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

• US 8,830,553 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• 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., Zehner, Robert W., Albert, Jonathan D., Doshi, Harit
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOI, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US13/430,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20120176664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 359/245, 359/296, 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 sub-assembly for use in forming an electro-optic display, the sub-assembly comprising:

a layer of electro-optic material having first and second surfaces on opposed sides thereof;

a release sheet covering the first surface of the layer of electro-optic material, the release sheet being permeable to water vapor; and

a cover member covering the second surface of the layer of electro-optic material.

2. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the release sheet has a water vapor transmission rate of not less than about 0.5 g m⁻

2 day<sup>−

1</sup>.

3. A sub-assembly according to claim 2 wherein the release sheet has a water vapor transmission rate of not less than about 1 g m² day⁻

1.

4. A sub-assembly according to claim 3 wherein the release sheet has a water vapor transmission rate of not less than about 5 g m² day⁻

1.

5. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the release sheet comprises an electrically-conductive layer.

6. A sub-assembly according to claim 5 wherein the electrically-conductive layer of the release sheet is light-transmissive.

7. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover member comprises a second release sheet and comprises an electrically-conductive layer.

8. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover member comprises an electrically conductive layer, and an adhesive layer is disposed between the layer of electro-optic material and the release sheet.

9. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover member comprises an adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer is disposed between the layer of electro-optic material and the release sheet.

10. A sub-assembly according to claim 9 wherein the cover member further comprises a second release sheet covering the surface of the adhesive layer remote from the layer of electro-optic material.

11. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material.

12. A sub-assembly 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.

13. A sub-assembly according to claim 12 wherein the fluid is gaseous.

14. A sub-assembly according to claim 12 wherein the charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or cells.