Method of increasing resistance of flat-panel device to bending, and associated getter-containing flat-panel device

A method comprising the following steps for manufacturing a flat-panel device:

• hermetically sealing (a) a first plate structure along a first surface thereof to an outer wall along a first edge thereof and (b) a second plate structure along a first surface thereof to the outer wall along a second edge thereof opposite the first edge to form a device compartment from the plate structures and outer wall such that there is port means through which gas can enter and leave the compartment;
• subsequently heating the compartment to a temperature high enough to cause outgassing from at least one of the plate structures and outer wall to occur into the compartment;
• subsequently cooling the compartment;
• and
• subsequently attaching a first support structure to the first plate structure along a second surface thereof opposite the first plate structure's first surface so as to significantly increase resistance of the compartment to bending.

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a first plate structure, a second plate structure, and a generally annular outer wall that extends between the plate structures to form a main compartment with the plate structures;
• a support member that contacts the first plate structure outside the main compartment and contains a plurality of cavities that form corresponding auxiliary compartments with the first plate structure, each auxiliary compartment connected pressure-wise to the main compartment or to at least one other auxiliary compartment such that the main and auxiliary compartments reach largely equal steady-state compartment pressures;
• and
• a plurality of getters, each situated in a different one of the auxiliary compartments.

A method comprising the following steps for manufacturing a flat-panel device:

• hermetically sealing (a) a first plate structure along a first surface thereof to an outer wall along a first edge thereof and (b) a second plate structure along a first surface thereof to the outer wall along a second edge thereof opposite the first edge to form a device compartment from the plate structures and outer wall;
• and
• subsequently attaching a first support structure to the first plate:
• structure along a second surface thereof opposite the first plate structure's first surface so as to significantly increase resistance of the compartment to bending, the attaching step entailing bringing liquid material of the first support structure into contact with the first plate structure and then allowing or causing the liquid material to harden so that the first support structure is directly attached to the first plate structure.

A method comprising the following steps for manufacturing a flat-panel device:

• hermetically sealing (a) a first plate structure along a first surface thereof to an outer wall along a first edge thereof and (b) a second plate structure along a first surface thereof to the outer wall along a second edge thereof opposite the first edge to form a device compartment from the plate structures and outer wall;
• subsequently attaching a first support structure to the first plate structure along a second surface thereof opposite the first plate structure's first surface so as to significantly increase resistance of the compartment to bending such that there is port means through which gas can enter and leave the compartment;
• subsequently removing gas from the compartment through the port means to pump the compartment down to a compartment pressure no greater than 0.1 atm.;
• subsequently introducing selected gas into the compartment through the port means;
• and
• subsequently closing the port means.

A method comprising the following steps for manufacturing a flat-panel device:

• hermetically sealing (a) a first plate structure along a first surface thereof to an outer wall along a first edge thereof and (b) a second plate structure along a first surface thereof to the outer wall along a second edge thereof opposite the first edge to form a device compartment from the plate structures and outer wall such that there is port means through which gas can enter and leave the compartment;
• removing gas from the compartment through the port means to pump the compartment down to a compartment pressure no greater than 0.1 atm.;
• introducing selected gas into the compartment through the port means;
• and
• subsequently (a) attaching a first support structure to the first plate structure along a second surface thereof opposite the first plate structure's first surface so as to significantly increase resistance of the compartment to bending and (b) attaching a second support structure to the second plate structure along a second surface thereof opposite the second plate structure's first surface so as to further significantly increase the resistance of the compartment to bending.

A method comprising the following steps for manufacturing a flat-panel device:

• hermetically sealing (a) a first plate structure along a first surface thereof to an outer wall along a first edge thereof and (b) a second plate structure along a first surface thereof to the outer wall along a second edge thereof opposite the first edge to form a device compartment from the plate structures and outer wall such that there is port means through which gas can enter and leave the compartment;
• heating the compartment to a temperature high enough to cause outgassing from at least one of the plate structures and the outer wall to occur into the compartment;
• subsequently cooling the compartment;
• and
• subsequently (a) attaching a first support structure to the first plate structure along a second surface thereof opposite the first plate structure's first surface so as to significantly increase resistance of the compartment to bending and (b) attaching a second support structure to the second plate structure along a second surface thereof opposite the second plate structure's first surface so as to further significantly increase the resistance of the compartment to bending.