Abstract: A display includes a front panel and a back panel with a light control material in between. One of the panels includes a rigid substrate, for example made of glass or rigid plastic. The other of the panels includes a flexible substrate, for example made of a flexible plastic film. The panel with the flexible substrate may be made by a roll-to-roll process, with various fabrication operations formed while the flexible substrate is still part of a web of material. The panel with the rigid substrate may be separately fabricated, then combined with the other panel on the web through a pick and place operation that accurately locates the front panel relative to the back panel. The display may be any of a variety of displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and electroluminescent displays, such as polymer light emitting devices (PLEDs) and organic light emitting devices (OLEDs).

Abstract: A protected faceplate structure of a field emission display device is disclosed in one embodiment. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention recites a faceplate of a field emission display device wherein the faceplate of the field emission display device is adapted to have phosphor containing areas disposed above one side thereof. The present embodiment is further comprised of a barrier layer which is disposed over the one side of said faceplate which is adapted to have phosphor containing areas disposed thereabove. The barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate. Specifically, the barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate due to electron bombardment by electrons directed towards the phosphor containing areas.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp having a translucent envelope enclosing a light emitting assembly that includes a baffle and an anode separated by one or more spacers made of an electrically insulating material such as ceramic, which are oriented towards a heated cathode to receive electrons emitted therefrom. Each spacer has a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface and a bottom surface including a transverse cavity formed between the front and rear surfaces to permit electrons to flow through. The cavity extends from a first through-hole in the front surface to a second through-hole in the rear surface of the spacer. Further, the cavity includes a gap for allowing conductive materials that may sputter or evaporate from the anode or the baffle to escape from the cavity to prevent short circuiting between the anode and the baffle.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an electron beam apparatus comprising: a hermetic container; an electron source disposed within the hermetic container; and a spacer; wherein the spacer includes at least a region where a layer containing fine particles exists, a sheet resistance measured at the surface of the region of the spacer is 107 ?/? or more, and the fine particles are 1000 ? or less in the average diameter of the particles and includes at least metal elements. The electron beam apparatus exhibits the excellent display quality which suppresses the displacement of the light emission point with the charge and the creeping discharge, and the long-period reliability.

Abstract: Methods of operating field emission displays are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for operating a field emission display includes applying a voltage to an extraction grid with respect to an emitter in proximity to the extraction grid to extract electrons from the emitter, regulating a supply of electrons from the emitter in response to a control signal, and accelerating the electrons from the emitter towards a faceplate with an accelerating voltage that also reverse biases a semiconductor diode extending from a baseplate that includes the extraction grid and the emitter to the faceplate.

Abstract: A flat type fluorescent lamp can include supporters between a first substrate and a light-scattering means. The flat type fluorescent lamp can also include first and second substrates, a light-emitting layer disposed between the first and second substrates, a plurality of supporters selectively arranged on the first substrate, and a light-scattering layer placed above the plurality of supporters, wherein the light-scattering layer is spaced a distance from the first substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hermetically sealed container includes the steps of providing a first substrate, a second substrate and an outer frame disposed between the first and second substrates, and bonding the first substrate to the outer frame and the second substrate to the outer frame to form a hermetically sealed space. A ratio W/T of width W and thickness of T of the outer frame is set to an aspect ratio A, with A≧1.5, and with the width W measured in a direction substantially parallel with planar surfaces of the first and second substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supporting spacer mounting structure and method for a field emission display. By using a supporting spacer structure being cross-shaped or rectangle-shaped and being made of glass, ceramics or metal, and employing the vacuum absorption of a clipping arm with special design and the real time monitoring of a monitoring lens, the position-aligning is preliminarily performed on a supporting spacer, and then the supporting spacer is positioned on a required location so as to provide the supporting force needed by a display.

Abstract: A spacer on which static electricity is restricted and an electron beam apparatus in which the spacer is provided. In the electron beam apparatus comprising an electron source provided with electron emission devices, a face plate provided with anodes and spacers installed between the electron source and the face plate, unevenness is formed on the surface of the spacer substrate, and further a thin film which has a smaller thickness than a roughness. This makes possible the restriction of incident angle multiplication coefficient for the primary electrons whose energy is lower than the second cross-point energy of a resistive film. The electron beam apparatus provided with the above spacer is excellent in display definition and long-term reliability since the displacement of light emission points and the creeping discharge accompanying the static electricity can be restricted due to the spacer.

Abstract: A flat display apparatus with spacers between a first panel substrate and a second panel substrate and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The spacers are interposed between an anode substrate and a cathode substrate. The spacers are each formed to have an elongate sheet structure and to be elastically deformable in the thickness direction thereof. A plurality of projected portions is provided on each of the black stripes of the anode substrate, and each spacer is fastened to the plurality of projected portions by a recoil strength obtained when the spacer is elastically deformed. By this, each spacer is supported in an upright condition on the anode substrate by the plurality of projected portions. There is no need for an adhesive or the like for supporting the spacers in the upright condition.

Abstract: A method for making barrier arrays for use in flat panel displays includes the following steps: providing a metal plate; using photolithographic etching of the metal plate to form a shadow mask (21) having a number of openings defined therethrough according to a pixel pattern of a flat panel display; and forming an insulative layer (31) on the shadow mask. The technology for making a shadow mask is mature. In addition, a thickness and a material of the shadow mask can be selected according to the requirements of the flat panel display desired. Furthermore, the thickness and the material of the insulative layer can be determined according to the insulative performance required for the flat panel display. In summary, the present invention provides a barrier array having high precision at a low production costs. The barrier arrays are suitable for mass production in an environmentally friendly manner.

Abstract: A plasma panel including two plates having a sealed space between them is disclosed. The sealed space is filled with discharge gas and is divided into discharge cells that are bounded between these plates by barrier ribs forming an array. The barrier rib portion that separates any two adjacent cells of the same column includes a cavity that is made in the thickness of that rib, and a notch that brings these two cells into communication with each other through the cavity. Such an arrangement makes it easier to apply the phosphors on the walls of the cells, while at the same time eliminating any risk of optical crosstalk.

Abstract: A mounting member (50, 50′, 50″, 50′″) for an arc tube/shroud combination comprises an annulus (52). The annulus (52) has at least one mounting tab (54) depending from an outer edge thereof and two spaced apart arc tube-pinch seal-engaging ribs (56, 58) spanning the diameter of the annulus for frictionally engaging the pinch seals. Holding tabs (62) depending from the annulus mount the annulus to a shroud. In a preferred embodiment the ribs (56, 58) have upstanding projections (60) that engage the pinch seals and provide the friction fit necessary for holding the pinch seals.

Abstract: A spacer structure for a display is disclosed that has a CTE which matches or very closely approximates the CTE of a high quality, desirable glass from which other display structures such as faceplates can be fabricated. The spacer structure is composed of a material that has a CTE that is tailorable within a range that closely matches the CTE range spanned by a variety of readily available high quality, desirable glass from which other display structures such as faceplates can be fabricated. The spacer structure disclosed has a CTE that achieves the foregoing qualities and retains all other properties characterizing requirements for use in displays. Further, the spacer structure disclosed has a CTE that enables great flexibility in the selection of other display components, without having to revamp existing fabrication techniques. Further still, a spacer structure is disclosed that minimizes zero current shift.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flat panel display device capable of reducing charging of phosphors and disposing spacers easily and accurately. The flat panel display device has a rear substrate 1 including an insulating substrate 10 provided with many cold cathode elements 19 for emitting electrons, a display substrate 101 including a light-transmissive substrate 110 disposed to face the rear substrate 1, and phosphors 111 disposed on the light-transmissive substrate for generating light when excited by electron beams from the cold cathode elements 19, and a peripheral frame member 116. A space enclosed by the rear substrate 1, the display substrate 101 and the peripheral frame member 116 is made vacuum tight. Provided on the light-transmissive substrate 110 is a metal sheet 120 perforated with plural fine holes 122 arranged in a matrix configuration and having the phosphors 111 disposed therewithin to form a light-emissive region.

Abstract: A plasma display panel includes a substrate, a dielectric layer formed on a top surface of the substrate, and partitions spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other and having a snaking or meandering shape. The partitions form channels having main discharge spaces and auxiliary discharge spaces alternately arranged and connected to each other. Red (R), green (G) and blue (B) phosphors are coated on the main discharge spaces in a triangular shape and where G and R phosphors are aligned with each other in a horizontal direction. The thicknesses of partitions forming the main discharge spaces where the R and G phosphors are coated are greater than thicknesses of the partitions forming the main discharge spaces where the B phosphor is coated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barrier rib material for forming a discharge space for a display device such as PDP and LCD, and the inventive barrier rib material is characterized by comprising water glass (Na2SiO2) and an inorganic filler, containing no low melting glass nor a binder resin. The inventive barrier rib material can be simply prepared by spreading a composition for the barrier rib material on a substrate via a nozzle and drying the spread composition at a low temperature of below 200° C., and therefore, can be beneficially used in the mass production of the display devices.

Abstract: An improved support is provided for locating a lamp filament axially within a lamp sleeve. The illustrated support is a spiral coil that includes a small diameter center portion that makes contact with the filament. On either side of the filament-contacting portion, the coil opens up to larger diameters for contacting the inner wall of the quartz sleeve within which the filament is housed. The support thus appears H-shaped when viewed from the side. A lamp filament is also provided with expansion compensation sections at either end of a central section. The filament wire in the compensation sections is wound into coils having a greater diameter and also a greater spacing between windings, as compared to coil in the central section. The expansion compensation sections are preferably capable of compressing and thereby absorbing thermal expansion of the filament during operation, without shorting the filament across adjacent windings.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a film comprising at least a compound of germanium as a film structure capable of suppressing influence of electrification. It also discloses an electron beam system, particularly an image forming system, using a member having the film comprising at least a compound of germanium. It further discloses a manufacturing method of the image forming system.

Abstract: A fluorescent display tube is disclosed. In the fluorescent display tube, linear members, such as, for example, wire grids and filament are sustained in a predetermined height, while both ends of each linear member are welded on a metal layer by ultrasonic. The fluorescent display tube includes a metal spacer for fixing the linear member and holding the linear members in an elevated position so that the dead space within the fluorescent display is reduced. The linear members are bonded on an aluminum thin films formed on the glass substrate 111 by way of the aluminum spacer. The aluminum spacer sustains the linear members in a predetermined height. Aluminum spacer acts as a member for fixing the linear member and as a height level holding member.

Abstract: A flat panel display includes a faceplate, and a backplate combined with the faceplate to form a vacuum tight cell. An image production unit is provided within the cell to produce display images from the cell. A plurality of spacers are mounted within the cell such that the spaces are placed at a non-display area. The spacers are held between the faceplate and the backplate. A pair of alignment members are connected to the spacers in a body to align the spacers at the non-display area in a constant manner.

Abstract: A cathode assembly (43) for a computed tomography scanning system (10) is provided. The cathode assembly (43) includes a one-piece tab assembly (52) for simple and relatively quick installation on a cathode cup (44). In one embodiment, the one-piece tab assembly (52) has two rail portions (56) extending substantially across its length. These rail portions (56) are intended for insertion into channels (50) formed within the cathode cup (44) and for properly locating the one-piece tab assembly (52) in a desired position relative to the filament (46). The assembly (52) further includes two tab portions (58, 58″) located on opposing ends of the rail portions (56). The tab portions (58, 58″) each include a main body portion (62) and a flap portion (54) extending from the main body portion (62). The main body portion (62) extends between the two rail portions (56) and has a mounting surface for attaching the one-piece tab assembly (52) to the cathode cup (44).

Abstract: This application discloses an image display device. In particular, this application discloses a structure of an image display device that includes a rear member placed in the rear of a display panel and a drive circuit placed on the rear side of the rear member, in which the rear member has in a part thereof a part having a shape bent to the display panel side, the display panel and the drive circuit are connected by wiring passing through an opening that is placed adjacent to the part having the bent shape, and positional deviation of the display panel is regulated by the part having the bent shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma display panel (PDP) capable of simplifying the number of processes, reducing costs for materials, improving an exhausting function and preventing erroneous discharge and cross-talk phenomena between neighboring cells. The present invention provides a plasma display panel (PDP), including: a vertical barrier rib and a horizontal barrier rib, wherein the vertical barrier rib and the horizontal barrier rib form a hexagonal shape to encompass discharge cell region in all directions; a connection barrier rib connecting the vertical barrier rib to the horizontal barrier rib, wherein the connection barrier rib have a groove at a central portion thereof so that a length of the horizontal barrier rib is shorter than a distance between the vertical barrier ribs, and a gas-passing path formed above a top surface of the horizontal barrier rib of which height is lowered with respect to a surface of the vertical barrier rib.

Abstract: The device comprises a first substrate with a plurality of electron emitters arranged in a matrix, a second substrate arranged in opposed relation to the first substrate and having a phosphor pattern formed on the surface thereof nearer to the first substrate for emitting light by receiving the electron beam from the electron emitters and a metal thin film for accelerating the electron beam, and a plurality of spacers arranged between the first and second substrates. The spacers each include first sheet-form support members and second sheet-form support members extending in a direction at right angles to the first sheet-form support members. The first sheet-form support members and the second sheet-form support members are coupled or combined with each other to form spaces with a rectangular section parallel to the first or second substrate.

Abstract: A field electron emission material is formed by coating a substrate (221, 230) having an electrically conductive surface with a plurality of electrically conductive particles (223, 231). Each particle has a layer of electrically insulating material (222, 232) disposed either in a first location between the conductive surface of the substrate (221) and the particle (223), or in a second location between the particle (231) and the environment (237) in which the field electron emission material is disposed, but not in both of such first and second locations, so that at least some of the particles (223, 231) form electron emission sites at such first or second locations. A number of field emission devices are disclosed, utilizing such electron emission material.

Abstract: A barrier rib structure for a plasma display panel is described. The barrier rib structure formed on a back substrate has a plurality of parallel barrier ribs. Each barrier rib has a plurality of discharge spaces therein divided by separate walls. Each of the discharge spaces is connected to a small gas channel beside the barrier rib through a small connect opening.

Abstract: A flat-panel display and process for forming the flat-panel display having an array of spacer columns anodically bonded to one of the inner major faces on one of the generally planar plates of the evacuated, flat-panel video display. The process includes providing a generally planar plate having a plurality of spacer column attachment sites; providing electrical interconnection between all attachment sites; coating each attachment site with a patch of oxidizable material; providing an array of unattached permanent glass spacer columns, each unattached permanent spacer column being of uniform length and being positioned longitudinally perpendicular to a single plane, with the plane intersecting the midpoint of each unattached spacer column; positioning the array such that an end of one permanent spacer column is in contact with the oxidizable material patch at each attachment site; and anodically bonding the contacting end of each permanent spacer column to the oxidizable material layer.

Abstract: A structure suitable for partial or full use in a spacer (24) of a flat-panel display has a porous face (54). The structure may be formed with multiple aggregates (100) of coated particles (102) bonded together in an open manner to form pores (58). A coating (88) consisting primarily of carbon and having a highly uniform thickness may extend into pores of a porous body (46). The coating can be created by removing non-carbon material from carbon-containing species provided along the pores. A solid porous film (82) whose thickness is normally no more than 20 &mgr;m has a resistivity of 108-1014 ohm-cm. A spacer for a flat-panel display contains a support body (80) and an overlying, normally porous, layer (82) whose resistivity is greater parallel to a face of the support body than perpendicular to the body's face.

Abstract: Disclosed are flat panel field emitter displays whose unit cell structure adopt a planar cathode structure in stead of a conventional microtip structure, so as to increase the degree of integration and can be operated at low operation voltages at high speeds. In the structure, a channel insulator is formed below the cathode and underlaid by a gate. By means of the gate voltage, the electron emission from the cathode can be controlled. The electrodes in the structure are arranged in the order of anode, cathode and gate, allowing the simplification of processes. With the ease of controlling the distance between electrodes, the displays can be applied for almost all video systems from small sizes to large screen area displays, in place of conventional displays. The displays allows conventional semiconductor processes and facilities to be utilized as they are.

Abstract: A metal-made partition wall 16 has an external surface covered by an insulation layer 16a, and transverse walls 16A each extending in the row direction to define the partition between discharge cells C adjacent to each other in the column direction between a front glass substrate 1 and a back glass substrate 4 of a plasma display panel. A groove 16Aa formed in at least one of the front-facing face and the back face of the transverse wall 16A.

Abstract: In a flat-panel display structure having a spacer with laterally segmented face electrodes, one embodiment of the present invention defines the length of the laterally segmented face electrode sections to minimize zero current shift variation in electron trajectories. Advantageously, the present embodiment of the invention prevents image quality degradation. In one embodiment, values for variation in the uniformity of and dicing tolerance are combined to calculate a design optimum for the length of laterally segmented face electrodes. Zero current shift variation from fluctuations in wall resistance falls off with the length of laterally segmented face electrodes. Zero current shift due to first order angular alignment during dicing varies linearly with the dashed electrode length. In one embodiment of the present invention, an optimal value is calculated by combining these effects to minimize zero current shift. Advantageously, in one embodiment, the electrode segments are individually testable.

Abstract: In a method of producing a spacer for a display apparatus by heat drawing a base glass material having a cross section with different dimensions in a longitudinal and lateral directions and then cutting into a desired length, a base glass material in which a high-viscosity glass material is combined on both ends of a low-viscosity glass material is drawn within a temperature range in which both glass materials have different viscosities. Such method avoids a deformation of the spacer such as an expansion or a rounding at the longitudinal ends in the cross section of the spacer or a constriction in an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A barrier rib structure for a plasma display panel is described. The barrier rib structure formed on a back substrate has a plurality of parallel barrier ribs. Each barrier rib has a plurality of nodes composed of two side-expanded trapezoid bulges. The barrier ribs are arranged according to the nodes to form a plurality of discharge spaces between the barrier ribs and a plurality of gas channels between the nodes to connect the discharge space.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display is disclosed, the face plate having integral spacer support structures. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a display panel having an electron source, an acceleration electrode for accelerating electrons emitted from the electron source and phosphors for emitting light by collision of electrons accelerated by the acceleration electrode, and a detector for detecting a current flowing through the acceleration electrode during a non-display period. In addition, a controller is provided to decrease the luminance level, stop display driving or transmit warning information when the current detected becomes more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an electron beam apparatus comprising: a hermetic container; an electron source disposed within the hermetic container; and a spacer; wherein the spacer includes at least a region where a layer containing fine particles exists, a sheet resistance measured at the surface of the region of the spacer is 107 &OHgr;/□ or more, and the fine particles are 1000 Å or less in the average diameter of the particles and includes at least metal elements. The electron beam apparatus exhibits the excellent display quality which suppresses the displacement of the light emission point with the charge and the creeping discharge, and the long-period reliability.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises an electron source having a substrate on which a plurality of electron emitting devices are arranged, a face plate provided with fluorescent substances for emitting light of different colors and serving to form a color image upon irradiation of electrons by the electron emitting devices. Rectangular spacers are arrange between the substrate and the face plate and are fixed to the face plate and contacted to the substrate via soft members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a member for display apparatus used in a display apparatus comprising a back panel 1 on which electron sources are provided and a front panel 2 that are disposed to oppose the back panel 1 via spacers 3, said member comprising a ceramic that has a Young's modulus (E) of not lower than 120 GPa, a specific rigidity (E/&rgr;) of not lower than 40×109 cm, a coefficient of linear expansion of 7.5×10−6 to 10×10−6/° C. in a temperature range from ordinary temperature to 400° C., and a void-occupying area ratio of 6% or less. This member allows it to prevent the accuracy of the apparatus from lowering and cracks from occurring.

Abstract: A faceplate in a flat panel display has attachment sites made with a method that includes steps of mixing frit and photoresist to form a mixture, applying the mixture to the substrate, softbaking the substrate and mixture, and exposing and developing the resist to define adhesion sites. Spacers are then attached to the faceplate at the adhesion sites.

Abstract: A flat panel display having a mesh grid assembly which includes upper and lower spacers integral therein. The flat panel display includes a faceplate and a backplate provided opposing one another with a predetermined gap therebetween to define an exterior of the display. An illuminating assembly is provided in the display, the illuminating assembly realizing predetermined images. A mesh grid is provided between the backplate and the faceplate. A lower spacer is connected to a surface of the mesh grid opposing the backplate to be supported by the backplate. Upper spacers are connected to a surface of the mesh grid opposing the faceplate to be supported by the faceplate. The mesh grid, the lower spacer, and the upper spacers thereby integrally forming a single structural assembly.

Abstract: In a plasma display panel, a partition wall 15 surrounds each of discharge cells to define the discharge cells. Each of the discharge cells is divided by a second transverse wall 15B into a display discharge cell C1 which is opposite transparent electrodes Xa, Ya of paired row electrodes X, Y to provide for a sustaining discharge; and an addressing discharge cell C2 which is opposite a bus electrode Yb of the row electrode Y to provide for an addressing discharge caused between the bus electrode Yb and a column electrode D. A clearance r is provided between the discharge cell C1 and the addressing discharge cell C2 for communication between the cells C1 and C2.

Abstract: A flat panel display having a mesh grid assembly which includes upper and lower spacers integral therein. The flat panel display includes a faceplate and a backplate provided opposing one another with a predetermined gap therebetween to define an exterior of the display. An illuminating assembly is provided in the display, the illuminating assembly realizing predetermined images. A mesh grid is provided between the backplate and the faceplate. A lower spacer is connected to a surface of the mesh grid opposing the backplate to be supported by the backplate. Upper spacers are connected to a surface of the mesh grid opposing the faceplate to be supported by the faceplate. The mesh grid, the lower spacer, and the upper spacers thereby integrally forming a single structural assembly.

Abstract: A flat electron beam excitation display includes: a front panel 1 made of a glass substrate 15 having an image-forming member 5 formed in its inner surface; and a rear panel 2 made of a glass substrate 21 mounted with a group of electron emission devices. A plurality of glass spacers 4 are inserted between the front panel 1 and the rear panel 2 so that the glass spacers 4 serve as atmospheric pressure bearing members.

Abstract: Each of partition walls 25 comprises vertical walls 25a each positioned between adjacent discharge cells C1 in the row direction and extending in the column direction to form a partition between the adjacent discharge cells C1, and transverse walls 25b bridging the vertical walls 25a to define a top and bottom edge of the discharge cells C1. Each of the transverse walls 25b of the partition wall 25 is provided in a shape that its central part j1 located midway between adjacent vertical walls 25a protrudes beyond its part j2 coupled to the vertical wall 25a toward the outside of the discharge cell C1 in the column direction.

Abstract: There are provided an electron beam device which has an atmospheric pressure-resistant member such as a spacer interposed between an electron source and a member to be irradiated with electrons, and can suppress charge on the member, a charging-suppressing member, and its producing method. An electron beam device having an electron source for emitting electrons, a member to be irradiated with the electrons, and a first member interposed between the electron source and the member to be irradiated is characterized in that the surface of the first member has a three-dimensional shape, and projecting portions of the three-dimensional shape form a network shape.

Abstract: Spacers used in a picture display device are formed of a sintered product having a structure in which at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Si, Zn, Al, Sn, Cu and Mg is dispersed in a glass. In the picture display device using spacers, therefore, the spacers are effectively prevented from being electrically charged and, besides, trouble such as distortion in the displayed picture caused by the electric charge in the spacers is effectively prevented, too. In producing the spacers by firing, further, the volume expands due to the oxidation of the metal component, whereby shrinkage due to firing is effectively relaxed, making it possible to produce the spacers maintaining a high dimensional precision. Besides, the spacers are effectively prevented from being deformed by the shrinkage caused by firing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an outer frame structure suitable for a hermetically sealed structure, a hermetically sealed container in which slow leak is not easily generated and an image display using the container. In the hermetically sealed container comprising a front substrate, a back substrate disposed opposite to the front substrate, and an outer frame disposed in a peripheral portion between the front substrate and the back substrate, the front and back substrates, and the outer frame being bonded with an adhesive to form a hermetically sealed space. When a ratio W/T of width W and thickness T of the outer frame is set to an aspect ratio A of the outer frame, 1.5≦A.

Abstract: An improved fluorescent bulb for use in a work lamp for rough service applications. The fluorescent bulb is of the type having a fluorescent tube which emits light when energized by electric power. A base portion connects to the fluorescent tube and encloses a base cavity which supports a starter switch bulb electrically connected to the fluorescent tube. The starter switch bulb is protectively surrounded by a preferably woven glass-fabric sleeve which absorbs impacts caused by relative movement of components within the base cavity, including the starter switch bulb itself.

Abstract: In a fluorescent lamp having a plurality of glass tubes that are connected with each other to form a discharge path, spacers that do not drop off even with insufficient accuracy of a gap between the glass tube are provided in a gap between the connected glass tubes, so as to improve the gap compression resistance and the torsion resistance. Each spacer is composed of a plurality of tonguelets and a bridge. The tonguelets are in contact with surfaces of the glass tubes and are connected by the bridge that is directed in an axial direction of the glass tubes.