# US 11,906,759 B2 · Optical film with light control edge

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,906,759 B2
- Document ID: US11906759B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/056,353
- Filed: 2019-05-20
- Published: 2021-04-22
- Granted: 2024-02-20
- Earliest claimed: 2018-05-22
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Inventors: Daniel J. Theis; Tri D. Pham; Bradley S. English; Steven J. Botzet; Qingbing Wang; Shu-Ching Fan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906759B2

## CPC

- G02B 5/003: {Light absorbing elements}
- B29D 11/00788: {Producing optical films}
- B29D 11/00798: {Producing diffusers}
- B29D 11/00923: {on lens surfaces for colouring or tinting (printing or marking in general B41M)}
- G02B 5/04: Prisms
- G02B 5/045: {Prism arrays}
- G02B 6/0038: {Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide}
- G02B 6/0065: {Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects}
- G02B 6/0053: {Prismatic sheet or layer; Brightness enhancement element, sheet or layer}
- G02B 27/32: Fiducial marks and measuring scales within the optical system
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)

## Abstract

An optical film having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a thickness normal to the first and second surfaces is cut. Cutting the film forms a channel at least partially through the thickness of the film. A light control material is printed proximate to a surface of the film. The ink traverses through the channel by capillary motion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
cutting an optical film having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a thickness normal to the first and second surfaces, the cutting forming a channel at least partially through the thickness of the film;
printing a light control material proximate to a surface of the film, the light control material traversing through the channel by capillary motion, and
controlling movement of the light control material such that the light control material moves a predetermined distance through the channel or onto the first surface of the film,
wherein controlling the movement of the light control material comprises partially curing the light control material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein cutting the optical film comprises rotary die cutting, platen cutting, or laser cutting.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
forming fiducial marks on the first surface of the film; and
printing the light control material in registration with the fiducial marks.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein:
cutting the film comprises laser cutting the film; and
forming the fiducial marks comprises laser forming the fiducial marks concurrently with laser cutting the film.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein printing the light control material comprises flexographic printing or ink jet printing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein printing the light control material comprises printing a light absorbing ink or printing a light reflecting ink.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the optical film comprises one or more of a light guiding film, a brightness enhancement film comprising microstructures, a specular reflector film, and a diffuser film.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein curing the light control material comprises directing ultraviolet (UV) light from a UV light source toward the film in a region near the channel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein controlling the movement of the light control material comprises controlling one or both of an intensity of the UV light at the curing region and a time that the curing region is exposed to the UV light.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein curing the light control material comprises partially curing the light control material by one or more of drying, heating, and UV light exposure.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the movement of the light control material comprises controlling the capillary motion of the light control material through the channel.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the movement of the light control material comprises changing a viscosity of the light control material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the movement of the light control material comprises limiting movement of the light control material on the second surface to within 100 μm from an edge of the film.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein cutting the film comprises cutting the film to define a first portion and a second portion, wherein sides of the channel form edges of the first portion and the second portion.