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 on a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;
coating a layer of an adhesive on to the layer of solid electro-optic medium; and
placing a release sheet over the exposed surface of the layer of adhesive.
2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising removing the release sheet from the layer of adhesive and contacting the layer of adhesive thus exposed with a backplane comprising at least one electrode.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic medium comprises an electrophoretic medium.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.
5. A method according to claim 3 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.
6. A method according to claim 3 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises a microcell electrophoretic medium.
7. 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;
coating a layer of an adhesive on to the layer of solid electro-optic medium;
placing a release sheet over the exposed surface of the layer of adhesive; and
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.
8. A method according to claim 7 further comprising contacting the second layer of adhesive with a light-transmissive electrode.
9. A method according to claim 7 further comprising placing release sheets over both the adhesive layers.
10. A method according to claim 7 wherein the electro-optic medium comprises an electrophoretic medium.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.
12. A method according to claim 10 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.
13. A method according to claim 10 wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises a microcell electrophoretic medium.