Method of manufacturing an electroluminescent device

1. A method of manufacturing an electroluminescent device, comprising:

forming a pattern including an overhanging structure with a negatively-sloped section thereunder and a functional region bounded on at least one side by a positively-sloped section, the overhanging structure being on a side of the positively-sloped section that is opposite the functional region;

depositing a liquid suitable for forming a functional layer within the functional region such that the liquid contacts the a positively-sloped surface of the positively-sloped sections, the positively-sloped sections having a shape and size such that at least some of the liquid is prevented from reaching the negatively-sloped section and being taken up by a capillary channel of the negatively-sloped section; and

processing the liquid to form an electroluminescent region.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of forming includes forming a photoresist section and hard-baking it to define the positively-sloped section.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of depositing includes inkjet printing the liquid on the relief pattern.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of forming includes forming at least two positively-sloped sections bounding the functional region on opposite sides.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of forming includes forming a photoresist section and hard-baking it to define the positively-sloped section.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of depositing includes inkjet printing the liquid on the relief pattern.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of forming includes forming at least two positively-sloped sections surrounding the functional region to form a well-shaped region coinciding with the functional region.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of forming includes forming a photoresist section and hard-baking it to define the positively-sloped section.

9. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of depositing includes inject printing the liquid on the relief pattern.

10. A method for manufacturing an electroluminescent device, comprising:

creating a pattern on a substrate including a well-shaped region defined by at least one rounded rib section and an overhanging region, the overhanging region defining a negatively-sloped channel which lies outside the well-shaped region, a positively-sloped surface of the rib section facing away from the substrate and partly facing at least the well-shaped region;

depositing a liquid effective to form an active region in the well, the liquid contacting the positively-sloped surface, the rib thereby preventing an up take of the liquid by a capillary channel of the overhanging region;

forming a functional layer from the liquid in the well-shaped region.

11. The method of claim 10 , including the step of forming an electrode layer prior to forming the step of creating a well region such that an electrode layer lies at a bottom of the well region.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of depositing includes inkjet printing.

13. A method for manufacturing an electroluminescent device, comprising:

preventing a take up of liquid by a capillary channel formed by a negatively-sloped section of at least one structure on a substrate adjacent a region where the liquid is to be deposited the capillary channel by forming a rib located between the region and a capillary channel whose shape and size is effective to prevent the liquid from being taken up by the capillary channel such that a substantial quantity remains in the region;

depositing a liquid on a region of a substrate, the liquid being effective to form an electroluminescent functional layer;

forming a functional layer from the liquid remaining in the region.

14. The method of claim 13 , including the step of forming an electrode layer prior to forming the step of forming a rib such that an electrode layer lies at a bottom of the region.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of depositing includes inkjet printing.