JP2003237833A - Glass substrate package - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve both the high efficiency in storage and transportation of a glass substrate package, particularly a glass substrate package used for a liquid crystal display and the like and the abbreviation of a chemical washing process of the glass substrate using a detergent or the like after unpacking the glass substrate and before fabricating it. <P>SOLUTION: The package 1 sealing a glass substrate 2 is manufactured by folding a film such as a PET film 3 and the like not polluting the surface of the glass substrate, inserting the glass substrate 2 between the folded film and heat-sealing three sides while letting air between the folded PET film 3 go out to form heat seal portions 4 and 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a package formed by sealing a glass substrate with a film, and more particularly to a package formed by sealing a glass substrate used for a liquid crystal display or the like with a film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Regarding a glass substrate used for a display device such as a liquid crystal display, it is a completed product that a glass substrate surface is prevented from being scratched or contaminated during transportation and storage as much as possible. It is an important issue that affects the quality of the product.

Therefore, conventionally, when transporting and storing glass substrates, a method of using a container having a plurality of grooves into which glass substrates can be inserted one by one, a method of placing each glass substrate in a frame-like frame and stacking the glass substrates, and the like are known. Has been used. In these methods, gaps are provided between the glass substrates one by one, and the gaps are filled with clean air, so that scratches due to rubbing between the glass substrates can be prevented, and a contamination source in the outside air can be used. Contamination can also be reduced.

However, in the method of providing a gap between these glass substrates one by one, the number of glass substrates (that is, stacking efficiency) that can be accommodated in a certain space is greatly limited, and therefore, transportation and storage are not possible. It was inefficient.

Therefore, in order to improve the stacking efficiency of glass substrates during transportation and storage, a method of alternately stacking glass substrates and interleaving paper has also been used. However, this method causes a so-called glass burning problem due to the interleaving paper being exposed to moisture and chemically changing. Further, in this method, the edge surface of the glass is exposed to the outside, so that the edge surface is contaminated.

In order to solve the above problem of glass burning,
A method of stacking glass substrates having films such as polyethylene films attached to both sides has also been used. In order to prevent the films from adhering to each other during stacking, interleaving paper may be inserted between the films.

However, in such a method, when the films attached to both surfaces of the glass substrate are peeled off, an adhered substance remains on the surface of the glass substrate, and the glass substrate is chemically treated with a detergent or the like after unpacking and before processing. A new problem arises in that the cleaning process is indispensable. The chemical cleaning process using such a detergent or the like requires a lot of time and cost and is one of the important factors limiting the production efficiency of liquid crystal displays and the like.

In addition, the above-mentioned method of sticking a film cannot solve the problem of contamination of the edge surface, and when interleaving paper is used, the influence of contamination due to interleaving paper cannot be completely eliminated.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-205 discloses a package in which individual glass substrates are completely packaged in a bag. These packaged glass substrates are stacked and stored in a packaging box during transportation. Here, the film which is the material of the bag-shaped body is a laminated film, typically a laminated film in which both sides of an aluminum sheet are sandwich laminated with polyethylene.

Here, since the package of JP-A-11-1205 is a complete package including the edge surface of the glass substrate, it is exposed to the outside air as in the method of sticking a film on both surfaces of the glass substrate. It is not necessary to intentionally adhere the inner surface of the bag-shaped film to the glass substrate in order to prevent such contact. However, especially when they are stacked and stored in a packaging box, the film is in a state of being pressed against the surface of the glass substrate, which may cause unfavorable adhesion on the contact surface between the inner surface of the film and the glass substrate. . Therefore, there is a fear that adhered substances may remain on the surface of the glass substrate after unpacking, and a chemical cleaning process that requires a lot of time and cost is indispensable here as well. Here, in JP-A No. 11-1205, the inner surface of the film is subjected to fine unevenness processing to reduce the contact area between the surface of the glass substrate and the film, thereby reducing the amount of adhered substances. The chemical cleaning process was not completely eliminated.

From the viewpoint of improving the storage / transportation efficiency of the glass substrate, a package which is completely packaged including the edge surface of the glass substrate as in the package according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-205, It is preferable to evacuate and hermetically seal the inside of the package. However, when a film that requires a chemical cleaning step is used, degassing the inside of the package causes the film to adhere to the surface of the glass substrate, further increasing the amount of deposits, and It is believed that degassing packaging had more disadvantages than benefits, as it would result in further increase in time and cost.

[0012]

As described above, according to the prior art, as a method for packaging a glass substrate such as a liquid crystal display, a method for packaging a glass substrate having a high stacking efficiency in which no gap is provided between the glass substrates. In case of using, the problem of glass burning occurs, or even if the problem of glass burning is avoided, a chemical cleaning process using a detergent etc. that requires a lot of time and cost after unpacking and before processing It was forced to implement, and the production efficiency of liquid crystal displays etc. was greatly limited.

In view of such circumstances, the present invention has high stacking efficiency, that is, storage / transport efficiency, in order to solve various problems in the prior art of the above glass substrate package at the same time.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved glass substrate package which does not cause glass burning and does not require a time and cost-consuming chemical cleaning step after unpacking and before processing.

[0014]

That is, the glass substrate package according to the present invention is a package in which a glass substrate is sealed with a film that does not contaminate its surface. This glass substrate is typically a glass substrate for liquid crystal displays.

A polyethylene terephthalate film can be used as a typical film that does not contaminate the surface of the glass substrate.

The film that does not contaminate the surface of the glass substrate may be a laminated film. In that case, the innermost layer of the layers forming the laminated film may be a polyethylene terephthalate layer. Further, at least one of the layers forming the laminated film may be a layer having a moisture-proof function. In that case, the layer other than the innermost layer may be an aluminum layer to have a moisture-proof function.

Further, in the glass substrate package according to the present invention, the inside of the package is preferably deaerated.

Here, in the present invention, a film that "does not contaminate" the surface of the glass substrate means (1) even if the film is pressed against the surface of the glass substrate due to stacking of packages, etc.
Even if the film does not adhere to the glass surface, or if a slight amount of adhesion occurs and the adhered matter from the film remains on the glass substrate surface after unpacking, the adhered matter can be removed by a physical cleaning process. And (2) a film that does not affect the glass substrate surface, such as a chemical change of the film material on the contact surface with the glass substrate, which does not require a chemical cleaning step.

The above-mentioned "physical cleaning step" means, for example, cleaning with only jet water flow, ultrasonic cleaning, etc.
It refers to a cleaning process that does not require the use of special detergents or solvents. On the other hand, the “chemical cleaning step” means a cleaning step that requires the use of a special detergent or solvent.

In the present invention, the term "polyethylene terephthalate film" or "polyethylene terephthalate layer" is industrially referred to as "polyethylene terephthalate film (PET film)" or "polyethylene terephthalate layer (PET layer)". Including those containing a small amount of impurities.

In the present invention, the term "laminated film" means not only a laminated film formed by laminating but also a film formed by laminating two or more materials in layers, including those formed by vapor deposition. The “aluminum layer” includes a vapor deposition layer of aluminum.

[0022]

In the glass substrate package according to the present invention, the glass substrate is hermetically sealed with a film that does not contaminate the surface thereof, so that a high storage / transport efficiency of the glass substrates can be achieved by directly stacking a plurality of packages. While realizing, it is possible to omit the chemical cleaning step after unpacking and before processing which does not cause glass burning and is time-consuming and costly. That is, the glass substrate package according to the present invention requires only a physical cleaning step before processing after unpacking, and the time and cost required for the cleaning step are significantly large as compared with the case where a conventional chemical cleaning step is required. Reduced to.
Such an effect is particularly great in a glass substrate for a liquid crystal display, where surface scratches and contamination are particularly problematic.

Further, the film forming the packaging body according to the present invention is a laminated film, and at least one of the layers forming the laminated film is a layer having a moisture-proof function to prevent contamination of the surface of the glass substrate. The effect is further enhanced, and the time and cost required for the cleaning process can be further reduced.

In addition, the film forming the package according to the present invention is a film which does not contaminate the surface of the glass substrate, and requires a chemical cleaning step after peeling even if the film is pressed and brought into close contact with the surface of the glass substrate. Since such deposits do not remain on the surface of the glass substrate, deaeration packaging is possible. By such deaeration packaging, the stacking efficiency of glass substrate packages, that is, the storage / transport efficiency can be further improved. Further, since the glass substrates can be prevented from being displaced inside the package by degassing and packaging, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of scratches due to the rubbing of the glass substrates via the film.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a glass substrate package 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this package 1, a glass substrate 2 is sealed with a polyethylene terephthalate film (hereinafter, “PET film”) 3. The PET film 3 is folded back on the lower side of the package 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the heat seal portions 4 and 5 are provided on the left and right sides and the upper side. Package 1
The inside of the is preferably degassed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing the package 1 shown in FIG.

First, in FIG. 2A, the glass substrate 2 is inserted between the folded strip-shaped PET films 3. A heat seal material is applied to the left and right belt-shaped portions 4 ′ of the PET film 3 on the side that becomes the inner surface when folded back by laminating. Similarly, P
Also in the laterally extending strip portions 5 ′ arranged at a predetermined interval so as to face each other when the ET film 3 is folded back,
A heat seal material is applied to the inner surface by laminating.

Next, in FIG. 2B, the rollers 6 having the heat rollers 7 at both ends move on the PET film 3 sandwiching the glass substrate 2, and the air between the folded PET films 3 is moved. Left and right strip 4'while pushing out
Are heat-sealed to form the heat-sealed portion 4.

Then, in FIG. 2 (c), the heat-sealing bar 8 heat-seals the facing strip portions 5 ', so that the heat-sealing portion 5 is formed. This allows
The glass substrate 2 is sealed in the PET film 3. In addition,
In order to further increase the degree of degassing inside the package 1, instead of the step shown in FIG. 2C, first, the band-shaped portion 5 ′ is temporarily sealed while leaving a part thereof to further remove the air inside. After this, the rest of the strip 5'may be sealed.

Finally, in FIG. 2D, the completed package 1 is separated from the rest of the strip-shaped PET film 3. After that, in the present embodiment, FIG.
Returning to step 1, similar packages can be continuously produced.

PET used in the above embodiment
Since the film 3 does not contaminate the surface of the glass substrate 2,
While achieving high storage and transportation efficiency of glass substrates, the cleaning process after unpacking and before processing can be greatly simplified, and only the physical cleaning process can be performed. Furthermore, when the degree of degassing inside the package 1 is increased, the stacking efficiency of the package 1, that is, the storage / transport efficiency can be further improved, and the position of the glass substrate 2 inside the package 1 can be improved. Prevent the gap,
It is possible to prevent scratches due to rubbing between the glass substrates 2 via the PET film 3.

In the above embodiment, the heat seal material is applied in a band shape to a part of the inner surface of the PET film 3,
Although the glass substrate 2 is sealed by heat sealing, other methods such as using a double-sided tape can be used.

In the modification of the above embodiment, a laminated film can be used instead of the PET film 3. This laminated film also needs to be a film that does not contaminate the surface of the glass substrate 2 like the PET film 3. Moreover, it is preferable that at least one layer of the layers forming the laminated film has a moisture-proof function.

An example of such a laminated film is a laminated film obtained by laminating a PET layer, an aluminum layer, and a protective layer such as polypropylene by laminating in order from the side facing the glass substrate 2. In this example, since the aluminum layer has a moisture-proof function, the effect of preventing contamination of the surface of the glass substrate 2 is further enhanced. In addition, while achieving high storage and transportation efficiency of glass substrates, the cleaning process after unpacking and before processing can be greatly simplified, and only physical cleaning process can be performed, and when degassing is increased. The effect is as described above.

The aluminum layer in the above modification may be applied by vapor deposition instead of laminating.

In the above embodiment, a PET film is used as a typical film that does not stain the surface of the glass substrate, but here the usefulness of the PET film as a film that does not stain the surface of the glass substrate is shown. The experimental results are shown below.

The experiment was carried out on eight commercially available films.

The experimental method is as follows. First, nine samples were prepared for each kind of film, in which the films were brought into close contact with a part of the surface of the glass substrate and laminated. Next, 3 of them were left at room temperature for 1 day, the other 3 were left at 60 ° C. for 1 hour, and the remaining 3 were left at 60 ° C. for 1 day. After that, peel the film from each sample, apply heated water vapor to the entire surface of the glass substrate of each sample, by visual observation,
Compare the adhesion state of water vapor to the glass substrate surface of the part where the film was overlapped and the part where the film was not overlapped, and the film was overlapped depending on whether the film traces appeared The state of contamination on the surface of the damaged portion was evaluated on a scale of A to F. Further, out of the three glass substrates left under each condition, one glass substrate was ultrasonically cleaned in pure water at 50 ° C. for 4 minutes, rinsed, and then dried (condition “I” in Table 1 below). )), The other one glass substrate is ultrasonically cleaned in an alkaline detergent solution for glass substrate cleaning at 50 ° C. for 4 minutes, rinsed, and then dried (condition “II”), and the remaining one glass substrate. Was subjected to ultrasonic cleaning in the same detergent solution at 50 ° C. for 1 minute, rinsed, and then dried (condition “III”), and then evaluated in 6 steps from A to F by the same method. The criteria for each evaluation are: A: No trace of film can be seen, B: No trace of film can be seen even with considerable care, C: Somehow trace of film outline is recognized, D: Glass Traces of the contour of the film are clearly seen when viewed from the back side of the substrate, E: Traces of the contour of the film are clearly recognized when seen from any side of the glass substrate, F: The film is seen from any side of the glass substrate Is clearly observed (B 'in Table 1 below is an evaluation for a state in the middle of B and C relative to each other).

The results of the above experiments are summarized in Table 1 below.

[0041]

[Table 1] Looking at the results in Table 1, sample number 1 which is a PET film
In each of the films of No. -3, even in the state immediately after the peeling of the film and before the cleaning, the film residue remains only to the extent that the evaluation is B'at a minimum. And
After performing the physical cleaning without using a detergent (condition “I”), the evaluation is A in all cases. From this, the usefulness of the PET film as a film that does not contaminate the glass substrate surface can be clearly seen.

On the other hand, the polyethylene film samples (Sample Nos. 6 and 7) which were generally used as the surface protection film for the glass substrate in the prior art were evaluated as E in the state immediately after the film was peeled and before the cleaning. Yes, the residue from the film was noticeable. Moreover, under the cleaning conditions of this time, even after the chemical cleaning as well as the chemical cleaning (conditions “II” and “III”),
The evaluation only improved to C at the maximum. That is,
In order to reach a level at which the glass substrate surface such as a liquid crystal display is particularly required to be cleaned, chemical cleaning for a longer period of time is required. This increases the time and cost of the cleaning process,
As a result, it greatly limits the production efficiency of products such as liquid crystal displays. The same applies to the film made of the sample No. 8 polyolefin.

Regarding the films of sample Nos. 4 and 5 made of biaxially oriented polypropylene as a material, the film of Sample No. 4 gave the same good results as the PET film, but the result of the film of Sample No. 5 was It was comparable to polyethylene film and polyolefin film.

As described above, the experimental result is PE
It is shown that the T film is extremely useful as a film that does not contaminate the surface of the glass substrate, and based on this result, the usefulness of the laminated film having the PET layer used as the innermost layer used in the modified example described above is useful. The sex is also clear.

Although the embodiments of the present invention and the modified examples thereof have been described in detail above, these embodiments and modified examples are merely illustrative, and the technical scope of the present invention is within the scope of the present specification. It should be determined only by the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a glass substrate package according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing the package shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Glass substrate package 2 glass substrates 3 PET film 4, 5 Heat seal part 6 rollers 7 heat roller 8 heat seal bar

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) // B65B 11/48 B65D 85/38 RF term (reference) 3E051 AA05 AB02 BA02 EA01 GA01 HA02 HA07 HE01 JA04 3E067 AA12 AB66 AC01 BA18A BB12A BB14A BB16A BB25A BB30A BC04A CA05 EA08 EB01 EB21 FA01 FB11 FC01 GD10 3E096 AA01 BA20 BA24 BB05 CA11 EA02X EA11X FA03 FA10 FA22 FA29 FA40 GA01 5F031 CA02 DA04 519

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A package formed by sealing a glass substrate with a film that does not contaminate the surface of the glass substrate. 2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the film is a polyethylene terephthalate film. 3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the film is a laminated film. 4. The package according to claim 3, wherein the innermost layer of the layers forming the laminated film is a polyethylene terephthalate layer. 5. The package according to claim 3, wherein at least one layer of the layers forming the laminated film is a layer having a moisture-proof function. 6. The package according to claim 5, wherein the layer having the moisture-proof function is an aluminum layer which is not the innermost layer. 7. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inside is degassed. 8. The package according to claim 1, wherein the glass substrate is a glass substrate for liquid crystal display.