Thin Sheet Glass Processing
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsSeung Jae Hong, Lili Huang, John Z. Zhong
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Abstract
Improved techniques are disclosed for fabrication of touch panels using thin sheet glass. Thin touch sensor panels each having a thickness of substantially less than approximately one-half millimeter can be produced. A thin mother glass sheet having a thickness of substantially less then approximately one half millimeter can be used. A thin film can be coupled to a surface of the thin mother glass sheet, and the thin film can be photolithographically patterned, while avoiding breakage of the thin mother glass sheet. The thin mother glass sheet can be singulated into the thin touch sensor panels.
Claims25
An apparatus comprising:
- a touch sensor panel comprising a glass substrate having a thickness of substantially less than approximately one half millimeter, and a first patterned thin film coupled to a first major surface of the glass substrate.
An apparatus comprising:
- a thin touch sensor panel comprising a glass substrate having a thickness of substantially less than approximately one half millimeter, and a first patterned thin film coupled to a first major surface of the glass substrate;
- and
- a portable electronic device incorporating the touch sensor panel.
A method for producing thin touch sensor panels each having a thickness of substantially less than approximately one-half millimeter comprising:
- obtaining a thin mother glass sheet having a thickness of substantially less then approximately one half millimeter;
- depositing a thin film coupled to a surface of the thin mother glass sheet, and
- photolithographically patterning the thin film, while avoiding breakage of the thin mother glass sheet;
- and
- singulating the thin mother glass sheet into the thin touch sensor panels.
An apparatus for photolithographic patterning of thin touch sensor panels each having a thickness of substantially less than approximately one-half millimeter, the apparatus comprising:
- a thin mother glass sheet of the thin touch sensor panels, wherein the thin mother glass sheet has a thickness of substantially less then approximately one half millimeter;
- and
- a plurality of support members sufficiently numerous so as to avoid breakage of the thin mother glass sheet during photolithographic patterning of the thin touch sensor panels of the thin mother glass sheet.
An apparatus for photolithographic patterning of thin touch sensor panels each having a thickness of substantially less than approximately one-half millimeter, the apparatus comprising:
- a thin mother glass sheet of the thin touch sensor panels, wherein the thin mother glass sheet has a thickness of substantially less then approximately one half millimeter;
- and
- support members disposed sufficiently proximate to one another so as to avoid breakage of the thin mother glass sheet, during photolithographic patterning of the thin touch sensor panels of the thin mother glass sheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.