Sealing of flat-panel device

A method comprising the steps of:

• positioning first and second plate structures generally opposite each other such that a pair of restricting structures provided over the first plate structure lie between the plate structures and such that sealing material provided in a specified pattern over the second plate structure lies between the plate structures and is situated opposite a location between the restricting structures;
• and
• heating the sealing material to seal the plate structures together such that the sealing material contacts the first plate structure between the restricting structures and such that the restricting structures largely prevent the sealing material from spreading over the restricting structures to contact the first plate structure laterally beyond the restricting structures.

A method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a first plate structure generally opposite a second plate structure such that sealing material provided in a specified pattern over the second plate structure lies between the plate structures, such that a gap at least partially separates the sealing material from the first plate structure, and such that spacer means (a) lies between the plate structures, (b) is largely laterally surrounded by the sealing material, and (c) is rigidly coupled to both plate structures at multiple locations spaced laterally apart along the plate structures;
• and
• transferring energy locally to the sealing material to cause the sealing material to close the gap and seal the plate structures together.

A method as in claim, 50 wherein the gap has an average height of at least 25 μm.

A method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a first plate structure vertically below a second plate structure such that sealing material provided in a specified pattern over the second plate structure lies between the plate structures;
• and
• heating the sealing material so that it moves generally downward under gravitational influence to contact the first plate structure and seal the plate structures together, the first plate structure having (a) a sealing area which contacts the sealing material during the heating step and is of a surface energy that promotes bonding of the sealing material to the sealing area and (b) a further area which laterally adjoins the sealing area and is of a surface energy that inhibits bonding of the sealing material to the further area.

A method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a first plate structure vertically below a second plate structure such that sealing material provided in a specified pattern over the second plate structure lies between the plate structures;
• and
• heating the sealing material so that it moves generally downward under gravitational influence to contact the first plate structure and seal the plate structures together, the second plate structure having (a) a sealing area which contacts the sealing material and is of a surface energy that promotes bonding of the sealing material to the sealing area and (b) a further area which laterally adjoins the sealing area and is of a surface energy that inhibits bonding of the sealing material to the further area.

A method comprising the steps of:

• positioning first and second plate structures generally opposite each other such that a restricting structure provided over the first plate structure lies between the plate structures, such that sealing material provided in a specified pattern over the second plate structure lies between the plate structures and is situated at a location close to the restricting structure, and such that intermediate means, other than the sealing material or the restricting structure, lies between the plate structures and contacts both plate structures;
• and
• heating the sealing material to seal the plate structures together such that the sealing material contacts the first plate structure close to the restricting structure and such that the restricting structure largely prevents the sealing material from spreading laterally over the restricting structure to contact the first plate structure laterally beyond the restricting structure.

A method comprising the steps of:

• positioning first and second plate structures generally opposite each other such that a first restricting structure provided over the first plate structure lies between the plate structures, such that a second restricting structure provided over the second plate structure lies between the plate structures, and such that sealing material provided in a specified pattern over the second plate structure lies between the plate structures, is situated at a location close to the first restricting structure, and is situated opposite a location close to the second restricting structure;
• and
• heating the sealing material to seal the plate structures together such that the sealing material contacts the first plate structure close to the first restricting structure, such that the first restricting structure largely prevents the sealing material from spreading laterally over the first restricting structure to contact the first plate structure laterally beyond the first restricting structure, and such that the second restricting structure largely prevents the sealing material from spreading laterally over the second restricting structure to contact the second plate structure laterally beyond the second restricting structure.