Flat display panel

Claim 2

A flat display panel comprising at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, each said second electrodes surrounding at least one of said at least one first electrode to form therewith a main discharge space for gas discharge, and two insulating substrates for hermetically sealing said main discharge spaces, at least one of said insulating substrates being transparent, and said first and second electrodes having at least a portion in a common plane between said two insulating substrates such that the direction of discharge between said first and second electrodes is parallel to said one transparent insulating substrate.

Claim 3

A flat display panel according to claim 1, further comprising a phosphor material coated on the surfaces of said insulating substrates facing said main discharge space.

Claim 4

A flat display panel according to claim 1, further comprising openings bored in said second electrode, and at least one third electrode each forming with said second electrode a subsidiary discharge space for facilitating the discharge in said main discharge space, said main discharge space being coupled with said subsidiary discharge space in the same plane through said opening.

Claim 5

A flat display panel according to claim 1, further comprising a material for shading the light generated by the discharge in said subsidiary discharge space, said material being provided on the surface of said one insulating substrate facing said subsidiary discharge space.

Claim 6

A flat display panel comprising a plurality of main discharge cathodes, a plurality of anodes each surrounding at least one of said main cathodes at least partially in a common plane with said main cathodes to form therewith a main discharge space for gas discharge, a plurality of subsidiary discharge cathodes each forming with said anode a subsidiary discharge space for facilitating the discharge in said main discharge space, openings provided in said anodes for coupling said main discharge space with said subsidiary discharge space, two insulating substrates for hermetically sealing said main and subsidiary discharge spaces, at least one of said insulating substrates being transparent, a phosphor material coated on at least one surface of said two insulating substrates in facing relationship with said main discharge space, a plurality of conductors each passing through a plurality of through-holes in the other insulating substrate to apply a voltage to selected ones of said main discharge cathodes, and a plurality of conductors each provided on said other insulating substrate for interconnecting selected ones of said anodes.

Claim 7

A flat display panel comprising a plurality of main discharge cathodes, a plurality of anodes each surrounding at least one of said main cathodes at least partially in a common plane with said main cathodes to form therewith a main discharge space for gas discharge, a plurality of subsidiary discharge cathodes each forming with said anode a subsidiary discharge space for facilitating the discharge in said main discharge space, openings provided in said anodes for coupling said main discharge space with said subsidiary discharge space, two insulating substrates for hermetically sealing said main and subsidiary discharge spaces, at least one of said insulating substrates being transparent, a phosphor material coated on at least one surface of said two insulating substrates in facing relationship with said main discharge space, a plurality of conductors each passing through a plurality of through-holes in the other insulating substrate to apply a voltage to selected ones of said main discharge cathodes, and a plurality of conductors each provided on said other insulating substrate for interconnecting selected ones of said anodes.

Claim 8

A flat display panel according to claim 5, further comprising grooves each provided on the portion of said other insulating substrate between said anode and said main discharge cathodE.

Claim 9

A flat display panel according to claim 5, further comprising an insulating substrate covering said conductors passing through said through-holes.

Claim 10

A flat display panel according to claim 1, wherein said second electrodes surround said at least one first electrode with a surface having a predetermined geometrical configuration about said at least one first electrode.

Claim 11

A flat display panel according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined geometrical configuration is a circular cylinder.

Claim 12

A flat display panel according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined geometrical configuration is rectangular.

Claim 13

A flat display panel according to claim 10, wherein said rectangular configuration is square.

Claim 14

A flat display panel according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first electrode is in the form of a circular pillar.

Claim 15

A flat display panel according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first electrode is in the form of a flat circular disc.

Claim 16

A flat display panel according to claim 2, wherein said phosphor material is coated on only one surface of said insulating substrates.

Claim 17

A flat display panel according to claim 14, wherein said phosphor material is disposed on the surface of said transparent insulating substrate.

Claim 18

A flat display panel according to claim 3, wherein said second electrode includes a projecting portion at said openings.

Claim 19

A flat display panel according to claim 3, wherein at least three main discharge spaces are formed by said second electrodes, each of said three main discharge spaces having a phosphor material corresponding to one of three different colors.

Claim 20

A flat display panel according to claim 17, wherein said three main discharge spaces share one subsidiary discharge space.

Claim 21

A flat display panel according to claim 18, wherein a plurality of subsidiary spaces are formed in a straight line, each of said subsidiary discharge spaces being shared by said three main discharge spaces.

Claim 22

A flat display panel according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first electrode is an anode and said at least one second electrode is a cathode.

Claim 23

A flat display panel according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first electrode is a cathode and said at least one second electrode is an anode.

Claim 24

A flat display panel according to claim 5, wherein said phosphor material is coated on a surface of said insulating substrates opposite to said main discharge cathodes.

Claim 25

A flat display panel according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of said plurality of anodes is a predetermined dimension selected to enhance the light output of said phosphor material.

Claim 26

A flat display panel according to claim 1, wherein said first and second electrodes are separated at a predetermined distance substantially equal to the thickness of the negative glow of said gas discharge in said main discharge space.