Components and methods for use in electro-optic displays

• US 9,778,536 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2016
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: LeCain, Richard D., Knaian, Ara N., O'Neil, Steven J., Duthaler, Gregg M., Danner, Guy M., Zehner, Robert W., Goenaga, Alberto, Davis, Benjamin Max, Chan, Randolph W., Albert, Jonathan D., Crossley, Glen
• Primary Examiner(s): TRA, TUYEN Q
• Application Number:
  US15/001,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20160139481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 359296, 359900, 345107, 324452
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/5483 No curing step for any layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/202 Conductive
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/20 Displays, e.g. liquid crystal displays, plasma displays
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/12 characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/18 involving the assembly of discrete sheets or panels only
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/14 Protective coatings, e.g. hard coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1309 Repairing; Testing
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1675 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1681 having two or more microcells partitioned by walls, e.g. of microcup type
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1678 characterised by the composition or particle type
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/28 Adhesive materials or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/69 Arrangements or methods for testing or calibrating a device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1476 Release layer

Abstract

A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.

Claims

1. A method of testing an electro-optic medium, the method comprising:

disposing a layer of the electro-optic medium on a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;

disposing a release on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic medium from the electrically-conductive layer;

placing an electrostatic charge on the release sheet, thereby forming an image on the medium; and

observing the image thus formed.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic medium comprises an electrophoretic medium.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises electrically charged particles and a fluid present as a plurality of discrete droplets surrounded by a continuous phase comprising a polymeric material.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises a microcell electrophoretic medium.