Display cell with self-sealing, collapsing plug
First Claim
1. An electro-optic display cell having an arrangement of display electrodes in contact with a liquid within a sealed enclosure, the enclosure comprising:
- impervious cover means comprising a transparent window, a rigid structural member forming part of the enclosure wall, a seal between the cover means and the structural member and an elastomeric plug extending between the exterior and interior of the enclosure, the plug having at least one filling perforation therethrough which is collapsed over at least a portion of its length so that the enclosure is completely sealed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electro-optic display cell and method of making the same is disclosed herein. The display cell has an arrangement of display electrodes in contact with a liquid within a sealed enclosure. The enclosure comprises an impervious transparent cover and a rigid structural wall member. A seal between the cover and wall member and an elastomeric plug extending between the exterior and interior complete the enclosure. The cell is filled by injecting the liquid into the presealed enclosure by perforating the plug with hollow needles also employed to remove entrapped gas. Upon withdrawal of the needles the perforations collapse to self-seal the enclosure but for added integrity the plug is also mechanically clamped. The seal and plug can be formed as an integral elastomeric moulding around a frame member forming the side wall of the enclosure and the frame member clamped between the cover and a separate base.
40 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An electro-optic display cell having an arrangement of display electrodes in contact with a liquid within a sealed enclosure, the enclosure comprising:
impervious cover means comprising a transparent window, a rigid structural member forming part of the enclosure wall, a seal between the cover means and the structural member and an elastomeric plug extending between the exterior and interior of the enclosure, the plug having at least one filling perforation therethrough which is collapsed over at least a portion of its length so that the enclosure is completely sealed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of making an electro-optic display cell of the kind having an arrangement of display electrodes in contact with a liquid within a sealed enclosure, comprising the steps of:
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forming a pre-sealed enclosure from an impervious cover means comprising a transparent window, a rigid structural member forming part of the enclosure wall, a seal between the cover means and the structural member and an elastomeric plug extending between the exterior and interior of the enclosure; filling the cell by perforating the plug with hollow needle means, removing entrapped gas from the enclosure and introducing said liquid into the enclosure by way of the needle means; and resealing the enclosure by effecting withdrawal of the needle means and collapsing or allowing to collapse the perforation or perforations formed by the needle means over at least a portion of their length. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification