Electro-optic displays, and color filters for use therein

Abstract

A process for producing a color electro-optic display uses an electro-optic sub-assembly comprising an electro-optic layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer. This sub-assembly is laminated to a backplane comprising a plurality of electrodes with the electro-optic layer disposed between the backplane and the electrically-conductive layer. A flowable material is placed over the sub-assembly and a color filter array is placed over the electrically-conductive layer and aligned with the electrodes of the backplane to form the color electro-optic display.

1 . An electro-optic display comprising, in this order:
 a backplane comprising a plurality of electrodes;   an electro-optic layer;   a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;   a layer of a non-curable, flowable material; and   a color filter array.   
     
     
         2 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 1  wherein the flowable material is a grease. 
     
     
         3 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 2  wherein the grease is a silicone grease. 
     
     
         4 . An electro-optic display process according to  claim 1  further comprising an adhesive layer disposed between the backplane and the electro-optic layer. 
     
     
         5 . An electro-optic display process according to  claim 1  further comprising a first adhesive layer disposed between the electrically-conductive layer and the electro-optic layer, and a second adhesive layer disposed between the backplane and the electro-optic layer. 
     
     
         6 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 1  further comprising a front substrate disposed on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the electro-optic layer, the front substrate providing mechanical support and protection to the electrically-conductive layer. 
     
     
         7 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 6  wherein the front substrate has a thickness not greater than about 50 μm. 
     
     
         8 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 1  further comprising an edge seal which secures the electro-optic layer and color filter array to each other. 
     
     
         9 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 1  wherein the electro-optic layer comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material. 
     
     
         10 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 1  wherein the electro-optic layer 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. 
     
     
         11 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 10  wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or microcells. 
     
     
         12 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 10  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. 
     
     
         13 . An electro-optic display according to  claim 10  wherein the fluid is gaseous. 
     
     
         14 . A process for producing a color electro-optic display, the process comprising:
 providing an electro-optic sub-assembly comprising an electro-optic layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;   laminating the electro-optic sub-assembly to a backplane comprising a plurality of electrodes such that the electro-optic layer is disposed between the backplane and the electrically-conductive layer;   disposing a flowable material over the electrically-conductive layer;   disposing a color filter array over the electrically-conductive layer and aligning the color filter array with the electrodes of the backplane; and   dispensing a curable polymer around the periphery of the electro-optic layer and color filter array, and curing this polymer to form an edge seal which secures the electro-optic layer and color filter array to each other to form the color electro-optic display,   wherein the flowable material is a non-curable material which remains unchanged in the final display.   
     
     
         15 . A process for producing a color electro-optic display, the process comprising:
 providing an electro-optic sub-assembly comprising an electro-optic layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;   laminating the electro-optic sub-assembly to a backplane comprising a plurality of electrodes such that the electro-optic layer is disposed between the backplane and the electrically-conductive layer;   disposing a flowable material over the electrically-conductive layer; and   disposing a color filter array over the electrically-conductive layer and aligning the color filter array with the electrodes of the backplane to form the color electro-optic display.