United States Patent [19]
`Konno et al.
`
`[54] LIGHT-DIFFUSING SHEET MEMBER
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Teruaki Konno, Tokyo; Koichi
`Sawada; Masahiro Kitamura, both of
`Osaka, all of Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Keiwa Shoko Kaboshiki Kaisha,
`Osaka, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 658,314
`Jon. 5,19%
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Related U.S. App6cation Data
`
`[63] Continuation ofSer. No. 954,304, Sep. 30, 1992, abandoned.
`[30]
`Foreign App6cation Priority Data
`
`Japan ............................... 4-042936 U
`Jun. 22, 1919
`[JP)
`Japan ............................... 3-082008 U
`Oct. 9, 1991
`[JP]
`Japan ............................... 4-000679 U
`Jan. 13, 1992
`[JP)
`Int. CL 6 ....................................................... G02B 5102
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl .............................................. 3591599; 359/452
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 359/599, 452,
`359/453, 455, 456, 460; 354/452
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,294,930
`3,269,835
`3,491,237
`3,612,650
`3,655,263
`3,726,583
`3,984,176
`3,994,086
`4,068,922
`4,989,933
`5,170,285
`
`9/1942 Palmquist .
`8/1966 Flint ........................................ 359/599
`1/1970 linett ........................................ 250n1
`10/1971 Miyaho ................................... 359/452
`4/1972 Hoffman et at ..
`4/1973 Fujisaki et at .......................... 3591452
`101197 6 Hirai et at. .
`11/1976 Mizoucbi .
`111978 Dotsko .................................... 3591452
`211991 Duguay ................................... 385/901
`1211992 Sbibasaki ................................ 359/599
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2503663
`
`8/1975 Germany.
`
`111~1
`
`11111111~11 ~~~~~ ~~~~~ 111111111
`
`US005706134A
`[111 Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,706,134
`Jan.6, 1998
`
`2721885
`2925647
`3625767
`56-139189
`55-120001
`55-120002
`62-116201
`62-169105
`62-201729
`63-41101
`63-177884
`63-291001
`2-120702
`2-214822
`2-221926
`1585338
`2054119
`
`1111978
`1211980
`211987
`311980
`9/1980
`9/1980
`7/1987
`7/1987
`1211987
`311988
`1111988
`1111988
`5/1990
`8/1990
`9/1990
`211981
`211981
`
`Germany.
`Germany.
`Germany.
`Japan.
`Japan ..................................... 3591599
`Japan ..................................... 359/599
`Japan.
`Japan.
`Japan.
`Japan.
`Japan.
`Japan ..................................... 359/599
`Japan ..................................... 359/599
`Japan.
`Japan ..................................... 359/599
`United Kingdom.
`United Kingdom .
`
`OfHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Patents Abstracts of Japan, P-735, Jul. 26. 1988, Vol
`12/No. 266.
`
`Primary Examiner-Jon W. Henry
`Anom~ Agent, or Fitm-Marshall, O'Toole, Gerstein,
`Murray & Borun
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A light diffusing sheet member used as a diffusing plate of
`a liquid crystal display by which light transmitted from a
`light source is uniformly diffused so that the luminance of a
`screen of a light diffusing plate liquid crystal display portion
`is sufficient and a user can easily look at characters, graphics
`and the like displayed on the screen from different angles. A
`light diffusing sheet member comprises a base material sheet
`and a light diffusing layer applied on the top face of the base
`material sheet, and beads mixed therein. The beads have
`di1ferent sizes, and include particles buried in a synthetic
`resin and particles which at least partially project from the
`synthetic resin.
`
`4 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`3
`
`LG Display Ex. 1017
`
`LGD_001440
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.6, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,706,134
`
`3
`
`4
`
`Fig. 1A
`
`4b
`
`5
`
`4a
`
`Fig. 1 B
`
`~1
`
`Fig. 2A
`
`2
`
`3
`
`~2
`~1
`
`6
`
`Fig. 28
`
`LGD_001441
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.6, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`5,706,134
`
`Fig. 3A
`
`8
`
`Fig. 38
`
`LGD_001442
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 6, 1998
`Fig. 4A
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`5,706,134
`B ~!
`
`3
`
`2
`
`c
`
`A
`
`Fig. 48
`
`A
`
`1
`
`Fig.5
`
`LGD_001443
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.6, 1998
`
`5,706,134
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`--
`
`~ -
`
`t-
`0::
`<(
`
`0:::
`0
`0:::
`CL
`CD
`•
`0) ·-
`LL
`
`(\J _..
`
`_..
`_..
`
`LGD_001444
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,706,134
`
`5
`
`Fig. 7A
`
`4
`
`Fig. 78
`
`LGD_001445
`
`

`
`5,706,134
`
`1
`LIGHT-DIFFUSING SHEET MEMBER
`
`This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
`07/954,304, filed Sep. 30, 1992, now abandoned.
`
`No.
`
`2
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a light
`diffusing sheet member wherein light is uniformly diffused
`and more particularly to a light diffusing sheet member used
`as a diffusing plate which unifonnly diffuses light transmit-
`s ted from a light source in a liquid crystal display, so that the
`luminance of a screen of a light diffusing plate liquid crystal
`display portion is sufficient and a user can easily look at
`characters, graphics and the like displayed on the screen
`from different angles.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE
`INVENI10N
`The present invention relates to a light diffusing sheet
`member which unifonnly diffuses light, and more particu(cid:173)
`larly to a light diffusing sheet member for use as a light 10
`diffusing plate that unifonnly diffuses light transmitted from
`a light source which is the back light of a liquid crystal panel
`The present invention has been made in consideration of
`in a liquid crystal display.
`the above--mentioned problems and object and comprises a
`In a prior art liquid crystal display 10 as shown in HG. 6,
`light diffusing sheet member characterized in that a light
`light irradiated by a fluorescent tube 11, which is a back 15
`diffusing layer is formed on the surface of a base material
`light, passes through a guide plate 12. The fluorescent tube
`sheet, the light diffusing layer being a synthetic resin layer
`11 is provided on the backside of a liquid crystal panel. On
`having beads mixed therein.
`the bottom face of the guide plate 12 is provided a reflecting
`The base material sheet is transparent and the light
`portion which consists of a metal deposition layer, which is
`20 diffusing layer is a transparent synthetic resin layer having
`formed by deposition of a metal such as silver or aluminum.
`transparent beads mixed therein.
`The light guided upwardly is uniformly diffused and passed
`The light diffusing layer has beads mixed therein. the
`by a diffusing plate 13 provided above the guide plate 12,
`beads having different sizes.
`and is then guided to a liquid crystal display unit 14 provided
`The beads include particles buried in the synthetic resin
`above the diffusing plate 13.
`layer and particles which at least partially project from the
`Conventionally, the diffusing plate 13 comprises a light 25
`synthetic resin layer.
`diffusing sheet member wherein a resin such as polycarbon(cid:173)
`The beads cover almost the entire surface of the base
`ate which is melted and extruded on the surface of a base
`material sheet
`material is finished by means of a pressing and cooling roll
`A metal deposition layer is formed on the back of the base
`(so-called mat roll) or the like having many fine concave and
`convex portions impressed on its surface so that the resin has 30 material sheet
`fine concave and convex portions on its surface, or the resin
`is heated and pressurized by means of a pressing roll having
`many fine convex portions on its surface so that the resin has
`The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages
`many fine concave and convex portions (embossed).
`(1) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2648111991 35 of the present invention will become more apparent upon a
`reading of the following detailed description and the
`drawings, wherein:
`discloses a light diffusing sheet member in which a light
`diffusing layer is affixed to the surface of a polyester film or
`the like, the light diffusing layer containing light diffusing
`FIG. 1(a) is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a
`light diffusing sheet member according to a first em.bodi-
`materials such as titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, talc,
`40 ment of the present invention;
`silica powder, glass beads and the like.
`HG. 1(b) is a blowup of a portion of FIG. 1(a);
`(2) Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No.
`11201/1991 discloses a light diffusing sheet member in
`HG. 2 (a) is a sectional view showing the light diffusing
`which light is unifonnly irradiated from a light source to the
`sheet member according to the first embodiment of the
`present invention;
`outside through a sheet body irrespective of the distance
`from the light source by means of a pattern display having
`FIG. 2 (b) is a sectional view showing a light diffusing
`sheet member according to a second embodiment of the
`a difference in the distribution of density caused by a minute
`present invention;
`material group for light reflection such as aluminum powder
`or silver powder which is prov~ded on the ~ght irradiation
`HGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are sectional views showing
`face of the sheet ~ody o~ th~ light source Slde.
`50 variations of the light diffusing sheet member in accordance
`However, the light diffusmg sheet member used as a
`with the present invention·
`~sing plate of a liq~id crystal display according to the
`FIG. 4 (a) is a partial se:nonal view illustrating the state
`prior art ~s the foll~wmg .dra~backs.
`of light diffusion perlormed by the light diffusing sheet
`.
`.
`According to the light diffusmg sheet member m publi-
`member according to the first embodiment of the present
`cation No. 26481/1991, a light diffusing material is affixed 55 invention·
`to the film surface so that uniform light diffusion cannot
`ta
`th
`·
`ill
`·
`. al
`'al
`FlG 4 '(b) .
`section VIew ustrating e s te
`lS a parti
`fully be performed.
`.
`of light diffusi?n perlorm.ed by the li.ght diffusing sheet
`According to the light diffusing sheet member in publi-
`.
`th t th
`.. ,..,
`.
`member according to the second embodiment of the present
`ti N 11201/1991 .
`, 1 IS necessary a
`e wuerence m
`.
`ti
`ca on o.
`1
`distribution be set great when the distance from the light 60 1nven on:
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`. HG: 5 ts. a perspective VIe": showmg an a~lication of the
`source is increased. Accordingly, the structure is compli-
`cated and costs are increased.
`light diffusmg sheet member 1D accordance wtth the present
`In both of the above light diffusing sheet members, the
`invention;
`FIG. li is a sectional view showing the structure of a liquid
`luminance of the screen of a liquid crystal display portion is
`not sufficient Consequently, it is hard or impossible to read 65 crystal display according to the prior art; and
`characters, graphics and the like displayed on the screen,
`FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are plan views showing the
`depending on the viewing angle.
`distribution pattern of bead particles on the diffusing layer of
`
`BRIEF DESCRII!I10N OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`45
`
`LGD_001446
`
`

`
`5,706,134
`
`3
`the light diffusing sheet member in accordance with the
`present invention.
`
`4
`from 5:95 to 95:5. Some of the beads are totally embedded
`and others are partially embedded The ratio of the number
`of totally embedded beads or particles to the partially
`DErAILED DESCRIPfiON OF THE
`embedded beads or particles is in the range from 1:99 to
`INVENTION
`5 99:1; preferably in the range from 5:95 to 95:5.
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention are be
`With the light diffusing sheet member having the above-
`mentioned structure, light A (FIG. 4 (a)) is transmitted from
`described in detail with reference to the figures of the
`below the base material sheet 2 of the light diffusing sheet
`accompanying drawings.
`In FIG. 1 (a), the reference numeral 1 denotes a light
`member 1, passes through the base material sheet 2, and into
`diffusing sheet member which essentially comprises a trans- 10 a layer having the particles 4a and 4b so as to be uniformly
`diffused by the particles as shown in FIG. 4 (a)(see an arrow
`parent base material sheet 2 and a light diffusing layer 3
`B). The particles 4a are completely buried in the synthetic
`applied thereon.
`Preferable examples of the base material sheet 2 include
`resin 5 of the light diffusing layer 3 (see FIG. 1 (b)). The
`particles 4b are partially buried in the synthetic resin 5 and
`a transparent glass substrate and a synthetic resin film such
`as polyethylene terephthalate (PHI'), polycarbonate (PC) or 15 at least partially project from the synthetic resin 5.
`a transparent acrylic resin having a thickness of about 20 to
`With reference to FIG. 2 (a), the light diffusing sheet
`300 j.llD. There can be used any base material sheet which is
`member of the second embodiment has the same structure as
`that of the first embodiment except that there is provided a
`transparent, does not inhibit light from passing and has
`elasticity, durability and the like, according to the use of the
`metal deposition layer 6 which is formed by depositing a
`20 metal such as silver or aluminum on the bottom face of a
`sheet
`The light diffusing layer 3 is formed by a synthetic resin
`base material sheet 2.
`5 (FIG. 1A) and the like as a base layer. There are mixed, in
`Referring to the light diffusing sheet member having the
`the synthetic resin 5 base layer, one or more .k:i.nd(s) of bead
`above-mentioned structure of the present invention (see
`particles 4 such as a urethane resin, a vinyl chloride resin, an 25 FIG. 4 (b)),light C transmitted through the side of the base
`material sheet 2 of a light diffusing sheet member 1 is
`acrylic resin or glass.
`reflected by the metal deposition layer 6 formed on the
`In consideration of light diffusing effects, the ratio of the
`beads particles 4 to the synthetic resin 5 is suitably 30 to
`bottom face of the base material sheet 2 and an interface
`90% by weight If the ratio is smaller than 30% by weight,
`between the base material sheet 2 and a light diffusing layer
`desirable light diffusing effects cannot be obtained. If the 30 3 formed on the top face of the base material sheet 2, guided
`to the light diffusing layer 3 and then uniformly diffused in
`ratio is greater than 90% by weight, the adhesion of the bead
`particles 4 to the synthetic resin 5 is poor so that the beads
`the same manner as in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
`particles 4 easily come off.
`4 (a).
`In order to obtain good light diffusing effects, the size of
`According to one manner of use, an adhesive layer 7 may
`the bead particles 4 is suitably about 1 to 50 j.llD. In addition, 35 be provided on the bottom face of the base material sheet 2
`it is preferred that two or more kinds of beads having
`as shown in FIG. 3 (a) and a printing portion 8 may be
`different sizes are mixed In consideration of working
`provided on the adhesive layer 7 as shown in FIG. 3 (b) so
`that patterns such as characters can be displayed. In addition,
`properties, strength and light diffusing effects, it is preferred
`that the synthetic resin 5 include an acrylic resin as a main
`a release paper can be removably affixed to the adhesive
`agent having bead particles mixed therein, and a resin of a 40 layer 7 so as to attach the light diffusing sheet member 1 to
`two-liquid hardening type using an isocyanate synthetic
`an object Those s.k:i.lled in the art can easily understand the
`resin as a hardening agent and having a thickness of about
`foregoing.
`15 to 20 J.UD (including no beads particles). However, there
`Furthermore, a synthetic resin layer having bead particles
`can be used other kinds of bead particles and synthetic resins
`such as silica or carbon mixed therein may be applied on
`by which desirable light diffusing effects may be obtained 45
`cloth, nonwoven fabric, a compound base material sheet
`The light diffusing layer 3 having beads particles may
`formed by affixing a vinyl chloride resin sheet to cloth, or the
`properly be applied on the top face of the base material sheet
`like. In this case, there can be provided an excellent light
`2 by a known blade roll coating method or the like.
`diffusing sheet which can widely be used as an antireflection
`n is always required that particles 4a and particles 4b be
`sheet
`mixed in the synthetic resin 5 so that light transmitted so
`through the base material sheet 2 is uniformly diffused
`through the light diffusing layer 3. As shown in FIG. 1 (b),
`the particles 4a are completely buried in the synthetic resin
`5 Parts by weight of "PfC LN hardening agent"
`(manufactured by DAINICHI SEIKA KABUSHIKI
`5, and the particles 4b are partially buried in the synthetic
`resin 5 and at least partially project from the synthetic resin 55 KAISHA) as a hardening agent was mixed with 100 parts by
`5. The ratio of particles to be mixed can suitably be changed
`weight of a coating main agent ("RUB coating agent"
`manufactured by DAINICHI SEIKA KABUSHIKI
`according to the desired light diffusing ratio. The bead
`particles 4 may be distributed over the surface of the base
`KAISHA) containing acrylic beads (having a size of 5 to 40
`J.UD) as a resin of a two-liquid hardening type. The mixture
`material sheet 2 as shown in FIG. 7 (a), and may cover
`almost the entire surface of the base material sheet 2 as 60 thus prepared was applied at a thickness of 15 to 20 J.IDl
`shown in FIG. 7 (b). In the latter case with greater density
`(including no beads) on the top face of a polyethylene
`of the bead particles. light to be transmitted can be diffused
`terephthalate (PEl') sheet (''PET T-100" manufactured by
`DIAPHOYL KABUSHIKI KAISHA) as a base material
`more uniformly.
`having a thickness of 100 J.UD by a known blade roll coating
`As mentioned above and as shown in the drawings,
`relatively large size and small size beads are provided. The 65 method.
`ratio of the number of small size beads to the large size beads
`The results of characteristic tests of a sheet member thus
`is in the range from 1:99 to 99:1; preferably in the range
`prepared are as follows:
`
`EXAMPlE I
`
`LGD_001447
`
`

`
`Optical characteristics:
`
`5
`
`5,706,134
`
`88.9%
`(by ns K 7105 A method)
`84.9(%)
`(by ns K no5)
`10.7%
`(by ns K 7105 A method)
`1014(0)
`(by ns K 6911)
`Pencilbardoess
`(not less than 4H)
`(by ns K 5400)
`
`6
`In case a metal deposition layer is formed on the back of
`the base material sheet of the light di:lfusing sheet member
`according to the present invention, light transmitted through
`the side of the base material sheet is reflected by a metal
`5 deposition face and an interface between the base material
`sheet and the light diffusing layer and is guided to the light
`diffusing layer so as to be diffused uniformly.
`On the back of the liquid crystal panel in the liquid aystal
`display, the light di:lfusing sheet member can function as a
`10 reflecting plate, a guide plate and a diffusing plate according
`to the prior art.
`For example, in case the light diffusing sheet member of
`the present invention is placed on or affixed to the front
`interior member of a car 20. in particular a top face 22 of a
`EXAMPLE2
`15 dash board 21 as shown in FIG. S, light A transmitted
`5 Parts by weight of "PfC LN hardening agent"
`through a front glass 24 is irregularly reflected.
`(manufactured by DAINICHI SEIKA KABUSHIKI
`Consequently, the front interior member of the car 20, in
`particular the dash board, is mirrored in the front face of the
`KAISHA) as a hardening agent was mixed with 100 parts by
`front glass so that it is possible to prevent a driver's view
`weight of a coating main agent ("RUB coating agent"
`manufactured .b! DAI~ICHI SEI~ ~BUSHIKI 20 from being interrupted
`In order to prevent the light of lighting equipment from
`KAISHA) c~ntaining a~lic. beads (h~vmg a siZe of 30. to 40
`pm) as a resm of a two-~qutd hard~mng type. The mtXture
`being refiected by the display portion of a transparent liquid
`~us pr~pared was applied at a thicknes~ of 15 ~ 20 pro
`crystal panel of a clock or a digital meter of a car, a screen
`(~cludin~ no beads). on the t~ face of a vmyl chlortde sheet
`of a word processor or a computer, and the l.ilre. so that the
`( hard vmyl chlortde sheet manufactured by RIKEN 25 display portion or screen is hard to look at, the light diffusing
`~ .KOGY? KABUSHIKI KAISHA) as a base mate-
`sheet member of the present invention can be used on the
`nal havmg a thickness of 0.1 mm by a known blade roll
`surface of a member which should prevent light from being
`coating method
`reflected, for example can be affixed to the surfaces of
`members around a 00 (Cathode Ray Tube) of OA devices
`The results of characteristic tests given to a sheet member
`thus prepared are as follows:
`30 or the like. Thus, remarkable effects can be obtained.
`Surface hardness:
`Although the present invention has fully been described
`by way of example with refe7ence to the accompanying
`Pencil hardness (not less than 4 H) (by llS K 5400)
`Taber's abrasion resistance test (not greater than 10-3 g)
`drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and
`modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
`(by ASTM D 1044)
`Adhesion:
`35 However, unless such changes and modifications depart
`There was used a label having an adhesion of 1200 gf.f25
`from the scope of the invention, they should be construed as
`mm or more to a stainless plate.
`being included therein.
`Affix:
`What is claimed is:
`40° C., 40 g/cm2 x24 hr.
`1. A light-diffusing sheet member comprising a transpar-
`40 ent base material sheet and a light-diffusing layer formed on
`Evaluation:
`There was confirmed the presence of adhesion after
`the surface of said base material sheet and made of a
`release at an angle of 90°-no adhesion)
`transparent synthetic resin layer having transparent beads
`Surface refiectance: not greater than 10% (by llS K 7105 A
`mixed therein;
`method)
`whe7ein said light-di:lfusing layer has beads of diffe7ent
`According to the light diffusing sheet member having the 45
`particle sizes, the ratio of said beads to said synthetic
`above-mentioned structure of the present invention, a light
`resin layer is 30 to 90% by weight, and said light-
`diffusing layer is formed on the surface of a transparent base
`diffusing layer has some of said beads buried therein
`material sheet. The light diffusing layer is a transparent
`and other of said beads projecting partially therefrom.
`2. A light-diffusing sheet member according to claim 1,
`synthetic resin layer having transparent beads mixed therein.
`The beads have different sizes and include particles buried so wherein said beads comprise small beads and large beads in
`the quantity ratio of from 1:99 to 99:1.
`in the synthetic resin layer and particles which at least
`partially project from the synthetic resin layer.
`3. Alight-diffusing sheet member according to claims 1 or
`2. wherein said beads comprise the buried beads and the
`Thus, light transmitted from below the base material
`partially projected beads in the quantity ratio of from 1:99 to
`sheet passes through the base material sheet and then
`through the light diffusing layer. Consequently, the light is 55 99:1.
`uniformly diffused by the bead particles mixed in the light
`4. A light-diffusing sheet member comprising a base
`diffusing layer.
`material sheet and a light-diffusing layer formed on the
`Accordingly, if the light diffusing sheet member of the
`surface of said base material sheet and made of a synthetic
`present invention is used as a diffusing plate provided on the
`resin layer having beads mixed therein;
`back of a liquid crystal panel in a liquid crystal display, light 60 wherein said light-diffusing layer has beads of different
`particle sizes, and said light-diffusing laye7 has some of
`transmitted from a light source can be diffused more uni-
`formly than in the prior art. Thus, there can be provided a
`said beads buried therein and other of said beads
`light diffusing sheet member as a diffusing plate by which
`projecting partially therefrom, said light-diffusing sheet
`the luminance of a screen of a light diffusing plate liquid
`member further comprising a metal deposition layer
`crystal display portion is sufficient and a user can view 65
`formed on the back of said base material sheet
`characters, graphics and the like displayed on the screen
`from different angles.
`
`ligbl transmittance
`
`Haze
`
`Sutface re&ctance:
`
`Sutface e~tric resistance
`
`Surface hardness
`
`* * * * *
`
`LGD_001448
`
`

`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO.
`
`5,706,134
`
`DATED
`
`January 6, 1998
`
`INVENTOR(S)
`
`TERUAKI KONNO, ET AL.
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby
`corrected as shown below:
`
`On the title page, under
`
`[30] Foreign Application Priority Data, the data for the first application should
`
`read Jun. 22, 1992 [JP] Japan ............ 4-042936 U
`
`!56] References Cited, the eighth reference listed, should be corrected to
`
`read -- 3,994,086 11/1976 Mizuochi
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Eighteenth Day of May, 1999
`
`Attest:
`
`Attesting Officer
`
`A<·ring Commissio11er ~~r ttatents awl Trademorks
`
`Q. TOOl) UICKINSON
`
`LGD_001449