EDGE SEALS FOR, AND PROCESSES FOR ASSEMBLY OF, ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS

• US 20060291034A1
• Filed: 06/23/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Patry, Shamus Ford, Doshi, Harit, Albert, Jonathan D., Zehner, Robert W., Paolini, Richard J. Jr., Whitesides, Thomas H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,554,712 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/296
• 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. An electro-optic display comprising:

a backplane;

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

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

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

2. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the sealing layer comprises a metal.

3. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the sealing layer is vapor deposited.

4. An electro-optic display according to claim 2 wherein the protective layer comprises at least one electrode which is not in electrical contact with the metal sealing layer.

5. An electro-optic display according to claim 4 further comprising a layer of insulating material disposed between the metal sealing layer and the at least one electrode.

6. An electro-optic display according to claim 4 wherein the at least one electrode terminates a distance from the edge of the protective layer.

7. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 further comprising a layer of a flexible barrier material disposed between the sealing layer and the backplane, layer of electro-optic material, and protective layer.

8. An electro-optic display according to claim 7 wherein the thickness of the layer of flexible barrier material, measured parallel to the backplane, decreases from the backplane to the protective layer.

9. An electro-optic display 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.

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

11. An electro-optic display 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.

12. An electro-optic display according to claim 11 wherein the fluid is gaseous.

13. An electro-optic display according to claim 11 wherein the charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or cells.

14. 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 across the gap, thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.

15. A process according to claim 14 wherein the sealing layer comprises a metal.

16. A process according to claim 15 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.

17. A process according to claim 14 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.

18. A process for depositing an electro-optic material on a substrate, the process comprising:

placing the substrate and a disposable member on a substantially flat support surface, with the disposable member lying adjacent the substrate, the disposable member having a thickness perpendicular to the support surface substantially the same as that of the substrate; and

moving a coating means relative to the support surface such that the coating means passes over the disposable member and thereafter over the substrate, the coating means depositing the electro-optic medium material on the substrate and at least a portion of the disposable member adjacent the substrate.

19. A process according to claim 18 wherein the substrate comprises a color filter array.

20. 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.