Patent Description:
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display apparatus is regarded as the most promising display apparatus for its advantages of self-illumination, high contrast, low power consumption, wide viewing angles, flexible display, etc..

<CIT> describes a flexible display and a method of forming the flexible display.

<CIT> describes an OLED flexible display panel.

<NPL>, describes moisture permeability through multilayered barrier films as applied to flexible OLED display.

<CIT> describes an encapsulation film formed by stacking at least one bilayer including a thin layer composed of graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide and an organic polymer layer and a method for forming the same.

<CIT> describes a packaging structure of an organic electroluminescent device, a manufacturing method of the packaging structure and a display device.

The present disclosure provides an encapsulation structure, an encapsulation method and a display apparatus. The technical solutions are as follows.

In an aspect, an encapsulation structure as set out in appended claim <NUM> is provided.

Optionally, the elastic structure is made from at least one of: polyimide, polyurethane, polypropylene, polydimethylsiloxane (PMDS), polyurethane, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), tetramethylsilane (TMS) and silica gel.

Optionally, the organic layer is in contact with the inorganic layer, and the elastic structure is made from the same material as the organic layer.

Optionally, in the at least two encapsulation structure layers, an encapsulation structure layer closest to the device to be encapsulated is a first encapsulation structure layer, an encapsulation structure layer farthest from the device to be encapsulated is a second encapsulation structure layer, encapsulation structure layers other than the first encapsulation structure layer and the second encapsulation structure layer are third encapsulation structure layers, the first encapsulation structure layer comprises the inorganic layer and the organic layer that are superimposed, the second encapsulation structure layer comprises the inorganic layer, and the third encapsulation structure layers comprise the inorganic layer and the organic layer that are superimposed.

Optionally, the device to be encapsulated is disposed in a display area of a base substrate; the base substrate is also provided with a non-display area; the encapsulation structure further comprises a barrier wall disposed in the non-display area, orthographic projections of all the organic layers of the encapsulation structure on the base substrate are within the display area, and all the inorganic layers of the encapsulation structure cover the barrier wall.

Optionally, the inorganic layer is made from at least one of: silicon oxynitride, silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and all the inorganic layers of the encapsulation structure are made from the same or different materials; and.

the organic layer is made from at least one of: polyimide, polyurethane and polypropylene, and all the organic layers of the encapsulation structure are made from the same or different materials.

Optionally, each sub-inorganic layer of the encapsulation structure has a thickness ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Optionally, the at least two encapsulation structure layers are two encapsulation structure layers.

In another aspect, an encapsulation method as set out in appended claim <NUM> is provided.

Optionally, forming, on the outer side of the device to be encapsulated, the inorganic layer that covers the device to be encapsulated comprises:.

Optionally, the device to be encapsulated is disposed in a display area of a base substrate, the base substrate is also provided with a non-display area, and the method further comprises: forming a barrier wall in the non-display area, wherein all the inorganic layers of the encapsulation structure cover the barrier wall.

In yet another aspect, a display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus comprises the encapsulation structure in any optional implementation of the above two aspects.

In order to describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may also derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, to present the objects, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure more clearly.

An OLED display apparatus includes an OLED device that is easily eroded by such components as moisture and oxygen in the air. Therefore, an encapsulation structure is usually used to encapsulate the OLED device. A traditional encapsulation structure includes an inorganic layer and an organic layer that are sequentially superimposed on an outer side of the OLED device in a covering manner. The inorganic layer has certain ability to obstruct water and oxygen, and thus can isolate the OLED device from the outside air. The organic layer has certain bendability, and thus can realize flexible display of the OLED display apparatus. However, after the OLED device is encapsulated by the traditional encapsulation structure, the inorganic layer is easily broken in the bending process when the OLED display apparatus performs flexible display. As a result, the stretchability and the bending resistance of the encapsulation structure are relatively poor.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a diagram showing an application scenario of an encapsulation structure <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the encapsulation structure <NUM> includes at least two encapsulation structure layers <NUM> that cover an outer side of a device to be encapsulated <NUM>. At least one of the at least two encapsulation structure layers <NUM> includes an inorganic layer (not shown in <FIG>) and an organic layer <NUM> that are superimposed. At least one opening (not shown in <FIG>) is formed in the inorganic layer. An elastic structure <NUM> is disposed in at least one of the at least one opening.

In summary, in the encapsulation structure provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one encapsulation structure layer includes the inorganic layer and the organic layer that are superimposed, at least one opening is formed in the inorganic layer, and the elastic structure is disposed in at least one of the at least one opening. The elastic structure can improve the stretchability and the bending resistance of the inorganic layer, which is helpful to improve the stretchability and the bending resistance of the encapsulation structure.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the inorganic layer includes a first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and a second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> that are superimposed. A first opening (not shown in <FIG>) is formed in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, and a second opening (not shown in <FIG>) is formed in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>. An orthographic projection of the second opening on the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the first opening are staggered. An elastic structure <NUM> is disposed in each of the first opening and the second opening. In the encapsulation structure provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, since the orthographic projection of the second opening on the first sub-inorganic layer and the first opening are staggered, the first sub-inorganic layer and the second sub-inorganic layer can be sealed by each other to prevent such components as moisture and oxygen in the air from entering the encapsulation structure through the first opening and/or the second opening to erode the device to be encapsulated. Therefore, the encapsulation structure provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can effectively obstruct such components as moisture and oxygen in the air to guarantee an encapsulation effect.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the inorganic layer and the organic layer <NUM> are superimposed in a direction away from the device to be encapsulated <NUM>, and the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> are also superimposed in a direction away from the device to be encapsulated <NUM>. That is, in the encapsulation structure layer <NUM>, the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the organic layer <NUM> are sequentially superimposed in the direction away from the device to be encapsulated <NUM>.

Optionally, in the at least two encapsulation structure layers <NUM> of the encapsulation structure <NUM>, the encapsulation structure layer closest to the device to be encapsulated <NUM> is a first encapsulation structure layer (that is, the encapsulation structure layer in contact with the device to be encapsulated <NUM> is a first encapsulation structure layer), the encapsulation structure layer farthest from the device to be encapsulated <NUM> is a second encapsulation structure layer, and encapsulation structure layers other than the first encapsulation structure layer and the second encapsulation structure layer are third encapsulation structure layers. The first encapsulation structure layer includes an inorganic layer and an organic layer <NUM> that are superimposed in a direction away from the device to be encapsulated <NUM>. The inorganic layer includes a first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and a second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> that are superimposed in a direction away from the device to be encapsulated <NUM>. In the first encapsulation structure layer, a first opening is in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, a second opening is in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, an orthographic projection of the second opening on the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the first opening are staggered, and an elastic structure <NUM> is disposed in each of the first opening and the second opening. The second encapsulation structure layer includes an inorganic layer. The inorganic layer includes a first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and a second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> that are superimposed in a direction away from the device to be encapsulated <NUM>. In the second encapsulation structure layer, a first opening is in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, a second opening is in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, an orthographic projection of the second opening on the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the first opening are staggered, and an elastic structure <NUM> is disposed in each of the first opening and the second opening. The third encapsulation structure layer includes an inorganic layer and an organic layer <NUM> that are superimposed in a direction away from the device to be encapsulated <NUM>. The inorganic layer includes a first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and a second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> that are superimposed in a direction away from the device to be encapsulated <NUM>. In the third encapsulation structure layer, a first opening is in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, a second opening is in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, an orthographic projection of the second opening on the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the first opening are staggered, and an elastic structure <NUM> is disposed in each of the first opening and the second opening.

It is easy to understand that the number of the third encapsulation structure layer is at least <NUM> when the encapsulation structure <NUM> includes at least three encapsulation structure layers <NUM>, and the encapsulation structure <NUM> does not include the third encapsulation structure layer when the encapsulation structure <NUM> includes two encapsulation structure layers <NUM>. Exemplarily, the number of the third encapsulation structure layer is <NUM> when the encapsulation structure <NUM> includes three encapsulation structure layers <NUM>, and the number of the third encapsulation structure layer is <NUM> when the encapsulation structure <NUM> includes two encapsulation structure layers <NUM>. Optionally, please refer to <FIG>, which is a diagram showing an application scenario of another encapsulation structure <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the encapsulation structure <NUM> includes two encapsulation structure layers <NUM>, namely, a first encapsulation structure layer and a second encapsulation structure layer, and does not include a third encapsulation structure layer.

It can be known from the above description, <FIG> that each sub-inorganic layer of the encapsulation structure <NUM> has an opening, and an elastic structure <NUM> is disposed in each opening. In this way, each sub-inorganic layer of the encapsulation structure <NUM> has excellent stretchability and bending resistance. Thus, each inorganic layer of the encapsulation structure <NUM> has favorable stretchability and bending resistance. Hence, the encapsulation structure <NUM> has favorable extensibility and bending resistance.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the device to be encapsulated <NUM> is disposed in a display area (not shown in <FIG>) of a base substrate <NUM>, and the base substrate <NUM> is further provided with a non-display area (not shown in <FIG>). The encapsulation structure <NUM> further includes a barrier wall <NUM> disposed in the non-display area. Orthographic projections of all the organic layers <NUM> of the encapsulation structure <NUM> on the base substrate <NUM> are located in the display area. All the inorganic layers of the encapsulation structure <NUM> cover the barrier wall <NUM>. Exemplarily, as shown in <FIG>, the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> of each inorganic layer cover the barrier wall <NUM>. The barrier wall <NUM> may be a barrier wall obstructing such components as moisture and oxygen, and may be made from an organic material. The number and the widths of the barrier walls <NUM> may be determined according to the width of the non-display area of the base substrate <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the number of the barrier walls <NUM> is <NUM>. It is easy to understand that <FIG> are merely exemplary, and the non-display area of the base substrate <NUM> surrounds the display area. Therefore, the barrier wall <NUM> is disposed around the non-display area. Such components as moisture and oxygen in the air usually enter the encapsulation structure from the side of the encapsulation structure through film gaps of the encapsulation structure. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the barrier wall <NUM> can obstruct such components as moisture and oxygen that enter from the side of the encapsulation structure, such that an erosion path along which such components as moisture and oxygen reach the device to be encapsulated <NUM> is extended. Thus, the service life of the device to be encapsulated <NUM> is prolonged.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the base substrate <NUM> is also provided with a thin film transistor (TFT) layer <NUM>. The device to be encapsulated <NUM> and the barrier wall <NUM> are both disposed on the TFT layer <NUM> and on the side, away from the base substrate <NUM>, of the TFT layer <NUM>. The TFT layer <NUM> may include a plurality of TFTs (not shown in <FIG>). The device to be encapsulated <NUM> may be a display device, for example, an OLED device or a quantum dot light emitting diodes (QLED) device. The OLED device includes an anode, a hole transport layer, an electro luminescence (EL) layer, an electron transport layer, a cathode, etc. The EL layer is also called an organic light-emitting layer, which is easily eroded by such components as moisture and oxygen in the air. Therefore, isolating the OLED device from the outside air by the encapsulation structure <NUM> is essentially isolating the organic light-emitting layer from the outside air. The base substrate <NUM> may be a transparent substrate, which may be a rigid substrate made from a non-metallic light-transmitting material with certain ruggedness, such as glass, quartz or transparent resin. Alternatively, the base substrate <NUM> may be a flexible substrate made from polyimide (PI). A flexible base may be disposed on the base substrate <NUM> when the base substrate <NUM> is a rigid substrate, and the TFT layer <NUM> may be disposed on the flexible base. The base substrate <NUM> can be stripped off after the encapsulation structure <NUM> is formed, and flexible display is realized by the flexible base.

Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, each sub-inorganic layer of the encapsulation structure <NUM> has a thickness ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. In this way, stress in the sub-inorganic layer is reduced on the premise of guaranteeing the encapsulation effect of the sub-inorganic layer. Thus, the stress in the inorganic layer is reduced to facilitate bending of the inorganic layer.

Optionally, each inorganic layer of the encapsulation structure <NUM> may be made from at least one of the following materials: silicon oxynitride (SiON), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon dioxide (SiO<NUM>), aluminum oxide (Al<NUM>O<NUM>), zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>). All the inorganic layers of the encapsulation structure <NUM> may be made from the same or different materials. Exemplarily, the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> are made from the same or different materials. Each organic layer <NUM> of the encapsulation structure <NUM> may be made from at least one of the following materials: polyimide, polyurethane (PU) and polypropylene. All the organic layers of the encapsulation structure <NUM> may be made from the same or different materials. The elastic structure <NUM> may be made from at least one of the following materials: polyimide, polyurethane, polypropylene, polydimethylsiloxane (PMDS), polyurethane, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), tetramethylsilane (TMS) and silica gel. The elastic structure <NUM> in the first opening and the elastic structure <NUM> in the second opening may be made from the same or different materials. The elastic structures <NUM> in different first openings may be made from the same or different materials, and the elastic structures <NUM> in different second openings may be made from the same or different materials. Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the organic layer <NUM> is in contact with the inorganic layer, and the elastic structure <NUM> in the opening of the inorganic layer is made from the same material as that of the organic layer <NUM>.

Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the shape of the elastic structure <NUM> in the first opening matches that of the first opening, and the shape of the elastic structure <NUM> in the second opening matches that of the second opening. That is, the shape of each elastic structure <NUM> matches that of the opening where the elastic structure <NUM> is disposed, such that each elastic structure <NUM> can be filled into the corresponding opening, and each elastic structure <NUM> can be in contact with the side of the corresponding opening to ensure that the sub-inorganic layer is an integral film layer.

In an embodiment not forming part of the claimed invention; the first opening and the second opening may include at least one of a hole or a slit. For example, the first opening is a hole and the second opening is a slit; or, the first opening is a slit and the second opening is a hole; or, the first opening and the second opening are both holes. The hole may be a through hole or a blind hole, and may be a circular hole, a square hole, or an arbitrary polygonal hole. The hole refers to an opening of which the opening surface is shaped like a closed graph, and the slit refers to an opening of which the opening surface is shaped like a semi-closed or open graph. The opening surface of the hole is generally smaller than that of the slit. Compared with the opening surface of the hole, the opening surface of the slit usually has a certain length, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the claimed invention, the first opening and the second opening are both slits. A plurality of first openings are formed in each first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and extend in parallel directions, and a plurality of second openings are formed in each second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and extend in parallel directions. Optionally, the openings in all the sub-inorganic layers of the encapsulation structure <NUM> extend in parallel directions, and orthographic projections of the openings in all the sub-inorganic layers of the encapsulation structure <NUM> on the base substrate <NUM> are staggered. Staggering of the orthographic projections means that there is no overlapping area among the orthographic projections.

Furthermore, in the claimed invention, the first opening and the second opening are both in the shape of a curve, and the curve may be a smooth curve or a broken line. Alternatively, in an embodiment not forming part of the claimed invention, each of the first opening and the second opening may be linear, and when the opening is linear, there may be an angle between the opening and the boundary of the sub-inorganic layer where the opening is located. The angle is usually less than or equal to <NUM>°. For example, the angle may be <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or the like.

Exemplarily, please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>, which are front views of two encapsulation structures <NUM> in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that <FIG> corresponds to an embodiment not forming part of the claimed invention. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the opening indicated by the dotted line is a first opening (namely, the opening in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>), and the opening indicated by the solid line is a second opening (namely, the opening in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>). For explanation, <FIG> and <FIG> take that the first opening and the second opening are both slits, <FIG> takes that the first opening and the second opening are curved as in the claimed invention, and <FIG> takes that the first opening and the second opening are linear as an example. As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of first openings (not shown in <FIG>) are formed in the first sub-inorganic layer (not shown in <FIG>) of the second encapsulation structure layer and extend in parallel directions. A plurality of second openings (not shown in <FIG>) are formed in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> of the second encapsulation structure layer and extend in parallel directions. The first openings and the second openings extend in parallel directions. As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of first openings (not shown in <FIG>) are formed in the first sub-inorganic layer (not shown in <FIG>) of the second encapsulation structure layer and are parallel to one another. A plurality of second openings (not shown in <FIG>) are formed in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> of the second encapsulation structure layer and are parallel to one another, and the first openings and the second openings are parallel to each other. There is an angle a between each first opening and the boundary (not shown in <FIG>, the boundary of the first sub-inorganic layer and the boundary of the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> may coincide) of the first sub-inorganic layer, there is an angle a between each second opening and the boundary of the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, and the angle a is less than <NUM>°. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an elastic structure <NUM> is disposed in each of the first openings and the second openings.

It is easy to understand that <FIG> and <FIG> are described by taking that the first opening and the second opening are both slits In an embodiment, not forming part of the claimed invention, the first opening and the second opening may also be holes. When the first opening and the second opening are both holes, the plurality of first openings in the first sub-inorganic layer may be arranged in an array into curves or straight lines, and the plurality of second openings in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> may be arranged in an array into curves or straight lines. Certainly, the plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings may also be arranged in other shapes, or, the plurality of first openings may be uniformly arranged in the first sub-inorganic layer, and the plurality of second openings may be uniformly arranged in the second sub-inorganic layer, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Exemplarily, please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>, which are front views of other two encapsulation structures <NUM> in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, but not forming part of the claimed invention. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the opening indicated by the dotted line is a first opening (namely, the opening in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>), and the opening indicated by the solid line is a second opening (namely, the opening in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>). For explanation, <FIG> and <FIG> take that the first opening and the second opening are both circular holes as an example, <FIG> takes that the first opening and the second opening are both arranged into curves as an example, and <FIG> takes that the first opening and the second opening are both arranged into straight lines as an example. As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of first openings (not shown in <FIG>) are formed in the first sub-inorganic layer (not shown in <FIG>) of the second encapsulation structure layer and arranged into a plurality of curves extending in parallel directions. A plurality of second openings (not shown in <FIG>) are formed in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> of the second encapsulation structure layer and arranged into a plurality of curves extending in parallel directions. The curves formed by the first openings and the curves formed by the second openings extend in parallel directions. As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of first openings (not shown in <FIG>) are formed in the first sub-inorganic layer (not shown in <FIG>) of the second encapsulation structure layer and arranged into a plurality of straight lines that are parallel to one another. A plurality of second openings (not shown in <FIG>) are formed in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> of the second encapsulation structure layer and arranged into a plurality of straight lines that are parallel to one another, and the straight lines formed by the first openings and the straight lines formed by the second openings are parallel to each other. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an elastic structure <NUM> is disposed in each of the first openings and the second openings.

Those skilled in the art can easily understand that <FIG> are described by taking that all the openings in the same encapsulation structure are in the same shape as an example. The openings in the same encapsulation structure may also be in different shapes. For example, in an embodiment not forming part of the claimed invention, in an encapsulation structure, the first openings may be slits, and the second openings may be holes; or, the first openings may include both holes and slits, and the second openings may include both holes and slits; or, the first openings may include curved slits and linear slits, and the second openings include circular holes, square holes, etc., which will not be limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Those skilled in the art can easily understand that in the encapsulation structure provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastic structures are disposed in the openings formed in the inorganic layer, that is, the inorganic layer is doped with an elastic material. Therefore, alternatively, an inorganic material and the elastic material can be mixed, and the inorganic layer is prepared from a mixed material, such that the inorganic layer has certain stretchability and bending resistance, which is not repeated in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In summary, in the encapsulation structure provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one encapsulation structure layer includes the inorganic layer and the organic layer that are superimposed, at least one opening is formed in the inorganic layer, and the elastic structure is disposed in at least one of the at least one opening. Therefore, the elastic structure can improve the stretchability and the bending resistance of the inorganic layer, which is helpful to improve the stretchability and the bending resistance of the encapsulation structure.

The encapsulation structure provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the following methods. For the encapsulation methods provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the description in the following embodiments.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an encapsulation method which may be used to encapsulate a device to be encapsulated, to form the encapsulation structure <NUM> as shown in any one of <FIG>. The encapsulation method includes:
forming, on an outer side of a device to be encapsulated, at least two encapsulation structure layers that cover the device to be encapsulated. At least one of the at least two encapsulation structure layers includes an inorganic layer and an organic layer that are superimposed. At least one opening is in the inorganic layer. An elastic structure is disposed in at least one of the at least one opening.

In summary, according to the encapsulation method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one encapsulation structure layer includes the inorganic layer and the organic layer that are superimposed, at least one opening is formed in the inorganic layer, the elastic structure is disposed in at least one of the at least one opening. Therefore, the elastic structure can improve the stretchability and the bending resistance of the inorganic layer, which is helpful to improve the stretchability and the bending resistance of the encapsulation structure.

Optionally, forming, on the outer side of the device to be encapsulated, the at least two encapsulation structure layers that cover the device to be encapsulated includes:.

Optionally, forming, on the outer side of the device to be encapsulated, the inorganic layer that covers the device to be encapsulated includes:.

Optionally, the device to be encapsulated is located in a display area of a base substrate. The base substrate is also provided with a non-display area. The method further includes:
forming a barrier wall in the non-display area, wherein all the inorganic layers of the encapsulation structure cover the barrier wall.

All the optional technical solutions described above may be combined in any way to form optional embodiments of the present disclosure, which is not repeated one by one herein.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a flow chart of an encapsulation method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The encapsulation method can be used to encapsulate a device to be encapsulated to form the encapsulation structure <NUM> shown in any of <FIG>. This embodiment is described by taking formation of the encapsulation structure shown in <FIG> as an example. Referring to <FIG>, the method may include the following steps.

In step <NUM>, a barrier wall is formed in a non-display area of a base substrate. A device to be encapsulated is disposed in a display area of the base substrate.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a schematic diagram after forming a barrier wall <NUM> in the non-display area of a base substrate <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base substrate <NUM> is provided with a display area (not shown in <FIG>) and a non-display area (not shown in <FIG>). The non-display area usually surrounds the display area. A TFT layer <NUM> is disposed on the base substrate <NUM>. A device to be encapsulated <NUM> and the barrier wall <NUM> are both disposed on the TFT layer <NUM>. The barrier wall <NUM> may be made from an organic material, and the number and widths of the barrier walls <NUM> may be determined according to the width of the non-display area of the base substrate <NUM>. For example, the number of the barrier walls <NUM> is two.

Optionally, an organic material layer may be formed on the TFT layer <NUM> by any one of the methods including coating, magnetron sputtering, thermal evaporation, and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and then processed by a one-time patterning process to obtain the barrier wall <NUM>. Alternatively, the barrier wall <NUM> may be formed on the TFT layer <NUM> in the non-display area by an ink-jet printing process or a screen printing process.

In step <NUM>, a first sub-inorganic layer that covers the device to be encapsulated and the barrier wall is formed on an outer side of the device to be encapsulated.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a schematic diagram after forming, on the outer side of the device to be encapsulated <NUM>, a first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> that covers the device to be encapsulated <NUM> and the barrier wall <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> covers the base substrate <NUM>, may be made from at least one of the following materials: SiON, SiNx, SiO<NUM>, Al<NUM>O<NUM>, ZnO and TiO<NUM>, and may have a thickness ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Exemplarily, one layer of SiON may be deposited on the base substrate <NUM>, on which the device to be encapsulated <NUM> and the barrier wall <NUM> are formed, by any one of the methods including coating, magnetron sputtering, thermal evaporation, PECVD and thin film encapsulation (TFE) as the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, a first opening is formed in the first sub-inorganic layer.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a schematic diagram after forming a first opening <NUM> in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A plurality of first openings <NUM> are formed in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, and an orthographic projection of each first opening <NUM> on the base substrate <NUM> may be located in the display area of the base substrate <NUM>. In the claimed invention, the first openings <NUM> are slits. The first openings <NUM> are slits, and extend in parallel directions. The first openings <NUM> are curved; or, in an embodiment not forming part of the claimed invention, the first openings <NUM> may be linear. In addition, there is an angle between the first opening <NUM> and the boundary of the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, and the angle is generally less than or equal to <NUM>°.

Optionally, the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> may be processed by a one-time patterning process to form the first opening <NUM> in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>; or, the first opening may be formed in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> by a transfer printing process. The one-time patterning process may include photoresist coating, exposure, developing, etching and photoresist stripping. Therefore, processing the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> by the one-time patterning process may include: first, coating the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> with a layer of photoresist to obtain a photoresist layer; performing exposure on the photoresist layer by a mask to form a fully-exposed area and a non-exposed area on the photoresist layer; after that, processing the exposed photoresist layer through a developing process to remove the photoresist in the fully-exposed area and to retain the photoresist in the non-exposed area; then, etching an area, corresponding to the fully-exposed area, on the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> to form a first opening <NUM> in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>; and finally, stripping the photoresist in the non-exposed area. It is easy to understand that the present embodiment is described by taking that positive photoresist is used to form the first opening <NUM> as an example. Alternatively, negative photoresist may also be used to form the first opening <NUM>, which will not be repeated in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In step <NUM>, an elastic structure is formed in the first opening.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a schematic diagram after forming an elastic structure <NUM> in the first opening <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shape of the elastic structure <NUM> matches that of the first opening <NUM>. The elastic structure <NUM> may be made from at least one of the following materials: polyimide, polyurethane, polypropylene, PMDS, polyurethane, PPS, HMDSO, TMS and silica gel, or the elastic structure <NUM> may be made from other organosilicon compound materials. Optionally, the first opening <NUM> may be filled with an elastic material by an ink-jet printing process or a screen printing process, and the filling elastic material may be cured to form the elastic structure <NUM> in the first opening <NUM>.

It is easy to understand that the above steps <NUM> to <NUM> take that the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> is formed first, then the first opening <NUM> is formed in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, and finally the elastic structure <NUM> is formed in the first opening <NUM> as an example for illustration. As an alternative to the above steps <NUM> to <NUM>, the elastic structure <NUM> may be formed on the base substrate <NUM>, on which the barrier wall <NUM> is formed, by an ink-jet printing process or a screen printing process, and then the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> is formed, which can achieve the same effect as the above steps <NUM> to <NUM> and will not be limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In step <NUM>, a second sub-inorganic layer that covers the first sub-inorganic layer is formed on an outer side of the first sub-inorganic layer.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a schematic diagram after forming, on the outer side of the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, a second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> that covers the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> covers the base substrate <NUM> and may be made from at least one of the following materials: SiON, SiNx, SiO<NUM>, Al<NUM>O<NUM>, ZnO and TiO<NUM>. The second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> may be made from the same or different materials. The second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> may have a thickness ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Exemplarily, a layer of SiNx may be deposited on the base substrate <NUM>, on which the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> is formed, by any one of the methods including coating, magnetron sputtering, thermal evaporation, PECVD and TFE CVD to serve as the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, a second opening is formed in the second sub-inorganic layer.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a schematic diagram after forming a second opening <NUM> in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A plurality of second openings <NUM> are formed in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>. An orthographic projection of each second opening <NUM> on the base substrate <NUM> may be located in the display area of the base substrate <NUM>. An orthographic projection of each second opening <NUM> on the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> and the first opening <NUM> are staggered. In the claimed invention, the second openings <NUM> are slits. The second openings <NUM> extend in parallel directions. The second openings <NUM> are curved; or, in an embodiment not forming part of the claimed invention, the second openings <NUM> may be linear. In addition, there is an angle between the second opening <NUM> and the boundary of the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, and the angle is usually less than or equal to <NUM>°. Reference may be made to the foregoing step <NUM> for implementation of step <NUM>, which is not repeated in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In step <NUM>, an elastic structure is formed in the second opening.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a schematic diagram after filling the second opening <NUM> with an elastic structure <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shape of the elastic structure <NUM> matches that of the second opening <NUM>. Reference may be made to the above step <NUM> for implementation of step <NUM>, which is not repeated in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In step <NUM>, an organic layer is formed on an outer side of the second sub-inorganic layer to obtain a first encapsulation structure layer.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a schematic diagram after forming an organic layer <NUM> on the outer side of the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. An orthographic projection of the organic layer <NUM> on the base substrate <NUM> is located in the display area of base substrate <NUM>. The organic layer <NUM> may be made from at least one of the following materials: PI, PU and polypropylene.

Exemplarily, the PI layer may be formed on the outer side of the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> by any one of the methods including coating, magnetron sputtering, thermal evaporation, PECVD and TFE CVD, and then processed by a one-time patterning process to obtain the organic layer <NUM>. Alternatively, the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> in the display area may be coated with PI by an ink-jet printing process or a coating process to serve as the organic layer <NUM>. After the above steps <NUM> to <NUM>, the first encapsulation structure layer <NUM> is obtained.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the organic layer <NUM> and the elastic structure <NUM> may be made from the same or different materials. The above steps <NUM> and <NUM> may be combined when the organic layer <NUM> and the elastic structure <NUM> are made from the same material. That is, the organic layer <NUM> is directly formed on the outer side of the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> after the second opening <NUM> is formed in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, and during the formation of the organic layer <NUM>, the second opening <NUM> is filled with the material of the organic layer to form the elastic structure <NUM> in the second opening <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, a first sub-inorganic layer that covers the first encapsulation structure layer is formed on an outer side of the first encapsulation structure layer. <FIG> is a schematic diagram after forming, on the outer side of the first encapsulation structure layer, a first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> that covers the first encapsulation structure layer.

In step <NUM>, a first opening is formed in the first sub-inorganic layer. <FIG> is a schematic diagram provided after forming the first opening <NUM> in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, an elastic structure is formed in the first opening. <FIG> is a schematic diagram provided after forming the elastic structure <NUM> in the first opening <NUM>.

For implementation of the above steps <NUM> to <NUM>, reference may be made to steps <NUM> to <NUM> in the present embodiment. Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, as an alternative to the steps <NUM> to <NUM>, transfer printing may be performed on the organic layer <NUM> after execution of step <NUM> to form the elastic structure <NUM> on the organic layer <NUM>, then the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM> is formed on the side, away from the base substrate <NUM>, of the organic layer <NUM> by means of deposition. The first opening is formed in the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, and the elastic structure <NUM> on the organic layer <NUM> is located in the first opening.

In step <NUM>, a second sub-inorganic layer that covers the first sub-inorganic layer is formed on the outer side of the first sub-inorganic layer. <FIG> is a schematic diagram provided after forming, on the outer side of the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>, the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM> that covers the first sub-inorganic layer <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, a second opening is formed in the second sub-inorganic layer. <FIG> is a schematic diagram provided after forming the second opening <NUM> in the second sub-inorganic layer <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, an elastic structure is formed in the second opening to obtain a second encapsulation structure layer. <FIG> is a schematic diagram provided after filling the second opening <NUM> with the elastic structure <NUM>.

Reference may be made to steps <NUM> to <NUM> for implementation of steps <NUM> to <NUM>, which will not be repeated in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In summary, in the encapsulation method provided by the present embodiment, in the encapsulation structure, at least one encapsulation structure layer includes the inorganic layer and the organic layer that are superimposed, at least one opening is formed in the inorganic layer, and the elastic structure is disposed in at least one of the at least one opening. Therefore, the elastic structure can improve the stretchability and the bending resistance of the inorganic layer, which is helpful to improve the stretchability and the bending resistance of the encapsulation structure.

Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display device and an encapsulation structure located on an outer side of the display device. The encapsulation structure may be the encapsulation structure <NUM> provided in the foregoing embodiments. The display device may be an OLED device or a QLED device, and the display apparatus may be a flexible display apparatus. The display apparatus may be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer, or the display apparatus may be such wearable equipment as a watch or a bracelet, or the display apparatus may be any product or component having a display function, such as a television, a display, a notebook computer, a digital photo frame or a navigator.

In the present disclosure, the terms "first" and "second" are merely used to describe but not denote or imply any relative importance. The term "a plurality of" refers to two or more, and the term "at least one" means one or more, unless otherwise explicitly provided. The term "and/or" in the present disclosure is merely used to describe corresponding relations among associated objects, and may indicate existence of three relationships. For example, "at least one of A and B" may indicate three relationships that A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Likewise, "at least one of A, B and C" may indicate seven relationships that A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, C and B exist simultaneously, and A, B and C exist simultaneously. Similarly, "at least one of A, B, C and D" may indicate fifteen relationships that A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, D exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, A and D exist simultaneously, C and B exist simultaneously, D and B exist simultaneously, C and D exist simultaneously, A, B and C exist simultaneously, A, B and D exist simultaneously, A, C and D exist simultaneously, B, C and D exist simultaneously and A, B, C and D exist simultaneously.

The serial numbers of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure are merely for description, and do not represent the priority of the embodiments.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps described in the above embodiments can be completed through hardware, or through relevant hardware instructed by applications stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as a read-only memory, a disk or a CD, etc..

Claim 1:
An encapsulation structure (<NUM>) comprising:
at least two encapsulation structure layers (<NUM>) that cover an outer side of a device to be encapsulated (<NUM>), wherein at least one of the at least two encapsulation structure layers (<NUM>) comprises an inorganic layer and an organic layer (<NUM>) that are superimposed, the inorganic layer comprises a first sub-inorganic layer (<NUM>) and a second sub-inorganic layer (<NUM>) that are superimposed, a first opening (<NUM>) is in the first sub-inorganic layer (<NUM>), a second opening (<NUM>) is in the second sub-inorganic layer (<NUM>), and an elastic structure (<NUM>) is disposed in each of the first opening (<NUM>) and the second opening (<NUM>), wherein the first opening (<NUM>) and the second opening (<NUM>) are curved slits, wherein:
a plurality of the first openings (<NUM>) are in the first sub-inorganic layer (<NUM>) and extend in parallel to one other along a direction in a plan view plane;
a plurality of the second openings (<NUM>) are in the second sub-inorganic layer (<NUM>) and extend in parallel to one other along a direction in a plan view plane; and
an orthographic projection of the plurality of the second openings (<NUM>) on the first sub-inorganic layer (<NUM>) and the plurality of the first openings (<NUM>) are mutually parallel.