JP2005316072A - Rubbing method and device, and manufacturing method of optically anisotropic sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct a rubbing process for an alignment layer provided sheet having a structure, in which an alignment layer is laminated on a continuous substrate surface, in the direction that is greatly tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction or in a vertical direction. <P>SOLUTION: A continuously configured alignment layer provided sheet 1 is intermittently transported in its longitudinal direction. When it is stopped, a rotating rubbing roll 28 is moved to cross the total width of the stopped sheet 1 in the direction that is crossed with respect to the longitudinal direction while contacting the alignment layer to conduct the rubbing process for the alignment layer surface. Then, the sheet 1 is moved for a certain amount, stopped and a similar process is conducted. The above processes are repeated to perform the rubbing process for the entire length of the alignment layer provided sheet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing a rubbing treatment on a sheet with an alignment film used for producing an optically anisotropic sheet used for a liquid crystal display and the like, and a method for producing an optically anisotropic sheet.

  A polarizing plate in which a polarizing element and an optical compensation sheet are laminated is used for a liquid crystal display. Optical compensation sheets are used for correcting image coloring, expanding the viewing angle, and the like, and those having various optical properties have been developed depending on the application and display mode of the liquid crystal display. Conventionally, stretched birefringent polymer films have been frequently used as materials for optical compensation sheets, but in recent years optically anisotropic sheets composed of liquid crystalline molecules having optical anisotropy have been proposed. An optically anisotropic sheet is an optical function that has an optical anisotropy by forming an alignment film on a supporting substrate, rubbing the alignment film surface, applying a liquid crystal material, and drying and curing. Often manufactured by a method of forming a layer.

  In the production of an optically anisotropic sheet or polarizing element used for a polarizing plate, a continuous form wound in a roll is generally used in order to increase productivity. That is, in the production of an optically anisotropic sheet, a continuous base material such as a continuous transparent resin film is used as a support base material, and an orientation film is formed on the surface of the continuous base material and rolled as a sheet with an orientation film. The step of winding the sheet into the shape, continuously running the sheet with the continuous alignment film, bringing the rubbing roll into contact with the alignment film and performing the rubbing treatment, the step of winding again into the roll shape, the sheet with the alignment film after the rubbing treatment A roll-shaped optically anisotropic sheet is manufactured through a process of applying a liquid crystal material on an alignment film, drying and curing to form an optical functional layer and winding it into a roll. In manufacturing a polarizing element, a continuous resin film is stretched and wound into a roll to produce a roll-shaped polarizing element. In many cases, a polarizing plate used in a liquid crystal display is laminated on a liquid crystal cell member after bonding an optically anisotropic sheet and a polarizing element. At this time, depending on the display mode of the liquid crystal display, the optically anisotropic sheet and the polarizing element have a desired angle (for example, parallel, right angle, etc.) between the transmission axis of the polarizing element and the slow axis of the optically anisotropic sheet. It is arranged to be.

  In a polarizing element formed by subjecting a resin film to stretching, the direction perpendicular to the stretching direction corresponds to the transmission axis. For this reason, in a continuous polarizing element formed by subjecting a continuous resin film to a stretching process, in many cases, the stretching process is performed in the longitudinal direction, so that the transmission axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, that is, the width direction. ing. On the other hand, the slow axis of the optically anisotropic sheet corresponds to the major axis direction of the rod-like liquid crystalline molecule when the optical functional layer is composed of the rod-like liquid crystalline molecule. In addition, the major axis direction of the rod-like liquid crystalline molecules varies depending on the material of the alignment film, but in many cases, it is the same direction as the rubbing treatment direction (direction in which the alignment film is rubbed with a rubbing cloth or the like). . Conventionally, a rubbing roll is used for rubbing treatment on a continuous sheet with an alignment film as described above, and specifically, with an alignment film guided by a pair of guide rolls 2a and 2b as shown in FIG. The rubbing roll 3 is placed on and brought into contact with the sheet 1 so that the axis thereof is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (traveling direction A) of the alignment film-attached sheet 1 and subjected to rubbing treatment. Therefore, the rubbing treatment direction of the alignment film sheet rubbed by this method is the longitudinal direction, and the slow axis of the optically anisotropic sheet manufactured using this alignment film sheet is optically anisotropic. The longitudinal direction of the adhesive sheet is substantially the same. From the above, when manufacturing a polarizing plate by laminating a continuous polarizing element wound in a roll and a continuous optical anisotropic sheet wound in a roll, the transmission axis of the polarizing element When laminating so that the slow axis of the optically anisotropic sheet is almost perpendicular, it is only necessary to laminate the polarizing element and the optically anisotropic sheet with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other. Therefore, it can be laminated continuously, so that the productivity can be extremely increased and the bonding error between them can be reduced.

However, the optical characteristics required for the polarizing plate are not limited to the above cases, and it is desirable to reduce the angle between the slow axis of the optically anisotropic sheet and the transmission axis of the polarizing element depending on the display mode. In this case, the desired optical characteristics cannot be obtained by simply laminating the optically anisotropic sheet produced as described above on a continuous polarizing element with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 8, it is also known that the rubbing roll 3 is tilted with respect to the traveling direction of the sheet 1 with the alignment film to perform the rubbing process, whereby the rubbing process direction is set to the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the rubbing roll 3 can be inclined by an angle substantially equal to the inclination angle θ with respect to the width direction of the sheet with the alignment film. However, in this case, in order to perform a good rubbing process, the inclination angle θ of the rubbing roll 3 with respect to the width direction of the alignment film-coated sheet 1 is limited to about 60 degrees. The angle is limited to about 60 degrees, and the inclination angle of the slow axis of the optically anisotropic sheet obtained from the alignment film-coated sheet after the rubbing treatment is about 60 degrees at the maximum. Therefore, when the optically anisotropic sheet and the continuous polarizing element made from the alignment film-coated sheet rubbed using an inclined rubbing roll as shown in FIG. 8 are laminated with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other, In the obtained polarizing plate, the angle between the slow axis of the optically anisotropic sheet and the transmission axis of the polarizing element is at least about 30 degrees, and cannot be less than that. Therefore, in order to produce a polarizing plate in which the angle between the slow axis of the optically anisotropic sheet and the transmission axis of the polarizing element is 30 degrees or less, one or both of the optically anisotropic sheet and the polarizing element are desired. After cutting into sizes, an operation of aligning and stacking the two has to be performed, which increases the number of processes and complicates the bonding method.
JP 2000-98134 A JP-A 61-160720 JP-A-8-160431 JP 2001-255413 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is possible to rub a continuous alignment film-coated sheet in a direction (a greatly inclined direction or a vertical direction) intersecting the longitudinal direction at a large angle. And a rubbing method and apparatus for producing an optically anisotropic sheet having a slow axis that is greatly inclined or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to produce a polarizing plate with high productivity.

  The rubbing method of the present invention enables a rubbing treatment in a direction greatly inclined or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the alignment film-attached sheet, so that the alignment film-attached sheet is intermittently conveyed in the longitudinal direction. A structure in which a rotating rubbing roll is run while contacting the alignment film of the alignment film-attached sheet in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the alignment film-attached sheet when the alignment film-attached sheet is stopped, and the alignment film surface is rubbed. It is a thing. Here, the traveling direction of the rubbing roll is a direction intersecting at a large angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the alignment film-attached sheet (for example, a greatly inclined direction or a vertical direction), thereby making the longitudinal direction of the alignment film-attached sheet Can be rubbed in a direction that intersects at a large angle. The running direction of the rubbing roll is preferably a direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the sheet with the alignment film at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees, and thereby intersects with an angle of 45 to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction. The rubbing process can be performed in the selected direction.

  The rubbing apparatus of the present invention comprises a pair of guide rolls for guiding the alignment film-attached sheet to travel in the longitudinal direction, means for intermittently conveying the alignment film-attached sheet at least between the pair of guide rolls, A movable table provided to reciprocate in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the alignment film-coated sheet in a plane parallel to the alignment film-coated sheet between the pair of guide rolls; Is provided with a rubbing roll provided so as to come into contact with the alignment film when moving in a direction crossing the sheet with the alignment film, and a rotation driving device that rotationally drives the rubbing roll. By using this apparatus, the above-described method of the present invention can be carried out, and a rubbing treatment can be performed in a direction greatly inclined or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the sheet with the alignment film.

  The rubbing apparatus of the present invention is provided with an accumulation device for temporarily retaining the alignment film-attached sheet downstream of the pair of guide rolls, and the alignment film-attached sheet is continuously conveyed downstream of the accumulation device. A configuration is preferable.

  In addition, on the opposite side to the rubbing roll with respect to the alignment film-attached sheet, backup support means for supporting the backup of the area of the alignment film-attached sheet while the rubbing roll is in contact when the alignment film-attached sheet is stopped. It is also preferable to provide it.

  The method for producing an optically anisotropic sheet of the present invention is a composition in which a liquid crystal material is applied on the alignment film of the alignment film-coated sheet rubbed by the above-described rubbing method of the present invention, dried and cured. Thus, it is possible to manufacture an optically anisotropic sheet having a characteristic that the slow axis intersects with the longitudinal direction at a large angle (that is, tilted at a large angle or perpendicular).

  According to the rubbing method and apparatus of the present invention, a rubbing treatment in a direction intersecting at a large angle in the longitudinal direction, for example, in a direction intersecting at about 45 to 90 degrees can be performed on a continuous sheet with alignment film. . For this reason, the optical anisotropy in which the angle of the slow axis with respect to the longitudinal direction is about 45 to 90 degrees by producing an optically anisotropic sheet using the alignment film-coated sheet subjected to the rubbing treatment. Sheets can be easily manufactured. Particularly, by setting the rubbing treatment direction to about 60 to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sheet, the slow axis, which has been difficult to produce conventionally, is about 60 to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction. An inclined optically anisotropic sheet can be easily produced. Therefore, by laminating these optically anisotropic sheets on a continuous-type polarizing element simply with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other, the slow axis of the optically anisotropic sheet and the transmission axis of the polarizing element are obtained. It is possible to manufacture a polarizing plate having a small angle, for example, in the range of about 0 to 45 degrees with good productivity and high bonding accuracy.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a rubbing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rubbing apparatus indicated by reference numeral 10 as a whole sets the winding of the alignment film-attached sheet 1 having a configuration in which an alignment film is laminated on the surface of a continuous base material made of a transparent polymer film or the like. A feeding device 11 for feeding out (hereinafter referred to as a continuous sheet 1), an EPC device 12 for stabilizing the running position in the width direction of the continuous sheet 1, a rubbing processing unit 13 for performing a rubbing process on the continuous sheet 1, An accumulator 14 for temporarily retaining the continuous sheet 1, an EPC apparatus 15 for stabilizing the running position of the continuous sheet 1 in the width direction, and foreign matters such as dust and dust on the surface of the continuous sheet 1 are removed. A film dust removing device 16, a winding device 17 for winding the continuous sheet 1 after the rubbing process, and a number of guides for running and guiding the continuous sheet 1 along a predetermined path. Dror 18 and a (pair disposed in rubbing processing section 13 guide rolls 18a, including 18b) or the like. Here, the continuous sheet 1 is set so that the alignment film is positioned on the lower surface side when passing between the pair of guide rolls 18 a and 18 b arranged in the rubbing processing unit 13. Further, upstream of the accumulator 14, the continuous sheet 1 travels intermittently, and when stopped, the continuous sheet 1 between the pair of guide rolls 18a and 18b has an appropriate tension that does not interfere with the rubbing process. In addition, the continuous sheet 1 continuously travels downstream of the accumulator 14.

  The rubbing processing unit 13 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lower surface of the continuous sheet 1 positioned between the pair of guide rolls 18a and 18b arranged so that the continuous sheet 1 travels horizontally. 2 and 3, the rotary table 21 is disposed between the pair of guide rolls 18a and 18b, and is held on the rotary table 21. The slide unit 22, the moving table 23 held so as to reciprocate by the slide unit 22, the linear motion guide 24 mounted perpendicularly to the movable base 23, and the linear motion guide 24 are supported so as to be movable up and down. The roll support 25, the drive device 26 for raising and lowering the roll support 25, the stopper 27 for regulating the upper limit position of the roll support 25, and the roll support 2 And a rubbing roll 28 or the like which is held.

  The rubbing roll 28 has a structure in which a rubbing cloth made of rayon or the like is uniformly attached to the surface of a metal mirror roll using a double-sided tape or the like, and the rubbing roll 28 is rotated on the continuous sheet 1 while being rotated. A rubbing process can be performed by making it contact. The rubbing roll 28 is connected to a rotational drive device (not shown) for rotationally driving it in both forward and reverse directions. When the stopper 27 is positioned by pressing the roll support portion 25 against the stopper 27, the rubbing roll 28 is positioned in a state where an appropriate tension is applied between the pair of guide rolls 18a and 18b. The height position is determined so as to come into contact with the continuous sheet 1 at a contact pressure necessary to perform a desired rubbing process.

  The rotary table 21 has a structure that can turn around a turning point O set at the center in FIG. 3 and can be fixed at a desired angular position. The turning point O is disposed so as to be positioned on the central axis of the continuous sheet 1 guided by the pair of guide rolls 18a and 18b. Accordingly, by turning the rotary table 21 around the turning point O, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the slide unit 22 is turned, and the traveling direction B of the movable table 23 and the rubbing roll 28 held by the slide unit 22 is turned. Can be changed to a desired direction with respect to the longitudinal direction YY of the continuous sheet 1, that is, the angle α intersecting the longitudinal direction YY can be changed to a desired angle. Since the traveling direction B of the rubbing roll 28 is the rubbing processing direction for the continuous sheet 1, the angular position of the rotary table 21 may be set according to the rubbing processing direction to be applied to the continuous sheet 1. In FIG. 3, the traveling direction B of the rubbing roll 28 is set to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction YY of the continuous sheet 1.

  In FIG. 1, in the vicinity of the guide rolls 18 a and 18 b located on both sides of the rubbing roll 28, a static eliminator 30 for preventing adhesion of foreign matters such as dust and dust to the continuous sheet 1 is provided. . Further, a dustproof cover 32 having an entrance for the continuous sheet 1 is provided between the pair of guide rolls 18 a and 18 b so as to cover the continuous sheet 1 in contact with the rubbing processing unit 13 and the rubbing roll 28. . The inside of the dust-proof cover 32 is always exhausted and kept at a negative pressure by an exhaust device (not shown) provided with a dust filter. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent foreign matters such as scraps from the alignment film of the continuous sheet 1 and the fallen fibers of the rubbing cloth that are generated by the rubbing process from being scattered around and deposited on the surroundings or attached to the continuous sheet 1. The exhausted air is returned to the room where the rubbing apparatus 10 is installed after removing foreign matter.

  The accumulation device 14 includes a plurality of guide rolls 33 arranged so as to move up and down, and is configured to increase or decrease the amount of the continuous sheet 1 that is retained by the raising and lowering of the guide rolls 33. As described above, the continuous sheet 1 travels intermittently upstream of the accumulation device 14 and continuously travels downstream, but by increasing or decreasing the amount of residence in the accumulation device 14, the upstream and downstream intermittent travels. The area and continuous running area can be connected without hindrance.

  Next, a rubbing operation performed by the rubbing apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described. The rubbing roll 28 is waiting at a position where the uppermost portion of the rubbing roll 28 is off the side edge of the continuous sheet 1 and lowered so as not to contact the continuous sheet 1 while rotating at a predetermined rotational speed. Now, when the continuous sheet 1 traveling between the pair of guide rolls 18a and 18b stops, the rubbing roll 28 rises to a position regulated by the stopper 27, and then the moving table 23 moves in the direction of arrow B in FIG. The rubbing roll 28 also travels in the arrow B direction. By this traveling, the rubbing roll 28 travels in the arrow B direction while rubbing the continuous sheet 1, and performs a rubbing process in the arrow B direction on the continuous sheet 1. When the rubbing roll 28 passes through the full width of the continuous sheet 1 and the rubbing process for the full width of the continuous sheet is completed, the rubbing roll 28 descends at that position to prepare for the next rubbing process. Next, when the continuous sheet 1 is stopped by being fed by a certain length not exceeding the length in the longitudinal direction of the previously rubbed region, the rubbing roll 28 rises again and then travels in the direction opposite to the arrow B. Then, a rubbing process is performed on the continuous sheet 1 and then descends to prepare for the next rubbing process. Thereafter, the rubbing process is intermittently performed on the continuous sheet 1 by repeating the same operation. During these rubbing processes, the accumulating device 14 increases or decreases the staying amount of the continuous sheet 1, and the continuous sheet 1 is continuously fed downstream thereof and continuously wound by the winding device 17. As described above, the rubbing process for the continuous sheet 1 is performed. Here, as can be clearly seen from FIG. 3, the rubbing roll 28 is moving in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction YY of the continuous sheet 1, so that the rubbing process in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction YY is performed. Can do.

  In the rubbing process described above, the rubbing process is applied to different regions in the longitudinal direction of the continuous sheet 1 in each reciprocating movement of the rubbing roll 28. The rubbing process is performed only when the rubbing roll 28 moves in one direction. Alternatively, the rubbing roll 28 may be rubbed to the same area of the continuous sheet 1 in one reciprocation.

  To change the rubbing processing direction, as shown in FIG. 4, the turntable 21 is turned around the turning point O, and the crossing angle of the traveling direction B of the movable table 23 with respect to the longitudinal direction YY of the continuous sheet 1. The above-described rubbing process operation may be performed with α set to a desired angle and the rotary table 21 fixed at that position. Here, the crossing angle α employed in the rubbing apparatus is preferably in the range of about 45 to 90 degrees, and by setting in this way, the rubbing treatment direction is 45 to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction. It can be within a range of the degree. Although it is possible to perform the rubbing process with the crossing angle α with respect to the longitudinal direction of the continuous sheet 1 being 45 degrees or less, the rubbing process in which the rubbing process direction is 45 degrees or less is a rubbing roll having an inclined arrangement shown in FIG. 3 can be implemented, the merit of using the rubbing device of the present invention is reduced.

  Although the rubbing processing unit 13 in the above-described embodiment is configured to perform the rubbing process without supporting the upper surface side of the continuous sheet 1 extending between the pair of guide rolls 18a and 18b, the tension applied to the continuous sheet 1 is increased. If the continuous sheet 1 is small and may be deformed during the rubbing process, the back-up support that supports the back-up of the continuous sheet 1 on the opposite side of the rubbing roll 28, that is, on the upper surface side of the continuous sheet 1 when the continuous sheet 1 is stopped. It is recommended to provide a means. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in that case, and a suction plate 35 that constitutes backup support means is provided on the upper surface side of the continuous sheet 1 so as to be movable up and down by an elevating device 36, and the continuous sheet 1 is stopped and a rubbing process is performed. When performing the above, the suction plate 35 is lowered to suck and hold the area of the continuous sheet 1 to be rubbed, and in this state, the rubbing process is performed by the rubbing roll 28. With this configuration, the continuous sheet 1 does not move during the rubbing process, and a good rubbing process can be performed. Note that backup support means other than the suction plate 35 may be provided. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the moving direction of the rubbing roll 28 can be adjusted using the rotary table 21. However, when the rubbing process is performed only in a predetermined direction, the rotary table 21 is omitted and the slide is performed. The unit 22 may be set and fixed so that the rubbing roll 28 travels in a predetermined direction.

  The continuous sheet (sheet with alignment film) 1 that has been rubbed and wound by the rubbing apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration is sent to the step of forming the optical functional layer, and a liquid crystal material (for example, liquid crystal polymer, liquid crystal) is formed on the alignment film. An optical functional layer having optical anisotropy is formed by applying an oligomer or a polymerizable mesogenic material, etc., and drying and curing (crosslinking or polymerization) to produce an optically anisotropic sheet. The obtained optically anisotropic sheet is obtained by forming an optical functional layer on a sheet with an alignment film subjected to a rubbing treatment in a direction intersecting at a large angle with respect to the longitudinal direction, for example, an angle of about 45 to 90 degrees. Therefore, the angle of the slow axis with respect to the longitudinal direction is large, for example, about 45 to 90 degrees.

  The rubbing apparatus 10 described above performs only the rubbing process and winds the continuous sheet 1 after the rubbing process. By combining this with the optical functional layer forming line, the rubbing process and the optical functional layer formation are performed. It is also possible to carry out with one line. FIG. 6 shows an optically anisotropic sheet manufacturing apparatus 40 configured as described above, and the same or similar parts as those in the apparatus shown in FIG. The manufacturing apparatus 40 includes a supply device 11, an EPC device 12, a rubbing processing unit 13, an accumulating device 14, an EPC device 15, a film dust removing device 16 and the like, as in the rubbing device 10 of FIG. A liquid crystal coating device 42, a drying device 43, a UV curing device 44, a winding device 17 and the like are disposed downstream. In the manufacturing equipment 40 having this configuration, the continuous sheet 1 having an alignment film on the surface is pulled out from the supply device 11 and is rubbed by the rubbing device 13, and then a liquid crystal material (for example, a liquid crystal polymer is applied to the surface after the rubbing treatment. , A liquid crystal oligomer or a polymerizable mesogenic material, etc.) is applied, and is wound around the winding device 17 through a drying and curing (crosslinking or polymerization) process. Thus, a rubbing process is performed at a large angle with respect to the longitudinal direction, for example, at an angle of about 45 ° to 90 °, and an optical functional layer formed of a liquid crystal layer is formed thereon, thereby forming a slow phase. An optically anisotropic sheet having a large angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shaft, for example, about 45 to 90 degrees can be continuously produced.

  The main applications of the optically anisotropic sheet produced as described above and a polarizing plate formed by laminating a polarizing element on the optically anisotropic sheet include a color compensation plate for a liquid crystal display element and a liquid crystal display element. Viewing angle compensation plates, optical retardation plates, half-wave plates, quarter-wave plates, optical rotatory optical elements, laminated sheets for optical elements, and the like.

Schematic configuration diagram of a rubbing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (A) is a schematic side view of the rubbing process part of the rubbing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, (b) is a schematic front view of the rubbing process part. Schematic plan view of the rubbing processing unit shown in FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the rubbing processing unit shown in FIG. Schematic side view showing a modification of the rubbing processing unit shown in FIG. Schematic block diagram showing an example of an optically anisotropic sheet manufacturing apparatus (A) is a schematic side view showing an example of a conventional rubbing apparatus, and (b) is a schematic plan view thereof. (A) is a schematic side view which shows the other example of the conventional rubbing apparatus, (b) is the schematic plan view.

Explanation of symbols

1 Sheet with orientation film (continuous sheet)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Rubbing apparatus 11 Supply apparatus 12, 15 EPC apparatus 13 Rubbing process part 14 Accumulation apparatus 16 Film dust removal apparatus 17 Winding apparatus 18a, 18b Guide roll 21 Rotary table 22 Slide table 23 Moving stand 28 Rubbing roll 30 Static elimination apparatus 32 Dust-proof cover 40 Optical anisotropic sheet manufacturing apparatus 42 Liquid crystal coating apparatus 43 Drying apparatus 44 UV curing apparatus

Claims (6)

  A step of intermittently transporting the alignment film-attached sheet in which the alignment film is laminated on the surface of the continuous base material in the longitudinal direction, and a rotating rubbing roll when the alignment film-attached sheet is stopped in the longitudinal direction of the alignment film-attached sheet. A rubbing method comprising a step of running in contact with the alignment film of the alignment film-attached sheet in a direction crossing the surface and subjecting the alignment film surface to a rubbing treatment.   The rubbing method according to claim 1, wherein a running direction of the rubbing roll is a direction intersecting at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal direction of the alignment film-attached sheet.   A pair of guide rolls for guiding an alignment film-attached sheet in which an alignment film is laminated on the surface of a continuous base material, and means for intermittently conveying the alignment film-attached sheet at least between the pair of guide rolls And a moving table provided so as to reciprocate in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the alignment film-attached sheet in a plane parallel to the alignment film-attached sheet between the pair of guide rolls, A rubbing apparatus comprising: a rubbing roll provided so as to come into contact with the alignment film when the moving table moves in a direction crossing the sheet with the alignment film; and a rotation driving device that rotationally drives the rubbing roll.   An accumulation device for temporarily retaining the alignment film-attached sheet is provided downstream of the pair of guide rolls, and the alignment film-attached sheet is continuously conveyed downstream of the accumulation device. The rubbing apparatus according to claim 3.   On the opposite side of the rubbing roll with respect to the alignment film-attached sheet, backup support means is provided for backing up the area of the alignment film-attached sheet while the rubbing roll is in contact when the alignment film-attached sheet is stopped. The rubbing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that.   An optical anisotropy comprising a step of applying a liquid crystal material onto the alignment film of the alignment film-coated sheet rubbed by the rubbing method according to claim 1 and a step of drying and curing the applied liquid crystal material. Sheet manufacturing method.

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