RFID-equipped flexible material, RFID-equipped article, and method for manufacturing RFID-equipped flexible material

Abstract

For example, an RFID-tagged flexible material (100) configured by attaching an RFID (101) to a flexible material (102), wherein the RFID (101) has an antenna part (106), and the antenna part (106) is formed by a conductive linear object (104) including carbon nanotube yarn.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible material equipped with an RFID tag, an article equipped with an RFID tag, and a method for manufacturing the flexible material equipped with an RFID tag. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of wireless communication systems using RFID (radio frequency identifier) ​​tags is becoming more widespread. An RFID tag has an IC chip with a circuit and an antenna for wireless communication with a reader and writer. RFID tags are attached to a variety of items, and in recent years, they are sometimes attached to soft materials such as cloth. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an RFID tag having a tag substrate and an RFID inlet that is attached to the tag substrate and has an IC chip and an RFID antenna to enable wireless data communication. The tag substrate described in Patent Document 1 is made of, for example, cloth, leather, or other soft materials, and the booster antenna section is made of conductive thread integrated with the tag substrate by weaving or sewing. Also, Figure 4 of Patent Document 1 discloses conductive thread in which metal is integrated with fiber thread such as polyester by plating or other techniques. Patent Document 2 discloses a fabric for an antenna, which is characterized by having a ground fabric made of a fiber material with a relative dielectric constant of 4 or less, and an antenna wire made of conductive yarn with a resistance of 5 Ω / m to 15 Ω / m, in which a core yarn is covered with a metal fiber, and which is held so as to be in close contact with the ground fabric. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-171428 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-040919 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conductive yarn in which metal is integrated with a fiber yarn described in Patent Document 1, and the conductive yarn in which metal fiber is covered with a core yarn described in Patent Document 2, are difficult to follow the bending of flexible materials such as cloth. Therefore, the booster antenna portion described in Patent Document 1 and the antenna wire described in Patent Document 2, which are formed using these conductive yarns, tend to have insufficient bending properties with respect to flexible materials. In recent years, the applications of RFID-equipped flexible materials have expanded, and the shapes of the antenna parts have become more diverse. Therefore, there is a demand for RFID-equipped flexible materials with antenna parts to have improved flexibility. An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible material with an RFID tag that has excellent flexibility and corrosion resistance, an article with an RFID tag, and a method for producing the flexible material with an RFID tag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible material with an RFID, in which an RFID is attached to the flexible material, the RFID having an antenna portion, and the antenna portion being formed by a conductive linear body including a carbon nanotube yarn.

[0006] In the RFID-equipped flexible material according to one aspect of the present invention, the carbon nanotube yarn is preferably a yarn bundle of a plurality of carbon nanotube yarns, or a single carbon nanotube yarn.

[0007] In one embodiment of the RFID-equipped flexible material of the present invention, the carbon nanotube yarn is a yarn bundle, and the major axis diameter of a cross section perpendicular to the major axis direction of the yarn bundle is preferably 7 μm or more and 5000 μm or less.

[0008] In the RFID-equipped flexible material according to one embodiment of the present invention, the carbon nanotube yarn is preferably a single carbon nanotube yarn, and the diameter of the single carbon nanotube yarn is preferably 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0009] In the RFID-equipped flexible material according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the conductive linear members are twisted.

[0010] In the RFID-equipped flexible material according to one aspect of the present invention, the conductive linear body preferably contains a resin.

[0011] In one embodiment of the RFID-equipped flexible material of the present invention, the carbon nanotube yarn is a yarn bundle of multiple carbon nanotube yarns or a single carbon nanotube yarn, and it is preferable that the resin is a thread-like resin, and that the thread-like resin and the yarn bundle or the single carbon nanotube yarn are twisted together.

[0012] In one embodiment of the RFID-equipped flexible material of the present invention, the carbon nanotube yarn is a yarn bundle of multiple carbon nanotube yarns or a single carbon nanotube yarn, and it is preferable that at least a portion of the outer periphery of the yarn bundle or the single carbon nanotube yarn is covered with the resin.

[0013] In the RFID-equipped flexible material according to one aspect of the present invention, the resin is preferably a thermoplastic resin or a curable resin.

[0014] In the RFID-equipped flexible material according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the conductive linear object further includes a conductive material.

[0015] In the RFID-equipped flexible material according to one aspect of the present invention, the conductive material is preferably a carbon material.

[0016] In the RFID-equipped flexible material according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the antenna portion is formed by weaving, knitting, embroidering, or sewing the conductive linear member into the flexible material.

[0017] In the RFID-equipped flexible material according to one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible material is preferably a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a felt, a paper, a gel sheet, or an adhesive sheet having a flexible substrate.

[0018] In the RFID-affixed flexible material according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the RFID-affixed flexible material be detachably attached to an article.

[0019] In the RFID-attached flexible material according to one aspect of the present invention, the flexible material preferably has an adhesive layer that removably adheres to an article.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article with RFID to which the RFID-equipped flexible material according to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention is detachably attached.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a flexible material with an RFID, in which an RFID having an antenna portion is attached to a flexible material, the method comprising a step of forming the antenna portion in the flexible material using a conductive linear body including a carbon nanotube yarn.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a flexible material with an RFID tag, an article with an RFID tag, and a method for manufacturing the flexible material with an RFID tag, which have excellent flexibility and corrosion resistance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the RFID-attached flexible material according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conductive linear body according to embodiment A. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conductive linear body according to embodiment B. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conductive linear body according to embodiment C. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conductive linear body according to embodiment D. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conductive linear body according to embodiment E. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a side view of a conductive linear body according to embodiment F. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a side view of a conductive linear body according to embodiment G. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an RFID-attached flexible material according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an RFID-equipped flexible material according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing an example of a usage mode of an RFID-attached flexible material according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an RFID-affixed flexible material according to the third embodiment A. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an RFID-attached flexible material according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] Schematic diagram of a bending test machine used in bending tests. [Figure 15] Schematic diagram of the test fabric used in the stretch test and washing test. [Figure 16] Graph showing the results of the expansion and contraction test for Example 2-1 and Comparative Example 2-1. [Figure 17] Graph showing the results of a washing test for Example 2-1 and Comparative Example 2-1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In this specification, the term "flexible material" refers to a material that is soft enough to conform to a curved surface. The flexible material is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include woven fabric, knitted fabric, nonwoven fabric, felt, paper, gel sheet, adhesive sheet having a flexible base material, rubber sheet, soft resin sheet, sponge, etc. In this specification, a linear body means a linear member. The length of the linear body is, for example, 1 cm or more. The shape of the linear body is not particularly limited, and may be a single linear member or an assembly of multiple linear members. The cross-sectional shape of the linear body may be various shapes depending on the shape of the linear body.

[0025] [Flexible material with RFID] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, carbon nanotubes may be referred to as "CNTs."

[0026] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an RFID-attached flexible material 100 according to the first embodiment. An RFID 101 is attached to the RFID-equipped flexible material 100. The antenna section 106 is formed by a conductive linear body 104, and the conductive linear body 104 includes a CNT yarn. In the first embodiment, the flexible material 102 is a woven fabric, and the RFID 101 has an antenna unit 106. The woven fabric is woven with warp threads 102A and weft threads 102B crossing each other. FIG. 1 shows an antenna unit 106 having a specific pattern. The antenna unit 106 is formed by repeatedly bending and weaving a conductive linear body 104 including a CNT yarn into the woven fabric as the flexible material 102. The pattern of the antenna unit 106 is changed depending on the application of the RFID-equipped flexible material 100. Examples of the woven fabric include plain weave, twill weave, satin weave, and well-known applied weave. The RFID-equipped flexible material 100 functions as an RFID tag, for example, by attaching an IC chip to the dotted line area IC1 shown in Fig. 1. The IC chip can be attached by a known method.

[0027] The conductive linear body 104 used in the RFID-attached flexible material 100 of this embodiment contains CNT yarn and has superior flexibility compared to conventional conductive yarns described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. In the RFID-attached flexible material 100 of this embodiment, the antenna section 106 is formed using the conductive linear body 104 with superior flexibility, so that the flexibility of the entire RFID-attached flexible material 100 including the antenna section 106 can be improved. Furthermore, since the conductive linear body 104 contains CNT yarn, it has corrosion resistance compared to, for example, a conductive linear body made of a copper wire. Therefore, it is considered that the RFID function can be imparted for a longer period by forming an RFID using the conductive linear body 104. According to this embodiment, a flexible material 100 with RFID tag that has excellent flexibility and corrosion resistance is realized.

[0028] The conductive linear body 104 used in the RFID-attached flexible material 100 of this embodiment has excellent flexibility, and can be woven, knitted, embroidered, or sewn into the flexible material in the same manner as normal thread. That is, the antenna section 106 in this embodiment is formed by a method (hereinafter also referred to as "method A") of weaving, knitting, embroidering, or sewing the conductive linear body 104 into the flexible material, so that antenna sections of various shapes can be formed. As a result, the applications of the RFID-attached flexible material can be expanded. In addition, forming the antenna section 106 by the above-mentioned method A is also preferable from the viewpoint of improving the unity between the flexible material 102 and the antenna section 106. Furthermore, when the flexible material is clothing or fabric (e.g., carpets, curtains, cushion covers, bedding textiles, tents, tarps, cloth bags, etc.), the RFID-equipped flexible material having the antenna portion 106 formed by the above-mentioned method A can be used as the clothing or fabric as it is. The RFID-attached flexible material 100 of this embodiment can also be attached to various articles for use. The RFID-attached flexible material 100 of this embodiment has excellent flexibility, so that it can follow the shape of various articles when attached to an article. This makes it relatively easy to attach it to an article having a curved surface, for example. In this use mode, the RFID-attached flexible material 100 is preferably detachably attached to the article, and the flexible material 102 in the RFID-attached flexible material 100 preferably has an adhesive layer that detachably adheres to the article. The RFID-attached flexible material that can be detachably attached to an article will be described in detail in the third embodiment and the third embodiment A.

[0029] Furthermore, since the conductive linear body 104 used in this embodiment contains CNT yarn that has excellent flexibility, corrosion resistance, and is not susceptible to chemical reactions with water, if the flexible material 102 is a washable material (e.g., woven fabric, knitted fabric, etc.), the resistance value of the conductive linear body 104 is unlikely to change even after washing. Therefore, the RFID-affixed flexible material 100 of this embodiment also has excellent washability.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the RFID-affixed flexible material 100 of this embodiment will be described.

[0031] <Conductive wire> In this embodiment, the conductive linear body 104 includes a CNT yarn. The content of the CNT yarn in the entire conductive linear body 104 is preferably 20 mass% or more, more preferably 40 mass% or more, and even more preferably 60 mass% or more. The content of the CNT yarn in the entire conductive linear body 104 may be 70 mass% or more, 90 mass% or more, 95 mass% or more, or 100 mass%. When the content of the CNT yarn in the entire conductive linear body 104 is 20 mass % or more, the conductivity required to function as an antenna is ensured.

[0032] (CNT yarn) From the viewpoint of exhibiting flexibility, the CNT yarn contained in the conductive linear body 104 is preferably a yarn bundle of a plurality of CNT yarns bound together, or a single CNT yarn. When the CNT yarn contained in the conductive linear body 104 is a single CNT yarn, the diameter of the single CNT yarn is preferably 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less, more preferably 7 μm or more and 75 μm or less, and even more preferably 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less. When the diameter of a single CNT yarn is 5 μm or more, it is easy to ensure the strength of the conductive linear body 104. When the diameter of a single CNT yarn is 100 μm or less, it is easy to improve the flexibility of the conductive linear body 104. When the cross section of the CNT yarn is not circular (for example, when it is elliptical), the diameter of the CNT yarn is defined as the longest width among the widths of the cross section. When the conductive linear body 104 includes only one CNT yarn, the diameter of the conductive linear body 104 is synonymous with the diameter of one CNT yarn. The diameter or major axis diameter of the CNT yarn contained in the conductive linear body 104 is measured using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). For example, when the conductive linear body 104 is composed of one CNT yarn, 10 CNT yarns produced by drawing from the CNT forest are arbitrarily sampled and imaged by TEM. From the obtained image, the diameter of each CNT yarn at the center in the longitudinal direction is measured, and the average value is taken as the diameter of one CNT yarn. Alternatively, 10 conductive linear bodies 104 may be arbitrarily taken out from the RFID-attached flexible material 100 and imaged by TEM, and from the obtained image, the diameter of the CNT yarn included in each conductive linear body 104 at the center in the longitudinal direction is measured, and the average value is taken as the diameter of one CNT yarn. For example, when the conductive linear body 104 is composed of a yarn bundle of a plurality of CNT yarns, 10 bundles of CNT yarns produced by drawing from a CNT forest are arbitrarily sampled and imaged by a TEM. From the obtained image, the long axis diameter of each yarn bundle is measured at the center in the long axis direction, and the average value is taken as the long axis diameter of the yarn bundle. Alternatively, 10 conductive linear bodies 104 are arbitrarily taken out from the RFID-attached flexible material 100 and imaged by a TEM, and from the obtained image, the long axis diameter of each CNT yarn bundle included in the conductive linear body 104 is measured at the center in the long axis direction, and the average value is taken as the long axis diameter of the yarn bundle. In addition, when the CNT yarn is a yarn bundle, the long axis diameter is the maximum value of the distance between any two points on the contour line of the cross section in the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction of the yarn bundle.

[0033] When the CNT yarn contained in the conductive linear body 104 is a yarn bundle formed by bundling multiple CNT yarns, the long axis diameter (diameter of the yarn bundle) of a cross section perpendicular to the long axis direction of the CNT yarn bundle is preferably 7 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, more preferably 20 μm or more and 3000 μm or less, and even more preferably 50 μm or more and 1000 μm or less. When the cross-sectional major axis diameter is 7 μm or more, the strength of the conductive linear body 104 is easily ensured. When the cross-sectional major axis diameter is 5000 μm or less, the flexibility of the conductive linear body 104 is easily improved. When the conductive linear body 104 includes only a yarn bundle of CNT yarn, the major axis diameter of the cross section of the conductive linear body 104 is synonymous with the major axis diameter of the cross section of the yarn bundle of CNT yarn.

[0034] ·CNT yarn manufacturing method A single CNT yarn can be obtained, for example, by drawing CNTs in a sheet form from the end of a CNT forest (a growth body in which multiple CNTs are grown on a substrate so as to be oriented perpendicular to the substrate, and sometimes referred to as an "array"), bundling the drawn CNT sheets, and then twisting the CNT bundle as necessary. The diameter of a single CNT yarn can be adjusted by changing the width of the CNT sheet drawn from the CNT forest. In addition, CNT yarn can be obtained by spinning a dispersion of CNT. The production of CNT yarn by spinning can be carried out, for example, by the method disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication US2013 / 0251619 (WO2012 / 070537). When manufacturing a CNT yarn bundle, a single CNT yarn obtained by any of the above CNT yarn manufacturing methods is prepared in multiple strands and bundled together to obtain a CNT yarn bundle. Also, a CNT yarn bundle (twisted yarn) can be obtained by twisting multiple CNT yarns together.

[0035] (Conductive materials) The conductive linear body 104 may further include a conductive material other than the CNT yarn in order to improve the conductivity more than that of the CNT yarn alone. The shape and material of the conductive material are not particularly limited. Examples of the shape of the conductive material include granular and fibrous shapes. It is preferable to select the size of the conductive material appropriately depending on the purpose. For example, when the conductive material is granular, the granular conductive material may be included in the CNT yarn, or may be attached around a single CNT yarn or a bundle of CNT yarns. When the conductive material is fibrous, the fibrous conductive material may be wound around a single CNT yarn or a bundle of CNT yarns, or may be twisted with a single CNT yarn or a bundle of CNT yarns. The conductive material may include a carbon material, a metal material, a conductive polymer, and the like.

[0036] Examples of carbon materials include amorphous carbon, graphite, fullerene, graphene, and CNT particles. Examples of amorphous carbon include carbon black, activated carbon, hard carbon, soft carbon, mesoporous carbon, and carbon fiber. Metallic materials include copper, silver, and aluminum. Examples of conductive polymers include polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene vinylene), polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyaniline, and poly(p-phenylene sulfide). These conductive materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When the conductive linear body 104 contains a conductive material other than CNT yarn, the content of the conductive material other than CNT yarn relative to the entire conductive linear body 104 is preferably 80 mass% or less, more preferably 60 mass% or less, and even more preferably 40 mass% or less.

[0037] The conductive linear body 104 preferably contains a carbon material as a conductive material, which makes it easier to improve the conductivity of the conductive linear body 104.

[0038] From the viewpoint of increasing the conductivity while maintaining flexibility, it is preferable that at least a portion of the conductive linear body 104 is covered with a conductive material. In this case, it is preferable that at least a portion of the outer periphery of the CNT yarn is covered with a conductive material (preferably a carbon material).

[0039] (resin) It is preferable that the conductive linear body 104 further contains a resin. This can impart slipperiness to the conductive linear body 104. As a result, when the conductive linear body 104 is woven, knitted, embroidered, or sewn into the flexible material 102 to form the antenna part 106, the sewing characteristics are likely to be improved. Here, the sewing characteristics refer to the ease of sewing when performing one or more of weaving, knitting, embroidering, and sewing the conductive linear body into the flexible material.

[0040] The resin is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of processability, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin or a curable resin. The curable resin may be a thermosetting resin or a resin curable with energy rays such as ultraviolet rays, visible energy rays, infrared rays, and electron beams.

[0041] ·Thermoplastic resin The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include polyolefin resin, polylactic acid resin, polyester resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, polyamide resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, acrylonitrile-styrene resin, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyacetal resin. Examples of polyolefin resins include polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, ethylene-(α-olefin) copolymer resins, propylene-(α-olefin) copolymer resins, and cyclic polyolefin resins. Examples of polylactic acid resins include poly-L-lactic acid and poly-D-lactic acid. Examples of the polyester resin include polyethylene terephthalate resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, cyclohexane dimethanol copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate resin, polyethylene naphthalate resin, and polybutylene naphthalate resin. Examples of polyamide resins include nylon 6,6, nylon 12, and modified polyamides. These thermoplastic resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0042] ·Thermosetting resin The thermosetting resin is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include epoxy resins, vinyl ester resins, vinyl ether resins, acrylic resins, methacrylic resins, styrene resins, and phenolic resins. These thermosetting resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0043] Energy ray curing resin The energy ray curable resin is not particularly limited, and any known resin can be used. Examples of the energy ray curable resin include resins having a group having a reactive double bond in the molecule (e.g., an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, etc.). When the energy ray curable resin is used, it is preferable that the conductive linear body 104 further contains a photopolymerization initiator in addition to the energy ray curable resin.

[0044] It is preferable that at least a part of the outer periphery of the conductive linear body 104 is coated with resin from the viewpoint of improving the sewing characteristics of the conductive linear body 104. In this case, it is preferable that at least a part of the outer periphery of the CNT yarn bundle or a single CNT yarn is coated with resin.

[0045] -Method of resin coating on the outer circumference of CNT yarn The method of coating the outer periphery of the CNT yarn (preferably the entire periphery) with resin is not particularly limited, but examples include a method of applying or dripping a solution containing resin onto the outer periphery of the CNT yarn, a method of immersing the CNT yarn in a solution containing resin, and a method of spraying resin onto the outer periphery of the CNT yarn by a spray drying method. Furthermore, in the aforementioned "CNT yarn manufacturing method," in any of the steps of pulling out CNTs from the end of the CNT forest into a sheet form, bundling the pulled CNT sheet, and twisting the CNT bundles, resin can also be coated on the outer periphery of the CNT yarn by dripping a solution containing resin onto the CNTs or by spraying resin onto the CNTs using a spray-drying method. In addition, taking into consideration the compatibility between the CNT yarn and the resin, it is preferable to prepare a resin (hereinafter also referred to as resin X) that has good compatibility with both the CNT yarn and the resin, coat this resin X onto the CNT yarn in advance, and then carry out the above-mentioned "method of coating the outer periphery of the CNT yarn with resin."

[0046] Examples of the manner in which resin is coated on the outer periphery of a CNT yarn include a manner in which resin is coated on at least a portion of the outer periphery of a CNT yarn bundle or an individual CNT yarn, and a manner in which thread-like resin is wound around at least a portion of the outer periphery of a CNT yarn bundle or an individual CNT yarn.

[0047] From the viewpoint of improving ease of handling, the conductive linear body 104 is preferably twisted. Examples of manners in which the conductive linear body 104 is twisted include a manner in which a single CNT yarn is twisted, a manner in which multiple CNT yarns are twisted together, a manner in which a thread-like resin and a bundle of CNT yarns or a single CNT yarn are twisted together, a manner in which a conductive yarn other than CNT yarn (e.g., carbon fiber, conductive polymer fiber, etc.) and a bundle of CNT yarns or a single CNT yarn are twisted together, and a manner in which a thread-like resin, the conductive yarn, and a bundle of CNT yarns or a single CNT yarn are twisted together. In the embodiment in which the conductive linear bodies 104 are twisted, the number of CNT threads, the number of thread-like resin, and the number of conductive threads are each selected according to the purpose.

[0048] Among these, from the viewpoint of improving the sewing characteristics of the conductive linear body 104, it is preferable that a resin thread and a CNT thread bundle or a single CNT thread are twisted together.

[0049] The resin content in the entire conductive linear body 104 is preferably 0.1% by mass to 80% by mass, more preferably 0.1% by mass to 60% by mass, and further preferably 0.1% by mass to 40% by mass. When the resin content is 0.1% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, it is possible to improve the sewing characteristics while ensuring the flexibility of the conductive linear body 104. In addition, it is also possible to improve the corrosion resistance of the conductive linear body 104.

[0050] The wire resistance of the conductive wire 104 is preferably 5.0×10 -3 Ω / cm or more 1.0×10 3 Ω / cm or less, more preferably 1.0×10 -2 Ω / cm or more 5.0×10 2 Ω / cm or less. The method for measuring the linear resistance of the conductive linear body 104 will be described in detail in the Examples section.

[0051] The conductive linear body 104 may contain other components in addition to the CNT yarn, the conductive material, and the resin. Examples of the other components include additives, organic fillers, inorganic fillers, and resins other than the above-mentioned resins, etc. Examples of the additives include antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, flame retardants, plasticizers, crosslinking agents, softeners, surface conditioners, heat stabilizers, and colorants, etc. The content of other components in the entire conductive linear body 104 is not particularly limited as long as it does not impair the flexibility and corrosion resistance of the conductive linear body 104, but is preferably 0 mass % or more and 10 mass % or less. The other components may be contained in any of the CNT yarn, the conductive material, and the resin. When the CNT yarn contains other components, the content of the other components in the entire single CNT yarn or the entire yarn bundle of CNT yarns is preferably 0 mass % or more and 10 mass % or less.

[0052] <Embodiments of Conductive Linear Body> Examples of the conductive linear body 104 include the following modes A to G. The following will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same members, and therefore the description of those members will be omitted.

[0053] <Aspect A> FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conductive linear body 104A according to embodiment A. FIG. The conductive linear body 104A is composed of only one CNT yarn 1.

[0054] <Aspect B> FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a conductive linear body 104B according to embodiment B. As shown in FIG. The conductive linear body 104B is composed only of a yarn bundle 2 in which four CNT yarns 1 are bundled together.

[0055] <Aspect C> FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conductive linear body 104C according to embodiment C. The conductive linear body 104C is composed only of a yarn bundle 2A (twisted yarn) in which three CNT yarns 1 are twisted together.

[0056] <Aspect D> FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conductive linear member 104D according to embodiment D. The conductive linear body 104D is composed of one CNT yarn 1 and resin 4. The conductive linear body 104D has a single CNT yarn 1 coated on its outer periphery with a resin 4.

[0057] <Aspect E> FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conductive linear member 104E according to embodiment E. As shown in FIG. The conductive linear body 104E is composed of a yarn bundle 2A (twisted yarn) in which three CNT yarns 1 are twisted together, and resin 4. The conductive linear body 104E is formed by coating the outer periphery of the yarn bundle 2A (twisted yarn) with resin 4.

[0058] <Aspect F> FIG. 7 is a side view of a conductive linear object 104F according to embodiment F. The conductive linear body 104F is formed by twisting one CNT yarn 1 and one thread-like resin 4A together.

[0059] <Aspect G> FIG. 8 is a side view of a conductive linear body 104G according to embodiment G. The conductive linear body 104G has one CNT yarn 1 and one thread-like resin 4B wound helically in one direction around the outer periphery of the CNT yarn 1.

[0060] <Method for manufacturing RFID-equipped flexible material according to the first embodiment> In the first embodiment, when the conductive linear body 104 is composed of only one CNT yarn (conductive linear body 104A according to aspect A), the RFID-attached flexible material 100 is manufactured as follows. First, a CNT yarn is prepared as the conductive linear body 104. The CNT yarn may be one produced by the method described above, or may be a commercially available product. Next, one prepared CNT yarn is woven into a woven fabric as the flexible material 102 so as to have an antenna shape as shown in FIG. 1, to form the antenna portion 106. The RFID-attached flexible material 100 can be produced by the same method even if the conductive linear body 104B to 104G according to aspects B to G are used instead of the conductive linear body 104A according to aspect A.

[0061] Second Embodiment The second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of similar items will be omitted or simplified by using the same reference numerals, for example. The RFID-attached flexible material 200 of the second embodiment is similar to the RFID-attached flexible material 100 of the first embodiment, except that a knitted fabric is used instead of a woven fabric as the flexible material, and the antenna portion has a different pattern. FIG. 9 is a plan view of an RFID-attached flexible material 200 according to the second embodiment. An RFID 201 is attached to the RFID-equipped flexible material 200. The conductive linear body 204 includes a CNT yarn. In the second embodiment, the flexible material 202 is a knitted fabric, and the RFID 201 has an antenna unit 206. Fig. 9 shows an antenna unit 206 (spiral antenna) having a spiral pattern. The antenna unit 206 (spiral antenna) is formed by weaving a conductive linear body 204 including a CNT yarn into the knitted fabric serving as the flexible material 202. As the conductive linear body 204, for example, any one of the conductive linear bodies 104A to 104G of the above-mentioned aspects A to G can be used, or two or more of them can be used in combination. Examples of knitted fabrics include weft knitting, warp knitting, lace knitting, parallel knitting, plating knitting, inlay knitting, and well-known applied knitting. The RFID-equipped flexible material 200 functions as an RFID tag, for example, by attaching an IC chip to the dotted line area IC2 shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 9, the portions where the conductive linear bodies 204 cross are configured with a non-conductive member (not shown) so that the conductive linear bodies 204 do not come into contact with each other.

[0062] According to the second embodiment, a flexible material 200 with RFID tag having excellent flexibility and corrosion resistance is realized. The RFID-attached flexible material 200 of the second embodiment can be attached to various articles for use. For example, when the flexible material 202 is clothing, the RFID-attached flexible material 200 can be used as clothing as it is.

[0063] <Method for manufacturing RFID-equipped flexible material according to the second embodiment> In the second embodiment, when the conductive linear body 204 is composed of only one CNT yarn, the RFID-attached flexible material 200 is manufactured by weaving a single prepared CNT yarn into a knitted fabric serving as the flexible material 202 so as to form an antenna shape as shown in FIG. 9, thereby forming the antenna portion 206.

[0064] Third Embodiment The third embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of similar items will be omitted or simplified by using the same reference numerals, for example. In the third embodiment, an RFID-equipped flexible material that can be detachably attached to an article will be described. The RFID-equipped flexible material 300 according to the third embodiment is similar to the RFID-equipped flexible material 100 according to the first embodiment, except that an adhesive sheet having a flexible base material is used instead of a woven fabric as the flexible material, the RFID-equipped flexible material has an adhesive layer that can be detachably attached to an article, and the antenna part has a different pattern. FIG. 10 is a plan view of an RFID-affixed flexible material 300 according to the third embodiment. An RFID 301 is attached to the RFID-equipped flexible material 300. The conductive linear body 304 includes a CNT yarn. In the third embodiment, the flexible material 302 is a flexible adhesive sheet, and the RFID 301 has an antenna unit 306. The adhesive sheet as the flexible material 302 includes an adhesive layer 302A and a flexible substrate 302B. The RFID-attached flexible material 300 includes a release layer 308 on the surface of the adhesive layer 302A opposite to the flexible substrate 302B. 10 shows an antenna section 306 having a specific pattern. The antenna section 306 is formed by embroidering a conductive linear body 304 including a CNT yarn on an adhesive sheet by cross-stitching. As the conductive linear body 304, for example, any one of the conductive linear bodies 104A to 104G of the above-mentioned aspects A to G can be used, or two or more of them can be used in combination. The conductive linear body 304 may be embedded in the flexible substrate 302B. Examples of embroidery techniques include cross stitch, running stitch, coaching stitch, back stitch, chain stitch, outline stitch, etc. Fig. 10 shows an example of embroidering the antenna portion 306 using cross stitch. The RFID-equipped flexible material 300 functions as an RFID tag, for example, by attaching an IC chip to the dotted line area IC3 shown in FIG.

[0065] <Adhesive sheet> The adhesive sheet includes an adhesive layer 302A and a flexible substrate 302B. Flexible substrate 302B is a member that supports adhesive layer 302A.

[0066] (Adhesive layer) From the viewpoint of processability and handling, the adhesive layer 302A is preferably formed from an adhesive composition containing an adhesive resin. The form of the adhesive composition is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, any of a solvent-type adhesive composition, an emulsion-type adhesive composition, a hot-melt-type adhesive composition, and a heat-sensitive adhesive composition. Here, the hot-melt-type adhesive refers to an adhesive that melts when heated and becomes spreadable and coatable, and that develops adhesiveness and cohesive strength when cooled. The heat-sensitive adhesive refers to an adhesive that has a relatively low adhesive strength at room temperature (25°C) and increases its adhesive strength when heated to a temperature above room temperature (25°C) (for example, 60°C to 80°C).

[0067] Examples of the adhesive resin include acrylic resin, urethane resin, rubber resin, olefin resin, silicone resin, and energy ray curable resin having a polymerizable functional group in these resins. When the adhesive layer 302A is formed from a heat-sensitive adhesive composition, examples of the adhesive resin contained in the heat-sensitive adhesive composition include polyester urethane resin, polyester resin, acrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, polyurethane resin, and rubber resin. These adhesive resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Furthermore, the adhesive composition that is the material for forming the adhesive layer 302A may contain an adhesive additive depending on the type of adhesive resin and the application of the adhesive sheet. Examples of additives for pressure-sensitive adhesives include crosslinking agents, tackifiers, fillers, antioxidants, heat stabilizers, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, colorants, flame retardants, thickeners, antistatic agents, polymerization initiators, and curing assistants.

[0068] For example, when the adhesive layer 302A is formed from a hot melt adhesive composition, the hot melt adhesive composition can be a mixture of a block copolymer, a tackifier, and a plasticizer in a predetermined ratio.

[0069] Examples of block copolymers include AB-type diblock copolymers such as styrene-isobutylene block copolymer (SIB), styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SB), and styrene-isoprene block copolymer (SI); and ABA-type triblock copolymers such as styrene-isobutylene-styrene block copolymer (SIBS), styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS). These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The tackifier and plasticizer are not particularly limited, and conventionally known tackifiers and plasticizers can be used.

[0070] The adhesive layer 302A is also preferably a pseudo-adhesive layer. The pseudo-adhesive layer has the function of putting the adhesive sheet and the adherend into a pseudo-adhesive state. Here, the pseudo-adhesive state means a state in which the adhesive sheet and the adherend are adhered to each other under normal use conditions, but when the adhesive sheet is peeled off from the adherend, it can be peeled off by simply pulling it by hand without using any tools, and it cannot be re-adhered by simply overlapping and pressing it. In this "state in which it cannot be re-adhered by simply overlapping and pressing it", the pseudo-adhesive state is different from adhesion by a normal adhesive. An example of the pseudo adhesive layer is a heat seal layer made of a thermoplastic resin.

[0071] The heat seal layer made of a thermoplastic resin is a layer having heat sealability and containing a thermoplastic resin as a main component. The main component means the component having the highest content (mass%) in the heat seal layer. Examples of the thermoplastic resin used to form the heat seal layer include polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylic resin, natural rubber resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ultraviolet curing varnish, etc. Among them, polyethylene is preferred as the thermoplastic resin used to form the heat seal layer. An adhesive sheet using a "heat seal layer made of a thermoplastic resin" as adhesive layer 302A can be produced, for example, as follows. A composition containing a thermoplastic resin for forming a heat seal layer is heated and melted by an extruder and extruded into a film, and one surface of this film is brought into contact with the surface of flexible substrate 302B.

[0072] The thickness of the adhesive layer 302A is selected depending on the application, but is preferably 1 μm or more and 500 μm or less, more preferably 5 μm or more and 300 μm or less, and further preferably 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0073] (Flexible base material) As the flexible base material 302B, for example, a sheet material such as a synthetic resin film, paper, nonwoven fabric, cloth, or the like can be used. Examples of the synthetic resin film include polyethylene film, polypropylene film, polybutene film, polybutadiene film, polymethylpentene film, polyvinyl chloride film, vinyl chloride copolymer film, polyethylene terephthalate film, polyethylene naphthalate film, polybutylene terephthalate film, polyurethane film, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer film, ionomer resin film, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer film, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid ester copolymer film, polystyrene film, polycarbonate film, and polyimide film. Other examples of the flexible substrate 302B include crosslinked films and laminated films of these. Examples of the paper include fine paper, recycled paper, and craft paper. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include spunbond nonwoven fabric, needle punch nonwoven fabric, melt blown nonwoven fabric, and spunlace nonwoven fabric. Examples of the cloth include woven fabric and knitted fabric. The paper, nonwoven fabric, and cloth as the flexible substrate 302B are not limited to these. The thickness of the flexible substrate 302B is not particularly limited, and is preferably 10 μm or more and 500 μm or less, more preferably 15 μm or more and 300 μm or less, and furthermore 20 μm or more and 250 μm or less.

[0074] <Release layer> The release layer 308 is provided on the surface of the adhesive layer 302A opposite to the flexible substrate 302B, as necessary. The release layer 308 is not particularly limited. For example, from the viewpoint of ease of handling, the release layer 308 preferably comprises a release substrate and a release agent layer formed by applying a release agent onto the release substrate. The release layer 308 may comprise a release agent layer on only one side of the release substrate, or may comprise a release agent layer on both sides of the release substrate. Examples of the release substrate include a paper substrate, a laminated paper obtained by laminating a thermoplastic resin (e.g., polyethylene, etc.) on a paper substrate, and a plastic film. Examples of the paper substrate include glassine paper, coated paper, and cast-coated paper. Examples of the plastic film include a polyester film (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate), and a polyolefin film (e.g., polypropylene and polyethylene). Examples of the release agent include an olefin-based resin, a rubber-based elastomer (e.g., butadiene-based resin, isoprene-based resin, etc.), a long-chain alkyl-based resin, an alkyd-based resin, a fluorine-based resin, and a silicone-based resin.

[0075] There is no particular limitation on the thickness of the peeling layer 308. The thickness of the peeling layer 308 is preferably 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and more preferably 25 μm or more and 150 μm or less. There is no particular limitation on the thickness of the release agent layer of the release layer 308. When the release agent layer is formed by applying a solution containing a release agent, the thickness of the release agent layer is preferably 0.01 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less, and more preferably 0.03 μm or more and 1.0 μm or less.

[0076] According to the third embodiment, a flexible material 300 with RFID tag having excellent flexibility and corrosion resistance is realized. Since the flexible material 302 is an adhesive sheet having an adhesive layer 302A and a flexible base material 302B, the RFID-attached flexible material 300 can be easily and detachably attached to an article. When the adhesive layer 302A contains a hot melt adhesive, the RFID-attached flexible material 300 can be easily removed from the article by remelting the hot melt adhesive. This makes it easy to respond to cases, for example, when a period for wireless communication is determined in advance, when the conditions for wireless communication are changed, and when the RFID-attached flexible material 300 needs to be replaced.

[0077] <Method for manufacturing RFID-attached flexible material according to the third embodiment> In the third embodiment, when the conductive linear body 304 is composed of only one CNT yarn, the RFID-attached flexible material 300 can be manufactured, for example, as follows. First, one prepared CNT yarn is embroidered on flexible substrate 302B so as to have the antenna shape shown in Fig. 10, thereby forming antenna portion 306. Next, adhesive layer 302A and, if necessary, release layer 308 are formed by a known method on the surface of flexible substrate 302B opposite to the surface on which antenna portion 306 is formed. Fig. 10 shows an example in which antenna portion 306 is embroidered using cross stitching.

[0078] <Use of RFID-equipped flexible material according to the third embodiment> FIG. 11 shows an example of a usage form of the RFID-affixed flexible material of the third embodiment. In the following, the state after the release layer 308 is peeled off from the RFID-attached flexible material 300 of the third embodiment is referred to as an RFID-attached adhesive sheet 300S. 11 shows a state in which the RFID adhesive sheet 300S is attached to the left chest portion of the T-shirt 310. The RFID adhesive sheet 300S is attached to the left chest portion of the T-shirt 310 by, for example, method (1) or (2). (1) When the adhesive layer 302A is a sticker-type adhesive layer, the surface of the adhesive layer 302A of the RFID-attached adhesive sheet 300S is directly attached to the left chest area of ​​the T-shirt 310. (2) When the adhesive layer 302A is a hot-melt type adhesive layer, the surface of the adhesive layer 302A of the RFID-attached adhesive sheet 300S is placed over the left chest area of ​​the T-shirt 310, and the adhesive layer 302A is melted by heating means such as an iron, and then the hot-melt type adhesive is solidified. Note that the attachment location of the RFID-attached adhesive sheet 300S is not limited to the left chest area.

[0079] [Third embodiment A] The third embodiment A of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the third embodiment, and the description of similar items will be omitted or simplified by using the same reference numerals, for example. The RFID-attached flexible material 500 according to the third embodiment A is similar to the RFID-attached flexible material 300 according to the third embodiment, except that the flexible substrate of the adhesive sheet is a thick denim fabric 502 (an example of a woven fabric), that an antenna section 506 (spiral antenna) having a spiral pattern is formed on this denim fabric 502, and that a hot melt adhesive layer 503 is provided on the surface of the denim fabric 502 opposite to the antenna section 506. The hot melt adhesive layer 503 is formed from the hot melt adhesive composition described in the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an RFID-affixed flexible material 500 according to the third embodiment A. As shown in FIG. RFID 501 is attached to RFID-equipped flexible material 500. Conductive linear body 504 includes CNT yarn. The antenna portion 506 (spiral antenna) shown in Fig. 12 is formed by embroidering a conductive linear body 504 including CNT yarn on denim fabric 502. Fig. 12 shows an example in which the antenna portion 506 is embroidered using backstitching as the embroidery technique. As the conductive linear body 504, for example, any one of the conductive linear bodies 104A to 104G of the above-mentioned aspects A to G can be used, or two or more of them can be used in combination. The RFID-equipped flexible material 500 functions as an RFID tag, for example, by attaching an IC chip to the dotted line area IC5 shown in Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, the portions where the conductive linear bodies 504 cross are configured to prevent the conductive linear bodies 504 from contacting each other by a non-conductive member (not shown).

[0080] According to the third embodiment A, the same effects as those of the third embodiment are achieved. Furthermore, the RFID-equipped flexible material 500 according to the third embodiment A can be suitably used as a patch. For example, the RFID-equipped flexible material 500 can be easily attached to an article by overlapping the surface of the adhesive layer 503 with an attachment location of the article such as clothing, a hat, or a bag, and melting the adhesive layer 503 with a heating means such as an iron. This makes it possible to provide an RFID function to an article and improve the design of the article.

[0081] [Fourth embodiment] The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of similar items will be omitted or simplified by using the same reference numerals, for example. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the RFID-equipped flexible material according to the first embodiment, except that a gel sheet is used instead of woven fabric as the flexible material, and the antenna portion has a different pattern. FIG. 13 is a plan view of an RFID-affixed flexible material 400 according to the fourth embodiment. An RFID 401 is attached to the RFID-equipped flexible material 400. The conductive linear body 404 includes a CNT yarn. In the fourth embodiment, the flexible material 402 is a gel sheet, and the RFID 401 has an antenna portion 406. FIG. 13 shows the antenna portion 406 having a spiral pattern. The antenna portion 406 is formed by chain-stitching a conductive linear body 404 containing CNT yarn to a gel sheet as the flexible material 402. As the conductive linear body 404, for example, any one of the conductive linear bodies 104A to 104G of the above-described aspects A to G can be used, or two or more thereof can be used in combination. Note that the conductive linear body 404 may be embedded in the flexible material 402 (gel sheet in the fourth embodiment). The flexible material 400 with RFID functions as an RFID tag, for example, by attaching an IC chip to the dotted-line area IC4 shown in FIG. 13.

[0082] According to the fourth embodiment, a flexible material 400 with RFID that is excellent in flexibility and has corrosion resistance is realized.

[0083] <Manufacturing method of the flexible material with RFID of the fourth embodiment> In the fourth embodiment, when the conductive linear body 404 is composed of only one CNT yarn, the flexible material 400 with RFID is manufactured by embroidering the prepared single CNT yarn on a gel sheet as the flexible material 402 so as to form the antenna shape shown in FIG. 13 to form the antenna portion 406. FIG. 13 shows an example of embroidering the antenna portion 406 using chain stitch.

[0084] <Applications of the flexible material with RFID> In the embodiments related to the flexible materials with RFID of the first to fourth embodiments and the third embodiment A, the flexible materials with RFID can be used as RFID tags by attaching IC chips. For example, the flexible material with RFID having the antenna portion formed on the completed clothing or the like can be worn as clothing or the like as it is after attaching the IC chip, and information management regarding the wearer or the like can be performed. In addition, the RFID-equipped flexible material obtained for the purpose of being attached to objects can be attached to various objects after an IC chip is installed, to manage information about the objects. The size of the RFID-attached flexible material is not particularly limited and is selected according to the purpose.

[0085] Fifth embodiment The RFID-equipped article according to the fifth embodiment is an RFID-equipped article to which an RFID-equipped flexible material according to at least any of the above embodiments is detachably attached. According to the fifth embodiment, the RFID-equipped flexible material according to the embodiment has excellent flexibility, and can be attached to various objects by following their shapes. This makes it easy to attach the RFID-equipped flexible material to objects having curved surfaces, for example. The aesthetic appearance of the object is also less likely to be marred. Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment, the RFID-equipped flexible material according to the embodiment includes a conductive linear body having corrosion resistance, and therefore the RFID function of the object can be maintained for a longer period of time.

[0086] Sixth Embodiment The manufacturing method of the RFID-attached flexible material according to the sixth embodiment is a method for manufacturing the RFID-attached flexible material according to any of the above embodiments. Specifically, the manufacturing method for a flexible material with an RFID according to the sixth embodiment is a manufacturing method for a flexible material with an RFID in which an RFID having an antenna portion is attached to a flexible material, and includes a step of forming the antenna portion using a conductive linear body including a CNT yarn. Examples of the process for forming the antenna portion include a process for forming an antenna portion by weaving, knitting, embroidering, or sewing a conductive linear body into a flexible material, and a process for forming an antenna portion by adhering a conductive linear body to a flexible material using an adhesive or other bonding means. The former process (a process for forming an antenna portion by weaving, knitting, embroidering, or sewing a conductive linear body into a flexible material) is preferred. According to the manufacturing method of the RFID-attached flexible material of the sixth embodiment, a RFID-attached flexible material having excellent flexibility and corrosion resistance is manufactured.

[0087] [Modifications of the embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes modifications and improvements within the scope of the present invention that can achieve the object of the present invention.

[0088] In the above-mentioned embodiment relating to the flexible material with RFID, the "flexible material" in the case of weaving, knitting, embroidering, or sewing the conductive linear body into the flexible material is not particularly limited as long as it is a flexible material into which the conductive linear body can be sewn. In the above-mentioned embodiment of the RFID-equipped flexible material, the flexible material is not limited to a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, an adhesive sheet having a flexible substrate, and a gel sheet. The flexible material may be any of the flexible materials exemplified above. Among them, the flexible material is preferably a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a felt, a paper, a gel sheet, or an adhesive sheet using a sheet material (e.g., a synthetic resin film, etc.) as a flexible substrate. The flexible material is also preferably an adhesive sheet using paper, a nonwoven fabric, or a cloth as a flexible substrate. The flexible material may be a commercially available product or may be manufactured by a known manufacturing method. However, the adhesive sheet is preferably configured as described in the third embodiment or the third embodiment A. When the RFID-equipped flexible material of the first, second and fourth embodiments is used by attaching it to an article, the RFID-equipped flexible material can be used by providing an attachment means at any location. Also, the attachment means may be provided on the side of the article. The attachment means is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, various buttons (e.g., snap buttons, etc.), double-sided tape, hook-and-loop fasteners, pins, threads, etc. As the pressure-sensitive adhesive, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer described in the third embodiment may be used. In the RFID-equipped flexible material of the above embodiment, the antenna portion formed using the conductive linear body may be an antenna portion formed by adhering the conductive linear body to the flexible material using an adhesive or the like. EXAMPLES

[0089] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, although the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0090] [Preparation of Conductive Linear Body] <Example 1-1> A multi-walled CNT forest formed on a silicon wafer was prepared. CNTs were pulled out from the side of the CNT forest in a sheet shape, and this sheet-like CNT was twisted to obtain a single CNT yarn. Eight of these CNT yarns were twisted together to obtain a yarn bundle of CNT yarns. This was used as the conductive linear body of Example 1-1. The major axis diameter of this yarn bundle of CNT yarns was 30 μm.

[0091] <Comparative Example 1-1> A silver-plated nylon thread (Shieldex 33 / 10 dtex (product number) manufactured by Statex) was prepared and used as the conductive linear body of Comparative Example 1-1. The average diameter of this conductive linear body was 60 μm. The average diameter was determined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) by the following method. Specifically, the diameters of the cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conductive linear body were determined at a total of three points, 1 cm from each end of the conductive linear body and at the center, and the average value was determined. The same applies below.

[0092] <Comparative Example 1-2> A copper wire was prepared as the conductive linear body of Comparative Example 1-2. The conductive linear body had an average diameter of 50 μm.

[0093] [Rating 1] The conductive linear bodies of Example 1-1 and Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2 were cut with a cutter to prepare test pieces with a length of about 10 cm. The test pieces were used to measure the linear resistance and to carry out a bending test. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0094] <Line resistance> The line resistance of the conductive linear body was measured as follows. First, silver paste was applied to both ends of the conductive linear body, and the resistance between the silver pastes was measured to obtain the resistance value (unit: Ω) of the conductive linear body. The obtained resistance value was then divided by the distance between the silver pastes (7 cm) to calculate the linear resistance [Ω / cm] of the conductive linear body.

[0095] <Bending test (flexion test)> The bending test was carried out using a bending tester 50 shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 14, a test piece 52 was attached between a pair of mandrels 56 (shaft diameter D = 0.3 mm), and a weight 54 with a load of 50 MPa was suspended below the test piece 52. Next, the test piece 52 was moved along the pair of mandrels 56 while being bent in the left and right directions at a bending angle A° = ±90°. While repeatedly bending, a constant current of 100 µA was applied to both ends of the test piece 52, and the number of bendings at which the line resistance decreased by 50% compared to the start of the test was evaluated as bending fatigue from the change in the resistance value of the test piece 52. The bending speed was 15 Hz, and the number of bending cycles was one round trip in the left and right direction.

[0096] [Table 1]

[0097] The conductive linear body of Example 1-1 was significantly superior in bending fatigue resistance to the conductive linear bodies of Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2. Therefore, by forming an antenna part in a flexible material using the conductive linear body including the CNT yarn of Example 1-1, a flexible material with an RFID having excellent flexibility can be realized. In addition, the conductive linear body of Example 1-1 has better corrosion resistance than the conductive linear body made of copper wire of Comparative Example 1-2, so it is considered that by forming an RFID using the conductive linear body of Example 1-1, the RFID function can be imparted for a longer period of time. This is also inferred from the fact that the resistance of the conductive linear body knitted into the test knitted fabric of Example 2-1 hardly changed even after 20 washing cycles in the washing test described below.

[0098] [Preparation of flexible material with conductive wires] <Example 2-1> A test knitted fabric 60 shown in FIG. 15 was produced as a flexible material with conductive linear members. The resulting test fabric 60 had the following configuration: Size of test fabric 60: width 20mm x length 110mm Thickness of test fabric 60: approx. 500 μm Size of each electrode (area where the rectangular conductive linear body 66A is woven at both ends of the conductive linear body 66) 64: 8 mm x 8 mm Distance between a pair of electrodes 64 (symbol d in FIG. 15): 70 mm

[0099] First, an elastic yarn (stretchable yarn) made of polyester-covered polyurethane fiber was stretched and knitted to produce knitted fabric 62 (width 20 mm x length 110 mm, thickness: approximately 500 μm) as shown in FIG. 15. Next, the conductive linear body 66 (a yarn bundle of eight twisted CNT yarns) produced in Example 1-1 was woven between the stitches of the knitted fabric 62 in a substantially straight line in the knitting direction. 15, at both ends of the conductive linear body 66 woven in a substantially linear shape, conductive linear bodies identical to the woven conductive linear body 66 are repeatedly bent and woven into a quadrangular shape on the same surface of the knitted fabric 62. The two regions where the quadrangular conductive linear body 66A is woven are used as a pair of electrodes 64.

[0100] <Comparative Example 2-1> A test knitted fabric of Comparative Example 2-1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2-1, except that a silver-plated polyester yarn (ODEX40 / 2 sold by Osaka Electric Industry Co., Ltd.) was used instead of the conductive linear body used in Example 2-1.

[0101] [Evaluation 2] A stretch test was carried out using the test knitted fabrics of Example 2-1 and Comparative Example 2-1. The results are shown in Figure 16.

[0102] <Stretch test> The stretch test was carried out in the following manner. First, the test knitted fabric 60 of Example 2-1 shown in Fig. 15 was stretched by 60% of the length of the test knitted fabric 60, and then contracted until it returned to its original state. This stretching operation was performed 1,000 times, 10,000 times, and 100,000 times at a reciprocating cycle of 1 Hz, and the resistance value of the conductive linear body 66 (the resistance value between a pair of electrodes 64 in Fig. 15) before and after the stretching operation was measured for each number of times. The stretching operation was performed by stretching the test knitted fabric 60 in the longitudinal direction. The resistance value of the conductive linear bodies of the test knitted fabric of Comparative Example 2-1 was measured in the same manner as in Example 2-1.

[0103] The resistance value RA (Ω) of the conductive linear body 66 before stretching the test knitted fabric, and the resistance value RB (Ω) of the conductive linear body 66 at 0% elongation after each stretch test (1,000 times, 10,000 times, 100,000 times) were measured. Note that the resistance value RA (Ω) of the conductive linear body 66 before stretching the test knitted fabric 60 means the resistance value when the number of stretches is 0. Then, the "resistance value (relative value) of the conductive linear body before and after expansion and contraction" is calculated using the following formula. Formula: Resistance value (relative value) of the conductive linear body before and after stretching = RB / RA

[0104] 16, in Example 2-1, the resistance value of the conductive linear body 66 hardly changed even after stretching 100,000 times. That is, the test knitted fabric 60 of Example 2-1 was significantly superior in stretchability to the test knitted fabric of Comparative Example 2-1. Therefore, by forming an antenna section on a flexible material using a conductive linear body including CNT yarn, a flexible material with an RFID tag that has excellent flexibility can be realized.

[0105] [Rating 3] A washing test was carried out using the test knitted fabrics of Example 2-1 and Comparative Example 2-1. The results are shown in Figure 17.

[0106] <Washing test> The wash test was conducted in accordance with the method prescribed by the AATCC Committee RA 111. Specifically, the wash test was conducted in the same manner as the method prescribed by RA 111, except that a digital multimeter (DMM) with a resolution of 0.1 Ω and an accuracy of 0.9% was used for resistance measurement instead of a volt-ohmmeter (VOM) with an accuracy of 0.1%. The test knitted fabric 60 was subjected to 1 to 20 washing cycles, and the resistance value of the conductive linear body 66 (the resistance value between the electrodes 64 in FIG. 15) was measured before and after each washing cycle. The resistance value of the conductive linear bodies of the test knitted fabric of Comparative Example 2-1 was measured in the same manner as in Example 2-1. The resistance value of the conductive linear body was measured in the same manner as described in the above-mentioned stretch test. The resistance value RC (Ω) of the conductive linear body of the test knitted fabric before washing and the resistance value RD (Ω) of the conductive linear body after washing were measured, and the "resistance value (relative value) of the conductive linear body before and after washing" was calculated using the following formula. Formula: Resistance value (relative value) of conductive linear body before and after washing = RD / RC

[0107] 17, in Example 2-1, the resistance of the conductive linear body 66 did not change even after 20 washing cycles. That is, the test knitted fabric 60 of Example 2-1 was superior in washing resistance to the test knitted fabric of Comparative Example 2-1. Therefore, by producing an RFID tag using a conductive linear body containing CNT yarn on a flexible material, it is possible to realize a flexible material with an RFID tag that also has excellent washing resistance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1...CNT yarn, 2, 2A...yarn bundle, 4...resin, 4A, 4B...fiber-shaped resin, 50...bending tester, 52...test piece, 54...weight, 56...pair of mandrels, 60...test fabric, 62...fabric, 64...pair of electrodes, 66, 66A...conductive wire, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500...flexible material with RFID, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501...RFID, 102, 202, 302, 402...flexible material, 102A...warp, 102B... weft, 104, 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, 104E, 104F, 104G, 204, 304, 404, 504... conductive linear body, 106, 206, 306, 406, 506... antenna portion, 302A, 503... adhesive layer, 300S... RFID-attached adhesive sheet, 302B... flexible substrate, 308... peeling layer, 310... T-shirt, 502... denim fabric, IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4, IC5... dotted area.

Claims

1. A flexible material with an RFID attached thereto, The RFID has an antenna unit, the antenna portion is formed of a conductive linear body including a carbon nanotube yarn, The carbon nanotube yarn is a yarn bundle formed by bundling a plurality of carbon nanotube yarns or a single carbon nanotube yarn, When the carbon nanotube yarn is the yarn bundle, The major axis diameter of a cross section perpendicular to the major axis direction of the yarn bundle is 7 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, When the carbon nanotube yarn is a single carbon nanotube yarn, The diameter of the single carbon nanotube yarn is 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less. Flexible material with RFID.

2. The conductive linear body is twisted. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to claim 1.

3. The conductive linear body contains a resin. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The resin is a filamentous resin, The filamentous resin and the yarn bundle or the single carbon nanotube yarn are twisted together. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to claim 3.

5. At least a portion of the outer periphery of the yarn bundle or the single carbon nanotube yarn is coated with the resin. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to claim 3.

6. The resin is a thermoplastic resin or a curable resin. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The conductive linear body further includes a conductive material. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The conductive material is a carbon material. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to claim 7.

9. The antenna portion is formed by weaving, knitting, embroidering, or sewing the conductive linear body into the flexible material. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The flexible material is a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a felt, a paper, a gel sheet, or an adhesive sheet having a flexible substrate; The RFID-equipped flexible material according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Removably attached to the article; The RFID-equipped flexible material according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The flexible material has an adhesive layer that removably adheres to an article. The RFID-equipped flexible material according to claim 11.

13. An article with RFID to which the flexible material with RFID according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is detachably attached.

14. A method for manufacturing a flexible material with an RFID tag, the method comprising the steps of: forming the antenna portion on the flexible material using a conductive linear body including a carbon nanotube yarn; The step of forming the antenna portion includes: The conductive linear body is woven, knitted, embroidered or sewn into the flexible material; or a step of adhering the conductive linear body to the flexible material using an adhesive means; The carbon nanotube yarn is a yarn bundle formed by bundling a plurality of carbon nanotube yarns or a single carbon nanotube yarn, When the carbon nanotube yarn is the yarn bundle, The major axis diameter of a cross section perpendicular to the major axis direction of the yarn bundle is 7 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, When the carbon nanotube yarn is a single carbon nanotube yarn, The diameter of the single carbon nanotube yarn is 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less. A method for manufacturing flexible materials with RFID tags.

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