Multi-layer sheet for use in electro-optic displays

• US 7,667,886 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Danner, Guy M., Rifai, Sandra
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman; Scott J
• Assistant Examiner(s): PINKNEY, DAWAYNE
• Application Number:
  US12/017,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20080174853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 359/245, 359/247, 359252-253, 359265-275, 359/296, 345 49- 50, 345/105, 345/107, 349/84, 349153-154, 349189-190, 438/29
• US Class Current: 359/296
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/105 Protective coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/14 Protective coatings, e.g. hard coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1333 Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methodsG02F1/135, G02F1/136 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133305 Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133311 Environmental protection, e.g. against dust or humidity
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133562 on the viewer side
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/50 Protective arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 Composite [nonstructural laminate]

Abstract

A multi-layer film, useful as a front sub-assembly in electro-optic displays, comprises, in this order: a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer (114); a light-transmissive first protective layer (112); a light-transmissive moisture barrier layer (108); and a light-transmissive second protective layer (106). This multi-layer film can be used in forming an electro-optic display by the processes described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,179 or Patent Publication No. 2007/0109219.

Claims

1. A multi-layer film useful as a front sub-assembly in electro-optic displays, the multi-layer film comprising, in this order:

a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;

a light-transmissive first protective layer;

a light-transmissive moisture baffler layer; and

a light-transmissive second protective layer,

the film further comprising a masking film on the opposed side of the second protective layer from the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, the masking film being removable from the layer with which it is in contact without substantial damage to said layer.

2. A film according to claim 1 having a total thickness of not more than about 150 μ

m, not including the masking film.

3. A film according to claim 2 having a total thickness of not more than about 100 μ

m, not including the masking film.

4. A film according to claim 1 wherein the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer comprises indium-tin-oxide.

5. A film according to claim 1 wherein the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer comprises a wet coated conducting layer.

6. A film according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second protective layers comprises an ultra-violet absorber.

7. A film according to claim 1 wherein the moisture baffler layer comprises an aluminum oxide.

8. A film according to claim 1 further comprising an adhesive layer disposed between the first protective layer and the moisture barrier layer.

9. A process for preparing a multi-layer film useful as a front sub-assembly in electro-optic displays, the process comprising:

providing a first polymeric sheet comprising an ultra-violet absorber and having a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer on one surface thereof;

providing a second polymeric sheet having a moisture barrier on one surface thereof;

coating an adhesive layer on to either the moisture barrier coated surface of the second polymeric sheet or the surface of the first polymeric sheet which does not carry the electrically-conductive layer; and

contacting the first and second polymeric sheets together leaving the electrically-conductive layer exposed and with the adhesive layer and the moisture baffler disposed between the two polymeric sheets.

10. A process according to claim 9 further comprising providing an anti-glare hard coat on the surface of the second polymeric sheet remote from the moisture barrier.

11. A process for preparing a multi-layer film useful as a front sub-assembly in electro-optic displays, the process comprising:

providing first and second polymeric sheets each comprising a polymeric layer having a moisture barrier on one surface thereof;

coating an adhesive layer over one of the moisture barriers;

contacting the first and second polymeric sheets together with the adhesive layer and the two moisture bafflers disposed between the two polymeric layers;

introducing an ultraviolet absorber into one of the polymeric layers; and

forming a conductive layer on an exposed surface of one of the polymeric layers.

12. A process according to claim 11 further comprising providing an anti-glare hard coat on the surface of the first polymeric sheet remote from the moisture barrier.