KR20090060370A - Method of cutting prism sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of cutting a prism sheet, in which breakage of microlens, fuzz generation, etc. can be inhibited. The method of cutting a prism sheet is one in which prism sheet (1) having a base material sheet and, provided on one major surface thereof, microprism part (4) is cut into a desired shape, characterized by including the steps of disposing the prism sheet on cutting unit (10) equipped with a blade so that the surface on the side provided with the microprism part lies opposite to blade (18); making relative move of the blade toward the prism sheet so as to, from the surface provided with the microprism part, bring the blade into contact with the prism sheet; and cutting the prism sheet into a desired shape by means of the blade.

Description

Prism sheet cutting method {METHOD OF CUTTING PRISM SHEET}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prism sheet cutting method, and more particularly, to a prism sheet cutting method for cutting a prism sheet having a lens portion formed by a microprism shape to a desired shape.

In the backlight etc. used for a liquid crystal display device, the prism sheet in which the prism-shaped lens shape was continuously formed in the whole one surface is arrange | positioned. As a manufacturing method of such a prism sheet, a long disk made of a long resin sheet (base sheet) is wound around a cylindrical lens mold in the state which interposed ultraviolet curable resin, the ultraviolet curable resin is hardened by ultraviolet-ray, and a base material The method of manufacturing the elongate prism sheet in which the microlens part was formed in one surface of the sheet is known (refer patent document 1).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-67058

(Tasks to be solved by the invention)

After the prism sheet is cut to a predetermined length or the like, the prism sheet is cut into a desired shape suitable for the output surface shape of the backlight of the liquid crystal display device. Since the prism sheet is finally assembled as an optical component in the backlight of a liquid crystal display device, it is desired to suppress generation | occurrence | production of cutting debris etc. also in such a cutting.

For example, since the portion to be cut constitutes an outer edge portion such as a backlight of the liquid crystal display device, breakage of the microprism or generation of fluff due to cutting is directly connected to the deterioration of the optical performance of the prism sheet. Therefore, the cutting of the prism sheet which can suppress the destruction of the micro prism, the generation | occurrence | production of fluff, etc. in this part is desired.

Moreover, when cutting the prism sheet | seat in which the micro prism of the surface is covered with the protective film, there also existed a problem that it was unavoidable to produce thread-shaped cutting waste.

As a result of the examination, the inventors of the present application have found that such a cutting edge of the thread-shaped blade is dull when the straight portion of the blade for cutting the prism sheet is arranged in parallel with the columnar micro-prism and the prism sheet is cut. The protective film which covers the micro prism by being cut in the shape of a thread between the prism part peeled off by the blade of the blade, or the top ridge of the linear micro prism adjacent to this, and a linear blade, and this is the protection produced | generated. It discovered newly that it is the cutting waste of a film.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for cutting a prism sheet capable of suppressing breakage of a microprism, generation of fluff, and the like, made in response to the above request.

In addition, the present invention has been made based on the new findings as described above, and the prism sheet having a microprism formed on the surface thereof, which can suppress the generation of the peeled prism portion and the thread-shaped cutting debris caused by the protective film. It aims at providing the cutting method.

(Means to solve the task)

According to this invention, in the prism sheet cutting method which cuts the prism sheet in which the micro prism part is formed in one surface of the base sheet to a desired shape, the surface of the side in which the said micro prism part is formed is opposed to a blade. Arranging the prism sheet in the cutting device provided with the cutlery, and moving the cutlery relatively toward the prism sheet so as to contact the cutlery with the prism sheet from a surface on which the fine prism portion is formed. And a step of cutting the prism sheet into a desired shape by the blade paste.

According to such a structure, since the blade contact | connects a prism sheet and cuts a prism sheet from the side in which the micro prism part is formed at the time of cutting a prism sheet, it becomes difficult to destroy a micro prism by a blade.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the prism sheet has a protective film attached to both surfaces thereof, and the step of cutting the prism sheet into a desired shape leaves the protective film on the opposite side to the micro prism portion, and the prism sheet It is a step of half blanking (half blanking) to the desired shape.

According to such a structure, a prism sheet can be sent to a subsequent process, without separately, and handling becomes easy.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the cutlery is a pinnacle blade having DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) processing applied to its surface.

According to such a structure, since the frictional resistance of the surface of a blade decreases by DLC process, peeling from the base sheet of a micro prism part can be suppressed effectively.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the cutlery is a Thomson blade.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a prism sheet cutting method for cutting a prism sheet having microprisms arranged in parallel on one surface of a base sheet in a desired shape, at least one surface of the side on which the microprism portion is formed is formed. Positioning the prism sheet so as to face a cutlery having a straight portion of, positioning the prism sheet such that the direction in which the micro-prism extends forms an angle of 0.2 ° to 1 ° with respect to the straight portion; Moving the blade toward the prism sheet, contacting the blade with the prism sheet from the side where the micro prism is formed, and cutting the prism sheet into a desired shape by the blade. A prism sheet cutting method is provided.

According to the present invention having such a configuration, since the straight portion of the blade is not disposed in parallel to the columnar micro-prism of the prism sheet, the straight portion of the blade and the top ridge of the micro-prism are cut when the prism sheet is cut. Not parallel. As a result, even if the blade of the blade becomes dull, the prism portion becomes difficult to peel off, and the protective film covering the micro prism portion is not cut between the straight portion of the blade and the micro prism, and generation of thread-shaped cutting chips is avoided.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the prism sheet has a protective film attached to both surfaces thereof, and the step of cutting the prism sheet into a desired shape leaves the protective film on the opposite side of the microprism, and the prism sheet A prism sheet cutting method is provided which is a step of semi-blanking a to a desired shape.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the cutlery is a frame-shaped cutlery arranged in a substantially rectangular shape.

(Effects of the Invention)

According to the 1st aspect of this invention, the cutting method of the prism sheet which can suppress breakage of a microprism, generation | occurrence | production of fluff, etc. is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method for cutting a prism sheet having a microprism formed on its surface, which can suppress generation of thread-shaped cutting debris resulting from a protective film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is typical sectional drawing which shows the structure of an example of the prism sheet cut by the cutting method of the prism sheet of preferable embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a clicker press machine in which a cutting (cutting) operation of the prism sheet of the first embodiment of the present embodiment is performed;

3 is a schematic sectional view showing a step of cutting operation of a prism sheet according to the first embodiment;

4 is a schematic sectional view showing a step of cutting operation of a prism sheet according to the first embodiment;

5 is a schematic sectional view showing a step of cutting operation of a prism sheet according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a continuous press machine to which the prism sheet half blanking (cutting) operation of the second embodiment of the present embodiment is performed;

7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each step of the prism sheet semi-blanking operation of the second embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each step of the prism sheet semi-blanking operation of the second embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each step of the prism sheet semi-blanking operation of the second embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a continuous press machine to which a prism sheet half blanking (cutting) operation of a third embodiment of the present invention is performed;

11 is a view showing the positional relationship between a prism portion and a cutting blade of a prism sheet in the continuous press machine of FIG. 10;

12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each step of the prism sheet semi-blanking operation of the third embodiment of the present invention carried out using the continuous press machine of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing each step of the prism sheet semi-blanking operation of the third embodiment of the present invention carried out using the continuous press machine of FIG. 10;

14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each step of the prism sheet semi-blanking operation of the third embodiment of the present invention carried out using the continuous press machine of FIG.

(Explanation of the sign)

1: Prism Sheet 2: Base Sheet

4: microprism part 6: lens protective film

8: mat surface protective film 10: clicker press

12: base plate 14: press plate

16: Thompson Days Mold 18: Thompson Days

20: cushioning material 22: backing plate

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the cutting method of the prism sheet of 1st preferable embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to attached drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is typical sectional drawing which shows the structure of an example of the prism sheet cut by the cutting method of the prism sheet of preferable embodiment of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the prism sheet 1 is an optical sheet used for a backlight of a liquid crystal display device, etc., and is comprised by the triangular pillar-shaped micro prism arrange | positioned in parallel on one surface of the base material sheet 2 The micro prism part 4 is provided. The prism sheet 1 further includes a lens protective film 6 attached to one side of the prism sheet 1 to cover the micro prism portion 4 and a prism sheet to cover the other side of the base sheet 2. The mat surface protective film 8 attached to the other surface of 1) is provided.

The prism sheet 1 is generally manufactured by cutting a long prism sheet formed on one side of a long substrate sheet having a micro prism portion constituted by columnar micro prisms arranged in parallel.

The long prism sheet is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in a state in which the long base sheet 2 is wound around the cylindrical mold formed on the outer circumferential surface of the microprism with an ultraviolet curable resin, and wound around the cylindrical mold. It is produced by curing the ultraviolet curable resin on one side of the elongate base sheet.

A long protective film is affixed on both surfaces of such a long prism sheet, it is cut as it is, or it cuts to predetermined length, and is sent to a cutting process.

First, the first embodiment of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2: is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the clicker press machine 10 in which the cutting (cutting) process of the prism sheet of 1st Embodiment of this embodiment is implemented, and FIG. It is typical sectional drawing which shows each step of the cutting operation of the prism sheet of 1st Embodiment of this invention implemented using the press machine 10. FIG.

The prism sheet cutting operation of this embodiment is an operation | work which cuts the prism sheet 1 with a protective film affixed on both surfaces, and cut | disconnected to predetermined length with the prism sheet component suitable for predetermined shapes, such as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the clicker press machine 10 is arranged so as to face the base plate 12 to be the stop side and the base plate 12, and to move up and down with respect to the base plate 12. (14) is provided. The plate-shaped thomson blade die 16 is attached to the upper surface of the base plate 12, that is, the surface facing the press plate 14.

The thomson blade die 16 is attached to the thomson blade die 16 so that the tip portion of the frame-shaped thomson blade 18 for cutting the prism sheet into a substantially rectangular shape protrudes upward from the upper surface of the Thompson blade die 16. The contour shape of the frame-shaped Thomson blade 18 is set so that it may correspond to the contour shape of the prism sheet component punched by a cutting operation. In addition, the protrusion amount of the Thompson blade 18 is set larger than the thickness of the prism sheet to cut | disconnect. In addition, the shock absorbing material 20 is attached to the area | region enclosed by the Thompson blade 18. As shown in FIG.

In the cutting operation, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the base on which the microprism portion 4 is formed is directed downward (base plate 12 and Thompson blades 18) to the prism sheet 1. It arrange | positions between the board 12 and the press board 14. In addition, a backing plate 22 is disposed between the prism sheet 1 and the press plate 14.

Subsequently, the press plate 14 is lowered toward the base plate 12 in the direction of the arrow A, and the prism sheet 1 is removed from the thomson blade 18 by the press plate 14 via the backing plate 22. It presses toward and makes the prism sheet 1 contact the thomson blade 18 from the side in which the micro prism part 4 is formed (FIG. 4).

That is, the Thompson blade 18 is relatively raised toward the prism sheet 1 and contacts the prism sheet 1 from the side where the micro prism portion 4 is formed.

Further, the press plate 14 is lowered toward the base plate 12 in the direction of the arrow A until the tip of the thomson blade 18 reaches the backing plate 22, and the thomson blade 18 having a frame shape is formed. ), The region (prism sheet component) of the prism sheet 1 surrounded by) is punched and separated from the surrounding region (FIG. 5).

Finally, the press plate 14 is raised, the prism sheet 1 is separated from the clicker press 10, and the cutting operation of one cycle is completed.

This cutting process is a structure in which the Thompson blade 18 contacts and cuts the prism sheet 1 from the side where the micro prism portion 4 of the prism sheet 1 is formed, so the Thompson blade 18 is minute. The prism sheet 1 is cut while pressing the prism portion 4 toward the base sheet 2. For this reason, even when the blade of the Thompson blade 18 becomes dull, the prism sheet 1 can be cut | disconnected without generating the interlayer peeling between the base sheet 2 and the micro-prism part 4.

In addition, since the lens protective film 6 is pressurized to the micro prism part 4 by the Thompson blade 16 when a prism sheet is cut | disconnected, the lens protective film 6 is a micro prism part 4 by prism sheet cutting | disconnection. Peeling from is suppressed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6: is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the continuous press machine 24 in which the prism sheet half blanking (cutting) operation of 2nd Embodiment of this embodiment is implemented, and FIG. 6 thru | or FIG. 8 shows the continuous press machine 24 It is typical sectional drawing which shows each step of the prism sheet semi-blanking operation | work of 2nd Embodiment of this invention implemented using.

The prism sheet cutting operation of this embodiment supplies the long prism sheet 1 with a protective film on both sides intermittently to the continuous press machine 24 to form a mat surface in a shape suitable for a predetermined shape such as a backlight of the liquid crystal display device. It is the process of semi-blanking leaving the protective film 8.

As shown in FIG. 6, the continuous press machine 24 is the base plate 26 which becomes a stop side, and the press board which is arrange | positioned facing the base board 12, and moves up and down with respect to the base board 12 ( 28). The upper surface of the base plate 26, that is, the surface facing the press plate 28, is mounted with a plate-shaped base-side die set 30, and the lower surface of the press plate 28, that is, the surface facing the base plate 26. The plate-shaped press-side die set 32 is attached to the plate.

In addition, a pinnacle blade die 34 is attached to the lower surface of the press-side die set 32, that is, the surface opposite to the base-side die set 30. The pinnacle blade die 34 is provided with a frame-shaped pinnacle blade 36 that semi-blankes the prism sheet into a substantially rectangular shape such that the tip thereof protrudes toward the base-side die set 30. The outline shape of the pinnacle edge 36 of a frame shape is set to correspond to the prism sheet goods suitable for shapes, such as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device.

In addition, the protrusion amount of the tip end of the pinnacle blade 36 is set so that the tip of the blade satisfies the following conditions when the press plate 28 falls to the bottom.

"The micro prism part 4 and the base material sheet 2 of the prism sheet 1 mounted on the base side die set 30 are cut | disconnected so that the micro prism part 4 may face upward, but the mat surface protection film 8 Is not cut. ”Since it is set as mentioned above, the prism sheet 1 can be semi-blanked.

In addition, a surface of the pinnacle blade 36 is coated with a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) film.

In the semi-blanking operation, as shown in FIG. 7, the prism sheet 1 is directed upward (the direction of the press-side die set 32 and the pinnacle blade 36) on the side where the micro-prism portion 4 is formed. Is conveyed in the direction of the arrow B so as to be disposed between the base plate 26 and the press plate 28, and stopped.

Subsequently, the press plate 28 is lowered toward the base plate 26 in the direction of the arrow C, and the pinnacle edge 36 is brought into contact with the prism sheet 1 from the surface on which the micro prism portion 4 is formed. (FIG. 8).

In addition, the tip of the pinnacle blade 36 presses the substrate sheet 2 of the prism sheet 1 to the lowest position where the base film 2 of the prism sheet 1 is cut, but the protective film 8 on the opposite side to the microprism portion 4 is not cut. The prism sheet 1 is semi-blanked by lowering the plate 28 (FIG. 9).

When the thickness of the protective film 8 is thin (for example, about 100 micrometers or less) at the time of semi-blanking process, PET film is arrange | positioned between a die set and a prism sheet, and the upper pinnacle blade 36 and the base board ( 26) it is preferable to prevent contact due to non-uniformity of plate pressure and repeat accuracy.

Finally, the press plate 28 is raised, and the elongate prism sheet 1 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow B, and the semi-blanked portion of the prism sheet 1 is discharged from the continuous press machine 24. 1 cycle of cutting operation is completed.

Since the semi-blanking operation is a structure in which the pinnacle edge 36 contacts the prism sheet 1 and performs cutting from the side where the micro-prism portion 4 of the prism sheet 1 is formed, the pinnacle blade 36 is The prism sheet 1 is cut while pressing the micro prism portion 4 toward the base sheet 2. For this reason, even when the blade of the pinnacle edge 36 becomes dull, the prism sheet 1 can be cut | disconnected without generating the interlayer peeling between the base sheet 2 and the micro-prism part 4.

In addition, since the DLC film is coated on the pinnacle edge 36, the frictional resistance of each part of the prism sheet 1 is reduced, and the semi-blanking processing of the prism sheet can be performed without generating foreign matter such as fluff.

In addition, since the lens protective film 6 is pressed by the pinnacle blade 36 to the micro-prism part 4 at the time of cutting a prism sheet, the lens protective film 6 is a micro-prism part 4 by a semi-blanking operation | work. Peeling from) is suppressed.

Next, the cutting method of the prism sheet of 3rd preferable embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The cutting method of the prism sheet of 3rd preferable embodiment of this invention is also a method of cutting the prism sheet like the prism sheet 1 shown in FIG.

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the press machine 30 in which the prism sheet half blanking (cutting) operation of the embodiment of the present invention is performed, and Fig. 11 shows a prism portion of the prism sheet in the press machine 30; It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a cutting blade, and FIGS. 12-14 is typical sectional drawing which shows each step of the prism sheet semi-blanking operation | movement of embodiment of this invention implemented using the press machine 30. As shown in FIG.

The prism sheet cutting operation of this embodiment supplies the prism sheet 1 with the protective film on both sides to the press 30, leaving the mat surface protective film 8 in a rectangular shape corresponding to the backlight of the liquid crystal display device. This is blanking.

As shown in FIG. 10, the press machine 30 is the base board 32 which becomes a stop side, and the press board 34 which is arrange | positioned facing the base board 32 and moves up and down with respect to the base board 32 is shown. ). The upper surface of the base plate 32, that is, the surface opposite to the press plate 34, is mounted with a plate-shaped base-side die set 36, and the lower surface of the press plate 34, that is, the surface opposite to the base plate 32. The plate-shaped press-side die set 38 is attached to the plate.

The pinnacle blade die 40 is attached to the bottom surface of the press-side die set 38, that is, the surface opposite to the base-side die set 36. The pinnacle blade die 40 is mounted with a frame-shaped pinnacle blade 42 for semi-blanking the prism sheet into a substantially rectangular shape such that the tip thereof protrudes toward the base-side die set 36. In this embodiment, the outline shape of the frame-shaped pinnacle blade 42 is set to substantially rectangular shape so that it may correspond to the prism sheet goods suitable for shapes, such as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device.

In addition, the amount of protrusion of the tip end of the pinnacle blade 42 is set to satisfy the following conditions.

"When the press plate 34 descends to the lowest, the micro prism of the prism sheet 1 mounted on the base side die set 36 so that the tip of the blade may face upwards the micro prism part 4 will face upwards. The part 4 and the base sheet 2 are cut off, but the mat surface protective film 8 is not cut. ”Since it is set as mentioned above, the prism sheet 1 can be semi-blanked. In addition, the surface of the pinnacle blade 42 is coated with a DLC coating.

In addition, a plurality of positioning pins 44 are disposed on the base-side die set 36. As shown in FIG. 11, these positioning pins 44 press-contact the end of the prism sheet 1 having a predetermined size to the positioning pins 44, thereby bringing the prism sheet 1 to the base side. When positioned on the die set 36, the top ridge line 4a of the columnar microprism (that is, the prismatic sheet 1 constitutes the columnar microprism portion 4 shown by a dotted line in FIG. 11) (i.e., The direction in which the columnar micro-prism extends) is positioned so as to form an angle θ of 0.2 ° to 1 ° with respect to the left and right pair of straight portions 42a and 42b of the substantially rectangular frame-shaped pinnacle blade 42. It is arranged. In addition, in FIG. 11, for the sake of clarity, the angle between the top ridge line 4a of the microprism and the straight portion 42a of the pinnacle blade 42 is exaggerated.

In the semi-blanking operation, as shown in FIG. 11, the prism sheet 1 is directed upward (the direction of the press-side die set 38 and the pinnacle blade 42) on the side where the micro-prism portion 4 is formed. ) Is inserted in the direction of the arrow D so that the machining portion is disposed between the base plate 32 and the press plate 34, and the end position of the prism sheet 1 is in contact with each positioning pin 44. do.

Subsequently, the press plate 34 is lowered toward the base plate 32 in the direction of the arrow B, and the pinnacle blade 42 contacts the prism sheet 1 from the surface where the micro prism portion 4 is formed. (FIG. 13).

In addition, the tip of the pinnacle blade 42 presses the substrate sheet 2 of the prism sheet 1 to the lowermost position where the base film sheet 2 of the prism sheet 1 is cut, but the protective film 8 on the opposite side to the microprism portion 4 is not cut. The plate 34 is lowered, and the prism sheet 1 is semi-blanked (FIG. 14).

Finally, the press plate 34 is raised, and the semi-blanking prism sheet 1 is discharged from the press 30, and the cutting operation of one cycle is completed.

According to this cutting method, since the straight portions 42a and 42b of the substantially rectangular Thomson blade 42 are arranged inclined about 0.2 ° to 1 ° with respect to the columnar micro-prism of the prism sheet 1, In the cutting of the prism sheet, the straight portions 42a and 42b of the Thompson blade 42 and the top ridgeline 4a of the microprism are not parallel to each other. As a result, the prism protective film 6 covering the micro-prism part 4 between the straight portions 42a and 42b of the Thompson blade 42 and the micro-prism becomes difficult to peel off even if the blade of the blade becomes dull. This thread shape does not become thin and long, and generation | occurrence | production of a thread-shaped cutting waste is avoided.

The present invention can be variously modified and modified within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims without being limited to the above embodiment.

Although the said 3rd Embodiment was the sheet cutting operation which "semi-blanked" a prism sheet with the continuous press provided with the so-called Thompson blade, this invention is a sheet cutting which punches a prism sheet to a predetermined shape with the clicker which provided with a pinnacle blade. It can be applied to other cutting devices such as work, and sheet cutting work using the cutting device.

Claims (4)

In the prism sheet cutting method which cuts the prism sheet in which the micro prism part is formed in one surface of a base material sheet in a desired shape, Arranging the prism sheet in a cutting device provided with the blade so that the surface of the side where the micro prism portion is formed faces the blade; Moving the blade relatively toward the prism sheet to contact the blade with the prism sheet from a surface on which the micro prism portion is formed; And cutting the prism sheet into a desired shape by the blade paste. How to cut a prism sheet. The method of claim 1, The prism sheet has a protective film attached to both sides thereof, The step of cutting the prism sheet into a desired shape is a step of semi-blanking the prism sheet into a desired shape, leaving a protective film on the opposite side of the micro-prism portion. How to cut a prism sheet. In the prism sheet cutting method which cuts the prism sheet by which the micro prism is arrange | positioned in parallel to one surface of a base material sheet in a desired shape, Arranging the prism sheet such that the surface of the side on which the micro-prism is formed faces the cutlery having at least one straight portion; Positioning the prism sheet such that the direction in which the micro-prism extends forms an angle of 0.2 ° to 1 ° with respect to the straight portion; Moving the blade toward the prism sheet, contacting the blade with the prism sheet from the side where the micro prism is formed, and cutting the prism sheet into a desired shape by the blade. By How to cut a prism sheet. The method of claim 3, wherein The prism sheet has a protective film attached to both sides thereof, The step of cutting the prism sheet to a desired shape is a step of semi-blanking the prism sheet to a desired shape, leaving a protective film on the opposite side of the micro prism. How to cut a prism sheet.

Images