JP2021047411A - Transfer foil and production method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To produce a transfer foil provided with a relief structure that reproduces an image in a sufficiently large size, in high yield without causing a problem relating to burrs in a metal layer or chemical resistance.SOLUTION: A production method of a transfer foil comprises: forming a relief structure-forming layer provided with a relief structure to display a diffraction image on one main surface; forming a metal layer on the main surface where the relief structure is provided; forming a mask layer on the metal layer so as to expose a pair of edges each extending in a longitudinal direction of the relief structure-forming layer and to cover a center portion interposed by the edges in the surface of the metal layer; forming a reflection layer by etching by using the mask layer as an etching mask to remove a portion corresponding to the pair of edges in the metal layer; and forming an adhesive layer. The thickness of the adhesion layer is controlled to be within the range from 2 to 40 times of the thickness of the mask layer.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

The present invention relates to a transfer foil and a method for producing the same.

Conventionally, a relief-type hologram that is difficult to forge or duplicate may be used in the above-mentioned article for the purpose of proving that the article such as a product is genuine.

The relief type hologram is composed of a diffraction grating composed of concave or convex portions. The color of the diffracted light emitted by the relief-type hologram and the direction in which it can be visually recognized change depending on the pitch of the concave or convex portions and the orientation of their arrangement.

Some relief-type holograms can display an image of an object in three dimensions, that is, a three-dimensional image can be displayed. As such a hologram, for example, there is a hologram in which the orientation of the object in the image reproduced by the hologram changes according to a change in the observation angle, as in the case of observing the actual object. For this relief type hologram, for example, a structure in which concave portions or convex portions are formed into a plurality of curved shapes parallel to each other is adopted (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-281804 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-104211

In recent years, the number of goods such as gift certificates and banknotes to which a strip-shaped relief hologram is attached is increasing. Transfer foils are used, for example, in the manufacture of such articles. In this transfer foil, a metal layer such as an aluminum layer is often formed as a reflective layer so that the hologram can display a bright image.

The present inventors have found that such a transfer foil causes the following problems.
That is, in the above-mentioned production of the transfer foil, for example, a strip-shaped laminate having the same layer structure as the transfer foil as the final product is produced wider than the transfer foil as the final product, and then this Cut both edges along the length direction of the laminate. If the metal layer is provided over the entire width of the laminate, the metal layer is exposed on both end faces extending along the length direction of the transfer foil. The cut surface of the metal layer may have burrs. Further, a structure in which a metal layer is exposed on both end faces extending along the length direction of the transfer foil is inferior in chemical resistance. Since the band-shaped relief hologram has a long end face extending along the length direction, the problem of burrs and chemical resistance is particularly serious. Therefore, it is desirable to form a laminate having a metal layer having a width narrower than that of the transfer foil as a final product, and to cut the laminate at a position where the metal layer does not exist.

However, narrowing the width of the metal layer reduces the area of the area in which the image can be displayed. Therefore, it is desirable that the width of the area used for displaying the image is equal to the width of the metal layer.

By the way, the narrow metal layer can be obtained, for example, by removing both edges of the wide metal layer by etching. Specifically, first, a photoresist layer is formed on a wide metal layer. Next, the photoresist layer is sequentially subjected to exposure and development using a photomask to form a resist pattern. Then, etching is performed using this resist pattern as an etching mask to remove both edges of the metal layer.

In order for the width of the metal layer to be equal to the width of the area provided with the relief structure for displaying the image, the photomask must be aligned with the relief structure with high accuracy.

However, since the relief structure is composed of fine concave portions or convex portions, it is difficult to distinguish the region where the relief structure is provided from another region even if the relief structure itself is imaged. Therefore, it is difficult to align the photomask with respect to the relief structure with high accuracy by this method.

Also, when the relief structure is illuminated under certain conditions, the image is reproduced. For example, when this image is a three-dimensional image, it is possible to distinguish the region provided with the relief structure from another region by capturing the three-dimensional image. However, in order to capture a three-dimensional image together with a photomask from the front direction, it is necessary to illuminate the relief structure from an oblique direction. Since this illumination light is at least partially blocked by the photomask, it is difficult to align the photomask with respect to the relief structure even with this method.

Then, in a hologram that reproduces a three-dimensional image of an object, the position of the region where the image is displayed can change depending on the illumination direction and the observation direction. For this reason as well, it is difficult to align the photomask with respect to the relief structure with high accuracy.

When the three-dimensional image contains an image of a three-dimensional motif (element) that should be mainly represented by this three-dimensional image, the observer is in the vicinity of the front of the previous motif (element) in the three-dimensional image. Observe mainly the image of the part. Therefore, in the area where the portion near the front surface of this motif (element) is displayed, the portion near the front surface can be made to appear as large as possible without causing the metal layer to be missing due to the misalignment of the photomask. Is desired.

Therefore, the present invention uses a metal layer as a reflective layer and provides a transfer foil provided with a relief structure that reproduces an image in a sufficiently large size with a high yield without causing problems of burrs and chemical resistance. The purpose is to make it manufacturable.

Further, in particular, the present invention uses a metal layer as a reflective layer and does not cause a problem of burrs or chemical resistance of a transfer foil provided with a relief structure for reproducing a three-dimensional image in a sufficiently large size. In addition, the purpose is to make it possible to manufacture with a high yield.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the transfer material layer includes a transfer material layer and a support that supports the transfer material layer in a detachable manner, and the transfer material layer is a band-shaped transfer foil including a relief structure forming layer and a reflection layer. A manufacturing method in which a relief structure for displaying a diffraction image including a three-dimensional image including a gaze portion to be watched by an observer forms a relief structure forming layer provided on one main surface, and the relief structure. A metal layer is formed on the main surface provided with the above, and a pair of edges of the surface of the metal layer extending in the length direction of the relief structure forming layer are formed on the metal layer. By forming a mask layer that is exposed and covers the central portion sandwiched between the edge portions, and by etching using the mask layer as an etching mask, the portion of the metal layer corresponding to the pair of edge portions is formed. Including removing to form a reflective layer, the gaze region of the relief structure used for displaying the gaze portion is covered with the reflective layer, and the length of the reflective layer from the gaze region is covered. Provided is a method for producing a transfer foil in which the shortest distance to each edge in the longitudinal direction is within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the transfer material layer is a strip-shaped transfer foil including a transfer material layer and a support that supports the transfer material layer in a detachable manner, and the transfer material layer is a diffraction including a three-dimensional image. A relief structure for displaying an image includes a relief structure forming layer provided on one main surface and a metal reflective layer partially covering the main surface, and the reflective layer is the length of the transfer foil. The three-dimensional image has a strip-like shape extending in the direction and is separated from a pair of edges of the transfer foil parallel to the length direction, and the three-dimensional image includes a gaze portion to be gazed by the observer, and the relief structure. Of these, the gaze region used for displaying the gaze portion is covered with the reflective layer, and the shortest distance from the gaze region to each edge of the reflective layer extending in the length direction is 0.1. Transfer foils in the range of ~ 2.0 mm are provided.

Here, the term "three-dimensional image" means an image in which the orientation of an object in the image changes according to a change in the observation angle, as in the case of observing the actual object.

In the transfer foil and its manufacturing method, the reflective layer is separated from a pair of edges of the transfer foil that are parallel to its length. Therefore, despite the provision of the metal reflective layer, there are no problems with burrs or chemical resistance.

Further, as described above, in this transfer foil and its manufacturing method, the shortest distance from the gaze region used for displaying the gaze portion in the relief structure to each edge in the length direction of the reflective layer or its design value is set. , Make it big enough. Therefore, in the production of the transfer foil, even if the relative position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure deviates slightly from the target relative position, a part of the metal layer is not removed by etching in the gaze area. .. That is, in the production of this transfer foil, even if the relative position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure deviates slightly from the target relative position, the gaze portion is displayed without causing a partial omission. Can be done. Therefore, this transfer foil can be manufactured with a high yield.

Further, in this transfer foil and its manufacturing method, the above distance or its design value is sufficiently reduced. Therefore, this transfer foil can display the gaze area in a large size.

The above distance and its design value are preferably in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 mm. The "gaze section" and the "gaze area" will be described later with reference to the drawings.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional image is provided with a transfer foil according to the aspect, which rotates at an angle within a range of 30 to 60 ° at the maximum as the observation angle changes, and a method for producing the same. To.

In general, the larger the maximum value of this rotation angle, the more the area of the relief structure used for displaying the gaze part only when observed from an oblique direction, and the area of the relief structure of the gaze part only when observed from the front direction. The area used for display has a large difference in size and position. Therefore, the above configuration is particularly effective. However, if the maximum value of this rotation angle is excessively increased, the three-dimensional image becomes dark or the change of the three-dimensional image according to the change of the observation angle becomes not smooth.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional image further includes a peripheral portion, and the peripheral region of the relief structure, which is used only for displaying the peripheral portion, surrounds the gaze region. The transfer foil according to the above and a method for producing the same are provided.

If the relative position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure deviates slightly from the target relative position, the center position of the image deviates slightly from the design position. However, the observer usually pays attention to the gaze area and pays less attention to the peripheral part than the gaze area. Therefore, it is impossible or difficult for the observer to perceive such a slight deviation without the partial omission of the gaze area.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the gaze portion and a part of the peripheral portion are images of one or more objects, and the other portion of the peripheral portion is a background of the one or more objects. A transfer foil according to the above aspect including the image of the above and a method for producing the same are provided.

When the three-dimensional image contains a background image, the image of one or more objects looks more three-dimensional.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the transfer foil according to any of the above aspects, wherein the shortest distance from each of the pair of edges of the transfer foil to the reflective layer is within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm. Manufacturing method is provided. Alternatively, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, the shortest distance from each of the pair of edges of the transfer foil to the reflective layer relates to any of the aspects within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm. Transfer foil is provided.

If this distance is sufficiently large, it is easy to prevent peeling of the display body formed by transferring a part of the transfer material layer to the article from the article at the edge thereof. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence of the tip deviation on the appearance of the display body and the article with the display body.

However, if this distance is reduced, when the relative position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure deviates from the target relative position, the position of the portion of the metal layer removed by etching deviates from the target position, resulting in transfer. A metallic reflective layer can be exposed on one end face of the foil. Increasing this distance reduces the area of the area available for displaying the image. This distance is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 mm.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a transfer foil according to any of the aspects, wherein the distance from each of the pair of edges of the transfer foil to the reflective layer is constant along the length direction, and the manufacture thereof. The method is provided. This structure is advantageous in maximizing the area of the area available for displaying the image.

Alternatively, according to still another aspect of the present invention, the transfer foil according to any of the aspects in which the distance from each of the pair of edges of the transfer foil to the reflective layer changes along the length direction. A manufacturing method is provided. In this case, the edge of the reflective layer along the length direction is, for example, curved. This structure is advantageous in making the representation of the hologram image stand out.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a transfer foil according to any one of the above aspects, which forms the reflective layer so as to have one or more through holes. Alternatively, according to still another aspect of the present invention, the reflective layer provides a transfer foil according to any of the above aspects having one or more through holes. The area of the opening of each through hole is preferably in the range of ^{0.01 to 1 mm 2.} These through holes can be provided, for example, at the ends of the reflective layer. By providing these through holes, for example, the gorgeous appearance can be increased. Further, since the mask layer also penetrates at the positions of these through holes, if the through holes are provided, the adhesiveness between the adjacent layers with the reflection layer and the mask layer (if present) sandwiched between them. Can be enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent peeling from the end portion.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the transfer material layer is provided with a transfer foil according to any of the above aspects, which covers the reflective layer and further includes a mask layer having the same shape as the reflective layer. ..
This mask layer is, for example, a layer used as an etching mask when etching a metal layer. The mask layer may be removed or left after etching the metal layer.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer foil according to the aspect and a method for producing the same, wherein the thickness of the mask layer is in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 μm.
If the mask layer is thin, the function as an etching mask may be insufficient. When the mask layer is thick, delamination is likely to occur between the adhesive layer and the relief structure forming layer, which will be described later. The thickness of the mask layer is preferably in the range of 0.4 to 1.0 μm. When the thickness of the mask layer is within the above range, it is easy to prevent peeling of the end portion due to the step caused by the mask layer, and it is easy to prevent mask failure during etching.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer foil according to any of the aspects, further comprising an adhesive layer facing the support with the transfer material layer in between.
The transfer foil may or may not have an adhesive layer. The base material of the adhesive layer can be a thermoplastic resin. The resin component can be an acrylic resin. The acrylic resin can be polymethylmethacrylate or the like. When the article for which the display body is transferred from the transfer foil is securities or the like, the material of this article is often paper, polypropylene, or polyethylene. When the resin component is acrylic resin, transfer to such an article can be performed with a small amount of heat. Therefore, it can be transferred by hot stamping for a short time. This improves the transfer throughput.

Here, "short-time hot stamping" generally means hot stamping for less than 1 second at a temperature of the press surface of a die head of 90 to 130 ° C. The pressure during short-time hot stamping can be ^{0.2 to 5 t / cm 2.} The pressure during hot stamping, which is not a short time, can also be 0.2 to 5 t / cm ² .

As the thermoplastic resin other than the acrylic resin, for example, a vinyl resin, a polystyrene resin, a polyethylene resin, or a polyurethane resin can be used. As the vinyl resin, for example, vinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, or polyvinyl alcohol can be used. As the polystyrene-based resin, for example, polystyrene or a styrene / acrylonitrile copolymer can be used. As the polyethylene-based resin, for example, polyethylene or an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer can be used.

The resin component may be a resin obtained by copolymerizing two or more of these. Each of the above-mentioned resins may contain one or more of an ester bond, a urethane bond, an ether bond, an amine bond, and a silanol bond. In this case, a part of the chemical structure of two or more kinds of resins having functional groups involved in these bonds may be crosslinked. The molecular weight can be adjusted by these bonds, and therefore the glass transition temperature, softening temperature, viscoelasticity, solvent resistance, etc. can be adjusted. As described above, the thermoplastic resin may be a copolymer or may be modified.

The thickness of the adhesive layer can be in the range of 2 μm to 15 μm. Further, the thickness of the adhesive layer can be in the range of 2 to 40 times the thickness of the mask layer. If the mask layer is thick, it is easy to prevent poor adhesion due to the step caused by the mask layer. Unless the mask layer is excessively thick, the thermoplastic resin does not easily protrude from the edge of the display body.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the adhesive layer provides a transfer foil according to the aspect, which comprises a material that emits fluorescence. Alternatively, according to still another aspect of the present invention, the transfer material layer faces any of the supports with the reflective layer in between, and further comprises a layer containing a material that fluoresces. Such transfer foil is provided. According to one example, the layer containing the fluorescent material is an anchor coat layer provided to increase the adhesive strength between the reflective layer and another layer.

When such a configuration is adopted, it is possible to confirm that the etching of the metal layer has been performed correctly by utilizing fluorescence. For example, it can be confirmed that the etching of the metal layer is performed at the correct position, or that no unnecessary etching residue is generated.

Such a configuration is not limited to the production of a transfer foil provided with a relief structure for displaying a three-dimensional image as a diffraction image, but also for the production of a transfer foil provided with a relief structure for displaying another diffraction image such as two-dimensional. Is also useful.

Alternatively, by utilizing this fluorescence, it is possible to confirm the variation in the thickness of the layer containing the fluorescent material such as the adhesive layer and the anchor coat layer. Specifically, the variation in thickness can be confirmed by examining the distribution of fluorescence intensity. In the transfer foil, the thickness of the adhesive layer, the anchor coat layer, and the like tends to vary at the peripheral edge thereof. When fluorescence is used, it is possible to easily control the thickness particularly in the peripheral portion.

Alternatively, for example, when particles made of another material (second material) are dispersed in a fluorescent material (first material), the composite material is irradiated with excitation light and observed. , The dispersed state of the particles made of the second material can be confirmed. The dispersed state of the particles affects the adhesiveness of the layer containing this composite material. In particular, the adhesiveness at the peripheral edge of the transfer foil has a great influence on the adhesiveness of the entire display body, which will be described later. By using fluorescence, the dispersed state of the particles can be easily confirmed. Specifically, the dispersed state of the particles can be confirmed by irradiating the above composite material with excitation light and measuring the haze by fluorescence. It is preferable to use an organic fluorescent dye as the first material and the second material.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the fluorescent material is a transfer foil according to the aspect that emits fluorescence that exhibits maximum intensity in the wavelength range of 420 to 480 nm when excited by light having a wavelength of 365 nm. Provided.

Humans show the maximum luminosity factor for light having a wavelength of about 555 nm, but if the fluorescence is within the above wavelength range, it can be confirmed not only by a machine but also by the naked eye. Moreover, since there are many materials that emit fluorescence within the above wavelength range, selection is easy. Further, under many environments, the fluorescence within the above wavelength range, that is, the blue fluorescence is less noticeable than the red fluorescence. That is, the fluorescence within the above wavelength range does not easily interfere with the display of the diffracted image by the display body.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer foil according to any of the above aspects, wherein the fluorescent material is an organic substance.
When the material that emits fluorescence is an organic substance, particularly when the material that emits fluorescence is an organic substance that emits blue fluorescence, this material is prone to photodegradation. Therefore, in this case, fluorescence can be utilized during the inspection, and when used as a display body, it is possible to prevent the display of the diffracted image from being hindered by the fluorescence.

The material that emits fluorescence may be one that does not absorb light in the visible region and emits fluorescence by irradiating specific light outside the visible region. A layer containing such a material does not absorb light in the visible region and may fluoresce by irradiating with specific light outside the visible region. Here, "does not absorb light in the visible region" can be defined as a case where the reflectance of the layer containing the material that emits fluorescence is smaller than the reflectance of the reflective layer in the entire visible region. It can be defined as the case where the absorption rate is 1/3 or less of the above reflectance.

The material that emits fluorescence may be a low molecular weight material or a high molecular weight material such as a thermoplastic resin. In the former case, the material that emits fluorescence is used, for example, by mixing it with a polymer material. In the latter case, the fluorescent material can be used, for example, as an adhesive. As the material that emits fluorescence, an ultraviolet-excited phosphor or an infrared-excited phosphor can be used. The ultraviolet-excited phosphor is a phosphor that emits light having a wavelength included in the visible region by absorbing ultraviolet rays. Further, the infrared excitation phosphor is a phosphor that emits light having a wavelength included in the visible region by absorbing infrared rays.

The material that emits fluorescence may be an inorganic fluorescent substance or an organic fluorescent substance.

The inorganic phosphor is obtained by, for example, containing crystals of Ca, Zn, Y and V oxides, sulfides, or silicates as a main component, containing a metal element or a rare earth element such as a lanthanoid, and firing. Is. Specific examples of the inorganic ultraviolet-excited phosphor include Ca ₂ B ₅ O ₃ Cl: Eu ²⁺ , Ca WO ₄ , ZnO: Zn ₂ SiO ₄ : Mn, Y ₂ O ₂ S: Eu, ZnS: Ag, YVO ₄ : Eu, Y ₃ O ₃ : Eu, Gd ₂ O ₂ S: Tb, La ₂ O ₂ S: Tb, Y ₃ Al ₅ O ₁₂ : Ce. The composition of the phosphor is usually described by describing the composition of the parent crystal as the main component and the activator element dispersed therein, respectively, before and after the ":". For example, ZnS: Mn indicates that the composition of the parent crystal is ZnS and the activator element is Mn.

Organic phosphors include, for example, aromatic heterocyclic derivatives, diaminostylbendisulfonic acid derivatives, imidazole derivatives, coumarin derivatives, triazole derivatives, carbazole derivatives, pyridine derivatives, naphthalic acid derivatives, imidazolone derivatives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and perylene-based substances. It is a compound or a naphthalimide-based compound. Specific examples of the aromatic heterocyclic derivative include fluorescein, eosin, rhodamine B, rhodamine 6G, and thioflavin. Anthracene is a specific example of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The organic phosphor may have one or more structures of these compounds and another structure in the molecule.

The material that fluoresces may be a mixture of the same or different types of phosphors. Here, the same type of phosphor is two or more phosphors having the same composition and crystal structure when the phosphor is a crystal, but different in crystallite size and the like. Further, the heterogeneous phosphors are two or more phosphors having different compositions, crystal structures or molecular structures of the phosphors. For example, _{two or more crystals having a composition represented by LiNd 0.9} Yb _0.1 P ₄ O ₁₂ and having the same crystal structure and different crystallite sizes, that is, different crystallinities. The phosphor is the same type of phosphor. Further, for example, a phosphor composed of crystals represented by _{LiNd 0.9} Yb _0.1 P ₄ O _{12 and a phosphor represented by Nd 0.9} Yb _0.1 Al _2.7 Cr _0.3 (BO ₃ ) ₄ are shown. It is a different kind of phosphor because it has at least a different composition and crystal structure from the phosphor composed of the crystals to be formed.

The fluorescent material can be contained in the fluorescent ink at a concentration of, for example, 0.001 to 0.1% by mass. In order to improve fluorescence characteristics such as brightness and printability, it is preferable to use a fluorescent pigment having a median diameter in the range of 0.1 to 50 μm, preferably in the range of 1.0 to 20 μm. It is more preferable to use the fluorescent pigment inside. The content of the fluorescent pigment in the layer containing the fluorescent material is, for example, in the range of 0.1 to 20% by mass.

The ultraviolet rays used as the excitation light are generally classified into UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C in order from the long wavelength side of the ultraviolet region. UV-A is ultraviolet light having a wavelength component at 400 to 320 nm. UV-B is ultraviolet light having a wavelength component at 320 to 290 nm. UV-C is ultraviolet light having a wavelength component at 290 to 10 nm.

Fluorescent materials are classified into two types according to the wavelength range of the excitation light. One is a phosphor that is often used in germicidal lamps and is excited by ultraviolet rays having a relatively short wavelength, for example, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of around 254 nm. On the other hand, it excites in a wide wavelength region of both relatively short wavelength ultraviolet rays, for example, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of around 254 nm, and relatively long wavelength ultraviolet rays emitted by general black light, for example, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of around 365 nm. It is a phosphor. Since black light is easily available, it is preferable to use a phosphor that is excited by ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of around 365 nm.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the pattern exposure, the reflective layer has one or more slits, each extending in the width direction of the transfer foil, and is divided into a plurality of portions by the one or more slits. A method for producing a transfer foil according to any one of the above aspects is provided. Alternatively, according to still another aspect of the present invention, the reflective layer has one or more slits, each extending in the width direction of the transfer foil, and is divided into a plurality of portions by the one or more slits. A transfer foil according to any of the above aspects is provided.

When this configuration is adopted, when a part of the transfer material layer (hereinafter referred to as a transfer portion) is transferred to an article, it is excellent to match the position of the boundary between the transfer portion and the non-transfer portion with the position of the slit. Foil breakability can be achieved. Further, it is possible to prevent the metal reflective layer from being exposed at the transfer portion transferred to the article, that is, the end face corresponding to the slit of the display body.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the one or more slits are two or more slits, and the distance between the adjacent slits is in the range of 1 to 15 mm. Is provided.
If this distance is sufficiently large, it is possible to prevent the reflective layer from being exposed at the end face even if the transfer position is displaced. Further, if this distance is not excessively large, a sufficient pattern area can be secured.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer foil according to the aspect, wherein the contour of the reflective layer includes a curve in the vicinity of a slit, and a method for producing the same.
The corners formed by the edges of the reflective layer extending in the length direction of the transfer foil and the edges of the reflective layer extending in the length direction of the slit may be rounded. According to this structure, it is easy to prevent poor adhesion of the transfer foil at the corners where poor adhesion is most likely to occur.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a transfer foil according to any one of the above aspects, further comprising cutting so that the width of the transfer foil is within the range of 7 to 20 mm. .. Alternatively, according to still another aspect of the present invention, the transfer foil is provided with a transfer foil according to any of the above aspects having a width within the range of 7 to 20 mm.

The support can be a polymer film or a polymer sheet. The material of the support can be plastic. Further, the support can be a coated plastic film. The plastic can be polyolefin, acrylic, or polycarbonate. The poreolefin can be polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. A release layer may be provided on the main surface supporting the transfer material layer of the support. The release layer may contain fluororesin or silicone.

The thickness of the support can be, for example, 20 to 60 μm. When the support is made sufficiently thick, it is possible to reduce the influence of the difference in thickness between the portion provided with the mask layer and the portion not provided with the mask layer on the deformation of the transfer foil. If the support is appropriately thin, the step caused by the mask layer can be reduced due to the deformation of the support.

The Young's modulus of the support can be 3500 to 5000 MPa. When Young's modulus is within this range, the support can be deformed so that the above-mentioned step becomes small while suppressing the elongation during transportation.

The elongation of the support during transportation also affects the positional deviation of the mask layer, which will be described later. The variation in the thickness of the support can be within 12 μm. If the variation is larger than this, local elongation of the support is likely to occur, and the positional deviation of the mask layer, which will be described later, is likely to be large.

The material of the relief structure forming layer can be, for example, a thermoplastic resin or a cured resin. The curable resin can be a thermosetting resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, or an electron beam curable resin. As the thermoplastic resin, for example, an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a cellulose resin or a vinyl resin is used. As the thermosetting resin, for example, a urethane resin, a melamine resin, or a phenol resin obtained by adding a polyisocyanate as a cross-linking agent to an acrylic polyol or a polyester polyol having a reactive hydroxyl group and cross-linking the resin is used. As the ultraviolet curable resin or the electron beam curable resin, for example, an acrylic resin can be used. As the acrylic resin, for example, epoxy acrylic, epoxy methacrylate, urethane acrylate or urethane methacrylate is used.

The relief structure forming layer can be formed by, for example, the following method. For example, a stamper provided with a relief structure on a layer made of a thermoplastic resin is heat-pressurized, and then the stamper is separated from the previous layer. Alternatively, a coating film made of an ultraviolet curable resin is formed, and the ultraviolet curable resin is cured by irradiating it with ultraviolet rays while pressing a stamper against the coating film, and then the stamper is separated from the coating film. Alternatively, a coating film made of a thermosetting resin is formed, and the thermosetting resin is cured by heating while pressing the stamper against the coating film, and then the stamper is separated from the coating film. The thickness of the relief structure cambium can be, for example, in the range of 1 to 25 μm.

The metal layer is formed on a part or the whole of the main surface of the relief structure forming layer. Further, the metal reflective layer is formed on a part of the main surface of the relief structure forming layer. When the metal reflective layer is formed on a part of the main surface of the relief forming layer, it is possible to prevent the reflective layer from being exposed on both end faces extending along the length direction of the transfer foil. In addition, the reflective layer makes it possible to express, for example, a more complicated or delicate pattern. In this case, forgery of the transfer foil can be made more difficult.

The metallic reflective layer makes it easy to observe the optical effects produced by the relief structure. The relief displays the structural color. The structural color is, for example, a color that changes depending on the observation direction or the illumination direction, or a rainbow color.

The metal reflective layer or the metal layer before patterning thereof is made of a simple substance metal or an alloy. As the elemental metal, for example, aluminum, tin, nickel, copper, silver, or gold can be used. As the alloy, for example, an alloy containing one or more of aluminum, tin, nickel, copper, silver, and gold can be used. The purity of these metals can be 99% or higher. Moreover, the purity of these metals may be 99.99% (4N) or more. By setting the purity to 4N or more, it is easy to reduce defects in the metal layer. The metal layer can be formed by a vapor phase deposition method such as a vacuum deposition method and a sputtering method. The thickness of the metal reflective layer and the metal layer can be, for example, in the range of 10 to 500 nm.

The mask layer can be obtained, for example, by first forming a photosensitive resin layer on a metal layer and then subjecting the photosensitive resin layer to pattern exposure and development using a photomask. The mask layer may be a print mask provided by printing.

The transfer material layer can further include a peel protection layer located in contact with the support. The peeling protective layer serves to facilitate peeling of the transfer portion from the support and to protect the peeled transfer portion, that is, the surface of the display body from damage and deterioration. The peel protection layer has, for example, light transmission. The peel protection layer is made of, for example, a resin. The resin constituting the peel protection layer is, for example, an ultraviolet-cured resin, a thermosetting resin, or a thermoplastic resin. For this resin, for example, an acrylic resin can be used. The thickness of the peel protection layer can be, for example, in the range of 0.5 to 5 μm.

The adhesive layer is made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyethylene resin, polyester resin, acrylic resin, and olefin resin. The thickness of the adhesive layer can be, for example, in the range of 0.5 to 20 μm.

The plan view which shows typically the transfer foil which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of the transfer foil shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the transfer foil shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 is a diagram showing an image displayed when the transfer foils shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are observed from substantially the front. 1 is a diagram showing an image displayed when the transfer foils shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are observed from an oblique right side. 1 is a diagram showing an image displayed when the transfer foils shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are observed from an oblique left side. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the transfer foils shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and a virtual three-dimensional object obtained by three-dimensionally restoring the images of FIGS. 4 to 6 are superimposed on a virtual space. Another plan view showing a part of the transfer foil shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in an enlarged manner. The figure which shows the image which the transfer foil which caused the misalignment in a reflective layer is displayed when it is observed from the substantially front view. The figure which shows the image which the transfer foil which caused the misalignment in a reflective layer is displayed when observed from an oblique right. The figure which shows the image which the transfer foil which caused the misalignment in a reflective layer is displayed when observed from an oblique left. The plan view which shows schematic the transfer foil which concerns on 1st modification. The plan view which shows schematic the transfer foil which concerns on 2nd modification. The plan view which shows schematic the transfer foil which concerns on 3rd modification. A plan view schematically showing an example of an article with a display body.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are more specific of any of the above aspects. Elements having the same or similar functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

<Transfer foil>
First, the transfer foil according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a transfer foil according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer foil shown in FIG. 1 along the line II-II. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the transfer foil shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the figure, the X direction and the Y direction are directions parallel to the main surface of the transfer foil 10 and orthogonal to each other. Further, the Z direction is a direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction. That is, the Z direction is the thickness direction of the transfer foil 10.

The transfer foil 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a support 11, a transfer material layer 12, and an adhesive layer 13.
The support 11 supports the transfer material layer 12 so as to be peelable. The support 11 has a band shape.

The transfer material layer 12 includes a relief structure forming layer 121, a reflective layer 122, a peel protection layer 123, and a mask layer 124. The peel protection layer 123, the relief structure forming layer 121, the reflection layer 122, and the mask layer 124 are laminated on the support 11 in this order. The stacking order of the relief structure forming layer 121, the reflective layer 122, and the mask layer 124 may be reversed.

The relief structure forming layer 121 is made of a light-transmitting material, for example, a colorless and transparent material. A relief structure RS for displaying a diffraction image including a three-dimensional image is provided on the main surface of the relief structure forming layer 121 on the reflection layer 122 side. Here, the relief structure RS is provided over the entire main surface. This main surface may further include a region where the relief structure RS is not provided, that is, a flat region.

The relief structure RS includes a plurality of pixels arranged in two directions intersecting each other, for example, two directions orthogonal to each other. Each pixel includes a first sub-pixel for red, a second sub-pixel for green, and a third sub-pixel for blue. These pixels display various colors by additive color mixing.

The first sub-pixel for red is composed of a plurality of strip-shaped portions each extending in the Y direction and arranged in the X direction. Each of these strip-shaped portions is used for displaying an image that is sequentially reproduced according to a change in the observation angle, for example, a change in the observation angle in a plane perpendicular to the Y direction.

Some of these strip-shaped portions are provided with a diffraction grating, and some are not provided with a diffraction grating. Further, among these strip-shaped portions, those provided with a diffraction grating have the same lattice constants as each other, but the arrangement directions of the groove-shaped concave portions or the ridge-shaped convex portions constituting the diffraction grating are different. It's different.

Since the strip-shaped portion without the diffraction grating does not emit diffracted light, it does not contribute to the display at all observation angles. On the other hand, the strip-shaped portion provided with the diffraction grating has a groove shape under certain illumination conditions, for example, under conditions of being perpendicular to the X direction and illuminating with white light from a direction inclined with respect to the Y direction. Red diffracted light is emitted with high intensity at a specific angle determined according to the arrangement direction of the concave or ridge-shaped convex portions of the above, and high-intensity diffracted light is not emitted at other angles.

Among these strip-shaped portions, those provided with a diffraction grating have various area ratios of the diffraction grating in the strip-shaped portion. The intensity of the diffracted light changes according to this area ratio.

In the first sub-pixel designed to emit red diffracted light at the maximum intensity at all observation angles, the arrangement of the concave portions or the convex portions provided in the strip-shaped portion is arranged at a constant pitch in the Y direction, for example. A pattern consisting of a plurality of arcs is formed.

The second sub-pixel for green has the same structure as the first sub-pixel for red, except that the lattice constant of the diffraction grating is different. Among the strip-shaped portions of the second sub-pixel, those provided with a diffraction grating are diffracted in green at a specific angle determined according to the arrangement direction of the groove-shaped concave portions or the ridge-shaped convex portions under the above illumination conditions. It emits light with high intensity and does not emit high intensity diffracted light at other angles.

The third sub-pixel for blue has the same structure as the first sub-pixel for red, except that the lattice constant of the diffraction grating is different. Among the strip-shaped portions of the third sub-pixel, those provided with a diffraction grating are diffracted blue at a specific angle determined according to the arrangement direction of the groove-shaped concave portion or the ridge-shaped convex portion under the above illumination conditions. It emits light with high intensity and does not emit high intensity diffracted light at other angles.

The main surface of the relief structure forming layer 121 provided with the relief structure RS includes a first display area RA and a second display area RB.

The first display area RA is an area of the main surface of the relief structure forming layer 121 provided with a relief structure for displaying a three-dimensional image. Here, a plurality of first display regions RA, each having a width equal to the width of the transfer foil 10, are arranged in the length direction of the transfer foil 10 with a gap between them.

The first display region RA includes a first region RA1 and a second region RA2.

The first region RA1 is a region provided with a relief structure for displaying an image of one or more objects as a part of a three-dimensional image. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the first region RA1 is a region provided with a relief structure for displaying an image of a four-wheeled vehicle as a part of a three-dimensional image.

Of the first region RA1, the first partial region RA1a is a region used for displaying an image of a four-wheeled vehicle when observed under the conditions described later with reference to FIG. Further, of the first region RA1, the second partial region RA1b is a region used for displaying an image of a four-wheeled vehicle when observed under the conditions described later with reference to FIG. Of the first region RA1, the third partial region RA1c is a region used for displaying an image of a four-wheeled vehicle when observed under the conditions described later with reference to FIG.

Among the pixels arranged in the first region RA1, those adjacent to the boundary with the second region RA2 are at least one of red, green, and blue diffracted light at at least one angle under the above illumination conditions. Is ejected. Each of the other pixels arranged in the first region RA1 may emit at least one of red, green and blue diffracted light at at least one angle under the above illumination conditions. It may not emit diffracted light at any angle.

In the example described here, each of the pixels arranged in the first region RA1 and covered with the reflective layer 122 contributes to the display of the four-wheeled vehicle at at least one observation angle under the above illumination conditions. Further, in the example described here, a part of the pixels arranged in the first region RA1 and covered with the reflective layer 122 contributes to the display of the four-wheeled vehicle at all observation angles, and is in the first region RA1. The remaining pixels arranged in and covered by the reflective layer 122 contribute significantly to the display of the four-wheeled vehicle at at least one viewing angle and to the display of the background of the four-wheeled vehicle at the other viewing angles. Since the remaining pixels arranged in the first region RA1 are not covered with the reflective layer 122, they do not emit strong diffracted light. Therefore, these pixels do not contribute significantly to the display of the four-wheeled vehicle at any observation angle.

The second region RA2 is a region provided with a relief structure for displaying only the background image of one or more objects as the remaining portion of the three-dimensional image. Here, the second region RA2 surrounds the first region RA1. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the second region RA2 is a region provided with a relief structure for displaying only the background image of the four-wheeled vehicle as the remaining portion of the three-dimensional image.

In the example described here, each of the pixels arranged in the second region RA2 and covered with the reflective layer 122 greatly contributes to the display of the background of the four-wheeled vehicle at all observation angles under the above illumination conditions. To do. Since the remaining pixels arranged in the second region RA2 are not covered with the reflective layer 122, they do not emit strong diffracted light. Therefore, these pixels do not significantly contribute to the display of the background of the four-wheeled vehicle at any observation angle. That is, each of the pixels arranged in the second region RA2 does not contribute to the display of the image of the four-wheeled vehicle at any observation angle.

The second display area RB is an area of the main surface of the relief structure forming layer 121 that is not used for displaying a three-dimensional image. Here, a plurality of second display regions RB are arranged in the length direction of the transfer foil 10 with a gap between them. That is, the first display area RA and the second display area RB are alternately arranged in the length direction of the transfer foil 10.

The second display area RB may be a flat surface or a surface provided with a relief-type light scattering structure, and is provided with a relief-type diffraction grating (excluding those displaying a three-dimensional image). It may be a surface, or it may be a combination of two or more of them.

The reflective layer 122 covers a part of the first display area RA and a part of the second display area RB. The reflective layer 122 is a patterned metal layer. The reflective layer 122 has a strip-shaped shape extending in the length direction of the transfer foil 10, that is, in the Y direction, and is separated from the pair of edges of the transfer foil 10 parallel to the Y direction. The portion of the reflective layer 122 that covers the relief structure RS has a conformal shape with respect to the relief structure.

The peel protection layer 123 is provided so as to be adjacent to the support 11. The peel protection layer 123 is made of a light-transmitting material, for example, a colorless and transparent material. The peel protection layer 123 can be omitted.

The mask layer 124 covers the reflective layer 122 and has the same shape as the reflective layer 122. The mask layer 124 is a layer used as an etching mask when patterning the metal layer onto the reflective layer 122. The mask layer 124 can be omitted.

The transfer material layer 12 includes a transfer portion TP and a non-transfer portion adjacent to each other. The transfer unit TP and the non-transfer unit are alternately arranged in the length direction of the transfer foil 10.

The transfer unit TP is a portion of the transfer material layer 12 that is transferred to the article. The transfer unit TP is a portion used as a display body. Each transfer unit TP includes a portion of the transfer material layer 12 corresponding to one or more first display region RAs and a portion corresponding to two or more second display region RBs.

The non-transfer portion is a portion of the transfer material layer 12 that remains without being transferred to the article. The non-transfer portion includes a portion of the transfer material layer 12 corresponding to another part of the second display region RB. The non-transfer portion can be omitted.

In this transfer foil 10, the support 11 is usually colorless and transparent. In this case, the transfer foil 10 can display the image described below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image displayed when the transfer foils shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are observed from substantially the front. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image displayed when the transfer foils shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are observed from an oblique right side. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image displayed when the transfer foils shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are observed from an oblique left side.

When the surface of the transfer foil 10 on the support 11 side is illuminated with white light from a direction perpendicular to the X direction and inclined with respect to the Y direction, and this is observed from substantially the front, the transfer foil 10 is As shown in FIG. 4, an image of a four-wheeled vehicle facing substantially the front and an image of the background thereof are displayed.

When the surface of the transfer foil 10 on the support 11 side is observed diagonally from the right under the same lighting conditions, the transfer foil 10 is a four-wheeled vehicle facing diagonally left when viewed from the observer, as shown in FIG. Image and its background image are displayed.

Then, when the surface of the transfer foil 10 on the support 11 side is observed from diagonally left under the same lighting conditions, the transfer foil 10 faces diagonally to the right when viewed from the observer, as shown in FIG. The image of the wheel car and the image of its background are displayed.

The transfer foil 10 is configured such that the orientation of the four-wheeled vehicle in the image displayed by the transfer foil 10 continuously changes according to a change in the observation angle. Therefore, the image of the four-wheeled vehicle displayed by the transfer foil 10 looks three-dimensional.

When the transfer foil 10 is configured so that the background image of the four-wheeled vehicle moves in the X direction according to the change in the orientation of the four-wheeled vehicle instead of the solid image, the display corresponds to the change in the observation angle. The change in the image can be made more natural. For example, an image of the background of a four-wheeled vehicle is an image including a pattern in which a part of the contour extends in a direction intersecting the X direction. When the observation angle is changed from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 5, the previous pattern moves from left to right, and the observation angle is changed from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. If the transfer foil 10 is configured so that the previous pattern moves from right to left when the pattern is moved, the change in the displayed image according to the change in the observation angle becomes more natural.

The three-dimensional image displayed by the relief structure RS of the transfer foil 10 includes a gaze portion to be gazed by the observer. In the relief structure RS, the gaze region used for displaying the gaze portion is covered with the reflection layer 122, and the shortest distance from the gaze region to each edge of the reflection layer 122 extending in the length direction is , Within the specified range. The gaze section and gaze area will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 7, and 8.

FIG. 7 schematically shows a state in which the transfer foils shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and a virtual three-dimensional object obtained by three-dimensionally restoring the images of FIGS. 4 to 6 are superimposed on a virtual space. It is a figure. FIG. 8 is another plan view showing a part of the transfer foil shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in an enlarged manner.

From the images of FIGS. 4 to 6, the rear part of the four-wheeled vehicle, which is one or more objects, cannot be three-dimensionally restored. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, in FIG. 7, the virtual three-dimensional object I (four-wheeled vehicle) obtained by three-dimensionally restoring from the images of FIGS. 4 to 6 includes the rear portion. I'm drawing. Further, in FIG. 7, when the imaging direction by the imaging device C is changed as shown in FIG. 7, the virtual three-dimensional object I and the image of the four-wheeled vehicle displayed by the transfer foil 10 overlap with each other. A three-dimensional object I and a transfer foil 10 are arranged.

The orientation of the object in the three-dimensional image displayed by the transfer foil 10 changes according to the change in the observation angle. That is, when the transfer foil 10 is rotated around an axis parallel to the length direction while keeping the observation direction constant, the virtual three-dimensional object I makes the transfer foil 10 parallel to the length direction. rotating about an axis a _R positioned on the transfer foil 10.

Observer, usually among the virtual three-dimensional object I located on the axis A _R, gaze position portion on the observer side than the shaft A _R when observed the transfer foil 10 from the front. The gaze portion to be gazed by the observer is usually located at the central portion in the vertical direction of the first display area RA.

Therefore, here, the "gaze part" is defined as follows.
That is, first, as shown in FIG. 3, each extends in the width direction of the transfer foil 10, here in the X direction, and is separated by sandwiching a first display region RA provided with a relief structure for displaying a three-dimensional image. Let H be the distance between the two first straight lines. Then, two second straight lines are defined with reference to these first straight lines. Each of the second straight lines extends in the width direction of the transfer foil 10, here in the X direction, and each is located between the first straight lines. One of the second straight line are spaced apart by a distance H _T from the one of the first straight line. Other second straight line, are separated by a distance H _B from the other of the first straight line. Each of the distances H _T and H _B is H / 4.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of images displayed by the first display region RA are imaged at different observation angles, and three-dimensional restoration is performed from those images. Three-dimensional reconstruction is performed using the principle of triangulation. ORB, SIFT, or FLANN can be used to match feature points between images. When three-dimensional reconstruction is performed from three or more images using the principle of triangulation, the same feature points may appear at a plurality of positions in the virtual space. In this case, the center of gravity of these positions is set as the position of the feature point in the virtual space. In this case, when the same feature point appears at a plurality of positions in the virtual space and one position is significantly deviated from the other two or more positions, the former can be excluded and the center of gravity can be calculated.

Then, the virtual three-dimensional object and the transfer foil 10 are arranged in the virtual space so that the virtual three-dimensional object obtained by this three-dimensional restoration and the image displayed by the first display area RA overlap. Moreover, while the viewing direction is constant, when rotated about an axis parallel to the transfer foil 10 in the longitudinal direction, to identify the axis A _R of the virtual three-dimensional object is rotated.

Next, two first planes are specified. One of the first planes is a plane on which one of the second straight lines is located and is perpendicular to the length direction of the transfer foil 10. The other side of the first plane is a plane on which the other side of the second straight line is located and perpendicular to the length direction of the transfer foil 10.

When observing the transfer foil 10 from the front, among the virtual three-dimensional object, those located and on the axis A _R has a portion sandwiched between two first plane, a virtual three-dimensional here Identify object I.

Then, when observed the transfer foil 10 from the front, to identify the portion that is located on the viewer side than out axis A _R of the virtual three-dimensional object I, and farthest from the transfer foil 10 on this part The distance between the transfer foil 10 and the transfer foil 10 is _defined as D max. Further, the distance D _min is set to zero.

When observing the transfer foil 10 from the front, among the virtual three-dimensional object I, located on the viewer side than the axis A _R, sandwiched between two second planes, the distance from the transfer foil 10 The part within the range of _{D min to} D _{max is specified.} This part is the gaze part MP.

Further, here, the "gaze area" is defined as follows.
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the gaze area RM is a region of the relief structure RS used for displaying the gaze unit MP in FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, the region RMa is a region of the relief structure RS used for displaying the gaze unit MP when observed from substantially the front. Further, the region RMb is a region of the relief structure RS used for displaying the gaze unit MP when observed from an oblique right side. The region RMc is a region of the relief structure RS used for displaying the gaze unit MP when observed from diagonally left.

In the transfer foil 10, the shortest distance from the gaze area RM to each edge of the reflective layer 122 in the length direction is in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm. That is, in FIG. 8, the shortest distance D1 from the gaze area RM to one edge of the reflection layer 122 and the shortest distance D2 from the gaze area RM to the other edge of the reflection layer 122 are 0.1 to 2, respectively. It is within the range of 0.0 mm.

Here, in order to facilitate understanding, the "gaze section" and the "gaze area" have been described with reference to the drawings, but the above definitions of the "gaze section" and the "gaze area" are the scope of the present invention. It also applies to other configurations within.

<Manufacturing method of transfer foil>
Next, the method for producing the transfer foil 10 described above will be described.

First, the strip-shaped support 11 is prepared. As the support 11, for example, one wider than the transfer foil 10 is prepared. By using the support 11 having a width of twice or more the width of the transfer foil 10, a plurality of transfer foils 10 can be manufactured at the same time.

Next, the peel protection layer 123 is formed on the support 11. The peel protection layer 123 is obtained, for example, by applying a resin as a material on the support 11 and curing the coating film.

Next, the relief structure forming layer 121 is formed on the peeling protection layer 123. The relief structure forming layer 121 forms, for example, a thermoplastic resin layer on the peeling protection layer 123, and a stamper provided with the relief structure is pressed against the thermoplastic resin layer while applying heat, and then from the thermoplastic resin layer. Obtained by releasing the stamper. Alternatively, the relief structure forming layer 121 forms a coating film made of an ultraviolet curable resin on the peel protection layer 123, irradiates the film with ultraviolet rays while pressing a stamper to cure the ultraviolet curable resin, and then from the coating film. Obtained by releasing the stamper. Alternatively, the relief structure forming layer 121 forms a coating film made of a thermosetting resin on the peeling protective layer 123, heats the relief structure forming layer 121 while pressing a stamper against the coating film to cure the thermosetting resin, and then from the coating film. Obtained by releasing the stamper.

After that, a metal layer is formed on the relief structure forming layer 121. The metal layer is formed so as to cover the entire upper surface of the relief structure forming layer 121 by, for example, a vapor phase deposition method such as a vacuum deposition method and a sputtering method.

Next, a photosensitive resin layer is formed on the metal layer, and then the photosensitive resin layer is subjected to pattern exposure and development using a photomask. For this pattern exposure, the above-mentioned design for the gaze area RM and the like is adopted. As a result, the mask layer 124 is obtained.

The mask layer 124 can be formed by printing. At this time, the printing method can be gravure printing or screen printing. At this time, the material of the mask layer may be acrylic, urethane, or urethane acrylate.

Subsequently, the metal layer is subjected to etching to selectively remove the portion not covered by the mask layer 124. As a result, a reflective layer 122 made of a patterned metal layer is obtained.

After that, the adhesive layer 13 is formed. Further, the laminate is cut into a predetermined width. This cutting is performed at a position where the reflective layer 122 is not provided. As described above, the transfer foil 10 is obtained.

<Effect>
In the transfer foil 10, the reflective layer 122 is separated from a pair of edges of the transfer foil 10 that are parallel in the length direction thereof. Therefore, although the transfer foil 10 contains the reflective layer 122 made of metal, there is no problem of burrs or chemical resistance.

Further, in the transfer foil 10, as described above, the distances D1 and D2 from the gaze region RM used for displaying the gaze portion MP in the relief structure RS to each edge of the reflection layer 122 in the length direction are set. , 0.1 to 2.0 mm.

When the three-dimensional image contains an image of a three-dimensional motif (element) that should be mainly represented by this three-dimensional image, the observer pays the most attention to the part near the front of the motif (element). It is an image. Therefore, it is necessary to display the image of the portion near the front surface as large as possible without being chipped regardless of the observation angle. The vicinity of the front surface of this three-dimensional motif (element) can be rephrased as the gaze portion MP.

If the distances D1 and D2 are smaller than 0.1 mm, the observer may feel uncomfortable due to a defect such as a distorted pattern at the end. If the distances D1 and D2 are larger than 2.0 mm, the size of the gaze area RM used for displaying the gaze unit MP cannot be made sufficiently large. When the distances D1 and D2 are within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm, the gaze region RM used for displaying the gaze unit MP can be largely provided without causing discomfort to the observer.

When the gaze area RM, which is the area used for displaying the gaze unit MP, is provided up to the position of each edge in the length direction of the reflection layer 122, the gaze is performed when the relative position of the mask layer deviates from the target relative position. A part of the metal layer is removed by etching on the region RM.

Width is 7 to 20 mm, when the transfer foil viewing angle to display the three-dimensional image in a range of 30 ° to 60 °, depending on the design, such as setting the position of the axis A _R, observed from substantially the front In the area used for displaying the gaze unit MP when observed from diagonally right or diagonally left with respect to the distance from the area RMa to the end of the reflective layer 122. The distance from a certain region RMb or RMc to the end of the reflective layer 122 deviates by, for example, about 1.0 to 5.0 mm.

That is, when the position is confirmed visually from substantially the front or by a camera or the like, the apparent position of the gaze area RM estimated under this condition is sufficiently separated from the end of the reflection layer 122. .. However, the distance from the actual position of the gaze region RM to the end of the reflective layer 122 is the distance from the region RMb or RMc to the end of the reflective layer 122. As described above, under the above conditions, the distance from the region RMa to the end of the reflective layer is apparently seen as the distance from the gaze region RM to the end of the reflective layer 122. Therefore, the difficulty of alignment increases, and if the gaze area RM is provided up to the edge of the reflection layer 122, a part of the metal layer is etched on the gaze area RM as described above due to an error during manufacturing or the like. May be removed by.

The alignment accuracy of the etching mask may differ depending on the conditions of the equipment and the like, but an error of 0.12 mm as a standard deviation occurs in the normal production of the transfer foil due to the misalignment of the transport, the elongation of the support, and the like. Further, in order to achieve Six Sigma, which is an index of stable manufacturing, a process capability index of 2 or more, that is, a sigma level of 6σ or more is required. In order to achieve Six Sigma, it is necessary to set the control value of the displacement of the mask layer to ± 0.72 mm (= ± 6 × 0.12 mm) or more.

Further, during etching, excessive etching or under-etching may occur, and the manufacturing error due to these may be approximately ± 0.1 mm.

Therefore, in this example, the design value for etching mask alignment is set to 1.0 mm from the end of the reflective layer 122, and the etching position control value is set in consideration of the etching mask alignment accuracy and the manufacturing error during etching. By setting the thickness to 0.18 to 1.82 mm, it is possible to stably manufacture a transfer foil in which the values of the distances D1 and D2 are within the above-mentioned ranges.

If the distances D1 and D2 are within this range, the position of the mask layer relative to the relief structure RS may deviate from the mask layer in the production of the transfer foil 10 to a degree that may occur in the normal production. The end portion can be located outside the gaze area RM, and the metal layer can be prevented from being removed by etching on the gaze area RM. That is, in the production of the transfer foil 10, even if the design relative position of the mask layer relative to the relief structure RS is deviated to a degree that can occur in the normal production, the gaze portion MP is missing. It can be displayed without causing it.

The distances D1 and D2 do not have to be equal. Further, each of the distances D1 and D2 does not have to be the same value over the entire transfer foil, and may be different values.

If the gaze unit MP can be displayed without omission, it is impossible or difficult for the observer to perceive that the above-mentioned misalignment has occurred. Therefore, when the above design is adopted, even if the above-mentioned misalignment occurs, it can be regarded as a non-defective product. Therefore, the transfer foil 10 can be manufactured with a high yield.

Further, in the transfer foil 10, the design values of the above distances D1 and D2 are sufficiently reduced. Therefore, the transfer foil 10 can display the gaze portion in a large size.

Refer to FIGS. 9 to 11 that the gaze portion can be displayed without causing a partial omission even if the relative position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure deviates slightly from the design relative position. I will explain while.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image displayed when the transfer foil in which the reflective layer is misaligned is observed from substantially the front. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image displayed when the transfer foil having a misalignment in the reflective layer is observed from an oblique right side. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an image displayed when the transfer foil in which the reflective layer is misaligned is observed from an oblique left side.

The transfer foil 10 of FIGS. 9 to 11 is obtained when the position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure RS is slightly deviated to the right from the design position.

The reflective layer 122 can be used for alignment when cutting to align the dimensions to the width of the final product transfer foil. Therefore, the distance from the edge of the transfer foil 10 to the reflective layer 122 can be easily set to the design value.

However, as described above, it is difficult to align the mask layer with respect to the relief structure RS. Therefore, the relative position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure RS tends to deviate from the relative position in the design.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, when the position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure RS is slightly shifted to the right from the design position, the position of the relief structure RS with respect to the reflection layer 122 is slightly shifted to the left from the design position. It shifts. When such a misalignment occurs, for example, when the shortest distance D1 from the gaze area RM to the left edge of the reflection layer 122 is short, the left end of the gaze area RM is not covered by the reflection layer 122. As a result, a part of the gaze portion MP is missing from the image displayed by the transfer foil 10 when observed from an oblique right side. Such omissions are easily perceived by the observer. Therefore, when the shortest distance D1 from the gaze area RM to the left edge of the reflective layer 122 is short, the observer easily perceives the above misalignment.

Similarly, if the position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure RS is slightly shifted to the left from the design position, the position of the relief structure RS with respect to the reflective layer 122 is slightly shifted to the right from the design position. When such a misalignment occurs, for example, when the shortest distance D2 from the gaze area RM to the right edge of the reflection layer 122 is short, the right end of the gaze area RM is not covered by the reflection layer 122. As a result, a part of the gaze portion MP is missing from the image displayed by the transfer foil 10 when observed from the left oblique side. Such omissions are easily perceived by the observer. Therefore, even when the shortest distance D2 from the gaze area RM to the right edge of the reflective layer 122 is short, the observer easily perceives the above-mentioned misalignment.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the shortest distances D1 and D2 from the gaze area RM to the edge of the reflection layer 122 are sufficiently increased by design. Therefore, even if the position of the mask layer with respect to the relief structure RS is slightly shifted to the left or right from the design position, the entire gaze area RM is covered by the reflection layer 122. That is, in both the case of observing from the left oblique side and the case of observing from the right oblique side, a part of the gaze portion MP is not missing from the image displayed by the transfer foil 10.

Further, when FIGS. 4 to 6 are compared with FIGS. 9 to 11, respectively, the position of the three-dimensional image with respect to the reflection layer 122 is different due to the above-mentioned misalignment. However, this difference is not perceived without a detailed contrast.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if the above-mentioned misalignment occurs, it does not become a defective product and can be regarded as a good product. That is, the transfer foil 10 can be manufactured with a high yield.

<Modification example>
Next, the transfer foil according to the modified example will be described.

(First modification)
The transfer foil according to the first modification is the same as the transfer foil 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 except for the following points.

FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically showing the transfer foil according to the first modification.
In the transfer foil 10 shown in FIG. 12, a slit SL is provided in the reflective layer 122. Each of these slits SL extends in the width direction of the transfer foil 10, that is, in the X direction at the position of the non-transfer portion. The reflective layer 122 is divided into a plurality of portions by these slits SL. Two adjacent portions of these portions are arranged so as to sandwich one non-transfer portion in between.

When this configuration is adopted, excellent foil breakability can be achieved when a part of the transfer material layer 12, that is, the transfer unit TP is transferred to an article. Further, it is possible to prevent the reflective layer 122 from being exposed at the transfer portion TP transferred to the article, that is, the end face corresponding to the slit SL of the display body.

(Second modification)
The transfer foil according to the second modification is the same as the transfer foil 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 except for the following points.

FIG. 13 is a plan view schematically showing the transfer foil according to the second modification.
In the transfer foil 10 shown in FIG. 13, the edge of the reflective layer 122 extending in the length direction of the transfer foil 10 includes a convex portion protruding in the width direction of the transfer foil 10. Specifically, the reflective layer 122 includes a wide portion and a narrow portion. The wide portion of the reflective layer 122 covers the first display region RA. This structure is advantageous in making the representation of the hologram image stand out.

Further, in the transfer foil 10, the wide portion of the reflective layer 122 has a smaller dimension in the length direction of the transfer foil 10 than the first display region RA. When observed from the thickness direction of the transfer foil 10, the wide portion of the reflective layer 122 is located inside the contour of the first display region RA and is separated from the contour. Therefore, even if the position of the reflective layer 122 in the length direction of the transfer foil 10 deviates slightly from the target position, it is impossible or difficult for the observer to perceive that the above-mentioned misalignment has occurred. Is. Therefore, the transfer foil 10 can also be manufactured with a high yield.

(Third modification example)
The transfer foil according to the third modification is the same as the transfer foil 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 except for the following points.

FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically showing the transfer foil according to the third modification.
In the transfer foil 10 shown in FIG. 14, the edge of the reflective layer 122 extending in the length direction of the transfer foil 10 includes a recess. Specifically, the reflective layer 122 includes a wide portion and a narrow portion. The wide portion of the reflective layer 122 covers the first display region RA. This structure is advantageous in making the representation of the hologram image stand out.

Further, in the transfer foil 10, the wide portion of the reflective layer 122 has a larger dimension in the length direction of the transfer foil 10 as compared with the first display region RA. When observed from the thickness direction of the transfer foil 10, the narrow portion of the reflective layer 122 is located outside the contour of the first display region RA and is separated from the contour. Therefore, even if the position of the reflective layer 122 in the length direction of the transfer foil 10 deviates slightly from the target position, it is impossible or difficult for the observer to perceive that the above-mentioned misalignment has occurred. Is. Therefore, the transfer foil 10 can also be manufactured with a high yield.

(Fourth modification)
The transfer foil and its manufacturing method according to the fourth modification are the same as the transfer foil 10 and its manufacturing method described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 except for the following points.

The fourth modification is characterized in that the relief structure displays not only a three-dimensional image but also a two-dimensional image as a diffraction image, and the adhesive layer contains a fluorescent material.

That is, the method for producing a transfer foil according to the fourth modification includes a transfer material layer and a support that supports the transfer material layer so as to be peelable, and the transfer material layer includes a relief structure forming layer and a reflective layer. It is a method of manufacturing a strip-shaped transfer foil containing
A relief structure for displaying a diffracted image forms a relief structure forming layer provided on one main surface, and
Forming a metal layer on the main surface and
On the metal layer, a pair of edges of the surface of the metal layer extending in the length direction of the relief structure forming layer are exposed, and a mask layer covering the central portion sandwiched between the edges is covered. To form and
By etching using the mask layer as an etching mask, a portion of the metal layer corresponding to the pair of edges is removed to form a reflective layer, and the transfer material layer is sandwiched between the support. Including providing an adhesive layer facing the
The adhesive layer contains a material that emits fluorescence.

Further, the transfer foil according to the fourth modification includes a transfer material layer, a support that supports the transfer material layer so as to be peelable, and an adhesive layer that faces the support with the transfer material layer sandwiched between them. It is a strip-shaped transfer foil provided
The transfer material layer includes a relief structure forming layer in which a relief structure for displaying a diffraction image is provided on one main surface, and a metal reflective layer in which the main surface is partially covered.
The reflective layer has a strip-like shape extending in the length direction of the transfer foil, and is separated from a pair of edges of the transfer foil parallel to the length direction.
The adhesive layer contains a material that emits fluorescence.

<Article with display>
Next, an article with a display body that can be manufactured using the above transfer foil 10 will be described.

FIG. 15 is a plan view schematically showing an example of an article with a display body.
The article 1 with a display shown in FIG. 15 includes an article 20 and a transfer unit TP.

Article 20 is, for example, a printed matter. The printed matter includes a printing substrate and a printing layer. The printing substrate consists of, for example, paper, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. The printing base material may be a sheet or a card.

The transfer unit TP refers to the transfer foil 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, the transfer foil 10 described with reference to FIG. 12, the transfer foil 10 described with reference to FIG. 13, or FIG. A part of the transfer material layer 12 is transferred onto the article 20 from the transfer foil 10 described above. The transfer unit TP serves as a display body. The transfer unit TP is attached to the article 20 via a portion of the adhesive layer 13 that has been transferred onto the article 20 together with the transfer unit TP.

In the transfer foil 10 described above, the adhesive layer 13 may contain a material that emits fluorescence. In this case, it is possible to confirm that the metal layer for forming the reflective layer 122 is correctly etched by utilizing the fluorescence emitted by the adhesive layer 13, or that the thickness of the adhesive layer 13 varies. Alternatively, when the adhesive layer 13 is made of a composite material containing a material that emits fluorescence and particles made of other materials dispersed therein, the fluorescence emitted by the adhesive layer 13 is used to disperse the particles. Can be confirmed.

The inventions described in the original claims of the original application are added below.
[1]
A method for producing a band-shaped transfer foil, which comprises a transfer material layer and a support that supports the transfer material layer so as to be peelable, and the transfer material layer includes a relief structure forming layer and a reflective layer.
A relief structure for displaying a diffracted image including a three-dimensional image including a gaze part to be watched by an observer forms a relief structure forming layer provided on one main surface.
Forming a metal layer on the main surface provided with the relief structure, and
On the metal layer, a pair of edges of the surface of the metal layer extending in the length direction of the relief structure forming layer are exposed, and a mask layer covering the central portion sandwiched between the edges is covered. To form and
By etching using the mask layer as an etching mask, a portion of the metal layer corresponding to the pair of edges is removed to form a reflective layer.
In the relief structure, the gaze region used for displaying the gaze portion is covered with the reflective layer, and the shortest distance from the gaze region to each edge of the reflective layer in the length direction is 0.1 to 1. A method for producing a transfer foil within a range of 2.0 mm.
[2]
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the three-dimensional image further includes a peripheral portion, and the peripheral region of the relief structure used only for displaying the peripheral portion surrounds the gaze region.
[3]
Item 2. The item 2 wherein the gaze portion and a part of the peripheral portion are images of one or more objects, and the other portion of the peripheral portion includes an image of the background of the one or more objects. Method.
[4]
The method according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the shortest distance from each of the pair of edges of the transfer foil to the reflective layer is within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.
[5]
Item 6. The method according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the mask layer is formed so as to have a thickness in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 μm.
[6]
The method according to any one of Items 1 to 5, further comprising providing an adhesive layer facing the support with the transfer material layer sandwiched between them.
[7]
Item 6. The method according to Item 6, wherein the adhesive layer contains a material that emits fluorescence.
[8]
Item 7. The method according to Item 7, wherein the fluorescent material emits fluorescence showing maximum intensity in the wavelength range of 420 to 480 nm when excited by light having a wavelength of 365 nm.
[9]
Item 1 of Item 1 to Item 8, wherein the reflective layer has one or more slits each extending in the width direction of the transfer foil, and is formed so as to be divided into a plurality of portions by the one or more slits. The method described in.
[10]
Item 9. The method according to Item 9, wherein the one or more slits are two or more slits, and the distance between the adjacent slits is in the range of 1 to 15 mm.
[11]
The method according to any one of Items 1 to 10, further comprising cutting so that the width is within the range of 7 to 20 mm.
[12]
A strip-shaped transfer foil including a transfer material layer and a support that supports the transfer material layer so as to be peelable.
The transfer material layer includes a relief structure forming layer provided on one main surface with a relief structure for displaying a diffraction image including a three-dimensional image, and a metal reflective layer partially covering the main surface. ,
The reflective layer has a strip-like shape extending in the length direction of the transfer foil, and is separated from a pair of edges of the transfer foil parallel to the length direction.
The three-dimensional image includes a gaze portion to be gazed by the observer.
In the relief structure, the gaze region used for displaying the gaze portion is covered with the reflective layer, and the shortest distance from the gaze region to each edge of the reflective layer extending in the length direction is A transfer foil in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.
[13]
Item 12. The transfer foil according to Item 12, wherein the three-dimensional image further includes a peripheral portion, and the peripheral region of the relief structure used only for displaying the peripheral portion is a peripheral region surrounding the gaze region.
[14]
Item 13. The item 13 in which the gaze portion and a part of the peripheral portion are images of one or more objects, and the other portion of the peripheral portion includes an image of the background of the one or more objects. Transfer foil.
[15]
Item 2. The transfer foil according to any one of Items 12 to 14, wherein the shortest distance from each of the pair of edges of the transfer foil to the reflective layer is within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.
[16]
Item 2. The transfer foil according to any one of Items 12 to 15, wherein the transfer material layer covers the reflective layer and further includes a mask layer having the same shape as the reflective layer.
[17]
Item 16. The transfer foil according to Item 16, wherein the thickness of the mask layer is in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 μm.
[18]
Item 2. The transfer foil according to any one of Items 12 to 17, further comprising an adhesive layer facing the support with the transfer material layer sandwiched between the transfer material layers.
[19]
Item 2. The transfer foil according to Item 18, wherein the adhesive layer contains a material that emits fluorescence.
[20]
Item 19. The transfer foil according to Item 19, wherein the fluorescent material emits fluorescence that exhibits maximum intensity in the wavelength range of 420 to 480 nm when excited by light having a wavelength of 365 nm.
[21]
Item 2. The item 12 to 20, wherein the reflective layer has one or more slits each extending in the width direction of the transfer foil, and is divided into a plurality of portions by the one or more slits. Transfer foil.
[22]
Item 21. The transfer foil according to Item 21, wherein the one or more slits are two or more slits, and the distance between the adjacent slits is in the range of 1 to 15 mm.
[23]
Item 2. The transfer foil according to any one of Items 12 to 22, which has a width in the range of 7 to 20 mm.

1 ... Article with display, 10 ... Transfer foil, 11 ... Support, 12 ... Transfer material layer, 13 ... Adhesive layer, 20 ... Article, 121 ... Relief structure forming layer, 122 ... Reflective layer, 123 ... Peeling protective layer, 124 ... mask layer, A R _... shaft, I ... virtual three-dimensional object, MP ... gazing unit, RA ... first display area, RA1 ... first region, RA1a ... first partial region, RA1b ... second partial region, RA2 ... 2nd region, RB ... 2nd display region, RM ... gaze region, RMa ... region, RMb ... region, RMc ... region, RS ... relief structure, SL ... slit.

Claims (8)

A transfer material layer, a support that supports the transfer material layer so as to be peelable, and an adhesive layer that faces the support with the transfer material layer sandwiched between the transfer material layers, and the transfer material layer is a relief structure forming layer. A method for producing a strip-shaped transfer foil including a reflective layer.
A relief structure for displaying a diffracted image forms a relief structure forming layer provided on one main surface, and
Forming a metal layer on the main surface provided with the relief structure, and
On the metal layer, a pair of edges of the surface of the metal layer extending in the length direction of the relief structure forming layer are exposed, and a mask layer covering the central portion sandwiched between the edges is covered. To form and
By etching using the mask layer as an etching mask, a portion of the metal layer corresponding to the pair of edges is removed to form a reflective layer.
A method for producing a transfer foil, which comprises forming the adhesive layer, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is within the range of 2 to 40 times the thickness of the mask layer. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the adhesive layer is in the range of 2 μm to 15 μm. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mask layer is formed so as to have a thickness in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 μm. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mask layer is formed so as to have a thickness in the range of 0.4 to 1.0 μm. A strip-shaped transfer foil including a transfer material layer, a support that supports the transfer material layer so as to be peelable, and an adhesive layer that faces the support with the transfer material layer sandwiched between them.
The transfer material layer covers a relief structure forming layer having a relief structure for displaying a diffraction image on one main surface, a metal reflective layer partially covering the main surface, and the reflective layer. , A mask layer having the same shape as the reflective layer,
The reflective layer has a strip-like shape extending in the length direction of the transfer foil, and is separated from a pair of edges of the transfer foil parallel to the length direction.
A transfer foil in which the thickness of the adhesive layer is within the range of 2 to 40 times the thickness of the mask layer. The transfer foil according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the adhesive layer is in the range of 2 μm to 15 μm. The transfer foil according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the mask layer has a thickness in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 μm. The transfer foil according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the mask layer has a thickness in the range of 0.4 to 1.0 μm.

Images