JP6106923B2 - Image recording medium manufacturing apparatus and medium manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording medium manufacturing apparatus and a medium manufacturing method.

  An imaging unit that forms an image on the print medium PA, and a lens formation unit that forms a lenticular lens LS on the print medium PA on which the image is formed. The lens formation unit preferably prints the lenticular lens LS A technique of forming in a partial region RG of the medium PA is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2009-116139 A

  As a method of forming a lenticular lens, a plurality of linear grooves are cut in parallel on the base, and partition walls are formed on both sides of each groove (boundary partition walls), and between each boundary partition wall and an adjacent boundary partition wall. There is a method of pouring and solidifying a liquid lenticular lens material. If there is too much liquid material in this method, the liquid of the material will flow to the edge of the boundary wall that is formed, and the optical properties at the part where the material liquid penetrates into the groove between the two partition walls in one boundary partition wall due to capillary action May change.

The invention according to claim 1 is an apparatus for manufacturing an image recording medium, wherein the material resin surface has a predetermined length and a cross-sectional shape in a direction intersecting the length direction is an M-shaped linear shape. The first forming means for forming the boundary partition wall at a predetermined interval, the boundary partition wall and the boundary partition wall adjacent to the first forming means, the length of the boundary partition wall at least on one side thereof A second forming means for forming a partition in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, a dropping means for dropping a liquid transparent resin material between each boundary partition and an adjacent boundary partition, and curing the dropped transparent resin material Curing means to be laminated, and laminating means for laminating the material resin on another medium on which an image is formed.

A second aspect of the present invention is the image recording medium manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first forming means has a blade, and the predetermined length is formed on the surface of the material resin by the blade. The second forming means has a blade, and the blade extends between each boundary partition wall and the adjacent boundary partition wall by the blade. A cut is made on at least one side of the direction end.

A third aspect of the present invention is the image recording medium manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the second forming means extends between each boundary partition wall and the boundary partition wall adjacent to the boundary partition wall. It is a means for forming a liquid repellent portion for repelling the liquid transparent resin material on at least one side of the longitudinal end portion.

The invention according to claim 4 is a method for manufacturing an image recording medium, wherein a linear boundary partition wall having a predetermined length and a groove is cut on a material resin surface at predetermined intervals. Step of forming, liquid transparent resin in a direction crossing the length direction on at least one side of the length direction end portion of the boundary partition wall, spanning between each boundary partition wall and the boundary partition wall adjacent thereto A step of forming a flow blocking portion for blocking the flow of the material, a dropping step of dropping the liquid transparent resin material between each boundary partition wall and the boundary partition adjacent to the boundary partition wall, and curing for curing the dropped transparent resin material step, and, the material resin, saw including a laminating step of laminating the other media to form an image, the boundary partition wall, in which the cross-sectional shape was to be formed to form a M-shape.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the method of manufacturing the image recording medium according to the fourth aspect, wherein the flow blocking portion is a partition wall provided on at least one side of the longitudinal end portion of the semi-cylindrical convex portion. It is supposed to be.
The invention according to claim 6 is the method for manufacturing an image recording medium according to claim 4, wherein the flow preventing portion is provided on at least one surface of the longitudinal end portion of the semicylindrical convex portion. The liquid material is a liquid repellent part that repels the liquid material.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image recording medium manufacturing apparatus in which the three-dimensional region is formed of the liquid material, the optical characteristics of the end of the three-dimensional region are higher than when the second forming means is not provided. An apparatus for manufacturing an image recording medium with reduced changes can be provided.

According to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to reduce the change in the optical characteristics of the end of the three-dimensional region by forming the partition wall.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the change in the optical characteristics of the end of the three-dimensional region by forming the liquid repellent portion.

According to the invention described in each of claims 4 to 6, in the method of manufacturing the image recording medium in which the three-dimensional region is formed of the liquid material, the end of the three-dimensional region is compared with the case where the flow blocking portion is not provided. Changes in optical characteristics can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an image recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing showing the example of the image recording medium which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram showing an example of a medium forming apparatus for manufacturing an image recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a manufacturing process of the image recording medium according to the embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing which concerns on an example of the image recording medium which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram showing another example of a medium forming apparatus for manufacturing an image recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing another example of the manufacturing process of the image recording medium which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image recording medium 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first medium 11 and a second medium 12 that are stacked on each other. Here, an image including a lenticular image is formed on at least the surface of the first medium 11 on the side where the second medium 12 is disposed.

  Here, since the lenticular image is widely known, a simple explanation will be given. A plurality of n types of images V1, V2,... , V i, 1, V i, 1,..., And a set of strip-shaped image portions cut out from the images V 1 to Vn. (Direction perpendicular to each other). That is, they are sequentially arranged as V1,1, V2,1,... Vn, 1, V1,2, V2,2,.

  The second medium 12 has a three-dimensional region 21 formed on the substrate layer 20. Here, the substrate layer 20 is formed by forming a light-transmitting resin such as amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (A-PET) or other transparent material into a flat plate shape. The surface of the substrate layer 20 is a substantially smooth surface. Further, the substrate layer 20 transmits the image of the corresponding portion (the portion immediately below) on the first medium 11 as it is.

  The three-dimensional region 21 is a region in which a lens that refracts and transmits an image of a corresponding portion on the first medium 11 is formed using the same material as the substrate layer 20. It is integrated. Specifically, this lens is an array of lenticular lenses, and as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of lenticular lenses 25, which are semicylindrical (cylindrical) convex portions, are arranged in parallel to each other. .

  In the present embodiment, a second partition wall 26 is formed on at least one side of the longitudinal end of the lenticular lens 25 included in the three-dimensional region 21 of the substrate layer 20 to prevent the liquid material from flowing during manufacturing. Has been. The second partition wall 26 may be formed as a convex portion of the substrate layer 20 that extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lenticular lens 25. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image recording medium 1 according to an example of the present embodiment, taken along the longitudinal direction of the lenticular lens 25. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in an example of the present embodiment, second partition walls 26 each having an M-shaped cross section are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lenticular lens 25.

  Specifically, the image recording medium 1 may be formed as follows using the medium forming apparatus 30 illustrated in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the medium forming apparatus 30 includes a stage 31, a cutting unit 32, a resin discharge unit 33, a light irradiation unit 34, and a control unit 35.

  Here, the stage 31 includes a plane that supports the workpiece W to be processed. The cutting unit 32 forms a groove on the surface of the second medium 12 placed on the stage 31 in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 35. The operation of the cutting unit 32 will be described later.

  In accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 35, the resin discharge unit 33 discharges a liquid photo-curing resin (transparent resin material) to an instructed position on the medium surface placed on the stage 31. Since such a resin discharge part 33 can employ | adopt a widely known thing, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. The light irradiation unit 34 emits light (for example, ultraviolet light) having a wavelength that cures the resin discharged by the resin discharge unit 33.

  The control unit 35 includes a microcomputer and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit. The program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) and stored in a storage unit in the microcomputer. In the present embodiment, the control unit 35 controls the cutting unit 32 and the resin discharge unit 33. Details of the control by the control unit 35 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the second medium 12 is formed on the sheet-like first medium 11 on which a lenticular image is formed in advance. That is, the first medium 11 is first guided and arranged on the stage 31. The control unit 35 controls the resin discharge unit 33 to discharge the resin substantially uniformly onto the first medium 11. Further, the control unit 35 controls the light irradiation unit 34 to irradiate the applied resin with light to solidify the discharged resin.

  Thereby, the substrate layer 20 which is a resin layer having a substantially uniform thickness is formed on the first medium 11 (S1). In the present embodiment, the substrate layer 20 is subjected to a well-known surface processing treatment, and irregularities such that the N-point average height Rz is 1 μm ≦ Rz are formed on the surface. Also good.

  Next, the control unit 35 controls the cutting unit 32 so that the surface of the substrate layer 20 corresponding to the lenticular image of the first medium 11 (the portion where the lenticular image is located immediately below) is included in the lenticular image. A groove extending in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the image portion is formed. In an example of the present embodiment, the cutting unit 32 is provided with a blade in the Y-axis direction and is symmetric in the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the Y-axis in the surface of the substrate layer 20) Cutting head 32b (corresponding to the first forming means) and symmetrical in the Y-axis direction (direction perpendicular to the X-axis in the surface of the substrate layer 20) (in the second forming means) Equivalent). In another example of the present embodiment, the cutting unit 32 is provided with a blade in one axial direction, a cutting head that is symmetric in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and a blade of the cutting head in the X axis or A means for rotating the cutting head so as to be directed in the Y-axis direction may be provided (in this case, the cutting head and its rotating mechanism also serve as first and second forming means).

  The control unit 35 has a cutting head 32a of the cutting unit 32 at a position on one end side in the X-axis direction of the lenticular image formed on the first medium 11 (in the case of including a means for rotating the cutting head, the blade in the Y-axis direction). The cutting portion 32 is cut while moving in the Y-axis direction, and grooves are formed on the surface of the substrate layer 20 over the length of the lenticular image in the Y-axis direction.

  Next, the control unit 35 moves the cutting head 32a in the X-axis direction by the width of the n strip-shaped image portions included in the lenticular image (by the predetermined lens pitch width), and again the cutting head. 32a is cut while moving in the Y-axis direction to form grooves on the surface of the substrate layer 20 over the length of the lenticular image in the Y-axis direction. This lens pitch is set in advance as about 250 μm, for example. Hereinafter, the control unit 35 controls the cutting unit 32 to move in the X-axis direction by the lens pitch width and cut in the Y-axis direction until a groove is formed on the other end side of the lenticular image. . On both sides of this groove, the parts cut out by cutting rise and become convex (partition walls). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the surface of the substrate layer 20 has an M-shaped section when broken in the X-axis direction, and irregularities (hereinafter referred to as boundary partition walls) extending along the Y-axis are formed. (S2 in FIG. 4).

  The control unit 35 has a cutting head 32b (cutting) of the cutting unit 32 in the vicinity of one end side in the Y-axis direction of the boundary partition formed on the substrate layer 20 (within a predetermined range from one end side to the other end side). In the case of a device provided with means for rotating the head, the blade is directed in the X-axis direction. Then, the control unit 35 cuts the cutting head 32b while moving in the X-axis direction, and forms a groove on the surface of the substrate layer 20 over the length of the lenticular image in the X-axis direction.

  The control unit 35 also has a cutting head 32b of the cutting unit 32 in the vicinity of the other end side in the Y-axis direction of the boundary partition formed on the substrate layer 20 (within a predetermined range from the other end side to the one end side). (If the cutting head is provided with means for rotating, the blade is directed in the X-axis direction), and the cutting head 32b is moved while moving in the X-axis direction to cut the length of the lenticular image in the X-axis direction. In addition, grooves may be formed on the surface of the substrate layer 20.

  As a result, the second partition wall 26 that prevents the flow of the material of the liquid lenticular lens 25 is formed on at least one side of the longitudinal end portion of the portion where the lenticular lens 25 is to be formed (S3 in FIG. 4). .

  The control unit 35 further controls the resin discharge unit 33 to position the discharge port in a region surrounded by the formed boundary partition wall and the second partition wall 26 and move it in the Y-axis direction over the longitudinal direction of the groove. Then, the resin is discharged into a region surrounded by the boundary partition wall and the second partition wall 26 (S4 in FIG. 4). The contact angle at the end of the boundary wall of the discharged resin is increased by the angle between the angle parallel to the surface and the groove formed by cutting, so that the cross-section rises in a semicircular shape. A semi-cylindrical shape having a longitudinal direction in the Y-axis direction.

  If unevenness is formed on the surface of the substrate layer 20 at this time, the wettability on the surface is improved as compared with the case where there is no unevenness, so that the flow in the Y-axis direction is further suppressed. At this time, the resin of the same material as that of the substrate layer 20 also enters the concave portion on the surface of the substrate layer 20.

  When a semi-cylindrical resin having a desired length is discharged in the length direction of the groove, the control unit 35 causes the resin discharge unit 33 to stop discharging the resin. At this time, even when the amount of resin discharged is larger than the expected amount, the resin leaches out beyond the longitudinal end of the portion where the lenticular lens 25 is to be formed by the action of the second partition wall 26, It does not enter the groove in the boundary partition wall obtained by cutting in step S2.

  Thereafter, the control unit 35 moves the resin discharge unit 33 by the width between the boundary partition walls in the X-axis direction, and again in the region surrounded by the boundary partition wall and the second partition wall 26 at the moved position, The process of discharging the resin while moving the resin discharge portion 33 in the longitudinal direction in the longitudinal direction is repeated to form a three-dimensional region (lenticular lens) 21 at a position corresponding to the lenticular image on the substrate layer 20 (FIG. 4 S5).

  The control unit 35 turns on the light irradiation unit 34 and applies light emitted from the light irradiation unit 34 to the resin discharged by the resin discharge unit 33. Thereby, curing of the resin is promoted, and the formation of the lenticular lens 25 is completed.

  In the case where irregularities are formed on the surface of the substrate layer 20, the method is, for example, a depth shallower than the depth of the groove of the boundary partition wall to be formed later in the direction intersecting the Y-axis direction that is the longitudinal direction of the boundary partition wall. The groove may be formed by cutting before the boundary partition wall is formed.

  In another example of the present embodiment, as a means for preventing the flow of the material of the liquid lenticular lens 25, a liquid repellent portion 27 that repels this material is formed. Here, the liquid repellent portion 27 is formed by applying a liquid repellent fluoropolymer or the like to a corresponding portion of the substrate layer 20, for example.

  The image recording medium 1 of this embodiment according to this example may be formed as follows using the medium forming apparatus 30 ′ illustrated in FIG. This medium forming apparatus 30 ′ has the same configuration as that of the medium forming apparatus 30 illustrated in FIG. 3 except that it further includes a liquid repellent application part 36. In this example, the cutting head 32b is unnecessary. In the following description, the same components as those of the medium forming apparatus 30 in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The liquid repellent application unit 36 applies the liquid repellent at a position determined by the control of the control unit 35 on the substrate layer 20 in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 35. Details of specific control by the control unit 35 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  Also here, the second medium 12 is formed on the sheet-like first medium 11 on which the lenticular image is formed in advance. That is, the first medium 11 is first guided and arranged on the stage 31. The control unit 35 controls the resin discharge unit 33 to discharge the resin substantially uniformly onto the first medium 11. Further, the control unit 35 controls the light irradiation unit 34 to irradiate the applied resin with light to solidify the discharged resin.

  Thereby, the substrate layer 20 which is a resin layer having a substantially uniform thickness is formed on the first medium 11 (S1). In this case as well, the substrate layer 20 may be subjected to a well-known surface processing treatment, and irregularities such that the N-point average height Rz is 1 μm ≦ Rz may be formed on the surface.

  Next, the control unit 35 controls the cutting unit 32 so that the surface of the substrate layer 20 corresponding to the lenticular image of the first medium 11 (the portion where the lenticular image is located immediately below) is included in the lenticular image. A groove extending in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the image portion is formed.

  The control unit 35 moves the cutting head 32a of the cutting unit 32 to a position on one end side in the X-axis direction of the lenticular image formed on the first medium 11, and performs cutting while moving the cutting unit 32 in the Y-axis direction. Then, grooves are formed on the surface of the substrate layer 20 over the length of the lenticular image in the Y-axis direction.

  Next, the control unit 35 moves the cutting head 32a in the X-axis direction by the width of the n strip-shaped image portions included in the lenticular image (only the width of the lens pitch), and again moves the cutting head 32a to Y. Cutting is performed while moving in the axial direction, and grooves are formed on the surface of the substrate layer 20 over the length of the lenticular image in the Y-axis direction. This lens pitch is set in advance as about 250 μm, for example. Hereinafter, the control unit 35 controls the cutting unit 32 to move in the X-axis direction by the lens pitch width and cut in the Y-axis direction until a groove is formed on the other end side of the lenticular image. . Due to the grooves formed here, the surface of the substrate layer 20 has an M-shaped cross section when broken in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIG. Is formed) (S2 in FIG. 7).

  Next, the controller 35 forms the liquid repellent portion 27 in the vicinity of one end side in the Y-axis direction of the boundary partition formed on the substrate layer 20 (within a predetermined range from one end side to the other end side). Specifically, the control unit 35 moves the liquid repellent application unit 36 to the vicinity of this one end side. Then, the control unit 35 applies the liquid repellent agent over the length in the X axis direction of the lenticular image on the surface of the substrate layer 20 while moving the liquid repellent application unit 36 in the X axis direction.

  The control unit 35 also forms the liquid repellent portion 27 in the vicinity of the other end side in the Y-axis direction of the boundary partition formed on the substrate layer 20 (within a predetermined range from the other end side to the one end side). May be. Specifically, the control unit 35 moves the liquid repellent application unit 36 in the vicinity of the other end. Then, the control unit 35 applies the liquid repellent agent over the length in the X axis direction of the lenticular image on the surface of the substrate layer 20 while moving the liquid repellent application unit 36 in the X axis direction.

  Thereby, the liquid repellent part 27 which prevents the flow of the material of the liquid lenticular lens 25 is formed on at least one side of the longitudinal end of the part where the lenticular lens 25 is to be formed (S13 in FIG. 7). .

  The control unit 35 further controls the resin discharge unit 33 to position the discharge port in a region surrounded by the boundary partition formed in step S2 and the liquid repellent unit 27, and in the Y-axis direction over the longitudinal direction of the groove. The resin is discharged into a region surrounded by the boundary partition wall and the liquid repellent part 27 (S14 in FIG. 7). The contact angle at the end of the boundary wall of the discharged resin is increased by the angle between the angle parallel to the surface and the groove formed by cutting, so that the cross-section rises in a semicircular shape. A semi-cylindrical shape having a longitudinal direction in the Y-axis direction.

  At this time, if unevenness is formed on the surface of the substrate layer 20, wettability on the surface is improved as compared with the case where there is no unevenness, and thus the flow in the Y-axis direction is further suppressed. At this time, the resin of the same material as that of the substrate layer 20 also enters the concave portion on the surface of the substrate layer 20.

  When a semi-cylindrical resin having a desired length is discharged in the length direction of the groove, the control unit 35 causes the resin discharge unit 33 to stop discharging the resin. At this time, even when the resin discharge amount is larger than the expected amount, the resin is liquid-repellent by the action of the liquid-repellent portion 27, so that the longitudinal end portion of the portion where the lenticular lens 25 should be formed is formed. The resin leaches out and does not enter the groove in the boundary partition wall obtained by cutting in step S2.

  Thereafter, the control unit 35 moves the resin discharge unit 33 by the width between the boundary partition walls in the X-axis direction, and again in the region surrounded by the boundary partition wall and the liquid repellent portion 27 at the moved position, The process of discharging the resin while moving the resin discharge portion 33 in the longitudinal direction in the longitudinal direction is repeated to form a three-dimensional region (lenticular lens) 21 at a position corresponding to the lenticular image on the substrate layer 20 (FIG. 7 S15).

  The control unit 35 turns on the light irradiation unit 34 and applies light emitted from the light irradiation unit 34 to the resin discharged by the resin discharge unit 33. Thereby, curing of the resin is promoted, and the formation of the lenticular lens 25 is completed.

  In the case where irregularities are formed on the surface of the substrate layer 20, the method is, for example, a depth shallower than the depth of the groove of the boundary partition wall to be formed later in the direction intersecting the Y-axis direction that is the longitudinal direction of the boundary partition wall. The groove may be formed by cutting before the boundary partition wall is formed.

  According to the present embodiment, the liquid of the material does not flow to the end portion of the formed boundary partition wall, and the optical characteristics do not change at the portion where the material liquid has permeated.

  In the above description, the example of moving the blade relative to the substrate layer 20 has been shown as means for creating the partition. However, the partition is formed by melting the substrate by laser light irradiation. May be. Alternatively, the partition wall may be formed by contacting the surface of the substrate layer 20 with a flat blade having a partition wall length and pressurizing it, thereby cutting the substrate layer 20.

  Further, when a pattern to be created is determined in advance, a cutting tool including a plurality of blades capable of forming the pattern is used and pressed against the surface of the substrate layer 20 to apply a pressure according to a desired pattern. You may obtain the partition.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording medium, 11 1st medium, 12 2nd medium, 20 Substrate layer, 21 Three-dimensional area, 25 Lenticular lens, 26 Partition, 27 Liquid repellent part, 30, 30 'Medium formation apparatus, 31 Stage, 32 Cutting process Part, 32a, 32b cutting head, 33 resin discharge part, 34 light irradiation part, 35 control part, 36 liquid repellent application part.

Claims (6)

First forming means for forming, on a surface of a material resin, a linear boundary partition wall having a predetermined length and having an M-shaped cross-section in a direction intersecting the length direction at a predetermined interval ,
A second forming means for forming a partition wall in a direction crossing the length direction on at least one side of the length direction end portion across each boundary partition wall and the boundary partition wall adjacent to the boundary partition wall;
A dropping means for dropping a liquid transparent resin material between each boundary partition and the boundary partition adjacent to the boundary partition,
Curing means for curing the dropped transparent resin material, and
An apparatus for producing an image recording medium, comprising a laminating means for laminating the material resin on another medium on which an image is formed. The first forming means has a blade, and with the blade, the material resin surface is cut with the predetermined length and a predetermined interval,
The second forming means has a blade, and the blade forms a notch on at least one side of the lengthwise end portion between each boundary partition wall and the boundary partition wall adjacent thereto. The image recording medium manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The second forming means includes a liquid repellent portion that repels the liquid transparent resin material on at least one side of the lengthwise end portion between each boundary partition wall and the adjacent boundary partition wall. The image recording medium manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording medium manufacturing apparatus is a means for forming an image. A step of forming a linear boundary partition wall having a groove with a predetermined length on the surface of the material resin by cutting at a predetermined interval,
A liquid transparent resin material is flowed in a direction crossing the length direction on at least one side of the length direction end portion of the boundary partition wall between each boundary partition wall and the boundary boundary wall adjacent thereto. Forming a flow blocking portion to block,
A dropping step of dropping the liquid transparent resin material between each boundary partition and the boundary partition adjacent to the boundary partition,
A curing step of curing the dropped transparent resin material, and
The material resin, saw including a laminating step of laminating the other media to form an image,
The method of manufacturing an image recording medium, wherein the boundary partition is formed so that a cross-sectional shape is M-shaped .   The method of manufacturing an image recording medium according to claim 4, wherein the flow blocking portion is a partition wall provided on at least one side of a longitudinal end portion of the semicylindrical convex portion. 5. The image recording medium according to claim 4, wherein the flow blocking portion is a liquid repellent portion that is provided on at least one side of the longitudinal end portion of the semi-cylindrical convex portion and repels the liquid material. Production method.

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