Electro-optic display with edge seal

• US 8,830,560 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2011
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Danner, Guy M., Patry, Shamus Ford, Honeyman, Charles Howie, Whitesides, Thomas H., McCreary, Michael D., Duthaler, Gregg M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRA, TUYEN Q
• Application Number:
  US13/205,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20110292494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 359/245, 359265-275, 359/296, 345/105, 345/107
• 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:

a backplane comprising at least one electrode;

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

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

a flexible tape extending around the periphery of the display, the tape comprising a sealing layer for preventing ingress of material from the environment into the electro-optic material, and an adhesive layer adhesively secured to the peripheries of the backplane and front substrate, thereby sealing the layer of electro-optic material, the tape extending continuously over the whole surface of the backplane remote from the layer of electro-optic material.

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

3. 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.

4. An electro-optic display according to claim 3 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or micro cells.

5. An electro-optic display according to claim 3 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.

6. An electro-optic display according to claim 3 wherein the fluid is gaseous.

7. 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.