Patent ID: 8967042
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: B32B,G02F

Abstract:
1. A printing apparatus for manufacturing a spacer, the printing apparatus comprising: a printing plate having a plurality of receiving recesses formed thereon, the receiving recesses each having a generally elliptical shape, and the receiving recesses configured to hold a plurality of beads; and a printing roller configured to transfer the beads in the receiving recesses onto an outer surface of the printing roller by rolling over the receiving recesses, and to transfer the beads on the outer surface onto an external substrate; wherein a length of major axes of the receiving recesses is equal to or greater than about 1.25 times a length of the corresponding minor axes, and less than about 2 times the length of the corresponding minor axes, so that each recess is shaped to hold therein a maximum number of the beads that is arranged in a group having an aggregate shape that is neither at least approximately circular nor at least approximately linear.