Printed sheet, and display device

Abstract

To provide a printed sheet capable of improving recognizability of a display content of a light source in a wide-angle, in a printed sheet capable of recognizing a display content over a pattern, and a display device.SOLUTION: On a side opposite to a translucent substrate 4 in a pattern printing layer 5, an optical control layer 60 is provided. The optical control layer 60 controls light emitted from the pattern printing layer 5 side toward the translucent substrate 4 side. Therefore, when light from a display device 70, such as images, is emitted from the back side of a printed sheet 50, the optical control layer 60 controls the light so that it can be clearly seen from a wide viewing angle. The pattern printing layer 5 can conceal the presence of the light source with its pattern when the light source is off. As a result, the pattern of the pattern printing layer 5 is displayed on the printed sheet 50. On the other hand, when the light source is on, the pattern printing layer 5 allows light from the light source to pass through.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a print sheet and a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, printed sheets with wood grain or abstract patterns printed on substrates such as paper or film have been used to decorate walls, etc. In this case, the printed wood grain or abstract pattern is the visible design, but depending on the usage scenario, it may be required that the visible pattern changes depending on whether or not a light source is used from the back, such as when a switch button is displayed when needed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a printed matter having a configuration in which a light source is provided below a print layer, and when the light source is not turned on, a pattern is visible due to reflected light from the RGB interference pigment print layer, and when the light source is turned on, a pattern is visible due to transmitted light from the CMY print layer. Patent Document 2 also discloses a technology relating to a decorative sheet having two patterns using interference pigments, and when an image on the back side is not displayed, the patterns are visible, and when an image on the back side is displayed, the image is visible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-120304 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-178431 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, in a printed sheet in which the image on the front side is visible when the light source from the back side is not lit, and the display content of the light source can be seen through the image when the light source is lit, there was a demand for improving the visibility of the display content of the light source at wide angles.

[0006] To provide a printing sheet and a display device that can improve the visibility of the display content of a light source at a wide angle, in a printing sheet in which a pattern on the front side is visible when a light source from the back side is not lit, and the display content of the light source can be seen through the pattern when the light source is lit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] The printing sheet of the present invention is a printing sheet comprising at least a translucent substrate and a picture printing layer, wherein the picture printing layer is provided on one side of the translucent substrate and includes a pattern layer composed of a plurality of dots, each of the plurality of dots including a binder and a plurality of pigment chips dispersed within the binder, the plurality of pigment chips being interference pigments, and an optical control layer is provided on the side of the picture printing layer opposite the translucent substrate, and the optical control layer controls light emitted from the picture printing layer side to the translucent substrate side.

[0008] An optical control layer is provided on the side of the picture printed layer opposite the translucent substrate. This optical control layer controls light emitted from the picture printed layer side to the translucent substrate side. Therefore, when light such as an image on a display device is emitted from the back side of the printed sheet, the optical control layer controls the light, making the light clearly visible even when viewed from a wide angle. The picture printed layer is provided on one side of the translucent substrate and includes a pattern layer composed of multiple dots, each of which includes a binder and multiple pigment chips dispersed within the binder, and the multiple pigment chips are interference pigments. In this case, the picture printed layer can conceal the presence of the light source by the pattern when the light source is turned off. Therefore, the pattern of the picture printed layer is displayed on the printed sheet. On the other hand, when the light source is turned on, the picture printed layer can transmit light from the light source. As described above, in a printed sheet in which the image on the front side is visible when the light source from the back side is not lit, and the display content of the light source can be seen through the image when the light source is lit, the visibility of the display content of the light source at wide angles can be improved.

[0009] [2] In the printed sheet of [1] above, the optical control layer may have an array of prism portions that protrude from the opposite side of the picture printed layer. This allows the prism portions that protrude from the opposite side of the picture printed layer to effectively expand the light to a wide angle while suppressing blurring of images on a display device.

[0010] [3] In the printing sheet of [1] or [2] above, the prism portion may have a generally truncated quadrangular pyramid shape. In this case, the light from the light source can be clearly seen when the printing sheet is viewed from the front or from a wide angle.

[0011] [4] In the printing sheet of any of [1] to [3] above, the height, aspect ratio, and duty ratio of the approximately quadrangular pyramid shape may be set to values ​​that obtain an average error rate within a range of 5% of the minimum average error rate of the light distribution. In this case, the light from the light source can be clearly seen when the printing sheet is viewed from the front or from a wide angle.

[0012] [5] The print sheet according to any one of [1] to [4] above may further include a white pattern layer formed on the picture print layer and composed of a plurality of silver dots, each of which may contain a silver binder and a plurality of silver pigment chips dispersed within the silver binder. In this case, the color development of the first color pattern layer and the second color pattern layer is excellent, and the picture print layer may have a pattern that gives a whitish impression.

[0013] [6] The printed sheet according to any one of [1] to [5] above may further include a transparent smoke printed layer provided on the outermost surface of the picture printed layer on the side opposite the light-transmitting substrate. In this case, the color development of the first color pattern layer and the second color pattern layer is more excellent. Furthermore, because the transparent smoke printed layer is transparent, a decrease in the visibility of images on a display device is effectively suppressed.

[0014] [7] In the printing sheet of any of [1] to [6] above, the pattern layer comprises a first color pattern layer formed on one side of the translucent substrate and composed of a plurality of first color dots, and a second color pattern layer formed on the first color pattern layer and composed of a plurality of second color dots, wherein each of the first color dots comprises a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed within the first color binder, and each of the second color dots comprises a second color binder and a plurality of second color pigment chips dispersed within the second color binder, and either one of the first color pigment chips or the second color pigment chips develops color as interference light on the reflected light side and contains interference pigments of multiple colors different from each other, and the other of the first color pigment chips or the second color pigment chips develops color as interference light on the reflected light side and contains one interference pigment of a color different from the mixed color exhibited by the multiple colors of interference pigments contained in either one of the first color pigment chips or the second color pigment chips, and the interference light may be additively mixed. Because either the first color pattern layer or the second color pattern layer contains interference pigments of multiple colors that generate different interference lights, a three-dimensional pattern can be achieved even with a small number of printed layers. Furthermore, because only one of the first color pattern layer or the second color pattern layer needs to be the pattern layer containing interference pigments that generate multiple interference lights, color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified. Therefore, with this printed matter, a three-dimensional pattern can be achieved even with a small number of printed layers, and color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified.

[0015] [8] In the printing sheet of any of [1] to [7] above, the pattern layer comprises a first color pattern layer formed on one side of the translucent substrate and composed of a plurality of first color dots, and a second color pattern layer formed on the first color pattern layer and composed of a plurality of second color dots, wherein each of the first color dots comprises a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed within the first color binder, and each of the second color dots comprises a second color binder and a plurality of second color pigment chips dispersed within the second color binder, the plurality of first color pigment chips being a first interference pigment that generates a monochromatic first interference light, and the plurality of second color pigment chips being a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light different from the color represented by the first interference pigment, and the first interference light and the second interference light may be additively mixed. For example, for a pattern that can be expressed with a small number of colors, by limiting the interference pigment contained in the first color pattern layer and the second color pattern layer to a single color, it is possible to express the pattern using only the intensity of the single color. In this way, color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified. Therefore, this printed matter can simplify color matching and registration work during printing.

[0016] [9] In the printing sheet of any of [1] to [8] above, the pattern layer comprises a first color pattern layer formed on one side of the translucent substrate and composed of a plurality of first color dots, and a second color pattern layer formed on the first color pattern layer and composed of a plurality of second color dots, wherein each of the first color dots comprises a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed within the first color binder, and each of the second color dots comprises a second color binder and a plurality of second color pigment chips dispersed within the second color binder, wherein one of the plurality of first color pigment chips and the plurality of second color pigment chips is a first interference pigment of a plurality of colors that respectively generate first interference lights different from each other, and the other of the plurality of first color pigment chips and the plurality of second color pigment chips is a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light of the same color as any of the plurality of first interference pigments, and the plurality of first interference lights and the second interference light may be additively mixed. Because either the first color pattern layer or the second color pattern layer contains interference pigments of multiple colors that generate different interference lights, a three-dimensional pattern can be achieved even with a small number of printed layers. Furthermore, in this printed matter, only one of the first color pattern layer or the second color pattern layer needs to contain the interference pigments that generate multiple interference lights, simplifying color matching and registration during printing. Meanwhile, the other of the first color pattern layer or the second color pattern layer contains a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light of the same color as one of the multiple first interference pigments. For example, for a pattern that can be expressed with a small number of colors, limiting the second interference pigment to the same monochromatic color as the first interference pigment allows the pattern to be expressed by varying the intensity of the monochromatic color. Furthermore, when a certain color tone needs to be emphasized, using two layers (first and second color pattern layers) makes it easier to adjust the color tone than adjusting it with just one color pattern layer. Furthermore, while adding too much interference pigment to one color pattern layer reduces the strength of the coating film, using two color pattern layers can prevent this loss of strength. As a result, color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified.

[0017]

[10] In one aspect, a display device according to the present invention includes the printed sheet according to any one of [1] to [9] above and a display device.

[0018] The display device of the above

[10] can obtain the same functions and effects as the print sheet of the above [1]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, a printed sheet and a display device can be provided that can improve the visibility of the display content of the light source at wide angles, in a printed sheet in which the image on the front side is visible when the light source from the back side is not lit, and the display content of the light source can be seen through the image when the light source is lit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a display device according to Example 1-1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a picture print layer included in the display device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printed matter according to Example 1-2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a white pattern layer included in the printed matter shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printed matter according to Example 1-3. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printed matter according to Example 1-4. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a picture print layer included in a display device according to Example 2-1. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a table showing the configuration of printed matter according to Experimental Examples 1 to 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a picture print layer included in a display device according to Example 3-1. [Figure 10]FIG. 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing the color combinations of the picture print layer, and FIG. 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing the color combinations of the picture print layer according to a comparative example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of a color combination of the picture print layer. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a picture print layer included in a display device according to Example 4-1. [Figure 13] 13(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing color combinations of the picture print layer, and FIG. 13(c) is a schematic diagram showing color combinations of the picture print layer according to a comparative example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of a color combination of the picture print layer. [Figure 15] Figure 15(a) is a view of the light source covered with printed matter viewed from the front side when the power of the light source 3 is OFF, and Figure 15(b) is a view of the light source covered with printed matter viewed from the front side when the power of the light source 3 is ON. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic side view showing a display device including a print sheet according to this embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the optical control layer. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the optical control layer. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the optical control layer. [Figure 20] 10 is a photograph showing an image projected onto a display device via an optical control layer. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining optimization of the truncated cone shape of the prism portion. [Figure 22] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining optimization of the quadrangular pyramid shape of the prism portion. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining how an image appears when the light-receiving angle is changed. [Figure 24]These are simulation results showing how an image appears when viewed from the front (light receiving angle = 0°) and from a deep angle (light receiving angle = 60°) when a triangular prism, a truncated cone shape, or a truncated square pyramid shape is used as the prism part of the optical control layer of the print sheet. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of prism portions. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-stage microlens. [Figure 27] 10 is data showing a light distribution of a display device via a print sheet according to an example. [Figure 28] 10 is data showing the light distribution at the optimum values ​​of the parameters. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Specific examples of a printed sheet and a display device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In the following description, the same elements in the drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0022] [About printed materials] First, examples of printed materials used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. However, the contents described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 are merely examples of printed materials that can be employed in the present invention. Therefore, the layer structures of printed materials exemplified in the description with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 do not limit the layer structures of printed materials employed in the present invention. For the purpose of describing printed materials, FIG. 1 shows the printed material incorporated into a display device. In this specification, when a printed material is formed by printing dot-shaped ink, the layer structure of the printed material may include a structure in which a portion of one layer and a portion of another layer are located at the same position in the thickness direction or may intersect with each other. When viewed in a plan view, the layer structure may also include a structure in which a pattern forming one layer and a pattern forming another layer partially overlap and do not overlap in other portions. Each layer in the layer structure of the printed material can also be considered as a stack of printed patterns.

[0023] [First example] [Example 1-1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a display device according to Example 1-1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a picture-printed layer included in the display device shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 1 includes a printed material 2 and a light source 3. The printed material 2 is a sheet for expressing a picture, and includes a light-transmitting substrate 4, a picture-printed layer 5, and a transparent smoke-printed layer 30. The printed material 2 is provided in front of the light source 3 (between the viewer and the light source 3). The printed material 2 is fully light-transmitting. Therefore, when the light source 3 is powered on, the viewer can see the light from the light source 3 that has passed through the printed material 2, and when the light source 3 is powered off, the viewer can see the picture expressed by the printed material 2. The light source 3 is, for example, a display device.

[0024] The light-transmitting substrate 4 is a substrate that is transparent to visible light. The light-transmitting substrate 4 is made of, for example, a transparent resin. Examples of transparent resins include PET, PMMA, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. The light-transmitting substrate 4 may be a glass substrate. The thickness of the light-transmitting substrate 4 is, for example, 25 μm to 250 μm, but as long as printing is possible, a substrate having a thickness less than or greater than this range can also be used. In the case of a glass substrate, the thickness is, for example, about several mm to 10 mm. If necessary, a surface protection layer may be provided on the surface side of the light-transmitting substrate 4 (the side opposite to the picture-printed layer 5).

[0025] The picture-printed layer 5 is a layer that expresses the picture of the printed matter 2. The picture-printed layer 5 includes a first color pattern layer 10 provided on one surface 4a of the light-transmitting substrate 4, and a second color pattern layer 20 provided on the first color pattern layer 10.

[0026] The first color pattern layer 10 can be formed on the surface 4a by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in FIG. 2, the first color pattern layer 10 is composed of a plurality of first color dots 11. Here, "dot" refers to a point that is an element constituting a printed image, and its shape is not limited to a circle but may be a rectangle, a polygon, or other shape. Each of the plurality of first color dots 11 contains a first color binder 12 and a plurality of first color pigment chips 13 dispersed within the first color binder 12. The content of the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight, where the first color binder 12 is 100 parts by weight.

[0027] Examples of the first color binder 12 include vinyl resins, acrylic resins, thermoplastic urethane resins, polyester resins, and polycarbonate resins. The thickness of the first color pattern layer 10 is, for example, 1 μm to 10 μm. The first color pattern layer 10 may contain a curing agent. In this case, the heat resistance of the first color pattern layer 10 and the adhesion of the first color pattern layer 10 to the light-transmitting substrate 4 can be improved. The first color pattern layer 10 may also contain a weathering agent. Known ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers can be used as the weathering agent.

[0028] In Example 1-1, the multiple first color pigment chips 13 are multiple color first interference pigments 14a, 14b that generate different interference light from each other. Each of the first interference pigments 14a, 14b is composed of a thin flake (not shown) that is transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the flake. Light incident on the first color pattern layer 10 from the translucent substrate 4 side and reflected from the surface of the metal oxide film interferes with light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected from the surface of the flakes, generating interference light. Adjusting the film thickness and refractive index of the metal oxide film allows for generation of interference light with a desired wavelength.

[0029] In Example 1-1, each of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b is titanium dioxide-coated mica. The particle size range of the titanium dioxide-coated mica includes, for example, a range of 25 μm to 60 μm. Here, "particle size" refers to the longest diameter of the particle cross section. The flakes that make up the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be made of materials other than mica, such as silica, alumina, glass, or polysilicate. The metal oxide films that make up the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be made of materials other than titanium dioxide, such as zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, or tin oxide.

[0030] When incident light L enters the first color pattern layer 10, the first interference pigments 14a and 14b generate first interference lights 15a and 15b, which are different from each other. That is, the wavelengths of the first interference lights 15a and 15b are different from each other. As a result, the first interference pigments 14a and 14b exhibit a mixed color. The first interference pigments 14a and 14b are, for example, a red interference pigment (red pearl pigment) and a gold interference pigment (gold pearl pigment), respectively. In this case, the first interference lights 15a and 15b exhibit red and gold, respectively. The blending amounts of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be the same or different from each other.

[0031] The second color pattern layer 20 can be formed on the first color pattern layer 10 by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in FIG. 2, the second color pattern layer 20 is composed of a plurality of second color dots 21. Here, "dot" refers to a point that is an element constituting a printed image, and its shape is not limited to a circle but may be a rectangle, a polygon, or other shape. Each of the plurality of second color dots 21 contains a second color binder 22 and a plurality of second color pigment chips 23 dispersed within the second color binder 22. The content of the plurality of second color pigment chips 23 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight, where the second color binder 22 is 100 parts by weight.

[0032] Examples of the second color binder 22 include vinyl resins, acrylic resins, thermoplastic urethane resins, polyester resins, and polycarbonate resins. The thickness of the second color pattern layer 20 is, for example, 1 μm to 10 μm. The second color pattern layer 20 may contain a curing agent. In this case, the heat resistance of the second color pattern layer 20 and the adhesion of the second color pattern layer 20 to the first color pattern layer 10 can be improved. The second color pattern layer 20 may also contain a weathering agent. Known ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers can be used as the weathering agent.

[0033] In Example 1-1, the multiple second color pigment chips 23 are second interference pigments 24 that generate monochromatic interference light different from the mixed color of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b. The second interference pigment 24 is composed of flakes (not shown) that are transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the flakes. Light incident on the second color pattern layer 20 from the translucent substrate 4 side is reflected by the surface of the metal oxide film, and light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected by the surface of the flakes interferes with each other to generate interference light. Adjusting the film thickness and refractive index of the metal oxide film allows for the generation of interference light with a desired wavelength.

[0034] In Example 1-1, the second interference pigment 24 is titanium dioxide-coated mica. The particle size range of the titanium dioxide-coated mica includes, for example, a range of 25 μm to 60 μm. Here, "particle size" refers to the longest diameter of the particle cross section. The flakes that make up the second interference pigment 24 may be made of a material other than mica, such as silica, alumina, glass, or polysilicate. The metal oxide film that makes up the second interference pigment 24 may be made of a material other than titanium dioxide, such as zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, or tin oxide.

[0035] When incident light L enters the second color pattern layer 20, the second interference pigment 24 generates a single color second interference light 25. As a result, the second interference pigment 24 exhibits a single color. The second interference pigment 24 may be any interference pigment that generates a single color second interference light 25 different from the mixed color exhibited by the first interference pigments 14a and 14b, and may be, for example, a green interference pigment (green pearl pigment). In this case, the second interference light 25 exhibits green color.

[0036] The transparent smoke printed layer 30 has the function of attenuating light from the front side of the viewpoint that passes through the printed matter 2. The transparent smoke printed layer 30 is provided on the outermost surface of the picture printed layer 5, opposite the light-transmitting substrate 4. In Example 1-1, the transparent smoke printed layer 30 is provided on the second color pattern layer 20, as shown in FIG. 1. The transparent smoke printed layer 30 can be provided on the second color pattern layer 20 by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing using an ink in which a small amount of carbon black is dispersed in a resin binder such as a vinyl, acrylic, urethane, or polyester binder. The thickness of the transparent smoke printed layer 30 is, for example, 1 μm to 10 μm. The transparent smoke printed layer 30 may contain a curing agent. In this case, the heat resistance of the transparent smoke printed layer 30 and the adhesion of the transparent smoke printed layer 30 to the second color pattern layer 20 can be improved. Furthermore, a weatherproofing agent may be contained in the transparent smoke printed layer 30. As the weatherproofing agent, known ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers can be used.

[0037] In the printed matter 2, the image is expressed by additively mixing the first interference light 15a, 15b generated by the first interference pigments 14a, 14b and the second interference light 25 generated by the second interference pigment 24.

[0038] The total light transmittance of the printed matter 2 is, for example, 30% to 70%. The total light transmittance here refers to a value measured using a spectrophotometer (for example, spectrophotometer UV-2100 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).

[0039] In the printed matter 2 according to Example 1-1 described above, the first color pattern layer 10 contains the first interference pigments 14a and 14b, and the second color pattern layer 20 contains the second interference pigment 24, making it possible to achieve a three-dimensional image even with a small number of printed layers. Furthermore, in the printed matter 2, the first color pattern layer 10 is the only pattern layer of the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 that contains an interference pigment that generates different interference light from each other, making it possible to simplify color matching and registration work during printing. Therefore, the printed matter 2 makes it possible to achieve a three-dimensional image even with a small number of printed layers, and also simplifies color matching and registration work during printing.

[0040] In Example 1-1, the printed matter 2 includes a transparent smoke print layer 30 provided on the second color pattern layer 20. This provides better color development between the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20. Furthermore, because the transparent smoke print layer 30 is transparent, a decrease in the visibility of the image on the display device 1 is effectively suppressed.

[0041] In Example 1-1, each of the first interference pigments 14a, 14b and the second interference pigment 24 contains titanium dioxide-coated mica with a particle size of 25 μm or more and 60 μm or less. When titanium dioxide-coated mica with a particle size of 25 μm or more is contained, the transparency and color development of the picture-printed layer 5 can be improved. When titanium dioxide-coated mica with a particle size of 60 μm or less is contained, a decrease in the resolution and gradation of the picture-printed layer 5 can be suppressed.

[0042] In Example 1-1, the content of the multiple first color pigment chips 13 is within a range of 0.5 parts by weight or more and 20 parts by weight or less, when the first color binder 12 is taken as 100 parts by weight, and the content of the multiple second color pigment chips 23 is within a range of 0.5 parts by weight or more and 20 parts by weight or less, when the second color binder is taken as 100 parts by weight. Because the content of the multiple first color pigment chips 13 is within a range of 0.5 parts by weight or more, the pattern of the first color pattern layer 10 is well expressed. Because the content of the multiple first color pigment chips 13 is within a range of 20 parts by weight or less, deterioration in the coating properties and transparency of the first color pattern layer 10 can be suppressed. Similarly, since the content of the multiple second color pigment chips 23 is within the range of 0.5 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight when the second color binder 22 is 100 parts by weight, the pattern of the second color pattern layer 20 is well expressed while preventing a decrease in the coating properties and transparency of the second color pattern layer 20.

[0043] In Example 1-1, the total light transmittance of the printed matter 2 is 30% to 70%. If the total light transmittance is 30% or more, when the printed matter 2 is placed in front of a screen, the light from the image on the screen makes it difficult to see the picture printed layer 5, and the image is more clearly visible. If the total light transmittance is 70% or less, the picture in the picture printed layer 5 can be prevented from appearing dark even when the screen is black.

[0044] In Example 1-1, the display device 1 includes a printed matter 2 and a light source 3. With the display device 1, when the light source 3 is not lit, the pattern on the pattern printed layer 5 is visible, and when the light source 3 is lit, the transmitted light from the light source 3 (pattern display, video display, etc.) is visible.

[0045] In Example 1-1, the light source 3 may be a display device. In this case, when the display is not lit, the pattern on the pattern-printed layer 5 is visible, and when the display is lit, transmitted light from the display (pattern display, video display, etc.) is visible.

[0046] As described above, the multiple interference pigments 14a, 14b, and 24 may contain pearl pigments. That is, the picture-printed layer 5 may contain multiple interference pearl pigments (interference pigments 14a, 14b, and 24) that are different from one another. Therefore, the printed matter 2 is a printed matter 2 that includes a translucent substrate 4 and a picture-printed layer 5, and the picture-printed layer 5 may contain multiple interference pearl pigments. This allows the picture-printed layer 5 to achieve a three-dimensional appearance.

[0047] The picture-printed layer 5 may include a first color pattern layer 10 containing an interference pearl pigment and a second color pattern layer 20 containing an interference pearl pigment, thereby allowing the picture-printed layer 5 to have a more three-dimensional appearance.

[0048] Each of the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 may contain a plurality of interference pearl pigments, thereby enabling the picture printed layer 5 to have a more three-dimensional appearance. For example, the second color pattern layer 20 may contain other interference pearl pigments in addition to the interference pigment 24.

[0049] The particle diameters of the plurality of interference pearl pigments may be different from one another. By including interference pearl pigments of different particle diameters in this way, a decrease in the transparency of the picture-printed layer 5 is suppressed.

[0050] The particle diameter of the plurality of interference pearl pigments may be 25 μm or more and 60 μm or less. In this case, the color development of the pattern of the pattern-printed layer 5 can be improved. Furthermore, by suppressing an unnecessary decrease in the transparency of the pattern-printed layer 5, the visibility of the image on the display device can be improved when the display device is used.

[0051] The interference pearl pigment may contain titanium dioxide-coated mica. In this case, the wavelength of the interference light can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the titanium dioxide film. Furthermore, by increasing the smoothness of the mica surface, the brightness can be improved.

[0052] The effect of the picture-printed layer 5 containing a plurality of interference pearl pigments can be obtained not only in the first example, but also in the second to fourth examples described later.

[0053] [Example 1-2] Below, a printed matter 2A according to Example 1-2 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Note that in the description of Example 1-2, descriptions that overlap with Example 1-1 above will be omitted, and only differences from Example 1-1 above will be described. In other words, to the extent technically possible, descriptions from Example 1-1 above may be used appropriately in Example 1-2.

[0054] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printed matter according to Example 1-2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a white pattern layer provided in the printed matter shown in Fig. 3. The printed matter 2A includes a light-transmitting substrate 4 and a picture printed layer 5. The printed matter 2A further includes a white pattern layer 40 provided on the second color pattern layer 20.

[0055] The white pattern layer 40 can be formed on the second color pattern layer 20 by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in FIG. 4 , the white pattern layer 40 is composed of a plurality of silver dots 41. Here, "dot" refers to a point that is an element constituting a printed image, and its shape is not limited to a circle, but may be a rectangle, a polygon, or other shape. Each of the plurality of silver dots 41 contains a silver binder 42 and a plurality of silver pigment chips 43 dispersed within the silver binder 42. The content of the plurality of silver pigment chips 43 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight, where the silver binder 42 is 100 parts by weight.

[0056] Examples of the silver binder 42 include vinyl resins, acrylic resins, thermoplastic urethane resins, polyester resins, and polycarbonate resins. The thickness of the white pattern layer 40 is, for example, 1 μm to 10 μm. The white pattern layer 40 may contain a curing agent. In this case, the heat resistance of the white pattern layer 40 and the adhesion of the white pattern layer 40 to the second color pattern layer 20 can be improved. The white pattern layer 40 may also contain a weathering agent. Known ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers can be used as the weathering agent.

[0057] The configuration of the printed matter 2A described above also achieves the same effects as in Example 1-1 above. Furthermore, Example 1-2 includes a white pattern layer 40 formed on the second color pattern layer 20 and composed of a plurality of silver dots 41, each of which contains a silver binder 42 and a plurality of silver pigment chips 43 dispersed within the silver binder 42. This provides excellent color development for the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20, and allows the picture printed layer 5 to have a pattern that gives a whitish impression.

[0058] [Example 1-3] Below, a printed matter 2B according to Example 1-3 will be described with reference to Figure 5. Note that in the description of Example 1-3, descriptions that overlap with Examples 1-1 and 1-2 above will be omitted, and only differences from Examples 1-1 and 1-2 above will be described. In other words, to the extent technically possible, descriptions from Examples 1-1 and 1-2 above may be used appropriately in Example 1-3.

[0059] 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printed matter according to Example 1-3. The printed matter 2B comprises a light-transmitting substrate 4 and a picture print layer 5. That is, the printed matter 2B does not comprise a translucent smoke print layer 30 or a white pattern layer 40. Even with the configuration of the printed matter 2B described above, the same effects as those of Example 1-1 can be achieved.

[0060] [Example 1-4] Below, a printed matter 2C according to Example 1-4 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Note that in the description of Example 1-4, descriptions that overlap with Examples 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 above will be omitted, and only differences from Examples 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 above will be described. In other words, to the extent technically possible, descriptions from Examples 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 above may be used appropriately in Example 1-4.

[0061] 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printed matter according to Example 1-4. The printed matter 2C comprises a light-transmitting substrate 4, a picture print layer 5, a white pattern layer 40, and a transmissive smoke print layer 30. The white pattern layer 40 is provided on the second color pattern layer 20, and the transmissive smoke print layer 30 is provided on the white pattern layer 40. The configuration of the printed matter 2C described above also achieves the same effects as those of Examples 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3.

[0062] The display device and printed matter according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described examples, and various other modifications are possible. For example, the second color pattern layer may include first interference pigments of multiple colors that generate different first interference lights, and the first color pattern layer may include a second interference pigment that generates a single-color second interference light that is different from the mixed color exhibited by the multiple first interference pigments. Furthermore, while the above examples show that the first color pigment chips are first interference pigments of two colors, the first color pigment chips may be first interference pigments of three or more colors.

[0063] [Second example] [Example 2-1] The printed matter and display device according to this example may have the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, in the printed matter and display device according to this example, the description of the same configuration as that of the printed matter and display device of Example 1-1 will be omitted. The printed matter and display device according to Example 2-1 adopt the layer configuration shown in Fig. 7 instead of the layer configuration shown in Fig. 2.

[0064] The first interference pigment 14a includes a plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated micas 18a of a small particle size grade having a particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm and a second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b of a large particle size grade having a particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. The first interference pigment 14b includes a plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated micas 16a of a small particle size grade having a particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm and a plurality of second titanium dioxide-coated micas 16b of a large particle size grade having a particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. The first titanium dioxide-coated micas 18a, 16a have an average particle size (D50) of, for example, about 15 μm, and the second titanium dioxide-coated micas 18b, 16b have an average particle size (D50) of, for example, about 25 μm. As a result, the average particle size of the first titanium dioxide-coated mica 18a, 16a is smaller than the average particle size of the second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b. The second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b may have a particle size range of 25 μm to 60 μm. In this case, the average particle size (D50) of the second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b is, for example, approximately 35 μm. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the multiple first titanium dioxide-coated mica 18a, 16a is arranged so as to fill the gaps between the multiple second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b. Here, "particle size" refers to the longest diameter of the particle cross section.

[0065] When incident light L enters the first color pattern layer 10, the first interference pigments 14a and 14b generate first interference lights 17a and 17b, which are different from each other. That is, the wavelengths of the first interference lights 17a and 17b are different from each other. As a result, the first interference pigments 14a and 14b exhibit a mixed color. The first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be, for example, a red interference pigment (red pearl pigment) and a gold interference pigment (gold pearl pigment), respectively. In this case, the first interference lights 17a and 17b exhibit red and gold, respectively. The first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be interference pigments of other colors. The blending amounts of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be the same or different from each other.

[0066] The second color pattern layer 20 may be the same as that shown in the first example.

[0067] The second interference pigment 24 includes a plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated micas 25a of a small particle size grade including a particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm and a second titanium dioxide-coated mica 25b of a large particle size grade including a particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. The first titanium dioxide-coated micas 25a have an average particle size (D50) of, for example, about 15 μm, and the second titanium dioxide-coated micas 25b have an average particle size (D50) of, for example, about 25 μm. Thus, the average particle size of the first titanium dioxide-coated micas 25a is smaller than the average particle size of the second titanium dioxide-coated micas 25b. The second titanium dioxide-coated micas 25b may have a particle size range of 25 μm to 60 μm. In this case, the average particle size (D50) of the second titanium dioxide-coated micas 25b is, for example, about 35 μm. The plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated mica particles 25a are arranged so as to fill the gaps between the plurality of second titanium dioxide-coated mica particles 25b. Here, the "particle size" means the longest diameter of the cross section of the particle.

[0068] When incident light L enters the second color pattern layer 20, the second interference pigment 24 generates a single-color second interference light 26. As a result, the second interference pigment 24 exhibits a single color. The second interference pigment 24 may be any interference pigment that generates a single-color second interference light 26 different from the mixed color exhibited by the first interference pigments 14a and 14b, and may be, for example, a green interference pigment (green pearl pigment). In this case, the second interference light 26 exhibits green. The second interference pigment 24 may be an interference pigment of a color other than green.

[0069] The transparent smoke printed layer 30 is a layer for attenuating light transmitted through the printed matter 2. The transparent smoke printed layer 30 is provided on the outermost surface of the picture printed layer 5, opposite the light-transmitting substrate 4. In Example 2-1, the transparent smoke printed layer 30 is provided on the second color pattern layer 20, as shown in FIG. 1. The transparent smoke printed layer 30 can be provided on the second color pattern layer 20 by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing using an ink in which a small amount of carbon black is dispersed in a resin binder such as a vinyl, acrylic, urethane, or polyester binder. The thickness of the transparent smoke printed layer 30 is, for example, 1 μm to 10 μm. The transparent smoke printed layer 30 may contain a curing agent. In this case, the heat resistance of the transparent smoke printed layer 30 and the adhesion of the transparent smoke printed layer 30 to the second color pattern layer 20 can be improved. Furthermore, a weatherproofing agent may be contained in the transparent smoke printed layer 30. As the weatherproofing agent, known ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers can be used.

[0070] In the printed matter 2, the image is expressed by additively mixing the first interference light 17a, 17b generated by the first interference pigments 14a, 14b and the second interference light 26 generated by the second interference pigment 24.

[0071] The total light transmittance of the printed matter 2 is, for example, 30% to 70%. The total light transmittance here refers to a value measured using a spectrophotometer (for example, spectrophotometer UV-2100 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).

[0072] In the printed matter 2 according to Example 2-1 described above, in the first color pattern layer 10, each of the plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated micas 18a, 16a having a small particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm is arranged to fill the gaps between the plurality of second titanium dioxide-coated micas 18b, 16b having a large particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. In the printed matter 2, in the second color pattern layer 20, each of the plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated micas 25a having a small particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm is arranged to fill the gaps between the plurality of second titanium dioxide-coated micas 25b having a large particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. Therefore, the printed matter 2 can provide a pattern with excellent visibility and color development. Furthermore, in the printed matter 2, the first color pattern layer 10 contains large particle size grade second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b, and the second color pattern layer 20 contains large particle size grade second titanium dioxide-coated mica 25b, thereby suppressing a decrease in the transparency of the picture printed layer 5. Therefore, according to the printed matter 2, a decrease in the visibility of the image on the display device is effectively suppressed when the power is on.

[0073] In Example 2-1, the large particle size grade second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b, 25b may have a particle size range of 25 μm to 60 μm. In this case, the color development of the pattern is more excellent. Furthermore, by suppressing an unnecessary decrease in the transparency of the pattern-printed layer 5, the visibility of the image on the display device 1 can be improved when used in the display device.

[0074] In Example 2-1, the first interference pigments 14a, 14b, and the second interference pigment 24 are interference pigments containing titanium dioxide-coated mica. Therefore, by adjusting the thickness of the titanium dioxide film, the wavelength of the interference light can be adjusted. Furthermore, by increasing the smoothness of the mica surface, the perceived brightness can be improved.

[0075] In the second example, the configurations according to Examples 1-2 to 1-4 in the first example may also be adopted.

[0076] In the above examples, the first interference pigment and the second interference pigment each contained a plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated micas and a plurality of second titanium dioxide-coated micas. However, it is sufficient that at least one of the first interference pigment and the second interference pigment contains a plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated micas and a plurality of second titanium dioxide-coated micas. Furthermore, in the above examples, the first color pigment chips were first interference pigments of two colors. However, the first color pigment chips may be first interference pigments of three or more colors. Furthermore, first interference pigments of multiple colors may be mixed.

[0077] [Experimental Example] Here, experimental examples will be used to explain the tendency of the appearance of images and patterns on LCD monitors depending on the particle size of the titanium dioxide-coated mica contained in the pattern print layer. As shown in FIG. 8 and Experimental Examples 1 to 3 described below, printed matter was produced with the particle size of the titanium dioxide-coated mica adjusted. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printed matter according to Experimental Examples 1 to 3. An LCD monitor was placed on the back side (transparent smoke printed layer side) of the printed matter according to Experimental Examples 1 to 3. The distance between the printed matter and the LCD monitor was 2 mm. The visibility (items 1 to 4 described below) of the LCD monitor when it was turned on and off was evaluated. Sensory evaluation was conducted by four people for items 1 to 4, and the average score was calculated.

[0078] <Experimental Example 1> A printed material was produced by sequentially providing a first-color pattern layer, a second-color pattern layer, a white pattern layer, and a transparent smoke print layer on a transparent PET substrate. In Experimental Example 1, the first-color pattern layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a first-color binder (urethane resin) and red and gold interference pigments dispersed within the first-color binder. The red and gold interference pigment contents were as follows, per 100 parts by weight of the first-color binder: 8 parts by weight of a red interference pigment having a particle size of 10 to 40 μm, 2 parts by weight of a red interference pigment having a particle size of 5 to 25 μm, 5 parts by weight of a gold interference pigment having a particle size of 10 to 60 μm, and 2 parts by weight of a gold interference pigment having a particle size of 5 to 25 μm.

[0079] In Experimental Example 1, a second color pattern layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a second color binder (urethane resin) and a green interference pigment dispersed within the second color binder. The green interference pigment content was 4 parts by weight of a green interference pigment with a particle size of 10 to 40 μm and 1 part by weight of a green interference pigment with a particle size of 5 to 25 μm, relative to 100 parts by weight of the second color binder. The red interference pigment, gold interference pigment, and green interference pigment were all titanium dioxide-coated mica.

[0080] In Experimental Example 1, a white pattern layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a silver binder (urethane resin) and silver pigment chips dispersed within the silver binder. The silver pigment chip content was 1 part by weight of silver pigment chips with particle sizes of 5 to 25 μm per 100 parts by weight of the silver binder. Furthermore, a transparent smoke print layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a medium ink and a black ink in a ratio of 40:1.

[0081] <Experimental Example 2> A printed material was produced by sequentially depositing a first-color pattern layer, a second-color pattern layer, a white pattern layer, and a transparent smoke print layer on a transparent PET substrate. In Experimental Example 2, the first-color pattern layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a first-color binder (urethane resin) and red and gold interference pigments dispersed within the first-color binder. The red and gold interference pigment contents were as follows, per 100 parts by weight of the first-color binder: 8 parts by weight of a red interference pigment having a particle size of 10 to 40 μm, 2 parts by weight of a red interference pigment having a particle size of 5 to 25 μm, 5 parts by weight of a gold interference pigment having a particle size of 10 to 60 μm, and 2 parts by weight of a gold interference pigment having a particle size of 5 to 25 μm.

[0082] In Experimental Example 2, a second color pattern layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a second color binder (urethane resin) and a green interference pigment dispersed within the second color binder. The content of the green interference pigment was 4 parts by weight, with a particle size of 10 to 40 μm, for every 100 parts by weight of the second color binder. The red interference pigment, gold interference pigment, and green interference pigment were all titanium dioxide-coated mica.

[0083] In Experimental Example 2, a white pattern layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a silver binder (urethane resin) and silver pigment chips dispersed within the silver binder. The silver pigment chip content was 1 part by weight of silver pigment chips with particle sizes of 5 to 25 μm per 100 parts by weight of the silver binder. Furthermore, a transparent smoke print layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a medium ink and a black ink in a ratio of 40:1.

[0084] <Experimental Example 3> A printed material was produced by sequentially depositing a first color pattern layer, a second color pattern layer, and a transparent smoke print layer on a transparent PET substrate. In Experimental Example 3, the first color pattern layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a first color binder (urethane resin) and a green interference pigment dispersed within the first color binder. The green interference pigment content was 4 parts by weight of a green interference pigment having a particle size of 10 to 40 μm and 1 part by weight of a green interference pigment having a particle size of 5 to 25 μm, relative to 100 parts by weight of the first color binder.

[0085] In Experimental Example 3, a second color pattern layer was formed by screen printing using an ink containing a second color binder (urethane resin) and red and gold interference pigments dispersed within the second color binder. The red and gold interference pigment contents were 8 parts by weight of red interference pigment with a particle size of 10 to 40 μm and 5 parts by weight of gold interference pigment with a particle size of 10 to 60 μm, relative to 100 parts by weight of the second color binder.

[0086] In Experimental Example 3, a transparent smoke print layer was formed by screen printing using a mixture of medium ink and black ink in a ratio of 40:1.

[0087] <Item 1: Clarity of displayed content> When the power of the LCD monitor was turned on, the clarity of the images and characters displayed on the LCD monitor was evaluated. <Score> 5 points: The image has little presence compared to the image and text displayed on the LCD monitor, and the image and text appear clear. 3 points: The image is somewhat strong compared to the image and text displayed on the LCD monitor, and the image appears to overlap the image and text slightly. 1 point: The image has a strong presence compared to the image and text displayed on the LCD monitor, and the image appears to overlap the image and text.

[0088] <Item 2: Brightness of the displayed content> When the power of the LCD monitor was turned on, the brightness of the images and characters displayed on the LCD monitor was evaluated. <Score> 5 points: Images and text displayed on the LCD monitor appear bright. 3 points: Images and text displayed on the LCD monitor appear slightly dark. 1 point: The image and text displayed on the LCD monitor appear quite dark.

[0089] <Item 3: Effects of black LCD monitors> The influence of the black LCD monitor on the image was evaluated when the LCD monitor was turned off. <Score> 5 points: There is no influence of the black color of the LCD monitor, and the image is clearly visible. 3 points: The influence of the black color of the LCD monitor is slightly noticeable, making the image appear slightly dark and muted (slightly high transparency). 1 point: The influence of the black color of the LCD monitor is evident, making the image appear quite dark and sunken (high transparency).

[0090] <Item 4: Color development of the pattern> The color development of the image was evaluated when the power of the LCD monitor was turned off. <Score> 5 points: The color of the pattern is good. 3 points: The color of the pattern is slightly weak and the color of the pattern appears pale (whitish). 1 point: The color of the pattern is weak and the color of the pattern appears white.

[0091] The results of the sensory evaluation of items 1 to 4 for Experimental Examples 1 to 3 are shown in Table 1 below. Any evaluation of 3 points or higher was deemed acceptable for practical use. Experimental Example 1 showed that the influence of the black LCD monitor on the image was fairly low, and the image visibility tended to be displayed at a sufficiently high level. High evaluation results were also obtained for the color development of the image and the clarity and brightness of the image and text display. Meanwhile, Experimental Examples 2 and 3 showed that the influence of the black LCD monitor on the image was kept low, while the color development of the image and the clarity and brightness of the image and text display tended to be generally good.

[0092] [Table 1]

[0093] [Third example] [Example 3-1] The printed matter and display device according to this example may have the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, in the printed matter and display device according to this example, the description of the same configuration as that of the printed matter and display device of Example 1-1 will be omitted. The printed matter and display device according to this example employ the layer configuration shown in Fig. 9 instead of the layer configuration shown in Fig. 2.

[0094] The first color pattern layer 10 can be formed on the surface 4a by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in FIG. 9 , the first color pattern layer 10 is composed of a plurality of first color dots 11. Here, "dot" refers to a point that constitutes a printed image. The shape of the dot is not limited to a circle, and it can be a rectangle, a polygon, or other shape. Each of the plurality of first color dots 11 contains a first color binder 12 and a plurality of first color pigment chips 13 dispersed within the first color binder 12. The content of the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, assuming the first color binder 12 is 100 parts by weight. In this case, the image of the first color pattern layer 10 is well expressed, while the deterioration of the coating property and transparency of the first color pattern layer 10 can be suppressed.

[0095] In Example 3-1, the multiple first color pigment chips 13 are interference pigments 14 (first interference pigments) that generate monochromatic interference light of a predetermined color. The interference pigments 14 are composed of flakes (not shown) that are transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the flakes. Light incident on the first color pattern layer 10 from the translucent substrate 4 side that is reflected on the surface of the metal oxide film interferes with light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected on the surface of the flakes, generating interference light. Adjusting the film thickness and refractive index of the metal oxide film allows for the generation of interference light having a desired wavelength.

[0096] When incident light E is incident on the first color pattern layer 10, monochromatic interference light 15 (first interference light) is generated from the interference pigment 14. As a result, the interference pigment 14 exhibits a monochromatic color.

[0097] The second color pattern layer 20 can be formed on the first color pattern layer 10 by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in FIG. 9 , the second color pattern layer 20 is composed of a plurality of second color dots 21. Here, "dot" refers to a point that constitutes a printed image. The shape of the dot is not limited to a circle, and it may be rectangular, polygonal, or other shapes. Each of the plurality of second color dots 21 contains a second color binder 22 and a plurality of second color pigment chips 23 dispersed within the second color binder 22. The content of the plurality of second color pigment chips 23 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, assuming the second color binder 22 is 100 parts by weight. This allows the image of the second color pattern layer 20 to be well expressed while preventing a decrease in the coating properties and transparency of the second color pattern layer 20.

[0098] When incident light E is incident on the second color pattern layer 20, the interference pigment 24 (second interference pigment) generates monochromatic interference light 25 (second interference light). As a result, the interference pigment 24 exhibits a monochromatic color. The interference pigment 24 may be any interference pigment that generates monochromatic interference light 25 that is different from the color exhibited by the interference pigment 14.

[0099] The total light transmittance of the printed matter 2 is, for example, 30% to 70%. The total light transmittance here refers to the value measured using a spectrophotometer (for example, a UV-2100 spectrophotometer manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). If the total light transmittance is 30% or more, when the printed matter 2 is placed in front of a screen, the light from the image on the screen makes it difficult to see the picture printed layer 5, and the image is more clearly visible. If the total light transmittance is 70% or less, the image in the picture printed layer 5 does not appear too dark even when the screen is black.

[0100] Next, the color combinations in the picture-printed layer 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing the color combinations of the picture-printed layer 5. Fig. 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing the color combinations of the picture-printed layer 105 according to a comparative example. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing specific examples of color combinations of the picture-printed layer 5.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the first color pattern layer 10 contains an interference pigment of a single color "color A," thereby generating interference light of the single color "color A." The second color pattern layer 20 contains an interference pigment of a single color "color B," thereby generating interference light of the single color "color B." Color B is a different color from color A. Therefore, in the printed matter 2, the pattern is expressed by additively mixing the interference light of color A and the interference light of color B.

[0102] In the example shown in FIG. 11(a), "gold" is used as color A of the first color pattern layer 10, and "red" is used as color B of the second color pattern layer 20. The printed matter 2 may express a wood grain pattern as a design by additively mixing gold and red. The gold color of the first color pattern layer 10 can express a light wood grain. In this case, the interference pigment 14 shown in FIG. 9 is, for example, a gold interference pigment (gold pearl pigment). The interference light 15 represents gold. The interference pigment 24 is, for example, a red interference pigment (red pearl pigment). The interference light 25 represents red.

[0103] In the example shown in FIG. 11(b), "red" is used as color A of the first color pattern layer 10, and "gold" is used as color B of the second color pattern layer 20. The printed matter 2 may express a wood grain pattern as a design by additively mixing red and gold. By using red for the first color pattern layer 10, it is possible to express a wood grain pattern with a slightly reddish hue.

[0104] In the example shown in FIG. 11(c), "silver" is used as color A of the first color pattern layer 10, and "gold" is used as color B of the second color pattern layer 20. The printed matter 2 may express a hairline pattern as a design by additively mixing silver and gold. By making the second color pattern layer 20 gold, the usual stainless steel hairline can be adjusted to a gold tone. The interference pigment 14 shown in FIG. 9 is, for example, a silver interference pigment (silver pearl pigment). The interference light 15 indicates silver.

[0105] In the example shown in FIG. 11(d), "silver" is used as color A of the first color pattern layer 10, and "red" is used as color B of the second color pattern layer 20. The printed matter 2 may express a hairline pattern as a design by additively mixing silver and red. By using red for the second color pattern layer 20, the stainless steel hairline can be adjusted to a bronze tone.

[0106] In the example shown in FIG. 11(e), "gold" is used as color A of the first color pattern layer 10, and "silver" is used as color B of the second color pattern layer 20. The printed matter 2 may express a hairline pattern as a design by additively mixing gold and silver. By making the first color pattern layer 10 gold (or a color containing gold), a finish that further emphasizes the gold tone can be achieved.

[0107] In the printed matter 2 according to Example 3-1 described above, the first color pattern layer 10 contains an interference pigment 14 that generates a monochromatic interference light 15, and the second color pattern layer 20 contains an interference pigment 24 that generates a monochromatic interference light 25 that is different in color from the interference pigment 14. Here, as a comparative example, a printed matter 102 is shown in FIG. 10(b), in which the first color pattern layer 10 contains interference pigments of color X and color Y, and the second color pattern layer 20 contains an interference pigment of color Z. For example, to express a pattern such as that described in FIG. 11 using the configuration of the comparative example, it is necessary to adjust the three colors X, Y, and Z, which requires time-consuming color matching and registration during printing. On the other hand, for a pattern that can be expressed with a small number of colors, as in the printed matter 2 according to this example, by limiting the interference pigments contained in the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 to a single color, the pattern can be expressed using only the intensity of the single color. In this way, color matching and registration during printing can be simplified. Therefore, this printed matter 2 can simplify color matching and registration work during printing.

[0108] In the third example, the configurations according to Examples 1-2 to 1-4 in the first example may also be adopted.

[0109] [Example 4] [Example 4-1] The printed matter and display device according to this example may have the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, in the printed matter and display device according to this example, the description of the same configuration as that of the printed matter and display device of Example 1-1 will be omitted. The printed matter and display device according to this example employ the layer configuration shown in Fig. 12 instead of the layer configuration shown in Fig. 2.

[0110] The first color pattern layer 10 can be formed on the surface 4a by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in FIG. 12, the first color pattern layer 10 is composed of a plurality of first color dots 11. Here, "dot" refers to a point that constitutes a printed image. The shape of the dot is not limited to a circle, and it can be a rectangle, a polygon, or other shape. Each of the plurality of first color dots 11 contains a first color binder 12 and a plurality of first color pigment chips 13 dispersed within the first color binder 12. The content of the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, assuming the first color binder 12 is 100 parts by weight. In this case, the image of the first color pattern layer 10 is well expressed, while the coating property and transparency of the first color pattern layer 10 are prevented from being deteriorated.

[0111] In Example 4-1, the multiple first color pigment chips 13 are interference pigments 14 (second interference pigments) that generate monochromatic interference light of a predetermined color. The interference pigments 14 are the same color as one of the interference pigments 24a and 24b (first interference pigments) described below. The interference pigments 14 are composed of flakes (not shown) that are transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the flakes. Light incident on the first color pattern layer 10 from the translucent substrate 4 side is reflected by the surface of the metal oxide film, and light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected by the surface of the flakes interferes with each other to generate interference light. Adjusting the film thickness and refractive index of the metal oxide film allows for the generation of interference light with a desired wavelength.

[0112] When incident light E is incident on the first color pattern layer 10, monochromatic interference light 15 (second interference light) is generated from the interference pigment 14. As a result, the interference pigment 14 exhibits a monochromatic color.

[0113] The second color pattern layer 20 can be formed on the first color pattern layer 10 by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in FIG. 12 , the second color pattern layer 20 is composed of a plurality of second color dots 21. Here, the term "dot" refers to a point that constitutes a printed image. The shape of the dot is not limited to a circle, and it may be rectangular, polygonal, or other shapes. Each of the second color dots 21 contains a second color binder 22 and a plurality of second color pigment chips 23 dispersed within the second color binder 22. The content of the second color pigment chips 23 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, assuming the second color binder 22 is 100 parts by weight. This allows the image of the second color pattern layer 20 to be well-expressed while preventing a decrease in the coating properties and transparency of the second color pattern layer 20.

[0114] In Example 4-1, the multiple second color pigment chips 23 are interference pigments 24a, 24b of multiple colors that generate different interference light from each other. Each of the interference pigments 24a, 24b is composed of a thin flake (not shown) that is transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the thin flake. Light incident on the second color pattern layer 20 from the translucent substrate 4 side that is reflected on the surface of the metal oxide film interferes with light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected on the surface of the flake, generating interference light. Adjusting the film thickness and refractive index of the metal oxide film allows generation of interference light with a desired wavelength.

[0115] In Example 4-1, the interference pigments 24a and 24b are titanium dioxide-coated mica. The particle size range of the titanium dioxide-coated mica includes, for example, a range of 25 μm to 60 μm. Here, "particle size" refers to the longest diameter of the particle cross section. The flakes that make up the interference pigments 24a and 24b may be made of materials other than mica, such as silica, alumina, glass, or polysilicate. The metal oxide films that make up the interference pigments 24a and 24b may be made of materials other than titanium dioxide, such as zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, or tin oxide.

[0116] When incident light E enters the second color pattern layer 20, the interference pigments 24a, 24b generate different interference lights 125a, 125b (first interference lights), respectively. That is, the wavelengths of the interference lights 125a, 125b are different from each other. As a result, the interference pigments 24a, 24b exhibit a mixed color. The blending amounts of the interference pigments 24a, 24b may be the same or different from each other. The interference pigment 24a may be an interference pigment that generates interference light 125a of the same single color as the single color exhibited by the interference pigment 14. Note that the interference pigment 24b may be an interference pigment that generates interference light 126b of the same single color as the single color exhibited by the interference pigment 14.

[0117] The total light transmittance of the printed matter 2 is, for example, 30% to 70%. The total light transmittance here refers to the value measured using a spectrophotometer (for example, a UV-2100 spectrophotometer manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). If the total light transmittance is 30% or more, when the printed matter 2 is placed in front of a screen, the light from the image on the screen makes it difficult to see the picture printed layer 5, and the image is more clearly visible. If the total light transmittance is 70% or less, the image in the picture printed layer 5 does not appear too dark even when the screen is black.

[0118] Next, the color combinations in the picture-printed layer 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Fig. 13(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the color combinations of the picture-printed layer 5. Fig. 13(c) is a schematic diagram showing the color combinations of the picture-printed layer 105 according to a comparative example. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing specific examples of color combinations of the picture-printed layer 5.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 13(a), the first color pattern layer 10 contains an interference pigment of a single color "color A," thereby generating interference light of the single color "color A." The second color pattern layer 20 contains interference pigments of a single color "color A" and a single color "color B," thereby generating interference light of a mixture of "color A" and "color B." Color B is a different color from color A. Therefore, in the printed matter 2, the pattern is expressed by additively mixing the interference light of color A and the interference light of colors A and B.

[0120] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the second color pattern layer 20 contains an interference pigment of a single color "color A," thereby generating interference light of the single color "color A." The first color pattern layer 10 contains interference pigments of a single color "color A" and a single color "color B," thereby generating interference light of a mixture of "color A" and "color B." Color B is a different color from color A. Therefore, in the printed matter 2, the pattern is expressed by additively mixing the interference light of color A and the interference light of colors A and B.

[0121] In the example shown in FIG. 14(a), "gold" is used as color A of the first color pattern layer 10, and "gold" and "red" are used as color A and color B of the second color pattern layer 20, respectively. The printed matter 2 may express a wood grain pattern as a design by additively mixing gold and red. The gold color of the first color pattern layer 10 can express a light wood grain. In this case, the interference pigment 14 and interference pigment 24a shown in FIG. 12 are, for example, gold interference pigments (gold pearl pigments). The interference light 15 and interference light 125a represent gold. The interference pigment 24b is, for example, a red interference pigment (red pearl pigment). The interference light 126b represents red.

[0122] In the example shown in FIG. 14(b), "red" is used as color A of the first color pattern layer 10, and "red" and "gold" are used as color A and color B of the second color pattern layer 20. The printed matter 2 may express a wood grain pattern as a design by additively mixing red and gold. By using red for the first color pattern layer 10, it is possible to express a wood grain pattern with a slightly reddish tint.

[0123] In the example shown in FIG. 14(c), "silver" is used as color A of the first color pattern layer 10, and "silver" and "gold" are used as color A and color B of the second color pattern layer 20, respectively. The printed matter 2 may express a hairline pattern as a design by additively mixing silver and gold. By including gold in the second color pattern layer 20, the usual stainless steel hairline can be adjusted to a gold tone. The interference pigment 14 and interference pigment 24a shown in FIG. 12 are, for example, silver interference pigments (silver pearl pigments). The interference light 15 and interference light 126a indicate silver.

[0124] In the example shown in FIG. 14(d), "silver" is used as color A of the first color pattern layer 10, and "silver" and "red" are used as color A and color B of the second color pattern layer 20. The printed matter 2 may express a hairline pattern as a design by additively mixing silver and red. By including red in the second color pattern layer 20, the stainless steel hairline can be adjusted to a bronze tone.

[0125] In the example shown in FIG. 14(e), "silver" is used as color A and "gold" as color B of the first color pattern layer 10, and "silver" is used as color A of the second color pattern layer 20. The printed matter 2 may express a hairline pattern as a design by additively mixing gold and silver. By including gold (or a color containing gold) in the first color pattern layer 10, a finish that further emphasizes the gold tone can be achieved.

[0126] In the printed matter 2 according to Example 4-1 described above, either the first color pattern layer 10 or the second color pattern layer 20 contains interference pigments of multiple colors that generate interference light of different colors A and B, thereby achieving a three-dimensional image even with a small number of printed layers. Furthermore, in this printed matter 2, only one of the first color pattern layer 10 or the second color pattern layer 20 needs to contain the interference pigment that generates multiple interference light, thereby simplifying color matching and registration during printing. Meanwhile, the other of the first color pattern layer 10 or the second color pattern layer 20 contains an interference pigment that generates interference light of a single color, color A, that is the same as one of the multiple interference pigments. Here, as a comparative example, a printed matter 102 is shown in FIG. 13(c), in which the first color pattern layer 10 contains interference pigments of colors X and Y and the second color pattern layer 20 contains an interference pigment of color Z. For example, when creating a pattern like the one shown in Figure 14 using the comparative example configuration, it is necessary to adjust three colors, X, Y, and Z, which requires a lot of work for color matching and registration during printing. On the other hand, for patterns that can be created with a limited number of colors, such as those shown in Figure 14, the interference pigments in the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 can be limited to the same single color A, allowing the pattern to be created by varying the intensity of the single color A. Furthermore, when it is desired to emphasize the color A, using two layers, the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20, makes it easier to adjust the color than adjusting it using only one color pattern layer. Furthermore, while adding too much interference pigment to one color pattern layer reduces the strength of the coating film, using two color pattern layers 10 and 20 can minimize this decrease in strength. As a result, color matching and registration during printing can be simplified.

[0127] In the fourth example, the configurations according to Examples 1-2 to 1-4 in the first example may also be adopted.

[0128] The printed matter and the display device are not limited to the above-described examples, and various other modifications are possible.

[0129] The printed matter may be a sheet in which a pattern layer and a concealing layer are laminated. The concealing layer is a layer that conceals the color of the display device when an image is not displayed, while transmitting the image when an image is displayed. The concealing layer is set to a predetermined range of visible light transmittance. An opening is formed in the concealing layer. The concealing layer may be printed using an inkjet device, for example, with a white ink containing titanium oxide. Specifically, the concealing layer may be printed, for example, in solid white, on the back of the pattern layer. An example of a printing method is an inkjet device, but is not limited to this. In addition to inkjet printing, various printing methods such as gravure printing, offset printing, letterpress printing, flexographic printing, screen printing, and electrostatic printing may be used to form the concealing layer. The printing method is not limited to the above-mentioned printing methods, and any conventionally known image forming method can be used, such as hand-drawing, ink-flowing, transfer printing, photography, electrophotography, photosensitive resin printing, vacuum deposition, chemical etching, thermal coloring, and discharge breakdown printing. The design layer is formed on the surface of the concealing layer using a printing method and is provided for the purpose of imparting design to the printed matter. The design layer may be applied to the entire surface as long as it has a certain degree of light transparency. Unlike the concealing layer, the design layer does not require the provision of openings, allowing for highly precise designs. Specifically, the design layer can be printed using an inkjet device, and the desired pattern may be printed using four colors of printing ink, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Although an inkjet device has been exemplified as a method for printing the design layer, this is not limited thereto, and various printing methods can be applied, as with the concealing layer. The printed matter can adopt any known structure as long as it can exhibit the above-mentioned functions.

[0130] The concealment and visibility of the printed material 2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 15 . Note that the description based on FIG. 15 is merely an example of a usage mode used to explain the properties of the printed material 2. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to this usage mode. FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) are views of the front side of a light source 3 covered by the printed material 2. FIG. 15(a) shows the state when the light source 3 is turned off. FIG. 15(b) shows the state when the light source 3 is turned on. A wood grain pattern is used as the design of the printed material 2. A display device is used as the light source 3. The area of ​​the printed material 2 that covers the light source 3 is referred to as the display area DE. As shown in FIG. 15(a), when the light source 3 is turned off, the light source 3 is concealed by the design of the printed material 2. The printed material 2 conceals the light source 3 not with a light-blocking layer that blocks light, but with the light-transmitting design layer itself. Therefore, the visual information V1 displayed in the display area DE is the image of the printed matter 2. At this time, the viewer cannot see the display surface (black screen) of the light source 3 or the outline of the light source 3 from outside the printed matter 2. The visual information V1 visible in the display area DE and the visual information V2 visible in the area surrounding the display area DE are the same image of the printed matter 2. Therefore, the viewer cannot see the existence of the light source 3 from outside the printed matter 2.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 15(b), when the power supply of the light source 3 is ON, the light source 3 emits light and projects an arbitrary image GF onto the display surface. Here, the letter "X" printed on a monochrome background is used as the image GF. In the display area DE, the light of the image GF passes through the printed material 2. As a result, the viewer views the image GF by visually recognizing the transmitted light in the display area DE. Therefore, the visual information V3 displayed in the display area DE is the image GF projected by the light source 3. The content of the visual information V3 may include information not included in the content of the visual information V1. In this case, the visual information V3 may be composed only of the light that has passed through the image of the printed material 2.

[0132] For example, as a comparative example, a sheet that displays the visual information "X" using a light source may be provided in which a portion of a light-shielding layer is cut out in the shape of an "X" to form a light-transmitting layer (different from the printed matter 2 of the present embodiment). Visual information V3 obtained using such a sheet and a light source such as a lamp has a background portion formed from a pattern on the surface of the light-shielding layer, and the "X" portion is formed from light from the light source that has passed through the light-transmitting layer. Another comparative example is a sheet in which a light-shielding layer in the shape of an "X" is formed on a portion of the light-transmitting layer. Visual information V3 obtained using such a sheet has a background portion formed from light from the light source that has passed through the light-transmitting layer, and the "X" portion is formed from a pattern on the surface of the light-shielding layer. In the comparative example, visual information V3 is provided by a combination of light that has passed through the sheet and light reflected from the surface of the sheet in the areas where the light is blocked. Furthermore, when a sheet such as the comparative example is used, the "X" shape is formed on the sheet itself in a manner that allows it to be seen even when the light source is turned off, so the visual information V1 also contains the content of "X." Therefore, the content of visual information V3 is already included in visual information V1.

[0133] Unlike a sheet using a light-shielding layer as in the comparative example, the visual information V3 in Fig. 15(b) using the printed matter 2 is entirely composed of light transmitted through the printed matter 2. Note that the entire printed matter 2 shown in Fig. 15 may be composed of a layer forming a light-transmitting pattern, or at least the entire display area DE may be composed of a layer forming a light-transmitting pattern. However, the printed matter 2 may also have a light-shielding layer provided in part of the display area DE, or a light-shielding layer provided in part of an area other than the display area DE.

[0134] Some display devices form a pattern in anticipation of the content of the image from the light source 3, and when the light source 3 is turned on, form visual information V3 by combining the pattern and the image. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the purpose is to make the presence of the light source 3 invisible from the outside, so the visual information V3 in FIG. 15(b) differs from the visual information V3 formed by such a combination. However, depending on the brightness of the image and the color of a certain area, it is acceptable for a faint pattern to be reflected in all or part of the visual information V3. Furthermore, for purposes different from those shown in FIG. 15, a combination of the pattern and the image of the printed material 2 may be used as visual information V3. If a touch panel is used as the light source 3, the user operates the touch panel via the printed material 2. Therefore, the printed material 2 may be set to a thickness, material, and hardness that do not interfere with touch panel operation.

[0135] 16 is a schematic side view showing a display device 100 including a printed sheet 50 according to this embodiment. The uses and application locations of the printed sheet 50 and the display device 100 are not limited, but for example, the printed sheet 50 and the display device 100 may be used for the following purposes. -Built into a device that displays images transparently on walls and ceilings in bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, etc. Information displays on table tops, kitchen doors, exterior parts of system kitchens, kitchen panels, back panels of island kitchens, refrigerator doors, and entrance doors - Concealing intercoms and control panels installed on bathroom walls, closet doors, bathroom interior walls, toilet interior doors, and walls Bed headboards, music stands for electronic pianos, restaurant tables, ordering tablets, desks in schools, libraries and other cultural facilities, surfaces of study desks, walls in amusement facilities, elevator displays, elevator walls - Concealing the display of mobile waiters or robots, and commercial and domestic robots - Concealing advertisements inside and outside public transport vehicles such as buses and trains, ATM display boards, ticket vending machines, landscape-friendly signs, timetable displays, vending machine displays, and display windows in commercial facilities Concealing the display parts of home appliances (vacuum cleaners, fans, microwave ovens, rice cookers, pots, coffee makers, oven ranges, toaster ovens, air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, clocks, televisions, fax machines, telephones, printers, etc.) - Hiding the display on smartphones and mobile devices Mobility interiors (meter panels, information displays, door trim, interior trim), mobility exterior surfaces

[0136] As shown in FIG. 16, the display device 100 includes a printed sheet 50 and a display device 70. The printed sheet 50 includes a printed matter 2 and an optical control layer 60. Any of the printed matters 2 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 may be used as the printed matter 2. The printed matter 2 therefore includes at least a light-transmitting substrate 4 and a picture-printed layer 5. The printed matter 2 has one surface 2a and another surface 2b. The light-transmitting substrate 4 constitutes the one surface 2a. The picture-printed layer 5 is provided closer to the other surface 2b than the light-transmitting substrate 4. The other surface 2b is constituted by a white pattern layer 40 in the example of FIG. 1, by the picture-printed layer 5 in the example of FIG. 5, and by a transmissive smoke-printed layer 30 in the example of FIG. 6.

[0137] The optical control layer 60 is provided on the other surface 2b of the printed material 2. That is, the optical control layer 60 is provided on the side of the picture printed layer 5 opposite the translucent substrate 4. The optical control layer 60 controls the light LT (light representing an image) emitted from the display device 70. That is, the optical control layer 60 controls the light LT emitted from the other surface 2b, which is the picture printed layer 5 side, to the one surface 2a, which is the translucent substrate 4 side. Here, a reference line SL perpendicular to the surfaces 2a and 2b is set, and the angle when the printed sheet 50 is viewed from a direction inclined with respect to the reference line SL is defined as the light-receiving angle θ. When the printed sheet 50 is viewed from the front, the light-receiving angle θ is 0°. The optical control layer 60 controls the light LT emitted from the printed material 2 so as to improve the visibility of the light LT even when the light-receiving angle θ is large. The optical control layer 60 improves the visibility of the light LT at wide angles by bending or widening the traveling direction of the light LT. The material constituting the optical control layer 60 is not particularly limited, but a resin material suitable for the manufacturing method, such as a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin, is used. Specific examples of the material constituting the optical control layer 60 include colorless and transparent materials such as acrylics, high refractive index materials, and materials with good adhesion to the base portion, and the material is appropriately selected depending on the desired function of the optical control layer 60. The total light transmittance of the optical control layer 60 is not particularly limited, but may be approximately 90% to 99.5%, and a higher total light transmittance value is expected to improve the function of the optical control layer 60.

[0138] As shown in Figures 17 to 19, the optical control layer 60 has an array of prism portions 62 that protrude toward the side opposite the picture printed layer 5 (toward the display device 70). As shown in Figures 17(a), 18(a), and 19(a), the optical control layer 60 has a base portion 61 and a plurality of prism portions 62. The base portion 61 is a sheet-like portion that extends on a plane. The prism portions 62 protrude from the base portion 61 toward the display device 70. The plurality of prism portions 62 are arrayed along the base portion 61.

[0139] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17(a), the prism portion 62 may have a structure in which it protrudes from the base portion 61 toward the display device 70 in a tapered manner and has an apex at its tip. The shapes shown in FIGS. 17(b) and 17(c) may be employed for such a prism portion 62. FIGS. 17(b) and 17(c) are cross-sectional views of XVIIb,c-XVIIb,c shown in FIG. 17(a), respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 17(b), the prism portion 62 has a quadrangular pyramid shape. The quadrangular pyramid shape has a square bottom 62a in a front view. In the example shown in FIG. 17(c), the prism portion 62 has a conical shape. The conical shape has a circular bottom 62a in a front view. Note that the prism portion 62 is not limited to a quadrangular pyramid shape and may have a polygonal pyramid shape other than a square. Furthermore, the prism portion 62 is not limited to a conical shape and may have an elliptical cone shape, an oblong cone shape, or the like.

[0140] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18(a), the prism portion 62 may have a structure in which it protrudes from the base portion 61 toward the display device 70 in a tapered manner and has a flat surface at its tip. The shapes shown in FIGS. 18(b) and 18(c) may be employed for such a prism portion 62. FIGS. 18(b) and 18(c) are cross-sectional views of XVIIIb,c-XVIIIb,c shown in FIG. 18(a), respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 18(b), the prism portion 62 has a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape. In this truncated quadrangular pyramid shape, the bottom 62a and the top surface 62b form a square when viewed from the front. In the example shown in FIG. 18(c), the prism portion 62 has a truncated cone shape. In this truncated cone shape, the bottom 62a and the top surface 62b form a circle when viewed from the front. Note that the prism portion 62 is not limited to a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape, and may have a polygonal truncated cone shape other than a square. Furthermore, the prism portion 62 is not limited to a truncated cone shape, but may be an elliptical truncated cone shape, an oblong truncated cone shape, or the like.

[0141] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19(a), the prism portion 62 may have a structure that protrudes from the base portion 61 in a curved manner toward the display device 70 to form a spherical surface. The shape shown in FIG. 19(b) may be adopted as such a prism portion 62. FIG. 19(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIXb-XIXb in FIG. 19(a). In the example shown in FIG. 19(b), the prism portion 62 has a spherical lens shape. This spherical lens shape has a circular bottom 62a in a front view. Furthermore, the prism portion 62 is not limited to a circular spherical lens shape in a front view, and may have an elliptical or oblong shape, for example.

[0142] Here, it is preferable that the prism portions 62 of the optical control layer 60 be arranged to protrude from the printed material 2 side toward the display device 70 side rather than from the display device 70 side toward the printed material 2 side. For example, FIG. 20 is a photograph showing an image projected on the display device 70 through the optical control layer 60. In FIG. 20(a), the optical control layer 60 is arranged so that the prism portions 62 protrude toward the display device 70 side, while in FIG. 20(b), the optical control layer 60 is arranged so that the prism portions 62 protrude away from the display device 70. As shown in FIG. 20(b), when the prism portions 62 protrude away from the display device 70, characters viewed through the optical control layer 60 tend to appear blurred. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20(a), when the prism portions 62 protrude toward the display device 70 side, characters viewed through the optical control layer 60 tend to appear clearer. Note that even in the case of FIG. 20(b), reducing the thickness of the base portion 61 may improve the image quality.

[0143] Next, with reference to FIG. 21, optimization of the truncated cone shape of the prism portion 62 will be described. As shown in FIG. 21(a), the radius of the bottom portion 62a is Ra, the radius of the top surface 62b is Rb, and the height is H. The planar direction of the base portion 61 is the XY plane. The "top / bottom" is expressed as "Rb / Ra." In this case, when "Rb / Ra" is 0, the prism portion 62 has a conical shape, when it is 0 to 1, it has a truncated conical shape, and when it is 1, it has a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 21(b), the prism portions 62 are arranged at equal pitches in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The pitch in the X-axis direction is px, and the pitch in the Y-axis direction is py. The pitch px and the pitch py are equal. As shown in FIG. 21(c), the height H, the aspect ratio "H / 2Ra," and the duty ratio "2Ra / px,py" are set as parameters. The aspect ratio is the ratio of the height H to the diameter of the bottom portion 62a. The duty ratio is the ratio of the diameter of the bottom 62a to the pitch in the X and Y axes. The minimum and maximum values ​​of each parameter are shown in Figure 21(c). Furthermore, by performing a simulation, the optimal value (Opt Result) of each parameter is shown.

[0144] Here, an example of a method for selecting the optimal value of each parameter will be described. Note that the selection method is not limited to this method, and other methods may be used. Here, the optimal values ​​are the results assuming that the optical control layer 60 is formed from a material with a refractive index of 1.53. In deriving the optimal values, the parameters that result in the smallest error rate for an arbitrary target value were selected. Specifically, the target value was set to be 75% or more of the peak value of the horizontal and vertical light distribution from the display device 70 when passing through the optical control layer 60. The light distribution after passing through the optical control layer 60 was evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSPE) for this target value. Among the obtained light distributions, light distribution angles with an intensity of 75% or more were excluded as being deemed to have good performance, and the error rate was calculated only for light distribution angles with an intensity below 75%. In this way, the error rates were calculated in the horizontal and vertical directions, and finally, the error rates in the horizontal and vertical directions were averaged for evaluation. The parameter that resulted in the smallest error rate was selected as the optimal value.

[0145] Next, with reference to FIG. 22, optimization of the quadrangular pyramid shape of the prism portion 62 will be described. As shown in FIG. 22(a), the side of the bottom portion 62a is Wa, the side of the top surface 62b is Wb, and the height from the bottom portion 62a to the top surface 62b is Hb. The height from the bottom portion 62a to the apex is Ha. The planar direction of the base portion 61 is the XY plane. The "apex / base" is expressed as "Wb / Wa." In this case, when "Wb / Wa" is 0, the prism portion 62 has a quadrangular pyramid shape; when it is 0 to 1, it has a quadrangular pyramid shape; and when it is 1, it has a quadrangular column shape. As shown in FIG. 22(b), the prism portions 62 are arranged at equal pitches in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The pitch in the X-axis direction is px, and the pitch in the Y-axis direction is py. The pitch px and the pitch py are equal. As shown in FIG. 22(c), the parameters are set as height Hb, aspect ratio "Hb / Wa," and duty ratio "Wa / px, py." The aspect ratio is the ratio of height Hb to the side of the bottom 62a. The duty ratio is the ratio of the length of the side of the bottom 62a to the pitch in the X and Y axis directions. The minimum and maximum values ​​of each parameter are shown in FIG. 22(c). In addition, the optimum values ​​(Opt Result) of each parameter are shown by performing a simulation. Note that the optimum values ​​are values ​​obtained using the same method as for optimizing the truncated cone shape.

[0146] A printed sheet according to an example in which each parameter of the optical control layer 60 was set to an arbitrary value was prepared, and the graphs shown in FIGS. 27(a) and 27(b) were obtained using the same method as for the reference data. In FIG. 27(b), graph GH2 indicates the intensity of the horizontal light distribution, and graph GV2 indicates the intensity of the vertical light distribution. A reference line ST2 was set at the point where the target intensity was 75%. Next, a range for calculating the error rate was extracted from the horizontal light distribution (graph GH2). Areas of the horizontal light distribution (graph GH2) where the intensity was 75% (reference line ST2) or higher (area EA in the figure) were considered to have good performance and were therefore excluded from the error rate calculation. Areas where the intensity was below 75% (reference line ST2) were extracted as areas for calculating the error rate. The root mean square error (RMSPE) was calculated for the entire horizontal axis of the extracted area using the following formula (1). Similarly, the error rate for the vertical direction was calculated. Finally, after obtaining the horizontal and vertical error rates, the average of both (average error rate) is obtained as the evaluation value. The smaller the error rate, the better the performance.

[0147]

number

[0148] Multiple parameter combinations for the truncated pyramidal shape of the prism portion 62 were prepared, and evaluation values ​​based on the average error rate were obtained for the printed matter associated with those parameter combinations. The parameter combination with the smallest evaluation value was selected as the optimal parameter value for the truncated pyramidal shape of the prism portion 62. The light distribution distribution at the optimal values ​​selected in this manner is shown in Figure 28 as graphs GH3 and GV3. The average error rate for the optimal values ​​was 50.307%. The optimal graphs GH3 and GV3 were able to distribute intensity toward the wide-angle side by reducing the light distribution distribution near the center compared to the reference graphs GH1 and GV1. Furthermore, the optimal graphs GH3 and GV3 demonstrated a maximum 2x and 1.5x improvement in intensity at light distribution angles between 45° and 68°. For light distribution angles above 68°, the horizontal graph GH3 showed similar intensity, while the vertical graph GV3 showed an improvement.

[0149] Note that each parameter may be set to a predetermined range based on the optimal value. For example, for a substantially square pyramid shape, if the error rate average value (50.307%) of the value obtained as the optimal value is within a range of about 5% (i.e., within a range of about 50.307 to 55.307%), improvement in the visibility of the light LT at wide angles can be similarly achieved. Therefore, even if the height, aspect ratio, and duty ratio fall within the range of the error rate average, optical performance close to that of the optimal square pyramid shape can be imparted. Note that the above simulation is merely an example. Therefore, since a smaller average error rate value indicates better performance, heights, aspect ratios, and duty ratios corresponding to values ​​below 50.307% may be adopted depending on the conditions of the printing sheet.

[0150] With reference to Figure 23, we will explain how an image appears when the light-receiving angle is changed. In Figure 23, the prism portion 62 has a structure in which a reference triangle extends in a fixed shape. It is assumed that a print sheet is placed in the center of the display device. Figure 23(a) shows the actual appearance when the print sheet is viewed from the front (light-receiving angle = 0°) and the simulation results. In both results, the print sheet appears dark. Figure 23(b) shows the actual appearance when the print sheet is viewed from a shallow angle (light-receiving angle = 30°) and the simulation results. In both results, the print sheet appears slightly dark. Figure 23(c) shows the actual appearance when the print sheet is viewed from a deep angle (light-receiving angle = 60°) and the simulation results. In both results, the print sheet appears bright.

[0151] Figure 24 shows the results of a simulation showing how images appear when viewed from the front (light receiving angle = 0°) and from a deep angle (light receiving angle = 60°) when a triangular prism, a truncated cone shape, and a truncated square pyramid shape are used as the prism portion of the optical control layer of the print sheet. When a triangular prism is used, the image appears dark when viewed from the front, whereas when the truncated cone shape and the truncated square pyramid shape are used, the image appears bright both when viewed from the front and at a deep angle.

[0152] Next, the function and effect of the print sheet 50 will be described.

[0153] An optical control layer 60 is provided on the side of the picture-printed layer 5 opposite the translucent substrate 4. This optical control layer 60 controls light emitted from the picture-printed layer 5 side toward the translucent substrate 4 side. Therefore, when light such as an image on a display device 70 is emitted from the back side of the printed sheet 50, the optical control layer 60 controls the light, making the light clearly visible even when viewed from a wide angle. The picture-printed layer 5 is provided on one side of the translucent substrate 4 and includes a pattern layer composed of multiple dots, each of which includes a binder and multiple pigment chips dispersed within the binder, the multiple pigment chips being interference pigments. In this case, the picture-printed layer 5 can conceal the presence of the light source by the pattern when the light source is turned off. Therefore, the picture of the picture-printed layer 5 is displayed on the printed sheet 50. On the other hand, when the light source is turned on, the picture-printed layer 5 can transmit light from the light source. As described above, in a printed sheet in which the image on the front side is visible when the light source from the back side is not lit, and the display content of the light source can be seen through the image when the light source is lit, the visibility of the display content of the light source at wide angles can be improved.

[0154] In the print sheet 50, the optical control layer 60 may have a shape in which prism portions 62 are arranged, protruding on the side opposite the picture printed layer 5. This allows the prism portions 62 protruding on the side opposite the picture printed layer 5 to be able to expand the light to a wide angle satisfactorily while suppressing blurring of the image on the display device 70, etc.

[0155] In the printing sheet 50, the prism portions 62 may have a generally truncated quadrangular pyramid shape. In this case, the light from the light source can be clearly seen when the printing sheet 50 is viewed from the front and from a wide angle.

[0156] In the print sheet 50, the height, aspect ratio, and duty ratio of the approximately quadrangular pyramid shape are set to values ​​that result in an average error rate that is within a 5% range of the minimum average error rate value of the light distribution. In this case, the light from the light source can be clearly seen whether the print sheet 50 is viewed from the front or from a wide angle.

[0157] 3 and 6 is used as the printed matter 2, the printed sheet 50 further has a white pattern layer 40 formed on the picture print layer 5 and composed of a plurality of silver dots, and each of the plurality of silver dots may contain a silver binder 42 and a plurality of silver pigment chips 43 dispersed within the silver binder 42. This allows the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 to have excellent color development, and the picture print layer 5 to have a pattern that gives a whitish impression.

[0158] 6 is used as the printed matter 2, the printed sheet 50 may further have a transparent smoke printed layer 30 provided on the outermost surface of the picture printed layer 5 on the side opposite the light-transmitting substrate 4. This improves the color development of the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20. Furthermore, because the transparent smoke printed layer 30 is transparent, a decrease in the visibility of the image on the display device 1 is effectively suppressed.

[0159] 2 and the like as the picture print layer 5, the print sheet 50 has a pattern layer including a first color pattern layer 10 formed on one side of the light-transmitting substrate 4 and composed of a plurality of first color dots, and a second color pattern layer 20 formed on the first color pattern layer 10 and composed of a plurality of second color dots, each of the first color dots including a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed inside the first color binder, Each of the first and second color pigment chips includes a second-color binder and multiple second-color pigment chips dispersed within the second-color binder. One of the first and second color pigment chips exhibits a color as interference light on the reflected light side and includes interference pigments of multiple colors different from each other. The other of the first and second color pigment chips exhibits a color as interference light on the reflected light side and includes one interference pigment exhibiting a color different from the mixed color exhibited by the multiple colors of interference pigments included in either the first or second color pigment chip, and the interference light may be additively mixed. Because the first color pattern layer 10 includes first interference pigments 14a and 14b and the second color pattern layer 20 includes a second interference pigment 24, a three-dimensional image can be expressed even with a small number of printed layers. Furthermore, in the printed matter 2, only the first color pattern layer 10 of the first and second color pattern layers 10 and 20 contains an interference pigment that generates mutually different interference light, thereby simplifying color matching and registration operations during printing. Therefore, with the printed matter 2, a three-dimensional image can be expressed even with a small number of printing layers, and color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified.

[0160] 9 and the like as the picture printing layer 5, the printed sheet 50 has a pattern layer comprising a first color pattern layer composed of a plurality of first color dots provided on one side of the translucent substrate 4, and a second color pattern layer 20 composed of a plurality of second color dots provided on the first color pattern layer 10, wherein each of the first color dots comprises a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed within the first color binder, each of the second color dots comprises a second color binder and a plurality of second color pigment chips dispersed within the second color binder, the plurality of first color pigment chips are a first interference pigment that generates a monochromatic first interference light, and the plurality of second color pigment chips are a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light different from the color indicated by the first interference pigment, and the first interference light and the second interference light may be additively mixed. For example, for a pattern that can be expressed with a small number of colors, by limiting the interference pigments contained in the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 to a single color, it is possible to express the pattern using only the intensity of the single color. In this way, color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified. Therefore, this printed matter can simplify color matching and registration work during printing.

[0161] 12 and the like is used as the picture print layer 5, the print sheet 50 has a pattern layer including a first color pattern layer 10 formed on one side of the light-transmitting substrate 4 and made up of a plurality of first color dots, and a second color pattern layer 20 formed on the first color pattern layer 10 and made up of a plurality of second color dots, each of the first color dots including a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed inside the first color binder, and each of the second color dots including a second color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed inside the first color binder. The printing sheet 50 includes a binder and a plurality of second-color pigment chips dispersed within the second-color binder, wherein one of the plurality of first-color pigment chips and the plurality of second-color pigment chips is a first interference pigment of multiple colors that generates different first interference lights, and the other of the plurality of first-color pigment chips and the plurality of second-color pigment chips is a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light of the same color as one of the plurality of first interference pigments, and the plurality of first interference lights and the second interference light may be additively mixed. Because either the first color pattern layer 10 or the second color pattern layer 20 contains interference pigments of multiple colors that generate different interference lights, a three-dimensional image can be expressed even with a small number of printing layers. Furthermore, in this printing sheet 50, only one of the first color pattern layer 10 or the second color pattern layer 20 needs to contain the interference pigment that generates multiple interference lights, simplifying color matching and registration during printing. On the other hand, the other of the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 contains a second interference pigment that generates a second interference light of a single color identical to one of the multiple first interference pigments. For example, for a pattern that can be expressed with a small number of colors, limiting the second interference pigment to the same single color as the first interference pigment makes it possible to express the pattern by varying the intensity of the single color. Furthermore, when a certain color tone is to be emphasized, using two layers, the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20, makes it easier to adjust the color tone than adjusting it with just one color pattern layer. Furthermore, while adding too much interference pigment to one color pattern layer reduces the strength of the coating film, using two color pattern layers can prevent this decrease in strength. As a result, color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified.

[0162] The display device 100 includes, as one aspect, the above-described printed sheet 50 and a display device 70.

[0163] In the display device 100, the same functions and effects as those of the print sheet 50 described above can be obtained.

[0164] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0165] For example, the arrangement of the prism portions 62 is not particularly limited. For example, the prism portions 62 may be arranged not only in a quadrangular arrangement as shown in Fig. 25(a), but also in a hexagonal arrangement as shown in Fig. 25(b), or in a random arrangement as shown in Fig. 25(c). Furthermore, the prism portions 62 may be arranged in a combination of dense and sparse arrangements (with an irregular pitch), or in a radial arrangement.

[0166] Two or more types of optical control layers may be laminated. In this case, two or more layers of film may be laminated, or a pattern in which lenses are laminated (multi-layer microlenses as shown in Figure 26) may be used. The former can improve light diffusion, but may increase the gap with the display device, potentially reducing image visibility. The latter can improve light diffusion depending on the shape, but is more time-consuming to fabricate. A single film may be used with two or more types of prism shapes. If a single type of prism shape does not produce sufficient results (e.g., due to anisotropy), combining two or more types may compensate for the shortcomings of a single type. However, combining two or more types may require a different type of cutting tool, which increases fabrication time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 2...printed matter, 4...translucent substrate, 5...picture printed layer, 10...first color pattern layer, 20...second color pattern layer, 40...white pattern layer, 50...printed sheet, 60...optical control layer, 70...display device, 100...display device.

Claims

1. A printing sheet comprising at least a light-transmitting substrate and a picture print layer, the picture print layer is provided on one surface of the light-transmitting substrate and includes a pattern layer formed of a plurality of dots, each of the plurality of dots includes a binder and a plurality of pigment chips dispersed within the binder; the plurality of pigment chips are interference pigments; an optical control layer is provided on the opposite side of the picture-printed layer from the light-transmitting substrate; The optical control layer controls light that exits from the picture print layer side to the light-transmitting substrate side.

2. 2. The printing sheet according to claim 1, wherein the optical control layer has an array of prism portions that protrude toward the opposite side of the picture print layer.

3. The printing sheet according to claim 2 , wherein the prism portions have a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape.

4. 4. The printing sheet according to claim 3, wherein the height, aspect ratio, and duty ratio of the approximately quadrangular pyramid shape are set to values ​​that result in an average error rate that is within a 5% range of the minimum average error rate of the light distribution.

5. A white pattern layer is provided on the picture print layer and is composed of a plurality of silver dots.

2. The printing sheet of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of silver dots comprises a silver binder and a plurality of silver pigment chips dispersed within the silver binder.

6. 2. The printing sheet according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent smoke printed layer provided on the outermost surface of said picture printed layer on the side opposite to said light-transmitting substrate.

7. The pattern layer comprises: a first color pattern layer formed on one surface of the light-transmitting substrate and including a plurality of first color dots; a second color pattern layer formed on the first color pattern layer and including a plurality of second color dots; Each of the first color dots includes a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed within the first color binder; each of the second color dots includes a second color binder and a plurality of second color pigment chips dispersed within the second color binder; one of the first color pigment chip and the second color pigment chip develops color as interference light on the reflected light side and contains interference pigments of a plurality of different colors; the other of the first color pigment chip and the second color pigment chip contains one interference pigment that exhibits a color as interference light on the reflected light side and that exhibits a color different from the mixed color exhibited by the interference pigments of the plurality of colors contained in either one of the first color pigment chip and the second color pigment chip; The printing sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the interfering light is an additive color mixture.

8. The pattern layer comprises: a first color pattern layer formed on one surface of the light-transmitting substrate and including a plurality of first color dots; a second color pattern layer formed on the first color pattern layer and including a plurality of second color dots; Each of the first color dots includes a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed within the first color binder; each of the second color dots includes a second color binder and a plurality of second color pigment chips dispersed within the second color binder; the plurality of first color pigment chips are first interference pigments that generate monochromatic first interference light; the plurality of second color pigment chips are second interference pigments that generate second interference light of a single color different from the color exhibited by the first interference pigment; The printing sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the first interference light and the second interference light are additively mixed.

9. The pattern layer comprises: a first color pattern layer formed on one surface of the light-transmitting substrate and including a plurality of first color dots; a second color pattern layer formed on the first color pattern layer and including a plurality of second color dots; Each of the first color dots includes a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed within the first color binder; each of the second color dots includes a second color binder and a plurality of second color pigment chips dispersed within the second color binder; one of the plurality of first color pigment chips and the plurality of second color pigment chips is a first interference pigment of a plurality of colors that respectively generate first interference light beams different from each other; the other of the plurality of first color pigment chips and the plurality of second color pigment chips is a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light having the same color as any one of the plurality of first interference pigment chips; The printing sheet according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the first interference lights and the second interference lights are additively mixed.

10. A display device comprising the printed sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a display device.

Images