Display apparatus using thermochromic material
US5202677A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41M5/305
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A visual display dependent upon the use of thermochromic materials is formed as a thin structure on a substrate sheet with a vapor deposited conductive film heater applied thereto. The current is applied to the heater through parallel opposed buss bars so that the heater heats uniformly. A non-thermochromic image layer is mounted on the substrate, with one or more thermochromic image layers thereover. One thermochromic image layer covers a first portion of a visible display area of the substrate, while a second thermochromic layer covers a second portion of the visible display area, with the first and second portions overlapping slightly along contiguous edges thereof. As the display is heated and cooled, the thermochromic materials of the thermochromic image layers reach their respective transition temperatures to change state from opaque to colorless or vice-versa, or from one color to another. The visual display is mounted within an enclosure to protect the display from environmental interference and thereby insure the desired control of heating of the display, as well as cooling thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.