Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
The process of making a flexible split-electrode electroluminescent lamp, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent flexible carrier strip of insulating plastic material, providing a first continuous thin transparent coating of electrically conductive material on said carrier strip, moving said carrier strip at a substantially continuous rate of speed, depositing a slurry of a mixture of uncured resin binder and electroluminescent phosphor material continuously on said coated carrier strip to a controlled depth, curing the resin to bind the phosphor material in a flexible matrix and adhering it to said first coating, depositing a slurry of liquid-borne conductive particulate matter continuously on said carrier strip as it moves, drying said slurry to provide a second continuous coating of electrically conductive material on top of said flexible matrix, removing conductive material to define a narrow groove in said second one of said conductive coatings, wherein said conductive material is removed from said second coating by applying a solvent and brushing the coating while protecting the unremoved coating with a shielding device thereby providing at least two laterally spaced contiguous electrodes formed from the same conductive layer, and cutting said carrier strip into a desired lamp size, having exposed conductive sections on said respective contiguous electrodes which are adapted for attachment of electric contact terminals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
The process of making a flexible split-electrode electroluminescent lamp, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent flexible carrier strip of insulating plastic material, providing a first continuous thin transparent coating of electrically conductive material on said carrier strip, moving said carrier strip at a substantially continuous rate of speed, depositing a slurry of a mixture of uncured resin binder and electroluminescent phosphor material continuously on said coated carrier strip to a controlled depth, curing the resin to bind the phosphor material in a flexible matrix and adhering it to said first coating, depositing a slurry of liquid-borne conductive particulate matter continuously on said carrier strip as it moves, drying said slurry to provide a second continuous coating of electrically conductive material on top of said flexible matrix, removing conductive material to define a narrow groove in said second one of said conductive coatings, wherein said conductive material is removed from said second coating by applying a solvent and brushing the coating while protecting the unremoved coating with a shielding device thereby providing at least two laterally spaced contiguous electrodes formed from the same conductive layer, and cutting said carrier strip into a desired lamp size, having exposed conductive sections on said respective contiguous electrodes which are adapted for attachment of electric contact terminals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said conductive material is removed continuously along said groove as the strip moves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said carrier strip is Mylar having a thickness on the order of 5 mils, wherein the first coating is indium oxide on the order of 1000 Angstroms, wherein the resin phosphor mixture is an epoxy phosphor mixture deposited with a thickness on the order of 1 to 5 mils and wherein the second conductive coating is particulate conductive material deposited to a depth of approximately 2 mils, said flexible electroluminescent lamp being a single laminated sheet having a total thickness on the order of 10 mils, but no greater than 15 mils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said resin is heat curable epoxy resin and the carrier strip is passed through a curing oven.