Electrophoretic display and novel process for its manufacture

DETAILED DESCRIPTION One aspect of the present invention is directed to an array of filled and top-sealed display cells of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio.
The cells are filled with an electrophoretic fluid comprising charged particles dispersed in a dielectric solvent and are individually top-sealed with a polymeric sealing layer.
The term "top-seal" is intended to refer to a sealing process in which the display fluid is filled and top-sealed in the display cells constructed on a first substrate or electrode layer.
In the edge sealing process typically used for display assembling, two substrates or electrode layers and an edge seal adhesive are required to enclose and edge-seal the display fluid in the cell(s).
In contrast, in the top-sealing process, the display fluid is enclosed and top-sealed before a second substrate or electrode layer is disposed on to the display cell(s).
The polymeric top-sealing layer is preferably formed from a composition comprising a thermoset or thermoplastic precursor.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to an electrophoretic display comprising an array of filled and top-sealed cells sandwiched between two conductor layers or between one conductor layer and one substrate layer.
A further aspect of the invention is directed to a semi-finished display panel comprising an array of filled and top-sealed cells sandwiched between a temporary substrate such as a release liner and a conductor layer, between a temporary substrate and a permanent substrate layer or between two temporary substrates.
For the electrophoretic display, the display cells are top-sealed before the second conductor or substrate layer is assembled onto the display.
For the semi-finished display panel, the display cells are top-sealed before the second temporary substrate, conductor layer or permanent substrate layer is assembled onto the display.
Yet a further aspect of the invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of an electrophoretic display.
Yet a further aspect of the invention is directed to a novel process for the manufacture of a semi-finished display panel