Touch screen system

• US 6,555,235 B1
• Filed: 07/06/2000
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Frank, Paul D., Aufderheide, Brian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): KEEHAN, CHRISTOPHER M
• Application Number:
  US09/611,439
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 428/447, 428/327, 428/429, 156/329
• US Class Current: 428/447
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 183/04 Polysiloxanes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/254 Polymeric or resinous material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31612 As silicone, silane or siloxane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31663 As siloxane, silicone or silane

Abstract

A pressure sensitive spacer coating for a touch screen may include a silicone adhesive material dissolved in a solvent. A touch screen may also include a first layer including a first conductive coating, a second layer including a second conductive coating, and a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A method of manufacturing a touch screen may include providing a first layer having a first translucent conductive surface. The method may also include providing a second layer having a second translucent conductive surface. The method may also include applying an adhesive solution including silicone on at least one of the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The touch screen can be an analog or a matrix resistive touch screen. The adhesive can be applied by screen printing. The adhesive can be mixed with a slow evaporating solvent before screen printing.

Claims

1. A touch screen, comprising:

a first layer including a first conductive coating;

a second layer including a second conductive coating; and

a printed silicone based pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the first layer and the second layer.

2. The touch screen of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is screen printed.

3. The touch screen of claim 2 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive includes a high solids, solvent-based silicone adhesive.

4. The touch screen of claim 3 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is mixed with a relatively slow evaporating solvent.

5. The touch screen of claim 1 wherein the first and second conductive coatings include indium tin oxide.

6. The touch screen of claim 5 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive includes a solvent, a peroxide catalyst, a silicone gum and resin.

12. The touch screen of claim 2 wherein the first layer and the second layer are configured for receiving a touch input.

13. The touch screen of claim 12 wherein the adhesive is printed on the periphery of at least one of the first layer and the second layer.

14. The touch screen of claim 13 wherein the adhesive includes at least one of polydimethyl siloxane, polydiphenyl siloxane, and polydimethyldiphenyl siloxane.

7. A method of manufacturing a touch screen, the method comprising:

providing a first layer having a first translucent conductive surface;

providing a second layer having a second translucent conductive surface; and

printing an adhesive comprising silicone on at least one of the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein printing the adhesive further comprises screen printing the adhesive.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising mixing the adhesive with a relatively slow evaporating solvent before screen printing.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the adhesive is applied with a wiper through a screen.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the first and second surface include indium tin oxide.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the conductive surface comprises a conductive coating.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising applying a liner to the adhesive.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the solvent has relatively high boiling point.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the solvent has a boiling point greater than the boiling point of toluene.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the solvent has a boiling point greater than about 232 degrees Fahrenheit.