# US 8,465,160 B2 · Liquid tank, viewing device for under-liquid observation, and optical film

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- Number: US 8,465,160 B2
- Document ID: US8465160B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/200,945
- Filed: 2011-10-05
- Published: 2012-01-26
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2008-12-25
- Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Nobuaki Yamada
- Inventors: Nobuaki Yamada
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465160B2

## CPC

- G02B 1/118: having sub-optical wavelength surface structures designed to provide an enhanced transmittance, e.g. moth-eye structures
- A01K 63/003: {Aquaria; Terraria (A01K63/04, A01K63/06 take precedence)}
- G01F 23/02: by gauge glasses or other apparatus involving a window or transparent tube for directly observing the level to be measured or the level of a liquid column in free communication with the main body of the liquid
- G02B 1/105
- G02B 1/14: Protective coatings, e.g. hard coatings
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME

## Abstract

A liquid tank, a viewing device for under-liquid observation, and an optical film are disclosed, each excellent in visibility and durability and being easy to clean. In at least one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a liquid tank having a transparent wall, including, on an internal surface of the wall, a first moth-eye layer having a moth-eye structure, and a protective layer covering the moth-eye structure, in this order from the wall side, and preferably, further including, on an external surface of the wall, a second moth-eye layer having a moth-eye structure, and the second moth-eye layer being disposed in a region facing the first moth-eye layer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A liquid tank having a transparent wall, comprising,
a first moth-eye layer having a first surface in direct contact with an internal surface of the transparent wall and a second surface having a moth-eye structure opposite the internal surface of the transparent wall,
a protective layer on the moth-eye structure, the protective layer having a refractive index substantially equivalent to that of a liquid to be stored in the tank,
wherein the protective layer is configured to simultaneously contact the liquid and air above the liquid, and
a second moth-eye layer having a first surface in direct contact with an external surface of the transparent wall and a second surface having a moth-eye structure opposite the external surface of the transparent wall, wherein the second moth-eye layer is disposed in a region facing the first moth-eye layer and wherein the moth-eye structure of the second moth-eye layer is directly exposed to air, wherein
the refractive index of the protective layer is different from that of the air.

### Claim 2

A viewing device having a transparent window for under-liquid observation, the device comprising,
a first moth-eye layer having a first surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the transparent window and a second surface having a first moth-eye structure on an outer surface of the transparent window;
a protective layer covering the first moth-eye structure, the protective layer configured to be in direct contact with a liquid; and
a second moth-eye layer having a first surface in direct contact with an inner surface of the transparent window and a second surface having a second moth-eye structure, the second moth-eye structure configured to be in direct contact with air,
wherein the viewing device is not for storing a liquid in itself.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The viewing device according to claim 2, wherein the protective layer contains a fluorine-containing resin.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The viewing device according to claim 2,
wherein the protective layer has a refractive index substantially equivalent to that of a liquid to be in contact with the device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The viewing device according to claim 2, wherein the protective layer has a refractive index substantially equivalent to that of water.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The viewing device according to claim 2, wherein the protective layer has a refractive index smaller than that of each of the transparent window and the first moth-eye layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The viewing device according to claim 2, wherein the protective layer has a refractive index of 1.28 to 1.38.