PHOTOINITIATED OPTICAL ADHESIVE AND METHOD FOR USING SAME

• US 20100043966A1
• Filed: 07/17/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: LeCave, Michael, Dunn, William
• Granted Patent: US 9,573,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/275.500
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10706 being photo-polymerized
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10899 by introducing interlayers of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 27/10 with the aid of adhesive specially adapted for that purpose

Abstract

A method for bonding glass components using an encapsulated photo-initiated optical adhesive, and the resulting glass assemblies produced by the same. A mixture containing a catalyst and a resin is provided where at least one of either the catalyst or the resin is encapsulated. The mixture is applied to a glass component. The encapsulated catalyst may then be exposed to ultraviolet light causing the capsules to release the portions contained therein and combine to form an adhesive. A second glass component is then placed on the adhesive so that the adhesive is interposed between the glass components and the adhesive is permitted to cure. Alternatively, the mixture may be exposed to UV light after the second glass component is placed. An exemplary method uses a frame with the first glass component to create a uniform thickness of adhesive and provide a low level of optical defects. Barrier coats and skirting tape may also be used.

Claims

1. A method of bonding glass components, comprising:

providing a mixture comprising two portions which can be combined to produce an adhesive, where at least one of the portions is encapsulated;

applying the mixture to a first glass component;

exposing the mixture to an ultraviolet light source to release the encapsulated portion;

allowing the portions to mix and create an adhesive;

placing a second glass component on the adhesive so as to interpose the adhesive between the first and second glass components; and

allowing the adhesive to cure.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the two portions are a resin and catalyst.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the adhesive is an index-matched optical adhesive.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein:

both the resin and the catalyst are encapsulated.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein:

only the resin is encapsulated.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein:

only the catalyst is encapsulated.

7. A method of bonding glass components, comprising:

providing a mixture comprising two portions which can be combined to produce an adhesive, where at least one of the portions is encapsulated;

applying the mixture to a first glass component;

placing a second glass component on the mixture so as to interpose the mixture between the first and second glass components;

exposing the mixture to an ultraviolet light source to release the encapsulated portion;

allowing the portions to mix and create an adhesive; and

allowing the adhesive to cure.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein

the first and second glass components each have a first edge and a second edge opposing the first edge;

and

the step of placing the second glass component on the mixture comprises the steps of;

placing the first edge of the second component adjacent to the first edge of the first component; and

holding the first edges of the first and second components adjacent to one another while bringing the second edges of the first and second components together.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein:

the two portions are a resin and catalyst.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein:

the adhesive is an index-matched optical adhesive.

11. A method for bonding glass components comprising the steps of:

providing a first glass component having a first surface;

placing a frame around the perimeter of the first surface of the first glass component;

sealing the first glass component and the frame with a sealant;

allowing the sealant to cure;

providing a mixture comprising two portions which can be combined to produce an adhesive, where at least one of the portions is encapsulated;

pouring the mixture over the first surface of the first glass component and the frame;

exposing the mixture to an ultraviolet light source to release the encapsulated portion;

allowing the portions to mix and create an adhesive;

placing a second glass component, having a first and second edge, such that the first edge is in contact with the frame and the second edge is elevated above the first glass component;

holding the first edge in place while lowering the second edge of the second glass component until the second glass component is substantially parallel with first glass component; and

allowing the adhesive to cure.

12. The method from claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

applying a barrier coat to the first surface of the first component and the frame prior to pouring the mixture; and

allowing the barrier coat to cure prior to pouring the mixture.

13. The method from claim 11 wherein:

the adhesive is an index-matched optical adhesive.

14. The method from claim 11 wherein:

the first glass component is an LCD stack.

15. The method from claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

applying skirting tape around the perimeter of the frame prior to pouring the mixture; and

removing the skirting tape once the adhesive has cured.

16. The method from claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

applying skirting tape around the perimeter of the frame prior to applying the barrier coat or pouring the mixture; and

removing the skirting tape once the adhesive has cured.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the two portions are a resin and catalyst.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein:

both the resin and the catalyst are encapsulated.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein:

only the resin is encapsulated.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein:

only the catalyst is encapsulated.

21. A front glass assembly for an electronic display, produced by the steps of:

providing a mixture comprising two portions which can be combined to produce an adhesive, where at least one of the portions is encapsulated;

providing two glass components where at least one of the components has an anti-reflective layer

applying the mixture to the first glass component;

exposing the mixture to an ultraviolet light source to release the encapsulated portion;

allowing the portions to mix and create an adhesive

placing the second glass component on the adhesive so as to interpose the adhesive between the first and second glass components; and

allowing the adhesive to cure.

22. A glass assembly comprising:

a first glass component;

a second glass component aligned with and substantially parallel to the first glass component; and

a layer of adhesive interposed between the first and second glass components, said layer of adhesive containing remnants of an encapsulating element.