JP2022081091A - Manufacturing method for laminate optical film, printer and manufacturing apparatus for laminate optical film - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method for a laminate optical film that has a securely readable information code printed while a region other than a region for printing the information code is secured larger, a printer, and a manufacturing apparatus for the laminate optical film.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method for a laminate optical film comprises: an end region detection process of detecting an end region of a long laminate optical film having a first and a second film; and a process of printing an information code where information on the laminate optical film is recorded in the detected end region. The second optical film is laminated on the first optical film such that the first optical film is exposed in the end region. The end region detection process has the processes of: irradiating the laminate optical film with illumination light having a stripe pattern having a light part and a dark part arranged by turns; detecting reflected light which is illumination light reflected by the laminate optical film; and specifying an end region based upon the detection result of the reflected light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a laminated optical film, a printing apparatus, and an apparatus for manufacturing a laminated optical film.

As the optical film, there is a laminated optical film in which another second optical film (for example, a surface protective film) is laminated on a first optical film (for example, a polarizing film), such as a polarizing film with a surface protective film. For such a laminated optical film, for example, a long laminated optical film obtained by laminating a second optical film on a long first optical film is prepared, and laminated optics of a desired size (for example, product size) is prepared from the laminated optical film. It can be manufactured by cutting out a film.

For example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is known in order to grasp one of the defects generated in the laminated optical film in the process of manufacturing a long laminated optical film. In Patent Document 1, a defect inspection is performed in the manufacturing process of the laminated optical film, and the defect position data obtained by the defect inspection is identified by indicating the defect position information at the widthwise end portion of the elongated laminated optical film. A technique for printing a code (information code), reading the identification code, and marking a defect position is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-244064

When printing an identification code indicating defect position information on the widthwise end of a long laminated optical film as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the area to be printed is from the long laminated optical film. It cannot be used as an area for cutting out a single-wafer laminated optical film (for example, a product-sized laminated optical film). Therefore, when laminating the second optical film on the first optical film, the end portion of the second optical film is preliminarily displaced from the position of the end portion of the first optical film to secure an unused region (end region). However, it is conceivable to print the identification code on the unused area. However, the position of the unused region may deviate from the design position during the transport process due to meandering during transport of the long laminated optical film. As a result, there are problems that the identification code is printed on the used area and the identification code is chipped beyond the range of the laminated optical film.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a laminated optical film on which a reliablely readable information code is printed, a printing device, and a laminated optical film while securing a larger area other than an area for printing an information code. Is to provide manufacturing equipment for.

The method for manufacturing a laminated optical film on one side of the present invention detects an end region in the width direction of a long laminated optical film having a first optical film and a second optical film laminated on the first optical film. The second optical film comprises an end region detection step and a printing step of printing an information code recording information of the laminated optical film in the end region detected in the end region detection step. Is laminated on the first optical film so that the first optical film is exposed when viewed from the second optical film side in the end region, and the edge region detection step is performed on the laminated optical film. In addition, an irradiation step of irradiating illumination light having a striped pattern in which bright parts and dark parts are alternately arranged, a light detection step of detecting reflected light which is the illumination light reflected by the laminated optical film, and the reflection. It has an end region specifying step of specifying the end region based on the light detection result.

In the method for manufacturing a laminated optical film described above, the edge region is detected by the edge region detection step. At this time, the laminated optical film is irradiated with illumination light having a striped pattern. In the illumination light having a fringe pattern, the end region can be reliably detected, so that the end region can be detected accurately. In the above manufacturing method, the printing unit prints the information code in the end region based on the detection result of the end region in the end region detection step. Therefore, the information code can be printed on the end region in a readable state while securing a larger area other than the end region for printing the information code on the laminated optical film.

In the end region specifying step, the positions of the end portion of the first optical film and the end portion of the second optical film that define both ends of the end region in the width direction based on the detection result of the reflected light. The end region may be specified by acquiring the information.

The striped pattern periodically changes into a plurality of patterns, and in the end region specifying step, the end region may be specified based on the detection results corresponding to the plurality of patterns. In this case, since the fringe pattern periodically changes into a plurality of patterns, more optical information can be acquired. As a result, it is easy to accurately identify the end region.

The striped pattern changes periodically between the first pattern and the second pattern, and the extending direction of the bright portion and the dark portion in the second pattern is the bright portion and the dark portion in the first pattern. It may be orthogonal to the extending direction of. The width of at least one of the bright part and the dark part may change periodically.

The end region detection step and the printing step may be carried out while transporting the laminated optical film in the long direction by using a plurality of transport rollers. Even if the laminated optical film is conveyed in this way, the information code can be printed in the end region in the printing step by performing the end region detection step.

In the irradiation step, the illumination light may be irradiated to the laminated optical film located on at least one of the plurality of transport rollers. Since the fringe pattern has a bright part and a dark part, it is possible to capture a plurality of images in which the illumination is turned on from multiple directions. Therefore, since the obtained image can be analyzed to generate an uneven image or a texture image, the edge region can be stably detected without being influenced by the surface state or the measurement environment.

In the irradiation step, among the plurality of transfer rollers, the laminated optical film located between two adjacent transfer rollers may be irradiated with the illumination light.

The printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is an end for detecting an end region in the width direction of a long laminated optical film having a first optical film and a second optical film laminated on the first optical film. The end area detection unit includes a part area detection unit and a printing unit that prints an information code in which information of the laminated optical film is recorded in the end region detected by the end region detection unit. , Light detection that detects the light source unit that irradiates the laminated optical film with illumination light having a striped pattern in which bright parts and dark parts are alternately arranged, and the reflected light that is the illumination light reflected by the laminated optical film. It has a portion and an end region specifying portion that specifies the end region based on the detection result of the reflected light.

The printing device detects the end region by the end region detection unit. The light source unit included in the end region detection unit irradiates the laminated optical film with illumination light having a striped pattern. In the illumination light having a fringe pattern, the end region can be reliably detected, so that the end region can be detected accurately. In the printing device, the printing unit prints an information code in the end area based on the detection result of the end area in the end area detecting unit. Therefore, the information code can be printed on the end region in a readable state while securing a larger area other than the end region for printing the information code on the laminated optical film.

The printing apparatus according to one embodiment further includes a transport mechanism for transporting the laminated optical film in a long direction, and the end region detection unit and the printing unit are connected to the transport path of the laminated optical film by the transport mechanism. It may be arranged along the line. Even if the laminated optical film is conveyed in this way, the information code can be printed in the end region by the printing portion by providing the end region detection unit.

The apparatus for producing a laminated optical film according to still another aspect of the present invention includes the above-mentioned printing apparatus.

According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing a laminated optical film on which a reliablely readable information code is printed, a printing device, and manufacturing of a laminated optical film while securing a larger area other than the area for printing the information code. Equipment can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a laminated optical film manufactured by the method for manufacturing a laminated optical film of one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a plan view of the laminated optical film. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example of a method for manufacturing a laminated optical film. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing a laminated optical film. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an end region detection unit. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a first pattern which is an example of a striped pattern. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a second pattern, which is another example of the striped pattern. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of the end region detection process.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not always match those described.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a laminated optical film manufactured by the method for manufacturing a laminated optical film of one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a plan view of the laminated optical film. The laminated optical film 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a long film, and FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross section orthogonal to the long direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the laminated optical film 10 is a polarizing film with a surface protective film in which a surface protective film (second optical film) 12 is laminated on a polarizing film (first optical film) 11. The laminated optical film 10 is a raw material for obtaining a single-wafer-shaped laminated optical film as a desired size (for example, a product size).

For convenience of explanation, the long direction of the laminated optical film 10 is the x direction, the direction orthogonal to the long direction of the laminated optical film 10 (width direction) is the y direction, and the thickness direction of the laminated optical film 10 (polarizing film 11). (Corresponding to the laminating direction of the surface protective film 12) is also referred to as the z direction.

The polarizing film 11 is a laminated film in which a protective film is bonded to a polarizing element. The modulator is, for example, a polyvinyl alcohol-based film dyed and stretched with a dichroic dye (iodine, dichroic dye, etc.). The thickness of the splitter is, for example, 1 μm to 150 μm. Examples of the material of the protective film include cellulose acetate-based resin (for example, triacetyl cellulose (TAC)), norbornene-based resin, polycarbonate-based resin, and acrylic-based resin. From the viewpoint of polarization characteristics and durability, triacetyl cellulose is preferable as the material of the protective film. The thickness of the protective film is, for example, 100 μm or less, preferably 60 μm or less, and more preferably 50 μm or less. The protective film is bonded to the polarizing element, for example, via an adhesive layer or an adhesive layer.

The material of the adhesive layer may be an adhesive known in the art of the present disclosure. Examples of the adhesive include an active energy ray-curable adhesive such as an ultraviolet (UV) curable resin and a water-based adhesive such as a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin aqueous solution. The material of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive known in the technical field related to the present disclosure. Examples of the pressure-sensitive adhesive include a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition containing (meth) acrylic resin, rubber-based resin, urethane-based resin, ester-based resin, silicone-based resin, polyvinyl ether-based resin and the like as main components.

The surface protective film 12 is a film that protects the surface of the polarizing film 11, and is bonded to the polarizing film 11 via, for example, an adhesive layer. The example of the pressure-sensitive adhesive forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is the same as that of the pressure-sensitive adhesive forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer between the polarizing element and the protective film. The thickness of the surface protective film 12 is, for example, 30 μm to 100 μm. Examples of the material of the surface protective film 12 include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the width (length in the y direction) of the surface protective film 12 is shorter than the width of the polarizing film 11. The surface protective film 12 is laminated on the polarizing film 11 so that the polarizing film 11 is partially exposed when viewed from the z direction. Specifically, in the y direction, the position of the end portion 11a of the polarizing film 11 and the position of the end portion 12a of the surface protection film 12 (the end portion on the same side as the end portion when viewed from the z direction) are deviated from each other. In the present embodiment, the positions of the end portion 11b of the polarizing film 11 (the end opposite to the end portion 11a) and the end portion 12b (the end portion opposite to the end portion 12a) of the surface protection film 12 coincide with each other in the y direction. ing.

The region between the end portion 11a and the end portion 12a when viewed from the z direction is referred to as an end portion region 10A. In the laminated optical film 10, the region other than the end region 10A (the region where the polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 overlap) is used to cut out a laminated optical film (single-leaf laminated optical film) of a desired size. Area to be used (hereinafter referred to as "used area 10B").

The end region 10A is a region where the polarizing film 11 is exposed when the laminated optical film 10 is viewed from the surface protective film 12 side. As shown in FIG. 2, the end region 10A is an region on which the information code 100 relating to the laminated optical film 10 is printed, and is used for cutting out a laminated optical film (single-leaf laminated optical film) of a desired size. Unused area that is not used.

The information recorded by the information code 100 is, for example, information on defect inspection (defect information) performed in the manufacturing process of the laminated optical film 10, position information in the long direction (distance from the tip portion, etc.), and the like. .. In the present embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the information code 100 is a code in which defect information (for example, defect position information) is recorded. As shown in FIG. 2, the information code 100 may be a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode. The end area 10A is set to a size in which the information code 100 can be printed and the used area 10B can be fully utilized. When the information code 100 is a QR code, for example, the square code itself having a side of 5.25 m (the area where the information is recorded) and the margin having a width of 2 mm (in FIG. 2, a broken line around the QR code). It is necessary to secure the area shown). Therefore, when a QR code having the above size is adopted for the information code 100, the width of the end region 10A (the distance between the end 11a and the end 12a in the y direction) is preferably about 10 mm.

Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the laminated optical film 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example of a method for manufacturing the laminated optical film 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the method for manufacturing the laminated optical film 10 includes a step of bonding the polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 (bonding step S10) and defects existing on the surface or inside of the laminated optical film 10. A step of inspecting (scratches, foreign matter, air bubbles, etc.) to obtain defect information (including defect position information) (defect inspection step S20) and a step of detecting the end region 10A (end region detection step S30). And the step of printing the information code 100 including the defect information obtained in the defect inspection step S20 on the end region 10A detected in the end region detection step S30 (printing step S40).

In the bonding step S10, the defect inspection step S20, the end region detection step S30, and the printing step S40, as shown in FIG. 4, the long polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 are conveyed in the long direction. Can be carried out. An example of a method for manufacturing the laminated optical film 10 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

The long polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 are bonded at the bonding portion 21 while being conveyed in the long direction (bonding step S10). The bonding portion 21 has a pair of rollers 21A and 21B. The polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 are conveyed in a state of being stacked between the pair of rollers 21A and 21B, and the polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 are pressed by the pair of rollers 21A and 21B in the thickness direction. The polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 are bonded together to obtain a laminated optical film 10.

When the polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 are conveyed between the pair of rollers 21A and 21B, the polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 are aligned so that the end region 10A is formed. .. In order to bond the polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12, for example, the above-mentioned adhesive layer may be provided on the surface of the surface protective film 12 on the polarizing film 11 side.

The laminated optical film 10 obtained by laminating the polarizing film 11 and the surface protective film 12 by the laminating portion 21 is conveyed toward the winding unit 23 via a plurality of conveying rollers 22. Although two transfer rollers 22 are schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, the number of transfer rollers 22 can be appropriately set according to the transfer length.

A defect inspection device 30 is arranged downstream of the bonding portion 21 in the transport direction of the laminated optical film 10. The defect inspection device 30 inspects defects (scratches, foreign substances, air bubbles, etc.) existing on the surface or inside of the laminated optical film 10 (defect inspection step S20). Information on defects occurring in the laminated optical film 10 (hereinafter referred to as “defect information”) can be obtained by defect inspection by the defect inspection device 30. The defect information includes the position information of the defect (for example, the position of the defect in the width direction of the laminated optical film 10).

The defect inspection device 30 shown in FIG. 4 is a transmission type defect inspection device. In the defect inspection apparatus 30, the inspection light is output from the light source unit 31 arranged on one surface side of the laminated optical film 10 to illuminate the laminated optical film 10 while being arranged on the other surface side of the laminated optical film 10. The laminated optical film 10 is imaged by the image pickup unit 32. Defects can be detected by analyzing the image data obtained by the image pickup unit 32 with an image processing device (not shown).

The wavelength of the light output by the light source unit 31 may be any wavelength as long as it depends on the materials of the polarizing film 11 and the surface protection film 12 and can acquire an image of the irradiation region of the inspection light. An example of the light output from the light source unit 31 is white light having a peak wavelength of 450 ± 30 nm. The light source unit 31 can, for example, uniformly illuminate the entire width direction of the laminated optical film 10. As the light source unit 31, a tubular light source such as a fluorescent lamp or a linear light source such as a transmission light can be used. The transmission light arranges a powerful light source such as a metal halogen lamp on the axial end surface of the rod-shaped light guide, guides the light incident on the end surface to the side surface between both end faces, and functions as a rod-shaped light source. As the light source unit 31, a plurality of LED light sources arranged in the width direction of the laminated optical film 10 can also be used.

As the image pickup unit 32, a camera (two-dimensional sensor) such as a CCD camera or a CMOS camera, a line sensor, or the like can be used. When the laminated optical film 10 is imaged by a camera such as a CCD camera and the entire width direction of the laminated optical film 10 cannot be imaged at once by one camera, the image pickup unit 32 moves in the width direction of the laminated optical film 10. It suffices to have a plurality of cameras arranged along the line.

In the defect inspection device 30, in order to detect the defect with high sensitivity, a polarizing plate arranged in a cross Nicol with respect to the polarizing film 11 is provided between the light source unit 31 and the laminated optical film 10 according to the defect to be detected. A form in which the laminated optical film 10 is illuminated via the polarizing film 11 may be adopted, or the laminated optical film 10 may be interposed between the polarizing film 11 and the image pickup unit 32 via a polarizing plate arranged in a cross Nicol with respect to the polarizing film 11. You may adopt the form of imaging.

Although the transmission type defect inspection device has been described as the defect inspection device 30, in the defect detection step S20, the reflection type defect inspection device (that is, the light source unit 31 and the image pickup unit 32 are arranged on the same side with respect to the laminated optical film 10). You may use the above-mentioned form). In the defect detection step S20, two defect inspection devices, a transmission type defect inspection device and a reflection type defect inspection device, may be used. In this case, since the defect that can be detected with high sensitivity by the transmission type defect inspection device and the defect that can be detected with high sensitivity by the reflection type defect inspection device can be detected respectively, the defect generated in the laminated optical film 10 can be reliably detected. Is.

In the transport direction of the laminated optical film 10, a printing device 40 for printing defect information on the laminated optical film 10 is arranged downstream of the defect inspection device 30. The printing device 40 includes an end area detection unit 41, a printing unit 42 arranged downstream of the end area detection unit 41, and a control device 43 for controlling the end area detection unit 41 and the printing unit 42.

In the printing device 40, defect information of the defect detected by the defect inspection device 30 is input to the control device 43. In the printing device 40, the control device 43 controls the end region detection unit 41 to detect the end region 10A in the laminated optical film 10 (end region detection step S30). After that, the control device 43 controls the printing unit 42, and the information code 100 (for example, QR code) indicating the defect information of the defect detected by the defect inspection device 30 in the end region 10A detected by the end region detection unit 41. ) Is printed (printing step S40). The information code 100 may be created in advance by the image processing device of the defect inspection device 30 and input to the control device 43, or the control device 43 (or printing) may be input based on the defect information input from the defect inspection device 30. Part 42) may be created.

The printing unit 42 is a printing device configured so that the printing position can be adjusted, and is, for example, a printing device using laser light. In this case, the printing position can be adjusted by adjusting the irradiation position of the laser beam. As the printing unit 42, a printing device capable of printing a QR code, a barcode, or the like can be used. The printing unit 42 may be arranged near the end region detecting unit 41 to such an extent that the laminated optical film 10 is not affected by meandering or the like.

The laminated optical film 10 on which the information code 100 is printed by the printing device 40 is wound into a roll by the winding unit 23. As a result, the laminated optical film 10 (or the original fabric of the laminated optical film) on which the information code 100 is printed can be obtained.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the bonding unit 21, the transport roller 22, the defect inspection device 30, the printing device 40, and the winding unit 23 constitute the laminated optical film manufacturing device 1. Since the transport roller 22 contributes to the transport of the laminated optical film 10, it is a part of the transport mechanism 20. Similarly, since the bonding portion 21 and the winding portion 23 contribute to the transport of the laminated optical film 10, they are also a part of the transport mechanism 20. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the end region detection unit 41 detects the end region 10A while conveying the laminated optical film 10, and the printing unit 42 prints the information code 100 on the end region 10A. Therefore, the transport mechanism 20 is also a part of the printing device 40.

In order to obtain a laminated optical film 10 (single-leaf laminated optical film) of a desired size from the laminated optical film 10 on which the information code 100 is printed, the laminated optical film 10 on which the information code 100 is printed is individually formed into a desired size. It suffices to carry out the step of converting. In this case, by reading the information code 100 before the individualization step, it is possible to identify a laminated optical film of a desired size including the defect indicated by the information code 100.

Next, the end region detection unit 41 included in the printing device 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the end region detection unit 41.

The end region detection unit 41 includes a reflection optical system 411 and an analysis device 412.

The reflection optical system 411 is an optical system for acquiring an image of a predetermined region in the laminated optical film 10. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the predetermined region is the vicinity of the end region 10A of the laminated optical film 10 (the region including the end region 10A). The predetermined region may cover the fluctuation range of the end region 10A including the amount of deviation caused by meandering or the like with respect to the design position of the end region 10A assumed by the transport path. The catadioptric system 411 has a light source unit 41A and an image pickup unit (light detection unit) 41B.

The light source unit 41A outputs the illumination light L1 toward a predetermined region of the laminated optical film 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the light source unit 41A is arranged so as to irradiate the laminated optical film 10 located between the adjacent transport rollers 22 with the illumination light L1. The light source unit 41A may be arranged so as to irradiate the laminated optical film 10 located on the transport roller 22 with the illumination light L1.

The wavelength of the illumination light L1 depends on the materials of the polarizing film 11 and the surface protection film 12, and may be any wavelength as long as it can acquire an image in a predetermined region. An example of the light source unit 41A is a white LED light source capable of outputting white illumination light L1 having a peak wavelength of 450 ± 30 nm. The illumination light L1 is configured to, for example, illuminate a predetermined area in a planar manner.

The light source unit 41A will be further described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the light source unit 41A outputs an illumination light L1 having a striped pattern 44 in which bright portions 44a and dark portions 44b are alternately arranged. The X direction in FIG. 6 indicates the extending direction of the bright portion 44a and the dark portion 44b in FIG. 6, and the Y direction is a direction orthogonal to the X direction. The X and Y directions in FIG. 7 are the same as the X and Y directions in FIG. The X direction or the Y direction shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be set, for example, in the transport direction of the laminated optical film 10.

The shape (pattern shape) of the fringe pattern 44 may be periodically changed into a plurality of patterns. For example, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the bright portion 44a (or the dark portion 44b) may move in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the width of the bright portion 44a (or the dark portion 44b) changes periodically. You may. The shape of the fringe pattern 44 can be controlled, for example, by an analyzer 412 (see FIG. 5). In this case, the analysis device 412 may control the light source unit 41A and the image pickup unit 41B so as to synchronize them.

When the striped pattern 44 shown in FIG. 6 is referred to as the first pattern 44A and the striped pattern 44 shown in FIG. 7 is referred to as the second pattern 44B, the light source unit 41A refers to the first pattern 44A and the second pattern 44B. It may be configured to fluctuate periodically between. The second pattern 44B is a pattern in which the extending direction of the bright portion 44a and the dark portion 44b in the second pattern 44B is orthogonal to the extending direction of the bright portion 44a and the dark portion 44b in the first pattern 44A. Even when the first pattern 44A and the second pattern 44B periodically fluctuate, the bright portion 44a (or the dark portion 44b) is the arrow in FIGS. 6 and 7 in each of the first pattern 44A and the second pattern 44B. It may move in the direction, or the width of the bright portion 44a (or the dark portion 44b) may vary.

The light source unit 41A may include, for example, a light source in which a plurality of point light sources (for example, LEDs) are two-dimensionally arranged, and a control device for controlling the lighting state of each LED. In this case, the bright portion 44a and the dark portion 44b can be formed by controlling the lighting state of the plurality of LEDs with the control device. Further, the striped pattern 44 formed by the bright portion 44a and the dark portion 44b can be varied into a plurality of patterns. The function of controlling the lighting state of each LED may be performed by, for example, an analysis device 412 (or a control device 43).

Returning to FIG. 5, the imaging unit 41B will be described. The image pickup unit 41B is a photodetector that detects the reflected light L2, which is the illumination light L1 reflected by the predetermined region. The image pickup unit 41B is, for example, a two-dimensional sensor such as a CCD camera or a CMOS camera. The image pickup unit 41B inputs image data to the analysis device 412. Examples of the input method include a method using wired communication and a method using wireless communication.

The analysis device (end area specifying unit) 412 is a device for specifying the end region 10A based on the image data input from the image pickup unit 41B. The analysis device 412 processes the image data input from the image pickup unit 41B, creates an image of a predetermined region, analyzes the created image, and identifies (specifically, conveyed) the end region 10A. The position of the edge region 10A of the laminated optical film 10 is specified). Therefore, the analysis device 412 may have an image processing unit and an end region specifying unit based on the image created by the image processing unit.

For example, the analysis device 412 identifies the end region 10A by acquiring the position information of the end portion 11a and the end portion 12a that define the end region 10A. The positions of the end portions 11a and the end portions 12a may be positions with respect to a reference position (for example, the end of the table supporting the rollers) of the transport path of the laminated optical film 10. The positions of such end portions 11a and 12a can be acquired from the image obtained by the image pickup unit 41B and the installation position of the image pickup unit 41B (or the position of the reference member reflected in the image).

The analysis device 412 may have at least one of a function of controlling the imaging timing of the imaging unit 41B and a function of controlling the output of the illumination light L1 of the light source unit 41A.

The analysis device 412 may be, for example, a dedicated device for detecting the end region 10A, or in a personal computer, implement a program for carrying out the end region identification function including the image processing, and use the personal computer. It may function as an analyzer 412. In the present embodiment, the analysis device 412 and the control device 43 are described separately, but the analysis device 412 is the same device as the control device 43, that is, the function of the analysis device 412 is mounted on the control device 43. May be.

An example of the end region detection step S30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of the end region detection step S30.

First, the illumination light L1 is irradiated toward a predetermined region of the laminated optical film 10 (irradiation step S31). The image pickup unit 41B detects the reflected light L2, which is the illumination light L1 reflected from the predetermined region (light detection step S32). When the illumination light L1 changes periodically into a plurality of patterns (for example, when it changes periodically between the first pattern 44A and the second pattern 44B), the change cycle of the stripe pattern 44 and the image pickup unit 41B The imaging speed can be set in consideration of the transport speed of the laminated optical film 10. Specifically, while the fringe pattern 44 changes a certain number of times among the plurality of patterns, the change cycle of the fringe pattern 44 and the change period of the fringe pattern 44 to the extent that an image of substantially the same region on the laminated optical film 10 being conveyed can be acquired. The imaging speed of the imaging unit can be set.

Based on the image (detection result) of the predetermined region obtained by the light detection step S32, the analysis device 412 acquires the position information of the end portion 11a and the end portion 12a defining the end region 10A, and obtains the end region 10A. Specify (end region specifying step S33). The end portion 11a and the end portion 12a may be specified automatically by, for example, the analysis device 412 based on an edge detection technique in an image or the like.

When the illumination light L1 periodically changes into a plurality of patterns (for example, when the illumination light L1 changes periodically between the first pattern 44A and the second pattern 44B), the analyzer 412 may use the plurality of patterns (for example, the first pattern 44B). 1 pattern 44A and 2nd pattern 44B) Based on the image data (detection result) obtained for the reflected light L2 in each case, the analysis device 412 acquires the position information of the end portion 11a and the end portion 12a. The end region 10A may be specified. The analysis device 412 creates one image using the image data (detection result) obtained for the reflected light L2 in each of the plurality of patterns (for example, the first pattern 44A and the second pattern 44B). The image may be used to identify the edge region 10A. In order to obtain the above one image, the analysis device 412 may control the timing of the shape change of the stripe pattern 44 and the imaging timing of the imaging unit 41B.

After the end area specifying step S33 is executed, the information of the end area specifying step S33 is input to the control device 43, and the control device 43 controls the printing unit 42 to specify in the end area specifying step S33. Defect information is printed at a predetermined position in the end region 10A (printing step S40 shown in the figure). The control device 43 includes defect information of the corresponding defect from the printing unit 42 when the defect detected by the defect inspection device 30 passes through the arrangement position of the printing unit 42 according to the transport speed of the laminated optical film 10. The printing timing may be controlled so that the information code 100 is printed on the end region 10A.

The end region 10A may deviate from the design position in the transport path due to meandering in the process of transporting the laminated optical film 10 in the long direction.

In the method for manufacturing the laminated optical film 10 and the printing apparatus 40 described above, the end region 10A is detected by the end region detection step S30 (end region detection unit 41) before the information code 100 is printed. For this detection, the laminated optical film 10 is irradiated with illumination light L1 having a striped pattern 44. In the illumination light L1 having the fringe pattern 44, for example, the angle dependence of the irradiation region of the illumination light L1 with respect to the extending direction of the end portion 11a (or the end portion 12a) can be reduced as compared with the case of using the linear illumination light. , The positions of the end 11a and the end 12a can be detected more reliably. Further, since the illumination light L1 has the fringe pattern 44, it is possible to efficiently acquire a plurality of images illuminating one predetermined area from multiple directions. Therefore, it can be reliably detected from the end portion 11a and the end portion 12a. Since the end portion 11a and the end portion 12a can be appropriately detected in this way, the end portion region 10A can be accurately detected.

In the above manufacturing method, the printing unit 42 prints the information code 100 at a predetermined position of the end region 10A based on the detection result of the end region 10A in the end region detection step S30. Therefore, as described above, even if the end region 10A deviates from the design position of the transport path due to meandering or the like, a part of the information code 100 may protrude from the end 11a, or information may be sent to the end 12a. The information code 100 can be printed in the end region 10A while preventing the codes 100 from overlapping. Since the end region 10A is detected in the end region detection step S30, the influence of meandering can be reduced. Therefore, the width margin of the end region 10A can be made smaller than when meandering or the like is taken into consideration. In other words, the end area 10A can be set so that the used area 10B can be secured to the maximum. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the laminated optical film 10 on which the information code 100 that can be reliably read is printed while securing a larger area (used area 10B) other than the area for printing the information code in the laminated optical film.

In the above manufacturing method, the information code 100 can be printed in the end region 10A. Therefore, the information code 100 can be reliably read in the subsequent process. As a result, when a plurality of laminated optical films for products are cut out from the laminated optical film 10 (laminated optical film original fabric) on which the information code 100 is printed, the laminated optics for a plurality of products are based on the defect information of the information code 100. It is possible to reliably sort a film without defects from the film.

When the fringe pattern 44 is periodically changed into a plurality of patterns, a plurality of imaging information can be acquired by one reflection optical system 411. Therefore, even if an optically transparent optical film such as the polarizing film 11 and the surface protection film 12 is imaged, the positions of the end portion 11a and the end portion 12a can be detected more reliably. As a result, the position of the end region 10A can be detected more accurately.

When the laminated optical film 10 is arranged on the transport roller 22, specular reflection is likely to occur due to the surface of the transport roller 22. For example, by using the striped pattern 44, it is possible to capture a plurality of images in which the illumination is turned on from multiple directions, so that even if the surface of the transport roller 22 is, for example, a mirror surface, the transport is carried out. The effect of specular reflection on the surface of the roller 22 is reduced. Therefore, it is easy to detect the end portion 11a and the end portion 12a. In other words, the end portion 11a and the end portion 12a can be easily detected even in an environment susceptible to specular reflection. As a result, the end region 10A can be accurately detected.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplified embodiments, and is intended to include the scope indicated by the claims, as well as all within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. Is intended to include changes to.

For example, the first optical film may be a film in which another optical film such as a retardation film is laminated on the polarizing film in addition to the protective film (or instead of the protective film). The second optical film may be, for example, a retardation film, a film having other optical functions, or an optically transparent film-like adhesive layer or adhesive layer.

Although the case where the end region is formed on one end side in the width direction of the laminated optical film has been described, the end region may also be formed on the other end side. For example, the end portion 11b and the end portion 12b shown in FIG. 1 may be misaligned, and an end region may be formed between them. When the end regions are formed on both ends in the width direction of the laminated optical film, in the end region detection step, the end region detection portions are arranged for each of the two end regions, and the two ends are arranged. The part area may be detected. In this case, the analysis device included in the end area detection unit may be a device common to the two end areas. When the end regions are formed on both ends in the width direction of the laminated optical film, the printing portion may print on one of the two end regions, or two depending on the defect information. An information code containing different defect information may be printed on the end region.

In FIG. 5, the light source unit 41A and the image pickup unit 41B are arranged along the y direction when viewed from the z direction. However, the arrangement state of the light source unit 41A and the image pickup unit 41B is not limited to the form shown in FIG. The light source unit 41A and the image pickup unit 41B may be arranged, for example, along the x direction.

For example, when defect inspection is performed on the first optical film and the second optical film in the process of manufacturing them, the defect information may also be printed on the laminated optical film as an information code. When the information recorded by the information code is other than defect information (for example, position information from the tip of the laminated optical film), the method for manufacturing the laminated optical film (equipment for manufacturing the laminated optical film) is a defect inspection step. It is not necessary to have (defect inspection device).

In the example shown in FIG. 5, a case where a bonding step (bonding portion) for bonding a polarizing film (first optical film) and a surface protective film (second optical film) is provided has been described. However, when there is a roll in which the laminated optical film in which the second optical film is laminated is previously wound on the first optical film, the method for producing the laminated optical film (the apparatus for producing the laminated optical film) is a bonding step (bonding). It does not have to have a joint).

The various embodiments and modifications described above can be appropriately combined without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 ... Laminated optical film manufacturing equipment, 10 ... Laminated optical film, 11 ... Polarizing film (first optical film), 12 ... Surface protection film (second optical film), 11a ... Edge, 12a ... Edge, 10A ... End area, 20 ... Conveyance mechanism, 40 ... Printing device, 41 ... End area detection unit, 42 ... Printing unit, 44 ... Striped pattern, 44A ... First pattern, 44B ... Second pattern, 44a ... Bright part, 44b ... Dark part, 412 ... Analytical device (end area identification part), 41A ... Light source unit, 41B ... Imaging unit (light detector), 100 ... Information code, L1 ... Illumination light, L2 ... Reflected light.

Claims (11)

An end region detection step for detecting an end region in the width direction of a long laminated optical film having a first optical film and a second optical film laminated on the first optical film.
A printing step of printing an information code in which information of the laminated optical film is recorded in the end region detected in the end region detection step, and a printing step.
Equipped with
The second optical film is laminated on the first optical film in the end region so that the first optical film is exposed when viewed from the second optical film side.
The end region detection step is
An irradiation step of irradiating the laminated optical film with illumination light having a striped pattern in which bright parts and dark parts are alternately arranged.
A light detection step for detecting the reflected light which is the illumination light reflected by the laminated optical film, and a light detection step.
An end region specifying step of specifying the end region based on the detected result of the reflected light, and an end region specifying step.
Have,
A method for manufacturing a laminated optical film. In the end region specifying step, the positions of the end portion of the first optical film and the end portion of the second optical film that define both ends of the end region in the width direction based on the detection result of the reflected light. Identifying the edge region by acquiring information,
The method for manufacturing a laminated optical film according to claim 1. The striped pattern periodically changes into a plurality of patterns,
In the end region specifying step, the end region is specified based on the detection results corresponding to the plurality of patterns.
The method for manufacturing a laminated optical film according to claim 1 or 2. The striped pattern changes periodically between the first pattern and the second pattern.
The extending direction of the bright portion and the dark portion in the second pattern is orthogonal to the extending direction of the bright portion and the dark portion in the first pattern.
The method for manufacturing a laminated optical film according to claim 3. The width of at least one of the bright part and the dark part changes periodically.
The method for manufacturing a laminated optical film according to claim 3 or 4. Using a plurality of transport rollers, the end region detection step and the printing step are carried out while transporting the laminated optical film in the long direction.
The method for manufacturing a laminated optical film according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In the irradiation step, the illumination light is irradiated to the laminated optical film located on at least one transfer roller of the plurality of transfer rollers.
The method for manufacturing a laminated optical film according to claim 6. In the irradiation step, the illumination light is irradiated to the laminated optical film located between two adjacent transport rollers among the plurality of transport rollers.
The method for manufacturing an optical film according to claim 6. An end region detection unit that detects an end region in the width direction of a long laminated optical film having a first optical film and a second optical film laminated on the first optical film.
A printing unit that prints an information code in which information of the laminated optical film is recorded in the end region detected by the end region detection unit, and a printing unit.
Equipped with
The end area detection unit is
A light source unit that irradiates the laminated optical film with illumination light having a striped pattern in which bright areas and dark areas are alternately arranged.
A photodetector that detects the reflected light that is the illumination light reflected by the laminated optical film, and
An end region specifying portion that specifies the end region based on the detected result of the reflected light, and an end region specifying portion.
Have,
Printing device. Further provided with a transport mechanism for transporting the laminated optical film in the long direction,
The end region detection unit and the printing unit are arranged along a transfer path of the laminated optical film by the transfer mechanism.
The printing apparatus according to claim 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, comprising the printing apparatus.
Laminated optical film manufacturing equipment.

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