Patent · US Expired

Particulate spacers for inhibiting Newton rings in touch sensitive overlays

US4696860A · kind A · utility

64Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 26, 1985
Grant dateSep 29, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 26, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/31645
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Fine particles, preferably of brown alumina (approximately 96% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3), are disposed between closely spaced and normally parallel surfaces of two adjacent transparent layers, such as are typically found in a touch sensitive overlay (TSO). The particles are preferably of a size within the range 3-100 microns, and are distributed in a density preferably in the range 300-3,000 particles per square inch, so that the larger particles are in simultaneous contact with both the parallel surfaces. Local pressure on a TSO panel with this distribution of particles of non-uniform size allows operation of the panel without the generation of distracting Newton rings between the surfaces contacting the particles. These particles may be conveniently sprayed onto either of the parallel surfaces in suspension with a fluid carrier that evaporates to leave the particles adhering to the sprayed surface.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.