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An electro-optic display comprises a backplane; a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane; a protective layer; and a sealing layer of a metal or a ceramic extending between the backplane and the protective layer, and thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.
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This application is a divisional of copending application Ser. No. 12/955,254, filed Nov. 29, 2010 (Publication No. 2011/0069370), which itself is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/471,829, filed May 26, 2009 (Publication No. 2009/0231661, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,898,717, issued Mar. 1, 2011), which itself is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/426,077, filed Jun. 23, 2006 (Publication No. 2006/0291034, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,554,712, issued Jun. 30, 2009), which itself claims benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/595,332, filed Jun. 23, 2005, and of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/595,957, filed Aug. 19, 2005.
This application is related to application Ser. No. 10/249,957, filed May 22, 2003 (Publication No. 2004/0027327, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,178), application Ser. No. 10/605,024, filed Sep. 2, 2003 (Publication No. 2004/0155857, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,561,324), application Ser. No. 10/904,063, filed Oct. 21, 2004 (Publication No. 2005/0105159, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,110,164), and application Ser. No. 10/905,582, filed Jan. 12, 2005 (Publication No. 2005/0168801, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,075,703). The entire disclosures of the aforementioned applications, and of all U.S. patents and published and copending applications referred to below, are also herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to edge seals for, and processes and sub-assemblies for assembly of, electro-optic displays; the invention also relates to apparatus for use in such processes. The edge seals, processes and sub-assemblies of the present invention are especially intended for use with bistable electro-optic displays, particularly, but not exclusively, encapsulated electrophoretic displays. However, the edge seals of the present invention can also be used with other types of electro-optic displays in which the electro-optic medium which is solid, in the sense that it has solid external surfaces, although the medium may, and often does, have internal cavities which contain a fluid (either liquid or gas). Thus, the term "solid electro-optic displays" includes encapsulated electrophoretic displays, encapsulated liquid crystal displays, and other types of displays discussed below. The assembly processes of the present invention are primarily intended for use in the manufacture of electro-optic displays, for example encapsulated electrophoretic displays, using electro-optic media which can be coated on to a substrate.
Electro-optic displays comprise a layer of electro-optic material, a term which is used herein in its conventional meaning in the imaging art to refer to a material having first and second display states differing in at least one optical property, the material being changed from its first to its second display state by application of an electric field to the material. Although the optical property is typically color perceptible to the human eye, it may be another optical property, such as optical transmission, reflectance, luminescence or, in the case of displays intended for machine reading, pseudo-color in the sense of a change in reflectance of electromagnetic wavelengths outside the visible range.
The terms "bistable" and "bistability" are used herein in their conventional meaning in the art to refer to displays comprising display elements having first and second display states differing in at least one optical property, and such that after any given element has been driven, by means of an addressing pulse of finite duration, to assume either its first or second display state, after the addressing pulse has terminated, that state will persist for at least several times, for example at least four times, the minimum duration of the addressing pulse required to change the state of the display element. It is shown in the aforementioned 2002/0180687 that some particle-based electrophoretic displays capable of gray scale are stable not only in their extreme black and white states but also in their intermediate gray states, and the same is true of some other types of electro-optic displays. This type of display is properly called "multi-stable" rather than bistable, although for convenience the term "bistable" may be used herein to cover both bistable and multi-stable displays.
Several types of electro-optic displays are known. One type of electro-optic display is a rotating bichromal member type as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,808,783; 5,777,782; 5,760,761; 6,054,071 6,055,091; 6,097,531; 6,128,124; 6,137,467; and 6,147,791 (although this type of display is often referred to as a "rotating bichromal ball" display, the term "rotating bichromal member" is preferred as more accurate since in some of the patents mentioned above the rotating members are not spherical). Such a display uses a large number of small bodies (typically spherical or cylindrical) which have two or more sections with differing optical characteristics, and an internal dipole. These bodies are suspended within liquid-filled vacuoles within a matrix, the vacuoles being filled with liquid so that the bodies are free to rotate. The appearance of the display is changed to applying an electric field thereto, thus rotating the bodies to various positions and varying which of the sections of the bodies is seen through a viewing surface. This type of electro-optic medium is typically bistable.
Another type of electro-optic display uses an electrochromic medium, for example an electrochromic medium in the form of a nanochromic film comprising an electrode formed at least in part from a semi-conducting metal oxide and a plurality of dye molecules capable of reversible color change attached to the electrode; see, for example O'Regan, B., et al., Nature 1991, 353, 737; and Wood, D., Information Display, 18(3), 24 (March 2002). See also Bach, U., et al., Adv. Mater., 2002, 14(11), 845. Nanochromic films of this type are also described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,301,038; 6,870,657; and 6,950,220. This type of medium is also typically bistable.
Another type of electro-optic display is an electro-wetting display developed by Philips and described in Hayes, R. A., et al., "Video-Speed Electronic Paper Based on Electrowetting", Nature, Vol. 425, pages 383-385 (25 Sep. 2003). It is shown in copending application Ser. No. 10/711,802, filed Oct. 6, 2004 (Publication No. 2005/0151709), that such electro-wetting displays can be made bistable.
Another type of electro-optic display, which has been the subject of intense research and development for a number of years, is the particle-based electrophoretic display, in which a plurality of charged particles move through a fluid under the influence of an electric field. Electrophoretic displays can have attributes of good brightness and contrast, wide viewing angles, state bistability, and low power consumption when compared with liquid crystal displays. Nevertheless, problems with the long-term image quality of these displays have prevented their widespread usage. For example, particles that make up electrophoretic displays tend to settle, resulting in inadequate service-life for these displays.
As noted above, electrophoretic media require the presence of a fluid. In most prior art electrophoretic media, this fluid is a liquid, but electrophoretic media can be produced using gaseous fluids; see, for example, Kitamura, T., et al., "Electrical toner movement for electronic paper-like display", IDW Japan, 2001, Paper HCS1-1, and Yamaguchi, Y., et al., "Toner display using insulative particles charged triboelectrically", IDW Japan, 2001, Paper AMD4-4). See also U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0001810; European Patent Applications 1,462,847; 1,482,354; 1,484,635; 1,500,971; 1,501,194; 1,536,271; 1,542,067; 1,577,702; 1,577,703; and 1,598,694; and International Applications WO 2004/090626; WO 2004/079442; and WO 2004/001498. Such gas-based electrophoretic media appear to be susceptible to the same types of problems due to particle settling as liquid-based electrophoretic media, when the media are used in an orientation which permits such settling, for example in a sign where the medium is disposed in a vertical plane. Indeed, particle settling appears to be a more serious problem in gas-based electrophoretic media than in liquid-based ones, since the lower viscosity of gaseous fluids as compared with liquid ones allows more rapid settling of the electrophoretic particles.
Numerous patents and applications assigned to or in the names of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and E Ink Corporation have recently been published describing encapsulated electrophoretic media. Such encapsulated media comprise numerous small capsules, each of which itself comprises an internal phase containing electrophoretically-mobile particles in a liquid medium, and a capsule wall surrounding the internal phase. Typically, the capsules are themselves held within a polymeric binder to form a coherent layer positioned between two electrodes. Encapsulated media of this type are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,930,026; 5,961,804; 6,017,584; 6,067,185; 6,118,426; 6,120,588; 6,120,839; 6,124,851; 6,130,773; 6,130,774; 6,172,798; 6,177,921; 6,232,950; 6,249,271; 6,252,564; 6,262,706; 6,262,833; 6,300,932; 6,312,304; 6,312,971; 6,323,989; 6,327,072; 6,376,828; 6,377,387; 6,392,785; 6,392,786; 6,413,790; 6,422,687; 6,445,374; 6,445,489; 6,459,418; 6,473,072; 6,480,182; 6,498,114; 6,504,524; 6,506,438; 6,512,354; 6,515,649; 6,518,949; 6,521,489; 6,531,997; 6,535,197; 6,538,801; 6,545,291; 6,580,545; 6,639,578; 6,652,075; 6,657,772; 6,664,944; 6,680,725; 6,683,333; 6,704,133; 6,710,540; 6,721,083; 6,724,519; 6,727,881; 6,738,050; 6,750,473; 6,753,999; 6,816,147; 6,819,471; 6,822,782; 6,825,068; 6,825,829; 6,825,970; 6,831,769; 6,839,158; 6,842,167; 6,842,279; 6,842,657; 6,864,875; 6,865,010; 6,866,760; 6,870,661; 6,900,851; 6,922,276; 6,950,220; 6,958,848; 6,967,640; 6,982,178; 6,987,603; 6,995,550; 7,002,728; 7,012,600; 7,012,735; 7,023,430; 7,030,412; 7,030,854; 7,034,783; and 7,038,655; and U.S. Patent Applications Publication Nos. 2002/0060321; 2002/0090980; 2002/0113770; 2002/0180687; 2003/0011560; 2003/0102858; 2003/0151702; 2003/0222315; 2004/0014265; 2004/0075634; 2004/0094422; 2004/0105036; 2004/0112750; 2004/0119681; 2004/0136048; 2004/0155857; 2004/0180476; 2004/0190114; 2004/0196215; 2004/0226820; 2004/0239614; 2004/0252360; 2004/0257635; 2004/0263947; 2005/0000813; 2005/0001812; 2005/0007336; 2005/0012980; 2005/0017944; 2005/0018273; 2005/0024353; 2005/0035941; 2005/0062714; 2005/0067656; 2005/0078099; 2005/0099672; 2005/0105159; 2005/0105162; 2005/0122284; 2005/0122306; 2005/0122563; 2005/0122564; 2005/0122565; 2005/0134554; 2005/0146774; 2005/0151709; 2005/0152018; 2005/0152022; 2005/0156340; 2005/0168799; 2005/0168801; 2005/0179642; 2005/0190137; 2005/0212747; 2005/0213191; 2005/0219184; 2005/0253777; 2005/0270261; 2005/0280626; 2006/0007527; 2006/0007528; 2006/0023296; 2006/0024437; and 2006/0038772; and International Applications Publication Nos. WO 00/38000; WO 00/36560; WO 00/67110; and WO 01/07961; and European Patents Nos. 1,099,207 B1; and 1,145,072 B1.
Many of the aforementioned patents and applications recognize that the walls surrounding the discrete microcapsules in an encapsulated electrophoretic medium could be replaced by a continuous phase, thus producing a so-called polymer-dispersed electrophoretic display, in which the electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of discrete droplets of an electrophoretic fluid and a continuous phase of a polymeric material, and that the discrete droplets of electrophoretic fluid within such a polymer-dispersed electrophoretic display may be regarded as capsules or microcapsules even though no discrete capsule membrane is associated with each individual droplet; see for example, the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,760. Accordingly, for purposes of the present application, such polymer-dispersed electrophoretic media are regarded as sub-species of encapsulated electrophoretic media.
A related type of electrophoretic display is a so-called "microcell electrophoretic display". In a microcell electrophoretic display, the charged particles and the fluid are not encapsulated within microcapsules but instead are retained within a plurality of cavities formed within a carrier medium, typically a polymeric film. See, for example, International Application Publication No. WO 02/01281, and published US Application No. 2002/0075556, both assigned to Sipix Imaging, Inc.
Although electrophoretic media are often opaque (since, for example, in many electrophoretic media, the particles substantially block transmission of visible light through the display) and operate in a reflective mode, many electrophoretic displays can be made to operate in a so-called "shutter mode" in which one display state is substantially opaque and one is light-transmissive. See, for example, the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,130,774 and 6,172,798, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,872,552; 6,144,361; 6,271,823; 6,225,971; and 6,184,856. Dielectrophoretic displays, which are similar to electrophoretic displays but rely upon variations in electric field strength, can operate in a similar mode; see U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,346. Other types of electro-optic displays may also be capable of operating in shutter mode.
An encapsulated electrophoretic display typically does not suffer from the clustering and settling failure mode of traditional electrophoretic devices and provides further advantages, such as the ability to print or coat the display on a wide variety of flexible and rigid substrates. (Use of the word "printing" is intended to include all forms of printing and coating, including, but without limitation: pre-metered coatings such as patch die coating, slot or extrusion coating, slide or cascade coating, curtain coating; roll coating such as knife over roll coating, forward and reverse roll coating; gravure coating; dip coating; spray coating; meniscus coating; spin coating; brush coating; air knife coating; silk screen printing processes; electrostatic printing processes; thermal printing processes; ink jet printing processes; and other similar techniques.) Thus, the resulting display can be flexible. Further, because the display medium can be printed (using a variety of methods), the display itself can be made inexpensively.
Other types of electro-optic materials may also be used in the present invention. Of particular interest, bistable ferroelectric liquid crystal displays (FLC's) are known in the art.
In addition to the layer of electro-optic material, an electro-optic display normally comprises at least two other layers disposed on opposed sides of the electro-optic material, one of these two layers being an electrode layer. In most such displays both the layers are electrode layers, and one or both of the electrode layers are patterned to define the pixels of the display. For example, one electrode layer may be patterned into elongate row electrodes and the other into elongate column electrodes running at right angles to the row electrodes, the pixels being defined by the intersections of the row and column electrodes. Alternatively, and more commonly, one electrode layer has the form of a single continuous electrode and the other electrode layer is patterned into a matrix of pixel electrodes, each of which defines one pixel of the display. In another type of electro-optic display, which is intended for use with a stylus, print head or similar movable electrode separate from the display, only one of the layers adjacent the electro-optic layer comprises an electrode, the layer on the opposed side of the electro-optic layer typically being a protective layer intended to prevent the movable electrode damaging the electro-optic layer.
The manufacture of a three-layer electro-optic display normally involves at least one lamination operation. For example, in several of the aforementioned MIT and E Ink patents and applications, there is described a process for manufacturing an encapsulated electrophoretic display in which an encapsulated electrophoretic medium comprising capsules in a binder is coated on to a flexible substrate comprising indium-tin-oxide (ITO) or a similar conductive coating (which acts as an one electrode of the final display) on a plastic film, the capsules/binder coating being dried to form a coherent layer of the electrophoretic medium firmly adhered to the substrate. Separately, a backplane, containing an array of pixel electrodes and an appropriate arrangement of conductors to connect the pixel electrodes to drive circuitry, is prepared. To form the final display, the substrate having the capsule/binder layer thereon is laminated to the backplane using a lamination adhesive. (A very similar process can be used to prepare an electrophoretic display useable with a stylus or similar movable electrode by replacing the backplane with a simple protective layer, such as a plastic film, over which the stylus or other movable electrode can slide.) In one preferred form of such a process, the backplane is itself flexible and is prepared by printing the pixel electrodes and conductors on a plastic film or other flexible substrate. The obvious lamination technique for mass production of displays by this process is roll lamination using a lamination adhesive. Similar manufacturing techniques can be used with other types of electro-optic displays. For example, a microcell electrophoretic medium or a rotating bichromal member medium may be laminated to a backplane in substantially the same manner as an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.
In the processes described above, the lamination of the substrate carrying the electro-optic layer to the backplane may advantageously be carried out by vacuum lamination. Vacuum lamination is effective in expelling air from between the two materials being laminated, thus avoiding unwanted air bubbles in the final display; such air bubbles may introduce undesirable artifacts in the images produced on the display. However, vacuum lamination of the two parts of an electro-optic display in this manner imposes stringent requirements upon the lamination adhesive used, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,657,772 and 6,831,769, especially in the case of a display using an encapsulated electrophoretic medium. The lamination adhesive must have sufficient adhesive strength to bind the electro-optic layer to the layer (typically an electrode layer) to which it is to be laminated, and in the case of an encapsulated electrophoretic medium, the adhesive should also have sufficient adhesive strength to mechanically hold the capsules together. If the electro-optic display is to be of a flexible type (and one of the important advantages of rotating bichromal member and encapsulated electrophoretic displays is that they can be made flexible), the adhesive must have sufficient flexibility not to introduce defects into the display when the display is flexed. The lamination adhesive must have adequate flow properties at the lamination temperature to ensure high quality lamination, and in this regard, the demands of laminating encapsulated electrophoretic and some other types of electro-optic media are unusually difficult; the lamination has be conducted at a temperature of not more than about 130° C. since the medium cannot be exposed to substantially higher temperatures without damage, but the flow of the adhesive must cope with the relatively uneven surface of the capsule-containing layer, the surface of which is rendered irregular by the underlying capsules. The lamination adhesive must be chemically compatible with all the other materials in the display.
In considering the choice of a lamination adhesive for use in an electro-optic display, attention must be paid to the process by which the display is to be assembled. Most prior art methods for final lamination of electrophoretic displays are essentially batch methods in which the electro-optic medium, the lamination adhesive and the backplane are only brought together immediately prior to final assembly, and it is desirable to provide methods better adapted for mass production. However, the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,178 describes a method of assembling a solid electro-optic display (including a particle-based electrophoretic display) which is well adapted for mass production. Essentially, this patent describes a so-called "front plane laminate" ("FPL") which comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; an adhesive layer; and a release sheet. Typically, the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer will be carried on a light-transmissive substrate, which is preferably flexible, in the sense that the substrate can be manually wrapped around a drum (say) 10 inches (254 mm) in diameter without permanent deformation. The term "light-transmissive" is used in this patent and herein to mean that the layer thus designated transmits sufficient light to enable an observer, looking through that layer, to observe the change in display states of the electro-optic medium, which will be normally be viewed through the electrically-conductive layer and adjacent substrate (if present). The substrate will be typically be a polymeric film, and will normally have a thickness in the range of about 1 to about 25 mil (25 to 634 μm), preferably about 2 to about 10 mil (51 to 254 μm). The electrically-conductive layer is conveniently a thin metal layer of, for example, aluminum or indium-tin-oxide (ITO), or may be a conductive polymer. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films coated with aluminum or ITO are available commercially, for example as "aluminized Mylar" ("Mylar" is a Registered Trade Mark) from E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington Del., and such commercial materials may be used with good results in the front plane laminate.
Assembly of an electro-optic display using such a front plane laminate may be effected by removing the release sheet from the front plane laminate and contacting the adhesive layer with the backplane under conditions effective to cause the adhesive layer to adhere to the backplane, thereby securing the adhesive layer, layer of electro-optic medium and electrically-conductive layer to the backplane. This process is well-adapted to mass production since the front plane laminate may be mass produced, typically using roll-to-roll coating techniques, and then cut into pieces of any size needed for use with specific backplanes.
The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,178 also describes a method for testing the electro-optic medium in a front plane laminate prior to incorporation of the front plane laminate into a display. In this testing method, the release sheet is provided with an electrically conductive layer, and a voltage sufficient to change the optical state of the electro-optic medium is applied between this electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive layer on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium. Observation of the electro-optic medium will then reveal any faults in the medium, thus avoiding laminating faulty electro-optic medium into a display, with the resultant cost of scrapping the entire display, not merely the faulty front plane laminate.
The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,178 also describes a second method for testing the electro-optic medium in a front plane laminate by placing an electrostatic charge on the release sheet, thus forming an image on the electro-optic medium. This image is then observed in the same way as before to detect any faults in the electro-optic medium.
The aforementioned 2004/0155857 describes a so-called "double release film" which is essentially a simplified version of the front plane laminate previously described. One form of the double release sheet comprises a layer of a solid electro-optic medium sandwiched between two adhesive layers, one or both of the adhesive layers being covered by a release sheet. Another form of the double release sheet comprises a layer of a solid electro-optic medium sandwiched between two release sheets. Both forms of the double release film are intended for use in a process generally similar to the process for assembling an electro-optic display from a front plane laminate already described, but involving two separate laminations; typically, in a first lamination the double release sheet is laminated to a front electrode to form a front sub-assembly, and then in a second lamination the front sub-assembly is laminated to a backplane to form the final display.
The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,178 also describes the importance of protecting the electro-optic medium from environmental contaminants, since some electro-optic media are sensitive to humidity and ultra-violet radiation, and most such media are susceptible to mechanical damage. This patent illustrates, in
On the upper surface (as illustrated in
Over the front substrate 116 are disposed in succession a first layer 122 of optically clear adhesive, a barrier film 124, a second layer 126 of optically clear adhesive and a further, relatively thick protective film 128 provided on its exposed surface with an anti-glare coating (not shown). The protective film 128 acts to block ultra-violet radiation from reaching the electro-optic layer 112, and also prevents atmospheric moisture or other contaminants reaching this layer.
In order to form a complete seal around the electro-optic layer 112, the barrier film 124, the second layer 126 of optically clear adhesive and the protective film 128 are all made larger in both dimensions than the front substrate 116, so that the layers 124, 126 and 128 have peripheral portions which extend or "overhang" the outer edges of the front substrate 106. To complete the sealing of the electro-optic layer 112, a curable edge sealing material is injected, typically via a needle dispenser, into the area of the overhang, and cured to form an edge seal 130 completely surrounding the electro-optic layer 112.
The type of edge seal shown in
Accordingly, there is thus a need for an edge seal which can be used in flexible electro-optic displays, and one aspect of the present invention seeks to provide such an edge seal.
The present invention also relates to processes for the assembly of electro-optic displays. As discussed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,178, many of the components used in solid electro-optic displays, and the methods used to manufacture such displays, are derived from technology used in liquid crystal displays (LCD's), which are of course also electro-optic displays, though using a liquid rather than a solid medium. For example, solid electro-optic displays may make use of an active matrix backplane comprising an array of transistors or diodes and a corresponding array of pixel electrodes, and a "continuous" front electrode (in the sense of an electrode which extends over multiple pixels and typically the whole display) on a transparent substrate, these components being essentially the same as in LCD's. However, the methods used for assembling LCD's cannot be used with solid electro-optic displays. LCD's are normally assembled by forming the backplane and front electrode on separate glass substrates, then adhesively securing these components together leaving a small aperture between them, placing the resultant assembly under vacuum, and immersing the assembly in a bath of the liquid crystal, so that the liquid crystal flows through the aperture between the backplane and the front electrode. Finally, with the liquid crystal in place, the aperture is sealed to provide the final display.
This LCD assembly process cannot readily be transferred to solid electro-optic displays. Because the electro-optic material is solid, it must be present between the backplane and the front electrode before these two integers are secured to each other. Furthermore, in contrast to a liquid crystal material, which is simply placed between the front electrode and the backplane without being attached to either, a solid electro-optic medium normally needs to be secured to both; in most cases the solid electro-optic medium is formed on the front electrode, since this is generally easier than forming the medium on the circuitry-containing backplane, and the front electrode/eIectro-optic medium combination is then laminated to the backplane, typically by covering the entire surface of the electro-optic medium with an adhesive and laminating under heat, pressure and possibly vacuum.
Electro-optic displays are often costly; for example, the cost of the color LCD found in a portable computer is typically a substantial fraction of the entire cost of the computer. As the use of electro-optic displays spreads to devices, such as cellular telephones and personal digital assistants (PDA's), much less costly than portable computers, there is great pressure to reduce the costs of such displays. The ability to form layers of some solid electro-optic media by printing techniques on flexible substrates, as discussed above, opens up the possibility of reducing the cost of electro-optic components of displays by using mass production techniques such as roll-to-roll coating using commercial equipment used for the production of coated papers, polymeric films and similar media. However, such equipment is costly and the areas of electro-optic media presently sold may be insufficient to justify dedicated equipment, so that it may typically be necessary to transport the coated medium from a commercial coating plant to the plant used for final assembly of electro-optic displays without damage to the relatively fragile layer of electro-optic medium.
The teaching in U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,178 and 2004/0155857 regarding front plane laminates and double release films has been summarized above. In the production of such front plane laminates and double release films, the electro-optic medium is typically coated on to a flexible plastic substrate using an efficient roll-to-roll process. Pieces of the front plane laminate or double release film may be cut to size from the resultant roll and laminated, typically to a glass-based or other rigid backplane, using a roll lamination or similar process that relies upon the flexibility of the plastic substrate. However, it is sometimes necessary to incorporate electro-optic media into displays which use two rigid substrates, for example a rigid glass backplane and a rigid glass front substrate incorporating a color filter. In a second aspect, the present invention provides various improvements in processes and designs useful in preparing electro-optic displays having two rigid substrates, or at least a rigid front substrate (i.e., the substrate remote from the backplane).SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Accordingly, in one aspect this invention provides an electro-optic display comprising:
- a backplane;
- a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane;
- a protective layer disposed on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane; and
- a sealing layer of a metal or a ceramic contacting the backplane and the protective layer and extending therebetween, thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.
For convenience, this type of electro-optic display may hereinafter be called a "sealed electro-optic display" of the present invention. Also, for convenience, the layer of metal or ceramic used in the display may hereinafter be called the "sealing layer". This sealing layer is preferably vapor deposited. In general, metal sealing layers are preferred over ceramic layers in flexible displays, since ceramic sealing layers may be susceptible to brittle fracture. The protective layer may comprises at least one electrode which is not in electrical contact with the metal sealing layer. As discussed in more detail below, a layer of insulating material may be disposed between the metal sealing layer and the at least one electrode to prevent shorting therebetween. Alternatively, the at least one electrode may terminate some distance from the edge of the protective layer.
For reasons discussed in detail below, a layer of a flexible barrier material may be disposed between the sealing layer (on the one hand) and the backplane, layer of electro-optic material, and protective layer (on the other hand). The thickness of the layer of flexible barrier material, measured parallel to the backplane, may decrease from the backplane to the protective layer.
In one form of the sealed display of the invention, the backplane has a substantially planar surface facing the electro-optic material, and the protective layer has a substantially planar front surface remote from the electro-optic material and extending substantially parallel to the planar surface of the backplane, and the sealing layer extends across a peripheral portion of the front surface of the protective layer.
The sealed display of the present invention may make use any of the types of electro-optic medium previously described. Thus, for example, in the sealed display the electro-optic material may comprise a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material. Alternatively, the electro-optic material may comprise an electrophoretic material comprising a plurality of charged particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving therethrough on application of an electric field to the fluid. The fluid may be gaseous. The charged particles and the fluid, whether liquid or gaseous, may be confined within a plurality of capsules or cells.
This invention also provides a process for sealing an electro-optic display, the process comprising:
- providing an electro-optic display comprising a backplane; a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane; and a protective layer disposed on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane; and
- vapor depositing a metal or a ceramic to form a sealing layer contacting the backplane and the protective layer and extending across the gap, thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.
As previously mentioned, in such a process it is generally preferred that the sealing layer comprise a metal. The protective layer may comprise at least one electrode and the process may further comprise depositing a layer of insulating material over the at least one electrode, and thereafter depositing the metal sealing layer over the insulating layer. Alternatively or in addition, the process may further comprise placing a layer of a flexible barrier material over edge portions of the backplane, the layer of electro-optic material, and the protective layer, and thereafter depositing the sealing layer over flexible barrier material.
In another aspect, this invention provides a process for depositing an electro-optic material on a substrate, the process comprising:
- placing the substrate and a disposable member on a substantially flat support surface, with the disposable member lying adjacent the substrate, the disposable member having a thickness perpendicular to the support surface substantially the same as that of the substrate; and
- moving a coating means relative to the support surface such that the coating means passes over the disposable member and thereafter over the substrate, the coating means depositing the electro-optic medium material on the substrate and at least a portion of the disposable member adjacent the substrate.
In one form of this coating process, the substrate comprises a color filter array.
Finally, this invention provides a sub-assembly for use in forming an electro-optic display, the sub-assembly comprising:
- a layer of electro-optic material having first and second surfaces on opposed sides thereof;
- a release sheet covering the first surface of the layer of electro-optic material, the release sheet being permeable to water vapor; and
- a cover member covering the second surface of the layer of electro-optic material.
As already indicated,
As indicated above, the present invention has several different aspects, which will be described separately below. However, it should be noted that a single electro-optic display may make use of more than one aspect of the present invention; for example, an electro-optic display could have its electro-optic medium coated by a coating process of the present invention and be edge sealed using an edge seal of the present invention. Similarly, one aspect of the present invention relates to coating of electro-optic media on to substrates to form an electro-optic medium/substrate sub-assembly, while a further aspect relates to lamination of such a sub-assembly to a rigid substrate. A process which uses a non-coatable electro-optic medium (for example, the aforementioned type of electrochromic medium) may make use of the latter aspect of the invention but not the former.
Section A: Edge Seal for Electro-Optic Display
As already mentioned, the present invention provides a process for providing an edge seal in an electro-optic display. The display comprises a backplane; a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane; and a protective layer disposed on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane. In accordance with the present invention, a sealing layer of a metal or a ceramic is formed (typically be vapor deposition) contacting the backplane and the protective layer and extending across the gap, thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.
As will be apparent from the foregoing discussion of
Obviously, to ensure any effective seal it is necessary that the sealing layer adhere to the portions of the display with which it is in contact. These portions of the display may comprise a number of different materials with radically differing surface characteristics. For example, if the display is an encapsulated electrophoretic display as described in the aforementioned E Ink and MIT patents and published applications, the sealing material will typically contact the backplane (which may itself have multiple types of exposed areas), the electrophoretic medium and the protective layer. At least in some cases, it may be difficult to ensure that the sealing layer adheres sufficiently to these differing surfaces, it may be desirable to first coat the edge of the display with a layer of a flexible barrier material (which contacts the backplane, electro-optic medium and protective layer) and then to deposit the sealing layer over this layer of barrier material. The use of a barrier material may also help to smooth some of the sharp edges on the display, thus providing a smoother surface which may facilitate deposition of the sealing layer. The barrier material may also serve as the insulating layer electrically insulating a metal sealing layer from electrodes present in the display, as described above.
Vapor deposition of the sealing layer in the process of the present invention is well within the abilities of those skilled in contemporary vapor deposition technology. For example, the present process could be carried out using a table rotating about a non-vertical axis so that the surface on which the sealing layer is to be deposited is substantially vertical. The optimum table rotation speed will of course vary with the particular sealing material used and is best determined empirically. A plurality of displays, with the areas on which it is not desired to deposit the sealing layer masked, can be placed on the table and the sealing layer applied thereto in a single operation, thus enabling high throughput. Accurate placement of the masking material on the displays is of course required, but the necessary accuracy is no greater than is required at other stages in the construction of the displays, for example lamination of the backplane to the other components of the display.
As will readily be apparent to those skilled in the construction of electro-optic displays, the "protective layer" of the display formed by the present process may be a composite of several separate layers. For example, in the display shown in
The present invention is capable of achieving excellent sealing of electro-optic displays. For example, the water vapor permeability of one metallized polyester film was observed to be only 3.8 g m−2 day−1, even though the metal layer had numerous pin holes. The permeability is substantially less than that of cured polymer edge seals used in prior art displays, despite the poor metal layer, and substantially lower permeabilities can be achieved with good quality metal layers.
The various elements of the display 200 described thus far are similar to the corresponding elements of the display 100 shown in
The contact between the sealing layer 240 and the electrode 114 shown in
Section B: Coating Electro-Optic Media on to Rigid Substrates
Encapsulated electrophoretic media (referred to in some of the afore-mentioned E Ink and MIT patents and published applications as "electronic ink"), and other coatable electro-optic media may be applied to a rigid substrate in various ways. In the approach adopted in the coating process of the present invention, the substrate, which may be of glass or another rigid material, may be placed upon a flat surface (hereinafter referred to as a "table" or "coating table" surface) and a coating die, head or similar device may be translated across the surface to deposit the electro-optic medium. Such a process is functionally equivalent to the process described in some of the aforementioned E Ink and MIT patents and published applications, whereby a substrate is moved past a coating die which deposits an encapsulated electrophoretic medium on the substrate. If the substrate is smaller than the surface of the coating table, a disposable member (shim) having substantially the same thickness as the substrate may be placed adjacent one or more edges of the substrate to facilitate the creation of a uniform layer of the electro-optic medium, which might otherwise be disrupted by the changes in level at the edges of the substrate.
Alternatively, as described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,178 and Publications 2004/0155857 and 2005/0105159, the electro-optic medium may be coated on to a first substrate (typically a release film) having surface properties such that the final coated layer of electro-optic medium (after any necessary drying, curing or similar operation) can be peeled from the substrate with relatively little mechanical effort. The final coated layer of electro-optic medium may then be laminated to an adhesive layer formed on a second substrate (which may also be a release film), such that the peel strength between the adhesive layer and the second substrate is greater than that between the electro-optic medium and the first substrate, but still low enough to allow the adhesive layer and the second substrate to be separated without undue effort or damage to the adhesive layer. The first substrate can then be peeled from the second substrate/adhesive/electro-optic medium assembly, and the electro-optic medium laminated to a color filter array plate (or other front layer) with application of heat and/or pressure. Alternatively, after peeling the first substrate from the electro-optic layer, the electro-optic layer may be laminated to a second layer of adhesive, typically carried on a release film; see, for a more extensive discussion on this point, U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/596,743, filed Oct. 18, 2005.
In some cases, it may be necessary to provide a second adhesive layer either on the electro-optic medium layer or on the CFA plate to ensure adequate adhesion. However, as described in the aforementioned 2005/0105159, in a preferred form of this process, the electro-optic medium is an encapsulated electrophoretic medium comprising a flowable binder, which also acts as an adhesive, thus eliminating the need for a separate adhesive layer. In such a process, typically the binder is present in a proportion substantially larger than when a separate adhesive layer is used. Finally, the second substrate can be removed from the adhesive layer, and the CFA plate/electro-optic medium/adhesive layer sub-assembly laminated to a backplane.
The processes described in the two preceding paragraphs may be modified by first laminating the electro-optic layer to a backplane, leaving an adhesive layer on the opposed side of the electro-optic layer from the backplane, and thereafter (after removal of any release sheet covering this adhesive layer) laminating the adhesive layer to a front substrate, which may be a color filter array or other type of front substrate. Again, for a more extensive discussion, the reader is referred to the aforementioned Application Ser. No. 60/596,743.
This type of process may, as in the aforementioned 2004/0155857 and 2005/0105159, be referred to as a "double release" process because it employs two substrates or release films which are removed sequentially. Obviously, the order in which the two release films are removed could be reversed, so that the electro-optic medium is first laminated to the backplane and only later to the CFA plate or other front layer.
Another approach to construction of a CFA plate/electro-optic medium/backplane display is to first laminate an electro-optic medium layer to a CFA plate, separately laminate an adhesive layer to a backplane, and then laminate the CFA plate/electro-optic medium and adhesive/backplane sub-assemblies together.
Additional refinements to these processes are possible. For example, the electro-optic medium layer may be cut to a specific size before beginning the lamination process, allowing, for example, a clear border area around the edge of the backplane or front layer. Also, apertures may be formed in the electro-optic medium layer, for example to allow an electrical connection between a front electrode and the backplane. In processes where several physically distinct portions of electro-optic medium are present between a front layer and a backplane (i.e., in a "multi-up" display fabrication process), the individual portions of electro-optic medium may be laminated individually to one of the front layer and backplane by applying a localized lamination process, before removing all of the remaining release films and performing the second lamination. Alternatively, multiple portions of electro-optic medium may be attached to a single carrier sheet via mechanical attachment, adhesive, or other method, and then this carrier sheet aligned with one of the front layer and backplane, after which the lamination of all of the portions of electro-optic medium can be accomplished simultaneously. In either case, the intermediate result is a rigid substrate carrying a number of physically distinct portions of electro-optic medium, each covered with a release film, in registry with predetermined regions of the substrate. In practice it has been found that registration to a tolerance of about ±200 μm is necessary.
One preferred form of lamination process uses a device capable of laminating a front plane laminate, double release film or other structure containing the electro-optic layer, one piece at a time to a substantially larger component, which will typically be carried on a platen. The lamination device is translated relative to the platen (it is of course irrelevant which integer actually moves). At each of series of predetermined locations, a single piece of the front plane laminate etc. is loaded into the lamination device and laminated to the other component. The lamination device will typically be equipped with heating means to apply localized heat to the other component in the location to which the single piece of FPL etc. will be laminated, without applying heat to the entirety of the other component.
Section C: Use of Water Vapor Permeable Release Sheets
As already indicated, another aspect of the present invention relates to sub-assemblies for use in producing electro-optic displays, these sub-assemblies comprising a layer of electro-optic material and a release sheet which is permeable to water vapor.
It has been found that it is often advantageous to use release films which are permeable to water vapor. As noted in some of the aforementioned E Ink and MIT patents and published applications, some electro-optic media are sensitive to water vapor (in the sense that the electro-optic characteristics of the medium vary depending upon its water content), and using a water vapor permeable release film may allow conditioning of the electro-optic medium, and possibly any associated adhesive layer, to a desired water content while these layers are still covered by their associated release films. This is very convenient from a manufacturing point of view, since the use of water vapor permeable release sheets allows the release sheet to be applied during the manufacturing process used to deposit the other layers of the sub-assembly, while allowing later conditioning of the electro-optic material to a desired water content, rather than requiring that the conditioning be effected first and the release sheet applied in a separate later step. Furthermore, use of a water vapor permeable release sheet may allow certain combinations of process steps which raise problems with non-permeable release sheets. For example, if it desired to form a sub-assembly by coating an electro-optic material on a first release sheet, coating an adhesive layer on a second release sheet and laminating the electro-optic material to the adhesive layer with the release sheets on either side of the resultant sub-assembly, if the release sheets are impermeable it may be difficult to control the final water content of the electro-optic material, since water may migrate in either direction between the electro-optic material and the adhesive within the laminated sub-assembly. If, however, one or both of the release sheets is permeable to water vapor, conditioning of the laminated sub-assembly is readily effected, and the final water content of the electro-optic material can thus be closely controlled.
The water vapor permeable release sheet used in the present invention should have a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of not less than about 0.5 g m−2 day−1, preferably not less than about 1 g m−2 day−1, and desirably not less than about 5 g, m−2 day−1. Release sheets meeting these requirements are available commercially, for example from CP Films of Martinsville Va.
In most cases, it is desirable that the release sheet used in the present invention include a conductive layer to enable the sub-assembly to be tested in the ways described in the aforementioned patent and publications. Typically, it is desirable that the conductive layer be light transmissive to enable changes in the optical state of the electro-optic layer to be observed through the release sheet. In some cases, for example when the sub-assembly is a double release film with two release sheets on opposed sides thereof, one the release sheets can bear the conductive layer and the other be water vapor permeable, since this permits the use of types of conductive layers, for example metal films, which are not compatible with water vapor permeability. A release sheet which is both water vapor permeable and has a conductive layer can be formed by coating a water permeable base release sheet with a conductive polymer (for example, that sold commercially under the Registered Trade Mark "BAYTRON") or a conductive metal oxide (for example, indium tin oxide).
The sub-assembly of the present invention can include any sub-assembly useful in the construction of electro-optic displays and comprising a layer of electro-optic material and a release sheet. Zero, one or more layers of other materials may be present between the layer of electro-optic material and the release sheet. For example, the sub-assembly may be a front plane laminate as described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,178 and comprise a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; an adhesive layer; and the release sheet. Alternatively, the sub-assembly may be a double release film as described in the aforementioned 2004/0155857, and comprise a layer of a solid electro-optic medium having first and second surfaces on opposed sides thereof; a first adhesive layer on the first surface of the layer of solid electro-optic medium; a (first) release sheet disposed on the opposed side of the first adhesive layer from the layer of solid electro-optic medium; and a second adhesive layer on the second surface of the layer of solid electro-optic medium. In a preferred form, this double release film further comprises a second release sheet disposed on the opposed side of the second adhesive layer from the layer of solid electro-optic medium. In this preferred form, either or both of the release sheets may be water vapor permeable. The sub-assembly may also be in the alternative form of double release film described in the aforementioned 2004/0155857, and comprise a layer of a solid electro-optic medium having first and second surfaces on opposed sides thereof; a first release sheet covering the first surface of the layer of solid electro-optic medium; and a second release sheet covering the second surface of the layer of solid electro-optic medium. Again, either or both of the release sheets may be water vapor permeable.
Section D: Laminating Rigid Substrates Together
Consideration will now be given to the problem of affixing a rigid substrate carrying one or more portions of electro-optic medium to another rigid substrate. Two principal problems need to be considered, namely avoiding voids during lamination, and alignment.
To achieve a lamination free from voids (i.e., air bubbles or other types of area in which the two surfaces being laminated fail to adhere to each other), the two parts being laminated may be brought into face-to-face alignment in near contact. One or both parts may be heated at this point. Next, the parts are brought into contact and mechanical pressure is applied across the surface of both parts. This pressure may be applied by the use of a platen or flexible bladder. In order to minimize the production of air bubbles, this process may take place substantially under vacuum, e.g. the atmosphere may be removed from the region between the two parts before they are brought into contact. Application of vacuum between the parts, combined with the atmospheric pressure applied to the two parts, may provide sufficient force to achieve the lamination. Pressure may also be applied to the parts locally, by a roller on one side pressing against a platen on the other, or by two rollers located on opposed sides of the two parts. In some cases, it may be desirable to control relative humidity during the lamination process to achieve optimal electro-optical performance in the resulting display.
When a color filter is present in a display, it is of course necessary to ensure that the various areas of the color filter are correctly aligned with the sets of electrodes designed to drive the pixels associated with each area of the color filter. In order to achieve alignment between the two parts, the parts may first be aligned by aligning a set of marks on the two parts while these parts are brought close to each other. This alignment may be detected by using an optical camera mounted above or below the parts. The alignment may be continually refined as the parts are brought into mechanical contact. The alignment may be physically achieved by rotating or translating one or both parts with respect to each other.
After the electro-optic medium and adhesive have been laminated to the CFA plate, an ultraviolet- or heat-curable sealant may be applied to the edge of the resultant sub-assembly. The sealant can be dispensed in various locations from as little as two small dots at diagonally opposed corners of the sub-assembly up to almost a complete edge seal with a small gap or gaps for venting during lamination. This sub-assembly and the backplane (or backplane sub-assembly) are brought close to one another without touching and aligned in x, y, and θ (i.e., in translation along the two axes parallel to the planes of the sub-assemblies, and in rotation about an axis perpendicular to this plane), and then pressed together while maintaining that alignment. The sealant is then cured. The resultant assembly may then be laminated using a roll laminator, a vacuum laminator, a heated platen press, or an auto-clave to form the final display. A combination of these lamination processes may be used to achieve a void-free lamination.
The gap between the two sub-assemblies being laminated may be controlled precisely by including known diameter spacers (for example, compressible polystyrene spheres) between the sub-assemblies, for example in the sealant.
Once the sub-assemblies are in physical contact, if more precise alignment is required, heat may be applied to the assembly to soften the adhesive, and one or both sub-assemblies may be translated and/or rotated to achieve the desired final alignment. This process may be done substantially at the same time as the initial lamination of the two sub-assemblies, or it may be done at a different time and/or in a different apparatus. After adjustments have been made to the alignment, the final position can be secured by curing at least part of the sealant that was dispensed between the sub-assemblies prior to the lamination operation.
Finally, in most cases an edge seal will be applied to the display. The edge seal material may be dispensed around the edge of the display, and this material pulled into a cavity between the top and bottom substrates by capillary forces. This cavity may be created by attaching a third, over-sized film above the CFA plate (i.e., on the opposed side of this plate from the electro-optic medium). Alternatively, as mentioned above, the electro-optic medium may be pre-cut before lamination to the CFA plate in order to leave a cavity around the edge of the display, thus allowing the use of a "true under-fill" process, in which the edge seal material resides in a cavity approximately the combined thickness of the electro-optic medium/adhesive layers between the top and bottom substrates. Such an edge seal can offer improved resistance to moisture, because the "vertical" thickness of the sealant is reduced.
A specific process of this type will now be described, though by way of illustration only.
A mother sheet was prepared comprising a plurality of glass color filter array plates provided with a transparent front electrode, and cut to yield individual CFA plates. An encapsulated electrophoretic medium was coated on to the electrode-bearing surface of the CFA plates substantially as described in the aforementioned 2004/0027327 and dried to form a coherent layer of capsules on each CFA plate. Separately, a polyurethane adhesive was coated on to a release sheet and dried. The resultant dried adhesive layer was laminated to the dried electrophoretic medium layer, and thereafter the resultant sub-assembly was held under controlled temperature and humidity conditions to condition the electrophoretic medium. To prepare for lamination of this sub-assembly to an active matrix backplane, a conductive adhesive (which would eventually form a conductive via connecting the front electrode to the backplane) was dispensed on to the backplane, together with beads of a sealant. The aforementioned sub-assembly and the backplane were aligned, placed together and the sealant beads cured. The CFA-containing sub-assembly was then roll laminated to the backplane and the resultant display assembly autoclaved. An edge sealant was dispensed around the periphery of the electrophoretic medium and cured, and the final display thus produced autoclaved and subjected to quality inspection.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes can be made in the specific embodiments of the present invention already described without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not in a limitative sense.
1. A sub-assembly for use in forming an electro-optic display, the sub-assembly comprising:
- a layer of electro-optic material having first and second surfaces on opposed sides thereof;
- a release sheet covering the first surface of the layer of electro-optic material, the release sheet being permeable to water vapor; and
- a cover member covering the second surface of the layer of electro-optic material.
2. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the release sheet has a water vapor transmission rate of not less than about 0.5 g m−2 day−1.
3. A sub-assembly according to claim 2 wherein the release sheet has a water vapor transmission rate of not less than about 1 g m2 day−1.
4. A sub-assembly according to claim 3 wherein the release sheet has a water vapor transmission rate of not less than about 5 g m2 day−1.
5. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the release sheet comprises an electrically-conductive layer.
6. A sub-assembly according to claim 5 wherein the electrically-conductive layer of the release sheet is light-transmissive.
7. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover member comprises a second release sheet and comprises an electrically-conductive layer.
8. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover member comprises an electrically conductive layer, and an adhesive layer is disposed between the layer of electro-optic material and the release sheet.
9. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover member comprises an adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer is disposed between the layer of electro-optic material and the release sheet.
10. A sub-assembly according to claim 9 wherein the cover member further comprises a second release sheet covering the surface of the adhesive layer remote from the layer of electro-optic material.
11. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic material.
12. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic material comprises an electrophoretic material comprising a plurality of charged particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving therethrough on application of an electric field to the fluid.
13. A sub-assembly according to claim 12 wherein the fluid is gaseous.
14. A sub-assembly according to claim 12 wherein the charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or cells.
15. An electro-optic display comprising:
- a backplane;
- a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane;
- a protective layer disposed on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane; and
- a sealing layer of a metal contacting the backplane and the protective layer and extending therebetween, thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 26, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 12, 2012
Patent Grant number: 8830553
Applicant: E INK CORPORATION (Cambridge, MA)
Inventors: Shamus Ford Patry (Vernon, CT), Richard J. Paolini, JR. (Framingham, MA), Thomas H. Whitesides (Victoria), Robert W. Zehner (Los Gatos, CA), Jonathan D. Albert (Philadelphia, PA), Harit Doshi (Waltham, MA)
Application Number: 13/430,128
International Classification: G02F 1/167 (20060101);


text:
Message from Jessica Marinaccio, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid
The Undergraduate Admissions website has been created both for prospective students and for prospective parents and families. The Parents and Families section is designed to address the questions that may arise during your child's application process. This is one of the most exciting and important times in your student's life, and your student should take ownership of the process to learn more about herself or himself and to feel a greater sense of achievement in the end.
While I know the college search truly belongs to the student, I also know, as a parent, that the student's family has an important role to play. Parents can begin by learning about Columbia's undergraduate admissions and financial aid process, and about the resources at Columbia for both students and families.
Please scroll down to learn more about how you can help your child. To help you get started, here is a brief checklist of ways in which we encourage parents to be involved:
- Support your student in her or his exploration of college possibilities through website research, campus visits, and information sessions near your hometown.
- Learn about financial aid policies at different schools and understand how need-based financial aid can make a private college affordable. Columbia offers one of the most generous need-based financial aid programs in the country.
- Talk to your student about the required standardized tests for admission, and be sure to review Columbia's application requirements.
As an admissions officer and as a parent, I thank you for your support and encouragement of your student and invite you to learn more about the Columbia family. Please feel free to contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com with any additional questions.
Sincerely yours,
Jessica Marinaccio
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Burial and cremations are the records that help you establish the date of death of an individual. Prior to the start of civil registration there were only parish records. For dates after the start of civil registration it is often worth tracking down both a death registration and the burial record as they both contain useful information.
|Burials / Cremations, Burial Plots, Monumental Inscriptions
|Cemeteries of the World
|Cemeteries of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland
|Extra Info:
|Some places are under the new counties, such as some areas of Yorkshire and Durham are under Cleveland, Lancashire places under Greater Manchester etc.
If you know of any web sites for BMD data not listed here, please let us know via the Contact Us page.


text:
C.P. Company's AW19 collection has landed, here we present the contrast black polo shirt. The ever present clean, attention to detail which has come to be expected from C.P. Company is demonstrated with its hand stitched motif label, and embroidered logo. The fitting is regular size and is made from 100% pique cotton.
Explore our other C.P. Company products here at designerwear.co.uk by clicking here.
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text:
Welcome to your students area!
Here you can login to your email and view your calendar, or go to your cloud drive to download and upload documents and files by clicking on the links on the right. You can also use the portfolio link to update your online portfolio or to create your own websites to share with your friends. For more information on how to get a login for this section, or if you have forgotten your login details, please see your tutor or a member of staff who can assist you.
Your term dates and times can be found here or if you need to urgently contact a member of staff you can use the telephone numbers below.
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text:
There is a character from a video game that has been requested a lot and according to my eleven year old brother there is good cause for him to be so popular. He is from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and his birth name is Simon Riley. Today I am going to fill a much wanted request on "how to draw Ghost", step by step from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. He is one of the main playable figures in the game series and one of the more memorable ones as well. He is best recognized as the character that wears the skull designed balaclava which makes him look very cool. The Call of Duty series is a game that has gained popularity because of it's realism, and player interactivity. Drawing out Ghost was a bit challenging but I eventually conquered the feat and made a tutorial out of it. Simon goes by the nickname Ghost because he consistency wears the skull face mask in relations to the Spanish festival Day of the Dead. I don't know much about this character but I will read up on him or ask my brother some more questions later. I don't want to talk about a game figure that I know nothing about and make any mistakes. Instead I will come back to this description with more facts that you will enjoy reading. Until then have fun learning "how to draw Ghost", and be sure to let me know what you think. Peace out people, and enjoy the rest of your drawing day!
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text:
Drawing different types of Chibi characters is always fun which is why I like to come up with different poses and concepts. I drew this drawing live yesterday and I know that you all had a fun time along with me. I am going to show you once again, "how to draw Chibi" people step by step. The Chibi people that I will show you how to draw are boyfriend and girlfriend or as most would say, a couple. Drawing Chibi style is fun, creative, and even time consuming when you are drawing a concept that is detailed and even a bit animated looking. I think that Chibi people are pretty easy to draw even though they can be a bit complex at times. Learning "how to draw Chibi style" is wicked fun, I also have a bunch of tutorials on Chibi characters that you can learn from if you want to get better at your drawing. All you have to do to access the lessons on Chibi drawing is, go to the anime category and look for "Chibis". There you will click on the site link and it will bring you to the page that you are looking for which contains a bunch of art that you can learn from. What I like most about the Chibi people that I drew is the girl chili's hair style. That is another thing that is fun, learning "how to draw Chibi hair" and "Chibi eyes". Anyways there is a lot more to learn with little time to do it. I will leave you with this lesson on "how to draw Chibi people" step by step for now, but I shall return. Peace out and happy drawing.
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text: {- | Module : Database.HDBC.MySQL Copyright : Copyright (c) 2009-2010 Chris Waterson License : LGPL Maintainer : firstname.lastname@example.com Stability : experimental Portability : GHC This module provides a MySQL driver for the HDBC database interface. To use it, invoke the 'connectMySQL' method to create an @Database.HDBC.IConnection@ that you can use to interact with a MySQL database. Use the 'defaultMySQLConnectInfo', overriding the default values as necessary. @ import Control.Monad import Database.HDBC import Database.HDBC.MySQL main = do rows <- 'withRTSSignalsBlocked' $ do conn <- 'connectMySQL' 'defaultMySQLConnectInfo' { 'mysqlHost' = \"db1.example.com\", 'mysqlUser' = \"scott\", 'mysqlPassword' = \"tiger\" } 'quickQuery'' conn \"SELECT 1 + 1\" [] forM_ rows $ \\row -> putStrLn $ show row @ There are some important caveats to note about this driver. * RTS signals. If you are writing an application that links against GHC's threaded runtime (as most server-side applications do), you must use 'withRTSSignalsBlocked' to defend the @mysqlclient@ library against the signals the RTS uses, or you may experience crashes. * Transaction support. The MySQL server supports a variety of backend \"engines\", only some of which support transactional access (e.g., InnoDB). This driver will report that the database supports transactions. Should you decide to make use of the transactional support in the HDBC API, /it is up to you to make sure that you use a MySQL engine that supports transactions/. * Dates and times. MySQL does not store time zone information in @DATETIME@ or @TIMESTAMP@ columns: instead, it assumes that all dates are stored in the \"server's time zone\". At some point in the future, this driver may query for the server's time zone and apply appropriate time zone conversion to these datatypes. For now, it simply treats all times as UTC; i.e., it assumes the server's time zone is UTC. -} module Database.HDBC.MySQL ( MySQLConnectInfo(..) , Connection , connectMySQL , defaultMySQLConnectInfo , withRTSSignalsBlocked ) where import Database.HDBC.MySQL.Connection import Database.HDBC.MySQL.RTS


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The U.S.-Japan Alliance: The Cornerstone for Stability in the Asia Pacific
By DipNote Bloggers on March 16, 2017
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson traveled to Tokyo, Japan on March 16, 2017. In his first trip to the East Asia and Pacific region, he met with senior Japanese officials to discuss a range of bilateral and multilateral issues, including strategic coordination to address the advancing nuclear and missile threat from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The Secretary also seized the opportunity to reaffirm the Administration's commitment to further broaden and enhance U.S. economic and security interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Secretary held a comprehensive meeting with Japan's Foreign Minister Kishida where the two leaders discussed several high-level policy issues. During a press conference following their meeting, Secretary Tillerson said, "These discussions have affirmed the friendship between Japan and the United States is strong and enduring and will continue under the Trump administration. We have deep, deep economic ties and we'll keep working together to sustain and strengthen a relationship that is fair for both of our countries."
The two leaders also discussed how to respond to the provocations and threats presented by North Korea. Secretary Tillerson commented, "We will work with Japan on shared regional and global objectives, including strong security cooperation within the U.S.-Japan alliance; affirming a rules-based approach to maritime governance; and deepening American, Japanese, and South Korean trilateral cooperation in the face of North Korea's dangerous and unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs."
In South Korea tomorrow, Secretary Tillerson will focus on the response to North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. pic.twitter.com/RhAEXtuk75— Department of State (@StateDept) March 16, 2017
During this meeting, the Secretary discussed the Trump Administration's priority of expanding trilateral cooperation with Republic of Korea noting, "Trilateral cooperation allows our three nations to coordinate actions on major regional and global problems, and more effectively counter the threats posed by North Korea. We intend to continue our coordination in regard to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2270 and 2231, which imposed robust and comprehensive sanctions on North Korea to inhibit its campaign to develop operational nuclear and missile capabilities."
While in Japan, Secretary Tillerson also met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, where he highlighted this visit as an important opportunity to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and build on the recent Summit between President Trump and Prime Minister Abe. Secretary Tillerson asserted, "The U.S.-Japan alliance represents the cornerstone for stability in Northeast Asia and the Asia Pacific because of our shared values, our shared commitment to the rule of law, our shared commitment to countries following international norms, and we look forward to strengthening that alliance further."
Editor's Note: This entry also appeared in the U.S. Department of State's publication on Medium.com.
For more information:
- Secretary Tillerson's remarks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before their meeting.
- Secretary Tillerson's remarks at a press availability with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.
- Secretary Tillerson's remarks with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida before their meeting.
- U.S.-ROK-Japan Foreign Ministerial Joint Statement on the situation in North Korea from February 16, 2017.


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The information provided here is meant to give you a general idea about each of the medications listed below. Only the most general side effects are included, so ask your healthcare provider if you need to take any special precautions. Use each of these medications as recommended by your healthcare provider, or according to the instructions provided. If you have further questions about usage or side effects, contact your healthcare provider.
Prescription Medications
- Acyclovir
- Valacyclovir
- Famciclovir
Over-the-Counter Medications
- Benadryl
- Antipyretics
Prescription Medications
Common name:
- Acyclovir
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that may be recommended for patients who are at risk for moderate or severe chickenpox, such as children 12 or older, adults, or any person with:
- Compromised immune systems, for any reason
- Skin disorders, especially eczema
- Chronic lung disease
- Use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant drugs for cancer, transplants, or chronic conditions
Acyclovir given to persons of any age may help decrease the duration and severity of chickenpox and shorten the time of contagiousness to others. It is most effective when started in the first 24 hours after onset of chickenpox. Its effectiveness decreases significantly if begun more than 72 hours after the onset of the rash.
Acyclovir can be taken orally. For adults, there is some evidence that the related drugs valacyclovir and famciclovir might be more effective. Acyclovir can be given by vein for those who are severely sick or those who are hospitalized, especially when the highest possible dosages are required.
Possible side effects include:
- Nausea
- Kidney problems, especially with the IV form or in dehydrated patients. Because a high dose of acyclovir is used to treat chickenpox, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid crystal formation in the kidneys as it is cleared by the body.
- Special precaution in those with kidney failure or using other drugs which could be harmful to kidneys
Antibiotics are only given when a bacterial infection is present, such as when the chickenpox rash has become infected by staphylococcal or streptococcal organisms. Some of these organisms may be resistant to common antibiotics, especially when infection is acquired in the hospital.
Possible side effects include:
- Hives
- Rash
- Intense itching
- Difficulty breathing
- Development of further antibacterial resistance
These are signs of an allergic reaction and require immediate medical attention.
Common names include:
- Varicella-zoster immune globulin
Immune globulin is a blood product that contains antibodies to the chickenpox virus and may be given to prevent chickenpox.
- It is given by injection immediately after exposure to the VZV virus (within 96 hours)
It is usually only given to people who are at risk for severe complications from the disease. These include:
- Adults
- Newborns whose mothers have chickenpox
- People who are immunosuppressed or very ill
- Pregnant women
- Some preliminary evidence suggests that immunization given immediately after exposure may also be effective in reducing a susceptible person's risk of catching chickenpox.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Common name:
- Diphenhydramine
Antihistamines are used to reduce the itch that comes from the rash. The medication can be taken orally or applied to the skin.
The most common side effect of oral antihistamines is drowsiness. Topical diphenhydramine can produce a severe allergic skin rash. It can also cause severe sedation due to absorption from injured skin. It is generally not recommended for treating chickenpox.
Acetaminophen is taken to control the high fever caused by chickenpox.
- Note : Aspirin is not recommended for children or teens with a current or recent viral infection. This is because of the risk of Reye syndrome. Ask your doctor which other medicines are safe for your child.
Ibuprofen is taken to control the high fever caused by chickenpox.
Note : Ibuprofen should not be given to anyone with peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure, high risk of bleeding disorder, or known hypersensitivity. Special caution should be used in people with congestive heart failure, liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, and those on anticoagulant.
Special Considerations
If you are taking medications, follow these general guidelines:
- Take your medication as directed. Do not change the amount or schedule.
- Ask what side effects could occur. Report them to your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescription medication.
- Do not share your prescription medication.
- Medications can be dangerous when mixed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one medication, including over-the-counter products and supplements.
- Plan ahead for refills as needed.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review BoardJames P. Cornell, MD
- Review Date: 03/2018 -
- Update Date: 03/15/2015 -


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Summit County cop honored for snowy rescue
summit daily news
When dispatchers got the 911 call Jan. 28, they thought the person on the other line might be having a heart attack.
The caller had managed to tell the operator he was experiencing chest pains and couldn't walk, before he became incoherent.
Four minutes later, deputy Ron Stewart responded to the scene, near Summit Medical Center in Frisco, but couldn't find the victim, or any tracks in the snow that might lead him to the man's location.
Then, fire response arrived on scene and Stewart had the sirens in the fire engines activated. Dispatchers, who were still on the phone with the victim, said they could hear the sirens over the phone, so Stewart knew they were close. When they found the man a few minutes later, moaning in the snow in a clump of aspen trees, his life was, in fact, in danger. But he was suffering from hypothermia, not a heart attack.
Summit County Sheriff John Minor awarded Stewart the Lifesaving Medal for his quick action, which resulted in a successful rescue.
"It is a great honor and a high privilege to present you with this award," Minor told Stewart at a small ceremony last week. "Your actions were truly outstanding and worthy of meritorious recognition."
It took Stewart 12 minutes to locate the victim in the dark that night, in 19-degree temperatures and lightly falling snow. When he was discovered, the man could no longer walk and showing signs of extreme hypothermia.
A report from the Summit County Sheriff's Office regarding the incident indicates the man had tried to roll down a hill, in a desperate attempt to reach the nearby hospital without the use of his legs.
Authorities said if he had not been found so quickly, he almost certainly would have died.
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Rap star "Fat Joe" has reported to federal prison in Florida to serve a four-month sentence for tax evasion.
An attorney for the performer, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, said his client surrendered Monday at a federal detention center in Miami.
Cartagena pleaded guilty in December 2012 to failing to pay taxes on more than $1 million of income in 2007 and in 2008.
The 42-year-old Miami Beach resident, who is originally from the Bronx, was charged in New Jersey because some of the companies he earns money from are incorporated in the state.
The platinum-selling artist once topped the Billboard charts with the hit "What's Luv."
Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman told The Associated Press that Cartagena was in positive spirits and looking forward to getting released and back to his family before Christmas.
"Fare well my people Im bout to take that ride see u at Diddys house for New Years," he said in a tweet Monday afternoon.
Copyright AP - Associated Press


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Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester metro mayor, has said the attack was an "evil act" that had caused anger, shock and hurt.
Speaking on Tuesday morning the former Labour MP said the city would do what it could to operate as usual.
He said: "It is hard to believe what has happened here in the last few hours, and to put into words the shock, anger, and hurt that we feel today.
"These were children, young people and their families that those responsible chose to terrorise and kill.
"This was an evil act."
He offered his support to the families of the victims, and paid tribute to locals who had opened their doors to strangers and offered shelter to those fleeing the Manchester Arena and evacuated areas.
Mr Burnham said this was the "best possible message to those who seek to divide us", and would be the prevailing spirit of Manchester.
He said: "We are grieving today, but we are strong. Today it will be business as usual, as far as possible in our great city."
The former health secretary thanked the hundreds of emergency services personnel who worked through the night in the most "difficult circumstances imaginable", and those who had offered their support from other cities and countries.
More on the incident in Manchester:
Islamic state claim responsibility for Manchester Arena suicide bombing
Manchester attack: How you can help – wherever you are
8 year-old girl from Tarleton confirmed dead in 'terror attack' at Manchester Arena
More than a dozen Ribble Valley school pupils at Manchester bomb attack gig
Man arrested in connection with terror attacks at Manchester Arena
Friends pay tribute to "beautiful girl" killed in Manchester Arena bombing
Bishop's condolences to Manchester terror victims
Homeless man cradled dying woman in his arms
Lancashire schoolgirls were minutes from Manchester horror bomb blast
Wigan schoolgirl tells of Manchester bombing horror
Region's football clubs shocked by Manchester Arena terror attack
Andy Burnham: Manchester bombing an 'evil act' targeting children
Preston mum tells of horror after witnessing 'terror attack' aftermath at Manchester Arena
'It shook my whole body' - Blackpool mum caught up in 'explosion' at Manchester Arena
UPDATE: Children and young people confirmed among the dead after 'terrorist incident' in Manchester
Northern rail service changes following suspected terrorist incident at Manchester Arena


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I'm trying to decided when to visit Madrid during the fall. I'd rather time this visit to correspond with interesting events. I'm more interested in larger public city wide style events rather than simply concerts. Are there particular canonical events I need to consider? Are there particular resources I should consult?
As an example, Madrid has a wonderful public gay pride party, but that's summer not fall.