Glass film manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing a glass film that can prevent deterioration in workability and accurately cut a mother glass film along a planned cutting line without scratching a top face of the glass film.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing a glass film G cuts a mother glass film MG by forming an initial crack D in a part of a planned cutting line L1 of the mother glass film MG while imparting bending stress to the planned cutting line L1 and causing the initial crack D to progress along the planned cutting line L1, wherein the mother glass film MG is placed so as to form a protruding part B that is a part where an end A of the mother glass film protrudes, on a surface plate 2 that generates a negative pressure sucking force on a side of a top face 2a, and the planned cutting line L1 is provided in the protruding part B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a glass film. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, flat panel displays such as liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, organic electroluminescence displays, and field emission displays have come to be used as image display devices for television receivers and the like, replacing the previously popular CRT type displays. In reality, the plate glass used in these flat panel displays is being made thinner.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a glass film (thin glass sheet) having a thickness of several hundred μm or less. As described in Patent Document 1, a method for manufacturing a glass film includes a method in which, while applying a tensile stress (bending stress) to a planned cutting line of a glass film (mother glass film), an initial crack is formed in a part of the planned cutting line, and the initial crack is caused to progress along the planned cutting line to cut the glass film.

[0004] For example, the glass film described in Patent Document 1 is cut by a glass film cutting device equipped with a conveying roller for conveying the glass film. The glass film cutting device is configured so that an end of the glass film hangs down by its own weight when cutting the glass film. As a result, a tensile stress acts on the planned cutting line, and if an initial crack is formed in a part of the planned cutting line, the initial crack will progress along the planned cutting line, and the glass film can be cut. Such a glass film cutting device is not provided with a holding member for holding the attitude of the glass film, but Patent Document 1 discloses another glass film cutting device equipped with a pressing member for pressing the glass film from above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-121791 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The glass film cutting device equipped with the above-mentioned conveying roller is not provided with a holding member, and therefore it is not possible to hold the posture of the mother glass film before and after cutting, and there is a risk that the mother glass film cannot be cut accurately along the planned cutting line. In addition, when the mother glass film is held by the above-mentioned pressing member, the mother glass film needs to be positioned so that the pressing member presses it from above, and there is a risk that the workability may be reduced. In addition, since the mother glass film is pressed from above, there is a risk that the upper surface of the glass film may be scratched. Therefore, there has been a demand for a glass film manufacturing method that can prevent the workability from being reduced and accurately cut the mother glass film along the planned cutting line without scratching the upper surface of the mother glass film.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a glass film that prevents a decrease in workability and enables a mother glass film to be cut with high accuracy along a planned cutting line without damaging the upper surface of the glass film. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above, and the means for solving this problem will now be described.

[0009] In other words, the glass film manufacturing method of the present invention is a glass film manufacturing method in which an initial crack is formed on a part of a planned cutting line of a mother glass film while applying a bending stress to the planned cutting line, and the initial crack is caused to extend along the planned cutting line to cut the mother glass film, characterized in that the mother glass film is placed on a base plate that generates negative pressure suction force on the upper surface side so that a protruding portion, which is a protruding portion of an end of the mother glass film, is formed, and the planned cutting line is provided on the protruding portion.

[0010] According to the glass film manufacturing method of the present invention, the mother glass film is not pressed from above by a pressing member or the like, but is instead adsorbed on a surface plate to maintain the orientation of the mother glass film before and after cutting. This prevents deterioration of workability and allows the mother glass film to be cut with high accuracy along the planned cutting line without scratching the upper surface of the glass film.

[0011] In the method for producing a glass film according to the present invention, it is preferable that the initial crack is formed at an end portion of the planned cutting line.

[0012] According to the method for producing a glass film of the present invention, it is possible to form an initial crack from the side of the mother glass film, thereby preventing the mother glass film from being pressed and broken from above when the initial crack is formed, thereby preventing chipping.

[0013] In addition, in the method for producing a glass film according to the present invention, it is preferable that the mother glass film is bent by the bending stress, and the initial crack is propagated by pressing against a concave side of the bent mother glass film.

[0014] According to the method for producing a glass film of the present invention, the concave side of the mother glass film to be bent is disposed as the lower surface of the glass film, so that the upper surface of the mother glass film is not pressed, thereby making it possible to prevent the mother glass film from being broken by being pressed from above and to prevent the upper surface of the glass film from being scratched.

[0015] In addition, in the glass film manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that a crack forming member forms the initial crack on a part of the planned cutting line, and the crack forming member is guided by a guide portion to a position where the initial crack is formed.

[0016] According to such a method for producing a glass film of the present invention, it is easy to form an initial crack in a part of the planned cutting line, and therefore the mother glass film can be cut with high accuracy along the planned cutting line.

[0017] In the method for producing a glass film according to the present invention, it is preferable that a holding member is disposed on a concave side of the protruding portion that is bent by the bending stress.

[0018] According to the method for producing a glass film of the present invention, the protruding portion is bent so as to follow the holding member, and therefore the mother glass film can be cut accurately along the holding member.

[0019] In the method for producing a glass film according to the present invention, it is preferable that a slit is formed at an end portion of the holding member.

[0020] According to the method for producing a glass film of the present invention, by inserting the crack-forming member into the slit, it is easy to form an initial crack in a part of the planned cutting line, and therefore the mother glass film can be cut accurately along the planned cutting line.

[0021] In addition, in the method for manufacturing a glass film according to the present invention, it is preferable that a positioning member is provided on the base plate, and the mother glass film is positioned on the base plate by abutting the mother glass film against the positioning member.

[0022] According to such a method for producing a glass film of the present invention, it becomes easy to cut the mother glass film at a predetermined position, and therefore it becomes easy to cut the mother glass film to a predetermined dimension.

[0023] In the glass film manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that a cutting guide line serving as a marker for the planned cutting line is displayed on the holding member.

[0024] According to such a method for producing a glass film of the present invention, it is easy to cut the mother glass film along the planned cutting line, and therefore the mother glass film can be cut accurately along the planned cutting line.

[0025] In addition, in the glass film manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the mother glass film can be cut by propagating the initial crack along the planned cutting line on both sides of the base plate.

[0026] According to the method for producing a glass film of the present invention, the dimension between the planned cutting lines on both sides of the base plate is a predetermined dimension, and therefore the mother glass film can be cut to the predetermined dimension.

[0027] In addition, in the method for producing a glass film according to the present invention, it is preferable to lay a replaceable protective sheet on the platen, and place the mother glass film on the protective sheet.

[0028] According to the glass film manufacturing method of the present invention, by placing a replaceable protective sheet on the base plate, even if glass powder flies up onto the base plate after cutting, the glass powder will adhere to the protective sheet, and the glass powder can be easily removed from the base plate by replacing the protective sheet. Effect of the Invention

[0029] The present invention has the following advantages. That is, according to the method for producing a glass film in the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in workability and to cut the mother glass film with high accuracy along the planned cutting line without damaging the upper surface of the glass film. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a platen on which the mother glass film is placed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a glass film cutting device for illustrating the glass film manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining placement of a glass film on a surface plate, in which (a) is a schematic plan view, (b) is a schematic side view, and (c) is a schematic front view. [Figure 4] 5A, 5B, and 5C are schematic diagrams for explaining downward pressing of a protruding portion, in which (a) is a schematic plan view, (b) is a schematic side view, and (c) is a schematic front view. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the formation of an initial crack, in which (a) is a schematic plan view, (b) is a schematic side view, and (c) is a schematic front view. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view for explaining the progress of an initial crack. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a glass film cutting device for illustrating a glass film manufacturing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the formation of an initial crack, in which (a) is a schematic plan view, (b) is a schematic side view, and (c) is a schematic front view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] In the method for producing the glass film G, the mother glass film MG is cut using a glass film cutting device 1. The thickness of the mother glass film MG (glass film G) is preferably 10 μm to 200 μm.

[0033] The configuration of the glass film cutting device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 5. The glass film cutting device 1 mainly includes a surface plate 2, a crack forming member 3, a guide member 4, a holding member 5, and a positioning member 6. In this embodiment, the mother glass film MG to be cut has a rectangular shape.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the base plate 2 is a plate on which the mother glass film MG is placed. The base plate 2 has, for example, a rectangular upper surface 2a, and a plurality of suction holes 2b are provided on the upper surface 2a. The suction holes 2b are each connected to a negative pressure device (not shown), and the inside of the suction holes 2b is maintained at a negative pressure by the negative pressure device. Therefore, the mother glass film MG placed on the upper surface 2a of the base plate 2 is held on the base plate 2 by the negative pressure suction force generated by the suction holes 2b. When the upper surface 2a of the base plate 2 is formed of a porous body, the suction holes 2b may not be provided. The mother glass film MG is placed on the base plate 2 so that a protruding portion B, which is a portion where an end A of the mother glass film MG protrudes from the base plate 2, is formed.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the crack forming member 3 forms an initial crack D in a part of the planned cutting line L1 of the mother glass film MG. The crack forming member 3 forms the initial crack D, for example, at an end E of the planned cutting line L1. The crack forming member 3 is, for example, a rod-shaped file. It is preferable that the crack forming member 3 has a tapered shape. In this way, by moving the crack forming member 3 from below to above, it is possible to cut the end E of the planned cutting line L1 without contacting the upper surface 2a side of the mother glass film MG. Note that the direction in which the crack forming member 3 moves is not limited as long as it is a direction in which the initial crack D can be formed.

[0036] The guide member 4 guides the crack-forming member 3 to a position where an initial crack D is to be formed. The guide member 4 is provided at one end 5a of the holding member 5. The guide member 4 is, for example, plate-shaped, and is provided so that the side surface that guides the crack-forming member 3 is vertical. The guide member 4 is disposed so that the end E of the planned cutting line L1 is located above the side surface that guides the crack-forming member 3. Therefore, the crack-forming member 3 can slide along the side surface of the guide member 4 that guides the crack-forming member 3, and form an initial crack D at the end E of the planned cutting line L1.

[0037] The holding member 5 guides the protruding portion B of the mother glass film MG downward. As shown in FIG. 2, the holding member 5 is disposed below the protruding portion B of the mother glass film MG and is provided parallel to the side surface of the base plate 2. The holding member 5 is disposed at a position lower than the upper surface 2a of the base plate 2, and is configured so that the mother glass film MG adsorbed to the suction hole 2b of the base plate 2 is not easily peeled off. The holding member 5 is, for example, a member having a sector shape in cross section extending to one side, and is disposed so that the curved outer peripheral surface is aligned with the protruding portion B of the mother glass film MG bent in a convex shape. Note that the holding member 5 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be, for example, a member having an arc shape in cross section extending to one side. Alternatively, the holding member 5 may be a hollow cylinder (pipe) or a solid cylinder. Alternatively, the holding member 5 may be composed of a plurality of rollers having a smaller diameter than the above-mentioned cylinder. In this case, the rollers are arranged in the curved direction so that their outer peripheral surfaces are aligned with the protruding portion B of the mother glass film MG bent in a convex shape. The rollers are each rotatable around an axis parallel to the side surface of the base plate 2, and friction with the protruding portion B of the mother glass film MG can be reduced. The holding member 5 is preferably made of a resin material, and if made of metal, a foamed resin sheet is preferably provided to cover the outer periphery. The holding member 5 has a cutting guide line L2, which serves as a marker for the planned cutting line L1, displayed along the axial direction of the holding member 5. The cutting guide line L2 is displayed in the center of the holding member 5, but may be displayed across both ends of the holding member 5, and its length is not limited. The holding member 5 is not necessarily required, and as shown in FIG. 1, the protruding portion B of the mother glass film MG may be pressed by its own weight or downward to apply bending stress to the planned cutting line L1 without using the holding member 5.

[0038] The above-mentioned guide member 4 and holding member 5 are provided on both sides facing each other across the base plate 2. That is, on both sides facing each other across the base plate 2, the guide member 4 guides the crack-forming member 3 to form an initial crack D at the end E of the planned cutting line L1, and the holding member 5 guides the protruding portion B of the mother glass film MG downward. That is, due to the reaction of gravity, the protruding portion B of the mother glass film MG is pressed upward by the holding member 5.

[0039] The positioning member 6 is for determining the position of the mother glass film MG placed on the base plate 2. The positioning member 6 is configured so that an end C of the mother glass film MG adjacent to an end A of the mother glass film MG comes into contact with the positioning member 6, thereby determining the position of the mother glass film MG. The positioning member 6 is provided on an upper part of a side surface of the base plate 2 perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding member 5. The positioning member 6 is configured so that the position of the mother glass film MG is determined so that the end C of the mother glass film MG protrudes from the end 5a of the holding member 5. The protrusion width of the end C of the mother glass film MG from the end 5a of the holding member 5 is preferably 1 mm to 10 mm. The positioning member 6 is, for example, plate-shaped, and is provided so that the side surface with which the mother glass film MG comes into contact is vertical.

[0040] Next, a method for cutting the glass film G using the glass film cutting device 1 configured as above will be described.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, first, the worker places the mother glass film MG on the base plate 2 so that a protruding portion B is formed. At this time, the worker can position the mother glass film MG by abutting an end C of the mother glass film MG against a positioning member 6. The mother glass film MG is held on the base plate 2 by a plurality of suction holes 2b. The mother glass film MG is positioned by the positioning member 6 so that the mother glass film MG protrudes from the end 5a of the holding member 5 to an extent that the crack-forming member 3 can abut against it from the side.

[0042] According to such a method for producing the glass film G of the present invention, the mother glass film MG is not pressed from above with a pressing member or the like, but is instead adsorbed on the platen 2 to maintain the posture of the mother glass film MG before and after cutting. This prevents a decrease in workability and enables the mother glass film MG to be cut with high precision along the planned cutting line L1 without scratching the upper surface of the glass film G. In addition, it is easy to cut the mother glass film MG at a predetermined position. Therefore, it is easy to cut the mother glass film MG to a predetermined dimension. For example, it is easy to cut the mother glass film MG in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the end C of the mother glass film MG.

[0043] 4, the worker then presses the protruding portion B downward so that the planned cutting line L1 and the cutting guide line L2 coincide (see arrow F). As the protruding portion B moves downward, the holding member 5 presses the concave side of the mother glass film MG upward along the portion where the cutting guide line L2 is indicated. As a result, the mother glass film MG is bent into a convex shape to follow the holding member 5.

[0044] According to such a method for producing the glass film G of the present invention, the upper surface of the mother glass film MG is not pressed by the holding member 5. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the upper surface of the glass film G from being scratched. Moreover, the protruding portion B is bent so as to follow the shape of the holding member 5. Therefore, the mother glass film MG can be cut with high precision along the portion where the cutting guide line L2 is indicated. In addition, it is easy to cut the mother glass film MG along the planned cutting line L1, so that the mother glass film MG can be cut accurately along the planned cutting line L1.

[0045] 5, next, in a state in which the mother glass film MG is bent in a convex shape to follow the holding member 5, i.e., in a state in which bending stress is applied to the planned cutting line L1, the worker forms an initial crack D at an end E of the planned cutting line L1, which is a position guided by the guide member 4. Specifically, the worker moves the crack-forming member 3 from below to above to cut the end E of the planned cutting line L1 (see arrow H).

[0046] 6, when an initial crack D is formed, a tearing force caused by stress concentration of the bending stress due to the bending stress acting on the planned cutting line L1 acts on the tip of the initial crack D, and the initial crack D continuously advances along the planned cutting line L1. As a result, the mother glass film MG is cut along the planned cutting line L1.

[0047] According to such a method for producing the glass film G of the present invention, the initial crack D is formed from the side of the mother glass film MG. Therefore, when the initial crack D is formed, it is possible to prevent the mother glass film MG from being pressed and broken from above, resulting in chipping. In addition, it becomes easy to form the initial crack D at the end E of the planned cutting line L1. Therefore, the mother glass film MG can be cut with high precision along the planned cutting line L1.

[0048] As described above, the holding member 5 and the guide member 4 are provided on both sides facing each other across the base plate 2. Therefore, the worker can cut the mother glass film MG along the planned cutting line L1 on both sides sandwiching the base plate 2 therebetween.

[0049] According to such a method for producing the glass film G of the present invention, the distance between the planned cutting lines L1 on both sides of the platen 2 is a predetermined distance. Therefore, the mother glass film MG can be cut to have the predetermined distance.

[0050] In the above embodiment, a method performed by a worker is exemplified, but the method of the present invention is not limited to being performed by a worker. For example, the method may be performed by a mechanical device such as a robot instead of a worker.

[0051] Next, a method for producing a glass film G according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Hereinafter, the names and symbols used in the description of the method for producing a glass film G according to the first embodiment will be used to indicate the same things. Here, the description will be centered on differences from the method for producing a glass film G according to the first embodiment.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the holding member 5 has a slit 5b formed at the end 5a of the holding member 5. The slit 5b is formed so that a groove parallel to the axial direction of the holding member 5 penetrates vertically, and has a dimension that allows the crack-forming member 3 to be inserted vertically. The mother glass film MG is arranged so that the end E of the planned cutting line L1 is located above the slit 5b. Therefore, the crack-forming member 3 can form an initial crack D at the end E of the planned cutting line L1 in a state where it is inserted into the slit 5b. In this embodiment, since the slit 5b is formed, the cutting guide line L2 provided on the holding member 5 may be omitted.

[0053] Next, a method for cutting the glass film G using the glass film cutting device 1 configured as above will be described.

[0054] 8, the worker forms an initial crack D at an end E of the planned cutting line L1, which is a position guided by the slit 5b, in a state in which the mother glass film MG is bent in a convex shape to follow the holding member 5, i.e., in a state in which bending stress is applied to the planned cutting line L1 of the mother glass film MG. Specifically, the worker, with the crack-forming member 3 inserted into the slit 5b, moves the crack-forming member 3 from below to above to cut the end E of the planned cutting line L1 (see arrow J). At this time, it is preferable to guide the crack-forming member 3 using the inner surface 5c of the slit 5b as a guide portion.

[0055] According to such a manufacturing method of the glass film G of the present invention, by inserting the crack-forming member 3 into the slit 5b and cutting the mother glass film MG, it becomes easy to form the initial crack D at the end E of the planned cutting line L1. Therefore, the mother glass film MG can be cut with high accuracy along the planned cutting line L1.

[0056] After both ends of the mother glass film MG are cut by the glass film cutting device 1 according to the second embodiment, the ends of the mother glass film MG formed by cutting can be brought into contact with the positioning member 6, and both ends of the mother glass film MG can be cut by the glass film cutting device 1 according to the first embodiment. This allows the mother glass film MG to be cut on all four sides into a rectangular shape of predetermined dimensions.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the mother glass film MG is placed directly on the upper surface 2a of the base plate 2, but a protective sheet (not shown) may be laid on the upper surface 2a of the base plate 2, and the mother glass film MG may be placed on the protective sheet. After the mother glass film MG is cut, minute glass powder may fly up and adhere to the upper surface 2a of the base plate 2. If the next mother glass film MG is placed with the glass powder adhered to the upper surface 2a of the base plate 2 and the mother glass film MG is sucked, the mother glass film MG may be pressed by the glass powder, which may cause scratches on the surface of the mother glass film MG. Even in such a case, the glass powder can be easily removed by replacing the protective sheet.

[0058] As the protective sheet laid on the upper surface 2a of the base plate 2, a slip sheet, a resin film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film, or a foamed resin sheet such as a polyethylene foam sheet can be suitably used. In particular, it is preferable to use a foamed resin sheet as the protective sheet because it has cushioning properties. When using a non-breathable protective sheet such as a resin film or a foamed resin sheet, it is preferable to form holes in the protective sheet so that the base plate 2 can suck the mother glass film MG. The holes formed in the protective sheet are preferably holes having a diameter of 1 mm to 5 mm and spaced at intervals of 10 mm to 50 mm. The protective sheet may protrude from the upper surface 2a of the base plate 2, but it is preferable that the protective sheet is not laid on the holding member 5 in order to maintain good cuttability of the mother glass film MG.

[0059] The above-mentioned embodiment is merely a representative embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the embodiment. It goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes the equivalent meanings of the claims, as well as all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Glass film cutting device 2. Surface Plate 2a Top surface of surface plate 3. Crack forming material 4 Guide member 5 Retaining member 5a End of holding member 5b Slit 6 Positioning member A Edge of the mother glass film B Protruding part C Edge of mother glass film D Initial crack G Glass Film L1 Cutting line L2 cutting guide line MG Mother Glass Film

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a glass film, comprising the steps of: applying a bending stress to a planned cutting line of a mother glass film; forming an initial crack in a part of the planned cutting line; and causing the initial crack to propagate along the planned cutting line to cut the mother glass film, The mother glass film is placed on a base plate that generates a negative pressure suction force on the upper surface side thereof so that a protruding portion, which is a portion where an end of the mother glass film protrudes from the base plate, is formed, and the planned cutting line is provided on the protruding portion; a bending stress is applied to the planned cutting line by bending the protruding portion so as to conform to a holding member that is disposed below the protruding portion and at a position lower than the upper surface of the base plate; A method for producing a glass film comprising the steps of:

2. A crack forming member forms the initial crack on a part of the planned cutting line, The initial crack is formed at an end of the planned cutting line. The method for producing a glass film according to claim 1 .

3. The bending stress causes the mother glass film to bend, The initial crack is propagated by pressing the crack forming member against the concave side of the bent mother glass film. The method for producing a glass film according to claim 2 .

4. The crack forming member is guided to a position where the initial crack is formed by a guide portion provided at one end of the holding member. The method for producing a glass film according to claim 2 or 3 .

5. A slit into which the crack-forming member is inserted is formed at an end of the holding member. The method for producing a glass film according to claim 2 or 3 .

6. The retaining member has a curved outer peripheral surface, The holding member is disposed so that the outer circumferential surface is aligned with the protruding portion of the mother glass film. The method for producing a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A positioning member is provided on the base plate, When the mother glass film abuts against the positioning member, the position of the mother glass film on the base plate is determined such that an end of the mother glass film protrudes from an end of the holding member. The method for producing a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

8. A cutting guide line serving as a marker for the intended cutting line is displayed on the holding member. The method for producing a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

9. The holding members are disposed on both sides of the base plate. The method for producing a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

10. A replaceable protective sheet is laid on the surface plate; The mother glass film is placed on the protective sheet. The method for producing a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

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