Cholesteric liquid crystal water base ink and laminates formed therefrom

Abstract

Thin stable, substantially uniform, liquid crystal containing films are provided by coating a liquid crystal containing ink onto an inert substrate, which may be transparent, or opaque, optionally pigmented, particularly black pigment. The liquid crystal ink comprises an oil in water latex, where the latex contains a film forming polymer, a minor amount of an organic solvent for the liquid crystals, particularly a moderately water soluble organic solvent, which may be an individual solvent or a combination of solvents, the liquid crystals, and normally a thickening agent. The liquid crystal ink may be coated onto a wide variety of substrates and may then be coated with a protective coating or a dark backing. The laminated products can be used as ornamental articles of manufacture, for photographic reproduction, for temperature determination, and the like. The films are employed as substrates and/or protective coatings, and can be dimensionally stable films, vacuum forming films, mold forming films, and the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.