How LG Chem Makes Plastic Films That Block UV Light
A specialized plastic film made of alternating chemical segments that blocks harmful ultraviolet light while remaining perfectly clear.
Original patent title: “Polyamide resin film and resin laminate using the same”
A specialized plastic film made of alternating chemical segments that blocks harmful ultraviolet light while remaining perfectly clear. Granted to LG Chem Ltd in 2024 with 19 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a high-performance plastic film made from a polyamide resin. The resin is engineered with a specific backbone structure where two different types of aromatic amide segments alternate. This precise molecular arrangement allows the material to absorb ultraviolet light at 388 nm while maintaining high transparency, measured as a haze value of 1.5% or less. The film is designed to be very thin, around 50 micrometers, yet it effectively filters out UV radiation, which is critical for protecting sensitive components behind the film.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover films that do not use an alternating backbone structure of two distinct aromatic segments.
- Does not cover materials where the UV transmittance at 388 nm is higher than 15% for a 50-micrometer thickness.
- Does not cover films with a haze value greater than 1.5%.
- Does not cover standard polyamides that lack the specific molecular weight or viscosity requirements defined in the claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the alternating backbone structure, which forces the polymer to achieve a steep UV-cut slope—meaning it transitions rapidly from blocking UV to letting visible light through—without sacrificing the clarity of the film.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Flexible display cover windows
Protective films for foldable smartphones
Optical layers for high-end electronic screens
Why it matters
The bigger picture
As foldable and flexible displays become common in smartphones and tablets, manufacturers need protective cover layers that are both durable and optically clear. This technology provides a way to protect internal display components from UV degradation without needing separate, bulky UV-filtering coatings. It is a key material science advancement for the next generation of flexible electronics.
Filed
December 26, 2019
Granted
July 9, 2024
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
LG Chem is the primary developer of this technology and is actively integrating these high-performance resins into their display material supply chain. Other major chemical and display material manufacturers are also researching similar polyimide and polyamide structures to solve the durability challenges of foldable screens.
Market impact
This patent strengthens the intellectual property portfolio for foldable display materials, a market segment currently dominated by a few key players. By defining specific performance thresholds for UV shielding and optical clarity, it sets a technical benchmark for competitors trying to develop thin, flexible, and UV-resistant cover materials.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a high-performance plastic film made from a polyamide resin. The resin is engineered with a specific backbone structure where two different types of aromatic amide segments alternate. This precise molecular arrangement allows the material to absorb ultraviolet light at 388 nm while maintaining high transparency, measured as a haze value of 1.5% or less. The film is designed to be very thin, around 50 micrometers, yet it effectively filters out UV radiation, which is critical for protecting sensitive components behind the film.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the alternating backbone structure, which forces the polymer to achieve a steep UV-cut slope—meaning it transitions rapidly from blocking UV to letting visible light through—without sacrificing the clarity of the film.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover films that do not use an alternating backbone structure of two distinct aromatic segments.
- Does not cover materials where the UV transmittance at 388 nm is higher than 15% for a 50-micrometer thickness.
- Does not cover films with a haze value greater than 1.5%.
- Does not cover standard polyamides that lack the specific molecular weight or viscosity requirements defined in the claims.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
13/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$70K – $225K
Midpoint $140K · 13.5 yr remaining · industry ×2.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
19 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Park, Y., Tae, Y. J., RYU, B. O., Choi, I. H., & PARK, S. (2024). How LG Chem Makes Plastic Films That Block UV Light (U.S. Patent No. 12,031,028). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12031028/starship-eclss
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How LG Chem Makes Plastic Films That Block UV Light cover?
A specialized plastic film made of alternating chemical segments that blocks harmful ultraviolet light while remaining perfectly clear.
Who owns patent US 12031028?
LG Chem Ltd owns this patent, granted in 2024.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on July 9, 2044, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
As foldable and flexible displays become common in smartphones and tablets, manufacturers need protective cover layers that are both durable and optically clear. This technology provides a way to protect internal display components from UV degradation without needing separate, bulky UV-filtering coatings. It is a key material science advancement for the next generation of flexible electronics.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover films that do not use an alternating backbone structure of two distinct aromatic segments.
Patent monitoring