<heading lvl="0">Abstract of Disclosure< / heading> This invention relates to an electrophoretic display or a
liquid crystal display and novel processes for its manufacture. The electrophoretic display (EPD) of the present invention comprises microcups of well-defined shape, size and
aspect ratio and the microcups are filled with charged
pigment particles dispersed in an optically contrasting
dielectric solvent. The
liquid crystal display (LCD) of this invention comprises well-defined microcups filled with at least a
liquid crystal composition having its ordinary
refractive index matched to that of the isotropic
cup material. A novel roll-to-roll process and apparatus of the invention permits the display manufacture to be carried out continuously by a synchronized photo-lithographic process. The synchronized roll-to-roll process and apparatus permits a pre-patterned
photomask, formed as a continuous loop, to be rolled in a synchronized motion in close parallel alignment to a web which has been pre-coated with a
radiation sensitive material, so as to maintain
image alignment during
exposure to a
radiation source. The
radiation sensitive material may be a radiation curable material, in which the exposed and cured portions form the microcup structure. In an additional process step, the radiation sensitive material may be a positively working
photoresist which temporarily seals the microcups.
Exposure of a selected subset of the microcups via the
photomask image permits selective re-opening, filling and sealing of the microcup subset. Repetition with additional colors permits the continuous
assembly of a multicolor EPD or LCD display.