초록 ▼

A structure, such as a flat-panel device, is sealed together by a gap-jumping technique in which an edge (44S) of a wall (44) is positioned near a matching sealing area (40S) of a plate structure (40) such that a gap (48) at least partially separates the edge of the wall from the sealing area of the

A structure, such as a flat-panel device, is sealed together by a gap-jumping technique in which an edge (44S) of a wall (44) is positioned near a matching sealing area (40S) of a plate structure (40) such that a gap (48) at least partially separates the edge of the wall from the sealing area of the plate structure. The gap usually has an average height of 25 .mu.m or more. Energy is then transferred locally to material of the wall along the gap to cause material of the wall and the plate structure to bridge the gap and seal the plate structure to the wall. The energy-transferring step is typically performed with light energy provided by a laser (56). Local energy transfer can also be utilized to tack the plate structure to the wall at multiple spaced-apart locations (44A) along the wall. The tacking operation is typically performed as a preliminary step to sealing the plate structure to the wall.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A method comprising the steps of:positioning a first edge of a primary wall near a matching sealing area of a first plate structure such that a gap at least partially separates the wall's first edge from the first plate structure's sealing area; andtransferring energy locally to ma

[ We claim:] [1.] A method comprising the steps of:positioning a first edge of a primary wall near a matching sealing area of a first plate structure such that a gap at least partially separates the wall's first edge from the first plate structure's sealing area; andtransferring energy locally to material of the wall along the gap to cause material of the wall and first plate structure to bridge the gap and substantially fully seal the first plate structure along its sealing area to the wall along its first edge.