PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film comprises a low-definition display or signage. 
     
     
         149 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said multilayer PDLC film is bi-stable. 
     
     
         150 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said PDLC reduces it thickness from about 50-100 micron to 50-10 micron due to the final matrix curing and cross-linking by lamination under heat and pressure. 
     
     
         151 . The haze-free liquid crystal of  claim 132 , wherein said film can be a stand-alone device or retrofitted into an already existing surface. 
     
     
         152 . A method for manufacturing a low-cost and haze-free multilayer of liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix film, comprising the steps of:
 a. providing materials for producing a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film, comprising:
 i. at least one first releasable supporting film; 
 ii. at least one liquid crystal dispersion; 
 iii. at least one second supporting film; 
   b. allocating said liquid crystal dispersion between said at least one first releasable supporting film and said at least one second supporting film, thereby forming a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film;   c. curing said PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film by means of UV light, electron beam light or heat;   d. detaching said at least one releasable supporting film;   e. providing materials for producing at least one second layer of liquid crystal in said PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film, comprising:
 i. a third supporting film; 
 ii. a second liquid crystal dispersion; 
   f. allocating said second liquid crystal dispersion between said third supporting film and said PDLC film, thereby forming a multilayer PDLC film;   g. curing said multilayer PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film by means of UV or electron beam light;   wherein any of said supporting films can be releasable supporting films;   wherein said steps of curing are partially completed in order to achieve a semi-rigid layer of liquid crystal; and   wherein a final step of detaching said releasable supporting films and enclosing the remaining said liquid crystal layers in two metallized supporting glasses, thereby making a low-cost haze free direct-glazing PDLC.   
     
     
         153 . A method for manufacturing a low-cost haze-free direct-glazing liquid crystal dispersion in a polymer matrix, comprising the steps of:
 a. providing materials for producing a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film, comprising:
 i. at least two releasable supporting films; and 
 ii. at least one liquid crystal dispersion; 
   b. allocating said liquid crystal dispersion between said at least two releasable supporting films, thereby forming a PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film;   c. curing said PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network film by means of UV light, electron beam light or heat;   d. detaching said at least two releasable supporting films;   wherein said step of curing are partially completed in order to achieve a semi-rigid layer of liquid crystal.   
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 153 , further comprising:
 e. providing at least two metallized coated glasses;   f. enclosing said liquid crystal dispersion between said at least two metallized coated glasses, thereby making a low-cost haze free direct-glazing PDLC; and   g. adapting said low-cost haze free direct-glazing PDLC to the desired thickness.