KR20200039571A - Optical film - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical film which is easy to recognize a region where a liquid crystal layer is formed. The optical film includes a first liquid crystal layer. The first liquid crystal layer has a first end area including an end part of one side of a width direction, a first adjacent area adjacent to the first end area in the width direction, wherein the first end area and the first adjacent area satisfy at least one of [a1] and [b1]. In the [a1], the reflectance of the first end area and the reflectance of the first adjacent area are different from each other. In the [b1], the transmittance of the first end area and the transmittance of the first adjacent area are different from each other.

Description

Optical film {OPTICAL FILM}

The present invention relates to an optical film.

In a display device such as an organic EL display device or a liquid crystal display device, a member containing an optically anisotropic film such as a polarizing film or a retardation film is used. As such an optically anisotropic film, it is known to form a layer of a liquid crystal compound on a base film. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for producing a retardation film using a liquid crystal compound, and forming a retardation layer by applying a composition containing a liquid crystal compound on an alignment film formed on a transparent substrate.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-186248

In the case of forming a phase difference layer by applying a composition containing a liquid crystal compound onto the substrate layer, it is difficult to apply the composition to the entire surface of the substrate layer. There are cases where the layer is exposed. Since the base layer is usually colorless and transparent, it is difficult to determine the position of the end of the phase difference layer formed on the base layer, especially when the phase difference layer is colorless and transparent. Therefore, it is difficult to recognize the range in which the retardation layer is formed, and an effective range that can be used as a retardation film, for example, when applying another layer through an adhesive layer on the retardation layer formed on the base layer, applies an adhesive or adhesive It may be difficult to properly recognize the range to be performed.

This invention is made | formed in view of the said point, and aims at providing the optical film which is easy to recognize the area | region where a liquid crystal layer was formed.

This invention provides the optical film shown below.

[1] An optical film comprising a first liquid crystal layer,

The first liquid crystal layer has a first end region including one end in the width direction and a first adjacent region adjacent to the first end region in the width direction,

The first end region and the first adjacent region satisfy the relationship of at least one of the following [a1] and [b1].

[a1] The reflectance of the first end region and the reflectance of the first adjacent region are different from each other

[b1] The transmittance of the first end region and the transmittance of the first adjacent region are different from each other

[2] The optical film according to [1], wherein the first end region and the first adjacent region satisfy at least one of the following [a2] and [b2].

[a2] The reflectance of the first end region is higher than the reflectance of the first adjacent region

[b2] The transmittance of the first end region is lower than the transmittance of the first adjacent region

[3] The optical film according to [1] or [2], wherein the first end region and the first adjacent region have different values of at least one of haze, brightness, reflected color, color difference, and polarization degree.

[4] The optical film according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the first end region includes both ends in the width direction of the first liquid crystal layer.

[5] The optical film according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the first adjacent region is an entire region other than the first end region in the first liquid crystal layer.

[6] The optical film according to any one of [1] to [5], further comprising a first substrate layer.

[7] further comprising an adhesive layer and a resin film,

The optical film according to any one of [1] to [5], comprising the first liquid crystal layer, the adhesive layer, and the resin film in this order.

[8] further comprising an adhesive layer and a resin film,

The optical film according to [6], comprising the first base layer, the first liquid crystal layer, the adhesive layer, and the resin film in this order.

[9] The optical film according to [7] or [8], wherein the resin film contains a polarizing layer.

[10] The optical film according to any one of [7] to [9], in which the resin film includes a second liquid crystal layer.

[11] The second liquid crystal layer has a second end region including one end in the width direction, and a second adjacent region adjacent to the second end region in the width direction,

The optical film according to [10], wherein the second end region and the second adjacent region satisfy at least one of the following [c1] and [d1].

[c1] The reflectance of the second end region is different from the reflectance of the second adjacent region

[d1] The transmittance of the second end region and the transmittance of the second adjacent region are different from each other

[12] The optical film according to [11], wherein the second end region and the second adjacent region satisfy at least one of the following [c2] and [d2].

[c2] The reflectance of the second end region is higher than the reflectance of the second adjacent region

[d2] The transmittance of the second end region is lower than the transmittance of the second adjacent region

[13] The resin film further includes a second base layer,

The said 2nd base material layer is an optical film as described in [11] or [12] provided on the side opposite to the said adhesive layer side of the said 2nd liquid crystal layer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical film that is easy to recognize a region where a liquid crystal layer is formed.

Fig. 1 (a) is a schematic plan view schematically showing an example of the optical film of the present invention, and Fig. 1 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X 'in Fig. 1 (a).
2 (a) and 2 (b) are schematic cross-sectional views schematically showing other examples of the optical film of the present invention.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the optical film of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the optical film of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, each embodiment shown below and its modification examples may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, in each embodiment and its modified examples, the same reference numerals are given to the same members as those described in the embodiments before them or the modified examples, and the description thereof is omitted.

[Embodiment 1]

(Optical film (10))

Fig. 1 (a) is a schematic plan view schematically showing an example of the optical film of this embodiment, and Fig. 1 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X 'in Fig. 1 (a). In the figure, W represents a width direction, and L represents a direction orthogonal to the width direction W (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "orthogonal direction"). The optical film 10 of the present embodiment includes a first liquid crystal layer 12 on the first substrate layer 11, as shown in Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b). The first liquid crystal layer 12 includes a first end region 12a including both ends in the width direction W and a first adjacent region 12b adjacent to the first end region 12a in the width direction W ). The first end regions 12a are provided at both ends in the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer 12, respectively. The first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b satisfy the relationship of at least one of the following [a1] and [b1].

[a1] The reflectance of the first end region 12a is different from the reflectance of the first adjacent region 12b

[b1] The transmittance of the first end region 12a is different from the transmittance of the first adjacent region 12b

The first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b may satisfy at least one of the following [a2] and [b2].

[a2] The reflectance of the first end region 12a is higher than the reflectance of the first adjacent region 12b

[b2] The transmittance of the first end region 12a is lower than the transmittance of the first adjacent region 12b

The optical film 10 may be a long film or a sheet-fed film. When the optical film 10 is a long film, the width direction W may be a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the film (in FIG. 1 (a), a direction parallel to the orthogonal direction L). . In the optical film 10, in the cross section in the width direction, the length of the width direction W is shorter in the first liquid crystal layer 12 than in the first substrate layer 11 as shown in FIG. 1 (b). And the positions of both ends of the first liquid crystal layer 12 in the width direction W are inside the positions of both ends of the first substrate layer 11 in the width direction W. Moreover, the position of both ends of the width direction W may be the same between the 1st base material layer 11 and the 1st liquid crystal layer 12.

The 1st base material layer 11 has a function as a support layer which supports the 1st liquid crystal layer 12 formed thereon, and can make it peelable with respect to the 1st liquid crystal layer 12. It is preferable that the 1st base material layer 11 is a film formed of optically transparent (colorless transparent) resin. In this specification, it is said that optically transparent means that transmittance to light rays over a wavelength of 380 to 780 nm is 90% or more and haze is 2% or less.

The first liquid crystal layer 12 is formed by applying a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal compound such as, for example, a polymerizable liquid crystal compound onto the first base layer 11, and curing the liquid crystal formed by solidifying (curing) the liquid crystal compound. It is a layer. The phase difference characteristic can be provided to the optical film 10 by solidifying in the state which oriented the liquid crystal compound.

The first liquid crystal layer 12 has a first end region 12a including both ends of the width direction W and a first adjacent region 12b adjacent to the first end region 12a. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the first end region 12a is indicated by a diagonal line downward to the right. In the optical film 10 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the first adjacent region 12b is located between two first end regions 12a located at both ends of the first liquid crystal layer 12. ), And the entire area other than the first end area 12a is the first adjacent area 12b. The first end region 12a of the first liquid crystal layer 12 illustrated in FIG. 1A is perpendicular to the width direction W at both ends of the first liquid crystal layer 12 in the width direction W. In the orthogonal direction (L), it is formed in a strip shape with a constant width.

When the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b are observed under the same measurement conditions, it is sufficient to satisfy the relationship between at least one of the above [a1] and [b1], and satisfy the relationship of both. You may want to. The relationship of [a1] may be a relationship of [a2] above or a relationship of [a3] below. In addition, the relationship of [b1] may be the relationship of [b2] or the relationship of [b3] below.

[a3] The reflectance of the first end region 12a is lower than the reflectance of the first adjacent region 12b

[b3] The transmittance of the first end region 12a is higher than the transmittance of the first adjacent region 12b

In addition, although the optical film 10 has two first end regions 12a at both ends of the first liquid crystal layer 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), this If each of the two first end regions 12a and the first adjacent region 12b satisfies at least one of [a1] and [b1], the transmittance of the two first end regions 12a and The reflectances may be the same or different from each other. The reflectance and transmittance may be measured by using a known method under the same measurement conditions for the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b, and measured by an inspector in a process of conveying the optical film 10 or the like. It is preferred.

Although there is no particular limitation on the light source used to measure the reflectance or transmittance, a light source of white light such as natural light, fluorescent light or white LED is preferred. The illuminance of the light source is preferably 1,000 LUX or more, and particularly preferably 2,000 LUX or more.

The reflectance may be any of total reflectance, diffuse reflectance, or specular reflectance. The reflectance can be measured, for example, in SCE (removed specular light) mode or SCI (including specular light) mode. The difference in reflectance between the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b may be 0.1% or more, 0.15% or more, 0.2% or more, 0.25% or more, 0.3% or more, and 0.4 % Or more, 0.5% or more, 1.0% or more, 1.5% or more, 2.0% or more, 2.5% or more, 3.0% or more, preferably 4.0% or more, and 5.0% or more More preferably, it is more than 10%, and more preferably 10% or more. If the reflectance difference is within the above-mentioned range, it is preferable because it can be measured by an inspector in the conveying step of the optical film 10.

The transmittance may be any of total light transmittance (Tt), diffuse transmittance (Td), or linear transmittance (Tp). The difference in transmittance between the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b may be 0.5%, 1.0% or more, 1.5% or more, 2.0% or more, 2.5% or more, and 3.0%. The above may be sufficient, it is preferably 4.0% or more, more preferably 5.0% or more, and even more preferably 10% or more. When the difference in transmittance is within the above-mentioned range, it is preferable because it can be measured by an inspector in the conveying step of the optical film 10.

As described above, the first liquid crystal layer in the optical film 10 is obtained by satisfying the relationship between at least one of [a1] and [b1] in the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b. It is easy to discriminate between the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b in (12). For example, in the optical film 10, as shown in Fig. 1 (b), the first liquid crystal layer 12 is not formed on the first substrate layer at the end of the first substrate layer 11 or the like. There are cases. In the optical film 10, for example, when the first base layer and the first liquid crystal layer are optically transparent, it is difficult to recognize the formation range of the first liquid crystal layer provided on the first base layer. However, as in the optical film 10 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the relationship between the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b is, for example, [a2] and [ b2], it is easy to discriminate the first end region 12a in the optical film 10, and thus the formation range of the first liquid crystal layer 12 on the first base layer 11 It becomes easy to recognize.

Thereby, for example, in the case of laminating a resin film on the first liquid crystal layer 12 of the optical film 10 via an adhesive layer, as described later, the first liquid crystal layer on the first substrate layer 11 ( Since the range in which 12) is formed can be recognized, the range in which the adhesive layer is formed can be appropriately set. In addition, even when a region in which the first liquid crystal layer 12 is formed is cut out from the optical film 10 for commercialization or the like, the range in which the first liquid crystal layer 12 is formed can be recognized. The slice efficiency of the region where the liquid crystal layer 12 is formed can be improved to reduce unused portions (eg, waste portions) removed from the optical film 10.

The reflectance in each region of the first liquid crystal layer 12 can be changed, for example, by adjusting the haze, brightness, and reflection color of the first liquid crystal layer 12. In order to vary the reflectance of the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b by adjusting the haze, the haze of the first end region 12a and the haze of the first adjacent region 12b are different from each other. There are things to do. In order to change the reflectance of the first end region 12a and the reflectance of the first adjacent region 12b by adjusting the brightness or the reflection color (a ^* or b ^* ), for example, it is incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 The light is made to be relatively easy to reflect in the first end region 12a (eg, colored in white), and is made to be in a state where it is relatively difficult to reflect in the first adjacent region 12b (eg, not colored) Optically transparent), or the light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 is relatively hard to be reflected in the first end region 12a (eg, colored in black), and adjacent to the first In the region 12b, a state that is relatively easy to reflect (e.g., optically transparent without coloring) can be given.

The difference in haze between the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b may be 1.0% or more, 2.0% or more, 3.0% or more, 4.0% or more, and 5.0% or more Preferably, it is more preferably 10.0% or more. The difference in brightness between the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b may be 3 or more, preferably 5 or more, and more preferably 10 or more. The first end region (12a) and the difference of the reflection color in the first adjacent regions (12b), a ^* may be an at least 0.5 for a, preferably not less than 1.0, with respect to the preferred, and b ^* than not less than 1.5 0.5 The above may be used, it is more preferably 1.0 or more, and still more preferably 1.5 or more. When the haze, brightness, and reflection color are within the above range, it is suitable because the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b can be easily and easily discriminated.

In addition, the transmittance in each region of the first liquid crystal layer 12 can be changed, for example, by adjusting the haze, color difference, or polarization degree of the first liquid crystal layer 12. In order to change the transmittance of the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b by adjusting the haze, the haze of the first end region 12a and the haze of the first adjacent region 12b are different from each other. There are things to do. In order to change the transmittance of the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b by adjusting the color difference, for example, light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 is, for example, the first end region 12a. It is mentioned that the state of making it relatively difficult to transmit (eg, coloring), and making it relatively easy to transmit (eg, making it optically transparent) in the first adjacent region 12b. In order to change the transmittance of the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b by adjusting the polarization degree, the polarization degree in the first end region 12a and the polarization degree in the first adjacent region are different. Examples of the method include a method in which the polarization degree in the first end region 12a is higher than the polarization degree in the first adjacent region.

The difference in haze between the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b may be 0.5% or more, 1.0% or more, 2.0% or more, 3.0% or more, or 4.0% or more. It is good, preferably 5.0% or more, and more preferably 10.0% or more. The color difference (ΔE ^* ab) in the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b may be 3 or more, 5 or more, preferably 7 or more, and more preferably 10 or more. The difference in polarization degree between the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b may be 0.01% or more, may be 0.05% or more, preferably 0.1% or more, and more preferably 0.5% or more. When the haze, color difference, or polarization degree is within the above range, it is suitable because the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b can be easily and easily discriminated.

Since the first adjacent region 12b of the first liquid crystal layer 12 is often used as a region having optical anisotropy, it is preferable to be optically transparent, and the first stage region 12a is processed into a product. Since it is often removed, it may be colored.

The length of the width direction W of the first end region 12a is usually 50 mm or less, preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or less, and even more preferably 10 mm or less. The lengths of the two first end regions 12a in the width direction W may be the same or different from each other. Since the first end region 12a is a portion to be removed when the optical film is commercialized, it is preferable to make it as narrow as possible. The length of the first adjacent region 12b in the width direction W is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 700 mm or more.

(Method of manufacturing optical film 10)

The optical film 10 is, for example, by applying a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer for forming the first liquid crystal layer 12 on the first substrate layer 11, and solidifying (curing) the liquid crystal compound to form the first liquid crystal layer It can be produced by forming (12). At this time, it is preferable to solidify in a state in which the liquid crystal compound is aligned. The composition for forming a liquid crystal layer may contain a liquid crystal compound or a solvent, and the solvent is preferably removed by drying or the like after coating on the first base layer 11. As the liquid crystal compound, it is preferable to use a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group, and after applying the composition for forming a liquid crystal layer on the first substrate layer 11, it is preferable to polymerize and cure the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. .

In order to form the first short region 12a or the first adjacent region 12b in the first liquid crystal layer 12, a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer is coated on the first base layer 11 to form the first liquid crystal layer ( When forming 12), it is preferable to perform a process for forming these regions.

As described above, in the first liquid crystal layer 12, in order to vary the reflectance of the first end region 12a and the reflectance of the first adjacent region 12b, [i] the first end region 12a The haze and the haze of the first adjacent region 12b are different, and [ii] the reflection state of light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 is different from the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b. There are things to do.

As a method of differentiating the haze of the first end region 12a and the haze of the first adjacent region 12b, the first liquid crystal layer 12 is applied by applying a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer on the first base layer 11 When forming a method, a method of dropping a solvent in a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer applied to a region serving as the first stage region 12a, the surface of the first liquid crystal layer 12 in the region serving as the first stage region 12a A method of providing fine irregularities to the surface of the first stage region 12a by blasting or the like, a method of adding fine particles to the composition for forming a liquid crystal layer applied to the region to be the first stage region 12a, the first stage And a method of adding an incompatible composition to a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer applied to a region serving as the region 12a, a method of adding high refractive index fine particles, and the like.

As a method of changing the reflection state of light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 in the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b, the light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 is In the first stage region 12a, a state in which it is relatively easy to reflect or in a state in which it is difficult to reflect is mentioned, and a state in which a state in which it is relatively difficult to reflect or in a state where it is relatively easy to reflect is exemplified. As a method of making the light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 easy to reflect in the first end region 12a and making it difficult to reflect in the first adjacent region 12b, the first end region The region to be (12a) is colored with a color (for example, white) in which light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 is relatively easily reflected, and the first adjacent region 12b is not colored (optically transparent) And a method of depositing a metal film on a region that becomes the first end region 12a. As a method of making the light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 difficult to reflect in the first end region 12a and making it easy to reflect in the first adjacent region 12b, the first end region The region to be (12a) is colored with a color (for example, black) in which light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 is relatively difficult to reflect, and the first adjacent region 12b is not colored (optically transparent) And the like). The coloring of the first liquid crystal layer 12 in the first stage region 12a is, for example, applied to a region for forming the first stage region 12a, a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer, a pigment or the like by an inkjet coating device or the like. It can be performed by applying or adding a dye.

In addition, as described above, in the first liquid crystal layer 12, in order to vary the transmittance of the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b, [i] the first end region 12a ) Is different from the haze of the first adjacent region 12b, and [ii] the ease of transmission of light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 is determined by the first stage region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b. And [iii] different polarization degrees in the first end region 12a and polarization degrees in the first adjacent region.

The method described above can be used as a method of differentiating the haze of the first end region 12a from the haze of the first adjacent region 12b.

As a method of differentiating the ease of transmission of light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 in the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b, for example, light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 A method of making the first step region 12a relatively difficult to permeate and making it relatively easy to permeate in the first adjacent region 12b is exemplified. In this way, the first end region 12a is colored with a color (for example, white or black) in which light incident on the first liquid crystal layer 12 becomes relatively difficult to transmit, and the first adjacent region 12b is And a method of not coloring (optically transparent) or the like. Coloring in the first end region 12a of the first liquid crystal layer 12 can be performed using, for example, an inkjet coating device as described above.

As a method of changing the polarization degree in the first end region 12a and the polarization degree in the first adjoining region, for providing polarization degree in the first end region 12a and the first adjoining region 12b. And a method of varying the amount of addition of the dichroic dye, a method of differentiating the orientation of the dichroic dye in the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b, and the like. For example, a method in which a dichroic dye is added to the first end region 12a and oriented to give a degree of polarization, and a dichroic dye is not added to the first adjacent region 12b and no polarization degree is given, the first end region ( And a method of increasing the degree of orientation of the dichroic dye of 12a) to increase the degree of polarization relatively, and lowering the degree of orientation of the dichroic dye of the first adjacent region to lower the degree of polarization.

As a method of adding a dichroic dye to the first stage region 12a, for example, as described above, using a method using an inkjet coating device, the composition for forming a liquid crystal layer for forming the first liquid crystal layer 12 And a method of adding a dichroic dye. When a composition for forming a liquid crystal containing a dichroic dye is used, a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer containing a dichroic dye is applied to a region of increasing polarization degree, or for forming a liquid crystal layer containing a dichroic dye at a higher concentration. It is good to apply the composition.

In addition, as a method of increasing the degree of alignment of the dichroic dye in the first stage region 12a, an alignment layer is provided between the first base layer 11 and the first liquid crystal layer 12, and the alignment regulating force of the alignment layer A method of increasing the degree of alignment of the liquid crystal compound in the first stage region 12a by adjusting is exemplified. In the case of using a polymerizable liquid crystal compound as the liquid crystal compound, a first stage region 12a is obtained by using a mask or the like to irradiate the first stage region 12a with polarization and not irradiating the first adjacent region with polarization. And a method of increasing the degree of alignment of the liquid crystal compound in. In this case, a dichroic dye may be added to the composition for forming a liquid crystal layer applied on the first base layer 11. In addition, as a liquid crystal compound, when a dichroic dye itself has liquid crystallinity or a dichroic dye itself has a polymerizable functional group, for example, it is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-180052 And a method of adjusting the degree of orientation by adjusting the shear stress at the time, a method of adjusting the degree of orientation by adjusting the magnetic field or electric field, and the like.

(Modified Example 1)

Hereinafter, modified examples of the present embodiment will be described, but the above-described embodiments and the following modified examples may be arbitrarily combined.

(Modification 1)

In the optical film 10 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a case where the first end regions 12a are respectively provided at both ends of the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer 12 is exemplified. As described above, the first end region may be formed at either end in the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer. In this case, the first end region may be the end portion of the both ends of the first liquid crystal layer in the width direction W where the first end region is not formed.

(Modification 2)

In the optical film 10 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), for example, when the entire area of the first liquid crystal layer 12 other than the first end area 12a is the first adjacent area Although described, the first end region and the first adjacent region are not limited to this as long as they are adjacent in the width direction W. For example, only the portion adjacent to the first end region may be the first adjacent region, and the region on the opposite side to the first end region of the first adjacent region may be a region other than these.

(Modification 3)

Although the optical film 10 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) has the first base layer 11, it is not necessary to have the first base layer 11. The optical film which does not have the 1st base material layer can be obtained by peeling the 1st base material layer 11 from the optical film 10, for example.

(Modification 4)

In the optical film 10 shown in Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the first end region 12a is in a band shape with a constant width in the orthogonal direction L orthogonal to the width direction W Although the case where it is formed was demonstrated as an example, it is not limited to this. For example, the width of the first end region 12a may be varied without being constant in the orthogonal direction L. When the first end regions 12a are formed at both ends of the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer 12, the width of one first end region is constant and the other first end region The widths of the may be changed, or the widths of the first end regions on both sides may be changed, and the changes may be the same or different from each other.

(Modification 5)

In the optical film 10 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the case where the first end region 12a is continuously formed in the orthogonal direction is described as an example, but the first end region is It may be formed intermittently in the orthogonal direction (L). In the case where the first end region is intermittently formed, it is preferable that the end portions of the first liquid crystal layer are formed at intervals sufficient to be recognized.

(Modification 6)

Although the optical film 10 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) has the first liquid crystal layer 12 on the first substrate layer 11 as an example, the first substrate layer has been described. You may have a 1st alignment layer between and a 1st liquid crystal layer. Moreover, the optical film may not have a first base material layer, but may have a first liquid crystal layer and a first alignment layer. An optical film having a first alignment layer and no first substrate layer can be obtained, for example, by peeling the first substrate layer from a laminate having the first substrate layer, the first alignment layer, and the first liquid crystal layer in this order. have. In this case, when peeling the first base material layer, it is sufficient to adjust the adhesion between the layers so that the first alignment layer remains on the first liquid crystal layer. Moreover, the optical film which does not have a 1st base material layer and a 1st alignment layer can also be obtained by peeling a 1st base material layer and a 1st alignment layer from the said laminated body, for example. In this case, when peeling the first base layer, it is sufficient to adjust the adhesion between the layers so that the first alignment layer can be peeled together with the first base layer. The adhesive force between each layer can be adjusted by a component included in each layer or a surface treatment performed on the surface of each layer.

[Embodiment 2]

The optical film of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the optical film of the first liquid crystal layer has an adhesive layer and a resin film on opposite sides of the first base layer. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same members as those described in the previous embodiment, and the descriptions thereof are omitted.

(Optical film (50, 51))

2 (a) and 2 (b) are schematic sectional views schematically showing an example of the optical film of the present embodiment. In the figure, W represents the width direction. The optical film 50 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 (a), the first substrate layer 11, the first liquid crystal layer 12, the adhesive layer 30, and the resin film 20 Have in this order. In addition, the optical film 51, as shown in Figure 2 (b), the first base layer 11, the first liquid crystal layer 12, the adhesive layer 31, and the resin film 20 in this order The length of the adhesive layer 31 in the width direction W is different from that of the optical film 50. The optical film 50 or 51 may be a long film or a sheet-fed film.

In the optical film 50 shown in Fig. 2 (a), in the cross section in the width direction, the adhesive layer 30 has a longer length in the width direction W than the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the resin film 20. The position of both ends of the adhesive layer 30 in the width direction W of the adhesive layer 30 is inside the position of both ends of the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the resin film 20. The first liquid crystal layer 12 and the resin film 20 may have the same length in the width direction W or may be different from each other. Moreover, the position of both ends of the adhesive layer 30, the 1st liquid crystal layer 12, and the resin film 20 in the width direction W may be the same. However, in order to prevent the transport path from being contaminated by the adhesive layer 30 when transporting the optical film 50, the positions of both ends in the width direction W of the resin film 20 are in the width direction of the adhesive layer 30. It is preferable that it is the same as the position of both ends of (W), or that it is outside. The positions of both ends of the adhesive layer 30 in the width direction W are the same as the positions of both ends of the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the resin film 20 in one of the width directions W, and the other It may be inside than the position of both ends in the width direction W.

On the other hand, in the optical film 51 shown in Fig. 2 (b), in the cross section in the width direction, the length of the width direction W of the adhesive layer 31 is the width direction (W) of the first liquid crystal layer 12 ) Is longer than the length of the resin film 20 and shorter than the length of the width direction W of the resin film 20, and the positions of both ends of the width direction W of the adhesive layer 31 are in the width direction of the first liquid crystal layer 12. It is outside the position of both ends of (W), and is inside of the position of both ends of the width direction W of the resin film 20. Although the position of both ends of the adhesive layer 31 and the resin film 20 may be the same in the width direction W, when conveying the optical film 51, it is difficult for the transport path to be contaminated by the adhesive layer 31 For this reason, the positions of both ends of the first substrate layer 11 and the resin film 20 in the width direction W are the same as or located outside the positions of both ends in the width direction W of the adhesive layer 31. It is preferred. The length of the width direction W may be the same as the 1st base material layer 11 and the resin film 20, or may differ from each other.

The first base layer 11 and the first liquid crystal layer 12 are as described in the previous embodiment. The adhesive layer 30 and the adhesive layer 31 are layers for adhering the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the resin film 20, and the adhesive layer 31 of the optical film 51 shown in FIG. 2 (b) is In addition, at both ends of the width direction W, the first base layer 11 and the resin film 20 are directly bonded. It is preferable that the adhesive layer 30 and the adhesive layer 31 are optically transparent. The resin film 20 can be, for example, a separator that protects the optically functional film such as a polarizing plate or a reflective film containing a polarizing layer, and the adhesive layers 30 and 31. When the resin film 20 is a separator, the adhesive layers 30 and 31 and the resin film 20 may have the same length in the width direction W. When the resin film 20 is an optically functional film, it is preferable that it is optically transparent.

The first liquid crystal layer 12 of the optical films 50 and 51 has a first end region 12a and a first adjacent region 12b as described in the previous embodiment, and these two regions are measured identically. When observed under conditions, at least one of the above-mentioned [a1] and [b1] is satisfied. Therefore, in the optical films 50 and 51, it is easy to discriminate the first end regions 12a and the first adjacent regions 12b of the first liquid crystal layer 12. For example, since it is easy to discriminate the first end region 12a in the optical film 10 by being in at least one of the above [a2] and [b2], the agent in the optical films 50 and 51 1 It becomes easy to recognize the formation range of the liquid crystal layer 12. Thereby, when the area | region where the 1st liquid crystal layer 12 was formed is cut out from the optical films 50 and 51 for commercialization etc., the range in which the 1st liquid crystal layer 12 is formed can be recognized. Therefore, the slicing efficiency of the region where the first liquid crystal layer 12 is formed can be improved, and the unused portion (eg, waste portion) removed from the optical films 50 and 51 can be reduced.

In addition, the optical films 50 and 51 may be used by peeling off the first base layer 11. At this time, in the optical film 50 shown in Figure 2 (a), the position of both ends in the width direction (W) of the adhesive layer 30 than the position of both ends in the width direction (W) of the first liquid crystal layer 12 Since it is on the inside and the first base layer 11 and the resin film 20 are not directly bonded through the adhesive layer 30, the first base layer 11 can be suitably peeled. On the other hand, in the optical film 51 shown in Fig. 2 (b), the position of both ends of the adhesive layer 31 in the width direction W is opposite to that of the first liquid crystal layer 12 in the width direction W. Since it is outside the position and the first base layer 11 and the resin film 20 are directly bonded through the adhesive layer 31, it is difficult to satisfactorily peel the first base layer 11, and the optical film ( If the first base layer 11 is to be peeled from 51, the first base layer 11 may break at the time of peeling. Therefore, in the optical film 51, it is preferable to peel the first base material layer 11 after removing it by slitting the area where the first base material layer 11 and the resin film 20 are directly adhered. .

As described above, in the optical films 50 and 51, for example, by making it easy to recognize the first end region 12a of the first liquid crystal layer 12, the first end region of the first liquid crystal layer 12 ( While confirming 12a), at both ends of the width direction W of the optical films 50 and 51, it is outside the end of the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer 12, and the first base material layer 11 And whether the resin film 20 is directly bonded through the adhesive layers 30 and 31. Thereby, in the optical film 51 shown in Fig. 2 (b), it is necessary to remove the first base layer 11 after removing both ends of the optical film 51 in the width direction W. Since it can be judged, when peeling the 1st base material layer 11 from an optical film, it can suppress that the 1st base material layer 11 breaks. In addition, in the optical film 50 shown in Fig. 2 (a), since it can be judged that it is not necessary to slit both ends, the process of peeling the first base layer 11 from the optical film can be simplified. .

(Method of manufacturing optical films 50 and 51)

The optical films 50 and 51 can be manufactured using, for example, the optical films 10 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). In this case, after laminating the first liquid crystal layer 12 side of the optical film 10 and the resin film 20 through the adhesive composition layer for forming the adhesive layers 30 and 31, the adhesive composition as needed The optical films 50 and 51 can be obtained by curing the layer or the like to form the adhesive layers 30 and 31. The adhesive composition layer may be provided on the first liquid crystal layer 12 of the optical film 10, may be provided on the resin film 20, or may be provided on both of them.

Since the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b of the first liquid crystal layer 12 in the optical film 10 have at least one of reflectance and transmittance different from each other, their positions can be determined. . This makes it easy to appropriately set the formation range of the adhesive composition layer for forming the adhesive layers 30 and 31. Therefore, the position of both ends in the width direction W of the adhesive layer 30 is produced than the position of both ends in the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer 12, or the adhesive layer ( The position of both ends in the width direction W of 31) can be easily performed by making the optical film 51 outside the position of both ends in the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer 12.

(Modified Example 2)

Hereinafter, modified examples of the present embodiment will be described, but the above-described embodiments and the following modified examples may be arbitrarily combined.

(Modification 1)

In the optical films 50 and 51 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the first substrate layer 11 is provided, but the first substrate layer 11 is not required. The optical film which does not have the 1st base material layer 11 can be obtained by peeling the 1st base material layer 11 from the optical films 50 and 51 as mentioned above, For example, a 1st liquid crystal layer, an adhesive layer, And a resin film in this order.

(Modification 2)

In the optical films 50 and 51 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the first base layer 11, the first liquid crystal layer 12, the adhesive layer 30, and the resin film 20 Although the case having a has been described as an example, the first alignment layer may be provided between the first base layer and the first liquid crystal layer. Moreover, the optical film may not have a first base material layer, and may have a first alignment layer, a first liquid crystal layer, an adhesive layer, and a resin film in this order. Such an optical film can be obtained, for example, by peeling the first base layer from the laminate having the first base layer, the first alignment layer, the first liquid crystal layer, the adhesive layer, and the resin film in this order. In this case, when peeling the first base material layer, it is sufficient to adjust the adhesion between the layers so that the first alignment layer remains on the first liquid crystal layer. Moreover, the optical film which has a 1st liquid crystal layer, an adhesive layer, and a resin film in this order can also be obtained, for example, by peeling a 1st base material layer and a 1st orientation layer from the said laminated body. In this case, when peeling the first base layer, it is sufficient to adjust the adhesion between the layers so that the first alignment layer can be peeled together with the first base layer. The adhesive force between each layer can be adjusted by a component included in each layer or a surface treatment performed on the surface of each layer.

(Modification 3)

In the optical films 50 and 51 shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the positions of both ends of the adhesive layer 30 in the width direction W are the width directions of the first liquid crystal layer 12 ( Although the case where the inside or outside of the position of both ends of W) was described as an example, the position of one end of the adhesive layer 30 in the width direction W is the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer 12 It may be inside or outside the position of one end.

[Embodiment 3]

The optical film of the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a film containing a second base layer and a second liquid crystal layer is used as the resin film. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same members as those described in the previous embodiment, and the descriptions thereof are omitted.

(Optical film 60)

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the optical film of the present embodiment. In the figure, W represents the width direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical film 60 of this embodiment is a 1st base material layer 11, the 1st liquid crystal layer 12, the adhesive layer 32, the 2nd liquid crystal layer 22, and the 1st. 2 has the base layer 21 in this order. The second base layer 21 and the second liquid crystal layer 22 form a resin film, and in the optical film 60, the second base layer 21 is different from the adhesive layer 32 of the second liquid crystal layer 22. It is provided on the opposite side. The second liquid crystal layer 22 includes a second end region 22a including both ends in the width direction W, and a second adjacent region adjacent to the second end region 22a in the width direction W ( 22b). The second end regions 22a are provided at both ends in the width direction W of the second liquid crystal layer 22, respectively. The second end region 22a and the second adjacent region 22b satisfy the relationship of at least one of the following [c1] and [d1].

[c1] The reflectance of the second end region 22a is different from the reflectance of the second adjacent region 22b

[d1] The transmittance of the second end region 22a is different from the transmittance of the second adjacent region 22b

The second end region 22a and the second adjacent region 22b may satisfy at least one of the following [c2] and [d2].

[c2] The reflectance of the second end region 22a is higher than the reflectance of the second adjacent region 22b

[d2] The transmittance of the second end region 22a is lower than the transmittance of the second adjacent region 22b

The optical film 60 may be a long film or a sheet-fed film. In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, in the cross section in the width direction, the length of the second liquid crystal layer 22 is shorter in the width direction W than in the second base layer 21, and the second The positions of both ends of the liquid crystal layer 22 in the width direction W are inside the positions of both ends of the second substrate layer 21 in the width direction W. Moreover, the position of both ends of the 2nd base material layer 21 and the 2nd liquid crystal layer may be the same in the width direction W. Further, in the optical film 60, the length of the adhesive layer 32 is shorter in the width direction W than the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second liquid crystal layer 22 in the cross section in the width direction, and the adhesive layer The positions of both ends of the width direction W of (32) are inside the positions of both ends of the width direction (W) of the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second liquid crystal layer 22. The first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second liquid crystal layer 22 may have the same length in the width direction W or may be different from each other. In addition, the position of both ends of the adhesive layer 32 in the width direction W may be the same as the position of both ends of the width direction W of the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second liquid crystal layer 22, and It may be outside. However, in order to prevent the transport path from being contaminated by the adhesive layer 32 when transporting the optical film 60, both ends of the width direction W of the first base layer 11 and the second base layer 21 The position is preferably the same as the position of both ends in the width direction W of the adhesive layer 32, or is more preferably outside.

The first base layer 11 and the first liquid crystal layer 12 are as described in the previous embodiment. The adhesive layer 32 is a layer for adhering the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second liquid crystal layer 22. It is preferable that the adhesive layer 32 is optically transparent. The 2nd base material layer 21 has a function as a support layer which supports the 2nd liquid crystal layer 22 formed on it, and can make it peelable with respect to the 2nd liquid crystal layer 22. It is preferable that the 2nd base material layer 21 is a film formed with the optically transparent resin. The second liquid crystal layer 22 is a layer formed by applying a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal compound such as a polymerizable liquid crystal compound on the second base layer 21 and solidifying (curing) the liquid crystal compound. . The phase difference characteristic can be provided to the optical film 60 by hardening in the state which oriented the liquid crystal compound.

The second liquid crystal layer 22 has a second end region 22a including both ends of the width direction W and a second adjacent region 22b adjacent to the second end region 22a. In Fig. 3, the second end region 22a is indicated by a diagonal line rising to the right. In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, between two second end regions 22a positioned at both ends of the second liquid crystal layer 22 is a second adjacent region 22b, and a second end region 22a The entire area other than) is the second adjacent area 22b. The second end region 22a of the second liquid crystal layer 22 shown in FIG. 3 is at both ends of the second liquid crystal layer 22 in the width direction W and is orthogonal to the width direction W. It is continuously formed in a strip shape with a constant width.

When the second stage region 22a and the second adjacent region 22b are observed under the same measurement conditions, it is sufficient that the relationship between at least one of [c1] and [d1] is satisfied, and the relationship between both is satisfied. It may be. The relationship between [c1] may be a relationship between [c2] or [c3] below. In addition, the relationship of [d1] may be a relationship of [d2] or a relationship of [d3] below.

[c3] The reflectance of the second end region 22a is lower than the reflectance of the second adjacent region 22b

[d3] The transmittance of the second end region 22a is higher than the transmittance of the second adjacent region 22b

In addition, although the optical film 60 has two second end regions 22a at both ends of the second liquid crystal layer 22, as shown in FIG. 3, these two second end regions 22a When each and the second adjacent region 22b satisfy the relationship of at least one of [c1] and [d1], the transmittance and reflectance of the two second end regions 22a may be the same or mutually identical. It may be different. The reflectance and transmittance may be measured using the method described in the previous embodiment. In addition, as a method of adjusting the reflectance and transmittance in each region of the second liquid crystal layer 22, the method described in the previous embodiment can be used.

In the optical film 60, the first liquid crystal layer 12 has a first end region 12a and a first adjacent region 12b, as described in the previous embodiment, and the second liquid crystal layer 22 is made It has a two-stage region 22a and a second adjacent region 22b, and these regions have at least one of [a1] and [b1] described above, and at least one of [c1] and [d1]. Meets. Therefore, in the optical film 60, it is easy to discriminate the first end region 12a and the first adjoining region 12b, and the second end region 22a and the second adjoining region 22b are also easily discriminated. It becomes easy to discriminate. Thus, when the adhesive layer is provided on the first liquid crystal layer 12 or the second liquid crystal layer 22, the range in which the first liquid crystal layer 12 or the second liquid crystal layer is formed can be recognized. Since it can be made, the range in which the adhesive layer is formed can be appropriately set. In addition, even in the case where a region in which the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second liquid crystal layer 22 are formed is cut out from the optical film 60 for commercialization or the like, the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second liquid crystal layer ( Since it is possible to recognize the range where 22) is formed, the slice efficiency of the regions where the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second liquid crystal layer 22 are formed is improved, and the optical film 60 The removed and unused portion (eg, waste portion) can be reduced.

In addition, the optical film 60 may be used by peeling off the first base layer 11 and the second base layer 21. At this time, if the first base layer 11 and the second base layer 21 are directly bonded through the adhesive layer 32, as described in the case of peeling the first base layer 11 in the previous embodiment Similarly, it becomes difficult to satisfactorily peel off the first base layer 11 or the second base layer 21. In the optical film 60, for example, by making it easy to recognize the first end region 12a of the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second end region 22a of the second liquid crystal layer 22, these first end regions While confirming (12a) and the second end region 22a, in both ends of the width direction W of the optical film 60, the width direction of the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second liquid crystal layer 22 ( It is outside the end of W), and it can be confirmed whether the first base layer 11 and the second base layer 21 are directly bonded through the adhesive layer 32. Thereby, in peeling the 1st base material layer 11 or the 2nd base material layer 21 from the optical film 60, according to the formation position of the adhesive layer 32 of the optical film 60, its width direction It is possible to determine whether it is necessary to remove both ends of (W). Therefore, when peeling the 1st base material layer 11 or the 2nd base material layer 21, it can suppress that the 1st base material layer 11 or the 2nd base material layer 21 break | rupture, and it is also necessary. According to this, since it is only necessary to provide a step of slitting both ends of the optical film, the manufacturing process can be improved.

Since the second adjacent region 22b of the second liquid crystal layer 22 is often used as a region having optical anisotropy, it is preferable to be optically transparent, and the second stage region 22a is processed into a product. Since it is often removed, it may be colored.

The length of the second end region 22a in the width direction W is usually 50 mm or less, preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or less, and even more preferably 10 mm or less. The lengths of the width direction W of the two second end regions 22a may be the same or different from each other. Since the second stage region 22a is a portion to be removed when the optical film is commercialized, it is preferable to make it as narrow as possible. The length of the second adjacent region 22b in the width direction W is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 700 mm or more.

In the optical film 60, the first end region 12a of the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second end region 22a of the second liquid crystal layer 22 have the same reflectance or transmittance as each other. It may be good or different from each other, and the first adjacent region 12b and the second adjacent region 22b may have the same reflectance or transmittance, or may be different from each other. In addition, in the optical film 60, the first end region 12a of the first liquid crystal layer 12 and the second end region 22a of the second liquid crystal layer 22 are in the width direction (W). The lengths may be the same or different from each other, and the first adjoining region 12b and the second adjoining region 22b may have the same length in the width direction W or may be different from each other.

(Method for manufacturing optical film 60)

The optical film 60 is, for example, a film in which the second liquid crystal layer 22 is formed on the optical film 10 and the second base layer 21 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). (Hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "second liquid crystal layer film"). In this case, the first liquid crystal layer 12 side of the optical film 10 and the second liquid crystal layer 22 side of the second liquid crystal layer film are laminated through an adhesive composition layer for forming the adhesive layer 32. Thereafter, the optical film 60 can be obtained by curing the adhesive composition layer or the like to form the adhesive layer 32 as necessary. The adhesive composition layer may be provided on the first liquid crystal layer 12 of the optical film 10, or may be provided on the second liquid crystal layer 22 of the second liquid crystal layer film, and provided on both of them. You may do it.

Since the first end region 12a and the first adjacent region 12b of the first liquid crystal layer 12 in the optical film 60 have different reflectances or transmittances, the first end region 12a and the first end region are different. The adjacent region 12b can be determined. Similarly, since the second end region 22a and the second adjacent region 22b of the second liquid crystal layer 22 have different reflectances or transmittances, the second end region 22a and the second adjacent region 22b are different. Can discriminate. Therefore, it is easy to form the adhesive composition layer for forming the adhesive layer 32 at a desired position.

(Modified Example 3)

Hereinafter, modified examples of the present embodiment will be described, but the above-described embodiments and the following modified examples may be arbitrarily combined.

(Modification 1)

In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, the case where the second liquid crystal layer 22 has the second end region 22a and the second adjacent region 22b has been described as an example, but the second liquid crystal layer 22 ) Does not need to have the second end region 22a and the second adjacent region 22b.

(Modification 2)

In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, the case where the second end regions 22a are respectively provided at both ends of the second liquid crystal layer 22 in the width direction W is described as an example. , It may be formed on either one of both ends in the width direction W of the second liquid crystal layer. In this case, the end portion of the second liquid crystal layer in both ends of the width direction W where the second end region is not formed may be the second adjacent region.

(Modification 3)

In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, the case where the entire region other than the second stage region 22a of the second liquid crystal layer 22 is the second adjacent region has been described as an example. If the 2 adjacent areas are adjacent to the width direction W, it is not limited to this. For example, only the portion adjacent to the second end region may be the second adjacent region, and the region opposite to the second end region of the second adjacent region may be an area other than these.

(Modification 4)

In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, the first base layer 11 and the second base layer 21 are provided, but one or both of these may not be required. The optical film which does not have the 1st base material layer 11 or the 2nd base material layer 21 is the 1st base material layer 11 or the 2nd base material layer 21 from the optical film 60 as mentioned above, for example. It can be obtained by peeling.

(Modification 5)

In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, the case where the second end region 22a is formed in a band shape with a constant width in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the width direction W is described as an example. It is not limited. For example, the width of the second end region 22a may be varied without being constant in the orthogonal direction. When the second end regions 22a are formed at both ends in the width direction W of the second liquid crystal layer 22, the width of one second end region is constant, and the other second end region The widths of the may be changed, or the widths of the second end regions on both sides may be changed, and the changes may be the same or different from each other.

(Modification 6)

In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, the case where the second end region 22a is continuously formed in the orthogonal direction is described as an example, but the second end region is intermittently formed in the orthogonal direction L. It may be. In the case where the second end region is intermittently formed, it is preferable to form the second liquid crystal layer at intervals such that an end portion of the second liquid crystal layer is recognized.

(Modification 7)

In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, the case where the second liquid crystal layer 22 is provided on the second base layer 21 is described as an example, but the second between the second base layer and the second liquid crystal layer is described. You may have an orientation layer. Further, the optical film may have a second liquid crystal layer on the opposite side to the adhesive layer of the second liquid crystal layer without having a second base layer. An optical film having a second alignment layer and no second substrate layer is, for example, a first substrate layer, a first alignment layer, a first liquid crystal layer, an adhesive layer, a second liquid crystal layer, a second alignment layer, and a second substrate It can be obtained by peeling the second base layer from the layered product having the layers in this order, and at the time of peeling of the second base layer, the adhesion between the layers may be adjusted so that the second alignment layer remains on the second liquid crystal layer. . Further, the optical film having neither the second base layer nor the second alignment layer can be obtained, for example, by peeling the second base layer and the second alignment layer from the above-described laminate, and when peeling the second base layer , It is good to adjust the adhesion between each layer so that the second alignment layer can be peeled together with the second substrate layer. The adhesive force between each layer can be adjusted by a component included in each layer or a surface treatment performed on the surface of each layer.

(Modification 8)

In the optical film 60 shown in FIG. 3, the case where the resin film has a second base layer and a second liquid crystal layer is described as an example, but is not limited to this. For example, the second substrate layer is peeled off, and an optical functional film such as a polarizing layer is provided on the opposite side to the adhesive layer of the second liquid crystal layer through another adhesive layer, that is, the second liquid crystal layer, the other adhesive layer, and the optical functional film Having in this order as a resin film, and having an optical film in this order having a first substrate layer, a first alignment layer, a first liquid crystal layer, an adhesive layer, a second liquid crystal layer, another adhesive layer, and an optical functional film. You may make it.

The embodiments of the present invention and modifications thereof have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and modifications thereof, and may be implemented by, for example, combining each structure of the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof. have. Hereinafter, each common item in all the embodiments and modifications thereof will be described in detail.

(Optical film)

For the optical film, the first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer are, for example, 1/2 wavelength plates, 1/4 wavelength plates, 1/4 wavelength plates having reverse wavelength dispersion, and retardation layers such as positive C plates, and are resin films. Or it can be used as a circularly polarizing plate by using a linear polarizing plate as a part of a resin film. For example, when the optical film has a first liquid crystal layer, an adhesive layer, and a resin film in this order, and the resin film is a linear polarizing plate, a circularly polarizing plate can be formed by setting the first liquid crystal layer to a quarter wave plate. In addition, when the optical film has a first liquid crystal layer, an adhesive layer, and a resin film in this order, and the resin film has a second liquid crystal layer, another adhesive layer, and a linear polarizing plate in this order from the adhesive layer side, the first liquid crystal A layer having a quarter wave plate and a second liquid crystal layer having a half wave plate; Making the first liquid crystal layer into a positive C plate and the second liquid crystal layer into a quarter wave plate with reverse wavelength dispersion; A circularly polarizing plate can be formed by using the first liquid crystal layer as a quarter wavelength plate having reverse wavelength dispersion and a second liquid crystal layer as a positive C plate.

(First base layer and second base layer)

It is preferable that the 1st base material layer and the 2nd base material layer (henceforth, it may be referred to as a "base material layer" collectively together) are films formed of a resin material. As the resin material, for example, a resin material excellent in transparency, mechanical strength, thermal stability, stretchability, and the like is used. Specifically, polyolefin resins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene; Cyclic polyolefin-based resins such as norbornene-based polymers; Polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate; (Meth) acrylic acid-based resins such as (meth) acrylic acid and methyl poly (meth) acrylate; Cellulose ester-based resins such as triacetyl cellulose, diacetyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate propionate; Vinyl alcohol-based resins such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate; Polycarbonate resins; Polystyrene-based resins; Polyarylate resins; Polysulfone-based resins; Polyethersulfone-based resins; Polyamide resins; Polyimide resins; Polyether ketone-based resins; Polyphenylene sulfide resins; And polyphenylene oxide-based resins, mixtures thereof, and copolymers. Among these resins, it is preferable to use any one of cyclic polyolefin resins, polyester resins, cellulose ester resins and (meth) acrylic acid resins or mixtures thereof. In addition, the "(meth) acrylic acid" means "at least one of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid".

The base layer may be a single layer in which one kind or two or more kinds of resins are mixed, or may have a multilayer structure of two or more layers. In the case of having a multi-layer structure, the resins constituting each layer may be the same or different. When the base layer is a film formed of a resin material, an optional additive may be added to the base layer. Examples of the additives include ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, lubricants, plasticizers, mold release agents, coloring agents, flame retardants, nucleating agents, antistatic agents, pigments, and coloring agents.

The thickness of the base layer is not particularly limited, but is generally 1 to 300 µm, more preferably 10 to 200 µm, and even more preferably 30 to 120 µm from the viewpoint of workability such as strength and handling. Do.

(First alignment layer and second alignment layer)

The first alignment layer and the second alignment layer (hereinafter sometimes referred to collectively as "orientation layer") which may include an optical film include a liquid crystal layer (first liquid crystal layer or second liquid crystal) formed thereon. Layer), and has an alignment regulating force to align the liquid crystal compound such as a polymerizable liquid crystal compound in a desired direction. Examples of the alignment layer include an alignment polymer layer formed of an alignment polymer, a photo alignment polymer layer formed of an optical alignment polymer, and a groove alignment layer having an uneven pattern or a plurality of grooves (grooves) on the layer surface. The thickness of the alignment layer is usually 10 to 5000 nm, and preferably 10 to 3000 nm.

The oriented polymer layer can be formed by applying a composition in which a oriented polymer is dissolved in a solvent to a base layer to remove the solvent and performing rubbing treatment as necessary. In this case, the orientation regulating force can be arbitrarily adjusted in the oriented polymer layer formed of the oriented polymer according to the surface condition and rubbing conditions of the oriented polymer.

The photo-alignment polymer layer can be formed by applying a composition containing a polymer or monomer having a photoreactive group and a solvent to a base layer and irradiating polarized light. In this case, the orientation regulating force can be arbitrarily adjusted in the photo-alignment polymer layer according to polarization irradiation conditions for the photo-alignment polymer and the like.

The groove alignment layer is, for example, a method for forming an uneven pattern by exposing, developing, or the like through an exposure mask having a pattern-shaped slit on the surface of the photosensitive polyimide film, an active energy ray-curable resin in a plate-shaped disk having grooves on the surface A method of forming an uncured layer of, and transferring the layer to a base layer for curing, forming an uncured layer of an active energy ray-curable resin in the base layer, and pressing the roll-shaped disk having irregularities on the layer. It can be formed by, for example, a method of forming unevenness by curing or hardening.

(First liquid crystal layer and second liquid crystal layer)

The first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "liquid crystal layer" in some cases) can be formed using a liquid crystal compound such as a known polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The type of the liquid crystal compound is not particularly limited, and a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound, a disc-shaped liquid crystal compound, and a mixture thereof can be used. In the case of using a liquid crystal compound, a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal compound, a solvent and, if necessary, various additives is coated on an alignment layer to form a coating film, and the solidified (cured) coating film is used to harden the liquid crystal layer. A phosphorous liquid crystal layer can be formed. Alternatively, a liquid crystal layer may be formed by applying a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer onto a base layer to form a coating film, and stretching the coating film together with the base layer. The liquid crystal layer may be a retardation layer.

The composition for forming a liquid crystal layer may contain a polymerization initiator, a reactive additive, a leveling agent, a polymerization inhibitor, and the like, in addition to the above-described liquid crystal compound and solvent. As a liquid crystal compound, a solvent, a polymerization initiator, a reactive additive, a leveling agent, a polymerization inhibitor, etc., a well-known thing can be used suitably.

(Resin film)

The resin film can be an optically functional film or a separator that coats the adhesive layer. Examples of the optical functional film include a second liquid crystal layer, a polarizing layer, a polarizing plate with a protective layer formed on at least one side of the polarizing layer, a polarizing plate with a protective film laminated on at least one side of the polarizing plate, a reflective film, and a semi-transmissive type And a reflective film, a brightness enhancing film, an optical compensation film, a film having an anti-glare function, a retardation film, or the like, or a multilayer structure having two or more of them. Moreover, when an optical functional layer contains a liquid crystal layer, this liquid crystal layer may be a retardation layer or a polarizing layer. In the present specification, the term “polarization layer” refers to a layer having a property of transmitting linearly polarized light having an oscillating surface orthogonal to the absorption axis when unpolarized light is incident.

As a polarizing layer which may be included in the optical functional film, a dichroic dye may be adsorbed and oriented in a single layer of polyvinyl alcohol resin film, and a polyvinyl alcohol resin layer in which a dichroic dye is adsorbed and oriented is provided on a base film. A laminated film of two or more layers may be used. Moreover, the polarizing layer may be a cured film obtained by aligning a dichroic dye to a liquid crystal compound and polymerizing the liquid crystal compound.

As a separator, the film in which mold release processing, such as silicone processing, was performed on the surface of a base film is mentioned.

(Adhesive layer and other adhesive layers)

The adhesive layer and other adhesive layers (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "adhesive layers") can be formed by an adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, or a combination thereof, and are usually one layer, but may be two or more layers. When the adhesive layer includes two or more layers, each layer may be formed of the same material as each other, or may be formed of different materials.

As the adhesive, for example, one or two or more of water-based adhesives, active energy ray-curable adhesives, adhesives, and the like can be formed in combination. Examples of the water-based adhesive include polyvinyl alcohol-based resin aqueous solutions, water-based two-component urethane emulsion adhesives, and the like. The active energy ray-curable adhesive is an adhesive that is cured by irradiating active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays, such as those containing a polymerizable compound and a photopolymerizable initiator, those containing a photoreactive resin, and binder resins and photoreactive crosslinking agents. And the like. Examples of the polymerizable compound include photopolymerizable monomers such as photocurable epoxy monomers, photocurable acrylic monomers, and photocurable urethane monomers, and oligomers derived from these monomers. Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include substances that generate active species such as neutral radicals, anionic radicals, and cationic radicals by irradiating active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays.

Examples of the pressure-sensitive adhesive include a composition in which a (meth) acrylic resin, a styrene resin, a silicone resin, or the like is used as a base polymer and a crosslinking agent such as an isocyanate compound, an epoxy compound or an aziridine compound is added.

The adhesive layer is preferably formed using an active energy ray-curable adhesive, and is particularly preferably formed using an adhesive containing an ultraviolet curable epoxy-based monomer and a photocationic polymerization initiator.

The surface of the layer on which the adhesive layer is formed may be subjected to surface treatments such as corona treatment, plasma treatment and flame treatment as necessary.

10: optical film 11: first base layer
12: first liquid crystal layer 12a: first stage region
12b: first adjacent region 20: resin film
21: second base layer 22: second liquid crystal layer
22a: second stage region 22b: second adjacent region
30 to 32: adhesive layer

Claims (13)

An optical film comprising a first liquid crystal layer,
The first liquid crystal layer has a first end region including one end in the width direction and a first adjacent region adjacent to the first end region in the width direction,
The first end region and the first adjacent region satisfy the relationship of at least one of the following [a1] and [b1].
[a1] The reflectance of the first end region and the reflectance of the first adjacent region are different from each other
[b1] The transmittance of the first end region and the transmittance of the first adjacent region are different from each other The optical film according to claim 1, wherein the first end region and the first adjacent region satisfy at least one of the following [a2] and [b2].
[a2] The reflectance of the first end region is higher than the reflectance of the first adjacent region
[b2] The transmittance of the first end region is lower than the transmittance of the first adjacent region The optical film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first short region and the first adjacent region have different values of at least one of haze, brightness, reflection color, color difference, and polarization degree. The optical film according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first end region includes both ends in a width direction of the first liquid crystal layer. The optical film according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first adjacent region is an entire region other than the first end region in the first liquid crystal layer. The optical film according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a first substrate layer. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an adhesive layer and a resin film,
An optical film comprising the first liquid crystal layer, the adhesive layer and the resin film in this order. The method of claim 6, further comprising an adhesive layer and a resin film,
An optical film comprising the first base layer, the first liquid crystal layer, the adhesive layer, and the resin film in this order. The optical film according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the resin film includes a polarizing layer. The optical film according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the resin film includes a second liquid crystal layer. The second liquid crystal layer has a second end region including one end in the width direction, and a second adjacent region adjacent to the second end region in the width direction.
The second end region and the second adjacent region satisfy the relationship of at least one of the following [c1] and [d1].
[c1] The reflectance of the second end region is different from the reflectance of the second adjacent region
[d1] The transmittance of the second end region and the transmittance of the second adjacent region are different from each other 12. The optical film of claim 11, wherein the second end region and the second adjacent region satisfy at least one of the following [c2] and [d2].
[c2] The reflectance of the second end region is higher than the reflectance of the second adjacent region
[d2] The transmittance of the second end region is lower than the transmittance of the second adjacent region The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the resin film further comprises a second base layer,
The second base layer is an optical film provided on the side opposite to the adhesive layer side of the second liquid crystal layer.

Images