Electro-optic display with edge seal

• US 7,649,674 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Danner, Guy M., Patry, Shamus Ford, Duthaler, Gregg M., Honeyman, Charles Howie, McCreary, Michael D., Whitesides, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack; Ricky L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tra; Tuyen Q
• Application Number:
  US11/612,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20070152956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 359/296, 359265-275, 359/245, 359/242, 359/252, 359/253, 359/315, 359/316, 359/321, 359/322, 345/105, 345/107, 430/32, 430/34, 430/38, 204/600, 204/450
• US Class Current: 359/296
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0107 Gaskets, spacers or sealing of cells; Filling and closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133305 Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1679 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/50 Protective arrangements

Abstract

Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.

Claims

1. An electro-optic display comprising, in this order:

a backplane comprising at least one electrode;

a first layer of lamination adhesive;

a layer of electro-optic material;

a second layer of lamination adhesive; and

a front substrate,

wherein peripheral portions of the first and second layers of lamination adhesive extend outwardly beyond the edges of the layer of electro-optic material, the peripheral portions of the first and second layers of lamination adhesive contacting each other and thereby forming a seal around the layer of electro-optic material,

the display further comprising a protective layer provided on the opposed side of the front substrate from the second layer of lamination adhesive, and wherein the backplane is larger in both dimensions than the first layer of lamination adhesive so that a peripheral portion of the backplane extends outwardly beyond the edges of the first layer of lamination adhesive, and a sealing material is provided extending from the peripheral portion of the backplane to the protective layer.

2. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 further comprising a layer of optically clear adhesive between the front substrate and the protective layer.

3. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material.

4. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic material comprises an electrophoretic material comprising a plurality of electrically charged particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid under the influence of an electric field.

5. An electro-optic display according to claim 4 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or microcells.

6. An electro-optic display according to claim 4 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are present as a plurality of discrete droplets surrounded by a continuous phase comprising a polymeric material.

7. An electro-optic display according to claim 4 wherein the fluid is gaseous.

8. An electronic book reader, portable computer, tablet computer, cellular telephone, smart card, sign, watch, shelf label or flash drive comprising a display according to claim 1.

9. An electro-optic display comprising, in this order:

a backplane comprising at least one electrode;

a layer of electro-optic material, the layer of electro-optic material being smaller in both dimensions than the backplane so as to leave a peripheral portion of the backplane extending beyond the edges of the layer of electro-optic material;

a layer of lamination adhesive; and

a front substrate,

wherein a peripheral portion of the layer of lamination adhesive extends outwardly beyond the edges of the layer of electro-optic material and contacts the peripheral portion of the backplane, thereby forming a seal around the layer of electro-optic material.

10. An electro-optic display according to claim 9 further comprising a protective layer provided on the opposed side of the front substrate from the layer of lamination adhesive, and wherein the backplane is larger in both dimensions than the layer of electro-optic material so that a peripheral portion of the backplane extends outwardly beyond the edges of the layer of electro-optic material, and a sealing material is provided extending from the peripheral portion of the backplane to the protective layer.

11. An electro-optic display according to claim 10 further comprising a layer of optically clear adhesive between the front substrate and the protective layer.

12. An electro-optic display according to claim 9 wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material.

13. An electro-optic display according to claim 9 wherein the electro-optic material comprises an electrophoretic material comprising a plurality of electrically charged particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid under the influence of an electric field.

14. An electro-optic display according to claim 13 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or microcells.

15. An electro-optic display according to claim 13 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are present as a plurality of discrete droplets surrounded by a continuous phase comprising a polymeric material.

16. An electro-optic display according to claim 13 wherein the fluid is gaseous.

17. An electronic book reader, portable computer, tablet computer, cellular telephone, smart card, sign, watch, shelf label or flash drive comprising a display according to claim 9.