JP2008268772A - Method of manufacturing panel for information display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To charge particles for display medium in an easy process, to easily control an area to be filled with the particles for display medium and the amount of particles for display medium filled in a cell, and to sufficiently charge the particles for display medium. <P>SOLUTION: In a manufacturing method for a panel for information display, when particles for display medium are filled in the cell, a metal mask with its top surface coated with resin or a metal mask having a resin screen stuck on its top surface is disposed on partitions in contact above the partitions or apart from the partitions, particles for display medium are placed on the metal mask, and a plate member is moved on the metal mask in contact with the metal mask to fill the cell with the particles for display medium while charging the particles for display by friction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides at least one display medium having optical reflectivity and chargeability composed of at least one kind of particles in a cell formed by a partition between two opposing substrates, at least one of which is transparent. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an information display panel that displays information such as an image by moving a display medium by enclosing more than one type and applying an electric field to the display medium.

  As an information display device that replaces a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a particle movement type display device has been proposed. For example, by encapsulating at least one type of display medium composed of one or more kinds of particles between the gas hollows between two transparent substrates with electrodes and having optical reflection characteristics and chargeability, and applying an electric field to the display medium , Information display panel for moving in a charged particle gas (electron powder fluid method) that displays information such as images by moving the display medium, and optical reflection characteristics consisting of particles between two transparent substrates with electrodes In addition, a charged particle liquid moving type (electrophoretic method) information in which a display medium having a charging property is enclosed with an insulating liquid and an image is applied by applying an electric field to the display medium. Display panel or the like.

In the above-described method for manufacturing an information display panel, as a method for filling the cells with the particles constituting the display medium, a method for spreading the particles constituting the display medium from above the cell and filling the cells is proposed. (For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a filling method of particles (display medium particles) constituting a conventional display medium. In FIG. 9, a substrate 55 in which a partition wall 53 is provided on the surface and a cell 54 is formed is placed below a container 52 having a nozzle 51 above, and a mask 57 is placed on the top of the partition wall 53. By dispersing the display medium particles 56, the display medium particles 56 are filled in the cells 54.
JP 2005-258157 A JP 2005-258240 A

  However, in the above-described method of spraying and filling the display medium particles on the information display panel, the time required for filling is long, and in particular, when filling a plurality of types of display medium particles in the cell, the same content process is performed. There is a problem that it takes a longer time because it is necessary to repeat the number of types of display media. In order to solve this problem, in filling the display medium particles into the cell, the screen is placed on the cell, the display medium particle is placed on the screen, and the plate-like member is in contact with the screen. It is conceivable to fill the cells with the particles for display medium by applying a so-called screen printing method that moves on the screen.

  However, in the application of the above-described so-called screen printing method, the charging of the display medium particles is insufficient, and the electric adhesion of the display medium particles to the substrate on which the cells are formed is insufficient. Therefore, the display medium particles cannot be sufficiently filled in the cells, and the display medium particles once filled in the cells easily jump out of the cells, making it difficult to manufacture an information display panel. The problem arises.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to be able to fill the display medium particles with a simple process, and to control the area to be filled with the display medium particles, and into the display medium particle cell. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing an information display panel that can easily control the filling amount of the display medium and can sufficiently charge the particles for display medium.

  The method for producing an information display panel according to the present invention comprises an optical reflectance and charging comprising at least one kind of particles in a cell formed by a partition between two opposing substrates, at least one of which is transparent. In a method for manufacturing an information display panel in which information such as an image is displayed by enclosing at least one type of display medium having a property and applying an electric field to the display medium, When filling the cell, a metal mask with a resin coating on the top surface or a metal mask with a resin screen bonded to the top surface is placed on the partition so as to be in contact with the partition or not in contact with the partition. The display medium particles are placed on the mask and moved on the metal mask while the plate-shaped member is in contact with the metal mask. While charging, is characterized in that filling the particles for display media in the cell.

  In addition, the method for manufacturing an information display panel according to the present invention has a property that the resin coat or the resin screen applied on the upper surface of the metal mask is easily charged negatively when the particles for the positively charged display medium are filled. And having the property of being easily positively charged when filled with particles for a negatively charged display medium.

  Furthermore, as a preferred example of the method for manufacturing the information display panel of the present invention, the metal mask may be electrically connected to the ground.

  According to the method for producing an information display panel of the present invention, in the method for producing an information display panel for displaying information such as an image by moving the display medium, the particles on the partition wall are filled with the particles for the display medium. A metal mask with a resin coating on the top surface or a metal mask with a resin screen bonded to the top surface is placed so as to be in contact with the partition walls or not in contact with the partition walls, and display medium particles are placed on the metal mask. By moving the metal plate with the plate-shaped member in contact with the metal mask, the display medium particles are filled in the cells while the display medium particles are frictionally charged. It is possible to fill the particles for the medium, and to control the area where the particles for the display medium should be filled and the control of the filling amount of the particles for the display medium into the cell. With it, it is possible sufficiently charged particles for display media.

  First, a basic configuration of an information display panel manufactured using the manufacturing method of the present invention will be described. In the information display panel manufactured using the manufacturing method of the present invention, an electric field is applied to a display medium having optical reflectivity and chargeability sealed in a cell space between two opposing substrates. In accordance with the applied electric field direction, the charged display medium is attracted by the electric field force or the Coulomb force, and the display medium is moved by the change in the electric field direction, whereby information such as an image is displayed. Therefore, it is necessary to design the information display panel so that the display medium can move uniformly and maintain stability when rewriting the display repeatedly or when displaying the display information continuously. Here, as the force applied to the particles constituting the display medium, in addition to the force attracting each other by the Coulomb force between the particles, an electric mirror image force between the electrode and the substrate, an intermolecular force, a liquid cross-linking force, gravity and the like can be considered.

  An example of an information display panel manufactured using the manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) and (b) to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b).

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, at least two kinds of display media 3 (here, white display medium particles 3Wa) having at least one kind of particles and having different optical reflectance and charging characteristics are used. The electrode 5 (individual electrode) provided on the substrate 1 in each cell formed by the partition walls 4 is provided with a white display medium 3W composed of a plurality of particle groups and a black display medium 3B composed of a particle group of black display medium particles 3Ba. ) And an electrode 6 (individual electrode) provided on the substrate 2, the substrate is moved perpendicularly to the substrates 1 and 2 in accordance with an electric field generated by applying a voltage. Then, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the white display medium 3W is visually recognized by the observer to perform dot matrix display, or as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the black display medium 3B is visually recognized by the observer. Dot matrix display. In addition, in FIG. 1 (a), (b), the partition in front is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, at least two or more types of display media 3 (here, white display medium particles 3Wa) having different optical reflectance and charging characteristics composed of at least one type of particles. The electrode 5 (line electrode) provided on the substrate 1 in each cell formed by the partition walls 4 is provided with a white display medium 3W composed of a plurality of particle groups and a black display medium 3B composed of a particle group of black display medium particles 3Ba. ) And an electrode 6 (line electrode) provided on the substrate 2, and moves vertically to the substrates 1 and 2 according to the electric field generated between the counter electrodes formed by the intersection of the line electrodes by applying a voltage. Let Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the white display medium 3W is visually recognized by the observer to perform dot matrix display, or as shown in FIG. 2B, the black display medium 3B is visually recognized by the observer. Dot matrix display. In addition, in FIG. 2 (a), (b), the partition in front is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the display medium 3 (in this case, from the particle group of white display medium particles 3Wa) having at least an optical reflectance and a charging property composed of at least one kind of particles. In each cell formed by the partition walls 4 in accordance with an electric field generated by applying a voltage between the electrode 5 and the electrode 6 provided on the substrate 1. 2 in the direction parallel to Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, the white display medium 3W is visually recognized by the observer to perform dot matrix display, or as shown in FIG. 3B, the color of the black plate 7B is changed to the observer. The dot matrix is displayed by visually recognizing. In addition, in the example shown to Fig.3 (a), (b), the partition in front is abbreviate | omitted. Here, the same display can be performed when the white display medium 3W is a black display medium and the black plate 7B is a white plate.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, first, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, at least the optical reflectivity and charging characteristics of at least one kind of particles are different. Two or more kinds of display media 3 (here, a white display medium 3W composed of particles of white display medium particles 3Wa and a black display medium 3B composed of particles of black display medium particles 3Ba are shown) are formed by partition walls 4. In each of the formed cells, the substrate 1 corresponds to the electric field generated by applying a voltage between the external electric field forming means 31 provided outside the substrate 1 and the external electric field forming means 32 provided outside the substrate 2. 2 and move vertically. Then, the white display medium 3W is visually recognized by the observer as shown in FIG. 4B, and dot matrix display is performed, or the black display medium 3B is visually recognized by the observer as shown in FIG. 4D. Dot matrix display. In addition, in FIG. 4 (a)-(d), the partition in front is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, a conductive member 33 is provided inside the substrate 1, and a conductive member 34 is provided inside the substrate 2. This conductive member may not be provided.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the basic configuration is the same as the example shown in FIG. 2, and an example of color display in which a display unit is configured by three cells is shown. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, as the display medium, all the cells 21-1 to 21-3 are filled with the white display medium 3W and the black display medium 3B, and the first cell 21-1 is filled. A red color filter 22R is provided on the viewer side, a green color filter 22G is provided on the viewer side of the second cell 21-2, a blue color filter 22BL is provided on the viewer side of the third cell 21-3, A display unit is composed of three cells, the first cell 21-1, the second cell 21-2, and the third cell 21-3. In this example, since one pixel (one dot) is composed of three pixels, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), all the first cells 21-1 to the third cells 21- 3, by moving the white display medium 3 </ b> W, white dots are displayed to the viewer, and as shown in FIG. 5B, all the first cells 21-1 to 3-1 are displayed on the viewer side. In 21-3, the black display medium 3B is moved to perform black dot display for the observer. Multicolored colors can be displayed in dots by moving the display medium of each pixel. In addition, in FIG. 5 (a), (b), the partition in front is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the method for producing an information display panel of the present invention, when filling the display medium particles into the cell, the display medium particles pass through the display medium particles so as to be in contact with the partition walls or separated from the partition walls. By placing a metal mask having an opening at a position to be placed, placing particles for display medium on the metal mask, and moving the plate member in contact with the metal mask, the particles for display medium are moved. Fill the cell. Here, as a feature of the present invention, the metal mask is configured by coating the upper surface with a resin or by bonding a resin screen to the upper surface. Hereafter, the characteristic part of this invention is demonstrated.

As the resin coat or resin screen, a material that is easily charged negatively is used when filling particles for positively charged display media, and when charged with particles for negatively charged display media, it is easily charged positively. Use material. As the resin used for the particles for the positively charged display medium, those containing halogen such as Teflon (registered trademark) and vinyl chloride are preferable. Further, nylon, rayon, acrylic, and polyester are preferable as the resin used for the negatively charged display medium particles.
As the metal mask having the opening, stainless steel (SUS), iron, nickel, aluminum, chromium, titanium, copper, zinc, or an alloy thereof can be used. Furthermore, a resin plate, a fiber-reinforced resin plate, a plate whose surface is coated with a metal, or the like can be used.
As a material for the plate-like member (also called squeegee), rubber materials such as urethane rubber and natural rubber as well as various synthetic rubbers, various resin materials such as polyester resin, nylon resin and polyamide resin, various rubber materials and various resin materials There are metal plates coated with

<When the metal mask top surface is resin-coated>
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing an information display panel according to the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 6, 11 is a substrate made of glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin or the like (corresponding to the substrate 1 or 2 in FIGS. 1 to 5), 12 is an electrode made of indium tin oxide (ITO), metal or the like. A film (corresponding to the electrodes 5 and 6 in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the conductive members 33 and 34 in FIG. 4), 13 is a partition wall (corresponding to the partition wall 4 in FIGS. 1 to 5), 25 Is a metal mask, 17 is a coating made of Teflon, nylon or the like on the upper surface of the metal mask 25, and 16 is a plate-like member (hereinafter also referred to as squeegee). In the example shown in FIG. 6, in the present invention, when the display medium particles 3 are filled in the cells 14, the openings 13 are provided on the partition walls 13 at the positions where the display medium particles 3 are to be filled. The applied metal mask 25 is placed in contact with the partition wall 13, the display medium particles 3 are placed on the metal mask 25, and the squeegee 16 is in contact with the metal mask 25 and moved from one end to the other end of the metal mask 25. By doing so, the display medium particles 3 are filled into the cells 14 via the metal mask 25. Even if the metal mask 25 is arranged on the partition wall 13 so as not to contact the partition wall, the same can be achieved.

  In this example, the display medium particles 3 are filled in the cells 14 by a simple process by filling the cells 14 with the display medium particles 3 by the squeegee 16 through the coating material 17 on the upper surface of the metal mask 25. can do. In particular, when producing a plurality of types of display medium particles 3, for example, an information display panel as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the white display medium 3 W and the black display medium 3 B are efficiently used in order. Can be filled.

In addition, since the display medium particles 3 are filled in the cells 14 using the mask 25, the display medium particles 3 can be formed in a desired manner by sealing the portion not filled with the display medium particles 3. Only the cells 14 can be filled, and the area to be filled with the display medium particles 3 can be controlled.
Further, by changing the area of the opening 23 and the type of the coating material 17 and changing the moving conditions of the squeegee 16 (for example, conditions such as contact pressure and moving speed during movement), particles for display medium The filling amount into the three cells 14 can be controlled.

  The metal mask 25 used here is made of metal, and usually has an effect of charging the display medium particles according to the properties of the display medium particles because the charging characteristics are usually located in an intermediate region. Since it is not charged so much, it is difficult to sufficiently increase the charging of the display medium particles. Therefore, the display medium particles are coated by coating the upper surface of the metal mask with a resin capable of charging the display medium particles to a higher charge amount, and rubbing the display medium particles with the resin surface coated with the squeegee. Can be charged to a higher charge amount. In the case of using positively charged display medium particles, in order to positively charge the display medium particles, it is preferable to use a resin coating that is easily negatively charged. In the case of using negatively charged display medium particles, in order to negatively charge the display medium particles, it is preferable to use a resin coating that is easily positively charged.

<When a resin screen is bonded to the top surface of the metal mask>
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an example of the method for producing the information display panel of the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 7, 11 is a substrate made of glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin or the like (corresponding to the substrate 1 or 2 in FIGS. 1 to 5), and 12 is an electrode made of indium tin oxide (ITO), metal or the like. A film (corresponding to the electrodes 5 and 6 in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the conductive members 33 and 34 in FIG. 4), 13 is a partition wall (corresponding to the partition wall 4 in FIGS. 1 to 5), 25 Is a metal mask, 15 is bonded to the upper surface of the metal mask 25 with a screen such as Teflon or nylon, and 16 is a plate-like member (hereinafter also referred to as squeegee). In the example shown in FIG. 7, in the present invention, when the display medium particles 3 are filled in the cells 14, the metal mask 25 having the openings 23 at the positions where the display medium particles 3 are to be filled on the partition walls 13. The screen 15 is pasted on the upper surface of the metal mask 25, the display medium particles 3 are placed on the screen 15, and one end of the screen 15 is placed in a state where the squeegee 16 is in contact with the screen 15. The display medium particles 3 are filled into the cells 14 via the screen 15 by moving from one end to the other end. The screen 15 is a plate-like or cloth-like one having holes through which the display medium particles 3 can permeate. For example, a screen-like thin plate made of resin or a mesh-like cloth knitted with resin fibers. It is. Even if the metal mask 25 is arranged on the partition wall so as not to be in contact with the partition wall, the same can be achieved.

  In this example, by filling the display medium particles 3 into the cells 14 with the squeegee 16 via the screen 15, the display medium particles 3 can be easily filled into the cells 14 by a simple process. In particular, when producing a plurality of types of display medium particles 3, for example, an information display panel as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the white display medium 3W and the black display medium 3B are sequentially and efficiently used. Can be filled.

In addition, since the display medium particles 3 are filled in the cells 14 using the mask 25, the display medium particles 3 can be formed in a desired manner by sealing the portion not filled with the display medium particles 3. Only the cells 14 can be filled, and the area to be filled with the display medium particles 3 can be controlled.
Further, by changing the type of screen 15 and the mesh size, and by changing the movement conditions of the squeegee 16 (for example, conditions such as contact pressure and movement speed during movement), the cells of the display medium particle 3 are displayed. The filling amount into 14 can be controlled.

  Similar to the resin coating example described above, in the example of FIG. 7, a resin screen that can charge the display medium particles to a higher charge amount is disposed on the upper surface of the metal mask. By rubbing the display medium particles with the squeegee and the resin screen, the display medium particles can be charged to a higher charge amount. In the case of using positively charged display medium particles, in order to positively charge the display medium particles, it is preferable to use a resin screen that is easily negatively charged. In the case of using negatively charged display medium particles, a resin screen that is easily charged positively may be used in order to negatively charge the display medium particles.

In the present invention, the squeegee 16 means a plate-like material that can be moved on the screen 15 (21) while being in contact with the screen, for example, a plate-like rubber material or a plate-like resin material. It may be insulating or conductive. The material of the squeegee 16 is not only urethane rubber and natural rubber but also various synthetic rubbers, various resin materials such as polyester resin, nylon resin and polyamide resin, and various rubber materials and metal plates coated with various resin materials. can do. When the particles for display medium are filled using the squeegee 16, it is performed by repeating once or several times on the screen. The cell 14 refers to a small space between the substrates surrounded by the partition wall 13.
Although it has been described that the particles constituting the display medium are used as a powder in a dry state, they can also be used in a paste state in which these particles are dispersed in a liquid. In this case, it is necessary to sufficiently dry the particles by removing the liquid as the dispersion medium before making the cell a sealed space.

  Hereinafter, each member which comprises the information display panel produced using the manufacturing method of this invention is demonstrated.

  As for the substrate, at least one substrate (front substrate) is a transparent substrate 2 from which the color of the display medium can be confirmed from the outside of the information display panel, and a material having high visible light transmittance and good heat resistance is suitable. . The substrate 1 may be transparent or opaque. Examples of substrate materials include polymer sheets such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethersulfone, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyimide, and acrylic, flexible materials such as metal sheets, and glass and quartz. An inorganic sheet having no flexibility is mentioned. The thickness of the substrate is preferably from 2 to 5000 μm, more preferably from 5 to 2000 μm. If it is too thin, it will be difficult to maintain the strength and the spacing uniformity between the substrates, and if it is thicker than 5000 μm, it will be a thin information display panel. Is inconvenient.

  As the material for forming electrodes and conductive members when providing electrodes and conductive members on information display panels, metals such as aluminum, silver, nickel, copper, and gold, indium tin oxide (ITO), and zinc-doped indium oxide (IZO) ), Conductive metal oxides such as indium oxide, conductive tin oxide, antimony tin oxide (ATO), and conductive zinc oxide, and conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, and polythiophene are exemplified and used as appropriate. It is done. As a method for forming the electrode and the conductive member, the above-described materials are formed into a thin film by sputtering, vacuum vapor deposition, CVD (chemical vapor deposition), coating method, etc., or the conductive agent is used as a solvent or a synthetic resin binder. A method of mixing and applying is used. The electrodes and conductive members provided on the display surface side substrate 2 that are visible and need to be transparent need to be transparent, but the electrodes and conductive members provided on the back side substrate 1 do not need to be transparent. In any case, the above-mentioned material that can be patterned and is electrically conductive can be suitably used. The thickness of the electrode and the conductive member is not particularly limited as long as the conductivity can be secured and the light transmittance is not hindered, and is preferably 3 to 1000 nm, preferably 5 to 400 nm. The materials and thicknesses of the electrodes and conductive members provided on the back side substrate 1 are the same as those of the electrodes and conductive members provided on the display surface side substrate described above, but need not be transparent. In this case, the external voltage input may be superimposed with direct current or alternating current.

In the partition for forming cells in the space between the substrates of the information display panel, the height and width of the partition are appropriately set according to the type of the display medium involved in the display and are not limited in general, but the partition width is 2 The height of the partition wall is adjusted to 10 to 500 μm, preferably 10 to 200 μm. As shown in FIG. 8, the cells in the information display panel obtained by superimposing the display side substrate and the back side substrate are illustrated in a square shape, a triangular shape, a line shape, a circular shape, a hexagonal shape as viewed from the substrate plane direction, Examples of the arrangement include a lattice shape, a honeycomb shape, and a mesh shape. Various shapes are used depending on the shape of the partition wall. It is better to make the portion corresponding to the partition cross section visible from the display surface side (the area of the cell frame formed by the partition width) as small as possible, and the display state becomes clearer.
Examples of the method for forming the partition include a mold transfer method, a screen printing method, a sand blast method, a photolithography method, and an additive method. Any of these methods can be preferably used, but among these, a photolithography method using a resist film and a mold transfer method are preferably used.

Next, particles constituting the display medium (hereinafter also referred to as display medium particles) in the information display panel produced using the manufacturing method of the present invention will be described. The display medium particles are used as they are as a display medium by being composed of the display particles alone, or by being combined with other particles as a display medium.
The display medium particles can contain a charge control agent, a colorant, an inorganic additive, and the like, if necessary, in the resin as the main component, as in the conventional case. Examples of resins, charge control agents, colorants, and other additives will be given below.

  Examples of the resin include urethane resin, urea resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, acrylic urethane resin, acrylic urethane silicone resin, acrylic urethane fluororesin, acrylic fluororesin, silicone resin, acrylic silicone resin, epoxy resin, polystyrene resin, styrene Acrylic resin, polyolefin resin, butyral resin, vinylidene chloride resin, melamine resin, phenol resin, fluororesin, polycarbonate resin, polysulfone resin, polyether resin, polyamide resin and the like can be mentioned, and two or more kinds can be mixed. In particular, acrylic urethane resin, acrylic silicone resin, acrylic fluororesin, acrylic urethane silicone resin, acrylic urethane fluororesin, fluororesin, and silicone resin are suitable from the viewpoint of controlling the adhesive force with the substrate.

  The charge control agent is not particularly limited. Examples of the negative charge control agent include salicylic acid metal complexes, metal-containing azo dyes, metal-containing oil-soluble dyes (including metal ions and metal atoms), and quaternary ammonium salt systems. Examples thereof include compounds, calixarene compounds, boron-containing compounds (benzyl acid boron complexes), and nitroimidazole derivatives. Examples of the positive charge control agent include nigrosine dyes, triphenylmethane compounds, quaternary ammonium salt compounds, polyamine resins, imidazole derivatives, and the like. In addition, metal oxides such as ultrafine silica, ultrafine titanium oxide, ultrafine alumina, nitrogen-containing cyclic compounds such as pyridine and derivatives and salts thereof, various organic pigments, resins containing fluorine, chlorine, nitrogen, etc. are also charged. It can also be used as a control agent.

  As the colorant, various organic or inorganic pigments and dyes as exemplified below can be used.

Examples of the black colorant include carbon black, copper oxide, manganese dioxide, aniline black, activated carbon and the like.
Examples of blue colorants include C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 3, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15, Bituminous Blue, Cobalt Blue, Alkaline Blue Lake, Victoria Blue Lake, Phthalocyanine Blue, Metal-free Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue Partial Chlorides, Fast Sky Blue, Indanthrene Blue BC, and the like.
Examples of red colorants include bengara, cadmium red, red lead, mercury sulfide, cadmium, permanent red 4R, resol red, pyrazolone red, watching red, calcium salt, lake red D, brilliant carmine 6B, eosin lake, rhodamine lake B, Alizarin Lake, Brilliant Carmine 3B, C.I. I. Pigment Red 2 etc.

Yellow colorants include chrome yellow, zinc yellow, cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, mineral first yellow, nickel titanium yellow, navel yellow, naphthol yellow S, Hansa Yellow G, Hansa Yellow 10G, Benzidine Yellow G, Benzidine Yellow GR, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Permanent Yellow NCG, Tartrazine Lake, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 12 etc.
Examples of green colorants include chrome green, chromium oxide, pigment green B, C.I. I. Pigment Green 7, Malachite Green Lake, Final Yellow Green G, etc.
Examples of the orange colorant include red chrome yellow, molybdenum orange, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, Vulcan orange, indanthrene brilliant orange RK, benzidine orange G, indanthrene brilliant orange GK, C.I. I. Pigment Orange 31 etc.
Examples of purple colorants include manganese purple, first violet B, and methyl violet lake.
Examples of white colorants include zinc white, titanium oxide, antimony white, and zinc sulfide.

As extender pigments, barite powder, barium carbonate, clay, silica, white carbon,
There are talc and alumina white. Examples of various dyes such as basic, acidic, disperse, and direct dyes include nigrosine, methylene blue, rose bengal, quinoline yellow, and ultramarine blue.

Examples of inorganic additives include titanium oxide, zinc white, zinc sulfide, antimony oxide, calcium carbonate, lead white, talc, silica, calcium silicate, alumina white, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, cadmium orange, titanium yellow, Examples include bitumen, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, cobalt green, cobalt violet, iron oxide, carbon black, manganese ferrite black, cobalt ferrite black, copper powder, and aluminum powder.
These pigments and inorganic additives can be used alone or in combination. Of these, carbon black is particularly preferable as the black pigment, and titanium oxide is preferable as the white pigment.
The above colorant can be blended to produce display medium particles having a desired color.

  The particles for display medium used in the present invention have an average particle diameter d (0.5) in the range of 1 to 20 μm, and are preferably uniform and uniform. If the average particle diameter d (0.5) is larger than this range, the display is not clear. If the average particle diameter d (0.5) is smaller than this range, the cohesive force between the particles becomes too large, which hinders movement as a display medium.

Furthermore, in the particles for display medium used in the present invention, the particle size distribution Span represented by the following formula is set to less than 5, preferably less than 3, with respect to the particle size distribution of each particle.
Span = (d (0.9) −d (0.1)) / d (0.5)
(However, d (0.5) is a numerical value expressing the particle diameter in μm that 50% of the particles are larger than this and 50% is smaller than this, and d (0.1) is a particle in which the ratio of the smaller particles is 10%. (Numerical value expressed in μm, and d (0.9) is a numerical value expressed in μm for a particle diameter of 90% or less.)
By keeping Span within a range of 5 or less, the size of each particle is uniform, and uniform movement as a display medium is possible.

  Furthermore, regarding the correlation between the particles for each display medium, the ratio of d (0.5) of the particles having the minimum diameter to d (0.5) of the particles having the maximum diameter among the used particles is 50 or less, preferably 10 or less. It is important to do. Even if the particle size distribution Span is reduced, particles with different charging characteristics move in opposite directions, so that the particle size is close to each other and each particle can be easily moved in the opposite direction by the equivalent amount. This is within this range.

The particle size distribution and particle size of the display medium particles can be obtained from a laser diffraction / scattering method or the like. When laser light is irradiated onto particles to be measured, a light intensity distribution pattern of diffracted / scattered light is spatially generated, and this light intensity pattern has a corresponding relationship with the particle diameter, so that the particle diameter and particle diameter distribution can be measured. .
Here, the particle size and particle size distribution in the present invention are obtained from a volume-based distribution. Specifically, using a Mastersizer2000 (Malvern Instruments Ltd.) measuring instrument, particles are introduced into a nitrogen stream and the attached analysis software (software based on volume-based distribution using Mie theory) The diameter and particle size distribution can be measured.

  The charge amount of the display medium particles naturally depends on the measurement conditions, but the charge amount of the display medium particles in the information display panel is almost the same as the initial charge amount, the contact with the partition walls, the contact with the substrate, and the elapsed time. It was found that depending on the charge decay, the saturation value of the charging behavior of the particles for the display medium is a dominant factor.

  As a result of intensive studies, the inventors of the present invention have been able to evaluate the range of proper charging characteristics of display medium particles by measuring the charge amount of display medium particles using the same carrier particles in the blow-off method. I found it.

Furthermore, when a dry information display panel for driving a display medium in a gas space is manufactured according to the present invention, it is important to manage the gas in the gap surrounding the display medium, which contributes to improved display stability. Specifically, it is important that the relative humidity at 25 ° C. is 60% RH or less, and preferably 50% RH or less for the humidity of the gas in the gap.
For example, in FIG. 1 (a), the gap portion refers to the electrodes 5 and 6 (when electrodes are provided inside the substrate), the occupied portion of the display medium 3, from the portion sandwiched between the opposing substrate 1 and substrate 2. The gas portion in contact with the so-called display medium excluding the occupied portion of the partition wall 4 and the seal portion of the information display panel is assumed.
The gas in the gap is not limited as long as it is in the humidity region described above, but dry air, dry nitrogen, dry argon, dry helium, dry carbon dioxide, dry methane, and the like are preferable. This gas needs to be sealed in an information display panel so that its humidity is maintained. For example, filling of particles for display medium, assembly of an information display panel, etc. are performed in a predetermined humidity environment, Furthermore, it is important to apply a sealing agent and a sealing method that prevent moisture from entering from the outside.

The distance between the substrate in the information display panel manufactured using the manufacturing method of the present invention is not limited as long as the display medium can be moved and the contrast can be maintained, but is usually adjusted to 10 to 500 μm, preferably 10 to 200 μm. The
The volume occupation ratio of the display medium in the gas space between the opposing substrates is preferably 5 to 70%, more preferably 5 to 60%. If it exceeds 70%, the movement of the display medium is hindered, and if it is less than 5%, the contrast tends to be unclear.

  The information display panel of the Example by the manufacturing method concerning this invention and the information display panel of a comparative example were produced.

The information display panel of Example 1 uses a mask in which Teflon is coated on the surface of a metal mask in which holes are provided in a stainless steel plate as a plate called screen printing, and uses an insulating squeegee made of urethane rubber, The positively charged display medium particles were filled on the attached conductive film substrate. At this time, the mask was placed in contact with the partition wall. After that, a mask with nylon coated on the surface of a metal mask with holes in a stainless steel plate is used as a plate for screen printing, and an insulating squeegee made of urethane rubber is used to place a minus on a conductive film substrate with a partition wall. The charged display medium particles were filled. At this time, the mask was placed in contact with the partition wall.
The particles for the positively charged display medium and the particles for the negatively charged display medium showed a high charge amount by friction with the coating on the metal mask surface (Teflon coating, nylon coating), and could be filled neatly, and no unevenness was observed. Further, even if the substrate was turned upside down after filling, the display medium particles on the substrate did not fall.
In this way, after filling the display medium particles and removing the display medium particles on the partition walls by adhering a rubber roller, after applying an adhesive on the partition walls, bonding to the other conductive film substrate, An information display panel was produced. When the adhesion surface was observed after bonding, particles for display medium were not observed on the bonding surface between the top of the partition wall and the substrate, and good display could be performed using this information display panel.
Here, the particles for the display medium on the partition walls are removed by the rubber roller because the mask and the partition walls are in contact with each other at the time of filling, so that the display medium particles are not placed on the partition walls, but the mask is separated from the ribs. In this case, when the particles for the display medium adhere to the partition walls, they are surely removed.

When the charge amount of the display medium particles is insufficient, the display medium particles easily move on the substrate even after cleaning, and on the partition wall until the partition wall and the other conductive film substrate are bonded. The particles for the display medium are again loaded.
On the other hand, if the charge amount of the display medium particles is sufficiently high, it adheres strongly to the electrode (conductive film) and does not move from the electrode, so once the partition wall is cleaned, it adheres to the other conductive film substrate. In the meantime, the display medium particles are not again deposited on the partition walls, and good adhesion can be obtained.

The information display panel of Example 2 uses a mask in which Teflon is coated on the surface of a metal mask in which holes are formed in a stainless steel plate as a plate for screen printing, and uses an insulating squeegee made of urethane rubber, The positively charged display medium particles were filled on the attached conductive film substrate. At this time, the mask was arranged slightly apart (about the thickness of the mask) so as not to contact the partition. After that, a mask with nylon coated on the surface of a metal mask with holes on a stainless steel plate is used as a plate for screen printing, and an insulating squeegee made of urethane rubber is used to place a minus on a conductive film substrate with a partition wall. The charged display medium particles were filled. At this time, the mask was arranged slightly apart (about the thickness of the mask) so as not to contact the partition.
The particles for the positively charged display medium and the particles for the negatively charged display medium showed a high charge amount by friction with the coating on the metal mask surface (Teflon coating, nylon coating), and could be filled neatly, and no unevenness was observed. Further, even if the substrate was turned upside down after filling, the display medium particles on the substrate did not fall.
In this way, after filling the display medium particles and removing the display medium particles on the partition walls by adhering a rubber roller, after applying an adhesive on the partition walls, bonding to the other conductive film substrate, An information display panel was produced. When the adhesion surface was observed after bonding, particles for display medium were not observed on the bonding surface between the top of the partition wall and the substrate, and good display could be performed using this information display panel.
Here, the rubber roller is used in order to surely remove any display medium particles adhering to the partition wall at the time of filling and when the mask is separated from the rib.

The information display panel of Example 3 uses a mask made of Teflon coated on the surface of a metal mask with holes in a stainless steel plate as a plate called screen printing, and uses an insulating squeegee made of Teflon, and has a partition wall. The positively charged display medium particles were filled on the conductive film substrate. At this time, the mask was placed in contact with the partition wall. After that, a mask with nylon coated on the surface of a metal mask with holes on a stainless steel plate is used as a screen printing plate, and an insulating squeegee made of nylon is used to negatively charge the conductive film substrate with a partition wall. The display medium particles were filled. At this time, the mask was placed in contact with the partition wall.
The particles for the positively charged display medium and the particles for the negatively charged display medium showed a high charge amount by friction with the coating on the metal mask surface (Teflon coating, nylon coating), and could be filled neatly, and no unevenness was observed. Further, even if the substrate was turned upside down after filling, the display medium particles on the substrate did not fall.
In this way, after filling the display medium particles and removing the display medium particles on the partition walls by adhering a rubber roller, after applying an adhesive on the partition walls, bonding to the other conductive film substrate, An information display panel was produced. When the adhesion surface was observed after bonding, particles for display medium were not observed on the bonding surface between the top of the partition wall and the substrate, and good display could be performed using this information display panel.
Here, the particles for the display medium on the partition walls are removed by the rubber roller because the mask and the partition walls are in contact with each other at the time of filling, so that the display medium particles are not placed on the partition walls, but the mask is separated from the ribs. In this case, when the particles for the display medium adhere to the partition walls, they are surely removed.

The information display panel of Example 4 uses a mask in which Teflon is coated on the surface of a metal mask in which holes are formed on a stainless steel plate as a plate called screen printing, and uses an insulating squeegee made of Teflon, and has a partition wall. The positively charged display medium particles were filled on the conductive film substrate. At this time, the mask was arranged slightly apart (about the thickness of the mask) so as not to contact the partition. After that, a mask with nylon coated on the surface of a metal mask with holes on a stainless steel plate is used as a plate for screen printing, and an insulating squeegee made of nylon is used to charge negatively on a conductive film substrate with a partition wall. The display medium particles were filled. At this time, the mask was arranged slightly apart (about the thickness of the mask) so as not to contact the partition.
The particles for the positively charged display medium and the particles for the negatively charged display medium showed a high charge amount by friction with the coating on the metal mask surface (Teflon coating, nylon coating), and could be filled neatly, and no unevenness was observed. Further, even if the substrate was turned upside down after filling, the display medium particles on the substrate did not fall.
In this way, after filling the display medium particles and removing the display medium particles on the partition walls by adhering a rubber roller, after applying an adhesive on the partition walls, bonding to the other conductive film substrate, An information display panel was produced. When the adhesion surface was observed after bonding, particles for display medium were not observed on the bonding surface between the top of the partition wall and the substrate, and good display could be performed using this information display panel.
Here, the rubber roller is used in order to surely remove the display medium particles adhering to the partition walls at the time of filling and when the mask is separated from the ribs.

The information display panel of Comparative Example 1 uses a metal mask having holes in a stainless steel plate as a plate for screen printing, and uses an insulating squeegee made of urethane rubber to add a plus on a conductive film substrate with a partition wall. The charged display medium particles were filled. The metal mask was placed in contact with the partition wall. After that, using a metal mask with holes in a stainless steel plate as a plate in screen printing, using an insulating squeegee made of urethane rubber, the conductive film substrate with the partition walls is filled with particles for negatively charged display media. went. The metal mask was placed in contact with the partition wall.
Both the positively charged display medium particles and the negatively charged display medium particles were filled, but unevenness was observed. Further, when the substrate was turned upside down after filling, the particles for the display medium on the substrate were easily dropped.
In this way, after filling the display medium particles and removing the display medium particles on the partition walls by adhering a rubber roller, after applying an adhesive on the partition walls, bonding to the other conductive film substrate, An information display panel was produced. When the adhesion surface was observed after bonding, it was observed that the particles for the display medium were sandwiched between the top surfaces of the partition walls and the substrate, and adhesion failure was observed. Even when the particles on the partition walls are removed by bringing the rubber roller into close contact, it is presumed that the particles for the display medium filled in the cells adhere to the partition walls when the substrates are bonded together.

In the information display panel of Comparative Example 2, a metal mask with holes in a stainless steel plate is used as a screen printing plate, and an insulating squeegee made of urethane rubber is used on a conductive film substrate with a partition. The charged display medium particles were filled. The metal mask was arranged slightly apart (about the thickness of the mask) so as not to contact the partition wall.
Both the positively charged display medium particles and the negatively charged display medium particles were filled, but unevenness was observed. Further, when the substrate was turned upside down after filling, the particles for the display medium on the substrate were easily dropped.
In this way, after filling the display medium particles and removing the display medium particles on the partition walls by adhering a rubber roller, after applying an adhesive on the partition walls, bonding to the other conductive film substrate, An information display panel was produced. When the adhesion surface was observed after bonding, it was observed that the particles for the display medium were sandwiched between the top surfaces of the partition walls and the substrate, and adhesion failure was observed. Even when the particles on the partition walls are removed by bringing the rubber roller into close contact, it is presumed that the particles for the display medium filled in the cells adhere to the partition walls when the substrates are bonded together.

  From the above results, it can be seen that by using a resin-coated metal mask, particles for display media can be charged positively and negatively by friction with the resin coating, and can be filled cleanly and uniformly. It was. Further, even if the substrate is turned upside down after filling, the display medium particles on the substrate do not fall, and this also shows that the display medium particles are sufficiently charged. It has been found that the squeegee is preferably used for both insulation and conductivity.

  An information display panel according to the manufacturing method of the present invention includes a notebook computer, an electronic notebook, a portable information device called PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a display unit of a mobile device such as a mobile phone and a handy terminal, an electronic book, an electronic newspaper, Electronic paper such as electronic manuals (instruction manuals), signboards, posters, bulletin boards such as blackboards (whiteboards), display units such as electronic desk calculators, home appliances, automobile supplies, card display units such as point cards and IC cards, In addition to electronic advertising, information boards, electronic POP (Point Of Presence, Point Of Purchase advertising), electronic price tags, electronic shelf labels, electronic musical scores, display parts of RF-ID devices, POS terminals, car navigation devices, watches, etc. A rewritable paper that is suitably used for a display unit of an electronic device and that drives a display medium using an external electric field forming means. Also preferably used.

  As for the driving method of the information display panel according to the manufacturing method of the present invention, a simple matrix driving method and a static driving method that do not use a switching element in the panel itself, a three-terminal switching element represented by a thin film transistor (TFT), or Various types of driving methods such as an active matrix driving method using a two-terminal switching element typified by a thin film diode (TFD) and an external electric field driving method using an external electric field forming means can be applied.

(A), (b) is a figure which shows an example of the information display panel produced using the manufacturing method of this invention, respectively. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the other example of the information display panel produced using the manufacturing method of this invention, respectively. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the further another example of the information display panel produced using the manufacturing method of this invention, respectively. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the further another example of the information display panel produced using the manufacturing method of this invention, respectively. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the further another example of the information display panel produced using the manufacturing method of this invention, respectively. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the manufacturing method of the information display panel of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the manufacturing method of the information display panel of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the shape of the partition in the information display panel used as the object of the manufacturing method of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the conventional display medium filling method.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 11 Substrate 3 Display medium (particle group of particles for display medium)
3W White display medium 3Wa White display medium particle 3B Black display medium 3Ba Black display medium particle 4, 13 Partition 5, 6 Electrode 7B Black plate 12 Electrode film 14 Cell 15 Screen 16 Plate member (squeegee)
17 coating material 21-1 first cell 21-2 second cell 21-3 third cell 22R red color filter 22G green color filter 22BL blue color filter 23 opening 25 mask 31, 32 external electric field forming means 33, 34 Conductive member 51 Nozzle 52 Container 53 Partition wall 54 Cell 56 Display medium particle 57 Mask

Claims (5)

At least one type of display medium having optical reflectivity and chargeability composed of at least one type of particles is enclosed in a cell formed by a partition between two opposing substrates, at least one of which is transparent. In the method of manufacturing an information display panel that displays information such as an image by moving the display medium by applying an electric field to the display medium,
When filling the display medium particles in the cell, a metal mask with a resin coating on the top surface is placed on the partition wall so as to be in contact with the partition wall or away from the partition wall. The cell is filled with the display medium particles while frictionally charging the display medium particles by placing the particles and moving the plate member in contact with the metal mask. Manufacturing method of information display panel. At least one type of display medium having optical reflectivity and chargeability composed of at least one type of particles is enclosed in a cell formed by a partition between two opposing substrates, at least one of which is transparent. In the method of manufacturing an information display panel that displays information such as an image by moving the display medium by applying an electric field to the display medium,
When filling the display medium particles in the cell, a metal mask with a resin screen bonded to the top surface is placed on the partition wall so that it touches the partition wall or away from the partition wall and is displayed on the screen. The medium particles are loaded, and the display medium particles are filled in the cells while frictionally charging the display medium particles by moving on the screen in a state where the plate member is in contact with the screen. Manufacturing method of information display panel.   3. The resin coating or the resin screen applied to the upper surface of the metal mask has a property of being easily negatively charged when filled with particles for a positively charged display medium. The manufacturing method of the information display panel of description.   3. The resin coating or the resin screen applied to the upper surface of the metal mask has a property of being easily positively charged when filled with particles for a negatively charged display medium. The manufacturing method of the information display panel of description.   The method for manufacturing an information display panel according to claim 1, wherein the metal mask is electrically connected to ground.

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