Components and methods for use in electro-optic displays
A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.
1. A method of forming a sub-assembly useful in the production of an electro-optic display, the method comprising:
forming a layer of a solid electro-optic medium; and
coating a layer of an adhesive on to the layer of solid electro-optic medium;
forming a second layer of adhesive on the opposed side of the layer of solid electro-optic medium from the previously coated layer of adhesive; and contacting one of the adhesive layers with a backplane and the other adhesive layer with a light-transmissive electrode.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic medium comprises an electrophoretic medium.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.
4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises electrically charged particles and a fluid present as a plurality of discrete droplets surrounded by a continuous phase comprising a polymeric material.
5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises a microcell electrophoretic medium.
6. An article of manufacture comprising, in order:
a layer of a solid electrophoretic medium;
an adhesive layer; and
a release sheet;
wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises a suspending fluid and a plurality of electrically charged particles, the suspending fluid and the particles being present as a plurality of discrete droplets, the electrophoretic medium further comprising a continuous phase of polymeric material surrounding the droplets.
7. An article of manufacture according to claim 6 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.
8. An article of manufacture according to claim 6 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises a microcell electrophoretic medium.
9. An article of manufacture according to claim 6 wherein the adhesive layer comprises a heat activated adhesive.
10. An article of manufacture according to claim 6 wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.