Method for stretching polymer film, polarizing film and method for producing the same, polarizer, birefringencial film and liquid crystal display device

• US 7,023,505 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Sakamaki, Satoshi, Taguchi, Keiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, MINH TOAN T
• Application Number:
  US10/630,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20040022965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 349/96, 349/117, 349/138, 428/162, 264/1.34, 264/2.7
• US Class Current: 349/96
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 55/045 in a direction which is not parallel or transverse to the direction of feed, e.g. oblique
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2029/00 Use of polyvinylalcohols, polyvinylethers, polyvinylaldehydes, polyvinylketones or polyvinylketals or derivatives thereof as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2323/031 Polarizer or dye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3033 in the form of a thin sheet or foil, e.g. Polaroid
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3083 Birefringent or phase retarding elements G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133528 Polarisers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13363 Birefringent elements, e.g. for optical compensation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24529 and conforming component on an opposite nonplanar surface

Abstract

A method for stretching an optical polymer film is described, which comprises allowing a locus L1 of the holding means from a substantial holding Initiation point to a substantial holding release point on one edge of the polymer film, a locus L2 of the holding means from a substantial holding initiation point to a substantial holding release point on the other edge of the polymer film, and a distance W between the two substantial holding release points to satisfy the following equation (1), maintaining the supporting property of the polymer film, stretching the film in the presence of a state in which the volatile content is 5% or more, and then, decreasing the volatile content while shrinking the film:
|L2−L1|>0.4W.  (1)

Claims

1. A polarizer comprising a polarizing film produced by a method comprising stretching a vinyl alcohol-based polymer by a method for stretching an optical polymer film, and allowing a polarizing element to be adsorbed before or after stretching,

wherein the method for stretching an optical polymer film by holding both edges of the continuously supplied polymer film by holding means, and imparting tension thereto while advancing said holding means in a longitudinal direction of the film, comprises allowing a locus L1 of the holding means from a substantial holding initiation point to a substantial holding release point on one edge of the polymer film, a locus L2 of the holding means from a substantial holding initiation point to a substantial holding release point on the other edge of the polymer film, and a distance W between the two substantial holding release points to satisfy the following equation (1), maintaining the supporting property of the polymer film, stretching the film in the presence of a state in which the volatile content is 5% or more, and then, decreasing the volatile content while shrinking the film:

|L2−

L1|>

0.4W 

 

(1),

wherein the longitudinal direction of the film is inclined at an angle of 20 to 70°

to a transmission axis direction,

wherein at least one side of the polarizing film is protected with a transparent film, wherein the retardation of the transparent film on at least one side at 632.8 nm is 10 nm or less.

2. The polarizing film of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal direction of the film is inclined at an angle of 40 to 50°

to the transmission axis direction.

3. A liquid crystal display device in which the polarizer of claim 1 is used as at least one of two polarizers disposed on both sides of a liquid crystal cell.