Method of removing a bubble from a liquid crystal display element

• US 5,687,465 A
• Filed: 05/08/1995
• Issued: 11/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Hinata, Shoji, Ono, Yoichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Maki, Steven D.
• Application Number:
  US08/438,032
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 156/94, 156/286, 264/36, 264/102, 264/571, 29/402.01, 29/402.02, 29/DIG. 44, 29/402.04, 359/62, 359/74, 359/80, 359/81, 349/84, 349/187, 349/192
• US Class Current: 29/402.01
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1333 Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methodsG02F1/135, G02F1/136 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133305 Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 29/044 Vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49718 Repairing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49723 including reconditioning of part

Abstract

A liquid crystal display element utilizing flexible gas barrier films decreases poor display performance caused by bubble formation. This decrease is achieved by reducing the permeation of gas and water vapor from the gas barrier films into substrates by devising the structure of the element and the configuration in which the element is mounted. Specifically, edges of the substrates forming the liquid crystal display elements are sealed. Additionally, the gas and water vapor saturation solubilities of the liquid crystal material is controlled to improve resistance to bubble formation. The liquid crystal display elements can also be subjected to and/or stored in a reduced pressure. Electronic equipment incorporating liquid crystal display elements can include a guard plate having a minimum thickness and/or spacing from the display elements.

Claims

1. A method of removing a bubble formed in a liquid crystal material contained in a liquid crystal display element, said liquid crystal display element having a pair of flexible substrates sealed to each other by a sealing member with a plurality of spacers disposed therebetween and defining a predetermined space between said substrates, said space being sealed and said liquid crystal material being contained within said sealed space, each of said substrates containing a gas barrier film and an orientating film, said orientating film being in contact with said liquid crystal material, said method comprising the steps of:

placing said liquid crystal display element with the bubble formed in said liquid crystal material in a vacuum dryer; and

subjecting said liquid crystal display element to a reduced pressure in said vacuum dryer while said space is sealed for a time period to remove the bubble from said sealed space.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said reduced pressure is about 50 Torr and wherein the time period is approximately 24 hours.