METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CUSTOMIZED ELECTROLUMINESCENT DISPLAY

Abstract

An electroluminescent display device contains an electroluminescent phosphor sandwiched between a pair of electrodes and a graphic arts element. The device is fabricated by bonding a generic electroluminescent base laminate containing an electrode and an electroluminescent layer, to a custom graphic arts film containing a graphic element and a corresponding electrode. The generic electroluminescent base laminate is made at a first location or time, and the custom graphic arts film is made at a second location or time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. The drawings are intentionally not drawn to scale in order to better illustrate the invention.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross sectional view of an electroluminescent device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts process flow in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an energized electroluminescent display depicting lighted graphic elements in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating a custom electroluminescent display, comprising: bonding a generic electroluminescent base laminate made at a first location or time and having an electrode and an electroluminescent layer, to a custom graphic arts film made at a second location or time and having a graphic element and an electrode corresponding to the graphic element.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein bonding comprises bonding by means of an adhesive.

3. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the graphic element is printed.

4. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the corresponding electrode on the graphic arts film is printed.

5. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the corresponding electrode on the graphic arts film is laminated.

6. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the graphic element and the electrode corresponding to the graphic element are both on a same side of the graphic arts film.

7. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the graphic element and the electrode corresponding to the graphic element are on opposing sides of the graphic arts film.

8. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising bonding at a place or time that is not the same as the place or time the generic electroluminescent base laminate was created.

9. A method for fabricating an electroluminescent display, comprising: providing a base laminate comprising a first substrate having a first electrode disposed thereon, a dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode, and an electroluminescent layer disposed on the dielectric layer;providing a graphic arts laminate comprising a second substrate having a graphic element disposed on a first side thereof, and having one or more second electrodes disposed on an opposing second side thereof; andlaminating the graphic arts laminate to the base laminate such that the second side of the graphic arts laminate faces the electroluminescent layer.

10. The method as described in claim 9, wherein laminating comprises laminating the second side of the graphic arts laminate to the base laminate by means of an adhesive.

11. The method as described in claim 9, wherein providing a base laminate comprises providing a base laminate having a removable protective layer overlying the electroluminescent layer.

12. The method as described in claim 11, further comprising removing the protective layer prior to laminating.

13. The method as described in claim 9, wherein the graphic element is printed to define an image.

14. The method as described in claim 9, further comprising laminating at a place or time that is not the same as the place or time the electroluminescent base laminate was created.

15. A method for fabricating an electroluminescent display, comprising: providing a base laminate comprising a first substrate having a first electrode disposed thereon, a dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode, and an electroluminescent layer disposed on the dielectric layer;providing a graphic arts laminate comprising a second substrate having one or more second electrodes and one or more graphic elements disposed on a first side thereof; andlaminating the graphic arts laminate to the base laminate such that an opposing second side of the graphic arts laminate faces the electroluminescent layer.

16. The method as described in claim 15, wherein laminating comprises laminating the second side of the graphic arts laminate to the base laminate by means of an adhesive.

17. The method as described in claim 15, wherein providing a base laminate comprises providing a base laminate having a removable protective layer overlying the electroluminescent layer.

18. The method as described in claim 17, further comprising removing the protective layer prior to laminating.

19. The method as described in claim 15, wherein the graphic element is printed to define an image.

20. The method as described in claim 15, further comprising laminating at a place or time that is not the same as the place or time the electroluminescent base laminate was created.