Method of making an electroluminescent light

A method of making an electroluminescent light for insertion into a channel, said light comprising a least one indicia in the form of a letter, number, symbol, and/or design, said method comprising:

• a) providing a plastic backing sheet;
• b) cutting out a first form in the shape of the desired indicia from said backing sheet;
• c) providing a flexible electroluminescent lamp, said lamp comprising a front electrode layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer and a rear electrode layer;
• d) cutting out a second form in the shape of said desired indicia from said flexible electroluminescent lamp;
• e) determining on said rear electrode of said electroluminescent lamp at least one line which divides said second form into at least desired two geometric areas based on the desired performance of said light;
• f) scribing said rear electrode layer of said second form along said line through the thickness of said rear electrode, but not substantially into said dielectric layer, to thereby form split electrode areas in said rear electrode layer;
• g) sealing said scribed second form between at least two barrier films, said baffler films protecting said electroluminescent lamp against water and ultraviolet light penetration;
• h) attaching a connecting device to each split electrode area of said rear electrode, said connecting devices being adapted to be connected to a power source;
• i) stacking said first and second forms to form a multilayer light structure;
• and j) sealing the periphery of said multilayer sign structure with a sealing material to form a protective seal around said periphery.

A method of forming a large surface area electroluminescent lamp, said method comprising:

• a) providing a relatively large flexible electroluminescent lamp panel, said lamp panel comprising a front electrode layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer and a rear electrode layer;
• b) determining on said rear electrode layer of said lamp panel a plurality of lines that divide said panel into a plurality of smaller panel areas;
• c) scribing said rear electrode layer along said plurality of lines through the thickness of said rear electrode but not substantially into said dielectric layer to thereby form a plurality of smaller split electrode areas in said rear electrode layer;
• and
• d) attaching a connecting device to each split electrode area of said rear electrode;
• whereby said large surface area electroluminescent lamp is provided that can be illuminated as one large area.

A method of splicing electroluminescent lamp structures to provide a seamless structure, said method comprising:

• a) providing first and second flexible electroluminescent lamp structures, each of said lamp structures comprising a front electrode layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer and a rear electrode layer;
• each of said lamp structures having a terminal end;
• and each of said lamp structures having at least one scribe line which penetrates through the thickness of the rear electrode of each of said lamp structures so as to form split electrode areas in said rear electrode layer of each of said lamp structures;
• b) abutting said terminal end of said first lamp structure with said terminal end of said second lamp structure, with said scribe line in said first lamp structure being aligned with said scribe line in said second lamp structure;
• c) attaching a first conductive tape to said rear electrode layer of said first lamp structure and to said rear electrode layer of said second lamp structure, such that said first conductive tape is superimposed over said terminal ends of said first and second lamp structures to thereby attach said first and second lamp structures together, said first conductive tape being located on a first side of said aligned scribe lines of said first and second lamp structures;
• and
• d) attaching a second conductive tape to said rear electrode layer of said first lamp structure and to said rear electrode layer of said second lamp structure, such that said second conductive tape is superimposed over said terminal ends of said first and second lamp structures to thereby attach said first and second lamp structures together, said second conductive tape being located on a second side of said aligned scribe lines of said first and second lamp structures, which second side is on the opposite side of said aligned scribe lines from said first conductive tape;
• whereby said first and second lamp structures are mechanically and electrically connected to each other.