Printed matter and display device

Abstract

A printed matter comprising a translucent tactile imparting layer, a translucent printing base material, and a pattern printing layer, the pattern printing layer containing a plurality of interference pearl pigments.

Description

Printed matter, and display device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to printed matter and a display device.

[0002] There is known a printed matter including a translucent printing substrate and a pattern printing layer (for example, Patent Document 1). In this printed matter, the pattern printing layer has a first color pattern layer and a second color pattern layer, and by turning off / on a light source disposed behind the printed matter, the visible pattern can be changed. That is, when the light source is off, the pattern printed on the pattern printing layer is visible, and when the light source is on, the transmitted light from the pattern printing layer is visible as a pattern different from the above pattern.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-080486

[0004] In Patent Document 1, by using the interference light generated by the above pattern layer, a three-dimensional pattern is realized even when the light source is off, and it can be said that it is an excellent printed matter visually. On the other hand, there is room for improvement from the tactile viewpoint such as touch and feel.

[0005] The present disclosure is for solving the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a printed matter capable of displaying a three-dimensional pattern and having a tactile effect. The present disclosure also aims to provide a display device including the printed matter.

[0006] The printed matter according to the present disclosure includes, as one side, a translucent tactile-imparting layer, a translucent printing substrate, and a pattern printing layer, and the pattern printing layer includes a plurality of interference pearl pigments, the printed matter.

[0007] The display device according to the present disclosure includes the above-described printed matter and a light source provided on the pattern printing layer side of the printed matter.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a printed matter and a display device capable of displaying a three-dimensional pattern and having a tactile effect.

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to the first-first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pattern printing layer of the display device shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printed material according to the first-second embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the white pattern layer of the printed material shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printed material according to the first-third embodiment. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printed material according to the first-fourth embodiment. Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pattern printing layer of a display device according to the second-first embodiment. Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pattern printing layer of a display device according to the third-first embodiment. Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pattern printing layer of a display device according to the fourth-first embodiment. Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to the fifth-first embodiment. Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printed material according to the fifth-second embodiment. Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printed material according to the fifth-third embodiment. Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a printed material according to the 5th-4th embodiment. Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a display device according to a modified example. Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a specific structure of the pattern layer. Figure 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative panel according to a modified example. Figure 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative panel according to a modified example.

[0010] [First Disclosure] The first disclosure relates to a printed material that can express a three-dimensional image even with a small number of printing layers, simplifies color matching and registration work during printing, and has a tactile effect.

[0011] This disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a printed article comprising a translucent tactile layer, a translucent printing substrate, and a pattern printing layer. In this printed article, the pattern printing layer is provided on one surface of the translucent printing substrate and comprises a first color pattern layer composed of a plurality of first color dots, and a second color pattern layer provided on the first color pattern layer and composed of a plurality of second color dots. In this printed material, each of the multiple first-color dots contains a first-color binder and multiple first-color pigment chips dispersed within the first-color binder, and each of the multiple second-color dots contains a second-color binder and multiple second-color pigment chips dispersed within the second-color binder. Either one of the multiple first-color pigment chips or the multiple second-color pigment chips is a multi-color first interference pigment that generates different first interference light from each other, and the other of the multiple first-color pigment chips or the multiple second-color pigment chips is a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light different from the color mixing shown by the multiple first interference pigments, and the multiple first interference light and the second interference light are additively mixed. In addition, in this printed material, the translucent tactile layer is provided on the other surface of the translucent printing substrate.

[0012] In this printed material, either the first-color pattern layer or the second-color pattern layer contains multiple interference pigments that generate different interference light from each other, thus enabling the creation of three-dimensional images even with a small number of printing layers. Furthermore, in this printed material, only one of the first-color pattern layer or the second-color pattern layer needs to contain the interference pigments that generate multiple interference light, thus simplifying color matching and registration work during printing. Therefore, this printed material allows for the creation of three-dimensional images even with a small number of printing layers, and simplifies color matching and registration work during printing. In addition, this printed material also has a tactile effect because a translucent tactile layer is provided on the other side of the translucent printing substrate.

[0013] Specific examples of the display devices according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, as indicated by the claims. In the following description, the same elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0014] [Embodiment 1-1] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to the embodiment 1-1. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pattern printing layer provided in the display device shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the display device 1 comprises a printed material 2 and a light source 3. The printed material 2 is a sheet for displaying a pattern and comprises a translucent tactile layer 6, a translucent printing substrate 4, a pattern printing layer 5, and a translucent smoke printing layer 30. The printed material 2 is placed in front of the light source 3 (between the viewer and the light source 3). The printed material 2 is transparent to visible light. Therefore, when the power of the light source 3 is ON, the viewer can see the light from the light source 3 that has passed through the printed material 2, and when the power of the light source 3 is OFF, the viewer can see the pattern expressed by the printed material 2. The light source 3 is, for example, a display device.

[0015] The translucent tactile layer 6 is a substrate that transmits visible light. The translucent tactile layer 6 is provided on one surface 4a of the translucent printing substrate 4. The translucent tactile layer 6 and the translucent printing substrate 4 may be laminated by fusion (thermal lamination) through integral molding, or they may be laminated by adhesion via a translucent adhesive layer such as adhesive tape or adhesive. If the translucent printing substrate 4 is an easily moldable material such as polycarbonate, insert molding with the translucent tactile layer 6 is also possible, as is 3D molding by IML or the like.

[0016] The translucent tactile layer 6 is made of a transparent material that can impart a certain tactile sensation to the surface of the printed material 2. Here, "tactile sensation" refers to the feeling of smoothness, moisture, or roughness felt when touched with hands or skin. Examples of transparent materials that can impart a tactile sensation include silicone rubber and thermoplastic polyurethane resin (TPU). To produce a tactile sensation, the surface of the translucent tactile layer 6 may have patterns or irregularities formed by texturing or other processes. The thickness of the translucent tactile layer 6 is, for example, 50 μm to 500 μm, but it may be less or greater than this range as long as it is possible to produce a tactile sensation while maintaining translucency. The surface roughness Ra of the translucent tactile layer 6 is, for example, 10 μm to 50 μm, but it may be less or greater than this range as long as it is possible to produce a tactile sensation while maintaining translucency. The surface roughness Ra is a value measured according to JIS B 0601.

[0017] The translucent printing substrate 4 is a substrate that transmits visible light. The translucent printing substrate 4 is, for example, made of a transparent resin. Examples of transparent resins include PET, PMMA, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. The translucent printing substrate 4 may also be a glass substrate. If the translucent tactile layer 6 is made of a material such as silicone rubber or TPU, it is difficult to directly form the pattern printing layer 5 on the translucent tactile layer 6 due to shrinkage caused by heat during printing and drying, and difficulty in releasing the print from the plate due to surface viscosity. There is also a method of forming the pattern printing layer 5 via a special primer layer, but it becomes difficult to maintain the translucency of the printed material 2. For this reason, in this disclosure, a translucent printing substrate 4 is used to correctly form the pattern printing layer 5. The thickness of the translucent printing substrate 4 is, for example, 25 μm to 300 μm, but substrates with a thickness below or above this range can also be used if printing is possible. In the case of glass substrates, for example, the thickness is about a few millimeters to 10 millimeters.

[0018] The pattern printing layer 5 is a layer that expresses the pattern of the printed material 2. The pattern printing layer 5 comprises a first color pattern layer 10 provided on the other surface 4b of the translucent printing substrate 4, and a second color pattern layer 20 provided on the first color pattern layer 10.

[0019] The first color pattern layer 10 can be applied to the surface 4b by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in Figure 2, the first color pattern layer 10 is composed of a plurality of first color dots 11. Here, "dot" refers to a point that constitutes an element of the printed image, and its shape is not limited to a circle, but may be a rectangle, polygon, or other shape. Each of the plurality of first color dots 11 contains a first color binder 12 and a plurality of first color pigment chips 13 dispersed inside the first color binder 12. The content of the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 parts by weight or more and 20 parts by weight or less, when the first color binder 12 is 100 parts by weight. In this case, the pattern of the first color pattern layer 10 can be expressed well while suppressing a decrease in the coating film properties and transparency of the first color pattern layer 10.

[0020] Examples of the first color binder 12 include vinyl resins, acrylic resins, thermoplastic urethane resins, polyester resins, and polycarbonate resins. The thickness of the first color pattern layer 10 is, for example, 1 μm to 10 μm. The first color pattern layer 10 may contain a curing agent. In this case, the heat resistance of the first color pattern layer 10 and the adhesion of the first color pattern layer 10 to the translucent printing substrate 4 can be improved. The first color pattern layer 10 may also contain a weather-resistant agent. Known ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers can be used as weather-resistant agents.

[0021] In the first embodiment, the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 are first interference pigments 14a, 14b of multiple colors that generate different interference light from each other. Each of the first interference pigments 14a, 14b is composed of a thin flake (not shown) that is transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the flake. Of the light incident from the translucent printing substrate 4 to the first color pattern layer 10, the light reflected at the surface of the metal oxide film and the light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected at the surface of the flake interfere with each other, generating interference light. By adjusting the thickness of the metal oxide film and the refractive index of the metal oxide film, interference light with a desired wavelength can be generated.

[0022] In the first embodiment, each of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b is titanium dioxide-coated mica. The particle size range of the titanium dioxide-coated mica includes, for example, a range of 25 μm to 60 μm. Here, "particle size" refers to the longest diameter of the particle cross-section. The flakes constituting the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be other than mica, for example, silica, alumina, glass, or polysilicate. The metal oxide film constituting the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be other than titanium dioxide, for example, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, or tin oxide.

[0023] When incident light L is incident on the first color pattern layer 10 from each of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b, two different first interference rays 15a and 15b are generated. That is, the wavelengths of the first interference rays 15a and 15b are different from each other. As a result, the first interference pigments 14a and 14b exhibit color mixing. The first interference pigments 14a and 14b are, for example, a red interference pigment (red pearl pigment) and a gold interference pigment (gold pearl pigment). In this case, the first interference rays 15a and 15b each exhibit red and gold colors, respectively. The proportions of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be the same or different from each other.

[0024] The second color pattern layer 20 can be applied on the first color pattern layer 10 by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in Figure 2, the second color pattern layer 20 is composed of a plurality of second color dots 21. Here, "dot" refers to a point that constitutes an element of the printed image, and its shape is not limited to circles, but can be rectangular, polygonal, or other shapes. Each of the plurality of second color dots 21 contains a second color binder 22 and a plurality of second color pigment chips 23 dispersed inside the second color binder 22. The content of the plurality of second color pigment chips 23 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 parts by weight or more and 20 parts by weight or less, when the second color binder 22 is 100 parts by weight. In this case, the pattern of the second color pattern layer 20 can be expressed well while suppressing a decrease in the coating film properties and transparency of the second color pattern layer 20.

[0025] Examples of the second color binder 22 include vinyl resins, acrylic resins, thermoplastic urethane resins, polyester resins, and polycarbonate resins. The thickness of the second color pattern layer 20 is, for example, 1 μm to 10 μm. The second color pattern layer 20 may contain a curing agent. In this case, the heat resistance of the second color pattern layer 20 and the adhesion of the second color pattern layer 20 to the first color pattern layer 10 can be improved. The second color pattern layer 20 may also contain a weather-resistant agent. Known ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers can be used as weather-resistant agents.

[0026] In the first embodiment, the plurality of second color pigment chips 23 are second interference pigments 24 that generate monochromatic interference light different from the color mixing shown by the first interference pigments 14a and 14b. The second interference pigment 24 is composed of a thin flake (not shown) that is transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the flake. Of the light incident from the translucent printing substrate 4 to the second color pattern layer 20, the light reflected at the surface of the metal oxide film and the light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected at the surface of the flake interfere with each other, generating interference light. By adjusting the thickness of the metal oxide film and the refractive index of the metal oxide film, interference light with a desired wavelength can be generated.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the second interference pigment 24 is titanium dioxide-coated mica. The particle size range of the titanium dioxide-coated mica includes, for example, a range of 25 μm to 60 μm. Here, "particle size" refers to the longest diameter of the particle cross-section. The flakes constituting the second interference pigment 24 may be other than mica, for example, silica, alumina, glass, or polysilicate. The metal oxide film constituting the second interference pigment 24 may be other than titanium dioxide, for example, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, or tin oxide.

[0028] When incident light L enters the second color pattern layer 20 from the second interference pigment 24, a monochromatic second interference light 25 is generated. As a result, the second interference pigment 24 exhibits a monochromatic appearance. The second interference pigment 24 can be any interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light 25 that is different from the mixed colors shown by the first interference pigments 14a and 14b, for example, a green interference pigment (green pearl pigment). In this case, the second interference light 25 exhibits a green color.

[0029] The transparent smoke printing layer 30 has the function of attenuating light from the viewpoint side that penetrates the printed material 2. The transparent smoke printing layer 30 is provided on the outermost surface opposite to the translucent printing substrate 4 relative to the pattern printing layer 5. In the first embodiment, the transparent smoke printing layer 30 is provided on the second color pattern layer 20 as shown in Figure 1. The transparent smoke printing layer 30 can be provided on the second color pattern layer 20 by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing, using an ink in which a small amount of carbon black is dispersed in a resin binder such as vinyl, acrylic, urethane, or polyester. The thickness of the transparent smoke printing layer 30 is, for example, 1 μm to 10 μm. The transparent smoke printing layer 30 may contain a curing agent. In this case, the heat resistance of the transparent smoke printing layer 30 and the adhesion of the transparent smoke printing layer 30 to the second color pattern layer 20 can be improved. Furthermore, the transparent smoke printing layer 30 may contain a weather-resistant agent. Known ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers can be used as weather-resistant agents.

[0030] In printed material 2, the image is represented by additive color mixing of the first interference light 15a and 15b generated by the first interference pigments 14a and 14b and the second interference light 25 generated by the second interference pigment 24.

[0031] The total light transmittance of printed material 2 is, for example, 30% to 70%. The total light transmittance referred to here is the value of the total light transmittance measured using a spectrophotometer (for example, a spectrophotometer UV-2100 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). When the total light transmittance is 30% or more, when printed material 2 is placed in front of the screen, the image printing layer 5 becomes difficult to see due to the light from the image on the screen, and the image is seen more clearly. When the total light transmittance is 70% or less, even if the screen is black, the image on the image printing layer 5 does not appear dark, which can be suppressed.

[0032] In the printed material 2 according to the first embodiment described above, the first color pattern layer 10 contains first interference pigments 14a and 14b, and the second color pattern layer 20 contains a second interference pigment 24, so that a three-dimensional image can be achieved even with a small number of printing layers. Furthermore, in printed material 2, only the first color pattern layer 10 contains interference pigments that generate different interference light from each other, among the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20, so that the color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified. Therefore, printed material 2 can express a three-dimensional image even with a small number of printing layers, and the color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified.

[0033] In the first embodiment, the printed material 2 includes a translucent smoke printing layer 30 provided on the second color pattern layer 20. This improves the color development between the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20. Furthermore, because the translucent smoke printing layer 30 is translucent, the decrease in the visibility of the image on the display device 1 is effectively suppressed.

[0034] In the first embodiment, each of the first interference pigments 14a, 14b and the second interference pigment 24 contains titanium dioxide-coated mica with a particle size of 25 μm or more and 60 μm or less. When titanium dioxide-coated mica with a particle size of 25 μm or more is included, the transparency and color development of the pattern printing layer 5 can be improved. When titanium dioxide-coated mica with a particle size of 60 μm or less is included, a decrease in the resolution and gradation of the pattern printing layer 5 can be suppressed.

[0035] In the first embodiment, the content of the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 is within the range of 0.5 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight when the first color binder 12 is 100 parts by weight, and the content of the plurality of second color pigment chips 23 is within the range of 0.5 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight when the second color binder 22 is 100 parts by weight. Since the content of the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 is within the range of 0.5 parts by weight or more, the pattern of the first color pattern layer 10 is well expressed. Since the content of the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 is within the range of 20 parts by weight or less, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the coating film properties and transparency of the first color pattern layer 10. Similarly, since the content of the multiple second-color pigment chips 23 is within the range of 0.5 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight when the second-color binder 22 is 100 parts by weight, the pattern of the second-color pattern layer 20 is well expressed while suppressing a decrease in the coating film properties and transparency of the second-color pattern layer 20.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the display device 1 comprises a printed material 2 and a light source 3. According to the display device 1, when the light source 3 is not lit, the pattern on the pattern printing layer 5 is visible, and when the light source 3 is lit, the transmitted light from the light source 3 (pattern display, image display, etc.) is visible.

[0037] In the first embodiment, the light source 3 may be a display device. In this case, if the display is not lit, the pattern on the pattern printing layer 5 is visible, and if the display is lit, the transmitted light from the display (pattern display, image display, etc.) is visible.

[0038] As described above, the plurality of interference pigments 14a, 14b, 24 may include pearl pigments. That is, the pattern printing layer 5 may include two or more (a plurality of) different interference pearl pigments (interference pigments 14a, 14b, 24). Therefore, the printed matter 2 is a printed matter 2 including a translucent tactile property imparting layer 6, a translucent printing base material 4, and a pattern printing layer 5, and the pattern printing layer 5 may include a plurality of interference pearl pigments. Thereby, the pattern printing layer 5 can perform a three-dimensional expression.

[0039] The pattern printing layer 5 may include a first color pattern layer 10 containing an interference pearl pigment and a second color pattern layer 20 containing an interference pearl pigment. Thereby, the pattern printing layer 5 can perform an even more three-dimensional expression.

[0040] Each of the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 may include two or more interference pearl pigments. Thereby, the pattern printing layer 5 can perform an even more three-dimensional expression. For example, the second color pattern layer 20 may include other interference pearl pigments in addition to the interference pigment 24.

[0041] The average particle diameters of two or more interference pearl pigments may be different from each other. Thus, by including interference pearl pigments having large and small particle diameters, a decrease in the transparency of the pattern printing layer 5 is suppressed.

[0042] The particle diameter of the interference pearl pigment may be 5 μm or more and 60 μm or less. In this case, the color development property of the pattern of the pattern printing layer 5 can be made more excellent. Further, by suppressing a decrease in transparency of the pattern printing layer 5 more than necessary, when a display device is used, the visibility of the image of the display device can be improved.

[0043] The interference pearl pigment may include titanium dioxide-coated mica. In this case, by adjusting the film thickness of the titanium dioxide film, the wavelength of the interference light can be adjusted. Further, by enhancing the smoothness of the mica surface, the luminance sense can be improved.

[0044] Note that the effect obtained by the pattern printing layer 5 including a plurality of interference pearl pigments can be obtained not only in the first disclosure but also in the second to sixth disclosures described later.

[0045] [First - Second Embodiments] Hereinafter, the printed matter 2A according to the first - second embodiments will be described while referring to FIGS. 3 and 4. In the description of the first - second embodiments, descriptions overlapping with the above - mentioned first - first embodiment will be omitted, and parts different from the above - mentioned first - first embodiment will be described. That is, within the technically possible range, the descriptions of the first - first embodiment may be appropriately used in the first - second embodiments.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a cross - sectional view schematically showing a printed matter according to the first - second embodiments. FIG. 4 is a cross - sectional view schematically showing a white pattern layer provided in the printed matter shown in FIG. 3. The printed matter 2A includes a translucent tactile - feeling imparting layer 6, a translucent printing substrate 4, and a pattern printing layer 5. The printed matter 2A further includes a white pattern layer 40 provided on the second - color pattern layer 20.

[0047] The white pattern layer 40 can be provided on the second - color pattern layer 20, for example, by screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing. As shown in FIG. 4, the white pattern layer 40 is composed of a plurality of silver dots 41. Here, the "dot" means a point that is an element constituting a printed image, and its shape is not limited to a circular shape, and it may be a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, or other shapes. Each of the plurality of silver dots 41 includes a silver binder 42 and a plurality of silver pigment chips 43 dispersed inside the silver binder 42. The content rate of the plurality of silver pigment chips 43 is, for example, within the range of 0.5 parts by weight or more and 20 parts by weight or less when the silver binder 42 is 100 parts by weight.

[0048] Examples of the silver binder 42 include vinyl - based resins, acrylic - based resins, thermoplastic urethane - based resins, polyester - based resins, polycarbonate - based resins, etc. The thickness of the white pattern layer 40 is, for example, 1 μm to 10 μm. Note that a curing agent may be contained in the white pattern layer 40. In this case, the heat resistance of the white pattern layer 40 and the adhesion of the white pattern layer 40 to the second - color pattern layer 20 can be improved. Also, a weather - resistant agent may be contained in the white pattern layer 40. As the weather - resistant agent, known ultraviolet absorbers or light stabilizers can be used.

[0049] Even with the configuration of the printed material 2A described above, the same effects and advantages as in the first embodiment are achieved. Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, a white pattern layer 40 is provided on the second color pattern layer 20 and is composed of a plurality of silver dots 41, each of which contains a silver binder 42 and a plurality of silver pigment chips 43 dispersed inside the silver binder 42. As a result, the color development of the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 is excellent, and the pattern printing layer 5 can have a pattern that gives a whitish impression.

[0050] [First-Third Embodiment] The printed material 2B according to the first-third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 5. In the description of the first-third embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first-first and first-second embodiments will be omitted, and only parts that differ from the first-first and first-second embodiments will be described. In other words, to the extent that it is technically possible, descriptions of the first-first and first-second embodiments may be appropriately used in the first-third embodiment.

[0051] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a printed material according to the first to third embodiments. The printed material 2B comprises a translucent tactile layer 6, a translucent printing substrate 4, and a pattern printing layer 5. That is, the printed material 2B does not include a translucent smoke printing layer 30 and a white pattern layer 40. Even with the configuration of the printed material 2B described above, the same effects and advantages as those of the first to first embodiment are achieved.

[0052] [Embodiment 1-4] The printed material 2C according to Embodiment 1-4 will be described below with reference to Figure 6. In the description of Embodiment 1-4, descriptions that overlap with Embodiments 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 will be omitted, and only the parts that differ from Embodiments 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 will be described. In other words, to the extent that it is technically possible, descriptions of Embodiments 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 may be used in Embodiment 1-4 as appropriate.

[0053] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a printed material according to the first to fourth embodiments. The printed material 2C comprises a translucent tactile layer 6, a translucent printing substrate 4, a pattern printing layer 5, a white pattern layer 40, and a translucent smoke printing layer 30. The white pattern layer 40 is provided on the second color pattern layer 20, and the translucent smoke printing layer 30 is provided on the white pattern layer 40. Even with the configuration of the printed material 2C described above, the same effects and advantages as those of the first to fourth embodiments are achieved.

[0054] The display device and printed material according to this disclosure are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various other modifications are possible. For example, the second color pattern layer may include a plurality of first interference pigments that generate first interference light of different colors from each other, and the first color pattern layer may include a second interference pigment that generates a single-color second interference light different from the mixed color shown by the plurality of first interference pigments. Also, in each of the above embodiments, the first color pigment chip was a pair of first interference pigments, but the first color pigment chip may be a pair of three or more first interference pigments. An example of a printed material in this disclosure is one having a layer structure of thermoplastic polyurethane resin (TPU) layer / adhesive layer / polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA) layer / pattern printing layer. This printed material has a tactile effect because the transparent TPU material is located on the outermost surface facing the viewer. In addition, in a display device equipped with this printed material, when the light source is off, the pattern printed on the pattern printing layer is visible, and when the light source is on, the transmitted light from the pattern printing layer is visible as a pattern different from the above pattern.

[0055] [Second Disclosure] The second disclosure relates to printed materials having a design with excellent visibility and color reproduction, as well as a tactile effect.

[0056] This disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a printed material comprising a translucent tactile layer, a translucent printing substrate, and a pattern printing layer. In this printed material, the pattern printing layer is provided on one surface of the translucent printing substrate and comprises a first-color pattern layer composed of a plurality of first-color dots, and a second-color pattern layer provided on the first-color pattern layer and composed of a plurality of second-color dots. In this printed material, each of the plurality of first-color dots comprises a first-color binder and a plurality of first-color pigment chips dispersed inside the first-color binder, and each of the plurality of second-color dots comprises a second-color binder and a plurality of second-color pigment chips dispersed inside the second-color binder. One of the multiple first-color pigment chips and the multiple second-color pigment chips is a multi-color first interference pigment that generates different first interference light from each other, and the other of the multiple first-color pigment chips and the multiple second-color pigment chips is a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light different from the color mixing shown by the multiple first interference pigments. In this printed material, at least one of the first interference pigment and the second interference pigment includes a small-particle-size grade interference pigment with a particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm and a large-particle-size grade interference pigment with a particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm, and the small-particle-size grade interference pigment is arranged to fill the gaps between the large-particle-size grade interference pigments, and the multiple first interference light and second interference light are additively mixed. In this printed material, the translucent tactile layer is provided on the other surface of the translucent printing substrate.

[0057] According to the Disclosers' research, it was found that when the particle size of the interference pigment contained in the image printing layer is small, although the color development is weak, it is possible to suppress the dark appearance of the image even when the printed material is placed in front of a black screen. On the other hand, it was found that when the particle size of the interference pigment contained in the image printing layer is large, although the transparency of the printed material increases, it is possible to achieve excellent color development of the image. Therefore, the Disclosers have come up with a printed material in which the dark appearance of the image is suppressed and the color development of the image is excellent by configuring the interference pigment to include both small particle size grade interference pigment and large particle size grade interference pigment, and arranging the small particle size grade interference pigment to fill the gaps between the large particle size grade interference pigments. Thus, a printed material with the above configuration can provide an image with excellent visibility and color development. Furthermore, in this printed material, the reduction in the transparency of the image printing layer is suppressed by including large particle size grade interference pigment. Therefore, with this printed material, the reduction in the visibility of the image on the display device is well suppressed when the power is turned on. Furthermore, since this printed material has a translucent tactile layer provided on the other side of the translucent printing substrate, it also possesses a tactile effect.

[0058] Specific examples of the display devices according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, as indicated by the claims. In the following description, the same elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0059] [Second-1 Embodiment] The printed material and display device according to this embodiment may have the same configuration as shown in Figure 1. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the printed material and display device according to this embodiment that is the same as that of the printed material and display device according to the first-1 embodiment will be omitted. The printed material and display device according to this embodiment have the layer configuration shown in Figure 7 instead of the layer configuration shown in Figure 2.

[0060] In the second-first embodiment, the first interference pigment 14a includes a plurality of first titanium dioxide coated mica 18a of a small particle size grade including a particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm, and a second titanium dioxide coated mica 18b of a large particle size grade including a particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. The first interference pigment 14b includes a plurality of first titanium dioxide coated mica 16a of a small particle size grade including a particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm, and a plurality of second titanium dioxide coated mica 16b of a large particle size grade including a particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. The average particle size (D50) of the first titanium dioxide coated mica 18a, 16a is, for example, about 15 μm, and the average particle size (D50) of the second titanium dioxide coated mica 18b, 16b is, for example, about 25 μm. As a result, the average particle size of the first titanium dioxide-coated mica 18a, 16a is smaller than the average particle size of the second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b. The second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b may include a particle size range of 25 μm to 60 μm. In this case, the average particle size (D50) of the second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b is, for example, about 35 μm. Each of the multiple first titanium dioxide-coated mica 18a, 16a is arranged to fill the gaps between the multiple second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b, as shown in Figure 7. Here, "particle size" means the longest diameter of the particle cross-section. "Average particle size" means the weight-average diameter determined by laser diffraction and scattering.

[0061] When incident light L is incident on the first color pattern layer 10 from each of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b, two different first interference rays 17a and 17b are generated. That is, the wavelengths of the first interference rays 17a and 17b are different from each other. As a result, the first interference pigments 14a and 14b exhibit color mixing. Each of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be, for example, a red interference pigment (red pearl pigment) and a gold interference pigment (gold pearl pigment). In this case, the first interference rays 17a and 17b will each exhibit red and gold colors. Each of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be an interference pigment of another color. The proportions of the first interference pigments 14a and 14b may be the same or different from each other.

[0062] As the second color pattern layer 20, one similar in nature to that shown in the first disclosure may be adopted.

[0063] In the second-first embodiment, the second interference pigment 24 includes a plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated mica 25a of a small particle size grade including a particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm, and a second titanium dioxide-coated mica 25b of a large particle size grade including a particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. The average particle size (D50) of the first titanium dioxide-coated mica 25a is, for example, about 15 μm, and the average particle size (D50) of the second titanium dioxide-coated mica 25b is, for example, about 25 μm. As a result, the average particle size of the first titanium dioxide-coated mica 25a is smaller than the average particle size of the second titanium dioxide-coated mica 25b. The second titanium dioxide-coated mica 25b may include a particle size range of 25 μm to 60 μm. In this case, the average particle size (D50) of the second titanium dioxide-coated mica 25b is, for example, about 35 μm. Each of the multiple first titanium dioxide-coated mica 25a is arranged to fill the gaps between the multiple second titanium dioxide-coated mica 25b. Here, "particle size" refers to the longest diameter of the particle cross-section. "Average particle size" refers to the weight-average diameter determined by laser diffraction and scattering.

[0064] When incident light L enters the second color pattern layer 20 from the second interference pigment 24, a monochromatic second interference light 26 is generated. As a result, the second interference pigment 24 exhibits a monochromatic color. The second interference pigment 24 can be any interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light 26 different from the mixed colors shown by the first interference pigments 14a and 14b, for example, a green interference pigment (green pearl pigment). In this case, the second interference light 26 exhibits a green color. The second interference pigment 24 may also be an interference pigment of a color other than green.

[0065] In printed material 2, the image is represented by additive color mixing of the first interference light 17a and 17b generated by the first interference pigments 14a and 14b and the second interference light 26 generated by the second interference pigment 24.

[0066] In the printed material 2 according to the second-first embodiment described above, in the first color pattern layer 10, each of the multiple first titanium dioxide coated mica 18a, 16a of small particle size grade, including a particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm, is arranged to fill the gaps between the multiple second titanium dioxide coated mica 18b, 16b of large particle size grade, including a particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. In the printed material 2, in the second color pattern layer 20, each of the multiple first titanium dioxide coated mica 25a of small particle size grade, including a particle size range of 5 μm to 25 μm, is arranged to fill the gaps between the multiple second titanium dioxide coated mica 25b of large particle size grade, including a particle size range of 25 μm to 40 μm. Therefore, the printed material 2 can provide a pattern with excellent visibility and color development. Furthermore, in printed material 2, the first color pattern layer 10 contains large-particle-size grade second titanium dioxide coated mica 18b and 16b, and the second color pattern layer 20 contains large-particle-size grade second titanium dioxide coated mica 25b, thereby suppressing a decrease in the transparency of the pattern printing layer 5. Therefore, according to printed material 2, when the power is turned on, the decrease in the visibility of the image on the display device is well suppressed.

[0067] In the second-first embodiment, the large-particle-diameter grade second titanium dioxide-coated mica 18b, 16b, and 25b may be configured to include a particle size range of 25 μm to 60 μm. In this case, the color development of the pattern is improved. Furthermore, since an excessive decrease in the transparency of the pattern printing layer 5 is suppressed, the visibility of the image on the display device 1 can be improved.

[0068] In the second-first embodiment, the first interference pigments 14a, 14b and the second interference pigment 24 are interference pigments containing titanium dioxide-coated mica. Therefore, the wavelength of the interference light can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the titanium dioxide film. In addition, the brightness can be improved by increasing the smoothness of the mica surface.

[0069] In the second disclosure, the configurations according to the 1-2 to 1-4 embodiments in the first disclosure may also be adopted.

[0070] In each of the above embodiments, the first interference pigment and the second interference pigment each contained a plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated mica and a plurality of second titanium dioxide-coated mica. However, it is sufficient if at least one of the first interference pigment and the second interference pigment contains a plurality of first titanium dioxide-coated mica and a plurality of second titanium dioxide-coated mica. Also, in each of the above embodiments, the first color pigment chip contained two first interference pigments, but the first color pigment chip may contain three or more first interference pigments. Furthermore, the multiple first interference pigments may be mixed together.

[0071] [Third Disclosure] The third disclosure relates to printed materials that simplify color matching and registration during printing, and also have a tactile effect.

[0072] This disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a printed material comprising a translucent tactile layer, a translucent printing substrate, and a pattern printing layer. In this printed material, the pattern printing layer is provided on one surface of the translucent printing substrate and has a first color pattern layer composed of a plurality of first color dots, and a second color pattern layer provided on the first color pattern layer and composed of a plurality of second color dots. In this printed material, each of the plurality of first color dots includes a first color binder and a plurality of first color pigment chips dispersed inside the first color binder, and each of the plurality of second color dots includes a second color binder and a plurality of second color pigment chips dispersed inside the second color binder, the plurality of first color pigment chips are first interference pigments that generate monochromatic first interference light, and the plurality of second color pigment chips are second interference pigments that generate monochromatic second interference light different from the color shown by the first interference pigment, and the first interference light and the second interference light are additively mixed. Furthermore, in this printed material, the translucent tactile layer is provided on the other side of the translucent printing substrate.

[0073] In this printed material, the first color pattern layer contains a first interference pigment that generates a monochromatic first interference light, and the second color pattern layer contains a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light different from the color shown by the first interference pigment. For example, for images that can be expressed with a small number of colors, by limiting the interference pigments contained in the first and second color pattern layers to monochromatic, it becomes possible to express the image using only the intensity of that monochromatic color. This simplifies the color matching and registration work during printing. Therefore, this printed material simplifies the color matching and registration work during printing. Furthermore, because this printed material has a translucent tactile layer provided on the other side of the translucent printing substrate, it also has a tactile effect.

[0074] Specific examples of the display devices according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, as indicated by the claims. In the following description, the same elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0075] [Embodiment 3-1] The printed material and display device according to this embodiment may have the same configuration as shown in Figure 1. Therefore, in the printed material and display device according to this embodiment, the configuration that is the same as that of the printed material and display device according to Embodiment 1-1 will not be described. The printed material and display device according to this embodiment have the layer configuration shown in Figure 8 instead of the layer configuration shown in Figure 2.

[0076] In the third-first embodiment, the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 are interference pigments 14 (first interference pigments) that generate monochromatic interference light of a predetermined color. The interference pigment 14 is composed of a thin flake (not shown) that is transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the flake. Of the light incident from the translucent printing substrate 4 to the first color pattern layer 10, the light reflected at the surface of the metal oxide film and the light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected at the surface of the flake interfere with each other, generating interference light. By adjusting the thickness of the metal oxide film and the refractive index of the metal oxide film, interference light having a desired wavelength can be generated.

[0077] When incident light E enters the first color pattern layer 10 from the interference pigment 14, monochromatic interference light 15 (first interference light) is generated. As a result, the interference pigment 14 exhibits a monochromatic appearance.

[0078] In the third-first embodiment, the plurality of second-color pigment chips 23 are interference pigments 24 (second interference pigments) that generate monochromatic interference light of a predetermined color. The interference pigment 24 is composed of a thin flake (not shown) that is transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the flake. Of the light incident from the translucent printing substrate 4 to the second-color pattern layer 20, the light reflected at the surface of the metal oxide film and the light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected at the surface of the flake interfere with each other, generating interference light. By adjusting the thickness of the metal oxide film and the refractive index of the metal oxide film, interference light with a desired wavelength can be generated.

[0079] When incident light E enters the second color pattern layer 20 from the interference pigment 24 (second interference pigment), monochromatic interference light 25 (second interference light) is generated. As a result, the interference pigment 24 exhibits a monochromatic color. The interference pigment 24 can be any interference pigment that generates monochromatic interference light 25 that is different in color from the interference pigment 14.

[0080] In the printed material 2 according to the 3-1 embodiment described above, the first color pattern layer 10 includes an interference pigment 14 that generates monochromatic interference light 15, and the second color pattern layer 20 includes an interference pigment 24 that generates monochromatic interference light 25 that is different from the color shown by the interference pigment 14. For patterns that can be expressed with a small number of colors, as in the printed material 2 according to this embodiment, by limiting the interference pigments included in the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 to monochromatic, it becomes possible to express the pattern using only the intensity of a monochromatic color. In this way, the color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified. Therefore, according to this printed material 2, the color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified.

[0081] In the third disclosure, the configurations according to the 1-2 to 1-4 embodiments in the first disclosure may also be adopted.

[0082] [Fourth Disclosure] The fourth disclosure relates to printed materials that simplify color matching and registration during printing, and also have a tactile effect.

[0083] This disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a printed article comprising a translucent tactile layer, a translucent printing substrate, and a pattern printing layer. In this printed article, the pattern printing layer is provided on one surface of the translucent printing substrate and comprises a first color pattern layer composed of a plurality of first color dots, and a second color pattern layer provided on the first color pattern layer and composed of a plurality of second color dots. In this printed material, each of the multiple first-color dots contains a first-color binder and multiple first-color pigment chips dispersed within the first-color binder, and each of the multiple second-color dots contains a second-color binder and multiple second-color pigment chips dispersed within the second-color binder, and either one of the multiple first-color pigment chips or the multiple second-color pigment chips is a multi-color first interference pigment that generates different first interference light from each other, and the other of the multiple first-color pigment chips or the multiple second-color pigment chips is a second interference pigment that generates a monochromatic second interference light of the same color as any of the multiple first interference pigments, and the multiple first interference lights and the second interference lights are additively mixed. In addition, in this printed material, the translucent tactile layer is provided on the other surface of the translucent printing substrate.

[0084] In this printed material, either the first-color pattern layer or the second-color pattern layer contains multiple interference pigments that generate different interference light from each other, thus enabling the creation of three-dimensional images even with a small number of printing layers. Furthermore, in this printed material, only one of the first-color pattern layer or the second-color pattern layer needs to contain the interference pigments that generate multiple interference light, thus simplifying color matching and registration work during printing. On the other hand, the other of the first-color pattern layer or the second-color pattern layer contains a second interference pigment that generates a single-color second interference light of the same color as one of the multiple first interference pigments. For example, for images that can be expressed with a small number of colors, by limiting the second interference pigment to a single color of the same color as the first interference pigment, it becomes possible to express the image by varying the intensity of that single color. Also, when it is desired to emphasize a certain hue, using both the first-color pattern layer and the second-color pattern layer makes it easier to adjust that hue than adjusting with only one color pattern layer. Furthermore, while adding too much interference pigment to a single color pattern layer reduces the strength of the coating film, this reduction can be suppressed by using two color pattern layers. As a result, color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified. In addition, since the translucent tactile layer is provided on the other side of the translucent printing substrate, this printed material also has a tactile effect.

[0085] Specific examples of display devices according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, as defined by the claims. In the following description, the same elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0086] [Embodiment 4-1] The printed material and display device according to this embodiment may have the same configuration as shown in Figure 1. Therefore, in the printed material and display device according to this embodiment, the configuration that is the same as that of the printed material and display device according to Embodiment 1-1 will not be described. The printed material and display device according to this embodiment have the layer configuration shown in Figure 9 instead of the layer configuration shown in Figure 2.

[0087] In the 4-1 embodiment, the plurality of first color pigment chips 13 are interference pigments 14 (second interference pigments) that generate monochromatic interference light of a predetermined color. The interference pigment 14 is the same color as either of the interference pigments 24a and 24b (first interference pigments) described later. The interference pigment 14 is composed of a thin flake (not shown) that is transparent to visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the flake. Of the light incident from the translucent printing substrate 4 to the first color pattern layer 10, the light reflected at the surface of the metal oxide film and the light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected at the surface of the flake interfere, generating interference light. By adjusting the thickness of the metal oxide film and the refractive index of the metal oxide film, interference light with a desired wavelength can be generated.

[0088] When incident light E enters the first color pattern layer 10 from the interference pigment 14, monochromatic interference light 15 (second interference light) is generated. As a result, the interference pigment 14 exhibits a monochromatic appearance.

[0089] In the 4-1 embodiment, the multiple second-color pigment chips 23 are multiple-color interference pigments 24a, 24b that generate interference light of different colors from each other. Each of the interference pigments 24a, 24b is composed of a thin film (not shown) that transmits visible light and a metal oxide film (not shown) that covers the thin film. Of the light incident from the translucent printing substrate 4 to the second-color pattern layer 20, the light reflected at the surface of the metal oxide film and the light that passes through the metal oxide film and is reflected at the surface of the thin film interfere with each other, generating interference light. By adjusting the thickness of the metal oxide film and the refractive index of the metal oxide film, interference light with a desired wavelength can be generated.

[0090] In the 4-1 embodiment, the interference pigments 24a and 24b are titanium dioxide-coated mica. The particle size range of the titanium dioxide-coated mica includes, for example, a range of 25 μm to 60 μm. Here, "particle size" refers to the longest diameter of the particle cross-section. The flakes constituting the interference pigments 24a and 24b may be other than mica, for example, silica, alumina, glass, or polysilicate. The metal oxide film constituting the interference pigments 24a and 24b may be other than titanium dioxide, for example, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, or tin oxide.

[0091] When incident light E enters the second color pattern layer 20 from each of the interference pigments 24a and 24b, two different interference lights 125a and 125b (first interference lights) are generated. That is, the wavelengths of the interference lights 125a and 125b are different from each other. As a result, the interference pigments 24a and 24b exhibit color mixing. The amounts of interference pigments 24a and 24b may be the same or different. Interference pigment 24a may be any interference pigment that generates an interference light 125a of the same monochromatic color as the interference pigment 14. Alternatively, interference pigment 24b may be any interference pigment that generates an interference light 125b of the same monochromatic color as the interference pigment 14.

[0092] In the printed material 2 according to the 4-1 embodiment described above, since either the first color pattern layer 10 or the second color pattern layer 20 contains multiple interference pigments that generate interference light of different colors from each other, it is possible to achieve a three-dimensional effect even with a small number of printing layers. Furthermore, in this printed material 2, the pattern layer containing interference pigments that generate multiple interference lights only needs to be one of the first color pattern layer 10 or the second color pattern layer 20, thus simplifying the color matching and registration work during printing. On the other hand, the other of the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 contains an interference pigment that generates monochromatic interference light of the same color as one of the multiple interference pigments. For images that can be expressed with a small number of colors, by narrowing down the interference pigments of the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20 to the same monochromatic color, it becomes possible to express the image by varying the intensity of the monochromatic color. Furthermore, when it is desired to emphasize a color, adjusting the color becomes easier by using two layers, the first color pattern layer 10 and the second color pattern layer 20, rather than adjusting it using only one color pattern layer. Also, while adding too much interference pigment to a single color pattern layer reduces the strength of the coating film, using two color pattern layers 10 and 20 helps to suppress this reduction in strength. As a result, color matching and registration work during printing can be simplified.

[0093] In the fourth disclosure, the configurations according to the 1-2 to 1-4 embodiments in the first disclosure may also be adopted.

[0094] [Fifth Disclosure] The fifth disclosure relates to a printed material that can reduce the influence of the color of an unlit light source on the visibility of the pattern on the printed layer, and also has a tactile effect, and a display device equipped with said printed material.

[0095] This disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a display device comprising a printed material having a translucent tactile layer, a translucent printing substrate, and a pattern printing layer, and a light source, wherein the printed material has a light-reflecting reflective layer between the pattern printing layer and the light source.

[0096] In this display device, when the light source is off, the pattern on the printed layer of the printed material can be seen. When the light source is on, the content indicated by the light from the light source can be seen. Here, when the light source is off, the surface of the light source is black. In contrast, the printed material has a reflective layer that reflects light between the pattern printed layer and the light source. Therefore, the reflective layer can reflect the light from the outside before it is incident on the black light source. As a result, the black color of the light source surface can be reduced in appearance. Thus, the influence of the color of the off light source on the visibility of the pattern on the printed layer can be reduced. Furthermore, the printed material equipped with this display device also has a tactile effect because a translucent tactile layer is provided on the other surface of the translucent printed substrate.

[0097] This disclosure also relates to a printed material in another aspect. This printed material is arranged to cover the light source of a display device and comprises a translucent tactile layer, a translucent printing substrate, a pattern printing layer, and a reflective layer provided on one side of the pattern printing layer that reflects light. With this printed material, when incorporated into the light source of a display device, the same functions and effects as the above-described display device can be obtained.

[0098] [Embodiment 5-1] The printed material and display device according to this embodiment adopt the configuration shown in Figure 10 instead of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 10, the printed material 2 is a sheet for displaying a pattern and comprises a translucent tactile layer 6, a translucent printing substrate 4, a pattern printing layer 5, a translucent smoke printing layer 30, and a reflective layer 50. Note that the layers of the printed material 2 other than the reflective layer 50 may be collectively referred to as the main body 55. The printed material and display device according to this embodiment may adopt a configuration that is similar in nature to the printed material and display device according to disclosures 1 to 4 and 6, except that a reflective layer 50 is added. In the printed material and display device according to this embodiment, a description of the configuration that is similar in nature to the printed material and display device according to embodiment 1-1 will be omitted.

[0099] As shown in Figure 10, the reflective layer 50 is provided between the pattern printing layer 5 and the light source 3. The reflective layer 50 is a layer that reflects light. In this embodiment, the reflective layer 50 is provided on the back surface 55b of the main body 55, opposite to the surface 55a from which the incident light E is incident. The reflective layer 50 has an incident-side surface 50a and a back surface 50b opposite to the surface 50a. The reflective layer 50 has the characteristic of reflecting light incident from the surface 50a side and transmitting light incident from the back surface 50b side. However, a portion of the light incident from the surface 50a side is absorbed by the reflective layer 50, and a portion is transmitted to the light source 3 side.

[0100] The reflective layer 50 may be formed by metal deposition. In this case, the reflective layer 50 is composed of a film formed by depositing metal onto a transparent film. Examples of metals for deposition include Sn, In, and Al. The reflective layer 50 may also be composed of an optical component. An optical component is a component that itself has reflective properties, such as TiO ２ SiO ２ These are some examples. In addition, the reflective layer 50 may be constructed by laminating multiple resin layers such as PET material.

[0101] The total light transmittance of the main body 55 may be set to, for example, 30% to 70%. The total light transmittance of the reflective layer 50 alone may be set to, for example, 30% to 70%. In this case, it is possible to prevent the light from the light source 3 from becoming difficult to see from the outside when lit due to the total light transmittance of the reflective layer 50 being too low. The total light transmittance of the printed material 2 as a whole, combining the main body 55 and the reflective layer 50, may be set to, for example, 30% to 70%.

[0102] In the display device 1 according to the 5-1 embodiment described above, when the light source 3 is off, the pattern on the pattern printing layer 5 of the printed material 2 can be seen. When the light source 3 is on, the content indicated by the light from the light source 3 can be seen. Here, when the light source 3 is off, the surface 3a of the light source 3 is black. In contrast, the printed material 2 has a reflective layer 50 that reflects light between the pattern printing layer 5 and the light source 3. Therefore, the reflective layer 50 can reflect light from the outside before it is incident on the black light source 3. As a result, the black color of the surface of the light source 3 can be reduced in appearance. Thus, the influence of the color of the off light source 3 on the visibility of the pattern on the pattern printing layer 5 can be reduced.

[0103] [Embodiments 5-2 to 5-4] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a printed material according to the 5-2 embodiment. Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a printed material according to the 5-3 embodiment. Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a printed material according to the 5-4 embodiment. In the printed material according to the 5-2 embodiment, the main body portion 55 has a translucent tactile layer 6, a translucent printing substrate 4, a pattern printing layer 5, and a white pattern layer 40. A reflective layer 50 is provided on this main body portion 55. In the printed material according to the 5-3 embodiment, the main body portion 55 has a translucent tactile layer 6, a translucent printing substrate 4, and a pattern printing layer 5. A reflective layer 50 is provided on this main body portion 55. Other aspects of the printed materials according to the 5-2 and 5-3 embodiments have the same configuration as the printed materials according to the 1-2 and 1-3 embodiments. In the printed material according to the 5th-4 embodiment, the main body 55 comprises a translucent tactile layer 6, a translucent printing substrate 4, a pattern printing layer 5, a white pattern layer 40, and a translucent smoke printing layer 30. A reflective layer 50 is provided on this main body 55. Other aspects of the printed material according to the 5th-4 embodiment are the same as those of the printed material according to the 1st-4 embodiment.

[0104] The position of the reflective layer 50 in the printed material 2 is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient that it is positioned at least on the light source 3 side of the pattern printing layer 5. For example, the reflective layer 50 may be provided between the pattern printing layer 5 and the translucent smoke printing layer 30.

[0105] The structure of the pattern printing layer 5 is not limited to the structure shown in Figure 2. The pattern printing layer 5 may have only one color pattern layer. In addition, a pattern printing layer with a structure similar to that of a pattern in printing specifications such as gravure printing, offset printing, inkjet printing, or screen printing may be used.

[0106] [Sixth Disclosure] The sixth disclosure relates to a decorative panel, display device, and display method that can suppress the fading of the color tone of a light-transmitting film, suppress the deterioration of the image contrast of the display device on the back side, and have a tactile effect.

[0107] The inventors discovered that when a light-transmitting decorative sheet is applied to a transparent panel, the color tones of the pattern become fainter, and the contrast of the image on the display device viewed through the decorative sheet deteriorates. This is because light transmitted from the surface of the light-transmitting decorative sheet is reflected at the boundary between the transparent panel and the air layer on the back, illuminating the light-transmitting decorative sheet from the back.

[0108] This disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a decorative panel. This decorative panel comprises a light-transmitting decorative film having a translucent tactile layer, and a smoked panel attached to the light-transmitting decorative film, wherein the smoked panel is a colored transparent panel having a total light transmittance of 3% or more and 40% or less.

[0109] In this decorative panel, a smoked panel, which is a colored transparent panel with a total light transmittance of 3% to 40%, is attached to a light-transmitting decorative film. Therefore, the phenomenon of light transmitted from the surface of the light-transmitting decorative film being reflected from the back surface of the decorative panel can be reduced. As a result, color changes in the light-transmitting decorative film (the phenomenon of the color becoming lighter) and deterioration of the contrast of the image displayed on the display device on the back surface, which occur when the light-transmitting decorative film is illuminated from the back surface, can be suppressed. Furthermore, even if the light-transmitting decorative film has low opacity, the opacity of the substrate can be improved when combined with the smoked panel. This reduces the effect of differences in the color of the transparent substrate and suppresses changes in the color of the light-transmitting decorative film. In summary, it is possible to suppress the fading of the color of the light-transmitting decorative film and suppress deterioration of the image contrast of the display device on the back surface. Furthermore, by giving the concealing layer of the decorative sheet a certain degree of light transmittance, and creating a decorative sheet that possesses both light transmittance and concealment, the concealment of the underlying surface can be ensured even if the concealment rate of the concealing layer is reduced, thereby reducing the decrease in the visibility of the image on the display device on the back side caused by the concealing layer. In addition, this decorative panel also has a tactile effect because the light-transmitting decorative film has a translucent tactile layer.

[0110] This disclosure also relates to a display device in another aspect. This display device is constructed by concealing the display device with the aforementioned decorative panel. In this case, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the contrast of the image displayed by the display device constituting the display device.

[0111] This disclosure also relates to a display method. This display method involves covering the display device with the decorative panel and adjusting the RGB bias and gain of the display device according to the color tone of the smoked panel, thereby making a white display appear white through the smoked panel. In this case, the color tone of the image of the display device visible from the front of the decorative panel can be adjusted.

[0112] Specific examples of decorative panels and display devices according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, as indicated by the claims. In the following description, the same elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0113] Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative panel 61 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a display device 100 according to the present embodiment. The decorative panel 61 (printed material) comprises a light-transmitting decorative film 62 and a smoked panel 63, as shown in the figures. The display device 100 comprises the decorative panel 61 and a display device 64.

[0114] The decorative panel 61 is installed in front of the display device 64, which is the light source (between the viewer and the display device 64). The display device 100 is configured by concealing the display device 64 with the decorative panel 61. The decorative panel 61 is transparent to visible light. Therefore, when the power of the display device 64 is ON, the viewer can see the light from the display device 64 that has passed through the decorative panel 61, and when the power of the display device 64 is OFF, the viewer can see the image displayed on the decorative panel 61.

[0115] The light-transmitting decorative film 62 is a film used to display patterns. The total light transmittance of the light-transmitting decorative film 62 is preferably 10% or more and 70% or less. If the opaque layer 67 is not provided on the light-transmitting decorative film 62, the total light transmittance may be 70% or more. The light-transmitting decorative film 62 allows light from the display device (see Figure 15) to pass through more easily when the total light transmittance is 10% or more.

[0116] As shown in Figure 15, the light-transmitting decorative film 62 may have a light-transmitting tactile layer 68, a printing substrate 65 (light-transmitting printing substrate), a pattern layer (pattern printing layer) 66, and an opacity layer 67. However, the structure of the light-transmitting decorative film 62 is not particularly limited as long as it is a decorative film that is light-transmitting. For example, as in the light-transmitting decorative film 62 of the display device 100 shown in Figure 16, a smoke panel 63 may be used instead of an opacity layer, eliminating the opacity layer 67 of the light-transmitting decorative film 62 itself. Note that the opacity layer 67 may not be a layer formed by printing, but may be a perforated color film.

[0117] The printing substrate 65 is a substrate that transmits visible light. Regarding the printing substrate 65, refer to the description of the light-transmitting printing substrate in each of the embodiments described above.

[0118] The pattern layer 66 is a layer on which the pattern expressed by the light-transmitting decorative film 62 is formed. The pattern on the pattern layer 66 is the pattern that appears on the surface of the decorative sheet when the power of the display device 64 is turned OFF, and may be, for example, a wood grain pattern or an abstract pattern. The pattern layer 66 may be formed by printing on the printing substrate 65. The printing method is not limited to gravure printing, inkjet printing, screen printing, or offset printing. The material of the decorative ink used for printing may be an inorganic pigment, an organic pigment, or an interference pigment, and the material is not limited. The thickness of the pattern layer 66 is, for example, 1 μm to 100 μm. For details regarding the pattern layer 66, refer to the description of the pattern printing layer in each of the embodiments described above.

[0119] The concealing layer 67 conceals the display device 64 when its power is OFF and also determines the color tone of the image. If the image layer 66 is printed using interference pigments, the concealing layer 67 is black or gray to improve color development. However, if inorganic or organic pigments are used, using black or gray will make the image difficult to see. In this case, it is preferable to use white for the concealing layer 67. If the image is wood grain, the color tone of the concealing layer 67 can be changed with a brownish color. Since the concealing layer 67, along with the smoke panel 63 described later, conceals the display device 64, the concealing ability of the concealing layer 67 itself may be kept low. The concealing layer 67 may be formed, for example, by printing a solid layer on top of the image layer 66. For example, a solid white layer may be printed as the concealing layer 67. The solid white layer controls the color tone of the image and has the effect of preventing the image from sinking into the black background and becoming difficult to see. The opacity of the base layer can be reduced by lowering the print density of the solid white printing and printing it thinly. For example, a solid black layer may be printed as the opacity layer 67. The solid black layer makes the color development of the interference pigment more visible and has the effect of concealing the base layer. The opacity of the base layer can be reduced by lowering the print density and printing it thinly. The printing method is not limited to gravure printing, inkjet printing, screen printing, or offset printing. Furthermore, an additional opacity layer may be partially formed on top of the opacity layer 67, creating areas that are transparent and areas that are not. The print density may be changed in a gradient near the boundary between the transparent and opaque areas so that there is no clear boundary between the two areas. The opacity layer 67 may be a layer formed by printing, a colored film, or a colored sheet. Similarly, an additional opacity layer may be partially formed on the smoke panel 63.

[0120] Furthermore, by having the smoke panel 63 act as a substitute for the opacity layer and color base, the opacity layer and the solid color layer that controls the color tone may be eliminated from the configuration of the light-transmitting decorative film 62. The opacity layer 67 may be provided by laminating a colored film instead of printing. The thinner the colored film, the higher the light transmittance. A topcoat layer may be present on the surface of the light-transmitting decorative film 62. The surface of the printing substrate 65 may be embossed. Printing can be done either on the front or back.

[0121] Here, an example of the specific structure of the pattern layer 66 will be described with reference to Figure 17. The pattern layer 66 shown in Figure 17 comprises a first color pattern layer 10 provided on one surface of the printing substrate 65, and a second color pattern layer 20 provided on the first color pattern layer 10. The pattern layer 66 shown in Figure 17 has the same configuration as the pattern printing layer 5 shown in Figure 2.

[0122] As shown in Figure 14, the smoke panel 63 has the function of attenuating light from the viewpoint side that passes through the light-transmitting decorative film 62. The smoke panel 63 is positioned on the back of the light-transmitting decorative film 62. In the display device 100, the smoke panel 63 is positioned on the front side of the display device 64. The smoke panel 63 is a colored transparent panel having a predetermined total light transmittance. The total light transmittance of the smoke panel 63 may be 3% or more, and may be 18% or more. Alternatively, the total light transmittance of the smoke panel 63 may be 40% or less, and may be 28% or less. The lower the total light transmittance, the more the reflected light from the back surface can be reduced. If the brightness of the display device 64 installed on the back is high, the total light transmittance of the smoke panel 63 may be lowered.

[0123] The smoked panel 63 may be a smoked plate 90 in which the plate-shaped member itself is a smoked material (see Figure 14). As the material for such a smoked plate 90, for example, transparent resins such as acrylic, polycarbonate, and PVC, or glass may be used. The thickness of the smoked plate 90 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

[0124] The smoked panel 63 may be a smoked film 91 that can be attached to a transparent plate (see Figures 18 and 19). For example, PET, PMMA, polypropylene, etc. may be used as the material for the smoked film 91. In the example shown in Figure 18, the smoked film 91 is attached to the back surface of the transparent plate 92. In the example shown in Figure 19, another transparent plate 92 is placed on the back side of the smoked film 91 on the back surface of the transparent plate 92. Alternatively, laminated glass with a smoked film 91 sandwiched in between may be used, in which case the reflected light will be greater than when a smoked film 91 with the same total light transmittance is attached to the back surface. If the total light transmittance is the same, using a smoked plate 90 such as smoked acrylic can reduce reflected light more effectively than using a transparent plate 92 with a smoked film 91 attached to the back surface.

[0125] The smoke panel 63 is colored. The color of the smoke panel 63 is not particularly limited, and any color may be used, for example, gray, brown, or blue. The method of coloring the smoke panel 63 is not particularly limited. For example, a colored transparent panel, the smoke panel 63, may be made by incorporating a coloring substance such as a pigment or dye into the material of a transparent panel and then molding it into a plate. When a thin colored layer is used as a substitute for the smoke film, printing methods such as screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, or offset printing may be used. In addition, the smoke panel 63 can be made in a variety of colors, and the color may be the same as the wall color of your choice, so the color is not limited.

[0126] The smoke panel 63 may control the color tone of the light-transmitting decorative film 62 depending on the color of the smoke panel 63. For example, when the display device 64 is OFF, the pattern of the pattern layer 66 of the light-transmitting decorative film 62 is visible from the front of the display device 100. At this time, the color tone of the pattern on the pattern layer 66 is controlled by the color of the smoke panel 63. For example, if the smoke panel 63 is brown and the pattern on the pattern layer 66 is wood grain, a brownish wood grain can be seen from the front of the display device 100.

[0127] The lower the total light transmittance of the smoke panel 63, the greater the effect of reducing reflected light. However, it is preferable to optimize the total light transmittance of the smoke panel 63, taking into consideration the brightness of the display device 64. A portion of the smoke plate 90 may be shaved to reduce its thickness, but this may change the total light transmittance of that portion. If this changes the color tone, it is preferable to match the color tone with a black sheet or paint. The display device 64 may be installed and embedded in an opening in the surrounding wall 69 (see Figures 15 and 16). Alternatively, it may be installed on the back of the wall 69, closing the opening made in the wall 69. If there is a gap between the wall 69 and the display device 64, it is preferable to sufficiently darken the back of the wall 69 to prevent light leakage. If the smoke panel 63 affects the color tone of the image on the display device 64, it is preferable to adjust the color tone by adjusting the RGB gain and bias of the display device 64. Depending on the color tone of the smoke panel 63, the RGB bias and gain of the display device 64 that constitutes the display device 100 may be adjusted so that white displays appear white through the smoke panel 63.

[0128] The method for bonding the light-transmitting decorative film 62 and the smoke panel 63 is not particularly limited, and transparent double-sided tape, OCA, tape, heat fusion, etc., may be used. When heat fusion is used, the film may be laminated on top of the printed layer. The color of the wall 69 surrounding the display device 64 can be any color as long as it does not affect the color tone of the light-transmitting decorative film 62, but if it is affected by the color of the base, it is preferable to make it a color similar to the color of the display that does not show an image. When partially adding an additional concealing layer to the back of the concealing layer 67 of the light-transmitting decorative film 62, the same concealing ink may be printed with a higher density, or it may be formed by attaching a black or gray film or sheet.

[0129] Next, the operation and effects of the decorative panel 61, the display device 100, and the display method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0130] In the decorative panel 61 according to this embodiment, a colored transparent smoke panel 63 having a total light transmittance of 3% or more and 40% or less is attached to the light-transmitting decorative film 62. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14, the reflected light LOUT1 generated by the reflection of incident light LIN incident from the surface of the light-transmitting decorative film 62 on the back surface of the decorative panel 61 is reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the fading of the color tone of the light-transmitting decorative film 62 and the deterioration of the contrast of the image LIMG1 of the display device 64 on the back side, which can occur when the light-transmitting decorative film 62 is illuminated from the back side. Furthermore, even if the light-transmitting decorative film 62 has low opacity, by combining it with the smoke panel 63, the opacity of the substrate is improved, and the influence of the difference in the color of the transparent substrate is reduced, thereby suppressing changes in the color tone of the light-transmitting decorative film 62.

[0131] In this embodiment, the decorative panel 61 combines a light-transmitting decorative film 62 with low opacity, which allows images from the display device 64 to pass through without being projected onto the opacity layer, with a smoke panel 63. As a result, the image is not doubled by the display device 64 and the light-transmitting decorative film 62, and the image LIMG 1b does not blur when viewed from an oblique angle. Furthermore, by concealing the substrate, reflected light LOUT 1 reflected from the back of the decorative panel 61 is prevented from illuminating the light-transmitting decorative film 62 from the back. Moreover, the reflected light LOUT 2, which is reflected by the black wall 69 from the incident light LIN, and the reflected light LOUT 1, which is reflected at the interface with the air layer of the smoke panel 63, are almost equal, and no difference in color tone is visible between the two, so the image display area 95 does not appear bright (Figures 15 and 16).

[0132] The decorative panel, display device, and display method described herein are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various other modifications are possible.

[0133] For example, when using interference pigments as materials for decorative inks used in printing the pattern layer, the printed materials according to each embodiment described in the first disclosure can be used. Furthermore, the deformation pattern may include a second color pattern layer containing multiple first interference pigments that generate different first interference light from each other, and a second interference pigment that generates a single-color second interference light different from the mixed color shown by the multiple first interference pigments. In addition, although the first color pigment chip contained two first interference pigments in each of the above embodiments, the first color pigment chip may contain three or more first interference pigments.

[0134] The printed materials and display devices described in the first to sixth disclosures can be used in devices that transparently display images on parts of walls and ceilings in bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, etc., or embedded in table tops, kitchen doors, the exterior of system kitchens, refrigerator doors, and entrance doors for displaying information, or used to conceal intercoms and control panels installed on bathroom walls, closet doors, bathroom interior walls, toilet interiors, doors, and walls, or embedded in bed headboards, or embedded in restaurant tables, tables in cultural facilities such as schools and libraries, study desks, music stands for electronic pianos, or elevators. It can be installed on walls, amusement facility walls, advertisements inside and outside public transportation such as buses and trains, ATM display boards, ticket vending machines, landscape-conscious signs, timetable displays, vending machine displays, elevator displays, commercial facility shop windows, and to conceal displays on home appliances (vacuum cleaners, fans, microwave ovens, rice cookers, kettles, coffee makers, etc.). It can also be used to conceal displays on tablet devices, smartphones, and mobile devices, and on the interiors of mobility vehicles (meter panels, information displays, door trims, interior interiors) and exterior surfaces of mobility vehicles.

[0135] One aspect of this disclosure is shown below: [1] A printed article comprising a translucent tactile layer, a translucent printing substrate, and a pattern printing layer, wherein the pattern printing layer contains a plurality of interference pearl pigments. [2] The printed article according to [1], wherein the translucent tactile layer contains silicone rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane resin. [3] The printed article according to [1] or [2], wherein the pattern printing layer comprises a first color pattern layer containing the interference pearl pigment and a second color pattern layer containing the interference pearl pigment. [4] The printed article according to [3], wherein each of the first color pattern layer and the second color pattern layer contains two or more of the interference pearl pigments. [5] The printed article according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the interference pearl pigment contains titanium dioxide-coated mica. [6] A display device comprising the printed article according to any one of [1] to [5] and a light source provided on the pattern printing layer side of the printed article.

[0136] 1,100...Display device, 2,2A,2B,2C...Printed material, 3...Light source, 4...Translucent printing substrate, 5...Pattern printing layer, 6,68...Translucent tactile layer, 10...First color pattern layer, 14,14a,14b,24,24a,24b...Interference pigment (interference pearl pigment), 20...Second color pattern layer, 50...Reflective layer, 61...Decorative panel (printed material), 63...Smoke panel, 65...Printing substrate (translucent printing substrate), 66...Pattern layer (Pattern printing layer).

Claims

1. A printed article comprising a translucent tactile layer, a translucent printing substrate, and a pattern printing layer, wherein the pattern printing layer contains a plurality of interference pearl pigments.

2. The printed article according to claim 1, wherein the translucent tactile layer comprises silicone rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane resin.

3. The printed article according to claim 1, wherein the pattern printing layer comprises a first color pattern layer containing the interference pearl pigment and a second color pattern layer containing the interference pearl pigment.

4. The printed material according to claim 3, wherein each of the first color pattern layer and the second color pattern layer contains two or more of the interference pearl pigments.

5. The printed article according to claim 1, wherein the interference pearl pigment comprises titanium dioxide-coated mica.

6. A display device comprising a printed material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and a light source provided on the pattern printing layer side of the printed material.

Images