Patent Description:
In recent years, the weight reductions and thinning of display and lighting elements each using a liquid crystal display element or an organic EL, and of a solar cell have been advancing from the viewpoints of conveyability, storability, and a design property, and development toward continuous production by a roll-to-roll process has also been advancing. The use of extremely thin glass (hereinafter also referred to as "glass film") has been proposed as a method of imparting flexibility to glass to be used in those elements and the like. The glass film has flexibility and can be wound in a roll shape, and hence can be processed by the roll-to-roll process. There has heretofore been a disclosure of, for example, a method including processing a polarizing plate, a transparent electrode, or the like on the glass film through use of the roll-to-roll process (e.g., Patent Literature <NUM>).

A glass material originally involves a problem in that its handleability is poor owing to its brittleness, and the problem with handleability becomes remarkable in the glass film that is so thin as to be windable in a roll shape. In particular, the glass film involves a problem in that it is difficult to continuously produce and process the glass film without its breakage, though the glass film has an advantage in that the glass film can be processed by the roll-to-roll process. <CIT> discloses a roll-shaped glass film material including a glass film, a tape made of polymeric material linearly arranged near both sides of the glass film, and a resin layer. <CIT> and <CIT> illustrate the technological background of the invention.

The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a glass film-resin composite, which prevents the breakage of a glass film and enables the production of a laminate including an elongated glass film.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a glass film-resin composite, including: an elongated glass film; a resin tape, which is arranged on at least one surface of the elongated glass film and is linearly arranged at least near each of both ends in a widthwise direction of the elongated glass film in one surface of the elongated glass film; a protective layer, which is arranged near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the surface of the elongated glass film having arranged thereon the resin tape and on an outside of the resin tape in the widthwise direction; and a resin layer arranged on one surface of the elongated glass film, the resin layer being arranged on the surface of the elongated glass film opposite to the surface having arranged thereon the resin tape, the width of the resin layer being identical to the width of the elongated glass film or larger than the width of the elongated glass film.

In one embodiment, the protective layer has an extending portion extending from the elongated glass film in the widthwise direction.

In one embodiment, the extending portion has a width of more than <NUM> and <NUM> or less.

In one embodiment, a width Lt of the resin tape and a width Lg of the elongated glass film have a relationship of <NUM>≤Lg/Lt≤<NUM>.

In one embodiment, an interval L1 between the resin tape arranged near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the elongated glass film and an end portion of the glass film, and a width Lg of the elongated glass film have a relationship of <NUM>≤Lg/L1≤<NUM>,<NUM>.

In one embodiment, an interval L2 between the resin tapes arranged near both the ends in the widthwise direction of the elongated glass film is <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>% with respect to a width Lg of the elongated glass film.

In one embodiment, the glass film-resin composite has a roll shape.

According to the present invention, the glass film-resin composite, which prevents the breakage of a glass film and enables the production of a laminate including an elongated glass film, can be provided.

<FIG> is a schematic sectional view of a glass film-resin composite according to one embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a schematic plan view of the glass film-resin composite according to the one embodiment of the present invention. A glass film-resin composite <NUM> includes: an elongated glass film <NUM>; a resin tape <NUM> arranged on at least one surface of the elongated glass film <NUM>; a protective layer <NUM> arranged near each of both ends in the widthwise direction of the surface of the elongated glass film <NUM> having arranged thereon the resin tape <NUM>; and a resin layer <NUM> arranged on one surface of the elongated glass film <NUM>. The resin tape <NUM> is linearly arranged at least near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction (a direction W in each of <FIG>) of the elongated glass film <NUM> in one surface of the elongated glass film <NUM>. The protective layer <NUM> is arranged near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the surface of the elongated glass film <NUM> having arranged thereon the resin tape <NUM> and on the outside of the resin tape <NUM> in the widthwise direction.

The resin tape <NUM> includes an adhesive layer <NUM>, and further includes a base material <NUM> as required (details are described later). The adhesive layer <NUM> is directly arranged (fixed) on the elongated glass film <NUM> (i.e., arranged (fixed) without any other layer being interposed). In the present invention, the elongated glass film (sometimes simply referred to as "glass film") is protected with the resin tape including the adhesive layer. Accordingly, the resin tape suppresses the propagation of failure starting from a crack occurring in an end portion in the widthwise direction of the glass film, and hence can prevent the failure of the glass film. The glass film-resin composite of the present invention hardly causes an inconvenience such as rupture even when bent, and hence the use of the glass film-resin composite enables continuous production and processing of a glass film. In this description, the term "adhesive layer" means a layer formed of an adhesive, and the term "adhesive" refers to an adhesive that exhibits its peel-resisting force by being solidified. The "adhesive layer" is clearly distinguished from a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer including a pressure-sensitive adhesive that exhibits its peel-resisting force without being solidified. In one embodiment, the glass film-resin composite is formed so that when an attempt is made to peel the resin tape from the elongated glass film, no interfacial failure may occur at an interface between the resin tape and the elongated glass film.

As described above, the protective layer <NUM> is arranged near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the elongated glass film <NUM> and on the outside of the resin tape <NUM> in the widthwise direction. In one embodiment, the protective layer <NUM> is bonded to the elongated glass film <NUM> via any appropriate pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or adhesive layer <NUM>. In the present invention, when the protective layer is arranged near an end portion in the widthwise direction of the glass film, cullet produced in the case where the glass film is broken at the site can be caused to stay at the broken site. Accordingly, the cullet can be prevented from adhering to the effective portion (central portion) of the glass film. The cullet that has adhered to the effective portion of the glass film serves as foreign matter in a product using the glass film to be responsible for an appearance defect. In addition, the cullet is responsible for the occurrence of a crack at the time of the winding of the glass film in a roll shape. The use of the glass film-resin composite of the present invention prevents those inconveniences to enable continuous production and processing of a glass film without the adhesion of any foreign matter.

As illustrated in each of <FIG>, the resin layer <NUM> is arranged on the surface of the elongated glass film <NUM> opposite to the surface having arranged thereon the resin tape <NUM> (surface on which the resin tape <NUM> is not arranged).

<FIG> is a schematic sectional view of a glass film-resin composite not according to the invention. In a glass film-resin composite <NUM> of <FIG>, the resin layer <NUM> is arranged on the surface of the elongated glass film <NUM> having arranged thereon the resin tape <NUM>. When the resin tape <NUM> and the resin layer <NUM> are arranged on one and the same surface, the resin layer <NUM> is preferably arranged on the inside of the resin tape <NUM> in the widthwise direction. At this time, the resin layer <NUM> and the resin tape <NUM> may be in contact with each other, or may be distant from each other.

In addition, the width of the resin layer <NUM> and the width of the elongated glass film <NUM> may be identical to each other as illustrated in, for example, each of <FIG>, or may be different from each other as illustrated in, for example, each of <FIG> (not according to the invention) and <FIG>. In one embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the resin layer <NUM> is wider than the elongated glass film <NUM>. For example, the width of the resin layer <NUM> may be more than <NUM>% and less than <NUM>% (preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%) with respect to the width of the elongated glass film <NUM>.

It is preferred that as illustrated in, for example, each of <FIG>, the protective layer <NUM> extend from the elongated glass film <NUM> in the widthwise direction, and the outer side end portion of the protective layer <NUM> be present on an outside in the widthwise direction with respect to the end portion of the elongated glass film <NUM>. Details are described later.

The term "elongated" as used herein means a slender shape whose length is sufficiently long as compared to its width, and includes, for example, a slender shape having a length <NUM> or more times, preferably <NUM> or more times as long as its width. The length of the glass film-resin composite of the present invention is preferably <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM> or more, still more preferably <NUM> or more. According to the present invention, the breakage of a glass film can be effectively prevented, and hence a glass film having such a length that it has heretofore been impossible to continuously produce and process the glass film (e.g., <NUM> or more) can be handled. The upper limit of the length of the glass film is not particularly limited, and is, for example, <NUM>,<NUM>.

In one embodiment, the glass film-resin composite of the present invention is provided in a roll shape.

In one embodiment, a laminate of the glass film and the resin layer (glass film/resin layer laminate) in the glass film-resin composite of the present invention serves as a product or a semi-finished product. The glass film/resin layer laminate is used after a portion where the resin tape is arranged and the outside of the portion have been removed. The glass film/resin layer laminate may be obtained by, for example, forming the glass film-resin composite of the present invention, subjecting the composite to a predetermined step as required, and then removing the portion where the resin tape is arranged and the outside of the portion in accordance with a method such as slitting. The region of the glass film to be finally used without being removed is hereinafter sometimes referred to as "effective region of the glass film. " In other words, the glass film includes: the effective region planned to be put into practical use later, the resin having no resin tape arranged thereon; and a region planned to be removed together with the resin tape.

As described above, the resin tape <NUM> is linearly arranged at least near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the elongated glass film <NUM> in one surface. That is, the at least two resin tapes <NUM> are arranged on at least one surface of the elongated glass film <NUM>. The resin tape <NUM> preferably has a continuous linear shape. The length of the resin tape <NUM> is preferably <NUM>% or more, more preferably <NUM>% or more, most preferably <NUM>% with respect to the length of the elongated glass film <NUM>. That is, the resin tape <NUM> is most preferably arranged over the entire length of the elongated glass film <NUM>.

The width Lt of each of the resin tapes <NUM> is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. When the width falls within such ranges, the progress of a crack occurring in the glass film can be more effectively suppressed.

The width Lt of each of the resin tapes <NUM> and the width Lg of the elongated glass film preferably have a relationship of <NUM>≤Lg/Lt≤<NUM>, and more preferably have a relationship of <NUM>≤Lg/Lt≤<NUM>. When the widths have such relationships, the progress of a crack occurring in the glass film can be more effectively suppressed.

The total length of the widths Lt of the resin tapes <NUM> in one surface is preferably less than <NUM>%, more preferably <NUM>% or less, still more preferably <NUM>% or less, particularly preferably <NUM>% or less with respect to the width Lg of the elongated glass film. The lower limit of the total length of the widths Lt of the resin tapes <NUM> is preferably <NUM>% or more, more preferably <NUM>% or more with respect to the width Lg of the elongated glass film. The term "total length of the widths Lt of the resin tapes" means a length obtained by totalizing the widths Lt of the resin tapes arranged in plurality. In addition, when the resin tapes are arranged on both surfaces of the glass film as described later, the term "total length of the widths Lt of the resin tapes in one surface" means the total length of the widths Lt of the resin tapes in each of the surfaces.

The lower limit of the thickness of the resin tape <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM> or more, still more preferably <NUM> or more. The upper limit of the thickness of the resin tape <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or less, still more preferably <NUM> or less. When the resin tape includes the base material and the adhesive layer as described later, the term "thickness of the resin tape" means the total thickness of the base material and the adhesive layer, and when the resin tape includes only the adhesive layer, the term means the thickness of the adhesive layer.

The widths of the resin tapes arranged in plurality may be identical to or different from each other. The lengths of the resin tapes arranged in plurality may be identical to or different from each other. The thicknesses of the resin tapes arranged in plurality may be identical to or different from each other.

An interval L1 (shortest interval) between the resin tape arranged near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the elongated glass film and the end portion of the glass film is preferably <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or less, still more preferably <NUM> or less, particularly preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The interval L1 between the resin tape arranged near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the elongated glass film and the end portion of the glass film, and the width Lg of the elongated glass film preferably have a relationship of <NUM>≤Lg/L1≤<NUM>,<NUM>, and more preferably have a relationship of <NUM>≤Lg/L1≤<NUM>.

An interval L2 between the resin tapes arranged near both the ends in the widthwise direction of the elongated glass film is preferably <NUM>% or more and less than <NUM>%, more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% with respect to the width Lg of the elongated glass film. When the interval falls within such ranges, the progress of a crack occurring in the glass film can be more effectively suppressed, and even in the case where cullet occurs, the adhesion of the cullet to the effective region can be more preferably prevented.

<FIG> is a schematic sectional view of a glass film-resin composite according to one embodiment of the present invention and <FIG> is a schematic sectional view of a glass film-resin composite not according to the invention. Glass film-resin composites <NUM> (according to the invention) and <NUM>' (not according to the invention) of <FIG> each include the more than two (four in the illustrated example) resin tapes <NUM> on one surface of the elongated glass film <NUM>. When the glass film-resin composite of such mode is divided in two in its widthwise direction, an elongated glass film/resin layer laminate including the resin tapes near both ends in its widthwise direction can be obtained. <FIG> is an illustration of a mode according to the invention in which the resin layer <NUM> is arranged on the surface opposite to the surface having arranged thereon the resin tape <NUM>, and <FIG> is an illustration of a mode not according to the invention in which the resin layer <NUM> is arranged on the surface having arranged thereon the resin tape <NUM>.

The number of the resin tapes is preferably even. When the number of the resin tapes is even, a plurality of elongated glass film/resin layer laminates each including the resin tapes near both ends in its widthwise direction can be obtained. In one embodiment, the four or more resin tapes are arranged per one surface of the elongated glass film.

In one embodiment, the resin tape is arranged on a surface that is on the outside (convex side) when the glass film-resin composite is bent. The progress of a crack remarkably occurs in a surface to which a tensile stress is applied. Accordingly, when the resin tape is arranged on the surface that is on the outside (convex side) when the composite is bent, the progress of the crack can be effectively prevented. In this embodiment, the resin tape is arranged, for example, as follows: when the glass film-resin composite is wound in a roll shape, the tape is arranged on a surface that is on the outside of the roll.

<FIG> is a schematic sectional view of a glass film-resin composite not according to the invention. A glass film-resin composite <NUM> of <FIG> includes the resin tapes <NUM> on both surfaces of the elongated glass film <NUM>. In this embodiment, the two or more resin tapes <NUM> may be arranged on one surface (front surface), and the two or more resin tapes <NUM> may be arranged on the other surface (rear surface). The number of the resin tapes <NUM> arranged on the one surface and the number of the resin tapes <NUM> arranged on the other surface are preferably identical to each other.

When the resin tapes are arranged on both the surfaces of the glass film, the progress of a crack can be effectively prevented irrespective of the direction in which the glass film-resin composite is bent. The glass film-resin composite having the configuration is particularly useful when subjected to a production-processing line including a plurality of conveying rolls, and can prevent the breakage of the glass film irrespective of which one of front and rear directions the composite is bent in.

In one embodiment not according to the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the resin tapes arranged on the front surface and the resin tapes arranged on the rear surface are opposite to each other through the glass film. In another embodiment not according to the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the resin tapes arranged on the front surface and the resin tapes arranged on the rear surface are arranged so as not to be opposite to each other. When the resin tapes present on the front and rear surfaces are arranged so as not to be opposite to each other, that is, so as to shift from each other, an inconvenience at the time of the winding of the glass film-resin composite can be prevented.

The embodiments illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> above and <FIG> below may be appropriately combined.

In one embodiment, the resin tape includes the base material <NUM> and the adhesive layer <NUM> arranged on one surface of the base material as illustrated in each of <FIG>. In another embodiment, the resin tape includes only the adhesive layer.

The base material may include any appropriate material. In one embodiment, the base material includes any appropriate resin material. Examples of the resin for forming the base material include polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene chloride, polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, a polyamide-based resin, cellulose, and a silicone-based resin.

The base material may include a primer layer. Amaterial that may improve adhesiveness with the adhesive layer is used as a material for forming the primer layer. Examples of the material for the primer layer include a polyester-based resin, a polycarbonate-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, an alkyd-based resin, an acrylic resin, a urea-based resin, and a urethane-based resin. In particular, when a base material formed of a polyester-based resin is used, a layer containing a resin selected from a polyester-based resin, an acrylic resin, and a urethane-based resin is preferably used as the primer layer from the viewpoint of an adhesive property. In addition, the base material may be subjected to a surface modification treatment, such as a corona treatment or a plasma treatment, for improving the adhesiveness with the adhesive layer.

The thickness of the base material is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

It is preferred that the width of the base material be substantially identical to the width of the adhesive layer. The phrase "widths are substantially identical to each other" means that a difference between the widths is <NUM> or less (preferably <NUM> or less).

In one embodiment, a width Lt (mm) of each of the resin tapes, a Young's modulus Eg (GPa) of the glass film, a Young's modulus Es (GPa) of the base material, a thickness Tg (µm) of the glass film, and a thickness Ts (µm) of the base material have a relationship represented by the following equation (<NUM>), and α represents a reinforcement coefficient (mm· (µm) <NUM>/<NUM>), and represents <NUM> or more. The use of a resin tape having a width represented by the following equation (<NUM>) can provide a glass film-resin composite that can more effectively suppress the progress of a crack occurring in its glass film.

In this description, the Young's modulus Eg of the glass film is measured by a resonance method (JIS R <NUM>, measurement temperature: <NUM>). In addition, the Young's modulus Es of the base material may be measured with an autograph under the following conditions.

The reinforcement coefficient α (mm·(µm)<NUM>/<NUM>) is preferably <NUM> or more, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The adhesive layer for forming the resin tape contains any appropriate adhesive. In one embodiment, a photocurable or thermosetting adhesive may be used. Examples of the adhesive for forming the adhesive layer include an epoxy-based adhesive, a rubber-based adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a silicone-based adhesive, a urethane-based adhesive, and a mixture thereof.

The Young's modulus of the adhesive layer for forming the resin tape is preferably <NUM> GPa or more, more preferably from <NUM> GPa to <NUM> GPa. The Young's modulus of the adhesive layer may be measured with an autograph under the following conditions.

The thickness of the adhesive layer for forming the resin tape is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

As described above, the protective layer <NUM> is arranged near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the surface having arranged thereon the resin tape <NUM> and on the outside of the resin tape <NUM> in the widthwise direction. The protective layer <NUM> is preferably arranged only on one surface of the elongated glass film <NUM>. The length of the protective layer <NUM> is preferably <NUM>% or more, more preferably <NUM>% or more, most preferably <NUM>% with respect to the length of the elongated glass film <NUM>. That is, the protective layer <NUM> is most preferably arranged over the entire length of the elongated glass film <NUM>.

The width Lp of each of the protective layers <NUM> is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, particularly preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. When the width falls within such ranges, even in the case where cullet occurs near any one of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the elongated glass film, the adhesion of the cullet to the effective region can be more preferably prevented.

In one embodiment, the protective layer <NUM> has an extending portion <NUM> extending toward the outside of the elongated glass film <NUM> in the widthwise direction. When the protective layer has such extending portion <NUM>, the breakage of the end portion of the elongated glass film <NUM> can be more preferably prevented. In particular, the extending portion is particularly useful in turning the glass film-resin composite into a roll shape.

The width L3 of the extending portion <NUM> is preferably more than <NUM> and <NUM> or less, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, particularly preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. When the width falls within such ranges, the breakage of the end portion of the elongated glass film <NUM> can be more preferably prevented. In addition, when the width L3 of the extending portion <NUM> is set to <NUM> or less (more preferably <NUM> mmor less) , the extending portion is prevented from unnecessarily hanging down at the time of the winding of the glass film-resin composite in a roll shape, and hence a trouble at the time of the winding can be prevented. The width L3 of the extending portion <NUM> means a distance between an end portion in the widthwise direction of the elongated glass film <NUM> and the outer side end portion of the protective layer extending from the end portion.

The lower limit of a ratio Lg/L3 between the width L3 of the extending portion <NUM> and the width Lg of the elongated glass film is preferably <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>, still more preferably <NUM>, particularly preferably <NUM>. The upper limit of the ratio Lg/L3 is preferably <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM>, still more preferably <NUM>, particularly preferably <NUM>, most preferably <NUM>. When the ratio falls within such ranges, the adhesion of the cullet to the effective region of the glass film can be prevented while the effective region of the glass film is sufficiently secured.

When the resin layer <NUM> is wider than the elongated glass film <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the extending portion <NUM> of the protective layer preferably extends so as to reach the outside of the resin layer <NUM> in the widthwise direction. With such embodiment, the breakage of the end portion of the elongated glass film <NUM> can be more preferably prevented. The portion of the resin layer <NUM> extending from the elongated glass film <NUM> and the extending portion <NUM> are preferably laminated via any appropriate pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or adhesive layer. With such embodiment, the end surface of the elongated glass film can be effectively protected. When the protective layer <NUM> extends from the resin layer <NUM> in the widthwise direction, the width L4 of the protective layer <NUM> extending from the resin layer <NUM> is preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably less than <NUM>, still more preferably less than <NUM>, particularly preferably less than <NUM>. In <FIG>, for convenience, the protective layer is illustrated so as to extend under a state of being parallel to the glass film and the resin layer. However, the protective layer may be arranged so as to follow a step formed by the glass film and the resin layer.

The thickness of the protective layer is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. When the thickness falls within such ranges, the adhesion of the cullet to the effective region of the glass film can be more preferably prevented.

In one embodiment, a height from the front surface of the elongated glass film <NUM> to the front surface of the protective layer <NUM> (the total thickness of the protective layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or the adhesive layer on the elongated glass film) may be equal to or less than the thickness of the resin tape. With such embodiment, a glass film-resin composite that can be satisfactorily wound can be obtained. In another embodiment, the height from the front surface of the elongated glass film <NUM> to the front surface of the protective layer <NUM> may be equal to or more than the thickness of the resin tape. In such embodiment, the adhesion of the cullet to the effective region of the glass film can be more preferably prevented.

The resin tape <NUM> and the protective layer <NUM> may be in contact with each other, or may be distant from each other. The protective layer <NUM> is preferably arranged so that the outer side end surface of the resin tape <NUM> in the widthwise direction and the inner side end surface of the protective layer <NUM> in the widthwise direction may be in contact with each other. When the resin tape <NUM> and the protective layer <NUM> are distant from each other, a distance between the resin tape <NUM> and the protective layer <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or less, still more preferably <NUM> or less.

The protective layer may include any appropriate material. The protective layer is preferably formed from a resin film. Examples of the material for forming the protective layer include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, a polyamide-based resin, cellulose, and a silicone-based resin. Of those, polyethylene terephthalate is preferred. When the polyethylene terephthalate is used, the adhesion of the cullet to the effective region of the glass film can be more preferably prevented. In addition, in the case where the protective layer has the extending portion, the extending portion can be prevented from unnecessarily hanging down by using the polyethylene terephthalate.

The protective layer maybe bonded to the elongated glass film via any appropriate pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or adhesive layer. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or the adhesive layer may be formed on the entirety of the rear surface of the protective layer, or may be formed on part of the rear surface. When the protective layer has the extending portion, in one embodiment, as illustrated in, for example, each of <FIG>, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or the adhesive layer is formed on the elongated glass film, and is not formed in the extending portion. In another embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or the adhesive layer is formed on the elongated glass film, and is also formed on the rear surface of the protective layer in the extending portion.

The resin layer may be turned into any appropriate layer in accordance with the applications of the glass film/resin layer laminate. The resin layer may be, for example, a polarizing plate, an optical film, a conductive film, or a light control film. The polarizing plate is described below as a typical example.

The polarizing plate includes a polarizer. The thickness of the polarizer is not particularly limited, and an appropriate thickness may be adopted in accordance with purposes. The thickness is typically from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In one embodiment, a thin polarizer is used, and the thickness of the polarizer is preferably <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or less, still more preferably <NUM> or less, particularly preferably <NUM> or less.

The polarizer preferably shows absorption dichroism at any wavelength in the wavelength range of from <NUM> to <NUM>. The single layer transmittance of the polarizer is preferably <NUM>. <NUM>% or more, more preferably <NUM>% or more, still more preferably <NUM>% or more, particularly preferably <NUM>% or more. The polarization degree of the polarizer is preferably <NUM>% or more, more preferably <NUM>% or more, still more preferably <NUM>% or more.

The polarizer is preferably an iodine-based polarizer. More specifically, the polarizer may include a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin (hereinafter referred to as "PVA-based resin") film containing iodine.

Any appropriate resin may be adopted as a PVA-based resin for forming the PVA-based resin film. Examples thereof include polyvinyl alcohol and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. The polyvinyl alcohol is obtained by saponifying polyvinyl acetate. The ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer is obtained by saponifying an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The saponification degree of the PVA-based resin is typically from <NUM> mol% to <NUM> mol%, preferably from <NUM> mol% to <NUM> mol%, more preferably from <NUM> mol% to <NUM> mol%. The saponification degree may be determined in accordance with JIS K <NUM>-<NUM>. The use of the PVA-based resin having such saponification degree can provide a polarizer excellent in durability. When the saponification degree is excessively high, the resin may gel.

The average polymerization degree of the PVA-based resin may be appropriately selected in accordance with purposes. The average polymerization degree is typically from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, preferably from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>. The average polymerization degree may be determined in accordance with JIS K <NUM>-<NUM>.

A method of producing the polarizer is, for example, a method (I) including stretching and dyeing the PVA-based resin filmalone, or a method (II) including stretching and dyeing a laminate (i) including a resin substrate and a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer. Detailed description of the method (I) is omitted because the method is a method well known and commonly used in the art. The production method (II) preferably includes a step of stretching and dyeing the laminate (i) including the resin substrate and the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer formed on one side of the resin substrate to produce the polarizer on the resin substrate. The laminate (i) may be formed by applying an application liquid containing the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin onto the resin substrate and drying the liquid. In addition, the laminate (i) may be formed by transferring a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin film onto the resin substrate. Details about the production method (II) are described in, for example, <CIT>, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, the polarizing plate includes a protective film arranged on at least one side of the polarizer. Any appropriate resin film may be adopted as the protective film. Examples of a material for forming the protective film include: polyester-based resins, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET); cellulose-based resins, such as triacetylcellulose (TAC) ; cycloolefin-based resins, such as a norbornene-based resin; olefin-based resins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene; and (meth)acrylic resins. Of those, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is preferred. The term " (meth) acrylic resin" refers to an acrylic resin and/or a methacrylic resin.

In one embodiment, a (meth)acrylic resin having a glutarimide structure is used as the (meth)acrylic resin. The (meth)acrylic resin having a glutarimide structure (hereinafter also referred to glutarimide resin) is described in, for example, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>, the descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The protective film and the polarizer are laminated via any appropriate adhesion layer. The resin substrate used at the time of the production of the polarizer may be peeled before the lamination of the protective film and the polarizer, or after the lamination.

The thickness of the protective film is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, particularly preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The modulus of elasticity of the protective film is preferably from <NUM> GPa to <NUM> GPa, more preferably from <NUM> GPa to <NUM> GPa, still more preferably from <NUM> GPa to <NUM> GPa. When the modulus of elasticity falls within such ranges, an optical film excellent in puncture resistance can be obtained.

Any appropriate glass film may be adopted as the glass film. According to classification based on composition, examples of the glass film include soda-lime glass, borate glass, aluminosilicate glass, and quartz glass films. In addition, according to classification based on an alkali component, examples of the glass film include alkali-free glass and low-alkali glass films. The content of an alkali metal component (e.g., Na<NUM>O, K<NUM>O, or Li<NUM>O) in the glass is preferably <NUM> wt% or less, more preferably <NUM> wt% or less.

The thickness of the effective region of the glass film is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, particularly preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The width Lg of the glass film is not particularly limited, but is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>.

The glass film preferably has a light transmittance at a wavelength of <NUM> of <NUM>% or more. The glass film preferably has a refractive index at a wavelength of <NUM> of from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The glass film has a density of preferably from <NUM>/cm<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>, more preferably from <NUM>/cm<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>.

Any appropriate method may be adopted as a forming method for the glass film. The glass film is typically produced by melting a mixture containing a main raw material, such as silica or alumina, a fining agent, such as salt cake or antimony oxide, and a reducing agent, such as carbon, at a temperature of from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, and forming the molten mixture into a thin sheet shape, followed by cooling. Examples of the forming method for the glass film include a slot down-draw method, a fusion method, and a float method. The glass film formed in a sheet shape by any one of those methods may be chemically polished with a solvent, such as hydrofluoric acid, as required, in order to reduce its thickness or enhance its smoothness.

The glass film-resin composite maybe formed by any appropriate method. The glass film-resin composite may be formedby, for example, fixing the resin tape on the glass film to form a laminate A, and then laminating the resin layer on the laminate A. Examples of a method of fixing the resin tape include: (i) a method including applying the adhesive onto the glass film and curing the adhesive; and (ii) a method including applying the adhesive onto the glass film and/or the base material, laminating the glass film and the base material via the adhesive, and then curing the adhesive. According to the method (i), a laminate A including a resin tape free of any base material can be obtained. According to the method (ii) , a laminate A including a resin tape including the base material and the adhesive layer can be obtained. It is preferred that the application of the adhesive and the supply of the base material, and the curing of the adhesive be continuously performed while the elongated glass film is conveyed. In one embodiment, the application of the adhesive and the supply of the base material are performed while the glass film is conveyed as it is without being wound after the glass film has been produced. At this time, the glass film to be used for fixing the resin tape maybe a glass film with ear portions. The term "glass film with ear portions" means a glass film having thick-wall portions (ear portions) produced in end portions in the widthwise direction of the glass film, the ear portions being produced when both the ends in the widthwise direction of the glass film are mechanically held at the time of its forming. The resin tape may be arranged inside each of the ear portions.

Examples of a method of applying the adhesive include: coating methods, such as air doctor coating, blade coating, knife coating, reverse coating, transfer roll coating, gravure roll coating, kiss coating, cast coating, spray coating, slot orifice coating, calender coating, electrodeposition coating, dip coating, and die coating; and printing methods including a letterpress printing method, such as flexographic printing, an intaglio printing method, such as a direct gravure printing method or an offset gravure printing method, a lithographic printing method, such as an offset printing method, and a stencil printing method, such as a screen printing method.

Any appropriate method may be adopted as a method of curing the adhesive in accordance with the kind of the adhesive. In one embodiment, the adhesive may be cured by UV irradiation or a heating treatment. A condition for the UV irradiation is, for example, as follows: an irradiation integrated light quantity is from <NUM> mJ/cm<NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> mJ/cm<NUM>, preferably from <NUM> mJ/cm<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> mJ/cm<NUM>.

When the resin tape is fixed to the glass film with ear portions, the ear portions are preferably removed by slitting after the lamination of the resin tape. The ear portions are preferably removed after the lamination of the resin tape and before the winding of the glass film-resin composite. An approach to removing the ear portions is, for example, a method including mechanically cutting the glass film, a method including arranging a flaw (scribe) in the surface of the glass film and growing a crack (breaking the glass film) with heat or a bending stress, or a method including dividing the glass film through irradiation with laser light. A laser light source is, for example, a CO<NUM> laser or an YAG laser.

In one embodiment, the laminate A obtained after the lamination of the resin tape (and after the slitting of the ear portions as required) may be laminated together with the resin layer after having been wound in a roll shape once. In the present invention, the laminate A includes the resin tape, and hence the resin layer can be laminated while the breakage of the glass film (more specifically, the breakage of the effective region of the glass film) is prevented. In another embodiment, after the formation of the laminate A, the lamination of the resin layer may be continuously performed without the winding of the laminate. The resin layer may be formed by, for example, such a method as described below: a resin film is laminated via any appropriate pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or adhesive layer; or a composition for forming the resin layer is applied and dried. Any appropriate methods may be adopted as a method of applying the composition for forming the resin layer and a method of drying the composition.

The present invention is specifically described below by way of Examples, but the present invention is by no means limited to these Examples.

An epoxy-based resin (manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. , product name: "CELLOXIDE 2021P"), another epoxy-based resin (manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. , product name: "EHPE <NUM>"), an oxetane-based resin (manufactured by Toagosei Co. , product name: "ARON OXETANE OXT-<NUM>"), an epoxy group-terminated coupling agent (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. , product name: "KBM-<NUM>"), and a polymerization initiator (CPI-101A manufactured by San-Apro Ltd. ) were mixed at a ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM> to prepare a UV-curable adhesive.

First, a laminate obtained by forming a <NUM>-micrometer thick PVA layer on an amorphous PET substrate was subjected to in-air auxiliary stretching at a stretching temperature of <NUM> to produce a stretched laminate. Next, the stretched laminate was subjected to dyeing to produce a colored laminate. Further, the colored laminate was subjected to in-boric-acid-solution stretching at a stretching temperature of <NUM> so that the total stretching ratio became <NUM> times. Thus, an optical film laminate including a <NUM>-micrometer thick PVA layer stretched together with the amorphous PET substrate was produced. Such two-stage stretching was able to produce an optical film laminate including the <NUM>-micrometer thick PVA layer, the layer forming such a high-function polarizer that the PVA molecules of the PVA layer formed on the amorphous PET substrate were aligned in a high order, and iodine caused to adsorb to the polarizer by the dyeing was aligned as a polyiodide ion complex in one direction in a high order.

A methacrylic resin pellet having a glutarimide ring unit was dried at <NUM> kPa and <NUM> for <NUM> hours, and was extruded from the T-die of a single-screw extruder at a die temperature of <NUM> to be formed into a film shape. The film was stretched in its conveying direction (MD direction) under an atmosphere having a temperature higher than the Tg of the resin by <NUM>. Next, the film was stretched in the direction (TD direction) perpendicular to the film-conveying direction under an atmosphere having a temperature higher than the Tg of the resin by <NUM>. Thus, an acrylic film having a thickness of <NUM> was obtained.

<NUM> Parts by weight of N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide HEAA (manufactured by Kohjin Co. ), <NUM> parts by weight of N-acryloylmorpholine ACMO (manufactured by Kohjin Co. ), <NUM> parts by weight of polypropylene glycol diacrylate TPGDA (manufactured by Toagosei Co. , product name: "ARONIX M-<NUM>"), <NUM> parts by weight of a photopolymerization initiator (manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals, product name: "IRGACURE <NUM>"), and <NUM> parts by weight of another photopolymerization initiator (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co. , product name: "KAYACURE DETX-S") were added as an adhesive.

The curable adhesive was applied in an application thickness of about <NUM> to the polarizer produced on the PET film. Next, the acrylic film having a thickness of <NUM> was bonded to the adhesive layer. The adhesive was irradiated with UV light having a peak UV irradiance of <NUM>,<NUM> mW/cm<NUM> and a UV integrated light quantity of <NUM>,<NUM> mJ/cm<NUM> (wavelength: from <NUM> to <NUM>), which had been emitted from a conveyor-type UV irradiation apparatus (manufactured by Fusion UV Systems), from the PET film side to be cured, and the cured adhesive was dried at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. Finally, the PET film was peeled from the laminate obtained by laminating the acrylic film, the polarizer, and the PET film. Thus, a laminate (apolarizing plate A having a thickness of <NUM>) of the acrylic film (protective film) and the polarizer was obtained.

A glass film with ear portions (thickness of each of the ear portions: <NUM>, thickness of an effective region: <NUM>, width: <NUM>,<NUM>) was formed by an overflow downdraw method.

A polyethylene terephthalate base material (width: <NUM>) was laminated near each of both ends in the widthwise direction of one surface of the glass film with ear portions via the adhesive prepared in Production Example <NUM>. After that, the adhesive was irradiated with UV light. Thus, a glass film with ear portions including linear resin tapes near both ends in its widthwise direction was obtained.

Next, CO<NUM> laser light having a wavelength of <NUM> was applied to continuously remove the ear portions. Thus, a laminate A (width: <NUM>) was obtained.

The polarizing plate A (width: <NUM>) produced in Production Example <NUM> was continuously laminated on the surface of the laminate A on the side on which no resin tape was arranged via an adhesive.

Further, a protective layer (polyethylene terephthalate film, thickness: <NUM>) was continuously laminated on the outside of each of the resin tapes on the glass film in the widthwise direction via a double-sided tape. The resin tape and the protective layer were arranged so as to be in contact with each other.

Such a glass film-resin composite as illustrated in <FIG> was formed as described above, and the glass film-resin composite was wound.

In the glass film-resin composite, the width Lp of the protective layer was set to <NUM>, the width L3 of the extending portion (portion extending from the glass film) of the protective layer was set to <NUM>, and the width L4 of the portion of the protective layer extending from the polarizing plate A was set to <NUM>.

Glass film-resin composites were each obtained in the same manner as in Example <NUM> except that the width L3 of the extending portion (portion extending from the glass film) of the protective layer and the width L4 of the portion of the protective layer extending from the polarizing plate A were set as shown in Table <NUM>.

A laminate of the laminate A and the polarizing plate A was formed in the same manner as in Example <NUM>.

A protective layer (polyethylene terephthalate film, thickness: <NUM>) was arranged only on the polarizing plate A so as to be in contact with the end surface of the glass film (no protective layer was arranged on the glass film).

The width L4' of the portion of the protective layer extending from the polarizing plate A was set to <NUM>.

Glass film-resin composites were each obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example <NUM> except that the width L4' of the portion of the protective layer extending from the polarizing plate A was set as shown in Table <NUM>.

The glass film-resin composites obtained in Examples and Comparative Examples were evaluated by the following methods. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

Whether or not glass cullet scattered was determined when a glass film-resin composite was formed by the method of any one of Examples and Comparative Examples, and was wound in a roll shape, and when the roll was conveyed after the winding.

A case in which the glass cullet did not scatter and the glass cullet did not adhere to the effective region of the glass film was judged as acceptable (indicated by Symbol "o" in the table), and a case in which the glass cullet scattered and the glass cullet adhered to the effective region of the glass film was judged as unacceptable (indicated by Symbol "×" in the table).

In addition, a crack in the glass film resulting from the glass cullet was observed, and a case in which the composite having a length of <NUM>,<NUM> was able to be continuously conveyed without the crack was judged as acceptable (indicated by Symbol "o" in the table), and a case in which the crack occurred was judged as unacceptable (indicated by Symbol "×" in the table).

When the glass film-resin composite was formed by the method of any one of Examples and Comparative Examples, the occurrence of the bending or wrinkling of the end portion of the protective layer was observed at the time of the bonding of the protective layer to the glass film/resin layer (polarizing plate A) laminate, and at the time of the winding of the glass film-resin composite.

A case in which the composite having a length of <NUM>,<NUM> was able to be continuously conveyed without the bending or wrinkling of the end portion of the protective layer was judged as acceptable (indicated by Symbol "o" in the table), and a case in which the bending or wrinkling of the end portion of the protective layer occurred was judged as unacceptable (indicated by Symbol "×" in the table).

When the glass film-resin composite (length: <NUM>,<NUM>) was formed by the method of any one of Examples and Comparative Examples, and the glass film-resin composite was turned into a roll shape (diameter: <NUM>), whether or not the end portion (the extending portion of the protective layer) hung down to cause an inconvenience (e.g., the entanglement of the extending portion) was determined.

A case in which the inconvenience did not occur was judged as acceptable (indicated by Symbol "o" in the table), and a case in which the inconvenience occurred was judged as unacceptable (indicated by Symbol "×" in the table).

The glass film-resin composite was turned into a roll shape as in the (<NUM>), and the glass film-resin composite on the roll was mounted on a lifter so that the direction of the shaft of the roll became horizontal. Whether or not cullet scattering and a crack in the glass film occurred owing to impact caused by the collision of an end surface of the glass film-resin composite having a roll shape with a stopper at the time of the mounting on the lifter was determined by drawing the glass film-resin composite out of the roll.

A case in which none of the cullet scattering and the crack in the glass film occurred was judged as excellent (indicated by Symbol "o" in the table), a case in which the cullet scattering occurred but the crack in the glass film did not occur was judged as satisfactory (indicated by Symbol "Δ" in the table), and a case in which the cullet scattering and the crack in the glass film occurred was judged as unacceptable (indicated by Symbol "×" in the table).

As is apparent from Table <NUM>, according to the glass film-resin composite of the present invention, the breakage of the glass film is prevented, and hence a laminate including an elongated glass film can be produced. Each of the glass film-resin composites obtained in Examples showed no cullet scattering even when the glass film-resin composite was wound in a roll shape, and was then drawn out of the roll.

Claim 1:
A glass film-resin composite, comprising:
an elongated glass film;
a resin tape, which is arranged on at least one surface of the elongated glass film and is linearly arranged at least near each of both ends in a widthwise direction of the elongated glass film in one surface of the elongated glass film;
a protective layer, which is arranged near each of both the ends in the widthwise direction of the surface of the elongated glass film having arranged thereon the resin tape and on an outside of the resin tape in the widthwise direction; and
a resin layer arranged on one surface of the elongated glass film,
the resin layer being arranged on the surface of the elongated glass film opposite to the surface having arranged thereon the resin tape, the width of the resin layer being identical to the width of the elongated glass film or larger than the width of the elongated glass film.