JP5790713B2 - Method for producing twisted ball type electronic paper - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing twist ball type electronic paper using a twist ball that can display a good image and can be easily reused as a display medium.

In recent years, an information medium called electronic paper has been attracting attention. This information medium has excellent characteristics such as low power consumption, bendable flexibility, thinness and lightness, and has an outstanding feature that it can be rewritten, and is entering a practical stage. Specifically, it has begun to be commercialized in train advertisements and displays such as watches and electronic books.
There are several types of configurations of this information medium, and for example, there are configurations using, for example, two-color spherical particles (twist balls) (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  Among the electronic papers using the twist ball described above, as electronic papers used for displaying limited images and patterns such as posters and in-car advertisements for trains (hereinafter sometimes referred to as segment applications). Conventionally, the following configuration has been proposed. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of such electronic paper. As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic paper 100 includes a common electrode side base material 101 having a first base material 101a and a common electrode 101b formed on the first base material 101a, and a common electrode of the common electrode side base material 101. The first base material 101a opposite to the 101b side is disposed on the twist ball 103 and the twist ball layer 102 containing a low-polar solvent, and the second base material 111a and the second base material 111a are disposed on the twist ball layer 102. A display electrode side substrate 111 having a display electrode 111b formed in a pattern on the substrate is provided. In addition, the display electrode side substrate 111 is disposed so that the display electrode 111 b faces the twist ball layer 102 side, and an end portion of the electronic paper is sealed with a sealant 105.

  In the electronic paper 100 as shown in FIG. 7, when the wiring 300 is taken out from the display electrode 111b, it is necessary to provide the through hole in the second base material 111a in accordance with the position where the display electrode 111b is formed and to take out the wiring 300. As the pattern of the display electrode 111b becomes finer, there is a problem that it is difficult to align the display electrode 111b and the through hole of the second base material 111a. Moreover, in order to enclose the low polarity solvent without leakage, a process of completely closing the through hole is necessary, and the process is complicated. Furthermore, since the display electrode 111b and the twist ball layer 102 are in direct contact with each other, the display electrode material may be eluted into the low polarity solvent of the twist ball layer 102, which may deteriorate the image display of the electronic paper. was there.

Thus, electronic paper having the configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 has been proposed.
In the electronic paper 100 shown in FIG. 8, the display electrode 111b is formed on the fixed substrate 200, and this is arranged on the second base material 111a via the sealant 105, the adhesive 106, and the like. In the electronic paper 100 shown in FIG. 9, the twist ball layer 102 composed of the low polarity solvent and the twist ball 103 is sealed with the first film base material 101 a and the second film base material 111 a and formed on the fixed substrate 200. The display electrode 111b thus arranged is arranged via an adhesive 106. Note that reference numerals not described in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 can be the same as those in FIG.
With the above configuration, the twist ball layer 102 made of the low polarity solvent and the twist ball 103 is completely sealed by the first base material 101a and the second base material 111a, so that the display electrode 111b as shown in FIG. A step of completely closing the through hole used for connection between the wiring 300 and the wiring 300 is not required. In addition, with the above configuration, the twist ball layer 102 and the display electrode 111b are not in direct contact with each other, so that it is possible to prevent the display electrode material from being eluted into the low polarity solvent of the twist ball layer 102.

  However, in the electronic paper shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, as in the electronic paper 100 shown in FIG. 7, when the wiring 300 is taken out from the display electrode 111 b, the fixed substrate 200 is aligned with the formation position of the display electrode 111 b. It is necessary to provide a through hole in the wiring 300 and take out the wiring 300, and as the pattern of the display electrode 111b becomes finer, it is difficult to align the display electrode 111b and the through hole of the solid substrate 200. was there. Further, when the second base material 111a is a flexible film base material, when the display electrode 111b formed on the fixed substrate 200 and the second base material 111a are arranged via the adhesive 106, the display electrode There is a problem that the yield of bonding between the fixed substrate 200 and the second base material 111a due to the unevenness of 111b may be reduced, and the image display of the electronic paper may be deteriorated.

  Moreover, since the electronic paper mentioned above has high manufacturing cost, reuse is desired.

  On the other hand, although not shown, even in the passive drive type electronic paper, the transparent electrode side having the counter electrode formed in a stripe shape on the fixed substrate, the first base material, and the transparent electrode formed on the first base material The base material, the transparent electrode side base material is disposed on the first base material opposite to the transparent electrode side, the twist ball layer including a twist ball and a low polarity solvent, and the twist ball layer disposed on the twist ball layer A configuration in which the counter electrode and the second base material are arranged via an adhesive or the like has been proposed. There have been problems such as a decrease in the yield of bonding between the substrate and the second base material, and a possibility that the image display of the electronic paper is deteriorated.

JP 2006-47614 A JP 2007-206365 A

  The main object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a twisting ball type electronic paper, which can produce a good image display and can be easily taken out. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a twist ball type electronic paper for producing a reusable twist ball type electronic paper.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transparent electrode-side base material, which is prepared by forming a transparent electrode on one surface of a first base material made of a transparent film. The counter electrode which prepares a counter electrode side base material by forming in a pattern form on one surface of the 2nd base material which consists of a preparatory process and the film which has insulation using the formation method which can pattern a counter electrode A side ball base material preparation step, a twist ball layer forming step of forming a twist ball layer comprising a twist ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, and the transparent electrode side substrate and the counter electrode side substrate. The transparent electrode side base material and the counter electrode side base material are arranged so that the twist ball layer is sandwiched between the counter electrode side base material and the counter electrode is the twist ball layer. A twist ball type electronic paper manufacturing method comprising: a twist ball layer sealing step of sealing the twist ball layer with the first base material and the second base material, arranged to be opposite to each other provide.

According to the present invention, since the counter electrode can be configured not to be in direct contact with the twist ball layer, it is possible to prevent image display deterioration due to the elution of the material of the counter electrode into the low polarity solvent, A twist ball type electronic paper excellent in display quality can be manufactured. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and a deterioration in image display of the manufactured electronic paper.
Furthermore, when the twisting ball type electronic paper manufactured according to the present invention is an electronic paper used for a segment application (hereinafter sometimes referred to as segmental electronic paper), in the twisting ball layer sealing step, the counter electrode is used. Since the side base material is arranged so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball layer, it is possible to manufacture an electronic paper for a segment that can easily take out the wiring from the counter electrode. It becomes.

  In the present invention, in the twist ball layer sealing step, the first base material and the second base material are formed using materials that can be laminated on the first base material and the second base material. It is preferable to seal the twist ball layer by laminating. Since the twisted ball layer is sealed by laminating the first base material and the second base material, the twisted ball layer is sealed using, for example, a sealant or the like. The display area of the twist ball type electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method can be widened. In addition, since the sealing method is a twisting ball layer sealing method in which no sealant is arranged on the outer periphery of the twisting ball layer, when tiling a plurality of display panels side by side, the effect on the display due to the joint between the panels can be reduced. Is possible. This is because the heat-sealed portion of the both substrates of the film by laminating can be arranged on the side surface or the back surface of the display surface using the plasticity of the film.

  In addition, the present invention provides a transparent electrode side base material preparation step for preparing a transparent electrode side base material by forming a transparent electrode on one surface of a first base material made of a transparent film, and an insulating property. A counter electrode side base material preparation step of forming a counter electrode on the surface of one of the second base materials made of a film having a pattern using a forming method capable of patterning the counter electrode, and preparing a counter electrode side base material; And a twist ball layer forming step of forming a twist ball layer comprising a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, and sealing the twist ball layer with a film-like holding substrate having insulation and the first substrate, A twist ball member forming step for forming a twist ball member; and the counter electrode side base material is disposed outside the holding base material of the twist ball member, and the counter electrode is connected to the twist board. The member to provide a method of manufacturing a twist ball type electronic paper, characterized in that it comprises a counter electrode-side substrate placing step of placing such that opposite side.

According to the present invention, it is possible to produce a twist ball type electronic paper in which the twist ball member having the transparent electrode side substrate, the twist ball layer, and the holding substrate and the counter electrode side substrate are separate. . Thus, when changing the image display displayed by the twist ball type electronic paper, only the counter electrode side base material is manufactured by changing the design of the counter electrode in accordance with the change of the image display, and the twist Since the ball member can be repeatedly used, the twist ball type electronic paper can be easily reused.
In addition, since the counter electrode can be configured not to be in direct contact with the twist ball layer, it is possible to prevent deterioration of image display due to elution of the material of the counter electrode into a low-polarity solvent, and excellent display quality. Twist ball type electronic paper can be manufactured. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and a deterioration in image display of the manufactured electronic paper.
Furthermore, when the twist ball type electronic paper manufactured by the present invention is an electronic paper for a segment, the wiring from the counter electrode can be easily taken out by having the counter electrode side base material arranging step. It becomes possible to manufacture the electronic paper for segments.

  In the present invention, in the counter electrode side base material arranging step, the counter electrode side base material is arranged on the surface of the holding base material opposite to the twist ball member via a removable adhesive. It is preferable to do. This is because the counter electrode side substrate can be easily replaced by using a re-peelable adhesive.

  In the present invention, in the twist ball member forming step, the first base material and the holding base material are laminated using a material that can be laminated as the first base material and the holding base material. It is preferable to seal the twisted ball layer by processing. Since the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating the first base material and the holding base material, the present invention is compared with the case where the twist ball layer is sealed using, for example, a sealing agent. The display area of the twist ball type electronic paper manufactured by this manufacturing method can be widened. In addition, since the sealing method is a twisting ball layer sealing method in which no sealant is arranged on the outer periphery of the twisting ball layer, when tiling a plurality of display panels side by side, the effect on the display due to the joint between the panels can be reduced. Is possible. This is because the heat-sealed portion of the both substrates of the film by laminating can be arranged on the side surface or the back surface of the display surface using the plasticity of the film.

  The present invention has a transparent electrode side base material preparation step of preparing a transparent electrode side base material by forming a transparent electrode on one surface of a first base material made of a transparent film, and has an insulating property. A counter electrode side base material preparation step of forming a counter electrode on the one surface of the second base material made of a film in a pattern using a forming method capable of patterning the counter electrode side base material, a twist ball, A twist ball layer forming step for forming a twist ball layer comprising a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, a film-like first holding substrate having insulation properties and transparency, and a film shape having insulation properties A twist ball member forming step of sealing the twist ball layer with the second holding base material to form a twist ball member, and the transparent electrode side base material with the first holding base member of the twist ball member. The transparent electrode side base material arranging step for arranging the base material outside the base material, the counter electrode side base material on the outside of the second holding base material of the twist ball member, and the counter electrode on the side opposite to the twist ball member There is provided a method for producing twisted ball type electronic paper, comprising: a counter electrode side base material arranging step of arranging so as to become.

According to the present invention, a twist ball type electronic paper in which the twist ball member having the first holding substrate, the twist ball layer, and the second holding substrate and the counter electrode side substrate are separate is manufactured. Can do. Thus, when changing the image display displayed by the twist ball type electronic paper, only the counter electrode side base material is manufactured by changing the design of the counter electrode in accordance with the change of the image display, and the twist Since the ball member can be repeatedly used, the twist ball type electronic paper can be easily reused.
In addition, since the counter electrode can be configured not to be in direct contact with the twist ball layer, it is possible to prevent deterioration of image display due to elution of the material of the counter electrode into a low-polarity solvent, and excellent display quality. Twist ball type electronic paper can be manufactured. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and a deterioration in image display of the manufactured electronic paper.
Furthermore, when the twist ball type electronic paper manufactured by the present invention is an electronic paper for a segment, the wiring from the counter electrode can be easily taken out by having the counter electrode side base material arranging step. It becomes possible to manufacture the electronic paper for segments.
In addition, according to the present invention, the transparent electrode side base material, the twist ball member, and the counter electrode side base material are separately formed, and then the individual members are bonded together, so that the twist ball type electronic paper can be easily formed. Can be manufactured.

  In the twist ball member forming step, the first holding base material and the second holding base material are laminated by using materials that can be laminated as the first holding base material and the second holding base material. By doing so, it is preferable to seal the twist ball layer. Since the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating the first holding substrate and the second holding substrate, the twist ball layer is sealed using, for example, a sealant. The display area of the twisting ball type electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention can be widened. In addition, since the sealing method is a twisting ball layer sealing method in which no sealant is arranged on the outer periphery of the twisting ball layer, when tiling a plurality of display panels side by side, the effect on the display due to the joint between the panels can be reduced. Is possible. This is because the heat-sealed portion of the both substrates of the film by laminating can be arranged on the side surface or the back surface of the display surface using the plasticity of the film.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the counter electrode is formed using a cutting machine in the counter electrode side base material preparing step. By using a cutting machine, it is possible to form a counter electrode by cutting a metal foil or the like into a predetermined shape in accordance with a desired image display and pasting it on the second substrate. A counter electrode side base material can be prepared. In addition, compared to printing methods, vapor deposition methods, etc., when the counter electrode is formed, a printing original plate, a metal mask, etc. are not required, so that the counter electrode in electronic paper used as a small variety of information media can be manufactured at low cost. Can be formed.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable to form with the pattern application | coating method which apply | coats the said counter electrode in a pattern shape in the said counter electrode side base material preparatory process. By forming the counter electrode by a pattern coating method in which the counter electrode is applied in a pattern, even a counter electrode having a high-definition pattern can be easily formed.

  Moreover, in the said invention, it is preferable that the said pattern application | coating method is an inkjet method. By using the inkjet method, a counter electrode having a high-definition pattern can be efficiently formed. In addition, compared to printing methods, vapor deposition methods, etc., when the counter electrode is formed, a printing original plate, a metal mask, etc. are not required, so that the counter electrode in electronic paper used as a small variety of information media can be manufactured at low cost. Can be formed.

  The present invention also provides a first base material comprising a transparent film, a transparent electrode side base material having a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first base material, and a film-like holding group having insulation properties. A twist ball member comprising a material, and a twist ball layer comprising a twist ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, wherein the twist ball layer is sealed by the first substrate and the holding substrate; A second base material made of an insulating film, and a pre-exchange counter electrode side base material having a counter electrode formed on one surface of the second base material, and the pre-exchange counter electrode side base The material prepares twist ball type electronic paper before exchange in which the counter electrode is arranged on the outer side of the holding base of the twist ball member so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball member. After removing the counter electrode side base material before replacement from the twist ball member, another new counter electrode side base is placed outside the holding base material of the twist ball member from which the counter electrode side base material before replacement has been removed. Provided is a method for producing recycled twisted ball type electronic paper, characterized in that the material is disposed and attached so that the counter electrode of the base material on the new counter electrode side is opposite to the twist ball member.

  According to the present invention, the pre-replacement counter electrode side base material of the pre-replacement twist ball type electronic paper is detached from the twist ball member, and the pre-replacement counter electrode side base material is removed and the twist ball member holding base is removed. A twist ball type before replacement is only required by placing another new counter electrode side substrate on the outside of the material so that the counter electrode of the new counter electrode side substrate is opposite to the twist ball member. It is possible to form a regenerated twisted ball type electronic paper that can display different images with a display quality equivalent to that of the electronic paper. Thereby, since the said twist ball member can be used repeatedly, it becomes possible to manufacture reproduction | regeneration twist ball type | mold electronic paper at low cost.

In the present invention, the counter electrode can be configured not to be in direct contact with the twist ball layer, so that deterioration of the image display due to the elution of the material of the counter electrode into the low polarity solvent can be prevented. A twist ball type electronic paper excellent in quality can be manufactured. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and a deterioration in image display of the manufactured electronic paper.
Moreover, when the twist ball type electronic paper manufactured by this invention is the electronic paper for segments, it can take out wiring from the said counter electrode easily by having the said counter electrode side base-material arrangement | positioning process. It becomes possible to manufacture the electronic paper for segments. Further, in the present invention, since the twist ball member and the counter electrode side base material can be formed separately, when changing the image display of the twist ball type electronic paper, Only the counter electrode side base material is formed in accordance with the change, and the twist ball member can be used repeatedly and the twist ball type electronic paper that can be easily reused can be manufactured.

It is process drawing which shows an example of the manufacturing method of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of a twist ball type electronic paper. It is process drawing which shows another example of the manufacturing method of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the twist ball type electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is process drawing which shows another example of the manufacturing method of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is process drawing which shows an example of the manufacturing method of the reproduction | regeneration twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of a twist ball type electronic paper. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of twist ball type electronic paper. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of twist ball type electronic paper.

  Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the twist ball type electronic paper and the manufacturing method of the regenerated twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention will be described.

A. Method for Producing Twist Ball Type Electronic Paper First, a method for producing the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as electronic paper) will be described.
As will be described in detail later, in the electronic paper manufacturing method of the present invention, the configuration of the manufactured electronic paper can be configured such that the counter electrode does not directly contact the twist ball layer. The configuration of the electronic paper is a decrease in yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode, which has been a problem in the segmented electronic paper and passively driven electronic paper, and deterioration of image display of the manufactured electronic paper, It is possible to eliminate problems such as degradation of image display due to direct contact between the counter electrode and the twist ball layer, and the trouble of taking out the wiring from the counter electrode, which is a problem in the electronic paper for segments. . Therefore, the electronic paper manufacturing method of the present invention can be suitably used particularly when manufacturing electronic paper for segments and electronic paper of passive drive type. Furthermore, when forming a counter electrode, a counter machine in electronic paper used as a small quantity of various types of information media by using a counter electrode forming method such as a cutting machine that does not require a printing original plate or a metal mask, ink jet, etc. It is possible to form the electrode at a low cost. Further, although described in detail in the sections of “2. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of second aspect” and “Method of manufacturing electronic paper of third aspect”, in the present invention, the twist ball layer and the holding substrate are The twist ball member having the counter electrode side base material is formed as a separate body, and the counter electrode side base material is disposed on the holding base material via an adhesive that can be re-peeled, so that the above easily The counter electrode-side base material can be replaced, and a twist ball type electronic paper that can be reused can be manufactured.

  As will be described in detail later, when the electronic paper produced according to the present invention is an electronic paper for a segment, the transparent electrode side substrate and the transparent electrode are used as the common electrode side substrate and the common electrode, and the counter electrode side A base material and a counter electrode shall be used as a display electrode side base material and a display electrode. When the electronic paper manufactured according to the present invention is a passive drive type electronic paper, one of the transparent electrode and the counter electrode is used as a scanning (row) electrode and the other is used as a signal (column) electrode. .

  The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this invention is divided roughly into three aspects by the position of arrangement | positioning of the counter electrode side base material in the manufactured electronic paper. Hereinafter, the method for producing the electronic paper of each aspect will be described.

1. The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of a 1st aspect The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is a transparent electrode side base material by forming a transparent electrode in one surface of the 1st base material which consists of a film which has transparency. The transparent electrode side base material preparation step to be prepared, and the counter electrode side by forming the counter electrode in a pattern on one surface of the second base material made of an insulating film using a forming method capable of patterning the counter electrode A counter electrode side base material preparation step for preparing a base material, a twist ball layer forming step for forming a twist ball layer composed of a low polarity solvent layer including a twist ball and a low polarity solvent, the transparent electrode side base material and the counter electrode The transparent electrode side base material and the counter electrode side base material are arranged so that the twist ball layer is sandwiched between the electrode side base materials, and the counter electrode side base material is opposed to the counter electrode side base material. A twist ball layer sealing step in which the electrode is disposed on the opposite side of the twist ball layer and the twist ball layer is sealed with the first base material and the second base material. Is the method.

The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is demonstrated using figures. FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing an example of a method for producing electronic paper according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the method for producing an electronic paper according to the present embodiment forms a transparent electrode 12 on one surface of a first substrate 11 made of a transparent film, thereby forming a transparent electrode side substrate 1. The transparent electrode side base material preparation step (FIG. 1 (a)) and a method of patterning the counter electrode 22 on one surface of the second base material 21 made of an insulating film using a pattern shape The counter electrode side base material preparation step (FIG. 1 (b)) for preparing the counter electrode side base material 2 and a twist ball layer comprising a twist ball 3a and a low polarity solvent layer 3b containing a low polarity solvent The transparent ball side base material is formed so that the twist ball layer 3 is sandwiched between the transparent ball side base material 1 and the counter electrode side base material 2. 1 and the counter electrode side base material 2 The counter electrode side base material 2 is placed so that the counter electrode 22 is opposite to the twist ball layer 3 (FIG. 1D), and the first base material 11 and the second base material And a twist ball layer sealing step (FIG. 1 (e)) for sealing the twist ball layer 3 by 21.
FIG. 1 shows an example in which the twisted ball layer 3 is sealed by laminating the first base material 11 and the second base material 21 in the twisted ball layer sealing step (FIG. 1 (e)). Yes. Although not shown, in the twist ball layer sealing step, the twist ball layer may be sealed by disposing a sealant between the first base material and the second base material.

Here, a method for displaying an image using electronic paper using a twist ball will be described with an example. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of electronic paper. In FIG. 2, the twist ball 3a is assumed to have a permanent dipole formed by charging a black phase portion with a positive charge and charging a white phase portion with a negative charge. Moreover, the said 1st base material 11 shall have insulation. As shown in FIG. 2, by applying a predetermined electric field E between the transparent electrode 12 and the counter electrode 22, the twist ball 3a sandwiched between the transparent electrode 12 and the counter electrode 22 is placed under the electric field. As described above, in the twist ball 3a, the black phase is charged with a positive charge and the white phase is charged with a negative charge. Therefore, in the applied state, the individual twist balls 3a (FIG. )), The black phase of the twist ball 3a faces the second substrate 21 side, and the white phase of the twist ball 3a faces the first substrate 11 side (FIG. 2B).
Although not shown, when an electric field in the direction opposite to the above-described electric field is applied between the transparent electrode 12 and the counter electrode 22, the black phase of the twist ball faces the first substrate side, and the white phase of the twist ball is the second group. It comes to face the material side.
Thus, in electronic paper using a twist ball, image display can be performed by controlling the direction of the twist ball.
In FIG. 2, it is shown in a simplified manner that the twist ball layer 3 is sealed by laminating the first base material 11 and the second base material 21. Also, reference numerals not described in FIG. 2 can be the same as those in FIG.

As described above, since the twist ball has a charge, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the electronic paper is configured such that the twist ball layer 102 and the display electrode 111b are in direct contact, the twist ball layer There is a problem that the display electrode material having conductivity eluted in the low-polarity solvent 102 may affect the twist ball 103, and the display quality of the electronic paper may be deteriorated. Further, when the wiring 300 is taken out from the display electrode 111b, it is necessary to take out the wiring 300 by providing a through hole in the second base material 111a in accordance with the formation position of the display electrode 111b, and the pattern of the display electrode 111b is fine. Accordingly, there is a problem that it is difficult to align the display electrode 111b and the through hole of the second base material 111a. Furthermore, in order to enclose the low polarity solvent without leakage, a process for completely closing the through hole is necessary, and the process is complicated.
In FIG. 7, an example of the segmented electronic paper is shown. Although not shown, in the case of the passive drive type electronic paper, the counter electrode and the twist ball layer are in direct contact with each other. There is a problem that the display quality of the electronic paper may be deteriorated.

  According to this aspect, by having the twist ball layer sealing step, it is possible to manufacture electronic paper having a configuration in which the twist ball layer and the counter electrode are not in direct contact. Thereby, it becomes possible to manufacture high-quality electronic paper that can suppress deterioration in image display of the electronic paper due to the counter electrode material eluting in the low polarity solvent of the twist ball layer.

  Further, as a configuration in which the twist ball layer and the display electrode are not in direct contact with each other, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the display electrode 111b is formed on the fixed substrate 200, and this is disposed on the second base material 111a. However, in this case as well, in order to take out the wiring 300 from the display electrode 111b, it is necessary to align the fixed substrate 200 and the display electrode 111b and provide a through hole in the fixed substrate 200, as in FIG. Therefore, there is a problem that the manufacturing process of the electronic paper becomes complicated. Further, when the second base material 111a is a plastic film base material, when the display electrode 111b formed on the fixed substrate 200 and the second base material 111a are arranged via the adhesive 106, the display electrode 111b There is a problem that the yield of bonding between the fixed substrate 200 and the second base material 111a due to the unevenness may be reduced and the image display of the electronic paper may be deteriorated. 8 and 9 show an example of the segmented electronic paper. Although not shown, even in passive drive type electronic paper, the yield of the electronic paper is reduced due to the unevenness of the display electrodes, and the electronic paper is used. The deterioration of image display is a problem.

On the other hand, according to this aspect, since the counter electrode is disposed on the side opposite to the twisting ball layer, a decrease in yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and a deterioration in image display of electronic paper are prevented. Can be prevented. Moreover, when the electronic paper manufactured by this aspect is a segment electronic paper, in the said twist ball layer sealing process, the said counter electrode side base material is set so that the said counter electrode may be on the opposite side to the said twist ball layer. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the electronic paper for segments from which the wiring can be easily taken out from the counter electrode.
Hereafter, each process in the manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is each demonstrated.

(1) Transparent electrode side base material preparatory process First, a transparent electrode side base material preparatory process is demonstrated.
This process is a process of preparing a transparent electrode side base material by forming a transparent electrode on one surface of the 1st base material which consists of a film which has transparency.
In addition, in this aspect, when the electronic paper manufactured by this aspect is the electronic paper for segments, the transparent electrode side base material prepared by this process shall be used as a common electrode side base material.
Hereinafter, the 1st base material used for this process, the transparent electrode formed by this process, and the formation method of a transparent electrode are each demonstrated.

(A) 1st base material The 1st base material used for this process consists of a film which has transparency, and the transparent electrode mentioned later is formed in one surface of a 1st base material. In addition, in the twist ball layer sealing step described later, the twist ball layer is sealed together with the second base material used for the counter electrode side base material.

  As a 1st base material used for this process, it is a film which has transparency, and if it can form a transparent electrode mentioned below on the surface of the 1st base material, it will not be limited in particular, It may have insulating properties or may not have insulating properties, but those having insulating properties are preferable. Since the first base material has an insulating property, in the electronic paper manufactured by the electronic paper manufacturing method of this aspect, it is possible to suitably perform image display with the twist ball in the twist ball layer. is there.

  In addition, the material of the first base material is not particularly limited as long as it is a plastic material having transparency. Specifically, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, Examples include polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyetherimide, epoxy resin, silicone resin, and phenol resin.

In the electronic paper manufacturing method of this aspect, since the twist ball layer is preferably sealed by laminating the first base material and the second base material in the twist ball layer sealing step described later, More preferably, a base material on which a processable base film material and a sealant film material described later are laminated is used as the first base material.
Among the first base materials described above, as a base film material that can be laminated, polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyetherimide, epoxy resin, from the viewpoint of heat resistance due to thermocompression bonding during lamination, A silicone resin, a phenol resin, etc. can be mentioned.
Moreover, as a sealant film material, a non-stretched polypropylene film, a biaxially stretched polypropylene film, etc. are mentioned. It is also possible to use a coating film made of a material having heat sealing properties such as polyurethane, polyacryl, epoxy resin, silicone, or the like.
Here, at the time of laminating, as a matter of course, the first base material and the second base material are arranged and bonded so that the sealant film material side of the laminated base film material and sealant film material faces each other. .
In the case of laminating using the second base material and the first base material on which the base film material and the sealant film material that can be laminated are laminated, the materials of the second base material and the first base material are the same. More preferably, it is a base film material and a sealant film material. When the materials of the second base material and the first base material are the same base film material and sealant film material, it is possible to improve the adhesion between the second base material and the first base material when laminating. This is because it becomes possible.

  The film thickness of the first base material is not particularly limited as long as it has a self-supporting property capable of forming a transparent electrode described later. The film thickness of such a first substrate is preferably in the range of 10 μm to 300 μm, more preferably in the range of 15 μm to 100 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 25 μm to 50 μm. When the film thickness of the first base material is less than the above range, it is difficult to form a transparent electrode, which will be described later, on the surface of the first base material. When exceeding the range, the first base material is thick, so that image display cannot be performed, and the flexibility of the electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method of this aspect may be reduced.

(B) Transparent electrode Next, the transparent electrode used for this process is demonstrated. The transparent electrode used in this step is formed on the first base material. Here, when the electronic paper manufactured by this aspect is the electronic paper for segments, the said transparent electrode shall be used as a common electrode. Further, when the electronic paper manufactured according to the present embodiment is passive drive type electronic paper, one of the transparent electrode and the counter electrode described later is used as a scanning (row) electrode, and the other is used as a signal (column) electrode. Shall.

  Here, the transparency of the transparent electrode is not particularly limited as long as the image display can be observed in the electronic paper manufactured according to the present embodiment, but JIS K7361 does not deteriorate the display quality. -1: It is preferable to have transparency with a total light transmittance of 80% or more by measurement based on 1997.

  The transparent electrode used in this step is not particularly limited as long as it is formed on the first substrate. For example, even if the transparent electrode is directly formed on the first substrate. Alternatively, for example, the transparent electrode may be formed on a transparent film, and the transparent film on which the transparent electrode is formed may be disposed on the first substrate.

The transparent electrode described above is not particularly limited as long as it is an electrode having the above-described transparency. For example, an electrode formed in a thin film shape using a transparent conductor such as ITO, SnO ₂ , ZnO: Al, And an electrode formed in a mesh shape using a conductive material.
Moreover, when using the electrode formed in mesh shape as the said transparent electrode, you may use only with the electrode formed in the said mesh shape, and may be used with the thin film-like electrode which consists of the said transparent conductor.
The material used for the electrode formed in such a mesh shape is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity. For example, metal materials such as Al, Cu, and Ag, Ag, Cu, and carbon Examples thereof include pastes and colloidal solutions in which materials such as these are mixed in a solvent or a synthetic resin binder.

  Moreover, as the electrode formed in the mesh shape, those having a line width in the range of 2 μm to 30 μm and a mesh pitch in the range of 250 μm to 500 μm can be suitably used.

In this step, when the transparent electrode is a common electrode, the transparent electrode is usually formed on the entire surface of the first base material.
On the other hand, when the transparent electrode is an electrode used for passively driven electronic paper, the transparent electrode is formed to have a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the counter electrode. Such a pattern of the transparent electrode can be the same as the pattern of the transparent electrode used in a general passive drive type display device, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  The film thickness of the transparent electrode formed in this step is not particularly limited as long as it can be formed on the surface of the first base material with a uniform film thickness so as to function as an electrode. Absent. The film thickness of such a transparent electrode is preferably in the range of 50 nm to 10 μm, in particular in the range of 100 nm to 5 μm, particularly in the range of 200 nm to 1 μm. This is because, when the film thickness of the transparent electrode is less than the above range, it is difficult to form the transparent electrode with a uniform film thickness on the surface of the first base material. In addition, when the film thickness of the transparent electrode exceeds the above range, the manufacturing cost increases because the time and material used for forming the transparent electrode increase.

(C) Formation method of transparent electrode As a formation method of the transparent electrode used for this process, when forming the said transparent electrode directly on the said 1st base material, sputtering method and vacuum using the transparent conductor mentioned above. Examples thereof include a method of forming a thin film on the first base material by vapor deposition, CVD, coating, or the like.
When the transparent electrode is formed on a transparent film and the transparent film on which the transparent electrode is formed is disposed on the first substrate, the transparent electrode is formed on the first substrate. A method of forming a transparent electrode on a transparent film in the same manner as in the case of directly forming the film on the first substrate using an adhesive or the like, and the transparent electrode was formed. Examples thereof include a film having transparency and a method of laminating the first substrate. The film having transparency is not particularly limited as long as it has the transparency. Specifically, a film made of the same material as the first base material described above can be used. Further, since the adhesive having transparency and the like can be the same as that used when pasting general resin substrates together, description thereof is omitted here.
The electrode formed in the mesh shape can be formed by a method such as patterning by etching a conductive film formed on a substrate, screen printing, gravure printing, or the like. In addition, as a base material which forms a mesh electrode, the said 1st base material may be sufficient and the film which has the said transparency may be sufficient.

(2) Counter electrode side base material preparatory process Next, a counter electrode side base material preparatory process is demonstrated.
This step is a step of preparing the counter electrode side base material by forming the counter electrode in a pattern using a forming method capable of patterning the counter electrode on one surface of the second base material made of an insulating film. is there.

  In addition, when the electronic paper manufactured by this aspect is an electronic paper for segments, the said counter electrode side base material shall be used as a display electrode side base material.

  Hereinafter, the 2nd base material used for this process, the counter electrode formed at this process, and the manufacturing method of a counter electrode are each demonstrated.

(A) 2nd base material The 2nd base material used for this process consists of a film which has insulation, and the said counter electrode is formed on one surface of a 2nd base material. Moreover, the twist ball layer mentioned later is sealed with the 1st base material used for the transparent electrode side base material mentioned above.

The 2nd base material used for this process will not be specifically limited if it has a self-supporting property of the grade which can form a counter electrode on the said 2nd base material. Moreover, as said 2nd base material, although it may have transparency and does not need to have transparency, what does not have transparency is more preferable. In the electronic paper manufactured by the electronic paper manufacturing method of this embodiment, image display is observed from the transparent electrode side. Therefore, when the electronic paper is observed from the transparent electrode side, since the second base material is disposed on the lower layer side of the twist ball layer that performs image display, the second base material has transparency. This is because problems such as light leakage may occur.
Moreover, in this process, you may color the 2nd base material with the same color as one color of the twist ball used for an image display as needed.

  The material for the second base material is not particularly limited as long as it is a general plastic material, and the same material as the material for the first base material described above can be used. To do. In this step, it is more preferable to use a material that can be laminated. By using a material that can be laminated as the first base material and the second base material, the first base material and the second base material are laminated in the twist ball layer sealing step described later. This is because the twist ball layer described later can be sealed. Such a material that can be laminated can be the same as the material used for the first base material described above, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, the film thickness of the second base material is not particularly limited as long as the counter electrode can be formed. However, the film thickness is in the range of 10 μm to 300 μm, and in particular, 15 μm to It is preferably in the range of 100 μm, particularly in the range of 25 μm to 50 μm. If the film thickness of the second base material is less than the above range, it is difficult to form the counter electrode on the second base material, and the film thickness of the second base material is within the above range. When exceeding, when it displays using the electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method of this aspect, there is a possibility that image display cannot be performed using a twist ball because the second base material is thick. Because. Moreover, since the 2nd base material is thick, it is because the flexibility of the electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method of this aspect may fall.

(B) Counter electrode Next, the counter electrode formed by this process is demonstrated.

  Here, when the electronic paper manufactured by this aspect is the electronic paper for segments, the said counter electrode shall be used as a display electrode. When the electronic paper manufactured according to this embodiment is passively driven electronic paper, one of the counter electrode and the transparent electrode described above is used as a scanning (row) electrode and the other is used as a signal (column) electrode. And

  The counter electrode is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a conductive material and can display an image using a twist ball layer described later by applying a voltage to the counter electrode. . As such a counter electrode, for example, the counter electrode may be directly formed on the second base material, and for example, an adhesive layer or the like is interposed between the second base material and the counter electrode. For example, the counter electrode is formed on a film different from the second base material, and the film on which the counter electrode is formed is disposed on the second base material. May be. In this step, for simplification of the step, it is more preferable that the counter electrode is directly formed on the second base material.

  Moreover, as the shape of the counter electrode formed by this process, when the electronic paper manufactured by this aspect is the electronic paper for segments, especially if it has the shape according to the pattern displayed It is not limited. Specific examples include characters and designs.

  Moreover, when the electronic paper manufactured by this aspect is a passive drive type electronic paper, normally, the said counter electrode has a pattern corresponding to the pattern which the transparent electrode mentioned above has. Such a pattern of the counter electrode can be the same as the pattern of the counter electrode used in a general passive drive display device, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

The material used for the counter electrode is not particularly limited as long as it is a conductive material. For example, metals such as Au, Al, Ag, Ni, and Cu, ITO, SnO ₂ , ZnO: Al, etc. And a transparent conductor, a mixture of a conductive agent in a solvent or a synthetic resin binder, and the like. Examples of the conductive agent include cationic polymer electrolytes such as polymethylbenzyltrimethyl chloride and polyallylpolymethylammonium chloride, anionic polymer electrolytes such as polystyrene sulfonate and polyacrylate, electron conductive zinc oxide, and oxidation. Tin, indium oxide, carbon fine powder, Ag fine powder or the like is used.
In addition, as a material used for the counter electrode, in particular, a conductive material that is flexible and can withstand expansion and contraction of the substrate in consideration of conductivity and formation on the film substrate, particularly Au, Cu, A conductive paste in which a metal such as Al or Ag, carbon, Ag fine powder, or the like is mixed with a synthetic resin binder is preferable.

  The thickness of the counter electrode formed in this step is not particularly limited as long as it can be formed with a uniform thickness on the above-described second base material. Specifically, the thickness is 50 nm. It is preferable to be in the range of ˜500 μm, in particular, in the range of 100 nm to 100 μm, particularly in the range of 300 nm to 50 μm. When the thickness of the counter electrode is less than the above range, it is difficult to form the counter electrode with a uniform film thickness on the second base material described above. If the range is exceeded, it takes a lot of time and materials to form the counter electrode, which increases the manufacturing cost.

(C) Method for forming counter electrode As a method for forming the counter electrode used in this step, any method can be used so long as the counter electrode has a predetermined pattern according to the use of the electronic paper to be manufactured. It is not particularly limited.
As the formation method capable of patterning, a method of depositing the metal and a transparent conductor or the like in a pattern on the second substrate by a sputtering method, a vacuum deposition method, a CVD method or the like using a metal mask or the like, the metal, A transparent conductor, or a pattern coating method in which the conductive agent is mixed with a solvent or a synthetic resin binder and applied in a pattern on the second substrate, the metal thin film, or a thin film such as a metal, transparent conductor, or the conductive agent A method in which a film or the like formed on the second substrate is cut into a predetermined shape using a cutting machine and then pasted onto the second substrate using an adhesive or the like, and a thin film made of the counter electrode material is formed on the second substrate. A method of etching after patterning the resist on the coating film and then applying the pattern on the second substrate And the like can be given way. In addition, as a formation method of the said counter electrode, about the method by vapor deposition, the pattern coating method, the method by etching, etc., you may form directly on the said 2nd base material, or a film different from the said 2nd base material A counter electrode may be formed thereon, and the film on which the counter electrode is formed may be disposed on the second substrate.

  In this step, a method of forming the counter electrode by a pattern application method in which the counter electrode is applied in a pattern is preferable. This is because it is possible to easily form a counter electrode having a high-definition pattern.

  Examples of such a pattern coating method include printing methods such as an inkjet method, a printing method, a screen printing method, a gravure printing method, and a convex printing method. As a pattern coating method used in this embodiment, it is particularly preferable to use an ink jet method. In the method of forming the counter electrode using the ink jet method, the metal mask used for the sputtering method, the vacuum evaporation method, the CVD method, the printing original plate used for the printing method, or the like is used in accordance with the desired image display. Since electrode patterning can be performed, it is possible to form a counter electrode used for electronic paper as a small amount of various types of information media at low cost.

  In addition, when using the said pattern application | coating method as a formation method of the said counter electrode, the process of drying the counter electrode apply | coated on the 2nd base material can be performed as needed.

  In this step, it is also preferable to form the counter electrode using a cutting machine. By using a cutting machine, it is possible to cut a metal foil into a predetermined shape and form a counter electrode in accordance with a desired image display. Therefore, the counter electrode used in electronic paper as a small variety of information media can be reduced. It can be formed at a low cost.

(3) Twist Ball Layer Formation Step Next, the twist ball layer formation step will be described.
This step is a step of forming a twist ball layer composed of a low polarity solvent layer including a twist ball and a low polarity solvent.
Hereinafter, a method for forming the twist ball, the low polarity solvent layer, and the twist ball layer used in this step will be described.

(A) Twist ball The twist ball used in this step serves as a display medium in the electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method of this embodiment.

  The twist ball used in this step is spherical and has two hues of different color hue / white hue or different hue / color hue, and two different hues having different dipoles. There is no particular limitation.

  Such a twist ball can be the same as the twist ball manufactured by the microchannel manufacturing method proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-197083.

  Here, in the microchannel manufacturing method, the colored continuous phase and the spherical particleized phase are in an O / W type or W / O type relationship with each other, and from the first microchannel in which the colored continuous phase is transferred, Bipolar spherical polymer particles that are discharged in a spherical particle phase of a flowing medium flowing through the second microchannel in sequence, and having a positive (±) polarity. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a twist ball which is a spherical particle.

  In the above microchannel production method, the polymerizability in a colored continuous phase in which an oily or aqueous fluid medium containing a polymerizable resin component is phase-separated into two colors containing a coloring dye or pigment insoluble in this medium. The resin component is formed with different positively and negatively charged polymerizable monomers, transferred to the first microchannel, and this colored continuous phase is then transferred into the aqueous or oily spherical particleized phase flowing in the second microchannel. In addition, the liquid is sequentially or intermittently discharged. Next, the discharged material discharged into the spherical particle phase is gradually formed into spherical particles during the series of discharge, dispersion, and transfer in the microchannel, and then into spherical particles. A twist ball is appropriately prepared by polymerizing and curing the polymerizable resin component in the activated particles under UV irradiation and / or heating.

  The colored continuous phase is a continuous hue divided into two hues, for example, any one of black / white, red / white, yellow / white, blue / white, green / white, purple / white, etc. Examples include any two-color phase separation hues selected from “chromatic hue / white phase”, or two color phase separation hues having different color hue / color layers. The colorant for forming such a hue is appropriately selected and used without particular limitation as long as it is insoluble or uniformly dispersed in a fluid dispersion medium containing a polymerizable resin component described later. As the colorant, dyes and pigments can be used.

  As such dyes and pigments, those described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-197083 can be used, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The addition amount of the dyes and pigments as these colorants is not particularly limited, and the desired color tone varies depending on the use of the colored particles, and the dispersibility in the above-described colored continuous phase, etc. From this, in this embodiment, it is 0.1 to 80 parts by weight, preferably in the range of 2 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total polymerizable resin component which is a polymerization and curing component in the colored continuous phase. It can add suitably suitably.

  As the polymerizable resin component (or polymerizable monomer) used in the twist ball, the chargeability of the twist ball depends on the type of the functional group or substituent of the polymerizable monomer used in the twist ball. And monomer species that tend to exhibit (+) chargeability. Therefore, in the case where at least two or more kinds of monomers are used as the polymerizable resin component in this embodiment, the tendency to show the (+) and (−) chargeability is well known, and preferably the same kind of charge is used. A plurality of monomers having a tendency to property can be used in combination as appropriate.

  On the other hand, in the polymerizable resin component (or polymerizable monomer) having at least one functional group and / or substituent in the molecule, examples of the functional group or substituent include a carbonyl group, a vinyl group, a phenyl group, Examples thereof include an amino group, an amide group, an imide group, a hydroxyl group, a halogen group, a sulfonic acid group, an epoxy group, and a urethane bond. In this aspect, it can use suitably suitably combining the monomer type which has a functional group or a substituent in such a polymerizable monomer individually or in combination of 2 or more types.

  As the (−) chargeable monomer and the (+) chargeable polymerizable monomer, those described in JP-A No. 2004-197083 can be used. Description is omitted.

  In the twist ball used in this process, such a polymerizable monomer at the time of polymerization of the polymerizable resin component after being discharged as a colored continuous phase to the second microchannel already described above is used in combination with another copolymerizable monomer. In this case, although depending on the desired chargeability (or electrophoretic property) entrusted to the colored resin fine particles, a monomer having a tendency to be charged on a weight basis is preferably 1% to 100% of the total monomers. %, More preferably from 5% to 100%, particularly preferably from 10% to 100%, as long as it is a copolymer particle with a polymerizable monomer, the desired twist ball is suitably used. Can be provided.

  The twist ball is a spherical monodisperse particle having an average particle size in a range of 1.0 μm to 400 μm, preferably 20 μm to 200 μm, more preferably 50 μm to 120 μm. It can be suitably prepared within the range. In addition, uniform particles with extremely low variation in average particle diameter are appropriately prepared. In this embodiment, the degree of uniformity is expressed as a Cv value and is suitably used as a twist ball of monodisperse particles of 20% or less, preferably 5% or less, more preferably 3% or less.

(B) Low polarity solvent layer The low polarity solvent layer used in this step is not particularly limited as long as it contains a low polarity solvent. The low-polarity solvent layer is usually composed of a low-polarity solvent and an elastomer sheet made of an elastomer material that swells the low-polarity solvent.
Hereinafter, the low polarity solvent used in the low polarity solvent layer and the elastomer sheet will be described.

(I) Low-polar solvent The low-polar solvent used in this step is used for smooth rotation of the twist ball described above. Moreover, it is normally used by swelling in an elastomer sheet described later.

  Such a low polarity solvent is not particularly limited as long as it can be smoothly rotated without hindering the rotation of the twist ball. Examples of such a low polarity solvent include dimethyl silicone oil, isoparaffinic solvent, linear paraffinic solvent, dodecane, tridecane and the like.

(Ii) Elastomer sheet The elastomer sheet used in this step is made of an elastomer material capable of swelling the low-polarity solvent. The elastomer sheet is a sheet-like member in which the twist balls are dispersed, and is used by swelling the low-polarity solvent therein.

The material used for such an elastomer sheet is not particularly limited as long as the twist ball can be dispersed and the low polarity solvent can be swollen.
Examples of the material for such an elastomer sheet include silicone resin, (microcrosslinked) acrylic resin, (microcrosslinked) styrene resin, and polyolefin resin.

  Further, the film thickness of the elastomer sheet is not particularly limited as long as the electronic paper produced by the production method of this aspect can display an image with a twist ball dispersed in the elastomer sheet. Is preferably in the range of 50 μm to 1000 μm, more preferably in the range of 100 μm to 700 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 200 μm to 500 μm. When the film thickness of the elastomer sheet is less than the above range, it is difficult to obtain an elastomer sheet in which the twist balls are uniformly dispersed. When the film thickness of the elastomer sheet exceeds the above range, This is because the twist ball may be prevented from rotating.

(C) Method of forming twist ball layer Next, a method of forming the twist ball layer formed in this step will be described. The method for forming the twist ball layer used in this step is not particularly limited as long as it is a method capable of forming a twist ball layer capable of displaying an image when used in electronic paper. . For example, a method of uniformly dispersing the twist ball in an elastomer material, forming an elastomer sheet using the twist ball, and then immersing the elastomer sheet in the low polarity solvent to swell the low polarity solvent in the elastomer sheet Can be cited as an example.

  The film thickness of the twist ball layer formed in this step is not particularly limited as long as image display can be performed by rotating the twist ball in the electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method of this aspect. However, it is preferably in the range of 50 μm to 1000 μm, in particular in the range of 100 μm to 700 μm, particularly in the range of 200 μm to 500 μm. When the film thickness of the twist ball layer is less than the above range, since the distance between the twist ball and each substrate is small, it may be difficult for the twist ball to rotate in a desired direction. When the film thickness of the twist ball layer exceeds the above range, even if an electric field is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, the distance between the twist ball and each substrate is too large. This is because it is difficult to display an image using a twist ball in the electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method of the aspect.

(4) Twist ball layer sealing step Next, the twist ball layer sealing step of this embodiment will be described.
In this step, the transparent electrode side base material and the counter electrode side base material are arranged so that the twist ball layer is sandwiched between the transparent electrode side base material and the counter electrode side base material, and In this step, the counter electrode side substrate is disposed such that the counter electrode is on the side opposite to the twist ball layer, and the twist ball layer is sealed by the first substrate and the second substrate.

The arrangement of the transparent electrode side base material in this step is not particularly limited as long as the desired image display can be performed using the electronic paper produced by the production method of this embodiment. For example, the transparent electrode side base material may be arranged so that the transparent electrode is on the twist ball layer side, or the transparent electrode is on the opposite side of the twist ball layer, for example. You may arrange | position an electrode side base material. In this step, it is more preferable that the transparent electrode side substrate is disposed so that the transparent electrode is on the side opposite to the twist ball layer. With such an arrangement, the transparent electrode does not come into direct contact with the twist ball layer, so that the material of the transparent electrode does not elute in the low polarity solvent of the twist ball layer. It becomes possible to prevent the deterioration of the display quality of the paper.
Further, when a material that does not easily dissolve in a low-polar solvent is used as the material for the transparent electrode, the transparent electrode side substrate may be disposed so that the transparent electrode is on the twist ball layer side described later. .

  In addition, when the electronic paper manufactured by this aspect is a passive drive type electronic paper, it is more preferable to arrange | position the said transparent electrode side base material so that the said transparent electrode may become the opposite side to the said twist ball layer. . In the passive drive type electronic paper, the transparent electrode is formed in a pattern such as a stripe shape. Therefore, when the transparent electrode is arranged on the twisting ball layer side, the first substrate is formed by the unevenness of the transparent electrode. This is because it may be difficult to seal the twist ball layer by the material and the second base material.

  In addition, the method for sealing the twist ball layer used in this step is not particularly limited as long as the twist ball layer can be sealed by the first base material and the second base material. The twist ball layer may be sealed by, for example, a method of sealing the twist ball layer by disposing a sealing agent for sealing between the first base material and the second base material. For example, a material that can be laminated on the first substrate of the transparent electrode side substrate and the second substrate of the counter electrode side substrate is used, and the first substrate and the second substrate are laminated. By doing so, a method of sealing the twist ball layer may be used. In this embodiment, a method of sealing the twisted ball layer by laminating is more preferable.

  The method of sealing the twist ball layer by the laminating process can make the display area of the electronic paper wider than the method using a sealing agent, and when tiling a plurality of display panels side by side. It is possible to reduce the influence on the display by the joint between the panels. This is because the heat-sealed portions of the both substrates of the film by lamination can be arranged on the side surface or the back surface of the display surface by utilizing the plasticity of the film.

In addition, when the twist ball layer is sealed with a sealant, the transparent electrode side base material and the counter electrode side base material have flexibility. There is a problem that liquid leakage of a low polarity solvent in the ball layer may occur.
On the other hand, when the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating, the twist ball layer laminated by the first base material and the second base material becomes easy to handle.

The method of sealing the twist ball layer by laminating can be the same as that of general laminating, and therefore description thereof is omitted here.
Further, the sealing method using the sealant can be the same as the sealing method by bonding together common base materials, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

(5) Other process The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect has the transparent electrode side base material preparatory process mentioned above, a counter electrode side base material preparatory process, a twist ball layer formation process, and a twist ball layer sealing process. If there is, it will not specifically limit, Other required processes can be added suitably.
As such a process, for example, a process of attaching a wiring to the counter electrode can be cited. As an example of the step of attaching the wiring to the counter electrode, first, a coating film of an insulating photocurable resin composition for forming an insulating layer was formed on the entire surface of the counter electrode side substrate on the counter electrode side. After that, an example in which an opening for attaching a wiring to the counter electrode is formed in a part of the insulating layer by using a photolithography method or the like, and then a wiring is attached to the counter electrode from the opening. it can.

2. The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of a 2nd aspect The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect forms a transparent electrode side base material by forming a transparent electrode in one surface of the 1st base material which consists of a film which has transparency. A transparent electrode side base material preparation step to be prepared, and a counter electrode side base material, which is formed in a pattern on one surface of a second base material made of an insulating film using a forming method capable of patterning the counter electrode. A counter electrode side base material preparation step, a twist ball layer forming step of forming a twist ball layer composed of a low polarity solvent layer containing a twist ball and a low polarity solvent, an insulating film-like holding base material, and The twist ball member forming step of sealing the twist ball layer with the first base material to form a twist ball member, and the counter electrode side base material with the twist ball portion And a counter electrode side base material arranging step of arranging the counter electrode so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball member on the outside of the material holding base material.

The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is demonstrated using figures. FIG. 3 is a process diagram showing an example of a method for producing the electronic paper of this aspect. The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is the transparent electrode side group which prepares the transparent electrode side base material 1 by forming the transparent electrode 12 on one surface of the 1st base material 11 which consists of a film which has transparency. A counter electrode side base material is formed by forming a counter electrode 22 on one surface of a second base material 21 made of an insulating film and a material preparation step (FIG. 3A). 2 for preparing the counter electrode side substrate (FIG. 3B), and a twist ball layer forming step for forming the twist ball layer 3 composed of the twist ball 3a and the low polarity solvent layer 3b containing the low polarity solvent (FIG. 3 (c)), and the twisting ball member forming step (FIG. 3D) for forming the twisting ball member 30 by sealing the twisting ball layer 3 with the film-like holding base material 20 and the first base material 11 having insulation properties. ) And a counter electrode side base material arranging step of arranging the counter electrode side base material 2 outside the holding base material 20 of the twist ball member 30 so that the counter electrode 22 is opposite to the twist ball member 30 ( 3 (e)) is a manufacturing method for manufacturing the electronic paper 10.
3 shows an example in which the twist ball layer 3 is hermetically sealed by laminating the first base material 11 and the holding base material 20 in the twist ball member forming step (FIG. 3D). Yes. Although not illustrated, in the twist ball member forming step, the twist ball layer may be sealed by disposing a sealant between the first base material and the holding base material.

According to the present invention, it is possible to manufacture an electronic paper in which the transparent electrode side base material, the twist ball layer, and the twist ball member having the holding base material and the counter electrode side base material are separate. Thereby, when changing the design displayed by the electronic paper, it is possible to change the design of only the counter electrode side base material and to repeatedly use the twist ball member. Can be easily reused.
In addition, since the counter electrode can be configured not to be in direct contact with the twist ball layer, it is possible to prevent deterioration of image display due to elution of the material of the counter electrode into a low-polarity solvent, and excellent display quality. Twist ball type electronic paper can be manufactured. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and a deterioration in image display of the manufactured electronic paper.
Furthermore, when the electronic paper manufactured by this aspect is the electronic paper for segments, it has the said counter electrode side base-material arrangement | positioning process, The electronic for segments which can take out the wiring from the said counter electrode easily can be performed. Paper can be produced.

Hereafter, each process used for the manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is each demonstrated.
In addition, about the transparent electrode side base-material preparation process used for the manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect, and a twist ball layer formation process, each process demonstrated in the section of "1. Manufacturing method of the electronic paper of 1st aspect". The description here is omitted.

(1) Counter electrode side base material preparation process This process forms in a pattern form on one surface of the 2nd base material which consists of an insulating film using the formation method which can pattern a counter electrode, and counter electrode It is a step of preparing a side base material.

  As a 2nd base material used for this process, it is possible to form a counter electrode on a 2nd base material, and in the counter electrode side base-material arrangement | positioning process mentioned later, of the holding base material of the said display member There is no particular limitation as long as the counter electrode side base material can be disposed on the outer side so that the counter electrode is opposite to the display member. For example, as shown in FIG. The base material 20 may be a base material that can cover the entire surface of the base material 20, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a base having a pattern that matches the counter electrode 22 formed on the second base material 21. It may be a material. Note that FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of electronic paper manufactured according to this aspect, and reference numerals that are not described can be the same as those in FIG.

  About this process, since it can be made to be the same as that of the counter electrode side base material preparatory process demonstrated in the term of "1. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of 1st aspect" except for said point, description here Omitted.

(2) Twist ball member forming step This step is a step of forming a twist ball member by sealing the twist ball layer with the film-like holding base material and the first base material.
Hereinafter, the holding substrate used in this step and the twisting ball layer sealing method will be described.

(A) Holding base material The holding base material used in this step is a film-like member having insulating properties, and seals the twist ball layer together with the first base material used for the transparent electrode side base material. It is used to make a ball member. Moreover, the said holding base material arrange | positions the said counter electrode side base material on the opposite side to a twist ball layer.

  As such a holding substrate, the twist ball layer can be sealed by sealing the twist ball layer together with the first substrate used for the transparent electrode side substrate, and the twist ball of the holding substrate. If the said counter electrode side base material can be arrange | positioned on the surface on the opposite side to a layer, it will not specifically limit, Even if it may have transparency, it does not have transparency Good.

  As a material for such a holding base material, the same materials as those for the first base material and the second base material described in “1. Electronic paper of first aspect” can be appropriately selected and used. . Moreover, it is preferable that the material of such a holding substrate is a material that can be laminated. This is because the twist ball layer can be sealed by laminating by using a material that can be laminated as the material of the first base and the holding base. Moreover, when the material which can be laminated is used as a material of the said 1st base material and a holding base material, it is preferable that the material of the said 1st base material and a holding base material is the same material. It is because the adhesiveness at the time of laminating the said 1st base material and a holding base material can be made high because the material of the said 1st base material and a holding base material is the same material.

  As the film thickness of such a holding substrate, the twist ball layer can be sealed together with the first substrate to form a twist ball member, and the opposite side of the holding substrate from the twist ball layer Although it will not specifically limit if the said opposing electrode side base material can be arrange | positioned on the surface, Specifically, it exists in the range of 10 micrometers-300 micrometers, especially in the range of 15 micrometers-100 micrometers, 25 micrometers-50 micrometers. It is preferable to be within the range. If the film thickness of the holding substrate is less than the above range, it is difficult to dispose the counter electrode side substrate on the holding substrate, and the film thickness of the holding substrate is within the above range. This is because it is difficult to perform good image display on the electronic paper produced by the production method of this embodiment.

(B) Sealing method of twist ball layer As a sealing method of the twist ball layer used in this step, as long as the twist ball layer can be sealed by the first base material and the holding base material, the twist ball layer is sealed. The method is not particularly limited. For example, the twist ball layer is formed by disposing a sealing agent for sealing between the first substrate and the holding substrate used for the transparent electrode side substrate. The first substrate and the holding substrate may be used by using a material that can be laminated on the first substrate and the holding substrate used for the transparent electrode side substrate, for example. The twist ball layer may be sealed by laminating the above. In this embodiment, a method of sealing the twisted ball layer by laminating is more preferable. The reason why the method by laminating is preferable is the same as that described in the section of “1. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of the first aspect”, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  Moreover, about the arrangement method of the transparent electrode side base material in this process, since it can be the same as that described in the section of “1. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of the first aspect”, description here is omitted. To do.

(3) Counter electrode side base material arrangement | positioning process This process makes the said counter electrode side base material the outer side of the holding base material of the said twist ball member, and the said counter electrode turns into the opposite side to the said twist ball member. It is a process of arranging.

In this step, if the counter electrode side base material is arranged outside the holding base material of the twist ball member so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball member, The arrangement method is not particularly limited, and may be arranged by a method of completely fixing the counter electrode side base material and the holding base material via an adhesive or the like, or the counter electrode side base material and The holding base material may be arranged by a method that can be easily detached. In this step, it is preferable that the counter electrode side substrate and the holding substrate are arranged by a method that can be easily attached and detached. As the method for arranging the counter electrode side base material, specifically, a fixing portion for fixing the counter electrode side base material is provided on the holding base material, and the counter electrode side base material is fixed to the fixing portion. The method of arrange | positioning by this, the method of installing through the adhesive which can peel a counter electrode side base material and a holding base material again, etc. can be mentioned.
In this step, it is particularly preferable to use a method in which the counter electrode side base material and the holding base material are installed via an adhesive that can be removed again. The electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method according to this aspect allows the electronic paper to be reused by replacing the counter electrode side base material, and the counter electrode side base material and the holding base material can be peeled off again. This is because the counter electrode side base material can be easily replaced by being disposed through a simple adhesive.
Here, “removable” means that the holding base material and the second base material can be peeled off without being damaged when they are peeled off after the holding base material and the second base material are bonded. It points to something. Examples of such adhesives include acrylic adhesives or adhesives, silicone adhesives or adhesives, natural rubber adhesives or adhesives, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) adhesives or adhesives. And urethane-based pressure-sensitive adhesives or adhesives. The re-peelable adhesive is preferably applied on the counter electrode side substrate. This is because the re-peelable adhesive does not remain on the holding base material surface, so that the twist ball member can be easily reused.

  In this step, the gap between the holding base material and the counter electrode side base material when the counter electrode side base material is arranged on the holding base material is displayed using electronic paper manufactured by the manufacturing method of this embodiment. Is not particularly limited as long as the gap can be adjusted so that a desired image display can be performed by rotating the twist ball, and is not more than 50 μm, especially not more than 30 μm, particularly not more than 20 μm. The following is preferable. When the above range is exceeded, it is practically difficult to supply a voltage to be applied to the transparent electrode and the counter electrode in order to obtain an electric field E necessary for rotating the twist ball.

(4) Other steps The method for producing the electronic paper of this aspect includes the transparent electrode side base material preparation step, the counter electrode side base material preparation step, the twist ball layer formation step, the twist ball member formation step, and the counter electrode side base. If it has a material arrangement | positioning process, it will not specifically limit, Other necessary processes can be added suitably.

3. 3. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of 3rd aspect The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect forms a transparent electrode side base material by forming a transparent electrode in one surface of the 1st base material which consists of a film which has transparency. A transparent electrode side base material preparation step to be prepared, and a counter electrode side base material, which is formed in a pattern on one surface of a second base material made of an insulating film using a forming method capable of patterning the counter electrode. A counter electrode side base material preparation step, a twist ball layer forming step of forming a twist ball layer comprising a twist ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, and having insulation and transparency A twist ball member forming process for forming a twist ball member by sealing the twist ball layer with a film-like first holding substrate and an insulating film-like second holding substrate A transparent electrode side base material placement step of placing the transparent electrode side base material on the outside of the first holding base material of the twist ball member; and the counter electrode side base material for the second holding of the twist ball member. And a counter electrode side base material arranging step of arranging the counter electrode on the outer side of the base material so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball member.

The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is demonstrated using figures. FIG. 5 is a process diagram showing an example of a method of manufacturing the electronic paper according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the method for producing the electronic paper according to the present embodiment forms the transparent electrode 12 on one surface of the first substrate 11 made of a transparent film, thereby forming the transparent electrode side substrate 1. The transparent electrode side base material preparation step (FIG. 5 (a)) and the second electrode 21 made of an insulating film are formed using a forming method capable of patterning the counter electrode 22 on one surface. Then, the counter electrode side base material preparing step (FIG. 5B) for preparing the counter electrode side base material 2 and the twist ball layer 3 composed of the twist ball 3a and the low polarity solvent layer 3b containing the low polarity solvent are formed. Twist ball layer forming step (FIG. 5 (c)), and a film-like first holding substrate 201 having insulation and transparency and a film-like second holding substrate 202 having insulation properties are twisted. Seal ball layer 3 The twist ball member forming step for forming the twist ball member 30 (FIG. 5D), and the transparent electrode side base on which the transparent electrode side base 1 is disposed outside the first holding base 201 of the twist ball member 30. The material placement step (FIG. 5 (e)) and the counter electrode side substrate 2 are placed outside the second holding substrate 202 of the twist ball member 30, and the counter electrode 22 is on the opposite side of the twist ball member 30. In this way, the electronic paper 10 is manufactured by having the counter electrode side base material arranging step (FIG. 5E) arranged as described above.
In FIG. 5, the twist ball layer 3 is hermetically sealed by laminating the first holding substrate 201 and the second holding substrate 202 in the twist ball member forming step (FIG. 5D). Although not shown, in the twist ball member forming step, the twist ball layer is sealed by disposing a sealant between the first holding base material and the second holding base material. Also good.

Also in this aspect, the twist ball member and the counter electrode side base material can be manufactured as separate electronic paper, and the counter electrode is not directly in contact with the twist ball layer. can do. Therefore, it becomes possible to manufacture an electronic paper having the same effects as the electronic paper manufactured by the electronic paper manufacturing method of the second aspect described above. Since the above-described operation and effect have been described in detail in the section “2. Manufacturing method of electronic paper according to the second aspect”, description thereof is omitted here.
Furthermore, in this aspect, after forming the transparent electrode side base material, the twist ball member, and the counter electrode side base material as separate bodies, it is possible to easily manufacture electronic paper by bonding the respective members. It becomes possible.

  Hereafter, each process of the manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is each demonstrated. In this embodiment, the transparent electrode side substrate preparation step, the counter electrode side substrate preparation step, the twist ball layer formation step, and the counter electrode side substrate arrangement step are described in “2. Since it can be the same as the process described in the section of “Manufacturing method”, the description is omitted here.

(1) Twist ball member forming step In this step, the twist ball layer is formed by a film-like first holding base material having insulation and transparency and a film-like second holding base material having insulation. This is a step of sealing and forming a twist ball member. Hereinafter, the sealing method of the 1st holding base material used for this process, the 2nd holding base material, and a twist ball layer is explained.

(A) 1st holding substrate and 2nd holding substrate About the 2nd holding substrate used for this process, what was explained in the term of holding substrate of "2. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of the 2nd mode". The description is omitted here.

  The first holding substrate used in this step is an insulating and transparent substrate, and the twist ball layer is sealed together with the second holding substrate to form a twist ball member. The transparent electrode side base material is not particularly limited as long as the transparent electrode side base material can be disposed on the surface opposite to the twist ball layer of the first holding base material. Specifically, the material of the first holding base material can be the same as that described in the section of the first base material in “1. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of the first aspect”. Explanation here is omitted.

  Except for the above-mentioned points of the first holding base material, it can be the same as that described in the section of the holding base material in “2. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of the second aspect”. Omitted.

  In this step, it is preferable to use a material that can be laminated as the first holding substrate and the second holding substrate. In this step, it is preferable to seal the twist ball layer by laminating the first holding substrate and the second holding substrate, as will be described later. Further, when the first holding substrate and the second holding substrate are made of materials that can be laminated, it is preferable that the materials of the first holding substrate and the second holding substrate are the same material. When the materials of the first holding substrate and the second holding substrate are the same material, the adhesiveness when the first holding substrate and the second holding substrate are laminated may be high. Because it can.

(B) Twist Ball Layer Sealing Method The twist ball layer sealing method used in this step is the first substrate and holding described in the above-mentioned section of “2. Method for producing electronic paper of second aspect”. Since a method similar to the method of sealing the twist ball layer using the base material can be used, description thereof is omitted here.

(2) Transparent electrode side base material arrangement | positioning process This process is a process of arrange | positioning the said transparent electrode side base material on the outer side of the 1st holding base material of the said twist ball member.

  About the arrangement method of the transparent electrode side base material in this step, since it can be the same as that described in the section of “1. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of first aspect”, description here is omitted.

  Moreover, since it can be made to be the same as that of what was demonstrated in the term of the counter electrode side base-material arrangement | positioning process of "2. The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of 2nd aspect" except for said point, description here is abbreviate | omitted To do.

B. Method for Producing Recycled Twist Ball Type Electronic Paper Next, a method for producing the regenerated twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “recycled electronic paper”) will be described.

  The method for producing recycled electronic paper according to the present invention includes a first substrate made of a transparent film, a transparent electrode-side substrate having a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first substrate, and insulation. A film-shaped holding substrate, and a twist ball layer comprising a twist ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, wherein the twist ball layer is sealed by the first substrate and the holding substrate. A twisted ball member, a second base material made of an insulating film, and a counter electrode side base material before replacement having a counter electrode formed on one surface of the second base material, and the replacement The front counter electrode side base material is a twist ball type before replacement in which the counter electrode is arranged on the outer side of the holding base material of the twist ball member so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball member. After the child paper is prepared and the counter electrode side base material before replacement is removed from the twist ball member, the twist ball member from which the counter electrode side base material before replacement is removed is separated from the holding base material of the twist ball member. The new counter electrode side base material is disposed and attached so that the counter electrode of the new counter electrode side base material is opposite to the twist ball member.

  A method for producing recycled electronic paper according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a process diagram showing an example of a method for producing recycled electronic paper according to the present invention. In the method for producing recycled electronic paper of the present invention, first, a transparent electrode side substrate having a first substrate 11 made of a transparent film and a transparent electrode 12 formed on one surface of the first substrate 11. 1. A film-like holding base material 20 having insulating properties, and a twist ball layer 3 including a twist ball 3a and a low polarity solvent layer 3b containing a low polarity solvent, and the first base material 11 and the holding base material 20 And a twist ball member 30 in which the twist ball layer 3 is sealed, a second base material 21 ′ made of an insulating film, and an exchange electrode 22 ′ formed on one surface of the second base material. A front counter electrode side base material 2 ′, and the counter electrode side base material 2 ′ before replacement is disposed outside the holding base material 20 of the twist ball member 30 and the counter electrode 22 is opposite to the twist ball member 30. Before exchange being arranged so that the side to prepare electronic paper 10 '(FIG. 6 (a)). Next, the counter electrode side base material 2 ′ before replacement was removed from the twist ball member 30 of the electronic paper 10 ′ before replacement (FIG. 6B), and then the counter electrode side base material 2 ′ before replacement was removed. Another new counter electrode side base material 2 ″ is placed outside the holding base material 20 of the twist ball member 30 so that the counter electrode 22 ″ of the new counter electrode side base material 2 ″ is opposite to the twist ball member 30. The recycled electronic paper 10 ″ is manufactured by arranging and attaching to (FIG. 6C). The new counter electrode side base material 2 ″ has a second base material 21 ″ and a counter electrode 22 ″.

According to the present invention, the counter electrode side substrate before replacement is removed from the twist ball member of the electronic paper before replacement, and the twist ball member from which the counter electrode side base material before replacement is removed is replaced with another new counter electrode. By only attaching the side base material, it is possible to obtain recycled electronic paper that can display images different from the electronic paper before replacement with display quality equivalent to that of the electronic paper before replacement. Moreover, since the twist ball member of the electronic paper before replacement can be used repeatedly, the manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced.
In addition, as described above, since it is possible to change the image display by the reproduction electronic paper only by replacing the counter electrode side base material before replacement, an electronic used for an information medium that frequently requires information replacement. When manufacturing paper, it can use suitably. Thus, by replacing the counter electrode side base material before replacement, it is possible to display various images, and it is possible to provide low-cost electronic paper on demand.

  Further, according to the present invention, the new counter electrode side base material is arranged outside the holding base material of the twist ball member so that the counter electrode of the new counter electrode side base material is opposite to the twist ball member. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture recycled electronic paper from which wiring from the counter electrode can be easily taken out.

  Hereinafter, the pre-replacement electronic paper and the new counter electrode side substrate used in the method for producing recycled electronic paper of the present invention will be described.

(A) Pre-replacement electronic paper The pre-replacement electronic paper used in the present invention is a transparent electrode side having a first substrate made of a transparent film and a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first substrate. A base material, a film-like holding base material, and a twist ball layer comprising a twist ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, wherein the twist ball layer is sealed by the first base material and the holding base material A twisted ball member, a second base material made of an insulating film, and a pre-replacement counter electrode side base material having a counter electrode formed on one surface of the second base material. The pre-replacement counter electrode side substrate is arranged outside the twisting ball member holding substrate so that the counter electrode is on the opposite side of the twist ball member.

  The pre-replacement electronic paper used in the present invention is manufactured by the manufacturing method described in the above-mentioned section “2. Method for manufacturing electronic paper of second aspect” or “3. Method for manufacturing electronic paper of third aspect”. It is what is done. In addition, when the said electronic paper before replacement | exchange is what was manufactured by the manufacturing method of the electronic paper of a 3rd aspect, the laminated body of a 1st holding base material and a transparent electrode side base material is said transparent electrode side base material, 1st 2 A holding substrate shall be handled as the holding substrate.

  The counter electrode side base material and the twist ball member used for the electronic paper before replacement are the same as those described in the section of “2. Manufacturing method of electronic paper of second aspect”. Is omitted.

  In the pre-replacement electronic paper, it is preferable that the counter electrode side base material and the twist ball member are disposed via a re-peelable adhesive. Accordingly, the counter electrode side base material can be easily detached from the twist ball member. The re-peelable adhesive can be the same as that described in the section of “2. Method for producing electronic paper of second aspect”, and is not described here.

(B) New counter electrode side base material The new counter electrode side base material used in the present invention is prepared separately from the counter electrode side base material of the electronic paper before replacement, and is made of an insulating film. It has a counter electrode formed in a pattern on a base material and a second base material.
Further, the new counter electrode side base material is disposed on the outer side of the twist ball member from which the counter electrode side base material is removed in the electronic paper before replacement, and the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball member. It is arranged and attached like this.

  As such a new counter electrode side base material, by attaching to the twist ball member described above, the image display of the recycled electronic paper manufactured according to the present invention is performed with the display quality equivalent to the image display of the electronic paper before replacement. Although it is not particularly limited as long as it can be used, it is preferable to have a counter electrode having a pattern shape different from that of the counter electrode included in the counter electrode side base material in the electronic paper before replacement. This is because different image display can be performed between the electronic paper before replacement and the recycled electronic paper.

The material of the new counter electrode side substrate used in the present invention, the film thickness, and the method of forming the counter electrode are the same as those described in the section “2. Method for manufacturing electronic paper of the second aspect”. The description here is omitted.
In the present invention, the method for forming the counter electrode used for the new counter electrode side substrate is particularly preferably a method of forming the counter electrode using a cutting machine or a method of forming the counter electrode by an ink jet method.

  The arrangement method of the new counter electrode side substrate used in the present invention can be the same as that described in the section of “2. Method for producing electronic paper of the second aspect”, so the description here is Omitted. In the present invention, the new counter electrode side substrate may be disposed on the surface of the twisting ball member holding substrate opposite to the twisting ball member via a removable adhesive. preferable. This is because the recycled electronic paper manufactured according to the present invention can be easily reused.

(C) Others The method for producing recycled electronic paper according to the present invention is preferably used for producing electronic paper for segments as a small amount of various types of information media. The electronic paper for segments as a small amount and a wide variety of information media has a short posting period of information to be displayed, and therefore requires frequent changes in image display. Therefore, by using the method for producing recycled electronic paper according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain electronic paper as a low-cost, high-variety information medium efficiently at a low cost.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention, and any device that exhibits the same function and effect is the present invention. It is included in the technical scope of the invention.

[Example 1]
A twist ball having a particle diameter of about 100 μm and having a black phase positively charged in black and a white phase negatively charged in white was prepared. This was dispersed in a thermosetting silicone resin, applied onto a glass substrate with a coater, and heat-treated to produce a sheet in which 300 μm thick twist balls were dispersed. Next, the twist ball dispersion sheet was immersed in silicone oil for 24 hours to swell (twist ball layer).

  Next, a laminate film (CPP / PET) in which ITO was formed on the PET surface was prepared (common electrode side base material). Next, an ink in which silver nanoparticles (about 50 μm in diameter) are dispersed in a solvent is prepared, and patterned on the PET surface of the laminate film (CPP / PET) according to the display pattern by the inkjet method (display electrode side group) Material).

  Subsequently, the twist ball layer was sandwiched between the common electrode side base material with the ITO surface outside and the display electrode side base material with the silver surface outside, and the twist ball layer was sealed to obtain an electronic paper for a segment. Thereafter, wiring was performed using a conductive tape and a lead wire according to the display pattern, and an arbitrary voltage signal of ± 80 V was applied to the display electrode via the lead wire to display the pattern on the segment electronic paper.

[Example 2]
On the display electrode side substrate of Example 1, a UV curable resin was patterned by an ink jet method to form an insulating layer. Next, an ink in which silver nanoparticles (about 50 μm in diameter) were dispersed in a solvent was prepared and wired to the display electrode by an inkjet method. Using this, the twist ball layer was sealed by laminating in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a segmented electronic paper. Further, display was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

[Example 3]
A segment electronic paper was prepared and displayed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the display electrode side substrate of Example 1 was formed as follows instead of the inkjet method.
First, an aluminum vapor-deposited PET film with a release sheet was prepared and cut according to the display pattern by a cutting machine. Next, after removing unnecessary portions, the pattern-cut aluminum vapor-deposited PET film was taken on a transfer sheet and transferred to the PET surface of a laminate film (CPP / PET).

[Example 4]
A twist ball having a colored phase of blue and positively charged and a white phase of white and negatively charged and having a particle diameter of about 100 μm was prepared. This was dispersed in a thermosetting silicone resin, applied onto a glass substrate with a coater, and heat-treated to produce a sheet in which 300 μm thick twist balls were dispersed. Next, the twist ball dispersion sheet was immersed in silicone oil for 24 hours to swell (twist ball layer).

  Next, two laminate films (CPP / PET) were prepared, and the twisted ball layer was sandwiched with the PET surface facing outside to obtain a twisted ball member.

  Next, a PET film on which ITO was formed was prepared (common electrode side base material). Next, an ink in which silver nanoparticles (approximately 50 μm in diameter) were dispersed in a solvent was prepared, and a PET film patterned on the PET film according to the display pattern was prepared by using the ink jet method (display electrode) Side substrate). Next, an adhesive was applied to the display electrode side base material on the PET film side and the common electrode side base material, and was applied to both sides of the twist ball member to obtain an electronic paper for a segment. Then, it wired using the conductive tape and the lead wire according to the display pattern. Further, display was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

[Example 5]
Using a silicone-based re-peeling adhesive as the adhesive applied to the PET film side of the display electrode side substrate of Example 4, the PET film side and common electrode of the display electrode side substrate as shown in Example 4 The side base material was affixed to the twist ball member. Then, it wired using the conductive tape and the lead wire according to the display pattern (electronic paper before replacement). In addition, display was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 using the pre-exchange electronic paper.
Next, a new electrode pattern for displaying a new picture was prepared on a new PET film by the inkjet method in the same manner as in Example 4 (new display electrode side substrate). Next, a silicon-based re-peeling adhesive was applied to the PET film side of the new display electrode side substrate.
Subsequently, the display electrode side base material affixed on the twist ball member was peeled off using the re-peeling adhesive, and the new display electrode side base material was attached on the twist ball member from which the display electrode side base material was peeled off.
Thereafter, wiring was performed using a conductive tape and a lead wire according to the display pattern, and an arbitrary voltage signal of ± 80 V was applied to the display electrode via the lead wire to display the pattern on the electronic paper.

  About Examples 1-4, the favorable image display was able to be performed. Moreover, about Example 5, when displaying using the display electrode side base material before replacement | exchange, also when displaying using a new display electrode side base material, a favorable image display can be performed similarly. did it.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transparent electrode side base material 11 ... 1st base material 12 ... Transparent electrode 2 ... Counter electrode side base material 21 ... 2nd base material 22 ... Counter electrode 3 ... Twist ball layer 3a ... Twist ball 3b ... Low polar solvent layer 10 ... Electronic paper 10 '... Electronic paper 10 "before replacement 10" ... Recycled electronic paper 20 ... Holding substrate 201 ... First holding substrate 202 ... Second holding substrate 30 ... Twist ball member

Claims (5)

A transparent electrode is formed on a transparent film, and the film on which the transparent electrode is formed is attached to one surface of a first base material made of a transparent laminateable film using an adhesive. A transparent electrode side base material preparation step of preparing a transparent electrode side base material,
A counter electrode is formed in a pattern using a forming method capable of patterning a counter electrode on a film, and the film on which the counter electrode is formed is applied to one surface of a second substrate made of an insulating laminateable film. A counter electrode side base material preparation step of preparing a counter electrode side base material by pasting using an adhesive,
A twist ball layer forming step of forming a twist ball layer comprising a twist ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent;
After the counter electrode side base material preparation step, the transparent electrode side base material and the counter electrode side base material so that the twist ball layer is sandwiched between the transparent electrode side base material and the counter electrode side base material And laminating the first base material and the second base material by arranging the counter electrode side base material so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball layer. A twisting ball layer sealing step for sealing the twisting ball layer by:
A method for producing twisted ball type electronic paper, comprising: 2. The method for producing twisted ball type electronic paper according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the counter electrode is in accordance with a pattern to be displayed. 3. The method of manufacturing twist ball type electronic paper according to claim 1, wherein, in the counter electrode side base material preparation step, the counter electrode is formed by using a cutting machine. 3. The method for producing twisted ball type electronic paper according to claim 1, wherein in the counter electrode side base material preparing step, the counter electrode is formed by a pattern coating method in which the counter electrode is applied in a pattern. The method for producing twisted ball type electronic paper according to claim 4, wherein the pattern coating method is an inkjet method.

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