JP6630338B2 - Retroreflective tape - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a retroreflective tape having excellent flexibility, retroreflective performance, and washing durability, and capable of clearly forming a boundary between a retroreflective region and a non-retroreflective region.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a retroreflective material that retroreflects incident light has been widely used for displaying traffic signs and the like and for identifying marine accidents, particularly in order to enhance visibility at night. In addition, from the viewpoint of ensuring the safety of people working at night, retroreflective materials are also used as safety clothing for police, firefighters, civil workers, etc. Widely used. Furthermore, in recent years, with the increase in awareness of living safety and the diversification of decorative features, it has been used for apparel such as windbreakers, training wear, T-shirts, sports shoes, swimwear, etc. to prevent traffic accidents at night. Also used for bags and suitcases. Among retroreflective materials, a retroreflective tape is known as a member that can be easily attached to a product to which retroreflective performance is to be imparted.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a retroreflective tape roll in which a retroreflective tape is wound in a roll shape, wherein the retroreflective tape has a light transmitting surface and a reflective surface opposite to the light transmitting surface. A reflective layer, a support layer having a support surface adjacent to the reflective surface and supporting the retroreflective layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the support layer, and the light of the retroreflective layer. A release treatment layer provided on the transmission surface, wherein the release treatment layer of one turn portion inside the retroreflective tape and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of one turn portion outside the one turn portion following the one turn portion. A retroreflective tape roll product that contacts each other is disclosed. According to the retroreflective tape roll product, the retroreflective tape fed out of the retroreflective tape roll is continuously led out from the dispenser, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the retroreflective tape itself allows the retroreflective tape to be easily and easily applied to a desired object surface. It is said that it can be fixed quickly. In addition, since the peeling treatment layer on the inner side of the roll-shaped retroreflective tape and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the outer side of the roll are in contact with each other, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer It is stated that a release liner to be attached can be eliminated, and that the retroreflection tape can be easily rewound from a retroreflection tape roll formed without using a release liner.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a tape provided with a retroreflective layer on the surface, wherein the retroreflective layer has an uneven surface, and a continuous pattern having a color different from that of the retroreflective layer is formed in the recess on the uneven surface. A patterned retroreflective tape is disclosed. According to the retroreflective tape, the retroreflective layer having a large area has an uneven surface, and the retroreflective layer is partially thin or absent at continuous concave portions. It is easy to bend and retains flexibility. For this reason, even if the retroreflective layer itself is a material that is structurally inflexible and does not easily bend, when the retroreflective tape is sewn on a flexible cloth such as a knit material, the retroreflective tape does not It is said that the flexibility of clothes is not impaired. Further, the retroreflective tape disclosed in Patent Document 2 forms a region (retroreflective region) where no retroreflective layer is provided, thereby forming a region (retroreflective region) where a retroreflective layer is provided. Has the advantage that the symbol can be formed and the symbol can be displayed in the night color visually recognized by the retroreflected light.

International Publication No. WO 2013/014727 Utility Model Registration No. 3093638

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which microspheres are provided on the entire surface of a retroreflective tape. However, such a configuration has a disadvantage that the flexibility of the tape itself is poor. Therefore, when the retroreflective tape is attached to a flexible and bendable product such as clothing, it becomes difficult to attach the retroreflective tape, and when the clothing to which the retroreflective tape is attached is worn, movement of the wearer is affected. There is a problem that the retroreflective tape is difficult to follow, and the wearer feels uncomfortable.

  On the other hand, according to the retroreflective tape disclosed in Patent Literature 2, the retroreflective layer having a large area has an uneven surface, and the retroreflective layer is partially thin or absent at continuous concave portions. The tape is easy to bend at the location of the recess, so that the tape has flexibility. However, the retroreflective tape has a problem that retroreflection does not sufficiently occur and retroreflective performance is poor. Further, the retroreflective tape disclosed in Patent Literature 2 can form a night color pattern visually recognized by retroreflective light by arranging the retroreflective layer region and the non-retroreflective layer in various shapes. However, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to clearly define the boundary between the two regions. That is, in the retroreflective tape disclosed in Patent Literature 2, at the boundary between the retroreflective layer region and the non-retroreflective layer, chipping or peeling is likely to occur at the boundary between the retroreflective layer and the boundary between the two regions. There is a drawback that the pattern of the night color visually recognized by the retroreflected light tends to be unclear, because it is not clear as designed. Further, the retroreflective tape disclosed in Patent Literature 2 may have poor washing durability in some cases, and has the disadvantage that the retroreflective performance tends to be reduced when washing is repeated.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, has excellent flexibility, retroreflective performance, and washing durability, and clearly forms a boundary between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region. It is an object to provide a retroreflective tape that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have proposed, on a substrate, a fixed resin layer, transparent microspheres embedded in the fixed resin layer, and a transparent microsphere embedded between the transparent microsphere and the fixed resin layer. And a reflective layer comprising a metal film provided on the substrate, and partially providing a retroreflective region including the retroreflective region, the non-retroreflective region where the retroreflective region is not provided. It was recalled that the above-mentioned problem could be solved by using an adhesive tape. That is, the present inventors disclose in the tape disclosed in Patent Document 2 that the reflective layer that reflects light retroreflectively is a transparent methacrylic synthetic resin containing a specular pigment. However, it was considered that part of the light traveling from the glass bead side was scattered and transmitted through the synthetic resin, and the retroreflective performance was poor. On the other hand, in the case of the above configuration, it was considered that excellent retroreflective performance could be obtained as compared with the tape disclosed in Patent Document 2 because the reflective layer was a metal film. Then, in the retroreflective tape, it is recalled that by partially providing the retroreflective area and forming the non-retroreflective area, it is possible to impart flexibility to the obtained retroreflective tape. did.

By the way, since the retroreflective tape disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses a reflective resin as the reflective layer, when manufacturing the retroreflective tape, it is possible to spray glass beads after providing the reflective resin layer. is there. On the other hand, when a metal film is used as the reflection layer, it is impossible to spray glass beads after forming the metal film. Therefore, as a method of manufacturing a retroreflective tape having the configuration recalled by the present inventors, for example, a method including the following steps 1 to 6 was considered.
Step 1: a step of heating the release substrate obtained by laminating the thermoplastic film on the base film at a temperature equal to or higher than the softening point of the thermoplastic film to soften the thermoplastic film;
Step 2: Before, simultaneously with, or after the above step 1, when the transparent microspheres are scattered on the thermoplastic film of the release substrate, and the transparent microspheres are buried in the softened thermoplastic film. Curing the thermoplastic film by cooling in a step of obtaining a release substrate in which transparent microspheres are embedded,
Step 3: optionally providing a transparent resin layer on the transparent microsphere side,
Step 4: a step of laminating a reflective layer made of a metal film on the transparent microsphere side of the release substrate in which the transparent microspheres are embedded, or on the transparent resin layer;
Step 5: A step of applying a resin for forming a fixed resin layer on the reflective layer and laminating the fixed resin layer, and Step 6: Bonding or fixing the fixed resin layer and the support after peeling the release substrate. A step of peeling the release substrate after bonding the resin layer and the support.

  Then, in order to form a non-retroreflective area in which the retroreflective area is not provided, for example, using a plotter cutter or the like between the step 5 and the step 6, or after the step 6, From the layer side, there is a method in which the transparent microspheres of the thermoplastic film are partially cut to the interface on the side where the transparent microspheres are embedded, and the fixing resin layer, the reflective layer, and the transparent microspheres are integrally peeled off. Can be

  However, even in a retroreflective tape obtained by such a method, the boundary between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region may not be clear as designed. As a result of intensive studies by the present inventors on the reason, the following has been found. That is, as described above, the method of manufacturing the reflective tape having the above-described configuration requires that the fixed resin layer, the reflective layer, and the transparent microspheres be integrally peeled off to form the non-retroreflective area. There is. However, at the time of the peeling, a part of the retroreflective area which should be originally maintained is peeled off together with a part to be peeled to form the non-retroreflective area, and the retroreflective area is removed. It has been found that the boundary between the region and the non-retroreflective region becomes unclear. Then, as an action mechanism in which a part of the retroreflective area that should be maintained is also peeled off, as described above, when cutting from the fixed resin layer side using a plotter cutter or the like, the pressure of the tooth of the cutter is As a result, peeling of the release base material and the transparent microspheres occurs in a part of the portion that should be the retroreflective area, and the transparent microspheres lose the anchor effect on the release base material, and the transparent microspheres and the reflection It was found that the layer and the fixed resin layer partially peeled off.

  As described above, by partially providing the retroreflective area having the fixed resin layer, the transparent microspheres, and the reflective layer, the non-retroreflective area where the retroreflective area is not provided is formed. The new retroreflective tape faced a new problem that it could not be provided with excellent retroreflective performance.

  In order to clarify the boundary between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region in the retroreflective tape having the above-mentioned configuration as designed, the present inventors should use the retroreflective region. It was considered necessary to enhance the anchor effect of the region on the release substrate by the transparent microspheres. Therefore, the present inventors have conducted further intensive studies, and as a result, by embedding the transparent microspheres in the fixing resin layer in a state where the exposure ratio is 53 to 70%, the non-retroreflective region is formed. In the step of partially cutting from the fixed resin layer side to form, peeling of the release base material and the transparent microspheres hardly occurs in a portion to be a retroreflective region, and excellent flexibility and recursion It has been found that a retroreflective tape having both reflective performance, a clear boundary between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region, and excellent washing durability can be obtained. The present invention has been completed by further study based on such knowledge.

That is, the present invention provides the following retroreflective tapes.
Item 1. A retroreflective tape partially provided with a retroreflective region on the base material layer,
The retroreflective area,
A fixing resin layer,
Transparent microspheres embedded in the fixing resin layer,
A region having a reflective layer made of a metal film provided between the transparent microspheres and the fixed resin layer,
A recursive property in which the transparent microspheres have a refractive index of 1.6 to 2.5, and the transparent microspheres are embedded in the fixing resin layer in a state where the exposure rate is 53 to 70%. Reflective tape.
Item 2. The base material layer,
A support substrate provided on the surface of the fixed resin layer on which the transparent microspheres are not embedded, or a peelable release substrate provided on the side of the transparent microspheres on which light enters,
Item 7. The retroreflective tape according to Item 1,
Item 3. The non-retroreflective area where the retroreflective area is not provided, communicates in the longitudinal direction and / or width direction of the retroreflective tape,
Item 3. The retroreflective tape according to item 1 or 2, wherein the retroreflective region is divided into a plurality of regions by the non-retroreflective region to form a design pattern.
Item 4. The non-retroreflective area where the retroreflective area is not provided does not form a linear area extending in parallel to the width direction of the retroreflective tape, and the recursion according to any one of Items 1 to 3 above. Reflective tape.
Item 5. Item 5. The recursive property according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the non-retroreflective area where the retroreflective area is not provided forms a plurality of linear areas extending in two or more different directions. Reflective tape.
Item 6. Item 6. The retroreflective tape according to Item 5, wherein the plurality of linear regions extending in the two or more different directions intersect to form an intersection.
Item 7. Item 7. The retroreflective tape according to any one of Items 1 to 6, which is used for application to clothing.

  The retroreflective tape of the present invention has a non-retroreflective area where the retroreflective area is not provided by partially providing a retroreflective area having a fixed resin layer, transparent microspheres, and a reflective layer. Since the reflective region is formed, excellent flexibility can be provided. Further, in the retroreflective tape of the present invention, since the transparent microspheres are embedded in the fixing resin layer in an exposure ratio of 53 to 70%, the retroreflective region is stably held. Since it is formed in a state where it is formed, excellent retroreflective performance can be provided. In addition, the retroreflective tape of the present invention can clearly form the boundary between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region as designed, so that the night color pattern visually recognized by the retroreflective light can be clearly formed. It can be displayed. Further, the retroreflective tape of the present invention has excellent washing durability, and can maintain the retroreflective performance even after repeated washing, so that it can be used for a long period of time by sticking it to clothing or the like.

  According to the retroreflective tape of the present invention, for example, when applied to safety clothing such as police, firefighting, civil engineering personnel, or sports clothing for people who run or walk at night, It is easy to give a wearer uncomfortable feeling, and it is possible to obtain high retroreflective performance.

It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the retroreflective tape of the present invention. It is an example of the pattern of the pattern formed by arrangement | positioning of a retroreflective area and a non-retroreflective area in the retroreflective tape of the present invention. It is an example of the pattern of the pattern formed by arrangement | positioning of a retroreflective area and a non-retroreflective area in the retroreflective tape of the present invention.

  The retroreflective tape of the present invention is a retroreflective tape having a retroreflective region partially provided on a substrate and a non-retroreflective region in which the retroreflective region is not provided. The adhesive tape, the retroreflective region, the fixing resin layer, the reflective layer, transparent microspheres are laminated in order, the transparent microspheres have a specific refractive index, and It is characterized by being embedded in the fixed resin layer at a specific exposure rate. Hereinafter, the structure and constituent materials of the retroreflective material of the present invention will be described.

  In this document, in the retroreflective tape, the side on which light enters may be referred to as “incident light side”, and the side opposite to the side on which light enters may be referred to as “non-light incident side”.

Layer Structure The retroreflective tape of the present invention has a retroreflective area 2 and a non-retroreflective area 3 on the base layer 1.

  In the retroreflective tape of the present invention, the base layer 1 is a base material for forming a tape, and is included in both the retroreflective area 2 and the non-retroreflective area 3. As the base material layer 1, the support base material 11 provided on the surface of the fixed resin layer 21 where the transparent microspheres 23 are not embedded, or the release base material 12 provided on the incident light side of the transparent microspheres 23 At least one of them may be provided. When the support base material 11 is provided as the base material layer 1, the support base material 11 is adhered to the non-incident light side of the fixed resin layer 21 and plays a role of holding the fixed resin layer 21 without being peeled off even during use. When the release substrate 22 is provided as the substrate layer 1, the release substrate 22 is provided on the incident light side of the transparent microspheres 23 and is peeled off at the time of use.

  In the retroreflective tape of the present invention, the retroreflective region 2 is partially provided on the base material layer 1. In the retroreflective region 2, the fixed resin layer 21, the reflective layer 22, and the transparent microspheres 23 are sequentially laminated, and the transparent microspheres 23 are embedded in the fixed resin layer 21. ing. In the retroreflective region 2, a transparent resin layer 24 may be provided between the reflective layer 22 and the transparent microspheres 23 as needed.

  In the retroreflective tape of the present invention, the area where the retroreflective area 2 is not provided becomes the non-retroreflective area 3 which does not exhibit the retroreflective performance. The non-retroreflective region 3 may be a void portion other than the base layer 1, or may include a material other than the base layer 1 that does not exhibit retroreflective performance.

  The retroreflective tape of the present invention may be provided with an adhesive layer 4 on the surface on the non-incident light side, if necessary, in order to provide adhesiveness to an adherend. The adhesive layer 4 may be provided on the surface of the fixing resin layer 21 when the support base material 11 is not provided, and may be provided on the surface of the support base material 11 when the support base material 11 is provided. May be provided.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the cross-sectional structure of the retroreflective tape of the present invention. The cross-sectional structures shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C are merely schematic diagrams, and the size and thickness of each member and layer, and the area of the retroreflective region 2 and the non-retroreflective region 3 About a ratio etc., it may differ from a suitable range.

  In the retroreflective tape shown in FIG. 1A, a support substrate 11 is used as the substrate layer 1, and the retroreflective region 2 is formed from the fixing resin layer 21 and the reflective layer 22 from the support substrate 11 side. , And transparent microspheres 23 are provided in this order, and the non-retroreflective area 3 is a void.

  In the retroreflective tape shown in FIG. 1B, a release substrate 12 (a laminate of a polyethylene terephthalate film 12a and a polyethylene film 12b) is used as the substrate layer 1, and the retroreflective region 2 is used. The transparent microspheres 23, the reflective layer 22, and the fixing resin layer 21 are provided in this order from the release substrate 12 side, and the non-retroreflective area 3 is a void, and the fixing resin The adhesive layer 4 is further provided on the non-incident light side of the layer 21.

  In the retroreflective tape shown in FIG. 1C, a support base material 11 and a release base material 12 (a laminate of a polyethylene terephthalate film 12a and a polyethylene film 12b) are used as the base material layer 1 and the recursive reflective tape is used. The reflective region 2 is provided with a fixed resin layer 21, a reflective layer 22, a transparent resin layer 24, and transparent microspheres 23 in this order from the support substrate 11 side toward the release substrate 12. In the non-retroreflective region 3, a gap is formed between the support substrate 11 and the release substrate 12.

Substrate Layer In the retroreflective tape of the present invention, the substrate layer supports the retroreflective region and plays a role as a base material of the tape. The base material layer may be a support base material provided on the non-incident light side of the fixed resin layer, or may be a release base material provided on the incident light side of the transparent microsphere. The support base material is adhered to the fixing resin layer and plays a role of holding the fixing resin layer without being separated during use. On the other hand, the release substrate is a substrate that is provided on the incident light side of the transparent microspheres, holds a retroreflective area, and is peeled off during use. In the retroreflective tape of the present invention, any one of the support substrate and the release substrate may be provided as the substrate layer, but both may be provided.

  The support base material may be directly laminated on the fixing resin layer, or may be laminated on the fixing resin layer via an adhesive layer formed of an adhesive.

  The supporting substrate may be appropriately set in consideration of the use of the retroreflective material, the required strength and flexibility, and the like. Examples of the material of the support substrate include natural fibers such as pulp; resins such as polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate; and metals. Further, the shape of the support substrate is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a woven or knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a sheet of paper, or the like.

  Further, the structure of the release substrate is not particularly limited as long as it is detachable with respect to the transparent microsphere side of the retroreflective region, for example, by laminating a thermoplastic film on the substrate film. Laminated body. When such a laminate is used as a release substrate, the thermoplastic film side is disposed on the incident light side of the transparent microspheres, and the area where the transparent microspheres are exposed from the fixing resin layer is the thermoplastic resin. The film is buried to hold the retroreflective area.

  The substrate film constituting the release substrate is not particularly limited as long as it can maintain its shape stably at the softening temperature of the thermoplastic film to be laminated, but examples thereof include polyethylene films such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate. Can be Further, as the thermoplastic film constituting the release substrate, a resin film that softens at a low temperature is preferable, and examples of such a resin film include polyolefin resin films such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The thickness of the thermoplastic film may be set according to the average particle size of the transparent microspheres.

  The thickness of the base material layer varies depending on the support base material or the release base material. For example, in the case of a support base material, 30 to 800 μm, preferably 50 to 500 μm, and, for example, In the case of a release substrate, the thickness is 25 to 250 μm, preferably 50 to 200 μm.

Retroreflective Area In the present invention, the retroreflective area includes a fixed resin layer, transparent microspheres embedded in the fixed resin layer, and a metal provided between the transparent microsphere and the fixed resin layer. It is formed by a reflective layer made of a film.

[Fixed resin layer]
The fixing resin layer has a function of burying and holding the transparent microspheres.

  The resin forming the fixed resin layer is not particularly limited as long as the transparent microspheres can be embedded and held, and may be appropriately set in consideration of the flexibility required for the retroreflective material. . Specific examples of the resin forming the fixing resin layer include polyolefin-based resins (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic resins, urethane-based resins, ester-based resins, and the like. Can be Among these, urethane-based resins are preferred from the viewpoint of imparting excellent flexibility.

  The resin forming the fixed resin layer may be a resin copolymerized with a silane coupling agent, if necessary. By copolymerizing the silane coupling agent in this manner, it becomes possible to provide the fixed resin layer with durability and adhesiveness. Further, the resin forming the fixing resin layer may be cross-linked by a cross-linking agent such as a polyisocyanate-based cross-linking agent, an epoxy-based cross-linking agent, or a melamine-based resin, if necessary. Cross-linking with a cross-linking agent as described above makes it possible to provide the fixing resin layer with heat resistance, washing resistance, and the like.

  Further, the fixing resin layer may contain additives such as dyes, pigments, luminous pigments, and inorganic fillers, depending on the use of the retroreflective material and the required functions.

  The thickness of the fixed resin layer is not particularly limited as long as the transparent microspheres can be buried and held therein, and examples thereof include 15 to 300 μm, and preferably 20 to 200 μm.

[Reflective layer]
The reflective layer is provided between the transparent microspheres and the fixed resin layer, and has a function of returning light incident from the transparent microspheres.

  The reflection layer is composed of a metal film. Specific examples of the metal constituting the metal film include aluminum, titanium, zinc, silica, tin, nickel, and silver. Among these metals, aluminum is preferable from the viewpoint of providing more excellent retroreflection performance.

  The thickness of the reflective layer is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 100 to 2000 °, preferably 600 to 1000 °.

[Transparent resin layer]
The transparent resin layer is a layer provided as needed between the transparent microspheres and the reflective layer in the retroreflective region. That is, in the retroreflective material of the present invention, the transparent resin layer may not be provided, or may be provided. By providing the transparent resin layer, it is possible to adjust the reflection luminance or change the color tone of emitted light. Further, by providing the transparent resin layer, the reflection layer can be made harder to corrode.

  The resin that forms the transparent resin layer is not particularly limited as long as it has light transmittance, and examples thereof include an acrylic resin, a polyurethane resin, and a polyester resin. Further, the resin forming the transparent resin layer may be a resin copolymerized with a silane coupling agent, if necessary, for the purpose of imparting durability, adhesiveness, and the like to the transparent resin layer. Further, the resin forming the transparent resin layer is, for the purpose of imparting heat resistance and washing resistance to the transparent resin layer, if necessary, such as a polyisocyanate-based crosslinking agent, an epoxy-based crosslinking agent, and a melamine-based resin. It may be crosslinked by a crosslinking agent.

  In addition, the transparent resin layer contains additives such as an ultraviolet absorber, an antioxidant, a dye, a pigment, a luminous pigment, and an inorganic filler according to the use of the retroreflective material and the required functions. May be.

  Further, the surface of the transparent resin layer that is not in contact with the transparent microspheres (that is, the surface that is exposed to the air) may be decorated with a design such as a picture or a character if necessary.

  The thickness of the transparent resin layer may be appropriately set in consideration of the required reflection luminance, color tone, and the like, and is, for example, 0.1 to 30 μm, and preferably 0.1 to 1.0 μm.

[Transparent microsphere]
The transparent microspheres are embedded in the fixed resin layer via the reflective layer, and have a function of transmitting the incident light and the outgoing light that is regressively reflected by the reflective layer. When the transparent resin layer is not provided, the transparent microspheres are buried in a state of being in contact with the reflective layer (see FIG. 1A). When a transparent resin layer is provided, the transparent microspheres are buried in a state of being in contact with the transparent resin layer (see FIG. 1C).

  In the present invention, transparent microspheres having a refractive index of 1.6 to 2.5 are used. By using transparent microspheres having such a refractive index, it is possible to focus on the reflective layer and to provide excellent retroreflective performance. From the viewpoint of providing even more excellent retroreflection performance, the refractive index of the transparent microsphere is preferably 1.8 to 2.2, and more preferably 1.9 to 2.1.

  The transparent microspheres are buried and arranged in the fixed resin layer so that the exposure ratio is 53 to 70%. By arranging the transparent microspheres at such an exposure rate, when the fixing resin layer, the transparent microspheres, and the reflective layer are partially peeled off in forming the non-retroreflective area, It is possible to suppress the peeling of the area to be left as an area, stably form the retroreflective area in the retroreflective tape, and clarify the boundary between the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area. it can. Further, by disposing the transparent microspheres at such an exposure rate, it is possible to suppress the detachment of the transparent microspheres during use or washing.

From the viewpoint of clearly forming the boundary between the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area, washing durability, and more effectively suppressing the detachment of the transparent microspheres during use, the exposure rate of the transparent microspheres , Preferably 56 to 66%, more preferably 57 to 64%. In the present specification, the exposure rate of the transparent microsphere is a ratio (%) of the height of the area where the transparent microsphere is exposed to the diameter of the transparent microsphere, and is calculated according to the following equation. Value.
Exposure rate (%) of transparent microspheres = (X / R) × 100
R: Diameter of transparent microsphere X: Transparency exposed to the air from the uppermost part of the surface of the reflective layer or, if a transparent resin layer is provided, from the uppermost part of the surface of the reflective layer of the transparent resin layer Height to the top of the microsphere surface

  In the present invention, the exposure rate is a value obtained by measuring each exposure rate for 30 or more transparent microspheres embedded in a retroreflective material and calculating the average value thereof.

  Further, the average particle size of the transparent microspheres is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of further improving the retroreflective performance, is usually 30 to 200 μm, preferably 40 to 120 μm, more preferably 50 to 100 μm, particularly preferably Preferably, it is 75 to 90 μm. In the present specification, the average particle size of the transparent microspheres is determined by measuring the maximum diameter of the transparent microspheres with respect to 30 transparent microspheres using a microscope at a magnification of 500 times and calculating the average value. This is the required value.

  The material of the transparent microspheres is not particularly limited as long as the material can have the above-mentioned refractive index, and may be made of glass, resin, or the like. It is excellent in water resistance, chemical resistance, washing durability, weather resistance and the like, and is suitably used in the present invention.

In the retroreflective region, the number of transparent microspheres embedded per unit area may be appropriately set according to the retroreflective performance to be provided. For example, the retroreflective region 1 mm ² There are 50 to 500, preferably 100 to 250, and more preferably 150 to 180 transparent microspheres per hit. In particular, when the number of transparent microspheres exposed when the exposure rate is 53 to 70% satisfies the above range, flexibility, retroreflection performance, and the difference between the retroreflection region and the non-retroreflection region can be improved. The clear formation of the boundary can be realized more effectively.

Non-retro-reflective area In the retro-reflective tape of the present invention, the non-retro-reflective area is an area in which the retro-reflective area is not provided and does not have retro-reflective performance.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the non-retroreflective region does not have each member constituting the retroreflective region, and is preferably a void portion. Some or all of the non-retroreflective regions do not exhibit the retroreflective performance, as long as the flexibility of the resin is not impaired (for example, the resin forming the fixed resin layer and other resins). May be included.

Arrangement of Retro-reflective Area and Non-Retro-Reflective Area In the retro-reflective tape of the present invention, the arrangement of the retro-reflective area and the non-retro-reflective area is not particularly limited. It is desirable that the retroreflective areas communicate with each other in the longitudinal direction and / or the width direction of the tape, and that the retroreflective areas be divided into a plurality of areas by the non-retroreflective areas. As described above, by causing the non-retroreflective area to communicate in the longitudinal direction and / or the width direction, the fixing resin layer, the transparent microspheres, and the reflective layer are partially peeled off when the non-retroreflective area is formed. In this case, it is possible to prevent the area to be left as the retroreflective area from being peeled off, and to form the retroreflective area in the retroreflective tape more stably. Further, by dividing the retroreflective region into a plurality of regions, a pattern can be formed, and the retroreflective tape can be further improved in design while having excellent retroreflective performance. Note that the non-retroreflective region communicated in the longitudinal direction and / or the width direction is not necessarily required to be linear, but may be a polygonal line shape or may have a curved line.

  As a preferred example of the arrangement of the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area in the retroreflective tape of the present invention, a straight line in which the nonretroreflective area extends parallel to the width direction of the retroreflective tape Preferably, it does not include the region. By arranging the non-retroreflective area in this manner, when forming the non-retroreflective area, when the fixing resin layer, the transparent microspheres, and the reflective layer are partially peeled in the longitudinal direction, The boundary between the reflective region and the non-retroreflective region can be formed more clearly, and flexibility, retroreflective performance, and clarity of the boundary can be more effectively provided.

  As a preferred example of the arrangement of the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area in the reflective retroreflective tape of the present invention, the number of nonretroreflective areas is two or more (preferably three or more, It is preferable to include a plurality of linear regions (preferably four or more) extending in different directions. By arranging the non-retroreflective area in this way, when the reflective retroreflective tape is attached to clothes or the like, the retroreflective tape becomes easier to follow the movement of the wearer, and Effective feeling of comfort can be given.

  Further, as a preferred example of the arrangement of the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area in the reflective retroreflective tape of the present invention, the non-retroreflective area may include a plurality of lines extending in two or more different directions. It is more preferable that the cross-sectional area includes a cross-shaped area, and the cross-section where the linear area intersects is formed. At the cross-section, the corner of the retroreflective area formed by the linear portion is more preferably chamfered. By arranging the non-retroreflective areas in this way, the corners of the retroreflective areas are chamfered at the intersections, and an excellent design effect is provided, and the reflective retroreflective tape is attached to clothes or the like. In this case, the retroreflective tape can more easily follow the movement of the wearer, and the retroreflective tape of the present invention can be made more difficult to peel off.

  2 and 3 show examples of the pattern of the symbol formed by the arrangement of the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area. In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of non-retroreflective areas provided linearly communicate with each other in the longitudinal direction and / or the width direction of the retroreflective tape, and a plurality of retroreflective areas are independent. The pattern is formed by the arrangement of the retroreflective areas and the non-retroreflective areas.

  In addition, in FIG. 2 (a), No. 4 (a), No. 6 (a), No. 7 (a) No. 7 in FIG. 2 (b), No. 4 (b), No. 6 (b), No. FIG. 7B shows an example in which the non-retroreflective area does not include a linear area extending parallel to the width direction of the retroreflective tape.

  2 and FIG. 1 (a), (b), No. 1 2 (a), (b), No. 2; 4 (a), (b), No. 4; 5 (a), (b), No. 5; 6 (a), (b), No. 7 (a), and (b) show examples in which the non-retroreflective region includes a plurality of linear regions extending in two or more different directions. 2 and FIG. 4 (a), (b), No. 4; 5 (a), (b), No. 5; 7A and 7B, the non-retroreflective region is formed by a plurality of linear regions extending in three different directions.

  In addition, in FIGS. 1 (a), No. 2 (a), No. 4 (a), No. 5 (a), No. 6 (a), No. In FIG. 7A, the non-retroreflective region is formed by a plurality of linear regions extending in two or more different directions, and the linear regions intersect to form an intersection. In addition, in FIGS. 1 (b), No. 2 (b), No. 4 (b), No. 5 (b), No. 6 (b), No. In 7 (b), the non-retroreflective region is formed of a plurality of linear regions extending in two or more different directions, and the linear regions intersect to form an intersection. At the intersection, the corner of the retroreflective area formed by the straight portion is chamfered.

Area ratio between retroreflective area and non-retroreflective area Also, in the retroreflective tape of the present invention, area ratio between retroreflective area and nonretroreflective area (area of retroreflective area) / Area of the non-retroreflective region) is not particularly limited, but may be 70/30 to 95/5. From the viewpoint of more effectively balancing the flexibility and the retroreflective performance, the area ratio of the retroreflective region and the nonretroreflective region (the area of the retroreflective region / the area of the nonretroreflective region) ) Is preferably 80/20 to 90/10.

Adhesive layer The adhesive layer is provided on the retroreflective tape of the present invention with an adhesive layer on the surface opposite to the light incident side, if necessary, in order to provide adhesiveness to the adherend. May be. In the retroreflective tape of the present invention, in the case where the support base material is not provided, an adhesive layer may be provided on the surface of the fixing resin layer on the side not facing the reflective layer. In the case of providing the adhesive layer, an adhesive layer may be provided on the surface of the support base not facing the fixed resin layer.

  The type of the resin forming the adhesive layer is not particularly limited as long as it can impart adhesiveness to the adherend, and examples thereof include a hot melt adhesive such as a polyester urethane resin.

  The thickness of the adhesive layer is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 20 to 200 μm, and preferably 30 to 100 μm.

Performance and Use The retroreflective tape of the present invention has excellent retroreflective performance. As the retroreflective performance of the retroreflective tape of the present invention, specifically, the retroreflective performance when the incident angle of light from the light source is 5 ° and the observation angle is 0.2 ° is 100 cd / lx. / M ² or more, preferably 150 cd / lx / m ² or more, more preferably 180 to 500 cd / lx / m ² , particularly preferably 330 to 500 cd / lx / m ² . In the present specification, the retroreflective performance (cd / lx / m ² ) when the incident angle of light from the light source is 5 ° and the observation angle is 0.2 ° is:
It is a value measured under the conditions of an incident angle of 5 ° and an observation angle of 0.2 ° according to the method described in JISZ9117 (2010). In the retroreflective tape of the present invention, in order to further improve the retroreflective performance, in addition to setting the exposure rate of the transparent microspheres to 53 to 70%, for example, the refractive index of the transparent microspheres , Material, average particle size, number of transparent microspheres buried per unit area, thickness and material of reflective layer, area ratio between retroreflective area and non-retroreflective area, and retroreflectivity The patterns of the region and the non-retroreflective region may be appropriately adjusted.

  The retroreflective tape of the present invention can be used in various applications such as safety clothing, apparel, bags, suitcases, shoes, road markings, retroreflective photoelectric sensors, and touch panels (for example, infrared retroreflective detection type touch panels). It can be used by pasting or sewing.

  In addition, the retroreflective tape of the present invention can be continuously wound to form a retroreflective tape roll product.

Manufacturing Method The method for manufacturing the retroreflective tape of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the retroreflective tape having the above-described configuration can be manufactured, but as an example, a method including the following steps 1 to 9 is described. No.
Step 1: a step of heating a release substrate obtained by laminating a thermoplastic film on a base film at a temperature equal to or higher than the softening point of the thermoplastic film to soften the thermoplastic film;
Step 2: Before, simultaneously with or after the step 1, the transparent microspheres are sprayed on the thermoplastic film of the release substrate, and 53 to 70% of the diameter is buried in the softened thermoplastic film of the transparent microspheres. Cooling the thermoplastic film at the point of time to cure, to obtain a release substrate embedded transparent microspheres,
Step 3: a step of applying a resin for forming a transparent resin layer to the transparent microsphere side of the release substrate in which the transparent microspheres are embedded, if necessary, to form a transparent resin layer;
Step 4: a step of laminating a reflective layer made of a metal film on the transparent microsphere side of the release substrate in which the transparent microspheres are embedded, or on the transparent resin layer;
Step 5: a step of applying a resin for forming a fixed resin layer on the reflective layer and laminating the fixed resin layer;
Step 6: a step of adhering the fixing resin layer and the supporting base material as necessary,
Step 7: Along the area where the non-retroreflective area is formed, cut and peel from the fixed resin layer side to the interface on the side where the transparent microspheres of the thermoplastic film are buried, in the area. Exposing the thermoplastic film,
Step 8: a step of peeling off the release substrate as necessary.
Step 9: A step of winding the obtained retroreflective tape as needed.

  In the second step, the transparent microspheres are embedded in the thermoplastic film by gravitational settling of the transparent microspheres placed on the softened thermoplastic film. Therefore, in the second step, the degree of softening of the thermoplastic film is determined in consideration of the size and density of the transparent microspheres, the density and thickness of the thermoplastic film in the first step, and the heating temperature for softening. The time may be controlled so that 53 to 70% of the diameter of the transparent microspheres is buried in the thermoplastic film.

  For example, a transparent glass sphere having a refractive index of 1.9 to 2.1 and an average particle size of 50 to 100 μm is used as the transparent microsphere, and a polyester film and a release substrate are used as the base film constituting the release substrate. In the case where a polyethylene film is used as the thermoplastic film to be constituted, in the first step, heating is preferably performed at a temperature of 150 ° C. to 230 ° C., more preferably at a temperature of 180 ° C. to 220 ° C. within a range of 2 to 3 minutes. When the temperature and time are adjusted and heated to soften the thermoplastic film, 53 to 70% of the diameter of the transparent microsphere is easily buried in the thermoplastic film in the second step. In this case, in the first step, for example, when the heat treatment is performed at a temperature lower than 150 ° C. under a condition of 2 to 3 minutes, the burial rate in the thermoplastic film tends to be lower than 53%. In particular, transparent glass spheres having a refractive index of 1.9 to 2.1 and an average particle size of 75 to 90 μm are used as transparent microspheres, and a polyester film and a release substrate are used as base films constituting a release substrate. If a polyethylene film is used as the thermoplastic film to be constituted, in the first step, the temperature is preferably adjusted to 190 ° C. to 220 ° C., and the heating temperature and time are adjusted within a range of 2 to 3 minutes to heat. Preferably, the thermoplastic film is softened.

  When transparent glass spheres having a refractive index of 1.9 to 2.1 and an average particle size of 50 to 100 μm are used as transparent microspheres, and a low-density polyethylene film is used as a thermoplastic film constituting a release substrate. By heating at a temperature of 150 ° C. to 230 ° C., more preferably at a temperature of 180 ° C. to 220 ° C. in the first step, the second step is performed as compared with a case where a polyethylene film having a higher density than a low density polyethylene is used , The transparent microspheres are liable to sediment by gravity in a short time, and for example, it is easy to be advantageous for continuous operation. Further, in this case, if the thickness of the low-density polyethylene film is adjusted so that the burying ratio of the transparent microspheres becomes 53 to 70% by submerging the transparent microspheres to the polyester film interface, each transparent microsphere can be obtained. And the burial rate can be made uniform.

  The third step and the fourth step are performed after the thermoplastic film is returned to a cured state by cooling or cooling after the second step.

  The third step is performed when a transparent resin layer is provided between the transparent microspheres and the reflective layer. The application of the resin forming the transparent resin layer to the transparent microspheres may be performed by a known resin coating technique.

  The formation of the reflective layer made of a metal film in the fourth step may be performed by a known metal film forming technique such as vapor deposition, sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, and plating. As a method of forming the reflective layer, vapor deposition is preferably used.

  In the fifth step, the resin forming the fixed resin layer may be applied on the reflective layer by a known resin coating method.

  In the sixth step, the method of bonding the fixing resin layer and the supporting substrate is not particularly limited, and may be performed by a known laminating method or the like.

  In the seventh step, for example, a plotter cutter or the like can be used as a means for cutting.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  The average particle size of the transparent glass spheres used in the following test examples was determined using a microscope (trade name: Digital Microscope VHX-1000, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION) at a magnification of 500 times to make the maximum diameter of the transparent microspheres transparent. It is a value obtained by measuring 30 sex microspheres and calculating the average value. In the following test examples, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere was determined by using a microscope (digital microscope VHX- manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION) for 30 or more transparent microspheres embedded in a retroreflective material. 1000), the height of the transparent glass sphere exposed in the air was measured, and the value was obtained according to the above-described equation.

Test example 1
1. Manufacture of retroreflective tape
Example 1
As a release substrate, a laminate (width 50 mm, length 50 m) obtained by laminating a polyethylene film having a thickness of 40 μm on a polyester film having a thickness of 75 μm was used, and the heating condition was set to 200 ° C. for 2 minutes. To melt the polyethylene film. In this state, as transparent microspheres, transparent glass spheres having an average particle diameter of 79 μm and a refractive index of 1.93 are scattered over substantially one surface so as to have a particle size of 150 to 180 / mm ^2, and are allowed to cool to cure the polyethylene film. Was. Next, aluminum was vapor-deposited on the transparent glass sphere side on the release substrate by a vapor deposition method to form a reflective layer having a thickness of 700 °. Further, polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as PET) was applied on the reflective layer to form a fixed resin layer. Thereafter, a hot-melt adhesive (polyester urethane resin) used as a support base material was applied onto the fixing resin layer, dried and cured to produce an intermediate tape having only a retroreflective region.

  Next, the obtained intermediate tape was designated as No. 2 in FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective region and the nonretroreflective region (the area of the retroreflective region / the area of the nonretroreflective region) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. With the design value of (area) being 80/20, the plotter cutter cuts from the supporting substrate side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film are buried, and supports the area forming the non-retroreflective area. The substrate, the fixing resin layer, the reflective layer, and the transparent glass sphere were peeled off integrally to obtain a retroreflective tape provided with a retroreflective region and a non-retroreflective region. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective region was measured, and was 54%.

Example 2
A retroreflective tape was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 190 ° C. for 3 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass spheres in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 56%.

Example 3
A retroreflective tape was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 200 ° C. for 3 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 4
A retroreflective tape was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 210 ° C. for 3 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 64%.

Example 5
A retroreflective tape was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 220 ° C. for 3 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass spheres in the retroreflective region was measured, and was 66%.

Comparative Example 1
A retroreflective tape was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 160 ° C. for 3 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure ratio of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective region was measured, and was 31%.

Comparative Example 2
A retroreflective tape was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 180 ° C. for 3 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass spheres in the retroreflective region was measured and found to be 45%.

Comparative Example 3
A retroreflective tape was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 220 ° C. for 6 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure ratio of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective region was measured, and was 80%.

Comparative Example 4
As a release substrate, a polyethylene film having a thickness of 40 μm laminated on a polyester film having a thickness of 75 μm was used, and heated at 200 ° C. for 2 minutes to melt the polyethylene film. In this state, as transparent microspheres, transparent glass spheres having an average particle diameter of 79 μm and a refractive index of 1.93 are scattered over substantially one surface so as to have a particle size of 150 to 180 / mm ^2, and are allowed to cool to cure the polyethylene film. Was. Next, aluminum was vapor-deposited on the transparent glass sphere side on the release substrate by a vapor deposition method to form a reflective layer having a thickness of 700 °. Further, polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as PET) was applied on the reflective layer to form a fixed resin layer. Thereafter, a hot-melt adhesive (polyester urethane resin) used as a support was applied onto the fixing resin layer, dried and cured to produce an intermediate sheet having only a retroreflective region.

  Then, the resulting intermediate sheet was formed into a tape only without providing a non-retroreflective area, thereby producing a retroreflective tape (that is, a retroreflective area and a non-retroreflective area). Design value of the area ratio of the reflective region (the area of the retroreflective region / the area of the non-retroreflective region) is 100/0). In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere was measured, and was 54%.

2. Evaluation of retroreflective tape (1) Retroreflective performance before washing (cd / lx / m ² )
According to the method described in JISZ9117 (2010), the measurement was performed under the conditions of an incident angle of 5 ° and an observation angle of 0.2 °.

(2) Flexibility The obtained retroreflective tape was attached to the shoulder portion of the same thin garment by the same procedure, and the garment was worn by five panelists, and wearing comfort when the shoulder joint was moved. Was subjected to a sensory evaluation. Clothes to which the retroreflective tape was not applied were used as blanks, and the wearing comfort based on the blanks was evaluated according to the following criteria. Three or more points were accepted. 5 points: Regardless of the direction in which the shoulder was turned, flexibility was felt and the wearing comfort was particularly excellent.
4 points: When the shoulder was turned in multiple directions, there was a direction in which it was slightly snagged, but it was flexible and excellent in wearing comfort.
3 points: When the shoulder was turned in multiple directions, there was a direction in which the shoulder was caught, but it was generally flexible and had no problem in wearing comfort.
2 points: When the shoulder was turned in multiple directions, there were many directions in which the shoulders were caught, and the wearing comfort was at a slightly problematic level.
1 point: Regardless of the direction in which the shoulder was turned, the user felt snagging and was at a level that had a problem with wearing comfort.

(3) Clarity of the boundary between the retroreflective region and the nonretroreflective region The boundary between the retroreflective region and the nonretroreflective region of the obtained tape was visually evaluated by five panelists according to the following criteria. did. Three or more points were accepted.
5 points: In the straight line at the boundary separating the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area, no peeling of a part of the retroreflective area which should be originally maintained is not seen at all, and the straight line is particularly clear without any chipping. there were.
Four points: In the straight line at the boundary separating the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region, although a part of the retroreflective region that should be originally maintained was slightly peeled, the straight line was almost free from chipping. It was clear.
3 points: In the straight line at the boundary separating the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area, a part of the retroreflective area, which should be originally maintained, was slightly peeled off, but the appearance was not a problem. .
Two points: In the straight line at the boundary separating the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area, a large part of the retroreflective area that should be maintained is often peeled off. It was at a certain level.
One point: In the straight line at the boundary separating the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area, a considerable amount of peeling of the retroreflective area which should be originally maintained is seen considerably, and the above straight line is considerably chipped and has an appearance. It was a problematic level.

(4) Washing durability After the obtained tape was repeatedly washed 50 times by the ISO 6330 2A method, the retroreflective performance (cd / lx / m ² ) was measured by the method described in (1) above, and the washing was performed. The ratio of the retroreflective performance after washing to the retroreflective performance before was calculated as the washing durability (%). 25% or more was regarded as a pass.

Table 1 shows the obtained results. From these results, it was found that, in the retroreflective tape, by embedding the transparent microspheres in the fixed resin layer in a state where the exposure rate of the transparent microspheres is 53 to 70%, excellent flexibility, retroreflective performance, and washing durability are obtained. It has become clear that the boundary between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region can be formed clearly while providing.

Test example 2
1. Manufacture of retroreflective tape
Example 6
A retroreflective tape was manufactured under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that transparent glass spheres having an average particle diameter of 65 μm and a refractive index of 1.93 were used, and the heating conditions of the polyethylene film were changed to 180 ° C. for 3 minutes. did. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass spheres in the retroreflective region was measured, and was 59%.

Example 7
A retroreflective tape was produced under the same conditions as in Example 6, except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 190 ° C. for 3 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass spheres in the retroreflective region was measured, and was 66%.

Example 8
A retroreflective material was produced under the same conditions as in Example 6, except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 210 ° C. for 3 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure ratio of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective region was measured, and was 69%.

Comparative Example 5
A retroreflective material was produced under the same conditions as in Example 6, except that the heating condition of the polyethylene film was changed to 220 ° C. for 6 minutes. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure ratio of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective region was measured, and was 75%.

2. Evaluation of Retroreflective Performance of Retroreflective Material The performance of each retroreflective material was evaluated in the same manner as in Test Example 1.

  Table 2 shows the obtained results. From these results, it can be seen that, in the retroreflective tape, by setting the exposure rate of the transparent microspheres in the range of 53 to 70%, excellent flexibility, retroreflective performance, washing durability, and retroreflective properties were obtained. It became clear that the clarity of the boundary between the region and the non-retroreflective region can be realized at the same time.

Test example 3
1. Manufacture of retroreflective tape
Example 9
In FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area (area of the retroreflective area / area of the nonretroreflective area) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 10
In FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region (the area of the retroreflective region / the area of the nonretroreflective region) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 11
In FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area (area of the retroreflective area / area of the nonretroreflective area) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 12
In FIG. 4 (a) (area of the retroreflective area / area of the nonretroreflective area / area of the nonretroreflective area) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 13
In FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region (area of the retroreflective region / area of the nonretroreflective region) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 14
In FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area (area of the retroreflective area / area of the nonretroreflective area) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 15
In FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective area and the non-retroreflective area (area of the retroreflective area / area of the nonretroreflective area) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 16
In FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region (area of the retroreflective region / area of the nonretroreflective region) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 17
In FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region (the area of the retroreflective region / the area of the nonretroreflective region) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

Example 18
In FIG. The area ratio between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region (area of the retroreflective region / area of the nonretroreflective region) such that the arrangement shown in FIG. Retroreflective tape under the same conditions as in Example 3, except that the design value of (area) was 80/20 and the plotter cutter was used to cut from the support side to the interface on the side where the transparent glass spheres of the polyethylene film were embedded. Was manufactured. In the obtained retroreflective tape, the exposure rate of the transparent glass sphere in the retroreflective area was measured, and was 57%.

2. Evaluation of Retroreflective Performance of Retroreflective Material The performance of each retroreflective material was evaluated in the same manner as in Test Example 1.

  Table 3 shows the obtained results. From these results, even if the arrangement pattern of the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region was changed, by setting the exposure rate of the transparent microspheres in the range of 53 to 70%, excellent flexibility and recursive property were obtained. It has been clarified that the reflection performance, the washing durability, and the clarity of the boundary between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region can be simultaneously realized.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 base layer 11 support base 12 release base 2 retroreflective area 21 fixed resin layer 22 reflective layer 23 transparent microsphere 24 transparent resin layer 3 non-retroreflective area 4 adhesive layer

Claims (4)

A retroreflective tape used by being attached to an adherend,
A retroreflective region is partially provided on the base material layer,
The retroreflective area,
A fixing resin layer (excluding a resin forming the fixing resin layer whose resin has a melting point of 160 ° C. or less);
Transparent microspheres embedded in the fixing resin layer,
A reflective layer made of a metal film provided between the transparent microspheres and the fixed resin layer,
An adhesive layer provided on the surface of the fixed resin layer on the side not facing the reflective layer,
The transparent microspheres have a refractive index of 1.6 to 2.5, and the transparent microspheres are embedded in the fixing resin layer in a state where an exposure ratio is 53 to 70%,
The substrate layer is a peelable release substrate composed of a laminate obtained by laminating a thermoplastic film that is not cross-linked to a substrate film, wherein the thermoplastic film is exposed from the fixing resin layer. Embedded in the area of said transparent microspheres ,
The non-retroreflective area where the retroreflective area is not provided, communicates in the longitudinal direction and / or width direction of the retroreflective tape,
The retroreflective area is divided into a plurality of areas by the non-retroreflective area to form a pattern,
The non-retroreflective area where the retroreflective area is not provided does not form a linear area extending parallel to the width direction of the retroreflective tape,
The non-retroreflective area where the retroreflective area is not provided forms a plurality of linear areas extending in two or more different directions,
A plurality of linear regions extending in the two or more different directions intersect to form an intersection;
A retroreflective tape , wherein a corner of a retroreflective region formed by the plurality of linear regions at the intersection is chamfered .   The retroreflective tape according to claim 1, further comprising a support substrate on a surface of the fixed resin layer on which the transparent microspheres are not embedded. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein an area ratio between the retroreflective region and the non-retroreflective region (area of the retroreflective region / area of the nonretroreflective region) is 80/20 to 90/10. The retroreflective tape according to the above. In a retroreflective tape used by being adhered to an adherend, a method of partially forming a retroreflective region,
A fixing resin layer (excluding a resin forming the fixing resin layer whose melting point is 160 ° C. or lower);
Transparent microspheres embedded in the fixing resin layer,
A reflective layer made of a metal film provided between the transparent microspheres and the fixed resin layer,
An adhesive layer provided on the surface of the fixed resin layer on the side not facing the reflective layer,
A peelable substrate layer composed of a laminate obtained by laminating a thermoplastic film that is not cross-linked to a substrate film, wherein the thermoplastic film is formed of the transparent microspheres exposed from the fixing resin layer. A substrate layer burying the region,
The transparent microsphere has a refractive index of 1.6 to 2.5,
With respect to the retroreflective tape embedded in the fixing resin layer in a state where the transparent microspheres have an exposure rate of 53 to 70%,
Along the region where the retroreflective region is not formed, including a step of cutting from the fixed resin layer side to the interface on the side where the transparent microspheres of the thermoplastic film are embedded,
The non-retro-reflective area where the retro-reflective area is not provided communicates in the longitudinal direction and / or the width direction of the retro-reflective tape, and the non-retro-reflective area is The pattern is formed by being divided into a plurality of regions by the reflective region, and the non-retroreflective region where the retroreflective region is not provided is parallel to the width direction of the retroreflective tape. The non-retroreflective area, which does not form an extended linear area and is not provided with the retroreflective area, forms a plurality of linear areas extending in two or more different directions; A plurality of linear regions extending in one or more different directions intersect to form an intersection, and at the intersection, a corner of a retroreflective region formed by the plurality of linear regions is chamfered. So that Carry out the door to the process,
A method for partially forming a retroreflective region.