Electro-optic displays, and color filters for use therein

• US 8,441,716 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2011
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E Ink Corporation (E Ink Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: E Ink Corporation (E Ink Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Paolini, Richard J. Jr., Battista, Steven Joseph, Albert, Jonathan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PINKNEY, DAWAYNE
• Application Number:
  US13/324,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20120081779A1
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 359/296, 359265-277, 359245-247, 359/254, 359/242, 430 31- 32, 345/107, 345/49, 345/105, 349/33, 250/70, 438/929
• US Class Current: 359/296
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2037/268 Release layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2309/105 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/20 Displays, e.g. liquid crystal displays, plasma displays
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/1018 using only vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/16755 Substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1677 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1679 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

A process for producing a color electro-optic display uses an electro-optic sub-assembly comprising an electro-optic layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer. This sub-assembly is laminated to a backplane comprising a plurality of electrodes with the electro-optic layer disposed between the backplane and the electrically-conductive layer. A flowable material is placed over the sub-assembly and a color filter array is placed over the electrically-conductive layer and aligned with the electrodes of the backplane to form the color electro-optic display.

Claims

1. A process for producing a color electro-optic display, the process comprising:

providing an electro-optic sub-assembly comprising an electro-optic layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;

laminating the electro-optic sub-assembly to a backplane comprising a plurality of electrodes such that the electro-optic layer is disposed between the backplane and the electrically-conductive layer;

disposing a flowable material over the electrically-conductive layer; and

disposing a color filter array over the electrically-conductive layer and aligning the color filter array with the electrodes of the backplane to form the color electro-optic display, wherein the material is a non-curable material which remains unchanged in the final display, and after alignment of the color filter array, dispensing a curable polymer around the periphery of the electro-optic layer and color filter array, and curing this polymer to form an edge seal which secures the electro-optic layer and color filter array to each other.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic sub-assembly has the form of a front plane laminate comprising the electrically-conductive layer, the electro-optic layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the opposed side of the electro-optic layer from the electrically-conductive layer, and the lamination is effected by contacting the adhesive layer with the backplane.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the front plane laminate further comprises a release sheet covering the surface of the adhesive layer remote from the electro-optic layer, and this release sheet is removed before the lamination of the front plane laminate to the backplane.

4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic sub-assembly has the form of an inverted front plane laminate comprising, in this order, the electrically-conductive layer, a first adhesive layer, the electro-optic layer, and a second adhesive layer, and the lamination is effected by contacting the second adhesive layer with the backplane.

5. A process according to claim 4 wherein the inverted front plane laminate further comprises a release sheet covering the surface of the second adhesive layer remote from the electro-optic layer, and this release sheet is removed before the lamination of the inverted front plane laminate to the backplane.

6. A process according to claim 5 wherein the release sheet comprises an electrically-conductive layer.

7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic sub-assembly further comprises a front substrate disposed on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the electro-optic layer, the front substrate providing mechanical support and protection to the electrically-conductive layer.

8. A process according to claim 7 wherein the front substrate has a thickness not greater than about 50 μ

m.

9. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic sub-assembly further comprises a masking film disposed on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the electro-optic layer, the masking film being removed from the sub-assembly before the color filter array is laminated thereto.

10. A process according to claim 1 wherein the flowable material is an adhesive layer which is non-tacky at about 21°

C.

11. A process according to claim 1 wherein the flowable material is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

12. A process according to claim 1 wherein the non-curable material is a grease.

13. A process according to claim 12 wherein the grease is a silicone grease.