US6930818B1 — Electrophoretic display and novel process for its…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 119 words

A process for the preparation of an array of well-defined cells used in an electrophoretic display, which process comprises the steps of: a) filling an array of microcups with a dielectric fluid containing a mixture of dispersions in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, said mixture of dispersions comprising at least a suspension of charged pigment particles and a dispersion of a thermoset precursor composition which has a specific gravity lower than that of the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture; and b) sealing the array of filled microcups to form the array of well-defined cells by curing the thermoset precursor composition during or after it phase separates and forms a supernatant layer above the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 119 words

A process for the preparation of an array of well-defined cells used in an electrophoretic display, which process comprises the steps of: a) filling an array of microcups with a dielectric fluid containing a mixture of dispersions in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, said mixture of dispersions comprising at least a suspension of charged pigment particles and a dispersion of a thermoset precursor composition which has a specific gravity lower than that of the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture; and b) sealing the array of filled microcups to form the array of well-defined cells by curing the thermoset precursor composition during or after it phase separates and forms a supernatant layer above the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 40 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the thermoset precursor composition comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyvalent acrylate, polyvalent methacrylate, cyanoacrylate, polyvalent vinyl, polyvalent epoxide, polyvalent isocyanate, polyvalent allyl, and oligomers or polymers containing crosslinkable functional groups.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 14 words

The process of claim 2 wherein said polyvalent vinyl is vinylbenzene, vinylsilane or vinylether.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture has a dielectric constant ranging from about 2 to about 30.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 39 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture comprises at least a dispersion of white pigment particles dispersed in said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture colored by a dye or a second color pigment dispersion.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The process of claim 5 wherein the dye or color pigment dispersion is nonionic or has a charge polarity different from that of the white pigment dispersion.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 20 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the suspension comprises charged TiO 2 particles dispersed in a colored or blackened solvent.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the suspension is of a subtractive or additive color.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 97 words

A process for the preparation of well-defined cells used in an electrophoretic display, which process comprises the steps of: a) filling microcups with a dielectric fluid containing at least a suspension of charged pigment particles in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, b) sealing the filled microcups by overcoating onto said dielectric fluid a thermoset precursor composition which is at least partially immiscible with said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture and has a specific gravity lower than that of said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, and c) curing said thermoset precursor composition to form the well-defined cells.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 97 words

A process for the preparation of well-defined cells used in an electrophoretic display, which process comprises the steps of: a) filling microcups with a dielectric fluid containing at least a suspension of charged pigment particles in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, b) sealing the filled microcups by overcoating onto said dielectric fluid a thermoset precursor composition which is at least partially immiscible with said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture and has a specific gravity lower than that of said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, and c) curing said thermoset precursor composition to form the well-defined cells.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 31 words

The process of claim 9 wherein the thermoset precursor composition is diluted with a volatile solvent or solvent mixture which is evaporated after said composition is coated onto the dielectric fluid.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

The process of claim 9 wherein the overcoated thermoset precursor composition is cured by radiation, heat, moisture, or interfacial reactions at the interface between the composition and the dielectric fluid.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 40 words

The process of claim 9 wherein the thermoset precursor composition comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyvalent acrylate, polyvalent methacrylate, cyanoacrylate, polyvalent vinyl, polyvalent epoxide, polyvalent isocyanate, polyvalent allyl, and oligomers or polymers containing crosslinkable functional groups.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

The process of claim 12 wherein said polyvalent vinyl is vinylbenzene, vinylsilane or vinylether.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 9 wherein the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture has a dielectric constant ranging from about 2 to about 30.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 39 words

The process of claim 9 wherein the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture comprises at least a dispersion of white pigment particles dispersed in said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture colored by a dye or a second color pigment dispersion.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

The process of claim 15 wherein the dye or color pigment dispersion is nonionic or has a charge polarity different from that of the white pigment dispersion.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

The process of claim 9 wherein the suspension comprises charged TiO 2 particles dispersed in a colored or blackened solvent.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 15 words

The process of claim 9 wherein the suspension is of a subtractive or additive color.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 9 wherein the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture has a dielectric constant ranging from about 2 to about 10.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 152 words

A process for the manufacture of an electrophoretic display, which process comprises the steps of: a) preparing an array of microcups by first coating a layer of a thermoplastic or thermoset precursor on a conductor film followed by embossing the thermoplastic or thermoset precursor layer with a male mold or by imagewise exposing a layer of a radiation curable material on a conductor film and removing the unexposed areas; b) filling the thus-formed array of microcups with a dielectric fluid containing at least a charged pigment suspension in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture; c) sealing the array of filled microcups to form a sealed array of electrophoretic cells with a thermoset precursor composition having a specific gravity lower than that of the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture; and d) laminating the sealed array of electrophoretic cells with a second conductor film pre-coated with an adhesive layer to form the electrophoretic display.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 152 words

A process for the manufacture of an electrophoretic display, which process comprises the steps of: a) preparing an array of microcups by first coating a layer of a thermoplastic or thermoset precursor on a conductor film followed by embossing the thermoplastic or thermoset precursor layer with a male mold or by imagewise exposing a layer of a radiation curable material on a conductor film and removing the unexposed areas; b) filling the thus-formed array of microcups with a dielectric fluid containing at least a charged pigment suspension in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture; c) sealing the array of filled microcups to form a sealed array of electrophoretic cells with a thermoset precursor composition having a specific gravity lower than that of the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture; and d) laminating the sealed array of electrophoretic cells with a second conductor film pre-coated with an adhesive layer to form the electrophoretic display.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 20 wherein the adhesive layer is crosslinkable by heat, moisture or radiation, and is cured during or after lamination.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 82 words

The process of claim 20 wherein the filling and sealing of the microcups is accomplished by filling the microcups with the dielectric fluid containing a mixture of dispersions in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, wherein the mixture of dispersions comprises at least a suspension of charged pigment particles and a dispersion of said thermoset precursor composition, followed by curing the thermoset precursor composition during or after it phase separates and forms a supernatant layer above the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 44 words

The process of claim 20 wherein the sealing of the filled microcups is accomplished by overcoating onto said dielectric fluid said thermoset precursor composition which is at least partially immiscible with said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, followed by curing said thermoset precursor composition.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

The process of claim 20 wherein one of the conductor films is transparent.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 247 words

A process for the manufacture of a multi-color electrophoretic display, which process comprises the steps of: a) preparing an array of microcups by first coating a layer of a thermoplastic or thermoset precursor on a conductor film followed by embossing the thermoplastic or thermoset precursor layer with a male mode or by imagewise exposing a layer of a radiation curable material on a conductor film and removing the unexposed areas; b) laminating the thus formed array of microcups with a layer of positive photoresist; c) imagewise exposing the positive photoresist to selectively open the microcups in a predetermined area; d) filling in the opened microcups with a dielectric fluid comprising at least a white pigment dispersion in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture containing a dye or pigment dispersion of a first color; e) sealing the filled microcups with a thermoset precursor composition having a specific gravity lower than that of the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture to form sealed electrophoretic cells containing said white pigment dispersion in said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture of the first color; f) repeating steps c) to e) in different areas with dielectric fluids of different colors to generate groups of sealed electrophoretic cells containing dielectric fluids of different colors thus forming a sealed array of electrophoretic cells; g) removing residual positive photoresist, if any; and h) laminating the sealed array of electrophoretic cells with a second transparent conductor film precoated with an adhesive layer to form the multi-color electrophoretic display.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 247 words

A process for the manufacture of a multi-color electrophoretic display, which process comprises the steps of: a) preparing an array of microcups by first coating a layer of a thermoplastic or thermoset precursor on a conductor film followed by embossing the thermoplastic or thermoset precursor layer with a male mode or by imagewise exposing a layer of a radiation curable material on a conductor film and removing the unexposed areas; b) laminating the thus formed array of microcups with a layer of positive photoresist; c) imagewise exposing the positive photoresist to selectively open the microcups in a predetermined area; d) filling in the opened microcups with a dielectric fluid comprising at least a white pigment dispersion in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture containing a dye or pigment dispersion of a first color; e) sealing the filled microcups with a thermoset precursor composition having a specific gravity lower than that of the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture to form sealed electrophoretic cells containing said white pigment dispersion in said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture of the first color; f) repeating steps c) to e) in different areas with dielectric fluids of different colors to generate groups of sealed electrophoretic cells containing dielectric fluids of different colors thus forming a sealed array of electrophoretic cells; g) removing residual positive photoresist, if any; and h) laminating the sealed array of electrophoretic cells with a second transparent conductor film precoated with an adhesive layer to form the multi-color electrophoretic display.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 82 words

The process of claim 25 wherein the filling and sealing of the microcups is accomplished by filling the microcups with the dielectric fluid containing a mixture of dispersions in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, wherein the mixture of dispersions comprises at least a suspension of charged pigment particles and a dispersion of said thermoset precursor composition, followed by curing the thermoset precursor composition during or after it phase separates and forms a supernatant layer above the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 44 words

The process of claim 25 wherein the sealing of the filled microcups is accomplished by overcoating onto said dielectric fluid said thermoset precursor composition which is at least partially immiscible with said dielectric solvent or solvent mixture, followed by curing said thermoset precursor composition.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 22 words

The process of claim 25 wherein an adhesive layer is precoated on the positive photoresist and laminated onto the array of microcups.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The process of claim 28 wherein said adhesive is developable by a developer of the positive photoresist.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 13 words

The process of claim 25 wherein one of the conductor films is transparent.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2008-08-15	2009-02-14	2009-08-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2012-08-15	2013-02-14	2013-08-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2016-08-15	2017-02-14	2017-08-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electrophoretic display and novel process for its manufacture

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