Patent · US Expired

Articles with diffuse reflection of light from light fibers

US6123442A · kind A · utility

48Cited by
18References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 24, 1997
Grant dateSep 26, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 24, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S385/901
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An article configured for emitting diffuse light in a predetermined set of directions when coupled with a light source includes a light fiber and a diffuse reflective sheet material disposed around at least a portion of the light fiber to direct at least a portion of the light emitted by the light fiber toward the predetermined set of directions. The light fiber has a light receiving end for coupling to the light source and the light fiber emitting light when coupled to the light source. A variety of diffuse reflective sheet materials can be used including, for example, microvoided sheet materials, such as those made by the TIPS ("thermally induced phase separation") method, and microporous sheet materials.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.