JP4229932B2 - Manufacturing method of polarizing film - Google Patents

Manufacturing method of polarizing film Download PDF

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JP4229932B2
JP4229932B2 JP2005212148A JP2005212148A JP4229932B2 JP 4229932 B2 JP4229932 B2 JP 4229932B2 JP 2005212148 A JP2005212148 A JP 2005212148A JP 2005212148 A JP2005212148 A JP 2005212148A JP 4229932 B2 JP4229932 B2 JP 4229932B2
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treatment tank
swelling
swelling treatment
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bath
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友昭 増田
一喜 土本
裕 藤田
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Nitto Denko Corp
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Description

本発明は、液晶表示装置を構成する偏光板の材料として有用な偏光フィルムの製造方法関する。 The present invention relates to a method for producing a useful polarizing film as the material of the polarizing plate constituting the liquid crystal display device.

現在、テレビやデスクトップパソコンといったOA機器が具備する画像表示装置は、これまで主流であったCRTから、薄型軽量で低消費電力といった大きな利点を有する液晶表示装置へと変換されてきている。液晶表示装置の用途も、テレビやデスクトップパソコンのみならず、車載用途のナビゲーションシステムや屋内外の計測器など広範囲に広がってきている。現在普及している液晶表示装置は、光の透過及び遮蔽機能を有する偏光板や、光のスイッチング機能を有する液晶層を含む位相差フィルムなどが基本的な構成要素であり、その他表面保護のためのハードコート層や反射防止膜などが付加されている。   Currently, an image display device included in an OA device such as a television or a desktop personal computer has been converted from a CRT, which has been mainstream, into a liquid crystal display device having a great advantage of being thin and light and having low power consumption. The use of liquid crystal display devices is widespread not only for televisions and desktop PCs, but also for navigation systems for in-vehicle use and indoor and outdoor measuring instruments. The liquid crystal display devices currently in use are basically constituent elements such as a polarizing plate having a light transmission and shielding function and a retardation film including a liquid crystal layer having a light switching function, and for other surface protection. A hard coat layer and an antireflection film are added.

偏光板を製造するに際しては、一般的に膨潤処理を施した後のポリビニルアルコール系フィルムを延伸処理(一軸延伸)した後に染色し(或いは、染色後又は染色中に一軸延伸し)、ホウ酸化合物で染色剤を固定化する処理を施す等によって、先ず偏光フィルムを製造する。そして、製造された偏光フィルムに、例えばトリアセチルセルロースフィルムなどの保護フィルムを貼り合わせることによって偏光板が製造される。なお、前記染色処理と固定化処理とが同時に施される場合もある。また、前記延伸処理には、液体中で延伸を施す湿式処理と、気体中で延伸を施す乾式処理とがある。   When producing a polarizing plate, the polyvinyl alcohol film after the swelling treatment is generally stretched (uniaxially stretched) and then dyed (or uniaxially stretched after dyeing or during dyeing), and then a boric acid compound First, a polarizing film is produced, for example, by performing a treatment for fixing the staining agent. And a polarizing plate is manufactured by bonding together protective films, such as a triacetyl cellulose film, for example to the manufactured polarizing film. The dyeing process and the immobilization process may be performed at the same time. The stretching process includes a wet process for stretching in a liquid and a dry process for stretching in a gas.

ここで、偏光フィルムには、その面積全体に亘る光学特性にバラツキがあることによって生ずる色ムラが存在している場合が多い。この色ムラが生ずる具体的な理由としては様々な要因が考えられるが、いずれにせよトリアセチルセルロースフィルムなどの保護膜を貼り合わせた状態でないと確認するのは困難である。保護膜を貼り合わせた状態で色ムラによる品質不良が認められた場合、保護膜と共に不良品として廃棄されてしまうことから、材料の歩留まりを大きく低下させることになる。   Here, the polarizing film often has color unevenness caused by variations in optical characteristics over the entire area. Various factors can be considered as specific reasons why this color unevenness occurs, but in any case, it is difficult to confirm that the protective film such as a triacetyl cellulose film is not attached. When a quality defect due to color unevenness is recognized in a state where the protective film is bonded, it is discarded as a defective product together with the protective film, so that the yield of the material is greatly reduced.

この色ムラを改善する方法として、例えば、特許文献1に記載されているように、染色処理を施す染色処理槽の長さを変更し、染色時間をコントロールすることが提案されており、これにより、偏光フィルムの染色ムラを減少させることが可能となった。   As a method for improving the color unevenness, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, it has been proposed to change the length of a dyeing tank for dyeing and control the dyeing time. Thus, it is possible to reduce the uneven dyeing of the polarizing film.

しかしながら、近年の液晶表示装置の大型化に伴って、大面積の偏光フィルムが大量に要求されるようになってきている。偏光フィルムの面積が大きくなると、面積全体での光学特性の均一性が要求されることや、視野角を補正する位相差フィルムなど他のフィルムと組み合わせて用いることが多くなってきたこと等の理由によって、色ムラの問題が顕著化していると共に、短時間(短納期)で製造することの要求も高まってきている。短時間で製造する要求に応えるべく、現状の製造工程全体の処理速度を速めると、色ムラが生じ易く歩留まりが大きく低下するという問題がある。一方、上記特許文献1に記載の方法によれば、前述のように色ムラを減少させることが可能であるものの、大面積の偏光フィルムに対応するには、偏光フィルムの搬送速度を落とすか或いは染色処理槽の長さを長くすることによって、染色時間をかなり長くする必要が生じ、短時間で偏光フィルムを製造するという要求に応えられないという問題がある。
特開2004−78208号公報
However, with the recent increase in size of liquid crystal display devices, a large amount of polarizing film has been required. When the area of the polarizing film is increased, the uniformity of optical characteristics over the entire area is required, and the reason is that it has been increasingly used in combination with other films such as a retardation film for correcting the viewing angle. As a result, the problem of color unevenness has become prominent, and the demand for manufacturing in a short time (short delivery time) has increased. If the processing speed of the current manufacturing process as a whole is increased to meet the demand for manufacturing in a short time, there is a problem that color unevenness is likely to occur and the yield is greatly reduced. On the other hand, according to the method described in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to reduce color unevenness as described above, in order to cope with a large area polarizing film, the conveying speed of the polarizing film is reduced or By increasing the length of the dyeing tank, it is necessary to lengthen the dyeing time considerably, and there is a problem that the demand for producing a polarizing film in a short time cannot be met.
JP 2004-78208 A

本発明は、斯かる従来技術の問題を解決するべくなされたものであり、色ムラが少なく高品質の偏光フィルムを短時間に製造することを可能とする偏光フィルムの製造方法を提供することを課題とする。   The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and provides a method for producing a polarizing film that can produce a high-quality polarizing film with little color unevenness in a short time. Let it be an issue.

前記課題を解決するべく、鋭意検討した結果、膨潤処理工程において、樹脂フィルムを浸漬する膨潤処理槽を少なくとも2つ以上設置して、前段側に位置する膨潤処理槽内の浴液に浸漬した後に、後段側に位置する膨潤処理槽内の浴液に順次浸漬する手順とした。そして、少なくとも前段側から数えて第N番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温を、第(N+M)番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温よりも3℃以上高く設定(N、Mは共に1以上の所定の整数)すれば、第N番目の膨潤処理槽内の高温の浴液で樹脂フィルムの膨潤が進行し易く、樹脂フィルムの膨潤量が飽和に至るまでの時間が短縮されることを見出した。この結果、膨潤処理工程に要する時間、ひいては偏光フィルムの製造に要する時間が短縮できることが分かった。また、第N番目の膨潤処理槽内の浴液で樹脂フィルムの膨潤が進行するため、後続する染色処理工程の染色処理槽内の浴液での膨潤が抑制される結果、色ムラが少なく高品質の偏光フィルムを得ることができることを見出した。本発明は、斯かる本発明の発明者らが見出した知見に基づき完成されたものである。   As a result of intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, after immersing in the bath solution in the swelling treatment tank located on the front stage side, at least two swelling treatment tanks for immersing the resin film are installed in the swelling treatment step. The procedure was to immerse sequentially in the bath solution in the swelling treatment tank located on the rear side. Then, the bath temperature of the Nth swelling treatment tank at least counted from the previous stage side is set 3 ° C. or more higher than the bath temperature of the (N + M) th swelling treatment tank (N and M are both 1). (Predetermined integer above), the resin film easily swells in the hot bath solution in the Nth swelling treatment tank, and the time until the resin film swells to saturation is shortened. I found it. As a result, it was found that the time required for the swelling treatment process, and thus the time required for producing the polarizing film, can be shortened. In addition, since the resin film swells in the bath solution in the Nth swelling treatment tank, the swelling in the bath liquid in the dyeing treatment tank in the subsequent dyeing treatment step is suppressed, resulting in less uneven color and high color. It has been found that a quality polarizing film can be obtained. The present invention has been completed based on the knowledge found by the inventors of the present invention.

すなわち、本発明は、ポリビニルアルコール系フィルム等の樹脂フィルムを膨潤処理工程及びこれに後続する染色処理工程を含む製造工程において一軸延伸することにより偏光フィルムを製造する方法であって、前記膨潤処理工程において、樹脂フィルムを少なくとも2つ以上の膨潤処理槽内の浴液に順次浸漬する手順を含み、少なくとも前段側から数えて第N番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温を、第(N+M)番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温よりも3℃以上高く設定(N、Mは共に1以上の所定の整数)することを特徴とする偏光フィルムの製造方法を提供するものである。   That is, the present invention is a method for producing a polarizing film by uniaxially stretching a resin film such as a polyvinyl alcohol film in a production process including a swelling treatment step and a subsequent dyeing treatment step, and the swelling treatment step The step of immersing the resin film in the bath solution in at least two or more swelling treatment tanks, and the bath temperature of the swelling treatment tank located at the Nth position from the previous stage side is set to the (N + M) th And a temperature higher by 3 ° C. than the bath temperature of the swelling treatment tank (where N and M are both predetermined integers of 1 or more).

なお、本発明における「膨潤処理工程」とは、染色処理工程の前段の工程であって、樹脂フィルムを浴液に浸漬する(延伸処理を伴っても良い)全ての工程を含む広い概念を意味する。また、本発明における「膨潤処理槽」とは、染色処理工程で使用する染色処理槽の前段に位置する処理槽であって、樹脂フィルムを浴液に浸漬する(延伸処理を伴っても良い)全ての処理槽を含む広い概念を意味する。例えば、染色処理工程の前段に湿式の延伸処理工程を設ける場合、当該湿式の延伸処理工程は、本発明における「膨潤処理工程」に相当し、前記湿式の延伸処理工程で使用する延伸処理槽は、本発明における「膨潤処理槽」に相当することになる。従って、前記湿式の延伸処理工程で使用する延伸処理槽では、延伸処理と膨潤処理とが同じ浴液中で施されることになる。また、染色処理工程の前段の工程で樹脂フィルムに固定化処理を施す場合には、当該固定化処理工程は、本発明における「膨潤処理工程」に相当することになる。そして、前記固定化処理工程で使用する固定化処理槽は、本発明における「膨潤処理槽」に相当することになり、この固定化処理槽では、固定化処理と膨潤処理とが同じ浴液中で施されることになる。   The “swelling treatment step” in the present invention is a step preceding the dyeing treatment step and means a broad concept including all steps of immersing the resin film in a bath solution (may be accompanied by a stretching treatment). To do. Further, the “swelling treatment tank” in the present invention is a treatment tank located in the preceding stage of the dyeing treatment tank used in the dyeing treatment step, and immerses the resin film in a bath solution (may be accompanied by a stretching treatment). It means a broad concept including all treatment tanks. For example, when a wet stretching process is provided before the dyeing process, the wet stretching process corresponds to the “swelling process” in the present invention, and the stretching tank used in the wet stretching process is This corresponds to the “swelling treatment tank” in the present invention. Accordingly, in the stretching tank used in the wet stretching process, the stretching process and the swelling process are performed in the same bath solution. Further, when the resin film is subjected to an immobilization process in the preceding stage of the dyeing process, the immobilization process corresponds to the “swelling process” in the present invention. The immobilization treatment tank used in the immobilization treatment step corresponds to the “swelling treatment tank” in the present invention. In this immobilization treatment tank, the immobilization treatment and the swelling treatment are in the same bath liquid. It will be given in.

また、本発明において、より短時間で樹脂フィルムを膨潤させ、膨潤処理工程に要する時間をより一層短縮するには、第N番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温を、第(N+M)番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温よりも5℃以上高く設定することが好ましい。   In the present invention, in order to swell the resin film in a shorter time and further reduce the time required for the swelling treatment step, the bath temperature of the Nth swelling treatment bath is set to the (N + M) th. It is preferable to set the temperature 5 ° C. or more higher than the bath temperature of the swelling treatment tank located.

好ましくは、前記膨潤処理工程において、樹脂フィルムを第1の膨潤処理槽内の浴液に浸漬した後、前記第1の膨潤処理槽に後続する第2の膨潤処理槽内の浴液に浸漬する手順を含み、前記第1の膨潤処理槽の浴温を前記第2の膨潤処理槽の浴温よりも3℃以上高く設定する。   Preferably, in the swelling treatment step, after the resin film is immersed in the bath liquid in the first swelling treatment tank, the resin film is immersed in the bath liquid in the second swelling treatment tank that follows the first swelling treatment tank. Including a procedure, the bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank is set 3 ° C. or more higher than the bath temperature of the second swelling treatment tank.

なお、本発明において、各膨潤処理槽の浴温を55℃より高く設定すれば、樹脂フィルムが柔らかくなり過ぎ破断するおそれがある。一方、各膨潤処理槽の浴温を20℃より低く設定すれば、浴液の冷却が必要となって設備上の負担が大きくなることに加え、樹脂フィルムの膨潤が進行し難くなる。従って、上記のような問題が生じないようにするには、前記各膨潤処理槽の浴温を20℃以上55℃以下に設定することが好ましい。   In addition, in this invention, if the bath temperature of each swelling processing tank is set higher than 55 degreeC, there exists a possibility that a resin film may become too soft and may fracture | rupture. On the other hand, if the bath temperature of each swelling treatment tank is set lower than 20 ° C., the bath liquid needs to be cooled, and the burden on the equipment is increased, and the swelling of the resin film is difficult to proceed. Therefore, in order to prevent the above problems from occurring, it is preferable to set the bath temperature of each swelling treatment tank to 20 ° C. or more and 55 ° C. or less.

また、前記染色処理工程において、樹脂フィルムを浸漬する染色処理槽の浴温を20℃以上50℃以下に設定することが好ましい。さらには、20℃以上45℃以下がより好ましく、25℃以上40℃以下が特に好ましい。染色処理槽の浴温が高すぎると、ヨウ素の昇華や溶媒の蒸発等により、浴液中の二色性物質の濃度が変化し易くなるため、染色品質の保持が難しくなる。   Moreover, in the said dyeing | staining process process, it is preferable to set the bath temperature of the dyeing | staining processing tank which immerses a resin film to 20 to 50 degreeC. Furthermore, 20 degreeC or more and 45 degrees C or less are more preferable, and 25 degreeC or more and 40 degrees C or less are especially preferable. If the bath temperature of the dyeing tank is too high, the concentration of the dichroic substance in the bath liquid is likely to change due to sublimation of iodine, evaporation of the solvent, and the like, so that it is difficult to maintain the dyeing quality.

さらに、前記染色処理工程で使用する染色処理槽の直前に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温と、前記染色処理槽の浴温との差を5℃以下に設定することが好ましい。斯かる好ましい構成によれば、染色処理槽の直前に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温が染色処理槽の浴温に近くなるため、染色処理槽内の浴液での樹脂フィルムの膨潤がより一層抑制され、より一層色ムラが少なく高品質の偏光フィルムを得ることが可能である。   Furthermore, it is preferable to set the difference between the bath temperature of the swelling treatment tank located immediately before the dyeing treatment tank used in the dyeing treatment step and the bath temperature of the dyeing treatment tank to 5 ° C. or less. According to such a preferable configuration, since the bath temperature of the swelling treatment tank located immediately before the dyeing treatment tank is close to the bath temperature of the dyeing treatment tank, the resin film is further swollen with the bath liquid in the dyeing treatment tank. It is suppressed, and it is possible to obtain a high-quality polarizing film with less color unevenness.

本発明において、前記各膨潤処理槽内の浴液への樹脂フィルムの浸漬時間の総計が50秒以下であれば、偏光フィルムの製造に要する時間を顕著に短縮できると共に、斯かる短時間の浸漬時間であっても十分に色ムラが少なく高品質の偏光フィルムを得ることが可能である。   In the present invention, if the total immersion time of the resin film in the bath liquid in each of the swelling treatment tanks is 50 seconds or less, the time required for producing the polarizing film can be remarkably shortened, and such a short immersion time Even if it is time, it is possible to obtain a high-quality polarizing film with sufficiently little color unevenness.

また、より高い光学特性を得るためには、前記樹脂フィルムとしては、例えば、ケン化度が95%以上で、重合度が2000以上とされたフィルムを用いることが好ましい。   In order to obtain higher optical characteristics, it is preferable to use, for example, a film having a saponification degree of 95% or more and a polymerization degree of 2000 or more as the resin film.

本発明に係る偏光フィルムの製造方法によれば、樹脂フィルムの膨潤量が飽和に至るまでの時間が短縮される結果、膨潤処理工程に要する時間、ひいては偏光フィルムの製造に要する時間が短縮できると共に、色ムラが少なく高品質の偏光フィルムを得ることが可能である。   According to the method for producing a polarizing film according to the present invention, the time until the swelling amount of the resin film reaches saturation is shortened, and as a result, the time required for the swelling treatment process, and thus the time required for producing the polarizing film can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a high-quality polarizing film with little color unevenness.

以下、添付図面を参照しつつ、本発明の一実施形態について説明する。   Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

図1は、本発明の一実施形態に係る偏光フィルムの製造方法を実施するための製造ラインを概略的に示すブロック図である。図1に示すように、本実施形態に係る製造ラインは、第1の膨潤処理槽10、第2の膨潤処理槽20、染色処理槽30、延伸処理槽40、固定化処理槽50及び乾燥炉60を備えている。本実施形態に係る製造ラインで偏光フィルムを製造するに際しては、先ず最初に樹脂フィルムが第1の膨潤処理槽10に搬送され、次いで第2の膨潤処理槽20に搬送される。   FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a production line for carrying out a method for producing a polarizing film according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the production line according to this embodiment includes a first swelling treatment tank 10, a second swelling treatment tank 20, a dyeing treatment tank 30, a stretching treatment tank 40, an immobilization treatment tank 50, and a drying furnace. 60. When manufacturing a polarizing film with the manufacturing line which concerns on this embodiment, a resin film is first conveyed to the 1st swelling processing tank 10, and then is conveyed to the 2nd swelling processing tank 20. FIG.

本実施形態に係る樹脂フィルムとしては、ポリビニルアルコール系フィルムを用いている。ポリビニルアルコール系フィルムとしては、例えば、ポリビニルアルコールフィルム、ポリビニルホルマールフィルム、ポリビニルアセタールフィルム、ポリ共重合体フィルム、これらの部分ケン化フィルム、ポリビニルアルコールの部分ポリエン化フィルム等を挙げることができる。なお、本発明に係る樹脂フィルムとしては、ポリビニルアルコール系フィルムに限るものではなく、ポリエチレンテレフタレート系フィルム、エチレン・酢酸ビニル共重合体系フィルム、セルロース系フィルム等を例示することができる。   As the resin film according to the present embodiment, a polyvinyl alcohol film is used. Examples of the polyvinyl alcohol film include a polyvinyl alcohol film, a polyvinyl formal film, a polyvinyl acetal film, a polycopolymer film, a partially saponified film thereof, a partially polyeneated film of polyvinyl alcohol, and the like. The resin film according to the present invention is not limited to a polyvinyl alcohol film, and examples thereof include a polyethylene terephthalate film, an ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer film, and a cellulose film.

ポリビニルアルコール系フィルムは、第1の膨潤処理槽10内の浴液(本実施形態では、逆浸透膜処理を施された純水)に浸漬され、続いて第2の膨潤処理槽20内の浴液(本実施形態では、逆浸透膜処理を施された純水)に浸漬される。ここで、第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴温は第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴温よりも3℃以上高く設定されている(すなわち、第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴温−第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴温≧3℃)。また、好ましい構成として、第1及び第2の膨潤処理槽10、20の浴温がそれぞれ20℃以上55℃以下に設定されている。なお、この第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴温と第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴温との差は5℃以上に設定することがより好ましく、温度差が大きすぎてもフィルムの張力調整が難しくなるため、温度差は30℃以下程度とすることが好ましい。また、本実施形態に係る第1及び第2の膨潤処理槽10、20では、膨潤処理のみならず延伸処理も施しており、その延伸倍率は、膨潤による伸展も含めて2槽で計1.1〜3.5倍程度とするのが好ましい。膨潤処理槽に用いられる浴液は、上記のように純水等の水が一般に用いられるが、ヨウ化物や架橋剤等の添加剤を含有する溶液としても良い。   The polyvinyl alcohol-based film is immersed in a bath solution (in this embodiment, pure water that has been subjected to reverse osmosis membrane treatment) in the first swelling treatment tank 10, and then the bath in the second swelling treatment tank 20. It is immersed in a liquid (in this embodiment, pure water that has been subjected to reverse osmosis membrane treatment). Here, the bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank 10 is set to 3 ° C. or more higher than the bath temperature of the second swelling treatment tank 20 (that is, the bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank 10 minus the second temperature). The bath temperature of the swelling treatment tank 20 ≧ 3 ° C.). As a preferred configuration, the bath temperatures of the first and second swelling treatment tanks 10 and 20 are set to 20 ° C. or more and 55 ° C. or less, respectively. The difference between the bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank 10 and the bath temperature of the second swelling treatment tank 20 is more preferably set to 5 ° C. or more, and even if the temperature difference is too large, the tension of the film is adjusted. Therefore, the temperature difference is preferably about 30 ° C. or less. Moreover, in the 1st and 2nd swelling process tanks 10 and 20 which concern on this embodiment, not only a swelling process but the extending | stretching process is also performed, and the draw ratio is a total of 1. It is preferably about 1 to 3.5 times. As the bath solution used in the swelling treatment tank, water such as pure water is generally used as described above, but it may be a solution containing an additive such as iodide or a crosslinking agent.

なお、本実施形態では、2つの膨潤処理槽10、20内の浴液に順次樹脂フィルムを浸漬する態様について説明したが、本発明はこれに限るものではなく、3つ以上の膨潤処理槽の浴液に順次樹脂フィルムを浸漬する態様を採用することも可能である。この際、少なくとも前段側から数えて第N番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温を、第(N+M)番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温よりも3℃以上高く設定(N、Mは共に1以上の所定の整数)する。例えば、N=1、M=2に設定した場合には、少なくとも第1番目の膨潤処理槽の浴温を第3番目の膨潤処理槽の浴温よりも3℃以上高く設定することを意味し、第2番目の膨潤処理槽の浴温や、第4番目以降の膨潤処理槽の浴温は限定されない。換言すれば、膨潤処理工程で使用する前段側の膨潤処理槽と、これよりも後段側に位置する膨潤処理槽との複数の組合せの内、前段側の膨潤処理槽の浴温−後段側の膨潤処理槽の浴温≧3℃となる組合せが少なくとも1組存在するように、各膨潤処理槽の浴温を設定すれば良い。   In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the aspect which immerses a resin film sequentially in the bath liquid in the two swelling processing tanks 10 and 20, this invention is not restricted to this, Three or more swelling processing tanks of It is also possible to adopt a mode in which the resin film is sequentially immersed in the bath liquid. At this time, at least the bath temperature of the Nth swelling treatment tank counted from the previous stage side is set 3 ° C. higher than the bath temperature of the (N + M) th swelling treatment tank (N and M are both A predetermined integer of 1 or more). For example, when N = 1 and M = 2 are set, it means that the bath temperature of at least the first swelling treatment tank is set at least 3 ° C. higher than the bath temperature of the third swelling treatment tank. The bath temperature of the second swelling treatment tank and the bath temperature of the fourth and subsequent swelling treatment tanks are not limited. In other words, among a plurality of combinations of the front-stage swelling treatment tank used in the swelling treatment step and the swelling treatment tank located on the rear stage side, the bath temperature of the front-stage swelling treatment tank-the rear-stage side What is necessary is just to set the bath temperature of each swelling processing tank so that there may be at least one combination that satisfies the bath temperature ≧ 3 ° C. of the swelling processing tank.

次に、第1の膨潤処理槽10及び第2の膨潤処理槽20で膨潤処理を施されたフィルムは、染色処理槽30に搬送される。染色処理槽30内の浴液としては、染料としての二色性物質を溶媒に溶解した溶液を用いることができ、当該溶液に前記フィルムが浸漬されることによって染色処理が施される。二色性物質としては、例えば、ヨウ素や有機染料等を例示することができる。斯かる二色性物質は、一種類でも良いし、二種類以上を併用して用いることも可能である。前記二色性物質としてヨウ素を用いる場合、染色効率をより一層向上させるべく、ヨウ化カリウム等のヨウ化物を添加することが好ましい。前記溶媒としては、水が一般的に使用されるが、水と相溶性のある有機溶媒をさらに添加しても良い。なお、本実施形態では、染色処理槽30を用いて染色処理を施す態様について説明したが、本発明はこれに限るものではなく、ポリビニルアルコール系材料に染料を直接混合してポリビニルアルコール系フィルムを作成することも可能である。   Next, the film subjected to the swelling treatment in the first swelling treatment tank 10 and the second swelling treatment tank 20 is conveyed to the dyeing treatment tank 30. As a bath solution in the dyeing treatment tank 30, a solution in which a dichroic substance as a dye is dissolved in a solvent can be used, and the dyeing treatment is performed by immersing the film in the solution. Examples of the dichroic substance include iodine and organic dyes. Such dichroic substances may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When iodine is used as the dichroic substance, it is preferable to add an iodide such as potassium iodide in order to further improve the dyeing efficiency. As the solvent, water is generally used, but an organic solvent compatible with water may be further added. In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the aspect which performs the dyeing | staining process using the dyeing | staining processing tank 30, this invention is not restricted to this, A dye is directly mixed with a polyvinyl alcohol-type material, and a polyvinyl-alcohol-type film is used. It is also possible to create it.

次に、染色処理槽30で染色処理を施されたフィルムは、延伸処理槽40に搬送され、一軸方向について延伸処理が施される。延伸処理槽40内の浴液としては、例えば、各種金属塩や、ヨウ素、ホウ素又は亜鉛の化合物を添加した溶液を用いることができ、特に、ホウ酸及び/又はヨウ化カリウムをそれぞれ2〜10重量%程度添加した溶液を用いることが好ましい。斯かる溶液の溶媒としては、水、エタノール又は各種有機溶媒を適宜用いることができる。また、延伸処理槽40における延伸倍率としては、1.1〜5倍程度にするのが好ましく、前工程で施した延伸倍率も合わせた累積延伸倍率としては、1.1〜7倍程度にするのが好ましい(3〜7倍にするのがより好ましく、5.3〜6.5倍が特に好ましい)。なお、本実施形態では、染色処理の後に一軸延伸を施す態様について説明したが、本発明はこれに限るものではなく、染色処理槽30に対して前段側(フィルム搬送方向上流側)に延伸処理槽40を設置(すなわち、第2の膨潤処理槽20の直後に延伸処理槽40を設置)し、一軸延伸を施した後に染色処理を施す態様を採用することも可能である。また、独立して延伸処理槽40を設置することなく、染色処理槽30内で染色処理と同時に延伸処理を施す態様等、他の処理と同時に延伸処理を施す態様を採用することも可能である。   Next, the film subjected to the dyeing process in the dyeing tank 30 is conveyed to the stretching tank 40 and subjected to the stretching process in the uniaxial direction. As the bath liquid in the stretching treatment tank 40, for example, a solution to which various metal salts and a compound of iodine, boron or zinc are added can be used, and in particular, boric acid and / or potassium iodide is 2 to 10 respectively. It is preferable to use a solution to which about% by weight is added. As a solvent of such a solution, water, ethanol, or various organic solvents can be appropriately used. The stretching ratio in the stretching tank 40 is preferably about 1.1 to 5 times, and the cumulative stretching ratio including the stretching ratio applied in the previous step is about 1.1 to 7 times. (3-7 times is more preferable, and 5.3-6.5 times is particularly preferable). In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the aspect which performs uniaxial stretching after dyeing | staining process, this invention is not restricted to this, Stretching process to the front | former stage side (film conveyance direction upstream side) with respect to the dyeing | staining processing tank 30 It is also possible to adopt a mode in which the tank 40 is installed (that is, the stretching treatment tank 40 is installed immediately after the second swelling treatment tank 20) and the dyeing treatment is performed after uniaxial stretching. Moreover, it is also possible to employ | adopt the aspect which performs an extending | stretching process simultaneously with other processes, such as the aspect which performs an extending | stretching process simultaneously with the dyeing | staining process within the dyeing | staining processing tank 30, without installing the extending | stretching process tank 40 independently. .

次に、延伸処理槽40で延伸処理を施されたフィルムは、固定化処理槽50に搬送され、固定化処理槽50内の浴液に浸漬されることにより、フィルムへの染色の効果を持続させるための固定化処理が施される。固定化処理槽50内の浴液としては、水や水と相溶性のある有機溶媒をさらに含んだ溶媒にホウ酸化合物等を溶解した溶液を用いることができる他、ヨウ化ナトリウムやヨウ化カリウム等を添加しても良い。   Next, the film subjected to the stretching treatment in the stretching treatment tank 40 is conveyed to the immobilization treatment tank 50 and immersed in the bath liquid in the immobilization treatment tank 50, thereby maintaining the effect of dyeing the film. An immobilization process is performed for the purpose. As a bath solution in the immobilization treatment tank 50, a solution obtained by dissolving a boric acid compound or the like in a solvent further containing water or an organic solvent compatible with water can be used, and sodium iodide or potassium iodide. Etc. may be added.

最後に、固定化処理槽50で固定化処理を施されたフィルムは、乾燥炉60に搬送され、好ましくは30℃〜150℃、より好ましくは50℃〜150℃の熱風によって乾燥処理が施され、偏光フィルムとして搬出される。   Finally, the film subjected to the immobilization treatment in the immobilization treatment tank 50 is conveyed to a drying furnace 60, and is preferably subjected to a drying treatment with hot air of 30 ° C to 150 ° C, more preferably 50 ° C to 150 ° C. , Carried out as a polarizing film.

以上に説明した製造方法によれば、第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴温を第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴温よりも3℃以上高く設定していることに起因して、第1の膨潤処理槽10内の浴液で樹脂フィルムの膨潤が進行し易く、樹脂フィルムの膨潤量が飽和に至るまでの時間が短縮される結果、膨潤処理工程に要する時間、ひいては偏光フィルムの製造に要する時間が短縮できる。また、第1の膨潤処理槽10内の浴液で樹脂フィルムの膨潤が進行するため、後続する染色処理槽30内の浴液での膨潤が抑制される結果、色ムラが少なく高品質の偏光フィルムを得ることが可能である。また、第1及び第2の膨潤処理槽10、20の浴温をそれぞれ20℃以上55℃以下に設定していることにより、樹脂フィルムが柔らかくなり過ぎず、破断するといった不具合が生じない一方、浴液の冷却が不要であり設備上の負担が生じないことに加え、樹脂フィルムの膨潤が進行し易くなるという利点がある。   According to the manufacturing method described above, the first swell treatment bath 10 has a bath temperature set at 3 ° C. or higher than the bath temperature of the second swell treatment bath 20. The swelling of the resin film easily proceeds with the bath solution in the swelling treatment tank 10 and the time until the swelling amount of the resin film reaches saturation is shortened. As a result, the time required for the swelling treatment process, and thus the production of the polarizing film is required. Time can be shortened. Further, since the swelling of the resin film proceeds in the bath liquid in the first swelling treatment tank 10, the swelling in the subsequent bath liquid in the dyeing treatment tank 30 is suppressed, resulting in high quality polarized light with less color unevenness. It is possible to obtain a film. In addition, by setting the bath temperatures of the first and second swelling treatment tanks 10 and 20 to 20 ° C. or more and 55 ° C. or less, respectively, the resin film does not become too soft and does not cause a problem such as breaking. In addition to the fact that cooling of the bath liquid is unnecessary and no burden is imposed on the equipment, there is an advantage that the swelling of the resin film easily proceeds.

なお、上記のようにして製造された偏光フィルムは、通常、両面又は片面に、位相差の無い光学的に透明で且つ機械的な強度を有する保護フィルムと貼り合わされ偏光板とされる。斯かる保護フィルムとしては、トリアセチルセルロースフィルムが好適に使用される。   In addition, the polarizing film manufactured as mentioned above is bonded to an optically transparent protective film having no phase difference on both sides or one side, and is usually used as a polarizing plate. A triacetyl cellulose film is preferably used as such a protective film.

また、上記のようにして製造された偏光フィルム(或いは偏光板)は、実用に際して各種光学層を積層した光学フィルムの態様で用いることもできる。斯かる光学層としては、例えば、偏光フィルム表面の傷付き防止等を目的としたハードコート層、偏光フィルム表面での外光の反射防止を目的とした反射防止層、隣接層との密着防止を目的としたスティッキング防止層、偏光フィルムの透過光を拡散して視野角を拡大するための拡散層、偏光フィルム表面での外光の反射防止等を目的として微細な凹凸構造が付与されたアンチグレア層などを例示することができる。その他、反射板、半透過板、位相差板(1/2波長板、1/4波長板を含む)、視覚補償フィルム、輝度向上フィルム等を1層又は2層以上貼り合わせた光学フィルムの態様で用いることも可能である。   Moreover, the polarizing film (or polarizing plate) manufactured as mentioned above can also be used in the form of an optical film in which various optical layers are laminated in practical use. As such an optical layer, for example, a hard coat layer for the purpose of preventing scratches on the surface of the polarizing film, an antireflection layer for the purpose of preventing reflection of external light on the surface of the polarizing film, and prevention of adhesion between adjacent layers. Anti-sticking layer intended for diffusion, diffusion layer for diffusing the light transmitted through the polarizing film to expand the viewing angle, anti-glare layer with a fine concavo-convex structure for the purpose of preventing reflection of external light on the surface of the polarizing film Etc. can be illustrated. In addition, a mode of an optical film in which a reflecting plate, a semi-transmissive plate, a phase difference plate (including a half-wave plate and a quarter-wave plate), a visual compensation film, a brightness enhancement film, etc. are bonded together. Can also be used.

また、本実施形態に係る偏光板又は光学フィルムは、液晶表示装置を初めとして、有機EL表示装置、PDPなど各種画像表示装置の構成部品として好ましく用いることができる。例えば、液晶表示装置は、上記光学フィルムなどを液晶セルの片側または両側に配置してなる透過型や反射型あるいは透過・反射両用型等の従来に準じた適宜な構造とすることができる。液晶表示装置を形成する液晶セルは任意であり、例えば薄膜トランジスタ型に代表されるアクティブマトリクス駆動型のものなどの適宜なタイプの液晶セルを用いたものであっても良い。また、液晶セルの両側に本実施形態に係る光学フィルムを設ける場合、それらは同じ物であってもよいし、異なるものであってもよい。さらに、液晶表示装置の形成に際しては、例えばプリズムアレイシートやレンズアレイシート、拡散板やバックライトなどの適宜な部品を適宜な位置に1層または2層以上配置することができる。   Moreover, the polarizing plate or optical film which concerns on this embodiment can be preferably used as a component of various image display apparatuses, such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, and PDP. For example, the liquid crystal display device can have an appropriate structure according to the prior art such as a transmissive type, a reflective type, or a transmissive / reflective type in which the above optical film or the like is disposed on one side or both sides of a liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell forming the liquid crystal display device is arbitrary, and for example, a liquid crystal cell of an appropriate type such as an active matrix driving type typified by a thin film transistor type may be used. Moreover, when providing the optical film which concerns on this embodiment on both sides of a liquid crystal cell, they may be the same thing and may differ. Furthermore, when forming the liquid crystal display device, for example, appropriate components such as a prism array sheet, a lens array sheet, a diffusion plate, and a backlight can be arranged in one or more layers at appropriate positions.

以下、実施例及び比較例を示すことにより、本発明の特徴をより一層明らかにする。   Hereinafter, the features of the present invention will be further clarified by showing examples and comparative examples.

<実施例1>
樹脂フィルムとして、ケン化度が95%以上で、重合度が2000以上とされたクラレ製のポリビニルアルコールフィルム(重合度2400)を用い、図1に示す製造ラインで偏光フィルムを製造した。逆浸透膜処理を施した純水を浴液とする第1の膨潤処理槽10及び第2の膨潤処理槽20では、膨潤処理のみならず延伸処理も施し、その延伸倍率は、2槽で計2.7倍(第1の膨潤処理槽10で2倍、第2の膨潤処理槽20で1.35倍)とした。第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴温は40℃とし、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で21秒とした。なお、所定の浸漬時間毎にフィルムを第1の膨潤処理槽10から引き上げ、後述する膨潤ひずみを測定した。第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴温は28℃とし、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で64秒とした。第2の膨潤処理槽20についても、所定の浸漬時間毎にフィルムを引き上げ、後述する膨潤ひずみを測定した。染色処理槽30内の浴液は、逆浸透膜処理を施した純水を溶媒として濃度1g/lでヨウ素を溶解した温度30℃の溶液とした。延伸処理槽40内の浴液は、純水を溶媒として濃度4重量%のホウ酸を添加した温度50℃の溶液とし、1.5倍の延伸倍率で一軸延伸を施した。固定化処理槽50内の浴液は、純水を溶媒として濃度5重量%のヨウ化カリウムを添加した常温の溶液とした。乾燥炉60では、60℃の熱風によって乾燥処理を施した。
<Example 1>
As a resin film, a Kuraray polyvinyl alcohol film (polymerization degree 2400) having a saponification degree of 95% or more and a polymerization degree of 2000 or more was used, and a polarizing film was produced on the production line shown in FIG. In the first swelling treatment tank 10 and the second swelling treatment tank 20 using pure water subjected to reverse osmosis membrane treatment as a bath solution, not only swelling treatment but also stretching treatment is performed, and the stretching ratio is measured in two baths. 2.7 times (twice in the first swelling treatment tank 10 and 1.35 times in the second swelling treatment tank 20). The bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank 10 was 40 ° C., and the time for immersion in the bath solution was 21 seconds at the longest. In addition, the film was pulled up from the first swelling treatment tank 10 every predetermined immersion time, and the swelling strain described later was measured. The bath temperature of the second swelling treatment tank 20 was 28 ° C., and the maximum immersion time was 64 seconds. Also about the 2nd swelling processing tank 20, the film was pulled up for every predetermined immersion time, and the swelling distortion mentioned later was measured. The bath solution in the dyeing treatment tank 30 was a solution at a temperature of 30 ° C. in which iodine was dissolved at a concentration of 1 g / l using pure water subjected to reverse osmosis membrane treatment as a solvent. The bath solution in the stretching tank 40 was a solution at a temperature of 50 ° C. in which pure water was used as a solvent and boric acid having a concentration of 4% by weight was added, and uniaxial stretching was performed at a stretching ratio of 1.5 times. The bath solution in the immobilization tank 50 was a room temperature solution in which pure iodide was used as a solvent and potassium iodide having a concentration of 5 wt% was added. In the drying furnace 60, the drying process was performed with hot air at 60 ° C.

<実施例2>
第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴温を50℃としたこと以外は、実施例1と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Example 2>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank 10 was 50 ° C.

<実施例3>
第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で10秒とし、第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴温を30℃、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で32秒としたこと以外は、実施例1と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Example 3>
Except that the time to immerse in the bath liquid of the first swelling treatment tank 10 is 10 seconds at the longest, the bath temperature of the second swelling treatment tank 20 is 30 ° C., and the time to immerse in the bath liquid is 32 seconds at most. Produced a polarizing film under the same conditions as in Example 1.

<実施例4>
第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴温を35℃としたこと以外は、実施例3と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Example 4>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that the bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank 10 was 35 ° C.

<実施例5>
第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で10秒としたこと以外は、実施例1と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Example 5>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the time for immersion in the bath solution of the second swelling treatment tank 20 was 10 seconds at the longest.

<実施例6>
第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で10秒としたこと以外は、実施例2と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Example 6>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 2 except that the time for immersion in the bath solution of the second swelling treatment tank 20 was 10 seconds at the longest.

<実施例7>
第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で17秒とし、第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で11秒としたこと以外は、実施例3と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Example 7>
Example 3 except that the time of immersion in the bath liquid of the first swelling treatment tank 10 is 17 seconds at the longest and the time of immersion in the bath liquid of the second swelling treatment tank 20 is 11 seconds at the longest. A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions.

<比較例1>
膨潤処理槽(延伸処理も施す)を1槽のみとし、その浴温を28℃、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で155秒とした以外は、実施例1と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Comparative Example 1>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1, except that only one swelling treatment tank (also subjected to stretching treatment) was used, the bath temperature was 28 ° C., and the time for immersion in the bath solution was 155 seconds at the longest. .

<比較例2>
膨潤処理槽(延伸処理も施す)を1槽のみとし、その浴温を40℃、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で155秒とした以外は、実施例1と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Comparative example 2>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that only one swelling treatment tank (also subjected to stretching treatment) was used, the bath temperature was 40 ° C., and the immersion time in the bath solution was 155 seconds at the longest. .

<比較例3>
膨潤処理槽(延伸処理も施す)を1槽のみとし、その浴温を50℃、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で155秒とした以外は、実施例1と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Comparative Example 3>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that only one swelling treatment tank (also subjected to stretching treatment) was used, the bath temperature was 50 ° C., and the time for immersion in the bath solution was 155 seconds at the longest. .

<比較例4>
第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴温を30℃としたこと以外は、実施例3と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Comparative example 4>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that the bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank 10 was 30 ° C.

<比較例5>
膨潤処理槽(延伸処理も施す)を1槽のみとし、その浴温を40℃、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で40秒とした以外は、実施例1と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Comparative Example 5>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1, except that only one swelling treatment tank (also subjected to stretching treatment) was used, the bath temperature was 40 ° C., and the immersion time in the bath solution was 40 seconds at the longest. .

<比較例6>
膨潤処理槽(延伸処理も施す)を1槽のみとし、その浴温を30℃、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で40秒とした以外は、実施例1と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Comparative Example 6>
A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that only one swelling treatment tank (also subjected to stretching treatment) was used, the bath temperature was 30 ° C., and the time for immersion in the bath solution was 40 seconds at the longest. .

<比較例7>
第1の膨潤処理槽10の浴温を30℃、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で32秒とし、第2の膨潤処理槽20の浴温を35℃、浴液に浸漬する時間を最長で10秒としたこと以外は、実施例1と同じ条件で偏光フィルムを製造した。
<Comparative Example 7>
The bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank 10 is 30 ° C., the time for immersion in the bath solution is 32 seconds at the longest, the bath temperature of the second swelling treatment tank 20 is 35 ° C., and the time for immersion in the bath solution is the longest. A polarizing film was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the time was 10 seconds.

なお、実施例1〜7及び比較例1〜7に示す膨潤処理槽の浴温は、以下の方法で測定した値である。すなわち、膨潤処理槽内の浴液中の複数点(膨潤処理槽の幅方向に沿って略等間隔に3点、長手方向に沿って略等間隔に3点、深さ方向に沿って略等間隔に3点の計27点)に熱電対を設置し、各点に設置した熱電対によってそれぞれ所定時間測定した温度の平均値を浴温とした。   In addition, the bath temperature of the swelling process tank shown in Examples 1-7 and Comparative Examples 1-7 is the value measured with the following method. That is, a plurality of points in the bath liquid in the swelling treatment tank (three points at substantially equal intervals along the width direction of the swelling treatment tank, three points at substantially equal intervals along the longitudinal direction, substantially equal along the depth direction, etc. Thermocouples were installed at a total of 27 points at three intervals), and the average value of the temperatures measured for a predetermined time by the thermocouples installed at each point was defined as the bath temperature.

<評価結果1>
実施例1、2及び比較例1〜3について、膨潤処理槽での浸漬時間と膨潤ひずみとの関係を評価した。その結果を図2に示す。図2の横軸は浸漬時間であり、実施例1、2の場合には、第1の膨潤処理槽10及び第2の膨潤処理槽20での浸漬時間の総計(第1の膨潤処理槽10での浸漬が終了してから第2の膨潤処理槽20での浸漬が開始されるまでの時間は含まない)を示す。一方、比較例1〜3の場合には、一の膨潤処理槽での浸漬時間を示す。また、図2の縦軸は膨潤ひずみを示す。
<Evaluation result 1>
About Example 1, 2 and Comparative Examples 1-3, the relationship between the immersion time in a swelling processing tank and swelling distortion was evaluated. The result is shown in FIG. The horizontal axis of FIG. 2 is the immersion time. In the case of Examples 1 and 2, the total immersion time in the first swelling treatment tank 10 and the second swelling treatment tank 20 (the first swelling treatment tank 10 It does not include the time from the end of the immersion in step 2 until the start of the immersion in the second swelling treatment tank 20). On the other hand, in the case of Comparative Examples 1-3, the immersion time in one swelling processing tank is shown. Moreover, the vertical axis | shaft of FIG. 2 shows swelling distortion.

ここで、膨潤ひずみとは、フィルムを延伸した場合の変形挙動をアフィン変形と仮定(延伸前後のフィルムの体積が一定であると仮定)して計算したフィルム幅と、膨潤処理槽における延伸後に実測したフィルム幅との差を測定し、当該測定値を変形前のフィルム幅で除算した値を意味する。この算出した膨潤ひずみにより、フィルムの膨潤状態を評価することが可能である。つまり、膨潤処理を施す時間(膨潤処理槽内の浴液に浸漬する時間)を変化させても膨潤ひずみの測定値が変化しない場合には、フィルムの膨潤量が飽和したと判断できる。   Here, the swelling strain means the film width calculated by assuming that the deformation behavior when the film is stretched is affine deformation (assuming the volume of the film before and after stretching is constant), and measured after stretching in the swelling treatment tank. It means a value obtained by measuring a difference from the film width and dividing the measured value by the film width before deformation. The swelling state of the film can be evaluated based on the calculated swelling strain. That is, it can be determined that the amount of swelling of the film is saturated if the measured value of the swelling strain does not change even when the time for performing the swelling treatment (the time for immersion in the bath solution in the swelling treatment tank) is changed.

図2に示すように、実施例1、2の場合には、比較例1〜3の場合に比べて、フィルムの膨潤量が飽和に至る(膨潤ひずみの値が変化しなくなる)までに要する時間が短縮され(比較例1〜3の場合には、浸漬時間を最長にしても膨潤量は飽和に至らなかった)、膨潤処理工程に要する時間、ひいては偏光フィルムの製造に要する時間が短縮できることが分かった。   As shown in FIG. 2, in the case of Examples 1 and 2, as compared with the case of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the time required until the amount of swelling of the film reaches saturation (the value of swelling strain does not change). (In the case of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the amount of swelling did not reach saturation even when the immersion time was maximized), and the time required for the swelling treatment process, and hence the time required for the production of the polarizing film, can be shortened. I understood.

<評価結果2>
実施例1〜7及び比較例1〜7について、浸漬時間を最長にした場合に得られた偏光フィルムの偏光度及び色ムラ(外観)とを評価した。その結果を表1に示す。なお、表1には、膨潤処理槽における樹脂フィルムの浸漬時間の総計も併せて記載した。ここで、偏光度は、製造した偏光フィルムから25mm×40mmのサンプルを切り出し、村上色彩製のspectro photometer DOT-3Cを使用して評価した。また、色ムラは、前記サンプルを観察用偏光板の上に偏光軸が互いに直交するように載置し、3波長の蛍光灯で照射してその均一性を観察することにより評価した。より具体的に説明すれば、先ず前記蛍光灯で照射した前記サンプルの透過光をカメラで撮像し、当該撮像画像を画像処理することによってサンプル幅方向の輝度分布を算出した。次に、算出した輝度分布(横軸:距離、縦軸:輝度)を粗さ曲線に見立てて、算術平均粗さ(Ra)を算出し、当該Raによって色ムラを数値化した。そして、Raが小さいほど、輝度分布の凹凸が少なく良好な外観であると判断した。

Figure 0004229932
<Evaluation result 2>
About Examples 1-7 and Comparative Examples 1-7, the polarization degree and color nonuniformity (appearance) of the polarizing film obtained when immersion time was made the longest were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1. In Table 1, the total immersion time of the resin film in the swelling treatment tank is also shown. Here, the degree of polarization was evaluated by using a spectro photometer DOT-3C manufactured by Murakami Color by cutting a 25 mm × 40 mm sample from the produced polarizing film. In addition, the color unevenness was evaluated by placing the sample on the observation polarizing plate so that the polarization axes are orthogonal to each other, and irradiating the sample with a three-wavelength fluorescent lamp and observing the uniformity. More specifically, first, the transmitted light of the sample irradiated with the fluorescent lamp was imaged by a camera, and the luminance distribution in the sample width direction was calculated by performing image processing on the captured image. Next, the calculated luminance distribution (horizontal axis: distance, vertical axis: luminance) was regarded as a roughness curve, arithmetic average roughness (Ra) was calculated, and color unevenness was quantified by the Ra. And it was judged that the smaller the Ra, the less the unevenness of the luminance distribution and the better the appearance.
Figure 0004229932

表1に示すように、実施例1〜7の場合における偏光度及び色ムラは良好な結果を示しており、色ムラが少なく高品質の偏光フィルムが得られることが分かった。なお、実施例5は、実施例1における第2の膨潤処理槽の浸漬時間を短縮したものに相当し、実施例6は、実施例2における第2の膨潤処理槽の浸漬時間を短縮したものに相当するが、これらの実施例のように短時間の浸漬時間であっても、十分に色ムラが少なく高品質の偏光フィルムが得られることが分かった。特に、実施例7は、第1の膨潤処理槽10及び第2の膨潤処理槽20での浸漬時間の総計が28秒と極めて短時間であるにも関わらず、十分に色ムラが少なく高品質の偏光フィルムが得られており、偏光フィルムの品質を損なうことなく、偏光フィルムの製造に要する時間を顕著に短縮できる。   As shown in Table 1, the degree of polarization and color unevenness in Examples 1 to 7 showed good results, and it was found that high-quality polarizing films were obtained with little color unevenness. In addition, Example 5 is equivalent to what shortened the immersion time of the 2nd swelling processing tank in Example 1, and Example 6 was what shortened the immersion time of the 2nd swelling processing tank in Example 2. However, it was found that even in the case of a short immersion time as in these examples, a high-quality polarizing film with sufficiently small color unevenness can be obtained. In particular, in Example 7, although the total immersion time in the first swelling treatment tank 10 and the second swelling treatment tank 20 is as short as 28 seconds, the color quality is sufficiently small and high quality. Thus, the time required for producing the polarizing film can be remarkably shortened without impairing the quality of the polarizing film.

これに対し、比較例1〜3の偏光フィルムについては、膨潤量は飽和に至らなかったものの、浸漬時間を最長(155秒)にすることによって、膨潤ひずみの単位時間当たりの変化量は比較的小さくなっている(図2参照)。このため、膨潤処理槽に後続する染色処理槽内の浴液にフィルムを浸漬した際に再膨潤し難く、色ムラの少ない偏光フィルムが得られたと考えられる。しかしながら、実施例1〜7の場合に比べれば、比較例1〜3の偏光フィルムは、膨潤処理槽での長い浸漬時間を必要とすることから、偏光フィルムの製造に要する時間を短縮できないという問題が残存することになる。一方、偏光フィルムの製造に要する時間を短縮するという観点から、比較例4〜7のように、膨潤処理槽での浸漬時間の総計を短時間に設定した(特に、比較例4、7では、浸漬時間の総計を短時間に設定するのに加えて、第2の膨潤処理槽の浴温≧第1の膨潤処理槽の浴温とした)のでは、膨潤処理槽に後続する染色処理槽内の浴液にフィルムを浸漬した際に再膨潤してしまい、染色ムラが生じてしまうことが分かった。   In contrast, for the polarizing films of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, although the swelling amount did not reach saturation, the amount of change per unit time of the swelling strain was relatively long by making the immersion time the longest (155 seconds). It has become smaller (see FIG. 2). For this reason, it is thought that when the film was immersed in the bath liquid in the dyeing tank subsequent to the swelling tank, it was difficult to re-swell and a polarizing film with little color unevenness was obtained. However, compared with the case of Examples 1-7, since the polarizing film of Comparative Examples 1-3 requires the long immersion time in a swelling processing tank, the problem that the time which manufactures a polarizing film cannot be shortened Will remain. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of shortening the time required for the production of the polarizing film, as in Comparative Examples 4 to 7, the total immersion time in the swelling treatment tank was set to a short time (particularly, in Comparative Examples 4 and 7, In addition to setting the total immersion time to a short time, the bath temperature of the second swelling treatment tank is equal to or greater than the bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank. It was found that when the film was immersed in this bath solution, it re-swelled and uneven dyeing occurred.

図1は、本発明の一実施形態に係る偏光フィルムの製造方法を実施するための製造ラインを概略的に示すブロック図である。FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a production line for carrying out a method for producing a polarizing film according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図2は、本発明の一実施例に係る膨潤処理について、膨潤処理槽での浸漬時間と膨潤ひずみとの関係を示すグラフである。FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the immersion time in the swelling treatment tank and the swelling strain for the swelling treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

10・・・第1の膨潤処理槽
20・・・第2の膨潤処理槽
30・・・染色処理槽
40・・・延伸処理槽
50・・・固定化処理槽
60・・・乾燥炉
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st swelling processing tank 20 ... 2nd swelling processing tank 30 ... Dyeing processing tank 40 ... Stretching processing tank 50 ... Immobilization processing tank 60 ... Drying furnace

Claims (7)

ポリビニルアルコール系フィルム等の樹脂フィルムを膨潤処理工程及びこれに後続する染色処理工程を含む製造工程において一軸延伸することにより偏光フィルムを製造する方法であって、
前記膨潤処理工程において、樹脂フィルムを少なくとも2つ以上の膨潤処理槽内の浴液に順次浸漬する手順を含み、
少なくとも前段側から数えて第N番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温を、第(N+M)番目に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温よりも3℃以上高く設定(N、Mは共に1以上の所定の整数)することを特徴とする偏光フィルムの製造方法。
A method for producing a polarizing film by uniaxially stretching a resin film such as a polyvinyl alcohol film in a production process including a swelling treatment step and a subsequent dyeing treatment step,
In the swelling treatment step, the method includes sequentially immersing the resin film in a bath solution in at least two swelling treatment tanks,
At least the bath temperature of the swelling treatment tank located at the Nth position counted from the front side is set 3 ° C. or more higher than the bath temperature of the (N + M) th swelling treatment tank (N and M are both 1 or more) A predetermined integer)). A method for producing a polarizing film.
前記膨潤処理工程において、樹脂フィルムを第1の膨潤処理槽内の浴液に浸漬した後、前記第1の膨潤処理槽に後続する第2の膨潤処理槽内の浴液に浸漬する手順を含み、
前記第1の膨潤処理槽の浴温を前記第2の膨潤処理槽の浴温よりも3℃以上高く設定することを特徴とする請求項1に記載の偏光フィルムの製造方法。
In the swelling treatment step, after the resin film is immersed in the bath liquid in the first swelling treatment tank, the resin film is immersed in the bath liquid in the second swelling treatment tank following the first swelling treatment tank. ,
The method for producing a polarizing film according to claim 1, wherein the bath temperature of the first swelling treatment tank is set 3 ° C. or more higher than the bath temperature of the second swelling treatment tank.
前記各膨潤処理槽の浴温を20℃以上55℃以下に設定することを特徴とする請求項1又は2に記載の偏光フィルムの製造方法。   The method for producing a polarizing film according to claim 1, wherein the bath temperature of each swelling treatment tank is set to 20 ° C. or more and 55 ° C. or less. 前記染色処理工程において、樹脂フィルムを浸漬する染色処理槽の浴温を20℃以上50℃以下に設定することを特徴とする請求項1から3のいずれかに記載の偏光フィルムの製造方法。   4. The method for producing a polarizing film according to claim 1, wherein in the dyeing treatment step, a bath temperature of a dyeing treatment tank in which the resin film is immersed is set to 20 ° C. or more and 50 ° C. or less. 前記染色処理工程で使用する染色処理槽の直前に位置する膨潤処理槽の浴温と、前記染色処理槽の浴温との差を5℃以下に設定することを特徴とする請求項1から4のいずれかに記載の偏光フィルムの製造方法。   5. The difference between the bath temperature of the swelling treatment tank located immediately before the dyeing treatment tank used in the dyeing treatment step and the bath temperature of the dyeing treatment tank is set to 5 ° C. or less. The manufacturing method of the polarizing film in any one of. 前記各膨潤処理槽内の浴液への樹脂フィルムの浸漬時間の総計が50秒以下であることを特徴とする請求項1から5のいずれかに記載の偏光フィルムの製造方法。   The method for producing a polarizing film according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the total immersion time of the resin film in the bath liquid in each swelling treatment tank is 50 seconds or less. 前記樹脂フィルムは、ケン化度が95%以上で、重合度が2000以上とされていることを特徴とする請求項1から6のいずれかに記載の偏光フィルムの製造方法。   The method for producing a polarizing film according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the resin film has a saponification degree of 95% or more and a polymerization degree of 2000 or more.
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