JP4934111B2 - Drying method of coating film - Google Patents

Drying method of coating film Download PDF

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JP4934111B2
JP4934111B2 JP2008179796A JP2008179796A JP4934111B2 JP 4934111 B2 JP4934111 B2 JP 4934111B2 JP 2008179796 A JP2008179796 A JP 2008179796A JP 2008179796 A JP2008179796 A JP 2008179796A JP 4934111 B2 JP4934111 B2 JP 4934111B2
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drying
coating film
cooling plate
coating
film
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JP2010017646A (en
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一弘 村益
哲明 堀川
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Fujifilm Corp
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Fujifilm Corp
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Priority to JP2008179796A priority Critical patent/JP4934111B2/en
Priority to KR1020090062548A priority patent/KR20100007761A/en
Priority to CN200910173359A priority patent/CN101648179A/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/02—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by baking
    • B05D3/0254—After-treatment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C9/00—Apparatus or plant for applying liquid or other fluent material to surfaces by means not covered by any preceding group, or in which the means of applying the liquid or other fluent material is not important
    • B05C9/08—Apparatus or plant for applying liquid or other fluent material to surfaces by means not covered by any preceding group, or in which the means of applying the liquid or other fluent material is not important for applying liquid or other fluent material and performing an auxiliary operation
    • B05C9/14—Apparatus or plant for applying liquid or other fluent material to surfaces by means not covered by any preceding group, or in which the means of applying the liquid or other fluent material is not important for applying liquid or other fluent material and performing an auxiliary operation the auxiliary operation involving heating or cooling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D7/00—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D7/02—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to macromolecular substances, e.g. rubber
    • B05D7/04—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to macromolecular substances, e.g. rubber to surfaces of films or sheets
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B13/00—Machines and apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in long lengths, with progressive movement
    • F26B13/06—Machines and apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in long lengths, with progressive movement with movement in a sinuous or zig-zag path
    • F26B13/08—Machines and apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in long lengths, with progressive movement with movement in a sinuous or zig-zag path using rollers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B13/00—Machines and apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in long lengths, with progressive movement
    • F26B13/10—Arrangements for feeding, heating or supporting materials; Controlling movement, tension or position of materials

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)

Description

本発明は、塗布膜の乾燥方法に係り、特に、走行する可撓性フィルムに各種液状組成物を塗布して形成した長尺で広幅な塗布膜面を乾燥する塗布膜の乾燥方法に関する。   The present invention relates to a method for drying a coating film, and more particularly to a method for drying a coating film for drying a long and wide coating film surface formed by applying various liquid compositions to a traveling flexible film.

走行する可撓性フィルムに各種液状組成物を塗布して形成した長尺で広幅な塗布膜面を乾燥する乾燥方法については、非塗布面側をローラで支持し、塗布面側にエア・ノズルから風を吹いて乾燥させる乾燥方法や、塗布面、非塗布面ともにエア・ノズルから風を吹いて、支持体を浮上させた状態、すなわち支持体がローラ等に接触しないで乾燥させる非接触式のエア・フローティング乾燥方法がある。   Regarding the drying method of drying long and wide coating film surfaces formed by applying various liquid compositions to a traveling flexible film, the non-coating surface side is supported by a roller, and an air nozzle is provided on the coating surface side. A drying method that blows air from the air, and a non-contact type in which the support surface is floated by blowing air from the air nozzle on both the coated and non-coated surfaces, that is, the support is dried without contacting the roller or the like. There are air floating drying methods.

通常これらの風を吹かせて乾燥させる方法( 以下、通風乾燥方法という) では、調湿した風を塗布面に吹きつけることにより、塗布面中に含まれる溶媒を蒸発させて乾燥させている。この通風乾燥方法は乾燥効率に優れるものの、塗布面に直接又は多孔板、整流板等を介して風をあてるために、この風によって塗布面が乱れて塗布層の厚さが不均一となってムラを生じたり、対流によって塗布面での溶媒の蒸発速度が不均一になったりし、いわゆるユズ肌が発生して、均一な塗布層が得られないという問題があった。   Usually, in the method of drying by blowing these winds (hereinafter referred to as ventilation drying method), the air contained in the coating surface is evaporated and dried by blowing the conditioned air on the coating surface. Although this ventilation drying method is excellent in drying efficiency, since the wind is applied directly to the coating surface or through a porous plate, a rectifying plate, etc., the coating surface is disturbed by this wind, and the thickness of the coating layer becomes uneven. There is a problem that unevenness occurs or the evaporation rate of the solvent on the coating surface becomes non-uniform due to convection, so-called crushed skin occurs, and a uniform coating layer cannot be obtained.

特に、塗布液中に有機溶剤を含む場合には、このようなムラの発生は顕著である。この理由は、乾燥初期には塗布膜中に有機溶剤が十分に含まれた状態であり、この段階で有機溶剤の蒸発分布が生じると、その結果、塗布膜面に温度分布、表面張力分布を生じ、塗布膜面内で、いわゆるマランゴニー対流等の流動が起きることによる。このようなムラの発生は重大な塗布欠陥となる。   In particular, when the coating solution contains an organic solvent, the occurrence of such unevenness is remarkable. The reason for this is that the organic film is sufficiently contained in the coating film at the initial stage of drying, and if the evaporation distribution of the organic solvent occurs at this stage, the temperature distribution and surface tension distribution on the coating film surface will result. This is because a flow such as so-called Marangoni convection occurs in the coating film surface. The occurrence of such unevenness becomes a serious coating defect.

塗布膜内に液晶を含む場合には、上記の乾燥ムラのみならず、吹きつける風によって塗布膜面の液晶の配向にズレが生じる等の問題もあった。   When the liquid crystal is included in the coating film, not only the above-mentioned drying unevenness but also a problem such as a deviation in the orientation of the liquid crystal on the coating film surface due to the blowing wind occurs.

そこで、特許文献１には、風を吹かないで、塗布液中の溶媒を蒸発させ回収し乾燥させる方法が開示されている。この方法は、乾燥装置内で非塗布面を加熱して塗布面からの溶媒の蒸発を促進し、塗布面側に設置した凝縮板に結露させる方法で溶媒を凝縮させて溶媒を樋で回収し塗布膜を乾燥する方法である。
特開２００３−１７０１０１号公報 Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a solvent in a coating solution is evaporated and recovered and dried without blowing air. In this method, the non-coated surface is heated in the drying device to accelerate the evaporation of the solvent from the coated surface, and the solvent is condensed by condensing the condensation plate installed on the coated surface side, and the solvent is recovered by boiling. This is a method of drying a coating film.
JP 2003-170101 A

しかしながら、特許文献１にある樋を配した塗布膜の乾燥方法では、乾燥能力アップに伴い、樋や樋付近に水滴が結露し、その水滴によって塗布膜の欠陥が生じてしまうという問題が生じた。   However, in the method for drying a coating film provided with a soot in Patent Document 1, with the increase in drying capacity, there is a problem in that water droplets are condensed near the soot and the soot, and the coating film is defective due to the water droplets. .

本発明はこのような事情に鑑みてなされたもので、走行する可撓性フィルムに塗布液を塗布した塗布膜中の溶媒を加熱し気化するヒータと、可撓性フィルムの塗布膜側に可撓性フィルムと所定距離をおいて略平行に配設された冷却板と、冷却板に冷やされて該冷却板に凝縮した溶媒を回収するための樋と、からなる乾燥装置を用いて塗布膜を乾燥する塗布膜の乾燥方法において、水滴が樋や樋表面に結露し、この結露した水滴により塗布膜に欠陥が生じることを防ぐことができる塗布膜の乾燥方法を提供することを目的とする。   The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is applicable to a heater for heating and vaporizing a solvent in a coating film in which a coating solution is applied to a traveling flexible film, and to the coating film side of the flexible film. Coating film using a drying device comprising: a cooling plate disposed substantially parallel to the flexible film at a predetermined distance; and a basket for recovering the solvent cooled by the cooling plate and condensed on the cooling plate. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for drying a coating film that can prevent water droplets from condensing on the surface of the wrinkles or the surface of the wrinkles and causing defects in the coating film due to the condensed water droplets. .

前記目的を達成するために、本発明は、表面に塗布膜が塗布された可撓性フィルムを走行させながら、前記可撓性フィルムの塗布膜中の溶媒を該可撓性フィルムの裏面側からヒータによって加熱気化し、前記可撓性フィルムの表面側で、該可撓性フィルムと所定距離だけ離れた位置に配置された冷却板によって気化した溶媒を凝集し、前記凝集した溶媒を所定温度に維持された樋で回収する工程を含み、前記工程を露点温度７℃以下の雰囲気で行うことを特徴とする。   In order to achieve the above object, the present invention allows a solvent in the coating film of the flexible film to be removed from the back side of the flexible film while running the flexible film having a coating film coated on the surface. The solvent is vaporized by heating, and the evaporated solvent is aggregated by a cooling plate disposed at a predetermined distance from the flexible film on the surface side of the flexible film, and the aggregated solvent is brought to a predetermined temperature. Including a step of collecting with a maintained soot, wherein the step is performed in an atmosphere having a dew point temperature of 7 ° C. or less.

本発明によれば、表面に塗布膜が塗布された可撓性フィルムを走行させながら、前記可撓性フィルムの塗布膜中の溶媒を該可撓性フィルムの裏面側からヒータによって加熱気化し、前記可撓性フィルムの表面側で、該可撓性フィルムと所定距離だけ離れた位置に配置された冷却板によって気化した溶媒を凝集し、前記凝集した溶媒を所定温度に維持された樋で回収する工程を含み、前記工程を露点温度７℃以下の雰囲気で行うことにより、樋や樋付近に結露が生じることでその水滴が可撓性フィルムの塗布膜に付着し塗布膜の欠陥となってしまうことを抑制することができる。   According to the present invention, while running a flexible film having a coating film coated on the surface, the solvent in the coating film of the flexible film is heated and vaporized by a heater from the back side of the flexible film, On the surface side of the flexible film, the vaporized solvent is aggregated by a cooling plate disposed at a predetermined distance from the flexible film, and the aggregated solvent is collected with a scoop maintained at a predetermined temperature. When the above process is performed in an atmosphere having a dew point temperature of 7 ° C. or less, dew condensation occurs in the vicinity of wrinkles and wrinkles, so that the water droplets adhere to the coating film of the flexible film and become a defect of the coating film. Can be suppressed.

更に、前記可撓性フィルムを地面に対して垂直に走行させることを特徴とする。そして、可撓性フィルムが地面に対して垂直の方向に走行する場合には、樋の前記可撓性フィルムに面する部分に、凝縮した溶媒と水滴が前記塗布膜に飛び跳ねることを防止するための樋カバーが設けられていることが好ましい。また、樋及び樋カバーは、冷却板の温度より高い所定温度に維持されていることが好ましい。樋及び樋カバーを冷却板の温度より高い所定温度にすることで、樋カバーに水滴が結露しにくくなるので、樋や樋カバーに結露が生じてしまうことで塗布膜の欠陥となってしまうのを更に抑制することができる。   Furthermore, the flexible film is caused to run perpendicular to the ground. When the flexible film travels in a direction perpendicular to the ground, in order to prevent the condensed solvent and water droplets from jumping to the coating film on the portion of the bag facing the flexible film. It is preferable that an eaves cover is provided. Moreover, it is preferable that the eaves and the eaves cover are maintained at a predetermined temperature higher than the temperature of the cooling plate. By setting the heel and heel cover to a predetermined temperature higher than the temperature of the cooling plate, it is difficult for water droplets to condense on the heel cover, so that condensation occurs on the heel and heel cover, resulting in a coating film defect. Can be further suppressed.

また、樋カバーが設けられている場合において、樋カバーと冷却板とのクリアランスが２．５ｍｍ以上４．０ｍｍ以下であることが好ましい。樋カバーと冷却板とのクリアランスが２．５ｍｍ以上であることで、水滴が冷却板に結露した場合においても、樋カバーに水滴が付着することが無くなるので、樋カバーが水滴を介して冷却されてしまったり、樋カバーの可撓性フィルムに面する側にその水滴が付着してしまうことを抑制することができる。また、４．０ｍｍ以下であることで、冷却板が気化した溶媒の冷却効果を維持することができる最低限の距離を維持することができる。   In addition, when the eaves cover is provided, the clearance between the eaves cover and the cooling plate is preferably 2.5 mm or greater and 4.0 mm or less. Since the clearance between the cocoon cover and the cooling plate is 2.5 mm or more, even when water droplets are condensed on the cooling plate, the water droplets do not adhere to the cocoon cover, so the cocoon cover is cooled via the water droplets. It is possible to prevent the water droplets from adhering to the side of the heel cover facing the flexible film. Moreover, the minimum distance which can maintain the cooling effect of the solvent which the cooling plate vaporized can be maintained because it is 4.0 mm or less.

そして、前記樋カバーが前記冷却板と面している冷却板の部分には親水化処理が施されていることが更に好ましい。また、前記樋カバーが前記冷却板と面している冷却板の部分にはメッシュが設けられていることが更に好ましい。樋カバーが冷却板と面している冷却板の部分に親水化処理又はメッシュを設けることで、結露した水滴が樋カバーに付着するのを防ぐことができる。   Further, it is more preferable that the portion of the cooling plate where the eaves cover faces the cooling plate is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. Further, it is more preferable that a mesh is provided in a portion of the cooling plate where the heel cover faces the cooling plate. By providing a hydrophilic treatment or a mesh on the portion of the cooling plate where the cocoon cover faces the cooling plate, it is possible to prevent dew condensation from adhering to the cocoon cover.

本発明によれば、水滴が樋や樋表面に結露し、この結露した水滴により塗布膜に欠陥が生じることを防ぐことができる塗布膜の乾燥方法を提供することができる。   ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the drying method of the coating film which can prevent that a water droplet condenses on a wrinkle and the surface of a wrinkle, and a defect arises in a coating film with this condensed water drop can be provided.

以下添付図面に従って本発明の好ましい実施の形態について説明する。本発明は以下の好ましい実施の形態により説明されるが、本発明の範囲を逸脱すること無く、多くの手法により変更を行うことができ、本実施の形態以外の他の実施の形態を利用することができる。従って、本発明の範囲内における全ての変更が特許請求の範囲に含まれる。また、本明細書において「〜」を用いて表される数値範囲は、「〜」の前後に記載される数値を含む範囲を意味する。   Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention will be described with reference to the following preferred embodiments, but can be modified in many ways without departing from the scope of the present invention, and other embodiments than the present embodiment can be used. be able to. Accordingly, all modifications within the scope of the present invention are included in the claims. In the present specification, a numerical range represented by using “to” means a range including numerical values described before and after “to”.

図１は、本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置を組み込んだ塗布・乾燥ライン１０の例を示す概念図である。   FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a coating / drying line 10 incorporating a drying apparatus to which the coating film drying method of the present invention is applied.

図示されるように、塗布・乾燥ライン１０は、主として、ロール状に巻回された可撓性フィルム１２を送り出す送り出し装置（図示略）、可撓性フィルム１２に塗布液を塗布する塗布手段１６、可撓性フィルム１２に塗布形成された塗布膜の塗布液中の溶媒を凝縮、回収させる乾燥装置１８、及び塗布・乾燥により製造された製品を巻き取る巻き取り装置（図示略）と、可撓性フィルム１２が走行する搬送経路を形成する多数のガイドローラ１５、１５とで形成される。また、必要に応じて乾燥装置１８の下流に、塗布膜を乾燥させる通風乾燥手段（不図示）が設けられる。   As shown in the figure, the coating / drying line 10 is mainly composed of a feeding device (not shown) for feeding out a flexible film 12 wound in a roll shape, and a coating means 16 for coating the flexible film 12 with a coating liquid. A drying device 18 that condenses and recovers the solvent in the coating liquid applied to the flexible film 12 and a winding device (not shown) that winds up the product manufactured by coating and drying; It is formed by a large number of guide rollers 15 and 15 that form a conveyance path along which the flexible film 12 travels. Further, a ventilation drying means (not shown) for drying the coating film is provided downstream of the drying device 18 as necessary.

可撓性フィルム１２としては、ポリエチレン、ＰＥＴ（ポリエチレンテレフタレート）、ＴＡＣ（トリアセテート）等の樹脂フィルム、紙、金属箔等を使用できる。   As the flexible film 12, resin films such as polyethylene, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and TAC (triacetate), paper, metal foil, and the like can be used.

塗布手段１６は、各種方式のものが使用できる。たとえば、スロット・ダイコータ、ワイヤーバーコータ、ロールコータ、グラビアコータ、スライドホッパ塗布方式、カーテン塗布方式、等が使用できる。なお、塗布手段１６は、図１に示されるように塗布面が水平方向に対して下側になるような構成であってもよいし、水平方向に対して上側になるような構成であってもよい。また、水平方向に対して傾斜するような構成であってもよい。   Various types of coating means 16 can be used. For example, a slot die coater, a wire bar coater, a roll coater, a gravure coater, a slide hopper coating method, a curtain coating method, or the like can be used. The application means 16 may be configured such that the application surface is on the lower side with respect to the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. Also good. Moreover, the structure which inclines with respect to a horizontal direction may be sufficient.

図２に示されているように、塗布手段１６の前段に除塵設備７０を設置したり、可撓性フィルム１２の表面に前処理等を施してもよい。ゴミ等の殆どない高い品質が求められる光学性フィルム等では、これらを同時に採用することで、高品質な塗布、乾燥膜を得ることができる。   As shown in FIG. 2, a dust removal facility 70 may be installed in front of the application unit 16, or pretreatment or the like may be performed on the surface of the flexible film 12. For optical films and the like that require high quality with almost no dust, a high-quality coated and dried film can be obtained by simultaneously adopting these.

なお、図２は、本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置１８を組み込んだ光学補償シートの製造装置の概略構成を示す模式図である。   FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical compensation sheet manufacturing apparatus incorporating a drying apparatus 18 to which the coating film drying method of the present invention is applied.

光学補償シートの製造ラインは、たとえば下記の工程により行われる。
１）可撓性フィルム１２の送出工程１４；
２）可撓性フィルムの表面に配向膜形成用樹脂を含む塗布液を塗布、乾燥する配向膜形成用樹脂層の形成工程５２；
３）表面に配向膜形成用樹層が形成された可撓性フィルム上に、樹脂層の表面にラビング処理を施し可撓性フィルム上に配向膜を形成するラビング工程５４；
４）液晶性ディスコティック化合物を含む塗布液を、配向膜上に塗布する液晶性ディスコティック化合物の塗布工程１６；
５）該塗布膜を乾燥して該塗布膜中の溶媒を蒸発させる乾燥工程１８；
６）該塗布膜をディスコティックネマティック相形成温度に加熱して、ディスコティックネマティック相の液晶層を形成する液晶層形成工程５８；
７）該液晶層を固化する（すなわち、液晶層形成後急冷して固化させるか、又は、架橋性官能基を有する液晶性ディスコティック化合物を使用した場合、液晶層を光照射（又は加熱）により架橋させる）工程６０；
８）該配向膜及び液晶層が形成された可撓性フィルムを巻き取る巻取り工程２４。 The optical compensation sheet production line is performed, for example, by the following steps.
1) Delivery step 14 of the flexible film 12;
2) A forming step 52 of an alignment film forming resin layer in which a coating liquid containing an alignment film forming resin is applied to the surface of the flexible film and dried;
3) A rubbing step 54 in which an alignment film is formed on the flexible film by applying a rubbing treatment to the surface of the resin layer on the flexible film having the alignment film forming resin layer formed on the surface;
4) A liquid crystal discotic compound coating step 16 in which a coating liquid containing a liquid crystal discotic compound is coated on the alignment film;
5) A drying step 18 of drying the coating film and evaporating the solvent in the coating film;
6) A liquid crystal layer forming step 58 for heating the coating film to a discotic nematic phase forming temperature to form a discotic nematic phase liquid crystal layer;
7) The liquid crystal layer is solidified (that is, solidified by rapid cooling after forming the liquid crystal layer, or when a liquid crystalline discotic compound having a crosslinkable functional group is used, the liquid crystal layer is irradiated by light irradiation (or heating). Crosslinking) step 60;
8) A winding step 24 for winding the flexible film on which the alignment film and the liquid crystal layer are formed.

また、５０は乾燥ゾーンを、６４は検査装置を、６６は保護フィルムを、６８はラミネート機をそれぞれ示す。   Reference numeral 50 denotes a drying zone, 64 denotes an inspection device, 66 denotes a protective film, and 68 denotes a laminating machine.

図１に示すように、乾燥装置１８は、走行する可撓性フィルム１２に塗布液を塗布した塗布膜中の溶媒を加熱し気化するヒータ１９と、可撓性フィルムの塗布膜側に可撓性フィルムと所定距離をおいて略平行に配設された冷却板２０と、冷却板２０に冷やされて冷却板に凝縮した溶媒を回収するための樋２１とで構成される。これにより、塗布膜の塗布液中の溶媒が揮発した際に、揮発した溶媒が冷却板２０に凝縮し樋２１で回収される構成となっている。   As shown in FIG. 1, the drying device 18 includes a heater 19 that heats and vaporizes the solvent in the coating film in which the coating liquid is applied to the traveling flexible film 12, and is flexible on the coating film side of the flexible film. The cooling plate 20 is arranged substantially in parallel with the conductive film at a predetermined distance, and the basket 21 for recovering the solvent cooled by the cooling plate 20 and condensed on the cooling plate. Thereby, when the solvent in the coating liquid of the coating film is volatilized, the volatilized solvent is condensed on the cooling plate 20 and collected by the trough 21.

なお、塗布液の溶媒は、トルエン、キシレン、スチレン等の芳香族炭化水素類、クロルベンゼン、オルトージクロルベンゼン等の塩化芳香族炭化水素類、モノクロルメタン等のメタン誘導体、モノクロルエタン等のエタン誘導体等を含む塩化脂肪族炭化水素類、メタノール、イソプロピルアルコール、イソブチルアルコール等のアルコール類、酢酸メチル、酢酸エチル等のエステル類、エチルエーテル、1,4-ジオキサン等のエーテル類、アセトン、メチルエチルケトン等のケトン類、エチレングリコールモノメチルエーテル等のグリコールエーテル類、シクロヘキサン等の脂環式炭化水素類、ノルマルヘキサン等の脂肪族炭化水素類、脂肪族又は芳香族炭化水素の混合物等が該当する。   The solvent of the coating solution is aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene and styrene, chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene and orthodichlorobenzene, methane derivatives such as monochloromethane, and ethane derivatives such as monochloroethane. Such as chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methanol, isopropyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, esters such as methyl acetate and ethyl acetate, ethers such as ethyl ether and 1,4-dioxane, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, etc. Examples include ketones, glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, alicyclic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as normal hexane, and mixtures of aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons.

冷却板２０の溶媒を凝縮させる面に用いる材質は、金属、プラスチック、木材等、特に限定はされないが、塗布液中に有機溶剤が含まれる場合には、その有機溶剤に対して耐性のある材料を使用するか、又は表面にコーティングを施すことが望ましい。   The material used for the surface of the cooling plate 20 on which the solvent is condensed is not particularly limited, such as metal, plastic, wood, etc., but when the coating solution contains an organic solvent, the material is resistant to the organic solvent. It is desirable to use or to coat the surface.

乾燥装置１８において、冷却板２０に凝縮した溶媒を回収させる手段は、たとえば、冷却板２０の凝縮面に溝を設け、毛管力を利用して溶媒を回収させる。溝の方向は、可撓性フィルム１２の走行方向であってもよく、これに直交する方向であってもよい。   In the drying device 18, the means for collecting the solvent condensed on the cooling plate 20, for example, provides a groove on the condensation surface of the cooling plate 20 and collects the solvent using capillary force. The direction of the groove may be the traveling direction of the flexible film 12 or may be a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction.

乾燥装置１８は、塗布液を塗布した直後の自然対流の発生による塗布膜の乾燥ムラを防止するため、塗布手段１６のできるだけ近くに配設することが好ましい。具体的には、乾燥装置１８の入口が塗布手段１６から５ｍ以内の位置になるように配設することが好ましく、乾燥装置１８の入口が塗布手段１６から２ｍ以内の位置になるように配設することがより好ましく、乾燥装置１８の入口が塗布手段１６から０．７ｍ以内の位置になるように配設することが最も好ましい。   The drying device 18 is preferably disposed as close as possible to the coating means 16 in order to prevent uneven coating film drying due to the occurrence of natural convection immediately after the coating liquid is applied. Specifically, it is preferable to arrange the inlet of the drying device 18 so that it is within 5 m from the coating means 16, and so that the inlet of the drying device 18 is within 2 m from the coating means 16. More preferably, the inlet of the drying device 18 is most preferably disposed so as to be within a position of 0.7 m from the coating means 16.

同様の理由で、可撓性フィルム１２の走行速度は、可撓性フィルム１２が塗布手段１６による塗布後３０秒以内に乾燥装置１８に到達する速度であることが好ましく、可撓性フィルム１２が塗布手段１６による塗布後２０秒以内に乾燥装置１８に到達する速度であることがより好ましい。   For the same reason, the traveling speed of the flexible film 12 is preferably a speed at which the flexible film 12 reaches the drying device 18 within 30 seconds after coating by the coating means 16. It is more preferable that the speed reaches the drying device 18 within 20 seconds after coating by the coating means 16.

塗布液の塗布量及び塗布膜厚さは、大きい程塗布膜内部での流動が起きやすいことによりムラが発生しやすいが、塗布膜の厚さが０．００１〜０．０８ｍｍであれば、ムラなくかつ効率よく乾燥することができる。   The larger the coating amount and the coating film thickness of the coating solution, the more easily the non-uniformity occurs because the flow inside the coating film easily occurs. However, if the coating film thickness is 0.001 to 0.08 mm, the coating film is uneven. And can be efficiently dried.

可撓性フィルム１２の走行速度が大きすぎると、同伴風によって塗布膜近傍の境界層が乱され、塗布膜に悪影響を及ぼす。したがって、可撓性フィルム１２の走行速度は１〜１００ｍ／分に設定することが好ましく、５〜８０ｍ／分に設定することがより好ましい。   If the running speed of the flexible film 12 is too high, the boundary layer near the coating film is disturbed by the accompanying wind, which adversely affects the coating film. Therefore, the traveling speed of the flexible film 12 is preferably set to 1 to 100 m / min, and more preferably set to 5 to 80 m / min.

本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置１８は、可撓性フィルム１２を加熱し塗布膜中の溶媒を気化するために、反塗布膜側にヒータ１９を配設して加熱する。ヒータとしては、図１に示したような板状のものではなく、昇温可能な加熱ロールを配設して加熱することもできる。その他、赤外線ヒータ、マイクロ波加熱手段等を用いて加熱してもよい。   The drying device 18 to which the coating film drying method of the present invention is applied heats the flexible film 12 by disposing a heater 19 on the anti-coating film side in order to evaporate the solvent in the coating film. . The heater is not plate-shaped as shown in FIG. 1, and a heating roll capable of raising the temperature can be provided for heating. In addition, you may heat using an infrared heater, a microwave heating means, etc.

そして、塗布液中から気化した溶媒の凝縮を促進させるため、可撓性フィルム１２の塗布膜側に冷却板２０を配設して冷却する。   And in order to accelerate | stimulate condensation of the solvent vaporized from the coating liquid, the cooling plate 20 is arrange | positioned at the coating film side of the flexible film 12, and it cools.

ヒータ１９と冷却板２０とは温度管理されていることが望ましい。特に冷却板２０は、温度コントロールできるようにし、冷却したい場合には、冷却するための設備を設置する必要がある。冷却には、冷媒等を使った水冷式の熱交換器方式のもの、風を使った空冷式、電気を用いた方式、たとえばペルチェ素子を使用した方式、等を用いることができる。   The heater 19 and the cooling plate 20 are desirably temperature-controlled. In particular, the temperature of the cooling plate 20 can be controlled, and if it is desired to cool, it is necessary to install equipment for cooling. For cooling, a water-cooled heat exchanger system using a refrigerant or the like, an air-cooled system using wind, a system using electricity, for example, a system using a Peltier element, or the like can be used.

ここで、ヒータ１９の温度は、７０〜１３０℃に維持されていることが好ましく、冷却板２０の温度は、８〜１０℃に維持されていることが好ましい。
図１に示されているように、冷却板２０の下方には凝縮した溶媒を回収するための樋２１が設けられており、樋２１を経て溶媒が回収される。このように樋２１が設けられていれば、凝縮した溶媒の回収が容易に行える。即ち、可撓性フィルム１２と冷却板２０との間に樋２１の表面があることで、凝縮した溶媒の回収を容易に行うことができる。
樋２１を設ける位置は、図示のように、冷却板２０の下側に設けられる。このように、樋２１は、溶媒の流下により回収できる位置に設けていることが好ましい。尚、図示したように、本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置１８は、可撓性フィルム１２が地面に対して垂直に走行するように、垂直方向に設置されていることで本発明の効果が大きい。 Here, the temperature of the heater 19 is preferably maintained at 70 to 130 ° C, and the temperature of the cooling plate 20 is preferably maintained at 8 to 10 ° C.
As shown in FIG. 1, a bowl 21 for collecting the condensed solvent is provided below the cooling plate 20, and the solvent is collected through the bowl 21. Thus, if the eaves 21 are provided, the condensed solvent can be easily recovered. That is, the presence of the surface of the ridge 21 between the flexible film 12 and the cooling plate 20 makes it possible to easily collect the condensed solvent.
The position where the flange 21 is provided is provided below the cooling plate 20 as illustrated. Thus, it is preferable that the eaves 21 is provided at a position where it can be recovered by the flow of the solvent. As shown in the figure, the drying device 18 to which the coating film drying method of the present invention is applied is installed in the vertical direction so that the flexible film 12 runs perpendicular to the ground. The effect of the present invention is great.

しかしながら、このように構成された乾燥装置では、乾燥能力アップに伴い、樋や樋付近に水滴が結露し、その水滴によって塗布膜の欠陥が生じてしまうという問題が生じた。   However, in the drying apparatus configured as described above, with the increase in drying capability, there is a problem in that water droplets are condensed in the vicinity of the wrinkles and the wrinkles, and the coating film is defective due to the water droplets.

そこで、本発明は、表面に塗布膜が塗布された可撓性フィルムを走行させながら、前記可撓性フィルムの塗布膜中の溶媒を該可撓性フィルムの裏面側からヒータによって加熱気化し、前記可撓性フィルムの表面側で、該可撓性フィルムと所定距離だけ離れた位置に配置された冷却板によって気化した溶媒を凝集し、前記凝集した溶媒を所定温度に維持された樋で回収する工程を含み、前記工程を露点温度７℃以下の雰囲気で行うこととした。   Therefore, the present invention, while running a flexible film coated with a coating film on the surface, the solvent in the coating film of the flexible film is heated and evaporated by a heater from the back side of the flexible film, On the surface side of the flexible film, the vaporized solvent is aggregated by a cooling plate disposed at a predetermined distance from the flexible film, and the aggregated solvent is collected with a scoop maintained at a predetermined temperature. The above process was performed in an atmosphere having a dew point temperature of 7 ° C. or lower.

本発明によれば、前記工程を露点温度７℃以下の雰囲気で行うことにより、樋や樋付近に結露が生じることで、その水滴が可撓性フィルムの塗布膜に付着し、塗布膜の欠陥となってしまうことを抑制することができる。   According to the present invention, when the above process is performed in an atmosphere having a dew point temperature of 7 ° C. or less, dew condensation occurs in the vicinity of wrinkles and wrinkles, so that the water droplets adhere to the coating film of the flexible film, and defects in the coating film Can be suppressed.

ここで、上記工程での露点温度７℃以下とするには、例えば、塗布手段１６と乾燥装置１８が設けられている室内を空調で制御することが考えられる。   Here, in order to set the dew point temperature in the above process to 7 ° C. or lower, for example, it is conceivable to control the room in which the coating means 16 and the drying device 18 are provided by air conditioning.

図３は、乾燥装置１８の樋２１付近を拡大して示したものである。樋２１には、保温水２２が循環されており、樋の表面を所定温度に維持できるようになっている。また、樋２１は、固定部材２３で冷却板２０に固定されている。このように樋２１を冷却板２０などに固定することが必要であるが、樋２１を所定温度に維持するためには、断熱材でできた固定部材を用いたり、固定部材２３と樋２１との間に断熱材を介したりすることが好ましい。尚、ここで所定温度は、塗布液（塗布膜）に含まれる溶剤の種類やヒータと冷却板の温度によるが、２０〜５０℃である。尚、樋の所定温度は、厳密には、可撓性フィルム１２と冷却板２０との間にある樋２１部分の表面温度を指す。また、後述するように、樋２１に樋カバー２１ａが設けられている場合には、その樋カバーの表面温度を指す。   FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the basket 21 of the drying device 18. Warm water 22 is circulated in the bowl 21 so that the surface of the bowl can be maintained at a predetermined temperature. Further, the flange 21 is fixed to the cooling plate 20 by a fixing member 23. In this way, it is necessary to fix the flange 21 to the cooling plate 20 or the like, but in order to maintain the flange 21 at a predetermined temperature, a fixing member made of a heat insulating material is used, or the fixing member 23 and the flange 21 It is preferable to put a heat insulating material between them. Here, the predetermined temperature is 20 to 50 ° C. although it depends on the type of solvent contained in the coating liquid (coating film) and the temperature of the heater and the cooling plate. Strictly speaking, the predetermined temperature of the ridge refers to the surface temperature of the ridge 21 portion between the flexible film 12 and the cooling plate 20. Moreover, as will be described later, when the eaves cover 21a is provided on the eaves 21, the surface temperature of the eaves cover is indicated.

また、図１や図２に示したように乾燥装置が可撓性フィルム１２が地面に対して垂直に走行するように設けられている場合には、図３に示すように、樋が可撓性フィルムに面する部分に、冷却板２０に凝縮した溶媒や水滴１７が可撓性フィルム１２の塗布膜に飛び跳ねることを防止するための樋カバー２１ａが設けられていることが好ましい。   Also, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the drying device is provided so that the flexible film 12 runs perpendicular to the ground, as shown in FIG. It is preferable that a heel cover 21 a for preventing the solvent or water droplets 17 condensed on the cooling plate 20 from jumping to the coating film of the flexible film 12 is provided at a portion facing the conductive film.

そして、樋の可撓性フィルムに面する部分に、冷却板２０に凝縮した溶媒や水滴が塗布膜に飛び跳ねることを防止するための樋カバー２１ａが設けられている場合には、図３に示すように樋カバー２１ａは樋２１と一体であることが好ましい。樋カバーを樋と一体化することで、樋だけでなく樋カバーも所定温度に維持することができるので、樋カバーに溶剤や水滴が結露することを防ぎ、結露した溶剤や水滴が滴となり塗布膜に付着してしまうことで塗布膜の欠陥が生じるのを防ぐことができる。   Then, when a bag cover 21a for preventing the solvent or water droplets condensed on the cooling plate 20 from jumping to the coating film is provided on the portion of the bag facing the flexible film, it is shown in FIG. Thus, it is preferable that the eaves cover 21a is integral with the eaves 21. By integrating the 樋 cover with the 樋, not only the 樋 but also the 樋 cover can be maintained at a predetermined temperature, preventing condensation of solvent and water droplets on the 樋 cover and applying the condensed solvent and water droplets as droplets. It can prevent that the defect of a coating film arises by adhering to a film | membrane.

また、樋カバー２１ａが設けられている場合において、樋カバー２１ａと冷却板２０とのクリアランスＬ（図３参照）が２．５ｍｍ以上４．０ｍｍ以下であることが好ましい。   Moreover, when the eaves cover 21a is provided, it is preferable that the clearance L (refer FIG. 3) between the eaves cover 21a and the cooling plate 20 is 2.5 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less.

尚、樋カバーと冷却板とのクリアランスが２．５ｍｍ以上であることで、水滴が冷却板に結露した場合においても、樋カバーに水滴が付着することが無くなるので、樋カバーが水滴を介して冷却されてしまったり、樋カバーの可撓性フィルムに面する側にその水滴が付着してしまうことを抑制することができる。また、４．０ｍｍ以下であることで、冷却板が気化した溶媒の冷却効果を維持することができる最低限の距離を維持することができる。   In addition, since the clearance between the lid cover and the cooling plate is 2.5 mm or more, even when water droplets are condensed on the cooling plate, the droplets are not attached to the lid cover. It is possible to prevent the water droplets from being cooled or attached to the side of the heel cover facing the flexible film. Moreover, the minimum distance which can maintain the cooling effect of the solvent which the cooling plate vaporized can be maintained because it is 4.0 mm or less.

そして、樋カバー２１ａが冷却板２０と面している冷却板部分は親水化処理が施されていることが好ましい。樋カバー２１ａが冷却板２０と面している冷却板の部分を親水化処理していることで、結露した水滴が樋カバーに付着するのを防ぐことができる。   And it is preferable that the cooling plate part in which the eaves cover 21a faces the cooling plate 20 is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. Since the portion of the cooling plate that faces the cooling plate 20 is hydrophilized, the condensed water droplets can be prevented from adhering to the bag cover.

塗布膜の表面と乾燥装置１８の樋２１の表面との距離（間隔）は、所望の塗布膜の乾燥速度を考慮した上で、適当な距離に調整する必要がある。距離を短くすると乾燥速度が上がる一方、設定した距離精度の影響を受けやすい。一方、距離を大きくすると乾燥速度が大幅に低下するのみならず、熱による自然対流が起きて乾燥ムラを引き起こす。塗布膜の表面と乾燥装置１８の樋２１の表面との距離は、１〜２００ｍｍが好ましく、１．５〜１００ｍｍがより好ましい。   The distance (interval) between the surface of the coating film and the surface of the ridge 21 of the drying device 18 needs to be adjusted to an appropriate distance in consideration of the desired drying speed of the coating film. Shortening the distance increases the drying speed, but is easily affected by the set distance accuracy. On the other hand, when the distance is increased, not only the drying speed is significantly reduced, but also natural convection due to heat occurs, resulting in drying unevenness. The distance between the surface of the coating film and the surface of the ridge 21 of the drying device 18 is preferably 1 to 200 mm, and more preferably 1.5 to 100 mm.

なお、必要に応じて使用される通風乾燥手段としては、従来技術として使用されている、非塗布面側をロールで支持し、塗布面側にエア・ノズルから風を吹いて乾燥させるローラ搬送ドライヤ方式、塗布面、非塗布面ともにエア・ノズルから風を吹いて、支持体を浮上させた状態、すなわち支持体がロール等に接触しないで乾燥させる非接触式のエアフローティングドライヤ方式、非接触式の乾燥方式の一種で、スペースを効率良く利用し、かつ効率良く乾燥させる弦巻き型の乾燥方式、等の乾燥装置が使用できる。いずれの方式の通風乾燥手段であっても、乾燥した空気を塗布膜の表面に供給して塗布膜を乾燥させる点では共通する。   In addition, as a ventilation drying means used as necessary, a roller transport dryer used as a conventional technique, which supports a non-application surface side with a roll and blows air from an air nozzle on the application surface side to dry. System, coated surface and non-coated surface are blown from the air nozzle to float the support, that is, the support is dried without contacting the roll etc. Non-contact type air floating dryer method, non-contact type A drying device such as a string-winding drying method that efficiently uses space and efficiently dries can be used. Any type of ventilation drying means is common in that dried air is supplied to the surface of the coating film to dry the coating film.

その他、本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置を組み込んだ塗布・乾燥ライン１０に使用されている送り出し装置、ガイドローラ１５、巻き取り装置等には慣用の部材を使用しており、それらの説明は省略する。   In addition, conventional members are used for the feeding device, the guide roller 15 and the winding device used in the coating / drying line 10 incorporating the drying device to which the coating film drying method of the present invention is applied. These descriptions are omitted.

以上に詳述した本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法によれば、樋や樋付近（樋カバー）に結露が生じることで、その水滴が可撓性フィルムの塗布膜に付着し、塗布膜の欠陥となってしまうことを抑制することができる。   According to the method for drying a coating film of the present invention described in detail above, dew condensation occurs in the vicinity of wrinkles and wrinkles (the wrinkle cover), so that the water droplets adhere to the coating film of the flexible film, and defects in the coating film Can be suppressed.

また、本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法は、塗布液に高分子や粒子等の固形分が溶解又は分散されたものに適用した場合でも、同様の効果が得られる。むしろ、粒子等が含まれる系では、乾燥ムラの発生が塗布膜中の粒子の分散分布にも大きく影響する。したがって、この系に本システムを使用することは好ましい。   In addition, even when the coating film drying method of the present invention is applied to a coating solution in which a solid content such as a polymer or particles is dissolved or dispersed, the same effect can be obtained. Rather, in a system containing particles or the like, the occurrence of drying unevenness greatly affects the dispersion distribution of particles in the coating film. Therefore, it is preferable to use this system in this system.

なお、乾燥装置１８の冷却板２０の形状は、図１及び図３に示された形状である必要はなく、例えば、図４に示すように、冷却板２０に折り曲げ部２０ａを設けた形状であっても良い。このように、冷却板２０に折り曲げ部２０ａを設けることで、冷却板２０に結露した溶剤や水滴が樋２１へと好適に誘導される。この場合、樋カバー２１ａが冷却板２０と面している冷却板部分だけでなく折り曲げ部２０ａも同様に親水化処理が施されていることが好ましい。また、この場合、折り曲げ部２０ａにメッシュをつけ水を吸収させることも好ましい。   The shape of the cooling plate 20 of the drying device 18 does not have to be the shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the cooling plate 20 has a bent portion 20 a. There may be. As described above, by providing the bent portion 20 a on the cooling plate 20, the solvent and water droplets condensed on the cooling plate 20 are suitably guided to the bowl 21. In this case, it is preferable that not only the cooling plate portion where the eaves cover 21a faces the cooling plate 20 but also the bent portion 20a is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. In this case, it is also preferable to apply a mesh to the bent portion 20a to absorb water.

図２の本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置１８を組み込んだ光学補償シートの製造装置で実験を行った。   An experiment was conducted with an optical compensation sheet manufacturing apparatus incorporating a drying apparatus 18 to which the coating film drying method of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 was applied.

光学補償シートの製造は、長尺状可撓性フィルムを送り出す工程から、得られた光学補償シートを巻き取る工程まで一貫して連続的に行なった。トリアセチルセルロース（フジタック、富士フイルム（株）製、厚さ：１００μｍ、幅：５００ｍｍ）の長尺状の可撓性フィルムの一方の側に、長鎖アルキル変成ポバール（ＭＰ−２０３、クラレ（株）製、なおポバールは登録商標）５重量％溶液を塗布し、９０℃で４分間乾燥させて膜厚２．０μｍの配向膜形成用樹脂層を形成した。フィルムの搬送速度は、５０ｍ／分であった。   The production of the optical compensation sheet was continuously performed continuously from the step of feeding the long flexible film to the step of winding up the obtained optical compensation sheet. On one side of a long flexible film of triacetyl cellulose (Fujitac, manufactured by Fuji Film Co., Ltd., thickness: 100 μm, width: 500 mm), a long-chain alkyl-modified poval (MP-203, Kuraray Co., Ltd.) And 5% by weight of POVAL (registered trademark) was applied and dried at 90 ° C. for 4 minutes to form an alignment film-forming resin layer having a thickness of 2.0 μm. The conveyance speed of the film was 50 m / min.

上記トリアセチルセルロースフイルムは、フィルム面内の直交する二方向の屈折率をｎｘ、ｎｙ、厚さ方向の屈折率をｎｚ、そしてフィルムの厚さをｄとしたとき、
（ｎｘ−ｎｙ）×ｄ＝１６ｎｍ、｛（ｎｘ−ｎｙ）／２−ｎｚ｝×ｄ＝７５ｎｍであった。また、上記配向膜形成用樹脂層の形成の際に、図３の乾燥装置１８を備えた塗布・乾燥ラインを用いて行なった。 The triacetyl cellulose film has a refractive index in two orthogonal directions in the film plane of nx, ny, a refractive index in the thickness direction of nz, and a film thickness of d,
It was (nx−ny) × d = 16 nm, {(nx−ny) / 2−nz} × d = 75 nm. Further, when forming the alignment layer forming resin layer, the coating / drying line equipped with the drying device 18 of FIG. 3 was used.

続いて、得られた配向膜形成用樹脂層を有するフィルムを、連続して５０ｍ／分で搬送しながら、樹脂層表面にラビング処理を施して配向膜を形成した。ラビング処理は、ラビングローラの回転数を３００ｒｐｍにて行い、次いで得られた配向膜の除塵を行った。   Subsequently, the film having the obtained alignment film forming resin layer was continuously rubbed on the surface of the resin layer while being continuously conveyed at 50 m / min to form an alignment film. In the rubbing treatment, the rubbing roller was rotated at 300 rpm, and then the resulting alignment film was dedusted.

次いで、得られた配向膜を有するフィルムを、連続して５０ｍ／分の速度で搬送しながら、配向膜上に、塗布速度が５０ｍ／分、塗布量が６．５ｃｃ／ｍ２ となるようにスロットダイから液晶層用の塗布液を塗布して液晶層（塗布膜）を形成し、次いで乾燥装置１８および熱風乾燥装置を通過させた。熱風乾燥装置は１３０℃に調整した。塗布後３秒後に乾燥装置１８に入り、３秒後に熱風乾燥装置に入った。熱風乾燥装置は約３分で通過した。 Next, while continuously transporting the obtained film having the alignment film at a speed of 50 m / min, the coating speed is 50 m / min and the coating amount is 6.5 cc / m 2 on the alignment film. A liquid crystal layer coating solution was formed by applying a liquid crystal layer coating solution from a slot die, and then passed through a drying device 18 and a hot air drying device. The hot air dryer was adjusted to 130 ° C. Three seconds after application, the dryer 18 was entered, and three seconds later, the hot air dryer was entered. The hot air dryer passed in about 3 minutes.

使用した液晶層用の塗布液は、下記に示すディスコティック化合物ＴＥ−（１）とＴＥ−（２）の重量比率４：１の混合物に、光重合開始剤（商品名；イルガキュア９０７、日本チバガイギー（株）製）を１質量％添加した混合物を、４０重量％メチルエチルケトンに溶解して調製した。   The coating solution for the liquid crystal layer used was prepared by adding a photopolymerization initiator (trade name: Irgacure 907, Ciba Geigy Japan) to a mixture of the discotic compounds TE- (1) and TE- (2) shown below having a weight ratio of 4: 1. A 1% by mass mixture was added to 40% by weight methyl ethyl ketone and prepared.

Figure 0004934111
Figure 0004934111

また、液晶層の湿潤膜厚ｔは６．５μｍであり、ウエブ１２とスロットダイ１８先端との間隔Ｄは６５μｍであった。なお、ｔ／Ｄの値は０．１であった。   The wet film thickness t of the liquid crystal layer was 6.5 μm, and the distance D between the web 12 and the tip of the slot die 18 was 65 μm. The t / D value was 0.1.

続いて、この配向膜および液晶層が塗布されたフィルムを、連続して５０ｍ／分で搬送しながら、液晶層の表面に紫外線ランプにより紫外線を照射した。すなわち、上記加熱ゾーンを通過したフィルムは、紫外線照射装置（紫外線ランプ：出力１６０Ｗ／ｃｍ、発光長１．６ｍ）により、照度６００ｍＷの紫外線を４秒間照射し、液晶層を架橋させた。   Subsequently, the surface of the liquid crystal layer was irradiated with ultraviolet rays by an ultraviolet lamp while the film coated with the alignment film and the liquid crystal layer was continuously conveyed at 50 m / min. That is, the film that passed through the heating zone was irradiated with ultraviolet rays having an illuminance of 600 mW for 4 seconds by an ultraviolet irradiation device (ultraviolet lamp: output 160 W / cm, emission length 1.6 m) to crosslink the liquid crystal layer.

ここで、図３の本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置１８において、樋２１の設けられた樋カバー２１ａと冷却板２０とのクリアランスＬについて実験を行った。ヒータ１９の温度は１２０℃、冷却板２０の温度は１０℃とした。塗布膜の乾燥は、実施例１〜９及び比較例１〜３において、以下の表１に示す露点温度の雰囲気で行った。   Here, in the drying apparatus 18 to which the coating film drying method of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 is applied, an experiment was conducted on the clearance L between the eaves cover 21 a provided with the eaves 21 and the cooling plate 20. The temperature of the heater 19 was 120 ° C., and the temperature of the cooling plate 20 was 10 ° C. The coating film was dried in an atmosphere having a dew point temperature shown in Table 1 below in Examples 1 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.

ここで、樋カバーと冷却板とのクリアランスＬを、表１に示す１．０ｍｍ〜１０．０ｍｍの範囲の条件で乾燥装置１８を動作させた。そして、実施例１〜６、９及び比較例１〜３では、樋カバーが冷却板と面している冷却板の部分に親水化処理を施した。また、実施例８においては、樋カバーが冷却板と面している冷却板の部分にメッシュを設けた。   Here, the drying device 18 was operated under the condition that the clearance L between the eaves cover and the cooling plate was in the range of 1.0 mm to 10.0 mm shown in Table 1. And in Examples 1-6, 9 and Comparative Examples 1-3, the hydrophilic cover was given to the part of the cooling plate in which the eaves cover has faced the cooling plate. Moreover, in Example 8, the mesh was provided in the part of the cooling plate in which the eaves cover faces the cooling plate.

実施例１〜９及び比較例１〜３において、水滴の冷却板及び樋カバーへの付着状況、水滴による製品（塗布膜）面への汚染、製品（塗布膜）の面状・乾燥ムラについて調べた。   In Examples 1 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, investigation was made on the state of adhesion of water droplets to the cooling plate and the lid cover, contamination of the product (coating film) surface by water droplets, and surface / drying unevenness of the product (coating film). It was.

表１中の水滴付着の評価については、◎：全くつかない、○：付着またはわずかに滞留するもの、△：付着して滞留するもの、×：滞留し製品に接触するまで成長するもの、とした。汚染の評価は、◎：汚染なく正常、○：ウエブ端部の製品外を汚染することがあるが、装置の微調整で改善するもの、△：装置の微調整では回避できないが製品外のため実害を生じさせないもの、×：水滴の蓄積により製品を汚染したもの、とした。面状・乾燥ムラの評価は、◎：問題なし、○部分的に乾燥がやや遅れるが品質に問題を出さないもの、△部分的な乾燥ムラが発生するが品質に影響を与えないもの、×：部分的な乾燥遅れによって品質に影響する乾燥ムラが発生するもの、とした。   Regarding the evaluation of water droplet adhesion in Table 1, ◎: No sticking, ○: Adhering or slightly staying, Δ: Adhering and staying, ×: Staying and growing until contacting the product, did. Contamination is evaluated as follows: ◎: Normal without contamination, ○: Contamination outside the product at the end of the web, improved by fine adjustment of the device, △: Cannot be avoided by fine adjustment of the device, but out of the product Not causing actual harm, X: Product contaminated by accumulation of water droplets. Evaluation of surface and drying unevenness is as follows: ◎: No problem, ○ Partial drying slightly delayed but no problem in quality, △ Partial drying unevenness occurs but does not affect quality, × : Drying unevenness that affects quality due to partial drying delay was assumed.

そして、これらの評価から総合評価を行った。◎が３つ以上あるものは総合評価を◎、◎が２つ以下で△がないものは総合評価を○、◎が２つ以下で△があれば総合評価を△、１つでも×があれば総合評価を×とした。   And comprehensive evaluation was performed from these evaluations. If there are 3 or more ◎, give an overall evaluation ◎, if ◎ is 2 or less and there is no △, give an overall evaluation ○, if ◎ is 2 or less The overall evaluation is x.

Figure 0004934111
Figure 0004934111

以上の結果から、塗布膜の乾燥を露点温度７℃以下の雰囲気で行うことで総合評価が△以上となることが分かる。そして、実施例１〜７の比較から、樋カバーと冷却板とのクリアランスＬは２．５ｍｍ以上４．０ｍｍ以上であることが好ましいことが分かる。また、実施例３と実施例７との比較から、樋カバーが冷却板と面している冷却板の部分に親水化処理が施されていることが好ましいことが分かる。更に、実施例７と実施例８との比較から、樋カバーが冷却板と面している冷却板の部分にメッシュを設けることが好ましいことが分かる。   From the above results, it can be seen that the overall evaluation becomes Δ or more when the coating film is dried in an atmosphere having a dew point temperature of 7 ° C. or less. And it turns out that it is preferable that the clearance L of a collar cover and a cooling plate is 2.5 mm or more and 4.0 mm or more from the comparison of Examples 1-7. Moreover, it turns out that it is preferable that the part of the cooling plate in which the eaves cover faces the cooling plate is subjected to a hydrophilization treatment from the comparison between Example 3 and Example 7. Furthermore, it can be seen from a comparison between Example 7 and Example 8 that it is preferable to provide a mesh in the portion of the cooling plate where the eaves cover faces the cooling plate.

本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置を組み込んだ塗布・乾燥ラインの一例を示した図The figure which showed an example of the coating and drying line incorporating the drying apparatus to which the drying method of the coating film of this invention is applied 光学補償シートの製造ラインを示した図Diagram showing optical compensation sheet production line 本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置の樋付近を拡大した図The figure which expanded the vicinity of the ridge of the drying apparatus to which the drying method of the coating film of the present invention is applied 本発明の塗布膜の乾燥方法が適用される乾燥装置の他の実施態様を示した図The figure which showed other embodiment of the drying apparatus with which the drying method of the coating film of this invention is applied

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１０…塗布・乾燥ライン、１２…可撓性フィルム、１４…送り出し装置（送出工程）、１５…ガイドローラ、１６…塗布手段（塗布工程）、１７…溶剤及び／又は水滴、１８…乾燥装置（乾燥工程）、１９…ヒータ、２０…冷却板、２０ａ…折り曲げ部、２１…樋、２１ａ…樋カバー、２２…保温水、２３…固定部材、２４…巻き取り装置（巻取り工程）、Ｌ…クリアランス   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Application | coating / drying line, 12 ... Flexible film, 14 ... Delivery apparatus (delivery process), 15 ... Guide roller, 16 ... Application | coating means (application process), 17 ... Solvent and / or water droplet, 18 ... Drying apparatus ( (Drying process), 19 ... heater, 20 ... cooling plate, 20a ... bent portion, 21 ... eaves, 21a ... eaves cover, 22 ... warm water, 23 ... fixing member, 24 ... winding device (winding process), L ... clearance

Claims (7)

表面に塗布膜が塗布された可撓性フィルムを走行させながら、
前記可撓性フィルムの塗布膜中の溶媒を該可撓性フィルムの裏面側からヒータによって加熱気化し、
前記可撓性フィルムの表面側で、該可撓性フィルムと所定距離だけ離れた位置に配置された冷却板によって気化した溶媒を凝集し、
前記凝集した溶媒を所定温度に維持された樋で回収する工程を含み、
前記工程を露点温度７℃以下の雰囲気で行うことを特徴とする塗布膜の乾燥方法。 While running a flexible film with a coating film on the surface,
The solvent in the coating film of the flexible film is heated and evaporated by a heater from the back side of the flexible film,
At the surface side of the flexible film, the vaporized solvent is agglomerated by a cooling plate arranged at a predetermined distance from the flexible film,
Recovering the agglomerated solvent with a koji maintained at a predetermined temperature;
A method for drying a coating film, wherein the step is performed in an atmosphere having a dew point temperature of 7 ° C. or lower. 前記可撓性フィルムを地面に対して垂直に走行させることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の塗布膜の乾燥方法。   The method for drying a coating film according to claim 1, wherein the flexible film is caused to travel perpendicularly to the ground. 前記樋の前記可撓性フィルムに面する部分には、樋カバーが設けられていることを特徴とする請求項２に記載の塗布膜の乾燥方法。   The method for drying a coating film according to claim 2, wherein a part of the ridge facing the flexible film is provided with a ridge cover. 前記樋及び前記樋カバーは、前記冷却板の温度より高い所定温度に維持されていることを特徴とする請求項３に記載の塗布膜の乾燥方法。   The method for drying a coating film according to claim 3, wherein the bag and the bag cover are maintained at a predetermined temperature higher than a temperature of the cooling plate. 前記樋カバーと前記冷却板とのクリアランスが２．５ｍｍ以上４．０ｍｍ以下であることを特徴とする請求項４に記載の塗布膜の乾燥方法。   The method for drying a coating film according to claim 4, wherein a clearance between the collar cover and the cooling plate is 2.5 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less. 前記樋カバーが前記冷却板と面している冷却板の部分には親水化処理が施されていることを特徴とする請求項５に記載の塗布膜の乾燥方法。   6. The method of drying a coating film according to claim 5, wherein the portion of the cooling plate where the heel cover faces the cooling plate is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. 前記樋カバーが前記冷却板と面している冷却板の部分にはメッシュが設けられていることを特徴とする請求項５に記載の塗布膜の乾燥方法。   The method for drying a coating film according to claim 5, wherein a mesh is provided in a portion of the cooling plate where the eaves cover faces the cooling plate.
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JP2010017645A (en) * 2008-07-10 2010-01-28 Fujifilm Corp Drying method of coating film

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JP2013249999A (en) * 2012-05-31 2013-12-12 Konica Minolta Inc Drying device and drying method for coating film

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JP4951301B2 (en) * 2006-09-25 2012-06-13 富士フイルム株式会社 Optical film drying method and apparatus, and optical film manufacturing method

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