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Composition for inkjet spacer formation and spacer element using the sameRelated Patent Categories: Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, And Process, Current Producing Cell, Elements, Subcombinations And Compositions For Use Therewith And Adjuncts, Include Electrolyte Chemically Specified And Method, Chemically Specified Organic Solvent ContainingComposition for inkjet spacer formation and spacer element using the same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070190429, Composition for inkjet spacer formation and spacer element using the same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] (a) Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a composition for spacer formation used for color televisions, computer monitors, and other display devices, and a spacer element using the same. [0003] (b) Description of the Related Art [0004] Demand for color liquid crystal displays has been on the increase in recent years, and large liquid crystal displays are being manufactured. However, manufacturing costs should be reduced in order for the color display devices to be used more widely. [0005] Conventionally, a liquid crystal display is manufactured by forming a liquid crystal driving device, such as a TFT (thin film transistor), and a coloring device, such as a color filter, on a pair of opposing transparent insulating substrates. Between the substrates there are spacers that maintains a 3 to 10 .mu.m space therebetween. Liquid crystal is injected in this space, and then the spacing is sealed to form a liquid crystal device. [0006] Conventionally, spherical or cylindrical silica, alumina, or synthetic resin particles randomly distributed between the TFT substrate and the color filter substrate have been used as the spacer. But, in this case, the spacer around the light passage of the liquid crystal display may hinder driving of the liquid crystal or deteriorate the display quality due to the optical properties of the spacer itself. [0007] In order to solve this problem, a method of selectively forming a spacer in the black matrix formation part through which no light passes, using a photoresist substance, has been proposed. In this case, the black matrix blocks the display quality-deteriorated part, and thus deterioration of display quality can be avoided. [0008] However, when using a photoresist, the spacer formation process requires many steps including spin coating, pre-baking, exposure, developing, and post-baking of the spacer substance, and therefore the manufacturing cost increases. [0009] To solve this problem, Korea Patent Publication No. 2001-0049941, Japan Patent Publication No. 2001-109002, and Japan Patent Publication No. 2001-83525 proposed a method for selectively forming a spacer on the black matrix through which no light passes, by the inkjet process. [0010] Korea Patent Publication No. 2001-0049941 and Japan Patent Publication No. 2001-83525 proposed a cross-linking spacer-forming substance, which could be sprayed by the inkjet head, and which used a homopolymer or copolymer as a cross-linkable substance. Usage of the substance was limited from 0.01 to 30 parts by weight. During spacer formation, the sprayed solvent is evaporated in the cross-linking step, and only the homopolymer or copolymer forms the spacer. While the diameter of the ink droplet on the substrate surface remains almost the same due to its adhesivity, its height decreases, so that the height of the final spacer becomes significantly lower than that of the ink droplet. Accordingly, the height becomes insufficient for a high-resolution black matrix, which requires a small diameter. [0011] In addition, Japan Patent Publication No. 2001-109002 proposed that it is preferable to use a monomer or oligomer with a low molecular weight, considering the spraying characteristics of the ink, while limiting the content of the solvent under 50 parts by weight and increasing the content of the spacer-forming substance. However, a substance with a low molecular weight does not have sufficient mechanical properties unless it is fully cross-linked, and light exposure or heat treatment for sufficient cross-linking increases manufacturing time and decreases productivity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for forming a spacer having a significantly low viscosity and that is easily inkjet-sprayable by adding a cross-linking agent in an emulsion, which is obtained by dispersing a polymer with a relatively high weight average molecular weight with an emulsifier, so that cross-linking by light exposure or heat treatment can be done in a short time. [0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer formed by using the composition. [0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display device comprising the spacer. [0015] To attain these objects, the present invention provides a composition for spacer formation, comprising: [0016] a) 10 to 70 parts by weight (dry weight) of a polymer emulsion; [0017] b) 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of a wetting agent; and [0018] c) 20 to 90 parts by weight of a solvent. [0019] The present invention also provides a spacer formed by the composition. [0020] In addition, the present invention provides a display device comprising the spacer formed by the composition on at least one of the two opposing substrates. [0021] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for preparing composition for spacer formation having a viscosity of 3 to 50 cp, comprising: [0022] a) 10 to 70 parts by weight (dry weight) of a polymer emulsion; [0023] b) 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of a wetting agent; and [0024] c) 20 to 90 parts by weight of a solvent, [0025] wherein the polymer emulsion has a weight average molecular weight of 300 to 50,000, [0026] wherein the composition is applied by the inkjet method to form a spacer on one of the two opposing substrates of a display device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the spacer formation process of the present invention. [0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the liquid crystal display comprising the spacer of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Continue reading about Composition for inkjet spacer formation and spacer element using the same... Full patent description for Composition for inkjet spacer formation and spacer element using the same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Composition for inkjet spacer formation and spacer element using the same patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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