Electro-optic display with edge seal

1. An electro-optic display comprising:

a backplane;

a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane, the layer of electro-optic material being smaller in both dimensions than the backplane so as to leave a peripheral portion of the backplane extending beyond the edges of the layer of electro-optic material; and

a protective layer disposed on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane, a peripheral portion of the protective layer extending beyond the edges of the layer of electro-optic material, being disposed closer to the backplane than the portion of the protective layer covering the layer of electro-optic material, and being adhesively secured to the peripheral portion of the backplane.

2. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein both the backplane and the protective layer are formed of flexible polymeric films.

3. An electro-optic display according to claim 2 wherein the backplane comprises organic transistors printed on a polymeric film.

4. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the backplane comprises a barrier coating adjacent the layer of electro-optic material, the barrier coating having a water vapor transmission rate not exceeding about 0.05 g/m 2 /day at 40° C.

5. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive used to secure the protective layer to the backplane has a water vapor transmission rate not exceeding about 50 g/m 2 /day at 40° C.

6. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive used to secure the protective layer to the backplane has a thickness not greater than about 25 μm and a width, parallel to the plane of the backplane, of at least about 1 mm.

7. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 further comprising a light-transmissive front electrode disposed on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane, and a front substrate disposed on the opposed side of the front electrode from the layer of electro-optic material, the front substrate mechanically supporting the front electrode, and wherein the protective layer is adhesively secured to the front substrate.

8. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material.

9. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic material comprises an electrophoretic material comprising a plurality of electrically charged particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid under the influence of an electric field.

10. An electro-optic display according to claim 9 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or micro cells.

11. An electro-optic display according to claim 9 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are present as a plurality of discrete droplets surrounded by a continuous phase comprising a polymeric material.

12. An electro-optic display according to claim 9 wherein the fluid is gaseous.

13. An electronic book reader, portable computer, tablet computer, cellular telephone, smart card, sign, watch, shelf label or flash drive comprising a display according to claim 1 .

14. A process for sealing an electro-optic display, the process comprising:

providing a layer of electro-optic material;

disposing a backplane adjacent the layer of electro-optic material, the backplane being larger than the layer of electro-optic material so as to leave a peripheral portion of the backplane extending beyond the edges of the layer of electro-optic material;

disposing a protective layer adjacent the layer of electro-optic material on the opposed side thereof from the backplane, the protective layer being larger than the layer of electro-optic material so as to leave a peripheral portion of the protective layer extending beyond the edges of the layer of electro-optic material;

disposing the peripheral portion of the protective layer closer to the backplane than the portion of the protective layer covering the layer of electro-optic material; and

adhesively securing the peripheral portion of the protective layer to the peripheral portion of the backplane, thereby sealing the display.

15. A process according to claim 14 wherein both the backplane and the protective layer are formed of flexible polymeric films.

16. A process according to claim 14 wherein the backplane comprises a barrier coating adjacent the layer of electro-optic material, the barrier coating having a water vapor transmission rate not exceeding about 0.05 g/m 2 /day at 40° C.

17. A process according to claim 14 wherein the adhesive used to secure the protective layer to the backplane has a water vapor transmission rate not exceeding about 50 g/m 2 /day at 40° C.

18. A process according to claim 14 further comprising providing a light-transmissive front electrode disposed on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane, and a front substrate disposed on the opposed side of the front electrode from the layer of electro-optic material, the front substrate mechanically supporting the front electrode, and adhesively securing the protective layer to the front substrate.

19. A process according to claim 14 wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material.

20. A process according to claim 14 wherein the electro-optic material comprises an electrophoretic material comprising a plurality of electrically charged particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid under the influence of an electric field.

21. A process according to claim 20 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or microcells.

22. A process according to claim 20 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are present as a plurality of discrete droplets surrounded by a continuous phase comprising a polymeric material.

23. A process according to claim 20 wherein the fluid is gaseous.