Device for displaying a backlit image

Abstract

Disclosed herein are frameless display devices comprising a glass sheet having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a thickness between the first and second surfaces of less than about 3 mm; a transparent adhesive layer; and an assembly comprising a backlight unit and a back panel; wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces is patterned with an image; and wherein the transparent adhesive layer affixes the first surface of the glass sheet to a surface of the assembly. Also disclosed herein are display devices comprising a glass sheet having a first surface, an opposing second surface, a thickness between the first and second surfaces of less than about 3 mm, and a core having a plurality of light extraction features; a transparent adhesive layer; and an assembly comprising a back panel. Further disclosed herein are kits for making frameless display devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frameless display device comprising:
 (a) a glass sheet comprising a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a thickness between the first and second surfaces of less than about 3 mm;   (b) a transparent adhesive layer; and   (c) an assembly comprising
 a back panel, 
   wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces of the glass sheet is patterned with an image,   wherein the transparent adhesive layer affixes the first surface of the glass sheet to a surface of the assembly, and   wherein the display device does not comprise a housing containing one or more of components (a)-(c) of the display device.   
     
     
         2 . The frameless display device of  claim 1 , further comprising a backlight unit. 
     
     
         3 . A kit for making a frameless display device comprising:
 (a) a glass sheet comprising a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a thickness between the first and second surfaces of less than about 3 mm; and   (b) an assembly comprising:
 a transparent adhesive layer; and 
 a backlight unit; and 
 a back panel. 
   
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 3 , further comprising electrical wires or optical cables for the display device. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the one or both the first and second surface of the glass sheet comprises a pattern 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the transparent adhesive comprises a first side that is affixed to a surface of the assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the transparent adhesive comprises a second side opposing the first side that is covered with a paper or plastic backing. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein the first surface of the glass sheet is to be attached attach to the second side of the transparent adhesive by removing the paper or plastic backing. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the glass sheet comprises a glass chosen from aluminosilicate, alkali-aluminosilicate, borosilicate, alkali-borosilicate, aluminoborosilicate, and alkali-aluminoborosilicate glasses. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the glass sheet is strengthened. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the glass sheet has a compressive stress greater than about 100 MPa and a depth of layer of compressive stress greater than about 10 microns. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces of the glass sheet is an anti-glare surface. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces of the glass sheet is patterned with a stereoscopic image. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the transparent adhesive layer is chosen from ethylene vinyl acetate, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyester, acrylic polymers, polyvinyl butyral, and ionomers. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 3 , the transparent adhesive layer comprises a [pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the transparent adhesive layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the backlight unit comprises a light guide and a light source. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the light source is optically coupled to an edge of the light guide. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the backlight unit comprises a light diffusing element and a light source. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the back panel comprises a metal, a plastic, or a combination of a plastic and metal.