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

• US 7,554,712 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2006
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• 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, Paolini, Richard J. Jr., Whitesides, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; William C
• Application Number:
  US11/426,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20060291034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 359/245, 359/315, 359/296, 359/254, 345/107, 430/32, 204/600
• US Class Current: 359/254
• 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;

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

the protective layer comprising at least one electrode which is not in electrical contact with the metal sealing layer and

a layer of insulating material disposed between the metal sealing layer and the at least one electrode.

2. 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;

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; and

a layer of a flexible baffler material disposed between the sealing layer on the one hand and the backplane, layer of electro-optic material, and protective layer on the other hand.

3. An electro-optic display according to claim 2 wherein the thickness of the layer of flexible barrier material, measured parallel to the backplane, decreases from the backplane to the protective layer.

4. 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 contacting the backplane and the protective layer and extending therebetween, thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment, wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material.

5. An electro-optic display comprising:

a backplane;

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

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.

6. An electro-optic display according to claim 5 wherein the fluid is gaseous.

7. An electro-optic display according to claim 5 wherein the charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or cells.