Custom lamp from finished EL panel

• US 7,754,091 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: World Properties Incorporated
• Original Assignee: World Properties Incorporated
• Inventors: Pires, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed; Shamim
• Application Number:
  US10/930,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20060043059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,142 Days
• Field of Search: 216/5, 216/13, 216/41, 216/83, 313/483, 313/505, 313/506
• US Class Current: 216/83
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 33/10 Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of electroluminescent light sources

Abstract

A two step etch is used to provide access to the front electrode of an EL panel cut from a larger EL panel. The two step etch produces a set back that electrically isolates the front electrode and enables a conductive layer to be easily deposited on the front electrode. A kit contains the necessary materials and instructions for practicing the method.

Claims

1. A method for providing an electrical connection to the front electrode of a piece cut from an EL panel, wherein an EL panel is a substrate including one or more luminous areas, wherein each luminous area is formed by a dielectric layer and a phosphor layer between a rear electrode and a front electrode, and wherein at least some of the layers and electrodes are formed by the steps of depositing a layer of ink and curing the ink, said method comprising:

covering said piece to define a area for making electrical contact;

removing the rear electrode from said area by dissolving the rear electrode with a first solvent;

dissolving the phosphor layer and the dielectric layer from said area with a second solvent to reveal the front electrode of said piece;

covering said front electrode with a conductive layer in said area to reinforce said front electrode to receive an electrical connector.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said removing step is followed by the step of reducing the defined area to offset the rear electrode from exposed area of the front electrode.