Multi-layer sheet for use in electro-optic displays

• US 8,009,344 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2009
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Rifai, Sandra, Danner, Guy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PINKNEY, DAWAYNE
• Application Number:
  US12/635,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20100118384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 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: 359/245
• 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, polymeric first protective layer;

an adhesive layer;

a light-transmissive moisture barrier layer adhered to the first protective layer by means of the adhesive layer; and

a light-transmissive, polymeric second protective layer.

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

m, not including any layer which is removed before the film is incorporated into a functioning electro-optic display.

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

m, not including any layer which is removed before the film is incorporated into a functioning electro-optic display.

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 barrier layer comprises an aluminum oxide.

8. A film according to claim 1 further comprising an anti-glare hard coat on the opposed side of the second protective layer from the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer.

9. A film according to claim 1 further comprising a second moisture barrier layer disposed between the adhesive layer and the first protective layer.

10. A process for assembling an electro-optic display comprising:

providing a multi-layer film which itself comprises, in this order;

a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;

a light-transmissive, polymeric first protective layer;

an adhesive layer;

a light-transmissive moisture barrier layer adhered to the first protective layer by means of the adhesive layer; and

a light-transmissive, polymeric second protective layer;

providing a double release film comprising a layer of an electro-optic medium sandwiched between first and second adhesive layers;

providing a backplane comprising at least one pixel electrode,

laminating the double release film to the multi-layer film with the first adhesive layer contacting the electrically-conductive layer, thus securing the double release film to the multi-layer film; and

laminating the double release film to the backplane with the second adhesive layer contacting the backplane, thus securing the double release film to the backplane,

the two laminations being done in either order.

11. A process according to claim 10 wherein the multi-layer film further comprises 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, and wherein the masking film is removed from said layer after the multi-layer film has been secured to the double release film.

12. A process according to claim 11 wherein the multi-layer film has a total thickness of not more than about 50 μ

m, not including the masking film, and the total thickness of the laminated multi-layer film, double release film and backplane does not exceed about 150 μ

m.