Edge seals for, and processes for assembly of, electro-optic displays

• US 7,898,717 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2009
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E Ink Corporation (E Ink Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: E Ink Corporation (E Ink Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Patry, Shamus Ford, Paolini, Richard J. Jr., Whitesides, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; William C
• Application Number:
  US12/471,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20090231661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 359/245, 359/296, 359/315, 345/107, 430/32, 204/600
• US Class Current: 359/245
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0107 Gaskets, spacers or sealing of cells; Filling and closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• 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: Y10T 428/249953 Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]

Abstract

An electro-optic display comprises a backplane; a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane; a protective layer; and a sealing layer of a metal or a ceramic extending between the backplane and the protective layer, and thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.

Claims

1. A process for sealing an electro-optic display, the process comprising:

providing an electro-optic display comprising a backplane;

a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane; and

a protective layer disposed on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane; and

vapor depositing a metal or a ceramic to form a sealing layer contacting the backplane and the protective layer and extending therebetween, thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the sealing layer comprises a metal.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the protective layer comprises at least one electrode and the process further comprises depositing a layer of insulating material over the at least one electrode, and thereafter depositing the metal sealing layer over the insulating layer.

4. A process according to claim 1 further comprising placing a layer of a flexible barrier material over edge portions of the backplane, the layer of electro-optic material, and the protective layer, and thereafter depositing the sealing layer over flexible barrier material.

5. A process according to claim 4 wherein the thickness of the layer of flexible barrier material, measured parallel to the backplane, decreases from the backplane to the protective layer.

6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the backplane has a substantially planar surface facing the electro-optic material, and the protective layer has a substantially planar front surface remote from the electro-optic material and extending substantially parallel to the planar surface of the backplane, and wherein the sealing layer extends across a peripheral portion of the front surface of the protective layer.

7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material.

8. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic material comprises an electrophoretic material comprising a plurality of charged particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving therethrough on application of an electric field to the fluid.

9. A process according to claim 8 wherein the fluid is gaseous.

10. A process according to claim 8 wherein the charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or cells.