Film and bundle

Abstract

To provide a film that can achieve both protective performance as a film for covering a wire bundle and biodegradability of the film.SOLUTION: A film 10 comprises a base layer 11, and a protective layer 12 laminated in a planar state on at least one surface of the base layer 11. A material constituting the base layer 11 includes a resin material that is a biomass resin and a biodegradable resin, and a material constituting the protective layer 12 includes a printing ink used for printing on a printed material to be applied to the base layer 11. A thickness of the protective layer 12 is 0.5 to 30.0 μm. The resin material constituting the base layer 11 contains an aliphatic polyester produced from a raw material equivalent to the biomass resin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a film including a base layer and a protective layer covering at least one surface of the base layer, and to a bundled product in which a bundle of electric wires is covered with the film. [Background technology]

[0002] Films have been proposed for covering and protecting packaging objects such as electric wires. For example, one conventional film is designed to cover the outer periphery of an electric wire bundle in which electric wires are wound in a doughnut shape, as well as the top and bottom surfaces of the electric wire bundle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-045162 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By the way, from the viewpoints of environmental protection and carbon neutrality, it is preferable that the resin constituting the film covering the wire harness has excellent biodegradability. However, the bundled product with the wire harness covered with a film is generally stored in an environment such as a warehouse or outdoors during the period from when the bundled product is manufactured until it reaches the operator and during the period from when the operator receives the bundled product until it is actually used up. When the film is made of a resin with excellent biodegradability, if the bundled product is stored in such an environment for a long period of time, the resin constituting the film may be biodegraded, and the protective performance of the wire harness by the film may be impaired. More specifically, the resin constituting the film is hydrolyzed by moisture in the air, resulting in a decrease in the average molecular weight of the resin, and through the metabolism of microorganisms present in the storage location of the bundled product, the resin is decomposed into water and carbon dioxide. Although the working of such a biodegradation process is preferable from the viewpoints of environmental protection and the like, it is not preferable in terms of protective performance. Thus, due to reasons inherent to the bundled product with the wire harness covered with a film, it is generally difficult to reconcile the original protective performance required for the film covering the wire harness and the biodegradability of the film required from the viewpoints of environmental protection and the like.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a film capable of reconciling the protective performance as a film covering a wire harness and the biodegradability of the film, and a bundled product with the wire harness covered with the film.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above-described object, the film and the bundled product according to the present invention are characterized as follows.

[0007] A film including a base material layer and a protective layer laminated flatly on at least one side of the base material layer, wherein the base material layer is composed of a resin material that is a biomass resin and a biodegradable resin, and the protective layer is composed of printing ink used for printing on the printed matter on the base material layer, and is a film.

[0008] A bundled product comprising an electric wire bundle and the above-described film covering the electric wire bundle, wherein the film, has the protective layer on at least the surface not facing the electric wire bundle, is a bundled product.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the film and the bundled product of the present invention, the base material layer constituting the film is a biomass resin and is composed of a biodegradable resin, and at least one side of the base material layer constituting the film is covered with a protective layer composed of printing ink. Since the printing ink is used for printing printed matter such as characters and patterns on the base material layer, it has excellent adhesiveness to the base material layer, heat resistance, oil resistance, etc. corresponding to the environment in which the film is used. Therefore, compared with the case of covering the base material layer with a general protective material, even when the film is placed in a storage environment for a long time, problems such as peeling of the protective layer from the base material layer are less likely to occur. Furthermore, since the surface of the base material layer covered with the protective layer is less likely to come into contact with moisture and microorganisms in the air, even when the film is placed in a storage environment for a long time compared with the case where the protective layer does not exist, the film is suppressed from being biodegraded. Furthermore, depending on the thickness of the protective layer, the balance between the length of time until the film is biodegraded and the original properties of the film (for example, the tensile elongation rate, etc.) can be intentionally designed. Therefore, the film and the bundled product of the present invention can achieve both the protective performance as a film covering the electric wire bundle and the biodegradable characteristics of the film.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bundled product in which an electric wire bundle is covered with a film according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the bundled product when the bundled product shown in FIG. 1 is cut along a cross-section perpendicular to the circumferential direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Configuration of Film and Bundled Product> Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a film 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a bundled product 30 in which an electric wire bundle 20 is covered with the film 10 will be described. The electric wire bundle 20 covered with the film 10 is typically a bundle of electric wires 21 that are laid and fixed on a laying target such as a vehicle or a building. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, “upper” and “lower” are defined.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric wire bundle 20 has a form in which long electric wires 21 are wound in a donut shape. If necessary, in order to maintain the state in which the electric wire bundle 20 is wound, the electric wire bundle 20 may be bundled using a binding band or the like (not shown). The outer peripheral surface, upper surface, and lower surface of the electric wire bundle 20 are covered with the film 10, and the inner peripheral surface of the electric wire bundle 20 is not covered with the film 10. Therefore, for example, when laying and fixing the electric wire 21 on a laying target, the electric wire 21 drawn from the inner peripheral surface side of the electric wire bundle 20 can be taken out from the opening 13 of the film 10.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the film 10 has a base material layer 11 and a protective layer 12 laminated in a planar manner on the base material layer 11. Specifically, the protective layer 12 is laminated in a planar manner on the surface of the base material layer 11 that does not face the electric wire bundle 20 (in other words, the outer surface of the bundled product 30). That is, as shown in FIG. 2, on the upper surface side of the bundled product 30, the protective layer 12 is laminated on the upper surface of the base material layer 11, and on the lower surface side of the bundled product 30, the protective layer 12 is laminated on the lower surface of the base material layer 11. Although not shown, on the outer peripheral surface side of the bundled product 30, the protective layer 12 is laminated on the outer peripheral surface side of the base material layer 11.

[0015] In this example, the protective layer 12 is provided only on the surface of the base material layer 11 that does not face the wire bundle 20. However, the protective layer 12 may be provided on both the surface of the base material layer 11 that faces the wire bundle 20 and the surface that does not face the wire bundle 20.

[0016] Furthermore, on the upper surface side of the bundled product 30, the protective layer 12 may be laminated on the entire upper surface of the base material layer 11, or the protective layer 12 may be laminated only on the portion of the upper surface of the base material layer 11 excluding the opening edge of the opening 13 and the portions in the vicinity thereof. The same applies to the lower surface side of the bundled product 30. This is because the opening edge of the opening 13 and the portions in the vicinity thereof are portions that do not directly contact the wire bundle 20 when the wire bundle 20 is covered with the film 10, so the need for protection by the protective layer 12 is lower compared to other portions. Furthermore, for other reasons (such as ensuring a space for printing printed matter such as characters and patterns on the base material layer 11), a region where the protective layer 12 is not laminated (non-laminated region) may be provided on the base material layer 11. Specifically, although not shown in the drawings, a non-laminated region where the protective layer 12 is not laminated on the base material layer 11 may be provided on a part of the outer surface of the bundled product 30, and printed matter such as characters and patterns printed using printing ink may be provided in the non-laminated region. In other words, the protective layer 12 may be laminated so as to protect a portion corresponding to 80 to 100% of the surface of the base material layer 11 on the outer surface of the bundled product 30.

[0017] The material constituting the base layer 11 includes a resin material that is a biomass resin and a biodegradable resin. Generally, a biomass resin refers to a resin made from renewable organic resources such as plants, and a biodegradable resin refers to a resin that has the property of being decomposed by the action of microorganisms and ultimately converted into carbon dioxide and water. Examples of raw materials corresponding to biomass resins include sugars produced from corn, sugarcane, etc., and oils and fats produced from rapeseed oil, soybean oil, palm oil, etc. Examples of resin materials that are biomass resins and biodegradable resins include aliphatic polyesters produced from raw materials corresponding to biomass resins. More specifically, polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) produced from raw materials corresponding to biomass resins can be mentioned.

[0018] The protective layer 12 is formed by laminating in a planar manner on the surface of the base layer 11 a printing ink used for printing printed matter such as characters and patterns on the base layer 11. As a method for laminating the protective layer 12 on the base layer 11, for example, a method of applying the printing ink to the base layer 11 using a cylindrical coating roll or the like (so-called solid printing), or a method of applying the printing ink to the base layer 11 using an injection device that injects fine particles of the ink (so-called inkjet printing) can be mentioned. Since the protective layer 12 is originally composed of a printing ink for printing printed matter on the base layer 11, it is excellent in adhesiveness to the base layer 11, heat resistance, oil resistance, etc. corresponding to the environment in which the film 10 is used. Therefore, compared with the case of covering the base layer 11 with a general protective material, even when the film 10 is placed in a storage environment for a long period of time, problems such as peeling of the protective layer 12 from the base layer 11 are less likely to occur. Further, considering the product life cycle of the bundled product 30, etc., from the viewpoint of an appropriate balance between protection and biodegradation of the base layer 11, the thickness of the protective layer 12 is preferably 0.5 to 30.0 μm.

[0019] Examples of the printing ink include, for example, gravure ink. Gravure ink generally contains a colorant, a resin that adheres as a film to the surface of the object to be printed (in this example, the base material layer 11) containing the colorant after drying, a solvent that dissolves the resin, and an auxiliary agent added for the purpose of imparting stability and other properties. Examples of the solvent include toluene, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Examples of the resin include vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, acrylic resin, and polyamide resin. The printing ink is usually composed of a specific resin and solvent selected in consideration of the compatibility with the object to be printed and the required properties.

[0020] <Evaluation of Properties> The inventor evaluated various properties of the film 10 having the above-described configuration. Details of these evaluations will be described later.

[0021] (Evaluation Test 1: Tensile Elongation Ratio) To evaluate the mechanical properties (specifically, the tensile elongation ratio) of the film 10 after being exposed to a biodegradable environment, a plurality of types of films in which a protective layer 12 made of gravure ink for printing was laminated on the entire one side of a base material layer 11 made of polybutylene succinate (PBS) manufactured from a raw material corresponding to a biomass resin were prepared as the films of Examples 1 to 5, the reference example, and the comparative example, as shown in Table 1 described later. Then, after each film was buried in the soil at a depth of 5 cm from the ground surface for 2 months, the tensile elongation ratio of each sample was measured by a tensile test conforming to JIS K7127. The thickness of each film was determined to conform to JIS K7127, and the thickness of the base material layer 11 used for each film was the same.

[0022] (Evaluation Test 2: Mass Reduction Ratio) To evaluate the degree of biodegradation (specifically, the mass loss rate) of film 10 after exposure to a biodegradation environment, multiple films similar to those in Evaluation Test 1 described above were prepared. Then, square test pieces measuring 5 cm in length and 5 cm in width were cut out from each film, and the masses of the test pieces before exposure to the biodegradation environment were measured. The test pieces were then buried in soil 5 cm below the surface. After 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months, the test pieces were removed from the soil and their masses were measured.

[0023] In the films of the Examples, Reference Examples, and Comparative Examples shown in Table 1, the base layer 11 was made of PBS (BioPBS FZ71, registered trademark, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation). Furthermore, in each film shown in Table 1, the protective layer 12 was made of gravure ink (P-BEST, registered trademark, manufactured by Osaka Printing Ink Mfg. Co., Ltd.).

[0024] Furthermore, the measured "tensile elongation" and "mass loss rate" were evaluated for the films of the Examples, Reference Examples, and Comparative Examples on a two-point scale, A and B, from the viewpoint of achieving both the protective performance of the film 10 covering the electric wire bundle 20 and the biodegradability of the film 10. In the evaluation of "tensile elongation rate," a rating of A indicates excellent tensile elongation (tensile elongation rate of 100% or more), and a rating of B indicates poor tensile elongation (tensile elongation rate of less than 100%). In the evaluation of "mass loss rate," a rating of A indicates excellent biodegradability (mass loss rate of 30% or more after 12 months), and a rating of B indicates poor biodegradability (mass loss rate of less than 30% after 12 months). Furthermore, as described below, the overall evaluation was evaluated on a three-point scale, A to C.

[0025] The results of the above tests are shown in Table 1 below.

[0026] [Table 1]

[0027] As a result of the tests conducted by the inventors, as can be seen from the comparison between Examples 1 to 5 and the reference example, and the comparative example, by laminating the protective layer 12 on the base material layer 11, the tensile elongation rate after being buried in the soil is 100% or more (Evaluation A), and it was confirmed that appropriate flexibility can be maintained even after being exposed to the biodegradable environment. Furthermore, as can be seen from the comparison between Examples 1 to 5 and the reference example, by setting the thickness of the protective layer 12 to 0.5 to 30 μm, the mass reduction rate after being buried in the soil for 12 months is 30% or more (Evaluation A), and it was confirmed that biodegradation can proceed appropriately. Since the protective layer 12 does not exist in the film of the comparative example, it was confirmed that the mass reduction rate of the comparative example is significantly higher than that of Examples 1 to 5 and the reference example.

[0028] From the above, in the comprehensive evaluation, Examples 1 to 5 were evaluated as Comprehensive Evaluation A because they are excellent in both the tensile elongation rate and the mass reduction rate. The reference example is inferior to Examples 1 to 5 in the mass reduction rate and slightly below the reference value (30%), but is as excellent as Examples 1 to 5 in the tensile elongation rate. Since the deviation from the reference value is small compared to the comparative example described later, the reference example was evaluated as Comprehensive Evaluation B. On the other hand, in the comparative example, although the mass reduction rate greatly exceeds the above-mentioned reference value, as a result of the progress of decomposition, the tensile elongation rate is significantly lower than the reference value (100%). Since the deviation from the reference value is large and it is not preferable from the viewpoint of achieving both the protective performance as a film covering the wire bundle and the biodegradable characteristics of the film, the comparative example was evaluated as Comprehensive Evaluation C.

[0029] <Function and Effect> As can be understood from the above test results, according to the film 10 and the bundled product 30 according to this embodiment, the base material layer 11 constituting the film 10 is a biomass resin and is composed of a biodegradable resin, and at least one side of the base material layer 11 constituting the film 10 is covered with a protective layer 12 composed of printing ink. Since the printing ink is used for printing printed matter such as characters and patterns on the base material layer 11, it is excellent in adhesiveness to the base material layer 11, heat resistance, oil resistance, etc. corresponding to the environment in which the film 10 is used. Therefore, compared with the case of covering the base material layer 11 with a general protective material, even when the film 10 is placed in a storage environment for a long time, problems such as peeling of the protective layer 12 from the base material layer 11 are less likely to occur. Furthermore, since the surface of the base material layer 11 covered with the protective layer 12 is less likely to come into contact with moisture and microorganisms in the air, even if the film 10 is placed in a storage environment for a long time compared to the case where the protective layer 12 does not exist, the biodegradation of the film 10 is suppressed. Furthermore, by adjusting the thickness of the protective layer 12, the balance between the length of time until the film 10 is biodegraded and the original characteristics of the film 10 (for example, the tensile elongation rate, etc.) can be intentionally designed. Therefore, the film 10 and the bundled product of the present invention can achieve both the protective performance as the film 10 covering the wire bundle and the biodegradable characteristics of the film 10.

[0030] Furthermore, by setting the thickness of the protective layer 12 to 0.5 to 30.0 μm, it is possible to more appropriately achieve both the protective performance after exposure to a biodegradable environment and the biodegradable characteristics of the film 10.

[0031] Furthermore, by providing a non-printing area on the surface of the base material layer 11 where the protective layer 12 is not laminated and printing a printed matter using the same printing ink as the protective layer 12 in the non-printing area, the printing ink can be used for both original printing and control of biodegradable characteristics, so that the productivity of the film can be improved.

[0032] <Other forms> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0033] Here, the features of the embodiments of the film 10 and bundle 30 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [5].

[0034] [1] A film (10) comprising a base layer (11) and a protective layer (12) laminated in a planar state on at least one surface of the base layer (11), The substrate layer (11) is The material is a biomass resin and a biodegradable resin, The protective layer (12) is The base material layer (11) is composed of a printing ink used for printing on a printed material, Film (10).

[0035] According to the film having the configuration of [1] above, the base material layer constituting the film is a biomass resin and is composed of a biodegradable resin, and at least one side of the base material layer constituting the film is covered with a protective layer composed of printing ink. Since the printing ink is used for printing printed matter such as characters and patterns on the base material layer, it is excellent in adhesiveness to the base material layer, heat resistance, oil resistance, etc. corresponding to the environment in which the film is used. Therefore, compared with the case of covering the base material layer with a general protective material, even when the film is placed in a storage environment for a long time, problems such as peeling of the protective layer from the base material layer are less likely to occur. Furthermore, since the surface of the base material layer covered with the protective layer is less likely to come into contact with moisture and microorganisms in the air, even if the film is placed in a storage environment for a long time compared to the case where the protective layer does not exist, the biodegradation of the film is suppressed. Furthermore, by adjusting the thickness of the protective layer, the balance between the length of time until the film is biodegraded and the original properties of the film (for example, tensile elongation rate, etc.) can be intentionally designed. Therefore, the film of this configuration can achieve both the protective performance as a film covering the wire bundle and the biodegradable characteristics of the film.

[0036] [2] In the film (10) according to [1] above, the thickness of the protective layer (12) is 0.5 to 30.0 μm, film (10).

[0037] According to the film having the configuration of [2] above, it is possible to further appropriately achieve both the protective performance after being exposed to a biodegradable environment and the biodegradable characteristics of the film 10. Note that the above "0.5 to 30.0" represents that it is 0.5 or more and 30.0 or less.

[0038] [3] In the film (10) according to [1] above, the resin material constituting the base material layer (11) contains an aliphatic polyester produced from a raw material corresponding to a biomass resin, film (10).

[0039] According to the film having the configuration of [3] above, appropriate biodegradable properties can be imparted to the base material layer.

[0040] [4] In the film (10) described in [1] above, the base material layer (11) has a non-laminated region on the surface of the base material layer (11) where the protective layer (12) is not laminated, the non-laminated region has the printed matter printed using the printing ink, film (10).

[0041] According to the film having the configuration of [4] above, since the printing ink can be used for both original printing and control of biodegradable properties, the productivity of the film can be improved.

[0042] [5] A bundled product (30) comprising an electric wire bundle and the film (10) described in any one of [1] to [4] above that covers the electric wire bundle, wherein the film (10) has the protective layer (12) on at least the surface not facing the electric wire bundle, bundled product (30).

[0043] According to the bundled product having the configuration of [5] above, the base material layer constituting the film is a biomass resin and is composed of a biodegradable resin, and at least one side of the base material layer constituting the film is covered with a protective layer composed of printing ink. Since the printing ink is used for printing printed matter such as characters and patterns on the base material layer, it is excellent in adhesiveness to the base material layer, heat resistance, oil resistance, etc. corresponding to the environment in which the film is used. Therefore, compared with the case of covering the base material layer with a general protective material, even when the film is placed in a storage environment for a long time, problems such as peeling of the protective layer from the base material layer are less likely to occur. Furthermore, since the surface of the base material layer covered with the protective layer is less likely to come into contact with moisture and microorganisms in the air, even if the film is placed in a storage environment for a long time compared to the case where the protective layer does not exist, the biodegradation of the film is suppressed. Furthermore, by varying the thickness of the protective layer, the balance between the length of time until the film is biodegraded and the original properties of the film (for example, the tensile elongation rate, etc.) can be intentionally designed. Therefore, the bundled product of this configuration can achieve both the protective performance as a film covering the wire bundle and the biodegradable characteristics of the film.

Explanation of symbols

[0044] 10 Film 11 Base material layer 12 Protective layer 20 Wire bundle 30 Bundled product

Claims

1. A film comprising a base material layer and a protective layer laminated flatly on at least one side of the base material layer, wherein the base material layer is made of a resin material that is a biomass resin and a biodegradable resin, and the protective layer is composed of printing ink used for printing on a printed matter on the base material layer, film.

2. The film according to Claim 1, wherein the thickness of the protective layer is 0.5 to 30.0 μm, film.

3. The film according to Claim 1, wherein the resin material constituting the base material layer contains an aliphatic polyester produced from a raw material corresponding to a biomass resin, film.

4. The film according to Claim 1, wherein the base material layer has a non-laminated region on the surface of the base material layer where the protective layer is not laminated, and the non-laminated region has the printed matter printed using the printing ink, film.

5. A bundled product comprising an electric wire bundle and the film according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 covering the electric wire bundle, wherein the film has the protective layer on at least the surface not facing the electric wire bundle, bundled product.

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