Patent ID: 6664729
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A flat-panel evacuated display having a face plate assembly which includes a substrate having an array of spacer support structures formed by a method comprising:providing a laminar template having a pair of major planar faces and an array of mold holes perpendicular to the major planar faces, each mold hole corresponding to a desired location of a spacer support structure; providing a manifold block having at least one generally planar surface and an array of mating ports on the at least one generally planar surface, each such port mating with an adjacent major planar face of said laminar template and aligning with at least one mold hole of the array in said laminar template; forming a temporary structure by sandwiching and sealing said laminar template between said substrate and the at least one generally planar surface of said manifold block; heating said substrate to a state of plasticity for at least one pressure condition; creating a pressure differential between an ambient atmosphere surrounding the temporary structure and pressure within the mold holes, the pressure within the mold holes being less than that of the ambient atmosphere, the pressure differential causing each of the mold holes to fill with material from the substrate; and removing the face plate assembly from the laminar template.