Claims
- 1. an article of manufacture comprising, in order:
a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; an adhesive layer; and a release sheet.
- 2. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the electrically-conductive layer comprises a metal oxide.
- 3. An article of manufacture according to claim 2 wherein the electrically-conductive layer comprises indium tin oxide.
- 4. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic medium comprises a rotating bichromal member medium or an electrochromic medium.
- 5. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic medium is an electrophoretic medium.
- 6. An article of manufacture according to claim 5 wherein the electrophoretic medium is an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.
- 7. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer comprises a heat activated adhesive.
- 8. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.
- 9. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 having a connection area wherein the electrically-conductive layer is exposed free from the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer.
- 10. An article of manufacture according to claim 9 wherein the connection area is formed by an aperture extending through the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer so that the connection area is surrounded by the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer.
- 11. An article of manufacture according to claim 9 wherein the release sheet does not extend across the connection area.
- 12. An article of manufacture according to claim 9 further comprising a contact pad of electrically-conductive material overlying the electrically-conductive layer in the connection area.
- 13. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 a conductive via in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer and extending therefrom through or past the layer of electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer.
- 14. An article of manufacture according to claim 13 wherein the end of the conductive via remote from the electrically-conductive layer is not covered by the release sheet.
- 15. An article of manufacture according to claim 13 wherein the conductive via is formed from a deformable material.
- 16. An article of manufacture according to claim 15 wherein the conductive via is formed from a material comprising conductive particles dispersed in a polymeric matrix.
- 17. An article of manufacture according to claim 13 further comprising a contact pad of electrically-conductive material interposed between the electrically-conductive layer and the conductive via.
- 18. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the release sheet is provided with a second electrically-conductive layer.
- 19. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary adhesive layer on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the electro-optic medium.
- 20. An article of manufacture according to claim 19 further comprising an auxiliary release sheet covering the auxiliary adhesive layer.
- 21. An article of manufacture comprising, in order:
a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; and an adhesive layer, the article of manufacture having a connection area wherein the electrically-conductive layer is exposed free from the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer.
- 22. An article of manufacture according to claim 21 wherein the connection area is formed by an aperture extending through the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer so that the connection area is surrounded by the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer.
- 23. An article of manufacture according to claim 21 further comprising a release sheet disposed adjacent the adhesive layer on the opposed side thereof from the layer of electro-optic medium, the release sheet not extending across the connection area.
- 24. An article of manufacture according to claim 23 wherein the release sheet is provided with a second electrically-conductive layer.
- 25. An article of manufacture according to claim 21 further comprising a contact pad of electrically-conductive material overlying the electrically-conductive layer in the connection area.
- 26. An article of manufacture comprising, in order:
a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; and an adhesive layer, the article of manufacture further comprising a conductive via in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer and extending therefrom through or past the layer of electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer.
- 27. An article of manufacture according to claim 26 further comprising a release sheet disposed adjacent the adhesive layer on the opposed side thereof from the layer of electro-optic medium, the end of the conductive via remote from the electrically-conductive layer not being covered by the release sheet.
- 28. An article of manufacture according to claim 26 wherein the conductive via is formed from a deformable material.
- 29. An article of manufacture according to claim 28 wherein the conductive via is formed from a material comprising conductive particles dispersed in a polymeric matrix.
- 30. An article of manufacture according to claim 26 further comprising a contact pad of electrically-conductive material interposed between the electrically-conductive layer and the conductive via.
- 31. An electro-optic display comprising, in order:
a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; an adhesive layer; and a backplane having at least one pixel electrode, such that application of an electrical potential between the electrically-conductive layer and the pixel electrode can change the optical state of the electro-optic medium, the backplane further comprising at least one contact pad electrically isolated from the at least one pixel electrode, the display further comprising at least one conductive via extending from the electrically-conductive layer through or past the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer to the or one of the contact pads.
- 32. An electro-optic display according to claim 31 wherein the conductive via extends through the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer so that the conductive via is completely surrounded by the electro-optic medium and, the adhesive layer.
- 33. An electro-optic display according to claim 31 wherein the conductive via is formed from a deformable material.
- 34. An electro-optic display according to claim 33 wherein the conductive via is formed from a material comprising conductive particles dispersed in a polymeric matrix.
- 35. An electro-optic display according to claim 31 wherein the electro-optic medium is an electrophoretic medium.
- 36. An electro-optic display according to claim 35 wherein the electrophoretic medium is an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.
- 37. An electro-optic display according to claim 31 further comprising a protective and/or barrier layer disposed on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the electro-optic medium.
- 38. An electro-optic display according to claim 37 further comprising a layer of transparent adhesive securing the protective and/or barrier layer to the electrically-conductive layer.
- 39. An electro-optic display according to claim 31 further comprising a sealing material disposed around at least part of the periphery of the front assembly.
- 40. An electro-optic display according to claim 39 wherein the protective and/or barrier layer extends beyond the periphery of the electro-optic medium, and a sealing material is placed around at least part of the periphery of the electro-optic medium between the protective and/or barrier layer and the backplane.
- 41. A process for producing a solid electro-optic display, the process comprising:
providing an article of manufacture comprising, in order:
a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; an adhesive layer; and a release sheet; providing a backplane comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes and drive means arranged to apply variable potentials to the pixel electrodes; removing the release sheet from the adhesive layer; and contacting the adhesive layer with the backplane under conditions effect to cause the adhesive layer to adhere to the backplane, thereby securing the adhesive layer, layer of electro-optic medium and electrically-conductive layer to the backplane.
- 42. A process according to claim 41 wherein the contacting of the adhesive layer with the backplane is effected under about 20 to about 60 per cent relative humidity.
- 43. A process according to claim 41 further comprising applying ionized particles to the article of manufacture during at least one of the removal of the release sheet from the adhesive layer and the contacting of the adhesive layer with the backplane.
- 44. A process according to claim 41 wherein the article of manufacture is provided with a connection area wherein the electrically conductive layer is exposed free from the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer, the backplane is provided with a contact pad electrically isolated from the pixel electrodes, and the process places the connection area in electrical contact with the contact pad.
- 45. A process according to claim 44 wherein the connection area is formed by an aperture extending through the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer and a deformable electrically-conductive material is placed on the contact pad prior to contacting the adhesive layer with the backplane, so that during the contacting of the adhesive layer with the backplane, the deformable electrically-conductive material enters the aperture and forms a conductive via electrically connecting the contact pad to the electrically conductive layer.
- 46. A process according to claim 44 wherein the connection area is provided with a conductive via extending from the electrically conductive layer through the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer, and the process places the conductive via in electrical contact with the contact pad.
- 47. A process according to claim 41 further comprising providing a protective and/or barrier layer on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the electro-optic medium.
- 48. A process according to claim 47 wherein the article of manufacture further comprises an auxiliary adhesive layer on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the electro-optic medium, and the process adheres the protective and/or barrier layer to the auxiliary adhesive layer.
- 49. A process according to claim 48 wherein the article of manufacture further comprises an auxiliary release sheet covering the auxiliary adhesive layer, and the process comprises the step of removing the auxiliary release sheet from the auxiliary adhesive layer before the auxiliary adhesive layer is adhered to the protective and/or barrier layer.
- 50. A process according to claim 41 wherein the release sheet is provided with a second electrically-conductive layer, and the process comprises applying between the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and the second electrically-conductive layer a voltage sufficient to change the optical state of the electro-optic medium.
- 51. A process according to claim 41 wherein the electro-optic medium comprises a rotating bichromal member medium or an electrochromic medium.
- 52. A process according to claim 41 wherein the electro-optic medium is an electrophoretic medium.
- 53. A process according to claim 52 wherein the electrophoretic medium is an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.
- 54. A process for forming an electro-optic display, the process comprising:
providing a front assembly comprising, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; and an adhesive layer; removing the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer from a portion of the front assembly, thereby providing a connection area wherein the electrically-conductive layer is exposed free from the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer; forming a conductive via on the connection area; providing a backplane comprising at least one pixel electrode and at least one contact pad electrically-isolated from the at least one pixel electrode; and laminating the front assembly to the backplane so that the adhesive layer adheres to the backplane with the electro-optic medium disposed adjacent the at least one pixel electrode and the conductive via in electrical contact with the at least one contact pad, so that the electrically-conductive layer is electrically connected to the at least one contact pad via the conductive via.
- 55. A process according to claim 54 wherein the connection area is formed by an aperture extending through the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer so that the connection area is surrounded by the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer.
- 56. A process according to claim 54 wherein the front assembly further comprises a release sheet disposed adjacent the adhesive layer on the opposed side thereof from the layer of electro-optic medium, and wherein the release sheet is removed from the adhesive layer before the front assembly is laminated to the backplane.
- 57. A process according to claim 56 wherein the step of removing the electro-optic medium and the adhesive layer from a portion of the front assembly also comprises removing the release sheet from a portion of the front assembly, so that the connection area is free from the release sheet.
- 58. A process according to claim 56 wherein the release sheet is provided with a second electrically-conductive layer, and there is applied, between the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and the second electrically-conductive layer, a voltage sufficient to change the optical state of the electro-optic medium.
- 59. A process according to claim 54 wherein the conductive via is formed from a deformable material.
- 60. A process according to claim 59 wherein the conductive via is formed from a material comprising conductive particles in a polymeric matrix.
- 61. A process according to claim 59 wherein the material which will form the conductive via is placed on the backplane prior to the lamination step, so that formation of the conductive via occurs during the lamination of the front assembly to the backplane.
- 62. A process according to claim 54 wherein the front assembly further comprises a front contact pad of electrically-conductive material overlying part of the electrically-conductive layer, and wherein the connection area is formed so as to expose at least part of the front contact pad.
- 63. A process according to claim 54 wherein the front assembly further comprises a layer of transparent adhesive on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the electro-optic medium, and a second release sheet disposed adjacent the layer of transparent adhesive, and wherein the process further comprises removing the second release sheet from the layer of transparent adhesive and laminating the layer of transparent adhesive to a protective and/or barrier layer.
- 64. A process according to claim 63 wherein the removal of the second release sheet and the lamination of the layer of transparent adhesive are effected after lamination of the front assembly to the backplane.
- 65. A process according to claim 54 wherein, after lamination of the front assembly to the backplane, a sealing material is placed around at least part of the periphery of the front assembly.
- 66. A process according to claim 63 wherein the protective and/or barrier layer extends beyond the periphery of the electro-optic medium, and a sealing material is placed around at least part of the periphery of the electro-optic medium between the protective and/or barrier layer and the backplane.
- 67. A process for forming an electro-optic display, the process comprising:
providing a substrate comprising a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; coating a solid electro-optic medium over part of the substrate, leaving a connection area of the substrate uncoated; coating an adhesive layer over the electro-optic medium, leaving the connection area uncoated, thereby forming a front assembly; providing a backplane comprising at least one pixel electrode and a contact pad electrically isolated from the at least one pixel electrode; and laminating the front assembly to the backplane so that the adhesive layer adheres to the backplane with the electro-optic medium disposed adjacent the at least one pixel electrode and with the electrically-conductive layer in the connection area in electrical contact with the contact pad.
- 68. A process according to claim 67 wherein a release sheet is placed over the adhesive layer, the release sheet being removed from the adhesive layer before lamination of the front assembly to the backplane.
- 69. A process according to claim 68 wherein the release sheet is provided with a second electrically-conductive layer, and there is applied, between the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and the second electrically-conductive layer, a voltage sufficient to change the optical state of the electro-optic medium.
- 70. A process according to claim 67 further comprising placing a deformable electrically-conductive material on the contact pad of the backplane before laminating the front assembly to the backplane, so that the electrically-conductive layer in the connection area is connected to the contact pad via the deformable electrically-conductive material.
- 71. A process according to claim 67 wherein the front assembly further comprises a layer of transparent adhesive on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the electro-optic medium, and a release sheet disposed adjacent the layer of transparent adhesive, and wherein the process further comprises removing the release sheet from the layer of transparent adhesive and laminating the layer of transparent adhesive to a protective and/or barrier layer.
- 72. A process according to claim 71 wherein the removal of the release sheet and the lamination of the layer of transparent adhesive are effected after lamination of the front assembly to the backplane.
- 73. A process according to claim 67 wherein, after lamination of the front assembly to the backplane, a sealing material is placed around at least part of the periphery of the front assembly.
- 74. A process according to claim 71 wherein the protective and/or barrier layer extends beyond the periphery of the electro-optic medium, and a sealing material is placed around at least part of the periphery of the electro-optic medium between the protective and/or barrier layer and the backplane.
- 75. An electro-optic display comprising:
a backplane comprising at least one pixel electrode; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium disposed adjacent the pixel electrode; a light-transmissive electrode disposed on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium from the backplane; a protective and/or barrier layer disposed on the opposed side of the light-transmissive electrode from the electro-optic medium; and a sealing material for preventing ingress of material from the environment into the electro-optic medium, the sealing material being disposed along at least part of the periphery of the layer of electro-optic medium and extending from the backplane of the protective and/or barrier layer.
- 76. An electro-optic display according to claim 75 wherein the sealing material has a lateral thickness, measured parallel to the plane of the backplane, which decreases from the backplane to the protective and/or barrier layer.
- 77. An electro-optic display according to claim 75 wherein the protective and/or barrier layer is smaller than the layer of electro-optic medium, measured parallel to the plane of the backplane, and the sealing material extends over a peripheral portion of the layer of electro-optic medium and contacts the periphery of the protective and/or barrier layer.
- 78. An electro-optic display according to claim 75 wherein the protective and/or barrier layer is larger than the layer of electro-optic medium, measured parallel to the plane of the backplane, and the sealing material extends between the backplane and the peripheral portion of the protective and/or barrier layer extending beyond the periphery of the layer of electro-optic medium.
- 79. An electro-optic display comprising:
a backplane comprising at least one pixel electrode; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium disposed adjacent the pixel electrode; a light-transmissive electrode disposed on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium from the backplane; an electrode support disposed on the opposed side of the light-transmissive electrode from the electro-optic medium, the light-transmissive electrode and electrode support being larger than the layer of electro-optic medium, measured parallel to the plane of the backplane; and a sealing material for preventing ingress of material from the environment into the electro-optic medium, the sealing material extending between the backplane and the peripheral portion of the light-transmissive electrode extending beyond the periphery of the layer of electro-optic medium.
- 80. A method of testing a solid electro-optic medium, the method comprising:
providing an article of manufacture comprising, in order:
a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; an adhesive layer; and a release sheet having a second electrically-conductive layer; applying a potential difference between the two electrically-conductive layers, thereby forming an image on the medium; and observing the image thus formed.
- 81. A method of testing a solid electro-optic medium, the method comprising:
providing an article of manufacture comprising, in order:
a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; an adhesive layer; and a release sheet; placing a electrostatic charge on the release sheet, thereby forming an image on the medium; and observing the image thus formed.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from copending application Ser. No. 60/319,300, filed Jun. 10, 2002, and from copending application Ser. No. 60/320,186, filed May 12, 2003. The entire contents of all United States patents and published applications mentioned above and below are herein incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60319300 |
Jun 2002 |
US |
|
60320186 |
May 2003 |
US |